To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how much funding the Equality and Human Rights Commission has given to the British Humanist Association since the Commission's inception; and for what purposes. (259520)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has provided the British Humanist Association a total of £35,000 to fund a programme of work with the stated outcome to deliver ‘increased understanding of issues of religion or belief in the context of equality and human rights within the voluntary sector, media and general public; via research, conferences, guidance documents and media work'.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2009, Official Report, column 1312W, on charities, how many (a) charities and (b) faith-based charities have applied for funding from the Government Equalities Office and been declined since 12 October 2007. (251981)

One of the 28 applications for support from the special fund for rape crisis centres was declined as the applicant did not meet all the eligibility criteria set out in my answer to PQ 251980, on 24 February 2009, Official Report, columns 738-9W.

No applications from faith-based charities have been received and declined.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how much the Equality and Human Rights Commission spent on entertainment of each type in 2008-09. (258975)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has spent £6,151 on hospitality in 2008-09.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what the (a) timetable and (b) remit of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's inquiry into human rights in Britain is. (259530)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission launched its Human Rights Inquiry in April 2008 and is due to report in spring 2009. The terms of reference are:

To assess progress towards the effectiveness and enjoyment of a culture of respect for human rights in Great Britain

To consider how the current human rights framework might best be developed and used to realise the vision of a society built on fairness and respect, confident in all aspects of its diversity.

The inquiry, which covers England and Wales, will investigate:

Public attitudes to the Human Rights Act

How the Human Rights Act is working

How it is used by public authorities and other organisations where appropriate.

Further information about the inquiry including the terms of reference can be found on the Commission's website:

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/proiects/humanrightsinquiry/Pages/HumanrightsInquiry.aspxx

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality in which planning cases relating to Travellers the Equality and Human Rights Commission has made an intervention since it was established. (259426)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has only intervened in the case of McCarthy and Others v Basildon district council.

The EHRC intervened in this particular appeal in order to advise on how the law in relation to race and disability discrimination should be applied in cases involving Gypsy and Travellers evictions. The EHRC offered guidance on how councils should come to these decisions to ensure they meet their legal obligations to go about such decisions in a fair and transparent way.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many small and medium-sized enterprises were registered in (a) North Wiltshire constituency, (b) Wiltshire and (c) Swindon in each year since 1997. (259504)

I have been asked to reply.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated March 2009:

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning what estimate has been made of the number of small to medium-sized enterprises registered in (a) North Wiltshire constituency, (b) Wiltshire and (c) Swindon in each year since 1997. (259504)

Annual statistics on business size and location are available from the ONS release on UK Business: Activity, Size and Location. The table below contains enterprise counts from 2000 to 2008. These data are not available prior to 2000.

To ask the honourable Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what further information the Speaker's Committee has received about the outside interests of the chairman of the Electoral Commission. (261803)

During the debate on 17 December 2008 on the Motion to appoint Jenny Watson as chairman of the Electoral Commission, I informed the House that Ms Watson had agreed to give up all her other paid appointments, with the exception of her role as a member of the board of the Audit Commission. Ms Watson has subsequently informed the Speaker's Committee that she wishes to retain another of her paid appointments, as a non-executive director of the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP). WRAP is a publicly-funded company which works with businesses and consumers to encourage recycling.

The Speaker's Committee has considered Ms Watson's request and has concluded that there is no conflict of interest. Neither, in the Committee's judgment, does Ms Watson's retention of her two non-executive roles impinge on her ability to fulfil her commitment to work three days a week as chairman of the Electoral Commission. Ms Watson works three days a month for the Audit Commission and a further two days a month for WRAP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) males and (b) females in each age group were (i) slightly and (ii) seriously injured whilst (A) crossing the road in and (B) taking part in a public demonstration in Parliament square in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available. (261536)

In 2007, two pedestrians were slightly injured in reported personal injury road accidents while crossing the road in Parliament square—one male casualty in December and one female casualty in April. There was one seriously injured male casualty in January. All three casualties were adults aged 16 to 59 years old.

Information on the number of collisions involving persons taking part in public demonstrations is not collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents occurred in Parliament square in each of the last 12 months; how many (a) involved and (b) were found to have been caused by persons taking part in public demonstrations opposite Carriage Gates; and if he will make a statement. (261537)

The number of reported personal injury road accidents in 2007 that occurred in Parliament square are given in the following table:

Information on the number of collisions involving or caused by persons taking part in public demonstrations opposite ‘Carriage Gates’ is not collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2008, Official Report, column 23W, on roads: Lancashire, how many meetings his officials have held with Lancashire county council officials about work supported by a road safety partnership grant not specific to the A59; where those meetings were held; and what decisions were made at those meetings. (260663)

The Department for Transport (DFT) awarded Lancashire county council a Road Safety Partnership Grant of £15,000 in May 2007 for the purpose of developing a web-based interactive road safety auditor’s checklist, for use across the country.

Relating to this, a DFT officer has met with Lancashire county council officers six times to monitor progress and to advise about the project. These meetings were held in Lancashire county council’s offices in Preston.

The award of a further partnership grant project involving Lancashire county council was announced on 4 March. There have been no meetings between officials and those of the county council about this work since it has been supported by partnership grant. However officials have met during the formulation of Lancashire’s bid for funding support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of road safety partnership grants in (a) Lancashire and (b) England. (260661)

An assessment of the effectiveness of road safety partnership grants in England is in progress. It will be completed when results from the first round of projects are available.

This first round of road safety partnership grant projects in England, which includes a project in Lancashire, is due for completion this spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3, on new trains (investment), where the assembly facility for the new rolling stock for the East Coast and Great Western main lines will be located; and whether it will be located in an area which attracts Government development grants. (260009)

Agility Trains has indicated that the facility will be located in either Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Gateshead or Sheffield. Government grants are given out according to exacting criteria and Agility Trains will need to speak to the appropriate Regional Development Agency and to UK Trade and Investments in order to ascertain their ability to attract this type of support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3, on new trains (investment), how the 2,500 new direct jobs relating to the contract to supply new rolling stock for the East Coast and Great Western main lines will be allocated in terms of (a) function and (b) location. (260010)

The following information has been provided by Agility Trains.

300 staff will be employed in the UK developing the six new manufacturing/maintenance facilities. In addition, there will be 200 UK jobs created in the design, supplier management, testing and commissioning of the trains; 500 jobs with major UK suppliers; 1,000 jobs will be distributed around the new and existing train maintenance and servicing centres; and up to 500 new jobs created in the UK Hitachi manufacturing facility.

Agility anticipates that the total of 2,500 jobs will be spread throughout the UK, which will lead to a total of 12,500 jobs created or safeguarded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3, on new trains (investment), where the design and engineering work to be carried out by Agility Trains for the new rolling stock for the East Coast and Great Western main lines is to be carried out in the first three years of the contract. (260012)

Agility Trains expects the design and engineering work in the first three years of the contract to be split between the UK and Japan, with 50 UK-based design positions created from the point of contract award.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3, on new trains (investment), what percentage of new trains for the East Coast and Great Western main lines will be built in Japan by (a) value and (b) component. (260013)

Approximately the first 70 of the 1,400 vehicles will be built in Japan. This equates to 5 per cent. of the total. Agility is committed to spending nearly three quarters of the value of the order in the UK, and is currently in active discussions with 20 high-quality UK suppliers. As no contracts have yet been signed, the Department for Transport cannot provide a split by supplier value or component at this stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3, on new trains (investment), whether he has estimated the level of carbon dioxide emissions likely to result from shipping the first 70 cars of rolling stock from Japan to the UK for the East Coast and Great Western main lines. (260016)

No assessment has been made of carbon emissions likely to result from shipping the first 70 cars from Japan. Shipping is acknowledged as the most economical and environmentally friendly way of relocating goods worldwide, and the Government are committed to making the shipping sector even more environmentally friendly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to bring forward legislative proposals to legalise the display of national flags on number plates in Great Britain to take effect on 23 April 2009. (259641)

It is not possible to commit to a specific date at this point as the informal consultation has not concluded and the response from the European Commission Technical Committee is not expected until early March. The outcome from these will need to be considered before I am able to determine the exact time scale in which the legislation may take effect.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many violent crimes took place in the British Virgin Islands in each of the last five years. (260683)

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is responsible for the collation of crime statistics and have provided the following information on major crimes:

The RVIPF classifies crimes as major or minor, rather than violent or non-violent. Major crimes include murder, attempted murder, rape, burglary, robbery, theft, serious assaults and sexual offences. Statistics for 2004 are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British tourists visited the British Virgin Islands in each of the last five years. (260681)

The Development Planning Unit of the Government of the British Virgin Islands collates arrivals figures by country of origin. Figures for arrivals from the UK were as follows:

The Development Planning Unit has advised that figures for 2007 and 2008 are not currently available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the British Virgin Islands gross domestic product was generated by the tourist sector in each of the last five years. (260682)

The Development Planning Unit of the Government of the British Virgin Islands has provided the following statistics relating to the percentage of gross domestic product generated by the tourist sector:

The Development Planning Unit has advised that the figure for 2008 is not currently available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of his Department's contracts with management consultants was in each of the last five years. (251370)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not break down expenditure on consultants into specific categories to this level.

Annual expenditure on consultants is published in the FCO's annual departmental reports, copies of which are available on the FCO website and can be directly accessed through the following link:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029395438.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of his Department's contracts with public relations consultancies was in each of the last five years. (251261)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not break down expenditure on consultants into specific categories to this level.

Annual expenditure on consultants is published in the FCO’s annual departmental reports, copies of which are available on the FCO website and can be directly accessed through the following link:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029395438.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of his Department's contracts with public affairs companies was in each of the last five years. (251284)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold information of expenditure broken down into categories of companies at this level. Examining individual contracts to respond to this question would incur disproportionate costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had discussions with his Argentinean counterpart on the Falkland Islands in the last 10 years. (259928)

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have met their Argentinean counterparts on numerous occasions over the last 10 years to discuss a variety of different subjects. None of these meetings have been specifically about the Falkland Islands. We have made it clear to the Argentinians that there can be no negotiations on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands unless and until such time as the Falkland Islanders so wish. The UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of harassment of Movement for Democratic Change officials in Zimbabwe. (260272)

[holding answer 3 March 2009]: There was a spate of abductions of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists in late 2008. On 27 February 2009, many of them were granted bail but some have yet to be released. A further seven are missing, with the state denying knowledge of their whereabouts. The designated MDC Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Roy Bennett, was arrested on 13 February 2009. He and 10 MDC supporters who were arrested after protesting Mr. Bennett’s arrest also remain in police custody. A further 60 MDC supporters arrested in 2009 are also in police custody. We will continue to monitor closely reports of politically motivated harassment, and encourage the new Government to meet their international obligations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the Government of Zimbabwe on the arrest and detention of Roy Bennett. (260184)

On 11 February, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political detainees. On 16 February, Foreign Office officials made clear to the Zimbabwean embassy in London our concern about the arrest of Mr. Bennett on 13 February. Improved respect for human rights and the rule of law is a condition of international development support. We will continue to monitor developments closely and encourage the new Government to meet its international obligations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the security situation in Somalia following the recent attack on the Burundi contingent of the AU Mission in Somalia. (260268)

We condemn recent attacks on the Burundi and other contingents of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). These attacks appear to have been aimed at blocking progress towards a long-term political solution to Somalia's problems. We have been encouraged that, despite the attacks, both Burundi and Uganda intend to deploy further troops to AMISOM.

While the security situation in Somalia remains fragile, there are encouraging signs that the political process is developing momentum. The new Transitional Government convened for the first time in Mogadishu on 28 February 2009. With support from AMISOM, security personnel from the Transitional Government are in control of much of Mogadishu. We, and the rest of the international community, will continue to support President Sharif’s efforts to create a stable environment that will allow the new government to begin rebuilding the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of allegations that Ethiopian troops have returned to Kalabeyrka in Somalia since the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces from the country in January 2009. (260779)

We are aware of media reporting of incursions by Ethiopian troops into Somalia since the withdrawal in January, including skirmishes with other forces. However, we have had no official confirmation.

It is important at this stage in the Djibouti process that President Sharif is offered the space by the international community to work towards reconciliation within Somalia. Outside actors should not take any action which has the potential to undermine this process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2009, Official Report, column 130W, on Somalia: armed conflict, what estimate he has made of the number of displaced people returning to Mogadishu following the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops in January 2009. (260241)

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) estimates that between 25,000 and 40,000 internally displaced persons have returned to Mogadishu this year. The Ethiopian withdrawal in January is likely to have been a major spur for these returns, but we are unable to attribute precise figures to this.

The new Somali Prime Minister has said that assisting the return of displaced Mogadishu residents will be one of the first priorities for his administration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the attacks in southern Sudan by the Lord's Resistance Army; and if he will make a statement. (260321)

British and US officials have discussed the current military action by the Governments of Uganda, DRC and Southern Sudan against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), including the need to limit retaliatory action by the LRA against civilian populations in southern Sudan and elsewhere in the region on a number of occasions. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not raised the issue of the LRA with his US counterpart.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken with (a) the United Nations and (b) the European Union to prevent further attacks by the Lord's Resistance Army in southern Sudan. (260324)

British officials have closely followed the military operation against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), along with their counterparts in the United Nations Security Council and the EU. The impact of LRA actions on civilian populations forms a regular part of our dialogue with the UN missions in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

A UN Security Council Presidential Statement was issued on 23 December 2008, condemning Joseph Kony’s refusal to sign the Final Peace Agreement and welcoming the joint efforts by the Governments of Uganda, DRC, Southern Sudan and the Central African Republic to tackle the LRA. This was followed by further a press statement in January condemning the retaliatory attacks by the LRA and calling on them to cease its attacks on civilians immediately.

The EU issued a statement on 19 February noting the regional military action against the LRA, condemning the atrocious attacks by the LRA and calling on all involved in the military operation to protect the civilian population from further attacks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps his Department has taken to prevent attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army on Sudan. (260325)

The Governments of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Southern Sudan are currently engaged in joint military action against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). We have urged all parties involved to respect fully international law, do all they can to minimise any adverse humanitarian impact and fully coordinate with the UN missions in the region. We have also called for the protection of local populations from LRA retaliatory attacks. Recent reporting suggests that the numbers of LRA attacks on civilians, which have mainly taken place in the DRC rather than Sudan, is diminishing, although it is unclear whether this is due to better civilian protection efforts, erosion of LRA capability or a change of LRA tactics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to ensure the comprehensive peace agreement in southern Sudan is upheld. (260323)

The Government continuously seek to promote a peaceful resolution for the whole of Sudan, including ensuring the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in southern Sudan is upheld. My noble Friend, the Minister for Africa congratulated the parties to the CPA on the fourth anniversary of the agreement saying:

“The UK is committed to work with both parties and all interested partners to support the CPA and to build stability and prosperity for the people of Sudan”.

The UK plays a leading role in furthering implementation of the CPA. We witnessed the Agreement and are observers on the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC), the body that monitors implementation. We secured the appointment of Sir Derek Plumbly, a senior UK diplomat, as Chair of the AEC. The UK pledged £330 million for development assistance in Sudan for 2008-11 at the Sudan Consortium in May 2008.

We pursue our objectives for Sudan, including ensuring the CPA in southern Sudan is upheld, through close coordination with international partners such as the United Nations, the African Union and non-governmental organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to assist the Ugandan authorities to arrest the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, Joseph Kony. (260322)

The UK has not been approached for, nor provided, support to the joint military operation against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Government of Uganda have entered into regional agreements with the Governments of DRC, southern Sudan and the Central African Republic to execute the three International Criminal Court arrest warrants against the LRA leaders. We welcome this increased regional cooperation between the Governments but urge all parties involved to fully respect international law and to do all they can to minimise the humanitarian impact and fully co-ordinate with the UN missions in the region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's animals have died in each of the last five years. (260703)

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the number of service personnel who have survived their injuries following treatment in medical facilities in theatre in each of the last two years. (259666)

Figures for the number of UK service personnel to have attended a UK field hospital in Iraq and Afghanistan for battle or non-battle injuries are shown in the following table. These injuries will have ranged in severity from personnel who were very seriously injured through to minor injuries.

This equates to a survival rate of 99.49 per cent., which can be attributed to the highly skilled and professional staff of the Defence Medical Services and NHS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much Modern Housing Solutions has paid in compensation to occupants of service family accommodation for (a) significant defects, (b) missed appointments and (c) damage to property or personal injury in the last 12 months. (260545)

Under the terms of the Housing Prime Contract (HPC), Modem Housing Solutions (MHS) is not required to compensate occupants but does so voluntarily. The actual amounts and type of compensation paid is a private matter between MHS and the individuals concerned.

However, the circumstances under which it is paid are set out on the compensation page of the company's website at:

http://www.modernhousingsolutions.com/customer/customer_compensation.asp

Compensation to occupants does not absolve MHS of its contractual obligations to complete work to the standards required under the HPC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what costs are recorded of the track mile performance of the Army’s wheeled vehicle fleet. (261031)

‘Track mile’ is a term used in connection with tracked rather than wheeled vehicles. Information on operating costs for wheeled vehicles is not held in a format that would enable an estimate per mile to be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) officers and (b) other ranks are employed at HM Naval Base Clyde as crews on Vanguard class submarines. (260952)

As at 1 March 2009, 114 officers and 883 ratings were assigned to Vanguard class submarines. Data are not held in the format that allows identification of the numbers employed at HMNB Clyde. HMS Vigilant ships company will be based at HMNB Devonport for a three-year period while she is undergoing a major refit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) summits, (b) conferences and (c) seminars his Department has hosted since January 2008 at which a primary subject of discussion was the effect of the economic situation on matters within his Department's responsibility. (259750)

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

We routinely consider the implications of economic factors for defence interests and such issues are likely to have been discussed in a wide variety of meetings and seminars across the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units are assigned to (a) NATO and (b) the EU under the Headline Goal. (261287)

The Headline Goal is a term used to describe the EU Force Planning process. The UK does not assign units to the EU Headline Goal; the UK offer to the Headline Goal does not commit the UK to any action. Requests for forces to support EU operations are considered on a voluntary case-by-case basis. The UK declaration to the Headline Goal is used for planning purposes only, to determine the shortfalls against the Level of Ambition (LOA) in order to focus capability development. The UK’s full contribution to the Headline Goal 2010 is detailed in the UK’s 2006 Headline Goal Questionnaire, which we placed in the Library of the House on 22 June 2007.

NATO has a different LOA to the EU and operates a separate Force Planning process. The UK declaration to the NATO LOA is similarly used for planning purposes only and does not commit the UK to any action in NATO operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has paid to the European Defence Agency in each year since it was established; and what estimate he has made of the sum of such payments to the agency in each of the next three years. (261285)

The amount paid to the European Defence Agency (EDA) in each of the financial years since it was established in 2004 is as set out following:

I am unable to provide an estimate of the payments for further years as we have yet to enter into negotiations with other EDA partners over future budgets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of former military personnel who were serving a community service order in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. (261044)

Neither the Ministry of Justice nor the Ministry of Defence collects data on the number of former military personnel serving community service orders and has made no estimate. I set out our plans, in concert with the Ministry of Justice, to conduct research on the proportion of veterans in the prison population, and on offending among those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, in my answer on 26 February 2009, Official Report, column 1061-62W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department’s (a) civilian and (b) uniformed personnel are seconded to the Galileo project. (261286)

There are two MOD civilians seconded to work in the EU Galileo programme, both funded by the Department for Transport who are the lead Department for Galileo: one seconded national expert on export controls, working in the European Global Navigation Satellite System Supervisory Authority (GSA); and one seconded national expert on project management, working for the European Commission’s DG Transport and Environment (DG TREN). There are no UK military staff officers seconded to the Galileo programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the role of the Royal Navy is in monitoring (a) Israeli activists at sea and (b) Palestinian seafarers. (261094)

The Royal Navy has no role in monitoring Israeli activities at sea or Palestinian sea-farers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces helicopters of each type have been desertised in each of the last 10 years; and what the average cost of desertising a helicopter of each type is. (260565)

All military helicopters that operate in desert conditions have been procured fully equipped to operate in sandy environments. However, maintenance regimes are tailored to address the specific challenges of the operating conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on Project Bellringer; and if he will make a statement. (243558)

I am withholding this information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the average age is of the aircraft chartered for the purpose of transporting service personnel to and from RAF Brize Norton; (260690)

Information on the average age of aircraft is not held.

The following is a list of commercial air operators who operated flights from RAF Brize Norton for the UK MOD in the period from 1 January 2008 to 28 February 2009;

Air Alitalia

Air Berlin Gmbh

Air Charter Express

Air Charter Transport

Air Finland

Air Slovakia

Antonov Design Bureau

ArkeFly

Atlas Air

Avico

Corsair

XL

FlyGlobespan

Icelandair

Jet2.com

Kalitta Air

Kuzu Airlines

Maximus Air

MK Airlines

Monarch Airlines

My Travel

Omni Air International

Polet

Ruslan

Thomas Cook

Thomson Fly

Titan Airways

Volgr Dneiper Airlines

World Airways

To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people resident in Suffolk were on (a) apprenticeships and (b) advanced apprenticeships in each of the last five years. (256958)

The following table shows the number of apprenticeship starts, by level, in Suffolk local authority from 2003-04 to 2007-08.

The Government are committed to rebuilding apprenticeships. Since 1997 we have witnessed a renaissance in apprenticeships from a low point of 65,000 to a record 225,000 apprenticeship starts in 2007/08. Completion rates are also at a record high with 64 per cent. successfully completing an apprenticeship—up from 37 per cent. in 2004/05. A remarkable achievement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps are being taken to reduce levels of political and religious extremism in universities. (260794)

We are working with universities and student bodies to support universities in addressing the issues that can drive students into the hands of violent extremist groups. We have provided guidance to the higher education sector focussed on promoting shared values; fostering a healthy spirit of debate to engage and challenge those that hold extremist views; breaking down segregation among different communities; supporting students who may be at risk and ensuring staff and students are aware of their roles in preventing violent extremism.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1068-9W, on children: databases, what assessment he has made of the merits of enabling ContactPoint to match variant spellings of surnames. (261667)

ContactPoint uses phonetic matching and alternatives for surnames in the same way as it does for forenames. It will also consider matches of surname against forenames. This enables ContactPoint to cater for situations where surname and forenames are interchangeable and could be incorrectly ordered, e.g. James Thomas, Thomas James.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families by what date he expects free full-time childcare for children aged (a) three and (b) four years to be available. (261675)

Each local authority has a duty to secure sufficient childcare to meet the needs of working parents and those looking to work or enter education or training, including both full and part time provision.

In addition, all three and four year olds are entitled now to 12.5 hours of free early education for 38 weeks of the year. That offer is being extended progressively so that by 2010 all 3 and 4-year-olds will be entitled to 15 hours a week—available more flexibly to meet families needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2009, Official Report, column 443W, on departmental disciplinary proceedings, how many cases of bullying and harassment in his Department have been (a) formally investigated and (b) referred for mediation in the last three years. (261674)

Since the answer given on 23 February 2009, Official Report, column 443W, there have been no cases of bullying and harassment in the Department that have been formally investigated or referred for mediation in the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils dropped out of school before the age of 16 in (a) Northamptonshire and (b) England in the last 12 months. (261672)

Information on pupils dropping out of schools is not collected, nor can it be accurately derived from the data currently collected on pupils.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his policy is on shared catchment areas for schools. (261670)

The School Admissions Code sets out the mandatory requirements for schools and local authorities when setting and administering catchment areas. The Code provides guidelines for doing this in a fair and practical way, as part of agreed local admissions policies.

It is for schools and local authorities to ensure that catchment areas do not exclude disadvantaged groups, and provide access to local state schools on a fair and transparent basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Cardiff Central, Official Report, column 849W, on carer's allowance, if he will allocate resources to producing the estimates requested in the question. (255376)

We have no current plans to make such estimates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many child maintenance cases were closed where the parent with care was (a) claiming and (b) not claiming income support and (i) the non-resident parent was still liable to pay maintenance and (ii) the maintenance liability had ended in each of the last 24 months. (260114)

The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Stephen Geraghty:

In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about child maintenance, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the child maintenance system is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.

You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many child maintenance cases were closed where the parent with care was (a) claiming and (b) not claiming income support and (i) the non-resident parent was still liable to pay maintenance and (ii) the maintenance liability had ended in each of the last 24 months. [260114]

The information that you have requested is not available as the Child Support Agency does not record information on the maintenance liability status of a case at the point it is closed, or on the benefit status of closed cases.

Information on the number of current scheme applications which are closed each month is routinely published in Table 2.4 of the Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary of Statistics (QSS). The latest copy of which is in the House of Commons library or online at the following link:

http://www.childmaintenance.org/publications/statistics.html.

The information set out in this table is concerned with the status of cases at the application stage rather than at case closure. It includes information on applications for child maintenance made as a result of a claim for either Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance.

I hope you find this answer helpful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of maintaining the databases owned and managed by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies was in (i) 2006, (ii) 2007 and (iii) 2008. (256144)

The Department realigned its contracts with its major suppliers, EDS and BT, in 2005, which means the Department only pays for the IT services it consumes.

As the contract pricing mechanisms are based on the volumes of services consumed, it is not possible to separately identify the elements of the service costs that relate to the maintenance and management of databases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has spent on (a) alcohol and (b) food in each of the last five years. (261155)

The Department for Work and Pensions does not separately account for its expenditure on either alcohol or food for hospitality purposes. Expenditure on alcohol and entertaining falls within the classification "Hospitality" within Managing Public Money, the use of which is strictly prescribed, and in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, which is based on the principles set out in Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety. Accordingly, alcohol is provided only as an exception and only with the specific written authority of a small number of designated senior civil servants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2009, Official Report, columns 855-6W, on public expenditure, how much his Department's year-end stock of money, net of stock drawn down to fund in-year spend, was in each year since 2002; and what his estimate is for this figure at the end of 2008-09. (260098)

The Department for Work and Pensions’ year-end stock of money not spent in earlier years since 2002 is shown in the following table:

The year-end stock of money not spent in earlier years is calculated net of stock drawn down to fund in year spend and includes additional stock generated in year.

The stock of money not spent (commonly referred to as end of year flexibility) is determined at the end of each financial year in conjunction with HM Treasury and is published in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (PEOWP).

As part of the pre-Budget report 2008 the Department was provided with funding to support the impact of the economic downturn in 2009-10 and 2010-11. The Department agreed to contribute its end of year flexibility stock towards this additional funding.

It is therefore expected that there will be no remaining stock of money at the end of 2008-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 24 October 2007, Official Report, columns 283-4W, how many of the 300,000 new jobs expected under company agreements had been created at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (256824)

Through Local Employment Partnerships, Jobcentre Plus and its partners work to enable employers to recruit disadvantaged jobless people in greater numbers. More than 100,000 people have already been helped into work through Local Employment Partnerships.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what back to work support will be offered to lone parents or partners of benefit claimants with children aged (a) nought to two, (b) three to six and (c) over six years old who are not part of the progression to work pathfinders. (255130)

One of the core recommendations from the Gregg Review of conditionality was the creation of a new ‘Progression to Work’ group. Gregg recommends that this new approach should be for those people who may not be ready to work immediately, but who with the right mix of support and encouragement could get back into employment. This model would apply to employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants (other than those in the ESA support group) and lone parents and partners of children aged one to six. The ‘Progression to Work’ pathfinders have been created as a result of this recommendation.

The claimants involved in the ‘Progression to Work’ group will be required to actively engage with their adviser on an ongoing basis to consider, discuss and agree an action plan comprising activities they think will improve their prospects of moving back into work. They must then undertake these agreed activities as part of their own journey towards employment following directions from advisers where these are strictly necessary. This will be underpinned with recourse to sanctions for those failing to engage with support without good cause. However, although still in the ‘Progression to Work’ group, lone parents and partners with children aged one and two will be encouraged, rather than required, to undertake work-related activity and will not be sanctioned for refusing to undertake work-related activity.

This pathfinder will cover approximately 10 to 15 per cent. of the new ESA claimants and parents with a youngest child aged between one and less than seven nationally. This equates to roughly 65,000 ESA claimants, 60,000 lone parents and 10,000 partners of benefit recipients each year. These pathfinders are anticipated to begin in late 2010 and last for two years. They are likely to be across six districts and delivery will be a mixture of provider led and Jobcentre Plus led.

Lone parents with children aged less than seven who are not part of the ‘Progression to Work’ pathfinders are required to attend six-monthly work focused interviews where they can access information about voluntary participation in the new deal for lone parents as well as access a wide range of support to help them move into, and remain and progress in, work.

This package of support under new deal for lone parents is also available to lone parents affected by the new benefit requirements introduced in November 2008 for lone parents with older children. However, once a lone parent has been in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance for 12 months, they will switch to contracted flexible new deal provision. This will provide personalised help to all participants, including specialised help for lone parents.

Partners of benefit claimants can also, through mandatory work focused interviews, access information about voluntary participation in the new deal for partners, which provides a similar level of provision to new deal for lone parents such as specialised advice, support and training in helping partners to enter or return to work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what equality impact assessment has been undertaken on the commissioning of a specialist disability employment programme; what risks have been identified in the procurement process; and if he will make a statement. (259122)

[holding answer 26 February 2009]: An equality impact assessment on the new specialist disability employment programme was undertaken as part of the White Paper “Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future” impact assessment. This was published online in December 2008 at

www.dwp.gov.uk/raisingexpectations.

The equality impact assessment will be regularly reviewed.

The new disability employment programme is being progressed through a formal project within DWP, and the project management process includes identifying and managing all potential risks. A number of these have commercial implications, so listing them would not be appropriate at this time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 25 February 2009, Official Report, column 787W, if he will direct his Department to send copies of the responses to the hon. Member for Edinburgh West's letters on behalf of his constituent Joe Shepherd to the hon. Member's constituency office. (261557)

Copies of both letters were e-mailed to the hon. Member's constituency office on 4 March 2009. Copies were also sent in the post on the same day.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to reduce inflation inequality between people of pensionable age and people of other ages. (258813)

The Department for Work and Pensions is required to review all social security benefits each year to ensure they have retained their value in relation to prices (or, for the standard minimum guarantee in pension credit, earnings). Generally the contributory benefits are increased in line with the retail prices index and the income related benefits increased by the Rossi index which is the retail prices index with the housing elements removed.

The retail prices index takes account of changes in the cost of a wide range of goods and services and reflects the average increases in costs that people face year-on-year. Increasing benefits in line with this measure ensures that benefits keep their real value in broad terms.

The new rates that will come into force from April have been increased in line with inflation as measured last September, when the retail prices index was 5 per cent. and the Rossi index was 6 per cent. These increases are, against a backdrop of falling inflation, in line with the highest increase in inflation last year. The increase in the standard minimum guarantee in pension credit to £130 for single pensioners (£198.45 for pensioner couples) represents the highest up-lift since it came into force in 2003.

The Department recognises that different groups may currently be experiencing varying levels of inflationary pressure and is aware that the Office for National Statistics produces a quarterly ‘Pensioner Prices Index’ that relates to pensioners who derive more than 75 per cent. of their income from state benefits. This measure is not used to increase pensioner benefits because it is not representative of the whole pensioner population, therefore the Department does not consider that pensioner benefits should be up-rated in a different way to benefits for other age groups.

Pensioners have received additional winter fuel payments this year that have increased the payments to £250 for households with someone aged 60-79 and £400 for households with someone aged over 80.

Furthermore, the Department has also increased the Christmas bonus from £10 to £70 and increased the cold weather payment from £8.50 to £25 this year. This additional support goes to entitled recipients of both pension age and working age and provides direct financial support to help vulnerable groups through the economic downturn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with representatives of Remploy on their future plans; and if he will make a statement. (261669)

Ministers have regular dialogue with Remploy about progress in delivering their modernisation plan and their future strategy. In particular, the Minister for Disabled People is working very closely with Remploy on the implementation of their modernisation plan. This includes chairing a cross-Government ministerial group on public procurement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of social fund loan applications were processed within the target actual average clearance time in the last 12 months. (260862)

[holding answer 5 March 2009]: The available information is given in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) benefit and (b) incapacity benefit was in (i) each principal seaside town, (ii) each lower layer super output area in each principal seaside town and (iii) the UK (A) in 2004 and (B) at the latest date for which figures are available. (244426)

The available information has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) data matching and (b) data accuracy software his Department uses to ensure that databases used to support the benefit system are accurate. (251624)

[holding answer 29 January 2009]: Information Directorate utilises data internally transferred from benefit paying systems and a number of other sources. Those data sets are matched to highlight inconsistencies and anomalies. The software used for data matching is currently Excel, Access and SAS. Information Directorate also utilises the skills of its IT contractors (EDS) to undertake certain matching exercises on its behalf. The results of such matching exercises form the information basis for further investigation into the accuracy of claims on the benefit systems.

The Department's benefit systems have a number of internal control mechanisms and processes, and are in some cases self-validating. This ensures that, where possible, data fields cannot be populated with incorrect or anomalistic data. The Department also utilises audit techniques to assure the accuracy of its benefit paying systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what steps he is taking to increase the take up of the winter fuel allowance, with particular reference to men aged between 60 and 65 years; (258685)

The vast majority of winter fuel payments are made automatically based on information held in DWP records, without the need to claim. A small proportion of people whose circumstances we do not know, because they are not on state pension or other benefits administered by DWP, do need to make a claim so that their eligibility can be assessed.

For people newly eligible and not in receipt of a benefit administered by DWP, for example men aged 60 to 65 who are in work, we can only determine eligibility once they have submitted the relevant information on a claim form. We send claim forms to customers approaching 60 who we have identified as becoming potentially newly eligible from DWP records, but are not at that time in receipt of state pension.

To raise awareness of eligibility of winter fuel payments and, where appropriate, the need to make a claim each year, we run an extensive advertising campaign and series of press releases in regional and national newspapers. We also make reference to winter fuel payments in government leaflets. The claim form is available on the Pension Service website, with full details available on the Direct Gov internet site.

It is therefore not possible to say how many people may be eligible for a winter fuel payment and are not receiving it. We can only assess eligibility for those people who are in contact with the Department and whose circumstances are known to us.

In winter 2006-07, the last year for which figures are available, 16,720 people in the Newport, West constituency received a winter fuel payment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold a public inquiry into the infection of haemophiliacs with hepatitis C and HIV due to the use of contaminated blood by the NHS. (261080)

We have considered the call for a public inquiry very carefully. However the Government do not consider a further inquiry is justified as it would not add to current knowledge about how infections happened or the steps taken to deal with the problem.

Although the Government do not accept that any wrongful practices were employed, successive Governments have acknowledged the tragic circumstances surrounding infection in recipients of blood and blood products. That is why ex-gratia payment schemes were established.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to pay compensation to haemophiliacs infected with hepatitis C and HIV following the use of contaminated blood by the NHS. (261081)

The Department has set up three ex gratia payment schemes for those infected with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis C through national health service treatment—the Macfarlane Trust, the Eileen Trust and the Skipton Fund Ltd.

The Macfarlane Trust was set up in 1988 to establish a hardship fund to assist haemophiliacs who contracted HIV following treatment with blood products on the NHS.

The Eileen Trust was set up in 1993 as a charitable trust to assist people other than those with bleeding disorders, who had contracted HIV through NHS treatment with contaminated blood products.

The Skipton Fund Ltd was set up in 2004 as an ex gratia payment scheme for patients infected with hepatitis C through NHS contaminated blood and blood products, provided the patient was alive on 29 August 2003.

The Department is giving Lord Archer's report the consideration it deserves and will respond as soon as it has done so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration his Department gave to providing witnesses to give evidence in public to the Archer Inquiry into contaminated blood and blood products. (261082)

The Department has never received any formal request to give evidence to the inquiry. There are no serving officials who would have any first hand knowledge of the events being investigated. However, the Department has fully co-operated with the inquiry, meeting with Lord Archer's team several times and supplying copies of relevant official documents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2009, Official Report, column 235W, on maternity services: finance, what arrangements his Department has put in place to ensure that funds allocated to primary care trusts under payment by results for the delivery of maternity care are spent on the provision of maternity care. (260605)

The payment by results system does not inform the allocation of funds to primary care trusts (PCTs). Payment by results is the mechanism through which providers are paid by PCTs for a range of services, including maternity that fall within the scope of the national mandatory tariff.

It is for the national health service trusts to deploy this funding in line with national and local priorities and local plans. Maternity services are identified as a priority in the 2009-10 NHS Operating Framework.

All strategic health authorities (SHAs) have already set out plans to improve maternity services as part of the NHS Next Stage Review. PCTs are working with trusts to deliver these plans and SHAs will be holding PCTs to account for delivering their plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 18 December 2007, Official Report, column 1396W, on nutrition, what codes his Department used in collating the information provided in the answer. (261673)

In the previous answer, malnutrition is classified between the ICD-10 codes E40-E46 and 025. The codes are set out as follows.

E40 Kwashiorkor

E41 Nutritional marasmus

E42 Marasmic kwashiorkor

E43 Unspecified severe protein-energy malnutrition

E44 Protein-energy malnutrition of moderate and mild degree

E45 Retarded development following protein-energy malnutrition

E46 Unspecified protein-energy malnutrition

Also:

025 Malnutrition in pregnancy

Nutritional Anaemia:

D50 Iron Deficiency anaemias

D51 Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemias

D52 Folate deficiency anaemias

D53 Other nutritional anaemias

Other nutritional deficiencies:

E50 Vitamin A deficiency

E51 Thiamine deficiency

E52 Niacin deficiency

E53 Deficiency of other group B vitamins

E54 Ascorbic acid deficiency

E55 Vitamin D deficiency

E56 Other vitamin deficiencies

E58 Dietary calcium deficiency

E59 Dietary selenium deficiency

E60 Dietary zinc deficiency

E61 Deficiency of other nutritional elements

E63 Other nutritional deficiencies

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many transplant operations were performed on people from the Republic of Ireland in each of the last 10 years; how many organs for transplant were imported from the Republic of Ireland in each of the last 10 years; and how much the Irish Government paid the NHS for the procedures in each such year. (261366)

Information on how much the Irish Government paid the national health service for the procedures in each year in the following table is not held centrally. The following table shows transplants performed on residents of the Republic of Ireland in United Kingdom NHS hospitals, April 1998 to March 2008, broken down by financial year and type of transplant.

The following table shows organs from deceased donors in hospitals in the Republic of Ireland received (although not necessarily transplanted) in UK NHS hospitals, April 1998 to March 2008, broken down by financial year and type of organ.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many warning letters were sent to farmers by the Rural Payments Agency for cross-compliance breaches under the (a) 2005, (b) 2006 and (c) 2007 Single Payment Scheme. (260138)

The number of warning letters sent to farmers by the Rural Payments Agency for breaches of cross compliance in the three years is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been paid in agri-monetary compensation in the county of Hertfordshire since 9 January 2002. (261189)

Unfortunately the data required to provide payment information for earlier years are not held in a form that is easily accessible, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many animal welfare charities based in the UK have received funds from the public purse in each of the last five years; and how much was awarded to each. (258287)

It is not general Government policy to provide funding to animal welfare charities. However, DEFRA had a signed agreement to provide funding of £75,000 to the Companion Animal Welfare Council via the Welfare Fund for Companion Animals. The agreement was for the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2008. The money was allocated in three annual payments of £25,000 each in the three consecutive financial years 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08. This covers England only, and not the devolved Administrations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes have been made to (a) regulations and (b) guidelines on the operation of animal snares over the last five years. (260374)