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Questions for Oral or Written Answer
beginning on Tuesday 8 January 2008
(the 'Questions Book')
Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Tuesday 8 January 2008
This paper contains only Written Questions for answer on Tuesday 8 January 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 Tuesday 8 January of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order Paper. For Written and Oral Questions for answer after Tuesday 8 January see Part 2 of this paper.
Questions to the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 1
| Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what estimate he has made of the financial effect on UK industry of changes in the level of the burden of regulation in each year since 2005. | | (176963) | 2
| Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, when he last met officials of the Better Regulation Executive to discuss the reduction of regulatory burdens on industry. | | (176964) | 3
| Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what his most recent estimate is of the cost of regulation to UK industry. | | (176965) | 4
| Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what progress has been made in developing methods to measure the impact of regulatory burden reduction in those areas identified by the National Audit Office as non-quantified irritation factors. | | (176966) | 5
| Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what progress has been made by the Better Regulation Executive in working with industry to reduce regulatory burdens. | | (176967) | 6
| Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, how many businesses his Department has consulted to identify areas for potential regulatory burden reduction in the last 12 months. | | (176968) | 7
| Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what estimate he has made of the likely effect on the costs of business of the Government's proposed 25 per cent. reduction in administrative burdens. | | (176969) | 8
| Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what steps his Department is taking to determine the effects of reductions in regulatory burdens on businesses of all sizes. | | (176970) | 9
| Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, by what mechanisms his Department measures the effectiveness of the means by which businesses are made aware of changes to regulation. | | (176971) | 10
| Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what steps his Department is considering to improve the means by which businesses are (a) made aware of and (b) advised on matters relating to changes in regulation. | | (176972) | 11
| Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, by what means his Department assesses the effectiveness of reductions in regulatory burdens on businesses arising from initiatives by Government. | | (176991) | 12
| Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what estimate he has made of the number of new (a) small and (b) medium-sized businesses started up in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) England in each year since 1997. | | (177062) | 13
| Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin & Harpenden): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, when inspectors' reports into (a) Graylaw Holdings Ltd, (b) Link Service Stations Ltd, (c) British Anzani plc, (d) Bank Street Securities Ltd, (e) Medway Secondary Metals Ltd and (f) Pennine Commercial Holdings plc were completed; and what plans he has to publish the report in each case. | | (177063) | 14
| Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what consideration has been given to making mobile telecommunications mast-sharing a requirement of future licence applications. | | (177097) | 15
| Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what estimate has been made of the additional number of mobile phone masts required to meet future demand of further generations of mobile telecommunications equipment. | | (177098) | 16
| Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) 3, (b) O2, (c) Orange, (d) T Mobile and (e) Vodaphone mobile telecommunication masts that are shared; and between which companies each is shared. | | (177099) | 17
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, how much his Department and its predecessor spent on foreign travel for (a) Ministers and (b) officials in each of the last 10 years. | | (177211) | Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer 18
N | Adam Afriyie (Windsor): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the value was of research and development (R&D) tax credits paid to (a) small and medium sized enterprises and (b) larger companies in each year since the R&D tax credit was introduced. | | (176962) | 19
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) males and (b) females under the age of 18 years in (i) Southend, (ii) Essex and (iii) England and Wales died as a consequence of excessive alcohol consumption in each of the last seven years for which figures are available. | | (177129) | 20
| Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland on his Department's consideration of preferential rates of fuel duty in rural and remote areas. | | (177117) | 21
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total value of the fixed assets of all Government departments is. | | (177065) | 22
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much was realised from the sale of fixed assets by the Government in each of the last five years; and what the estimated total of such disposals for 2007-08 is. | | (177066) | 23
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount of income foregone by the Exchequer as a result of people of British origin entering tax exile. | | (177074) | 24
| Mr David Gauke (South West Hertfordshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what grounds HM Revenue and Customs suspended the provision of information in relation to the chosen frequency of payment of child tax credit in December 2007. | | (177091) | 25
| Mr David Gauke (South West Hertfordshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the introduction of Registration On-line by the General Register Office. | | (177092) | 26
| Mr David Gauke (South West Hertfordshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what date he expects the General Register Office to introduce Registration On-line for marriages. | | (177093) | 27
| Mr David Gauke (South West Hertfordshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much compensation has been paid by the General Register Office to local authorities in consequence of difficulties arising in the introduction and operation of Registration On-line. | | (177094) | 28
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the conception rate is for women aged 19 years and under; how many women aged 19 and under had (a) a live birth, (b) an abortion and (c) miscarried in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of all live births were to teenage mothers in the last two years. | | (177195) | 29
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the conception rate is for girls aged 15 years and under; how many women aged 15 and under had (a) a live birth, (b) an abortion and (c) miscarried in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of all live births were to mothers aged 15 and under in the last two years. | | (177196) | 30
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the evidential basis is for a restriction of public sector pay increases to two per cent. or less to contribute to an inflation rate below two per cent. | | (177206) | 31
| Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate he has made of the amount of currency issued annually by Northern Irish banks. | | (177095) | 32
| Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which Northern Irish banks have the right to issue bank notes. | | (177096) | 33
| Anne Main (St Albans): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion and how many of the staff at HM Revenue and Customs office in Ty-Glas Llanishen, Cardiff were employed (a) on permanent contracts, (b) on temporary contracts and (c) via an employment agency in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. | | (177021) | 34
| Anne Main (St Albans): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion and how many of the staff at HM Revenue and Customs office in Washington, Tyne and Wear were employed (a) on permanent contracts, (b) on temporary contracts and (c) via an employment agency in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. | | (177022) | 35
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 26th November 2007, Official Report, column 49W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed (a) as special advisers and (b) in a political role in each year since 1997. | | (177184) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 36
| Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what assessment and examination arrangements will be used to assess student attainment in (a) the foundation diploma and (b) the higher diploma; and if he will make a statement. | | (176974) | 37
| Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what proportion of young people remained in full-time education in the year after they ended compulsory schooling in each year since 1997. | | (176975) | 38
| Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what proportion of young people remained in full-time education two years after they ended compulsory schooling in each year since 1997. | | (176976) | 39
| Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what the four independent settings are that the main providers of a child's education but not currently registered with either Ofsted or his Department. | | (176977) | 40
| Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, pursuant to the Answer of 18th December 2007, Official Report, columns 1254-5W, on Capita, what the contract compliance process applied by his Department in monitoring contracts with Capita and its subsidiaries is. | | (177165) | 41
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what guidance his Department has provided to secondary schools on the teaching of low ability readers by the method of synthetic phonics. | | (177032) | 42
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what funding is available for schools to purchase (a) course materials and (b) teacher training in synthetic phonics. | | (177033) | 43
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, whether it is his policy that every trainee primary teacher should be trained in synthetic phonics. | | (177034) | 44
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what proportion of teacher training establishments are training primary school teachers in the use of synthetic phonics. | | (177035) | 45
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what guidance his Department has provided to primary schools in England on the teaching of reading by synthetic phonics. | | (177036) | 46
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what proportion of primary schools in England are teaching reading using synthetic phonics. | | (177037) | 47
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, for what reasons the 2004 Public Service Agreement Target 1 on children's social and emotional development was revised in light of the 2005 Foundation Stage Profile Results; and what the revised target is. | | (176989) | 48
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, for what reasons the 2004 Public Service Agreement Target 2 on the use of formal childcare in low income families was revised; and what the revised target is. | | (176990) | 49
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, whether the National Professional Qualification for Headship will be compulsory for all new head teachers of academies, including those changing schools; and if he will make a statement. | | (177013) | 50
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, pursuant to the Answer of 10th December 2007, Official Report, column 270W, on Specialist Schools and Academies Trust National Conference, what parliamentary business he participated in on 28th November 2007. | | (177167) | 51
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many teachers have been trained as lead teachers for gifted and talented education in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. | | (177214) | 52
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what the average percentage change to the devolved formula capital grant awarded to modernised schools was in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. | | (177215) | 53
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what the expected percentage change to the devolved formula capital grant awarded to modernised schools will be in each of the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (177216) | 54
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what steps he expects schools and local authorities to take when their devolved formula capital grant allocation does not meet the estimated costs repair and maintenance; and if he will make a statement. | | (177217) | 55
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many special educational needs co-coordinators there were per pupil in each local authority in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. | | (177218) | 56
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many special educational needs co-coordinators were employed in maintained schools in each year since 2001. | | (177219) | 57
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what estimate he has made of the average time spent by children in Key Stage (a) 1 and (b) 2 on free play during the school day. | | (177220) | 58
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, which trust has donated money to the Islington Green Academy via the City University; and if he will make a statement. | | (177221) | 59
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many children have been identified in each local authority as gifted and talented in each year since 2005. | | (177222) | 60
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what proportion of children identified as gifted and talented did not achieve 5A*-Cs, including English and mathematics, at GCSE in the last three years. | | (177223) | 61
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what proportion of children identified as gifted and talented achieved three As at A-Level in the last three years. | | (177224) | 62
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what proportion of children identified as gifted and talented achieved level 7 in (a) English and (b) science at Key Stage 3 in the last three years. | | (177225) | 63
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what proportion of children identified as gifted and talented achieved level 8 in mathematics at Key Stage 3 in the last three years. | | (177226) | 64
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what proportion of children identified as gifted and talented are entitled to free school meals. | | (177227) | 65
| Anne Main (St Albans): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what his Department's definition of a bad teacher is. | | (177026) | 66
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, whether his Department has considered issuing guidance to local education authorities on best practice by schools in the management of diabetes amongst pupils. | | (176981) | 67
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what assessment he has made of the effect of schools not allowing their staff to administer medicines such as insulin on the management of diabetes amongst pupils. | | (176982) | 68
| Joan Ryan (Enfield North): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many children in (a) Enfield and (b) Enfield North of school leaving age were functionally illiterate in each of the last 10 years. | | (177027) | 69
| Joan Ryan (Enfield North): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers were employed in the London Borough of Enfield in each of the last 10 years. | | (177028) | 70
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, pursuant to the Answer of 27th November 2007, Official Report, column 380W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed (a) as special advisers and (b) in a political role in each year since 1997. | | (177183) | Questions to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 71
| Mr Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to the Written Statement of 17th December 2007, Official Report, column 98WS, on data handling procedures in Government and the Cabinet Secretary's interim progress report, how many Government departments or agencies store data outside the UK; and how many people's details are stored in this way. | | (177166) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 72
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the Government's policy is on the EU's proposed definition of indirect discrimination in the draft Race Directive. | | (177068) | 73
| Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many planning applications have been approved affecting playing field sites of (a) more than and (b) less than 0.4 hectares in each year since 2001-02; and if she will make a statement. | | (177054) | 74
| Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when her Department plans to (a) consult on the proposals in the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995 on playing fields of 0.2 hectares and above and (b) bring forward the changes recommended in the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995 announced in her Department's press release Planning to Safeguard Open Spaces and Playing Fields of July 2002. | | (177055) | 75
| Andrew Gwynne (Denton & Reddish): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of the number of unoccupied flats and apartments in city centres. | | (177194) | 76
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10th December 2007, Official Report, column 148W, on local government finance: disabled, when she expects to make an announcement on funding for the disabled facilities grant. | | (177236) | 77
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which section in her Department is responsible for answering correspondence from hon. Members and peers; and how many staff work in that section. | | (177238) | 78
| Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answers of 18th December 2007, Official Report, columns 1328-9W, on housing standards, which councils have delivery dates to meet the decent home standard; and what those dates are in each case. | | (177187) | 79
| Anne Main (St Albans): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of the number of dwellings that were built in (a) St Albans District and (b) Hertfordshire on land (i) designated and (ii) previously designated as green belt in 2007; and what estimate it has made of the number likely to be built in each case under the proposed regional spatial strategies in each year of those strategies. | | (177023) | 80
| Anne Main (St Albans): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many dwellings were built within the 1997 designated green belt in (a) St Albans District and (b) Hertfordshire in each year between 1997 and 2006. | | (177024) | 81
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3rd December 2007, Official Report, column 874W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed (a) as special advisers and (b) in a political role in each year since 2002. | | (177178) | 82
| Mr David Willetts (Havant): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many (a) one bedroom, (b) two bedroom, (c) three bedroom, (d) four bedroom and (e) five bedroom or more houses have been built in each of the last 10 years. | | (176992) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 83
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of (a) music concerts, (b) music festivals, (c) sporting events and (d) theatres on unscrupulous ticket resales; when such discussions took place; and if he will make a statement. | | (177118) | 84
| Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the use of fixed odds betting terminals remains under review following publication of the British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007; and what evidence his Department is gathering on these machines to evaluate their impact on gambling behaviour. | | (177058) | 85
| Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations he has received from (a) RIGT and (b) Gamcare on the impact of the Gambling Act 2005 on problem gambling. | | (177059) | 86
| Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans the Gambling Commission has to undertake further research into problem gambling following the publication of the British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007, with particular reference to problem gambling associated with fixed odds betting terminals. | | (177060) | 87
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which section in his Department is responsible for answering correspondence from hon. Members and peers; and how many staff work in that section. | | (177237) | 88
| Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much his Department has allocated to mobile gymnasia in each year since 2005-06; and how much is likely to be allocated to such facilities in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2011-12. | | (177105) | 89
| Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what account will be taken of the new definition of sport in considering National Lottery funding applications for community projects. | | (177106) | 90
| Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, why recreational (a) horse riding and (b) swimming were included in the new definition of sport. | | (177107) | 91
| Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, why recreational cycling was excluded from the new definition of sport. | | (177108) | 92
| Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of National Lottery funding for good causes, excluding resources for the 2012 Olympic Games, will be available for community projects in each of the next 10 years. | | (177109) | 93
| Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of National Lottery funding for good causes will be allocated to hosting the London 2012 Olympic Games in each relevant year. | | (177110) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence 94
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what records his Department holds on (a) the testing of weapons in space by other governments over the last 10 years, (b) the volume of debris in low earth orbit which relates to such testing and (c) the potential effects of such debris; and if he will make a statement. | | (177043) | 95
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he will list the warship launchings or other naming ceremonies which have taken place since May 1997; and which Ministers represented the Government on each occasion. | | (176653) | 96
N | Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on which occasions since May 1997 no Minister has been present to represent the Government at warship launchings or other naming ceremonies. | | (176654) | 97
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 29th November 2007, Official Report, column 578W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed (a) as special advisers and (b) in a political role in each year since 1997. | | (177179) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 98
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what mechanisms are in place to ensure that the welfare of animals is safeguarded when they are abandoned as a result of their owners being incapacitated. | | (177125) | 99
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make a statement on the operation of the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960; and what amendments have been made to this Act since 1997. | | (177126) | 100
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make a statement on the operation of the Protection of Animals Act 1911; and what amendments have been made to this Act since 1997. | | (177127) | 101
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials have had with the (i) British Veterinary Association and (ii) horse industry on African horse sickness; and if he will make a statement. | | (177128) | 102
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many scientists in his Department are working on research into African horse sickness; and how many there were in January (a) 2005, (b) 2006 and (c) 2007. | | (177142) | 103
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research has been (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated by his Department since July 2006 on the potential impact of an outbreak of African horse sickness on the UK's equine industry; what discussions (i) he, (ii) Ministers in his Department and (iii) his officials have had with representatives of the equine industry on the matter since June 2007; what the (A) location and (B) duration of each meeting was; whether a record of each meeting was kept; who attended each meeting; and if he will make a statement. | | (177143) | 104
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the operation of the Specified Diseases (Notification and Slaughter) Order 1992; and what amendments have been made to the Order since its coming into force. | | (177144) | 105
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many cases of African horse sickness occurred in (a) Southend, (b) Essex and (c) England and Wales in each year since 1990. | | (177145) | 106
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the outcome has been of the high-risk laboratories' review of biosecurity arrangements; and whether any changes are planned to be made to those arrangements. | | (177044) | 107
| Mary Creagh (Wakefield): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people were (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in each police force area in each year since 1997. | | (177208) | 108
| Mary Creagh (Wakefield): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what responses he has received from chief constables on his 2007 review of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991; and if he will publish them. | | (177209) | 109
N | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what records his Department holds on the facilities available nationally for the recycling and processing of (a) non-bottle-shaped and (b) bottle-shaped plastics; and if he will make a statement. | | (175617) | 110
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to prevent a conflict of interest arising from the managing agents of the Warm Front scheme owning the contractor Iguana Services Limited. | | (177000) | 111
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people awarded Warm Front grants have been asked to make an excess payment in (a) Shropshire, (b) West Midlands and (c) England. | | (177001) | 112
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of Warm Front grants have been subject to an excess payment in (a) Shropshire, (b) West Midlands and (c) England. | | (177002) | 113
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the value of Warm Front grants made in (a) Shropshire, (b) West Midlands and (c) England has been in 2007-08. | | (177003) | 114
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the value of excess payments requested in respect of Warm Front grants has been in (a) Shropshire, (b) West Midlands and (c) England in 2007-08. | | (177004) | 115
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of Warm Front grants have been awarded to Iguana Services Limited (a) by number and (b) by value in each of the last three years. | | (177005) | 116
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the grant limits for the Warm Front scheme will be reviewed. | | (177006) | 117
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what mechanisms his Department uses to ensure high standards of workmanship and service by Warm Front contractors. | | (177007) | 118
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's policy is on excess payments for Warm Front scheme projects being paid (a) directly and (b) in cash by householders to contractors. | | (177008) | 119
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will ensure that excess payments for the Warm Front scheme are collected via the scheme's managing agents. | | (177009) | 120
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the average waiting time for (a) receipt of a quotation and (b) completion of work under the Warm Front scheme in the latest period for which figures are available. | | (177010) | 121
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what expenditure local councils have made on kennels for stray dogs; and what resources have been given to local councils to enable them to implement the relevant provisions of the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005. | | (177100) | 122
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the provisions of the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 in relation to stray dogs will be fully implemented. | | (177101) | 123
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he expects the urban drainage pilot projects to be completed; and if he will publish their conclusions on (a) effectiveness, (b) cost and benefits and (c) contribution to the reduction of flooding. | | (177103) | 124
N | Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West & Royton): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the current status is of the licences held by (a) the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, (b) Syngenta Jeallots Hill and (c) Birkbeck College; and, for each establishment, what comparative assessment has been made of the DNA profile of the Diabotica kept with the DNA profiles of the bird population found in South East England. | | (175616) | 125
| Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of tribulyte tin from ships on the marine environment in the Irish Sea. | | (177056) | 126
| Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on reducing the use of plastic bags; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Irish government's policy on the matter. | | (177025) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 127
| Mr David Anderson (Blaydon): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to encourage the Colombian government to investigate alleged murders of civilians by the Colombian army. | | (177147) | 128
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of foreign contractors in Iraq having been arrested by the Iraqi authorities; and whether any UK individuals or companies are involved. | | (177040) | 129
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of civilians killed by the recent bombing at Nabo Aka in Afghanistan. | | (177041) | 130
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the EU's position on Gibraltar in relation to the proposed Race Directive. | | (177067) | 131
N | Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the processing of personal data outside (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the European economic area. | | (176036) | 132
N | Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department or agencies accountable to his Department process personal data outside (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the European economic area. | | (176037) | 133
| Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will seek to hold discussions with his Turkish counterpart on the observance of the human rights of the Assyrian minority living within Turkey. | | (177104) | 134
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22nd November 2007, Official Report, column 1036-7W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed as (a) special advisers and (b) in a political role in each year since 1997. | | (177185) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Health 135
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) males and (b) females in each age group admitted to each hospital in (i) Southend, (ii) Essex and (iii) England died as a consequence of (i) alcoholic liver disease and (ii) cirrhosis in each of the last 10 years. | | (177130) | 136
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps (a) he has taken in each year since 1997 and (b) plans to take in each of the next three years to reduce the incidence of liver disease; what discussions (i) he, (ii) Ministers in his Department and (iii) officials have had since January 2007 with representatives of (A) the medical profession and (B) the brewing industry on the matter; and if he will make a statement. | | (177131) | 137
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many alcohol-related emergency admissions to hospitals in Southend West constituency there were in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) age group and (b) sex. | | (177132) | 138
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting time for liver transplant operations in each primary care trust in (a) Essex and (b) the Greater London area is in 2007-08; and what the equivalent time was in (i) 1996, (ii) 1998, (iii) 2001, (iv) 2005 and (v) 2006. | | (177133) | 139
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) males and (b) females in each age group had hepatitis B in (i) Southend, (ii) Essex and (iii) England and Wales in each of the last 10 years. | | (177138) | 140
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many consultants specialising in hepatology there are; and how many there were in (a) 1996, (b) 1998, (c) 2001, (d) 2005 and (e) 2006. | | (177139) | 141
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research has been (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated by his Department since July 2000 on the causes of liver disease; when his Department last undertook a review of the causes of liver disease that took into account (i) UK and (ii) international research; and if he will make a statement. | | (177140) | 142
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) males and (b) females in each age group had (i) coronary artery disease and (ii) liver cancer in (A) Southend, (B) Essex and (C) England and Wales in each of the last 10 years. | | (177141) | 143
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the UK is affected by the decision by Merck to recall doses of haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) vaccine. | | (177039) | 144
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what additional cancer (a) treatment and (b) equipment has been made available to trusts in Redbridge and Waltham Forest since the appointment of his Department's National Cancer Director; and what the involvement was of the National Cancer Director in such provision. | | (177045) | 145
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what consideration has been given to the application for long-term funding made by developing patient partnerships; and if he will make a statement. | | (177047) | 146
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Government is taking to encourage GPs to give more detailed advice on self-management programmes to patients with long-term conditions. | | (177050) | 147
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking in relation to hospitals which are not meeting the Government's core standards on the care of older patients. | | (177052) | 148
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many and what proportion of those eligible have taken up Healthy Start vouchers in (a) Leyton and Wanstead constituency, (b) Redbridge, (c) Waltham Forest, (d) London and (e) England. | | (177075) | 149
N | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will answer Questions (a) 162507, (b) 162508 and (c) 162555 tabled by the hon. Member for Portsmouth South on 8th November 2007. | | (175619) | 150
N | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps were taken to ensure that the leaflets produced by his Department and the then Department for Trade and Industry, Where do medicines come from? contained a balanced assessment of the issues concerning the use of animals; and if he will make a statement. | | (175620) | 151
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of primary care trusts' compliance with (a) his Department's and (b) the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's guidelines that three cycles of in vitro fertilisation should be provided to couples by the NHS. | | (177231) | 152
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Answer of 25th July 2007, Official Report, column 1240W, on wheelchairs, what progress has been made in publishing the outline model for wheelchair services as part of the Transforming Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services Programme. | | (177233) | 153
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on how the proposed changes under the Transforming Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services Programme will affect the staff members currently employed by the NHS who issue equipment under section 31 agreements. | | (177234) | 154
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will report on the progress of the new delivery system of community equipment trial launched in the North West of England in October 2007. | | (177235) | 155
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his estimate is of the average time taken to train a psychological therapist in the latest period for which figures are available; and what the average cost was of such training. | | (177239) | 156
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 5th December 2007, Official Report, column 1318W, on mental health and employment: meeting the challenge, how much of the £173 million will be spent in each year to 2010-12. | | (177240) | 157
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what account was taken of rurality in establishing the level of funding provided to each local authority to set up and run local involvement networks. | | (177011) | 158
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what criteria were used to establish the level of funding provided to each local authority to set up and run local involvement networks. | | (177012) | 159
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of people in England who have a severe personality disorder; how many are receiving treatment; what treatments are available and in how many centres; and what estimate he has made of the effectiveness of treatments. | | (177198) | 160
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the proportion of those with severe personality disorder that are a danger (a) to themselves and (b) to others. | | (177199) | 161
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many embryos from in vitro fertilisation programmes have been (a) donated to and (b) created for scientific research in each year since 1999. | | (177200) | 162
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he has asked primary care trusts to inform him of consultations and formal reviews which they hold into the future provision of services. | | (177201) | 163
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will place in the Library reconfiguration returns from the NHS from the last 12 months. | | (177202) | 164
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much funding will be allocated to each local authority to fund contracts for local involvement networks; and when this funding will be provided to each authority. | | (177205) | 165
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he next plans to visit the Lambert Hospital in Thirsk. | | (177102) | 166
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of HIV prevention work in London primary care trusts; and if he will make a statement. | | (176979) | 167
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken to enable Surrey Primary Care Trust to meet the Government's commitment that (a) by the end of 2007 all diabetic patients will have been offered comprehensive retinal screening followed by a programme of treatment for diabetic retinopathy if needed and (b) by the end of March 2008, 80 per cent. of patients will have been screened. | | (176980) | 168
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of patients were offered cardiac rehabilitation in (a) Surrey Primary Care Trust, (b) the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority and (c) England following (i) a heart attack, (ii) heart bypass surgery, (iii) angioplasty, (iv) angina, (v) heart failure, (vi) implantation of cardiac devices and (vii) arrhythmias in the last 12 months. | | (176983) | 169
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, who is responsible for providing cardiac rehabilitation in each primary care trust in England; and where that treatment is provided. | | (176984) | 170
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average cost of providing cardiac rehabilitation was in (a) Surrey Primary Care Trust, (b) the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority and (c) England following (i) a heart attack, (ii) heart bypass surgery, (iii) angioplasty, (iv) angina, (v) heart failure, (vi) implantation of cardiac devices and (vii) arrhythmias in the last 12 months. | | (176985) | 171
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many representations he has received on cardiac rehabilitation since June 2007; and what meetings (a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) departmental officials have had on cardiac rehabilitation in that period. | | (176986) | 172
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation services; and if he will make a statement. | | (176987) | 173
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the ability of patients with (a) mental illness and (b) learning difficulties to access (i) NHS emergency treatment and (ii) respite care; and if he will make a statement. | | (177018) | 174
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the ability of carers of patients with (a) mental illness and (b) learning difficulties to access NHS emergency treatment. | | (177019) | 175
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he plans to extend (a) mental illness and (b) learning difficulties training programmes for GPs and community care staff. | | (177020) | 176
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 12th December 2007, Official Report, column 655W, on mental health services: hospital beds, how many community psychiatric nurses were practising in the NHS in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. | | (177168) | 177
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 11th December 2007, Official Report, column 504W, on maternity units, how many of each type of unit (a) opened and (b) closed in each year listed; and how many delivery beds were available in each type of unit in each year. | | (177169) | 178
| Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will hold discussions with (a) Shropshire Primary Care Trust, (b) Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust and (c) Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust on security of patient health records. | | (176973) | 179
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his responsibilities and the responsibilities of (a) primary care trusts, (b) acute hospital trusts, (c) local authorities, (d) national expert clinical bodies, (e) local clinicians and (f) public and patient involvement panels are in the configuration of health services and hospital services. | | (177189) | 180
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his Department's definitions are of (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) tertiary health care; and what services are provided within each category of care. | | (177190) | 181
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the procedure is for the reconfiguration of local health services. | | (177191) | 182
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the (a) powers and (b) role of local government overview and scrutiny committees in the reconfiguration of local health services are. | | (177192) | 183
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 10th December 2007, Official Report, column 303W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed as (a) special advisers and (b) in a political role in each year since 1997. | | (177186) | Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department 184
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much was spent by each police force defending actions brought against them by victims of crime in each year since 2001. | | (177134) | 185
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much was spent by each police force defending itself against vexatious litigation in each year since 2001. | | (177135) | 186
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which (a) barristers' chambers and (b) solicitors' firms have undertaken work for each police force in England and Wales in each of the last two financial years; and what the reason for the work and the fees paid were in each case. | | (177136) | 187
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which 10 barristers instructed by each police force in England and Wales received the highest sums for this work in the last two financial years; how much each received; and if she will make a statement. | | (177137) | 188
| Greg Clark (Tunbridge Wells): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were detained for suspected immigration offences in each of the last 10 years. | | (177038) | 189
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what percentage of crimes recorded as racially motivated were perpetrated against asylum seekers in the last (a) year, (b) five years and (c) 10 years. | | (177042) | 190
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will consider a system of pre-paid cards for asylum seekers as an alternative to the existing vouchers. | | (177064) | 191
| David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the security of the support and accommodation arrangements provided for child victims of human trafficking in the North West, North East and Midlands will be reviewed; what representations she has received from campaign organisations on the safety and security of trafficked children within the care of local authorities; and if she will make a statement. | | (177079) | 192
| David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans the Government has for provision of support for people who have been trafficked beyond the current funding arrangement for the Poppy Project. | | (177080) | 193
| David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will announce a timetable for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings; and if she will make a statement. | | (177081) | 194
| David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what new research has been commissioned or undertaken by her Department into trafficking for forced labour since the publication of the UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking; and what further research is planned for 2008. | | (177082) | 195
| David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate she has made of the number of people trafficked into the UK in each year since 2001. | | (177084) | 196
N | Frank Dobson (Holborn & St Pancras): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether all European extradition warrants are handled by the Serious Organised Crime Agency. | | (175763) | 197
N | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential for adverse physical and psychological effects, other than those included in the Guidance Notes to Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, to be experienced by animals for each of the severity bandings used to classify scientific procedures on animals; how often the procedures that fall within these bandings are reviewed; and when the last revision took place. | | (175621) | 198
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance is issued to police forces on the provision of (a) sign language interpreters and (b) lipspeakers for hearing-impaired people detained or questioned by the police. | | (177213) | 199
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the Criminal Records Bureau policy is on the diversion of office telephone lines to personal telephones. | | (177228) | 200
| Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, under what circumstances and on whose authority police officers may use hollow-point dum-dum bullets; what assessment she has made of whether use of such bullets is compatible with the UK's international obligations; and if she will make a statement. | | (177207) | 201
N | Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the planned length of Operation Pentameter II was when it was launched; how long she expects it to continue; what progress has been made by the programme; and if she will make a statement. | | (175615) | 202
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 29th November 2007, Official Report, column 648W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed (a) as special advisers and (b) in a political role in each year since 1997. | | (177180) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 203
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, what steps he has (a) taken and (b) plans to take to prevent the illegal downloading of (i) music and (ii) films from the internet; what discussions (A) he, (B) Ministers in his Department and (C) officials have had with representatives of the music and film industry on the matter since June 2007; what the (1) location and (2) duration of each meeting was; whether a record of each meeting was kept; who attended each meeting; and if he will make a statement. | | (177119) | 204
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, what representations he has received since June 2007 on performing rights royalties; what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials have had with representatives of the music and film industry since June 2007 on this issue; what the (i) location and (ii) duration of each meeting was; whether a record of each meeting was kept; who attended each meeting; and if he will undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of the royalties system. | | (177121) | 205
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, what progress has been made in increasing the number of lecturers of black and minority ethnic origin in universities. | | (177069) | Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development 206
| Mr Lee Scott (Ilford North): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 11th December 2007, Official Report, columns 414-5W, on Ethiopia: foreign exchange, what the (a) exchange rate obtained, (b) value of commission paid, (c) name of the exchange institution or bank used and (d) purpose of the transaction was of DFID Ethiopia's currency exchanges of (i) 27th July 2007 and (ii) 8th October 2007. | | (177170) | 207
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 5th December 2007, Official Report, column 1255W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed (a) as special advisers and (b) in a political role in each year since 1997. | | (177176) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice 208
| Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how the (a) quality and (b) effectiveness of drug treatment in prisons is assessed. | | (177085) | 209
| Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which prisons provide (a) therapeutic communities, (b) 12 step, (c) cognitive behaviour treatment (CBT) and (d) shorter duration CBT programmes for offenders. | | (177086) | 210
| Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which prisons offer treatment for prisoners with (a) alcohol and (b) crack heroin dependency. | | (177087) | 211
| Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the failure rate for mandatory drug testing in prisons was in the most recent period for which figures are available. | | (177088) | 212
| Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners entered (a) detoxification, (b) maintenance, (c) 12 step, (d) cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), (e) shorter duration CBT and (f) therapeutic community treatment programmes in (i) 2005-06 and (ii) 2006-07; and at what cost for each type of programme for each year. | | (177089) | 213
| Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners received treatment for (a) alcohol and (b) drug dependency whilst in custody in (i) 2005-06 and (ii) 2006-07. | | (177090) | 214
| David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether any faith-based organisations make weekly visits to Muslim inmates in HMP Highpoint. | | (177077) | 215
| David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what schemes are in place in prisons in England and Wales aimed at preventing Muslim inmates being exposed to extremist (a) views and (b) indoctrination. | | (177078) | 216
| Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the total likely costs of the inquests into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales; how such costs will be met; and if he will make a statement. | | (176978) | 217
| Andrew Gwynne (Denton & Reddish): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to change the law on burials, with particular reference to the re-use of graves; and if he will make a statement. | | (177193) | 218
N | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his timetable is for the settlement of the pay award for 2007 for Land Registry staff; for what reasons the settlement has not yet been reached; what the timetable is for the 2008 settlement; and if he will make a statement. | | (175618) | 219
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance is issued to court services on the provision of (a) sign language interpreters and (b) lipspeakers for hearing-impaired people in the criminal justice system. | | (177212) | 220
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many court cases are due to be heard in the Chorley, South Ribble and Ormskirk magistrates' courts'; what steps he is taking to ensure that cases are heard expeditiously at those courts; and if he will make a statement. | | (177070) | 221
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many courts operate on a regular basis at Chorley Magistrates' Court. | | (177071) | 222
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what effect staff training on a new computer system is likely to have on the availability of courts at Chorley Magistrates' Court. | | (177072) | 223
| John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women have been sent to prison for non-payment of fines for loitering and soliciting since 1983. | | (177015) | 224
| John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women are in prison for non-payment of fines for loitering and soliciting. | | (177016) | 225
| John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women are in prison for non-payment of fines; and how many were in prison in each year since 1983. | | (177017) | 226
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 28th November 2007, Official Report, columns 480-1W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed (a) as special advisers and (b) in a political role in each year since 1997. | | (177181) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 227
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 27th November 2007, Official Report, column 288W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed (a) as special advisers and (b) in a political role in each year since 1997. | | (177182) | Questions to the Prime Minister 228
| Mr James Arbuthnot (North East Hampshire): To ask the Prime Minister, on how many occasions and on what dates when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer he visited British troops deployed abroad. | | (177116) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland 229
| Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans his Department has to contribute to the reduction of fuel poverty in Scotland; and what account he has taken of the Scottish House Condition Survey in developing such plans. | | (177113) | 230
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 3rd December 2007, Official Report, column 746W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed (a) as special advisers and (b) in a political role in each year since 1997. | | (177177) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport 231
| Adam Afriyie (Windsor): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport is planned to have the capacity to accommodate (a) Boeing 747-100 Jumbo jets, (b) Boeing 747-400 Jumbo jets, (c) Boeing 747-800 Jumbo jets, (d) Boeing 787 Dreamliners, (e) Airbus A350s, (f) Airbus A340s and (g) Airbus A380 aircraft (i) taking off and (ii) landing. | | (177061) | 232
| Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what account was taken of trends in (a) UK tonnage over the past five years, (b) world seaborne trade, (c) the need for security checks and (d) new flag state and ISM code requirements in deciding levels of resources and support for Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyors. | | (177111) | 233
| Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what account was taken of trends in UK registered ship tonnage when deciding the levels of frontline service staff, in particular the number of ship surveyors. | | (177112) | 234
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost was to each local authority in London arising from the police service agreements for each designated airport servicing London in the latest period for which figures are available. | | (177046) | 235
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, by what process a road safety grant, provided for by section 1 of the Road Safety Act 2006, is awarded to a local authority or any other body. | | (177230) | 236
| Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons funding for the Specific Road Safety Grant (Capital) for Gloucestershire County Council will be reduced between 2009-10 and 2010-11. | | (177232) | 237
N | Susan Kramer (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she will answer Questions 169010 to 169015, tabled by the hon. Member for Richmond Park on 23rd November 2007, on personal information. | | (175778) | 238
| Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 23rd July 2007, Official Report, column 767W, on Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, what progress has been made on the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency's study into the possible outsourcing of elements of its work. | | (177171) | 239
| Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Government intends to amend the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 to permit the display of national flags and symbols on vehicle registration plates. | | (177146) | 240
N | Bob Spink (Castle Point): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make a statement on the Dartford Crossing charging regime for people in (a) Castle Point and (b) South Essex. | | (176035) | 241
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13th December 2007, Official Report, column 788W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed (a) as special advisors and (b) in a political role in each year since 2003. | | (177174) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 242
| Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Health and Safety Executive minimises administrative burdens to business in carrying out its functions. | | (176988) | 243
| Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to reduce fuel poverty in Scotland; and what account he has taken of the Scottish House Condition Survey in developing such plans. | | (177114) | 244
| Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department plans to take to assist elderly people in Scotland over the winter months in 2008. | | (177115) | 245
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance and training his Department provides to employers on health and wellbeing in the workplace. | | (177049) | 246
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what contacts there have been between Unum Provident and his Department in the last five years. | | (177053) | 247
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what work has been undertaken by the Race Task Force. | | (177073) | 248
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the starting date for the implementation of the £60-per-week added support for lone parents to obtain and keep employment is for each Jobcentre Plus office branch in London. | | (177076) | 249
| Mr Doug Henderson (Newcastle upon Tyne North): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether it is his policy to maintain the value of the Carer's Allowance in real terms. | | (177029) | 250
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many women aged (a) 19 years and under and (b) 15 years and under, with dependent children, are in receipt of income-related benefits in England; and what the average amount of benefit is they receive. | | (177203) | 251
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the median child maintenance liability as assessed by the Child Support Agency was in each of the last 13 years. | | (177204) | 252
| Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions his Department has had with the Royal National Institute for the Blind on whether severe sight loss should be included as criteria for qualifying for the higher-rate mobility component of the disability living allowance. | | (177057) | 253
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 10th December 2007, Official Report, column 188W, on departmental pay, how many of those earning over £100,000 were employed (a) as special advisers and (b) in a political role in each year since 2002. | | (177175) | Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer 254
| Mr David Anderson (Blaydon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to prevent predatory litigation against poor and indebted countries. | | [Transferred] (177229) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 255
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, where the Nurse Family partnership pilots are taking place; which programmes of this type Ministers have visited in the US; when the pilots will start and when they are planned to end; what estimate he has made of the cost of the pilots; when the (a) first and (b) final evaluation of the pilots will be made; how longer term outcomes from the pilot will be assessed; how many families he estimates will be involved in the pilots; and what additional training and recruitment of health visitors is taking place as part of the pilots. | | [Transferred] (177197) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 256
| Mary Creagh (Wakefield): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward proposals to discourage parish council referenda being held on issues of national interest. | | [Transferred] (177210) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 257
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department has (a) taken since 1997 and (b) plans to take in each of the next three years to make music studios more accessible to young people; what discussions he has had since June 2007 with representatives of the music industry about this issue; and if he will make a statement. | | [Transferred] (177120) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 258
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) males and (b) females have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of an offence under each relevant section of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 in each year since 1977. | | [Transferred] (177122) | 259
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) males and (b) females have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of an offence under the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960 in each year since 1977. | | [Transferred] (177123) | 260
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) males and (b) females have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of breaking the Specified Diseases (Notification and Slaughter) Order 1992 in each year since it came into force. | | [Transferred] (177124) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 261
N | Roger Berry (Kingswood): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Lebanon; and if he will make a statement. | | [Question Unstarred] (175903) | 262
| Mr William Hague (Richmond (Yorks)): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what passerelle clauses were (a) introduced by and (b) established in legislation made under the Single European Act. | | [Transferred] (177188) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Health 263
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what support is available to employers to ensure patients with musculoskeletal disorders access early diagnosis and treatment to remain in work. | | [Transferred] (177048) | 264
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what (a) financial support and (b) advice on rights is available to carers who (i) live and (ii) work in (A) Leyton and Wanstead constituency, (B) Redbridge and (C) Waltham Forest. | | [Transferred] (177051) | 265
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy to ensure that people retiring early to live in another EEA country are able to obtain an E106 form. | | [Transferred] (177031) | Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department 266
| David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for human trafficking offences in each year since 2001, broken down by type of offence. | | [Transferred] (177083) | 267
| John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women have been served with an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) for prostitution-related activities; and how many women have been sent to prison for breach of such an ASBO. | | [Transferred] (177014) |
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