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Questions for Oral or Written Answer
beginning on Wednesday 20 July 2005
(the 'Questions Book')
Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Wednesday 20 July 2005
This paper contains only Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 20 July 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 20 July of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order Paper. For Written and Oral Questions for answer after Wednesday 20 July see Part 2 of this paper.
Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer 1
N | Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield, Attercliffe):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the population aged 18 years and over was at the last Census in each contituency agreed by the Boundary Commission as part of the current round of boundary reviews. | | (13518) | 2
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many letters to his Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13851) | 3
| Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many claimants have contacted Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs telephone call centres in each month since the inception of the tax credits scheme. | | (13878) | 4
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what budget was allocated for carers and the carer's allowance in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK for 2004-05; and if he will make a statement. | | (13830) | 5
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage of people in the Lanark and Hamilton East constituency are classified as (a) professionals and (b) skilled workers; and if he will make a statement. | | (14063) | 6
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage of people in the Lanark and Hamilton East constituency are employed in (a) service industries and (b) manufacturing industries; and if he will make a statement. | | (14064) | 7
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the unemplyment rate was in the Lanark and Hamilton East constituency for each year from 2001 to 2005; and if he will make a statement. | | (14067) | 8
| Mr Mark Lancaster (North East Milton Keynes):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many deaths in which the primary cause was alcohol there were in Milton Keynes in each of the last five years. | | (13994) | 9
N | Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many calls have been (a) received and (b) handled by the Inland Revenue tax credits telephone helpline in each month since August 2002; and if he will make a statement. | | (12297) | 10
N | Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the transcript of the recent inverview given by Mr David Varney, Chairman of HM Revenue and Customs, to the Financial Times on 5th July; and if he will make a statement. | | (13596) | 11
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the statement of 12th July, Official Report, column 720, how long it takes on average to identify tax credit IT system problems; what actions will be taken to speed up their identification; and whether he will set internal targets for identifying and resolving IT system problems. | | (13836) | 12
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral statement of 12th July, Official Report, column 754, on tax credits, what the process is for suspending the recovery of a tax credit overpayment in disputed cases; whether the award will be paid at the new rate of entitlement but not further reduced to recover the overpayment in circumstances where the overpayment arises as a result of (a) official error, (b) a change of circumstances and (c) a rise in income above the disregard; whether the amount of the overpayment will increase in value as a result of (i) interest charged by Revenue and Customs and (ii) the award of additional tax credits if the dispute is resolved in Revenue and Customs' favour; and when this process will begin. | | (13840) | 13
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral statement of 12th July, Official Report, column 720, on tax credits, if he will list the options for suspension of the recovery of tax credit overpayments being tested. | | (13841) | 14
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral statement of 12th July, Official Report, column 720, on tax credits, how many staff will be dedicated to the pilot scheme for contacting customers to encourage them to report changes to their tax credit award; whether these will be (a) new members of staff and (b) staff already working on the tax credit helpline or dealing with complaints; how long he expects the pilots to run for; what he estimates the cost of the scheme will be; and how he will evaluate the success of the pilot scheme. | | (13842) | 15
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral statement of 12th July, Official Report, column 722, on tax credits, how many tax credit overpayments for 2003-04 were the result of (a) rises in income from (i) £2,500 to £2,999, (ii) £3,000 to £3,999, (iii) £4,000 to £4,999, (iv) £5,000 to £5,999, (v) £6,000 to £6,999, (vi) £7,000 to £7,999, (vii) £8,000 to £8,999, (viii) £9,000 to £9,999, (ix) over £10,000, (b) changes in circumstances and (c) official error. | | (13843) | 16
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the qualitative experiences of those receiving the new tax credits. | | (13874) | 17
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what management information he collects on the amount by which tax credit awards change in-year to reflect a change of entitlement arising from (a) an increase in income above the disregard, (b) a change in circumstances and (c) official error. | | (13875) | 18
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many overpayments of tax credits in (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05 and (c) 2005-06 to date, have been (i) disputed and (ii) written off; and what the value of the overpayments (A) disputed and (B) written off was in each year. | | (13876) | 19
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the take-up rate of the (a) child element of child tax credit, (b) family element of child tax credit and (c) childcare tax credit in working tax credit, broken down by (i) caseload and (ii) expenditure. | | (13877) | 20
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much was paid in bonus payments related to performance to senior civil servants in the Inland Revenue in each of the last four years. | | (13879) | 21
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) the Gateway review and (b) the business case for the tax credit computer system. | | (13880) | 22
| Mr Angus MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what dates (a) he and (b) his Department discussed with the Scottish Executive the EU rules governing the tendering process for Scottish Fisheries Protection vessels; and what (i) information and (ii) advice he has given to the Scottish Executive on the application of these rules in relation to the requirement to award contracts competitively, with particular reference to whether it is possible to award such contracts solely to British shipyards. | | (14050) | 23
| Mr Angus MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has made to the European Commission on behalf of the Scottish Executive in relation to the rules governing the tendering process for Scottish Fisheries Protection vessels; and what (a) information and (b) advice he has received from the European Commission on the application of the European Union procurement rules in this case. | | (14051) | 24
| Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he next expects to publish an assessment of the five economic tests for UK membership of the euro. | | (14070) | 25
| Mr George Osborne (Tatton):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many civil servants are employed in assessing performance against the five economic tests for UK membership of the euro. | | (14071) | 26
N | Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to implement EU Directive 2001/17/EC; and by what method he proposes to implement it. | | (13368) | Questions to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 27
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many letters to his Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13856) | Questions to the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 28
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs, how many letters to her Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13857) | 29
| Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon):To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs, whether she plans to use the same quality assessment for price competitive tendering as that used for civil legal aid contracts. | | (13887) | 30
| Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon):To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what assessment she has made of the likely effects of price competitive tendering on civil legal aid. | | (13888) | 31
| Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon):To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what steps she plans to take to monitor the quality of criminal legal aid work throughout the term of a contract under Price Competitive Tendering. | | (14073) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 32
N | Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield, Attercliffe):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what criteria were used in determining the matters to be included in the (a) GOAL and (b) GQAL licensing qualifications approved by her Department; and if she will make a statement. | | (13516) | 33
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the merits of including the north east of England in the regional casino pilot study. | | (13982) | 34
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she expects to decide on the location of the regional casino pilot; and what the relationship is between the regional spatial strategies of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and decisions on regional casino pilots. | | (13983) | 35
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what research her Department has conducted on the regeneration impact of regional casinos; and what assessment she has made of in which region the impact would be greatest. | | (13991) | 36
| Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the road infrastructure in East London for the Olympic Games; and what discussions she has had with (a) Transport for London and (b) the Department for Transport concerning improvements, with particular reference to the A406. | | (14077) | 37
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many letters to her Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13858) | 38
N | Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what benefits she expects to accrue to East Yorkshire as a result of the Olympic Games being held in London. | | (12874) | 39
N | John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the total cost of consultants employed by the British Library was in each of the past five years. | | (12097) | 40
N | John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the average length of contracts awarded to consultants at the British Library was in each of the past five years. | | (12098) | 41
N | John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many consultants have become permanent members of staff of the British Library following the end of their contract in each of the last five years. | | (12099) | 42
N | John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the added value made to the British Library by consultants employed by them in each of the past five years. | | (12100) | 43
N | John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many members of staff are employed by the British Library in (a) Boston Spa, (b) St. Pancras and (c) Colindale. | | (12101) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence 44
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many letters to his Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13859) | 45
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what lessons he has drawn from past counter-insurgency campaigns overseas on the effects of announcing in advance timetables for the withdrawal of forces. | | (12659) | 46
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it remains his intention that eight Type 45 destroyers will be built. | | (12660) | 47
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when each of the remaining Type 45 destroyers will be ordered. | | (12661) | 48
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the planned in-service date will be for each Type 45 destroyer. | | (12662) | 49
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last discussed with senior naval officers the merits of fitting tactical Tomahawk missiles to Type 45 destroyers with senior naval officers; and if he will make a statement. | | (12663) | 50
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in which year each (a) SSBN and (b) SSN is due to be decommissioned; and in which year each replacement submarine is due to enter service. | | (13049) | 51
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by what means UK submarine-building capacity will be maintained after the completion of the order for three Astute-class boats. | | (13050) | 52
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which vessels are due to be fitted with Sonar 2087; and by what dates. | | (13051) | 53
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels sold to other countries since 1997; and what sums (a) were spent on preparing each of them for transfer and (b) were received from the purchasing countries as a result of each sale. | | (13052) | 54
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which (a) Trafalgar and (b) Swiftsure-class submarines are (i) operational and (ii) non-operational; and for what reasons each non-operational submarine is not available to the fleet. | | (13053) | Questions to the Deputy Prime Minister 55
N | Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield, Attercliffe):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the recommended investment strategy is for each regional housing board for 2006 to 2008. | | (13517) | 56
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many letters to his Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13860) | 57
| Ben Chapman (Wirral South):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether his plans to update the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992 include making changes to Part IV of these regulations (Areas of Special Control over Advertisements); and if he will make a statement. | | (14002) | 58
N | Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will publish the evaluation he has made of the Airwave system in advance of a decision on Firelink. | | (13664) | 59
N | Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what role chief fire officers will have in signing off the safety case for the introduction of regional emergency control centres; and if he will make a statement. | | (13665) | 60
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, which local authorities have signed local area agreements; and (a) which services and (b) what expenditure are involved in each case. | | (13895) | 61
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will publish the representations he has received on the Firelink Project. | | (14069) | 62
| Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how much funding Tamworth Borough Council has received from all Government sources over the past 10 years in (a) nominal and (b) real terms. | | (13838) | 63
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many (a) consultation and (b) advisory documents were sent to parish councils by his Department in each of the last five years. | | (13961) | 64
N | Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight):To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, why the planning inspectorate extended for an unspecified period the deadline for submission by the appellant of an environmental impact assessment in respect of planning appeal P2114/c/05/2001426 (Gore Basin, Newport, IW); whether the appeal on ground is deemed to have lapsed owing to the non-submission of an environmental impact assessment; and when a hearing of the appeal is likely to take place. | | (13758) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 65
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when she expects to receive Sir Alan Langland's report on higher education and access to the professions; and when the Government expects to publish its response to the report. | | (13981) | 66
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will establish a commission to examine the funding of undergraduate education and different schemes for the repayment of graduate contributions. | | (13993) | 67
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many letters to her Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13861) | 68
| Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what guidance her Department plans to provide to (a) schools and (b) local authorities to help them identify voluntary sector partners as part of the extended schools initiative; and if she will make a statement. | | (13960) | 69
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what percentage of young people in England (a) participated in university education in the academic year 2004-05 and (b) are expected to participate in university education in the academic year 2005-06; whether the Government expects to meet its 2010 target for university participation for 50 per cent. of the young people in England; and if she will make a statement. | | (14065) | 70
| Mr Mark Lancaster (North East Milton Keynes):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children of school age in Milton Keynes are not attending either a state or independent school. | | (13995) | 71
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on special needs provision in North Yorkshire. | | (14031) | 72
| Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of the Employer Training Pilots were delivered successfully by the (a) private and (b) public sectors. | | (13896) | 73
| Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether contracts for the National Employer Training Programme will be open to providers from the (a) private and (b) public sectors; and whether part of the budget will be ring-fenced for public sector providers. | | (13897) | 74
| Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what evaluation arrangements are in place to assess the (a) quality and (b) effectiveness of the alternative provision available to young people unable to secure a place on the Entry to Employment programme. | | (13900) | 75
| Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what her estimate is of the number of people (a) starting and (b) completing Modern Apprenticeships in 2005-06; and what funding has been allocated to Modern Apprenticeships in 2005-06. | | (13901) | 76
| Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will make a statement on the relative emphasis of the employer training pilots between (a) increasing the number of employees with NVQ qualifications and (b) ensuring that employees meet a skills demand. | | (13970) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 77
N | Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total UK carbon emissions were for (a) commercial buses, (b) other commercial vehicles, (c) cars, (d) trains and (e) UK airlines for the most recent year for which information is available. | | (12962) | 78
N | Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the annual volumetric change in UK carbon emissions attributable to (a) aviation and (b) road vehicles was for each of the most recent 10 years for which information is available. | | (12963) | 79
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what environmentally acceptable disposal routes for asbestos her Department has identified; and in what order of desirability. | | (13988) | 80
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many letters to her Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13862) | 81
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13th July, Official Report, column 1040W, on tree cover, what the figures were for each London borough. | | (14005) | 82
| Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on commercial peat extraction, with particular reference to Cumbria; which areas have been confirmed under special protection status over the past 12 months; and which areas are being considered for special protection status. | | (13837) | 83
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, by what date she expects all the IACS-22 forms for the Environmental Stewardship scheme to be processed. | | (13870) | 84
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the recent discovery of bovine TB in pigs in Bodmin, Cornwall. | | (13871) | 85
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to enact a single statute to protect the welfare of livestock and horses as proposed by the Farm Animal Welfare Council. | | (14042) | 86
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will support the request made to the G8 for the establishment of a panel of international experts to deal with the control of animal disease, with particular reference to Africa. | | (14043) | 87
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publicise the penalties for offences relating to the illegal trade in endangered species. | | (14044) | 88
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of whether feed-based sources of BSE continue to be a problem. | | (14046) | 89
| Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list companies fined for pollution incidents in each of the past five years, broken down by amount of fine; how many were fined more than once in that period; and what steps are taken to combat repeat offences. | | (14008) | 90
| Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that imports of live (a) poultry and (b) game from elsewhere in the EU are not contaminated with Newcastle Disease; and if she will suspend all such imports until full biosecurity measures are in place. | | (14032) | 91
| Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many birds have been affected by the outbreak of Newcastle Disease in Surrey; what assessment she has made of whether the disease was present in the birds when they were imported; what steps are being taken to trace other consignments of birds from the same origin; and what information she has received from the French authorities on (a) the origins of the disease and (b) the reasons it was not detected on the originating premises. | | (14033) | 92
| Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to control the outbreak of Newcastle Disease in Surrey. | | (14038) | 93
| Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will reply to the letter from the honourable member for Totnes dated 25th May relating to the Stoke Fleming Parish Council's community composting centre. | | (13884) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 94
| John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how regularly the British Ambassador to Burma is in contact with members of the National League for Democracy. | | (13998) | 95
| John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the British Ambassador to Burma last met (a) Aung San Suu Kyi and (b) other members of the National League for Democracy. | | (13999) | 96
| John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the British Ambassador to Burma last requested a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi; and what the outcome was of this request. | | (14000) | 97
| John Bercow (Buckingham):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the government of Burma regarding its refusal to grant Razali bin Ismail, the UN Special Envoy to Burma, a visa. | | (14001) | 98
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1373; which countries have not reported to the Counter-Terrorism Committee on steps taken or planned to implement the resolution; and if he will make a statement. | | (13855) | 99
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many letters to his Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13863) | 100
N | Sir Menzies Campbell (North East Fife):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the UK Government has been consulted by either party regarding Iran's proposed assistance with the training and upgrading of Iraq's armed forces; and if he will make a statement. | | (13205) | 101
| Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had in the last six weeks with representatives of the (a) US Administration, (b) Russian government and (c) EU in relation to progress on the Middle East Road Map; and if he will make a statement. | | (14030) | 102
| Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much of the UK Drugs and Crime Fund was allocated to activities in (a) Colombia, (b) Jamaica, (c) Iran, (d) Pakistan, (e) Afghanistan and (f) Turkey in each of the last five years; and what assessment he has made of the effect of this expenditure on the trade in drugs. | | (14039) | 103
| Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance he has offered to President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva to tackle corruption in Brazil. | | (14009) | 104
| Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East):To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with EU and African counterparts on (a) increasing the size and (b) improving the effectiveness of the international forces in Darfur. | | (14012) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Health 105
N | Mr Richard Bacon (South Norfolk):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which primary care trusts have issued Connecting for Health smartcards with the same PIN number for every user. | | (13341) | 106
N | Mr John Baron (Billericay):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans she has to make use of the internet to encourage women aged 50 to 70 to accept an invitation to attend an NHS breast screening. | | (13794) | 107
N | Mr John Baron (Billericay):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what examples there are of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence fast-tracking an appraisal of drugs or treatment. | | (13795) | 108
N | Mr John Baron (Billericay):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what policy considerations underlay the full implementation of the EU Clinical Trials Directive. | | (13796) | 109
N | Mr John Baron (Billericay):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures can be taken against (a) NHS organisations and (b) independent sector providers who use recruitment agencies which are not included on the list of agencies compliant with the code of practice on international recruitment. | | (13797) | 110
N | Mr John Baron (Billericay):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what involvement her Department has in the allocation of funds to organisations and individuals involved in cancer research. | | (13799) | 111
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, in which areas of England Alimta/Pemetrexed is available on the NHS to treat mesothelioma. | | (13984) | 112
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what advice she has received from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence relating to the prescribing of Alimta/ Pemetrexed as a treatment for mesothelioma patients. | | (13985) | 113
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what advice she has received from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence concerning the most effective treatments for mesothelioma. | | (13986) | 114
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidelines her Department has issued concerning the most effective treatments for mesothelioma. | | (13987) | 115
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research her Department is funding into medical interventions in the treatment of mesothelioma; and what amount of that research is directed at palliative care. | | (13992) | 116
N | Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment she has made of future levels of Hepatitis C infection if rates of identification and treatment of the disease remain unchanged. | | (13204) | 117
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many letters to her Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13864) | 118
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 13th July, Official Report, column 1135W, on health care (Merton), what issues are under consideration; and what the timetable is. | | (14004) | 119
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research her Department is sponsoring into transmissible spongiform encephalopies. | | (13972) | 120
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, in what circumstances, and under what criteria, one foundation trust can take over another. | | (14047) | 121
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many members each foundation trust had at the last count. | | (14048) | 122
N | Mr Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much is being spent on NHS dentistry in West Kent in 2005-06; how many NHS dentists are registered as practising in the Sevenoaks constituency; and if she will make a statement. | | (13515) | 123
| Mr Don Foster (Bath):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate her Department has made of the number of British citizens who possess E111 forms issued after 19th August 2004; and if she will make a statement. | | (13886) | 124
| Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assistance she proposes to provide to the UK food supplements industry following the recent ruling of the European Court of Justice on the Food Supplements Directive; if she will make representations for the reopening of the text of the Directive; and how she intends to take forward the commitments given to the meeting of honourable Members organised by the honourable Member for Bolton South East on 6th July. | | (13835) | 125
| Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her Answer of 20th June, Official Report, column 794W, on hepatitis C, how the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommendation that people with mild disease should remain under observation is being implemented for those individuals who have not received an initial diagnosis. | | (13969) | 126
| Ian Lucas (Wrexham):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the terms of reference for the Healthcare Commission investigation into clostridium difficile at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust, will be made available. | | (14013) | 127
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment she has made of the financial position of the South Tees Hospital Trust. | | (14041) | 128
N | Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if she will meet representatives of the hospital staff unions to discuss proposed health service job losses in Leeds. | | (13798) | 129
N | Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment her Department has made of the planned job losses in Leeds hospitals; and if she will take steps to ensure the standard of health care provision will not change as a consequence of these proposals. | | (13800) | 130
| Grant Shapps (Welwyn Hatfield):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people (a) requested and (b) received an appointment to see a GP within 48 hours in the Welwyn Hatfield Primary Care Trust in the last period for which figures are available. | | (13831) | 131
| Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps she plans to take to implement the recommendations of the Office of Fair Trading report on care homes. | | (13885) | 132
| Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what factors underlay the decision on whether to apply Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment principles to staff affected by the break up of the National Health Service University. | | (13867) | 133
| Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS staff have been transferred from the National Health Service University to the new institute. | | (13868) | 134
| Keith Vaz (Leicester East):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reason the word learning has been removed from the list of functions of the new institute replacing the NHS University; and what factors underlay the decision regarding whether there should be consultation with the unions before that list of functions was finalised. | | (13869) | Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department 135
N | Mr Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what role the head of the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit has in the (a) promotion and (b) execution of Government policy on (i) the prevention of binge drinking and (ii) the promotion of respectful behaviour and the discouragement of offensive or obscene language. | | (12876) | 136
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many letters to his Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13865) | 137
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 14th July, Official Report, column 1217W, on the criminal records bureau, what other forms of functionality have been added to the IT system in each of the last two years. | | (14006) | 138
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what advice his Department has issued on dealing with the latest forms of bio-terrorism; and if he will make a statement. | | (13973) | 139
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research he has undertaken into whether there are linkages between domestic violence and cases of animal cruelty; and what steps he is taking to tackle each. | | (13974) | 140
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will estimate how many people who have a British passport also are (a) in possession of and (b) entitled to a passport of a different nationality; and what mechanisms are in place to monitor the use of multiple passports. | | (14072) | 141
| Mark Durkan (Foyle):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) asylum seekers and (b) other immigration detainees were transferred from Northern Ireland to (i) Dungavel and (ii) other Immigration Removal Centres in Great Britain in each of the last three years. | | (13950) | 142
| Mark Durkan (Foyle):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria are used to decide whether an asylum seeker or immigration detainee in Northern Ireland is (a) granted temporary admission to reside in Northern Ireland, (b) detained in Maghaberry Prison, Crumlin Road Detention Unit or Hydebank Younger Offender's Centre and (c) transferred to immigration removal centres in Great Britain. | | (13951) | 143
| Mark Durkan (Foyle):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria are used to decide whether a Northern Ireland based (a) asylum seeker and (b) other immigration detainee should be detained in (i) Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre and (ii) other Immigration Removal Centres in Great Britain. | | (13952) | 144
N | Lynne Featherstone (Hornsey & Wood Green):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) percentage and (b) numerical charge in (i) stops and (ii) stops and searches has been in each police force, broken down by ethnicity since 7th July; and if he will make a statement. | | (13369) | 145
N | Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Gateshead East & Washington West):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received concerning the proposal to encourage the saving of In Case of Emergency numbers in the address books of mobile phones; and if he will make a statement. | | (13366) | 146
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many US citizens have been extradited to the UK under the Extradition Act 2003. | | (13962) | 147
| Mr Mark Lancaster (North East Milton Keynes):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued in Milton Keynes since 1st January 2004. | | (13997) | 148
| Mr Mark Lancaster (North East Milton Keynes):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many arrests have been made for the illegal use of off-road vehicles on bridleways in the last five years. | | (14003) | 149
| Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment has been made of progress in developing a national police intelligence system; and if he will make a statement. | | (14034) | 150
| Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the national police intelligence system IMPACT is due to be completed; and whether a timeframe for its roll out has been agreed. | | (14035) | 151
| Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects the business case for the development of the national police intelligence system IMPACT to be published. | | (14036) | 152
| Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance he has given to police forces in England and Wales on updating their IT systems pending the delivery of a national police intelligence system. | | (14037) | 153
N | Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the application for a spouse visa for David Rayan Ellis, Immigration and Nationality Directorate ref: LR1883010136/1 submitted in February, will be granted; and if he will set out the reasons for the time taken to process the application. | | (13367) | 154
N | Ann Winterton (Congleton):To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance his Department issues to police forces on regular health and fitness tests for police motorcycle riders; and if he will make a statement. | | (13364) | Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development 155
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many letters to his Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13866) | 156
| Lynne Featherstone (Hornsey & Wood Green):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps he is taking to ensure that funding from his Department for Sierra Leone is used for the purposes for which it is intended. | | (13832) | 157
| Lynne Featherstone (Hornsey & Wood Green):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that funding from the UK to Sierra Leone is used for the purposes for which it is intended. | | (13833) | Questions to the Leader of the House 158
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Leader of the House, how many letters to his Office from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13844) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 159
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many letters to his Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13845) | 160
| Mark Durkan (Foyle):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on plans for a Public Prosecution Service Office in Derry. | | (13872) | 161
| Lady Hermon (North Down):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much funding was allocated to Northern Ireland's premature baby units in each of the last five years; and what plans he has to change such funding. | | (13889) | 162
| Lady Hermon (North Down):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many staff were employed in each premature baby unit in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years, broken down by grade. | | (13890) | 163
| Lady Hermon (North Down):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many infants have been treated in each premature baby unit in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years. | | (13891) | 164
| Lady Hermon (North Down):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with energy providers about electricity prices in Northern Ireland. | | (13892) | 165
| Lady Hermon (North Down):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will take steps to reduce electricity prices in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. | | (13893) | 166
| Lady Hermon (North Down):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the cost of administration in respect of agricultural subsidies in Northern Ireland was in the last year for which figures are available. | | (13894) | 167
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many pupils in Northern Ireland have reported incidents of bullying in each of the last 10 years. | | (13902) | 168
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many teachers have been the victims of (a) assault and (b) sexual assault in schools in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. | | (13903) | 169
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what statistics schools in Northern Ireland are required to collect on incidents of bullying. | | (13904) | 170
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many complaints about the handling of incidents of bullying in schools in Northern Ireland have been lodged in each of the last five years. | | (13905) | 171
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many Job Centre staff in Northern Ireland have been the victims of assault in each of the last 10 years. | | (13906) | 172
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many sex offenders have been released in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. | | (13907) | 173
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people were treated by accident and emergency departments in Northern Ireland hospitals for alcohol-related conditions and injuries in the last 12 months. | | (13908) | 174
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people in Northern Ireland are classified as homeless. | | (13909) | 175
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people have been convicted of domestic violence offences in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. | | (13910) | 176
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many fire officers have been hospitalised as a result of being assaulted while on duty during the past 12 months. | | (13911) | 177
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many hospital staff in Northern Ireland have been hospitalised as a result of assault while on duty during the past 12 months. | | (13912) | 178
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people in Northern Ireland have been convicted of crimes in which alcohol has been a contributory factor in each of the last five years. | | (13913) | 179
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many accident and emergency hospital staff in Northern Ireland have been the victims of assault while on duty during the past 12 months. | | (13914) | 180
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what estimate he has made of the number of attacks on homosexuals in Northern Ireland that were perpetrated by other homosexuals in each of the last 10 years. | | (13915) | 181
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many pupils in Northern Ireland have been found to be in the possession of (a) a weapon and (b) drugs on school premises in each of the last 10 years. | | (13935) | 182
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the estimated illicit market share for (a) cigarettes, (b) spirits, (c) diesel and (d) petrol has been in each of the last five years. | | (13936) | 183
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many police recruits in Northern Ireland have dropped out of training in each of the last 10 years. | | (13937) | 184
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much has been spent using credit cards held by senior police officers in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. | | (13938) | 185
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people in Northern Ireland have been convicted of sexual offences in each of the last 10 years. | | (13939) | 186
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many sex offenders in Northern Ireland have re-offended following release from prison in each of the last 10 years. | | (13940) | 187
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people in Upper Bann are officially classified as homeless. | | (13941) | 188
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much has been paid in salaries and expenses to Sinn Fein MLA's since the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly. | | (13942) | 189
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much has been claimed in expenses by Sinn Fein councillors since the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly. | | (13943) | 190
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how members of churches other than the four main churches are provided for by way of hospital chaplaincies at each hospital in Northern Ireland. | | (13944) | 191
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) bus drivers and (b) railway employees in Northern Ireland have been the victim of offences of violence in each of the last 10 years. | | (13945) | 192
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many taxi drivers in Northern Ireland have been the victim of offences of violence in each of the last 10 years. | | (13946) | 193
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people in Northern Ireland have been convicted for (a) careless driving and (b) motoring offences that resulted in a fatality in each of the last five years. | | (13947) | 194
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people in Northern Ireland have been the victim of racist attacks in each of the last 10 years. | | (13948) | 195
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people have been convicted of racially motivated crimes in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. | | (13949) | 196
| David Simpson (Upper Bann):To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many cases of domestic violence were reported to the police in Northern Ireland in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97 and (c) 2004-05. | | (14007) | Questions to the Prime Minister 197
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Prime Minister, how many letters to his Office from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13846) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland 198
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many letters to his Office from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13847) | 199
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what research his Department has commissioned on changes in the levels of unemployment in Scotland in the last three months; and if he will make a statement. | | (14066) | Questions to the Solicitor General 200
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Solicitor General, how many letters to the Law Officers from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13848) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 201
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many letters to his Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13849) | 202
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on the future of the Export Control Organisation. | | (13968) | 203
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many women he estimates are employed at senior managerial level in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) the Lanark and Hamilton East constituency; and if he will make a statement. | | (13971) | 204
| Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many permanent employees are employed by the Royal Mail. | | (13839) | 205
| Mr Mark Lancaster (North East Milton Keynes):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what measures are being taken to encourage the use of renewable energy in Milton Keynes. | | (13996) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport 206
N | Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average fuel consumption in miles per gallon per passenger was for (a) commercial buses, (b) trains and (c) UK airlines for typical load factors and for typical journey distances for the most recent year for which information on each mode is available. | | (12964) | 207
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many letters to his Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13850) | 208
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement about the potential development of a railway servicing the new Coventry Arena. | | (13206) | 209
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to increase investment to the Coventry and Nuneaton Rail Line. | | (13207) | 210
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement about his priorities in investment over the next year. | | (13208) | 211
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the (a) cost, (b) feasibility and (c) effects of re-doubling the rail line between Kemble and Swindon; and what discussions he has had with (i) the Strategic Rail Authority, (ii) Network Rail and (iii) the bidders for the relevant franchise on this issue. | | (14075) | 212
| Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe & Nantwich):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what volume of traffic from new deep sea container terminals is required to be moved by rail; and how many planning applications for new container terminals are being considered with a view to achieving that volume. | | (13916) | 213
N | Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Gateshead East & Washington West):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent research his Department has undertaken into the benefits of Crossrail. | | (13365) | 214
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) passes and (b) failures of the driving test there were in each test centre in Lanark and Hamilton East in each of the last five years. | | (14057) | 215
N | Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the (a) M1, (b) M18 and (c) M62 motorways between London and Hull will be devoid of roadworks. | | (12374) | 216
N | Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many stretches of motorway on the (a) M1, (b) M18 and (c) M62 between London and Hull have been affected by (i) lane closures and (ii) motorway repair or construction work in the last month; for what reason such works were not phased to take place consecutively; and if he will make a statement. | | (12375) | 217
N | Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on the phasing of roadworks on motorways. | | (12376) | 218
N | Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received in the last 12 months concerning the rules and restrictions which are in place in respect of motorway service areas; what plans he has to change them; and if he will make a statement. | | (12873) | 219
N | Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, why fencing is being erected adjacent to the northbound carriageway of the M1 motorway, north of Junction 11 where the motorway abuts open fields. | | (12875) | 220
N | Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason the M1 motorway was closed between junctions 34 and 35 on 7th July; for how long the motorway was closed; and on whose authority it was closed. | | (13595) | 221
| Mr Angus MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what dates (a) he and (b) his Department discussed with the Scottish Executive how the EU maritime cabotage regulations and EU rules on state aid apply to the provision of lifeline island ferry services; and what (i) information and (ii) advice he has given to the Scottish Executive on the application of these rules in relation to competitive tendering for the west coast ferry routes operated by Caledonian MacBrayne. | | (14052) | 222
| Mr Angus MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has made to the European Commission on behalf of the Scottish Executive in relation to how the EU's maritime cabotage regulations and rules governing state aid apply to the delivery of lifeline ferry services. | | (14053) | 223
| Mr Angus MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) information and (b) advice he has received from the European Commission on the application of the maritime cabotage regulations and state aid to the Scottish west coast ferry routes; and what representations he has received from the European Commission on competitive tendering for these routes. | | (14054) | 224
| Mr Angus MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the ruling by the European Court of Justice in the case of Altmark Trans, with particular reference to its implications for (a) lifeline ferry services and (b) competitive tendering; and if he will make a statement. | | (14055) | 225
| Mr Angus MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on which occasions in the last four years his Department has put transport contracts out for competitive tender under the requirements of EU regulations. | | (14056) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales 226
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many letters to his Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13852) | 227
N | Peter Law (Blaenau Gwent):To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on the future of post offices in Wales. | | (12325) | 228
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with National Assembly for Wales secretaries on the effects of tax credits on the take up of childcare in Wales. | | (14040) | 229
| Mr Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on holding Olympic events in Wales; and if he will make a statement. | | (13953) | 230
| Mr Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what record is kept of work done by civil servants in the Assembly for Wales Government that has been requested by the Wales Office. | | (13966) | Questions to the Minister for Women and Equality 231
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Minister for Women and Equality, how many letters to her Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13853) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 232
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what measures have been put in place on Tyneside by his Department to help unemployed former shipyard workers (a) retrain for and (b) find another job. | | (13975) | 233
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what advice he has received from the Health and Safety Commission on sickness and absence amongst retail shop workers; what assessment the Commission has made of the extent to which threats and intimidation from customers play a part in the industry's sickness and absence record; and if he will make a statement. | | (13976) | 234
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress has been reported to him from the Health and Safety Commission in meeting the targets for the reduction of deaths and injuries at work in the construction industry; what the most recent figure is for the (a) fatal and (b) non-fatal injury rate for the construction sector in the UK: and what the EU comparator is. | | (13977) | 235
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Ministerial Taskforce for Health, Safety and Productivity last met; and what progress it has made in reducing days lost through sickness and absence in the public sector. | | (13978) | 236
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a statement on the Health and Safety Executive campaign Government Setting an Example. | | (13979) | 237
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress has been made against the targets contained in the Health and Safety Commission's Revitalising Health and Safety Strategy Ten Year Plan, published in June 2000. | | (13980) | 238
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what advice he has received from the Health and Safety Commission concerning the implementation of the asbestos hazard management regulations; and what resources are being applied to the enforcement of the regulatory requirements for asbestos hazard management. | | (13990) | 239
| Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many letters to his Department from honourable Members in session (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (i) one month old, (ii) two months old, (iii) three months old, (iv) four months old and (v) over six months old. | | (13854) | 240
| Mr Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people are receiving industrial injuries disablement benefit; and how many are in Pembrokeshire. | | (13954) | 241
| Mr Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people are receiving disability living allowance; and how many are in Pembrokeshire. | | (13955) | 242
| Mr Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which categories of benefits are disregarded in assessing income for the purposes of calculating the pension credit. | | (13956) | 243
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in (a) Scotland and (b) the Lanark and Hamilton East constituency are in receipt of (i) severe disability allowance, (ii) widows benefit, (iii) housing benefit, (iv) council tax benefit, (v) pension credit and (vi) income support; and if he will make a statement. | | (14058) | 244
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many carers in (a) Scotland and (b) the Lanark and Hamilton East constituency have participated in the Home Responsibilities Protection Scheme in each year from 2001; and if he will make a statement. | | (14059) | 245
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Scotland are in receipt of incapacity benefit; how much money was allocated to incapacity benefit in Scotland in 2004; and if he will make a statement. | | (14060) | 246
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in (a) Scotland and (b) Lanark and Hamilton East entered the New Deal programme in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. | | (14061) | 247
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in (a) Scotland and (b) the Lanark and Hamilton East constituency received jobseeker's allowance in 2004; and if he will make a statement. | | (14062) | 248
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people are in receipt of carers allowance in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) the Lanark and Hamilton East constituency; and if he will make a statement. | | (14068) | 249
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what bonuses have been paid to senior civil servants at the Child Support Agency in each of the last four years. | | (13873) | 250
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much was paid to senior civil servants in the Child Support Agency in bonus payments related to performance in each of the last four years. | | (13881) | 251
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average cost per case is of a Child Support Agency case processed under the (a) new scheme on the new computer system, (b) new scheme on the old computer system, (c) new scheme with a clerical assessment, (d) old scheme on the old computer system and (e) old scheme on the new computer system. | | (13882) | 252
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners have had marginal deduction rates of more than (a) 30 per cent., (b) 40 per cent., (c) 50 per cent., (d) 60 per cent., (e) 70 per cent., (f) 80 per cent., (g) 90 per cent. and (h) 100 per cent. in each year since 1997. | | (13883) | 253
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what audit his Department makes of the qualifications of expert medical witnesses in medical appeal tribunals. | | (14010) | 254
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will issue guidelines relating to evidence given by expert medical witnesses where an individual's capacity to work is tested in a tribunal. | | (14011) | 255
| Anne Main (St Albans):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will meet the Director of Life Ability Community to discuss the production of a visual impairment specific disability living allowance claim form. | | (13898) | 256
| Anne Main (St Albans):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will produce a visual impairment-specific disability living allowance claim form; and if he will make a statement. | | (13899) | 257
| Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) average number of days to process new housing benefit claims and (b) percentage of new housing benefit claims determined within 14 days was in each local authority in Scotland in each of the last 16 quarters for which figures are available. | | (13957) | 258
| Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what percentage of pension credit guarantee element recipients in each region were previously in receipt of the minimum income guarantee. | | (13958) | 259
| Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what percentage of pensioner households in Scotland are in receipt of pension credit. | | (13959) | Questions to the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 260
| Paul Flynn (Newport West):To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what plans she has to regulate firms who handle claims for compensation for endowment mis-selling; and if she will make a statement. | | [Transferred] (13967) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 261
| Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton):To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the number of employment opportunities that will become available as a result of the 2012 Olympics being hosted in London, broken down by (a) skill area and (b) borough. | | [Transferred] (13834) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 262
| Mr Angus MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar):To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the future of the Community Energy Programme in (a) Scotland and (b) England and Wales. | | [Transferred] (14049) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Health 263
| Robert Key (Salisbury):To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if she will list the published and peer-reviewed scientific studies on the safety of GM (a) food and (b) crops that have been evaluated by (i) her Department and (ii) other Government bodies; and whether each concluded that (A) there are no harmful effects and (B) there is evidence of actual or potential harm from consumption of GM crops and foods. | | [Transferred] (14076) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 264
| Mr Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East):To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the effects of the introduction of the Employment Act 2002 on the (a) working patterns and (b) employment opportunities for parents with disabled children; and if he will make a statement. | | [Transferred] (14074) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport 265
| Mr David Drew (Stroud):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the EU Commission's decision to start infraction proceedings against the UK in relation to the use of biofuels. | | [Transferred] (14045) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 266
| Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent representations he has received concerning employers' liability insurance. | | [Transferred] (13989) |
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