To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on pollution of (a) buses and (b) light rail schemes. [62812]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent studies his Department has carried out to establish the environmental impact of tram and light rail systems; [62871](2) what recent studies his Department has undertaken to establish the impact of tram and light rail systems on crime figures. [62881]

The studies below include some assessment of the environmental impact of tram and light rail systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evaluation his Department has made of the impact of (a) tram and light rail schemes and (b) bus routes on social exclusion. [62794]

The Social Exclusion Unit's interim report, Making the Connections: transport and social exclusion, looks at the ways in which transport problems can reinforce social exclusion. It concluded that bus services have a particularly important role to play in tackling these. When we consider proposals for major schemes in Local Transport Plans, we take into account their likely impacts on access to the transport system and on different social groups. These can only be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on tram and light rail schemes from (a) passenger transport authorities, (b) passenger groups, (c) trade manufacturing organisations and (d) trades unions during the last 12 months. [62808]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) which local authorities have been consulted on tram and light rail proposals over the last five years; [62864]

No records are kept listing all such representations and contacts. However, in the last three years my officials have met local authorities responsible for the Local Transport Plans covering all six Passenger Transport Authorities and the other plan areas listed below to discuss tram and light rail systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how often during the last five years the Council of Ministers discussed tram and light rail systems; [62890](2) what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the development of tram and light rail systems. [62887]

My Department does not keep records of all such discussions. However, light rail systems have been discussed on a number of occasions in the context of the European Commission's proposal of 26 July 2000 for a Regulation concerning public service requirements and the award of public service contracts in passenger transport by rail, road and inland waterway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what research his Department has carried out on engineering developments for tram and light rail systems; [62882](2) what consideration he has given to the use of tram and light rail infrastructure as part of the European Electronic Railway under the RECITE-II Programme. [62888]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) who is responsible for the regulation of tram and light rail systems; [62861](2) how many non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible have a locus in the development of tram and light rail systems. [62859]

The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for the regulation of tram and light rail systems. Tram drivers must also comply with certain highways legislation, enforced by the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions since 1997 tram and light rail systems have been discussed with other departments as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review. [62884]

Light rail systems will have been mentioned from time to time during the discussions with colleagues across Government which take place during spending reviews. No records exist of the number of such occasions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many qualified tram and light rail drivers there are in the United Kingdom. [62867]

My Department does not hold this information. Figures for the number of drivers and on-vehicle staff employed on each system are below.

	Number
Manchester Metrolink	133
Sheffield Supertram	160
Midland Metro	91
Tyne and Wear Metro	242
Docklands Light Railway	200
Croydon Tramlink	90
Blackpool Tramway	35

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many civil servants within his Department work on tram and light rail systems' policy. [62866]

Policy on major public transport schemes, including light rail, in Local Transport Plans is handled by a team of three staff. Other colleagues, including specialist economists and lawyers, assist as required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many proposals there have been for tram and light rail systems which his Department has rejected; and if he will list them. [62860]

New arrangements were introduced with the inception of Local Transport Plans in 1999. Proposals for new tram and light rail schemes normally need Transport and Works Act powers. If funding from my Department is essential for the project to proceed, promoters should seek a provisional view from my Department on whether the scheme passes the Government's appraisal tests which are used to decide whether a project is eligible for funding before seeking powers. Since the start of these arrangements, two light rail lines (Midland Metro extensions to Birmingham city centre and to Brierley Hill) have received a positive provisional view, a number of others are under consideration, and none have yet been given a negative provisional view.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those tram and light rail systems visited by ministers over the last five years in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) overseas. [62870]

All seven tram and light rail systems in the United Kingdom, as listed below, have been visited by Ministers over the last five years. No information is available on visits to systems overseas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times he has met with (a) the Environment Minister and (b) the Housing Minister to establish the impact of tram and light rail systems on their policy evaluation. [62886]

None. However, the appraisal of tram and light rail systems takes account of five over-arching objectives: environment, safety, economy, accessibility and integration (including the extent of integration with land use and other government policies).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which manufacturers of components of tram and light rail systems have been consulted in drawing up departmental policy on tram and light rail systems. [62883]

Departmental policy on tram and light rail systems is set out in the 10 Year Plan, published in July 2000. In preparing the Plan we took account of the large number of comments we received from consultees and a wide range of other stakeholders on the Integrated Transport White Paper, published in July 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statistics he collates on the number of tram and light rail systems in each state in the European Union. [62889]

None. This information is published annually in Jane's Urban Transport Systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what qualifications are required to drive a (a) tram and (b) light rail train. [62868]

A category 'B' Motor Vehicle driving license (Driving License Regulations, 1987) is the required qualification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list recent Government commissioned studies which have made recommendations for road user charging schemes; and if he will make a statement. [62880]

Consultants for four Multi-Modal Studies have recommended in their Final Reports that consideration be given to the future introduction of road user charging schemes. These are the West Midlands Area MMS, West Midlands to North West MMS, North/South Movements in the East Midlands MMS and London to South West and South Wales MMS. The Final Reports are now with the respective Regional Planning Bodies who will make recommendations to Ministers. In addition the consultants carrying out the ORBIT (M25 Corridor) MMS have made provisional recommendations which include road user charging proposals.Given the practical considerations, we do not believe that a system of inter-urban road user charging for cars could be introduced this decade; accordingly the Government has no plans to do so. However, this is a subject where further work and research is needed and we will revisit it when sufficient progress has been made in clarifying the technical and practical issues involved. In the meantime, we note the arguments put forward both for and against inter-urban charging and are listening to the debate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the bodies responsible for the maintenance and control of traffic lights in each area of the United Kingdom, including a brief description of their (a) function and (b) statutory duties. [62873]

The Statutory responsibility for traffic lights in England rests with the relevant traffic authority. This will be a County Council, Metropolitan District Council, or a Unitary Authority. In London, Transport for London is the traffic authority for strategic routes, London Boroughs for all other roads. However, Transport for London control all traffic lights within the London area, regardless of whether they are the traffic authority for the roads at the junction. The Highways Agency is responsible for trunk roads.Similar arrangements apply in Scotland and Wales. The Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly Government are responsible for trunk roads in Scotland and Wales. Local Authorities in Scotland and Unitary Authorities in Wales are responsible for other roads.In Northern Ireland, the Department for Regional Development is responsible for all roads.The function and duties of traffic authorities are set out in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (RTRA 84). In the present context the authorities' general duty is

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Severn Side site in Monmouth will be included as an option for a new airport in the consultation document for the airport white paper. [63150]

In advance of the consultation, I do not intend to comment on the status of any specific options as releasing information at this stage could result in unnecessary blight as well as multiplying uncertainty and anxiety. This approach is consistent with my Department's Coe of Practice on the Dissemination of Information during Major Infrastructure Developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the outcome was of the Transport Council meeting on 17 June; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [63142]

The Transport Council was held on 17 June in Luxembourg. I represented the UK.I was pleased to see the adoption by the Council of two directives on passenger vessel safety. The first of these requires compliance by 2015 by all Member States with the higher standards of damage stability for ro-ro passenger ships engaged on international voyages already introduced following the

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for promoting the shift of freight transport from road to rail in the West Midlands to Manchester Midman Transport Corridor. [63160]

The West Midlands to North West Conurbation (MIDMAN) Multi Modal study has considered the shift of freight from road to rail. The Study Final Report was published on 3 May 2002. Both the West Midlands Local Government Association and North West Regional Assembly are currently considering the Report and will make recommendations to the Secretary of State in due course. As with all rail aspects of this study, they will need to take account of the ongoing discussions on the West Coast Main Line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting held on 30 May between the UK Government, French Government and European Commission to discuss the disruption of rail freight services through the Channel Tunnel. [63379]

The Government thanked the Commission for its previous initiatives under the Free Movement of Goods Regulation. At the meeting, the French Government provided a timetable for improved security measures, to be completed in November. The UK Government pressed the French to look carefully at how they could accelerate it.We have expressed our willingness in principle to help in any way we can. In particular we are willing to provide specialist detection equipment. Close bilateral contacts between UK and France continue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek compensation in respect of the cancellation of EWS services through the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement. [63186]

[holding answer 20 June 2002]: It would not be appropriate to seek compensation from the European Union for disruptions to EWS services caused by restrictions imposed by SNCF. Freight operators can seek to enforce EU law on the free movement of goods in the French courts, and this could include a claim for losses caused by the breach of that law.We continue to press the French Government to consider carefully how the programme of further security improvements at Fréthun, due to be completed in November, might be accelerated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects EWS services to be restarted in the Channel Tunnel. [63187]

[holding answer 20 June 2002]: EWS services through the Channel Tunnel have continued to run, albeit at a greatly reduced level. The French authorities have put in hand a programme of further security improvements, which are due to be completed in November. We are pressing the French to consider carefully how this might be accelerated. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has asked the Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority to discuss urgently with the chairman of SNCF how the earliest possible return to normal train services could be achieved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the French Government in respect of restoring the free movement of exports by rail through the Channel Tunnel. [63663]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and I have written to the new French Transport Minister and Transport Secretary emphasising the need to ensure a rapid restoration of full rail freight services through the Channel Tunnel. I met the French Transport Minister, Gilles de Robien, on 17 June and discussed this issue with him. The French authorities have put in hand a programme of further security improvements, which are due to be completed in November. We are pressing the French to consider carefully how this might be accelerated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the rural transport network by providing extra funding. [63530]

The Rural White Paper published in November 2000 announced that £239 million will be specifically made available for rural transport in England for the three year period 2001–02 to 2003–04, a 54 per cent. increase in funding relative to the previous three year period 1998–99 to 2000–01. Funding levels for future years beyond 2003–04 will be decided following the outcome of the 2002 Spending Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects Railtrack to come out of administration; and if he will make a statement. [61155]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Mr. Grayling) on 15 May 2002, Official Report, column 678W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to (a) the rail industry and (b) the bus industry of the planned one per cent. increase in employers' national insurance contributions. [63767]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Andrew Turner) on Monday 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 544W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in the discussions since 15 May in the International Maritime Organisation regarding maritime security. [63109]

The Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organisation in its meeting from 15 to 24 May defined the draft text of binding amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. These provide for a coherent basis of security planning for international ships and ports, for approval and inspection arrangements, and for the installation of ship-tracking equipment. The drafts will be submitted for agreement at the Diplomatic Conference announced for December 2002, for which preparations continue at the international and European level.The Committee also approved proposals for co-operation between the International Maritime Organisation and other international organisations to progress related improvements in maritime security.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid has been given to (a)India and (b)Pakistan in the last 12 months. [62710]

[holding answer 19 June 2002]:DFID's bilateral disbursements to India and Pakistan for financial year 2001–02 (the most recent period for which figures are available) totalled £180 million and £43 million respectively. These figures do not include significant UK contributions through multilateral agencies. Comprehensive UK figures will be published in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what food supplies have recently been sent to Kashmir. [62707]

[holding answer 19 June 2002]: We continue to closely monitor the situation in Kashmir. State Governments continue to provide food and other assistance to vulnerable groups. To date, there has been no request for assistance to Kashmir, although we stand ready to respond as a need arises.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on progress towards accelerating the debt cancellation programme under the HIPC process. [62960]

So far, 26 countries have qualified for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Relief of more than US$62 billion will be provided to these countries, reducing their debts by more than two thirds on average. Of the 26 countries, 21 have reached Decision Point and are receiving interim debt relief on their "flow" of payment, and five have completed the HIPC process, and have received an irrevocable reduction in their stock of debt. We expect Cote d'Ivoire to reach Decision Point soon and hope that more countries will reach their Completion Point this year. The prospects of the remaining 10 countries with unsustainable debt are not good. Most of them are in conflict and cannot gain debt relief until they make peace, and the remainder have governance problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether she has received a copy of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's full report on the suitability of the air traffic control system that BAE Systems has sold to the Tanzanian Government; and if she will place a copy in the Library. [63687]

I have seen a copy of the report but it is the property of the Government of Tanzania and thus it is not appropriate for me to copy it to others.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of moneys are channelled through ((a) her Department's projects, (b) NGO projects, (c) UN projects and (d) the interim administration for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. [61760]

Of the moneys disbursed since 11 September on humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction activities, about 6 per cent. has been channelled through DFID's programme of quick-impact projects; about 23 per cent. through international organisations and NGOs; and about 63 per cent. through UN agencies. No money has been directly channelled through the Interim Administration, but about 8 per cent. has been contributed to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund, which has been set up to fund the recurrent costs of the Transitional Administration as well as investment programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the performance of donor countries which attended the UN Conference in Tokyo in January has been in terms of meeting individual financial pledges and the corresponding levels of financial investment to Afghanistan reconstruction projects. [61759]

Contributions are now starting to arrive in the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund, which has been set up to fund investment programmes and the recurrent costs of the Transitional Administration. The UK was the first to contribute. In all, the World Bank expects to receive $100 million from donors in the first wave of donations.A number of reconstruction programmes have been approved. We do not have an exhaustive list, but the World Bank alone has recently approved a $10 million Emergency Public Administration Project, a $15 million Emergency Education Rehabilitation and Development Project, and a $42 million Emergency Community Empowerment and Public Works Project. EC projects include support to the Interim Authority (€20 million), urban infrastructure (€7 million), rural development (€28 million), demining (€10 million) and refugee reintegration and community support (€22 million). The Asian Development Bank has approved a $14.5 million programme of technical assistance to build capacity for reconstruction and development. Other programmes are in the pipeline.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development with regard to education programmes in Afghanistan, what moneys (a)her Department has pledged, (b)her Department has delivered, (c)other G8 countries have pledged and (d)other G8 countries have delivered. [61763]

At the Tokyo Conference in January, international donors pledged funds for the overall reconstruction of Afghanistan, including humanitarian programmes. Pledges were not broken down by sector. The UK pledge was to commit £200 million over five years, on top of the £60 million already committed since September 2001.The UK strategy in Afghanistan is to contribute directly to UN agencies and NGOs and to channel assistance via the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), which has been established to allow donor to finance investment programmes in all sectors, including education. We have made an initial contribution of £5 million to the ARTF. Since September 2001, my Department has also contributed £8 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), £2 million of which was specifically for the Back-to-School Campaign in Afghanistan. My Department also continues to support UNICEF and other humanitarian agencies to provide education services to Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran. We are currently considering what further support to provide in the education sector.G8 nations have not pledged specific amounts for the education sector, but are currently thinking through their strategies in all areas (including education). A multi-donor mission, led by the Asian Development Bank, has scoped the requirements for a framework of assistance to the sector, but work is still at the design rather than the delivery stage.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will announce the date of the Spending Review. [62020]

The conclusions of the 2002 Spending Review will be announced before the House rises for the summer recess.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he will (a)announce the result of the Spending Review 2002 and (b)publish his Department's Annual report; and if he will make a statement. [59676]

The conclusions of the 2002 Spending Review will be announced before the House rises for the summer recess. The Treasury's Departmental Report was published on 10 June.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 1 May 2002, Official Report, columns 882–83W, on the Budget Red Book, if he will provide comparable marginal deduction rate figures for individuals. [56466]

The table below shows estimates of the number of individuals facing marginal deduction rates (MDRs) in excess of 40 per cent.

Cumulative number of individuals facing MDRs in excess of 40 per cent.
Figures in thousands
Marginal Deduction Rate	Before Budget 1998	2002–03 system of tax and benefits	After the introduction of NTCs
Over 100‥	10	0	0
Over 90‥	190	90	90
Over 80‥	450	340	290
Over 70‥	1,140	390	390
Over 60‥	1,180	1,140	1,750
Over 50‥	1,180	1,825	2,000
Over 40‥	1,240	1,875	2,275

The figures in the table cover the number of individuals in households in receipt of either income-related benefits or the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), or new tax credits from April 2003, where at least one person works 16 hours or more. The effects of income tax and National Insurance Contributions, and the withdrawal of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit have also been included.The effect of tax and benefit changes introduced since Budget 1998, including WFTC, reduced the number of individuals in households facing MDRs in excess of 70 per cent. by around three-quarters of a million. As WFTC is more generous than the Family Credit that it replaced, more individuals in households benefit from it, hence the larger numbers facing MDRs over 40 and 50 per cent. in 2002–03.Building on the success of WFTC, the Government will be introducing the Child and Working Tax Credits from April 2003. As the new tax credits will be more generous and inclusive than the current system of support, significantly more households will be eligible, and those currently eligible will receive more, hence a greater number will face MDRs over 40 and 50 per cent. from 2003–04.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place the underlying data used for the scorecard approach to monitoring public services value for money in Table 3.16 of HM Treasury's Annual report, (Cm 5425) in the Library. [63211]

The scorecard is based on departmental progress against value for money PSA targets. Departments report progress against their PSA targets in their departmental reports, copies of which are placed in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 12 June 2002, Official Report,column 5437W, on the recommendations of the Wanless report, which passages of the Chancellor's Budget Statement of 17 April addressed the recommendation of the Wanless report on the need for a study of the trends affecting social care. [63378]

The Chancellor's Budget Statement and the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report made a number of announcements in relation to health and social services which addressed the recommendations of the Wanless Report. The Government do not plan to commission a further study.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his assessment is of the extent to which (a)each EU Government have made their labour markets more successful at adapting to structural economic change and (b)the EU economy has improved its ability to create jobs and respond to structural change. [63368]

The progress of reform of EU labour, product and capital markets to increase employment and raise sustainable growth is examined in the Government's White Paper "Releasing Europe's Potential—Economic Reform in Europe", published in February of this year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 22 April 2002, to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Pollock (Mr. Davidson), Official Report,column 92W, on pension liabilities, if he will list the liabilities of the UK Government to unfunded public service pension schemes broken down by pension scheme; and what assessment he has made of the proportion of the rise in liabilities in recent years due to (a)wage inflation, (b)longevity, (c)extension of the rights of part time workers and (d)other factors; and if he will make a statement. [63205]

For the main unfunded schemes' liabilities as at 31 March 2001 I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer of 12 June, Official Report,columns 1290–91W. There is an underlying increase in the cash values of about 13 per cent. since March 1998. Precise figures are not available for the proportion of the overall rise which is due to the factors specified, but well over half is the result of inflation and most of the rest is due to earnings growth.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements are being made for appointing a new National Savings Investment Chief Executive. [64441]

Following an open competition, Alan Cook has been selected as the new Agency Chief Executive. Mr Cook is currently Chief Operating Officer at Prudential. This appointment is subject to the usual pre-appointment checks.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases were referred by the London Stock Exchange or other agencies for possible action under section 177 of the Financial Services Act 1986 in each year from 1995–96; in how many cases inspectors were appointed; in how many cases inspectors reported; how many convictions were achieved; and how many acquittals were made, in each year prior to the implementation of the Financial services and Markets Act 2000. [62025]

I have been asked to reply.The information about references from the London Stock Exchange, the number of inspections carried out and convictions obtained is set out in the Companies Annual Report which is published each year and it is hoped to be available before the summer recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the annual cost was of ministerial salaries in her Department in (a)1997–98 and (b)2001–02. [60946]

The total cost of ministerial salaries in 1997–98 (excluding severance payments) was £134,236. This reflects the changes made to the ministerial team at the then Department for National Heritage following the 1997 General Election, which were:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when Ministers in her Department have held meetings with Ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1 June 2000; when and where each meeting took place; which ministers were involved in each meeting; which Irish Government departments were involved in each meeting; and which Ministers and officials from the Irish Government attended each meeting. [63068]

DCMS Ministers regularly meet their Irish counterparts at EU Ministerial meetings and EU Culture and Audiovisual Council Meetings.In addition, my right hon. Friend the Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) attended a lunch at the British Council in honour of the Irish President on 30 November 2000 and my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for the Arts met the Irish Prime Minister at the Parliamentary Buildings in Dublin on 3 December 2001 to discuss the 2002 Irish Special Olympics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the help available for community arts in the Stroud area. [62993]

[holding answer 19 June 2002]:Funding for the arts is a matter for the Arts Council of England and its regional offices. South West Arts, which incorporates Stroud, currently distributes over £9 million a year to help support the arts and increase opportunities for audiences across the region. It also works with local authorities in the development and delivery of arts and cultural activity at a community level and support for community arts is available through both revenue and lottery funds subject to certain criteria being met.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost was of producing Arup's report on a possible UK bid for the 2012 Olympic Games. [63349]

We do not yet know the final cost of Arup's work. As soon as this information is known I will write to the hon. Member, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department will publish Arup's report on a possible UK bid for the 2012 Olympic Games. [63350]

My Department, together with other key stakeholders, is considering the implications of the Arup cost-benefit analysis of bidding for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. We aim to publish the report in the Autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will republish the table in the Official Report,12 June 2000, column 464W, to include data for 2000–01 and 2001–02. [60410]

The following table details Claims Paid, Premium Earned and Claims Recovered in respect of ECGD's support for defence related business in each of the last eleven Financial Years. The cost of interest rate support has been estimated on the proportion of ECGD credit business constituted by defence related business.Information on amounts received through Paris Club rescheduling agreements has not been included as it is not held on a sectoral basis and this cannot be readily determined. It is likely that taking account of these amounts would improve the position in respect of defense business cashflow.The data for 2001–2002 are currently being audited. I will arrange for the Chief Executive of ECGD to write to my hon. Friend as soon as these figures become available.

Year	Premium Earned £ million	Claims Paid £ million	Estimate of Interest Rate Support £ million	Claims Recovered £ million
1990–91	16	79	81	3
1991–92	11	79	2	24
1992–93	44	94	26	21
1993–94	38	83	-7	9
1994–95	16	92	-1	17
1995–96	23	90	2	28
1996–97	8	50	1	2
1997–98	12	39	4	3
1998–99	18	31	3	6
1999–2000	27	152	1	9
2000–01	38	181	4	0

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on the provision of export credits for military equipment. [62706]

[holding answer 19 June 2002]:I refer the hon. Member to my answer given to him on 4 December 2001, Official Report,column 145W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to review the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. [60783]

Over the last year the Department has consulted with a wide range of interested parties about the effectiveness of the Regulations. I have looked carefully at the results of the consultation.The most important point to emerge is that more needs to be done to stop potentially dangerous items of furniture being placed on the UK market.Overall, the Regulations are well-established and fit for purpose and set the high safety requirements that are needed to protect consumers. They have saved hundreds of lives since they were introduced.I have therefore concluded that although a revision of the Regulations might bring about some small technical improvements, it is not the most effective way of maintaining the necessary high level of consumer protection. Instead, I want to focus on improving the enforcement of the Regulations. I will therefore be meeting with the enforcement authorities, industry representatives and others shortly to agree what action is needed and to identify what the department can do to help.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate she has made of the number of incidences of pieces of furniture being sold in the UK which are non-compliant under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988; [60784](2) what action she is taking to remove the potential harm presented by the supply of furniture that is in non-compliance with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended). [60782]

Records of instances of sales of non-compliant furniture under the Regulations are not held centrally.However, I am concerned at recent reports that non-compliant furniture is being sold in the UK. I will shortly be meeting with representatives of Trading Standards Departments, the furniture industry and other interested parties to discuss the identified problems with non-compliance and to consider what needs to be done in order to ensure that consumers are properly protected and that all those who market furniture in the UK are competing on a level playing field.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much in export credit guarantees has been made available in support of military exports; and how much aid has been given to African countries, since June 2001. [62161]

Since June 2001, ECGD has provided support with a value of £7.2 million in respect of one defence related case in Africa.Figures for aid are produced by the Department for International Development. The information for the financial year 2001–02 is currently being audited and will appear in the 2002 edition of Statistics on International Development which is due for publication this Autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total is of export credit guarantees granted for defence-related sales to (a)Pakistan and (b)India in each of the last five years. [62035]

No ECGD support for defence exports to Pakistan was provided in the last five years. One defence related guarantee was provided to India in 1998, with a value of £14 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what export licences have been granted since 2 May 1997 for the export of technical packages or upgrade packages for the production of sub-machine guns to (a)Pakistan, (b)Turkey, (c) Switzerland, (d)Iran and (e)Saudi Arabia. [62018]

The export of technical packages and upgrade packages for the production of sub-machine guns is controlled under entries ML1, ML16, ML18, ML21, ML22 and PL5017 in the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 as amended.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on how the Government intend to address offshore arms trading through the mechanisms of the Export Control Bill. [62556]

The Government have stated that they will use the new powers in the Export Control Bill to introduce extra-territorial controls on trade in controlled goods to embargoed destinations, trade in equipment the export of which has already been banned because of evidence of its use in torture, and trade in long-range missiles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she takes to monitor and collate information on the pay of 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland. [62154]

Information on the pay and hours of 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland is available form the annual New Earnings Survey. The latest data available, obtained from the Office for National Statistics for April 2001, show that gross average weekly pay for 16–17 year old full-time employees in Scotland was £156.20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on evidence she has collated of substitution of employees for 16 and 17–year-olds following introduction of the national minimum wage in Scotland. [62153]

There is no evidence to suggest that there has been substitution of 16–17-year-olds for adults following the introduction of the national minimum wage in Scotland.According to the Labour Force Survey, published by the Office for National Statistics, the employment of 16–17-year-olds actually fell during a time when overall employment rose. The employment of 16–17-year-olds as a percentage of all in employment fell from 2.9 per cent. in spring 1998 to 2.4 per cent. in spring 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid by the Government for the handling agreement for compensation claims from the coal mining industry. [62355]

As of 21 June 2002, the Department has paid out over £870 million to claimants under the respiratory disease and vibration white figure compensation schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce a last owner pays system for end of life vehicles; and if she will make a statement. [62045]

We have consistently made clear our intention to implement the End of Life Vehicles Directive with a light regulatory touch and without disrupting the existing legitimate vehicle dismantling, shredding and recycling market.We will require vehicle manufacturers and importers to meet the costs of take-back and treatment of vehicles sold after 1 July 2002, as soon as regulations to that effect can be introduced. From 1 January 2007, vehicle manufacturers and importers will similarly become responsible for such costs for vehicles sold before 1 July 2002, in accordance with the terms of the Directive. This will ensure that a broadly level playing field is maintained with other main car-producing EU countries, such as France and Germany.The Directive require treatment facilities to meet new environmental standards when depolluting and dismantling ELVs. We intend to introduce these standards during 2003. The cost of depolluting and dismantling an ELV will offset, and may exceed, its scrap value, but this will depend upon a number of factors, including the age, marque, model and condition of the ELV, the prevailing value of scrap ferrous and non-ferrous metals and other materials at the time, and the efficiency of the treatment facility. Until 2007, and the introduction of producer responsibility for vehicles sold before 1 July 2002, "last owners" will continue to be responsible for the disposal of their vehicles, and will be free to negotiate their end-values with treatment facilities. Some ELVs will retain a positive value, and we would expect that new depollution and dismantling costs to be reflected in the market value of second-hand vehicles.Additional costs incurred by local authorities as a consequence of the transposition and implementation of the Directive would, under the "New Burdens" arrangements, fall to be met by the Department of Trade and Industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions in the last 12 months the requirement to engage in a competitive tendering process has been waived by her Department due to national security obligations under paragraph 6(h) of the supply regulations. [62822]

There have not been any such occasions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 31 October 2001, on Post Office cash accounts, if she will make a statement on targets for accounts being operational. [62937]

Our operational assumption is that around 3 million benefit and tax credit recipients will open a card account at the Post Office, but there will be no cap on numbers on eligibility criteria for these accounts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the forecast profit or loss for 2003 by the Post Office is, including extraordinary items. [63343]

[holding answer 20 June 20021:Consignia indicated on 13 June that they expected trading losses to continue into 2002–03 at a similar level to 2001–02, with further exceptional items of around £500 million in the first half of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many rural network advisers there were for the Post Office on 31 March; and how many there are now. [62695]

I am informed by Post Office Limited that on 31 March 2002 there were 31 Rural Transfer Advisers, and that is the number now.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people form organisations outside her Department have been seconded to start work in her Department since 1 January. [63094]

Centrally held records show that 44 inward secondments have started between 1 January 2002 and 17 July 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the outcome of the Energy/Industry Council of 6 and 7June. [64324]

My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Employment, Industry and the Regions represented the UK at the EU Industry Council held in Luxembourg on 6 June. I represented the UK at the EU Energy Council held on 7 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel by regiment have had medical treatment in (a)2000, (b)2001 and (c)2002 to date under contracts with private sector providers; and if he will make a statement. [54132]

[holding answer 7 May 2002]: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. I am able, however, to provide figures on treatment provided under the Army Training and Recruiting Agency secondary healthcare initiative, the Waiting List Initiative, the Rapid Treatment Initiative and psychiatric care at Cygnet, Nuffield and Priory groups.

Year	Army	RN	RAF
2000	191	35	69
2001	1,447	136	377
2002 (to May)	1,046	52	201
Total	2,684	223	647

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 22 April 2002, Official Report,column 9W and 15 May 2002, Official Report,column 640W on service accommodation, and with reference to paragraph 5.14 of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body Thirty-First Report 2002; what information his Department holds centrally with regard to repeat repairs undertaken in (a)single living accommodation and (b)service family accommodation; what information held by his Department with regard to (i) the cost to his Department and (ii) the number of repeat repairs can be supplied at proportionate cost; and if he will make a statement. [58658]

The term "repeat repairs" is not a recognised description. It could be used for example to cover repairs carried out over a long period pending the major refurbishment of a property, or an interim repair followed shortly by major maintenance work. Both would in a sense repeat work already carried out. In neither case is the information held centrally, nor is it held in a consistent form. A large number of branches would have to be consulted to prepare a reply. This research and the identification of the information would involve disproportionate cost. Nevertheless, if the hon. Member would care to write to me and outline his specific concerns, I shall be happy to look further into the matter and write to him.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the refurbishment projects that (a)are in progress and (b)will start within the next six months; and what action is being taken to ensure that these will procure certified timber. [59766]

The Ministry of Defence's Safety and Environment Policy launched in 2000 requires MOD to comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Environment Act 1995, and other relevant statutory provisions and any additional requirements arising from international treaties and protocols to which the UK is a signatory. In particular, this policy includes a commitment to comply with the Government's strategy for sustainable development.Guidance has been issued to all MOD acquisition officials which details the implementation of this policy and states that all timber or timber products should be procured form sustainable sources. In addition, tropical hardwood should be independently verified as sourced from forests and plantations which are managed to sustain their biodiversity, productivity and vitality, and to prevent harm to other ecosystems and any indigenous or forest dependent people. Where practicable, the use of reclaimed timber or timber products should be considered. All procurements must comply with international agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) where applicable.Given the size of my Department's property holdings a large number of small scale refurbishment projects are underway at any given time, many as part of larger Works Services Management contracts. It is not possible to identify all of these individually without disproportionate effort. To ensure that certified timber is used in property construction, we have a standard contract clause which states that:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many computers were replaced in his Department in each of the past three years; how the replaced units were disposed of and by which companies; and at what cost. [60740]

Details of the number of computers replaced annually in the Ministry of Defence are not held centrally. Since 1999 the Department has had a policy of redeploying surplus equipment wherever possible within the organisation. Once equipment is deemed to have no further use it is declared to the MOD Disposal Services Agency (DSA) for disposal. The number of computers disposed of by the DSA over the past three years is as follows:

Year	Number of Computers Disposed
1999	32,000
2000	13,900
2001	6,600

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information is held by his Department on each hon. Member in relation to (a)personal relationships, both current and past, (b)financial status and dealings, (c) connections with companies and interest groups, (d) connections with Governments and (e)published works; and what was held in January 2002. [61832]

Ministers and officials in this Department have access to published reference sources, as well as to the information about hon. Members made publicly available by the House authorities, for the purpose of parliamentary business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when ASRAAM will be operational on Tornado F3; and what progress has been made on the integration of the weapon onto that aircraft. [62235]

Integration of the Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) on Tornado F3 has been completed. We expect associated safety, training and other evaluation activities to complete in time to enable operational deployment of ASRAAM later this year. However, as my response to the hon. Member on 26 February, Official Report,column 1139W made clear, the missile has been available for operational use, if needed, for some time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment has been made of the possible use of Armed Services Reserves for supporting civilian authorities in major civil emergencies; and if he will make a statement. [63064]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June, Official Report,columns 1259–60W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Loughborough (Mr. Reed).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people form organisations outside his Department have been seconded to start work in his Department since 1 January 1999. [63072]

47 individuals have been seconded to the Ministry of Defence since 1 January 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 1 May 2002, Official Report,column 789W, on Porton Down, if he will place in the Library a copy of the protocol drawn by the chemical defence establishment for the experiment which was recorded in 1985 in the report, "Evaluation of pyrodostigmine bromide as a pre-treatment for nerve agent poisoning in man"; when the ethics committee overseeing the human experiments at the chemical defence establishment scrutinised this experiment; and if he will place in the Library copies of the papers of the committee which relate to the discussion of this experiment. [63044]

The 1985 report summarises the results of several distinct trials, each of which was covered by a separate experimental protocol. I will make arrangements to have these placed in the Library of the House. The protocols describe a variety of pharmokinetic and pharmodynamic studies necessary to provide the information required for the product licence application, as submitted to the DHSS.Scrutiny of these research protocols is detailed in the minutes of the meetings of the Committee on Safety of Human Experiments and the Defence Scientific Advisory Council Medical Committee between June 1979 and February 1982. I am withholding copies of the minutes under Exemption 2b of the Code of Practice to Access to Government Information, relating to internal advice and discussion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of the documents held by his Department relating to a meeting on 16 January of representatives from his Department and the Medical Research Council Physiological Medicine and Infections Board regarding the epidemiological study into the health of service personnel who took part in experiments at the chemical defence establishment, Porton Down. [63071]

The meeting held on 16 January 2002 was not a meeting between members of the Ministry of Defence staff and the Physiological Medicine and Infections Board (PMIB). The PMIB is a Medical Research Council (MRC) body which met on 16 January 2002 to assess the scientific merits of proposals from four research teams for an epidemiological study of the Porton Down Volunteers, as well as to discuss many other scientific issues unrelated to Porton Down. One member of MOD staff attended the Porton Down discussion in an observational capacity only.Requests for information relating to the MRC's consideration of the proposals should be addressed to the MRC. MOD has produced no documents relating to this meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when between 1 January 1994 and 1 January 1997 the Independent Ethics Committee overseeing human experiments at the chemical defence establishment discussed the question of the possible long-term effects of (a)nerve gas, (b)mustard gas and (c)pepper gas on humans. [63070]

The Independent Ethics Committee overseeing the conduct of the Service Volunteer Programme at Dstl Porton Down did not discuss the possible long term effects of exposure to nerve gas, mustard gas or pepper gas during its meetings between 1 January 1994 and 1 January 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the documents pertaining to future development of the atomic weapons establishments from the time the current management took over to date. [63450]

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if employees (a)of the atomic weapons establishments and (b)from his Department (i) have had involvement in, (ii) are involved in and (iii) are intended to be involved in the advanced warhead concept teams being established by the US nuclear weapons laboratories. [63454]

Exchanges of information between the United Kingdom and US on nuclear weapon matters take place only under the auspices of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement. In particular, employees of the Ministry of Defence and AWE Management Ltd. Participate in the Joint UK/US Working Groups that meet regularly to discuss and exchange technical information. Details of their discussions are withheld under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list construction and engineering projects at the atomic weapons establishments scheduled to begin over the next 12 months, with their estimated cost. [63455]

With the exception of routine minor works in support of operations (at a cost of around £10 million a year), no construction and engineering projects are currently expected to progress beyond project requirement definition in the next 12 months. My hon. Friend may wish to note in this context that the widely publicised high performance computer, which AWE have purchase to support the science-based programme, is being commissioned in an existing building.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list construction and engineering projects under way at AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield, and their estimated cost. [63449]

With the exception of routine minor works in support of operations (at a cost of around £10 million a year), no construction and engineering projects are currently underway at these sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with representatives of Prior Healthcare regarding the provision of psychiatric services for armed forces personnel; what agreements have been reached; what they will cost; and if he will make a statement. [63188]

[holding answer 20 June 2002]: The Ministry of Defence has no formal agreements with the Priory Group but uses their services on an ad hoc basis for the treatment of a small number of armed forces personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how a favourable judgment under the F680 Procedure is communicated to the applicant for that export licence; and how many export licences have been refused in each of the last five years following a favourable judgment upon them under the F680 procedure. [63689]

The Government provides companies with marketing advice under the F680 procedure through issue of a standard letter. It is routinely made clear in such letters that the advice given does not constitute an export licence, nor does it prejudge a decision on the eventual consideration of an export licence application.It is not possible to correlate F680 advice with export licensing decisions, as the processes are quite separate. For example, F680s may he seeking advice in general terms about marketing prospects which may relate partially to the export that is eventually licensed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications have been made for advice under the F680 procedure in each of the last five years. [63688]

The total number of F680 applications received by the Ministry of Defence requesting marketing advice and release of classified information is shown in the table below:

Year (1 January-31 December)	Number of Applications
1997	2,219
1998	2,325
1999	2,092
2000	1,892
2001	1,732

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish quality standards for the composting of household waste. [51415]

[holding answer 19 April 2002]: There is currently a fully developed industry standard, produced by the Composting Association (CA), that is available to compost producers. The high quality of this standard is more likely to be met by source-separated organic waste (commercial or household), rather than by mixed household waste.The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) are working with the CA and the British Standards Institute (BSI) to convert the existing industry standard into the fast track version (Publicly Available Specification) of a full national British Standard. They anticipate this will be available in the Autumn of this year. The CA, WRAP and BSI are considering options regarding certification schemes that could be linked with the PAS to encourage users of compost to demand a product that meets this standard; this in turn will encourage producers to make the investment necessary to achieve the standard in their production process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average wage was in rural communities in the last 10 years, broken down by constituency. [60864]

Information on the average gross weekly earnings of employees in rural wards in 57 constituencies in England is contained in the table below. The sample sizes in the New Earnings Survey do not permit information to be generated for the other 243 constituencies that contain at least one rural ward.

	Average gross weekly earnings of employees in rural wards within the constituency
Constituency	1996	2001
Bassetlaw	—	331.2
Beverley and Holderness	282.7	331.5
Boston and Skegness	244.0	—
Bosworth	—	314.3
Brigg and Goole	—	327.1
Bury St Edmunds	239.1	316.8
Canterbury	266.4	—
Chichester	223.9	307.4
Congleton	262.2	—
Copeland	384.5	480.8
Cotswold	272.9	—
Crewe and Nantwich	—	314.5
Daventry	—	353.3
Devizes	237.0	—
Falmouth and Camborne	239.1	262.2
Fareham	252.3	370.8
Fylde	315.6	418.1
Isle of Wight	—	282.7
Lincoln	—	305.3
Louth and Horncastle	245.6	—
Mid Norfolk	—	280.5
Mid Worcestershire	259.8	—
North Dorset	—	301.1
North East Bedfordshire	289.3	—
North East Cambridgeshire	273.1	301.0
North Norfolk	226.9	289.7
North Shropshire	248.9	—
North West Hampshire	274.6	358.9
North West Norfolk	265.9	326.5
Northavon	292.0	333.6
Norwich North	—	370.9
Ribble Valley	268.2	—
Romsey	246.9	—
Ryedale	—	304.9
Selby	—	338.1
South East Cambridgeshire	293.5	—
South Holland and the Deepings	—	308.3
South West Norfolk	—	272.3
Stratford-on-Avon	—	366.2
Stroud	253.1	—
Suffolk Coastal	291.0	358.4
Taunton	257.6	269.5
Teignbridge	—	283.6
Tewkesbury	329.9	382.7
Tiverton and Honiton	223.2	280.3
Torridge and West Devon	200.3	—
Totnes	199.8	—
Truro and St Austell	245.4	290.6
Wantage	—	432.2
Wealden	249.3	—

	Average gross weekly earnings of employees in rural wards within the constituency
Constituency	1996	2001
West Derbyshire	249.2	309.0
West Dorset	—	288.3
West Lancashire	282.7	—
West Suffolk	—	283.1
Westmorland and Lonsdale	—	292.2
Woodspring	305.6	—
Yeovil	298.6	353.0
Notes:
— Suppressed due to sample size and resultant imprecision.
1. Information is only readily available for 1996 and 2001.
2. Includes employees whose pay for the survey pay period was unaffected by absence.
3. Includes both full-time and part-time employees, but excludes those in self-employment.
4. Based on 1998 ward and constituency boundaries.
Sources:
Figures for average gross pay come from the New Earnings Survey, Office for National Statistics.
Classification of rural wards made by the Countryside Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to commission an economic assessment of the costs and benefits of GM crops. [62321]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 31 May that the Government are commissioning an economic assessment of the costs and benefits of GM crops. This will consider conventional and organic farming interests that might be affected by the commercialisation of GM crops, other commercial interests and the international dimension. The assessment will contribute to a full and informed public debate on GM issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the United Kingdom greenhouse gas emissions, expressed in terms of million tonnes of carbon, were in (a)1990 and (b)2001; and if she will make a statement on whether the United Kingdom is on course to meet its emissions reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. [63185]

[holding answer 20 June 2002]:The UK is still on course to achieve its Kyoto Protocol target of a 12.5 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2008–12.In 1990, the UK's emissions of the six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol were 204.9 million tonnes of carbon (MtC). The emissions data for 2001 are still being collected and analysed. My Department plans to publish it in April next year. In 2000, the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions were 177.9 MtC, which is about 13.2 per cent below 1990 levels.A provisional estimate for CO, emissions alone in 2001, based on energy use, was published by the DTI in March in its Energy Trends Publication. That estimate of 154 MtC, which would be a slight increase on the previous year, caused by higher emissions from power

stations due to increased coal burn and colder outside temperatures, is about 5 per cent below the level of the UK's CO

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to publish guidance to local authorities on the best means of collecting and recycling (a)plastic bottles and (b)cardboard boxes; and if she will make a statement. [62272]

We have no plans to publish guidance to local authorities on the best means for collecting and recycling plastic bottles or cardboard boxes. It is for individual local authorities to decide how best to deliver recycling in their area, taking account of local circumstances and the contractual arrangements for the recyclate.However, WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) is in the initial stages of producing Best Practice Guidance, on collection methods, for local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has commissioned in order to ascertain the effectiveness of the Warm Front Scheme in (a)delivering health benefits to recipients, (b)reaching people who are defined to be living in fuel poverty, (c)reducing levels of fuel poverty and (d)reducing excess winter deaths. [63118]

[holding answer 20 June 2002]:We will carry out a review of Warm Front during this financial year to look how its delivery has been, the issues faced, solutions found, examples of best practice and future priorities. This will include consideration of the impact of Warm Front on reducing the number of vulnerable fuel poor households and benefits to those assisted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to consult on her proposed revisions to the Fuel Poverty Strategy; and if she will make a statement. [60713]

We plan to consult shortly on a clarificatory statement to the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the EU Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the Directive on bathing water is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; when it is next due to meet; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a)have been and (b)are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [62919]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow), on 21 May 2002, Official Report,column 184W. No date has been set for the next meeting. UK representation can vary according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of sufficient interest. A member of the Scottish Executive has attended both the meetings held over the past 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the EU Committee on the Directive on packaging and packaging waste is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; when it is next due to meet; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a)have been and (b)are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [62917]

The mandate of the Committee on the Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC) is advisory in the terms laid down in Article 21 of the Directive as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to make publicly available the publications issued by the Government and on behalf of the Government which were distributed at the United Kingdom Noise Forum's inaugural conference on 20 May. [62570]

These were placed on the DEFRA website http://defraweb/environment/noise/research.htm on 20 May 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason the press was excluded from the United Kingdom Noise Forum's inaugural conference. [62572]

Attendance at the Conference was by invitation only. The Conference held three separate workshops in the afternoon, which sought to generate ideas and solutions, which could assist Government in considering different ways in which to tackle the different problems noise cause. It was felt that it would be inappropriate for the press to be present during these sessions as this might have prevented fully frank and open discussions. However, the press attended the Conference at 4.00pm both to listen to my statement to the Conference and the summaries that arose from the workshops.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to ensure a swift conclusion to the debate in Europe on the review of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC); and if she will introduce interim targets for recovery and recycling over the next three years in advance of new EU targets. [62362]

The Government are fully involved in the negotiations in Europe on the review of the EC Directive on packaging and packaging waste. It has always been the UK Government's policy in these negotiations to urge a swift conclusion to the debate on the targets for the next 5-year period.It is my intention to consult this year on interim business recovery and recycling targets for 2003 and 2004.