To ask the Leader of the House how much was spent by her Office on (a) alcohol and (b) entertaining in the last 12 months. (187959)

Following the machinery of government changes in May 2007, the Leader of the House of Commons office forms part of the Cabinet Office. Information prior to May 2007 is available only at disproportionate cost.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will be answering this question shortly on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many FTSE 100 companies meet minimum reporting guidelines on greenhouse gas emissions; (187420)

The Government require companies and industries to report on their Greenhouse Gas emissions, including CO₂, in a standardised way. For example, all installations taking part in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme must monitor and report their CO₂ emissions in accordance with guidelines produced by the European Commission.

The Carbon Reduction Commitment, which will come into force in 2010, will require companies involved in the mandatory trading scheme to monitor their energy use and report it annually in a standardised format. This will cover a large number of FTSE 100 companies.

In addition, from 1 October 2007, quoted companies have been required to ensure that their Business Review includes information on environmental matters to the extent necessary for an understanding of the development, performance or position of the company's business. The first reports under this new regime will not be published until later this year.

The Government have also supported the work of the Carbon Disclosure Project. This is a voluntary investor-driven approach aimed at encouraging companies to disclose greenhouse gas emissions data. In 2007, 91 per cent. of FTSE 100 companies disclosed to CDP. This is an increase from 83 per cent. in 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will commission research to measure the level of carbon emissions resulting from the production of goods in China for the export market in 2007. (187791)

We have no plans to commission research to measure the level of global carbon emissions from the production of goods in China for the export market. Estimates of the carbon dioxide emissions from the Chinese economy as a whole are available from the International Energy Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the carbon dioxide emissions from operation of their Departments’ computer hardware. (187902)

While I have had no discussions, DEFRA officials are fully engaged on a cross departmental basis in taking forward initiatives to reduce the carbon and energy footprint of the Government’s information technology estate.

The Chief Technology Officer’s (CTO) Council Green Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Delivery sub group was set up in December to review our needs and produce actionable toolkits for both Government and its industry suppliers. DEFRA participates in the CTO Green ICT working group promulgating and promoting best practice across Departments, including a “Top Tips list for Green ICT” shortly to be placed on the DEFRA website.

All central Government Departments are currently mandated to purchase IT equipment to minimum energy efficiency specifications. These specifications are continually under review and we are carrying out an analysis of more rigorous sustainable standards that we aim to recommend as best practice to all Government Departments in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who is responsible for Eller Brook stream at the rear of the property on Ellerbrook Close, Heath Charnock, Chorley. (188563)

[holding answer 22 February 2008]: Eller Brook at this location is classified as an ‘ordinary watercourse’. Managing flooding from ordinary watercourses is the responsibility of the local council, in this case, Chorley borough council.

Chorley borough council has permissive powers to address flooding issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding has been budgeted for the biodiversity elements of the Environmental Action Fund/Countdown 2010 Fund in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; how much funding is available for biodiversity projects under the funds run by non-governmental organisations in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. (188725)

Natural England's budget for 2008-09 was announced on 21 February and final decisions on budget allocations for the Environmental Action Fund/Countdown 2010 have yet to be made. Figures for Natural England's budget in future years will be announced in due course.

I will ask Natural England's chief executive to write to the hon. Member when these figures have been confirmed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the implications would be of the Government not meeting its target of eradicating fuel poverty by 2016. (188717)

We remain committed to the eradication of fuel poverty. Our aim in England, restated in ‘Fuel Poverty in England: The Government's Plan for Action’, is to eradicate fuel poverty, as far as reasonably practicable, by 22 November 2016. The target for the UK as a whole is 2016-18.

Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for the Government. DEFRA will continue to discharge its duties and responsibilities under the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 with the aim of ensuring, as far as is reasonably practicable, that people do not live in fuel poverty by the set date.

As with any target with a statutory basis, failure to achieve this carries the risk of a legal challenge. We do not take this risk lightly and remain committed to achieving the 2016-18 target across the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to change arrangements for field trials for GM crops in relation to transparency of operations and identification of crops. (188456)

We have no specific plans to change the existing arrangements for publishing GM crop trial locations on the DEFRA website. We are, however, keeping this issue under general review, because there are a small minority of people who seem to be intent on destroying any GM trials. This is a concern if legitimate and potentially beneficial research is either being discouraged or not allowed to proceed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of whether qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers will apply to UK policy on regulating growth of genetically modified crops in the UK. (187925)

[holding answer 21 February 2008]: Decisions on proposals for the commercial cultivation of GM crops are taken at European Union level. Consistent with the EU legislation, the UK voting position is based on what the scientific evidence indicates about the safety of each crop in question for human health and the environment. DEFRA consults the relevant authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland before the UK position is finalised. There are no plans for the UK position to be determined on the basis of qualified majority voting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with HM Treasury on the effects reducing the Warm Front grant will have on the move away from oil installed heating systems to low carbon systems or renewables. (187439)

DEFRA has had no discussions with HM Treasury regarding this issue. DEFRA is continuing to actively assess the suitability of alternative low carbon technologies to integrate into Warm Front.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms are in place to ensure that Warm Front grants provide value for money. (186198)

DEFRA employs independent quality assessors, who have completed two reviews of Warm Front pricing. These reviews have shown that Warm Front charges provide value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the process is for servicing boilers installed under the Warm Front scheme; how often boilers and central heating appliances are serviced under the Warm Front scheme; what the response time is when boilers or central heating appliances are reported faulty under the Warm Front scheme; what the procedure is, under the Warm Front scheme, for those left without heating or hot water when appliances fitted under Warm Front break down; and whether there is a procedure for emergency situations when such boilers or heating appliances break down. (186981)

Gas boilers installed or repaired under Warm Front receive two annual service visits. These are carried out approximately 12 and 24 months after the date of installation.

Warm Front customers who have received a gas boiler have access to a 24 hour breakdown line, which operates seven days a week and 365 days a year. In the majority of cases this service provides either a same day or next day response. Temporary heaters will also be provided under certain circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average size was of Warm Front grant approved in Tamworth constituency in each of the last three years. (187940)

Over the last three scheme years, the average cost of each grant approved is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much he has spent in the National Bee Unit in each year since 1997; how much he intends to spend over the next five years; and if he will make a statement. (188436)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 30 October 2007, Official Report, column 1089W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average length of closed periods will be under the new regime for nitrate-vulnerable zones. (188228)

Manures and manufactured fertilisers cannot be applied in nitrate-vulnerable zones during defined closed periods. Proposals set out in the recent consultation for redefining the closed periods for organic manures have been developed using a targeted approach based on soil type, land use (arable or grassland) and rainfall. Under those proposals, the average length of the closed periods would be just over four months. There are no proposals to redefine closed periods for manufactured fertilisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether the public service agreement target to ensure that 95 per cent. of sites of special scientific interest are in favourable condition by 2010 remains in place; (188723)

We remain committed to achieving the public service agreement target to bring 95 per cent. of sites of special scientific interest by area into favourable or recovering condition by 2010. This target will become a departmental strategic objective under the new natural environment public service agreement.

Within the Major Landowners Group, my officials meet regularly with representatives of other organisations with a significant role in delivery of this target. This provides a mechanism for identification of emerging issues and ensures that they are discussed at the appropriate level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if his Department will give consent to Guildford borough council for tree protection orders to be placed on its departmental land at Epsom Road, Guildford prior to its forthcoming sale and disposal to a housing developer. (186271)

As part of the preparation for a planning application at the Guildford site DEFRA has undertaken a joint survey with Guildford borough council of the trees and, under the guidance of the tree preservation officer has identified a number of trees that are worthy of retention (some having been identified as restricting the sustainable growth of others).

DEFRA has no objection to the principle of imposing a TPO but would not expect this to be undertaken while in the ownership of DEFRA, pending disposal.

DEFRA is awaiting confirmation from the council as to the identification of those trees to which an Order would relate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring forward proposals for a statutory regime to govern the adaptation of wildlife habitats in response to climate change; and if he will make a statement. (187553)

The Government believe that the current regime adequately covers any adaptation of wildlife habitats that may be required in response to climate change.

Last year we published “Conserving biodiversity in a changing climate: guidance on building capacity to adapt”, which is directed at those who plan and deliver conservation of terrestrial biodiversity.

The UK was also the first country to produce a national Biodiversity Action Plan in response to the Convention on Biological Diversity signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan comprises both species and habitats action plans. In 2007, the UK Biodiversity Partnership published a new list of priority habitats, containing 65 habitat types. These priority habitats are a focus for conservation during the next decade and the impacts of climate change will feature in conservation actions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what species are to be removed from Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; what mechanisms will be put in place to monitor the effect on wild populations of such species; and what the expected cost is of such monitoring. (187844)

The list of species to be removed from Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 has not been finalised and will be subject to further discussions with the devolved administrations. I hope the revised schedule will take effect from 1 October this year.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Statutory Nature Conservation Agencies support a range of bird surveillance and monitoring schemes in the United Kingdom, usually in partnership with specialist non-government organisations. Surveillance schemes may include annual or periodic assessment of population size and distribution and allow trends in both to be derived. Schemes are tailored to provide comprehensive coverage of common and rare species in both breeding and non-breeding seasons. Monitoring is undertaken as part of the JNCC’s and Statutory Nature Conservation Agencies’ statutory obligations and would not incur any additional costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of (a) daily and (b) annual crossings made at the Dartford Crossing, broken down by vehicle category, was in the last five years. (188868)

The figures requested are in the following tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations she has received on the Dartford Crossing tolls. (188867)

The Department for Transport received several thousand representations in response to the consultation on the Dartford Crossing charges that finished in March last year. These included representations from local residents, trade associations, local government and local MPs. The views expressed in these responses have been taken into account in the proposals for a local residents’ discount scheme, issued for consultation on 15 February 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she plans to publish the consultation document on fitness to drive. (188252)

We intend to consult on options for change to health and driver licensing arrangements later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate her Department has made of the likely increase in annual fuel consumption resulting from the requirement to have daytime running lamps on motor vehicles. [Official Report, 3 March 2008, Vol. 472, c. 22MC.] (188257)

Research undertaken for the Department for Transport indicated that the requirement for new types of motor vehicle to be equipped with dedicated daytime running lamps would result in an increase of about 5 per cent. in fuel consumption.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2008, Official Report, column 788W, on motor vehicles: safety, what provisions have been agreed with her EU counterparts on the exemption of vehicles registered for road use before the commencement of the relevant European directive from the mandatory use of daytime running lights or their equivalent. (188253)

Following EU decisions on daytime running lights (DRL) issues, a European Directive will require new vehicle types to be equipped with dedicated DRLs from early 2011 (cars, vans) and summer 2012 (other vehicles). Vehicles registered before these dates will not be required to be retro-fitted with DRLs or to use existing lights as an equivalent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines her Department has issued to statutory authorities on (a) measuring the level of degradation of road surfacing and (b) the time scales for resurfacing each of the categories of degraded road surfacing. (188517)

Local highway authorities have a duty under the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highways in their charge. As part of the Best Value regime, they are required to report annually on the condition of those highways. Guidance on the calculation of such Best Value Condition Indicators, including reference to the road surface condition parameters to be measured, is provided on the Department’s website.

Decisions on what maintenance should be undertaken, and when, is a matter for each individual highway authority. The Department endorses ‘Well-maintained Highways’ (TSO, 2005) produced by the UK Roads Board, which provides best practice guidance on maintenance management.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints of (a) sexual harassment and (b) sexual discrimination have been made by staff in (i) her Department and (ii) its agencies in the most recent year for which figures are available. (184682)

Due to the low number of sexual harassment and sexual discrimination complaints in the Department for Transport and its agencies, this information is withheld on the grounds of confidentiality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the merits of ring-fencing local authority grants to community transport providers. (188055)

The conditions attached to the Department’s grants to local authorities, or other bodies, reflect the particular circumstances of each case. However, it is Government policy to reduce the proportion of total local authority funding which is given by means of ring-fenced grants to enable more decisions about local issues to be made locally.

The level and form of local authority support for community transport is a matter for local decision.

It is for each local authority to determine the conditions which apply to any grants they provide for community transport providers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will make it her policy to extend the concessionary travel scheme to (a) long distance coach travel and (b) other forms of public transport. (183107)

Since 2003 there has been a half-fare concessionary travel scheme for older and eligible disabled people on long distance coaches. It is a voluntary scheme but the major providers of long distance coach services take part. The scheme will continue following the introduction of the England-wide free off-peak local bus travel concession in April. There are no proposals at present to extend statutory concessionary fares to forms of transport other than local buses.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, what pay grades are applicable to members of staff working for the Department of Resources. (186170)

As at 31 January 2008, the Department of Resources employed 136.28 full-time equivalent staff (FTE), broken down as follows:

An organisational chart detailing individual pay bands for staff can be found on the Department of Resources intranet site.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, what percentage of the Department of Resources staff time is spent administering the allowances of hon. Members. (186171)

About one quarter of all departmental staff time is devoted to administering Members’ allowances. This equates to some 35 full-time equivalent staff.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, (1) how many persons who are not nationals of EU member states hold a parliamentary pass; (188572)

There are currently 1,312 valid parliamentary passes issued to individuals whose nationality is other than British.

Records are not held in a form which distinguishes the number of non-European from European nationals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent by his Department on (a) alcohol and (b) entertaining in the last 12 months. (187952)

My Department spent a total of £12,631.87 on entertaining in the last 12 months. The figures for entertaining are not split between alcohol and food, and these could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was claimed in reimbursable expenses by Senior Civil Service staff in his Department in the last 12-month period for which figures are available. (187548)

The amount claimed by senior civil service staff in the financial year 2006-07 was £2,582.79.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what property has been lost or stolen from his Department since 1997; and what the cost of replacement was. (187465)

The Wales Office was established in July 1999. Since 1999 our records show that we have lost:

There have been no items reported stolen.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the cost of sickness pay to staff within his Department was in the most recent year for which figures are available. (187507)

The cost of sickness pay is not readily available in the format requested, and obtaining this could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

However, in 2006-07, which is the latest year for which figures have been published, of all Government Departments the Wales Office had the lowest number of days lost due to sickness per member of staff, at just 1.6 days in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on first class travel in the last 12 months for which figures are available, broken down by staff grade. (187658)

My Department has spent the following amounts on first class travel in 2007:

The breakdown by staff grade can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

My Office is split over two sites, namely London and Cardiff, and staff are required to travel frequently between both offices. The Wales Office, however, makes good use of advanced ticket bookings to achieve value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to promote Fair Trade Fortnight 2008 among staff within his Department; and if he will make a statement. (189500)

My Department does not have any in-house catering facilities. Where possible, taking account of value for money, fair trade products are used.

To support Fair Trade Fortnight 2008, an e-mail, alerting all staff to the event, and linking them to the Fair Trade website, has been sent.

To ask the Minister for the Olympics what the cost of her Department's Humanitarian Assistance Unit was in each of the last three years. (186987)

The total cost of the unit and its work since it was established in 2005 is as follows:

To ask the Minister for the Olympics whether she has plans to move the 2012 Olympics shooting events to sites other than Woolwich. (188744)

There are no plans to move the shooting event to an alternative venue.

The Royal Artillery barracks at Woolwich was selected as the venue for Olympic and Paralympic shooting events in 2012 following feedback from the International Olympic Committee and consultation with the International Shooting Federation and British Shooting (the national governing body). Woolwich has the advantage of being close to the Olympic Park and Village, which will improve the athlete and spectator experience. The decision to stage the event at Woolwich is now part of the Host City Contract with the IOC.

To ask the Minister for the Olympics what recent progress has been made on the relocation of (a) wildlife and (b) feral cats from the Olympic site at Stratford; and if she will make a statement. (187076)

In parallel with ongoing site clearance and preparation works, the Olympic Delivery Authority continues its comprehensive ecology programme to ensure the preservation and protection of wildlife in the Olympic Park. Where possible, habitats are being safeguarded and will remain in place but, where wildlife cannot be protected sufficiently on-site, the ODA is working with the nearby Waterworks Nature Reserve and Hackney council to create alternative habitats in the local area. The ODA is also preparing a small nature reserve at East Marsh to become home to a variety of wildlife including birds, frogs, spiders and beetles with planting scheduled to commence in the spring.

To date, thousands of newts and hundreds of toads have been translocated to specially created ponds on the Waterworks Reserve and aquatics experts have moved fish away from the clearance and dredging works on the Pudding Mill river to the nearby river Lea. New nest areas suitable for the breeding and feeding patterns of kingfishers and sand martins have also been created at the Waterworks.

The ODA is also working with the Celia Hammond Animal Trust (CHAT) to ensure the well-being and safe capture of any feral cats remaining on the site. To date, around 170 cats have been safely taken off site for re-homing by the trust. The ODA continues to work closely with the trust to allow access to those areas safe from construction activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what undertakings were given to staff at the British embassy in Dublin on local labour relations procedures and the treatment of industrial relations disputes. (187044)

Our embassy in Dublin has regularly informed staff that it is committed to handling labour relations in accordance with good employer practice, local employment law and the (non-binding) procedural agreement signed in 2003 between our embassy and the Unite trade union.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to promote dialogue between the British embassy in Dublin and the Unite trade union within the framework of the Labour Relations Commission apparatus in Ireland. (187247)

Our embassy in Dublin and Unite, acting on behalf of the embassy's local Staff Association, reached a mutually satisfactory agreement on the consequences for staff of the restructuring of the UK Trade and Investment section on 21 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) voluntary and (b) compulsory redundancies of Irish employees are planned at the British embassy in Dublin; and if he will make a statement. (187249)

Three compulsory redundancies were made recently at our embassy in Dublin, as a result of UK Trade and Investment's (UKTI) wider restructuring of their global network in line with their new strategic priorities.

Our embassy and Unite, acting on behalf of the embassy's local Staff Association, reached a mutually satisfactory agreement on the consequences for staff of the restructuring of the UKTI section.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the record of Equatorial Guinea in (a) according fair trials to and (b) observing the human rights of individuals held captive in Black Beach prison. (188534)

[holding answer 22 February 2008]: The Government have serious concerns over Equatorial Guinea’s human rights record.

We are aware of recent reports that express concern over the situation in Equatorial Guinea as regards individuals' right to a fair trial and the country’s observation of human rights. Such reports include the Amnesty International Report 2007 and the report of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, available at:

http://thereport.amnesty.org/document/15

http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/E3F5F640A5C8217FC125731A002D604D?opendocument

While such reporting indicates that conditions in Black Beach prison are improving, following the introduction of a new block in 2005, the overall situation remains of concern.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Iraqi locally-employed staff were granted asylum in 2007; and how many he expects to be granted asylum in 2008. (185043)

[holding answer 5 February 2008]: I have been asked to reply.

The information on how many Iraqi locally employed staff were granted asylum in 2007 is not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

It would not possible to speculate how many Iraqi locally engaged staff may be granted asylum in 2008 as every asylum application is considered on its individual merits in accordance with the criteria defined in the 1951 UN Convention relating to the status of refugees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with his counterparts in (a) Spain, (b) Cyprus, (c) Greece, (d) Romania, (e) Bulgaria and (f) Slovakia on the declaration of independence of Kosovo. (187789)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Kosovo's declaration of independence with his colleagues from EU countries, including from Spain, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia at the 18 February General Affairs and External Relations Council.

The Council unanimously agreed conclusions setting out a clear EU response to developments in Kosovo. The EU has agreed a range of political and practical assistance to Kosovo (deploying a police and rule of law mission and special representative; assisting with economic and political development). The conclusions noted that member states could decide on their relations with Kosovo in accordance with national practice.

I also refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on Kosovo on 19 February 2008, Official Report, columns 20-22WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 18 February 2008, Official Report, column 180W, on Simon Mann, what the reasons are for his view that the (a) threat and (b) use of sanctions against Equatorial Guinea would be incompatible with securing the welfare of Simon Mann. (188532)

[holding answer 22 February 2008]: As stated in my written answer to the hon. Member on 18 February 2008, Official Report, column 180W, the Government’s main concern is for Mr. Mann’s immediate welfare.

Our objective in dealing with the Equatorial Guinean authorities is to maintain open lines of communication, with a view to regular access to Simon Mann and ensuring that he is treated in line with international standards.

We do not believe that sanctions would be conducive to facilitating dialogue with the Equatorial Guinean government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of Equatorial Guinea declining to accept the legitimacy of any trial of Simon Mann by that government following his abduction to that country from Zimbabwe. (188531)

[holding answer 22 February 2008]: The issue of the legality of Mr. Mann’s removal from Zimbabwe and its implications for any subsequent trial are a matter for Mr. Mann’s legal representatives to take forward in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea.

We have expressed our concern to the Zimbabwean authorities following Mr. Mann’s transfer to Equatorial Guinea.

The Equatorial Guinean authorities have assured us that Mr. Mann will receive a fair trial, in accordance with international law, and that he will be free to appoint a lawyer.

We will make representations to the Equatorial Guinea authorities if Mr. Mann’s trial does not follow internationally recognised standards for a fair trial.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the political and security situation in East Timor; and if he will make a statement. (187938)

We were extremely concerned to learn of the attacks on President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Gusmao on 11 February and hope that Dr. Ramos-Horta makes a speedy recovery. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office official visited Dili last week and met with a variety of key interlocutors. He assessed the security situation to be calm, although outbreaks of violence could happen without warning.

There can be no justification for these attacks. We hope that law enforcement authorities will be able to bring those responsible for the outrage to justice and that stability will be maintained in East Timor. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has written to Prime Minister Gusmao, condemning the attacks.

We fully support the vital work of the UN Mission to East Timor and the International Stabilisation Force in their efforts to help bring about peace and stability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Libyan counterpart on Libya’s intentions in chairing the preparatory committee for the 2009 UN World Conference Against Racism. (188754)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed this with his Libyan counterpart. UK officials in Geneva are engaged in talks with other delegations on the preparatory process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has made to put anti-semitism on the main agenda of the 2009 UN World Conference Against Racism. (188755)

The Government believe that it is vital to avoid a repeat of the disgraceful anti-Semitism that occurred at the 2001 World Conference Against Racism.

We want the Durban Review Conference to assess how states have implemented the 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme for Action. The agenda for the Conference is not yet clear. The UK was among a small number of countries that worked hard to ensure that the issue of anti-Semitism was included in the 2001 Declaration and Programme for Action. We will seek to ensure that anti-Semitism receives due attention at the Durban Review Conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Ministerial involvement is planned in the preparatory committee for the 2009 UN World Conference Against Racism. (188756)

The United Kingdom will be represented at the preparatory committee for the Durban Review Conference by our Mission to the Office of the United Nations in Geneva. There are no plans for Ministers to attend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Canadian government on its decision not to attend the 2009 UN World Conference Against Racism. (188757)

Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been in discussions with their Canadian counterparts on the Durban Review Conference. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed this with the Canadian Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with European Union Ministers on the preparations for the 2009 UN World Conference Against Racism. (188758)

The Durban Review Conference has not yet been discussed at the level of European Union Foreign Ministers. It has, however, been a regular item on the agenda of meetings at official level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Government of Vietnam on the treatment of the Underground Church in that country. (187430)

Together with our EU partners, we regularly discuss human rights issues, including religious freedom, with the Vietnamese authorities. The biannual EU-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue is the main forum for raising our concerns. Our ambassador in Hanoi attended the last dialogue, which was held in Hanoi on 19 December 2007. We also discuss the issues with the Government of Vietnam, both bilaterally and with our EU counterparts.

We are aware of reports of the continued harassment of some religious groups in some areas. We have urged the Vietnamese authorities to increase awareness and capacity among local authorities, to guarantee the right of all religious groups to practise their faith freely in the community through full implementation of the appropriate legislation, and to adhere to their international human rights obligations. Regulations, in force since 2004, establish criteria for the recognition of hitherto non-sanctioned religious groups.

I raised our concerns on human rights with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister at the Association of South East Asian Nations summit in Singapore on 23 November 2007 and with the Deputy Foreign Minister during his visit to London on 29 November 2007. Additionally, I raised the issue with the Vietnamese ambassador on 9 October 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Government of Vietnam on the imprisonment of church leaders in that country. (187431)

We are concerned at the arrests and sentencing of a number of human rights defenders, including some campaigning for increased religious freedoms, in Vietnam and have made numerous representations to the Vietnamese authorities on the plight of these individuals.

We co-operate closely with our EU partners in Hanoi on human rights issues, including on the question of religious freedoms. The biannual EU-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue, which was established in 2003, is the main forum for raising our concerns. Our ambassador in Hanoi attended the most recent dialogue, which took place on 19 December 2007 in Hanoi.

I raised our concerns on human rights with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister at the Association of South East Asian Nations summit in Singapore on 23 November 2007 and with the Deputy Foreign Minister during his visit to London on 29 November 2007. Additionally, I raised the issue with the Vietnamese ambassador on 9 October 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were employed in his Department's ministerial correspondence unit in each of the last five years; and how much it cost to run the unit, including utilities and other expenses, in each year. (187050)

Although the Northern Ireland Office does not have a dedicated ministerial correspondence unit, there are staff within the Belfast and London private offices that act as correspondence clerks as part of their duties.

The measurement of the costs relating to the time spent completing correspondence duties could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on stationery in each of the last five years. (187057)

The following table shows the amount the Northern Ireland Office, excluding its Agencies and non-departmental public bodies, has spent on stationery in each of the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what average hourly rate his Department paid to employment agencies for agency staff in each year since 1999, broken down by employment agency. (187795)

The average hourly rate paid to employment agencies for agency staff used by the Department is not readily available, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases the Historical Enquiries Team are investigating; and how many staff there are currently associated with the team. (187833)

The Historical Enquiries Team is to examine all deaths attributed to "The Troubles" from January 1969 to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998; this equates to 3,268 deaths which occurred in 2,516 incidents (an incident is described as a case). To date 1,039 cases have been allocated to the HET business process.

HET currently have a total of 175 staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the senior civil service in his Department have received an honour. (187121)

Four members of staff in the Northern Ireland Office have received an honour.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was claimed in reimbursable expenses by senior Civil Service staff in his Department and its agencies in the last 12-month period for which figures are available. (187542)

The total claimed in reimbursable expenses by senior civil servants in DFID in the last 12 months was £111,005.

This figure relates to claims made directly through our UK systems. It is not possible to include reimbursable costs claimed through our local accounting sections overseas without incurring disproportionate cost.

All reimbursable expenses are made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries have been visited by officials from his Department in each year for which information is available. (187581)

A list of countries visited, for years which information is readily available, has been placed in the Library of the House. The data reflect all overseas visits for UK-based officials. It is not possible to provide information on visits carried out by staff based overseas other than visits back to the UK, without incurring a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many members of the Senior Civil Service in his Department have received an honour. (187123)

Of the 96 senior civil servants currently employed by the Department for International Development, four have received an honours award.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the compatibility of programmes funded by the European Commission on the Millennium Development Goals with (a) the Global Business Plan on MDGs 4 and 5 and (b) the International Health Partnership. (188720)

Both the Global Business Plan on MDGs 4 and 5 and the International Health Partnership aim to deliver more effective aid in support of national health plans and priorities. The European Commission is a signatory to the IHP and the UK continues to work closely with the Commission in ensuring the aid it provides is consistent with these principles. The EC does not have specific MDG ‘programmes’. Our main interest with regard to their support for the MDGs is at the country level.

In 2007, the EC published the majority of its country strategy papers for the period to 2013. Many of these were completed before donors agreed the GBP and the IHP. DFID considered these CSPs against a range of criteria, including their adherence to the legal and policy base and alignment with the priorities of the partner country as set out in their national plans—this is in line with the principles of the IHP. Our assessment is that those which have so far been presented have generally met these criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the UK plans to contribute to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ appeal for funds to help repatriate black Mauritanians who have been in exile in Senegal. (187405)

There are no plans to contribute to the appeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the Third Report of the Scottish Affairs Committee Session 2007-08, on Child Poverty in Scotland, (HC 277); what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Report; and what steps his Department plans to take to implement recommendations set out in the Report. (187314)

The Government are considering the recommendations contained within the Committee’s report on Child Poverty in Scotland, and will respond in full in due course.

Ministers at the Department for Work and Pensions are aware of the report, and my officials are in regular contact with counterparts in DWP who are contributing to the content of the Government response.

We will work with other Government Departments to implement any necessary actions identified in our response.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent by his Department and its agencies on (a) alcohol and (b) entertaining in the last 12 months. (187956)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 October 2007, Official Report, column 1363W. The Scotland Office maintains records for expenditure on hospitality in each financial year but does not distinguish that part spent on alcohol.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent on translation services by his Department in (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05, (c) 2005-06, (d) 2006-07 and (e) in 2007-08 to date. (188001)

The Scotland Office does not separately record any costs associated with translations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what documents his Department translates for people in the UK who do not speak English. (188002)

The Scotland Office does not offer translation services to the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members of the senior Civil Service in his Department have received an honour. (187120)

No member of the senior civil service at the Scotland Office has received an honour.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission whether the Electoral Commission (a) conducted or (b) commissioned work into incomes and expenditures of below-threshold accounting units for the accounts for 2003. (186153)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it wrote in 2004 to all registered party accounting units to inquire as to whether their total income or gross expenditure was greater than £25,000 for the 2003 financial year; and to ask those whose income or expenditure was under this threshold to confirm this in writing. The purpose of the exercise was to confirm which accounting units should be submitting accounts to the Commission and which should not. No further work was carried out.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Taunton of 25 January 2008, Official Report, column 2277W, on departmental visits abroad, what the purpose of each foreign visit was, other than those listed as election or referendum observation. (186099)

The Electoral Commission informs me that the purpose of the visits in question was as follows:

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission what efficiency savings the Electoral Commission plans to make over the next three years. (186096)

The resource budget agreed by the Speaker’s Committee for the Commission covering the four years 2007-08 to 20010-11 is a ‘cash flat’ amount of £23,995,000 (including the £2 million annual Policy Development Grant budget) in each of the four years. The Commission is required to absorb all pay and non-pay inflation over this period and to do so it will have to deliver efficiency savings of on average at least 2 per cent. or £480,000 in each year.

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has already secured recurrent savings of £625,000 in 2007-08 and as the first stage of its efficiency plan for 2008-09 has identified specific savings of £250,000.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission what assessment the Electoral Commission has made of the effect of the Gershon review on its activities. (186097)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it takes into account the Gershon principles and findings when reviewing its expenditure and efficiency plans, which are discussed with the Speaker’s Committee.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance that was sent by the Electoral Commission to participants in the Labour Party deputy leadership campaign in relation to reporting donations given towards their campaign. (186162)

The Electoral Commission informs me that its guidance to participants in the Labour party deputy leadership campaign was contained in the letters sent to candidates on 18 May 2007, copies of which are already in the Library.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1084W, on political parties: finance, whether the Electoral Commission plans to commission consultants to assist it in its research on the operation of the political levy and political funds. (186069)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has no plans to commission consultants to assist this research, which is limited to considering the existing legislative framework and background information on how the political levy and political funds currently operate.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2008, Official Report, columns 181-2W, on political parties: finance, if he will place in the Library copies of the letters sent by the Electoral Commission to the (a) Labour leadership and deputy leadership candidates in May 2007 and (b) Liberal Democrat leadership candidates in October 2007. (186071)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has done so.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission how much expenditure the Electoral Commission incurred in severance and redundancy pay in each year since the Commission was established. (186072)

The Electoral Commission informs me that the cost of severance and redundancy pay incurred in each calendar year since its establishment was as follows:

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1085W, on political parties: finance, what the timetable is for the Electoral Commission’s planned research into the political levy and political funds. (186100)

The Electoral Commission informs me that the research into trade union funding is limited to considering the existing legislative framework and background information on how the political levy and political funds currently operate.

The research will be completed following a meeting between Commission staff and the Certification Officer, expected to take place next month.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1085W, on political parties: finance, if the Electoral Commission will request Sir Hayden Phillips to submit his background work into trade union funds and political funds to assist the Commission's research into trade union political funds and political levies. (186183)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has made arrangements to meet officials who performed research on trade unions for the review of party funding recently completed by Sir Hayden Philips.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1085W, on political parties: finance, if the Electoral Commission will seek to obtain copies of constituency development plans made between the Labour Party and trades unions to assist its research into trade union political funds and the political levy. (186184)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it does not plan to obtain copies of constituency development plans made between the Labour party and trade unions as this is beyond the scope of the research.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Horsham of 25 January 2008, Official Report, column 2280W, on political parties: finance, if he will name the accounting units of the Labour Party which had accounting units below £25,000 in (a) 2004 and (b) 2007. (186286)

The Electoral Commission informs me that 578 out of 690 accounting units of the Labour Party responded in 2004 to confirm that their total income and gross expenditure for the 2003 financial year were below the reporting threshold of £25,000. A full list of those who responded has been placed in the library.

The Commission has reviewed the canvass of registered accounting units performed in 2007. The results of the canvass are incomplete and the Commission intends to update its records by working with the parties and undertaking a new canvass of accounting units in 2008.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Horsham of 25 January 2008, Official Report, column 2280W, on political parties: finance, if he will place in the Library copies of the accounts provided to the Commission by associations under the threshold. (186287)

The Electoral Commission informs me that these documents are held in paper form and copies can be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the accounts are available for inspection in the Electoral Commission’s London office on request.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2008, Official Report, column 1084W, on political parties: finance, if the Electoral Commission will be inviting evidence from interested parties to assist the research into trade unions political funds and the political levy. (186288)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has no plans to invite contributions from interested external parties.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission whether the Electoral Commission holds copies of Labour party trade union constituency development plans. (186161)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it does not hold copies of Labour party trade union constituency development plans.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission if the Electoral Commission will undertake research into funding of trades unions through (a) the Trade Union Modernisation Fund and (b) other public funding. (186185)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has no plans to undertake such research.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of staff in his Department have received written warnings for breaching standards of behaviour or attendance in each month in the last five years. (181267)