|
Questions for Oral or Written Answer
beginning on Thursday 20 March 2008
(the 'Questions Book')
Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Thursday 20 March 2008
This paper contains only Written Questions for answer on Thursday 20 March of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department. For other Written Questions for answer on Thursday 20 March of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order Paper. For Written and Oral Questions for answer after Thursday 20 March see Part 2 of this paper.
Questions to the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 1
N | Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what minimum safety and security requirements apply to vessels carrying nuclear material by sea for a distance of (a) less and (b) more than 500 miles. | | (195858) | 2
N | Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what guidance he has issued to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on the arrangements for the transportation of plutonium dioxide powder by (a) land and (b) sea; and if he will make a statement. | | (195859) | 3
| Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, pursuant to the Answer of 21st February 2008, Official Report, column 840W, on overseas trade: finance, how many overseas offices each agency maintains; and in which countries. | | (196156) | 4
| Mr Dai Davies (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what the value is of the contract his Department has signed with UBS Bank AG for advice on the commercial and financial aspects of new nuclear power plants; when the contract was signed; and what its duration is. | | (196208) | 5
| Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what the average duration of bankruptcy restrictions orders has been. | | (196220) | 6
| Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, how many bankruptcies have been declared by the Official Receivers to be the result of dishonest, reckless or otherwise culpable behaviour under the bankruptcy restrictions orders process contained in the Enterprise Act 2002. | | (196222) | 7
N | Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, when he plans to respond to the Ofcom report on the extra charges imposed on those paying for telephonic use who choose not to use direct debit. | | (195588) | 8
N | Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what plans he has to prevent utility providers charging those who do not pay charges by direct debit more than those who do. | | (195589) | 9
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, whether HRH Prince Andrew recently visited West Papua as part of his role as Special Representative for Trade and Investment. | | (196294) | 10
N | Charles Hendry (Wealden): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what his most recent assessment is of the (a) costs and (b) benefits of a national delivery plan for smart metering. | | (195582) | 11
N | Charles Hendry (Wealden): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what conclusions were made following the review of smart metering conducted for his Department by Mott McDonald; and if he will publish the outcomes of the review. | | (195583) | 12
N | Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, if he will take steps to prevent oil and gas extraction from affecting the Moray Firth Dolphin Sanctuary; and if he will make a statement. | | (195796) | 13
| Anne Main (St Albans): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, how many new businesses were registered in (a) St Albans and (b) England in each of the last five years. | | (196186) | 14
N | Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, whether (a) his Department and (b) his Department's non-departmental public bodies provide (i) tax-free and (ii) other allowances for their staff to purchase bicycles under the cycle to work scheme; and if he will make a statement. | | (192370) | Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer 15
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of turbulence in international credit markets on the delivery of overseas development assistance pledges; and if he will make a statement. | | (196281) | 16
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on the payment of bonuses through restricted share awards. | | (196286) | 17
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will reconsider again at whether Stamp Duty/Land Tax (SDLT) should be charged on shared equity properties for first time buyers when they reach the thresholds for SDLT because of changes to house prices especially in Southern England. | | (196295) | 18
N | Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 10th March 2008, Official Report, column 131W, on welfare tax credits, how many households (a) were owed tax credit payments which were delayed for more than four weeks and (b) owed tax credit repayments which they delayed repaying for more than four weeks. | | (195576) | 19
N | Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the tax credit entitlement is for households earning (a) £10,000, (b) £15,000 and (c) £20,000 with (i) one, (ii) two and (iii) three children for (A) a two parent, single earner household, (B) a two parent, double earner household and (C) a single parent working household. | | (195972) | 20
| Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average time taken by HM Revenue and Customs to process a value added tax refund was in each of the last five years. | | (196265) | 21
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much has been spent from the public purse to obtain information on British clients of Liechtenstein banks. | | (196258) | 22
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to restore stability and liquidity to the UK money market; and if he will make a statement. | | (196248) | 23
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage of the average annual salary was spent on food at the most recent date for which figures are available. | | (196200) | 24
N | Bob Spink (Castle Point): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of deaths from suicide in each of the last five years were (a) male and (b) female; and what proportion of deaths fell into each age decile. | | (195845) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 25
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what steps the Government has taken to increase the number of young people in Coventry achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE. | | (195179) | 26
N | Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, pursuant to his Department's press release of 14th March on progress in teaching phonics, if he will place in the Library a copy of Sir Jim Rose's letter on phonics teaching in schools. | | (195637) | 27
| Michael Gove (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many mainstream independent schools do not enter pupils for GCSEs. | | (196320) | 28
| Michael Gove (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many pupils achieved no grade higher than X at GCSE in 2007. | | (196321) | 29
| Michael Gove (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many pupils were awarded no grade higher than U at GCSE in 2007. | | (196322) | 30
| Michael Gove (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many pupils sat iGCSEs in each year for which figures are available. | | (196323) | 31
| Michael Gove (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many pupils in pupil referral units taking GCSEs did not obtain a single GCSE at C grade or above in 2007. | | (196324) | 32
| Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how much his Department spent calculating the funding allocations to each local education authority in 2007-08. | | (196259) | 33
| Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what method is used for calculating the funding for academies. | | (196260) | 34
| Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what percentage of children have special educational needs; and what forecasts there are for the likely percentage in future years. | | (196261) | 35
| Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what percentage of children receive English as an additional language teaching; and what forecasts there are for the likely percentage in future years. | | (196262) | 36
| Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what the average pupil premium is for a child with (a) special educational needs and (b) English as an additional language requirement; and what the (i) highest and (ii) lowest premium is. | | (196263) | 37
| Anne Main (St Albans): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many school playing fields were sold in England in each of the last five years. | | (196184) | 38
| Anne Main (St Albans): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many childcare information kiosks were installed by his Department and its predecessor in each year since 2000. | | (196185) | 39
| Anne Main (St Albans): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many schools in (a) St Albans, (b) Hertfordshire and (c) England offered swimming lessons to pupils in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. | | (196194) | 40
| Anne Main (St Albans): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what assessment he has made of his Department's progress towards achieving the five aims of the music manifesto. | | (196195) | 41
| Anne Main (St Albans): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what the cost to his Department of the Teachers TV channel was in each of the last five years. | | (196196) | Questions to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 42
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, for what reasons his Department's contract with Futurebuilders England for the distribution of grant funding was not renewed. | | (196227) | 43
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what criteria his Department used in the process which resulted in Adventure Capital Fund being awarded a contract to distribute grant funding; and if he will make a statement. | | (196228) | 44
N | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to the Answer of 4th March 2008, Official Report, column 2485W, on television, how many plasma television screens have been purchased in the last 24 months by (a) Downing Street and (b) the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit. | | (195577) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 45
| Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many households were accepted as eligible for assistance for homelessness in Newcastle upon Tyne in each quarter from 1st January 2006; and how many households were in temporary accommodation from 1st January 2006. | | (196109) | 46
| Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if she will estimate how many homes in each metropolitan authority in Tyne and Wear would be rated F or G for energy performance. | | (196110) | 47
| Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what energy efficiency increases she has required to be achieved by the Bridging Newcastle Gateshead Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder. | | (196111) | 48
| Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if she will estimate the energy efficiency ratings of council-owned housing in the City of Newcastle; and what improvements in that rating she has required in the next phase of the Decent Homes programme. | | (196112) | 49
N | Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what allocation was made to each fire authority for (a) fire control, (b) fire link and (c) new dimensions programmes in each year since 2002, broken down by region. | | (195408) | 50
N | Julia Goldsworthy (Falmouth & Camborne): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the average level of council tax for a dwelling in each constituency was in each year since 1997. | | (195579) | 51
N | Mr Paul Goodman (Wycombe): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when she expects to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Wycombe of 6th February 2008 about the Medical Middle Way roadshow and Kemal Helbawy. | | (195791) | 52
| Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department issues to local authorities on safeguarding public money when outsourcing services overseas; what (a) financial and (b) other restrictions there are on local authorities in undertaking such outsourcing; and if she will make a statement. | | (196236) | 53
N | John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many incidents involving flooding the Fire and Rescue Service attended in each year since 2000; and how many people the Fire and Rescue Service rescued from flooding in each such year. | | (195794) | 54
N | John Mann (Bassetlaw): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much funding from the public purse Manton Community Alliance neighbourhood management pathfinder received in each year since 2003; what percentage of such funding supported (a) salaries and (b) overheads in each year; and what proportion of the pathfinder's revenue such funding represented in each such year. | | (195641) | 55
| Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3rd March 2008, Official Report, column 2140W, on regional Ministers, what the (a) grade and (b) pay scale is of the staff working for each regional Minister in their regional capacity. | | (196233) | 56
N | Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West & Royton): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what powers will be available to her under the provisions of the Housing and Regeneration Bill (a) to compel housing associations to carry out Government policy mandated to housing via a new regulator and (b) to impose regulations on community services provided by housing associations; and whether she plans under any circumstances to reclassify housing associations as public bodies. | | (195722) | 57
| Robert Neill (Bromley & Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which Government funding streams have been distributed through the Government Office for London since 1997; and how much has been distributed through each such stream in each year since 1997. | | (196287) | 58
| Grant Shapps (Welwyn Hatfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 19th February 2008, Official Report, column 1996W, on housing: disabled, what the cost to the public purse has been following the settlement; and if she will make a statement. | | (196237) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 59
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department contributes (a) funding and (b) personnel to (i) the European Broadcasting Union and (ii) the Eurovision Song Contest; and if he will make a statement. | | (196095) | 60
N | Mr Don Foster (Bath): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes from the Emerging Technologies Group's meetings. | | (195785) | 61
N | Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the export of the Dering Roll; and if he will make a statement. | | (195728) | 62
| Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support his Department and its agencies give to competitive cheerleading. | | (196193) | 63
| Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the cost of the public lending right was in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what it is projected to be in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196154) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence 64
| Danny Alexander (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of beneficiaries of pension-sharing orders for armed forces pensions under the age of 65 years whose former spouse already receives a pension. | | (196187) | 65
| Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the US authorities on the level of policing at RAF Fairford by the Ministry of Defence Police. | | (196388) | 66
N | Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13th March 2008, Official Report, columns 665-6W, on radar: wind power, what assessment he has made of whether wind farms interfere with the interoperability of aerial defence systems. | | (195720) | 67
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the forecast cost increase of £1.7 billion in his Department's budget will be spent on; and over what time period. | | (196348) | 68
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Treaty of Lisbon affects the UK's capacity to take unilateral military action. | | (196349) | 69
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what burden-sharing arrangements are planned for civilian and military assets for EU defence under the Lisbon Treaty. | | (196350) | 70
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what targets have been set for Defence Equipment and Support; and how its performance against those targets will be reported. | | (196351) | 71
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 13th March 2008, Official Report, column 668W, on Type 23 Frigate, what the reasons are for the cost of (a) HMS Portland and (b) HMS Sutherland relative to the average cost of the other ships in the class; and if he will make a statement. | | (196353) | 72
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the effects of the merger of the Defence Procurement Agency and the Defence Logistics Organisation have been on overall staff numbers. | | (196357) | 73
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what arrangements are planned for liaison between his Department and the office of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. | | (196358) | 74
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of expenditure on British military operations in Afghanistan during (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10. | | (196114) | 75
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria he uses to assess the effectiveness of spending on British military operations in Afghanistan. | | (196115) | 76
| Patrick Mercer (Newark): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many officer recruiters are operating in Scotland; how many personnel are detached from the Field Army for unofficial recruiting duties in Scotland; and how many recruits successfully passed (a) into and (b) out of training last year in Scotland. | | (196238) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 77
| Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the percentage of each major agricultural commodity consumed in the UK which was produced in the UK in the last period for which figures are available. | | (196384) | 78
| Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage owners of existing housing stock to improve their energy performance rating. | | (196386) | 79
N | Ann Coffey (Stockport): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what provisions of the Water Industry Act 1999 enable customers to request the installation of individual water meters in sheltered accommodation. | | (195721) | 80
| Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps have been taken by his Department to provide for compensation to inshore fishermen whose fishing grounds are affected by the construction of offshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement. | | (196234) | 81
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17th March 2008, Official Report, columns 735-6W, on ground water: pollution, what plans he has to initiate research into the level of groundwater contamination in the UK and to publish a strategic plan detailing the level of (a) contamination and (b) clean water. | | (196360) | 82
| Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Gateshead East & Washington West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support is available to local authorities who want to increase levels of battery recycling. | | (196338) | 83
| Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Gateshead East & Washington West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of batteries were recycled in each (a) local authority area and (b) constituency in each of the last five years. | | (196339) | 84
| Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Gateshead East & Washington West): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to increase levels of battery recycling; and if he will make a statement. | | (196344) | 85
N | Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many small firms took part in the tendering process for the Warm Front scheme. | | (195792) | 86
N | Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the turnover is of each firm involved in the WarmFront scheme. | | (195793) | 87
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward proposals for a system of grading heating controls according to their energy efficiency to meet the requirements of the Energy-using Products Directive. | | (196190) | 88
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy that assessments of buildings systems energy performance are undertaken within the scope of the revised Energy Performance in Buildings Directive. | | (196191) | 89
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations he has received on the Energy-using Products Directive; and from whom. | | (196192) | 90
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25th February 2008, Official Report, column 1130W, on tree preservation orders: Guildford, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter of comfort produced by his Department in relation to disposal of the Epsom Road site. | | (196075) | 91
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25th February 2008, Official Report, column 1130W, on tree preservation orders: Guildford, what the latest timetable is for the disposal of the Epsom Road site. | | (196076) | 92
| Mr Elliot Morley (Scunthorpe): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether racecourse administrators are required to report the deaths of racehorses on the racecourse to his Department; and if he will make a statement. | | (196325) | 93
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his most recent estimate is of the financial cost to the farming industry of the foot and mouth outbreaks in 2007. | | (196197) | 94
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has for provision of financial support to farms after 2013. | | (196198) | 95
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effects the production of biofuels has had on the production of food crops. | | (196199) | 96
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to (a) simplify and (b) reduce the number of farm inspections. | | (196201) | 97
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how his Department plans to reduce the spread of bovine tuberculosis involving badgers. | | (196202) | 98
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the merits of a compulsory national vaccination programme against bluetongue disease. | | (196203) | 99
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of agricultural land comprises farms affected by bovine tuberculosis in the last 12 months. | | (196204) | 100
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farms in (a) England, (b) Cumbria and (c) Copeland have recorded cases of bovine tuberculosis over the last five years. | | (196205) | 101
| Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many cattle have died or been slaughtered in (a) England, (b) Cumbria and (c) Copeland constituency because of bovine tuberculosis over the last five years. | | (196206) | 102
N | Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make available funds from within existing budgets for home owners in Devon to erect electric fences and other measures to repel badgers. | | (194676) | 103
N | Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what dosage will be necessary for vaccinating each (a) sheep and (b) cow against bluetongue. | | (195782) | 104
N | Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he expects the bluetongue vaccine doses on order from Intervet to be available in (a) England and (b) Wales. | | (195783) | 105
N | Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of livestock susceptible to bluetongue in protection zones in (a) England and (b) Wales he expects the bluetongue vaccine to be available for. | | (195784) | 106
| Mr Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many representations he has received on the Energy-using Products Directive; and from whom. | | (196137) | 107
N | Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on usage of Four Gun Field in Upchurch, Sittingbourne. | | (195636) | 108
N | Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne & Sheppey): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what legal advice the Environment Agency has sought in the last week concerning activities at Four Gun Field in Upchurch, Sittingbourne. | | (196029) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 109
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has received on the proposed (a) responsibilities, (b) duties and (c) powers of the President of the European Council; if he will place in the Library copies of such representations; and if he will make a statement. | | (196092) | 110
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether (a) hon. Members, (b) members of the House of Lords and (c) members of the public will be able to submit nominations for the post of the President of the European Council; what recent representations he has received on this issue; and if he will make a statement. | | (196093) | 111
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) officials in his Department have had with the government of Israel on suicide bombings in Israel; what recent representations he has received on the subject; and if he will make a statement. | | (196096) | 112
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take at the United Nations on the reported storage of (i) rockets and (ii) arms by Hamas in civilian areas in Gaza; and if he will make a statement. | | (196141) | 113
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) officials in his Department have had with (i) Arab states and (ii) the government of Israel on the reported storage of (A) rockets and (B) arms by Hamas in civilian areas in Gaza; what response was received from each; and if he will make a statement. | | (196142) | 114
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he (a) has had recently and (b) plans to have with EU counterparts on the reported storage of (i) rockets and (ii) arms by Hamas in civilian areas in Gaza; and if he will make a statement. | | (196143) | 115
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he (a) has had and (b) plans to have with EU counterparts on reported comments by the President of the Palestinian Authority on the recognition by Hamas of the State of Israel; and if he will make a statement. | | (196148) | 116
N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Chinese authorities on the indefinite closing of access to Mount Everest for climbers. | | (195857) | 117
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the government of Colombia on the proceedings against Diego Montoya. | | (196283) | 118
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what monitoring and evaluation of UK support provided to the Colombian military his Department conducts; by what mechanisms such monitoring takes place; and if he will make a statement. | | (196285) | 119
| Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the political and security situation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. | | (196264) | 120
| Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will increase funding for scholarships in the UK for Burmese students. | | (196385) | 121
| Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of bilateral relations with Afghanistan. | | (196389) | 122
| Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many candidatures for the role of UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Afghanistan his officials have discussed with the UN. | | (196390) | 123
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received on the treatment of Khaled al-Magtari by UK personnel in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. | | (196313) | 124
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions the Government has had with members of the EU on the implementation of sanctions on the Sudanese government. | | (195363) | 125
| Mr William Hague (Richmond (Yorks)): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will discuss the issue of rendition detainees with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. | | (196090) | 126
| Mr William Hague (Richmond (Yorks)): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he will answer Question 186869, on the demarcation of the Ethiopia-Eritrea border, tabled on 7th February 2008. | | (196252) | 127
| Mr William Hague (Richmond (Yorks)): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he will answer Question (a) 190947, (b) 191153, (c) 191154 and (d) 191042, on the use of Diego Garcia for rendition flights, tabled on 27th February 2008. | | (196253) | 128
| Mr William Hague (Richmond (Yorks)): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he will answer Question 191151, on negotiations with Iran, tabled on 27th February 2008. | | (196254) | 129
| Mr William Hague (Richmond (Yorks)): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans to publish a White Paper on the new strategic framework for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. | | (196255) | 130
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last discussed the referendum process in the Western Sahara with his Moroccan counterpart. | | (196352) | 131
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the European Parliament on taking steps to combat and prevent terrorism. | | (196359) | 132
N | Mr Greg Hands (Hammersmith & Fulham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the budget for his Department's grievances and counter-narrative team was in each year since it was established; how much the team spent on external consultants in each year; how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time staff work in the team; and when the team was established. | | (195635) | 133
| Chris Huhne (Eastleigh): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which countries his Department lists as being jurisdictions where homosexuals are at risk of (a) execution and (b) other forms of persecution by (i) state sanctioned bodies and (ii) non-state sanctioned bodies; and if he will make a statement. | | (196292) | 134
N | Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the mandate is of the new UN Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan; what assessment he has made of how this differs from (a) the mandate which Lord Ashdown was prepared to accept and (b) the mandate of Tom Koenigs of Germany, whom the new Special Representative is replacing; and if he will make a statement. | | (195638) | 135
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of progress in ratifying the Lisbon Treaty in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement. | | (196370) | 136
N | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6th March 2008, Official Report, column 2792W, on television, if he will list each individual internal department in his Department. | | (195578) | 137
N | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide were offset by his Department for air travel through the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership programme in 2006-07; and at what cost. | | (195727) | 138
| Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on proposals for the European Union's further enlargement in the Balkans. | | (196207) | 139
| Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many members of the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals hold honours. | | (196078) | 140
| Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, who was consulted before the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals decided veterans should accept, but not wear, the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal. | | (196183) | 141
| Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many representations have been received from (a) veterans' organisations, (b) individuals and (c) hon. and right hon. Members calling on the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals to reconsider its advice to HM the Queen on not allowing veterans to wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal. | | (196239) | 142
| Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the rules governing the award of foreign honours, decorations and medals were last reviewed. | | (196240) | 143
| Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, who is responsible for making appointments to the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals. | | (196241) | 144
| Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when there was last a vacancy on the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals; who filled the vacancy; and what process was used to assess the suitability of candidates. | | (196242) | 145
| Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether Ministers were advised of or were asked to consider or approve the decision to set aside the rule preventing the wearing of the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal during the anniversary celebrations of Malaysian independence. | | (196243) | 146
| Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, why the decision not to allow recipients of the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal to wear the decoration on public occasions was set aside for the celebration coinciding with the anniversary celebrations of Malaysian independence. | | (196244) | 147
| Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether any past or present members of the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals has been awarded and accepted an honour, decoration or medal from a foreign, Commonwealth or UK dependency government. | | (196245) | 148
| Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what measures are in place to ensure that a member of the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals is not involved in making a decision that could result in them being awarded an honour, decoration or medal. | | (196246) | 149
| Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on how many occasions a member of the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals has received an honour, decoration or medal as a result of a decision of the committee. | | (196247) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Health 150
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to reclaim monies owed by foreign national visitors to the UK for services delivered by the NHS; and what his most recent assessment is of the amount of outstanding payments during their visits owed to the NHS for such services at the latest date for which figures are available. | | (196219) | 151
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his timetable is for implementing the recommendation on a national training scheme for mental health workers contained in the Management of Violence project's report. | | (196226) | 152
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to regulate the sale by biotechnology companies of genetic testing kits which determine susceptibility to psychiatric disorders; and if he will make a statement. | | (196229) | 153
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Government has taken to improve the health of those living in deprived areas since 1997. | | (195844) | 154
N | Jim Dobbin (Heywood & Middleton): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the (a) efficiency of and (b) protection of the public provided by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency with reference to the non-disclosure of the results of clinical trials of drugs by pharmaceutical companies. | | (195590) | 155
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will investigate the (a) effects on health of services offered by the body-scanning industry and (b) the appropriateness of the level of exposure to x-ray technology of those services; and if he will make a statement. | | (196356) | 156
N | Tim Farron (Westmorland & Lonsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people are receiving treatment for involuntary addiction to legal drugs; and what plans his Department has to tackle such addiction. | | (195580) | 157
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, on what date he expects to publish the public consultation on prescription charges in England; and if he will make a statement. | | (196374) | 158
| Mrs Joan Humble (Blackpool North & Fleetwood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken to (a) raise public awareness and (b) provide information to health providers and general practitioners regarding the skin disease hidradenitis suppurativa. | | (196314) | 159
| Mrs Joan Humble (Blackpool North & Fleetwood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department plans to take with regard to hidradenitis suppurativa. | | (196315) | 160
| Mrs Joan Humble (Blackpool North & Fleetwood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of individuals who have hidradenitis suppurativa. | | (196316) | 161
| Mrs Joan Humble (Blackpool North & Fleetwood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research is being (a) undertaken and (b) funded by his Department on the likely causes of hidradenitis suppurativa. | | (196317) | 162
| Mrs Joan Humble (Blackpool North & Fleetwood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of NHS treatment and other support for individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa in the most recent period for which figures are available. | | (196318) | 163
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the levels of bursaries for student nurses. | | (196087) | 164
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients were seen by the West Midlands NHS Diagnostic Service during the period of its contract with Care UK. | | (196088) | 165
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much (a) has been and (b) will be paid to Care UK by his Department in relation to terminating its contract with Care UK for the the West Midlands NHS Diagnostic Service. | | (196089) | 166
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much has been spent under the West Midlands NHS Diagnostic Service contract with Care UK since June 2007. | | (196091) | 167
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reasons the West Midlands NHS Diagnostic Service contract with Care UK was terminated in November 2007. | | (196118) | 168
N | Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance he has issued on the minimum staffing ratios for residential care homes for people requiring high dependency care that are wholly or partly funded from the public purse; and if he will make a statement. | | (195843) | 169
| Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 7th March 2008, Official Report, column 2860W, on NHS questionnaires, what businesses were contracted by the Department to conduct surveys on its behalf in 2007-08; and what the cost to the public purse was of each of these contracts. | | (196230) | 170
| Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 7th March 2008, Official Report, column 2860W, on NHS questionnaires, what the (a) subject and (b) cost was of each survey conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Department in 2007-08. | | (196231) | 171
| Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 7th March 2008, Official Report, column 2860W, on NHS questionnaires, what the cost of the surveys conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Department was for each of the last 10 years. | | (196232) | 172
N | Mike Penning (Hemel Hempstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the Government's objectives were in discussions in Working Groups of the European Union and in bilateral dialogue with other member state competent authorities on the setting of maximum permitted levels for nutrients in food supplements; whether those objectives have been met; and if he will make a statement. | | (195591) | 173
| Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many junior doctors left the NHS in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what estimate he has made of the number likely to leave the NHS in 2008; and if he will make a statement. | | (196161) | 174
N | Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many sexually transmitted infections were diagnosed in each year since 1997, broken down by type of infection. | | (195797) | 175
N | David Taylor (North West Leicestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when and by what means he plans to monitor the effectiveness of restricted premises and sales orders when they are implemented; what information will be collected as part of the monitoring arrangements; and over what period the information will be collected. | | (195581) | 176
| Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the Food Standards Agency has in relation to their proposals for the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid; what matters relating to the proposals are under consideration by the Agency; over what timescale he expects the Agency to proceed with their proposals; with whom the Agency will consult on the proposals; and how he plans to consult the natural health products industry on the likely (a) financial and (b) health effects of the proposals. | | (196082) | 177
| Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has made of whether the draft Medicines (Human and Veterinary) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2008 conforms with the medicines legislation of the European Union. | | (196083) | 178
| Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information he has on the proposed timetable for the government of Guernsey to bring forward secondary legislation and enforcement measures to implement the proposed Medicines (Human and Veterinary) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2008; and if he will make a statement. | | (196084) | 179
| Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent representations he has received from (a) manufacturers and (b) retailers of food supplements on the proposed introduction of limits on the levels of folic acid permitted in such products as a result of the proposals of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for the mandatory fortification of flour with folate; and whether the FSA plans to undertake further modelling of the implications of its proposals. | | (196085) | 180
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much has been spent on (a) NHS and (b) independent sector secure mental healthcare places for offenders in each of the last 10 years, broken down by (i) primary care trust and (ii) local health board; and if he will make a statement. | | (196069) | 181
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the maximum capacity of provision for (a) NHS and (b) independent sector secure mental healthcare places has been, broken down by establishment, in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196072) | 182
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what funding is allocated for the provision of mental healthcare treatment for offenders (a) in custody and (b) serving community sentences in 2007-08, broken down by funding source; and if he will make a statement. | | (196131) | 183
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much has been spent on providing mental healthcare treatment for offenders (a) in custody and (b) serving community sentences in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196140) | Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department 184
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent representations she has received on the enforcement of prohibitions upon certain individuals against travel to and attendance at international football matches; what discussions she has had on the matter with her counterpart in the Scottish Executive; and if she will make a statement. | | (196282) | 185
| Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 11th March 2008, Official Report, column 339W, on crime: drugs, what assessment she has made of the performance of drug enforcement authorities in restricting imports of Class A drugs into the UK. | | (196288) | 186
| Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 11th March 2008, Official Report, column 339W, on crime: drugs, whether a decision has been made to stop measuring Class A drug seizure quantities for drugs specifically destined for the UK. | | (196289) | 187
N | Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 16th January 2008, Official Report, column 1279W, on asylum, how many asylum claimants who have received leave to remain as a result of grant of (a) asylum, (b) humanitarian protection and (c) discretionary leave there were of each nationality in the categories (i) Europe other (ii) Americas other, (iii) Africa other, (iv) Middle East other and (v) Asia other. | | (196027) | 188
N | Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 16th January 2008, Official Report, column 1297W, on asylum, how many grants of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) under the 2003 family ILR exercise were for families in the categories (a) Africa other, (b) Middle East other and (c) Asia other, broken down by nationality. | | (196028) | 189
| Mr Dai Davies (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Iraqi nationals living in (a) Jordan, (b) Syria and (c) Iran who have worked under contract with British forces under Operation Telic have (i) applied for and (ii) been granted (A) asylum and (B) residency in the UK since March 2003; and what criteria are used in deciding on such applications. | | (196188) | 190
N | David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign nationals residing illegally in the UK she expects to be returned to their home countries under the newly established European Return Fund; and how many of these she expects to be voluntary returns. | | (195786) | 191
N | David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what funding was received by the UK in each year to date from the (a) European Refugee Fund, (b) External Borders Fund, (c) Integration Fund and (d) European Return Fund as part of the EU General Programme, Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows; and how much is expected to be received in each year up to 2013. | | (195787) | 192
N | David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the UK is taking as a result of the establishment of the European Return Fund to promote (a) better information and expertise sharing, (b) the pooling of resources and (c) common standards across the EU on the return of illegal immigrants; and if she will make a statement. | | (195788) | 193
N | David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the effect on costs to the public purse as a result of membership of the European Return Fund between 2008 and 2013. | | (195789) | 194
N | David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many additional illegally residing foreign nationals she expects to be able to return to their home countries as a result of the European Return Fund in each year between 2008 and 2013. | | (195790) | 195
| David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what mechanisms her Department has put in place to prevent the foreign partners of UK citizens forced into marriage obtaining UK visas; and if she will make a statement. | | (196293) | 196
| Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of children under 16 years of age who have been brought to the UK by parents on a visitor's visa from (a) Pakistan and (b) elsewhere and left with relatives settled in the UK while the parents returned home since 1978; and if she will make a statement. | | (196225) | 197
| Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent guidance has been given to chief constables on the use by political parties of photographs of named police officers in election leaflets. | | (196296) | 198
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 17th March 2008, Official Report, column 801W, on immigration controls: foreign workers, what the programme of research and analysis being undertaken in respect of the current provisions for overseas domestic workers consists of; when she expects the results to be published; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the results. | | (196117) | 199
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of unsuccessful asylum cases considered by the Case Resolution Directorate that did not include a questionnaire and are entitled to an appeal have been subject to an appeal; and if she will make a statement. | | (196073) | 200
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of unsuccessful asylum cases considered by the Case Resolution Directorate that included a questionnaire and are entitled to an appeal have been subject to an appeal; and if she will make a statement. | | (196074) | 201
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23rd January 2008, Official Report, column 2055-6W, on asylum, whether her Department has re-evaluated its expected completion date for considering and issuing a decision on all asylum cases that fall under the remit of the Case Resolution Directorate; and if she will make a statement. | | (196077) | 202
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures are in place to ensure that applicants and their legal representatives are informed (a) that consideration has begun and (b) of the final decision in asylum cases considered under the Case Resolution Directorate without the need for a questionnaire; and if she will make a statement. | | (196098) | 203
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of asylum applicants with cases considered by the Case Resolution Directorate without a questionnaire have been informed when consideration began either directly or through their legal representative; and if she will make a statement. | | (196099) | 204
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of unsuccessful asylum applicants considered by the Case Resolution Directorate without a questionnaire, and who were subsequently removed, were informed of the outcome of the final decision either directly or through their legal representative prior to removal; and if she will make a statement. | | (196100) | 205
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average length of time was between the final decision being taken and removal for unsuccessful asylum cases considered by the Case Resolution Directorate; and if she will make a statement. | | (196101) | 206
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will place in the Library copies of information provided to staff on the Border and Immigration Agency hon. Members' hotline on the Case Resolution Directorate; and if she will make a statement. | | (196102) | 207
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will place in the Library copies of information provided about the Case Resolution Directorate to the legal representatives of individuals whose cases are to be considered by the Case Resolution Directorate; and if she will make a statement. | | (196103) | 208
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) running, (b) IT, (c) legal, (d) consultancy and (e) administrative costs for the Case Resolution Directorate have been; what they are expected to be in the next three financial years; and if she will make a statement. | | (196104) | 209
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many complaints her Department has received about the Case Resolution Directorate in each month since its inception; and if she will make a statement. | | (196105) | 210
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23rd January 2008, Official Report, column 2062W, on genetics: database, how many DNA samples from the national DNA database were used for the research project carried out by Cellmark Forensic Services on the further development of familial searching software; and if she will make a statement. | | (196116) | 211
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people arrested (a) in each financial year since 1995 and (b) in each month since April 2007, who were (i) under 16, (ii) 16 to 18, (iii) 19 to 21 and (iv) over 21 years at the time of their arrest had their DNA profiles added to the national DNA database; and if she will make a statement. | | (196121) | 212
N | Mr David Winnick (Walsall North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 13th March 2008, Official Report, column 611W, on departmental correspondence, if she will make it her policy that Ministers in her Department sign all replies to letters from hon. Members addressed to a Minister. | | (195977) | Questions to the honourable Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission 213
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask the honourable Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will provide for the stocking of Fairtrade bananas in House cafeterias. | | (196223) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 214
| Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East & Mexborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, what information his Department holds on (a) the targets each member of the Russell Group of Universities has set itself for widening participation for students from poorer backgrounds in the last two years and (b) performance against those targets. | | (196284) | 215
N | Stephen Williams (Bristol West): To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of introducing thresholds and rates of student loan repayments of (a) 0 per cent. on incomes below £20,000, (b) 5 per cent. on incomes of £20,000 to £29,999, (c) 7.5 per cent. on incomes of £30,000 to £41,225 and (d) 12 per cent. on incomes over £41,225; and if he will make a statement. | | (196030) | 216
N | Stephen Williams (Bristol West): To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of raising the student loan repayment income threshold to (a) £18,000, (b) £20,000, (c) £21,000, (d) £22,000, (e) £23,000, (f) £24,000 and (g) £25,000; and if he will make a statement. | | (196031) | 217
N | Stephen Williams (Bristol West): To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of making the support available to part-time first degree undergraduates equivalent to that of full-time first degree undergraduates in respect of (a) grants, (b) student loans and (c) bursaries; and if he will make a statement. | | (196032) | Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development 218
| Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions he has had with the Chinese government on joint aid programmes. | | (196387) | 219
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government has taken to assist aid organisations with the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. | | (195361) | 220
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent progress the Government has made in assisting UNAMID in managing the financial aspects of providing aid to the people of Darfur. | | (195362) | 221
| Mr Dai Davies (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what financial or other assistance his Department provides to Iraqi refugees in (a) Jordan and (b) Syria. | | (196086) | 222
| Mr Mark Lancaster (North East Milton Keynes): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much was spent by his Department on (a) economy class, (b) business class and (c) first class air travel in the period 1st April 2007 to 17th March 2008. | | (196257) | 223
| Anne Milton (Guildford): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate he has made of the funding required to ensure universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services by 2010; and how much of this he estimates is required to be met by (a) G8 members and (b) the UK. | | (196113) | 224
N | Mr Andrew Mitchell (Sutton Coldfield): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's staff handbook. | | (195584) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice 225
| Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of the National Offender Management Service management board received box A markings in their latest performance and development reviews; who was responsible for the award of these markings; and if he will make a statement. | | (196097) | 226
| Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, at how many courts the provision of security, guarding and surveillance services have been outsourced to private contractors. | | (196106) | 227
| Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff the Courts Service employs directly or via contractors for security and guarding duties. | | (196108) | 228
N | Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many drivers of vehicles carrying scrap metal were prosecuted for (a) dangerous driving, (b) careless driving and (c) causing death by dangerous driving in each of the last five years for which figures are available. | | (195725) | 229
| Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will publish the (a) original and (b) revised algorithm on the ICA1 form as referred to in Prison Service Instruction 07/2008. | | (196149) | 230
| Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) undertaken into the relationship between prison regimes and re-offending rates; and if he will publish such research. | | (196150) | 231
| Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners were (a) doubling up in cells designed for one and (b) trebling up in cells designed for two on the latest date for which figures are available. | | (196151) | 232
| Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 15th January 2008, Official Report, columns 1203-4W, on departmental ICT, when he expects to publish the detailed and assured delivery plans. | | (196152) | 233
| Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 30th January 2008, Official Report, columns 491W, on prisons, if he will publish the design, security and technical specifications and standards produced by the National Offender Management Service relating to the designs of (a) existing and (b) new prison places. | | (196153) | 234
| Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 5th February 2008, Official Report, columns 1118-9W, on prisoners: personal records, what records his Department holds on the average length of time taken for a prisoner's full records to be received by the prison of destination following transfer. | | (196155) | 235
| Chris Huhne (Eastleigh): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many vacant properties his Department owns; how many of these have been vacant for longer than (a) three months, (b) six months and (c) 12 months; and what the value of each property is. | | (196290) | 236
| Chris Huhne (Eastleigh): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what percentage of prisoners in each prison in England and Wales were on the (a) basic, (b) standard and (c) enhanced privilege level of incentives and earned privileges scheme in each of the last five years. | | (196291) | 237
| Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the contribution of the National Offender Management Service to public safety since its inception. | | (196144) | 238
| Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what (a) cost reductions and (b) efficiency gains have been achieved by the National Offender Management Service since its inception. | | (196145) | 239
| Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many offenders are directly managed or supervised by staff of the National Offender Management Service. | | (196146) | 240
| Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the cost of the National Offender Management Service was in 2006-07. | | (196147) | 241
N | Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 11th March 2008, Official Report, columns 12-14WS, on Leeds Magistrates' Court, how many outstanding cases remain of the 555 defendants whose warrants have been withdrawn by officials at Leeds Magistrates' Court; what the status of those cases is; and when he expects all of these cases to be resolved. | | (195780) | 242
N | Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 11th March 2008, Official Report, columns 12-14WS, on Leeds Magistrates' Court, what the 62 offences were the results of which have been found and verified; and how many serious offences have yet to be found and verified. | | (195781) | 243
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of the prison population have been held in (a) NHS and (b) independent sector mental healthcare places in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196068) | 244
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment the Department has made of the number and proportion of the prison population with one or more mental health condition, broken down by condition; and if he will make a statement. | | (196070) | 245
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of the prison population are currently held in (a) NHS and (b) independent sector secure mental healthcare places; and if he will make a statement. | | (196071) | 246
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what changes were made to the sentencing guidelines for (a) magistrates' and (b) Crown courts on burglary offences in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196119) | 247
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what changes were made to the sentencing guidelines for (a) magistrates' and (b) Crown courts on drug offences in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196120) | 248
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what changes were made to the sentencing guidelines for (a) magistrates' and (b) Crown courts on robbery offences in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196122) | 249
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much was spent on providing employment programmes for offenders (a) in custody and (b) serving community sentences in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196123) | 250
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what funding has been allocated for the provision of employment programmes for offenders (a) in custody and (b) serving community sentences for 2008-09, broken down by funding source; and if he will make a statement. | | (196124) | 251
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much was spent on providing resettlement programmes for offenders (a) in custody and (b) serving community sentences in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196125) | 252
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what funding has been allocated for the provision of resettlement programmes for offenders (a) in custody and (b) serving community sentences for 2008-09, broken down by funding source; and if he will make a statement. | | (196126) | 253
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much was spent on providing behavioural programmes for offenders (a) in custody and (b) serving community sentences in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196127) | 254
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what funding has been allocated for the provision of behavioural programmes for offenders (a) in custody and (b) serving community sentences for 2008-09, broken down by funding source; and if he will make a statement. | | (196128) | 255
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much was spent on providing drug and alcohol treatment for offenders (a) in custody and (b) serving community sentences in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196129) | 256
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what funding has been allocated for the provision of drug and alcohol treatment for offenders (a) in custody and (b) serving community sentences for 2008-09, broken down by funding source; and if he will make a statement. | | (196130) | 257
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of (a) juveniles and (b) young adult offenders were reconvicted within two years of release from secure children's homes in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196132) | 258
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of (a) juvenile and (b) young adult offenders were reconvicted within two years of release from secure training centres in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196133) | 259
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of (a) juvenile and (b) young adult offenders were reconvicted within two years of release from young offenders institutions in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196134) | 260
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much his Department spent on prison transfers in each of the last 10 financial years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196135) | 261
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners have been transferred between prisons during their sentence since April 2007; and if he will make a statement. | | (196136) | 262
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much was spent on providing education and skills for offenders (a) in custody and (b) serving community sentences in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. | | (196138) | 263
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what funding has been provided for education and skills enhancement for offenders (a) in custody and (b) serving community sentences for 2008-09, broken down by funding source; and if he will make a statement. | | (196139) | Questions to the Minister for the Olympics 264
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Minister for the Olympics, what percentage of training the Olympic Delivery Authority plans to offer to young people in London in construction will be to (a) NVQ level 2 and (b) NVQ level 3. | | (196372) | Questions to the Solicitor General 265
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Solicitor General, what meetings officials from the Attorney General's office have had with (a) business organisations and (b) individual companies on retaining the Attorney General's consent for prosecution of corruption offences involving national security and international relations; and if she will list (i) the dates on which such meetings were held and (ii) those attending. | | (196249) | 266
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Solicitor General, from which companies the Attorney General's office has received representations on retaining the Attorney General's consent for prosecution of corruption offences involving national security and international relations; and if she will place in the Library copies of such representations. | | (196250) | 267
| Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Solicitor General, what representations the Attorney General's office has received from (a) the Confederation of British Industry, (b) the Society of British Aerospace companies and (c) the International Chambers of Commerce on retaining the Attorney General's consent for prosecution of corruption offences involving national security and international relations; and if she will place in the Library copies of such representations. | | (196251) | 268
N | Chris McCafferty (Calder Valley): To ask the Solicitor General, what assessment she has made of the rates of successful prosecution for rape; and if she will make a statement. | | (195478) | 269
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Solicitor General, how many cases the Crown Prosecution Service has prosecuted in the last three years; in how many instances a conviction was secured; and if she will make a statement. | | (196256) | 270
N | John Robertson (Glasgow North West): To ask the Solicitor General, what progress has been made in improving prosecution rates in domestic violence cases. | | (195482) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport 271
N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what dates since 1st January 2007 (a) Ministers and (b) officials met representatives from (i) Stagecoach, (iii) First Group, (iii) Go-Ahead and (iv) Arriva to discuss bus-related matters. | | (195973) | 272
N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many passengers used each mainline railway station in 2006-07, ranked in descending order. | | (195974) | 273
N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what percentage of passengers forecast to use (a) Heathrow and (b) Gatwick Airports in (i) 2010, (ii) 2020 and (iii) 2030 are forecast to be in transit between an international flight and (A) a domestic and (B) another international flight. | | (195975) | 274
N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many delay minutes there were on the railway network in each year since 1993 for which (a) Railtrack and Network Rail and (b) a train operating company was responsible; and what the equivalent figures were for the most recent month for which data are available. | | (195976) | 275
N | Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many vehicles carrying scrap metal were involved in fatal accidents in each of the last five years for which figures are available. | | (195724) | 276
N | Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the value of the Code of Practice on the safety of loads on vehicles as a source of advice for employers; and what plans she has to update the guidance. | | (195726) | 277
N | Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the percentage of passengers departing from airports in Scotland flying to the United States who flew (a) directly, (b) via another UK airport and (c) via another airport in Europe in the latest period for which figures are available. | | (195587) | 278
| Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons the amendments to the Road User Charging (Charges and Penalty) (London) Regulations due for completion by the end of 2007 have not yet been made. | | (196346) | 279
N | Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her policy is on committing to (a) network wide electrification, (b) a high speed line and (c) other all or nothing projects. | | (195642) | 280
| Dr Stephen Ladyman (South Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to publish her conclusions arising from the consultation on in-vehicle information systems. | | [R] (196319) | 281
| Mr John Leech (Manchester, Withington): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what weight she gives to the likely effect on (a) car journeys and congestion, (b) value added tax receipts, (c) fuel duty receipts, (d) carbon emissions, (e) air pollution and (f) reliability of journey times when assessing the costs and benefits of a light rail scheme. | | (196371) | 282
| Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many accidents there have been involving 16 year olds driving 50cc or under motorcycles in each of the last five years. | | (196079) | 283
| Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many motorcycles of 50cc or under are being used on roads; and what the trend has been in use of these vehicles over the last five years. | | (196080) | 284
| Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of measures for improving the safety of motorcycle users established in the Government's motorcycling strategy; and if she will make a statement. | | (196081) | 285
N | Mr David Winnick (Walsall North): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will assess (a) the procedures adopted by London Midland to acknowledge and respond to correspondence from (i) hon. Members and (ii) members of the public and (b) the steps being taken by the company to make it easier for telephone calls to be made to its offices. | | (195586) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales 286
| Mr Dai Davies (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will consider conducting a review of the effectiveness of legislative competence orders. | | (196157) | 287
| Mr Dai Davies (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will make it his policy to announce planned forthcoming meetings between Ministers in his Department and Ministers in the Welsh Assembly Government. | | (196159) | Questions to the Minister for Women and Equality 288
N | Chris McCafferty (Calder Valley): To ask the Minister for Women and Equality, what recent steps she has taken to combat violence against women. | | (195490) | 289
N | John Robertson (Glasgow North West): To ask the Minister for Women and Equality, what steps the Government plans to take to assist women who have no recourse to public funds who have been subject to domestic violence. | | (195488) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 290
| Danny Alexander (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the cost of increasing the second adult rebate for carers to the level of the single person's discount on council tax; and what assessment he has made of the merits of such an increase. | | (196189) | 291
N | Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects to answer Questions (a) 190580 and (b) 190581, on the New Deal, tabled on 26th February. | | (195592) | 292
| Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in how many cases jobseeker's allowance payments to single adults of £59.15 per week are being paid directly to banks to cover the bank charges of the individuals concerned; and if he will make a statement. | | (196235) | 293
N | Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the policy areas covered by the draft statutory instruments relating to occupational pension schemes and the Pension Protection Fund, considered in the Second Delegated Legislation Committee on 17th March 2008, in so far as they relate to Northern Ireland, are matters for the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement. | | (195795) | 294
N | Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West & Royton): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many children were living in households with income below 60 per cent. of the median after housing costs in each year since 1979; and how many are projected to be in this category in each of the next five years. | | (195723) | 295
N | Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) men and (b) women who drew their state retirement pension when they reached state pension age in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. | | (195639) | 296
N | Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) women and (b) men drew deferred state retirement pensions as a lump sum in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. | | (195640) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 297
| Mr Dai Davies (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, for how long the increase in the Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme, announced in the Budget 2008, will last in Wales. | | [Transferred] (196158) | 298
| Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what the budget for the low carbon building programme was in 2007-08; and what proportion of this budget has been spent. | | [Transferred] (196382) | Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer 299
| Mr John Leech (Manchester, Withington): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 20th December 2005, Official Report, column 2799W, on infant mortality, what the infant mortality rate was in each year since 2004 in each primary care trust area in England. | | [Transferred] (196383) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 300
| Mr David Amess (Southend West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations have been received on procedures for the appointment of the President of the European Council; what criteria he proposes to adopt for nominating any candidate for the post of President of the European Council; and if he will make a statement. | | [Transferred] (196094) | 301
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to regulate the activities of UK private security firms operating in (a) Afghanistan and (b) elsewhere overseas; and if he will make a statement. | | [Transferred] (196221) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 302
| Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the training of youth construction workers offered by the Olympic Delivery Authority with the policies of World Class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All. | | [Transferred] (196373) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice 303
| Mr Dai Davies (Blaenau Gwent): To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when legislative changes to eligibility for marriage in the Church of England will be implemented in Wales. | | [Transferred] (196160) | Questions to the Solicitor General 304
N | Anne Moffat (East Lothian): To ask the Solicitor General, what steps the Government is taking to improve prosecution rates for rape. | | [Question Unstarred] (195480) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport 305
| John Battle (Leeds West): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many ships bringing goods into the UK have been impounded because of safety concerns arising from the ship's condition in the last 12 months. | | [Transferred] (196224) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales 306
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his Answer of 17th March 2008, Official Report, column 819W, on Brofiscin Quarry: hazardous substances, what the timetable was of action taken by the Environment Agency since 2001 when they have been involved in site investigations at Brofiscin Quarry; and if he will make a statement. | | [Transferred] (196354) | 307
| Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his Answer of 17th March 2008, Official Report, column 819W, on Brofiscin Quarry: hazardous substances, what the timetable was of action taken by the Environment Agency following the receipt of information relating to cattle mortality and deformed cattle foetuses in the vicinity of Brofiscin Quarry. | | [Transferred] (196355) |
|
