To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about his accountability to Parliament. [53474]

I have approached the Chairman of the Liaison Committee with a view to appearing before Select Committee Chairmen to discuss domestic and international affairs every six months. Further discussions will continue with the Liaison Committee and the House Authorities to work out the precise details. These sessions will be held in public and will give Select Committee Chairmen the opportunity to ask me a range of in-depth questions. I will of course continue to account to Parliament weekly on the issues of the day during Prime Minister's Questions on a Wednesday.

To ask the Prime Minister when he expects the Performance and Innovation Unit's investigation into the voluntary sector to report. [52324]

The Performance and Innovation Unit's report on the legal and regulatory framework of the voluntary sector will be published in due course.

To ask the Prime Minister how many digital radios are owned by his Department for use in departmental buildings from which Ministers work; and what the (a) cost and (b) date of purchase of each radio was. [52853]

None.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list the magazines and periodicals subscribed to by his Office, stating for each subscription (i) the number of copies taken, and (ii) the annual cost; [52846](2) if he will list the newspapers subscribed to

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 12 February 2002, Official Report, column 188W.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the process by which Ministers decide whether an announcement is too controversial to be made in a pre-election period. [52884]

Guidance is issued in relation to the conduct of Government business in pre-election periods. Decisions on announcements during pre-election periods will be taken in accordance with the guidance.Guidance specific to the forthcoming elections to local government on 2 May was published on 21 March 2002. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House, and are also available from the Vote Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the lost income from empty council housing was broken down by local authority in England, in each of the last three years. [42234]

Lost income from empty council housing can be due to two main sources: (a) lost rent and (b) lost council tax.(a) I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 11 February,

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the provision of social and affordable housing in villages; and how proposals in the planning Green Paper would affect this. [52333]

Our planning policies encourage the provision of affordable housing on allocated sites in villages and through the "rural exception policy". The exception policy is a special provision that applies only to rural areas and to sites, within or adjoining a village, where permission would not otherwise be given for new housing development. We have proposed to replace the present system of negotiated planning obligations with a tariff set by local authorities which will widen the type of developments contributing to affordable housing. The tariff would be spent in line with the priorities set out in local development plans, based on local and regional assessment. We expect the provision of affordable housing to be a high priority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance he issues to passenger transport authorities about travel and subsistence costs. [52118]

The Government issued "Guidance on Councillors" Allowances, Tax and Social Security Benefits" to local authorities, including passenger transport authorities, in August 1997. In April 2000 the Department issued an appendix to Joint Circular 1/86 setting out the maximum rates of travel and subsistence allowance which may be paid to members of local authorities, including passenger transport authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the status is of each of the 100 new bypasses aimed at reducing congestion and pollution outlined in the 10 year transport plan; what the (a) start and (b) completion date is of each project; and what the date is on which each of the 11 multi-modal studies outlined in the 10 year transport plan will be completed and published. [52551]

On (a) I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Reading, East (Jane Griffiths) on 18 April 2002, Official Report, column 1098W. In regard to (b), of the 11 Tranche 1 Multi-Modal Studies outlined in the Ten-Year Transport Plan, four have already reported as indicated below:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the sub-groups of the Urban Sounding Board, the membership of each group and their terms of reference. [52092]

[holding answer 23 April 2002]: Four sub-groups have been set up to help target the advice members of the Urban Sounding Board give to Ministers. The sub groups cover:

(i) the obstacles to effective physical regeneration and how these might be addressed (led by Prof. Brian Robson);

(ii) how good practice in urban design quality and public space provision might be adopted more widely (led by Robin Nicholson);

(iii) how urban policy performance management might be used to improve target setting and measurement for delivering better towns and cities (led by Wendy Thomson);

(iv) how to make the Urban Summit, to be held in Birmingham on 31 October/1 November, a worthwhile experience for all those expected to attend (led by Prof. Michael Parkinson).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many telecommunications masts are located in areas of outstanding natural beauty, world heritage sites and other conservation areas; and what these locations are. [52292]

The Department does not hold information about the number or locations of existing mobile phone masts.However, the Radiocommunications Agency have made information available to the public via their website (www.radio.gov.uk). The database, called "Sitefinder", gives details about all operational mobile phone base stations and their emissions. Sitefinder employs a "user-friendly" map-based facility indicating the location of cellular phone base stations. More information on a particular base station is available by simply clicking on the position indicator for the base station in question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures are being taken to minimise the number of telecommunications masts that are sited in areas of outstanding natural beauty, world heritage sites and other conservation areas. [52291]

Proposals to install telecommunications masts are for the Local Planning Authority to determine in the first instance, taking account of local planning policies and national planning policy guidance. Current planning guidance on telecommunications is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 8 (revised) (PPG8). Advice on proposed development in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks is given in PPG7— The Countryside. Advice on proposed development in world heritage sites and conservation areas is given in PPG15—Planning and the Historic Environment.The Government attaches great importance to minimising the impact of telecommunications development on the environment. Our policy is to encourage mast and site sharing and to make good use of existing buildings and other structures for the siting of antennas. The mobile phone industry has pledged to provide local planning authorities with annual rollout plans for each authority's area. We strongly encourage the use of pre-rollout discussions based upon these plans and collaboration between the operators and authorities as a means of overcoming potential technical and environmental constraints, particularly in designated areas. These discussions should also provide an early opportunity to explore possible alternative approaches, particularly the opportunities for mast and site sharing and also in terms of the location and alternative design of the apparatus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will issue guidance to the Planning Inspectorate on the interpretation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in the determination of appeals. [52598]

Inspectors received extensive training on human rights matters prior to the coming into force of the Human Rights Act. Inspectors are kept appraised of key Court judgments involving various Convention rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to amend the regulations governing rights of abode for gypsy families. [52597]

The main legislation governing rights of abode for Gypsy families are the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, and the subsequent Caravan Sites Act of 1968.There are no current plans to amend the legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance his Department issues to the Planning Inspectorate in determining appeals concerning gypsy families. [52599]

The Government's policy on Gypsy sites and planning is set out in Circular 1/94. This puts Gypsies on the same footing as others in relation to the planning system whilst recognising their special accommodation needs. Inspectors will also have regard to other relevant planning policies set out in Planning Policy Guidance Notes and Circulars. As with all planning decisions, each must be considered on its particular circumstances and merits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his response to those parish and town councillors who are refusing to sign the new declaration of interests. [52329]

As we have consistently explained, Parish councillors have for many years been subject to a Code which includes the requirement to declare their interests. The new Code, which includes a new requirement to complete a register of interests, has been supported by the National Association of Local Councils and the Association of Larger Local Councils, and by the majority of Parish Councils who responded to our consultation. I would encourage all councillors to accept the new Code.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the instances in which breaches of declaration of interest by parish and town councillors have been reported to his Department. [52330]

There is no requirement for such breaches to be reported to my Department. Under section 58 of the Local Government Act 2000, written allegations of a councillor breaching the new code of conduct are to be sent to the Standards Board for England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on what support is available to maintain and enhance rural bus services. [52331]

My Department provides support for improving and maintaining rural bus services by means of the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant and Rural Bus Challenge schemes. A total of £198 million has been allocated to those two schemes for the period 2001–02 to 2003–04.In addition, the Countryside Agency supports small-scale rural transport projects, such as community mini-buses, through its Rural Transport Partnership scheme for which £32 million is available for the period 2001–02 to 2003–04.Local authorities of course can—and do—add to this funding by support from their own resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the role of the Traffic Commissioners with specific regard to the maintenance and enhancement of bus servies in rural areas. [52332]

The Traffic Commissioners have no role in the provision of individual bus services. That is entirely a matter for the bus operator, and the relevant local authority if the service is subsidised.All local bus services must have their particulars registered with the relevant Traffic Commissioner. Operators can face disciplinary action by the Commissioner if they do not operate the service as described in the registration. A new, more flexible penalty power comes into force on 1 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent reports have been commissioned on effective methods of mass decontamination from (a) chemical and (b) biological (i) attacks and (ii) disasters; and if he will place the reports in the Library. [50855]

I have been asked to reply.Reports have been commissioned from experts in the health, fire and military fields both in the UK and overseas. These reports are not being made public.

To ask the President of the Council if he will list the functions of his Department that have been (a) market tested and (b) outsourced in each of the last five years, specifying the (i) money saving and (ii) percentage saving in each case. [42989]

My Department has not market tested any of its functions.However, it currently outsources a number of services including payroll (Chessington ADP), PCSPS pension services (Paymaster), cleaning, security, building maintenance and IT service and support all of which have been in place for longer than five years.During 2001, the Internal Management Consultancy Branch of the Cabinet Office undertook a review of Central Services (Personnel, Finance and Accommodation). The recommendation was that all services were to be kept in-house to retain value for money and service levels to staff and management.

To ask the President of the Council if he will list the magazines and periodicals subscribed to by his Office, stating for each subscription (i) the number of copies taken, and (ii) the annual cost. [52842]

My Department subscribes to the following magazines and periodicals:

To ask the President of the Council if he will list the newspapers subscribed to (a) Monday to Saturday and (b) on Sunday by his Office, stating for each subscription (i) the number of copies taken, and (ii) the annual cost. [52841]

My department subscribes to the following newspapers:

To ask the President of the Council how much has been spent by his Department on training in leadership skills for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years. [52728]

For years in which information is available, my Department spent the following on training staff in leadership skills:

To ask the President of the Council (1) how much has been spent by his Department on voice coaching for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years; [52704](2) how much has been spent by his Department on training by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years. [52744]

Nothing.

To ask the President of the Council how many digital radios are owned by his Department for use in departmental buildings from which Ministers work; and what the (a) cost and (b) date of purchase of each radio was. [52856]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many claimants have been in receipt of incapacity benefit payment for (a) six months or less, (b) between six months and one year, (c) between one and two years and (d) between two and five years; [27873](2) what the average period of payment is for current claimants of incapacity benefit; and what the comparable averages were in each year since 1997; [27874](3) how many people received payment of incapacity benefit in each year since 1997; and how many of these represented new claims; [27875](4) how many new claimants of incapacity benefit in the last six months represented

We are committed to helping Incapacity Benefit (IB) recipients into work where they wish to do so and to provide security for those who cannot. Since 22 October 2001, people making new or repeat claims to IB in the Jobcentre Plus pathfinder offices are required to participate in a Jobcentre Plus interview and a review at least every three years.The reviews enable IB customers to discuss with their Personal Advisor the help, benefits and opportunities available to them. The interviews also provide an ideal opportunity for people to participate in the New Deal schemes.For many people the key aim of the review is to ensure that they are receiving the right level of benefit. For others we can show them the help and support that is available to enable them to move back into full or part-time work.The available information is in the tables:The number of people in Great Britain receiving Incapacity Benefit (IB) at 30 November 2001, by the duration of their claim.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the Department's procedure is for responding to requests for information under the Data Protection Act 1998; if he will place a copy in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [33483]

The Department's Procedures for responding to requests for information under the Data Protection Act 1998 is documented within the DWP Data Protection Manual. A copy of the manual has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will list the official visits to (a) Paris and (b) Brussels made by each Minister in his Department in 2001 and the mode of travel used; and what guidance is provided to Ministers in his Department on the choice of mode of travel for such visits; [38152](2) if he will list the official visits within the UK outside London made by each Minister in his Department in 2001, giving for each

I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by my hon. Friend for Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 6 March 2002, Official Report, column 421W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) which non-accounting and non-information technology external organisations have won new contracts with (a) his Department and (b) executive agencies in each of the past five years; [38723](2) which non-accounting and non-information technology external organisations which previously held contracts with his Department

[holding reply 28 February 2002]: The questions cover a period prior to the establishment of the Department for Work and Pensions in June 2001. The information requested on contracts let by the ex Employment Service and ex-Department of Social Security is not held centrally in the new Department and the question could only be answered at disproportionate cost.The Department for Work and Pensions lets a large number of contracts in a year, most of which are for low value purchases. The information required to answer the question is not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what new steps his Department took in 2001–02 to consult the users of its services about their wishes and expectations; and if he will publish the findings. [47303]

[holding reply 9 April 2002]: The Department has undertaken a number of surveys with users of its services in 2001–2002. Details are in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been spent by her Department on training in leadership skills for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years. [52711]

Spending on training in Leadership skills for which records are maintained centrally was as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been spent by her Department on voice coaching for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years. [52698]

In the past five financial years DFID's spending on voice coaching has been as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been spent by her Department on training by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years. [52737]

There has been no spending by my Department in the last five financial years on training for Ministers and officials by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the newspapers subscribed to (a) Monday to Saturday and (b) on Sunday by her Department, stating for each subscription (i) the number of copies taken, and (ii) the annual cost. [52813]

The Department no longer purchases newspapers from a central budget. Our last record for central subscriptions and expenditure is shown below, for November 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the magazines and periodicals subscribed to by her Department, stating for each subscription the (a) number of copies taken and (b) annual cost. [52814]

The Department's core, central subscriptions to magazines and periodicals are listed in tables, copies of which have been placed in the library. A number of DFID departments and country offices have direct journal subscriptions, but full details of decentralised expenditure could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on what help she provides to assist the development of primary education in the Sudan. [52322]

As my right hon. Friend said to the House recently, Official Report, 17 April, column 561, development in the Sudan cannot take place around an ongoing war. It is not realistic to expect sustained improvements to education while the conflict continues. We are trying to improve the humanitarian effort and will do what we can to support education for children affected by the conflict within that context.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with the Government of the Sudan on the subject of its use of oil revenues for development purposes. [52323]

During my right hon. Friend's visit to the Sudan in January she made clear to the government the importance of their commitment to poverty reduction and the use of government revenues (not only from oil) for sustainable development.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with the British Council with regard to the teaching of English in the Sudan. [52418]

Neither myself nor my right hon. Friend have had recent discussions with the British Council with regard to the teaching of English in the Sudan.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines are set for the (a) circumstances and (b) length of custody of persons with a history of mental illness; and if he will make a statement. [41884]

If a police officer has any suspicion that a person held in police custody may be mentally disordered or mentally handicapped, he must apply special protections for that person as set out in the relevant code of practice (Code C) issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). These include summoning an "appropriate adult" to assist and advise the detained person and (where the person appears to be suffering from a mental disorder) calling for the police surgeon.Persons with a history of mental illness are subject to the same rules covering length of detention as other detainees. Under PACE where a person has been arrested for an offence they may be detained in police custody for up to 24 hours without being charged. This period can be extended to 36 hours by a police officer of the rank of Superintendent or above where a person is arrested for a serious arrestable offence. Further periods of detention up to a maximum of 96 hours can be approved by a magistrates' court.Where a person arrested is charged with an offence they must be released from police detention unless certain conditions apply, such as where the custody officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the person charged will fail to appear in court to answer to bail. Where such a person is kept in police detention they must be brought before the relevant magistrates' court as soon as is practicable and normally not later than the first sitting after they are charged with the offence.Where a person charged with an offence is arrested on warrant for failing to attend a magistrates' court, they must be taken back to that magistrates' court as soon as practicable. If a person is arrested in a different part of the country they must appear not later than the first sitting of the magistrates' court after their transfer back to the relevant area.All persons detained in police custody have their detention reviewed on a regular basis. The first review is no later than six hours after the detention was first authorised. The second review is no later than nine hours after the first review. Subsequent reviews are at intervals of not more than nine hours.A mentally disordered or mentally handicapped person who has been detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 can he taken to a police station as a place of safety to be assessed. The person can be detained only until such time as they have been interviewed and examined by an approved social worker and a registered medical practitioner, and suitable arrangements have been made for their treatment and care.There are currently several strands of work focused on improving police practice in relation to mentally ill individuals. The Home Office, the Department of Health and the Association of Chief Police Officers are considering the development of national protocols covering the interaction between the police and health services in dealing with the mentally ill. The current review of the PACE Codes of Practice is seeking to strengthen further the protections for mentally ill detainees, particularly in terms of assessing their vulnerabilities and fitness for interview. In addition, the review of the Mental Health Act which is underway recognises that police cells are not generally appropriate places for assessing whether a person needs medical treatment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of disorderly conduct were reported in 1997 and each subsequent year in (a) Preston, (b) Blackburn, (c) Lancashire, (d) the North West, (e) Wales and (f) the UK. [45794]

The Information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes against tourists in London have been reported in each of the last five years. [45956]

The requested information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers serving in the (a) Leicestershire and (b) Nottinghamshire constabularies were previously employed in the Metropolitan Police. [46211]

I am told by the Chief Constable of Leicestershire Constabulary (David Wyrko) that there are 65 officers in the force who previously served with the Metropolitan Police.I am told by the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire (Stephen Green) that information about the previous forces of officers who have joined on transfer is not routinely collated centrally. The force does, however, have a record that 12 officers transferred into the force from the Metropolitan Police in 2001–02.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the ACPO concerning the Police Reform Bill. [46210]

We had extensive discussions with The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) when formulating the provisions of the Bill. Those discussions, have continued following the introduction of the Bill in another place.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities make use of mediation and restorative justice services in tackling antisocial behaviour. [46572]

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners who have attempted suicide died whilst being transferred to hospital in the last three years; and if he will make a statement; [48672](2) how many people have

The total number of self-inflicted prisoner deaths and reported incidents of self-harm in establishments in England and Wales are set out in the given tables.Information relating to the number of prisoners who have died whilst being transferred from prison establishment to hospital is not kept separately.My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary (Mr. Blunkett), the Director General of the Prison Service (Martin Narey) and I take every self-inflicted death and incident of self-harm in prison custody very seriously.The Prison Service's new three-year suicide prevention strategy commenced in April 2001 and aims to make prisons safer for all who live and work there. There is an early focus on pilots in five establishments with a range of changes being made, including physical improvements to reception and induction areas, and more first night support centres and safer cells. Suicide Prevention Co-ordinators have been trained and appointed at 30 high-risk prisons, and revised risk assessment tools are being devised.The Prison Service's internal review into the prevention of suicides and self-harm found that those serving life sentences are at higher risk than those with determinate sentences. Research to find out at what stage in their period of custody life sentenced prisoners are most at risk, and how the self-inflicted deaths of life-sentenced prisoners differ to those in other sentence categories, is now being planned.1. Self-inflicted deaths at establishments in England and Wales 1998–2002

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the work of Professor Michael Barber in his role as advisor on crime; [51214](2) if Professor Michael Barber continues in his role as a Home Office advisor on crime; and if he will make a statement; [51212](3) to which of his recent crime fighting initiatives Professor Michael Barber has contributed; and if he will make a statement; [51215](4) if he will place in the Library copies of the research undertaken by Professor Michael Barber in his capacity as the Government's adviser on crime: and if he will make a statement. [51438]

[holding answer 19 April 2002]: Professor Michael Barber is head of the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit which is working closely with the Treasury and other Delivery Departments to ensure that the Government achieve their delivery priorities during this Parliament across the key areas of public service: health, education, crime, asylum and transport. He reports to my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister (Mr. Blair), and is not separately an adviser on crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum custodial sentence for the smuggling of (a) class A controlled substances, (b) class B controlled substances, (c) class C controlled substances, (d) alcohol and (e) tobacco. [51216]

[holding answer 19 April 2002]: The maximum custodial sentence for the smuggling of Class A controlled drugs is life imprisonment; that for smuggling of Class B controlled drugs is 14 years' imprisonment; that for smuggling Class C controlled drugs is five years' imprisonment. The maximum custodial sentence for the smuggling of alcohol and tobacco is also seven years' imprisonment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people aged under 18 have been released from prison with no fixed abode in each year since 1998; and from which prisons. [49981]

Information on the accommodation of prisoners after release is not recorded centrally for all prisoners. However a survey of prisoners' resettlement has recently been carried out for the Prison Service. This involved interviews with a representative sample of about 2000 prisoners shortly before discharge. It will provide information about the proportion reporting in the last two-three weeks of sentence that they have no accommodation to go to on release. Results will be available shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Geneva Conventions will be applied to prisoners captured by UK forces in Afghanistan; and whether such prisoners will be handed directly to US forces. [45409]

The Geneva Conventions will be applied to prisoners captured by United Kingdom troops in Afghanistan. Any such prisoners would be handed to the Afghan Interim Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which (a) machine guns, (b) light machine guns and (c) assault rifles are in service with the Royal Marines deployed in Afghanistan. [52899]

45 Commando Group Royal Marines is equipped with General Purpose Machine Guns and 50 Calibre machine guns. The Light Support Weapon and the Minimi provide their light machine gun capability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the upgrading of the software of the radar in Fylingdales and Menwith Hill; how long it is expected to last; how much it is expected to cost; and if he will make a statement. [52119]

We have not received a request from the United States for assistance with the deployment of a missile defence system. It would be premature, therefore, to make an assessment of the work that might be required to upgrade the facilities at RAF Fylingdales or RAF Menwith Hill for missile defence purposes, and how long such work might take. The costs associated with any such upgrading would be first and foremost a matter for the United States.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the proposed time scale is for a decision on the development of X-band radar in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [52097]

We have no indication of the timing of any possible requests from the United States to build an X-band radar in the UK, nor do we work on the assumption that such a radar would necessarily be sited in the UK. I cannot therefore give a timescale for any UK decisions which might be required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been referred to BUPA consultants over the past two years; whether the number has increased over that time; and what the costs to the MoD were of those referrals. [46871]

[holding answer 10 April 2002]: Referrals have been made to BUPA under centrally led initiatives by the Royal Navy, the Army Training and Recruiting Agency and the Defence Secondary Care Agency, and locally by RAF Units. Under these arrangements, some 3,000 referrals have been made to BUPA since April 2000 at cost to date of some £2.7 million. The number of referrals is evenly spread across the two financial years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much unexploded ordnance has been left on the ground following British Army training exercises in (a) Kenya and (b) in foreign countries other than Kenya, broken down by type. [49306]

[holding answer 16 April 2002]: Wherever it trains, the British Army aims to destroy unexploded ammunition it uses as soon as possible after it has been fired—usually during the exercise itself. In Kenya, we also conduct an annual clearance exercise at the end of our exercise period in support of the Kenyan Authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much unexploded ordnance he estimates has been left by British forces in Kenya in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000, (e) 2001 and (f) 2002; and if he will make a statement; [49991](2) how much unexploded ordnance he estimates has been left by British forces; how much money has been spent by the Ministry of Defence in clearing unexploded ordnance in

[holding answer 16 April 2002]: Wherever they train, British Forces aim to destroy unexploded ammunition as soon as possible after it has been fired—usually during the exercise itself. In Kenya, we also conduct an annual clearance exercise at the end of our exercise period in support of the Kenyan Authorities.I have assumed that the hon. Member is seeking information about the amount of ordnance left unexploded following exercises by British Forces and the costs of clearing it, rather than operational deployments. These details are not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what aspects of the Blue Danube atomic bomb continue to be covered by exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to Government information relating to defence, security and international relations. [51023]

Certain specific aspects which might be of value to a potential nuclear weapons proliferator. For obvious reasons, it would not be appropriate to go into greater detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 31 January 2002, Official Report, column 498W, on stolen equipment, if he will list the reported thefts and the related property code of (a) computer equipment and (b) computer data, indicating whether the property was recovered; which of those reported thefts are recorded as (i) no crime, (ii) closed detected and (iii) closed undetected; and if he will make a statement. [51195]

Reported cases of stolen equipment are held centrally on a summary basis relating to suspected theft by Crown Personnel or contractors. Full details of computer property codes and recovery, including details related to computer data related to the suspected thefts identified in the answer on 31 January 2002, could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The same also applies in respect of outcomes recorded as no crime, closed detected, or closed undetected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the Gulf War troops have been medically examined by the Medical Assessment Programme. [51571]

The Ministry of Defence's Gulf Veterans Medical Assessment Programme (GVMAP) was established in July 1993. Any Serviceman or Service woman, including those who have since left the UK armed forces, and Ministry of Defence civilians, who served in the Gulf at any time between August 1990 and July 1991, or who believe that their health has suffered as a direct result of the Gulf conflict can apply. Individuals who worked for contractors providing direct support to UK operations during the Gulf conflict may also be seen. All patients are seen following referral from their general practitioner or their armed forces medical officer. As at 19 April 2002, GVMAP consultants had physically examined 3,117 members and former members of the armed forces. This equates to 5.8 per cent of all UK armed forces deployed. Further information about the GVMAP can be obtained from my Department's web site: www.mod.uk/issues/gulfwar or by telephoning Freephone 0800 169 5401.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for South-West Bedfordshire of 25 January, Official Report, columns 1185–6W, on Government funding of the voluntary sector, if he will list the grant schemes and other mechanisms by which his Department distributes funding to voluntary sector organisations.[51412]

[holding answer 19 April 2002]: Funding to voluntary sector organisations by the Ministry of Defence is effected via the provision of grants in aid. These are grants from voted monies to particular organisations or bodies, which may include, but are not restricted to, voluntary sector organisations. The list of organisations for Financial Year 2001–2002 is as follows:

• The Air Training Corps
• The Army Sports Control Board
• The Atlantic Council
• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The Millennium String of Pearls
• The National Army Museum
• The Royal Air Force Museum
• The Royal Air Force Sports Board
• The Royal British Legion
• The Royal Hospital Chelsea
• The Royal Marines Museum
• The Royal Naval Museum
• The Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum
• The Royal Navy Sports Board
• The Royal Navy Submarine Museum
• The Scott Polar Research Institute
• The Victoria and George Cross Association
• The Welfare Council

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list, by aircraft type, the Royal Navy's Rotary wing operational fleet; how many aircraft of each type are (a) owned and (b) leased by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [52135]

[holding answer 25 April 2002]: The numbers of aircraft in the RN operational fleet (which is entirely owned by the Department), listed by type as at 1 April 2002, are shown in the table below. The table includes those aircraft operated by Royal Navy personnel serving within Naval Air Squadrons within both Joint Force Harrier and the Joint Helicopter Command.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list, by ship type, the Royal Navy's operational fleet; how many ships of each type are (a) owned and (b) leased by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [52134]

[holding answers 25 April 2002]: The strength of the Royal Navy Fleet (which is entirely owned by the Ministry of Defence), by ship type, as at 1 April 2002 is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent on the conflicts that the UK has been involved in as combatants since 1972. [52481]

This information is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate has been made of the possible cost of a UK missile defence system: and if he will make a statement. [52281]

As we have not reached the stage of developing specific proposals regarding missile defence, a firm estimate of cost has not been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the post offices which are expected to be closed in the restructuring of Post Office Counters networks stating in each case (a) the number of redundancies expected in each case, (b) the cost to her Department of redundancy payments and (c) the expected savings to her Department from the closures broken down by (i) region and (ii) constituency; and if she will make a statement. [48797]

[holding answer 15 April 2002]: The detailed implementation of the programme to restructure the urban post office network is an operational matter for Post Office Limited. The programme has not yet begun, but Government support of up to £210 million has been allocated to advance our aims for the urban network as set out in the P1U report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the numbers of pubs hosting guest beers (a) voluntarily and (b) as a result of the Beer Orders. [51513]

The 1989 Orders applied only to the then six large brewers owning tied estates of 2000 or more pubs. No such brewers exist any longer so the number of pubs selling guest beers as defined in the Beer Orders is now zero. So-called guest beers are sold on a voluntary basis and so cannot be estimated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what policy measures, in addition to her Department's capital funding, have been introduced since 1997 to support the development of micro-renewable technologies in the UK; and if she will make a statement. [51510]

[pursuant to the answer, 23 April 2002, Official Report, columns 214–15W]: Unfortunately an incomplete answer was given and herewith is the full text.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when Ministers in her Department have visited other countries in support of firms seeking contracts in those countries, stating (a) each company, (b) each contract and (c) whether each bid was successful in each of the last three years. [52127]

Ministers take every opportunity on visits overseas to lobby in support of UK commercial interests generally and, where appropriate, in respect of specific contracts. Information is not, however, recorded centrally in the form requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the European Union has the power to set the (a) pay and (b) benefit entitlements that must be offered by (i) public and (ii) private enterprises to their workforces. [52300]

Whether the European Union has the power to set these entitlements will depend on the nature of particular proposals that could have the effect of setting pay and benefits for certain individuals. Where the aim of EU legislation is to prevent discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability, this may affect the minimum levels of pay and other benefits that public and private sector enterprises must offer to some members of their workforces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the likely impact that the proposed European Directive on working conditions for temporary workers will have on the creation of new employment opportunities in the UK. [52303]

The Department's officials are preparing a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) which will look at the possible costs and benefits of the Directive to workers, agencies and user companies in the UK. The RIA will be placed in the Libraries of House in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what amendments she will be seeking to make to the proposed European Directive on working conditions for temporary workers. [52299]

The European Commission published a proposal for a directive on temporary agency workers in March 2002. We are currently studying the proposal to establish whether it protects agency workers without damaging the important contribution agency workers and agencies make to the labour market and to maintaining high levels of employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many temporary workers were, at the most recent date for which figures are available, fulfilling assignments in the public sector. [52306]

According to the Labour Force Survey, in Autumn 2001 there were 600,000 temporary employees in the public sector.The Labour Force Survey defines temporary employees as including individuals engaged on: employment business assignments, seasonal work, fixed term contracts, casual work and other non-permanent work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research she has undertaken to assess the impact that the proposed European Directive on working conditions for temporary workers will have on the competitiveness of SMEs in the UK. [52302]

The Department's officials are preparing a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) which will look at the possible costs and benefits of the Directive to workers, agencies and user companies in the UK including the impact on small businesses. The RIA will be placed in Libraries of the Houses in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people were employed in temporary work in the UK in (a) February 1992 and (b) February 2002. [52304]

(a) According to the Labour Force Survey, there were 1,150,000 temporary employees in the three months March"May 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cost compliance assessments had been carried out by her Department before the introduction of additional regulations affecting businesses in each of the last three years. [52110]

[holding answer 25 April 2002]: The Department is required to publish final Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) for all regulations which have either imposed or reduced costs for business. The number of final RIAs the DTI has published in the last three years are as follows:

• 1999 = 41
• 2000 = 40
• 2001 = 30

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the newspapers subscribed to (a) Monday to Saturday and (b) on Sunday by her Department, stating for each subscription (i) the number of copies taken, and (ii) the annual cost. [52819]

My Department's expenditure on newspapers and mass circulation magazines for the financial year 2001–2002 was £201,341.This includes expenditure on national newspapers, regional newspapers, and mass circulation magazines. A list of titles and the number of copies taken cannot be supplied except at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the magazines and periodicals subscribed to by her Department, stating for each subscription the (a) number of copies taken and (b) annual cost. [52820]

My Department's expenditure on periodicals for the financial year 2001–2002 was £408.650This includes expenditure on general and academic periodicals, plus annual reference and statistical publications. Expenditure on mass circulation magazines is included in the answer to PQ No. 52819. A list of titles and the number of copies taken cannot be supplied except at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the potential for confusion between the websites www.ukonline.gov.uk and www.ukonline.co.uk; and what discussions have been held with the proprietors of the private site to minimise this. [51560]

I have been asked to reply.Discussions were held with UK Online the Internet Service Provider (ISP) about how to distinguish our respective sites. The presentation of the Government UK online site was modified to distinguish it from the ukonline.co.uk site and it was agreed that mutual links to each others' sites would be put in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost to public funds was of (a) official actions arising from the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. The Queen Mother until the funeral and (b) the funeral. [52261]

A number of organisations were involved in the preparations for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. They are now starting to settle bills and prepare detailed estimates. It is still too early to provide an estimate of the likely final cost of the funeral arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how she determines whether a letter from (a) a member of the public and (b) an hon. Member receives a reply personally signed by (i) her, (ii) other Ministers in her Department and (iii) her officials. [52887]

The decision as to who replies to correspondence is based on advice from officials. Of the 28,593 items of correspondence received by the Department in 2001–2002, all letters from honourable Members (18 per cent) received a reply from Ministers as did 8 per cent of the letters received from the general public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) letters and faxes and (b) e-mails addressed to (i) her, (ii) other Ministers in her Department and (iii) officials her Department have received since 8 June 2001. [52888]

In 2001–2002 the Department received 28,593 items of correspondence via letter, fax and email.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if her Department takes into account the political party of hon. Members when answering (a) letters from and (b) written questions tabled by hon. Members. [52879]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many letters (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department have personally signed since 8 June 2001. [52889]

Between 8 June 2001 and 27 March 2002 DCMS Ministers personally replied to 5,240 items of correspondence from hon. Members and the general public as follows;

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's targets are for the length of time taken from the receipt of a letter from (a) a member of the public and (b) an hon. Member to the sending of a reply; and if those targets have been met since 8 June 2001. [52886]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 576W and on 17 April 2002, Official Report, column 955W.