28. To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission how much the National Audit Office spent on auditing government expenditure in Africa in the last year for which figures are available. (99173)

The information requested by my hon. Friend is not available. A number of Departments and other bodies spend government money in Africa. The National Audit Office record the cost of auditing the accounts of those bodies, and of the value for money studies they undertake, but no information is held on the cost of auditing the bodies’ activities in specific regions of the world. However, during the year to July 2006, as part of their audit of the main Departments involved in Africa, NAO staff visited Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda to audit various UK government activities in those countries.

30. To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission what assessment the Commission has made of the effectiveness of the National Audit Office compared with similar bodies in the EU. (99175)

The Commission examines National Audit Office corporate plans, resource estimates and results on a regular basis. The Commission’s scrutiny programme includes examination of independent value for money reviews of the National Audit Office carried out by the office’s external auditors.

The external auditors have carried out some international comparisons as part of this work. The most recent comparisons were included in their report in 2004 on the effectiveness of the National Audit Office’s work in the context of achievements against the office’s target of securing for the taxpayer £8 savings for every £1 spent. The auditors concluded that the National Audit Office was more rigorous than any other similar organisation worldwide in the way in which it measured, recorded and reported the financial impact of its work.

The Commission continues to monitor the effectiveness of the office’s work on behalf of the House. Last week it carried out a further examination of the financial impacts achieved by the office and of its plans to increase the target to £9:1. I believe that the Comptroller and Auditor General and the National Audit Office provide an excellent service and excellent value for money for the House.

To ask the Leader of the House which matters are required by convention or Government commitment to be debated each year; and what form of debate is required in each case. (98705)

The Standing Orders of the House require three days to be set aside for debates on estimates selected by the Liaison Committee and 20 days to be set aside for debates on matters selected by Opposition parties.

In addition to these commitments, there are a number of debates for which it is the practice to find time on the Floor of the House. These currently include two days ahead of European Council meetings, five days on different aspects of Defence, one day on Public Accounts Committee reports, one day on Welsh Affairs and one day on the annual report of the Intelligence and Security Committee.

The wider issue of the use of non-legislative Government time may be considered by the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons in due course.

To ask the Leader of the House whether the timetable for Lords reform set out in his speech of 24 October represents Government policy. (99202)

As I made clear in my speech, having been asked by the Prime Minister to take responsibility for this important policy, the timings I mentioned were those I hoped to see achieved. But whether these hopes are met depends on many factors.

To ask the Leader of the House if he will place in the Library copies of the press briefing pack produced by his Office on the state opening of Parliament on forthcoming legislation; and if he will make a statement. (97918)

The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons does not produce a press briefing pack on the state opening of Parliament. The Downing street Press Office and individual Government Departments do issue press notices on the Queen's Speech. Copies will be placed in the Library. Further informationon the Bills contained within it is available on theOffice of the Leader of the House website at www.commonsleader.co.uk, following the state opening of Parliament.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many green cards were completed on 1 November. (99912)

Doorkeepers’ records show 252 green cards were completed on 1 November.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if the Commission will take steps to ensure that pedestrian access to the Palace of Westminster is not periodically impeded by inadequate rainwater drainage on St. Margaret's Street; what recent discussions he has had with Westminster City Council on this issue; what response was received; what representations he has received since July from (a) hon. Members, (b) Members of the House of Lords and (c) members of the public; and if he will make a statement. (99276)

Westminster city council has been contacted about drainage issues on St. Margaret's Street. The matter was referred via their highways defect reporting system and directly by letter. We await a response from Westminster City Council.

The Parliamentary Authorities are aware of the following representations on this issue:

(a) None from Members;

(b) One from Lord Monson;

(c) One from a member of the House staff.

8. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government that she rule out a bed tax as an option for local government finance. (99153)

The Government will not take any decisions on changes to local government finance until it has had the chance to consider the independent Lyons report which will be delivered to ministers in December 2006. DCMS Ministers will continue to represent tourism industry interests in this as in other cross-Government policy areas.

14. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the implications for tourism of a bed tax; and if she will make a statement. (99159)

The Lyons Inquiry is an independent review, and it has not yet made any recommendations. DCMS Ministers will fully assess the potential impact of Sir Michael’s recommendations once he has made them, and will respond accordingly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of rural tourism offices which have closed in the last 12 months. (99164)

There are around 500 Tourist Information Centres in England. Most of them are managed by local authorities as part of their discretionary support for tourism. We know of four in rural areas that have been closed and not replaced by any other provision in the last 12 months, and two new ones that have opened.

9. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations her Department has had on VisitBritain’s budget; and if she will make a statement. (99154)

Since 1997 funding for VisitBritain has risen from £44.7 million to £50.5 million for the current financial year. Detailed discussions are taking place to determine future budgets in the context of the CSR.

10. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure that encouraging greater use of the Royal Parks and holding more commercial events does not damage the fabric and character of the Parks. (99155)

The number and type of events is limited according to criteria set out in the agency’s Events Strategy, agreed with Ministers and their potential impact on the environment, on visitors and on local residents is carefully assessed before permission is granted.

Event organisers are required to take out a bond to fund any reinstatement necessary after an event.

11. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what provisions have been made prior to digital switchover to ensure digital television coverage in (a) the Calder Valley and (b) other topographically challenging areas. (99156)

Ofcom estimated approximately 50 per cent. of households in the Calder Valley are currently able to receive DT services. Following switchover in the region DT capacity is intended to match current provision from analogue services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what powers are available to her to regulate the production of regional news programmes by ITV after the switchover to digital television. (99157)

Regulation of regional news resides with OFCOM. This framework will remain in place after switchover.

15. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when concessionary schemes for television licences are next expected to be reviewed. (99160)

The Government reviewed the concessionary arrangements as part of BBC Charter Review. The White Paper published in March this year proposed no changes to the existing range of concessions, because despite calls for concessions for many groups there was little consensus as to the criteria according to which they should be allocated. We have no plans for any further reviews of the concessions.

16. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the future of the Decibel Penguin Prize. (99161)

The decibel Penguin Anthology aims to showcase the work of emerging writers from black and minority ethnic communities and it received £8,000 from Arts Council England. Penguin is printing 3,000 copies, which will be distributed to book shops across the country. I understand that Penguin and Arts Council England are considering plans for two further volumes.

17. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by what means budgetary control is being maintained on the 2012 Olympic project. (99162)

I regret that it has not been possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Dissolution.

18. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangement will be made for the funding of potential cost over-runs related to the 2012 Olympics. (99163)

Each annual budget will contain a contingency allowance from which cost over-runs will be met. As I said in the House on 6 November, in the event of further funds being needed to support the Olympic games, there is a formula in the M.O.U. to enable sharing between London and the lottery.

20. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her plans for the future of the Tote. (99165)

My Department has been discussing over the summer a sale to a racing consortium at full market value, but has unfortunately been unable to reach an agreement. We will announce shortly how we intend to meet the intentions of the manifesto, which were to achieve value for money for the taxpayer and to recognise racing's interest in the Tote.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent progress has been made in planning events for 2007 to commemorate the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire; and how much the Government has allocated to supporting such events. (98869)

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, South (Ms Butler) on 14 June 2006, Official Report, column 1222W. Since then English Heritage has announced its programme for 2007, which will include: researching for the first time connections between the transatlantic slave trade and properties in its care; and reviewing formal description of listed buildings to acknowledge historic links to transatlantic slavery and the abolitionist movement. In Scotland, the Scottish Executive are leading on plans for the bicentenary and they plan to devote a section of the One Scotland website to publicising bicentenary events.

To date, the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded funding of over £20 million to 48 slavery-related projects. It’s new web-feature—http://www.hlf.org.uk/hlf/themes/index.html—provides advice on funding for community groups. Organisations which have recently received funding from HLF for 2007-related projects are:

Adeoti Arts and Crafts

Archbishop’s Council

Black British Heritage Ltd

Bread Youth Project

British Empire and Commonwealth Museum (BECM)

Childrens and Parents Alliance

Connections Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire CC Youth Involvement Team

Development Education in Dorset

Leeds West Indian Centre

Mary Seacole Trust

ODAC UK

SCAWADI Sparbrook Caribbean and African Women’s Development Initiative

Splendid Things

The Equiano Society

Theatre Royal, Plymouth

Tyne and Wear Museums

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Charity Commission on the eligibility of sporting organisations for charitable status. (99158)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the Charity Commission regarding the eligibility of sporting organisations for charitable status.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of problem gamblers who gamble largely online; and what assessment she has made of the effect of the implementation of the Gambling Act 2005 on those figures. (98339)

None. The remote gambling market was too small to be statistically significant when the first UK gambling prevalence study was conducted in 1999.

The Gambling Commission is currently conducting a new prevalence study and will report in September 2007.

Recent research by RSe Consulting, commissioned by my Department, has found that approximately 900,000 people in the UK regularly gamble by remote means. My Department’s own Taking Part survey suggests that nearly 5 per cent. of the population (in England) gambled online last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she has plans to reform Sport England. (99073)

[holding answer 2 November 2006]: Sport England has undergone a sustained and substantial programme of reform which means it now has a clear focus on:

(i) boosting participation in sport; and

(ii) significantly improving the range and quality of facilities.

The performance of Sport England will be judged against success in these two areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department spent on support for (a) national, (b) regional and (c) local theatre in each of the last five years; and how much she estimates will be spent in each category in each of the next five years. (99579)

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not fund the arts directly, but through Arts Council England, which is responsible for supporting the arts with public money from Government.

The following figures provide a breakdown of Arts Council England grant in aid for regularly funded theatre.

Within this funding Arts Council England classifies two theatre organisations as national companies.

Arts Council England does not categorise the remaining theatre organisations as “regional” or “local”, but as “producing” and “presenting”.

Support for organisations receiving regular funding from Arts Council England is set up to 2007-08. Future funding is contingent on the outcome of the current Government Comprehensive Spending Review.

29. To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will make a statement on the adequacy of the pension funds available to the clergy. (99174)

The pension benefits currently available to Church of England clergy reflect steps taken in the 1980s to improve the package. The scheme provides a full service pension of two thirds of the national minimum stipend plus a lump sum of three times the pension. This year, that means a pension of £12,040 and a lump sum of £36,120.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has plans to require car hiring firms to provide (a) wheelchair accessible vehicles and (b) vehicles that can transport electric wheelchairs. (98903)

[holding answer 2 November 2006]: There are no plans to require car hire firms to provide wheelchair accessible vehicles to carry a passenger who remains seated in their wheelchair. However, the effect of the Disability Discrimination (Transport Vehicles) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/3190), which come into force on 4 December 2006, is to apply the duties in section 21(2) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (duty of providers of services to make adjustments) to vehicle rental firms in respect of vehicles comprising of eight passenger seats or less.

This means that, from 4 December, firms who hire out such vehicles will be under a duty to take such steps as are reasonable to alter the physical features of those vehicles so as to provide facilities for the stowage of a wheelchair. It will be for vehicle rental firms to determine, within the reasonableness test, how and the extent to which this requirement should be met.

A statutory code of practice has been produced by the Disability Rights Commission to assist car hire firms and others to understand and implement the new duties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to safeguard bus services in areas of low car ownership. (96195)

Local authorities already provide support for many bus services in areas of low car ownership. It is for individual local authorities to decide which services to support in their area. They should take account of accessibility planning when deciding their criteria for subsidised service support. The Department’s Guidance on Accessibility Planning specifically refers to the needs of those without access to a car as one of the factors to be taken into account.

Total local and central Government support for bus services is estimated to have been £1.8 billion in 2005-06, much of which will have been spent on safeguarding services.

We are currently taking a long, hard look at a whole range of bus issues to assess whether changes are necessary to improve delivery of our objectives, including those on accessibility and social inclusion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future of the rural bus challenge. (98320)

The rural bus challenge was first introduced in 1998; five further annual competitions were held, the last being in 2003. A total of £110 million for 301 schemes was awarded to local authorities over that period.

There are currently no plans for further competitions under this scheme, which was aimed at developing and demonstrating the potential for innovative approaches to meeting rural transport needs. It was never intended to provide permanent revenue support for the projects supported. Information from local authorities shows that the scheme has encouraged the development of a large number of successful projects, many of which are now being continued with mainstream funding from local authorities, including funding from the Department's rural bus subsidy grant, or other sources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many redundancies there were in his Department in each year since 1997; what the cost of such redundancies was in each such year; how many temporary staff were employed in each such year; and how many staff were seconded by outside organisations to the Department in each such year. (95267)

The Department for Transport was created in May 2002.

There have not been any compulsory redundancies during that period. However there have been a small number of voluntary early redundancy/severance schemes.

Temporary staff are essentially used for short-term periods, usually to cover annual leave, sickness, or while managers are seeking a permanent replacement for a post.

The number of employed in the central Department for Transport, and its agencies since 2002 is as follows:

The numbers of inward secondments since 2002 are:

The Department is committed to trying to avoid compulsory redundancies and to use recruitment controls and voluntary means to achieve any essential reductions in staff numbers.

Through inward secondments, the Department believes that it benefits from the experience of a secondee (through specialist skills not available within the Department) by gaining a fresh perspective on the operation of its business, and establishing links with individuals who can be a useful source of advice to the Department in the future. It also benefits the secondee by providing them with an insight into the operation of government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress in delivering the new rules governing the release of vehicle keeper information by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority from the UK vehicle registers. (99701)

A statement on the progress of introducing the 14 new measures which I announced on 24 July will be made shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passes providing free bus travel for pensioners have been issued by each local authority in Hampshire including Southampton and Portsmouth since the scheme's inception. (97330)

This information is not held centrally, it can be obtained from the relevant local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) hair gel, (b) toothpastes, (c) lip balm, (d) water, (e) liquid cosmetics, (f) other liquids, (g) nail clippers, (h) lighters, (i) corkscrews and (j) other sharp items are permitted to be carried within the hand luggage of passengers on flights departing foreign airports for destinations within the UK. (95398)

[holding answer 19 October 2006]: International civil aviation security is framed by the principle of “host state responsibility”, whereby each state is responsible for the security of flights from its territory. It is for the relevant authority in each state to determine what items are prohibited at its airports from being carried in passengers' hand baggage. The International Civil Aviation Organisation offers advice to contracting states in this regard, and the UK and other states are working with ICAO to update that advice. Within the European Union there is a common list of prohibited items which applies at EU airports. This list, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/59&format=HTML&aged=0%3Cuage=EN&guiLanguage=en is presently being amended in light of the recent aviation security alert in the UK. It includes pointed or bladed articles capable of causing injury. ICAO's common list of prohibited items also includes pointed or bladed articles capable of causing injury.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which information technology projects are being undertaken by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies; what the (i) start date, (ii) original planned completion date, (iii) expected completion date, (iv) originally planned costs and (v) estimated costs are of each; and if he will make a statement. (95865)

The requested information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The following details relate to the DfT’s key IT projects that are monitored centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents involving buses striking low bridges occurred in the last three years for which figures are available. (97079)

The number of personal injury road accidents involving buses striking bridges that occurred in the last three years is given in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many journeys he has undertaken by (a) car, (b) train and (c) aeroplane in the last month. (95689)

All travel is conducted in accordance with the requirements of the ministerial code, Travel by Ministers and the Civil Service Management Code.

The Secretary of State for Transport made six journeys by air and eight journeys by rail in his official capacity between 18 September 2006 and 18 October 2006.

The Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) is responsible for providing ministerial transport by car. GCDA does not keep a record of individual journeys nor details of passengers carried.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department. (98767)

All central Government ministerial and official air travel is being offset from 1 April 2006. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to a central fund. The fund purchases Certified Emissions Reductions credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.

Carbon dioxide emissions arising from 32 (Royal) Squadron flights are included in the Government's carbon offsetting commitment. Carbon emissions arising from the use of these flights will be recorded and offset in the same way as the use of scheduled flights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether provision is made for the compensation of providers of motor vehicle maintenance services for (a) loss of earnings and (b) additional costs in circumstances of technical difficulties with the MOT IT system. (98938)

In the event of disruption to the MOT computerisation service, there are currently two business continuity procedures which are available to garages to ensure that they can continue to test vehicles. One militates against a failure of the local garage computer equipment whilst the other militates against a large scale database or telephone outage. There should therefore be very few circumstances under which garages incur either (a) loss of earnings or (b) additional costs as a result of technical difficulties with the MOT computerisation system. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) would, however, consider claims for compensation where a garage could demonstrate that it had suffered financially as a result of these business continuity procedures being unavailable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 31 October 2006 to question 98374, on the security screening at Northern Ireland airports, whether members of the judiciary are included in the category of certain passengers. (99940)

The Chief Justice (or occupant of the highest judicial office in each country) is included in the category of passengers that are exempt from screening at UK airports. However, other members of the judiciary are not included.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a statement on (a) funding for and (b) the operational start of a re-developed Birmingham New Street Station. (98462)

Proposals (entitled the "Gateway" scheme) have been put forward by Birmingham city council and Network Rail for the substantial re-development of New Street Station. The business case for this scheme is currently being examined in depth by the Department, as a considerable sum of public funding is required for the purpose. I would anticipate being able to make an announcement during 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many regional railway tsars have been appointed since 2004; how many are in post; and if he will make a statement. (99556)

The Government have no plans to appoint regional railway tsars.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has held with train leasing companies Angel Trains and Porterbrook; and if he will make a statement. (99066)

The Secretary of State for Transport has had no direct discussions with Angel Trains and Porterbrook recently. However, departmental officials have regular bi-laterals with the managing directors of both these companies and there is also engagement on a regular basis at a working level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has ordered an inquiry into competition in train leasing. (99067)

On 28 June 2006 the Department for Transport initiated steps for a market investigation by asking the Office of Rail Regulation to refer the passenger rolling stock leasing market to the Competition Commission under Section 131 of the Enterprise Act 2002. The timetable set out by the Office of Rail Regulation is to publish their conclusions by the end of November 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the (a) total premiums to be paid by train operating companies (TOCs) in each of the next 10 years and (b) total requirement for subsidy to those TOCs which do not pay a premium. (99102)

Payments to and premiums received from individual train operators in any given year (TOCs) are set out in table 4.2c of National Rail Trends, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Contracted subsidies and premiums to and from individual TOCs are published on the Department’s website when the relevant franchise is let. Actual payments and premiums in future years will depend on a number of factors including the operational performance of Network Rail and the TOC in question and the precise terms of the relevant franchise agreement. Where no franchise agreement is in place for the future years, premiums or subsidies will depend on the outcome of negotiations in the franchise specification and replacement process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether revenue generated by the premiums paid by the franchised rail companies is included in his Department's future spending plans; (99103)

Forecast premiums from passenger franchises are included in the Department’s future spending plans. All premiums paid by franchises are appropriated in aid by the Department and the funds are made available for spending on transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the level of subsidy to be given to the rail industry during the next control period. (99130)

The Secretary of State will publish a high-level output specification (HLOS) in summer 2007. The HLOS will set out the Government’s spending and output priorities for the rail industry for the next control period and will inform the Office of Rail Regulation’s next review of access charges. The HLOS will include advice on the funds that the Secretary of State has available for spending on rail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer to question 98546, how many people were (a) killed and (b) injured by drivers who were using hand-held mobile phones in each year before 2005 for which figures are available. (99864)

2005 is the earliest year for which this information is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimate he has made of the net change in UK carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the road schemes approved through the targeted programme of improvements and local transport plans since 1998; (96813)

The CO₂ impacts of road schemes approved through the Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI) and Local Transport Plans (LTPs) form part of the Department’s normal approval processes for major transport schemes.

The Department’s National Transport Model (NTM) has been used to estimate the CO₂ impact of road improvements at a national level.

The road build included in our national modelling is the Highways Agency’s (HA) illustrative forward programme of schemes. This includes those schemes since 2000 in the TPI, plus an estimate of schemes that may make their way into the TPI going forward.

The modelling carried out for the Future of Transport White Paper included this HA illustrative programme, with it adding around 0.15 million tonnes of carbon in 2010, in England. The carbon added from just the current TPI would, therefore, be somewhat less than this, although that from local transport plans might increase it.

The TPI schemes were also appraised at an individual level. CO₂ emission estimates for the HA’s motorway and trunk road schemes, in the TPI (which was first launched in 1998) are given where data is currently available. A copy of the table showing this information has been placed in the House of Commons Library. Schemes that have not yet entered into the TPI do not have this information as the proposals are still at an early stage.

The overall implications for CO₂ emissions of LTPs, including roads, should be considered as part of their individual Strategic Environmental Assessments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the latest cost estimates are for road schemes (a) in the targeted programme of improvements and (b) approved under (i) the local transport plans and (ii) community infrastructure fund. (96819)

For (a) Highways Agency schemes in the Targeted Programme of Improvements, I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 24 July 2006, Official Report, column 746W, to the hon. Member for Brent, South (Ms Butler).

I have placed information on (b), the latest cost estimates for road schemes approved under (i) the local transport plans and (ii) community infrastructure fund, in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on building new roads in each year since 1979. (98939)

I refer the hon. member to the written answers given on 17 October 2006, Official Report, columns 1137-38W, and 26 October 2006, Official Report, columns 2000-01W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane).

Those provided data on government and private funding for transport infrastructure in Great Britain. The expenditure for roads within the tables includes new construction, as well as patching works. The available expenditure data do not, however, identify new road construction as a separate category.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) primary legislation and (b) statutory instruments regulate the wearing of (i) front and (ii) rear seat belts; what changes have been made to each since their enactment; what further amendments are planned; and if he will make a statement. (99273)

Sections 14 and 15 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 contain the primary legislation. Both were first amended by the Road Traffic Amendment Act 1988 (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/3105).

Section 15 was subsequently amended by section 83 of and schedule 8 to the Road Traffic Act 1991, which made a consequential deletion. Section 14 was amended by section 100 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 in respect of the exception for delivery drivers.

The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993/176) and the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts by Children in Front Seats) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993/31) contain the detailed regulations made under the 1988 Act. These regulations were amended by:

The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts)(Amendment) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/27) in respect of the exemption for delivery drivers;

The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Consequential and Supplementary Amendments to Secondary Legislation) Order 2006 (SI 2006/594) in respect of an exemption for SOCA officers in the course of duty; and

The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (Consequential Amendments) (England) Order 2004 (SI 2004/3168) in relation to England, and the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (Consequential Amendments) (Wales) Order 2005 (SI 2005/2929) in relation to Wales and the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (Consequential Modifications and Amendments) (No. 2) Order 2005 (SSI 2005/344), in respect of changing references in an exemption from “fire brigade” to “fire and rescue services”.

The 1988 Act and both sets of regulations made in 1993 were further amended by the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts)(Amendment) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/1892) and the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts by Children in Front Seats)(Amendment) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/2213) in respect of changes required to implement the requirements of directive 2003/20/EC.

Further amendments are proposed to the regulations to require children aged three to 13 years to use seat belts in buses and coaches. This is a requirement of directive 2003/20/EC and is subject to further public consultation, which we hope to publish later this year.

Amendments are also required to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (SI 1986/1078) as well as to the seat belt wearing regulations in relation to the requirement to use child restraints to the approved standards of UNECE Regulation 44/03 and directive 77/541/EEC and any subsequent adaptations. These are being prepared following consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Government’s contribution to Crossrail will be funded from the Transport Innovation Fund. (99127)

I refer the hon. Member to the statement that the Secretary of State made on the Transport Innovation Fund on 27 June 2006, Official Report, column 6WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars are registered to keepers located in (a) Cambridgeshire, (b) South Cambridgeshire and (c) East Cambridgeshire; and how many were registered to keepers in each such category in each of the last 10 years. (99441)

The number of licensed cars registered to addresses in Cambridgeshire was as follows:

Figures are as at 31 December in each year. Statistics for South Cambridgeshire and East Cambridgeshire are unavailable.

To ask the Solicitor-General which of his Department's databases are (a) wholly and (b) partly operated by external organisations or individuals; and which organisations and individuals own those databases. (97777)

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has a 10-year public finance initiative partnership with LogicaCMG to modernise information technology in the service. The contract with LogicaCMG covers the provision and support of the hardware and software applications used by the CPS. These include: the CPS Case Management System; the Management Information System; the Witness Management System; and the Payroll, Human Resources and Corporate Information System. The CPS owns the data contained within the databases.

The Treasury Solicitors Department (TSol) has five databases, each of which is wholly owned and operated by external organisations or individuals. These are: the LION intranet database which is operated by SCISYS Ltd. and contains data owned by TSol which are updated interdepartmentally and managed by the Government Legal Service; the Penserver database, a pensions database containing data owned by TSol which is operated by Paymaster and operated on behalf of TSol and the Cabinet Office; the ePayfact database, a payroll database containing data owned by TSol and operated by LogicaCMG; the BV (Bona Vacantia) auction website database called URLS.co.uk which is operated by XM London, and contains data whichare owned and managed by BV and updated interdepartmentally.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) operates three database systems. The Payroll system is provided externally by LogicaCMG on secure UK sites and contains data owned by the SFO. The SFO's evidence management system, Docman, is an internally operated system containing data owned by the SFO. It is maintained by SunGard Vivista; the SFO's IT services supplier.

HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) interrogates and utilises databases operated by the Crown Prosecution Service and the Treasury Solicitor's Department, which are both supported by LogicaCMG.

To ask the Solicitor-General which databases operated by his Department are located (a) wholly and (b) partly outside the UK; and where each of those databases and parts of databases is located. (97778)

All of the databases that the Law Officer's Departments use are located in the UK.

To ask the Solicitor-General in how many cases prosecutions have not been proceeded with due to the claiming of diplomatic immunity by the potential defendant in the last five years, broken down by (a) country and (b) offences; and if he will make a statement. (97573)

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) holds no central record of the number of prosecutions which did not proceed owing to a claim of diplomatic immunity. The information is held on individual case files, and could be recovered only by examining every relevant file in each CPS office. This information can, therefore, be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Solicitor-General if he will list the occasions over the last 10 years when the Government have decided not to claim after winning a court case against litigants seeking or obtaining judicial review of Government policy decision; whether the Government conceded the principle of not reclaiming such costs in advance of each court case being heard; and what criteria are used in deciding whether to pursue such costs. (99211)

This information is not held centrally. The information is held on individual case files, and could be recovered only by examining every relevant file. This information can, therefore, only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Solicitor-General what steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in the Law Officers' Departments. (98746)

All central Government ministerial and official air travel is being offset from 1 April 2006. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to a central fund. The fund purchases certified emissions reductions credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.

To ask the Solicitor-General on how many occasions he has visited (a) Wales and (b) Northern Ireland in the last 12 months. (95019)

Since October 2005 I have made one visit to Northern Ireland and no visits to Wales.

To ask the Solicitor-General in what proportion of successfully prosecuted cases in Lancashire compensation for victims was (a) requested and (b) secured in the last period for which figures are available. (97444)

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) holds no central record of requests or awards for compensation. The information is held on individual case files, and could be obtained only by examining every relevant file in each CPS office. This information can, therefore, be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support his Department offers to farmers who breed Aberdeen Angus cattle. (98711)

There is no scheme of assistance designed specifically for farmers of Aberdeen Angus cattle. However, such farmers may be eligible for financial assistance under one of the DEFRA-run rural funding schemes. Further information is available on the DEFRA website at:

www.defra.gov.uk/funding/who/farm.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how he measures the burden of administration in his Department; (99504)

DEFRA participated in the cross-Government administrative burden measurement exercise carried out by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) on behalf of the Cabinet Office. The exercise used an internationally agreed model, recommended to the Government by business, to establish a baseline.

As the first UK Government to take this radical approach to managing the regulatory burden, there is no comparative data before 2005 when the PwC exercise was carried out. However, we will shortly be publishing a revised DEFRA Simplification Plan. Copies will be placed in the Library. The revised Plan will update action taken since the November 2005 Initial Simplification Plan “Lifting the Burden”. It will also take account of the outcome of the PwC measurement exercise and identify progress towards meeting DEFRA's commitment to reduce the overall administrative burden imposed on stakeholders by 25 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if his Department will (a) carry out an age audit of its staff to establish an age profile of its work force, (b) negotiate an age management policy with trade unions and employees to eliminate age discrimination and retain older workers, (c) identify and support training needs and offer older staff flexible working to downshift towards retirement and (d) extend to over-50s the right to request to work flexibly and the right to training with paid time off; and if he will make a statement. (96493)

The information is as follows.

(i) Defra maintains an age profile of its work force.

(ii) The Department has reviewed its policies and will continue to review new policies to ensure they meet the requirements of the age legislation. The trade unions have been involved in this process and will continue to be involved.

(iii) and (iv) All employees regardless of age have responsibility for regularly reviewing their training needs with their managers. Attendance at training courses for work purposes is always paid.

All employees can request flexible working either for downshifting to retirement or for any other reason. Line managers have responsibility to ensure all such requests are fully considered and where flexible working is not agreed, to support their decision with robust and objective justification. This is in line with the “Delivering a Diverse Civil Service” initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on European support payments to farmers in each of the last five years. (98702)

[holding answer 2 November 2006]: The following table shows payments made through CAP schemes and Rural Development Programmes to farmers in the United Kingdom for the period 2001 to 2005 as recorded in the production and income account of the economic account for agriculture. They exclude payments made through the Over Thirty Month Scheme, compensation for losses due to animal disease and capital transfers. The proportion of EU funding for each scheme is shown in the right hand column.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of breeding sows farmed within farrowing crates in the UK; and if he will make a statement. (98211)

Approximately 65 per cent. of breeding pigs (290,000 sows and gilts) are kept in farrowing crates for part of the production cycle. There are strict time limits for the length of time that sows can be kept in farrowing crates. The farrowing crates protect piglets from crushing by the sow—one of the largest causes of pig mortality. We feel it is important to protect the welfare of the piglet as well as the sow.

We would, however, prefer to avoid close confinement of sows. DEFRA has funded research to investigate and develop viable farrowing systems that do not confine the sow, but provide adequate protection to piglets. Some such alternative systems seem promising in an experimental environment, but in others, piglet mortality has been unacceptably high. It remains the case that results need to be replicated consistently under commercial conditions. As yet, the risk of piglet mortality in alternative farrowing systems remains unacceptably high.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the merits of implementing a ban on the use of farrowing crates for pigs; and what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the merits of such a ban. (99035)

We would prefer to avoid the close confinement of all sows, but there are currently no free-farrowing systems suitable for widespread commercial adoption. Farrowing crates protect piglets from being crushed by the sow, one of the largest causes of pig mortality. The time limit on how long sows may be kept in farrowing crates is from seven days before the predicted day of farrowing until the piglets are weaned. After this period, sows must be moved back to loose housing accommodation in which they are free to turn round easily.

DEFRA has funded research to develop and test commercially viable farrowing systems which do not closely confine the sow but provide adequate protection to piglets. Some alternative systems seem promising in an experimental environment but it remains the case that results need to be replicated consistently under commercial conditions. As yet, the risk of piglet mortality in alternative farrowing systems remains unacceptably high.

Our research, and that of other European Union (EU) member states, will contribute to the European Food Safety Authority's examination of a number of issues, including farrowing systems. This work will lead to the next review of the EU Directive on pig welfare, scheduled for 2008. We look forward to working with other member states and the European Commission on this review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the number of basking sharks living in British territorial waters. (98576)

The population abundance and density of basking sharks in any sea area of the world is not known. Monitoring of the UK population of basking sharks has largely been based on sightings of sharks feeding on plankton near the sea surface during spring and summer. Three public sighting recording schemes are presently under way in the UK (The Marine Conservation Society Basking Shark Watch; Seaquest South-West and Solway Shark Watch). The MCS scheme has been running for 20 years and it has observed over 24,000 animals.

Current research (by the Marine Biological Association/Cefas) on basking sharks is using modern satellite telemetry to provide valuable information on movements and behaviour of basking sharks in the north-east Atlantic. Information uncovered to date on the geographical movement of individual sharks suggests that despite making long-distance movements they remain in the vicinity of the continental shelf around the UK, Ireland and northern France. These findings have been consolidated with sightings data from UK charities (MCS, IFAW, Shark Trust, Wildlife Trusts, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust) as part of a three-year Esmee Fairbairn Foundation-funded grant to MBA. The project is bringing together in a single database all recent data on basking shark distribution and this means that it is now possible to undertake comprehensive analyses of trends.

Nevertheless, there is no current reliable population estimate for basking sharks in UK (or European) waters. This is due to the difficulties in relating surface sightings to actual population size. While the broad distribution patterns of basking sharks in UK waters are being uncovered by sightings data, new research using telemetry data suggests there are considerable differences in the density distributions of the animal, with animals 60 times more likely to be at the surface (and thus sighted) in mixed water fronts than stratified water fronts. Genetic research is also under way to determine whether populations of basking sharks are discrete or if there is population mixing between the north-east Atlantic region and elsewhere.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to designate further areas for the protection of basking sharks; and if he will make a statement. (98577)

Basking sharks are protected in British territorial waters under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This gives the shark protection out to 12 nautical miles.

It is difficult to designate specific areas for basking sharks given their mobility in UK waters. This would be more appropriate if we are able to identify areas which are key to these animals’ life cycle, such as, important feeding grounds or breeding grounds, or known mating areas that the animals consistently return to. At present, we do not know enough about these animals. A provision is currently being considered as part of the marine Bill to designate marine protected areas. This means that, as our scientific knowledge improves we will be able to adapt our approach to the conservation of this species, which may include the designation of marine protected areas if deemed appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on the subject of basking shark protection. (98578)

The Department is in regular contact with the Scottish Executive on a wide range of nature conservation issues, including discussions on basking sharks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what funding is available to farmers wishing to diversify into the production of biofuels and biomass crops; (98645)

As part of our overall strategy for improving sustainability and reducing the impact of climate change, the Government support the use of biomass sources for the generation of heat and electricity. We are aware of the potential of biomass energy for agriculture and we are working closely with farmers and industry to develop markets and promote uptake.

DEFRA’s Energy Crops Scheme, part of the 2000-06 England Rural Development Programme, provides grants to farmers to establish short rotation coppice (SRC) and miscanthus. The scheme is now closed for applications. The Government have agreed in principle to support the establishment of energy crops under the new Rural Development Programme, which will run from 2007 to 2013, and are currently considering how best to take this forward.

The European Union’s annual €45 per hectare energy aid payment is available to farmers for purpose-grown energy crops grown on non set-aside land.

Farmers can also receive the single payment for purpose-grown energy crops on set-aside or where the European Union’s €45 per hectare energy aid payment is claimed for crops on non set-aside land.

Support for energy crops is provided by R and D funding from DEFRA. This underpins an expansion in the commercial breeding programme. The aim is to double the output of new varieties by developing crops with maximised yield and resistance to fungal diseases and pests. Studies are also looking at the development of non-pesticide control strategies and potential new energy crops such as switch grass and reed canary grass.

The Community Renewables Initiative aims to stimulate community-based partnerships in England to develop renewable energy, including biomass in their localities.

In 2004, the Government commissioned a Biomass Task Force, led by Sir Ben Gill, to identify the barriers to developing bio-energy and to recommend ways to overcome the problems. They published their report in October 2005. In April 2006, the Government published their response¹ to the Task Force’s report. This response accepts that energy from crops, trees and waste can make a strong contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sets out 12 key initiatives and over 60 associated actions to make this happen. A number of the initiatives have already begun, and we published initial information on these in April 2006.

¹ www.defra.gov.uk/farm/acu/energy/biomass-taskforce

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that farmers who wish to diversify into the production of biomass and biofuels are not hindered by a restrictive regulatory burden. (98648)

Under CAP Single Payment Scheme arrangements crops can be grown for energy use on set-aside land. An additional €45 per hectare payment can also be claimed if crops are grown for energy use on non set-aside land. There are specific requirements placed upon growers and processors of crops in these circumstances. The current regime is, however, subject to review and the UK, along with other member states, is working closely with the Commission to seek simplification of the relevant regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what change there has been in levels of production of biomass crops in England since 2000. (98662)

The following table details the hectares of miscanthus and short rotation coppice established in England under the Energy Crops Scheme. The figures are cumulative. It also details the growth rate in establishment of these crops since the introduction of the scheme in 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the energy crops scheme; and if he will make a statement. (99224)

The objective of the energy crops scheme is to encourage the establishment of energy crops grown in England. Energy crops are carbon-neutral and, therefore, as a substitute for fossil fuels, can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The following table details the hectares of energy crops established in England under the energy crops scheme since its introduction in 2000.

Applications for planting in 2007 indicate a continuing increase in uptake. These figures show the energy crops scheme to be a viable and attractive option for farmers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will list the areas in (a) Gibraltar and (b) Cyprus sovereign base areas which meet the requirements for designation as (i) special protection areas and (ii) special areas of conservation under the EC Birds and Habitats Directives. (95233)

The areas which currently meet the requirements for designation as special protection areas (SPA) and special areas of conservation (SAC) in Gibraltar are the Rock of Gibraltar Site of Community Importance (SCI)¹ and the Southern Waters of Gibraltar SCI.

There are also two potential SPAs² in Gibraltar which are currently the subject of a consultation process.

British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) on Cyprus are not subject to “Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora” (the Habitats Directive) and Council Directive “79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds” (the Birds Directive). However, the Administration take environmental management issues seriously and have, for example, taken steps to designate the Akrotiri Salt Lake, the largest aquatic system in Cyprus, as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Currently available information suggests that the following areas would qualify as SPAs and SACs:

i. Akrotiri Peninsula (SPA and SAC)

ii. Areas within the boundaries of Episkopi village including the Garrison Episkopi Forest and the coastline (SPA and SAC)

iii. Cape Pyla (SAC with some features that probably qualify as SPA)

iv. Akhna Dam (a very small part within the SBA as SPA).

¹ Sites of Community Importance are candidate SACs which have been adopted by the European Commission.

² Potential SPAs are sites which have received ministerial approval for consultation, the results of which will form the basis for final classification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to respond to the consultation on bovine TB. (98685)

We issued a News Release on 12 July drawing attention to the publication of the summary of responses and the report of Citizens' Panels held to consider badger culling as part of the consultation. The consultation was invaluable in helping us to hear from all sides of the badger culling debate and our aim is to take decisions that are sustainable and practical in the long term. There are no plans to issue an additional response to the consultation.

Both reports are available on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/badgers-tbcontrols/responses-summary.pdf and http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/badgers-tbcontrols/citizens-panels.pdf.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will undertake a review to evaluate the effectiveness of the pre-movement testing for bovine tuberculosis. (98729)

[holding answer 1 November 2006]: Monitoring the effectiveness of pre-movement testing is ongoing. Key statistics are updated monthly and published on the DEFRA website at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/premovement/monitoring-data.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are in place to protect (a) people and (b) the environment from agricultural chemical spray drift. (97848)

The approvals process for pesticides assesses the risk posed to people and the environment from pesticide spray drift. If the risk assessment is not satisfactory then that pesticide use would not be approved.

This rigorous risk assessment process is backed up by a code of practice for using plant protection products (pesticides) which includes a range of practical measures to avoid spray drift. These include using the right spraying techniques and equipment and taking account of weather conditions.

The code emphasises the need to protect members of the public, wildlife and the wider environment. It is the pesticide users’ responsibility to ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken to prevent spray drift. It is a legal requirement that pesticides must only be applied to the land, crop, structure or other area being treated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what outstanding uses there are for chlorofluorocarbon gas in the UK under the terms of the Montreal protocol. (98678)

Under the Montreal Protocol, and EC Regulation 2037/2000 on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the production and consumption of ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) is banned, except for essential uses in pharmaceutical metered dose inhalers agreed by Parties to the Protocol. Under the EC Regulation, there are exceptions for some military uses and some laboratory uses. As alternatives continue to become available, and military conversion programmes are completed, the need for CFCs in these applications will reduce.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to his oral statement of 12 October 2006, Official Report, column 485, on climate change, what assessment he has made of the extent to which the film “An Inconvenient Truth” has raised awareness of climate change. (97507)

Al Gore’s film “An Inconvenient Truth” was released in the UK on 15 September 2006. According to the distributors, United International Pictures, the film has been seen by 125,000 people. By the time the film is released worldwide, the global audience will be around 5 million.

The film will be released as a DVD on 21 November 2006, with a potential worldwide audience of 10-20 million.

On July 27, the Secretary of State hosted an advanced viewing event of “An Inconvenient Truth” at Bafta in London. The 190 attendees included journalists, students, representatives from various local authorities, large membership organisations, representatives from the voluntary and community sectors, environmental groups and key individuals from executive agencies and funded bodies. Feedback suggested the film is likely to be highly effective in inspiring those who watch it to do more to tackle climate change.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards meeting the Government's climate change targets. (98626)