To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much the Department spent on advertising in Scotland in each year since 1999 on (a) television, (b) newspapers, (c) radio, (d) magazines, (e) billboards and (f) sporting events. [102325]

Due to the format in which advertising information is held, to provide the information as requested would result in disproportionate costs.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the criteria are for classifying public and advisory bodies as (a) executive non-departmental public bodies, (b) advisory non-departmental public bodies, (c) task forces, (d) ad hoc advisory groups and (e) reviews; and what particular qualities or characteristics distinguish these bodies from each other. [102521]

Generally, executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) operate under statutory provisions and are legally incorporated; their functions cover a national remit (including the devolved assemblies); appointments to the Board of the NDPB are made by Ministers, or by the Queen on ministerial advice; such appointments must be made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Administration (OCPA); the chief executive is accountable to the Board; the NDPB has its own budget; staff are employed directly by the body itself (and are not civil servants); and Ministers are answerable to Parliament for the NDPB and have the powers to wind it up subject to, where appropriate, the approval of Parliament or, where a Royal Charter has previously been granted, of the Queen.Advisory NDPBs are usually set up administratively by Ministers, or by the Queen on ministerial advice, without the need for legislation; those appointed to the Board are independent of Government and drawn from outside the public sector; the NDPB should be a standing body existing for more than one year and meeting at least annually; the Board has a defined membership and clear terms of reference; as with executive NDPBs, appointments are subject to the OCPA Code of Practice and the remit tends to have a national focus; the Board is usually supported by staff from within the sponsoring department but is not part of a department or agency; generally the NDPB does not prepare its own accounts and instead is accounted for through the books of the sponsoring department; and Ministers are answerable to Parliament for the body and may wind it up.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to raise public understanding of agriculture and horticulture in the UK; and how much her Department has spent, broken down by category, on such measures since 1997. [102439]

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible for policies on sustainable farming and food, including plant health, plant variety rights and all aspects of horticulture. The activities and actions of the Department and its Ministers are aimed at developing and promoting these policies as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible. Defra aims to promote sustainable, diverse, modern and adaptable farming through domestic and international actions and to promote a sustainable and safe food supply chain which meets consumers' requirements.Defra produces a number of agricultural publications, including "Agriculture in the United Kingdom", which is published annually in association with the devolved administrations. In response to a recommendation of the EFRA Select Committee in its recent report "The Future of UK Agriculture in a Changing World", Defra will publish an annual assessment of the state of the agriculture industry and its future prospects in an international context.Defra was formed in June 2001. The Department does not maintain records of its publicity expenditure in the categories set out in the hon. Gentleman's question. To undertake attempts to identify the closest equivalents to them would incur disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the reply of 20 February, Official Report, column 83W, on Capita, if she will list for each of the contracts awarded by her Department to Capita since 8th June 2001 (a) start and finish date of contract, (b) value of contract, (c) evaluation mechanism for successful delivery of contract, (d) penalty charges for failure to deliver, (e) penalty charges incurred, (f) service level agreements and (g) contract numbers; and if she will make a statement. [100458]

Between June 2001 and December 2002 the Department made payments of £1,551,203 to the Capita Group in connection with the services identified in the Official Report, column 83W of 20 February. From information held centrally the Department is not aware that any contractual or legal remedies for specific non-performance have needed to be invoked and considers that the Capita Group has delivered the contracted services to the standards required.The terms of contracts between the Department and its suppliers are commercially confidential.Further information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to tackle discarded chewing gum. [102598]

Defra's consultation document "Living Places— Powers, Rights, Responsibilities", includes two options relating to chewing gum: R8—to include discarded chewing gum as litter to which existing litter

Scheme	Total Number of agreements approved	Number of agreements approved between 2000–021,2	Scheme budget 2000–06 (£ million)
Countryside Stewardship Scheme	13,858	6,290	481
Environmentally Sensitive Areas	12,300	1,677	330
Organic Farming Scheme	N/a	1,085	141
Woodland Grant Scheme	32,748	7,058	139
Farm Woodland Premium Scheme/Farm Woodland Scheme	10,059	2,389	77
Energy Crops Scheme	N/a	31	32
Hill Farm Allowance2	N/a	9,953	254

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish her proposed expenditure for each of the next three years under the English rural development programme, broken down by scheme. [103146]

The proposed expenditure on schemes under the England rural development programme is:

£million
Scheme	2003–04	2004–05	2005–06
Countryside Stewardship Scheme	81	96	111
Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme	48	48	48
Organic Farming Scheme	22	23	23
Farm Woodland Premium Scheme	11	12	13
Woodland Grant Scheme	21	22	22
Hill Farming Allowance	35	27	27
Rural Enterprise Scheme	24	36	36
Processing and Marketing Grant	8	8	8
Vocational Training Scheme	4	4	4
Energy Crops Scheme	5	5	5

The table does not include possible new schemes that would require modification of the ERDP and are subject to Commission approval. For example, we recently launched a pilot entry level agri-environment scheme and we have said that if this pilot is successful we intend to introduce the full scheme in England in 2005. Additional funding would have to be made available in 2005–06 to operate the scheme.based schemes is expended on commitments entered into before the ERDP began in 2000.In financial year 2000–01, 83 per cent. of the total budget available for the ERDP land-based schemes was spent, and in financial year 2001–02, 89 per cent. of the total budget available for the ERDP land-based schemes was spent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs against what criteria the outcome of the public debate on genetically modified crops will be judged. [103053]

The Government will judge the outcome of the public debate on the opportunities that it has presented people to gain a fuller understanding of the wider issues surrounding genetic modification and to reach their own judgement. The Government set up an independent public debate steering board that announced its own indicators against which it would assess the success of the debate. These include the extent to which people felt they were able to participate, their awareness of the debate, whether it was credible and innovative, and whether it improved the present understanding of public views.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to prepare draft legislation on (a) health, (b) environmental and (c) economic liability arising from the release of GMOs. [103052]

The European Commission has issued proposals, which are being considered by the Council and the European Parliament, for an EU environmental liability regime covering the release of GMOs. This focuses on potential damage to biodiversity. The Government will consider whether domestic rules on GMO liability might be needed after it is has received a report due this summer from the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the form of methane from disused coal mines; and what estimate she has made of the cost of tackling such pollution. [102069]

As yet there is no reliable measure of the amount of methane escaping from disused coal mines. Current estimates vary from 0.3 per cent. to 2 per cent. of UK greenhouse gas emissions. My Department, in consultation with the industry, have commissioned an independent study to provide an accurate estimate of methane emissions from this source which will report in two years time.Defra supported the coal mine methane industry in its application for exemption from the climate change levy. This application was successful, and secured for the industry an 80 per cent. discount on the levy subject to state aid approval from the European Commission. This will improve the viability of the industry.Since the launch of the UK emissions trading scheme in April 2002 Defra has worked with the industry to overcome obstacles to their entry into the scheme. Defra is also engaging with the European Commission on their proposal for extending the EU emissions trading scheme to include a project mechanism in due course, which may allow credits to be claimed for coal mine methane projects.The Government consider that extending the renewables obligation to include coal mine methane would not be consistent with the objectives of the obligation, since coal mine methane is, self-evidently, not a renewable. However, we are very supportive of this industry and are keen to help it expand so that it can continue to reduce emissions throughout the UK.Until there is an accurate estimate of what is actually being emitted from disused mines in the UK, it is not possible to make an accurate estimate of the cost of tackling the issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the total (a) energy, (b) resource use, (c) volume of waste and (d) water use; from (i) a real nappy and (ii) a disposable nappy; and if she will make an assessment of their overall relative environmental impacts. [99246]

The environmental impact of disposable nappies is adverse; however we don't at present have quantifiable data on this.The Environment Agency is currently carrying out a life cycle analysis which compares the environmental impact of re-usable a nd disposable nappies and clarifies information already contained in the existing life cycle analysis. We expect the work to be completed in early summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of (a) how many disposable nappies would be used if all those who used real nappies were to switch to the use of disposable nappies and (b) the overall environmental impact of such a change. [99248]

Assuming that 10 per cent. of parents use re-usable nappies (current estimates give a figure of 5 per cent. to 15 per cent.), a switch to disposable nappies is estimated to lead to a 0.2 per cent. to 0.3 per cent. increase in the proportion of the municipal waste stream constituted by nappies. This would increase the current level from 2 per cent. to 3 per cent. to approximately 2.2 per cent. to 3.3 per cent., and worsen the overall environmental impact, although the effects cannot at present be quantified.The Environment Agency is currently carrying out a life cycle analysis which compares the environmental impact of re-usable and disposal nappies and clarifies information already contained in existing life cycle analysis. We expect the work will be completed in the early summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cost is of her Department's plans to reduce the numbers of the ruddy duck. [102339]

The Department has completed the ruddy duck control trial and will spend an additional £100,000 this financial year on research work into refining control methods for the ruddy duck. Further research will be undertaken in 2003–04. Final decisions have not yet been taken on the allocation of the research budget, but the expected expenditure is around £¼ million. We also propose to participate in a white-headed duck workshop to be held later this year in Morocco. The workshop will consider various control methods used on ruddy ducks throughout Europe and North Africa. Expenditure in future years has not been decided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the reply of 11 March, Official Report, column 150W, on secondments, if she will list the NGOs who have seconded staff to her Department. [103438]

[pursuant to his answer, 11 March 2003, Official Report, column 150W], the NGOs concerned are:

• Chemical Industrial Association
• Envirowise
• Forum for the Future
• Groundwork
• Global to Local
• Imperial College
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2)
• Tidy Britain Group (Environmental Campaigns)
• TXU Warm Front
• Warwick University
• World Wildlife Fund (2)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the environmental impact of (a) retread and (b) new tyres, using a life-cycle analysis approach. [99235]

In 2001, BLIC (the liaison office of the European rubber industry) produced a life cycle analysis of car tyres. The report did not specify the environmental load of retreaded tyres, but did highlight the importance of rolling resistance as a factor in determining its benefits.Retreaded tyres, nevertheless, would seem to offer a number of advantages as an end-of-life recovery option because of the reduced requirement for raw materials in their manufacture, as compared with new tyres, and by

1 January to 31 December 2001	HCI	S02	NOx	CO	PM	Cd and TI	Hg	Other Metals1	HF	Dioxins	VOCs2	NH32	Total
Dudley (MES)	10	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	13
Wolverhampton (MES)	4	0	1	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	9
Billingham (SITA)	1	1	2	20	1	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	25
Coventry (C and S WDC)	29	2	3	57	3	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	94
Tyseley (Onyx)	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	3
Nottingham (WRE)	2	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	6
Sheffield (Onyx)	14	1	0	21	0	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	36
Stoke (MES)	12	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	15

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the Government's policy is on building new (a) incinerators and (b) waste to energy plants; [100475](2) what guidance she has issued to local authorities about building new

Waste Strategy 2000 (Cm4693-2) sets out our policies for sustainable waste management and the steps to achieving them. Minimising waste production and maximising re-use and recycling of waste are central to that policy.Our policy on municipal waste incinerators or other energy from waste facilities is that they should only be considered where it can be shown that they are appropriately sized so that they would not "crowd out" recycling. They should also include, wherever possible, combined heat and power systems which produce electricity and provide effective heating for homes and businesses.The Government have no plans for the number of incinerators or other energy from waste facilities that local authorities should provide, nor are there any targets for the production of energy from waste. The Regulatory Impact Assessment of Waste Strategy 2000 (published in Annex C of Part 2 of the strategy) assessed a variety of waste management scenarios and provided broad ranges for numbers of required facilities. Variables included different projections for waste growth, different mixes of waste management facilities, and differing levels of participation in recycling schemes. A similar exercise was carried out by the Strategy Unit and published in their report "Waste not, Want not" in November last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the self-reported breaches of emissions regulations by waste incinerator operators for (a) 2001 and (b) 2002. [102204]

The numbers of breaches of emission limits recorded by the Environment Agency for municipal waste incinerators in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002 are shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where (a) incinerators and (b) waste to energy plant, feature in the Government's waste hierarchy. [100692]

The waste hierarchy, in Waste Strategy 2000 (Cm 4693–1) sets out the order in which options for waste management should be considered based on environmental impact. Following the hierarchy the best option is reduction (waste minimisation) followed in order by re-use, recycling, composting, energy recovery, and disposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the environmental impact of (a) burning wood as a fuel and (b) increasing the use of wood as fuel. [101292]

Burning of wood from sustainably managed forests for energy production does not contribute to the UK's carbon dioxide emissions as the gas released through combustion will be absorbed by new tree growth. Wood combustion does contribute to the UK's emissions of methane and nitrousoxide. These gases have a global warming potential, but even when this is taken into account, the overall impact, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy input, is unlikely to exceed 15 per cent. of the impact of fossil fuel combustion for wood burnt domestically in open grates, or 5 per cent. of the impact of fossil fuel combustion for wood burnt in combustion plant.Emissions associated with the management, harvesting and transportation of wood are small relative to total energy content of the wood. Nevertheless minimising transportation distances and improving the efficiency of transportation should be included as factors in the evaluation of proposals for new wood fuel developments.The combustion of wood, as opposed to coal or oil, produces low emissions of sulphur dioxide as wood has a lower sulphur content. Wood also tends to be burnt at lower temperatures than coal or oil which, in general, results in lower emissions of oxides of nitrogen compared to those from other fuels. Burning wood can also produce small amounts of benzene, particles, lead and polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons. Estimates of emissions of the main air pollutants from domestic and industrial wood combustion, compared with the UK totals, are set out in the Appendix.Depending on the soil in which the biomass is grown, wood can contain heavy metals which on burning are retained in the ash. Inefficient burning can leave some carbon in the ash therefore polyaromatic hydrocarbons must also be considered. If concentration thresholds for either are exceeded, ash should be disposed of in a controlled manner. However a recent compilation of data on UK wood suggests that heavy metal concentration in ash will not constitute a hazard to human health or the environment. Since ash contains a range of important nutrients there is the possibility of returning it as a fertiliser to forests.An overall assessment of the emissions impact from an increase in the use of wood as fuel depends on the fuel it replaces, the efficiency of the combustion systems and the abatement technology used.Greater use of wood fuel can assist in limiting CO

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the number of Afghan refugees in (a) Pakistan and (b) Iran; and what financial support she is giving to each group. [102741]

The numbers of refugees still in exile fluctuate constantly. At the beginning of this year, UNHCR estimated that two million refugees remained in Iran and 1.5 million in Pakistan.DFID is supporting refugee programmes through various UN agencies and NGOs. Overall we have contributed over £5.8 million for refugee programmes administered by UNHCR and a further £1 million to a variety of other agencies also involved in refugee assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on levels of (a) malnutrition and (b) violence against women among Afghan refugees in refugee camps in (i) Pakistan and (ii) Iran. [102743]

Neither DFID nor its implementing partners that assist refugees (UNI-ICR, WFP, ICRC) have specific information on malnutrition or levels of violence in refugee camps.WFP estimates that over 50 per cent. of children under five in Afghanistan are chronically malnourished while acute malnutrition affects less than 10 per cent. of the population. I have just approved a further £700,000 for WFP's operations in Afghanistan that include food assistance to vulnerable people still in camps.We have contributed £5.8 million this financial year to UNHCR's programmes for refugees in Pakistan and Iran. These include a component for monitoring of camps, protection officers and funding for legal aid for vulnerable people including women.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the number of internally displaced people in Afghanistan; and what support she is providing for them. [102742]

According to UNHCR reports there are still around 700,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Afghanistan. The continuing drought in the South is I understand, causing further displacement.During 2002, international agencies helped over 250,000 IDPs to return home. And a further 200,000 are estimated to have returned home on their own. In the current financial year we have contributed £5.8 million to UNHCR's programmes for IDPs and returnees, including £1.8 million this month. The continuing challenge in Afghanistan is to help meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people, whilst building Government capacity for sustainable reconstruction. We remain fully committed to these ends.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding allowing the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo unlimited access to (a) areas and (b) evidence for its investigations. [103114]

The Government have made repeated calls for all parties in the DRC to allow free access to MONUC to fulfil its mandate. We have interceded with different authorities on a number of specific occasions to support the work of MONUC in humanitarian and peace-keeping operations. This has included pressing the Forces Armees Congolaises (FAC) to allow inspectors access to military airports; the Rassemblement Congolaise pour la Democratie-Goma (RCD-G) to allow humanitarian access to the conflict afflicted Haut Plateau; and the Mouvement pour la Liberation du Congo (MLC) to assist investigation into alleged human rights abuses committed by its forces. We continue to press all parties to facilitate MONUC's access to all areas of the DRC and to co-operate fully with its investigations.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of re-selling low-priced drugs from the developing world back to the developed world; and what steps are being taken to address this issue. [103085]

The high cost of drugs is a key barrier to poor people's ability to access essential medicines. The pharmaceutical industry, in partnership with the international community and donor governments, provide some medicines at preferential prices to the developing world. The Government have been working with partners to make a major advance towards the widespread and sustainable access to medicines to the world's poor, including through pharmaceutical companies providing medicines for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria at close to the cost of manufacture. However there is a risk that such medicines can be diverted and sold by 'middle men' back to developed country markets where they can be sold at a higher price. The extent of this problem can vary. Last year one company reported that roughly 25 per cent. of its preferentially priced AIDS medicines were diverted back to the EU.Our High Level Working Group on increasing Access to Essential Medicines examined ways of minimising the problem. In the long-term, strengthening developing country health systems will better equip countries to minimise product leakage. DFID has committed over 1.5 billion since 1997 to health systems strengthening in poorer countries. Other strategies to minimise diversion include, developing distinctive packaging and labelling of preferentially priced medicines, and implementing customs regulations in wealthier markets which prohibit re- importation. The European Union is currently discussing a regulation which would include such measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of Malawi's proposal to the Global Health Fund, with particular reference to the issue of an upper limit on proposals; and if she will make a statement. [103106]

US$196 million was awarded to the Malawi Global Fund Coordinating Committee in August 2002 for HIV/AIDS. This is currently the largest GFATM award in Africa. A further USD 40 million was approved in February 2003 for scaling up prevention and treatment of Malaria.A review of Global Fund proposals in five countries, including Malawi, was undertaken in August 2002. It highlights the challenge in Malawi to absorb the additional finance given the prevailing health service infrastructure. There are major shortages of appropriately trained staff. The public sector is experiencing high attrition both from dissatisfaction with terms and conditions of service and as a direct result of AIDS. The GFATM proposal also requires extensive laboratory facilities which are currently lacking and qualified technicians and are in short supply.Accordingly the Global Fund is phased so that initial stages concentrate on building capacity for service delivery. The Global Fund proposal is complemented by several other initiatives in the health sector, including work supported by my Department in strengthening essential medical laboratory services, medical supplies management, and improved mechanisms for coordinating donor support. The DFID mainstreaming strategy will help strengthen the institutional framework for a multi-sectoral HIV response by supporting posts in government and key institutions including WHO, UNAIDS and the World bank.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is on the recommendations of the report of the Commission on Intellectual Property rights; and if she will make a statement. [103096]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the report of the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights in respect of patents. [103634]

The Government will publish its response to the report of the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights very shortly and will be available at www.dfid.gov.uk. A written statement will also be made to the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial resources her Department has allocated to the International Organisation for Migration in each year since 1997. [101734]

DFID's funding for IOM's operational budget since 1997 is as follows (figures in US dollars):

	US $
1997	300,000
1998	1,203,482
1999	2,977,297
2000	3,120,757
2001	5,504,559
2002	8,147,087

The above figures exclude reimbursable services and projects jointly funded with the Home Office that can not be separately disaggregated from other UK Government funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of people in Iraq she estimates had access to clean water in (a) 1980, (b) 1990, (c) 1996, (d) 1998 and (e) 2000. [101733]

It is difficult to find clear statistics on access to clean water in Iraq. The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation Coverage, the official UN reference system for monitoring water coverage statistics, provides figures for most of the years in question. (Given the difficulties in routinely measuring safe water, their surveys measure the presence of water facilities of different technology types. Improved water supplies are defined as those inherently safer than other types of supplies. They include: household connection; public standpipe; bore hole; protected dug well; protected spring; or rainwater collection. Not improved water supplies include: unprotected well; unprotected spring; vendor-provided water; bottled water; tanker truck-provided water.) In their estimates for 1980–2000, the following figures for access to improved water supplies in Iraq are provided:

Percentage
Year	Urban	Rural
1985	100	54
1988	100	72
1990	93	41
1996	96	48
2000 (estimate)	96	48

DFID cannot confirm the reliability of these figures. It should be noted that, while water is supplied to most urban households (and therefore classified as `improved'), a high proportion of this water is not treated. There are also understood to be significant regional disparities in supply coverage within Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of UN personnel in Iraq are Iraqi nationals. [102739]

Until recently, Iraqi nationals comprised around 80 per cent. of UN personnel in Iraq. However, over recent weeks the numbers of UN international staff have been reducing, resulting in an increase to the proportion of national staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the three largest development projects on the South American continent supported by her Department. [102234]

DFID has country programmes in Bolivia, Brazil and Peru in South America, reflecting the severity and depth of poverty in these countries. They form part of our regional strategy in Latin America that aims to reduce poverty by working with governments, civil society and the international community in the areas of pro-poor growth, social inclusion and pro-poor governance.Details (DFID figures available by financial year, EC figures by calendar year):

£ million
Country	UK bilateral assistance 2001–02 Includes DFID programmes, CDC investments and debt relief	DFID share of EC Country assistance 2001
Bolivia	31.5	3.5
Brazil	7.0	9.2
Peru	8.9	2.8

Further details are available in DFID's Country Strategy Paper for Bolivia which is available in the Libraries of the House. DFID's Country Strategy Paper for Brazil and Country Assistance Plan for Peru are currently being finalised. I will place copies in the House Libraries when they become available.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial resources her Department has allocated to the UN agencies and NGOs that are providing assistance to third country nationals, refugees and returnees in West Africa. [102265]

I have recently approved £5 million for several humanitarian interventions in response to the United Nations Consolidated Appeals for West Africa. This comprises contributions to UN organisations, the International Committee for the Red Cross programmes in Cote D'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone; to Medicins Sans Frontiere (B) for a health project in Liberia and to Merlin for a health intervention in Cote D'Ivoire. This is in addition to substantial contributions from DFID last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's response is to the World Water Assessment Programme's recent report. [102811]

Nearly two thirds of the world's population will be living in countries of significant water stress by the year 2025, with the increasing possibility of conflicts over water becoming more common. One in five people in the world lack access to safe drinking water and nearly half lack access to sanitation. Misuse of resources and poor management have resulted in depleted supplies, falling water tables, shrinking inland lakes and stream flows reduced to ecologically unsustainable levels. In addition water pollution, from mainly human activities, is decreasing the amount of water suitable for many uses. At the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development strong commitments were made for better management of water resources and improved access to drinking water and sanitation and these must now be implemented.In this context, initiatives that support the assessment of water resources and build capacity for the sustainable management of available resources are increasingly important. The UNESCO led World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP), has been supported by DFID, from its outset in mid-2000. It is an effective long-term Programme providing assessment, monitoring and reporting of the people-centred status of the world's water. The UN World Water Development Report (WWDR)—Water for People Water for Life' which has just been released, is the first major output from the programme and will be presented at the 3rd world water forum in Kyoto, Japan, this week. The report represents the combined efforts of 23 UN agencies and convention secretariats and is now the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the state of the world's freshwater resources. The availability of rigorous and authoritative water information at appropriate scales in the public domain will influence actions by others and allow critical issues to be identified.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the legal basis for military intervention against Iraq. [102902]

[pursuant to the Prime Minister's answer, 14 March 2003, c. 482W]: The Attorney-General has given a written answer to a question from Baroness Ramsey in the House of Lords today in the following terms:Authority to use force against Iraq exists from the combined effect of resolutions 678, 687 and 1441. All of these resolutions were adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter which allows the use of force for the express purpose of restoring international peace and security:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the administrative cost of the Arts Council of England to each Government Office of the Region was in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01, (c) 2001–02 and (d) 2002–03. [103014]

There is no cost to the regional Government offices for the running of the Arts Council of England. The full administrative cost is met out of the annual grant-in-aid allocation made to it by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the security implications of English Heritage's placing of photographs of private buildings on the internet under its Images of England project. [102146]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has a legal duty to compile and publish lists of buildings of special architectural or historic importance. These lists are in the public domain, and can be accessed through local authorities, records offices, libraries, English Heritage and DCMS. Many other groups will also hold information on listed buildings, including amenity societies and local interest groups.English Heritage undertook a security review in 2000 which looked into the implications of placing photographs of private buildings on the internet. The review consulted with the police, insurers and technical experts and concluded that no evidence could be found to support a link between the kind of information English Heritage is publishing on the internet and any physical threats to property security.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of eligible people were in receipt of a free television licence in the last year for which figures are available. [103048]

In 2001–02, an estimated 95 per cent. of the eligible population were in receipt of a free television licence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she intends to publish the draft guidance on licensing authorities' statement of policy that will be required under the new licensing bill. [102650]

[holding answer 14 March 2003]: The Department published a rough draft of the guidance to local authorities and the police that will accompany the Licensing Bill on 13 February. Section 4 of this rough draft provides guidance to local authorities on the development and preparation of local statements of licensing policy, the general principles that should underpin them, and core content to which licensing authorities would be free to add. The draft guidance was placed in the Libraries of both Ho uses and is available on the Department's website: www.culture.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress her Department has made in implementing the recommendations on making regional museums sustainable in the report "Renaissance in the Regions". [102857]

We will be providing £70 million for regional museums from this year until 2005–06. Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries will put their recommendations to Ministers on funding allocations for all nine regional hubs ready for announcement in April. All regional hubs will then be asked to submit a detailed business plan by January 2004, setting out their programme of work for 2004–06.

To ask the President of the Council if he will make a statement about the Lord Chancellor's pension arrangements. [102849]

The Lord Chancellor's pension arrangements are set out in the Lord Chancellor's Pension Act 1832 and the Parliamentary and other Pensions Act 1972 as amended by the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991. The Judicial Pensions Act 1981 additionally makes provision for lump sum benefits and for pensions for dependants.The Lord Chancellor's pension is based on his salary at the time of leaving office. At present, this salary is linked to that of the Lord Chief Justice, but the Senior Salaries Review Body has been asked to review the remuneration of the office of Lord Chancellor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the award schemes in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002 promoted by the Department; what their scope was; when the relevant participating organisations are scheduled to be sent results; and whether other parties will be given notification of the results at the same time. [102061]

The Department of Trade and Industry promotes the following awards:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to establish a certification process for the import of cotton from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [99715]

[holding answer 3 March 2003]: No steps are being taken to establish a certification process for the import of cotton from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Trade measures such as the introduction of a certification regime on imported products fall within the competence of the European Community and not at UK level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which UK companies have received Export Credit Guarantees Department support relating to aviation development in Africa since 1997; and what the (a) location and (b) project type was in each case. [102795]

[holding answer 14 March 2003]: ECGD has provided support for one project relating to aviation development in Africa since 1997. Support was provided to Skanska Africa who were part of a consortium upgrading Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana.ECGD has also supported a number of other aerospace related projects in Africa, including civil airliners and flight simulators.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to implement effective regulatory import controls on natural resources from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (a) directly and (b) via other states, to the UK; and if she will make a statement. [99716]

[holding answer 3 March 2003]: No steps are being taken to implement regulatory import controls on natural resources from the Democratic Republic of the Congo received into the UK directly or via other states. Trade measures such as regulatory import controls fall within the competence of the European Community and not at the UK level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) financial and (b) other assistance was given by the UK Government between 1980 and 1990 for the construction of the Falluja 2 chemical plant in Iraq; and if she will make a statement. [102434]

[holding answer 12 March 2003]: In 1985 the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) provided export credit insurance in support of a £15 million contract by UHDE Ltd., a UK subsidiary of a West German company, for the design supply and supervision of the erection and commissioning of a Chlorine-Alkali-Electrolysis plant at Falluja, Iraq.This contract was fully investigated in the 1996 report on the inquiry into the export of defence equipment and dual-use goods to Iraq and related prosecutions by the then Sir Richard Scott (now Lord Scott of Foscote) which concluded that "a unilateral ban by the UK on the export of such plant or chemicals to Iraq would have achieved nothing useful".

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 3 March, ref. 99985, if she will list the official visits to (a) companies, (b) universities and (c) organisations by (i) the Minister for Science and (ii) the Chief Scientific Adviser in the last six months. [101709]

My noble Friend the Minister for Science, regularly meets representatives from various companies and institutions at his office in the Department of Trade and Industry and at other neutral venues, for example conference centres. We have defined the term 'visit' to mean an occasion when the event was hosted, wholly or in part, by the organisation at whose venue the event was held. This could mean that the Minister met at least one representative from the host organisation as part of the visit even if the actual event was for a different purpose.For example:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 3 March, if she will list the official visits to (a) companies, (b) universities and (c) organisations by (i) the Minister for Science and (ii) the Chief Scientific Adviser in each of the last three months. [102996]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him today to question No. 101709.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list each of the overseas trips made by herself and other members of her ministerial team in 2002; and what the (a) purpose and (b) cost of each trip was. [101840]

Since 1999 this Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House.Information for 1997–98 was included in the 1999 list. The overall cost of Minister's visits for the years 1995–96 and 1996–97 was most recently provided with the 2001 list. The information for 2002–03 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the financial year.Detailed information requested in respect of UK travel is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to phase out the use of perchloroethylene by businesses and industries, with particular reference to dry cleaners. [99209]

1 have been asked to reply.A risk assessment of perchloroethylene (tetrachloroethylene), conducted under the Existing Substances Regulation (European Community Council Regulation No. 793/93) is being led by the United Kingdom. The Health and Safety Executive acts jointly with my Department to form the United Kingdom Competent Authority for these activities. The risk assessment will critically evaluate the risks to the environment, workers, consumers and the general public from exposure to perchloroethylene. The risk assessment includes exposure as a result of dry cleaning operations.At present, the human health sections of the draft report are being updated to take account of new information. Once the risk assessment is finalised, the United Kingdom Competent Authority will consider whether further measures beyond those currently in place are required to control exposure to perchloroethylene. Proposals for marketing and use restrictions are one of a number of further measures that can be considered under the Existing Substances Regulation.The Solvents Emissions Directive (1999/13/EC) places limits on emissions of solvents used in a number of processes, including dry cleaning. It also sets timetables for the replacement by less harmful substances of those solvents used in these processes that have been assigned to a risk phrase of R45, R46, R49, R60, or R61. The Directive has already been partly transposed. I expect to begin consultations soon on how the remaining parts of this Directive will be transposed, including the provisions applying to the dry cleaning sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) Crown Post Offices and (b) sub post offices have closed in London in the past 12 months. [103030]

I understand from Post Office Ltd. that there were 2 Crown Post Offices closures and net closures of 34 sub post offices in London in the 12 months to December 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many post office robberies have been committed since 1997 where the post master's hatch has been open; and what advice has been given to the Post Office by (a) the police and (b) the Department on the security of the hatches in sub post offices; [103099](2) how many sub post masters have been disciplined for contributory negligence in relation to robberies since 1997; [103097](3) what concerns have been expressed by unions about the design of safety doors and hatches in sub post offices; and what advice has been given to the Post Office since 1980 on possible design faults in sub post office hatches and doors. [103098]

These are matters that fall within the day-to-day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many special advisers in the Department (a) have left and (b) will be leaving to work in Scotland for the Labour Party in the forthcoming Scottish parliamentary elections. [103613]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many incidents have occurred in each year since 1990 of private pilots intruding into the range area at Aberporth Airfield while the range was active and being used on behalf of the MOD. [102825]

The following table sets out the number of incidents that have occurred since 1990 of private pilots intruding into the Aberporth Range danger area while the range was active and being used for Ministry of Defence trials.

Year	Number of incidents
1990	3
1991	1
1992	5
1993	3
1994	5
1995	8
1996	5
1997	1
1998	5
1999	2
2000	5
2001	5
2002	3

Appropriate safety measures were put into action and worked satisfactorily in each case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safety measures are in place at Aberporth Airfield to ensure that private pilots do not intrude on the range area while it is being used on behalf of the MOD; and if he will make a statement. [102826]

All trials at Aberporth Range are carried out under radar surveillance from fully qualified air traffic controllers. In the event of an infringement which could potentially compromise safety, the trial would be stopped until the incident was resolved. Any such infringements are reported to the regulatory authority for review. In addition, there are arrangements, agreed between the Aberporth Range and the nearby West Wales Airport, which set out the procedures to be used by both parties concerning operations at and around the range.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay his recent conclusion that the information which could be derived from an analysis of the actual effect of wounds to humans required to be supplemented with animal experiments inflicting wounds on animals. [100404]

It is unclear as to the recent conclusion that the hon. Member refers.However, I will address the necessity to supplement the analysis of the effects of human wounds with vital information gained from scientific research involving the use of animals, which is undertaken at Dstl Porton Down.The analysis of the actual effects of wounds to humans is one important facet of developing improved procedures for the medical management of the injured. Studies involving animals enable rational, objective and evidence-based medical management strategies to be developed, which can proceed into clinical trials if appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is the intention of the US to bring anti-personnel mines ashore onto Diego Garcia in order for them to be used in any attack on Iraq. [102350]

I have been asked to reply.The US authorities have been informed that HMG would be unable to allow the US to bring anti-personnel land mines ashore onto Diego Garcia because that would place the United Kingdom in breach of its obligations under the Ottawa Convention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the US Government concerning (a) the basing at Diego Garcia of US Navy vessels carrying anti-personnel mines and (b) the possible use in a conflict with Iraq of anti-personnel mines by US military using stocks held in vessels at or near Diego Garcia. [102353]

I have been asked to reply.HMG has received no representations from the US Government concerning either the basing at Diego Garcia of US vessels carrying anti-personnel mines or the use of any such mines in a conflict with Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Answer of 13 February, Official Report, column 867W, on the Defence Diversification Industry, where the 18 offices of the Defence Diversification Agency are located. [102406]

The 18 offices of the Defence Diversification Agency are located as follows:

Area
Aberporth	Ministry of Defence
Barrow	Furness Business Park
Bromley	Aquila, QinetiQ
Cardiff	Welsh Development Agency
Doncaster	Beta Technology Ltd.
Enfield	Innova Science Park
Farnborough	Cody Technology Park, QinetiQ
Glasgow	West of Scotland Science Park
Lisburn, NI	Invest Northern Ireland
Loughborough	University Business Innovation Centre
Malvern	Malvern Hills Science Park
Manchester	Quay West
Melbourn	Cambridge Technology Centre
Nelson	The Innovation Centre
Porton Down	DSTL
Plymouth	Tamar Science Park
Rosyth	Europarc Business Innovation Centre
Sunderland	Regional Technology Centre North

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Defence Medical Services are available for operational duty within the United Kingdom. [82157]

[holding answer 21 November 2003]: As of July 2002, there were 6,489 regular personnel in the Defence Medical Services (DMS) excluding student nurses and other new entry trainees. Of these, at any one time some will be unavailable for operational duty within the United Kingdom as a result of medical downgrading. As of November 2002, the latest date for which figures are available, 131 were unavailable for such duty as a result of medical downgrading. In practice, the number of DMS personnel available for operational duty in the United Kingdom will depend on other commitments including deployment on overseas operations, training and exercises, and retained tasks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how far British territory extends around Diego Garcia. [102349]

I have been asked to reply.Diego Garcia has a territorial sea of three nautical miles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 16 January, Official Report, column 7050, on field hospital volunteers, if he will give the most recent available figures. [102563]

As of Tuesday 11 March 2003, 167 members of 202 (Volunteer) Field Hospital have been called up. Of those, 83 individuals do not work for the National Health Service (NHS), instead working either in private health care, or in areas unrelated to health. The remaining 84 individuals are currently employed by the NHS, in the following facilities:

Berkshire Healthcare Trust; Birmingham Children's Hospital; Birmingham Heartlands; Teaching; Birmingham Women's Hospital; N Birmingham Mental Health; Christie Hospital Trust; City Hospitals Trust; Dorset Healthcare Trust; Frimley Park Hospital Trust; George Eliot Hospital Trust; Good Hope Hospital Trust; Kingston Hospital Trust; Lothian University Hospitals; Medical Staff Agency; National Blood Service; Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals; Oxford Radcliffe Trust; Palliative Care; Primary Care Trust; Princess Royal Hospital; Royal Berkshire Trust; Royal Shrewsbury Trust; Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust; Sandwell and West Midlands; Staffordshire Trust; N Staffs Hospitals Trust; University Hospital Trust; W Midland Ambulance Trust; Walsall Hospitals Trust; New Cross Hospital; West Heath Hospital; Alexandra Hospital; Beccles War Memorial Hospital; Wycombe General Hospital; Walsgrave Hospital.

The 84 individuals called up work in a variety of roles within the NHS, including:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sets of sand goggles have been sent to troops serving in the Gulf; and if he will make a statement. [103018]

25,000 pairs of desert goggles have been ordered to meet the requirements of troops deployed to Kuwait with 21,380 pairs having so far been issued. Sufficient stocks of the full desert ensemble have been ordered to meet requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) British field hospitals and (b) other British medical facilities will be established in the Gulf in the event of conflict in Iraq. [102374]

[holding answer 11 March 2003]: There has been no decision to take military action against Iraq. However, in the event of conflict, there are currently two British Field Hospitals in the Gulf and this will shortly increase to three. These will be supported by a range of medical facilities in the region, including a primary casualty receiving facility, the RFA Argus and The Princess Mary's Hospital in Cyprus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 24 February 2003, Official Report, columns 138–39W, on Land Sales (Ashford), when each sale took place; what area of land was sold; who the land was sold to; and how much the land was sold for in each case. [102658]

Oil Pipeline Agency Wye was sold to Folkestone Development Company Limited on 21 November 2001. The price paid was £605,000 plus clawback on receipt of a planning consent. The land measured 7.3acres/2.954 hectares.The A20/A28 link road land, which was part of Ashford barracks, was sold on 28 July 1998 to Kent County Council. The price paid was a nominal sum plus the right to construct a roundabout to open up Ashford barracks for improved development. The area measured 5.48 acres/2.219 hectares.The land in Ashford barracks that was needed for the channel tunnel rail link was transferred to Union Rail. Payment of £1.4 million compensation has been received. The "sale" was deemed to be completed in 1998 when the site was handed over to Union Rail and the site measured 30 acres/12 hectares.The remainder of Ashford barracks was sold to a house builder consortium of Westbury Homes/Wimpy in April 2002. The price was £17 million plus potential clawback. The site area was 95.13 acres/38.5 hectares.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints regarding low flying have been received from residents of Dumfries and Galloway in each of the last six months. [103049]

During the period 1 September 2002–28 February 2003, a total of 40 complaints were received from residents of Dumfries and Galloway by the Ministry of Defence. Of these, 22 were from members of the public who complained on more than one occasion during this period. Broken down on a monthly basis, the figures are as follows:

Month	Complainsts
September 2002	11
October 2002	16
November 2002	2
December 2002	6
January 2003	3
February 2003	2

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on minimum standards of security for part-time MOD ranges. [103050]

In general, security at Ministry of Defence (MOD) ranges is provided in accordance with their use and purpose, taking account of the prevailing threat assessment. When ranges are temporarily in use by military personnel, the standards for security of personnel and their equipment, is the same as those which apply at permanent MOD establishments and sites. Some ranges, for example the one at West Freugh, are MOD owned but managed by QinetiQ, a commercial company. Security at these sites is the responsibility of the contractor, and is normally implemented by a civilian guard force, supported by the local constabulary. As a commercial company, QinetiQ complies with Government-wide security regulations issued by the Cabinet Office, rather than with MOD security procedures. MOD reserves the right, however, to take such additional measures as we consider necessary to protect our Service personnel and materiel when making use of these ranges.I am withholding details of security measures implemented within the MOD, under Exemption 1 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the respirators on NBC suits issued to UK servicemen in the Gulf have been checked for effectiveness; and if he will make a statement. [103017]

All NBC respirators issued to service personnel are periodically tested during training in a Hazardous Environment Chamber to ensure they function correctly and are the correct size for the individual concerned. A new Respirator Test System is being delivered into service. It allows respirators—including those issued to deployed personnel—to be tested to an even higher standard.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made for (a) mail and (b) parcel deliveries for troops in Kuwait; and what arrangements have been made for (a) telephone and (b) email availability for these troops. [102697]

[holding answer 13 March 2003]: All elements of the Operational Welfare Package (OWP) listed by the hon. Member are provided to all United Kingdom military personnel already deployed to the Gulf in support of Operations RESIN ATE and ORACLE. We are building up the OWP as quickly as possible for UK military personnel deploying overseas in preparation for possible operations against Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposed sale by QinetiQ of Longcross Tanklands to Crest and Mowlem Ltd. [101653]

We understand that Longcross Tanklands is an informal local term used to describe a former test track, which forms part of what the Ministry of Defence and QinetiQ know as the Chertsey South site. The freehold of the Chertsey site was transferred to QinetiQ when the company was vested as a Plc in July 2001 and is scheduled for disposal. Negotiations are currently underway with potential purchasers.Under the terms of the deal signed with The Carlyle Group to acquire a stake in QinetiQ, the Chertsey site forms security against an outstanding loan note from QinetiQ to MOD. QinetiQ will receive no proceeds from the sale of the site until the loan note is repaid in full.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the financial contracts entered into by his Department since 1 January 2002 where QinetiQ have acted as advisors to the Government. [102483]

The Department places a large number of contracts each year with QinetiQ—in excess of 1,000 in calendar year 2002. These contracts typically cover a number of tasks, which may include the provision of impartial specialist technical and scientific advice, conducting independent research and the supply of testing and evaluation services. There is no centrally held list identifying all the specific instances in which QinetiQ has acted as advisers and such information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what methods are used by the Ministry of Defence to forecast (a) social trends and (b) risks in relation to (i) recruitment and (ii) retention; and if he will make a statement. [100173]

The armed forces employ a number of methods to identify and assess factors—including social trends and risks—that impact on recruitment and retention. The Department has its own analytical capability situated in the Defence Analytical and Services Agency, where much of this groundwork is undertaken. Social trends are identified primarily through commissioned research. This provides access to a wide range of research information across Government Departments, for example labour trends, demography, and census statistics. Targeted research contracts are also placed, as necessary, to improve our understanding of the employment market in which we compete. Recruiting risks are identified from this research and from very close scrutiny of the emerging performance of the recruiting machine.As far as retention is concerned, a key part of the pay and workforce strategy for the armed forces is the identification of high level risks and the levers that can be used to ameliorate those risks. Within that strategy, underpinning policies are reviewed in the light of evidence obtained both from routine surveys (for example Continuous Attitude Surveys) and from discrete research on specific topics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what security vetting is carried out on consultants employed by MoD. [102549]

Consultants employed by the Ministry of Defence to work with protectively marked information or materials, or who will require access to Defence facilities, are security cleared in accordance with the Government's vetting policy. The level of security clearance will depend on the nature of the work involved, as judged by the sponsor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what financial savings were made to the overall wage bill between 1 April 2001 and 1 April 2002 due to the introduction of Pay 2000 for soldiers, sailors and airmen; and if he will make a statement; [102612](2) what the projected savings are in the period 1 April 2001 to 1 April 2010 in the wage bill due to the introduction of Pay 2000 for soldiers, sailors and airmen; and if he will make a statement. [102610]

There are no actual or projected savings for the period 1 April 2001 to 1 April 2010 in the wage bill of the armed forces as a result of the introduction of Pay 2000 for Service personnel. Pay 2000 was introduced in April 2001 to provide a more responsive pay system for the needs of Service personnel—up to and including one-star level—serving in the 21^st century. It was not intended to be a cost saving measure.