To ask the Deputy Prime Minister by what means ministerial boxes are conveyed from private offices in his Department to (a) himself and (b) his Ministers; how frequently and at what expense private courier firms are employed for such a task; and which courier firms have been used for such duties. [36271]

Ministerial boxes originating from this Department are transported to Ministers' homes either by Government car or by a service provided by the Royal Mail.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many advertising contracts are out to tender through the Central Office of Information; and what the value is of such contracts. [37959]

There are currently two advertising contracts out to tender through the COI: "Sexual Health Awareness", for the Department of Health, and the Million Visitor Campaign, for the British Tourist Authority. The respective values of the initial contracts period are £1.5 million and £24 million.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on what basis civil servants are entitled to one year's salary severance payments. [38448]

Staff can retire or be retired early under several categories of early retirement or severance as set out in sections 11.5 to 11.10 of the Civil Service Management Code (CSMC). The financial terms for early retirement and severance are provided by the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS). Benefits on medical retirement are provided by the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS). Early retirement and severance payments vary between individuals depending on the category of departure, the person's age, length of service, and pay on exit. Early retirement with payment of pension is limited to those over age 50 with at least five years' service; early severance with immediate payment of a lump sum and accrued pension benefits preserved for payment at age 60 applies to those below age 50 or with less than five years' service.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the policy of the Government is towards an application to the EBRD for support for the takeover of the Nova Hut steelworks in the Czech Republic by LNM Holdings. [39666]

The EBRD exists to help restructure the economies of former communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe. We support all responsible projects that serve this purpose.The EBRD board has not been approached with a proposal for a loan to the Nova Hut steelworks. If a proposal is put to the board we will consider it on its merits.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will undertake to retain court services in North Downs/Ards follow the consultation on the future of accommodation for the Northern Ireland Court Service. [38324]

The Northern Ireland Court Service published its Court Accommodation Strategy for public consultation on 7 December 2001. The consultation document indicates that consideration will be given to the closure of courthouses at Bangor and Newtownards and that this would allow for the provision of a new courthouse in the North Downs and Ards area. Decisions on the proposals in the consultation document will be taken following the expiry of the period of public consultation on 29 March 2002.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how revenue from the climate change levy is (a) classified and (b) allocated to spending programmes. [38394]

Receipts from the climate change levy are classified as general taxation revenue. The levy package is revenue-neutral for business on account of measures introduced alongside the levy which reduce other business taxes or direct additional spending towards energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, from which business can benefit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those firms which attended the large corporates forum on 28 September. [38398]

Representatives of the following companies attended the large corporates forum on 28 September 2001: General Motors UK, Friends Provident, ICI, British American Tobacco, Dixons, AMP (UK), Orange, HSBC, Rolls Royce, Schroders, Unilever.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 11 December 2001, Official Report, column 769W, on public services productivity, what process has been undertaken in preparing the paper; and if he will make a statement. [38310]

Work is proceeding on the paper.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment (a) his Department and (b) the Office of Government Commerce has made of which companies are the leading suppliers of professional services to Government Departments by (i) value and (ii) number; and if he will make a statement. [38112]

The National Audit Office report Purchasing Professional Services published in April 2001 identified the leading 25 suppliers of professional services to Government Departments and the level of spend with those companies. A copy of the report is in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the minutes of the large corporates forum on 28 September 2001; and for what reason they were (a) first published on and (b) then removed from the Inland Revenue website. [38396]

The minutes of the 28 September 2001 meeting of the large corporates forum are available on the Inland Revenue website. I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the House of Commons Library. A draft version was released for publication in error before it had been finalised. This was removed and later replaced by the final version.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Inland Revenue personnel were (a) seconded to private businesses in the last 12 months and (b) vice versa; and what the purpose of these secondments was. [38397]

In the 12 months from 1 March 2001 the Inland Revenue has (a) made 11 secondments to the private sector and

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the legislative barriers which prevent domestic energy being zero rated; [38811](2) if he will make an assessment on hypothecation of money raised on VAT on domestic fuel to a national energy efficiency programme; [38812](3) how much revenue has been raised in each of the last three years from VAT on domestic fuel. [38810]

The Government publish details of VAT receipts each year in their Financial Statement and Budget Report but do not disaggregate receipts by type of good or service.Under long-standing agreements with the European Union, no member state is permitted to introduce new zero rates or restore a zero rate once it has been withdrawn.The way in which revenue is raised does not in general determine how it is spent. The Government are committed to energy efficiency for its significant environmental, business and social impacts and have allocated significant resources to fund programmes designed to promote energy efficiency in the domestic sector.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate additional revenues that would arise in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland from a policy of (i) abolishing the upper limit on employees' national insurance contributions, (ii) raising the limit to £50,000, (iii) raising the limit to £100,000 and (iv) charging a rate of (A) 5 per cent., (B) 10 per cent., and (C) 15 per cent. on income between the current upper limit and (X) £50,000, (Y) £100,000 and (Z) £250,000. [39328]

[holding answer 28 February 2002]: This information is not readily available for Scotland and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Available estimates for the UK, provided by the Government's Actuary's Department (GAD), are shown in the table.

Estimated full-year effects—UK
	2002-03(£billion)
Abolishing the Upper Earnings Limit (UEL) for employees	+3.35
Raising the UEL to £50,000 per year	+2.05
Raising the UEL to £100,000 per year	+3.00
AX 5 per cent, between UEL and £50,000 per year1	+1.75
AY 5 per cent, between UEL and £100,000 per year1	+2.55
AZ 5 per cent, between UEL and £250,000 per year1	+2.75
BX 10 per cent, between UEL and £50,000 per year1	+3.50
BY 10 per cent, between UEL and £100,000 per year1	+5.10
BZ 10 per cent, between UEL and £250,000 per year1	+5.55
CX 15 per cent, between UEL and £250,000 per year1	+5.25
CY 15 per cent, between UEL and £250,000 per year1	+7.65
CZ 15 per cent, between UEL and £250,000 per year1	+8.30

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost was of the tax relief granted in respect of corporate venturing; and what assessment he has made of the economic impact on the tax relief for corporate venturing. [38511]

[holding answer 28 February 2002]: The cost of tax relief for corporate venturing is expected to be about £50 million in a full year. The corporate venturing scheme was only introduced on 1 April 2000. It is too early in the life of the scheme for any reliable economic impact assessment to be undertaken.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rules apply to a bereaved partner in relation to the payment of (a) the state pension an (b) SERPS in cases where both partners have contributed fully to national insurance throughout their working lives. [28550]

I have been asked to reply.The rules governing state pensions for widows and widowers depend on the individual circumstances of the people concerned.Generally, where both the contributor and the surviving spouse are over state pension age when the contributor dies, and both have full national insurance records, the survivor can combine their own pension with a pension based on their spouse's national insurance record.However, the maximum amount of basic pension and additional (SERPS) pension cannot exceed the amount of a single person could get based on their own National Insurance record.The hon. Gentleman may wish to know that:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the expenditure of her (a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies on newspaper advertising by title in each year since 1997. [26978]

Expenditure on press advertising through COI is as follows:

Subject area	£
1997–98
Import Licence Announcements	57,075
Export Licence Announcements	5,749
Languages for Export	21,165
Queen's Awards	66,258
Miscellaneous	157,377
Business Links	1,258,122
IT For All	357,451
Total	1,923,197

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of the cost of (a) ministerial cars and drivers and (b) taxis for her Department in each of the last four years. [27901]

(a) I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 30 January 2002, Official Report, columns 405–06W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she and the Office of Fair Trading have held and on what dates since September 2001 with the (a) major oil suppliers, (b) United Kingdom Petroleum Industries Association, (c) Institute of Petroleum, (d) Petrol Retailers Association and (e) Association of United Kingdom Oil Independents to discuss mechanisms for the supply of road transport fuels; and if she will make a statement. [35070]

Ministers regularly meet a wide range of representatives from business. However, it is not normal practice to release details of ministerial meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish the (a) number and (b) value of contracts awarded by her Department to (i) Arthur Andersen, (ii) Deloitte Touche, (iii) Ernst and Young, (iv) KPMG and (v) PricewaterhouseCoopers accountants in each year since 1997. [34993]

Information from the Department's systems indicate that contracts let by core DTI to PWC Consulting or PricewaterhouseCoopers are as follows:

PricewaterhouseCoopers	No. Contracts	Total Value £
01 April 1999–31 March 2000	9	354,657
01 April 2000–31 March 2001	16	636,623
01 April 2001–04 January 2002	13	870,199

Contracts let by core DTI to Ernst & Young are as follows:

Ernst & Young	No. Contracts	Total Value £
01 April 1999–31 March 2000	3	407,165
01 April 2000–31 March 2001	58	829,043
01 April 2001–04 January 2002	10	879,679

Contracts let by core DTI to Deloitte & Touche are as follows:

Deloitte & Touche	No. Contracts	Total Value £
01 April 1999–31 March 2000	6	1,265,252
01 April 2000–31 March 2001	6	1,839,428
01 April 2001–04 January 2002	4	4,489,189

Contracts let by core DTI to KPMG are as follows:

KPMG	No. Contracts	Total Value £
01 April 1999–31 March 2000	1	11,642
01 April 2000–31 March 2001	4	30,009
01 April 2001–04 January 2002	3	92,131

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices are undergoing a consultation process for considered closure in connection with Postwatch, broken down by county. [35544]

73 post offices are currently undergoing consultation with Postwatch under the procedures of the Code of Practice for Post Office branch relocation, closure and conversion. The figures on a country basis are:

• England 63
• Wales 8
• Scotland 2
• Northern Ireland 0

Figures are not available on a county basis.I understand from Post Office Ltd that the majority of these consultations concern outlets in rural areas where the subpostmaster has resigned and there are no applicants for the vacancy. The Code of Practice requires seeking alternative ways of continuing provision of post office services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from representatives of (a) industry and (b) trade unions about the effect on the UK textile industry of the removal of duty from finished goods imported from Pakistan. [36250]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry received representations from the British Apparel & Textiles Confederation (BATC) and the Knitting Footwear and Allied Trades Union (KFAT) last October, including at a meeting to discuss the effect on the UK textile industry of the removal of duty from finished goods imported from Pakistan. In addition, and following on from correspondence, I met with representatives from the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) and BATC on this subject earlier this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how she will ensure that the decision to support Pakistan by the removal of duty from imported made up goods will not have a destabilising effect in the far eastern region. [36252]

The Government's view is that the removal of duty on imports of made up goods from Pakistan will not have a destabilising effect on the far eastern region. Imports of most made up goods from Pakistan are currently subject to quantitative restriction by the EU under the Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA), limiting the effect of the removal of duty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many public refuelling points in the UK, broken down by area, sell (a) liquid petroleum gas and (b) natural gas for vehicles. [36386]

The website of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (www.lpga.co.uk) gives a regional breakdown of the number of public refuelling points in the UK. As at 13 February 2002, it is recorded as follows:

England	840
Wales	89
Scotland	89
Northern Ireland	21(1)

(1) The data for Northern Ireland were obtained from the website of the Energy Saving Trust (www.estpowershift.org.uk) as at 7 February 2002. Both websites also give further detail on regional breakdown.New sites are currently opening at more than one per day. On 14 February I launched a £1 million Boost initiative, as a supplement to the DTLR's PowerShift program, which aims to increase the uptake of LPG vehicles by:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Angus (Mr. Weir) of 24 January, Official Report, column 1064W, what plans she has to increase the proportion of oil and gas directorate posts in Aberdeen; and if she will make it her policy to ensure that by the next election a majority of oil and gas directorate posts are based in Aberdeen. [36446]

Oil and Gas Directorate maintains offices in both London and Aberdeen in order to provide an effective service to its wide range of clients and stakeholders. Decisions on the location of particular posts are based on operational considerations. For example, staff dealing with downstream oil issues and international oil policy are located in London; whilst staff dealing with the Scottish and north-east parts of the oil industry supply chain are located in Aberdeen. The oil and gas responsibility of Trade Partners UK are located in Glasgow.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made on establishing the proposed Universal Banking Service. [37491]

While there are still issues to be resolved, substantial progress is being made towards delivery of the project as planned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when (a) she, (b) her Ministers and (c) officials from her Department last met (i) the European Commission, (ii) the Government of France and (iii) the Government of Germany to discuss liberalisation of European energy markets and completion of the single market in energy; and if she will make a statement. [36788]

[holding answer 25 February 2002]: Ministers and officials are in frequent and regular contact with the Commission, France and Germany to take forward European energy liberalisation objectives.I last met Loyola de Palacio, Vice President of the Commission, in Norway in February when we discussed this topic.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is next meeting Loyola de Palacio, to discuss this topic on 7 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of average profit margin in the last five years of (a) audio-visual equipment manufacturers and (b) consumer electronics manufacturers. [38126]

Information on profit margins at industry level is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the contribution to gross domestic product of (a) audio-visual equipment manufacturers and (b) consumer electronics manufacturers. [38127]

Information is not available in the precise form requested. The nearest equivalent to audio-visual equipment manufacture within the Standard Industrial Classification is SIC 32.3 (Manufacture of television and radio receivers, sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus and associated goods). This industry is estimated by ONS to have contributed 0.1 per cent. of economic activity (in terms of Gross Value Added at basic prices) in 1999, the latest year for which data are available.It is not possible to distinguish between manufacture for the consumer and business markets of many electronics products within the Standard Industrial Classification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason she decided not to hold a public inquiry into the proposed CEFU Croes wind power station in Cardiganshire; and how many applications of similar size have been put before her. [38386]

As with any application under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, Ministers have to weigh up all aspects of an application consider all representations—both for and against—and come to a conclusion. In the case of the Cefn Croes application it was concluded that there was sufficient information to approve the application in principle without sending it to public inquiry.There has been one other application for a 60 megawatt windfarm at Humble Hill, Kielder, Northumberland. It was decided on 29 March 2001 that consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 could not be given. Copies of the Press Notice and decision letter were placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list British exports as a percentage of total exports for each of the nations to whom Britain exports in each year from 1972. [38445]

The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Annual figures on UK exports of goods, to each country, are published by HM Customs and Excise in Business Monitor OTSA, Overseas Trade Statistics.Statistics on exports of goods to major trading partners, for ten years at a time, are also available from the Annual Abstract of Statistics, published by the Office for National Statistics.Both publications may be obtained from the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Employment Tribunals Service is permitted to exercise greater flexibility in the application of the Tribunal rules of Procedure when the respondent is a Government agency. [38784]

The Employment Tribunals Service does not exercise greater flexibility in the application of the Tribunal Rules of procedure when the respondent is a Government agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Employment Tribunals Service adhered to rules two and three of the rules of procedure of the Employment Tribunals Service in relation to applications lodged with the Birmingham Employment Tribunal on behalf of staff employed at HM Prison, Blackenhurst. [38785]

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the contribution small construction companies provide to (a) Government departments and (b) the economy as a whole. [38687]

[holding answer 28 February 2002]:(a) Government DepartmentsData on the contribution of small construction companies to Government Departments are not held centrally.(b) the economy as a wholeIn 2000 small construction companies were responsible for £36.8 billion of construction (£30.7 billion in 1995 prices). This represents about 2¾ percent. of GDP. Figures for 2001 are yet to be published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of (a) the economic benefits of procuring from smaller firms and (b) the improved value for money to be achieved by increasing competition in construction projects (i) within Government Departments and (ii) outside. [38686]

[holding answer 28 February 2002]: The Government have made no assessment of either(a) the economic benefits of procuring from smaller firms or(b) the improved value for money to be achieved by increasing competition in construction projects within Government Departments.Over the past year the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has undertaken research to identify the barriers to effective competition in the Government marketplace. Part of this research looked at the issues facing small firms, but not specifically in the construction sector. OGC and the Small Business Service carried out this work jointly. A range of public sector organisations were asked for their views on the impact of their procurement strategy and practice on small firms. The organisations highlighted the potential benefits of dealing with small firms: they can often bring innovation, responsiveness, flexibility and quality of service to Government work. These are all important elements of value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each of the overseas trips made by himself and other members of his ministerial team in each of the last four years, specifying the purpose and cost of each trip. [30183]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 4 February 2002, Official Report column 707W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the recent projects inspired by the victims' charter which have been put into place which give victims the opportunity to explain how crime has affected them. [37070]

There is one such project, namely, the victim personal statement scheme—which is now a national scheme.A key standard in the 1996 victim's charter was that victims of crime should be given the chance to say how the crime had affected them. Pilot projects to test how this might be done led to the introduction nationally of the new victim personal statement scheme with effect from 1 October 2001.The scheme provides a chance for victims to say how the crime has affected them, and to include anything else they wish to add. The victim personal statement then becomes part of the case papers, and will be seen by all criminal justice personnel subsequently dealing with the case.Fuller details of the scheme and accompanying documentation are given in Home Office Circular 35/2001 of 14 August 2001, available on the Home Office website (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk). The scheme is being evaluated during 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people, within his anti-terrorist powers, have been (a) held in detention, (b) appealed against this and (c) used the opportunity of judicial review; and if he will make a statement. [36628]

[holding answer 25 February 2002]: Nine foreign nationals have so far been detained using powers in Part IV of the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act. Of those detained one has left the United Kingdom voluntarily.Eight of those originally detained have lodged appeals. The ninth detainee has not lodged an appeal to date.None of those held have sought leave to move for judicial review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on what vetting procedures are carried out on clerics visiting jails in England and Wales to provide support and spiritual advice to prisoners. [37712]

[holding answer 26 February 2002]: The Prison Service carries out checks to establish a job applicant's or worker's identity, reliability, integrity, eligibility and that there is no apparent threat to security. These arrangements apply to the appointment of ministers of religion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average annual payment was to landowners for the siting of Tetra masts in the last three years. [37744]

The Home Office does not make payments to landowners for the siting of Terrestrial Trunked Radio System (Tetra) masts. The location of the sites, and agreements with site owners, are the responsibility of Tetra network operators. For the Airwave service this is Airwave mm02, (formerly British Telecom Airwave). Payments for the use of sites are a commercial matter between the network operator and the site owners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent evaluation has been made of the health risks associated with Tetra masts. [37745]

In early 2001, the Home Office commissioned a report from the National Radiological Protection Board on the potential health risks from Terrestrial Trunked Radio System (Tetra) technology.The report concluded that it was unlikely that the special features of Tetra posed a hazard to health, and made recommendations for further research in the remaining areas of uncertainty. The Home Office has accepted the report and is taking forward all its recommendations in a comprehensive programme of work which is already well underway. This includes a large study commissioned by the Home Office from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory on the possible effects of Tetra signals on cell biology. The initial results of this work are expected by April, 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in each police authority area. [37626]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member, for the Isle of Wight (Mr Turner) on 11 February 2002, Official Report, column 48W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with private companies on the feasibility of introducing an entitlement card for UK citizens; and if he will make a statement. [37671]

My officials have met with trade associations representing the financial services, retail and computer software and services industries. In the context of discussions with Post Office Ltd, officials have also met representatives of N M Rothschild & Sons who invited the ALCO Partnership to one meeting. No discussions have been held on the feasibility of an entitlement card scheme with individual private companies. However, the Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) (Administration) Ltd, which is a non-profit private company owned and financed by the United Kingdom's major financial institutions, was present at the discussions with the financial services industry. Also a number of Information Technology companies were present at the meeting with that industry group, the contents of which was reported to its very wide membership.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) attempted hangings and (b) other acts of deliberate self-harm were recorded in prisons in England and Wales in the last two years. [37790]

[holding answer 27 February 2002]: There have been 2,986 attempted hangings and 9,700 other acts of self-harm in prisons during the last two years as set out in the table.

Table showing the number of attempted hangings and other acts of deliberate self-harm in prisons in England and Wales in the last two years
Year	Attempted hanging	Other acts of deliberate self-harm	Total
2000	1,395 (27 per cent.)	3,826 (73 per cent.)	5,221
2001	1,591 (21 per cent.)	5,874 (79 per cent.)	7,465

A downward trend in the reduction of self-harm, including attempted hangings, is being sought within the Prison Services holistic three-year safer custody programme. Key elements of the programme include better identification and case management by trained staff of prisoners at risk; the establishment of mental health in-reach teams; and improved physical environments within prisons.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were employed in a research capacity in each police authority in each year since the inception of the CPS as a percentage of (a) turnover and (b) the number of people employed. [37778]

[holding answer 27 February 2002]: The information requested is not collected. The deployment of resources within a police force is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement concerning the proposed sale of Broadspring wood, Denham, Buckinghamshire by the Highways Agency; [36090](2) what steps

The decision was taken by the Highways Agency to sell Broadspring Wood, Denham, Buckinghamshire to the Uxbridge and District Rifle Club on 16 August 2001 following professional advice and opinion on its status, condition and potential. The Club had operating on the land under Licence since 1 June 2000. There were no concerns raised about their activities.The Highways Agency learned that the Uxbridge and District Rifle Club were bringing spoil material into Broadspring Wood, Denham Buckinghamshire and were creating car parking areas and bunds in November 2001.A letter was sent to the Uxbridge and District Rifle Club on 21 November 2001 requesting that no further activity of any sort was carried out on site. A letter was also sent from our solicitors on 23 November 2001 addressed to the solicitor acting for the Rifle Club requesting that the depositing or permitting to be deposited of waste material on the site and access ways leading to it be stopped immediately. A second letter was sent by the Highways Agency on 1 February 2002 pointing out that we were aware that the Rifle Club had changed the use of the land by the inclusion of bunding on the land and using it as a combat area, that this should stop and the Rifle Club should use the land as set out in their licence. The Highways Agency was unaware of the introduction of pre-fabricated buildings in Broadspring Wood until now. The Highways Agency have arranged for their Managing Agent to urgently inspect the land and provide a report.The sale of this land from the Highways Agency to the Uxbridge and District Rifle Club was agreed in good faith last summer. However, following these most recent events officials in the Highways Agency are conducting a full review of the case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to encourage the development of a tramway service within the Greater London area. [38201]

The Government's Ten Year Plan for Transport envisages at least two tram or guided bus schemes in London. However, this is a matter for the Mayor of London and Transport for London. I understand that Transport for London (TfL) is considering four new "intermediate mode schemes", so called because they are neither bus nor rail but share some characteristics of both. They are: Cross-River Transit; Uxbridge Road Transit; Greenwich Waterfront Transit; and East London Transit.TfL has made no decision yet on whether to take any of these forward. TfL's Business Plan only provides for one to be taken forward as a tram scheme. TfL will need to review their priorities and take Firm decisions on the four proposals in the light of the forthcoming Spending Review settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many applications for state aid funding have been refused in the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [38054]

Without doing an exhaustive search of Departmental records, I am aware of only one occasion in the last three years on which the European Commission withheld approval for state aid in the field of the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions or its predecessor the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (excluding environment functions transferred to DEFRA). This was the state aid relating to the Partnership Investment Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to offer alternative funding to local authorities which had planned to use the Partnership Investment Programme. [38053]

The Partnership Investment Programme was only available for use by English Partnerships and has never been available to local authorities.Following its closure in 1999, significant extra resources were made available to RDAs to help compensate for the loss of PIP: £60 million in 2000–01, rising to £150 million in 2001–02; thereafter, land and property funding would form part of a new single RDA economic development and regeneration budget, with increases of £350 million in 2002–03 and £500 million in 2003–04.In addition, we have introduced five new land and property regeneration schemes which partially replace PIP. The new schemes will enable RDAs and English Partnerships to support a wide range of land and property regeneration projects, including projects which can be taken forward in partnership with the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of journeys were made by (a) public transport, (b) bicycle and (c) on foot as the main method of travel in (i) St Helens, South, (ii) the North West and (iii) England in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [38271]

The latest available data relate to the three-year period 1998–2000. The National Travel Survey, from which estimates are derived, does not allow disaggregation of data below county level. At county level, estimates for bicycle use are based on very small numbers and should be regarded with caution.The proportion of journeys made by (a) public transport, (b) bicycles and (c) on foot as the main method of travel for residents of (i) Merseyside, (ii) the north-west and (iii) England are given in the table:

1998–2000
	Merseyside	North West and Merseyside	England
Public Transport	13	10	9
Bicycle	1	1	2
Foot	25	24	26

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place in the Library copies of departmental minutes recording conversations between Sir Richard Mottram and Mr Martin Sixsmith. [38449]

Under Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information it is not the practice to disclose details of internal meetings. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by Sir Richard Mottram, the permanent secretary of my Department, on Monday 25 February, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the departmental minutes for which Sir Richard Mottram was responsible since he became permanent secretary of the Department. [38446]

It is not the usual practice to disclose details of internal communications and meetings in accordance with 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 how often the Department has applied the special urgency provisions in paragraph 22 of Circular 18/84 (Development by Government Departments) to a development by the department; and if he will make a statement. [38713]

The Department does not maintain a record of cases where it has relied on the special urgency provisions set out in Circular 18/84. Development by the Department generally has to go through a tendering procedure; in these circumstances it is unlikely that the Department would have to use the special urgency provisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list (a) members of the Shoreham Port Authority appointed in the last 30 years, (b) their dates of appointment and length of office and (c) the nominating bodies where appropriate. [39240]

[holding answer 28 February 2002]: The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the criteria local authorities should consider when assessing the application for a Hackney carriage licence. [39488]

A hackney carriage must have fewer than nine passenger seats; any further criteria for determining whether a vehicle is suitable for licensing as a hackney carriage are formulated by individual local licensing authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he plans to consult on measures to improve the safety of novice drivers. [40054]

As stated in the Government's Road Safety Strategy Tomorrow's Roads—Safer for Everyone, we want to ensure that new drivers have a broader and more extensive experience of driving conditions before they take the practical driving test. We have therefore published today a consultation document Introducing a More Structured Approach to Learning to Drive. This sets out a wide range of options for improving the safety of newly qualified drivers. Comments have been requested by 7 June 2002. All the views received will be considered carefully before any decisions are taken on the way forward.Copies of the document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he plans to introduce a nationwide pensioner bus pass. [39690]

We have no immediate plans to pursue such a scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of urban capacity studies on housing development and the character of historic cities. [39372]

Local planning authorities are responsible for undertaking the urban housing capacity studies required by Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 Housing (PPG3). We expect these studies to lead to updated development plans that given priority to reusing brownfields for new housing in preference to greenfields. We have research underway to consider the implementation of PPG3 and this will report the progress made by local authorities in carrying out urban housing capacity studies. The research is considering the influence of capacity studies on housing development but will not report specifically on their impact on the character of historic cities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on (a) matters discussed and (b) decisions taken at the European Union Environment Council on 29 to 30 October, indicating on which matters votes were taken and how, in such instances, the United Kingdom voted. [14272]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, on 28 January 2002, Official Report, column 94W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she has taken with regard to the European End of Life Vehicle Directive; and if she will make a statement. [31586]

The EC Directive on End of Life Vehicles (ELV) passed into European law in October 2000 and requires member states to transpose the Directive into national legislation by 21 April 2002. The Department for Trade and Industry leads on the implementation of the majority of the Directive, however my Department leads on the implementation of improved treatment facility standards under Article 6 and Annex I of the Directive. An initial Consultation paper was issued last year, and a further paper is expected to be issued shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place in the Library details of information and advice given by her Department to consumers about purchasing refrigerators and freezers from May 2001 to date. [34840]

[holding answer 11 February 2002]: Copies of the advice leaflet for householders were placed in the Libraries of both houses on publication in December 2001. The leaflet was produced by DEFRA, DTI and the Environment Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions in 2000 and 2001 UKREP were requested to establish the understanding of other EU states on its applicability of EU Regulation 2037/2000 to matters connected with the disposal of refrigerators and freezer insulating materials. [38867]

[holding answer 28 February 2002]: My officials and those from EU Member States met regularly during 2000 and 2001 to discuss EC Regulation 2037/20000 at meetings of the Management Committee on the implementation of the Regulation. Officials also contacted colleagues in other Member States informally regarding the issue of implementation. The Department therefore did not request UKREP to take up this matter separately.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedures are in place to ensure regulation of the disposal of fly ash from UK incinerators; and what the disposal routes for fly ash are from each operating municipal waste incinerator in the United Kingdom. [36393]

Fly ash is incorporated into air pollution control residues which are special waste and subject to the Duty of Care and the Special Wastes Regulations. Currently, all fly ash from municipal solid waste incinerators is sent to sites licensed for special waste.The Environment Agency is carrying out a thorough investigation into the solid residues from all MWIs. I will ensure that the hon. Gentleman receives a copy of their report when it is published, and that a copy is placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the change has been in CO₂ emissions in the UK in the past three years; and what estimates she has made of change in the next three years. [37384]

UK CO₂ emissions expressed in million tonnes of Carbon (MtC) for the years 1997–2000 were 152.5, 153.2, 150.8 and 152.1 MtC respectively. The 2000 figure is provisional. Projections are made on a five year basis and the projected figure for CO2 emissions in 2005 is 149.1 MtC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what data she has collated on the number of householders in privately rented accommodation who have been unable to obtain warm front grants because they have not been able to obtain the landlord's permission for works to be carried out; and in how many of these cases refusal to grant permission has resulted from an unwillingness on the part of the landlord to participate in a leasing agreement related to the installation of a central heating system. [37739]

Work in private sector landlords' properties is only undertaken once a no rent rise agreement is in place. This requirement was introduced following consultation on the proposed scheme in 1999. Many groups representing tenants and older people expressed concern that some private sector landlords would use the grant-funded improvements to justify an increase in rent. Agreements are time-limited to either one year for insulation measures only or two years where heating measures are installed.In the period June 2000 to January 2002 some 32,400 private sector landlords agreed to the no rent rise agreement. This represents about 5 per cent. of all applications accepted under the scheme.In the same period, 8,400 tenants had their applications turned down by the landlord. The precise reasons in each case are not known, but we are now investigating these. While there has been very little concern expressed on this issue, we do continue to keep it under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average amount of a Warm Front plus grant has been. [37641]

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) in England is now marketed as the Warm Front Team. The scheme was launched on 1 June 2000 and provides two levels of financial assistance for the installation of insulation and heating measures dependent upon the needs of the householder and the property type:HEES—£1,500 for low income households with children under 16, disabled persons or suffering long-term sickness on a qualifying benefit; andHEES Plus—£2,500 for over-60s on an income-related benefit.Between June 2000 and January 2002 the average HEES Plus grant was £664.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were convicted of fly tipping in 2001; and what sentences were imposed. [37722]

Both local authorities and the Environment Agency may prosecute for fly tipping offences. The Environment Agency keeps records of breaches to section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Until December 2001, this did not single out fly tipping offences from other instances of illegally depositing controlled waste on land. This situation changed, in December 2001 and records now show whether an incident involves fly tipping. Between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2001 the total number of Environment Agency prosecutions under section 33 of the 1990 Act were 234. Further information is as follows:

• Individuals prosecuted: 196
• Organisations prosecuted: 38
• Range of Fines: £30—£8,000

Custodial Terms: four, ranging from one to six monthsConditional Discharges: 25, ranging from one to two yearsCommunity Service: six, ranging from 80 to 220 hoursRequirement to pay compensation: four instances, with amounts ranging from £237 to £750No central register is kept of local authorities' prosecutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what costs were incurred in setting up the Department's CHP Club; and what its operational costs were in the financial year 2000–01. [37709]

The CHP Club provides a one-stop shop for independent information and guidance for potential and new users on the design, implementation, and operation of CHP schemes. Responsibility for the management of the Government's Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme including the CHP Club will soon be passed to The Carbon Trust. The total cost of setting up and operating the CHP Club in 2000–02 was around £200,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to consult on proposed rules for inquiries and hearings into rights of way orders coming to her for confirmation. [40646]

We are today publishing our proposals for procedure rules for rights of way inquiries and hearings, on which we are inviting views by 31 May 2002. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what appeal mechanism exists to change the categorisation of parish councils listed as barely active by the Countryside Agency. [39553]

The work being undertaken by the Countryside Agency towards a national indicator of community vibrancy is not a categorisation of parish councils or their effectiveness. The components of the indicator are proxy measures of the opportunities for members of a community to contribute to community activities collected as part of the Agency's Rural Services Survey. An appeals mechanism is therefore not appropriate.For further details on the community vibrancy indicator and its components, I refer to the hon. Member to my answers to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 24 January 2002,

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) visits, (b) telephone calls and (c) items of correspondence her officials or officials from the Countryside Agency have sent to (i) Ellesmere rural, (ii) Grinshill, (iii) Hodnet, (iv) Hordley, (v) Petton and (vi) Whitchurch urban parish councils before categorising them as barely active. [39557]

The Countryside Agency used information for its community vibrancy indicator which was gathered as part of its Rural Services Survey. As part of the survey each rural parish was sent a questionnaire form and instructions on how to complete it and the telephone number of the "helpline" for assistance in filling in the questionnaire. If no response was received by early December 2000, two reminders were sent (one in mid December 2000 and one in mid January 2001).The information was gathered as the first stage of work in progress towards the development of a national indicator. I am now aware of any other contact that either the Department or the Countryside Agency has had with the listed parishes.

To ask the Solicitor-General if she will publish the lists of the payment of legal aid to (a) solicitors, (b) barristers and (c) legal practices on an annual basis. [39436]

I have been asked to reply.We have no plans to publish such a list. Records of legal aid payments are not held in a suitable format which would facilitate the production of a list of practitioners' earnings.

To ask the Solicitor-General in how many cases referred to the DPP in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years a decision was made not to prosecute; and in how many cases he contacted the (a) victims and (b) relatives of the victim. [38400]

Information held by the Department of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland indicates that directions for no prosecution issued as follows:

Year	Persons reported for consideration of prosecution	Persons in respect of whom no prosecution was directed
1999	10,676	3,225 (30 per cent.)
2000	10,504	3,166 (30 per cent.)
2001	10,315	3,110 (30 per cent.)

The Department does not hold information in regard to contact with victims on their relatives in individual cases. The policy of the Department is that it will consider the proper interests of victims and witnesses at every stage of the criminal process.

To ask the Solicitor-General what (a) internal and (b) external reviews have been conducted on the conduct of prosecutions, on what dates and by whom in the last three years. [35950]

[holding answer 14 February 2002]: Each prosecuting authority has in place systems that support performance reviews generally, and case specific reviews when appropriate. HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate has a rolling programme of inspections covering the performance of all CPS Areas over a two-year period, and it undertakes thematic reviews of areas of prosecution work three or four times a year. With effect from 1 April it will assume responsibility for the inspection of Customs & Excise prosecutions.There is no central log maintained of individual internal and external reviews of the conduct of the prosecution by prosecuting authorities operating within the jurisdiction of England and Wales. Speedy collection and provision of this information could not be undertaken without disproportionate cost.

To ask the Solicitor-General (1) what discussions she has had with the Inspectorate of the Crown Prosecution Service about the number of Crown Court prosecutions for death by dangerous driving. [38532](2) when she intends to publish the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate's report on sentencing policy with regard to road traffic accidents. [38533]

HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate is at present in the closing phases of a thematic review of the advice relating to, and the prosecution of, road traffic offences involving fatalities in England and Wales. The purpose of the inspection is to analyse and assess the quality of advice to police, decision-making, case preparation and presentation by the CPS in relation to those cases. It has also examined the extent, adequacy and consistency of communications and assistance provided by the CPS to relatives of the victims and witnesses in the cases. However, it does not extend to sentencing policy which is outside the remit of the Inspectorate.The Chief Inspector has kept me and the Attorney General informed of the progress of the inspection but we have had no other discussions about prosecutions for death by dangerous driving.The Chief Inspector expects to publish the report in June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment has been made of the effect of the Working Time Directive on her Department's employees; how many employees are working in excess of 48 hours per week; what steps she is taking to reduce this number; and if she will make a statement. [35898]

Under the Working Time Regulations the Department is required to:

inform employees that they cannot be forced to work for more than 48 hours a week on average over a 17-week period and that they can only opt out of the limit by signing a written agreement;

keep opt out records for two years;

check how much time each employee spends working and monitor those close to the working limit;

keep records of night workers and offer regular health assessments; and

check that the Department has complied with the new regulations on night work, time off, rest breaks and paid annual leave.

In line with these responsibilities, staff were informed that there is no obligation to work more than 48 hours per week over a 17-week period but they can volunteer to do so by signing a written agreement. We instructed managers that they must avoid imposing workloads or setting deadlines that oblige their staff to work excessive hours unless it is necessary to meet operational need. In addition, we required local managers to check on staff who may work close to the limit and make arrangements to reduce hours wherever possible.

Copies of all opt out agreements are kept for two years and currently cover two per cent. of the workforce. We also confirmed that employee terms and conditions already covered the requirements in the regulations relating to night work, time off, rest breaks and paid annual leave. The percentage of staff opting out is reviewed regularly to ensure that the number required to work in excess of the limit is kept to the absolute minimum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many prisoners undertook distance learning courses, including Open University courses, in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of these courses were paid for (a) at their own expense and (b) through a charitable trust or person; and if he will make a statement. [37679]

Information on the number of prisoners undertaking distance learning courses is not available. The number of prisoners in the first year of an undergraduate course at the Open University in 2000–01 in England and Wales was 144, whilst the number registered for Open University courses at all levels is 398. It is not possible to give an accurate breakdown on the numbers of courses that are self-financed or funded through a charitable trust or person; however, upwards of 950 distance learning courses were funded or part funded by charitable bodies last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (a) how many and (b) what

Number and percentage of pupils in one teacher classes of 31 or more in Maintained Primary Schools1
Position in January each year
	East Sussex Local Education Authority		South East Government Office Region		England
	Number of pupils in classes of 31 or more	%of pupils in classes of 31 or more	Number of pupils in classes of 31 or more	% of pupils in classes of 31 or more	Number of pupils in classes of 31 or more	% of pupils in classes of 31 or more
2001	12,687	36.0	132,487	21.5	848,961	21.1
2000	13,960	40.1	172,262	27.7	1,071,720	26.5
1999	18,621	50.8	210,761	35.6	1,278,607	31.5
1998	17,511	49.1	219,040	35.1	1,411,366	34.8
1997	23,330	45.7	205,178	33.3	1,344,231	33.4

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the answer of 14 February 2002, Official Report, column 555W, on the Social Exclusion Unit, what steps have been taken to train Connexions workers in child and adolescent mental health. [39779]

It is very important that young people with mental health problems are identified quickly and referred to the specialist services that they need. Connexions personal advisers are not intended to be specialists in the area of mental health but they are being trained to identify behaviours in young people that might indicate the need for support from a specialist. To date over 1,900 Personal Advisers have either completed or are currently undertaking Connexions training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with ministers and officials of the Scottish Executive about the proposed asylum centre near Edinburgh. [39671]

The Scotland Office has regular contacts with the Minister for Social Justice about asylum seeker issues, including the latest Home Office proposals about the development of new centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans she has to meet the Home Secretary to discuss his plans for an asylum seekers' centre near Edinburgh. [39688]

My Department is in regular contact with Lord Rooker, Home Office Minister for immigration and nationality matters, to discuss a range of issues, including those affecting asylum seekers.

The data requested are shown in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she first learned of plans to build an asylum seekers' centre near Edinburgh; and what her policy is on the construction of the centre. [39673]

My Department keeps in regular touch with the Home Office on asylum seeker and other relevant policy issues. The former RAF Turnhouse site is one of a number of potential areas for development and will be subject to detailed consultation with relevant interests.

To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements are in place to ensure that officials advising him on (a) LNM's purchase of Sidex and (b) other overseas investments by UK-based companies on which he is considering making representations are (i) not influenced by and (ii) not aware of political donations by persons connected with such companies. [39364]

All advice is given in accordance with the Civil Service Code and the Ministerial Code.