Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 5 June 2008
Scotland
Devolution
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the First Minister on the preparation of legislative proposals for a referendum on independence for Scotland. [209493]
David Cairns: There have been no such discussions with the First Minister.
Referendums
Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received representations on the holding of a referendum in Scotland on independence from the United Kingdom. [208778]
David Cairns: I have received no such representations.
Leader of the House
Abortion
Mr. Amess: To ask the Leader of the House (1) what files are held by the her Office on (a) the Abortion (Amendment) Bill of Sessions (i) 1979-80, (ii) 1987-88 and (iii) 1989-90, (b) the Unborn Children (Protection) Bills of Sessions (A) 1984-85, (B) 1985-86 and (C) 1987-88 and (c) the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill of Session 1989-90; and if she will make a statement; [177571]
(2) when she plans to answer question 177571 tabled by the hon. Member for Southend, West on 7 January 2008, on departmental bill files; what the reason is for the time taken to respond; and if she will make a statement. [209160]
Helen Goodman: I apologise to the hon. Member. This question was overlooked.
The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons does not hold any files, policy or otherwise, on individual pieces of legislation.
Safety Belts: Legislation
Mr. Amess: To ask the Leader of the House what files are held by her Department on the Road Traffic (Seat Belts) Bill of Sessions (a) 1978-79, (b) 1979-80 and (c) 1980-81; and if she will make a statement. [209159]
Helen Goodman: The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons does not hold any files, policy or otherwise, on individual pieces of legislation.
Northern Ireland
Domestic Violence: Pregnant Women
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pregnant women in Northern Ireland were physically assaulted by a current or former partner resulting in the death of the unborn child in each of the last 10 years. [207761]
Paul Goggins: The Chief Constable has provided the following answer:
It is not possible to answer this question, as the information requested is not available in the requested format.
Food
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much food waste his Department generated in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [208147]
Mr. Woodward: Where we provide catering services, my Department strives to ensure that purchases match demand and that where possible only peelings and cuttings are disposed of. Figures on the amount of material are not available. Food waste is a key priority for the Government: by reducing food waste we should stand to make significant environmental and economic gains.
Police Service of Northern Ireland: Secondment
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many serving members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland were seconded to police forces in Great Britain in each of the last 10 years, broken down by (a) length of secondment and (b) rank of officer. [207745]
Paul Goggins: The Chief Constable has provided the following information.
| Length of secondment | Rank | ||||||
| Secondment commenced | Year | Month | Day | Superintendent | Chief Inspector | Inspector | Constable |
Smoking
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many smoking shelters were built at each of his Department's London buildings in each of the last five years. [205035]
Mr. Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office’s premises at 11 Millbank are smoke-free. The Northern Ireland Office has not constructed any smoking shelters.
Transport
Aviation
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the written ministerial statement on 27 November 2007, Official Report, columns 11-16WS, on planning reform, when she plans to publish a national policy statement on aviation. [206448]
Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government's policy for national policy statements was set out in the written ministerial statement referred to in the question. Further decisions will be made following passage of the Planning Bill through Parliament.
Aviation: Costs
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 21 April 2008, Official Report, column 1430W, on Aviation: Costs, if she will break down the figures for each year by (a) domestic and (b) international flights. [205158]
Jim Fitzpatrick [holding answer 12 May 2008]: The following table shows the average UK one-way air fare, including taxes and charges, covering domestic and international flights.
| Average UK one-way air fares, 1997 prices | |||
| All | International | Domestic | |
| Notes: 1. Approximately three quarters of “international” fares are for short haul flights. 2. About half of domestic passengers are travelling for business purposes. 3. “Fare” includes all taxes and charges. 4. Covers domestic and international scheduled flights, but excludes transfer and charter passengers. 5. Domestic component based on a sample of routes where sufficient data available. Source: DfT analysis of CAA and IPS data. | |||
Light Dues: Northern Ireland
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department has taken on the payment of light dues by the County Down fishing fleet; and whether it has sought the assistance of the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority in such matters. [208333]
Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government are sympathetic to the concerns of the Northern Ireland fishing industry about the financial state of their industry and their need to reduce costs where they can.
Light dues are a charge levied on commercial shipping to fund the activities of the general lighthouse authorities and the provision of aids to navigation. We continue to believe that such aids should be paid for by those that use them and not the general taxpayer. We therefore have no plans to abolish light dues levied on the fishing industry and have not sought advice from the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority on this matter.
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