:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet office if he will reintroduce the Government Annual Report with the contents independently validated. [105845]

The Government will continue to report to Parliament and the public on their performance through a variety of means, such as reports, statistical bulletins, ministerial statements and parliamentary questions. The information in the annual report was in any event a collation of existing, publicly available, material and it has therefore been decided not to continue with it.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many members of staff there were in the Central Office of Information on (a) 1 March 1997 and (b) the latest date for which figures are available. [105847]

There were 384 (full time equivalent) staff at 31 March 1997 and 364 at 28 February 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the outstanding funding issues that require resolution before the East London Line extension project can be taken forward. [105795]

The Strategic Rail Authority has made budgetary provision to develop the project further and to undertake preliminary works, if and when the outstanding planning issues are resolved. It is intended that the main works should be built and financed through a Special Purpose Vehicle and the Authority is discussing with the Department how best to structure this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to develop local rail networks. [105797]

The Secretary of State's Directions and Guidance require the Strategic Rail Authority to have regard to "compatibility and consistency with local transport plans and regional transport strategies." The Authority's Strategic Plan sets out the developments being taken forward over the next 10 years in each area of the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the announcement of the rail franchise for Wales will be made. [105799]

The Strategic Rail Authority expects to announce the preferred bidder in June. The new franchise is expected to commence this Autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about investment in the national railway infrastructure. [105800]

Total investment in the rail industry in 2001–02, excluding rolling stock, was £3.1 billion. The bulk of this is in respect of rail infrastructure. Details of this investment are set out in "National Rail Trends", which is published by the SRA.

:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Strategic Rail Authority on the development of a high speed train service throughout the UK. [105796]

We are in regular contact with the Authority over all aspects of railway services. The Authority is currently considering a draft report which it has recently received on the potential viability of a new north to south High Speed Line. The Authority intend to consult on the conclusions of the study later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what subsidy each of the train operating companies received in each year since 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [105957]

Details of the subsidy paid to each train operating company, in each year, are set out in the Strategic Rail Authority's annual report, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on future plans for London Underground. [105801]

Following completion of the first Public Private Partnership contract on 31 December 2002, the Government expect the remaining two contracts to be completed very soon. The PPP brings in the modernisation the Underground so badly needs.The Government want London Underground to transfer to Transport for London as soon as possible, and is working closely with TfL, London Underground and other interested parties to achieve that.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many responses he has received to his consultative document on the future of air transport in the UK. [105802]

We have received over 100,000 responses (letters and questionnaires) to the consultation from all areas of the UK, and the majority originate from the south-east of England and the midlands.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assumptions were made in the SERAS Air Passenger Forecasting Model in respect of (a) demand transferring to off-peak flights, (b) demand transferring to regional airports and (c) demand transferring to rail, in assessing the consequences for fare levels of a shortfall in airport capacity in the South East; and if he will make a statement. [106217]

The consequences of a shortfall in airport capacity in the South East are an output of the SERAS Air Passenger Forecasting Model, not input assumptions. The model assigns passengers according to their 'least cost' route between the start point of their journey and its end point, as described in the SERAS Stage 2 Methodology Supporting document no 29, "Rules and Modelling." A shortfall in capacity at a specific airport leads to a 'fare premium' to balance demand and supply at that airport. This fare premium is only applied in the model when 'off-peak' flights at the constrained airport have already taken the initial burden of adjustment, so that airport utilisation throughout the day is high. With airport capacity constraints applying in the South East, some traffic with a South East origin is displaced to regional airports, some traffic with a regional origin is clawed back by regional airports, some traffic transfers to other transport modes including rail, and some traffic is suppressed entirely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he gives about the impact on air passengers' and carriers' liability of (a) a war and (b) a terrorist attack. [105275]

The liability of air carriers' is established by international and European law and no further guidance is necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much aviation fuel was consumed by UK civil aviation in the last year for which figures are available, broken down into fuel consumed by (a) domestic and (b) international air travel. [106219]

Based on data reported by airlines to the Civil Aviation Authority, it is estimated that UK airlines used 10.2 million tonnes of fuel in 2002. Although such fuel usage is reported as a total it is broadly estimated that about 90 per cent. was expended on international aviation and 10 per cent. on domestic aviation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what airport development options in the South-East other than those described in The Future of Air Transport in the UK: South East he is considering; if those options will be included in the forthcoming white paper on aviation; and what the consultation arrangements for these options are. [106220]

The Government will consider all responses to The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East submitted by 30 June 2003 including any reasonable alternatives to the options for new airport capacity set out in the consultation document. If the Government concluded that any such alternative schemes were superior to the options in the consultation document and wished to consider including them in the air transport white paper, there would be a full consultation process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for tackling congestion on the trunk road network. [105803]

I refer my hon. Friend to the written statement made by the Secretary of State earlier today, at columns 49–50 WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Highways Agency will approve a junction from the A12 to the Colchester Northern Approach Road. [105804]

The junction will be approved as soon as all design and safety issues have been addressed. The Highways Agency and the developer have made significant progress and will continue to work closely to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assistance he provides to local authorities in order that they can provide free rail passes to pensioners entitling them to concessionary rail travel; [106071](2) whether his Department instructs local authorities on the rate at which rail passes should be supplied to pensioners for concessionary rail travel; [106070](3) what discussions he has had with HM Treasury regarding the provision of free

Beyond the statutory minimum requirement for concessionary travel (half-fare on local buses for older and disabled people, with no charge for the pass) decisions about whether to offer a more generous scheme for bus and rail travel are for the relevant PTAs/local authorities.Expenditure on concessionary travel schemes is covered by the contribution that the Government makes to local authorities through the annual grant settlement, including where a PTA/local authority offers consessionary travel on local railways.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with other Government departments about the potential regeneration benefits of the proposed Fylde Coast Light Rail Scheme. [105798]

None yet, since Blackpool Council have not yet submitted formal proposals for this scheme. My Department is currently considering their proposals for refurbishment of the existing, historic tram system. I am well aware of the importance the Council attaches to these as part of their regeneration strategy for Blackpool.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with the shipping industry on the ownership and operation of the deep water container port at Umm Qasr, Iraq. [105875]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which of the contractors responsible for rail safety in the (a) Paddington and (b) Hatfield rail crashes operated quality management systems. [105605]

I understand that Network Rail's safety procedures require contractors to have suitable and sufficient Safety Quality and Environment Management systems in place in accordance with the company's railway standards. Both Amey and Balfour Beatty had such systems in place at the times of the Paddington and Hatfield rail crashes.

To ask the Prime Minister whether he consulted previous prime ministers before committing British forces to battle in Iraq. [105436]

I have discussions with a wide range of individuals and organisations. As with previous Administrations it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions, under exemptions 2 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York; and if he will place in the Library copies of briefing material used in respect of that meeting. [106418]

I met United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in New York on 27 March. We discussed a range of issues including the on-going consultations on the Oil for Food Programme and the UN's role in Iraq.Since that meeting the Security Council has unanimously adopted UN Security Council Resolution 1472 (2003) providing for the continuation of the Oil for Food Programme.Information relating to internal advice and consultation is not disclosed under Exemption 2, Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Prime Minister when he informed Mr. Abu Mazen that the publication of the final draft of the roadmap had been postponed until after the approval by the Palestinian Legislative Council of the Palestinian Cabinet; and when and by whom this decision was taken. [106451]

Publication is the responsibility of the Roadmap's authors, the Quartet of the UN, EU, United States and Russia. As I told the House on 26 March 2003, Official Report, column 281, "when the Palestinian Prime Minister has his Cabinet in place, the roadmap will be given to both the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority". This decision was announced by President Bush on 14 March.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the (a) funded and (b) unfunded public sector pension schemes for which he is responsible; when the last actuarial valuation was of each scheme; what the value was of the assets at the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; what deficit is disclosed by the last actuarial valuation of each scheme; and if he will make a statement. [104929]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on Monday 31 March 2003, Official Report.I am responsible for two pension schemes for the staff of the Security and Intelligence Agencies. Both are unfunded and operate by analogy with the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy for his Department to support and sponsor work placements for degree students. [106059]

Many Government Departments already run work placement schemes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's total spending was on advertising and promotional campaigns between April 2002 and March 2003; and what the cost of each campaign was, broken down by costs relating to (a) television, (b) radio and (c) print media. [106431]

The total cost of advertising and promotional campaigns by HM Treasury for the year to March 2003 was nil.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax relief is available for amateur sports clubs; and what plans he has to change these arrangements. [105903]

The Finance Act 2002 introduced a range of tax reliefs for Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) on their income and on donations made to them, similar to those normally given to charities.

• The measures provide CASCs with exemption from:
• corporation tax on interest;
• corporation tax on any trading income up to £15,000;
• corporation tax on income from property up to £10,000; and
• capital gains tax on disposals of assets.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters he has received since February 2002 from residents in the Buckingham constituency regarding annuities. [106368]

Three letters on this subject have been identified as coming from the Buckingham constituency.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance his Department issues to civil servants on how to deal with claims from organisations that the information they provide to the Department is commercially confidential. [105483]

It is not standard practice to verify claims of commercial confidentiality on receiving information from organisations as this issue is normally only relevant if the question arises as to whether the information should be disclosed to another party. The Treasury has not issued guidance on this issue. In the event of a request for information claimed to be commercially confidential, officials would rely on the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and central guidance on the operation of the Code to determine whether information should be withheld.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the expenditure of his Department on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002. [106299]

Expenditure on newspapers, magazines and periodicals is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many visits there have been to the Treasury Euro website since 9 January 2002. [106374]

There have been over 400,000 visitors to the Treasury euro website (www.euro.gov.uk) since 9 January 2002, bringing the total to over 1,000,000 visitors to the site since it was re-launched by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 29 March 2001, Official Report, column 1087.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what subsidies the UK Government are receiving from foreign allies to fund the continuing involvement of UK forces in Afghanistan. [105682]

UK military forces continue to operate in Afghanistan but at a much lower level than during the period of the overthrow of the Taliban and the successful establishment of the International Security Assistance Force. We continue to work in close cooperation with other nations but we are receiving no direct subsidies for our military operations in Afghanistan.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the total cost to HM Treasury of the humanitarian aid required in Iraq. [105690]

The Government have not made any final estimate of the likely costs of humanitarian needs in Iraq.The Chancellor announced on 27 March that a total of £ 240 million had been set aside for humanitarian assistance in Iraq. This includes £ 30 million for the MoD to provide immediate assistance on the ground and £ 50 million committed by DFID to support preparations and delivery of assistance by humanitarian agencies. The remainder of the money will be committed in line with emerging humanitarian needs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations over funding to ease the transition between the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme and any successor were held by the Department to take into account the opinions of local schemes promoting sustainable waste issues. [105760]

The consultation on the possible changes to the landfill tax credit scheme last year asked for views on a range of questions, including transition arrangements. A summary of responses to the consultation was published on 4 September 2002. These views were taken into consideration by the Government in its decisions to reform the scheme.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what support his Department gives to the Royal Navy to combat the smuggling of (a) spirits, (b) wine and (c) drugs. [105500]

HM Customs and Excise are responsible for collecting indirect taxes and enforcing Government requirements relating to the movement of goods into and out of the UK. Customs' focus is on managing risks to the revenue, such as smuggling of spirits and wine, and risks to society that arise from the illegal importation of prohibited or restricted goods, such as Class A drugs.The Royal Navy assists Customs both nationally and internationally in the interdiction of drugs, in accordance with its duty under section 11 Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the additional revenue which would be raised from the proposals to increase the charge to lease duty in his consultative document Modernising Stamp Duty; and if he will publish a report estimating the economic impact on the leasehold property market separately for each of the options. [105601]

In the 2002 Budget, the Government set out its intention to modernise stamp duty, and as part of this reform to review the stamp duty charged on leases. Further information on policy options was published in the consultative document, "Modernising Stamp Duty on land and buildings in the UK," in April 2002. The Chancellor will report on progress in modernising stamp duty in this year's Budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the tax treatment of non-domiciled UK residents. [106029]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget last April that we are reviewing the residence and domicile rules as they affect the tax liabilities of individuals. We believe that any modernisation of these rules needs to be based on clear principles: the rules should be fair, clear, easy to operate and support the competitiveness of the British economy. As indicated in paragraph 5.82 of the Pre-Budget Report last November, the Treasury and the Inland Revenue will be publishing a background paper to aid discussion of how the rules compare with the Government's principles.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much VAT was collected from UK companies in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [105505]

The total amount of VAT collected in the UK for years 2001–02 and 2002–03 (to January 2003), is published by the Office for National Statistics in, "Financial Statistics", No. 491, Table 2.1D as:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of VAT owed was recovered from UK companies in receivership in the last 12 months. [105506]

Data is not available on the percentage of VAT recovered from UK companies in receivership.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made in the last two years regarding VAT liability for new building in the UK. [105507]

In the last two years the Government have made two changes to ensure the VAT rules for new buildings continue to be applied in an equitable and fair way.In June 2002 we adjusted the rules that apply to the construction of new annexes which are partly used for charitable purposes. In the pre-Budget Report in November 2002, we announced the closure of a heavily exploited tax avoidance loophole, ensuring that the full payment for a new commercial building is subject to VAT.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers the Inland Revenue has to reclaim VAT from subcontractors who go into receivership. [105521]

Under Government Accounting guidelines, the common law principle that the Crown is indivisible is applied to set-off VAT refunds against other tax liabilities in cases where a debtor goes into receivership.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of 16 to 17-year-olds are studying for an (a) academic and (b) vocational qualification in (i) further education colleges, (ii) sixth form colleges, (iii) schools and (iv) other training providers. [103984]

The percentage of 16, 17 and 16 and 17-year-olds participating in full-time education by type of qualification being studied and by institution type for end 2001 are set out as follows. The figures are provisional.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of children living in poverty will be covered by a Sure Start Scheme in (a) 2000, (b) 2002, (c) 2003, (d) 2004 and (e) 2005; and if he will make a statement. [103704]

By July 2003, when the target of over 500 Sure Start local programmes has been met, they will reach around 30 per cent. of all children under four living in poverty, and provide a basis for mainstreaming the principles of Sure Start into all services for young children and their families. The Sure Start local programmes which were approved by July 2000 covered some 4 per cent. of children under four living in poverty, and those approved by July 2002 covered some 17 per cent. of such children. The Government's 2002 Spending Review provides for the future development of children's centres in disadvantaged wards to reach further children in poverty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what grades in the Civil Service in his Department are allowed to travel by air (a) first class and (b) business class at public expense when on official duties. [104963]

My Department is committed to ensuring staff use the most efficient and economic means of travel in the circumstances, taking into account any management benefit or the needs of staff with disabilities.Members of the Senior Civil Service are allowed to travel by air, first class or club class for journeys of over two and a half hours. For journeys of under two and a half hours staff would be expected to travel economy class if available. Staff at other levels are allowed to travel by air, at the higher class when they are travelling with someone entitled to the higher class of travel to discuss official business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class size was for classes taught by one teacher in each year since 1999 for (a) pupils in Key Stage 1, (b) pupils in Key Stage 2, (c) primary schools and (d) secondary schools in (i) England and (ii) each parliamentary constituency. [104507]

The information on class size by Key Stage has been placed in the House of Commons Library.A table showing average class sizes by primary and secondary schools is already available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class size was for (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in each constituency in each of the last six academic years. [104510]

The information requested has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance his Department issues to civil servants on how to deal with claims from organisations that the information they provide to the Department is commercially confidential. [105551]

It is not standard practice to verify claims of commercial confidentiality on receiving information from organisations, as this issue is normally relevant only if the question arises as to whether or not the information should be disclosed to another party.The Code of Practice on Access to Government Information provides a specific exemption for a third party's commercial confidences, and the Code and the guidance on the operation of the Code helps officials to determine whether such information should be disclosed or withheld in response to an individual request. In deciding this, officials need to consider if "unwarranted disclosure would harm the competitive position of a third party." This would normally involve consultation with the third party involved. Even where the exemption to disclosure applies, the information in question must still be made available if there is an overriding public interest in disclosure, usually appropriate only where there is a substantial risk to public health, safety or the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the estimated cohort size is of those attaining the compulsory school leaving age in each year from 1995 to 2010. [105305]

The estimates for January of each academic year are as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what creche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost. [104296]

My Department is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for its staff and supports a range of child care provision that help staff balance family and working life. It is currently reviewing its child care provision to ensure the best possible support to all our staff with child care responsibilities.100 full-time workplace nursery places are available to staff working in Sheffield and Runcorn; 143 full-time playscheme places, operating during the school holidays for children in full-time education aged from 4 to 14 years, are available for DfES staff working in Sheffield, Runcorn, Darlington and London; and child care vouchers are provided to staff working in London and, Darlington and parents in Runcorn and Sheffield who do not have a nursery place. In 2002–03 DfES spent £260,000 supporting child care.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the average lifetime earnings of graduates, broken down by degree subject. [102533]

The White Paper, "The Future of Higher Education", highlighted how the financial returns to a degree vary by degree subject. No specific estimates have been made of the average lifetime earnings of graduates broken down by subject. Higher education is a good investment. The White Paper, "The Future of Higher Education", highlighted how those with higher education qualifications earn on average around 50 per cent. more than non-graduates. There will inevitably be some individual variation in lifetime returns because graduate earnings are influenced by a number of factors, including the subject studied, institution attended, occupational choices and other personal characteristics and demographic factors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the additional cost is to each local education authority of the increase in national insurance contributions that comes into effect on 6 April 2003 in the (a) financial year 2003–04 and (b) school year 2003–04. [105572]

The Department does not collect information on the distribution of staff salaries by local education authority. It is therefore not possible for us to calculate the additional cost of the national insurance increase to each local education authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his policy is on the period for which the Department's personnel records in respect of teachers and Her Majesty's Inspectors should be retained; and what requirements on the retention of these records have been included in contracts with private sector organisations which hold such records. [105656]

The Department maintains records on individual teachers for the purpose of administering the Teachers' Pension Scheme. Document retention and destruction policy is in accordance with the requirements of the Public Records Office. The obligation to comply with Public Records Office policies forms part of the contractual requirements on the private sector administrators of the Teachers' Pensions Scheme. Personnel files on Her Majesty's Inspectors are held by OFSTED. All files are retained for the purpose of pensions administration for 12 years after pensions become payable in individual cases.Other data on teachers is held by the General Teaching Council as required for its regulatory function and in accordance with regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the reduction in revenue for each local education authority will be caused by the removal of grants 603 and 613 of the Standards Fund announced on 29 November 2002 in the (a) financial year 2003–04 and (b) school year 2003–04. [105574]

Grant 603 (Class Size Grant) totalled £143 million in 2002–03 for revenue funding. This has been transferred into Education Formula Spending for 2003–04 and authorities' allocations for 2002–03 were taken into account in calculating the minimum and maximum increases in Education Formula Spending Share.Grant 613 (Key Stage 2 Class Size Recurrent Funding) totalled £7 million in 2002–03. This was not transferred into Education Formula Spending Share, but losses of this grant were taken into account in the calculation of the new £28 million grant to support authorities worst hit by the losses of certain Standards Fund Grant and low Education Formula Spending Share increases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what incentives the Government offer to aid the recruitment of teachers. [105854]

Since September 2000, £6,000 teacher training bursaries have been offered to students taking Postgraduate Certificate in Education courses at institutions in England. For those students who train as specialist teachers of mathematics, science, modern languages, technology or English, and who go on, after induction, to teach those subjects in maintained schools in England, a further £4,000 "golden hello" is available. From September 2002, these incentives have been supplemented by Repayment of Teachers' Loans Scheme, a three-year pilot to increase the numbers of new teachers of priority subjects by paying off their student loans over time. With better pay for teachers, and the new measures to reduce workloads and provide more support in the classroom that we have proposed, these initiatives have raised the numbers of teachers in schools to their highest level for 20 years and brought about a 20 per cent. rise in the number of recruits to initial teacher training courses since 1999–2000.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what steps are being taken to keep the employees of the John Simon hair salon in the Palace of Westminster informed of the latest information on security procedures. [105440]

The Serjeant at Arms is responsible for providing information to Members and staff of the House of Commons regarding security issues. He also arranges for external organisations with facilities situated within the Palace of Westminster to receive appropriate security advice. I understand that the employees of the John Simon hair salon now have the latest information on security procedures.

To ask the Minister for Women what the timetable is for the Green Paper on Domestic Violence. [97695]

The consultation paper, setting out proposals to prevent domestic violence, deal with perpetrators and provide increased support to victims, will be published by summer 2003. It will aim to generate a comprehensive response from the public, voluntary sector and others, to ensure the widest possible agreement on what needs to be done to prevent and deal with domestic violence, as announced on 24 February 2003, Official Report, column 324W.

To ask the Minister for Women what work she is undertaking in partnership with other bodies to encourage women to train for managerial positions; and with which bodies she is carrying out such work. [99134]

[holding answer 24 February 2003]: My Department recognises how vital it is to achieve high quality leadership and management for UK productivity and competitiveness among both men and women. We have just published a Government response to the final report of the Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership (CEML), which set out 30 recommendations to tackle any management deficit in the UK's management and leadership capability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what payments were made by the Export Credit Guarantees Department for claims relating to Iraq since 1990; and if she will make a statement] [105189]

The current value of claims paid by ECGD since 1 January 1990 on Iraq is £630.5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with the United States Agency for International Development on potential contracts for reconstruction projects in Iraq; and if she will make a statement. [105981]

[holding answer 31 March 2003]: I have discussed post-conflict issues with Andrew Natsios of USAID. We discussed ways in which UK companies could best contribute to the future development of Iraq for the benefit of the Iraqi people. HMG is not in this for business opportunities. But UK companies would have much to offer in terms of knowledge and expertise, which could make a substantial contribution to the redevelopment of Iraq's essential infrastructure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the effects of (a) a conflict with Iraq, (b) problems in the Venezuelan economy and (c) problems in Nigeria on world oil prices. [105678]

From mid-November 2002 to mid-March 2003 oil prices (Brent) rose by around $10 per barrel to over $33 per barrel due to a range of factors, including: a significant disruption to supplies from Venezuela; low levels of OECD commercial oil stocks, particularly in the United States and Asia-Pacific; very cold weather in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly the United States; and market uncertainty about international developments regarding Iraq.Despite the loss of oil supplies from Iraq and a disruption to supplies from Nigeria, a combination of increased supply from producers (including a recovery in Venezuelan production), a seasonal fall in world oil demand, and reduced market uncertainty about developments regarding Iraq has seen oil prices fall to around $25 to $27 per barrel in late March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the effect of (a) a short and (b) a prolonged conflict in Iraq on the underlying supply and demand situation for oil. [105689]

No significant disruption to the underlying supply and demand balance for oil is expected to arise from military action in Iraq. Prior to conflict, Iraqi oil production stood at around 2.5 million barrels per day or only 3 per cent. of total world oil production, of which only around 1.5 to 2 million barrels per day was exported. Over the past few months, producers have increased oil supplies and this incremental supply is now reaching markets, with more oil on the way. Combined with a seasonal downturn in world oil demand in the second quarter this is helping to balance the oil market. OPEC producers have pledged to use their available excess capacity to ensure that the market remains adequately supplied. Moreover, the International Energy Agency remains ready to reinforce producers' efforts, including through the release of stocks, should the need arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many third party account holders a Post Office card account holder may nominate; and why there is no provision in the scheme to allow for a temporary third party; [105397](2) what advice will be available for people who forget their Post Office card account PIN numbers. [105417]

This is a matter which falls 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 what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Post Office offers a Post Office card account that is fully accessible to people with physical and sensory impairments. [105260]

The Government and the Post Office are working to provide a high quality range of services for all our customers, including those who wish to use the Post Office card account. As the service provider, it is the responsibility for Post Office Ltd. to ensure the accessibility of the Post Office card account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on progress towards the European Union Agency Workers Directive; and what her Department's policy is on the Directive as it stands. [105932]

The Council of Ministers held an informal discussion of the proposal at the March Employment Council. It was concluded that political agreement was not reached, but that there was significant political will to achieve political agreement at the June Employment Council. The Government are not opposed in principle to the proposed directive on temporary agency work, but would like to see a more flexible directive that strikes a balance between protecting agency workers and protecting employment opportunities for agency workers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will set maximum (a) quantities and (b) values on the amounts of (i) armaments and (ii) military equipment that can be transferred under each arms licence. [106099]

A Standard Individual Export Licence already specifies the maximum quantity and the value of armaments and military equipment, which can be exported from the UK, under the authority of that licence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost was of (a) the in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by the Department in 2002. [104252]

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list projects awarded funding by the East of England Development Agency through the Regional Selective Assistance schemes, broken down by county; what level of financial assistance was awarded to these projects; and what assessment she has made of the effect of each RSA award on (a) jobs saved and created and (b) the benefits to the local economy. [104890]

This information is not held by my Department and has been supplied by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).For reasons of commercial confidentiality, under Exemption 13: Third Party Commercial Confidences of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information it is not possible to list individual projects but the aggregate of approved RSA offers since authority was delegated to EEDA from 2 April 2002 is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many projects supported by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in the last 12 months have been won through a competitive tendering process. [105063]

Since 1 April 2002 ECGD has asked applicants for cover to state the type of procedure that has been used by the buyer in awarding the contract (e.g. competitive tendering, negotiated contract). Of cases supported since April 2002, around two thirds of the contracts were won through competitive tendering.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many households in (a) England and Wales and (b) the Buckingham constituency have (i) electric and (ii) gas pre-payment meters. [106376]

In England and Wales, in December 2002, 3,221,781 domestic electricity consumers and 1,808,145 domestic gas consumers had prepayment meters. Figures for prepayment meter use are not available on a constituency basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the agenda of the European Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council meeting on 6 March 2003. [105931]

The agenda for the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council consisted of:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish her Department's proposals for the reform of the state aid rules. [106234]

The European Commission's rules on state aid are under constant development. The Department consults other Government Departments, Devolved Administrations and other principally affected bodies as appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Department has taken to support the development of the European Spallation Source project in (a) Selby and (b) Oxford University. [105288]

The European Spallation Source (ESS) is a potential project to build a new neutron source for European scientists. The UK has been involved in the discussions on ESS since a European Commission report in 1990 recommended a design study for a next generation neutron source. A Council was formed in 1993, including UK membership, and the initial design study was published in 1996. Further research and development was needed before a fair decision could be taken to build the ESS. Participating laboratories around Europe have been undertaking this R&D. The UK has been represented in the Council and has participated in the R&D via the Council for the Central Laboratories of the Research Councils (CCLRC), an NDPB Agency of the Department who operate the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Oxford and the Daresbury Laboratory near Warrington. CCLRC have responsibility for ensuring that UK researchers have access to neutron facilities now and in the future. They also operate the UK's current neutron source.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on recruitment within the UK nuclear power industry. [105805]

A report on nuclear skills published by my Department in December made a series of recommendations aimed at avoiding potential problems 10–15 years ahead but did not suggest that there are likely to be any significant problems in the short term. Copies of the report are in the Library. It can also be accessed via the DTI website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/nuclear/skills/nsg.shtml.I am currently involved in discussions about appropriate arrangements through a sector skills council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many women have been appointed as chairmen of Regional Development Agencies. [105955]

Juliet Williams, Chair of the South West of England Regional Development Agency is the only female Chair of an English Regional Development Agency. She was appointed in December 2002.I have been responsible for appointments to the eight English Regional Development Agencies since June 2001. Appointments to the London Development Agency are made by the Mayor of London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which prospective sites were chosen by Nirex in its earlier site search for suitable locations to dispose of radioactive waste. [106417]

As the Secretary of State for the Environment informed the House on 21 March 1989, Nirex recommended to Government that detailed geological studies for a deep repository be carried out in the vicinity of Sellafield and Dounreay.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many women from (a) the Republic of Ireland and (b) Great Britain have given birth at (i) the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital and (ii) other hospitals in Northern Ireland in the last five years for which figures are available. [105753]

The information requested is provided in the table. It covers the period from 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what resources have been allocated to the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland in each year since 1997. [103252]

Financial resources allocated to the Chief Electoral Officer in each year from 1997 are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost to public funds was of (a) the inquiry into development of Victoria Square and (b) preparation for the inquiry. [105064]

The Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) held conjoined inquiries into the Development Scheme for Victoria Square Belfast and representations to the Notice of Intention to Vest lands in connection with the Development Scheme. The inquiries were a statutory requirement under the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991. Pre-inquiry meetings were held by the PAC on 18 October 2001, 26 October 2001, 13 December 2001 and 8 January 2002 to establish arrangements for the inquiries and deal with procedural queries. The actual inquiries took place between 22 January and 31 January 2002. Preparatory work, which necessitated input from planning, vesting, legal (including counsel), transportation, built heritage and urban design consultants extended over a five month period and resulted in costs of £215,000. The Department incurred a further £507,900 in consultancy costs during the inquiry itself. These costs relate to the preparation and presentation of the Department's case in the form of written and oral evidence to the inquiries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidance he has issued on whether unconfirmed allegations by (a) members of the public, (b) relatives and (c) health professionals not involved in the care of an individual should be included in a patient's medical case notes. [105750]

It is a matter for professional judgment acting on the advice of professional bodies and organisations to determine what is recorded in a patient's medical notes in order to help in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under what circumstances a patient can be denied access to information contained in his or her medical case notes. [105752]

Access to information contained in a patient's medical case notes may be denied if its disclosure, in the opinion of the holder of the record, would disclose information:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding is allocated, per head of pupil, to primary schools in the (a) maintained, (b) controlled, (c) integrated and (d) Irish medium sectors; and on what basis this funding is allocated. [105953]

The following information is taken from the Budget Statements published in 2002/03 by the relevant funding authority, ie by each of the Education and Library Boards for controlled, controlled integrated, maintained and Irish-medium schools; and, by the Department of Education in respect of grant maintained integrated schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the review into public drinking laws in Northern Ireland will be completed. [105914]

The review of the operation of the "drinking in public" bye-laws is still on-going. It is not possible to predict at this stage when the process will be completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on redevelopment, improvement and future plans for the Ulster hospital under the recently announced restructuring of acute hospital services in Northern Ireland. [105751]

Under Developing Better Services, the Ulster hospital together with the Royal group of hospitals, the Belfast city hospital and the Mater hospital will form part of network of acute hospitals serving the greater Belfast area.The Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust is taking forward a 4-phase Strategic Development Plan for the Ulster hospital. The second phase is underway and due for completion during 2005–06 at an estimated cost of£44 million. The Trust has been asked to draw up a Strategic Context for Phase 3.Further redevelopment will be taken forward when the detailed proposals have been agreed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have been registered to vote under the rolling registration scheme this year. [103246]

As of 1 March, 21,750 names have been added to the Electoral Register under rolling registration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have applied for the photographic Election Identity Card this year. [103247]

There have been 55,225 applications for the Electoral Identity Card as at 15 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what conditions apply to the import of live pheasants from (a) the EU and (b) countries not in the EU. [105606]

Council Directive 90/539/EEC sets out animal health conditions concerning intra Community trade in live poultry, including pheasants. Pheasants entering the UK from EU Member States must be accompanied by an export health certificate, which is issued by the Veterinary Authorities in the country of the origin. The export health certificate confirms that the Official Veterinarian has examined the pheasants and they meet the necessary health conditions specified in Council Directive 90/539/EEC. The Veterinary Authorities in the exporting Member State inform the appropriate local animal health office in the UK by an ANIMO message (animal movement system) that a health certificate has been signed and a consignment of birds is on its way. In addition, the importer in the UK must give at least 24 hours notice in writing to the Divisional Veterinary Manager responsible for the place of destination, of his intention to import the birds, the nature of the consignment, its anticipated date of arrival and the place of destination.Council Directive 96/482/EEC lays down animal health conditions and veterinary certificates for the import of poultry, including pheasants, from Third Countries. Import of pheasants into the UK is allowed only from those Third Countries which can provide assurances supported by appropriate documents, or as a result of on-the-spot inspections, satisfy the necessary animal health conditions required by the UK and the European Commission. Pheasants entering the EU from Third Countries must be accompanied by an export health certificate issued by an Official Veterinarian in the country of origin. The health certificate confirms that the Official Veterinarian in the country of the origin has inspected the pheasants and they meet all the conditions specified in Council Directive 96/482/EEC. There is a post import isolation of 42 days. The State Veterinary Staff in the UK carry out at least six veterinary checks on the pheasants imported from Third Countries in the first 14 days after import. The Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge carries out tests on sick and dead pheasants to identify any possible disease. In addition, the local Divisional Veterinary Manager will receive an ANIMO message and import notification in the same way as EU imports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total cost to her Department was for accountancy services in 2002. [101860]

:The forecast cost of accountancy services in 2002–03 is £715,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the (a) annual cost to her Department and (b) value of the assets of (i) Food from Britain, (ii) Horticulture Research International, (iii) the Meat and Livestock Commission and (iv) the Sea Fish Industry Authority; if she will make a statement in each case on the reasons for each body being in the public sector; and if she will make a statement. [105083]

The annual cost to Defra of each of the bodies specified and the value of their assets for 2001–02 are set out in the following table: