To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1) what was her Department's (a) planned and (b) actual expenditure on services from the Central Science Laboratory in 2001–02: [74700](2) if she will list the net income derived by the Central Science Laboratory in

The Central Science Laboratory provides a wide variety of primarily scientific services connected with agriculture, food and the countryside to my Department and other customers. Those services are provided on the basis of contracts for specific projects and expenditure by the Department on the Central Science Laboratory will be dependent on the totality of those contracts from individual departmental customers.2001–02 was not a typical year since the Foot and Mouth outbreak required the Department to make exceptional calls on Central Science Laboratory staff and facilities.The net planned income from Defra for 2001–02 was £25,621m, the actual income was £30,560m. The difference is largely accounted for by income on FMD activity of £3.8m.The net income derived by Central Science Laboratory in

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to spend the money raised by fining polluters on environmental improvements. [75144]

Pollution is tightly regulated under a range of legislation. For example, industrial activities with a significant polluting potential must prevent or minimise emissions by applying the "Best Available Techniques", in accordance with the new Pollution Prevention and Control regime (The Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000). Where polluters are prosecuted in the Courts, any fines that might be imposed are paid to the Exchequer. These payments are not ring-fenced for environmental improvement purposes but imposed by the Courts as a penalty. The Courts can also order payment of regulators' costs.As regards the Pollution Prevention and Control regime, in line with the "polluter pays" principle, polluting companies are required to meet the cost of any necessary improvements and fees in relation to the cost of regulation. There is also a provision under the Pollution Prevention and Control legislation enabling regulators, in certain circumstances, to require operators to prevent or remedy the effects of pollution at their own expense and to recover the costs where the regulator itself arranges for the work to be done.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria are used by her Department to determine entitlement to new investment to protect residential areas at risk from flooding. [75896]

This Department provides funding to local operating authorities for new and improved flood and coastal defences that are technically sound, economically worthwhile and environmentally acceptable, and also achieve an appropriate priority score. The priority score system has been revised and, for schemes starting after April 2003, will be based on three elements—economic, people issues and environmental protection and enhancement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much of the (a) Parish Plan scheme, (b) Community Services Grant and (c) Parish Transport Grant was (i) bid for and (ii) spent in (A) 2001–02 and (B) 2002–03 to date broken down by organisation. [75182]

Funds Spent
Scheme	Organisation	Bid 01/03 (to Oct 1)	Spent 01/02	Spent 02/03 (to Oct 1)
Parish Plans	Parish & Town Councils	£0.92m	£0.39m	£0.53m
Community Service Grant	Commercial/Retail	£2.09m	£1.02m	£0.87m
	Charities	£1.22m	£0.56m	£0.56m
	Other1	£1.18m	£0.11m	£0.97m
Parish Transport Grant	Parish and Town Councils	£0.97m	£0.35m	£0.6m

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent on supporting rural sub-post offices broken down by county since September 2001. [75187]

The Department for Trade and Industry established a £2 million fund in November 2001 of which £822,337 has been approved up to 30 September 2002. Of this £528,991 has been paid out. The breakdown of funds by English county and devolved administration is:

County	Money Approved	Money Paid Out
Avon	£370	£370
Bedfordshire	£44,411	£24,411
Buckinghamshire	£1,206	£0
Cambridgeshire	£34,974	£19,267
Cheshire	£12,355	£0
Cleveland	£1,500	£828
Cornwall	£22,141	£7,550
County Durham	£2115	£1,998
Cumbria	£23,231	£21,480
Derbyshire	£72,944	£24,977
Devon	£42,467	£30,574
Dorset	£24,576	£4,200
East Sussex	£3,663	£3,663
Essex	£29,265	£20,030
Gloucestershire	£7,000	£5,471
Hampshire	£35,313	£28,329
Herefordshire	£6,161	£208
Humberside	£19,429	£19,429
Kent	£31,391	£24,621
Leicestershire	£43,678	£23,444
Lincolnshire	£45,075	£39,167
Norfolk	£9,277	£5,025
North Yorkshire	£394	£394
Nottinghamshire	£9,803	£9,803
Shropshire	£15,950	£15,950
Somerset	£10,475	£10,475
Staffordshire	£27,689	£13,590
Tyne and Wear	£9,864	£0
West Midlands	£1613	£1,613
Wiltshire	£9,441	£9,221
Worcestershire	£9,187	£8,107
Yorkshire	£38,952	£33,035
Northern Ireland	£43,822	£33,575
Scotland	£55,528	£30,100
Wales	£77,077	£47,726

Since April 2001 the Vital Villages programme has supported 35 schemes, which included support for rural

I refer the hon. Member to the figures below. Annual figures for the amount of money bid for are not currently available. Cumulative figures for the whole programme period, split by organisation, have been given.post offices. Figures broken down by county are not available but £373,211 has been spent on these schemes in total.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 6 February 2002, Official Report, column 987W, on the Rural White Paper, what information on expenditure and assistance has since been carried out by her Department on market towns; and if she will publish it. [75837]

Expenditure on market towns in 2001–02 is estimated at some £2.5m by the Regional Development Agencies and some £2.5m by the Countryside Agency. Information for the current financial year is not yet available but as most towns have now completed their action plans this should result in a substantial increase in project expenditure by RDAs and other partners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to introduce a right-to-buy scheme for tenant farmers. [75021]

The Government has re-established the Tenancy Reform Industry Group to help it take forward the recommendations on agricultural tenancy issues made by the Policy Commission on Food and Farming and in the report produced by Plymouth University on the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995. The group is expected to hold its first meeting shortly. I can confirm that the Government has no plans at present to introduce a right-to-buy scheme for tenant farmers in England and Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people are employed by her Department. [76137]

Details of the number of people employed by Defra are available in table 5.6 of the 2002 Departmental Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who the independent members appointed by her Department to the Agricultural Wages Board are; and how many of the meetings of the AWB each has attended in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002. [75916]

There are five independent members of the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) for England and Wales. All are nominated jointly by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the National Assembly for Wales. The current independent members are:

• Professor John Andrews (Chairman)
• Mrs. Jacquie Findlay
• Mrs. Myra Hodgson
• Dr. Hugh Billot
• Professor Ian Smith

The AWB Secretary has confirmed that the meetings attended by the independent members are as follows:

	2001	2002
Number of Board meetings held*	3	4
Number of meetings attended:
John Andrews	3	4
Jacquie Findlay	1	1
Myra Hodgson	2	3
Hugh Billot	3	4
Ian Smith	2	1

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 19 August regarding a constituent, reference 174365. [74913]

My hon. Friend's letter was transferred to Defra from another Department on 24 September. My Noble Friend Lord Whitty responded to the letter on 17 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list external (a) public relations/communications companies, (b) advertising and marketing companies,(c) management consultancies (d) accountancy companies, (e) banking firms, (f) individual consultants and (g) other specialist consultancies used by his Department since June 2001; what actions those consultancies/companies have performed within his Department; and what costs have been incurred through use of these consultancies/companies. [74679]

Since June 2001 the Wales Office has employed no consultants under (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e).Since June 2001 the Wales Office has employed a firm of consultants called Inbucon who undertook a staffing review, one legal consultant called Helen Bennett Associates, who gave specific legal guidance to the Wales Office and Open Connections a records management consultancy firm, who advised on improving the document and records management systems.The cost of using these consultants is commercially confidential.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, (1) what plans the Commission has to cap the subsidy for catering over the period of the Three Year Strategic Plan; [73759](2) what steps the Commission is planning to reduce the annual subsidy for catering set out on page 16 of the 24th Annual report of the Commission. [73760]

The Commission is satisfied that the Refreshment Department achieves value for money in the delivery of its services, given the nature of the services required by the House's sitting patterns.Both the Commission and the Finance and Services Committee see these issues as important elements in the House's three-year financial plans. The Commission has asked the Finance and Services Committee to examine the recommendations of the Catering Committee's recent Report on Refreshment Facilities in the House of Commons,

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement on the total cost of the works to install new security infrastructure in New Palace Yard, carried out during the summer adjournment. [74953]

As I am sure the hon. Gentleman will understand, it is longstanding practice not to comment on the details of security expenditure or arrangements on the Parliamentary Estate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rail operating companies have achieved their targets for passenger services in the last 12 months; how many have been fined for noncompliance; how many franchises have now been continued; and how many operating companies are complying with the terms of their original franchises in relation to payments to the S.R.A. [74787]

All franchise agreements contain thresholds for cancellations which, if breached, can result in enforcement action. Arriva Trains Northern is the only company to have paid a penalty in the last 12 months as part of enforcement action.Most train operators are also subject to a contractual performance regime. Details of monies paid under this regime are contained in the Strategic Rail Authority's

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the forecast regularity of flights is in (a) 2015 and (b) 2030 in connection with the proposals relating to Alconbury airfield contained in the Department's Consultation, The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East). [74830]

The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East) main consultation document is seeking views on a range of options, one of which is a small-scale airport development at Alconbury. Chapters 12 and 15 of the Stage Two appraisal findings report presents the findings relevant to Alconbury for both passenger and freight movements.This indicates that, in a scenario where no additional runway capacity is provided at major airports in the region, Alconbury is forecast to handle nearly 70,000 passenger air transport movements (PATMs) and 11,000 freight ATMs in 2015. This rises to just over 70,000 PATMs and 30,000 freight ATMs in 2030.If additional runway capacity is provided at major airports in the south east, both passenger and freight forecasts indicate that only around one-fifth of this traffic will be attracted to Alconbury.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the consultation findings are to be made public so far as they relate to Alconbury airfield; what further procedures and consultation will take place; and when. [74829]

The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East) main consultation document sets out the process relating to the disclosure of responses (Annex G, page 172). Responses to this consultation will inform Minister's decisions on the policies to be included in the air transport White \Paper, which we plan to publish next year.If the White Paper favours the Alconbury option, it would then be for a promoter to work up the detailed development plans, discuss these with affected parties and apply for planning permission through the normal land use planning system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what areas and how many people will be exposed to different amounts of aircraft noise (a) at night in (i) 2015 and (ii) 2030 and (b) in 2030 based on an average six hour day in connection with the proposals relating to Alconbury airfield contained in the Department's Consultation, The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East). [74822]

The South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS) analysis included illustrative examples of night-time noise footprints for all airport options. The approach adopted is set out in paragraph 6.9.4 of the SERAS stage two appraisal findings report and the results of this work, relevant to the Alconbury option, are presented in paragraphs 12.8.3 and 12.8.4.These indicate that, using the 90dBA SEL (sound exposure level) footprint for the noisiest aircraft envisaged operating at night, between 300 and 10,600 people might be contained within the footprint—subject to airport operation.The numbers of people affected with this option by different amounts of aircraft noise (daytime) was not assessed at 2030.Copies of the above report are available in the House libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to what extent local residents will be entitled to compensation; what the qualifications or compensation will be; how the level of compensation will be assessed; and who will pay such compensation in connection with the proposals relating to Alconbury airfield contained in the Department's Consultation, The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East). [74836]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. McDonnell) on 15 October 2002, Official Report, columns 721W-22W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what types of aeroplanes will be capable of using the proposed airport at Alconbury. [74826]

With a runway length of over 2,700 metres aircraft up to Boeing 747 size could use Alconbury (but not at maximum loads).The option of a small-scale development at Alconbury, presented in

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the passenger terminal at Alconbury airfield will be built to accommodate the maximum capacity of five million passengers from the outset of operation. [74825]

The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East) main consultation document is seeking views on a range of options, one of which is a small-scale airport development at Alconbury. Responses to this consultation will inform Minister's decisions on the policies to be published in the air transport White Paper.If the White Paper favours the Alconbury option, the level of development and how it would be phased would depend on the commercial judgement of the proposer/ developer of the airport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact the ADL Planning Inspectorate report will have on the proposals relating to Alconbury airfield contained in the Department's Consultation, The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East). [74833]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 15 October 2002, Official Report, column 721W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to review the CHUMMS proposals with regard to airport traffic (a) in connection with Huntingdon to Cambridge public transport and (b) in connection with proposed changes to the A14; and what estimate he has made of the increase in use of the A1 in connection with the proposals relating to Alconbury airfield contained in the Department's Consultation, The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East). [74832]

There are no plans at present to review the findings of the Cambridge to Huntingdon Multi-Modal study (CHUMMS) in the light of the public consultations that are currently taking place with respect to the South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS). The consultation is seeking views on a range of airport development options in the South East and East of England, one of which is a small-scale airport development at Alconbury. It would be inappropriate at this stage to review the findings of CHUMMS with respect to all these options. If Alconbury is supported in the Air Transport White Paper, the implications will then have to be considered by the Regional Planning Body.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many jobs are forecast (a) by 2011 and (b) by 2012 in connection with the proposals relating to Alconbury airfield contained in the Department's Consultation, The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East). [74823]

The South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS) identified, in broad terms and for all options, the employment that might be generated. A summary of the employment methodology used is outlined in the SERAS stage two appraisal findings report (section 6.11).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the probability of water flooding in connection with the proposals relating to Alconbury airfield contained in the Department's Consultation, The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East; and what contingency plans he will put in place to deal with this. [74831]

A summary of the appraisal methodology regarding the water environment is outlined in the SERAS stage two appraisal findings report (section 6.8). The results of this appraisal, relevant to the Alconbury option, are summarised in paragraphs 12.7.1 and 12.7.2 of the same document. Copies of this report are available in the House libraries. The report notes that the airfield footprint does not coincide with the 1 in 100 year flood plain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Government's policy is on permitting an airport to proceed on the basis of (a) only passenger flights but no freight flights and (b) only freight flights and no passenger flights in connection with the proposals relating to Alconbury airfield contained in the Department's Consultation, The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East. [74824]

The consultation on the Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East) includes the option for a small-scale development of Alconbury as a possible new airport to provide a mixture of dedicated air freight, express parcel handling, third party maintenance, and low cost passenger operations. We are not consulting on any other options for Alconbury airfield, but we will, of course, consider all responses we receive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to what extent the completion of the proposals relating to Alconbury airfield contained in the Department's Consultation, The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East, is reliant on the expansion of existing airports. [74828]

The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East) main consultation document is seeking views on a range of options, one of which is a small-scale airport development at Alconbury.As the document makes clear (chapter 12), the precise future role of the other south-east airports depends on two main factors; firstly the amount and timing of any future capacity provided at the main airports and elsewhere and secondly, the commercial choices made by passengers and airlines. Paragraph 12.23 indicates the forecast use of the Alconbury option under scenarios where runways are provided at major airports in the region and where they are not.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what indication of interest the Government have received from (a) (i) air passenger companies and (ii) freight carriers to use and (b) airport operating companies to operate Alconbury airport. [74835]

The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East) is seeking views from all interested parties, including passenger and freight airlines and airport operators, on a range of options, one of which is a small-scale development at Alconbury.If this option is supported in the air transport White Paper, it would then be for a promoter to submit detailed proposals through the land use planning system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what use he and his Department has made of focus group research since June 2001; if he will identify for each research project the topics covered, the person or organisation carrying out the research, and the total cost; and if he will publish the research on his Department's website. [74992]

Focus group work forms an element in a number of projects that fall within the Department's research programme. This is not always costed separately. The general conclusions of the focus group work are incorporated, where relevant, in the reports of the research projects carried out.However, the Department's Communication Directorate regularly carries out specific focus group research in order to gauge the effectiveness of particular advertising approaches and to assess audience reaction to different creative concepts for developing its advertising programme. This research relates wholly to road safety advertising. Details of the research findings are not published as they relate to work in development, are of an ephemeral nature, contain views given in confidence which are highly subjective, and will often contain approaches that advertising companies would not wish to share with competitors.The sums paid to each company in respect of any particular piece of work are regarded as commercial in confidence. However, since June 2001, the total amount spent on focus group research in respect of road safety campaigns is £112k. The companies which have carried out this research for the Department are Abbot Mead Vickers BBDO, Andrew Irving Associates, Came Martin, Cragg Ross Dawson, Ruth Foulds Qualitative Research, and Campbell Keegan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale, West of 15 October 2002, Official Report, columns 162–23, if additional slots will be provided for domestic flights between London and Manchester during periods when the West Coast Main line is closed. [75204]

Alternative rail links between Manchester and London will be in operation during the closure of the West Coast Main Line. London-Manchester is one of the busiest air routes in the UK. If demand for flights on this route rises, airlines could increase the size of the planes they operate on that route, or increase the frequency of services. This will be a commercial decision for them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the (a) bypass, (b) road widening and (c) other new road schemes which have been completed since 1997. [75011]

The following trunk and local road schemes costing over £5m* have been opened since 1997:

• Bypasses—Trunk
• M65 Blackburn Southern Bypass Contracts 1 & 2
• M66 Denton—Middleton Contracts 1 to 3
• Al2 Hackney Wick—M11 Link Contracts 1 to 4
• A13 Wennington—Mar Dyke
• A13 West of Heathway—Thames Avenue Improvement
• A13 Thames Avenue—Wennington
• A16 Market Deeping Bypass
• A27 Polegate Bypass
• A30 Honiton-Exeter Bypass
• A34 Newbury Bypass
• A35 Puddletown Bypass
• A43 Silverstone Bypass
• A419 Latton Bypass
• A419 Stratton Bypass
• A564 Derby Southern Bypass & Derby Spur Contract A
• A564 Doveridge Bypass
• Bypasses—Local
• A 131 Great Leighs Bypass (Essex)
• A143 Broome/Ellingham Bypass (Norfolk)
• A174 Skelton and Brotton Bypass (Redcar & Cleveland)
• A511 Ashby Bypass Stage 2 (Leicestershire)
• A617 Rainworth Bypass (Nottinghamshire)
• Wainscott Northern Bypass (Kent)
• Chippenham Western Bypass (Wiltshire)
• Burntwood Bypass (Staffordshire)
• Biddulph Inner Bypass (Staffordshire)
• A421 Tingewick Bypass (Buckinghamshire)
• Widenings—Trunk
• MI-Al Link Road
• M5 J18–19 Widening
• M25 J8–10 Widening
• M40 Denham-Warwick
• Al(M) Alconbury-Peterborough
• Al(M) Walshford-Dishforth
• A19/A168 Dishforth-Tyne Tunnel
• A43 Whitfield Turn-Brackley Hatch Improvement
• A43 M40-B4031 Dualling
• A406 Silver Street—Fore Street Improvement
• A406 East of Falloden Way—Finchley High Road,
• A417 Nettleton Improvement
• Widenings—Local

• A22 Dualling Nightingale Farm
• A6002/A6007 Coventry Lane Improvement
• Other—Trunk
• M1/M621 Link Road
• Al Tempsford Junction Improvement
• A50 Blythe Bridge—Queensway Phase 1(B) & 2
• A50 Derby Southern Bypass (Contract B)
• Other—Local
• A6042 Manchester/ Salford Inner Relief Road Phase 1 (Manchester/Salford)
• Avon Ring Road II: B4465 Shortwood—A420 Warmley (South Gloucestershire)
• Dearne Towns Link Road (Barnsley)
• West Central Route (Newcastle upon Tyne)
• Dawdon to Seaham Town Centre Link Road (Durham)
• A46/47 Link Road (Leicester City)
• A 179 Improvement (Hartlepool)
• Werrington to Glinton Phase 2 (Peterborough)
• A16 Peakes Parkway Stage 3 (North East Lincolnshire)
• A289 Gillingham Northern Bypass (Medway)
• A22 New Route Dittons to Seaside Eastbourne (West Sussex)
• Park Lane Improvement Scheme (Sefton)
• South Ribble M65 Interface Improvements (Lancashire)
• * This excludes schemes funded by private developers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish an updated version of the 10 Year Plan; and when he intends to publish an updated version of Table A3 published in the plan. [75010]

We will be publishing a progress report on implementation of the 10 Year Plan for Transport in due course. This will include updated details on expenditure under the Plan along the lines set out in the table referred to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what precedents there are for his Department's paying compensation to people in the UK in connection with disturbance from flying activities in the last five years. [75395]

Compensation for depreciation in the value of properties may be payable under Part I of the Land Compensation Act 1973 for certain physical factors caused by the use of new or altered public works, including aerodromes. Compensation would be paid by the aerodrome manager. The physical factors are noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, artificial lighting and the discharge of any solid or liquid substance.Normally, the physical factors are those arising from the works themselves, but for aerodromes, this is extended to those from aircraft arriving or departing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations have been received from and discussions have taken place with the railway industry on the forthcoming Third Railway Package of the European Commission; and if he will place copies in the Library. [75594]

The European Commission indicated its intention to bring forward further measures over the next three years to improve the quality of passenger and freight rail services in the covering Communication (COM(2002)18) to its 2nd railway package.A number of industry parties and individuals commented on these future plans in response to the Government's consultation exercise on the 2nd railway package, which ran from May to 23 August 2002. Copies of the replies (excluding those from respondents who have requested confidentiality) will he placed in the library. My Department holds regular discussions with rail industry parties on the Commission's current and future proposals for the rail sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what submissions have been made by his Department to the (a) European Commission and (b) European Parliament with regard to the Directive on the Interoperability of Trans-European Rail Transport being discussed within the European Parliament; and if he will place copies in the Library; [75597](2) what submissions have been made by his Department to

No written submissions have been made to the European Commission. However, Ministers and officials from my Department participate on a regular basis in Council meetings convened by the Presidency to discuss these elements of the Commission's proposed Second Rail Package. The European Commission is represented at those meetings.My officials provided written briefing to UK Members of the European Parliament on these proposals in April, July and September 2002. I will arrange for these sets of briefing to be placed in the libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what submissions have been made by his Department to the European Commission with regard to progress on the implementation of the First Railway Package; and if he will place copies in the Library. [75605]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish findings of research into putting cycling into journey planners; and what steps are being taken to act upon these findings. [75598]

As part of the development work for Transport Direct Sustrans undertook a piece of research to look at how cycling could be incorporated into a journey planner. The research highlighted difficulties in doing this on a national scale. The biggest issue is the lack of cycling information being held electronically, cycle routes need to be geo-coded, and these codes need to be held in frequently updated databases to be used successfully in journey planners. Transport Direct does aim to include cycling, but due to the problems outlined above this may have to wait until later versions.The Executive Summary and a link to the full paper (which is on the Sustrans website) has been placed on the Department's website www.d ft. gov. uk/itw p/ transdirect/cyclene/index.htm.The recommendations outlined in the report highlighted work needed to progress this issue. The Department will be working with other bodies, including local authorities, Sustrans and other cycling bodies to progress the issues discussed above.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes have been made to legislation with regard to revenue raised from bus lane enforcement since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [75607]

Local authorities with decriminalised parking enforcement (DPE) powers may issue penalty charge notices in the case of vehicles parked in contravention of bus lanes. Use of surplus income from parking penalty charge notices is governed by the provisions of section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This section was amended by the Greater London Authority Act 1999 to enable London authorities to use surplus income in connection with implementation in their area of the Mayor of London's transport strategy.The London Local Authorities Act 1996 enables London authorities, including Transport for London, to issue penalty charge notices on the basis of evidence provided by a prescribed device in respect of vehicles being driven illegally in bus lanes. Use of surplus income from the enforcement of moving bus lane contraventions in London is governed by Schedule 2 to the 1996 Act.Otherwise, responsibility for enforcement of bus lanes is the responsibility of the police and fine income accrues to the Exchequer.We are currently preparing regulations to be made under section 144 of the Transport Act 2000 which will enable local authorities outside London with DPE powers to issue penalty charge notices in respect of vehicles being driven illegally in bus lanes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of rail links between Waterloo and Heathrow Airport; and what support the Government plans to make available to private companies to use (a) existing tracks and (b) new tracks in order to connect Waterloo and Clapham Junction to Heathrow Airport. [75202]

The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East) consultation is seeking views on a range of options, one of which is for an additional short runway at Heathrow. The main consultation document indicates in paragraphs 7.10 to 7.15 the type and scale of rail infrastructure that would be needed to connect the Heathrow airport option to the wider rail network. The analysis has not attempted to identify the precise location and design of these connections. However, our intention is for the aviation White Paper to contain proposals for improved surface access to Heathrow whether or not a further runway is provided. The level of financial support the Government might make available depends on: the likely net benefit to non-airport rail users; negotiations to maximise funding from aviation; and, the extent to which any public sector contribution would divert funding from other SRA priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had on Heathrow Airport rail links with (a) the Strategic Rail Authority and (b) interest groups. [75203]

I, and other departmental Ministers, meet the Strategic Rail Authority on a regular basis; as part of wider industry meetings and specifically to discuss the Authority's work—which includes rail access to airports. We are currently undertaking a wide-ranging consultation on aviation issues that will include discussion about airport rail links with a variety of groups including local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions he has had with the management of Shoreham Port Authority regarding the appointment of a new Chief Executive; [75551](2) who sits on the interview panel for the selction of the new Chief Executive of Shoreham Harbour; who appointed them; and when; [75550](3) how many applications were received for the post of Chief Executive of Shoreham Harbour; [75548](4) what stages have been completed in the appointment of the new Chief Executive of Shoreham Harbour; and what the appointment timetable is. [75549]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 37W, where I stated that the recruitment of employees of the Shoreham Port Authority is not a matter for my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those ports, sub-divided by type, which do not meet the standards of the Port Marine Safety Code; what assessment his Department has made of those which do not meet this standard and what steps have been taken as a result; what further steps are planned; and if he will place the assessments in the Library. [75009]

The following competent harbour authorities have not yet demonstrated compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code:

a) Company ports (4)

• Eastbourne (Sovereign Harbour)
• Irvine Harbour Company
• Porthleven Harbour & Docks Company
• Port of Mostyn Ltd

b) Local authority ports (8)

• Argyle and Bute Council (Rothesay)
• Canterbury District Council (Whitstable)
• Carmarthenshire County Council (Llanelli)
• Exeter City Council
• Isle of Wight Council (Newport)
• Waveney District Council (Southwold)
• West Dorset District Council (Bridport)
• Worthing Borough Council

c) Trust ports (7)

• Coleraine Harbour Commission
• Crouch Harbour Authority
• Looe Harbour Commission
• Maldon Harbour Improvement Commission
• Maryport Harbour Commission
• Mousehole Harbour Commission
• Sandwich Port & Haven Commission

d) Other (3)

• Duchy of Cornwall (Isles of Scilly)
• Environment Agency Wales (River Dee)
• Broads Authority

We have corresponded or met with the authorities that have not yet fully implemented the Code and we are undertaking an overall review of its implementation, which we hope to complete in the New Year; indications so far are that implementing authorities have achieved a high overall standard. The Code makes it a matter for the port to publish compliance statements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether guidance to local authorities on introducing the work place parking levy and road user charging schemes will supersede guidelines already adopted by individual authorities; and what assessment has been made of the impact on local authorities of changes to guidelines where guidelines on work place parking levy and road user charging schemes have already been adopted. [75016]

Local authorities will be given adequate time to bring any existing road user charging or workplace parking levy schemes into line with any national guidance, should that be necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the process for consultation on the draft guidance to local authorities on introducing the work place parking levy and road user charging schemes. [75017]

I am still considering the nature and scope of guidance on the workplace parking levy and on road user charging.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the guidance to local authorities on introducing the work place parking levy and road user charging. [75018]

A number of local authorities and representative organisations have enquired about guidance on the workplace parking levy and on road user charging, I am still considering the nature and scope of the guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Strategic Rail Authority will publish the findings of a feasibility study on real time train movements; and what steps it and his Department are taking to act upon these findings. [75606]

I understand that the Strategic Rail Authority has undertaken a feasibility study of Real Time Train Movements (RTTM) in order to create an outline design specification and resolve technical issues. The SRA is not proposing to publish the study, but is proceeding with the implementation of RTTM, which will provide the essential database for public information systems and other uses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road signs have been (a) vandalised, (b) stolen, (c) replaced, (d) lost and (e) erected belonging to the Highways Agency in each year since 1997. [75818]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish a report on progress in reducing road traffic levels as specified in the Road Traffic Reduction (National Targets) Act 1998. [75613]

The Secretary of State fulfilled his statutory obligations under the Road Traffic Reduction (National Targets) Act 1998 with the publication of "Tackling Congestion and Pollution" in January 2000. Section 2(5) of the Act makes provision for the Secretary of State to publish progress reports "at such times as he deems appropriate". Paragraph 84 of "Tackling Congestion and Pollution" promised that a second report under the Act would detail our progress in developing new benchmarks. It remains our intention to publish such a report in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what data he has collated on (a) forecast traffic levels and (b) actual traffic levels since their opening of the (i) A5190 at Burntwood, (ii) Newbury, (iii) A130, Rettendon turnpike to Howe Green, (iv) Silverstone and (v) Ashby bypasses (A) on the bypass concerned and (B) on other roads in the area, including the impact on town centres. [75014]

The A5190 Burntwood, the A130, Rettendon turnpike to Howe Green and the Ashby-dela-Zouche bypass are not trunk roads and are thus the responsibility of the respective local highway authorities. The Department for Transport has therefore not collated data on these schemes.Continuous traffic count data is being collected by the Highways Agency on several sites on the A34 Newbury Bypass and on the A339. Data is also being collected on other roads in the area by the local highway authority. The recorded traffic flows will be compared with the original traffic predictions in an evaluation report now being prepared for the situation one year after opening. Further surveys, including journey time surveys, are planned for next year in order to create a five-year post-opening report.Count data at Silverstone was collected over the British Grand Prix weekend, and also just before and just after the opening of the bypass on 18 September this year. A traffic impact study is being drafted, in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council, and will be available to the public when complete. Further evaluation studies will be carried out in one and five years time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department projects the level of traffic in the United Kingdom to be by 2004–05; and how this was calculated. [75610]

Traffic in Great Britain in 2001 was estimated to be 473.7 billion vehicle-kilometres. The Department's publication "National Road Traffic Forecasts (Great Britain) 1997" projects that traffic will grow at a rate between 1.35 per cent. per annum and 1.99 per cent. per annum. Applying these growth rates over a period of 34 years, traffic in 2004–05 is expected to be between 494.8 and 505.0 billion vehicle-kilometres.Measures in the Government's Ten Year Plan for Transport were projected to reduce traffic levels below trend by around 5 per cent. by 2010, but that forecasting exercise did not consider how such reductions would be spread over different years within the ten-year period. The impact of Ten Year Plan measures is generally expected to be greater in the second half of the period, because of the time needed for major capital projects to come on-stream.Traffic forecasting for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Roads Service, part of the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been conducted and is planned by or for his Department on the benefits of slipformed concrete barriers on motorways and other Highways Agency roads. [75601]

The Highways Agency led the development of concrete vehicle containment barriers in the UK. The bulk of this work was completed by the early 1990s. This supported the use of concrete barriers in road widening schemes, where space was at a premium. The Agency has subsequently undertaken further research and development to refine the systems. Concrete barriers have been promoted as one of the options acceptable to the Highways Agency in tender documents for new work.The Agency has also recently contributed with industry towards the costs of investigating the procurement practices in mainland Europe where concrete barriers appear to be used more extensively. Further research is also examining whole life benefits and costs of all vehicle safety barriers to gain a better understanding of the whole life performance of the different types of barrier. There is some evidence that concrete barriers have higher performance characteristics that could be of benefit in particular locations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made by his Department of the performance of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment Sustainable Development Education Panel, including performance targets; what reports are produced on its performance; an if he will place copies of such reports not readily available in the Library. [75615]

The Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment published its last report in 1999 entitled "Transport and the Economy". The government published a response to the SACTRA report in May 2000 to assess the report and to respond to the committee's recommendations.Both these reports are available in the Libraries of the House.The Sustainable Development Education Panel is the responsibility of the Department for Education and Skills.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when the computerisation of the compliance and local bus registration systems under the auspices of the Transport Area Network was introduced; what changes there have been to the timetable for introduction and nature of this scheme; and what assessment has been made and is planned of its progress; [75618](2) what changes have been made to the timetable for the development and introduction of the TAN21 self service online service for road hauliers to update operators' licences; what the reasons for the changes were; and what costs were incurred as a result of these changes; [75593](3) if he will make a statement on the research contracts relating to the TAN21 self service online service for road hauliers to update operators licences; and if he will place copies in the Library. [75617]

The TAN 21 project computerises all the key business functions of the Traffic Area Network. The compliance function was introduced in Jan 2002, 10 weeks behind schedule. Bus registration was introduced in April 2002, 20 weeks behind schedule. The self-service component is 18 months behind schedule and no changes have been made to the original plan. The self-service development was part of a fixed price contract, so the delay resulted in no extra costs. There were no research contracts for the self-service module. TAN21 has been widely welcomed by operators and will be increasingly used by them as the project develops.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the fares incentive adjustment payment mechanism which applied to journeys operated by South West Trains Ltd. [75167]

The Strategic Rail Authority's fares regime for London commuter operators—the Fares Incentive Adjustment Payment regime (FIAP)—links permitted fares increases to operators' performance over the previous 12 months. FIAP allows for a variation on the national cap (RPI-1 per cent.) of up to 2 per cent. to reflect improved performance and minus 2 per cent. to reflect deterioration in performance.In the year to 31 July 2002 the number of trains arriving on time for most London operators, including South West Trains, improved significantly when compared with the preceding 12 months. This improvement means that the cap on these operators' regulated fares from January 2003 has been set at RPI—1 per cent. The SRA is currently reviewing the fares regime for London operators as part of its policy review of fares regulation. It will make recommendations to Ministers in due course. Any changes in policy will be introduced in 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment was made of the cost of using (a) Omega, (b) other private distribution companies and (c) the Royal Mail to deliver The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: A National Consultation Document; and what assesment has been made of the reliability of the service provided. [74904]

All consultation documents are being sent out by the Department's distribution contractor, using either the Royal Mail or their sub-contracted courier service, Securicor Omega. The decision on which carrier is used depends on which is most cost-effective for the weight of each individual consignment, and to a lesser extent on its size. Omega is used to deliver heavier items as they offer the best rates to our contractor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many copies of, The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: A National Consultation Document—Midlands, have been distributed; [74907](2) how many requests there have been for, The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: A National Consultation—Midlands.[74908]

As of today around 108,063 copies of The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: A National Consultation Document—Midlands have been requested and distributed or accessed as set out in the table below.

Midlands	Main Document	Summary Document	Total
Hard Copies Issued	20,997	30,563	51,560
Downloads from website	31,115	25,388	56,503
Total	52,112	55,951	108,063

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many responses have been received in response to the Future Development of Air Transport consultation document, broken down by region. [75047]

We have received to date around 6,065 responses to the NOP questionnaire and 15,728 letters. This is set out by region in the table below.

Region:	NOP Paper Q're Returns	NOP Web Responses	Total to Date	Letters Received
Scotland	292	128	420	29
South East	1956	1311	3267	5121
Midlands	527	657	1184	10500
North England	430	219	649	39
South West	415	61	476	24
Wales	14	11	25	7
N. Ireland	19	15	44	8
Total	3663	2402	6065	15728

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration was given to the evaluation of RAF Turnhouse by the Home Office for an asylum seeker accommodation centre in the formulation of options for the expansion of Edinburgh Airport as outlined in the Future Development of Air Transport consulation document. [75063]

The consultation document for Scotland sets out, factually and neutrally. a wide range of options for more runway capacity at both Edinburgh and Glasgow airports. We have not come to any view on the way forward and want to have the views of consultees before we address this. In preparing this document we liaised with many departments including the Home Office and were aware of each other's plans and their potential implications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many copies of the consultation documents, Future Development of Air transport in the United Kingdom-Scotland, were requested by (a) telephone, (b) e-mail and (c) letter; and how many such documents were issued in total. [75061]

As of today around 37,122 copies of The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: A National Consultation Document—Scotland have been distributed or accessed as set out in the table below. We do not have a breakdown on how the requests for hard copies were received.

Scotland	Main Document	Summary Document	Total
Hard Copies Issued	4,890	10,014	14,904
Downloads from website	9,425	12,793	22,218
Total	14,315	22,807	37,122

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received the business case for the southern extensions of the East London Line from the Strategic Rail Authority; and if he will make a statement. [75172]

I have received the business case for the project, which my officials are discussing with the SRA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will issue advice to local authorities on the implementation of lower speed limits; and if he will make a statement. [75211]

The Department plans to revise the current guidance to local authorities on the setting of local speed limits later next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the schemes and initiatives sponsored by his Department and its agencies which are not the subject of national roll out, showing (a) the authorities or areas covered by the scheme and (b) the budget of the scheme in the last year for which information is available. [75676]

Many thousands of local transport schemes and projects are currently being funded by my Department under the 10 Year Plan for transport through local authorities, the Highways Agencies, the Strategic Rail Authority and other agencies. Details on every individual scheme are not collected centrally, but major schemes and aggregated data on smaller schemes will be listed in the forthcoming progress report on the 10 Year Plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the South Coast Multi-modal Study. [75155]

The final report from the South Coast Multi-Modal Study was passed to the South East England Regional Assembly on 9 September and we now await their advice. We will then consider the study's recommendations in the light of their comments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how often the Civil Aviation Authority carry out safety checks on low-cost airlines. [75146]

The Civil Aviation Authority's Safety Regulation Group carries out regular audits and flight inspections on all UK airlines. In terms of safety oversight and the frequency of inspections, no distinction is made between low cost and other operators.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to require airlines to accept and refund customers who return air tickets within a specified period of time. [75193]

The terms and conditions applying to the refund of tickets are set out in each airline's conditions of carriage. The International Air Transport Association publishes recommendations on conditions of carriage, applying to international flights provided by member airlines (Recommended Practice 1724). Following the intervention of the UK Office of Fair Trading, changes were made to RP 1724 in September 2000, principally extending the rights of passengers who, for reasons beyond their control, are unable to use a purchased ticket. This recommendation is not, however, binding on carriers and does not apply to domestic flights.Any legislative proposals affecting the air transport market within the European Community are a matter for the European Commission. In June 2002 the Commission published a consultation paper on airline conditions of carriage. This includes a proposal to require all EU airlines to apply conditions of carriage similar to those in the amended RP 1724. Many European airlines, including all significant full service UK airlines, have signed up to a set of voluntary commitments on passenger service. These include a commitment to allow telephone reservations to be held or cancelled without commitment or penalty within 24 hours, and a commitment to provide prompt refunds where a passenger claims and is entitled to a refund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the annual Exchequer income which would derive from auctioning take-off and landing slots at (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Manchester airports, in line with the announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister on 9 November 2000, using as a basis the estimates of slot values provided by the Civil Aviation Authority in its recommendations to the Competition Commission on airport price caps in February. [75033]

No such estimations have been made and could only be done at disproportionate cost. There are large uncertainties on the values of individual slots, and the amount of income would depend on the design of an auction scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much of the (a) Rural Bus Subsidy Grant and (b) Rural Bus Challenge was spent in (i) 2001–02 and (ii) 2002–03 to date, broken down by county. [75186]

Shire Counties	RBC payments in 2001–02	2001–02 payments Total RBSG Grant paid in 2001–02	RBC payments in 2002–03	2002–03 payments RBSG Payments in 2002–03
Bedfordshire	116,791	565,644	151,573	258,969
Buckinghamshire	172,565	672,000	12,330	328,035
Cambridgeshire	0	1,009,112	0	462,003
Cheshire	0	782,514	140,807	358,259
Cornwall	462,000	1,559,210	343,000	713,855
Cumbria	343,500	1,222,506	0	559,701
Derbyshire	200,000	911,879	103,875	417,487
Devon	271,000	1,799,210	272,000	823,735
Dorset	201,092	739,801	130,508	338,704
Durham	0	771,913	0	353,406
East Sussex	466,888	714,092	150,000	326,934
Essex	571,805	1,341,087	347,500	613,992
Gloucestershire	73,956	1,013,984	197,500	464,234
Hampshire	521,260	1,142,167	127,340	522,920
Hertfordshire	87,692	566,589	620,935	259,402
Kent	368,000	1,647,217	278,000	754,147
Lancashire	396,914	959,529	277,856	439,302
Leicestershire	279,540	710,177	703,421	325,141
Lincolnshire	39,708	1,525,138	1,351,445	698,256
Norfolk	75,055	2,035,846	165,000	932,074
North Yorkshire	509,000	1,750,000	701,522	806,913
Northamptonshire	101,075	889,715	716,699	407,340
Northumberland	372,600	608,253	286,000	278,477
Nottinghamshire	185,764	667,430	0	305,570
Oxfordshire	373,579	1,183,588	0	541,884
Shropshire	238,176	804,914	0	368,515
Somerset	94,817	1,299,640	333,439	595,016
Staffordshire	97,548	875,000	92,435	473,041
Suffolk	186,471	1,534,342	0	702,470
Surrey	404,025	779,797	0	357,015
Warwickshire	135,405	761,540	0	348,657
West Sussex	223,773	739,752	0	338,682
Wiltshire	481,080	1,003,848	23,000	459,593
Worcestershire	757,645	862,568	592,480	394,911
Passenger Transport Authorities
Greater Manchester	0	130,160	0	77,357
Merseyside	0	106,590	0	48,800
South Yorkshire	318,500	432,581	1005617	198,049
Tyne and Wear	630,050	104,768	0	47,966
West Midlands	0	110,837	0	50,745
West Yorkshire	208,928	709,628	0	324,890
Unitaries
Bath & NE Somerset	40,000	178,731	150,000	81,829
Blackburn with Darwen	0	33,000	0	22,815
Bracknell Forest	0	51,125	0	23,407
Bristol	0	8,328	0	3,813
Darlington	0	61,742	0	28,267
East Riding	166,863	682,342	592,271	312,397
Halton	0	11,810	0	7,416
Hartlepool	0	21,544	45,000	9,864
Herefordshire	41,518	667,144	179,077	305,439
Isle of Wight	0	203,377	0	93,112
Medway	0	91,533	0	51,139
Middlesbrough	0	12,542	0	6,748

The table below shows all payments made to County Councils, Unitary Authorities and Passenger Transport Authorities under the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant (RBSG) and Rural Bus Challenge (RBC) schemes during 2001–02 and 2002–03 to date. Total allocations to authorities for RBSG in 2001–02 were £41.5 million and for 2002–03 are £47.5 million. The payments shown for RBC schemes relate to projects that were approved in different years since the RBC competitions started in 1998. Further payments will be made under both RBSG and RBC schemes during the remainder of 2002–03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the matters discussed and the conclusions reached at his meeting with the Mayor of London on 26 September. [76125]

A range of transport issues was discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the future impact of congestion charges in London on his Department's PSA targets relating to congestion in London; and if he will make a statement. [76123]

I refer the hon. Member to my Answers of 24 July 2002, Official Report, column 1257W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to reduce the number of (a) unlicenced and (b) untaxed cars on UK roads. [75552]

The Government takes the problem of the use of unlicensed and untaxed vehicles on the United Kingdom's road seriously and is pursuing a wide range of initiatives to deal with the problem. We are currently developing proposals for the reform and modernisation of vehicle registration and licensing, to reduce evasion and to bear down on vehicle crime. In response to the recommendations of a report commissioned by my Department from the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science—a copy of which was placed in the Library in June 2002—we have established a Modernising Vehicle Registration Implementation Board (MVRIB), including representatives of motorists' organisations. the motor trade, the police and the insurance industry to advise on and develop those proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the funding of water treatment projects in and around Kabul. [75219]

There are three main organisations working in various areas of Kabul's water system, KFW (German Development Bank), CARE International and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Projects currently being worked on or considered include linking the Loghar Valley Water Supply Scheme to South East Kabul to serve an additional 40 per cent. of its population; a new reservoir for North Kabul; a geological survey to identify deeper aquifers; and a proposal to feed Kabul from the Pansher valley, a project that would include substantial water treatment facilities. Some 5,000 water supply household connections have been repaired and piped water supply has almost doubled in the city since June 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many (a) deaths and (b) injuries it is estimated have been caused by unexploded bomblets following the use of cluster bombs in Afghanistan. [75224]

UNMAS is currently collating information from the International Committee of the Red Cross on mine and unexploded ordnance casualties throughout Afghanistan as well as additional reports from mine action organisations.Unfortunately the information gathered is not comprehensive due to the lack of a complete surveillance system. Consequently accurate national level estimates of casualties from specific types of ordnance are not available. However, an upcoming landmine impact survey will provide additional data, and the introduction of the Information Management System for Mine Action, which includes this information as an element of incident reporting, will enhance the capacity for such analysis.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on progress being made in the safe disposal of the unexploded bomblets remaining following the use of cluster bombs in Afghanistan. [75225]

A total number of 234 BLU Strike areas have been reported to UNMAS by the US forces to date. So far 108 of these areas have been cleared by organisations working as part of the Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan, and the capacity for clearance of CBU has been greatly increased over the last 12 months to increase the rate of completion. At current rates of clearance UNMAS estimate that all known areas will have been cleared in 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Government of Malawi regarding the cholera control programme; and what plans are in place to implement a sanitisation programme. [74881]

The lead agency supporting Malawi on cholera control is WHO. The National Cholera Task Force Ministry of Health (MoH) and relevant donors have pre-positioned cholera treatment supplies, completed field investigations of recurrent outbreaks, set up a Rapid Reaction Force, and prepared simplified surveillance tools. WHO has concluded agreements direct with districts and collaborating NGOs to conduct training on preparedness and case management.WHO is supporting community-based sanitisation campaigns on cholera prevention, including key household practises (water storage, handwashing, home sanitation). Government, UNICEF, NGO partners and district authorities are cooperating to ensure that "hardware" (treatment supplies, borehole placement) and the "software" (health worker training, community awareness) are reaching the worst affected areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her policy on whether (a) Malawi, (b) Mozambique and (c) Zambia should be granted an immediate suspension of their HIPC debt repayments. [76103]

Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia have all qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Malawi and Zambia have reached their Decision Point, and are already receiving debt relief. Mozambique has passed its Completion Point and is now receiving full debt relief. All three countries have completed a full poverty reduction strategy paper setting out how resources, including savings from debt relief, will be spent, thereby ensuring the maximum possible impact on poverty reduction. To address the current food security problem in the region, the UK has provided £26.5 million in humanitarian relief to these three countries since September 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries she estimates, on current projections, will exit the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative with unsustainable debt. [75060]

Largely as a result of the global economic slowdown and falls in commodity prices, the prospect of most HIPC countries exiting the process with sustainable debt are poor, unless they are provided with further relief. The UK has successfully pressed for the provision of additional relief at Completion Point, but the present arrangement still does not provide a generous enough level of debt relief to those countries with unsustainable debts. We are continuing to press for a more systematic approach to topping up to bring all countries back to a sustainable debt level at Completion Point, so that no country will exit the HIPC process with unsustainable debts.Additional financing will be required to meet the costs of topping up. At their Summit in Kananaskis, last July, G8 leaders agreed to provide their share of up to an additional US$1 billion for the HIPC Trust Fund. This will not only help meet the current shortfall in the financing of the Initiative, but will also ensure that there are sufficient funds available to finance the additional debt relief required at Completion Point. At the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF last month, the international community reconfirmed their commitment to the implementation of the HIPC Initiative, and its full financing. Some donors, including the UK took the opportunity to pledge their firm support for the HIPC Trust Fund. The UK announced a bilateral contribution of US$95 million plus its share of any EDF contribution to the Trust Fund. This is in addition to the US$306 million that we have already committed. We hope that other donors will be able to announce their contributions this week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is on the provision of Lottery funding to groups with a political agenda. [75621]

It is for individual Lottery distributors to decide upon the eligibility of individual applicants according to the powers given them under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 and in consideration of the directions issued to them under that Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under what provision of the arrangements for managing the National Lottery grant finance was provided to the Community Empowerment Network. [75620]

Under the powers given to it by the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, the Community Fund awarded a grant of £198,823 to the Communities Empowerment Network in June 2000 for work in the Greater London area. This grant completed in July 2002 and the Community Fund do not fund the organisation currently.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to improve access to Lottery funds for village hall projects. [75242]

We have asked Lottery distributors to work together to make it easier for groups to access funding for multi-purpose community buildings, including village halls. Earlier this year they launched a £2 million trial programme in the West Midlands with a shared application process for groups seeking up to £100,000 to improve their community building and the sports, arts or community activities that happen there.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much National Lottery funding was granted to ex-servicemen's welfare organisations in West Sussex last year. [75531]

I am not aware of any Lottery funding granted to such organisations in West Sussex last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects the Council of Sport England to have a full complement of members. [75195]

We expect to appoint a chairman and other members to the Sport England Council shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received on the draft Performance and Innovation Unit report on the future of sport. [75197]

My Department has received representations from a number of sporting organisations. In addition, meetings have been held with those Ministers with responsibility for sport in the Devolved Administrations. All comments received have been passed to the Strategy Unit, (formerly the PIU).

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions the Department will have with the football authorities and other Government Departments about the racist abuse of members of the England football squad by Slovakian football fans in the recent international match between the two nations. [75207]

I discussed events during England's match in Slovakia with representatives of the English football authorities on 16 October. My officials have also discussed the issue in detail with the Home Office, which is responsible for co-ordinating work with overseas police forces in respect of England's away matches.The Government and the football authorities now await the results of UEFA's enquiry into these events, following the official complaint made the Football Association.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how the development of Specialist Sports Colleges and School Sport Coordinator partnerships is contributing to increasing facilities available for swimming. [75819]

The Government recently announced the investment of more than £450 million over the next three years to transform the quality of sports teaching in schools. The funds will, amongst other things, contribute to the further development of the Specialist Sport College (240 new Colleges by 2005) and School Sport Co-ordinator (from 700 to 2,400 Co-ordinators by 2005) schemes, and will bring a step change in the quality of sports teaching by promoting expertise and developing opportunity. The investment builds on the £750 million being invested in sports facilities across the UK as part of the New Opportunities Fund PE and Sport programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the cost of refurbishing local authority swiming pools; and what resources are expected to be available over the next five years for this purpose. [75820]

Sport England estimate that the costs for modernising public sector swimming pools alone (not including educational sites) is approximately £2 billion. The Lottery Sports Fund has invested £244 million in the development of new swimming facilities and the refurbishment of existing swimming pools, making swimming the largest beneficiary sport of Lottery Sports Funding to date.Grants from the Lottery Sports Fund are allocated by Sport England according to the policies and priorities set out in their Lottery strategy. We believe that any investment in swimming pool infrastructure should both meet the need of local communities and those of elite swimmers and above all, should be sustainable in the long term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what research she has commissioned (a) on the effect of allowing children to gamble and (b) on the effect of lifting the ban on gambling by credit card. [75463]

My Department has commissioned no such research; but the gambling industry's charitable trust will be considering priorities for research in the light of the strategy which it is now developing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will include sustainability as a criteria to be considered during the application process for funding from the Community Fund for public buildings. [75150]