To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of the schools in Afghanistan that were re-opened following the deployment of UK armed forces in the country have since been temporarily or permanently closed. (100571)

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he has made an estimate of the number of schools that have closed in Afghanistan due to violence since January. (101962)

Since UK forces deployed to Afghanistan as part of the NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), school attendance in Afghanistan (including for girls) has risen significantly. According to UNICEF, the number of children in school increased from 1.2 million in March 2002, to 5.1 million in December 2005.

The recent school closures due to security related incidents are worrying. The latest information we have from the Afghanistan Ministry of Education records:

between April to July 2006 a total of 208 schools in Zabul, Helmand, Kandahar, Ghazni, Khost and Paktika provinces had to close due to direct threats to the safety of children, teachers and school property, denying access to education for nearly 125,000 children;

a total of 144 schools have been destroyed in arson attacks between July 2005 and July 2006 disrupting the education of nearly 100,000 children.

We have had no further data from the Ministry of Education updating these figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many refugee camps there are in Helmand Province; how many people are in each; and how long each camp has existed. (100927)

In Helmand there are reported to be two refugee camps near Lashkar Gah. The exact population of these is currently not known, but UN estimates suggest that about 2,800 families in Helmand have been displaced. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) community is thought to comprise of: semi nomads (Kuchis); those displaced by drought; and those displaced as a result of violence. A number of the IDPs are not living in camps but with host families; and families from rural areas are moving to the main town of Lashkar Gar to buy supplies and sell crops as they would any year. This confuses the picture.

UK officials have been monitoring the IDP situation in Helmand. In August the Governor asked the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) to assist in the provision of food and non-food items to 3,000 IDP families. The PRT provided $60,000 to help with this. The assistance was distributed by the Government and we have had no request for further assistance. The UN has reassured us that in Helmand the basic needs of the 2,800 families are being met. Assistance from the World Food Programme, United Nations High Commission of Refugees and the Afghan Red Crescent has been made available to Helmand.

Mukhtar Camp was established in 1995-06. The second camp, outside Lashkar Gar, was established this year and is hosting newly arrived IDPs.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what resources his Department has committed to post-conflict reconstruction in Afghanistan. (101866)

Over the last five years DFID has spent over £390 million on reconstruction and development in Afghanistan. At the London Conference in January 2006, the UK signed a 10-year development partnership agreement with the Government of Afghanistan. This agreement commits DFID to provide £330 million for reconstruction and development over the subsequent three years. This forms part of the UK’s overall pledge at the London Conference of £500 million over three years. DFID’s budget for Afghanistan is £102 million in 2006-07. This will rise to £113 million in 2007-08, and £115 million in 2008-09.

In addition, DFID contributes 18 per cent. of the European Commission’s pledge of €1 billion over 2002-07. And over 10 per cent. of the World Bank’s spending in Afghanistan of $250-300 million a year. We also contribute financially to UN programmes and to the Asian Development Bank.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of policies to promote sustainable development in Cuba. (101222)

DFID does not have a direct development programme in Cuba, so no specific assessment of sustainable development policies there has been made. DFID’s Caribbean office focuses on the English-speaking Caribbean, and therefore only maintains a watching brief on developments in Cuba. We are of course generally concerned about the welfare of the Cuban people and about how Cuba affects the wider Caribbean through its relationship with its neighbours.

DFID does provide support to NGOs working in Cuba through our central funding. Currently, through our Partnership Programme Agreements, DFID provides funding of two NGOs working in Cuba—Save the Children and the Ethical Trading Initiative.

As part of the European Union, we are committed to the policy of constructive engagement with Cuba. In the period 2000-05, the European Commission’s support to Cuba has included humanitarian aid and disaster prevention; food security; NGO co-financing in various sectors—including agriculture, health and education; economic cooperation; financial and technical cooperation; and support to the promotion of democracy and human rights. Since August 2003, the EC’s support to Cuba has been constrained by Cuba’s refusal to accept EC bilateral aid cooperation. Since then EC support has been provided only through non-governmental entities. For example, in 2005, the EC committed approximately €300,000 to Cuba, all of which was for NGO co-financing.

We will continue to monitor political and other developments in Cuba and respond as needed in the context of our engagement in EU institutions and our Caribbean regional programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what projects his Department is funding to combat human trafficking. (100945)

The aim of all DFID's work is to eliminate the poverty and social injustice that make people vulnerable to trafficking. The main channel for funding projects which specifically combat human trafficking is the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Since 1999, DFID has committed almost £9 million to support their programme in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region. A further £3 million has been allocated to their programme in China. DFID provides core funding to ILO's Special Action Programme to combat forced labour (including trafficking); £1.9 million is allocated for 2006-09.

DFID also funds the work of non-governmental organisations. Over £1.6 million has been provided to Save the Children's programme in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was paid in bonuses to civil servants in her Department each year since 2001-02; and how many civil servants received bonuses in each year. (101038)

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 6 November 2006, Official Report, columns 868-69W to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable).

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people (a) were made redundant and (b) retired in each of the last five years at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh; and what the cost of redundancy was in each year. (101258)

The information requested on the number of redundancies and retirements is given in the table. It is not our policy to release information of a personal nature that could be used to identify individuals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the turnover was of foreign business for the last five years at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh; and what the projection is for the 2007-08 financial year. (101259)

The volume of work undertaken by the College for overseas customers for the last five years and forecast for the current year, expressed in terms of income earned is given in the following table. Business planning for the next financial year is currently under way and projections of income from overseas customers have not yet been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many firefighters have been trained at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh in each of the last five years, broken down by rank; and what the predicted figures are for the 2007-08 financial year. (101260)

The numbers of firefighters—both UK Fire and Rescue Service and others—trained at the Fire Service College in each of the last five years are in the table. The breakdown by rank is unavailable because records are not kept in that form. Business planning for 2007-08 is currently under way so student numbers cannot yet be forecast.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what options have been investigated for use of land at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh; and which government organisations and private companies have been consulted. (101261)

Proposals that an area of the Fire Service College (FSC) site be allocated for residential development was included in Cotswold district council's (CDC) First Deposit Local Plan Review 2001-11 but subsequently withdrawn in the Revised Deposit Plan. An appeal was rejected by the Inspector following a public inquiry and no planning allocation for residential development exists. The FSC submitted representations in respect of the Proposed Further Modifications to the Revised Deposit (2001-11) Local Plan in respect of Housing Numbers, but this was rejected by CDC. General consultation on college ideas for development of the site (including options for land disposals) have been held with both CDC Planning Department and the Government office for the south-west (GOSW). No formal planning applications have been submitted.

Two fire-related organisations, the Fire Protection Association and the Institution of Fire Engineers have moved to the college site in the past two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the Government's policy is on (a) regional fire centre training and (b) central training at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh; and what assessment she has made of future trends in this field of training. (101262)

The Government's aim for Fire and Rescue Service training is to ensure that best use is made of resources at the appropriate level. The Fire and Rescue Service National Framework 2006-08 states that regional management boards should draw up a regional HR strategy which encompasses training and development and identifying and implementing the most efficient and effective means for delivering this. The preparation and updating of these regional HR strategies will provide information on current and future training needs.

That training at national, regional and local level should be complementary is based on the principles set out in the National Fire and Rescue Service Learning and Development Strategy for England (LDS), published in November 2005. There are a number of examples where Fire and Rescue Services work in partnership to provide training and there may be further scope for some facilities to be shared on a regional or sub-regional basis.

The Fire Service College continues to provide a national and international facility for operational incident management training, centred on its unique facilities and recognises the need for learning and development to be delivered more flexibly to meet the changing needs of the Fire and Rescue Service. It is reviewing its programme of training courses and products to meet the changing needs of the Fire and Rescue Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she is taking to ensure that the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh trades profitably in the 2007-08 financial year. (101263)

As a trading fund the Fire Service College's financial target is to manage its funded operations so that the revenue of the fund consists principally of receipts in respect of goods and services provided in the course of funded operations; is not less than sufficient, taking one year with another, to meet outgoings which are properly chargeable to revenue account; and to achieve a return, averaged over the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2009, of a minimum of 4 per cent. as a percentage of average capital employed.

The college continues to work towards an operational and financial model which will enable it to meet this target on a sustained basis. On-going investment in the marketing and relationship management teams is expected to yield significant growth in the college’s trading income for 2007-08. At the same time, the college continues to operate and improve cost controls, with targeted expenditure reductions in terms of both staff and non-staff expenditure through 2006-07 and 2007-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many reported incidents of attacks on firefighters there were in each year since 1990. (101316)

Records have only been kept since 1 April 2004 for England and Wales only. The total number of reported incidents since then is 2,581:

In 2004-05, 633 incidents were reported;

In 2005-06, 1,528 incidents were reported;

In 2006-07, 420 incidents were reported.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what reasons underlay her decision not to proceed with the Fire Brigades Union proposals for resilience controls utilising the existing control structure for the Fire and Rescue Service. (101417)

A full analysis of the Fire Brigades Union proposals for resilience controls was undertaken. It concluded that the FBU proposals would not meet the required level of resilience; could potentially add confusion and delay in having more than one control dealing with large incidents; would be at least as expensive to implement as FiReControl; and would increase long term running costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the time limit is after which illegal building is out of time for enforcement; and if she will make a statement. (100867)

In relation to contraventions of the building regulations, under the Building Act 1984, local authorities have from the completion of works:

six months in which to take forward prosecutions under section 35;

and 12 months in which to issue a section 36 notice requiring the owner to pull down, remove or alter the work.

The ability of local authorities, the Attorney General or other persons to apply for an injunction under section 36 (6) for the removal or alteration of non compliant work is not subject to a statutory time limit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the relationship between the price of class ‘A’ drugs across the UK and changes in the border control regime since the implementation of the HM Revenue and Customs Law Enforcement Business Plan in 2003. (101819)

HMRC are an intelligence-led, risk-based organization and deploy their resources accordingly. The price of drugs is factored into the Home Office overarching strategy to which HMRC contributes. Price in itself is one factor in the way we design our border control regime.

Changes in the price of class ‘A’ drugs in the UK are due to a number of factors, for example availability, purity, level of use and social trends. To attempt to isolate an individual factor would not produce an accurate reflection of the reasons behind a change in drugs prices.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to promote credit unions in the East of England; and if he will make a statement. (101638)

The Government are supporting credit unions and other third sector, not-for-profit, lenders across England, Wales and Scotland through a £36 million Growth Fund. Ipswich and Suffolk credit union, Essex Savers credit union and Liberty credit union in Romford are among around 80 third sector lenders being supported to expand their lending service through this funding. In addition, on the advice of the Financial Inclusion Taskforce, the Government are launching a campaign to promote demand for financial products and services including sources of affordable credit, such as credit union loans. The Department for Work and Pensions is managing the campaign delivery unit, in partnership with secondees from stakeholder organisations. Nine stakeholder managers have so far been appointed, including one for the East of England region.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the merits of using fiscal incentives to promote healthy living. (101691)

Successive UK Governments have pursued a policy of establishing and maintaining high levels of tax on cigarettes, which has been proven to reduce smoking prevalence. Smoking is the single largest cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK. The Government also offer a wide-ranging VAT exemption for the provision of sport and physical education when supplied by non-profit making bodies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the next volume of the Long-Term Public Finance Report; and if he will make a statement. (101283)

The next ‘Long-term public finance report’ will be published alongside the pre-Budget report on 6 December 2006. The report will present an updated assessment of the sustainability of the public finances over the long term.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mortality rate was of (a) men and (b) women in Worsley in each year since 1991. (101182)

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 21 November 2006:

The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the mortality rate was of (a) men and (b) women in Worsley in each year since 1991. I am replying in her absence. (101182)

Mortality rates for parliamentary constituencies which do not share boundaries exactly with a local authority are only available from 2001 onwards. The table below provides the age-standardised mortality rate for (a) men and (b) women in Worsley parliamentary constituency for the years 2001 to 2004 (the latest available).

The ward population estimates on which these mortality rates are based are experimental statistics - that is, statistics which are in a testing or consultation phase and are not fully developed - and the figures should therefore be treated with caution.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that value added tax is not recovered from Building Schools for the Future funding where this money is being used to refurbish voluntary aided schools. (101708)

While the construction of certain new charitable buildings is VAT zero rated, VAT is always chargeable on the refurbishment of existing buildings—including schools. Where VAT costs for the refurbishment of voluntary aided schools are not reclaimable by the school under the normal VAT rules, I understand from DfES that they will be funded through the Building Schools for the Future allocations for the refurbishment project.

EU VAT agreements mean that it is not possible to introduce a new VAT zero rate for the refurbishment of voluntary aided school buildings.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will increase the threshold for stamp duty in English regions which have seen large increases in the price of housing over the last five years. (101894)

Stamp duty rates and thresholds, like all other taxes, are kept under constant review as part of the Budget process.

No previous administration has ever linked tax thresholds—including stamp duty thresholds—to price movements of any asset, such as housing, and the practice of this Government is no different. Tax rates and thresholds apply equally to the whole of the UK and have never been set on a regional basis.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent in Northern Ireland on advertising working tax credits in each of the last five years. (101816)

This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether he plans to carry out research into the effects of clustering of independent children's homes. (101804)

The Department is not currently planning any research into the effects of the clustering of independent children's homes.

High quality local authority commissioning is key to the effective management of the children's homes market. It is essential for local authorities to have effective commissioning strategies, which are based on a thorough analysis of the current and future anticipated needs of their local population of children, strong partnerships with providers, and a multi-agency approach to ensure that health and education services are closely linked to placements.

We want to support local authorities who are experiencing difficulties with commissioning to improve the value for money they secure; to ensure that a choice of suitable placements is offered for each child in care; and to reduce their dependence on out of authority placements.

“Care Matters”, the Green Paper we issued for public consultation on 9 October 2006, proposes the piloting of new regional commissioning units to undertake commissioning functions on behalf of groups of local authorities. These units would bring together procurement expertise and sector knowledge, and be able to work much more effectively with providers in planning local services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what methods will be used to ensure that only those parts of the common assessment framework which the parent or young person in question has consented to being shared will be distributed. (101837)

The practitioner undertaking a common assessment will record on the common assessment framework form the details of consent from the parent or young person. This will show what information can be shared with which agencies. The practitioner then has the responsibility to ensure that any information shared is limited to that agreed with the parent or young person. Each local area is required to ensure that there are robust systems and procedures so that information is stored and shared securely, in line with DfES guidance and the Data Protection Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills where the completed form will be held when a practitioner has carried out a common assessment framework assessment; and whether the form will be available to other practitioners. (101838)

A completed common assessment framework form will be held and shared, if appropriate, in line with locally determined procedures and according to whether consent has been given by the parent or young person as part of the assessment. Local areas must have systems for co-ordinating assessments that comply with the Data Protection Act. Many areas are operating manual systems, though some are developing electronic processes. All systems must have appropriate security measures to ensure that only practitioners who have been given consent to access common assessment information will be able to do so. The only exceptions will be circumstances, described in guidance, such as a threat of serious harm to the child.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average length of time to complete an inter-country adoption for a child coming to the UK was in (a) 2005 and (b) January to June 2006. (101777)

There is no centrally held information on the average length of time it takes to complete an inter-country adoption from the initial approach of the prospective adopters to their adoption agency until the legal recognition of the adoption in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of students dropped out of (a) apprenticeships, (b) advanced apprenticeships, (c) other NVQ learning, (d) entry to employment, (e) train-to-gain, (f) foundation degrees and (g) workstep programmes in each year since 1997. (101855)

Figures relating to drop-out or retention have only been published with respect to NVQ learning in the further education (FE) sector and are reproduced in the following table:

Drop-out rates for foundation degree students have not previously been calculated. However, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) will be publishing a document on foundation degrees later this year which will include drop-out rates as well as other statistics.

Figures for Train-to-Gain are not yet available given the recent nation roll-out of the programme in August 2006. Figures are not available for the Workstep programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions through Jobcentre Plus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what mechanisms are in place to prevent conflict of interest between sector skills councils and awarding bodies. (100529)

The Sector Skills Development Agency has set up a task group to provide a forum to address any issues of concern between the Federation of Awarding Bodies and the Sector Skills Councils. The group met on 31 October to discuss productive working relationships and to address issues of concern. The group have committed to identifying good practice models to ensure that skill needs can be met effectively through vocational learning and qualifications.

In addition, Sector Skills Councils lead the Diploma Development Partnerships which have been established to specify the content of the new Specialised Diplomas. Awarding bodies are working closely with the Partnerships to develop qualifications to meet the Diploma specifications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with his colleagues in the Department for Trade and Industry on the future of centres for vocational education. (100623)

Officials from the Department for Trade and Industry have been invited to sit on the Steering Group for the development of the New Standard for Employer Responsiveness. I envisage that in future, and over time, all Centres of Vocational Excellence will need to meet this new standard.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the expected cost is to his Department of funding centres for vocational education over the next three years. (100626)

This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council as they lead on the delivery of Centres for Vocational Excellence (CoVE). Mark Haysom, chief executive of the Learning and Skills Council, will write directly to the hon. Member with the information on the costs of funding CoVEs over the next three years.

12. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the change in the volume of rail freight has been since 1997. (100560)

The amount of freight moved by rail increased from 15.1 to 22.11 billion net tonne kilometres between 1996-97 and 2005-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of the reduction in train services calling at the commuter station of Severn Tunnel Junction; and if he will give guidance to First Great Western on maintaining services to rail users who depend on this station. (101628)

The level of service to operate from December 2006 from Severn Tunnel Junction towards Bristol in the morning was specified to meet actual and forecast demand. I expect First Great Western (FGW) to listen to the views of its passengers and stakeholders and to investigate whether changes can be made to services to meet their needs where this proves to be necessary. In this case I understand that, in response to local opinion, FGW is planning, subject to the rail industry timetabling process, to arrange for additional services to stop at Severn Tunnel Junction in the peak hours with effect from the May 2007 timetable change.

13. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the quality of bus services. (100561)

We are committed to improving bus services for passengers across the country.

We will shortly be setting out detailed proposals on the direction of future bus policy. Legislative measures will be included in the Draft Road Transport Bill.

16. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the service offered to bus passengers. (100564)

We are committed to improving bus services for passengers across the country.

We will shortly be setting out detailed proposals on the direction of future bus policy. Legislative measures will be included in the Draft Road Transport Bill.

14. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when a national system of free local bus travel for pensioners will be in place. (100562)

In April this year we introduced free off-peak local bus travel for older and disabled people. And, as announced in the Queen's Speech, we are now introducing a Bill that will extend this free off-peak travel to anywhere in England from April 2008.

15. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to persuade motorists to use public transport as an alternative to driving. (100563)

The Government are encouraging motorists to use public transport by investing in and supporting better services, providing better information on sustainable travel choices, and thus helping to make public transport a realistic and attractive alternative for many journeys. More passengers are choosing to travel by rail year-on-year, and we will shortly be setting out proposals for further improving bus services.

17. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with trade unions on seafarers' employment rights. (100565)

I have regular meetings and correspondence with the maritime trade unions. Such communications frequently involve discussions about seafarers' employment rights.

18. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had about the proposed increase of the Severn bridge toll in 2007.

The Highways Agency initiated discussions with Severn River Crossing plc about increasing the toll levels on 18 October 2006.

The formula for determining the annual increase is set out in the Severn Bridges Act 1992 and in the concession agreement between the Government and Severn River Crossings plc.

New toll levels are introduced on 1 January and are confirmed each year by a Statutory Instrument made in December which authorises Severn River Crossing plc to adjust tolls to the revised levels.

19. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of drivers driving without (a) tax, (b) insurance and (c) a driving licence. (100567)

The information requested is as follows:

(a) The estimate for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) evasion derives from the results of the Department's national roadside survey in 2005, which implies a 4.7 per cent. VED evasion rate in stock. This, in turn, would equate to a national figure of 1.5 million vehicles.

(b) Our latest estimate (2005) for uninsured driving is based on a comparison of the vehicle register, maintained by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Motor Insurance Database. It is that there are about 2.1 million vehicles (about 6.5 per cent. of the UK vehicle fleet) being driven by uninsured drivers.

(c) In March of this year the police conducted a national check on compliance with driver and vehicle requirements. This involved the random stopping of nearly 6,000 vehicles (cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles). The figure for non-compliance with driver licensing requirements was 1.6 per cent. At a national level this could equate to something in the region of one million people driving without a valid licence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of car ownership was per household in (a) Hartlepool constituency and (b) England in the last year for which figures are available. (100730)

According to data from the National Travel Survey, in 2005 25 per cent. of households in England did not have regular use of a car, 43 per cent. had access to one car and 33 per cent. had access to two or more cars.

Figures for Hartlepool are not available from the National Travel Survey. According to the 2001 Census, 39 per cent. of households in Hartlepool did not have regular use of a car, 42 per cent. had access to one car and 18 per cent. had access to two or more cars.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to monitor carbon dioxide emissions from vessels flying the British flag. (100778)

This Department, through its Maritime and Coastguard Agency, is taking an active part in the development of a means of monitoring carbon dioxide emissions from ships. This includes contributing to discussions at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), who have been tasked with developing a greenhouse gas emission limitation or reduction strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the possible impact of increased tolls on the Dartford Crossing on (a) the proposed toll regime for the Thames Gateway Bridge and (b) traffic projections and forecasts for the bridge. (100644)

The existing Dartford Crossing and the proposed Thames Gateway Bridge serve significantly different purposes. The Dartford Crossing mainly serves long-distance strategic traffic, whereas the Thames Gateway Bridge is intended mainly for journeys of a local nature. Modelling and analysis suggests that there would be very little interaction between the two.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) the Mayor of London and (b) Transport for London was consulted prior to his recent announcement regarding a proposed increase in the Dartford Tunnel tolls. (100645)

The Government announced on 19 November 2006 that they would be consulting on proposed changes to the charging regime at the Dartford-Thurrock river crossings. The announcement stated that the consultation would be launched in December. It will be through this process that we take the views of the Mayor of London and Transport for London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will re-open the public inquiry on the Thames Gateway Bridge following his announcement of possible changes to the tolling regime for the Dartford Crossing. (100646)

The Secretary of State would only consider re-opening a public inquiry where significant new evidence has come to light. In this case, modelling and analysis has suggested that there would be little interaction between the usage of the existing Dartford crossing and the Thames Gateway bridge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will launch a campaign over Christmas and the New Year period to discourage people from drinking and driving; and if he will make a statement. (100965)

Communications warning of the dangers of drink-driving form part of the Department's THINK! road safety campaign, which is investing some £3 million in anti drink-drive messages this financial year.

Our Christmas campaign launches in December. It has been carefully planned to ensure the advertising is placed on media channels throughout December that are popular with the prime target audience (young men aged 17-29) and which also target all adults. We shall use a range of communication activities, including:

TV and cinema advertising;

cinema ambient advertising;

radio advertising;

in-pub ambient advertising (washroom advertising and Pub TV advertising with interactive Bluetooth messages);

PR/press sponsorship;

online advertising.

A range of organisations associated with the drinking environment are also supporting the campaign by providing sponsorship.

The Association of Chief Police Officers has also agreed to support the campaign with an extended Christmas drink and drug driving enforcement campaign throughout December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many approved driving instructors (a) have passed and (b) are yet to pass the hazard perception test. (100876)

As of 31 October 2006, 35,409 approved driving instructors (ADIs) on the register have passed the hazard perception test. This equates to 87 per cent. of ADIs on the register. 5,419 (13 per cent.) are yet to pass.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of approved driving instructors who will not have passed the hazard perception test by 31 December 2006. (100877)

As of 31 October, 5,419 approved driving instructors (ADIs) have not passed the hazard perception test. The current rate is for 2,000 to pass each month, on average.

This would leave 1,419, or 3 per cent., who would not have passed by the end of December. There may be a ‘last minute’ rush from ADIs to complete the test. Some ADIs may take this opportunity to cease instruction voluntarily.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government has to take action in respect of approved driving instructors who have failed to pass the hazard perception test by 31st December but who continue to teach. (100878)

Instructors who have not passed the test will be notified that they have 28 days to make representations to the registrar.

Should the registrar decide they should be removed from the register, they will have 28 days to appeal to the Transport Tribunal.

Instructors can continue to instruct up to the date of the publication of the tribunal decision. However, should any instructors whose appeal is rejected by the tribunal continue to instruct, the Driving Standards Agency will make investigations with a view to prosecution for illegal instruction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration his Department has given to extending the 31st December deadline for approved driving instructors to pass the hazard perception test. (100879)

After consultation from the driver training industry, the Government extended from one year to two the period for an Approved Driving Instructor to pass the hazard perception test.

The Driving Standards Agency has no plan to extend the deadline further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration was given to allowing existing approved driving instructors (a) exemption and (b) extension in relation to the hazard perception test. (100880)

When the hazard perception test (HPT) was introduced as a requirement for new Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) in November 2002, existing ADIs were not required to pass the assessment.

The Driving Standards Agency consulted in April 2003 on extending this requirement to existing instructors.

Consultees, including representatives from the ADI industry, were broadly in favour of the proposal. The HPT was introduced as a requirement for existing ADIs as a result in 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential for retailers and other companies to make greater use of inland waterway and coastal freight transport in their supply chain. (101454)

In addition to the work done by the Freight Study Group on inland waterways in England and Wales in 2002; the Department has recently funded a research project, to be undertaken by Sea and Water, to review the existing research on the potential for water freight movements in the UK and assess the need for further research. We anticipate the results in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from (a) hon. Members and (b) non-departmental public bodies on the scope and content of the progress report on the Future of Air Transport White Paper. (101771)

Hon. Members have continued to represent their constituents' views in relation to the Future of Air Transport White Paper. In addition, the Government continue to engage with a range of key stakeholders including non-departmental bodies on the implementation of the White Paper.

The Department for Transport expects to publish a progress report on the Air Transport White Paper by the end of 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the progress report on the Future of Air Transport will be published. (101774)

The Department for Transport expects to publish a Progress Report on the policies and proposals set out in the Air Transport White Paper by the end of 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the results of the review of the medical licensing scheme commissioned by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority in late 2004. (100637)

The results of the independent review commissioned in 2005 were announced in February 2006. The Department will undertake a full public consultation on the health and driver licensing system in Great Britain early in 2007. The full report from the independent review will be published at that time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with First Great Western on the time tabling of services on the Cheltenham-Swindon-Paddington line. (101456)

I have had no discussions with First Great Western on the timetabling of services on the Cheltenham-Swindon-Paddington line. Detailed timetabling of services is a matter is for the First Great Western.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to discuss the re-doubling of the line between Kemble and Swindon with (a) Network Rail, (b) First Great Western and (c) Gloucestershire county council. (101457)

I have no immediate plans to meet Network Rail, or other stakeholders, over plans to re-double the railway line between Swindon and Kemble. This is a matter for Network Rail to pursue. The company has recently confirmed a proposal to improve this line and is currently consulting with the railway industry on the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the website Arrive Alive. (100607)

The primary function of the Arrive Alive website www.arrivealive.info is to provide information and to promote the Arrive Alive presentations. Since the focus is on the presentations, we have not yet carried out a full evaluation of the website’s effectiveness.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact on teenagers of website, www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk. (100608)

The THINK! website is primarily a tool for THINK! stakeholders, for example, Road Safety Officers, the police, teachers and health authorities. Its main purpose is to inform stakeholders about national marketing activities and provide them with information and materials, enabling them to market THINK! regionally.

The site is not designed for teenagers. We target them through advertising and PR. Our latest teen pedestrian campaign launched in August last year featured a commercial called “Cameraphone,” the first to be shot through a mobile phone camera. The commercial was placed on teen websites and then aired on television and later in cinema. It was supported by 6-sheet posters in the vicinity of secondary schools.

Teens found the commercial engaging. 97 per cent. said it was easy to understand; 95 per cent. said it made them think again about being careful on the roads and 91 per cent. thought it relevant as a similar accident could happen to them. The number of teenagers killed or seriously injured on our roads continues to fall.

The THINK! campaign’s communication work with teenagers has just won a National Business award in recognition of our use of insight, innovation and effectiveness.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with (a) motoring organisations and (b) the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents on ways to increase the road safety awareness of newly qualified drivers below the age of 21 years. (100609)

Department for Transport officials have had bi-lateral and multi-lateral meetings with motoring organisations and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents as part of the second three year review of the Road Safety Strategy. The review will identify those aspects of road safety which represent the greatest challenges and opportunities for reducing casualties over the next few years. Young drivers are a key consideration of the review. These organisations are also members of the Road Safety Advisory Panel which meets in December. The review will be on the agenda and I plan to chair the meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many hits his Department’s website www.hedgehogs.gov.uk has received in each month since it was launched; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the website on improving road safety for children. (100612)

Hits to www.hedgehogs.gov.uk are set out in the following table. The hedgehogs website is designed to engage children and promote wider awareness of road safety. It is however but one channel within our wider suite of communication activities taken forward as part of the THINK! child road safety campaign. We use a broad mix of TV, cinema and online advertising, PR, partnership marketing and education materials to communicate child road safety messages.

We measure our activity through research tracking and ultimately through the number of children who are killed or seriously injured on our roads. Our recent child tracking research showed high awareness of the campaign with eight out of 10 children being aware of our advertising. Children were also very positive about the campaign and there is a clear correlation between traffic to the website and online marketing activity.

The increase in hits and visits to the website in March 2006 is a reflection of increased online advertising activity that month.

The Government have set a demanding target to reduce the number of children aged under 16 killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads by 50 per cent. by 2010, using the average for 1994-98 as the baseline. We are on course to exceed this target. The THINK! road safety campaign is an important component of our strategy to reduce deaths and injuries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to reduce speed limits on rural roads in villages. (100532)

The Department for Transport published new guidance on setting local speed limits on 8 August 2006. This asks local traffic authorities to review speed limits on their A and B roads, and implement any necessary changes by 2011.

The guidance encourages lower speed limits where the evidence or characteristics of the road warrant this. Equally local traffic authorities should consider increasing limits if it is warranted and can be done safely.

The Department acknowledges that rural settlements deserve the same protection from vehicle speeds in urban areas. It is therefore Government policy that, where appropriate, villages should be subject to 30 mph speed limits, and this was further emphasised in the Department’s new guidance on setting local speed limits.

Local traffic authorities remain best placed to decide whether 30 mph is an appropriate speed limit based upon local needs and requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to make real time travel information available to road users. (100553)

The Highways Agency already offers real time traffic information through message signs, telephone and the web. It is improving these services and developing new services such as dedicated traffic and travel radio. These services and future plans are provided in its publication “Changing the customer experience through information”, which is on the agency's website. Copies will also be placed in the Libraries of the House.

A wide range of real time travel information, including information relevant to drivers in Wales, Scotland and London, is available from the Transport Direct website at. www.transportdirect.info.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken (a) to ensure that vehicle excise duty renewal (VED) notices (V11s) are sent out correctly to the registered keeper of the vehicle and to no one else and (b) to follow up the VED renewal notices that do not elicit a response. (100874)

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) undertakes a monthly scan of the vehicle register to identify vehicles that are due to be licensed. Renewal notices are despatched to the registered keeper of the vehicle. As the form is printed six to eight weeks in advance, a renewal may be sent to a customer who has recently notified disposal of a vehicle. Following the initial print run, DVLA makes further checks of the vehicle register to identify records that may have changed in the interim period and issues renewal notices if required.

The onus is on the customer to ensure that their vehicle is correctly licensed at all times. If customers fail to re-license or declare a statutory off road notice, enforcement action may be taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many prosecutions have been taken out against individuals for non-renewal of a vehicle excise duty off-road notice when the defence has been non-receipt of the renewal notice; and how many of these prosecutions have been successful. (100875)

Since the introduction of continuous registration in 2004, 3.5 million late licence penalty letters have been issued. Over 10,000 letters have been issued to those who claim not to have received a reminder notice and each of these letters state that payment is still due. This equates to 0.3 per cent. of all cases.

Once a letter such as this has been sent the case will be selected for prosecution in the same way as any other.

I am not aware of any cases where this defence has resulted in a case being found against the agency.

24. To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what training has been provided to magistrates dealing with cases of wildlife crime. (100537)

The training of magistrates is organised and delivered locally. Information on the provision of wildlife crime training to magistrates is not currently held centrally. Legal advisers provide magistrates with advice on any relevant case law in relation to wildlife crime and appropriate sentencing.

25. To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representations she has received from family lawyers concerning the Carter review. (100538)

We have received 1,045 responses to the proposals regarding family work in the consultation paper “Legal Aid: a sustainable future”. I have attended some 25 public meetings on the proposals throughout the country to hear practitioners' views. The Government's response should be published within the next couple of weeks.

32. To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representations she has received from family lawyers on the Carter review. (100545)

We have received 1,045 responses to the proposals regarding family work in the consultation paper “Legal Aid: a sustainable future.” I have attended some 25 public meetings on the proposals throughout the country to hear practitioners’ views. The Government’s response should be published within the next couple of weeks.

26. To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps she has taken to ensure that people with mesothelioma are able to claim compensation through the courts. (100539)

The Government have legislated in the Compensation Act 2006 to help claimants suffering from mesothelioma to obtain the compensation to which they are entitled as quickly as possible. A person who has been negligently exposed to asbestos and has contracted mesothelioma, can now recover full compensation from any responsible person. In addition, a fast track process exists for mesothelioma claims in certain courts.

27. To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what performance standards have been set by the Electoral Commission for electoral administration under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. (100540)

The Act empowers the Electoral Commission to determine and publish performance standards. When it does so, it is required to send the Secretary of State a copy of the published standards. No such published standards have been received to date but we are aware that the Electoral Commission is working on this issue.

28. To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many eligible voters are estimated to be missing from the electoral register in Kingston upon Hull. (100541)

A comparison between the electoral register in Kingston upon Hull and the local authority's mid-year population estimate for 2005 indicates approximately 10,400 adults who are resident but not on the electoral roll. However, not all these residents will necessarily be eligible to vote as they may not meet the eligibility criteria. For instance, they may not hold a qualifying nationality.

29. To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress she has made in increasing diversity among magistrates. (100542)

The proportion of minority ethnic magistrates stood at just over 7 per cent. at the start of 2006. Magistrates under 40 stood at just over 4 per cent. in 2006. There remains a roughly even split on gender. We will continue our efforts to ensure magistrates reflect the diverse communities they serve.

34. To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make an assessment of the merits of raising the retirement age for magistrates. (100547)

The magistrates retirement age is set at 70 under the Courts Act 2003. It is our policy to increase judicial diversity and it is particularly important that magistrates, whose great strength is that they are local people delivering local justice, reflect the diverse communities they serve. Nationally, 80 per cent. of magistrates are over 50. We need to recruit substantially more magistrates under the age of 50, and allowing magistrates to sit beyond 70 would work against this important objective.

30. To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made with the establishment of the Office for Legal Complaints; and if she will make a statement. (100543)

The Government are looking to introduce the Legal Services Bill in this parliamentary session. Following its successful passage through Parliament, we expect it to take between two and three years to establish both the Legal Services Board and an Office for Legal Complaints.

31. To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps she has taken to consult relatives on the draft Coroner Reform Bill. (100544)

As part of our public consultation on the draft Coroners' Bill, on 9 November I met in Parliament with a group of lay people with recent experience of the coroners' system. In considering specific aspects of the draft legislation, they were able to offer moving and valuable insights, which will improve the draft Bill, and which will ensure that the reform programme focuses even more acutely on the needs of the bereaved. I will publish a report of the event, which Members received an invitation to observe, shortly.

33. To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made with the preparation and construction of the proposed courthouse for the Supreme Court. (100546)

As announced in the written ministerial statement of 17 October 2006, Official Report, columns 45-46WS, by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Bridget Prentice), the Supreme Court Implementation Programme is on target to deliver the Supreme Court at Middlesex Guildhall in time for the start of the legal year in October 2009.

On 7 September 2006 Westminster City Council (WCC) resolved to grant planning and listed building consent. We are currently working with English Heritage and WCC on final legal agreements. We have appointed Kier Group plc as our preferred bidder and we are in commercial discussions with it prior to agreeing the final contract. We expect to reach financial close with Kier Group early next year at which time I shall give another update to the House.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what account she has taken of the needs of (a) those whose first language is not English and (b) those with mental or physical disabilities when implementing a system of fixed solicitors’ fees as proposed in Lord Carter’s report, “Legal Aid—A market-based approach to reform”. (100478)

At the time of publication of Lord Carter’s report, the DCA and the Legal Services Commission simultaneously launched a full consultation on his proposals, which concluded on 12 October. This included the publication of a draft regulatory impact assessment, including a racial impact assessment, which can be found on the DCA website. An updated version of this document will shortly be published alongside the Government’s response to the consultation on Lord Carter’s proposals.

The Government are committed to ensuring access to justice irrespective of a client’s race or any disability. Lord Carter’s proposals place quality at the heart of reform and we believe that this is the right course. We will work to ensure that any reforms implemented will not affect the quality of service to clients, including those who do not use English as a first language and those with physical or mental disabilities.

We believe that modernisation of the Legal Aid System is essential and that Lord Carter has provided a blueprint for how this could be effectively conducted. However, the Government are now considering the views expressed throughout the consultation period and we are looking at all the options available before publishing our response. An announcement on the way forward will be made shortly.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representations she has received regarding the system of fixed solicitors’ fees proposed in Lord Carter’s report, “Legal Aid—A market-based approach to reform”; and if she will make a statement. (100479)

At the time of publication of Lord Carter’s report, the DCA and the LSC simultaneously launched a full consultation on his proposals, which concluded on 12 October. As well as this, I attended a number of meetings with practitioners and stakeholders over the summer recess to listen personally to the views of those directly affected by the proposed reforms. The LSC also conducted a number of roadshows throughout the consultation period to gather further views. This dialogue has included a number of representations regarding the introduction of fixed fees for solicitors as proposed by Lord Carter in his final report.

We believe that modernisation of the Legal Aid System is essential and that Lord Carter has provided a blueprint for how this could be effectively conducted. When conducting his review he examined the options that were available for reform and his final proposals reflect what he believed to be the best solution. The Government are now considering the views expressed throughout the consultation period and we are looking at all the options available before making our final policy decision. An announcement on the way forward will be made shortly.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of alternative proposals for solicitors’ fees following the proposal of a fixed solicitor’s fee in Lord Carter’s report, “Legal Aid—A market-based approach to reform”; and if she will make a statement. (100480)

At the time of publication of Lord Carter’s report, the DCA and the LSC simultaneously launched a full consultation on his proposals, which concluded on 12 October. In addition, I attended a number of meetings with practitioners and stakeholders over the summer recess to listen personally to the views of those directly affected by the proposed reforms. The LSC also conducted a number of roadshows throughout the consultation period to gather further views to those received in written consultation responses.

We believe that modernisation of the Legal Aid System is essential and that Lord Carter has provided a blueprint for how this could be effectively conducted. However, the Government are now considering the views expressed throughout the consultation period and we are looking at all the options available before making our final policy decision. An announcement on the way forward will be made shortly.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will break down by main budget heading the estimated annual savings of £35 million following the introduction of the means test in criminal legal aid magistrates' court work; and whether the new system is on target to meet the estimated level of savings. (100767)

The new means test is projected to deliver £55 million gross savings based on the estimated reduction in applicants who qualify for criminal legal aid representation. The net savings of £35 million reflect the impact of the Early Cover Scheme, additional claims from Central Funds and administration costs. While it is too early to draw firm conclusions, the Government’s initial assessment is that the system is on course to deliver the projected savings.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what changes are planned to family legal aid following the Carter review; and if she will make a statement. (100915)

The DCA/Legal Services Commission consultation paper, “Legal Aid: a sustainable future”, set out our proposals for the introduction of graduated fee schemes for solicitors undertaking family legal aid. Consultation closed on 12 October. The Government’s response should be published within the next couple of weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Companies Investigation Branch has been able to establish the number of affected customers of Farepak in (a) the Wirral, (b) Merseyside and (c) the North West. (100783)

The investigation power under which the investigation is being conducted, section 447 of the Companies Act 1985, does not permit the disclosure of information obtained except as provided in the Companies Act (mainly to prosecuting bodies and regulators). The information obtained can also be used to bring proceedings under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

The administrators may have information about the number of affected customers in the regions referred to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Companies Investigation Branch will complete its investigation into Farepak. (100784)

The investigation will be completed as soon as possible consistent with the need to make thorough inquiries into the matters being looked at.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers the Companies Investigation Branch has to recover moneys paid to Farepak by savers. (100785)

The Companies Investigation Branch has no such powers.

Directors do not enjoy complete immunity from personal liability. Where a company goes into liquidation, rather than administration, and there is evidence of wrongful or fraudulent trading, the liquidator can ask the court to declare that those responsible should make a personal contribution towards the assets of the company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investigations he has made into the failure of Farepak and the operation of the parent company. (101415)

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, has announced, the Companies Investigation Branch is conducting an investigation into Farepak under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985. The investigation is still in progress.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding she plans to allocate to the decibel Penguin prize in each of the next five years. (100967)

For 2006-07 the decibel Penguin prize and anthology has been allocated £8,000 in support from Arts Council England. The Arts Council has committed to working with Penguin on two further volumes but funding allocations for future years have not yet been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the Government's recent International Summit to discuss decent universal standards for the regulation of online gambling. (100894)

Significant progress was made towards putting in place a road map that will lead to better regulated remote gambling across the world. More than 30 jurisdictions attended and there was wide-spread agreement to co-operate further in a number of key areas to ensure that gambling remains fair, crime free and vulnerable people are protected.

We plan to issue a communiqué, in due course, and follow this up with further international action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which individuals have been seconded to the Gambling Commission to assist in preparing the new fee structure for the betting shop operations licence; and from which organisations those individuals came. (101463)

No individual has been seconded to the Gambling Commission to assist in preparing its new licence fee structure for the betting shop operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to publish her Department’s gender equality scheme. (101483)

My Department will publish its equality scheme, incorporating its gender equality scheme, on 4 December 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure that private organisations contracted to work (a) in her Department and (b) for non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies for which her Department is responsible are aware of their duties under gender equality legislation when exercising public functions on behalf of public bodies. (101504)

To assist us in meeting our general gender equality duty obligations where contractors provide goods, works or services on our behalf, we will refer to the Equal Opportunities Commission’s (EOC) Code of Practice of the Gender Equality Duty and any further EOC guidance when available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to carry out gender impact assessments of her Department’s major policy developments and new legislation. (101541)

From April 2007, my Department will carry out gender impact assessments of major policy developments and new legislation in line with the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (No. 2930). We shall refer to the Equal Opportunities Commission’s (EOC) Code of Practice on the Gender Equality Duty and its specific guidance when available.