To ask the Solicitor-General what her Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of Fair Trade goods.[15210]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development. The Law Officers' Departments aim to support ethical trading wherever practicable in the conduct of its business.

To ask the Solicitor-General what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued. [13296]

I gave no holding replies during this period.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to her Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers. [13295]

Five named day questions were tabled to me during this period. None received a holding reply.

To ask the President of the Council what his Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of fair trade goods. [15214]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of state for International Development, today, at column 931W.The Privy Council Office however does not have a refreshment facility in which it could stock fair trade goods.

To ask the President of the Council what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a)within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days,(c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued. [13319]

None.

To ask the President of the Council how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers. [13300]

Seven named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to the Privy Council Office between 15 October and 5 November.No such questions received a holding answer.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers; [13297](2) what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer

Thirty-seven named day written parliamentary questions were tabled for answer in the specific period. Of these seven received holding replies. I provided substantive answers for five of these questions within three parliamentary days, and two within seven parliamentary days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on Government representation on the board of the successor company to Railtrack. [12149]

It will be for the Railway Administrator to put a proposal to the Secretary of State for a scheme to transfer the network operator out of administration. We have indicated that we will be making a proposal for a company limited by guarantee to take over Railtrack's role, but the Secretary of State will consider any proposal put to him by the administrator to transfer the railway assets out of administration as a going concern. The composition of the board of Railtrack's successor will therefore depend on the eventual scheme put to us by the administrator.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 195, on documents relating to the Railway Administration Order of 7 October, if he will make a statement about the level of the proposed payments to Railtrack under the RenewCo scheme. [11800]

[holding answer 1 November 2001]: No structure could be found for a RenewCo vehicle that successfully met all of the conditions set out in the 2 April agreement between Government and Railtrack.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 1 November 2001, Official Report, column 781W, what advice the agencies gave officials about their requirements to give investment grade rating to the proposed successor to Railtrack. [14678]

Officials have discussed the Government's proposals for a company limited by guarantee (CLG) with credit rating agencies. Proposals for a CLG will be targeting a long term credit rating of A/A2 or higher, to reflect the financing capacity requirement of the rail infrastructure business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many save as you earn schemes are held by employees of Railtrack. [14438]

My Department does not hold this information. It is a matter for the company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the impact on take-up of employee share ownership schemes resulting from the devaluation of employee share schemes held by employees of Railtrack. [14437]

It is for employees to consider the strength of their company when participating in employee share schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place the notes of his meetings with (a) the Chairman of Railtrack on 25 July and (b) the Rail Regulator on 5 October, in the Library. [15499]

Details of internal communications are exempt from disclosure under section 2 of Part II of the code of practice on access to Government information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place copies of his Department's correspondence with the Strategic Rail Authority regarding negotiations on the development of RenewCo and the payment of funds to Railtrack under (a) the resettlement procedure and (b) the arrangement for payment of network grant proposed by the Rail Regulator in October 2000 and agreed by Railtrack in January 2001, in the Library. [15500]

The criteria required RenewCo to be successfully established were stated in the 2 April agreement between Government and Railtrack.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with Central Trains about providing an improved service between Grantham and Skegness. [13493]

We are aware of the desire to improve this service. The Rail Passenger Partnership fund administered by the SRA would be a possible source of support for an increased local service. Bids can be made individually or by consortia which could include the train operator and local authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the estimate of the interest charged to support the PPP for the London Underground at 1 October; and what is the current estimate. [13989]

London Underground is currently negotiating the contracts to deliver this investment. To estimate at this stage of the negotiations what rate of interest the private sector infrastructure companies might be charged on the debt they raise would undermine London Underground's commercial position and jeopardise its ability to deliver best value.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects the Health and Safety Executive to complete consideration of the safety case for the PPP for London Underground. [14492]

The independent Health and Safety Executive is responsible for the timetable for consideration of London Underground's safety case. They will reach a decision after considering all the relevant issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions at what level of cost overrun under the PPP for the London Underground infracos will be able to demand additional financial support; and if he will make a statement. [14482]

The modernisation contracts provide for an "extraordinary review" if costs are increased by more than £200 million despite the infrastructure company carrying out the investment in an economic and efficient way. This is aimed largely at external events, which the infrastructure companies might be unable to bear and which could arise in any long-term contractual relationship.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) how the budget for London Underground step-in inspection and maintenance powers will be set; who will be responsible for funding that budget; and if he will make a statement; [14518]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the detailed arrangements under the works in default step-in powers for (a) notifying infracos of the need to take action on safety grounds and (b) performing works not carried out by infracos under the London Underground PPP. [14480]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how disputes between Transport for London and infracos as to the exercise of step-in powers by London Underground will be resolved; and if he will make a statement. [14495]

London Underground will have a range of methods under the contracts for checking whether the infrastructure companies are carrying out their obligations. The contracts will require the private companies to provide asset management plans and detailed information on asset condition on an open book basis. London Underground will have rights to audit or inspect work and records at short notice.Where London Underground finds a safety concern it will be able either to direct action from the infrastructure company or to step in itself, whether or not the infrastructure company has complied with its obligations. This step-in power allows London Underground to do the work itself or to employ an outside contractor or another infrastructure company. In either case, if the infrastructure company has breached its obligations, the work will be done at the expense of the infrastructure company that failed to meet its obligations. If action is determined by London Underground in these circumstances to be needed, it can be taken immediately with any disputes resolved later. In such cases London Underground does not need to give notice of its intended step-in.It is for London Underground to determine the appropriate number of staff to be employed for inspection and step-in, and to set the relevant budgets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will deem approval by the HSE of the safety case for the London Underground PPP arrangements to be a guarantee that the PPP regime is safe: and if he will make a statement. [14519]

It is the responsibility of London Underground Ltd. under health and safety legislation to ensure safety on the underground network. It is the role of the Health and Safety Executive to assess and consider for acceptance London Underground's safety case, and to inspect for compliance as necessary. Acceptance of London Underground's safety case would mean that London Underground had made a satisfactory case under the Railway Safety Case Regulations 2000 to give confidence to the HSE that it has the ability, commitment, and resources to properly assess and effectively control risks to the health and safety of the public, staff and contractors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proposals he has to request the National Audit Office to review, prior to the award of the contracts, the value for money of the proposed PPP for the London Underground; and if he wil I make a statement. [14514]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects the NAO to report on the London Underground PPP; and if he will make a statement. [14485]

I refer my hon. Friends to the answer given to the Member for Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor) on 12 November 2001, Official Report, column 503W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions under the (a) actual and (b) proposed (i) contracts and (ii) understandings, what level of compensation will be payable to the infracos who have submitted bids for the PPP for London Underground in the event of the PPP Scheme being found not to represent value for money; and if he will make a statement. [14512]

No compensation will be payable to bidders in the event of bids for the modernisation plans for the underground being found to be not value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what definition of a fair return on investment is being used for the private sector infracos investing in the London Underground PPP; and if he will make a statement. [14488]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen) on 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 186W. The rate of return will be determined by the fair and rigorous competitions that London Underground are conducting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what projections he has made as to fare increases after the London Underground PPP contracts are signed; and if he will make a statement. [14489]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 26 April 2001, Official Report, column 312W. Fare decisions on the London Underground are now a matter for the Mayor of London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of (a) the management structures proposals for London Underground PPP from the point of view of safety and (b) the conclusions reached by Sir Desmond Fennell in his report on the King's Cross fire as to the management structure operated by London Underground. [14490]

As the Duty Holder under the relevant legislation, London Underground is responsible for ensuring that safety risks are reduced to as low as reasonably practical. The independent Health and Safety Executive is responsible for safety regulation of London Underground.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what contingency plans he proposes to put in place in the event of insolvency by one or more of the infracos in the London Underground PPP; and if he will make a statement. [14487]

The Greater London Authority Act 1999 contains specific provisions to protect the public interest should an infrastructure company perform poorly and be at risk of becoming insolvent (sections 220–224).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will indicate (a) for each year of the first seven and a half year period and (b) for the total of the first seven and a half years of the infraco contracts for the PPP of London Underground, what proportion of investment will come from (i) the private sector and (ii) the public sector; and if he will make a statement. [14484]

The plans for the modernisation of the Underground will deliver around £13 billion of investment to improve the underground's infrastructure over the next 15 years. London Underground is in the process of negotiating the contracts to deliver these plans. It is currently estimated that in the first seven and a half years some 25 per cent. of finance for these plans will be provided by the private sector, with the remainder coming from London Underground fares and Government grant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with London Underground on the future membership of its board post PPP; and if he will make a statement. [14491]

The board of London Regional Transport is responsible for considering and approving appointments to the board of its subsidiary, London Underground Ltd. This responsibility will remain with London Regional Transport until London Underground Ltd. transfers to Transport for London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement as to the phasing of works under the London Underground PPP between different tube lines and between (a) stations, (b) track and signalling infrastructure and (c) rolling stock. [14494]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen) on 18 July 2001, Official Report, column 195W. Bidders have said that in the first period of the Tube modernisation plans: over 60 miles of track will be repaired or replaced; over 500 carriages will be replaced or refurbished; over 50 stations will be modernised; new signalling will be installed on the Northern and Victoria lines, with improvements elsewhere; and CCTV will be installed to improve security in trains and stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement as to the guarantees under the London Underground PPP which will ensure (a) replacement and (b) upgrading of the tube infrastructure. [14498]

The public private partnership is designed to achieve a comprehensive modernisation of the entire underground network. The infrastructure companies will be contractually required to deliver specified upgrades of each line by dates set by London Underground. In addition infrastructure companies must meet specified levels for the condition of all underground assets, comply with London Underground standards and the requirements of their safety case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions the Government have had with the National Audit Office over the value for money of the London Underground PPP; and if he will make a statement. [14493]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor) on 12 November 2001, Official Report, column 503W. My Department's officials have had numerous meetings with the National Audit Office on the value for money evaluation of the Government's plans for London Underground.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement as to which risks will be transferred to the private sector under the London Underground PPP, and the extent to which those risks will be transferred. [14497]

In line with Treasury guidance, the Government's plans for the London Underground follow the principle that risks should be allocated to whoever is best able to manage them. The aim is not to transfer risk for its own sake, as this would lead to a decline in value for money, but rather to optimise the transfer of risk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the credit rating is of Transport for London; and if he will make a statement. [14496]

Transport for London's credit rating is a matter for Transport for London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total cost has been to public funds of re-branding his Department to accommodate its name change following the last general election. [14450]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 July 2001, Official Report, column 438W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what has been the cost to public funds of the Westminster Auditor's inquiry into Westminster city council's designated sales policy for the period since 30 April 1999; [14329](2) what the cost to public funds of the Westminster Auditor's inquiry into Westminster city council's designated sales policy was from 18 July 1989 to 31 October 2001. [14328]

We are advised by the Audit Commission that the auditor's costs for the investigation, up to and including the publication of his report in 1996, was £3,017,905, which has been met by Westminster city council.The Commission has a responsibility to indemnify the auditor for the cost of any proceedings resulting from such investigations. Under the indemnity the Commission had met, up to 30 April 1999, costs of £2,997,000 incurred by the auditor, his solicitor and barrister, in relation to the inquiry. The total litigation costs, including those of some of the appellants whose appeals were successful in the Divisional Court, amounted to £3,705,000 in the same period.The auditor's costs (including those of his solicitor and barrister) incurred since 30 April 1999, indemnified by the Audit Commission, amount to £1.75 million to 31 October 2001, including the costs of the remaining successful appellant (£514,265), which were not paid over until after 30 April 1999, but exclude any costs borne by Westminster city council since 30 April 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers the Rail Regulator has to oblige train operating companies to make working toilets available to passengers on trains. [14705]

This is a matter for the train operating companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date his Department first informed the European Commission of plans for the Rosyth ferry terminal; what correspondence took place between his Department and the European Commission; and if he will place copies in the Library. [13935]

[holding answer 12 November 2001]: The Commission has been aware of plans for the Rosyth ferry terminal for some time, and a meeting was held to discuss the state aids issues on 9 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate the Government have made of the value of the Millennium Dome site. [14503]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 25 June 2001, Official Report, column 21W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the Government will publish the requirements for potential buyers of the Millennium (a) Dome and (b) site. [14504]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 26 October 2001, Official Report, column 431W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions by what date the Government expect to have sold the Millennium Dome. [14511]

The aim is to secure a sale as quickly as possible, consistent with value for money, securing a worthwhile and sustainable future for the Dome and a deliverable outcome.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what plans the Government have to allow residential building on the Millennium Dome site; [14510](2) what plans the Government have to dismantle the Millennium Dome. [14505]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the factors which will influence the costs incurred by the Millennium Dome after 31 December; [14507](2) what estimate the Government have made of the costs that will be incurred by the Millennium Dome after 31 December. [14506]

English Partnerships, as owners of the Dome, are continuously revising their estimates of costs in the light of changing circumstances, and are making every effort to keep costs down. The average monthly maintenance cost has fallen to £240,000. including security, rates and services. These costs, together with the costs of any additional works required in preparation for a future Dome use, will be kept under review, and budgets adjusted accordingly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to regenerate the Greenwich peninsula; and what role it expects the Millennium Dome to play in this regeneration. [14509]

The regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula is a key element in developing this part of east London, and driving the transformation of the Thames Gateway.The development of the 300 acre peninsula site is creating a template for future mixed use development and is bringing unprecedented regeneration benefits to a part of London which was inactive for many years. In doing so, English Partnerships, the Government's regeneration agency, has transformed one of the largest tracts of derelict land in Europe. The development area, which also contains the new North Greenwich Interchange, includes the United Kingdom's first Millennium Village; Britain's first low energy Sainsbury's food store; Britain's largest B&Q store; Europe's first round multiplex cinema; a fully integrated school and health centre and a 162-bed hotel. In addition there are 50 acre of parks, open spaces and new river walks and cycle path, together with a new river pier and a new yacht club.Like many others, including the London borough of Greenwich, the Government are committed to the Dome staying in Greenwich. It is an important landmark on the London skyline which has hastened the regeneration of Greenwich peninsula and more widely and has added to the quality and variety of world-famous structures that were already so prominent in the area. Delivering a successful future for the Dome will build on this, ensuring continued recognition world-wide and enabling the regeneration momentum that has been established to continue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he will take to make runway capacity available for increased regional air (a) services and (b) routes. [14321]

The South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS) is considering runway capacity issues. The forthcoming consultation documents on air services in the south-east of England and regional air services will present a range of runway capacity options.Airport slots are allocated in accordance with EC Regulation 95/93. Ministers are currently considering policy options for the protection of slots at London airports for regional access.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what change there has been in the amount of regional air travel in the last six weeks. [14322]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the market for regional air services after the events of 11 September. [14336]

Over the last six weeks air services across the UK have been in a state of flux. Routes have been cancelled, put on hold, reduced in terms of frequency, moved between airports and put back on by another airline.BAA reported that at their airports their worst affected routes were the North Atlantic down 25.9 per cent. in September (38 per cent. in the period after the 11 September). However growth has continued in Scotland, figures for October show Edinburgh up 13 per cent. and Glasgow up 7 per cent., Stansted has also recorded growth of 5 per cent. These increases are largely the result of the continued development of low cost airlines.The Government are working hard to help return the aviation industry to business as usual as quickly as possible. We are carrying out a fundamental review of aviation security to ensure that air travel is as safe from terrorist attacks as we can make it while, at the same time, balancing security with our freedom to travel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he is making of the impact of low-cost airlines on the running costs of airports; and what impact this has had on the provision of security for passengers. [14335]

This is primarily a commercial decision for airlines and airports. The CAA as the economic regulator of airports can also consider complaints. Low cost airlines have no impact on the security of passengers as the security measures required by DTLR do not depend on whether an airline is low cost or high cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport. Local Government and the Regions how many homeless people there are in the Greater London area; and what the figure has been in each of the last three years. [14733]

Information reported to the Department by London boroughs on the number of households accepted under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts as being eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, in each of the last three years, is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if she will request (a) the Health and Safety Executive and (b) the Vehicles Inspectorate to undertake an assessment of overcrowding on the Stagecoach 69 bus service between Llandogo and Monmouth carrying pupils to and from school. [15243]

As I said in my answer of 6 November 2001, Official Report, column 138W, to my hon. Friend, the primary responsibility for ensuring that a bus is not overcrowded lies with the driver. The driver or conductor should not allow more passengers than the bus is certified to carry, and may limit the number of passengers below that if the number being carried at the time is detrimental to safety.It is not the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive to investigate overcrowding on buses. However, the Vehicle Inspectorate would follow up specific complaints or reports of known regular incidents of overcrowding. To do so they will need detailed information of the times, date and location and if possible the vehicle registration. This information on the case referred to in this instance should be forwarded to The Senior Traffic Examiner. Dave Rhys, at the Vehicle Inspectorate, School Road, Miskin, Pontyclun, Mid Glamorgan, CF72 8YR.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will give a breakdown of the spending on Port Health in each of the last three years for which centrally collected data are available. [15055]

[holding answer 15 November 2001]: English local authorities have reported the following expenditure on Port Health:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent representations he has received from the airline industry on levels of employment following the incidents of 11 September; and if he will make a statement. [15665]

We have received numerous representations from the airline industry and others on the effects of the events of 11 September.The Government recognise the importance of the aviation industry to the UK economy and is therefore paying close attention to the industry's current problems. We moved quickly to underwrite, on a temporary basis, third party war risk insurance for UK airlines and service providers to the airline industry. The initiative has subsequently been widely copied elsewhere. The European Commission has set out guidelines on emergency aid measures which were endorsed at the meeting of European Transport Ministers on 16 October. We support the Commission's stance and are actively considering whether further aid should be paid to the British airline industry in accordance with the guidelines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will announce the results of the consultation exercise on the needs indices to be used in the allocation of 2002–03 housing capital resources to local authorities and registered social landlords. [15790]

Decisions have now been taken about the needs indices to be used in the allocation of housing capital resources for 2002–03. I am arranging for details of the indices to be placed in the Library of the House.The Department issued a consultation paper in July seeking views on the development of the indices, including some specific proposals for changes to the indices for 2002–03. Some 80 responses were received. A list of the respondents is available in the Library of the House and individual responses can be viewed in the Department's Library.The responses reflect the difficulty of striking the right balance over the differing housing needs around the country. Responses from London argued that the revised indices would not give sufficient weight to the need to provide additional affordable housing in areas of high demand; those from northern regions raised concerns that the proposed changes do not adequately reflect the problems of area renewal and housing market failure.The Indices of Deprivation 2000 (ID2000) were adopted last year as the basis for the future allocation of resources to deprived areas. The consultation paper set out a proposal for moving to base the targeting of housing capital resources on the most deprived areas as identified in ID2000. We have decided to proceed with this change. ID2000 is a more up to date, broader based measure and is a clear improvement on the largely, 1991 Census-based Index of Local Conditions on which the targeting is currently based. Work is either planned or being undertaken to address the acknowledged weaknesses in the housing element of ID2000 and the absence of a crime measure.Most LAs are unaffected by moving to use ID2000 but a small number of authorities face sizeable shifts in index shares. We will, as indicated in the consultation paper, apply transitional arrangements to phase the impact of this change in over three years.We have also decided to proceed with the three other proposed changes—the introduction of a low demand indicator into the LA index; the increase in the share of the LA index accounted for by the LA stock indicator; and the revised basis for the index used to allocate Disabled Facilities Grant resources. The transitional arrangements will also apply to these changes.The housing capital resources for LAs for 2002–03 will be allocated through the Single Capital Pot (SCP). The performance-related component (5 per cent.) within this is much less than has applied to housing allocations in earlier years (50 per cent.). The consultation paper indicated that we did not consider it right for the better performing authorities to face the whole impact of this in one year. The consultation paper proposed that the transitional arrangements should be applied in a way which also covered the reduction in the size of the performance element. We have decided to address this in a different way by allocating a part, one third, of the formulaic housing element of the SCP on the basis of performance assessments. This has the advantage of much greater transparency and it also reflects the latest performance assessments rather than being fixed on the 2000 assessments as would have been the case under the initial proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will estimate the additional average cost of providing pedestrian protection in the Honda Civic car; which car has the best pedestrian protection rating to date in the European New Car Assessment Programme; and which cars have been assessed at 65 per cent. or above in the EEVC Working Group 10 tests. [15679]

The Honda Civic has the best Euro NCAP pedestrian protection result to date, with a score of 72 per cent. We estimate that the additional vehicle manufacturing cost of the Honda Civic relating to pedestrian protection to be around £6.50. We have made no specific estimate of the extra running costs linked to pedestrian protection.The Euro NCAP pedestrian test currently allows a mix of best and worst positions, chosen by manufacturers and Euro NCAP respectively.However, we believe that significant further modification would be required for the vehicle to meet the full EEVC WG10 or the later WG17 requirements, resulting in a further increase in manufacturing and running costs. In a separate series of DTLR funded research tests using the EEVC WG17 procedures and criteria, the Honda Civic was subject to 19 tests. The results are summarised below.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what plans his Department has for road works on the A12 between Hatfield Peverel and Mountnessing in the next 12 months; [14962](2) what action he will take to alleviate the traffic jams on the A12 north of Boreham at Hatfield Peverel while the road works are in progress; [14964](3) when the road works on the A12 to the north of Boreham at Hatfield Peverel will be completed; and when the A12 will return to normal traffic flows; [14963](4) if he will make a statement on the traffic jams being caused by road works on the Al21 north of Boreham at Hatfield Peverel; and what has been the average time it takes vehicles to travel through the road works in each week since their establishment. [14965]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days,(b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days,(d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued; [13326](2) how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers. [13307]

In the period 15 October to 5 November, my Department answered 261 named day parliamentary questions, of which 81 (31 per cent.) received holding answers.Of the 81 that received holding answers, 72 (89 per cent.) received substantive answers within three parliamentary days (of which 29 (36 per cent.) received substantive answers within one day); and 9(11 per cent.) received substantive answers within seven parliamentary days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent meetings he has had with representatives of the (a) haulage, (b) construction and (c) engineering sectors regarding the European Commission's proposed physical agents directive; and if he will make a statement. [15687]

The Health and Safety Executive has had several meetings with industry sectors about the two physical agents directives on vibration and noise. The most recent meeting with construction sector representatives was on 14 November and with engineering sector representatives on 1 November. They will be meeting representatives of the haulage industry on 20 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of Fair Trade goods. [15216]

The Department's procurement policy is about the achievement of value for money. The Department does not have a specific policy requiring the purchase of fair trade goods. Purchasing Officers are expected to consider each case on its merits with particular regard to the need for any products purchased to represent value for money. However, this Department does have available in the main staff restaurant fair trade beverages and confectionery and only provides fair trade beverages for official meetings. In addition, this Department's policy is to purchase timber and timber products only from sustainable and legal sources.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister regarding underspend in the Department of Health; [13206](2) what measures he is taking to reduce underspend in the

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 13 November 2001, Official Report, columns 606–07W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is regarding consultations prior to the publication of proposals involving the transfer of powers to the Scottish Executive by (a) primary legislation and (b) Order in Council. [13823]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on14 November 2001, Official Report, column 748W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will quantify in real cash terms the total change in the amount of income tax paid by higher rate taxpayers between May 1997 and the latest date for which information is available. [14425]

I refer the hon. Member to "Inland Revenue Statistics", table 3.4, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The latest version of the table can be accessed on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make an assessment of the cost of lowering the higher rate of income tax by 1 pence. [15395]

I refer my hon. Friend to "Inland Revenue Statistics" table 1.6, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The latest version can be accessed on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers. [13299]

86 of the 143 named day questions tabled to the Treasury in the period concerned were answered substantively on the nominated day.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued. [13318]

Of the 75 named day questions to which holding answers were given in the period concerned, 53 received substantive answers within three sitting days, 12 within seven days, five within 10 days and five within 15 days.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to improve fiscal incentives for the development of combined heat and power plants. [15512]

Gas or coal used by good quality combined heat and power systems is exempt from the climate change levy. Electricity produced by such systems is also exempt if it is used on the site where it is generated or if it is sold through a bilateral contract to another end user. Good quality CHP systems are also eligible for 100 per cent. enhanced capital allowances as part of the Government's climate change levy package. The Government are considering how best to encourage CHP and will be publishing proposals in the form of a CHP strategy in the coming months.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to (a) increase and (b) improve illegal drugs interception by Customs and Excise at the Port of Hull; and if he will make a statement. [15690]

Greater flexibility in the deployment of officers enable Customs in Hull to respond more quickly to smuggling threats. The Customs drug dog unit in Hull has been expanded and from the new year an X-ray scanner will be based in Hull to greatly increase the number of freight examinations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the quarrying industry on the design of the proposed aggregates levy. [15340]

I and my officials have had meetings with various representative bodies for the aggregates industry, and other interested parties throughout the development of the levy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many, and what percentage of flights arriving at (a) Heathrow,(b) Gatwick, (c) Stansted and (d) other airports in the UK were checked, in the latest year for which figures are available, for the presence of food intended for illegal importation; and of those flights checked, on how many occasions such food was found. [15192]

[holding answer 15 November 2001]: The lead responsibility for controls on imported food lies with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and agencies acting on its behalf. Customs has provided support to these agencies and participated in a number of joint exercises at airports to address the risk of illegal meat imports. Application of normal Customs controls to incoming flights is based on assessment of a range of risks and no figures exist of how many flights were checked for the purpose of detecting illegal importation. Where illegal food is found during Customs examination appropriate action is taken. Seizures in the year 1 April 2000–31 March 2001 were:

• Heathrow: 217
• Gatwick: 73
• Stansted: 5
• Other airports: 94

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total cost to local government pension schemes resulting from the abolition of advanced corporation tax relief on pension funds. [14698]

I have been asked to reply.The LGA estimated that the net effect of the 1997 decision to abolish advance corporation tax relief on local authority pension funds was £130 million. The Government specifically took account of this estimate in the spending plans set by the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the possibility of selling or licensing the military spectrum to the private sector. [14419]

[holding answer 12 November 2001]: I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Chancellor of the Exchequer commissioned earlier this year an independent review of radio spectrum management, led by Professor Martin Cave, to advise on the principles which should guide future management of the spectrum, to help derive most value from this national asset. One of the issues which the review is exploring is how best to improve the arrangements for facilitating access, for commercial uses, to any defence spectrum which would not compromise any legitimate current or future defence needs. The review is due to report to Ministers by the end of 2001.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date his Department established a working group of officials to prepare his Department for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and on what dates this committee has met since it was set up. [14775]

I have been asked to reply.In May this year, the Home Office established a Board level Senior Group to steer departmental progress towards implementation of the Act. The group first met on 8 May. Pending a decision on the timing of implementation, it has not met since, but is now scheduled to meet on 29 November 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to tighten the regulation of direct selling by utilities. [12152]

Direct selling is regulated under a range of consumer legislation. The Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations (The Doorstep Selling Regulations), govern doorstep sales and were strengthened in 1998. New Distance Selling Regulations, governing telephone and internet sales, came into force in October 2000. Local Trading Standards departments are responsible for the enforcement of these regulations. Breaches of the regulations that result in harm to the collective interests of consumers could also be grounds for the courts to make a Stop Now Order requiring the company concerned to cease the offending conduct. Under The Stop Now Order (E. C. Directive) Regulations, which came into force on 1 June 2001, the power to apply for such Orders is held by the Director General of Fair Trading, local authority trading standards officers, and sectoral regulators.In the case of gas and electricity, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) introduced a Marketing Licence Condition in 1998 that governs the sales and marketing practices of suppliers. The Licence Condition was strengthened in January 2001. Ofgem closely monitors the sales and marketing activities of suppliers, and, where necessary, it will take formal action against individual suppliers.In addition, I have recently written to all gas and electricity suppliers to express my concern about the distress caused by incidences of sales malpractice and demand that suppliers improve their performances. Consumers affected by sales malpractice not only form a negative view of an individual company, but also of the competitive market as a whole. It is in suppliers' own interests to maintain the highest possible sales standards, to resolve problems rapidly where they occur and to ensure that the consumer is content with the outcome.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to her Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers. [13313]

104 named day questions were tabled, 52 per cent. received a holding reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to her Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued. [13332]

The information is as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total (a) direct and (b) indirect Government support for the energy sector, excluding oil and gas production, in each year since 1990. [13287]Ms Hewitt

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences have been issued by Postcomm within the reserved area; and what assessment she has made of their impact on Consignia's ability to meet its universal service obligations. [13743]

To date, following consultation, Postcomm has issued a licence to Consignia plc. a condition of which requires the provision of a universal postal service, and four other licences.Postcomm's primary duty is to exercise its functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to ensure the provision of a universal postal service. Subject to this duty Postcomm shall exercise its functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to further the interests of users of postal services, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition between postal operators.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action Consignia is taking to improve recruitment and retention in areas where this is more difficult. [13733]

As an operational matter, this is an issue for Consignia management.Consignia is aware that there is a particular problem around staff turnover in the first few months of employment within areas where alternative employment is readily available. In response, with the active support of the Communication Workers Union, the company is trailing a new approach that includes mentoring of new entrants and retention payments.I am advised that the results of these trials will be available in the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received on the services condition of the European Union and UK postal services regulatory regimes. [13649]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry routinely receives formal and informal representations on different aspects of developments in the United Kingdom and European postal markets including regulatory regimes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry(1) what measures exist to ensure that consumers are not sold items made of or containing domestic (a) dog and (b) cat fur by (i) mistake and (ii) fraudulent practices; [13794](2) what measures are in place to combat potential consumer fraud with regard to the sale of fur

The Department does not enforce legislation which protects consumers from misleading statements about products. Trading standards officers who are employed directly by Local Authorities enforce the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. The Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988 place the duty to investigate under the Regulations on the Director General of Fair Trading.It is a criminal offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 for a person in the course of a trade or business to apply, by any means, false or misleading statements to goods, including statements about their composition. Additionally, the Director General of Fair Trading can take injunctive action under the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988 (as amended) to prevent misleading advertisements. The regulations define an advertisement widely, as any form of representation which is made in connection with a trade or business in order to promote the supply or transfer of goods.Trade Descriptions (Sealskin Goods) (Information) Order 1980 requires goods made wholly or partly of, or derived wholly or partly from, sealskin to be legibly and conspicuously marked with, or accompanied by, information to the effect that the goods are made of sealskin and where the seals were taken.Department is not aware of any other legislation that requires fur products to be labelled with information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations her Department has had with independent experts in respect of the security of nuclear facilities since 11 September. [14277]

The Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) within my Department is the Government's security regulator for the civil nuclear industry. OCNS has operational and regulatory autonomy in setting security standards and ensuring industry compliance. OCNS and DTI officials liaise with their counterparts in other agencies at home and abroad and with industry experts in the civil nuclear industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the role of community post offices in the post office re-invention programme. [13762]

[holding answer 9 November 2001]: Among the Performance and Innovation Unit report recommendations, all of which were accepted by Government, was that there should be a programme of modernisation and reinvention of the urban network. This reinvention programme will not be relevant to community post offices, defined by Post Office Ltd. as small rural offices with restricted opening hours, which fall within the rural network of offices serving settlements with less than 10,000 residents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many first class letters from (a) the PO postcode area and (b) the Isle of Wight achieve delivery (i) by first post the following day and (ii) within 24 hours; and how many to London in each category achieve delivery by each of those times. [14364]

[holding answer 13 November 2001]: This is an operational issue for Consignia.I have been advised by the company that it does not hold all this information. However, for the financial year 2000–01 the company has provided the following information:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates he has made of the costs associated with allowing all post offices to sell road fund licences. [14026]

[holding answer 13 November 2001]: I have been informed by Post Office Ltd. that it acts as agent for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in issuing motor vehicle licences through 4,000 post offices. In order to safeguard the interests of taxpayers, DVLA has to ensure that the relicensing service is cost effective. Under the present arrangements, increasing the number of post offices offering the facility increases the costs without increasing the total revenue collected. With the completion of the Horizon automation programme, we are considering the scope for extending the facility more widely without additional cost to DVLA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to (a) assist and (b) compensate sub-postmasters in Northern Ireland, with special reference to owners of rural post offices, affected by the phasing out of the old system of benefit payments in favour of the automated credit transfer system. [14977]

Benefit and pension recipients who wish to collect their benefits in cash at post offices will continue to be able to do so after the change in payment arrangements, beginning in April 2003, by means of Universal Banking Services.The Government remain committed to maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices and has committed £270 million of support over the next three years to start the implementation of the Performance and Innovation Unit's recommendations, all of which the Government accepted, for modernisation of the post office network.The PIU report recommendations include financial support for modernisation of the urban and rural networks. Post Office Limited's objective for the urban network of the future is to establish bigger, better, brighter post offices based on viable businesses that deliver adequate returns to subpostmasters. The Government are also committed to providing transitional financial assistance to the rural network and will shortly receive advice from the Postal Services Commission on the best way of channelling assistance to rural post offices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have been (a) opened and (b) closed in each of the London borough authorities in each of the last three years; and if he will list them. [15336]

I understand from Post Office Limited that data on the post office network are not held on a local authority basis. From the financial year 2000–01, network data have been compiled on a regional basis and in that year there were 10 net closures of post offices in the London region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Government investment there was in the north-west Regional Development Agency (a) in 1999, (b) in 2000, (c) in 2001 and (d) is projected for 2002. [14716]

[holding answer 15 November 2001]: The north-west Development Agency's net budgets for these years are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on levels of Government investment in all regional development agencies in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c)2002. [14719]

[holding answer 15 November 2001]: The Regional Development Agencies' budgets are as follow:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has that the hijackers who crashed the commercial airliners in the United States on 11 September were trained in al-Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan. [14256]

Al-Qaeda, harboured by the Taliban regime, have for some time run training facilities in Afghanistan. Prior to the current military action against al-Qaeda targets, there were at least 12 camps across Afghanistan, of which at least four were used for training terrorists. Following military action none of these camps are operational.Most of the nineteen11 September hijackers were al-Qaeda associates. A senior UBL associate has claimed to have trained some of the hijackers in Afghanistan. We know that al-Qaeda terrorists who carried out a failed attack on a US Navy destroyer in January 2000 had trained in camps in Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what resources have been offered to the Russian Government to help it to combat organised crime in Russia. [14729]

The UK is keen to assist Russian efforts to combat organised crime. We have signed two memorandums of understanding to facilitate co-operation between UK and Russian law enforcement agencies. The National Criminal Intelligence Service has provided advice and consultants to a Russian project to establish a financial intelligence unit, an essential element in tackling money laundering.With our international partners, we participate in Operation Millennium, an Interpol initiative sponsored by the G8 to share intelligence on Eastern European, including Russian, organised crime. We also contribute to the Joint EU/Russia Action Plan on combating Russian organised crime, focusing on judicial co-operation in criminal matters and on law enforcement co-operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries seeking membership of the European Union he has visited during the last 12 months. [14734]

Since his appointment in June, the Secretary of State has visited Warsaw on 30 September and Ankara on 17–18 October. The Secretary of State has also met his Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Bulgarian and Cypriot counterparts. I visited both Prague and Budapest in September, and have plans to visit more candidates early next year.I have also met the Foreign Ministers or chief negotiators of most of the candidate countries.