To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on congestion charging in metropolitan areas outside London. [119414]

Apart from Durham County Council, whose scheme order was approved on 24 September 2002, no other local authority in England has submitted either a road user charging or a workplace parking levy scheme order for my confirmation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the effect (a) congestion charging and (b) motorway road pricing may have on (i) road safety and (ii) congestion. [119417]

The responsibility for developing urban congestion charging schemes lies with local authorities. We would expect local authorities to evaluate the impact of any proposed schemes on road safety and congestion, among other things.At the national level we recognise the need for action to tackle congestion, but believe that the UK must have a proper debate before any decisions are taken. We need to look carefully at the implications of any national level road pricing, including the effects on road safety and congestion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with Network Rail on the maintenance of level crossings. [119415]

None. I understand that the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate have ongoing discussions at local and national level about safety arrangements; and that Network Rail has recently revised its level crossing management strategy to ensure that the risks associated with usage are reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to make a full response to the recent Health and Safety Executive report into the Potters Bar rail disaster. [119416]

The next stage is for the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate to agree with Network Rail and others a strategy, including a timetable, for addressing the recommendations in the report. This will be published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions his Department has had with bus companies about improvements in the accessibility of bus services for disabled people. [119418]

We maintain a close dialogue with industry to ensure that Regulations which require all buses and coaches on local services to be accessible by 2020 are working effectively. Also, we have regular discussions with operators on meeting targets, including one for 50 per cent. of buses to be accessible by 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to visit Cefn Cribwr as part of his assessment of overall rail policy objectives. [119419]

There are no current plans for Ministers to visit Cefn Cribwr.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received about rail services on the Cotswold Line; and if he will make a statement. [119420]

No such representations have been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) original projected total cost and (b) the final cost of Phases 1a, 1b and 2 of the A50 road construction in Stoke-on-Trent was. [119153]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the proposed locations for holding stacks resulting from (a) a new close parallel runway, (b) a new wide spaced runway and (c) two new runways at Gatwick Airport. [119954]

The South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS) analysis has not attempted to identify proposed locations of holding stacks for any of the published consultation options. For all options, the SERAS noise appraisal required nominal aircraft departure and arrival routes to be drawn up.If the air transport White Paper supports any option, and as part of any detailed design and project definition, additional work would be needed to optimise these routes and the air traffic control arrangements more generally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the effect on the volume of traffic on (a) the M25, (b) the M23 and (c) other roads of (i) a new close parallel runway, (ii) a new wide spaced runway and (iii) two new runways at Gatwick Airport. [119955]

The South East and East of England Regional Air Services Study (SERAS) included an assessment of the type of road and rail infrastructure that would be needed both to connect the airport options to the strategic network and the type and scale of improvements that might be required on the strategic network.The results of these appraisals for the Gatwick options are summarised in "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East (second edition)" main consultation document, sections 8.16 to 8.20. Further details are contained in chapter 8.5 of the SERAS Stage Two Appraisal Findings report.Copies of these documents are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will commission an independent review of industry-funded research on air quality issues relating to his consultation on the future development of air transport in the South East. [119953]

Recent research into the air quality situation at Heathrow Airport is being published by British Airways and BAA plc as part of their responses to the Government's consultation on the future development of air transport in South East England. This new research will be assessed rigorously by the Government as part of the overall analysis of consultation responses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations the Department has received about the criteria for assessing the safety of children's car seats; and if he will make a statement. [119164]

The Department has received no recent representations regarding the criteria for assessing the safety of child restraints. However, the Department is active in its support for activities contributing to improved child restraint standards. As representatives of the UK in the UNECE Group of Experts on passive safety, we argued successfully in Europe for the most effective requirements for the universal version of ISOFix including the provision of top tethers. This will offer a significant step in improved child restraints.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Department collates statistics about injuries to children while in car seats; and if he will make a statement. [119165]

Information regarding injuries to children travelling in child restraints is not collected nationally in the official statistics. However, the clear road safety message from research is that child restraints are a very effective means of protecting children in cars.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what compensation is available to tenants of landowners whose land is compulsorily purchased for a new road scheme; and how this may be claimed. [119810]

Compensation payable to tenants where the landowner's interest has been compulsorily acquired for a new road scheme depends on the nature of the tenancy, that is, whether it is residential or agricultural and its duration. Generally, a tenant is entitled to compensation for the unexpired term of the tenancy and any other loss of injury sustained as a result. The acquiring authority will serve notice on the tenant and invite him/her to submit a claim for compensation.I am arranging for copies of three booklets from the Compulsory Purchase and Compensation series to be placed in the Library, which contain information on the compulsory purchase procedure and rights to compensation.They are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for North Shropshire dated 29 April about improvements to the A5 and A483. [119110]

My right hon. Friend, the then Minister for State for Transport (Mr. Spellar) wrote on 13 June 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce a statutory requirement for train companies to provide a minimum number of cycle storage spaces relative to passenger capacity on commuter rail services; and if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to develop an integrated rail and cycle transport strategy. [119472]

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is currently considering, together with the National Cycling Strategy Board, ways to improve facilities for cyclists at stations and on trains. It will hold a consultation exercise on its proposals in due course. The SRA is expected, in examining proposals for new or replacement passenger rail franchises, to have regard to delivery of the 10-Year Plan for Transport, which sets out the Government's aims to improve integration between modes and to triple the number of cycling trips by 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that the Driving Standards Agency introduces the new requirements under the Second EC Driving Licence Directive as an add on to the existing UK arrangements for motorcycle tests; and if he will make a statement. [119925]

European legislation adopted in 2000 requires Member States to conduct practical motorcycling tests that include extra and more demanding specific exercises than are currently contained in the UK test, in particular the inclusion of higher speed manoeuvring and braking exercises. Member States were required to implement these higher testing standards no later than October 2005, though the European Commission have indicated that they will shortly be bringing forward amending legislation that will allow a further three years for implementation.We consulted in 2001 about the new European driving test standards, which affect theory as well as practical tests, plus tests taken by learners for other types of motor vehicle. The responses suggested that that the new higher speed exercises in the motorcycling test could only be tested safely and to a common standard off the public road.Making provision for an off-road element in the motorcycling test would have significant estates and expenditure implications for the Driving Standards Agency. Therefore in 2002 we undertook further consultation about possible service delivery options involving both DSA and non-DSA delivery. The consultation period closed in April, and the responses are being analysed. We intend to announce our decisions later this year. These decisions will in due course be given effect in the domestic regulations that set out the driving test requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to contribute to the Government's implementation of the Kyoto Agreement. [119371]

The transport sector has an important contribution to make towards helping the Government to meet its Kyoto commitments. The 10 Year Plan for Transport, published in July 2000, envisaged a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the transport sector over the current decade, and some significant reductions against projected emissions of greenhouse gases have already been, or are being, achieved. The progress report on the 10 Year Plan, published in December 2002, showed a small reduction in CO₂ emissions from road transport in the UK in each of the last two years, following a generally rising trend through the 1990s.The Government's plans for moving towards a low carbon transport economy are set out in the Powering Future Vehicles Strategy, published in July 2002, and in the transport chapter of the Energy White Paper, published in February 2003. Central to these plans are the voluntary agreements with car manufacturers which are set, by 2008, to reduce average CO

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the relative costs of transporting freight by (a) road, (b) rail and (c) air, with particular reference to the transport of mail in the UK. [118688]

This is a matter for Royal Mail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his Department has taken to ensure that local authorities introduce secure parking for motorcycles following his Department's publication of a motorcycle parking traffic advisory leaflet in 2002; and if he will make a statement. [119924]

The motorcycle parking traffic advisory leaflet was sent out to all highway authorities. It is, however, for individual highway authority to decide whether to provide secure parking or not, depending on local circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 3 June, Official Report, column 172W, on the National Travel Survey, if he will break down the information provided by region. [119535]

Sample sizes from the National Travel Survey (NTS) are too small to provide the requested detail and information by Government Office Region is only available from 1992–94. Some summary tables by region for 1992–94 and 1999–2001 will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of constructing (a) a road link to the M23 from Redhill Aerodrome and (b) a rail link from Redhill Aerodrome to Gatwick station; and what discussions he has had with Redhill Aerodrome Ventures as to who would meet the cost of these projects were approval to be given for the present proposals to expand Redhill Aerodrome. [119654]

[holding answer 16 June 2003]: We have made no such estimates or held discussions with Redhill Aerodrome Ltd about who might meet the costs of these projects. Chapter 17 of The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East) consultation document sets out the broad surface access funding principles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 9 June, Official Report, column 593W, on the equal treatment and non-discrimination directive, what the results of the Regulatory Impact Analysis was; and if he will make a statement on how the EU Directive on equal treatment and non-discrimination will affect the recruitment of foreign seafarers and the UK Ship Register. [119652]

The Draft Race Relations Act 1976 (Seamen Recruited Abroad) Order 2003 forms part of the implementation of the EC Article 13 Race Directive. A Regulatory ImpactAssessment was carried out. A total repeal of Section 9 of the Race Relations Act1976 was estimated to result in additional, annual wage costs to employers of around £40.5 million. Industry estimates, supported by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, indicated that up to 400 ships would leave the UK flag if a total repeal of Section 9 were to proceed. To revise Section 9 of the RRA 1976 was estimated to present the shipping industry with negligible additional costs and to protect the substantial increases in the UK flagged fleet that we have secured in recent years.The proposals go beyond the requirements of the Directive: the amendment will prohibit discrimination on the basis of colour and national origins as well as on the basis of racial and ethnic origins as required by the Directive. This will provide more protection under the Race Relations Act 1976 to foreign seafarers recruited abroad to serve on UK flagged ships that will enter UK territorial waters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps were taken to co-ordinate the road works being carried out on the M1 Motorway north of Junction 26 with those under way south of Junction 25 on the same motorway. [119116]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the right hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason highway authorities are not obliged to record their roadworks in the same way as utility companies; and what plans he has to ensure that all roadworks are recorded in the same way. [119557]

The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 places a range of requirements on utility companies concerning the recording of their works in the street. The Code of Practice for Maintenance Management, published in 2001, governs, among other things, the recording by highway authorities of their works.We are reviewing what changes might usefully be made to the current legislative regime for highway authority and utility works in order to ensure that they are carried out more efficiently and to reduce the disruption that they cause. We intend bringing forward a Traffic Management Bill, incorporating appropriate changes, once parliamentary time allows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the Chairman of the Countryside Agency to discuss rural proofing. [115582]

I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Rural Affairs on 12 June 2003, Official Report, column 1017W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the South Hampshire Rapid Transit System. [119401]

When we approved this scheme in March 2001, we said that if the public sector funding requirement rose above a specified limit we would need to consider all available options, including whether the project should proceed as currently planned. Cost estimates have now risen substantially, and a review of the options is under way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fines have been levied on telecommunication companies under section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 in each year since the introduction of the scheme. [119550]

Comprehensive figures are not available at this stage. However, we have appointed consultants—Halcrow—to monitor the operation of section 74. They will be reporting to us later this summer, and copies of their report will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government has to introduce a statutory limit on working hours for train drivers. [119372]

From 1 August 2003, all railway workers, including train drivers, will be subject to the provisions of the European Working Time Regulations.In addition, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are currently reviewing the Railway (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994 and considering whether the provisions relating to fatigue are adequate for all safety critical railway workers, including train drivers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings he has had with passengers' interest groups about the 10-Year Plan. [118757]

My right hon. Friend has had a number of meetings with passenger interest groups over the past year, at which a range of current transport issues were discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the outcome was of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council held on 5 and 6 June 2003; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [118485]

The transport segment of the Transport, Energy and Telecommunications Council was held in Luxembourg on 5 and 6 June 2003. My right hon. Friend, the then Minister of State for Transport (Mr. Spellar) represented the United Kingdom.The Council agreed a three-part package on aviation external relations. This includes mandates for the Commission to negotiate an air service agreement with the US on behalf of the Community, and to negotiate oil specific Community issues with other third countries, while allowing flexibility for member states to negotiate and implement air service agreements bilaterally. We welcome this package as a pragmatic and balanced response to the European Court of Justice rulings in the `open skies' cases, and my right hon. Friend spoke in support of it.A general approach was reached on a Regulation suspending the use-it-or-lose-it rule for airport slot allocation for the summer season 2003 for application in summer 2004, because of the exceptional circumstances —the Iraq conflict and SARS—that affected passenger demand.There were written reports to the Council on progress on two legislative proposals in aviation, the draft Regulations on insurance requirements and protection against unfair pricing practices by third countries.There was a debate on a draft regulation on ship and port facility security. Further work will be done in COREPER with a view to agreement at the October Council. There was consensus that work should focus on implementing the IMO regime for international traffic and the possible extension to Class A passenger ships on domestic voyages (primarily those travelling more than 20 nautical miles from the coast). We support this Regulation, which will ensure the consistent application of IMO requirements agreed last December. We expressed our concern at the automatic application to shorter domestic voyages at Council.Council Conclusions were agreed on improving the image of Community shipping and attracting young people to the seafaring profession. We welcome this initiative and the my right hon. Friend proposed that there should be a review of progress during the UK Presidency in 2005, following a Commission report. This was welcomed by the Commission and the Presidency.Written reports were submitted to the Council on designation of particularly sensitive sea areas and on the outcome of the IMO Diplomatic Conference of 12 to 16 May 2003 to adopt a Protocol to the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992.Council Conclusions were agreed supporting the integration of EGNOS (project for enhancement of the GPS system in Europe) and the Galileo satellite navigation project. We are in favour of the integration of EGNOS and Galileo.The Commission reported on progress of the High Level Group of member states and acceding country representatives looking at future priorities for the transport Trans-European Network. The Group's report will be submitted to the Commission, which will bring forward proposals.Council Conclusions were agreed on the Commission's Road Safety Action Plan, entitled 'Halving the Number of Road Accident Victims in the European Union by 2010: A Shared Responsibility'. We welcomed the document and said that, where legislative measures are in prospect, they will have a much better chance of early acceptance by the Council if careful consideration of proportionality and subsidiarity issues is given beforehand. My right hon. Friend referred to the UK's good record on road safety, which showed the value of our approach. The UK was one of the member states singled out by the Commission as models for best practice in reducing road accidents.There was a written report on progress on the draft Directive on minimum safety requirements on tunnels in the trans-European road network. Several member states, including the UK, although supporting the general aim of improving safety, have had concerns about some of the detailed technical provisions in this Directive. The Commission recognised that further technical work needs to be done and that there is a need for flexibility in application. The Council will aim to reach agreement on the Directive later this year.The Commission reported on its plans for transport infrastructure charging. It plans to issue a proposal on a revised Eurovignette system for the charging of HGVs before the summer break. A number of member states called for rapid progress to be made on expected wider proposals for transport infrastructure charging. My right hon. Friend called for proposals which will support the implementation of the UK's own lorry charging scheme.No formal votes were taken at this Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on official representation of the United Kingdom at ceremonies to mark the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings in June 2004; and what the seniority of officers attending such ceremonies will be. [119338]

The Department is working closely with the French Comite du Debarquement, in association with the Normandy Veterans Association, to develop a full programme of commemorations in France. The programme is still in the early stages of preparation. When it has been finalised, suitable representation at senior officer level will be made available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what targets his Department has for improving energy efficiency; and how he intends to achieve these targets. [116650]

	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03
Total UK costs (£ million)	14.35	20.04	22.66	25.24	25.62	32.63
Average cost per room per night (B&B)	43.44	54.28	59.11	61.21	63.92	65.91
Total overseas costs (£ million)	n/a	n/a	n/a	3.29	3.53	4.62
Average cost per room per night (B&B)	n/a	n/a	n/a	75.09	70.25	70.02

All Departments currently have an interim target of 1 per cent. pa reductions in (weather corrected) CO₂ emissions from their estate, relative to the base-year 1999–2000. It is expected that new cross-government targets will be agreed with DEFRA by the end of the year. A Ministry of Defence strategy for delivering the targets will be published when they have been agreed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the War Pensions Agency; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119291]

The Veterans Agency, formerly the War Pensions Agency, currently employs 959 staff, 16 of whom work in Scotland.The personnel costs of the Agency for 2001–02 are contained in the Agency Annual Report and Accounts which is available in the House Library. The Annual Report and Accounts for 2002–03 is expected to be laid before Parliament before the summer recess and will contain the appropriate information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the amount spent by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on hotel accommodation (i) in the UK and (ii) abroad for (A) Ministers, (B) staff and (C) others; and if he will list the average cost per hotel room, in each year since 1997. [117560]

This information is not held centrally in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the Ministry of Defence operates a central hotel booking service and management information routinely provided by the contractor for the purposes of contract management enables a partial response to be given.Although bookings made through this contract represent the majority of all UK temporary overnight hotel requirements, a significant amount of overnight accommodation—particularly short notice requirements—is still booked outside of the contract and no centrally held information is available. The figures shown in the table reflect military and civilian personnel regardless of their employing management group but exclude non-departmental public bodies which do not use the contract. The average cost per room per night is for bed and breakfast:The Government publishes an annual report of Ministerial travel overseas. The total cost of Ministerial travel provided in the annual report includes the costs of accommodation. The information sought in respect of accommodation within the UK is not held centrally. All travel is conducted in line with the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with (a) Ministry of Defence Police and (b) the Director of Public Prosecutions about the publication of a report by the Police Complaints Authority concerning the arrest of Mr.Tony Geraghty, a constituent, in December 1998; and if he will make a statement. [119383]

None. However, Defence Ministers have been briefed on the outcome of an independent investigation that the Chief Constable of Essex Police carried out, at the request of the MOD Police Committee, into complaints made by Mr. Geraghty and others, following his arrest in 1998. The Investigating Officer's report was passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions, in view of the previous involvement of the Crown Prosecution Service. Mr. Geraghty has been formally notified that his complaints have not been substantiated. Investigating Officer Reports into complaint allegations against Ministry of Defence Police officers are not published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on completing a pay audit in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies to measure any disadvantage in terms of remuneration for (a) women, (b) ethnic minorities and (c) people with disabilities; and if he will publish the results of such an audit. [117441]

The Ministry of Defence, in common with all other Government Departments, has conducted an equal pay audit following the publication of the report by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) Equal Pay Task Force, Just Pay, in March 2001. The outcome of the audit, including an action plan, has been submitted to the Cabinet Office. Although initial audit focused on gender, the Ministry of Defence action plan includes provision for a similar audit to be carried out on ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. A copy of its action plan will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as discussions have concluded with the Cabinet Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in his Department and non-departmental public bodies on implementing the requirements of the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000; and if he will publish the results of the monitoring required by the Act. [117474]

The Ministry of Defence's Race Equality Scheme was published in May 2002 and sets out plans for complying with the general and specific duties under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 to promote race relations in the armed forces, the MOD Police and the MOD civil service. Copies of the Scheme are available in the Library of the House. The Department is now actively engaged in implementation of the Scheme and the first progress report will be published in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the Ministry of Defence Police Agency have at (a) RAF Lakenheath, (b) RAF Mildenhall, (c) RAF Fairford and (d) RAF Molesworth. [119501]

To combat the principle risks of crime and disorder, the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) provides a civilian policing service to RAF Lakenheath and RAF Fairford from permanent complements stationed at those locations. MDP will, where appropriate and practical, provide a policing service at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Molesworth.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF apprentices are on secondment and in training at RAF Menwith Hill; what the nature of that training is; and who is funding this training. [119503]

There are no RAF apprentices at RAF Menwith Hill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the fighter aircraft flying in formation in the vicinity of Sizewell nuclear power stations on 10 June were from the Royal Air Force. [119096]

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what notification was given to the managers of the nuclear power stations at Sizewell with regard to the Royal Air Force manoeuvres in their vicinity on 10 June. [119099]

None. The RAF aircraft did not breach the Restricted Area around the Sizewell Nuclear Power Station.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason fighter jets flew over Sizewell nuclear power station on 10 June. [119100]

The RAF aircraft which flew close to the Sizewell Nuclear Power Station on 10 June 2003 were flying in a formation holding pattern for a practice run of the Queen's Birthday Flypast. There is a Restricted Area centred on the Power Station; the RAF aircraft remained clear of this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the war pensioners, suffering from a wholly psychiatric illness, who lost incapacity benefit during the three years to 31 August 2002 appealed against the ending of their benefit; how many lost their appeal; and what the average change in net annual income was for each individual affected. [116589]

I have been asked to reply.

To ask the Solicitor-General what actions her Department and its Agency are taking to comply with the requirements of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002; whether she has made an estimate of the cost of compliance; and if she will make a statement. [118850]

The Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers is fully aware of its obligations under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations and believes it is fully compliant, having commissioned survey reports and held asbestos registers since at least 1994, the last such survey report and register being dated 27 September 2002. This identified only minimal presence of asbestos, requiring no immediate action other than a recommendation that the risk be managed by periodic inspection to detect any change in condition. LSLO has a management regime in place for this.

To ask the Solicitor General what the cost was of (a) the in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by the Attorney General in 2002. [1104250]

A holding reply was given on 25 March 2003.Of the Departments for which the Attorney General holds ministerial responsibility, only the Crown Prosecution Service has an in-house canteen which is at their headquarters in London. The service is contracted out to a commercial firm and the cost of this facility in the Financial Year 2001–02 was £84,417.No other catering services are provided by any of the Departments for which the Attorney General is responsible.Some refreshments are provided for meetings and training events etc. on an ad hoc basis.The available figures for money spent on catering services for hospitality, training, meeting refreshments etc. for the financial year 2002–03 to date is as follows:

	£
Treasury Solicitor's Department	6,307.93
Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers	6,835.31
Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate	6,335.00

To ask the Solicitor General if she will list the actions the Department (a) has taken and (b) is taking to ensure that the websites of the Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are accessible to partially sighted and blind people; and if she will make a statement. [118845]

The Crown Prosecution Service is working towards improvements to its website to provide accessibility to individuals with visual impairment.This involves implementing the Office of the E-envoy's guidelines for UK Government websites that cover a range of accessibility issues.The guidelines include following the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) recommendations and achieving 'Bobby' approved certification.In addition, the Crown Prosecution Service will be seeking to achieve the Royal National Institute of the Blind's (RNIB) 'See it Right' accessible website logo for the RNIB scheme that promotes website accessibility for people with visual impairment.

To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on progress with achieving transparency in respect of the European working groups for which the Department is responsible. [105731]

[holding answer 2 April 2003]:None of the Departments for which the Attorney-General holds ministerial responsibility are responsible for any European working groups.

To ask the Solicitor General how many staff in the Law Officers' Departments have used their leave entitlement under the Parental Leave Directive. [108357]

[holding answer 14 April 2003]:

To ask the Solicitor General if she will make a statement on the expected saving to future funds from the private finance initiative schemes due to become operational in 2003. [105767]

[holding answer 2 April 2003]:None of the Departments for which the Attorney General holds ministerial responsibility have any private finance initiative schemes due to become operational in 2003.

To ask the Solicitor-General what assessment she has made of regional variations in staff turnover in her Department. [112759]

[holding answer 14 May 2003]:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on appointments to the magistracy in the Duchy of Lancaster. [119456]

When considering magisterial appointments in Lancashire I am advised by the 17 Advisory Committees within the county. The procedures on magisterial appointments used by the Duchy Office are the same as those used for the remainder of the country.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [118996]

The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has improved compared to the situation last year, and is no longer an emergency. This is due both to an increased crop yield (up 80 per cent. on the previous year) and to much better snow and rainfall over the winter in both the north and south of the country, which has eased the effects of the persistent drought. Refugees are continuing to return to the country, aided by UNHCR and the Ministry for Refugees and Repatriation, although at a slower rate than last year. Vulnerable households, such as women-headed households, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and disabled people continue to require assistance.Insecurity in the provinces outside Kabul continues to be a concern, and is hampering the operations of NGOs and UN agencies in the southern and eastern provinces. As part of a coordinated response with the Afghan Transitional Administration and other international partners, the UK Government is considering the deployment of a Provincial Reconstruction Team to one of the provinces outside Kabul. The Ministry of Defence will make a parliamentary statement on any deployment in due course.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will list (a) the countries in which CDC Capital Partners has closed offices since July 2002, (b) the location of those offices and (c) the status of the staff assigned to each office. [115359]

CDC has closed three offices since July 2002, as follows:

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment his Department has made of (a) the impact of the trade in small guns in developing countries and (b) the recommendations of the OSCE conference in Prague on 20 to 23 May 2003. [119311]

The impact of the trade in small arms on development is of great concern both to the UK Government and other international bodies who are trying to combat the effects of this trade. The UK Government recently sponsored a 3-day workshop on integrating small arms controls into development assistance. A key finding was the need for further research and analysis of the development implications of small arms proliferation, including the impact of the trade in small guns. DFID will commission this research shortly, and aims to disseminate results by the end of 2003. The UK Government will also be playing a leading role in discussions on the links between small arms proliferation and development at the UN Biennial Meeting of States in July to review progress on implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms.DFID did not attend the OSCE Economic Forum on Trafficking in Human Beings, Drugs, Small Arms and Light Weapons: National and International Economic Impact, held in Prague on 20 to 23 May 2003. DFID has however noted the recommendations of the forum with interest, and supports the OSCE's further efforts to address these issues. Many of these recommendations concur with our own assessments of the action needed to be taken to combat such trafficking.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the recent meeting with the Indonesian Trade Minister; and if he will make a statement in respect of action to implement a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia on illegal logging. [118764]

I met with the Indonesia Minister of Forestry, Dr. Prakosa just over a year ago on 18 April 2002 when the bilateral "Memorandum of Understanding to Combat Illegal Logging and the Associated Trade in Illegal Timber and Wood Products" was signed between Indonesia and UK. Since then we have done a number of things.First of all we are supporting a process to develop a working definition of legality in Indonesia. This is fundamental and it may sound straightforward. However, in Indonesia many laws govern different aspects of forests and forest industry and reaching agreement on an enforceable definition of legality is difficult. We are helping to bring a range of stakeholders together and broker an agreement that will allow us to move forward. We have started the process of piloting verification schemes that will be needed to confirm compliance with legal requirements. Allied to this we are supporting efforts to restructure forest industry and close down mills that rely on illegally sourced timber.The UK timber trade is taking this seriously too. Just last week, on the day the Greenpeace report "Partners in Crime: a Greenpeace investigation of the links between the UK and Indonesia's timber barons" was published, UK timber traders met with Indonesian suppliers in London to discuss common supplier assessments and third party auditing.Other countries are also beginning to play their part. China and Norway have signed MoUs with Indonesia that draw on that signed by Indonesia and UK last year. Japan and the EU are currently discussing agreements with Indonesia. Malaysia has taken action to stop the illegal import of logs and cants (roughly squared logs) from Indonesia.However, under EU law, a ban on illegally logged timber, can only be imposed at EU level, not at UK level. We are therefore working actively within the EU. The European Commission published a Communication containing a proposed forest law enforcement, governance and trade (FLEGT) action plan on 21 May 2003. The plan includes a proposal for new EU import regulations to address imports of illegally logged timber in a way that is consistent with our obligations under the World Trade Organisation.The Communication requests endorsement from Council and the European Parliament to:

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if the Department will ensure that plans for the distribution of food after the end of the oil for food programme in Iraq will give particular attention to the need to create an independent food distribution network free from political interference. [119310]

The Government recognise the importance of establishing a food distribution system which addresses the needs of all those Iraqis who are dependent on food aid. DFID's long-term aim is to create an environment which will allow these Iraqis to become self-sufficient, rather than reliant on food handouts.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what estimate has been made of the number of civil servants in Iraq who have not returned to work. [119312]

DFID is not aware of any overall assessment of the number of civil servants in Iraq who have not returned to work since the start of the conflict. In a number of cases civil servants have been unable to return to work because of damage done to government buildings, predominately by looting. The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) is providing finance for rehabilitating government buildings.The CPA is now paying salaries and pensions for 1.35 million Iraqi civil servants throughout the country, including teachers, medical staff and police officers.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether the Coalition Provisional Authority has made an assessment of (a) the capacity of civil servants in Iraq to re-establish a working civil service and (b) the unmet needs of the Iraqi civil service. [119315]

The Coalition Provisional Authority is considering how best to re-establish an effective civil service.The Coalition Provisional Authority is now paying salaries and pensions to 1.35 million Iraqi civil servants throughout the country, including teachers, medical staff and police officers. Funds are also being allocated to the rehabilitation of government buildings.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the value is of new investments made in sub-Saharan Africa by CDC Capital Partners by (a) country and (b) sector in the last 12 months; and what the projected value is of new investments in the area by (i) country and (ii) sector in the next 12 months. [115350]

Since July 2002, approximately £133 million has been invested in sub-Saharan Africa.

Countries	£000
Pan Africa	17
Cote D'lvoire	53
Kenya	14,000
Mauritius	470
Mozambique	609
Nigeria	228
South Africa	20,750
Swaziland	358
Tanzania	96,622

	£000
Sectors
Power	113,017
Agribusiness	15,300
Minerals/oil/gas	3,000
Funds	1,300
TMT	281
Financial Services	34
Infrastructure	75

It is not possible to comment on projected values over the next 12 months. It will depend on a variety of factors.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Department has made of the impact on African nations of giving tax relief for research on the development of beneficial drugs. [119187]

The UK Government is committed to significantly improving access to medicines in developing countries. We need to tackle all the factors affecting access if we are to make lasting improvements.Those factors recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that can improve poor people's access to medicines are: affordable pricing, sustainable financing, reliable health and supply systems, and the rational selection and use of existing drugs.Clare Short chaired a High Level Working Group on Increasing Access to Essential Medicines in the Developing World, which examined these issues in detail and made a series of recommendations for action in its report of November 2002. Officials across Whitehall are taking forward these recommendations with key stakeholders.One recommendation was to encourage companies to increase research and development into medicines and vaccines for diseases prevalent in developing countries, namely TB, malaria and relevant strains of HIV/AIDS, taking forward implementation of the R&D tax credits announced in the Budget. The special tax relief for companies developing drugs and vaccines for TB, malaria and HIV/AIDS applies to expenditure incurred on or after 22 April 2003. As it is claimed by companies when they complete their tax returns, which they can submit up to 12 months after the end of the accounting period in question, the Inland Revenue do not yet have any information on claims.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of Government contracts have been awarded to social enterprises since 1997; and if he will list these. [119615]

This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the use of financial incentives to encourage the use of domestic energy efficient products. [119062]

The Government have already introduced a range of measures to promote energy efficiency in the home. The Government have reduced the rate of VAT to 5 per cent. on the grant-funded installation of new central heating systems and heating appliances, factory-insulated hot water tanks, micro combined heat and power systems, and renewable energy heating systems in the homes of the less well-off. The Government have also reduced VAT to 5 per cent. on the installation of specific energy-saving materials.The Government consulted on economic instruments to improve household energy efficiency during 2002 and a summary of responses has been published on the HMT website. Budget 2003 announced that, in the light of this initial consultation, the Government will shortly undertake further detailed consultation on specific measures to encourage household energy efficiency.The Government have also introduced other measures to improve the energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty in the domestic sector, including the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) and Warm Front.The EEC requires gas and electricity suppliers to encourage and assist their domestic customers to reduce energy consumption and to meet targets for quantified energy savings. Households on income and disability related benefits are currently provided with at least 50 per cent. of the benefits from the EEC.Since its launch in June 2000, the Warm Front Scheme, which provides packages of insulation and heating measures worth up to £2,500 to private sector households in receipt of certain benefits, has assisted over 500,000 households, helping improve the comfort levels and living conditions of some of the most vulnerable members of society.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the capacity of the Bank of England to act as lender of last resort in the event of UK entry to the eurozone. [112284]

As stated in the EMU study Policy frameworks in the UK and EMU, published on 9 June alongside the assessment of the five economic tests,

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether HM Customs and Excise have contributed to the review of the secondary legislation made under the Export Control Act 2002. [119314]

HM Customs and Excise were consulted throughout the drafting stage of the secondary orders for the Export Control Act 2002.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 7 May 2003, Official Report, column 687W, whether Iraqi imports will now be eligible for the reduced rate of customs duty under the Generalised System of Preferences. [119215]

Eligibility under the Generalised System of Preferences is strictly a matter for the European Commission.Iraqi exporters cannot start to use GSP until administrative arrangements between the European Commission and the appropriate Iraqi authority are in place.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether HM Customs and Excise have changed the treatment of Iraqi goods coming into the UK since the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1483. [119322]

As set out by the Department of Trade and Industry in a Notice to Importers, Import restrictions on goods from Iraq coming into the UK have been lifted in accordance with UN Resolution 1483, with the exception of cultural objects. All other imports from Iraq will be treated in the same way as all third country imports.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will commission an update to the 1998 report Driving Productivity and Growth in the UK Economy by the McKinsey Global Institute, with particular reference to the impact of planning regulations on UK productivity. [119308]

I have been asked to reply.Commissioning research on the impact of the planning system is primarily a matter for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Treasury has taken with regard to productivity issues relating to planning guidelines, in response to the conclusions of the 1998 McKinsey Global Institute study of UK productivity. [119309]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has responsibility for planning guidelines and, with the rest of the Government, has taken steps to develop proposals for reform of the planning system. The Deputy Prime Minister set out these proposals in "Sustainable Communities: Delivering through Planning", published in July 2002, provided further details in "Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future", in February 2003 and most recently updated the House on progress in "Sustainable Communities: Delivery through Planning" on 5 June 2003.Budget 2003 also set out specific steps on retail planning and development:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much money central Government originally allocated for the planning, construction and equipping of a new Scottish Parliament building; and whether these funds were allocated via the block grant; [119892](2) how much money central Government has provided in total for the planning, construction and equipping of a new Scottish Parliament building; and whether these funds were sent via the block grant. [119893]

The costs of the Scottish Parliament are a devolved matter and are met from the overall Scottish block budget. No additional sums have been allocated by the Government.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated costs are for winter fuel payments during 2002; what he expects the additional cost of paying a further £100 to those over 80 will be; what the annual expenditure allocated to the Warm Front scheme is for 2003–04; and what the annual expenditure is on the Social Priority Group as designated within the Energy Efficiency Commitment. [119057]

The estimated cost of providing winter fuel payments in Great Britain in 2002–03 is detailed in Table 2 of the Benefit Expenditure Tables 2003, which are available on the statistics pages of the Department for Work and Pensions website.The cost of providing an extra £100 to households with someone aged 80 and over is detailed in Table A.1 of this year's Financial Statement and Budget Report (HC 500).The funding allocated to the Warm Front scheme for 2003–04 is £152 million, from a total fuel poverty budget of £156 million. This year's level of funding will enable continued delivery of energy efficiency measures to some of the most vulnerable members of society.Under the Energy Efficiency Commitment 2002–05, energy suppliers must direct at least 50 per cent. of energy savings to a priority group of low-income consumers over the three-year programme. The annual expenditure will depend on the energy efficiency measures used to generate those savings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action he has taken to support the provision of university courses for disabled students. [117380]

The Government are committed to the principle that all those who can benefit from higher education should have the opportunity to do so. We amended the Disability Discrimination Act in 2001 to make it unlawful for higher education institutions to treat disabled applicants less favourably than others and to require them to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled students are not placed at a substantial disadvantage. It is, however, for the institutions themselves to determine which courses they will provide. Through the Higher Education Funding Council for England, we have funded the National Disability Team to promote good practice in learning and teaching across the sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to simplify the funding mechanism for post-16 non 'A' Level students at (a) full and (b) part-time levels. [117557]

The funding arrangements for post-16 learning are the operational responsibility of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). I have asked John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, to reply to the hon. Member, providing the specific information requested, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.The LSC is committed to: simplifying further education funding; reducing the bureaucratic burden; and ending the uncertainty of the current system. The LSC has recently consulted on this and the approach to funding adult learning. Our Skills Strategy to be published shortly will set out the way forward on funding adult learning.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make an assessment of whether the learning strategies recommended in the Assessment for Learning programme are compatible with mixed ability teaching. [117182]

Successful use of assessment for learning is not dependent on a particular form of pupil grouping. The focus is on the individual pupil and the learning needs identified by good quality assessment of their work. The strategies involved—sharing objectives; analysis of performance; feedback, which identifies next steps; peer and self assessment and questioning, which uncovers misconceptions and encourages pupils to explain their thinking—can be employed in a variety of grouping arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether an educational support organisation, which is receiving national funding from the Learning and Skills Council, may also receive the funding required to establish basic skills under a national programme. [118068]

I understand that this concerns the access of a certain national learning provider to a national contract for funding. The Learning and Skills Council are driving down bureaucracy by introducing single contracts with providers who operate in more than one local area, and I have asked the LSC to talk to this particular provider about how best to move to a more simplified contractual arrangement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what growth in student numbers further education is expected to assimilate in order to meet the requirements in Success for All. [117676]

Success for All is a programme of reforms, which will raise standards across all post-16 further education and training providers, and will contribute to increases in both participation and achievement. We expect growth in participation in further education to play a major part in delivering our target that by 2010, 90 per cent. of young people by age 22 will have participated in a full-time programme fitting them for entry into higher education or skilled employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proposals he has to reduce the administration in relation to FE. [117678]

The DfES and the LSC are determined to cut the burden of administration across the whole of the learning and skills sector. We will shortly announce the composition of an independent gatekeeper group to reduce bureaucracy. This group will vigorously challenge the Department and the LSC to justify new and existing administrative practices. It was one of the main recommendations of the Task Force chaired by Sir George Sweeney which reported in November 2002. We fully accept the Task Force's recommendations on cutting bureaucracy and want to see them implemented quickly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of 16-year-olds remained in full-time education after finishing secondary school in each of the last three years in each local education authority in England. [117935]

Participation rates by LEA for 16 and 17-year-olds are published in an annual National Statistics Bulletin, "Participation in Education and Training by 16 and 17 Year Olds in Each Local Area in England". This latest bulletin is published solely on the DfES website: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics/DB/SBU/b0369Table 3 gives participation rates for 16-year-olds in full-time education by local education authority, 1998 to 2000, the latest year for which figures are available.Copies of the Bulletin have been placed in the Libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that computers and other electronic equipment in schools use spell checks with the recognised English spelling of words and not the US spelling. [118876]

This is generally a software issue. Some software applications do not use a UK English spell checker as the default, and it may be necessary to change an option within any particular application so that it does, before deploying and using the software. This default can also be changed after the software has already been installed.I have asked our agency, the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), to provide advice to schools via their ICT Advice website, on how to set generic software to English language setting and also to provide advice to schools on being aware of this issue when purchasing software.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made in his Department and non-departmental public bodies on implementing the requirements of the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000; and if he will publish the results of the monitoring required by the Act. [117473]

	2001		2002
Qualification level	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage
Degrees and above and higher education below degree level	19,000	29	25,000	38
A level + GCSE and equivalents	28,000	43	23,000	34
Other qualifications	18,000	27	18,000	28
Total	65,000	100	67,000	100

My Department and our non-departmental public bodies are fully committed to equality and diversity and to meeting our obligations under the amended Race Relations Act. The Department published its Race Equality Scheme in May 2002 in accordance with the statutory requirements.The Department's Race Equality Scheme identifies those areas of policy development and internal employment practice most likely to impact on reducing inequalities. All of our functions and policies are assessed for their relevance to race equality, and action plans developed for those assessed as having a high relevance. Implementation of these action plans will be monitored through the annual business planning process. Assessments will continue to be made once every three years. We will publish annually the results of our monitoring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his written ministerial statement of 15 May 2003, Official Report, column 13WS, on bankruptcy and student loans, how many and what amount of student loans have so far been written off on account of bankruptcy; and if he will make a statement on action being taken to frustrate write-offs in advance of correcting legislation. [115178]

No loans have been written off since the statement to Parliament on bankruptcy and student loans, made on 15 May 2003. The Student Loans Company (SLC) will now take this forward.The SLC have identified 633 bankrupt borrowers, with a total of £2.4 million in outstanding loan balances to be written off. Against a customer base of 2.4 million and a total loan book of £10 billion, the proportion of affected borrowers is very small.It is not possible for us to prevent write-off of student loans on bankruptcy before the changes in primary legislation, which we have announced in the Higher Education White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what level of training was undertaken by each social class grouping in Gloucestershire for each of the last two years for which records are available. [117556]

Figures from the Labour Force Surveys for spring 2001 and 2002 are given in the following table. The figures show the highest qualification level for which people of working age in Gloucestershire were studying. It is not possible to give a breakdown by social class for Gloucestershire because of sample size limitations and confidentiality constraints.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will commission a study of the conversion rate for applications against offers for university places for students from lower income groups, broken down by (a) gender, (b) subject and (c) university. [117612]

The Government have no plans to commission a study of this nature. They will, however, continue to support through their Aimhigher Programme improvement in the attainment, aspirations and applications of a wider range of young people who hitherto may have failed to participate in Higher Education (HE). Continuing evaluation of the Aimhigher Programme will help determine the effectiveness of our policies on widening participation in HE. We will also support the identification, development and dissemination of good practice in admissions policies and practises across HE.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he will take to encourage women and girls from lower family income groups to apply for subjects and universities where they are underrepresented. [117614]

We are working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry to take forward recommendations made in the Baroness Greenfield's report "SET Fair.- The Government's response, "A Strategy for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology", was published in April 2003. It outlined a coherent strategy to tackle under-representation of women in science, engineering and technology at all levels. Both these documents are available on the website of the Promoting SET for Women Unit of the DTI (www.set4women.gov.uk).The Government are also working in partnership with the "Welcome Trust" to create a national network of science learning centres. These will provide innovative training for science teachers and technicians, aiming to bring the excitement of science into the classroom, including encouraging more young women to continue studying science post 16.More generally, we have in place a range of initiatives to encourage greater progression to higher education by those young people who do not traditionally access higher education in large numbers. The Aimhigher programme in particular helps to raise the aspirations of young people. We also provide a range of financial support for students from low income families. For example, we pay the first £1,100 of tuition fees, depending on the income of the student's family. And, in October 2004, we are introducing a new higher education grant of up to £1,000 for those from low income families.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of careers guidance at each of the universities in assisting students to maximise employment opportunities; and what assessment he has made of equity of outcome in this respect for students from lower family income groups at each of the universities. [117615]

Following concerns that students in higher education may not be getting the careers advice and guidance they needed, and that quality of provision was variable, we asked Sir Martin Harris, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester to carry out a review. Sir Martin's report was published in January 2001. He found that while there was much good practice, standards generally needed to be brought up to the level of the best. Sir Martin made a number of recommendations to institutions to help them develop their careers services and to make clear to students and employers what they would provide. Since then, Universities UK and the Standing Conference of Principals have published additional guidance, based on Sir Martin's recommendations, that institutions can use in modernising and providing careers services that are increasingly effective.The Department does not assess higher education careers services for any specific outcome. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) publishes annually a set of performance indicators for higher education. For the last two years it has published data on employment outcomes from each institution, with benchmarks that include social class as a factor. The data are on HEFCE's website at: www.hefce.ac.uk/Learning/perfind/2002/ and show that, nationally for 2000/01, 93 per cent. of full-time first degree students were employed or going on to further study six months after graduation, although those from lower social classes had a slightly lower employment rate than those from affluent classes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost would be of abolishing university tuition fees in 2003–04. [113971]

For 2003–04, the standard tuition fee contribution for full-time home and EU students of £1,125 is estimated to raise around £887 million for English institutions and around £60 million for Welsh institutions. The public and private fee elements for these figures can be broken down into:

£ million
2003–04 estimate	England	Wales
Public contributions to fees	456	31
Private contributions towards the cost of tuition	431	29
Total	887	60

Should private contributions to the cost of tuition be abolished, the additional cost to the Government of reimbursing higher education institutions in England and Wales for this loss of income is the private contribution set out in the table. If private contributions were abolished and no additional public funding was found, about 90,000 student places would be lost, a figure confirmed by the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations her Department has made to support the planned merger of Arla with National Express; and if she will make a statement. [117146]

I have been asked to reply.I assume the hon. Member is referring to the planned merger of Arla with Express Dairies.It is normal practice for the Competition Authorities to ask Government departments to comment on merger proposals.The Department has written to the Competition Authorities with its views on this merger. However, the nature of that correspondence is commercial and market sensitive and it is therefore not appropriate for me to disclose its content.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on progress in the implementation of broadband in (a) Mid Sussex and (b) West Sussex. [119659]

[holding answer 16 June 2003]: South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) is committed to supporting pilot projects looking at broadband coverage across Sussex and delivers a county-wide integrated strategy. Significant activities include:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Business Link operators have a specialist tourism adviser; and if she will make a statement. [119269]

This Government recognise the importance of the tourism sector and the need to ensure that anyone seeking advice is given the highest quality service. That is why we require Business Link Operators to meet the needs of their local area and make use of the wide range of specialist services from the private sector and the expertise of local providers. Such records are not kept centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when legislation will be introduced to enable the introduction of the British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements; and if she will make a statement. [119861]

The Government remain committed to bringing forward legislation on the British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements (BETTA) as soon as parliamentary time allows, and to the implementation of BETTA by April 2005 at the latest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many foreign nationals have entered Britain through intracompany transfers in each of the last five years; and how many of these were employed in the IT sector. [116063]

I have been asked to reply.The numbers of people who have been issued with work permits under the arrangements for intracompany transfer, and the number of those work permit approvals that relate to the IT sector are as follows:

	Number of intracompany transferees	Number of intracompany transferees in IT sector
2000	26,155	8,895
2001	27,438	10,608
2002	26,100	11,006

Figures are available from 2000 onward only and comprise in and out of country approvals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the environmental impacts of (a) storage of all AGR nuclear fuel and (b) continuation with current reprocessing contracts with BNFL for each of British Energy's advanced gas-cooled reactors. [91921]

I have been asked to reply.No separate assessment has been made of environmental impacts from the storage or reprocessing of spent AGR fuel. AGR fuel is reprocessed at the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) at Sellafield. The Environment Agency, on the basis of the National Radiological Protection Board model, estimates that the operation of THORP, when dealing with any type of spent fuel, contributes a maximum of 11 microsieverts a year to the radiation dose received by the Sellafield critical group (those people potentially most exposed to discharges from Sellafield).This may be compared to the annual UK dose limit for man-made radioactivity of 1000 microsieverts. The estimated critical group doses for Sellafield as a whole at the Agency's proposed new discharge limits, including THORP, are 92 microsieverts for aerial discharges and 190 microsieverts for liquid discharges. Thus, for Sellafield as a whole, the maximum dose to a member of a critical group would be less than 20 per cent. of what would be acceptable under European limits. The THORP contribution is just over 1 per cent. of that limit.The models used in calculating radiation doses are kept under continuous review, and those to do with inhaled and ingested radiation are currently being considered by the Committee Examining Radiation Risk of Internal Emitters (CERRIE). CERRIE is expected to report by the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post office branches have closed permanently in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997. [119046]

I understand from Post Office Ltd. that details of the number of net post office closures in Northern Ireland, separate from those for the United Kingdom as a whole, are only available from end March 1998 and are as follows:

	Number
1998–99	10
1999–2000	8
2000–01	21
2001–02	6
2002–03	12

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices have closed in the last 12 months. [120070]

Post office closures are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. All closure proposals are subject to public consultation under the code of practice agreed between Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch. I understand from Post Office Ltd. that in the 12 months to end March 2003, net closures totalled 345 including 102 closures under the urban reinvention programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her Department is sponsoring future research into telecommunications and health following the Stewart Report. [119601]

The Department is one of the co-funders of the LINK Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) Programme along with other Government Departments, agencies and industry. The first projects to be funded under the Programme were announced in January 2002. The Department has also directly funded a small number of projects, primarily concerned with measurement issues, which fell outside the scope of the programme, but are managed and monitored according to the same principles as the MTHR work. Further information is available on the programme website: www.mthr.org.uk

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the size of the opium harvest in Afghanistan in each of the last five years. [118706]

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that the level of cultivation of opium poppy in Afghanistan was 64,000 hectares in 1998, 91,000 hectares in 1999, 82,000 hectares in 2000, 8,000 hectares in 2001 and 74,000 hectares in 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security situation in Afghanistan. [118707]

Security in Afghanistan remains a serious concern. We deplore the attack on the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on 7 June that resulted in the deaths of four German soldiers. This follows other sporadic attacks against ISAF, Coalition and Transitional Administration targets, as well as UN demining teams and NGOs. The UK continues to contribute to ISAF and, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 8 May, the UK will be leading a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Mazar-e-Sharif from early July. In addition the UK has contributed more than £13 million for Afghan Security Sector reform in the past twelve months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the threat from (a) al-Qaeda and (b) the Taliban in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [118920]

Although the Taliban and al-Qaeda have failed to gain widespread support in Afghanistan, attacks continue against ISAF, Coalition and Transitional Administration targets, as well as UN de-mining teams and NGOs. We continue to help the Transitional Administration counter these threats through support to ISAF and to the Coalition, and by supporting reform of Afghanistan's own security sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the honorary British consuls, indicating (a) where they are based, (b) their nationality, (c) their date of appointment and (d) how much they are paid. [117978]