To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has had in the last five years regarding the issue of a medal for those who saw active service in Egypt between 1951 and 1954. [18178]

Within the last five years, the Ministry of Defence has received a number of representations from hon. Members and the general public on the subject of a retrospective campaign medal for service in the Canal Zone during the period 1951 to 1954. From available records it has been determined that the Ministry of Defence has received at least two parliamentary questions for oral response, 16 parliamentary questions for written response (including this one), 340 letters from MPs on behalf of constituents and recorded as ministerial correspondence, seven early-day motions, two Adjournment debates, nine letters to a Defence Minister from other than an MP, which were answered direct by him or on his behalf by his office and 300 letters from members of the public which were variously addressed to the Prime Minister, a Defence Minister, or to Her Majesty the Queen and were answered by an official on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. It should be noted that a number of MPs have written to the Ministry of Defence on this subject on more than one occasion and a small number of veterans have written many times.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans for the support, amphibious and battlefield rotorcraft procurement. [18755]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 8 November 2001, Official Report, column 378W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many formal notices his Department has received in the last year from the Parliamentary Ombudsman expressing an intention to carry out an investigation; and in respect of each notice how long it took to respond. [18769]

[holding answer 27 November 2001]: Information on the outcome of statutory investigations which were concluded during 2000–01 are set out in the Parliamentary Ombudsman's Annual Report for 2000–01, copies of which are available in the Library of the House, or on the Parliamentary Ombudsman's website at www.ombudsman.org.uk/pca/document/par01/index.htmBetween 1 April 2001 and 31 October 2001, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has received one new statutory statement of complaint from the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The MOD responded to this case within the time scale requested by the ombudsman. The time taken to respond was 24 working days.A formal notice regarding a matter in the War Pensions Agency was sent to the then Department of Social Security in March 2001. Following transfer of responsibility for the War Pensions Agency, the MOD will be responsible for responding to any observations the ombudsman makes in his report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to introduce further measures to monitor DARA's ability to control the agency's progress in improving turnaround times. [19184]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Rhondda (Mr. Bryant) on 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 110W. There are currently no plans to introduce further measures to monitor DARA's performance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many and what proportion of letters received by his Department between 20 June and 20 July were replied to (a) in under 15, (b) in under 20, (c) in under 30, (d) in under 40 and (e) in over 40 working days; [18586](2) how many letters his Department received from hon. and right hon. Members between 20 June and 20 July. [18566]

The Ministry of Defence does not record centrally the total number of letters it receives. However, between 20 June and 20 July 2001, the Department received 478 pieces of correspondence from hon. and right hon. Members, Members of the European Parliament, Members of the devolved legislatures and Peers, which received substantive replies from Ministers as follows:

Number of working days	Number of pieces of correspondence	Percentage replied to
Within 15	426	89
Within 20	453	95
Within 30	460	96
Within 40	468	98
Over 40	10	2

Ministers also received 662 pieces of correspondence for answer from members of the public during this period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the work of the Services Families Taskforce. [19815]

The Service Families Taskforce was set up in 1999 to deal with service family issues that were outside the control of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is headed by a Ministerial Group which last met on 15 November. I also meet with representatives of service families twice a year to discuss areas of concern. The Service Families Taskforce has been involved in a wide range of issues since its conception. The main areas of progress over the last year are:

(a) The MOD is being consulted by the Department of Health in the drafting of new Adoption legislation to ensure that service families will not be disadvantaged.

(b) We have resolved the problems that some service families had encountered, as a result of the payment of local overseas allowance, in claiming working families tax credit on return to the UK from an overseas posting.

(c) We have resolved the problems that some service spouses had encountered, due to the interpretation of residency status, in claiming Child Support Agency payments when on an overseas posting.

(d) Discussions are taking place with the Department for Education and Skills, and with local education authorities, to see what measures can be taken to improve the schools admissions process for service families.

(e) Discussions are taking place with the NHS Waiting and Booking Team on the problems service families face when transferring between NHS trust areas.

(f) Discussions are taking place with the Department for Work and Pensions to identify any problems service families have faced in the claiming of benefits while on overseas postings.

(g) Since 1 April 2001 service spouses have been able to open Stakeholder pensions while on an overseas posting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has been informed by his United States counterpart of the locations in which cluster bombs have been used by US armed forces in Afghanistan. [18506]

We are aware of the targets struck by US cluster bombs in Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the US Defence Secretary over the use of cluster bombs. [18353]

[holding answer 27 November 2001]: I speak to the US Defence Secretary regularly on a number of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the closest operational NATO (a) air base and (b) port available to UK forces to Gibraltar is; and if he will make a statement. [17983]

[holding answer 26 November 2001]: The closest Allied air base to Gibraltar that would be available to UK Gibraltar-based aircraft is Beja in Portugal. The closest Allied port available to UK Gibraltar-based forces is Lisbon, although Portimao, also in Portugal, could be used for smaller ships.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what additional operational restrictions are imposed on (a) Royal Navy and RFA Ships, (b) RAF Aircraft and (c) UK troop deployments (i) on visits to and (ii) returning from Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [17980]

[holding answer 26 November 2001]: There are restrictions on the direct transit of Royal Navy and FRA ships from Gibraltar to a Spanish port or from a Spanish port to Gibraltar. RAF aircraft on visits to and from Gibraltar are not permitted to over-fly Spanish territory with Gibraltar as the destination or as the airport of departure. UK troops on duty are not allowed across the border from Gibraltar to Spain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) armour piercing and (b) hard target penetrator warheads containing depleted uranium have been tested in Wales in each of the last 10 years. [17485]

[holding answer 27 November 2001]: No depleted uranium rounds have been tested in Wales in each of the last 10 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the recommendations of the War Pensions Agency's 1999 DMA study were implemented in 2000–01. [19120]

Following the recommendations of the 1999 Decision Making Appeals Study the War Pensions Agency worked with ex-Service organisations and the Lord Chancellor's Department to improve war pension appeal legislation and processes, and within the Ministry of Defence to improve the process and time scale for delivery of service documentation.Once these improvements were achieved, the recommendations from the study were piloted during 1999–2000 and fully implemented across the Agency during 2000–01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the recommendations of the 1999 War Pensions Agency Prior Options Review relating to the regulations of the War Pensioners Welfare Service and the partnership opportunities associated with the management of Ilford Park Polish Home were implemented by 31 March. [19117]

A review of the objectives of the War Pensioners Welfare Service was undertaken and a report on its findings was widely circulated to the ex-service community in February 2001 inviting comment. The review's recommendations on how welfare services can be developed have received widespread support. As at 28 November 2001, 16 recommendations have been fully implemented, the remainder will be implemented during 2001–02.The potential for establishing a partnership with a suitable organisation to provide day-to-day management of Ilford Park Polish Home was reviewed and a report produced in July 2000. The report identified key issues to be addressed and the position is being kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the service performance standards published in the War Pensions Agency's Service First Charter were achieved in 2000–01. [19121]

During 2000–01, the War Pensions Agency achieved all of the standards set out in their Service First Charter. All of the WPA's claims and appeals average clearance time targets were achieved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the War Pensions Agency met its target to generate efficiency during 2000–01 to absorb the effect of pay and price pressures. [19119]

During 2000–01, the War Pensions Agency delivered efficiencies necessary to absorb the effect of pay and price pressures. By adopting a sharply focused and integrated approach to human resources and expenditure management, the agency has been able to implement additional measures to enable operation within its running cost allocation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel have applied to the War Pensions Agency for a war pension; and if he will make a statement. [19771]

A claim for war disablement pension may only be made after discharge from the armed forces. 10,799 claims were received by the War Pensions Agency during the year April 2000 to March 2001; 5,866 claims have been received in the period April 2001 to October 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the total unallocated funds within his departmental expenditure limit (a) at the start of the financial year and (b) to date; and what was the month seven forecast on outturn underspend against his departmental expenditure limit in (i) real and (ii) percentage terms. [19439]

The allocation of the Ministry of Defence's departmental expenditure limit at the start of the year is set out in "The Government's Expenditure Plans 2001–02 to 2003–04—Ministry of Defence" (Cm 5109). Revised allocations are reported to Parliament in Supplementary Estimates. Outturn against six month forecast for each request for resources will be published on 4 December in the winter Supplementary Estimates Summary Request for Supply as usual.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reassess the benchmark of capabilities set out in the Strategic Defence Review; what the timescale is for this re-assessment; and if he will make a statement. [19770]

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) left the armed forces well placed to participate in the campaign against international terrorism, but we need to look more closely at asymmetric threats of the kind that we saw on 11 September and ensure that we have the right concepts, forces and capabilities to deal with them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposed supporting role of the Territorial Army in Afghanistan. [18639]

I refer the hon. Member to theanswer I gave on 13 November 2001, Official Report, columns 630–31W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the decision process for determining which line infantry battalions should be put on increased alert for deployment in Afghanistan. [19586]

The infantry battalions originally placed at a reduced notice to move for a possible deployment to Afghanistan were selected from those within the Joint Rapid Reaction Force and reflected their place in the operational and training cycle and their suitability for the possible operations envisaged.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the number of cases that have occurred whereby workers have transferred from an external employer to his Department; and in particular where this has involved (a) dismissal and (b) re-employment. [19466]

[holding answer 30 November 2001]: 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 list the capability shortfalls in the areas highlighted by the major projects report 2001, page 13, section 1.25; what steps are being taken to rectify the shortfalls; when he expects the shortfall to be overcome in each area; and if he will make a statement. [18930]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House following the hearing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to ensure that service personnel are not (a) given a poor credit risk rating and (b) denied credit as an effect of their membership of the services; and if he will make a statement. [18929]

The granting of credit to an individual is a decision for the credit companies to make. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has held talks with the British Banking Association, the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Finance Leasing Authority which have assured us that their members do not deny credit to service personnel because of their membership of the armed forces; their credit worthiness is assessed in the same way as for their civilian counterparts. Although some companies will not lend to service personnel who are overseas, there are sufficient companies (including NAAFI) who will do so in order to provide the armed forces with adequate choice. While some service personnel may experience difficulties, I am not aware that obtaining credit represents a significant problem for the armed forces more widely. There is no intention, nor would it be appropriate, for the MOD to involve itself in the decisions taken by private companies on the credit worthiness of armed forces personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance he has given to the MOD on the employment of soldiers on regimental duty to act as recruiters. [20630]

Only Senior Non-Commissioned Officers appointed to specialist recruiting roles and who have attended the Regular Recruiters Course, run by the Army School of Recruiting, are termed recruiters. While serving with the Recruiting Group of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency they are not serving at Regimental Duty. Officers and Warrant Officers serving at Regimental Duty and who will conduct duties in support of recruiting operations as Team Leaders, undertake specific courses in support of their duties. Others who will serve as members of recruiting teams are given a one-day briefing prior to their deployment. Soldiers involved in the Satisfied Soldier Scheme are briefed by recruiting staff at the local Careers Office where they are deployed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of issuing the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal to holders of the George cross and Victoria cross; and if he will make a statement. [19840]

It is estimated that the cost to the Ministry of Defence of issuing the Golden Jubilee medal to holders of the Victoria cross and George cross would be in the order of £1,000.00.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the convention under which holders of VC and GC decorations are awarded honorary medals. [19839]

The United Kingdom honours system does not include the concept of honorary medals.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many letters he received from right hon. and hon. Members between 20 June and 20 July; [18575](2) how many and what proportion of letters received by him between 20 June and 20 July were replied to

The information is not available in the manner requested. Between 20 June and 20 July 2001 I received approximately 250 letters from Members of Parliament including invitations and requests concerning constituency matters which were dealt with as appropriate.

To ask the Prime Minister when he expects the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals to put forward its recommendations in respect of general service medals for those who served during the Suez canal emergency 1951–54. [20008]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) on 29 November 2001, Official Report, column 1057W.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which the Intelligence Services Commissioner could uphold a complaint to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal; [18538](2) what mechanism exists to ensure that the operation of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is

[holding answer 27 November 2001]: The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 ensures that there is independent judicial oversight of the powers in the Act. The Act requires the Interception of Communications and Intelligence Services Commissioners to report annually to the Prime Minister on any matters relating to the carrying out of their functions. These reports, excluding, after consultation with the Commissioners, confidential material, are laid before Parliament. Similarly, the Police Act 1997 requires the Chief Surveillance Commissioner to make an annual report to the Prime Minister which is laid before Parliament.The Act also requires the Secretary of State to issue codes of practice relating to the performance of the powers and duties under this Act and to which users of the powers must have regard.The Investigatory Powers Tribunal investigates complaints in relation to any proceedings incompatible with rights conferred by the ECHR and which concern the use of investigatory powers under the Act. It also considers any complaint by a person who believes that he has been subject to any use of these investigatory powers. The tribunal would determine whether the complainant was subject to such powers and, if so, whether their use was in contravention of the provisions in the Act. The Intelligence Services Commissioner's role in this respect is to provide assistance but only as required by the tribunal.

To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with the US President on the US blockade of Cuba. [20246]

I have not recently discussed the US blockade of Cuba with the US President.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will increase stipends to take account of the additional costs to the clergy of going on-line. [17022]

Any additional costs relating to the use of computer and e-mail equipment in the course of clergy duties should be reimbursed through expenses.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what resources have been provided to assist the development of child care provision in communities in the past 12 months. [17023]

None. The Commissioners' primary legal responsibility is the financial support of the parish ministry of the Church of England.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent discussions he has had with Church leaders in relation to the vulnerability of churches to vandalism. [17024]

I have had no discussions with Church leaders on this matter as it lies outside the Church Commissioners' and my own area of responsibility.In the Church of England, the responsibility for the security of churches and churchyards lies with the individual parish authorities, although the care of individual monuments in churchyards is generally a matter for the family concerned. Advice is available from church insurers, Diocesan Advisory Committees for the Care of Churches and, nationally, from the Council for the Care of Churches. The National Churchwatch scheme also offers seminars on security in churches and the personal safety of those using them.The view of both the Church authorities and insurers is that the best safeguard for a church against theft and vandalism is for it to be kept open and in regular use. However, the duty to care for and protect our churches should not solely concern the church authorities but the whole community. Realistic prevention lies in good citizenship not taller walls.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on levels of poverty among clergy with particular reference to those clergy who are (a) retired and (b) about to retire. [17025]

Clergy in office are provided with a house and paid a stipend. On retirement, a full service pension from the Church for 37 years' service amounts to two thirds of the National Minimum Stipend and a lump sum of three times the pension. Clergy are responsible for their own housing in retirement but are given assistance through a retirement housing scheme. Clergy also receive a state pension.The Clergy Stipends Review Group has recently published a report "Generosity and Sacrifice", which looked at the issue of stipends and pensions. The Group noted that if stipends levels are no better than adequate, the current quantum of pension is not over generous in relation to stipends or in absolute terms. It felt, however, that a number of details of the provision of the pension and stipend scheme were in need of reconsideration. The General Synod at its November sessions agreed that the report should be sent to dioceses for consultation. The responses to that consultation are likely to be considered by General Synod at the end of next year.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor on the reduction of VAT on church repairs. [17026]

I have not discussed the matter further with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor recently because we are waiting for the imminent announcement by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport of the details of the VAT reimbursement scheme and how it will operate. The Church has a number of concerns about the funding of the scheme which have yet to be clarified and we will be studying the details of the scheme very closely once these are published.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what guidance has been issued in respect of value added tax concessions and listed church buildings. [18455]

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will, I understand, shortly announce the details of the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme. The Church of England and other faith groups represented by the Churches Main Committee look forward to the implementation of the Scheme and will want to study the criteria and other aspects of the Scheme following publication.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how much is being spent on the refurbishment of the Bishop of Chichester's palace; for what reason rooms hitherto publicly accessible in the palace are being converted into private rooms; and if he will make a statement. [18368]

The refurbishment is in fact on-going works, which are partly alterations and partly maintenance and redecoration.The alterations are due to the need to improve the office accommodation. This has been re-located from the first floor to a more accessible site on the ground floor and there are consequential changes flowing from that move. The cost of these alterations is approximately £65,000.It should be noted that Bishop Kemp's episcopacy lasted 27 years and was unusually long. This resulted in a large number of maintenance and redecoration items being deferred to this scheme of works. The total maintenance cost will be approximately £40,000 and this will cover general maintenance, decorations and safety related items such as upgrading the electrical installation.VAT will be additional, although it will not apply to the alterations as the building is listed. The house is a Grade 1 listed building and the quality of work needs to reflect the special status of the building.The question also refers to publicly accessible rooms. Bishop Kemp did not use the Tudor room and so it was used occasionally for external functions; for example, an art exhibition was held there once a year. The Tudor room is to resume its original function as the main room for receiving visitors but it will continue to be available to the public by appointment. It is envisaged that the room will also be available for seminars.

To ask the Solicitor-General what steps Her Majesty's Government intend to take in respect of the reply by the European Commission on 3 September to written question number E-1828/OIEN rejecting the judgment of the British court case, dated 29 March on whether the Euratom Treaty covered military nuclear activities. [17940]

I have been asked to reply.An Appeal Court hearing is due to take place shortly in respect of this case (Regina v. Environment Agency ex parte Marchiori). The Government note the Commission's views, but their position remains that the Euratom treaty does not apply to military activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what fairly traded products, other than tea and coffee, have been purchased by his Department in each of the last five years; and what was their value. [17557]

My Department has very limited requirements for goods which are subject to fair trade schemes and since coming into existence on 1 July 1999 has not purchased any.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the value of fairly traded (a) tea and (b) coffee used in his Department in each of the last five years. [17556]

My Department has purchased no fairly traded tea or coffee. It has fewer than 50 staff and does not provide snack or canteen facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many letters his Department received from right hon. and hon. Members between 20 June and 20 July. [18571]

I received three letters from Members of Parliament in this period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what proportion of letters received by his Department between 20 June and 20 July were replied to (a) in under 15, (b) in under 20, (c) in under 30, (d) in under 40 and (e) in over 40 working days. [18595]

The information is set out in the table:

Days	Correspondence answered
Under 15	10
16–19	0
20–29	3
30–39	1
40 or more	1

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the phase II report by the steering group appointed to lead the research programme aimed at finding an acceptable, effective and less potentially lethal alternative to the plastic baton round. [20400]

After consultation with ministerial colleagues in the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence, I have today placed in the Library of the House a copy of the second report compiled by the steering group. The group was set up to take forward two recommendations in the Patten report.This report concludes the second phase of a four-phase research programme. It is the most comprehensive analysis of the issues yet published. It reflects both the commitment and the urgency with which Government are progressing the programme aimed both at finding an acceptable, effective and less potentially lethal alternative to the plastic baton round and a broader range of public order equipment.The report clearly sets out the priorities in this wide-ranging programme and the timetable for the next phase. It includes work seeking less lethal options as an alternative to the police use of firearms, and the Government are grateful to the Association of Chief Police Officers for its leading role in this area.In publishing the report, I am inviting comments on it from interested parties. We shall work closely with the Northern Ireland Policing Board in taking the programme forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) ethnic and (b) religious murder campaigns have taken place in Northern Ireland since 1971. [11058]

Paramilitaries from both communities in Northern Ireland do carry out acts of violence and intimidation not only against the other community but also against individuals and groups within their own community. Police investigations of such offences are often hampered when victims generally decline to make a formal complaint.It is therefore important that members of communities, within which these attacks are taking place, notify the police if they have any relevant information. They may do so in strict confidence using the Crimestoppers line.The Government regularly keep themselves apprised of these acts of paramilitary intimidation and support any measures taken by the police to bring these to an end. These on-going acts of intimidation are symptomatic of the situation prevailing within Northern Ireland.The Government have a duty to protect the whole community from the threat of violence from whatever quarter and in whatever form. The Government utterly condemn any form of intimidation by groups on either side of the community.

Aylesbury Vale district council
£
Nature of funding	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02
Revenue support grant (£ million)	3.075	2.802	2.468	3.058
Income from national non-domestic rates (£ million)	4.969	5.382	6.012	6.026
Housing investment programme (£ million)	889	1.033	2.968	15.512
Management and maintenance allowance (housing revenue account subsidy)	2,3753.11	2,3765.08	2,3792.24	2,3796.44
Capital receipts initiative (£ million)	1.413	1.247	n/a	n/a
Cash incentive scheme (£ million)	0.1	0	n/a	n/a
1£0.995 million Housing Investment Programme and £4.517 million Major Repairs Allowance					2Management and Maintenance allowance allocations are a more reliable indicator than the amount of subsidy paid which is demand lead and fluctuates according to the number of dwellings in the HRA and the number of tenants entitled to housing benefit					3Per dwelling

Buckinghamshire county council
£ million
Nature of funding	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02
Revenue support grant	102.324	101.353	95.891	111.397
Income from national non-domestic rates	96.628	105.481	119.63	117.618
Rural bus challenge grant1	0.100	0.985	0	n/a
Rural bus subsidy grant2	0.265	0.561	0.489	0.716
Transport supplementary grant	1.954	1.381	0.066	7.5
Transport annual capital guidelines	1.954	1.381	0.216	0
Transport supplementary credit approval	0.946	1.615	6.029	13.035
1 Rural Bus Challenge figures represent awards—actual spend profiles for the schemes awarded funding may cover more than one year. 2001–02 awards will be announced shortly					2 RBSG figures represent Grant totals actually paid to the authority. 2001–02 figure represents allocation

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 17 July 2001, Official Report, column 97W, on the channel tunnel, whether the draft directives and guidance published on 13 July retain the specific goal to increase freight traffic by 80 per cent. [12976]

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many delays have been caused by signal failures on the Jubilee line since January; and what is the total length of time, in hours, lost as a result. [15571]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the allocation of central Government funds to (a) Aylesbury Vale district council and (b) Buckinghamshire county council in each of the last four years. [14215]

Full details of all central Government allocations to county and district councils could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The principal kinds of funding that this Department has provided to Aylesbury Vale district council and Buckinghamshire county council between 1998–99 and 2001–02 are shown in the tables. These include grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.

Detailed in-year operational information of this nature is a matter for London Underground and I understand that information is not collated in exactly the form requested. However, London Underground advise that, between 7 January and 13 October (the latest date for which figures have been collated), signal failures caused 75 delays of 15 minutes or more on the Jubilee line. The total initial delay resulting from these incidents was 51 hours.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 November 2001, Official Report, column 493W, on London Underground, for what reason the final assessment will be completed under Treasury Investment Appraisal guidelines; if it is his policy to ask Ernst and Young to conduct Monte Carlo simulations as an element of their robustness assessment; if the final agreement with Ernst and Young specified an end date of 17 December; and if he will make a statement. [19870]

London Underground—a publicly owned company—is negotiating contracts to put in place the Government's plans for modernising the Tube. It is clearly appropriate for London Underground to evaluate these contracts in line with Treasury Investment Appraisal guidelines. The answer given to the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) on 23 November 2001, Official Report, column 493W, made clear the terms of reference for Ernst and Young's review of London Underground's value for money evaluation of the contracts for the Tube modernisation plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to increase support for the airline industry; and if he will make a statement. [15666]

The Government have underwritten, on a temporary basis, third party war risk insurance for UK airlines and service providers to the aviation industry and are considering further support for UK airlines, consistent with European Commission guidelines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to give financial aid to compensate (a) airlines and (b) airports for the four day period after 11 September when US airspace was closed. [18454]

The Government have underwritten, on a temporary basis, third party war risk insurance for UK airlines and service providers to the aviation industry and are considering whether further support should be made available within European Commission guidelines. The Commission guidelines permit financial aid to be made available only to airlines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) how much Government (a) expenditure and (b) investment there has been on (i) research for and (ii) building urban re-development projects associated with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (A) in total and (B) in each year since the project was first proposed; [15743](2)how much Government

The following information is as much as can be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many letters his Department received from right hon. and hon. Members between 20 June and 20 July. [18559]

Information on the volume of correspondence from Members of Parliament received by Ministers, agency chief executives, Departments and agencies, and performance in handling them is published annually by the Cabinet Office. The most recent report, covering 2000, was announced by the then Minister for the Cabinet Office on 6 April 2001, Official Report, column 325W.Between 20 June and 20 July, this Department received 839 letters from right hon. and hon. Members.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many and what proportion of letters received by his Department between 20 June and 20 July were replied to (a) in under 15, (b) in under 20, (c) in under 30, (d) in under 40 and (e) in over 40 working days. [18579]

The information is not available in the form requested. The information we have is as follows:

Ministerial letters1
	From MPs	From others
Number of cases	839	1,178
Answered within 15 days
Number	696	1,001
Percentage	83	85

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) when he will reply to the letter to him dated 20 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. James Hamlett; [20366](2) when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 20 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. James Hamlett. [16246]

I replied to my right hon. Friend's letter on Thursday 29 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) when he last met the Rail Regulator since 5 October; and if he will make a statement; [17115](2) when he last met the Rail Regulator. [18943]

The Secretary of State last met Tom Winsor on 5 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what rail improvement projects are included in the Railtrack Network Management Statement on the London to Norwich line; and by when they will be completed. [18423]

The 2001 Network Management Statement includes the installation on this route of the Train Protection Warning System as part of the national programme. I understand that planned work on signal fitments is due to be completed by 31 March 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will take steps to limit vehicle performance by the introduction of mandatory design standards for vehicles. [18853]

There is already a requirement in Great Britain to limit the performance of the heavier goods and passenger vehicles by fitting top-speed limiters. This requirement applies to vehicles having a maximum gross weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes. The relevant legislation is contained in Regulations 36A and 36B of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. The Government are currently arguing the United Kingdom's corner with our European partners on a European Commission proposal to extend the requirement for top-speed limiters to goods vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes in maximum gross weight, and to vehicles used for the carriage of passengers comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what advice the ONS gave his Department on the treatment of RenewCo in the national accounts. [18773]

[holding answer 27 November 2001]: The Office for National Statistics informed the Treasury that the RenewCo proposals would be classified as public sector borrowing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what further plans he has to consult tenants regarding the introduction of rent restructuring from April 2002; and if he will make a statement. [19040]

A number of tenants organisations responded to the consultation on the Housing Green Paper last year, and to the consultation this year on proposals to change Housing Revenue Account subsidy to take account of rent restructuring. We are pressing ahead with rent restructuring from April 2002. We will monitor the impact and maintain a dialogue with all interested parties, including tenants groups, about the issues arising on the implementation of the policy as it develops. It would be for local authorities and registered social landlords to consult their tenants about the rents they propose to set from April 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the relative success of best value performance indicators which depend on the measurement of (a) inputs, (b) outputs and (c) outcomes; [19275](2) which of the best value performance indicators

The Best Value Performance Indicators have been designed to provide a rounded view of local government's performance. They reflect the resources devoted to the different services, the efficiency with which those resources are used, the quality of the services and service users' experience. They therefore include a mix of indicators which measure inputs, outputs and outcomes; the intention is to rely increasingly on outcome indicators whenever these can be clearly identified. The number of indicators against which an authority is required to report depends on the nature of an authority and the number of services it delivers. For 2001–02 unitary and metropolitan authorities are required to report performance on up to 123 indicators while for district councils the maximum number of indicators is 68. These will be reduced for 2002–03.The Best Value Performance Indicators provide valuable information about the performance of individual authorities and enable local people to view the performance of their own authority alongside that of similar authorities. They will also track performance changes over time. Once best value performance plans are published in 2002 it will be possible to assess change over the two years that best value has been in place.The Council of the Isles of Scilly is required to report on those services which it provides to local people. I understand that the Council has agreed to design a set of indicators appropriate to its circumstances, and will need to discuss these with the District Auditor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what timetable he has set for implementing the results of his review of the operation of best value for local government. [19273]

The Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions announced on 1 October a three month review of the best value regime for local authorities aimed at improving the quality of services. A review group, under the chairmanship of the Minister for Local Government and the Regions, has been set up to take this work forward. The review group has been asked to report to the Secretary of State by the end of this year. The Secretary of State will consider its report early in the new year and respond to its recommendations. The timetable for implementing any measures announced in his response will depend on their nature, but the intention is to act as quickly as possible ahead of the 2002–03 financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the estimated cost in the latest available year of the best value regime to (a) central Government Departments, (b) local government, (c) fire authorities and (d) non-department public bodies and executive agencies. [19892]

(a) For the financial year 2001–02, £1,751,000 has been allocated for administrative costs associated with best value in central Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average cost is in (a) overall terms and (b) cost per mile of light rail schemes (i) under consideration by the Government and (ii) in development. [19347]

The capital costs of light rail lines will depend on a significant number of factors. These include land prices, whether the route is segregated or contains street running sections, the degree of double tracking along a section of route, whether there is a need for major works such as tunnels or bridges as well as the extent of wider impacts such as utility diversions. Cost figures will also include vehicles. An average cost figure per kilometre across all schemes is therefore not particularly meaningful. The table sets out a very crude calculation of the capital cost per kilometre of light rail schemes that are currently under development using the latest figures for the overall capital costs of the relevant scheme divided by the length of the route. The figures are given in cash terms.

£ million
Scheme	Overall capital cost	Capital cost per km
Sunderland Extension to Tyne and Wear Metro1	100	5.41
Nottingham Express Transit2	149	13.8
Manchester Metrolink phase 33	513	8.9
Leeds Supertram: three lines3	484	17.3
South Hampshire Light Rail3	190	13.3
Merseytram	215	11.3
Stockport extension to Manchester Metrolink	61.5	7.24
Midland Metro extensions to Birmingham centre and Wednesbury to Brierly Hill	165	11.1
Bristol and South Glos. light rail	190	11.2
1 Due to open March 2002			2 Due to open in 2003			3 Construction to start in 2003

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 November 2001, Official Report, column 498W, on light rail and tram schemes, which other schemes could open before 2006. [19132]

In view of the need to obtain powers under the Transport and Works Act, to carry out a tendering process and to construct the new lines, we do not currently expect lines other than those identified in my previous reply to be open by 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average estimated length of time is from first submission of a proposal to the Department to completion of a new light rail project independent of an existing system. [19351]

Light rail systems typically take many years of planning and promoters are encouraged to discuss their ideas with the Department at an early stage. Accordingly, it is hard to identify precisely first submission of a proposal. The table shows the period between funding being approved and the opening of schemes in operation.

Scheme	Year of firm funding approval	Year opened
Croydon	1997	2000
Midland Metro	1995	1999
South Yorkshire Supertram	1990	1994–95
Manchester Metrolink line 1	1989	1992

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on Railtrack's cashflow position. [18937]

The cashflow of Railtrack plc is being managed by the administrator, to ensure the continued operations of the company, drawing down from the loan agreement that was put in place at the time of the administration, as necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if Railtrack will be permitted to raise investment funding from any other source apart from the Government during the administration period. [18934]

Under paragraph 8.1.10 of the loan agreement, made available to the administrator, the administrator has the power to raise or borrow money.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what public subsidy to Railtrack in administration has been requested by the administrator for the period 7 October to the end of the 2001–02 financial year. [18953]

There is no public subsidy being provided to Railtrack in administration. Funding for Railtrack plc in administration is being provided through a commercial loan agreement, copies of which are in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimates the Railtrack administrator has made of the final cost of completing the west coast main line modernisation. [19001]

A number of options for taking the project forward are currently under discussion. Until these discussions have been concluded, and final outputs agreed, an estimated cost of completion will not be known.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the most recent estimate by Railtrack of the total cost of the west coast main line modernisation prior to administration. [18954]

Railtrack's 2001 Network Management Statement, published in May, estimated the cost of the project at £6.3 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what procedures the Government are putting in place to ensure that routine (a) track and (b) signal maintenance is carried on a scheduled basis during the period of administration. [19850]

This is a matter for the administrator. The Government will continue to provide the administrator with sufficient funding to ensure the rail network operates on a "business as usual" basis during the administration period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 November 2001, Official Report, column 496W, on Railtrack, what his Department's assessment of the value of the assets of Railtrack plc was as at 5 October. [19780]

The Department assessed the cash-flows that the assets would generate, and concluded that they would be insufficient to cover Railtrack's debt liability payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 277W, on Railtrack, what his Department's estimate of the cash needs of Railtrack plc in administration is in addition to the £3.5 billion already identified. [19910]

The cash needs of Railtrack plc in administration will depend on how long it remains in administration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is the credit rating of Railtrack bonds. [19425]

Railtrack bonds currently have a long term credit rating of BB+ from Standard & Poor's and Baal from Moody's Investors Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 November 2001, Official Report, column 606W, on Railtrack, how many Railtrack shares were held by (a) individual and (b) institutional investors at flotation and in each subsequent year. [19841]

The number¹ of shares in Railtrack Group plc held by individual and institutional investors at flotation on 20 May 1996 and in each subsequent year—as detailed in the Annual Report and Accounts—is shown in the table.

Million
	Individual	Institutional
20 May 1996	290	210
24 April 1997	170	325
5 May 1998	150	355
30 April 1999	115	390
5 May 2000	90	420
1 May 2001	90	430
1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5 million

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average Railtrack shareholding of individual investors was in each year since flotation. [19842]

This information is not available to the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in (a) cash and (b) percentage terms, what profit including

Value of share at sale	Sale price minus flotation price (£)	Dividends received before date of sale (£)	Cross cash return on flotation price (£)	Gross percentage return on flotation price
Highest value on 23 November 1998 = £17.68	13.88	0.60	14.48	381
Lowest value on 20 September 2001 = £2.52	-1.28	1.40	0.12	3
Average value between 20 May 1996 and 5 October 2001 = £9.15	5.35	11.13	6.48	171
1 Shares were traded at the average daily share price several times, all falling in the 2000–01 financial year. Dividend payments therefore assume that the share was sold in 2000–01.

The returns do not take account of any tax liabilities or transaction charges paid by individual investors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of Railtrack shares were held by institutional investors on (a) 1 May and (b) the first of each month up to 1 October. [19494]

The proportion of shares in Railtrack Group plc held by institutional investors on 1 May 2001—as detailed in the Annual Report and Accounts—was 83 per cent. Information on the proportion held on the first of each month up to 1 October is not available to the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his policy is on the Airtrack proposal. [19337]

The Strategic Rail Authority is sponsoring a demand study to establish numbers of air passengers and domestic (non-airport) users who might use an Airtrack service. Work on this is well advanced, and in the new year we hope to take a view on the next stage of development of the Airtrack proposal.We are proposing to issue a consultation paper on airport policy in general early in the new year, and this will include consideration of public transport access to airports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he intends to publish revised guidance to highways authorities on speed policy. [19272]

The Transport Act 2000 committed the Government to consider the development of a rural road hierarchy for speed management purposes. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hyndburn (Mr. Pope) on 28 November 2001, Official Report, columns 942–43W.

The gross returns on a single share bought at flotation for £3.80 and sold at the highest ever, lowest ever and average closing price of Railtrack shares are provided in the table.In addition, the first year report executive summary on the cost recovery system for traffic safety cameras was published on 13 August. Copies were placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what action his Department recently has taken to promote good practice in the creation and development of local authority websites; [19061](2) what measures he has taken to ensure that local authority websites are accessible to those with a range of disabilities; and which organisations have been consulted. [19062]

We have made available £350 million of funding as part of our drive to ensure that all local authorities achieve 100 per cent. electronic service delivery capability by 2005. In 2001–02 this funding is being used to support 24 local authority pathfinders (with a further pathfinder being funded under the Invest to Save Budget) in a programme of innovation and shared learning. Many of the pathfinders are developing interactive websites, which other councils can then use as a model to create their own.We are also in the process of developing guidance for local authorities on how they design their websites. This guidance will cover accessibility for people with disabilities, and we will consult widely when the draft document is published next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent measures he has taken to ensure that buildings insulation targets are met. [19106]

The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2001 were laid before Parliament on 11 October 2001, and come into force on 1 April 2002. Their supporting approved documents published on 31 October give guidance on the building insulation targets that are to be met. These significantly increase the building insulation standards that apply whenever building work is carried out.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the special advisers in his Department. [19344]

The Department's special advisers are:

• Dan Corry
• Michael Dugher Jo Moore.
• Departmental Expenditure

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to spend the £920 million that was allocated to his Department for 2000–01 but not spent. [19527]

The 2000–01 underspend on the DETR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit became available for use in following years in accordance with the end-year flexibility arrangements (the set of rules by which Departments are allowed to carry forward unspent budget from one year to the next). The entitlement generated from 2000–01 and previous years was announced in Table 6 of Public Expenditure 2000–2001 Provisional Outturn (Cm 5243). £516 million end-year flexibility take up is being sought in the Winter Supplementary Estimates for the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions; £93 million has been transferred to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (as part of machinery of government changes) and further take-up will be sought in the spring Supplementary Estimates. Any unused end-year flexibility will be carried forward into future years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will estimate the total unallocated funds within his departmental expenditure limit (a) at the start of the financial year and (b) to date; and what was the month seven forecast on outturn underspend against his departmental expenditure limit in (i) real and (ii) percentage terms. [19442]

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Departmental Annual Report for 2001 (Cm 5105) contains the Departmental Unallocated Provision (DUP) set for the present financial year in table A6a. Draw-down of the DUP has been reported to Parliament in the Winter Supplementary Estimates for the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions presented on 29 November. Outturn against six month forecast for each Request for Resources will be published in the Winter Supplementary Estimates Summary Request for Supply as usual.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the revenue lost (a) to each of the train operating companies and (b) in total in each of the last five years resulting from shortages of (i) booking office staff, (ii) ticket machines and (iii) on-board conductors to collect fares. [19554]

No such estimate has been made. This is a matter for the train operating companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in relation to Statutory Instrument 2718 and the accompanying guidelines, what discussions his Department has had with all other Government Departments on the number of portable buildings they use which will have to be disposed of after five years; and what the estimated cost to public funds of disposing and replacing these units will be. [19878]

Statutory Instrument 2718 is The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2001. This order amends the planning guidelines relating to telecommunications masts, and has no relevance to portable buildings. There have thus been no such discussions with other Government Departments, or estimates made, in relation to this Statutory Instrument.However, the hon. Member did raise the issue of portable buildings in the debate in the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation on 21 November 2001 which considered the Prayer against both Statutory Instrument 2718 and Statutory Instrument 3335, The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2001. The Approved Document to Part L2 of the Building Regulations, which Statutory Instrument 3335 amended, gives guidance on how portable buildings may meet the requirements of Part L2 of the Regulations under the heading "Buildings constructed from sub-assemblies".There is nothing in the guidance in the Approved Document that indicates that portable buildings will have to be disposed of after five years. It indicates that there are no restrictions at all on portable buildings that are moved from one place to another on the same site. With regard to buildings moved from one site to another the guidance is that a building constructed from external fabric sub-assemblies obtained from other premises or from a stock manufactured before 31 December 2001, would normally be considered to meet the requirement if the fabric thermal resistance or the prospective annual energy use will be no worse than the relevant performance standards given in the 1995 edition of Approved Document L.It would thus have been inappropriate to have discussions, in relation to this Statutory Instrument and its supporting Approved Documents, with other Government Departments on the number of portable buildings they use which will have to be disposed of after five years, and what the estimated cost to public funds of disposing and replacing these units will be.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what criteria determine the number of passengers permitted to stand on a scheduled bus; and how many people standing are permitted on an (a) 48 seater and (b) 53 seater bus. [19754]

Every public service vehicle must have a Certificate of Initial Fitness on which is specified the maximum number of seated and standing passengers.The Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984 prohibit the carriage of any standing passengers on:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with other Government Departments on the (a) level of illegal meat imports to the UK and (b) effectiveness of port controls and enforcement measures, in respect of his own Department's responsibility in overseeing local authority ports and airports. [19546]

Local authority ownership of certain ports and airports does not result in any DTLR responsibility in relation to meat imports. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs leads the Government's work in this area. Officials from my Department take part in discussions with DEFRA as necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the total number of dwellings in each local authority in England and Wales in the last four years for which figures are available for which a business rate was payable in respect of their use as holiday accommodation. [19431]

The number of premises in England which are subject to non-domestic rates and let as self-catering holiday homes in the last four years is as follows:

Year	Number
1998–99	14,607
1999–2000	14,589
2000–01	15,145
2001–02	15,398

While most of these premises are homes, the figures do include accommodation units that are purpose built for holiday letting and could not be used as homes. It is not possible to segregate these two types of property. The figures do not include premises where it is not intended that the property is let as holiday accommodation for more than 140 days in a year as these are subject to council tax and not to non-domestic rates.I will write separately to the hon. Member with equivalent figures for each local authority in England.The rating of holiday accommodation in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what level of total council tax discount was made in each local authority in England and Wales for the last five years for which figures are available in respect of (a) furnished second residences privately owned for recreational investment or other private purposes, (b) all categories of privately owned empty properties, whether furnished or substantially unfurnished, (c) properties available to the armed forces or visiting forces accommodation, (d) halls of residence and (e) other categories subject to a 50 per cent. discount; and what was the total amount. [19432]

The information is not available in the breakdown requested, and reliable estimates are not available for individual local authorities.The council tax bill for a dwelling that is no-one's main home, or where all the occupants are disregarded for council tax purposes is currently reduced by 50 per cent. in each local authority in England. In 2001–02 in England 588,942 properties were entitled to a 50 per cent. discount, at a total estimated cost of £220 million. Of this total, it is estimated that £80 million relates to second homes, £125 million relates to empty homes and £15 million relates to dwellings where all the occupants are disregarded.