To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission whether the House has in place arrangements for the ethical disposal of surplus IT equipment. (143550)

The House of Commons uses a specialist commercial company for the disposal of all Members centrally provided and House of Commons Administration IT equipment.

The company is used by a number of other Government agencies and all personnel with access to parliamentary equipment are security cleared.

Equipment is securely cleaned of all data and data destruction certificates issued once this has been completed. Equipment is then evaluated as to its resale potential; where possible it is sold on to second level users with the original manufacturer’s operating system and no other software. Proceeds from the sale of equipment are returned to Parliament. Equipment with no resale value is disposed of in line with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. This involves breaking down the equipment into its base materials for reuse with only completely un-recyclable materials being sent to landfill.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what assessment has been made of environmental factors affecting thermal comfort as defined in British Standard BS EN ISO 7730 in Portcullis house; whether any survey has been made of thermal comfort of workers in Portcullis house; whether any workplace temperature risk assessment has been undertaken with regard to Portcullis house; what the maximum operating capacity of the air conditioning unit at Portcullis house is; and if he will make a statement. (142331)

I am well aware of this issue and know that there have been a number of complaints about temperature control in the building. The Serjeant at Arms has directed his staff to investigate and to take the appropriate remedial actions. He will write to the hon. Lady when the issues involved are clear.

Parliamentary Works Services Directorate staff monitor the environmental conditions and systems in Portcullis house using the computerised building management system. As a result they are aware that since Easter the temperature has not been controlled as well as it should have been. An investigation of the cooling system has revealed a number of small faults. The majority of these have now been rectified and work is in hand to address the remainder as quickly as possible.

I understand that no survey of the thermal comfort of workers in Portcullis house has been undertaken. Nor has a workplace temperature risk assessment been carried out.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many responses his Department received to the consultation document Making Sure that Crime Doesn't Pay; which organisations responded; and if he will place copies of those representations in the Library. (131283)

The Northern Ireland Office received responses from:

the Superintendents Association of Northern Ireland;

the Periodical Publishers Association of Ireland; and

the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

I have made arrangements for these to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 19 February 2007, Official Report, column 565W, on the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, when the copy of the presentation will be placed in the Library. (142399)

This has now been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of staff in his Department are (a) male, (b) female, (c) registered disabled and (d) aged 55 or over. (143922)

The percentages for the staff of the Wales Office is as follows:

(a) 49 per cent. of the staff are male

(b) 51 per cent. of the staff are female

(c) 12 per cent. of staff are aged 55 or over

The Wales Office has a small number of staff with disabilities. For privacy reasons the numbers are confidential, in line with guidance issued by the Cabinet Office, which states that Departments are not required to provide figures on the number of disabled staff where it is less than five in the department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff in his Department received bonus payments in 2006-07; what proportion of the total workforce they represented; what the total amount of bonuses paid was; what the largest single payment was; and if he will make a statement. (143096)

In the last financial year three members of staff have received bonuses, representing 5 per cent. of the workforce. All of the bonuses together came to £862.30 before tax, and the largest single payment was £362.30.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many publications produced by his Department and funded by the public purse have been (a) provided at no cost and (b) sold to the Labour Party or Parliamentary Labour Party Office in the last 12 months. (141264)

Following are the publications produced by DFID that have been provided directly to the Parliamentary Labour Party Office in the last 12 months. All of these publications are available free of charge (and indeed copies have been requested by representatives of other parties).

These figures are total figures for orders sent directly to the Parliamentary Labour Party Office through DFID's mailing house contractor in the last 12 months. These may not reflect the total number of publications sent out, as it is not possible to establish the number of publications posted by DFID staff in response to individual requests. DFID has not sent any publications to the Labour Party via its mailing house contractor in the last 12 months, and it is not possible to establish the number of publications posted by DFID staff in response to individual requests.

Any publications produced in the last 12 months that have been priced are classified as Command, or House of Commons, papers. These publications are available to be purchased from The Stationery Office (TSO) under a Government-wide agreement. DFID would have no record of who had purchased these items via this route. DFID does not itself sell these publications.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what average number of days per year was taken by staff in his Department as sick leave in each of the last five years for which records are available. (143110)

For the years 2001-05 (the latest for which figures are available) the average working days per employee lost to sick leave for DFID are:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the merits of providing British Sign Language (BSL) videos on his departmental website for the benefit of those whose first language is BSL. (142496)

DFID does not currently have any video material on its website. An exercise is under way to assess the technical facilities and procedures needed to create and deliver video effectively, and the use of BSL videos will be considered as part of this work. DFID aims to make its website as accessible as possible, and an independent review of the site recently gave it a high rating for accessibility. The internal Intranet does include video material, and DFID has a policy that this material should have a written transcript, subtitles or a BSL interpreter.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department provided to developing countries for (a) the development of industry to extract fossil fuels and (b) the development of local renewable energy sources in each of the last five years. (142893)

Improved access to reliable affordable energy supplies and services is essential for the achievement of international development goals. In the energy sector, DFID engages primarily through our international partners and international financial institutions.

DFID has been actively engaged with the EU Energy Initiative for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development (EUEI) since it was launched in 2002. We contribute to the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme, which is managed by the World Bank on behalf of the donors. DFID is also working closely with the World Bank and regional development banks on the new Clean Energy Investment Framework. DFID is also currently developing a new £800 million Environmental Transformation Fund that will finance environmental projects, including clean energy. In 2007 DFID launched a five-year Energy Research Programme that will include the application of renewable energy, building on earlier DFID funded work on renewable energy technologies.

DFID has not provided any bilateral funding to developing countries during the last five years for the development of industry to extract fossil fuels or for the development of local renewable energy sources.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what analysis his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated of the impact on the welfare of people in developing countries of fossil fuel extraction in those countries. (142894)

DFID’s primary involvement with fossil fuel extraction projects in developing countries is an indirect one, as a “shareholder” in multilateral financial institutions, such as the World Bank group and the Regional Development Banks, which invest in projects in this sector.

However, DFID reviews how the effects of fossil fuels extraction are managed as part of a commitment to sustainable development and attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

DFID has supported non-governmental organisations in the analysis of the impacts of extractive industries, including fossil fuels. For example, work on the Democratic Republic of Congo looked at natural resource governance. DFID also takes note of the many studies about opportunities and effects of extractive industries, including work by Transparency International, the “Publish What You Pay” campaign and the Resource Endowment Study of the International Council on Mining and Metals.

DFID was actively engaged in the Extractive Industries Review and the International Finance Corporation’s review of its environmental and social safeguards policies and procedures. These safeguards are a key tool to ensure the prudent management of the exploitation of natural resources in developing countries. This includes the impact on welfare of people in those developing countries.

DFID has provided support to countries wishing to implement the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). This initiative supports improved governance in resource-rich countries through full publication of company payments and government revenues from oil, gas, and mining. EITI enables non-governmental organisations to participate in the process and work with government and companies to ensure that revenues from extractive industries are fully disclosed.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has for future aid allocations aimed at developing the use of local renewable energy in developing countries. (142892)

DFID is committed to increasing access to reliable and affordable energy to reduce poverty and increase economic growth in developing countries. Renewable energy has an increasingly important role to play in helping developing countries make progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.

In terms of future aid allocations, we expect deployment of clean energy investment to happen not through DFID’s bilateral aid allocations, but through a big change in the way the multilateral agencies engage in the energy sector. We are encouraging the World Bank and regional development banks to give renewable energy greater attention.

For example, the World Bank has scaled up its financial support for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. In August 2006, it announced a rise to $680 million in commitments in the year to June 2006, an increase of 48 per cent. compared to the previous year. This figure excludes large hydropower projects and covers solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and small (less than 10 MW) hydropower technologies.

We very much welcome this increased investment by the World Bank on clean energy. We now think that the bank needs to set out a high level of ambition for funds flowing through the Clean Energy Investment Framework over the coming years. At the recent spring meetings of the World Bank the UK called on the bank to set a range of new investment and outcome targets, including a higher target for renewable energy.

As announced in the 2007 Budget Statement, a new £800 million Environmental Transformation Fund will finance environmental projects, including clean energy.

DFID has supported the creation of a new €220 million EU African, Caribbean and Pacific Energy Facility, which will start funding projects this year from the European Development Fund. This facility aims to improve access to energy, especially in rural areas of Africa, and has encouraged viable renewable energy proposals.

Finally, DFID is increasing research funding for the energy sector to reflect the growing interest in clean energy for development. This year DFID launched a new five year, £3.75 million energy research programme on renewable energy and is currently scoping areas for further work.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what analysis he has undertaken of the impact of his Department’s aid policies and programmes on climate change. (142891)

The 2006 DFID White Paper recognises that climate change poses the most serious long-term threat to development and poverty reduction. We are working to implement our White Paper commitments on three main fronts: work for a global agreement, including helping developing countries prepare for international negotiations; assisting developing countries to adopt clean energy technologies; and helping developing countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.

We assess how well these policies are being implemented through our standard organisational systems. For example, the Department’s internal Development Committee regularly assesses how well the Department’s policies are being rolled out.

We are considering the changes that will be necessary to how we deliver programmes as a result of climate change. For example we are planning to have procedures in place by 2008 to identify and manage risks associated with climate variability. We have also committed to mainstreaming climate into DFID development activities in climate sensitive sectors, such as agriculture, water, health infrastructure and energy, by 2008, to help developing countries adopt low carbon energy and adapt.

As part of our support to the Clean Energy Investment Framework, we have called for the World Bank and the other multilateral development banks to set out a set of specific targets to cover investments in areas such as renewables and energy efficiency. For example, last year the World Bank committed $860 million in these areas, but it needs to do more. The banks also need to look at their entire investment portfolios including lending for fossil fuels and help Governments make the right choices about their energy mix to underpin sustainable growth and poverty reduction. We expect this analysis to contribute to a better understanding of how to minimise the impact of development investments on carbon emissions.

Our Evaluation Department is currently considering establishing a baseline of data on climate change related indicators to help us better measure the Department’s contribution to helping developing countries mitigate and adapt to climate change.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support his Department has provided to fossil fuel extraction projects through the World Bank and other international financial institutions in the last five years. (142890)

During the last five years the World Bank (International Development Association (IDA) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) provided around $1.2 billion (£609 million) in financing for activities in fossil fuels. Around one-third of this is for policy work and mine closure programmes. Of the remaining two-thirds, around 80 per cent. is for investment in gas projects, including infrastructure investment such as storage and distribution. Loans for fossil fuel extraction from the Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development amounted to $350 million (£178 million) and €768 million (£518 million) respectively. The International Monetary Fund, the African Development Bank, the Inter-American Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank did not fund any fossil fuel extraction projects during this period.

In financial years 2001-02 to 2005-06 the UK provided £2.42 billion for the World Bank’s IDA, the African Development Fund (ADF) of the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Fund (AsDF), the Caribbean Development Bank Special Fund, the IMF, Regional Development Bank Capital Subscriptions including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and other IFI programmes. Details can be found in DFID’s Annual Report 2007, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

Contributions from the UK and other shareholders are one source of finance drawn upon by the international financial institutions to provide loans and grants to developing countries. The banks also draw on other sources such as repayments and investment earnings. Lending on more commercial terms—to more developed countries—is usually financed from the banks’ own resources. Assistance to poorer countries, on much more concessional terms, is financed by a combination of the banks’ and donor resources. Therefore it is not possible to say what proportion of the UK’s contributions was spent on fossil fuel extraction projects.

To ask the Solicitor-General what advice (a) his Department and (b) other Departments gave the Director of the Serious Fraud Office with regard to his investigation into the Al Yamamah deal with Saudi Arabia; and when the advice was given. (119161)

I refer to my previous explanations of the views which were conveyed to the Director of the Serious Fraud Office about the national security implications of the investigation, 14 December 2006, Official Report, column 1120; 7 February 2007, Official Report, columns 875-76.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officials work in his Department. (143173)

The number of staff in the Scotland Office is published in the Office's Annual Report for 2007, a copy of which is in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what make and model of car (a) he and (b) each Minister in his Department selected as their official ministerial car; and what criteria were used when making the decision in each case. (141991)

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Transport on 14 June 2007, Official Report, column 1269W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was paid in bonuses to his Department's staff in (a) 2006 and (b) 2007. (142724)

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on 19 December 2006, Official Report, column 1765W and to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) on 13 June 2007, Official Report, column 1048W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much energy in kilowatt hours was purchased by his Department from renewable sources in the most recent year for which figures are available. (142204)

The Scotland Office subscribes to the sustainable development policies adopted by the Ministry of Justice.

The Scotland Office is included in the Ministry of Justice's annual returns on total energy usage across the Ministry's estate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his strategy is for renewable energy and meeting energy targets in departmental buildings; and if he will make a statement. (142207)

The Scotland Office subscribes to the sustainable development policies adopted by the Ministry of Justice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any manual counts took place during the Scottish (a) parliamentary and (b) local election areas which used electronic counting to verify the accuracy of the counting machines. (141634)

It is for individual Returning Officers to decide on the conduct of the count. All 32 Returning Officers chose to conduct the count electronically and are confident of the accuracy of the result.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the First Minister on the fiscal regime for the UK oil and gas sector. (140992)

The fiscal regime for the UK oil and gas sector is a reserved matter. The Government are committed to realising the full potential of our oil and gas reserves. This is why this year's budget confirmed that we would provide stability in the North sea fiscal regime—as requested by the industry—including retaining generous capital allowances and a continuing engagement with the industry to consider a future fiscal regime for the North sea.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment the Government has made of the likely impact on (a) Scotland's infrastructure and (b) the Scottish economy of the relocation of (i) plumbers, joiners, electricians and related professionals and (ii) architects and associated building professionals to London and the South-East of England to service the Olympic building programme and associated developments. (143254)

The construction of the Olympic park and venues present huge opportunities for Scottish businesses. The flexibility within the UK labour market, that is a benefit of Union, has contributed substantially to the record levels of employment Scotland currently enjoys.

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of providing British Sign Language (BSL) videos on the Downing Street website for the benefit of those whose first language is BSL. (142544)

Although British Sign Language is not used on the Number 10 website, my Office is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, including those who have hearing impairments. For example, the website provides transcripts and captions for audio and audio-visual material.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding is available for research on carbon capture and storage technology. (143148)

DTI supports research and development for carbon capture and storage (CCS) through the Technology Programme. During 2005-06 some £3.5 million was set aside for Carbon Abatement Technologies of which £2.3 million has been allocated to CCS. This funding will continue through 2007 at which stage the new arrangements for the Technology Strategy Board and Energy Technologies Institute will be introduced.

Additionally £35 million has also been allocated for the demonstration of components for CCS technologies. To date some £1.4 million of those funds has been set aside for one project.

Funding is also made available by the Research Councils. The following table outlines their expenditure on CCS research to date:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made by his Department on compliance with the Cotonou Agreement by the EU in its negotiations of economic partnership agreements; and if he will make a statement. (142183)

The DTI and the Department for International Development work closely together on issues relating to the Cotonou Agreement, in particular on economic partnership agreements.

Article 37.4 of the Cotonou Agreement states that the parties should carry out a formal comprehensive review in 2006. The UK was active in ensuring that the ACP had full participation in the review. All six EPA regions completed their reviews by April this year and these were endorsed by the EU-ACP Council of Ministers on 25 May 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) services and (b) products his Department has procured from Remploy in the last 12 months; and at what cost. (143788)

Central records indicate that the Department has procured no services or products from Remploy in the last 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice the Chief Scientific Adviser has provided in relation to the collection of household rubbish. (143657)

The Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir David King, has not provided specific advice in relation to the collection of household rubbish. Lead responsibility for assuring the quality of scientific evidence within individual Departments lies with the Chief Scientific Advisors appointed by those Departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 23 April 2007, Official Report, column 946W, on estate agents: complaints, how many of the 210 complaints about the conduct of estate agents received by the Office of Fair Trading in 2006 were referrals from the Ombudsman for Estate Agents. (143187)

[holding answer 15 June 2007]: None of the complaints received by the Office of Fair Trading in 2006 were referrals from the Ombudsman for Estate Agents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research has been carried out (a) by and (b) on behalf of his Department into average fees charged by estate agents since the 2004 Office of Fair Trading report into the estate agency market. (143184)

[holding answer 15 June 2007]: The Department has not carried out, or commissioned on its behalf, any research into average fees charged by estate agents since 2004.

The Office of Fair Trading has a general duty to keep under review the estate agency market including commercial developments relating to the carrying on of estate agency work, and the working and enforcement of the Estate Agents Act 1979.

The Office of Fair Trading is also responsible under UK competition legislation for monitoring markets and investigating allegations of anti-competitive behaviour.

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)

[pursuant to the reply, 12 June, Official Report, c. 906W]: The entry on the table under VWF claims: Families who received interim payment in the Stoke-on-Trent Central constituency should read 13 and not 11. The total outstanding (miners) for Stoke-on-Trent North constituency should read 45 and not 47. Families who have received an interim payment in the Stone constituency should read 6 and not 4.

The entry on the table under Carpal Tunnel Syndrome claims: Families who have received an interim payment in the Stroke-on-Trent Central constituency should be 2 and not 4. Families who have received interim payment in the Stone constituency should read 1 and not 3.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans he has to implement Recommendation 39 of the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property; (143021)

Industry associations representing the interests of internet service providers and copyright holders are actively discussing developments of a voluntary protocol to address misuse of content and copyright theft. Discussions are proceeding well and we would anticipate agreement in autumn to forestall the need for Government intervention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Low Pay Commission has undertaken research into the effect of a minimum wage for those under the age of 16 years. (143611)

[holding answer 18 June 2007]: The Low Pay Commission has not been asked to undertake research in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider introducing a minimum wage for those under the age of 16 years. (143612)

[holding answer 18 June 2007]: The Government have no plans to introduce a minimum wage for those under the age of 16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the UK’s trade with Russia was conducted with the province of Kaliningrad in each year since 1997. (143362)

[holding answer 18 June 2007]: The statistics are not available. HM Customs and Excise do not record trade with individual Russian provinces (or regional data for any other country).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many prosecutions were made by local authority trading standards departments for over-packaging in each year since 2000. (143655)

There were two successful prosecutions made by trading standards departments in 2000, followed by a further one in 2004 and another in 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the proportion of UK energy supply which tidal power (a) could theoretically provide and (b) is expected by his Department to provide in the next decade. (143330)

The tidal energy resource can be split into two categories: tidal current—the extraction of kinetic energy from fast moving tidal currents, and tidal range—the extraction of potential energy release from water at high level relative to low level.

The UK tidal energy programme that ran between 1978 and 1994 estimated the total resource available in the UK, for tidal range energy generation from reasonably exploitable estuaries with a mean tidal range of 3 metres or more, at around 50 tera

watt hours per year (around 15 per cent. of current UK demand). Nearly all of this potential resource is in England and Wales, with 90 per cent. located in eight large estuaries—the Severn, the Dee, the Mersey, Morecambe Bay, Solway Firth, the Humber, the Wash and the Thames. The remaining 10 per cent. is in 30-40 smaller estuaries.

A study undertaken in 2005¹ estimated the tidal-current resource at approximately 16 tera watt hours per year (around 5 per cent. of current UK demand).

¹ Black and Veatch (2005). Tidal Stream—Phase II UK Tidal Stream Energy Resource Assessment. A report to the Carbon Trust's Marine Energy

The Department has also carried out a study called ATLAS² that looks at the marine resource around the UK, including tidal power. A copy of the study can be found online at

http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/renewables-explained/wind-energy/page27403.html

² ABPmer, The Met Office, Garrard Hassan and Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (2004). Atlas of UK Marine Renewable Energy Resources:

Technical report. A report to the Department of Trade and Industry.

The Department has not assessed the proportion of UK energy supply that tidal power could be expected to provide in the next decade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what mechanisms the Certification Office has in place to monitor whether trade unions affiliate more members to the Labour Party than contribute to their union's political fund. (143170)

Some unions with political funds do not affiliate to any political party. In the case of those unions that affiliate to a political party, the affiliation arrangements are matters for the unions and political parties to decide in accordance with their rules and constitutions. The Certification Officer therefore has no specific powers to monitor the number of members that trade unions affiliate to political parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what progress has been made in implementing the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive; (141284)

[holding answer 11 June 2007]: On 29 May I published a consultation paper seeking views on draft Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations to implement the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. On the same day the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) published a consultation on joint OFT/DTI draft guidance to accompany the regulations. The deadline for responses to both consultations is 21 August. The regulations will be made in the autumn to come into force on 6 April 2008. The guidance will be finalised at the end of this year or in early 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has any plans to update the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977. (141287)

[holding answer 11 June 2007]: The Government asked the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission to consider the case for a unified regime for unfair terms in consumer contracts, bringing together the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999. The Commissions reported in February 2005 in favour of a unified regime, and provided a draft Bill. The Government have accepted in principle the recommendations of the Commissions, subject to further consideration of the detail of the issues, and to further work to identify potential cost impacts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of the 1998 inquiry into the arms to Sierra Leone affair. (143721)

According to the published report, the inquiry undertaken by Sir Thomas Legg and Sir Robin Ibbs took 68 days and its direct costs amounted to approximately £112,500.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on advertising by (a) her Department and (b) its agencies in each of the last five years. (139519)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advertises in different media for a number of varied reasons. The main expenditure is on recruitment advertising for generalist and specialist staff in the FCO and FCO Services (an executive agency of the FCO since 1 April 2006). In the last five financial years the following totals have been spent on recruitment advertising:

Other FCO departments may also place advertisements on an ad hoc basis, as will the FCO's agency (Wilton Park), and its posts overseas. Details of this expenditure are not held centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of staff in her Department are (a) male, (b) female, (c) registered disabled and (d) aged 55 or over. (143913)

The figures requested for Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff are:

We are committed to ensuring that our UK workforce reflects fully the diversity of modern Britain.

We were also one of the few Departments to decide in 2006 to dispense with mandatory retirement ages for staff below the Senior Management Structure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many recruits to her Department were graduates of Oxford or Cambridge university in each year since 1995. (142460)

[holding answer 14 June 2007]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not hold educational details on all staff centrally, and the full information could be collated only at disproportionate cost. Some details are available from 1997 for the FCO fast stream, administered by the Cabinet Office, and for the FCO operational stream from 1997-2000 and 2006. 2007 data are not yet available, as the final list of FCO fast stream and operational appointments has not yet been made.

Our recruitment processes are run on the principle of fair and open competition, as laid down in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Code (www.civilservicecommissioners.gov.uk). The minimum education requirement to apply at fast stream is a lower-second class degree in any subject. To apply at operational stream the minimum education requirement is a degree or 2 A-levels with GCSE Mathematics and English Language (grade A* - C) or five GCSEs including Mathematics and English Language (grade A* - C).

Our work experience schemes for undergraduates in 2006 offered placements to students from 18 different universities. The FCO is also active in outreach activities, such as careers fairs and community business events throughout the UK. Through this, the FCO aims to recruit a talented and diverse work force that reflects the society we serve.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what average number of days per year was taken by staff in her Department as sick leave in each of the last five years for which records are available. (143063)

The average number of days recorded as sick leave absences by staff of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for each of the past five calendar years is as follows:

These figures, particularly for the early years, may contain a level of under-reporting. They rely on staff and their managers entering absences accurately on our electronic management information system. We have recently revised our sickness absence procedures to improve the accuracy of our records and to reduce the number of days lost to sickness absence. Subject to agreement with our trade unions, we plan to implement the new procedures in September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received following the meeting between the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and senior officials from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan; and what steps the UK is taking to increase participation between these partners to stop drug trafficking along their common borders. (143226)

We await the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report following the meeting between the UNODC and senior officials from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan which took place on 12 June.

The UK is keen to encourage increased participation between these partners to stop drug trafficking along their common borders. We encourage regional co-operation between Afghanistan and her neighbours as part of our commitment to supporting the Government of Afghanistan to deliver their National Drugs Control Strategy. This is undertaken through either bilateral or multilateral mechanisms through UNODC. Bilaterally, our missions in Islamabad, Tehran and Kabul help to facilitate better working level contacts and information sharing between these countries to take forward regional practical assistance, including improved border control. We also provide support to the Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics Good Neighbourly Relations Declaration meetings to encourage Afghanistan's neighbours to engage in the drugs process. We support UN capacity building projects which foster greater links between regional law enforcement agencies to exchange information on drug trafficking and strengthen Afghanistan's borders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations she has made to the Iranian government on the treatment of the Bahá'í community in that country. (143302)

We continue to have concerns about the situation of religious minorities in Iran and treatment of the Bahá'í community in particular. We often receive reports of discrimination against Bahá'ís in Iran.

We most recently addressed the situation of the Bahá'ís in our dialogue with the Iranian authorities on 25 May, through an EU Statement. We will continue to raise this issue bilaterally and through the EU.

We have pressed the Iranian authorities on many occasions to take seriously their international human rights obligations, uphold the right to freedom of religion and belief as described in article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and address the intimidation and discrimination suffered by Iranian Bahá'ís. We also take action at the UN, and in December 2006, we along with all EU countries co-sponsored a resolution on human rights in Iran, which expressed serious concern at:

"the escalation and increased frequency of discrimination and other human rights violations against members of the Bahá'í Faith".

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the UK is making available to assist the second phase of monitoring Maoist army personnel in Nepal to ensure that no child soldiers are serving. (143225)

Under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in Nepal in November 2006, both sides to the conflict have agreed not to include or use children under 18 years of age in the armed forces. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) have agreed that any children in the cantonment camps who are identified under phase II of the UN monitoring process will be removed to the care of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and partner agencies to arrange their return home and reintegration into civilian life.

Through the Global Conflict Prevention Pool, the UK has recently provided £150,000 to support UNICEF's programme for the reintegration and rehabilitation of child soldiers. In addition, we have provided funding and technical expertise to help with the arms verification process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the freedom from government intrusion of (a) the press, (b) internet access and (c) telecommunications in Pakistan. (143222)

On 4 June, the Government of Pakistan introduced an ordinance giving the state regulatory media body, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, enhanced powers to confiscate equipment and revoke licences of media organisations without recourse to a complaints council. However, on 7 June, the Government of Pakistan withdrew these media restrictions pending a review. We welcome the decision to suspend the ordinance as the UK views media freedom as essential to economic and social development and stability, and we actively support the evolution of free and fair media in Pakistan. We have received no reports of government intrusion into internet access or telecommunications in Pakistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom’s 1945 Emergency Regulations for Palestine were annulled. (142696)

We have found no record of annulment or revocation by the United Kingdom of the Defence (Emergency) Regulations 1945 made by the then Government of Palestine.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what undertakings have been (a) sought and (b) received from the US Administration since January 2001 that the US Administration has not rendered any detainee through UK territory or airspace since May 1997; and if she will make a statement. (143040)

We are clear that the US would not render a detainee through UK territory or airspace without our permission. In an interview covering these issues alongside my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Mr. Straw) in March 2006 the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, said

“the United States respects the sovereignty of our allies and of other countries in the international system”.

We have also carried out extensive searches of official records and have found no evidence of detainees being rendered through the UK or overseas territories since 1997 where there were substantial grounds to believe there was a real risk of torture.

There were four cases in 1998 where the US requested permission to render one or more detainees through the UK or overseas territories. Records show the Government refused the US request in two cases and granted the request in the two others. In both these cases, the detainees were subsequently tried and later prosecuted on criminal charges in the US.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the risks to UK citizens from Al-Qaeda terrorists in Saudi Arabia; and if she will make a statement. (143043)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides the British public with an assessment of the safety of travellers and expatriates overseas through its travel advice.

All of our travel advice is regularly reviewed and draws on a variety of sources, including the local knowledge and expertise of the FCO's overseas posts and intelligence sources.

We believe there is a continuing high threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia and that terrorists are planning further attacks, including against westerners.

The travel advice for Saudi Arabia can be found on the FCO website at:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c==Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618387135.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have received from (a) the government of Saudi Arabia and (b) its representatives on the Serious Fraud Office inquiry into defence sales to Saudi Arabia; and if she will make a statement. (143094)

The Government are in frequent and regular contact with the government of Saudi Arabia as part of the normal conduct of our close bilateral relationship across a wide range of issues of mutual concern.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the assurances of the Transitional Federal Government that a planned Reconciliation Congress in Somalia will be fully inclusive, regardless of clan loyalty. (143219)

Lasting security in Somalia will only be possible with a credible political reconciliation process. We believe that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is the only body that can bring stability across Somalia, as envisaged by the Transitional Federal Charter. But we strongly believe it must be more inclusive and develop a broad base of clan acceptance if it is to succeed. Therefore, we have repeatedly stressed to the TFG that it should reach out to all Somalis who reject violence, regardless of clan and that the National Reconciliation Congress, now scheduled to start in mid July, represents an excellent opportunity to do this. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, made this point in person to President Yusuf when he visited the UK in February and to the Somali Foreign Minister on 7 June. The meeting of the International Contact Group in London on 6 June sent the same strong message to the TFG through the Somali Foreign Minister. We will continue to work for this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps she is taking to further a cessation of violence by fundamentalist Islamic militias loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts in Somalia; and what discussions the UK has held with the International Contact Group on the establishment of peace and stable government in Somalia. (143221)

We do not believe the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) still exists as a coherent political entity. A meeting of the International Contact Group (ICG), hosted by the Government in London on 5 and 6 June, strongly condemned actions of extremists and terrorists and those looking to undermine the political and reconciliation process. The ICG called on the international community to do everything it could to prevent further acts of violence. We fully support these views.

At the same time, the ICG has publicly stressed the need for the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to do all it can to make the National Reconciliation Congress as inclusive as possible so that there will be a broad clan-based acceptance of the TFG. We believe that this offers the best long-term way to increase political participation and stable government, as well as to reduce the scope for violence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received of the movement of Tamils from the city of Colombo by the Sri Lankan Government; and if she will make a statement. (142947)

On 7 June, the Sri Lankan Government removed between three and four hundred people from boarding houses and lodges in a mainly Tamil area of Colombo and transferred them to majority Tamil areas of the north and east of the country.

We supported an EU statement which condemned their forced eviction and called on the Sri Lankan Government to halt this activity and to take action to safeguard the rights of those already removed.

We welcomed the apology offered by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister for the evictions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received on the forced relocation of people in Sri Lanka. (142948)

Although we receive frequent representations on the conflict in Sri Lanka and on the peace process there, we have not so far received any specific representations on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to encourage China, India and Malaysia to ensure that their activities and influences in the region are conducive to alleviating the conflict in Darfur. (142556)

We regularly discuss Darfur with the Chinese Government including at the UN. We want China to use its influence with the Sudanese Government to ensure Khartoum supports the deployment of joint UN peacekeeping forces in Darfur, as well as committing to a ceasefire and renewed political process. We gave this message to the Chinese Government before President Hu's visit to Africa earlier this year. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised Sudan with the Chinese Government during her trip there last month, as did my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister during his visit to China in April. We have also raised our concerns about Sudan directly with the Malaysians and Indians and pressed them to use their influence with Khartoum to get them to co-operate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of the Butler Inquiry. (143722)

I have been asked to reply.

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given in the other place to the noble Lord Palmer on 27 October 2004, House of Lords, Official Report, column WA125, by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos).

9. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to take forward the recommendations of the “Eddington Transport Study”; and if he will make a statement. (143388)

The Government set out in the December 2006 pre-Budget report how we intend to take forward the recommendations of the Eddington Study. My Department is now reviewing its strategy and delivery processes in the light of the key conclusions of both the Eddington and Stern reports—including through the recently announced refresh of our appraisal framework. The Department will provide its detailed response to Eddington and Stern alongside the Comprehensive Spending Review.

10. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is on the use of canals as a part of an integrated transportation system; and if he will make a statement. (143390)

It is Government policy to encourage the greater use of the inland waterways for carrying freight, where this is practical and economic. Passenger transport on canals is dominated by the leisure industry.

11. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards meeting 2010 road safety targets. (143391)

Provisional statistics for 2006, compared with the 1994 to 1998 averages, indicate that the number of people killed or seriously injured was 34 per cent. below the baseline, the number of children killed or seriously injured was 53 per cent. below the baseline and the slight casualty rate was 26 per cent. below the baseline.

12. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to give local authorities a greater role in planning bus services. (143392)

The draft Local Transport Bill proposes changes to enable local authorities to secure better local bus services. It sets out measures to promote more effective partnership working between local authorities and bus operators and makes the implementation of quality contracts schemes a realistic option in areas where it is in the public interest for local authorities to take greater control of bus services.

15. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to improve the quality of bus services. (143395)

Last month the Government published a draft Local Transport Bill for consultation. This includes proposals to provide the necessary powers for local authorities to improve bus services as set out in "Putting Passengers First".

13. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made on approving the next tram line in Nottingham. (143393)

In October 2006 the Secretary of State announced that he was granting programme entry, for funding purposes, to Phase 2 of the system. In April 2007, Nottinghamshire county council and Nottingham city council applied for the Transport and Works Act powers required to construct and operate the system. I cannot comment on the merits of that application, in order not to prejudice the Secretary of State's fair and impartial consideration of it.

14. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the timetable is for the Civil Aviation Authority's consultation on the application of UK regulatory requirements to foreign registered aircraft based in the UK; and if he will make a statement. (143394)

The Civil Aviation Authority is not conducting a consultation on the treatment of foreign registered aircraft based permanently in the UK. However, the Department completed a consultation in 2005 and the Government response is available on the Department's website.

16. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on levels of rail overcrowding. (143396)

We will continue to increase capacity through the franchising process and in other ways. In particular, the Secretary of State announced on 14 March that the High Level Output Specification, to be published in July, will include a commitment to a thousand extra carriages. They will be targeted at the most congested routes on the network.

17. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is putting in place to increase the number of passenger journeys on branch lines of the rail network. (143397)

The Government are implementing the Community Rail Development Strategy which is intended to increase the number of passengers using branch lines and other rural and suburban routes.

18. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in reducing travel by motor car since 1997. (143398)

Between 1996-98 (combined years) and 2005, the average number of trips and the average distance travelled per person per year as a car driver has remained stable at around 435 trips and 3,700 miles respectively. However, because the population of Great Britain has increased by 3 per cent. over this period, overall there has been an increase in car travel.

19. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress in lowering the average level of emissions per vehicle. (143399)

Voluntary agreements are currently in place requiring the car industry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions of new cars by around 25 per cent. from 1995 levels (to an average of 140 grammes per kilometre by 2008-09). However, these agreements are unlikely to be met - the 2004 average for the EU was 163g/km. The Commission is now proposing mandatory new car CO₂ targets and the UK supports this approach.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost has been so far of the Nottingham Express transit tramway; what the estimated cost is of the proposed extension to Chilwell and Clifton; how many properties, including dwelling houses, are expected to have to be demolished to make way for the extension; and what the expected cost is thereof. (143263)

The total cost of building Nottingham Express Transit (NET) Line 1 was £200 million.

Up to the end of the 2006-07 financial year approximately £10 million has been spent on developing NET Phase Two. The approved scheme cost for Phase Two is £482 million (2005 present value prices).

It is possible that approximately 80 properties may be demolished by the NET Phase Two proposals, although this remains subject to detailed design. Overall land costs, which would include these properties, is estimated at approximately £37 million. The promoters of the system have stated that detailed property values are commercially sensitive at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is in a position to provide updated information on the preferred route of the A120 Braintree to Marks Tey improvement; and what exhibitions and presentations are planned to be provided to explain how the decision was made. (143872)

A public consultation on options for dualling the A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey ended on 17 June 2005, and resulted in a number of additional routes being suggested by respondents. The Highways Agency has been carrying out further work on these proposals, which should be complete this summer. Once I have received that advice I will be in a position to consider the way forward and how those affected should be informed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will take steps to ensure that the implementation of the Baudslow link improvement on the A21 will be accelerated; (143771)

The A21 Baldslow Link trunk road improvement is being promoted by the Highways Agency and is a complementary scheme to the Bexhill - Hastings Link Road which is being promoted by East Sussex county council. The Baldslow Link has been prioritised by the south east region for funding from the Regional Funding Allocation with a start of works in 2010-11. It is currently intended that the Baldslow Link would start construction at about the time the Bexhill Hastings Link Road opens to traffic. While planning of the scheme is currently on time, the Highways Agency will seek to improve on this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department will commission research and development into minimising (a) carbon dioxide emissions and (b) general environmental impacts caused by commercial aircraft engines. (140604)

Government are committed to ensuring that effective policy development and environmental action relies upon sound research, evidence and knowledge transfer. This is why we are investing in initiatives such as the new knowledge transfer network called OMEGA (Opportunities for Meeting the Environmental Challenge of Growth in Aviation). OMEGA defines specific areas where work is needed, facilitates inter-disciplinary research and supports strategic longer-term thinking. A number of other collaborative research programmes funded through the DTI collaborative research mechanism are set to deliver improvements. These include the £95 million Environmentally Friendly Engine programme. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and the Regions on 18 June 2007, Official Report, column 1492W.

Government are also supporting work from the aviation industry. We welcomed the Sustainable Aviation initiative, launched in June 2005, which aimed to place sustainability at the forefront of the sector’s strategic planning. The Government also welcomed the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE), which adopted stretching European targets for environmental performance of new aircraft and engines by 2020. These include reducing the fuel consumption and hence carbon emissions by 50 per cent., relative to new aircraft in the year 2000, with 20-25 per cent. savings from airframe developments, 15-20 per cent. from the engines and 5-10 per cent. from improved air traffic management.

On an international level the UK is playing an important role and is contributing to a number of work streams in the Committee for Aviation Environmental Protection under the auspices of the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The Government intend that the initiatives such as those mentioned above will improve our evidence base on aviation science, technology, operations and economic issues in ways that will help deliver improved environmental performance and longer term sustainability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many near misses were recorded over Northern Ireland airspace in the last 12 months; and how many related to flights into or out of (a) Belfast International, (b) Belfast City and (c) Londonderry airports. (143818)

During the period from 1 June 2006 to 31 May 2007, three Airprox incidents in airspace over Northern Ireland were reported to the independent UK Airprox Board (UKAB) for investigation and assessment.

One of these Airprox is reported to have involved one aircraft operating into Belfast International airport, the other aircraft being outbound from Belfast City airport. This Airprox remains subject to assessment by the UKAB following which the findings will be published both on the UKAB's website at www.airproxboard.org.uk and subsequently in hardcopy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what Government policy is on the adoption of harmonised aviation security regulations across Europe as defined in EC Regulation 2320/2002. (143348)

The UK was a strong advocate of the establishment of baseline security requirements across the European Union, and supports the principle of harmonisation for the benefits it can bring for travellers and industry. It is important however that member states are able to require additional aviation security measures in their own territory, where they judge this necessary for the proper protection of aviation interests and passengers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he next plans to assess the basis for the restrictions on the number of pieces of carry-on luggage allowed for passengers departing from UK airports; (143157)

The current security regulations remain under constant review. It is not possible to state when further adjustments might be made to the measures that apply to cabin baggage. However we have made clear throughout our readiness to remove the one bag limit once industry—collectively—is confident of its ability to deliver security effectively without it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the level of abuse of the blue badge scheme, with particular reference to (a) the incidence of theft of blue badges, (b) misuse by people not entitled to have blue badges and (c) misuse by family members when the badge holder is not present. (142486)

The Department for Transport is working with the Home Office and local agencies to improve data collection and promote good practice in this area.

The Department is committed to tackling all Blue Badge misuse as signalled by a three month, strategic review of the scheme, which will report in September 2007. This will culminate in the production of a comprehensive Blue Badge Reform Strategy by April 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) who will administer the national off peak free bus travel scheme for pensioners and disabled people; (143994)

As announced in the 2006 Budget the national bus concession will be introduced in April next year (the exact date will be decided in due course). Eligibility on age or disability grounds will be the same as for the current statutory concession—people aged 60 and over, or who come under one of the seven categories of disability listed in the Transport Act 2000, will qualify.

Guidance to local authorities on eligibility for disabled people was published in 2001 and updated in 2005 (copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House). The Department is looking to re-issue this guidance later in the year following consultation with its Concessionary Fares Working Group.

An eligible person, on the presentation of a pass, will be entitled to travel for free on any local bus service in England from 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays and at any time at weekends and Bank Holidays.

The responsibilities for administering the concession—assessing eligibility, issuing passes, reimbursing the bus operators and enforcement—will rest with the existing travel concession authorities (TCAs). These are shire districts, unitary authorities, the Passenger Transport Executives in the metropolitan areas, and the London boroughs (we expect the London councils to administer the concession on behalf of the boroughs). The Concessionary Travel Bill currently before Parliament includes an order making power to change the tier of local government at which the concessionary fares is administered in the future, for example from shire districts to county councils.

TCAs can voluntarily enter into joint arrangements with other authorities e.g. a county council could administer the scheme on behalf of its districts. The Department is keen to see such arrangements, due to the administrative efficiencies.

The Concessionary Travel Bill will require the TCA to issue passes to those people that qualify, on age or disability grounds, who appear to have their ‘sole and principal' residence in the TCA.

The extra funding (up to £250 million per year) will either be distributed via the formula grant system (as is the case for current funding of mandatory concession) or specific grant. A decision on the funding route will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of bus design on the risk of injuring pedestrians. (143408)

No specific assessment has been made but the Department is reviewing two related areas. The first review will identify the key safety issues with large passenger, goods and agricultural vehicles, and suggest cost-effective proposals to address them. The second review will improve our understanding of the nature, and underlying causes of trends in pedestrian accidents involving large passenger and goods vehicles.

The reports are expected to become available in the autumn, for consideration of appropriate further action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to encourage the use of cycles (a) to and from workplaces and (b) within local communities; and if he will make a statement. (144057)

Cycling England, the Government's advisory body on cycling, is tasked with getting more people cycling, more safely, more often. It is working with local authorities and others to promote cycling, focusing on the journey to work and to school. We doubled Cycling England's budget to £10 million last year and launched “Bikeability” cycle training earlier this year. The six cycling demonstration towns with whom Cycling England is working have increased cycle trips by around 30 per cent. in just one year.

Furthermore, the Finance Act 1999 and the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 provided a tax exemption for employers to purchase cycles for their employees to commute to work. In June 2005 the Department issued guidance and assisted in the establishment of a group consumer credit licence for all UK businesses to allow them to implement the scheme up to a value of £1,000 per cycle. We understand from the scheme providers that approximately 70,000 people have benefited from the scheme to date.

Since 1999, we have also sought to mainstream the use of workplace travel, planning to reduce car use and increase sustainable travel such as cycling through guidance and pump priming funding for local authority employed travel plan officers. In February 2007 we set up the National Business Travel Network to enable businesses to share their experiences of travel planning with a view to promoting wider take-up of sustainable workplace travel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department is on track to deliver the projected carbon savings of 5.1 MtC by 2010 as set out in the 2000 climate change programme; and if he will make a statement. (141867)

Savings of 5.1 MtC in 2010 were projected in the 2006 climate change programme from existing transport measures. We remain on track to achieve these.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on consultants in each of the last 10 years. (141010)

The Department was formed in May 2002. Details of expenditure by the Department on consultants from 2002-03 to 2006-07 are shown as follows:

The business units within the Department currently use separate accounting systems which record expenditure differently. The totals include a mixture of committed spend (i.e. orders raised) and actual spend incurred. The Professional Services Forum definition of consultancy has been applied since 2005-06 resulting in more accurate coding of expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people work in the Rail Directorate of his Department; and what the wages and salaries costs of the directorate were in each of the last five years. (141859)

The current established headcount of the Rail and National Networks Directorate is 325.

The Rail Directorate wages and salaries costs for the last five years were:

The 2005-06 and 2006-07 costs include staff transferred into the Department from the Strategic Rail Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on hospitality by his Department in the financial year 2006-07. (133252)

The Department for Transport spent £552,796.35 on hospitality for the financial year 2006-07. This spend includes costs for refreshments provided at meetings and working lunches.

The following agencies were not able to provide the information requested without incurring disproportionate cost:

Highways Agency (only provided by the Information Directorate);

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency; and

Driving Standards Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the official ministerial residences allocated to Ministers in his Department; and what the total annual cost is of running each. (141972)

No Ministers in the Department for Transport are allocated a ministerial residence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was raised from the sale of his Department's property in each of the last five years. (139307)

The requested information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was received by his Department from the letting of its properties in each of the last five years. (139326)

The requested information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent by his Department on public relations in each of the last five years. (139453)

The Department's prime use of external public relations is in support of our marketing activities on the THINK! road safety and Act on CO₂ campaigns. Expenditure in each of the last five years is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of providing British Sign Language (BSL) videos on his departmental website for the benefit of those whose first language is BSL. (142500)