To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received on the level of licence fees from the Gambling Commission for bookmakers; and if she will make a statement. (142184)

My Department has received 246 responses relating to this issue. This includes 134 formal responses to the consultation exercise in 2006 and 112 associated follow-up queries. We have also had a number of meetings with representatives of the betting industry, including with the Association of British Bookmakers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what methodology is used by her Department to account for its carbon emissions. (140781)

The Department has not formally adopted a methodology to account for its carbon emissions. We calculate our carbon emissions following DEFRA guidelines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by her Department on public relations in each of the last five years. (139416)

The Department’s public relations spend in the last five years occurred only in 2004-05 and 2005-06 and relates to the digital campaign, aimed at increasing public awareness of digital switchover, and the licensing campaign aimed at small businesses to increase awareness of the implications of the Licensing Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the merits of providing British Sign Language (BSL) videos on her departmental website for the benefit of those whose first language is BSL. (142490)

My Department has made no assessment of the merits of providing British Sign Language videos on its departmental website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many representations she had received as of 4 June 2007 on the Gambling (Lottery Machine Interval) Order; what assessment her Department has conducted of the likely effect of the implementation of such an order on small clubs; what discussions she has had with representatives of licensed establishments that cannot sell lottery tickets from vending machines concerning the order; and if she will make a statement. (141769)

The consultation on the Gambling (Lottery Machine Interval) Order 2007 closed on Friday 18 May. The Department received 18 formal responses. In addition, more than 200 clubs and a number of hon. Members wrote to the Department.

A partial regulatory impact assessment was issued alongside the consultation and is available on the Department’s website at

http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/Gambling_racing/QuickLinks/Consultations/?expand=2007_closed_consultations

A full regulatory impact assessment is currently being prepared and will be available shortly in the House Library.

Ministers and officials have met representatives of the clubs sector on a number of occasions to discuss the order.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the monthly sales of the Olympic lottery game have been since its launch; and what the monthly sales of all other lottery games have been over the same period. (142162)

The table (provided by the National Lottery Commission) shows the split between sales of National Lottery games designated to support the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games and all other National Lottery games. The figures are monthly and go back to July 2005 when the first game designated to support the Olympics went on sale.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) adults and (b) adults over 25 years received (i) Learning and Skills Council funding and (ii) funding through Train to Gain in (A) 2003-04, (B) 2004-05 and (C) 2005-06. (138367)

Figures for adults funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) can be derived from the Individualised Learner Record (ILR). The following table shows the number of adult learners (aged 19 and over) and adult learners aged 25 and over on LSC-funded further education, Work Based Learning and Adult and Community Learning provision in 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06.

The Train to Gain programme was piloted from April 2006 onwards. A full rollout of Train to Gain commenced from 1 August 2006. To January 2007 there have been 89,000 learners who have enrolled on Train to Gain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if his Department will commission an independent regulatory impact assessment on the 2006 Code of Practice on free entitlement to nursery education; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the implementation of the code on the number of children's nurseries. (141426)

The single substantive change to the delivery of the free early education entitlement, set out in the 2006 code of practice, was the extension of the minimum free entitlement from 33 to 38 weeks. Following full public consultation, we made clear our recognition that not all providers would be able to extend their provision to 38 weeks and that, at each local authority's discretion, they could be funded for the provision they actually delivered. Furthermore, all local authorities received additional funding to support the extension to the free entitlement. We therefore concluded that there should not be a substantive regulatory impact and that a regulatory impact assessment was not required. We have no plans therefore for an independent impact assessment.

We have no evidence of the code of practice having a significant impact on the number of early years settings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what consideration local authorities give to the level of private, voluntary and independent nursery sector provision when determining the levels of funding under the free entitlement requirements for providers in the area. (141425)

Funding for nursery education provision is provided to local authorities through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). Local authorities—in consultation with their School Forums—are responsible for deciding how best to apply their total school and early years funding across all age groups and between different types of provider, based on an assessment of local circumstances.

The code of practice on the provision of free nursery education places for three and four-year-olds requires local authorities to ensure settings are funded equitably, transparently and fairly, reflecting local need and circumstances. My letter in December 2006, to all local authority chief executives reiterated this point and asked them to reassure themselves that their funding levels support a diverse local child care market and take into account the impact on provider sustainability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) adult learners and (b) adult learners over 25 years receiving Learning and Skills Council funding excluding funding through Train to Gain were given workplace training in (i) 2003-04, (ii) 2004-05 and (iii) 2005-06, broken down by number of hours of workplace training given. (138364)

Figures for adults funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) can be derived from the Individualised Learner Record (ILR). The following table shows the number of adult learners (aged 19 and over) and adult learners aged 25 and over on LSC-funded work based learning provision in 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06.

It is not possible to break down these figures by number of hours of work place training given as this varies for each type of provision and subject sector. The Train to Gain programme was piloted from April 2006 with a full rollout commencing from 1 August 2006 and Train to Gain activity is recorded for the first time in the 2006/07 ILR.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library copies of his Department’s employee surveys for (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2004 and (d) 2005. (142025)

Staff surveys are valuable tools used by Departments to help them improve performance. The results of the recent Department of Trade and Industry survey are available on the civil service website at:

http://www.civilservice.gov/uk/management/statistics/news/staff_survey/index.asp

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will break down by employer the number of jobs safeguarded or created as mentioned on page two of the Northwest Development Agency’s Improving the Economic Performance of England’s Northwest document, dated February 2007. (140087)

The NWDA does not collect data in the form requested. The agency has safeguarded or created 161,208 jobs between 1999 and 2006 as reported in the Improving the Economic Performance of England’s Northwest report. The breakdown, by Regional Economic Strategy (RES) theme, is as follows:

Of the 161,208 jobs, 100,283 jobs were created or safeguarded between 1999 and 2002. Examples of some of the larger inward investments from this period include:

The following table provides a breakdown, by year, of the 28,965.5 jobs created or safeguarded through inward investment projects 2002-06.

Examples of some of the larger inward investments from this period include:

It is not possible to provide a full breakdown by employer as this information is confidential and commercially sensitive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims by former miners or their families have yet to be settled in respect of compensation for (a) chronic bronchitis, emphysema or other respiratory diseases, (b) vibration white finger, (c) carpal tunnel syndrome and (d) pneumoconiosis in (i) Stoke-on-Trent Central, (ii) Stoke-on-Trent North, (iii) Stoke-on-Trent South, (iv) Stone and (v) Stafford constituencies; and how many claimants in each category have received interim payments. (141242)

[holding answer 11 June 2007]: The following tables show the information requested. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) covers chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

The Department is unable to identify those COPD claims which include a pneumoconiosis element. However, under the Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis Scheme (CWPS) we have received 83,759 claims, 82,595 of which have been settled by payment, denial or withdrawal.

We have realised that there was an error in the answer given to the parliamentary question tabled on the 6 June 2007, recorded in Hansard on 23 May 2007, Official Report, column 1351W, regarding the figures for pneumoconiosis under CWPS. I have written to you about the error and will place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the implications of Leeds United Football Club's move into administration for the effectiveness of the regulation relating to companies entering administration where a party involved in the decision to initiate the process has a commercial interest in the assets of the company. (141250)

[holding answer 11 June 2007]: I should state at the outset that the Secretary of State has no powers to impede a company moving into administration as this process is commenced by way of a court order or as a result of a qualifying floating charge holder, company or its directors filing a Notice of Appointment at court.

Administrators, as licensed insolvency practitioners, are regulated professionals and are obliged by law to perform their functions in the interests of the company's creditors as a whole. Accordingly, where there is a sale of assets to a connected party of the company in administration, the administrators will need to have satisfied themselves that they are not only achieving the best possible price in the circumstances but that it is an arm's length transaction. Such a sale is sometimes the best option for delivering value for creditors. The Secretary of State has no power to stop a sale and even if he did, such a power could harm the interests of creditors of the company, many of whom have already lost considerable sums as a result of the failure. It is only a creditor or member of a company in administration that can apply to the court if they consider the administrator is acting, has acted, or proposes to act so as unfairly to harm the interests of the applicant (whether alone or in common with some or all members or creditors).

I believe it is important to emphasise that in the specific case mentioned, the administrators agreed to the sale of assets on the condition that it would be approved by the body of creditors as part of a proposal to put the company into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) and that this arrangement was approved on 1 June by more than 75 per cent. of creditors in value.

This Government want to promote an effective framework for corporate activity, to give confidence to investors, business and other stakeholders. Within that framework it is essential that we have an insolvency regime, which, while encouraging enterprise and reducing the stigma associated with failure, deals fairly and effectively with financial failure and at the same time deters fraud and misconduct. I can assure you that we are fully committed to tackling abuse and misconduct and that we have in place, and in use, mechanisms to deal with that abuse.

You may be interested to know under the Insolvency Act 1986 (before it was amended) the only option to floating charge holders would have been to have put the company into administrative receivership. Under this procedure the administrative receiver's main duty was to the appointing floating charge holder. Under the provisions of the Enterprise Act this was amended to give the option of administration so that now the interests of the creditors as a whole are taken into account. The Insolvency Service is undertaking an evaluation to assess to what extent the provisions introduced by the Enterprise Act meet the policy objectives. The final evaluation reports will be published later this year.

I am therefore content that the existing regulatory framework is sufficiently robust to prevent abuse.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to announce the decision on the replacement of Magilligan prison, County Londonderry. (141632)

I announced on 21 February that I had tasked the Prison Service to provide me with a comprehensive options appraisal by the end of this summer. This is intended to enable me to announce the decision on the location of the replacement to the existing Magilligan prison before the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to pilot in Northern Ireland the North Somerset pilot project of permitting parents to know if known paedophiles are residing nearby. (133030)

We will be carefully studying the recommendations in the Child Sex Offender Review and how they could be applied in Northern Ireland. Some are likely to be subject to pilot schemes in England and Wales and we will await the outcome of those trials before decisions are taken on the way forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made with purchasing a new aeroplane for use by the Prime Minister; what the cost of purchasing the aeroplane will be; and by what date he expects the purchase to be complete. (141271)

On 23 May 2007, the Secretary of State for Transport announced the launch of the formal procurement process and a Prior Information Notice to potential suppliers was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 25 May 2007.

Sir Peter Gershon's Independent Air Travel Review, copies of which are available in the Library, set out the estimated cost and timescale for delivery of this service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 17 April 2007, Official Report, column 149, on the Eddington Report, which carriages will be available on the rail network by the end of 2008; and on which routes they will be available. (141037)

I anticipate that orders for additional carriages will be placed between now and 2010, the first of the carriages becoming available on the network by the latter part of 2008, with a view to completing delivery between 2009 and 2013. The precise phasing of the orders will reflect where crowding relief is most urgently needed; Network Rail's timetable for any platform-lengthening or increase in power supply which is required to accommodate longer trains; and the capacity of the suppliers of rolling stock.

It is too early to say where precisely the additional rolling stock will be used. The deployment of the new rolling stock will be agreed with the industry following the publication of the High Level Output Specification and the long-term rail strategy this summer, in accordance with the periodic review timetable set out in the Office of Rail Regulation's advice to Ministers published in February 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the park and ride schemes which made a loss during the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what the amount of the loss was in each case; (142081)

Local authorities are responsible for funding most park and ride schemes and for monitoring their financial results. The Department for Transport does not request or require returns from local authorities about the financial performance of these schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many grants his Department gave for park and ride schemes in each year between 2000 and 2006. (142084)

Most park and ride schemes are implemented by local authorities at their discretion from the general transport funding provided by Government. In addition, the Department provides project-specific funding for the construction of larger transport schemes. Between 2000 and 2006, nine of these schemes have included elements of park and ride.

Funding for each scheme may span a number of years. The following table shows a breakdown of the nine schemes according to the year their funding began.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria were used by his Department in approving a park and ride scheme for Bridlington. (142082)

The Bridlington Integrated Transport Scheme, which includes a park and ride element, was given an initial approval (Programme Entry) by this Department in July 2006.

The decision to fund the scheme was based on the Department's assessment of East Riding of Yorkshire Council's business case. This assessment looks, in particular, at the strategic case, value for money, deliverability, and financial and commercial aspects. The value for money assessment takes into account economy, safety, integration, environment and accessibility.

All new major local authority schemes for which project-specific funding is sought are assessed according to these criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ban the parking of cars in bicycle lanes. (141414)

Cycle lanes are marked on the carriageway. There are two types:

the mandatory cycle lane (with a solid white line) supported by a traffic regulation order, which prohibit the use of the lane by motor vehicles during its hours of operation and can prohibit parking; and

the advisory cycle lane (with a broken white line), which while not prohibiting entry by motor vehicles can be useful in giving space to cyclists at places where the carriageway may be too narrow to safely accommodate a mandatory lane.

As with any section of carriageway, parking in cycle lanes may be prohibited by yellow line restrictions subject to a traffic regulation order made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many incidents of violent behaviour were reported to the British Transport Police in each police authority area in each of the last five years; (141035)

This information is not held by the Department for Transport but by the British Transport police who can be contacted at: British Transport Police, 25 Camden Road, London NW1 9LN, E-mail:

general.enquiries@btp.pnn.police.uk

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding the local transport authority in East Sussex received (a) in total, (b) per mile of road and (c) per head of population in each year since 1997. (138057)

The following table shows the total funding allocated to East Sussex council in the local transport capital settlements in each year between 1997-98 and 2006-07 (inclusive) in terms of (a) totals (b) per mile of road and (c) per head of population.

The Government also support local transport authorities through the general revenue support and councils do spend some of this support on highways and transport services according to their own priorities. In addition, the Government are providing record levels of funding for railways infrastructure through the passenger franchises and by direct grant to Network Rail. This funding is not classified by local authority area, but all local authorities have benefited from work by Network Rail to address the rail infrastructure renewals backlog. Additional support for public transport over this period has seen East Sussex being awarded a total of £3,671,920 for eight bus project schemes which include both rural and urban bus challenge schemes and for 2007-08 they received £953,263 in rural bus subsidy grant. In addition East Sussex receives Bus Service Operator Grant (BSOG) and funding for concessionary fares (through the revenue support grant).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Marine Coastguard Agency involvement was with the tanker West Sailor in the Pentland Firth on 2 June; and if he will make a statement. (141511)

On 2 June, at 0846, the Aberdeen Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) received a call from the chemical tanker West Sailor, on passage through the Pentland Firth, stating she had engine room difficulties and needed to anchor to carry out repairs to the engine water cooling system.

Aberdeen MRCC coordinated the attendance of the RNLI Longhope lifeboat. In addition the MCA Emergency Towing Vessel was brought to immediate readiness and sent to the scene.

By 1133, the ship had successfully repaired the engines and was under way and resuming passage. The RNLI lifeboat escorted the ship through the Pentland Firth.

The Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP) was kept fully apprised of the situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce road user charging schemes in (a) Gravesham, (b) the Thames Gateway and (c) Kent. (141618)

None. Decisions on whether to introduce road user charging schemes in those areas would be for the relevant local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are to integrate on-board cameras on fire engines into the Automated Number Plate Recognition database. (141825)

There are no plans to integrate on-board cameras on fire engines with the DVLA’s Automatic Number Plate Recognition [ANPR] database of unlicensed vehicles. DVLA’s ANPR system is subject to stringent type approval testing by the Home Office to enable detected offenders to be taken to court for prosecution direct from the digital image captured by the cameras. Other cameras are not type approved and therefore offenders detected by other cameras would not be subject to prosecution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will re-examine the position of commoners associations as the vehicle for making single farm payments to those who graze on commons; and which cases of such payments have been suspended. (133133)

A number of claims have been submitted under the single payment scheme by commoners associations and those that the Rural Payments Agency have confirmed meet the scheme eligibility criteria have been allocated entitlements and received associated payments. The eligibility status of remaining claims is being considered on a case-by-case basis with the commoners associations concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which farm payment deadlines missed by the UK in 2003-04 led to the European Commission’s recovery of 53.7 million euros; and from which budget he expects funds recovered to be paid. (134683)

This sum represents the deductions made to UK re-imbursements in the 2004 EU financial year in respect of mainly bovine direct aid payments relating to earlier scheme years. While the relevant Commission decision has only recently been published, the deductions were applied at the time and there will be no further impact on the UK Exchequer in relation to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which EU member state was subject to the greatest financial correction as a result of non-respect of payment deadlines in 2003-04. (134684)

On the basis of decisions published to date, the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what percentage of claimants in (a) Torridge and West Devon and (b) the south-west for the single farm payment scheme in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006 have been paid their payments (A) in full and (B) in part. (140797)

As of 6 June 2007, a total of 104,618 farmers in England have received either a full or partial payment under the 2006 single payment scheme year. This total includes 98,750 full and 5,868 partial payments. This represents 96 per cent. of the estimated total claimant population of 109,000.

RPA’s target is to pay 96.14 per cent. of the total value of the fund by 30 June 2007.

Detailed analysis of all the payments made under the single payment scheme is not yet available. Once the remaining scheme payments have been completed, a decision will be taken on the level of detail that will be published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what rate of change in carbon dioxide emissions was recorded in (a) the EU and (b) the US in 2006. (140976)

In 2005, the latest year for which information is available, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from the EU-15 were 0.9 per cent higher than 1990 levels, although total emissions of all greenhouse gases decreased by 4.0 per cent. Emissions data to 2005 for the EU-27 are not yet available, although statistics for the EU-25 show that net CO₂ emissions decreased by 2.4 per cent. between 1990 and 2004.

CO₂ emissions in the US in 2005 were 20 per cent. above 1990 levels and total emissions of all greenhouse gases were 16 per cent. above 1990 emissions.

Between 2004 and 2005 CO₂ emissions in the EU-15 decreased by 1.2 per cent., while CO₂ emissions in the US increased by 0.4 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the percentage change in carbon dioxide emissions by the Government was over the course of 2006. (140988)

Energy data compiled for the Sustainable Development Commission's Sustainable Development in Government Annual Report 2006 show that there was a 2.3 per cent. reduction (after correcting for weather variations) in annual carbon emissions from Government buildings during the period April 2005 and March 2006.

Figures for the financial year to March 2007 are currently being compiled and will be published by the Sustainable Development Commission later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the compatibility of his Department's proposals on the coexistence of GM, conventional and organic crops with European law. (140798)

We are confident that our coexistence proposals are consistent with EU law.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will place in the Library the (a) name of the consent holder, (b) crop trailed, (c) location of the test sites based on six figure map references, (d) conditions placed on the consent and (e) post release assessments reports for each of the part B experimental consents 94/R20/1, 98/R28/2, 00/R20/4 and 00/R20/5 issued under EC Directive 90/220. (140875)

I have arranged for the information requested to be placed in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy is on the inclusion of Ministers from the devolved Administrations in (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales in the United Kingdom delegation at future EU ministerial negotiations on (i) fisheries, (ii) agriculture and (iii) environmental policy. (139883)

[holding answer 4 June 2007]: As specified in the memorandum of understanding between the UK Government and the devolved Administrations, decisions on ministerial attendance at EU Council meetings will be taken on a case-by-case basis by the lead UK Minister. In reaching decisions on the composition of the UK team, the lead Minister will take into account the extent to which substantive discussion is expected of matters likely to have a significant impact on devolved responsibilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications for the higher level stewardship scheme were (a) made and (b) granted in each Government region in (i) 2005-06 and (ii) 2006-07. (140799)

The following table shows the number of higher level stewardship applications received and granted in each of Natural England's regions in 2005-06.

In 2006-07, the number of higher level stewardship applications received and granted in each of Natural England's regions were as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) highest, (b) lowest and (c) average value of award made under the higher level stewardship scheme was in each government region in (i) 2005-06 and (ii) 2006-07. (140800)

For 2005-06, the highest, lowest and average value of annual payments made under higher level stewardship in each of Natural England's regions are set out in the following table:

For 2006-07, the highest, lowest and average value of annual payments made under higher level stewardship in each of Natural England's regions were as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what proportion of the recent pilot mailings by the Environment Agency to households and businesses about the Floodline Warnings Direct service was sent to households or businesses which are not above the threshold level of flood risk; (140836)

The Environment Agency (EA) incorrectly sent a letter about Floodline Warnings Direct to 50 households at moderate flood risk. This represents 0.1 per cent. of the recent Floodline Warnings Direct recruitment mailings that the EA has sent to households across England. The EA have confirmed this as an error isolated to Congresbury, North Somerset and has contacted the 50 householders concerned to apologise.

The EA takes into consideration the source, the risk and the impact of flooding on a community when evaluating where it provides a flood warning service and the method by which flood warnings are communicated to the public.

The EA offers Floodline Warnings Direct to those households and businesses with a high risk of flooding. We define high risk as flooding at, or greater than, the 1 in 100 year return period (1 per cent. probability of occurring in any year) for flooding from rivers and the 1 in 200 year return period (0.5 per cent. probability) for flooding from the sea.

However, in some locations the EA has offered the Floodline Warnings Direct service to households and businesses up to the Extreme Flood Outline which represents the 1 in 1,000 year flood (0.1 per cent. probability) due to the predicted impacts of flooding on the community.

The EA does not offer the flood warning service to properties outside the Extreme Flood Outline. Therefore, the EA has not excluded any households or businesses in error from Floodline Warnings Direct which are above the threshold level of risk from flooding.

In March 2007, the EA mailed 9,166 of the 195,000 properties registered with Floodline Warnings Direct in England who no longer require warnings as they are not within the Extreme Flood Outline. The EA has not included these 9,166 properties in Floodline Warnings Direct in error as since the properties were included their level of flood risk has been updated with more accurate information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will estimate the (a) carbon dioxide and (b) greenhouse gas emissions created by outdoor patio heaters in (i) the most recent year for which information is available and (ii) the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement on the expected effect on the (A) use of and (B) volume of emissions from outdoor patio heaters resulting from changes to legislation related to smoking in public places from 1st July 2007. (140639)

Currently, only limited information is available about the number of outdoor patio heaters in use in the UK.

The market transformation programme (MTP) estimates that the number of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) patio heaters is around 630,000 in the domestic sector and between 3,000 and 12,500 in the hospitality sector (pubs, restaurants and hotels). This does not include electric outdoor heating appliances, however, which appear to be gaining market share.

The LPG Association has provided sales figures for LPG supplied in cylinders sized for outdoor heating appliances each year. From the association's 2005 figures, the MTP estimates that annual carbon dioxide emissions from patio heaters in the UK are around 22.2 thousand tonnes. No information on other greenhouse gas emissions from outdoor patio heaters is available.

The MTP estimates are not derived from surveys or detailed research, and should not be interpreted as accurate data on energy consumption and carbon emissions. Information about emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is not available for future years.

There is currently no information available on the expected effect on the use and volume of emissions from patio heaters resulting from changes to legislation related to smoking in public places from 1 July 2007. However, the MTP is currently updating its briefing note ‘Outdoor Heating for Comfort’ to look at the possible impacts of the smoking ban on UK carbon dioxide emissions. This is available on the MTP website.

This updates the information I gave in my answer to the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd) on 14 May 2007, Official Report, column 474W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to what use the residues produced by the processing of BASF’s GM starch altered potato (EU marketing application EH92-527-1) will be put. (140877)

No consent to cultivate or market this potato product has yet been granted. However, the conditions of the draft Commission decision on it require BASF to include a label informing operators and final users that products containing or consisting of potato tubers of line EH92-527-1 cannot be used for human or animal consumption. The draft decision also states that material should be exclusively used for industrial purposes or destroyed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average age is of a hill farmer in England; and if he will make a statement. (140424)

In 2005, the average (median) age of a holder in a less favoured area in England was 58 years. This excludes holdings where the holder is a legal entity, as well as group holdings where there is no single holder.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to define standards for eradication of Japanese knotweed; and if he will make a statement. (141298)

DEFRA partially funded, and fully supports, the guidance set out in the Environment Agency's “Knotweed Code of Practice: Managing Japanese Knotweed on Development Sites”, which was published in September 2006. This sets out advice on how to deal with Japanese knotweed to an acceptable standard of effectiveness. It also advises on relevant pesticide, environmental protection and controlled waste legislation and the offence under section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of planting or causing Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild.

The Secretary of State may approve any code of practice relating to species covered by section 14 of the 1981 Act. Any such code is then admissible in any court proceedings and must be taken into account by a court in any case in which it is deemed to be relevant. The Japanese knotweed code is one that we will be considering for such approval.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to make an announcement on a National Park covering the South Downs. (140757)

DEFRA will shortly be inviting further representations on matters that were not able to be addressed by the South Downs Inquiry. In the light of responses received, Ministers will consider whether it is appropriate for the inquiry to be re-opened. If the inquiry is re-opened, an announcement on the decision whether to create a South Downs National Park is expected no later than autumn 2008. If it is not re-opened, an announcement early in 2008 will be possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many civil servants are working on policy on aerobic composting, broken down by grade; and if he will make a statement. (140637)

No DEFRA officials work exclusively on aerobic composting. However, a number of officials in the Waste Strategy, Waste Management, Air and Environment Quality, Waste Implementation Programme, and Endemic Diseases divisions work on issues relating to aerobic composting. These issues include policy and targets, the regulatory system for the composting process and its outputs, the demonstration of new composting technologies and animal by-product processing.

7. To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the employment levels were in Scotland in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement. (140958)

In the final quarter of the last four years the employment levels in Scotland were:

2.39 million in 2003;

2.45 million in 2004;

2.46 million in 2005; and

2.50 million in 2006.

11. To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the most recent figures for overall employment levels in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. (140964)

In the first quarter of 2007 the employment level in Scotland stood at 2.53 million. This marks a record high for the number of people employed.

8. To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps the Government are taking to ensure a long-term stable environment for Scottish business. (140959)

The Scottish economy continues to benefit from the domestic stability delivered by the UK Government's strong macroeconomic framework, which has delivered sustained growth, low interest rates and stable inflation. This Government have facilitated the strongest Scottish labour market in decades with employment and unemployment around their historically best positions.

9. To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on numbers of civil service jobs in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. (140960)

I have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend on a range of issues.

10. To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with Scottish Ministers on the further devolution of broadcasting powers. (140961)

Parliament decided in the Scotland Act 1998 that broadcasting should be a reserved issue and there are no plans to change that.

12. To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the future of the Peterhead carbon capture project. (140965)

I discuss a wide range of subjects with ministerial colleagues on a regular basis.

13. To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent estimate he has made of the number of research and development projects being undertaken in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. (140966)

The Scotland Office does not compile such estimates but I note that a survey for IBM last autumn showed Scotland's success in attracting 19 per cent. of all UK research and development projects in the UK—well above our population share.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will conduct an investigation into the postal ballot delays for the Scottish elections on 3 May. (136137)

[holding answer 8 May 2007]: The Electoral Commission has appointed Mr. Ron Gould to lead the statutory review of the May elections. The Electoral Commission published the terms of reference of this review on 21 May, confirming that Mr. Gould will consider the arrangements for postal voting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his estimate is of the number of voters in Scotland who will be unable to cast their vote for the Scottish Parliamentary and local government elections as a result of the delay in sending out the postal ballots; and if he will make a statement. (136138)

[holding answer 8 May 2007]: This information is not available because there is no way of knowing, from those who do not return their postal votes, how many simply chose not to return their ballot papers and how many were not able to return them for practical reasons, for example, being on holiday. I understand that the majority of postal votes were received by voters a week before polling day, or even earlier.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of processes in place to facilitate co-operation between the Scottish Executive and the Government. (140962)

A memorandum of understanding sets out the over-arching principles that underpin relations between the UK Government and the devolved Administrations. The Government have no plans to revise this memorandum of understanding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures are being taken to combat illegal drug use in Scotland. (140963)

Operational responsibility for tackling illegal drug use in Scotland is devolved and is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what dates in (a) 2006 and (b) 2007 (i) Ministers and (ii) officials in his Department had meetings regarding the running of the Scottish elections on 3 May 2007. (136139)

[holding answer 8 May 2007]: Scotland Office Ministers and officials had meetings every month since January 2006 about the Scottish Parliament elections on 3 May 2007. Ministers had 13 meetings and officials had 158.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what role (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department played in the negotiation of the contracts with private companies to carry out the printing, collating and distribution of postal ballot papers for the elections in Scotland on 3 May. (136136)

[holding answer 8 May 2007]: The responsibility for handling postal ballot papers rests with Returning Officers. The printing of postal ballot papers formed part of the contract to deliver an electronic counting service. This contract was negotiated through an electronic counting project board, consisting of representatives of Returning Officers, Scottish Executive and Scotland Office officials, and DRS. Decisions relating to the e-counting contract with DRS were taken by the electronic counting project board. The collation and distribution of postal ballot papers for the elections were handled through separate, individual, contracts between the Returning Officer and their suppliers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Warrington are in receipt of council tax benefit, broken down by ward of resident; and what the average award made was in 2006-07. (142483)

The information is not available in the format requested. Information for council tax benefit is not available at ward level.

As at November 2006, the most recent available information, there were 13,770 households in receipt of council tax benefit in the Warrington borough council area; the average weekly amount of council tax benefit was £12.71.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the Government's timetable is for reform of council tax benefit further to the recommendations of Sir Michael Lyons. (142263)

There is a great deal for the Government to consider, arising from Sir Michael Lyons report, much of it identified as being for the longer term.

We already have in place more accessible council tax benefit arrangements for pension credit customers, and we are considering whether these can be further improved.

In the longer term, we want to ensure that council tax benefit is delivered as accessibly, simply and securely as possible. We intend to carry out more research into the feasibility of using data held across Government Departments in order to build up profiles of people likely to be entitled. We also intend to develop the concept of a “single point of contact” for pensioners for access to their benefits, coupled with alignment of application processes. This would produce a better public service as well as greater efficiency.

We will consider, in our research, the impact on fraud and error and issues of practicality and affordability, alongside priorities for the tax and benefits system as a whole. We will also consider the relative merits of piloting any changes and rolling them out nationally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on the provision of council tax benefit in Scotland. (142356)

Council tax benefit is a national benefit and we have no plans to change this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which (a) advertising agencies and (b) other organisations supplied consultancy services for advertising campaigns for (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies in each of the last five years; and what the cost of these services was. (139449)

The Department buys advertising through the Central Office of Information (COI). Under the terms of COI framework agreements, advertising agencies are contracted to supply advertising services only. Advertising agencies on COI’s roster do not supply broader consultancy services. On occasion wider ranging consultancy projects may inform campaign work, but the costs would not be attributed to the campaign.

Where consultancy is provided by other organisations it usually results in a range of communication activities which may or may not include advertising; it is not possible to distinguish the cost of providing consultancy for advertising from that for other forms of communication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much revenue his Department received from advertisements on his Department's (a) public information leaflets and (b) public websites in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. (140668)

The Department for Work and Pensions has not received any revenue, over the last 10 years, from either (a) public information leaflets or (b) public websites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of his Department's special advisers were on (a) paid and (b) unpaid leave in order to assist with party political matters under section 22 (iii) of the code of conduct for special advisers on 16 May 2007; and how many days' leave each adviser was granted. (140135)

Special advisers' involvement in party political matters is conducted in accordance with the requirements of the code of conduct for special advisers, including section 22(iii), and the guidance issued by the Cabinet Secretary in December 2006 and May 2007, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress his Department has made in extending the right to request flexible working arrangements to cover care of older children further to the consultation strategy published in February 2005. (141265)

I have been asked to reply.

The responses to the Work and Families consultation in February 2005 showed that carers should be the priority group in any extension of the right to request flexible working. As a result we extended the right to 2.65 million carers of adults in April. We are currently keeping the law under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on housing benefit in each year since 1997; and what percentage of the non-pension welfare budget was spent on housing benefit in each year. (140585)

For details of housing benefit expenditure, I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 21 May 2007, Official Report, column 1160W. Information on the proportion of the non-pension welfare budget spent on housing benefit is in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims for housing benefit were dealt with by Warrington borough council in each of the last five years; and what the average award was in the most recent period for which figures are available. (141013)

The available information is in the following table.

Performance management information returned by local authorities to the Department is published on the Housing Benefit Operational Database (HoBOD). HoBOD can be accessed using the following link:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/hobod

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken by Warrington borough council to process a claim for housing benefit was in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what the average time was in comparable local authorities. (141014)

The average time taken by Warrington Borough Council to process a claim for housing benefit up to 31 December 2006 is 25 days. For the same period the national average time for local authorities to process a housing benefit claim is 34 days.

Performance management information returned by local authorities to the Department is published on the Housing Benefit Operational Database (HoBOD). HoBOD can be accessed using the following link:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/hobod

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents (a) claiming income support and (b) who had been claiming income support for longer than five years had children aged (i) under three years, (ii) under five years, (iii) between five and 11 years, (iv) between three and 11 years and (v) over 11 years in each month since January 1992. (138726)

[holding answer 23 May 2007]: The information is not available in the format requested. Because of changes in methodology comparable figures are not available prior to 1999. The available information is in the following tables.