To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what preparations have been made outside large urban conurbations for responses to a terrorist attack; and what procedures are in place to cope and assist with the likely exodus of people from large cities in the event of an attack taking place there. [93380]

The UK has robust plans in place for the protection of the public and of national security interests. The Government's preparations include a series of classified contingency plans for responding to a wide range of terrorist threats. These plans are regularly tested, reviewed and updated as circumstances change. Much of the response is based on generic, multi-agency, local emergency arrangements, developed within the clear guidelines set out by the Home Office.Evacuation planning is currently undertaken at local level, by the police and local authority emergency planners. This includes ensuring routes to and from the site of the incident remain viable, and planning for the reception and re-housing of evacuees. We are also taking steps to strengthen the regional level of co-ordination, to ensure compatibility and cohesion of local evacuation and reception plans for large-scale incidents.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to to improve the quality of English used by departments in their communications with the general public. [93390]

The Cabinet Office has issued guidance for departments on the Handling of Ministerial and Other Correspondence which emphasises that appropriate arrangements should be in place to ensure that the quality of all replies is high. It has also issued guidance on Plain Written English.In addition, the Centre for Management and Policy Studies (Civil Service College) located in my department offers a comprehensive suite of courses in writing. These aim to help civil servants to write clearly, concisely and correctly, and to tailor their writing to particular circumstances.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much money has been lost by his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies through (a) fraud and (b) theft for each year since 1996–97. [92429]

The cost of theft and fraud to my Department, its agencies, and non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years, is shown in the table. Figures for 1996 –97 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

£000s
	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02
Department	15	48	32	34	35
Agencies	—	—	—	—	—
NDPBs	—	1	—	1	—
Total	15	49	32	35	35

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much has been spent in each year since 1997 towards the running of a car for Lord Sainsbury. [94993]

I have been asked to reply. Lord Sainsbury runs and finances his own car. But on a few occasions he uses cars from the Government Car Service for official engagements.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and at what cost in each year. [92428]

As has been published on previous occasions, the overall number and cost for Special Advisers across all Departments is:

£ million
	Number	Cost
1995–96	38	1.5
1996–7	38	1.8
1997–8	70	2.6
1998–9	74	3.5
1999–2000	78	4.0
2000–01	79	4.1
2001–02	81	5.1

In order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned it would not be appropriate to break down the cost by Department. As at 21 January 2003 there were 81 special advisers across all Departments. The cost for 2002–03 is not yet available.The number of press officers employed from 1997–98 to 2001–02 and their costs in each of these years are as follows:

£000s
	Number of press officers1	Cost per financial year
1997–98	11	453,636
1998–99	14	512,255
1999–2000	20	752,560
2000–01	16	781,817
2001–02	18	798,015
1Employed in the Cabinet Office press office in January of each year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what techniques and procedures are in place to reduce friendly fire incidents among the allied forces currently being deployed; and if he will make a statement. [94607]

Standard techniques and procedures have been developed in consultation with coalition partners and would be used by deployed forces to reduce the risk of friendly fire incidents. They include the management of friendly assets in both time and space and the widespread dissemination of orders, such as the Air Tasking Order, in order to ensure that all friendly assets are aware of the location and movement of own forces. As I stated in my answer to the hon Member on 18 December 2002 Official Report, column 807W, tactics, techniques and procedures complement situational awareness and target identification to form a triad of measures designed to achieve Combat Identification and minimise the risk of fratricide.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the task force sent to the Gulf includes a capability to help deal with (a) a major oil spill and (b) other environmental damage. [95025]

All Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels have the capability to deal with small and localised oil spills. HM ships are not however, equipped to respond to major oil spills or after significant environmental damage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the names of British-registered companies found by UNMOVIC or the IAEA inspection teams in Iraq to have provided proscribed military equipment and material to Iraq. [93906]

I have been asked to reply. I am advised neither UNMOVIC nor the IAEA have informed us of any such discoveries to date. It is up to UNMOVIC and the IAEA to decide on the level of detail to be provided publicly about any goods that they uncover.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of military action against Iraq. [94427]

[holding answer 30 January 2003]: The information requested is not yet available. I shall write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the facilities which will be available to Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel on deployment to the Gulf as part of the Operational Welfare Package. [94538]

The facilities which form the Operational Welfare Package available to Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel deployed to the Gulf are as follows:

• Personnel will be entitled to 20 minutes worth of free phone calls each week.
• All units will have access to satellite TV in port.
• Ships have been fitted with as much operational fitness equipment as economically feasible.
• Ships have a selection of magazines which will be delivered on stopovers.
• Ships have a selection of videos and DVDs.
• E-mail facilities will be available to personnel at sea.
• Personnel will receive double the usual laundry allowance.
• Personnel will be entitled to free airmail during the deployment.
• A combined services entertainment show will be arranged for as many personnel as possible if the deployment lasts longer than four months, and if operationally feasible.
• NAAFI services will be provided by the naval canteen services.
• Books are being provided by the Fleet Libraries Office.

The availability of some of these facilities will vary depending on the type and role of ship.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 7 January 2002, Official Report, column 180W, on ambulance turnaround times, what information he collates on ambulance turnaround times. [93195]

The Department collects some fast track management information on aspects of emergency care performance. This data is unvalidated and not necessarily accurate or complete and as such is not suitable for publication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 4 December 2002, Official Report, column 896W, on Chernobyl, if he will place in the Library copies of the Eclis and Eurocas studies to which reference is made. [87560]

The European Childhood Leukaemia-Lymphoma Study (ECLIS) has produced two publications. Copies will be placed in the Library. The European Childhood Abnormality Study (EUROCAS) has yet to report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many children who died of (a) abuse and (b) neglect in each of the last 10 years had been removed from the local authority child protection register within 12 months prior to their death; [94031](2) how many children who died of

The information requested is not held centrally.However, in April 2002, the Department of Health introduced an enhanced computerised database of serious case notifications. The database records information such as details of the incident, the child and family concerned, any criminal proceedings, whether a serious case review has been, is being or is expected to be conducted into the incident, and whether the child was on the child protection register at the time of the incident or had been at any time in the past.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of time taken in the last five years to complete a Part 8 Review following the death of a child is; and how many have taken longer than (a) six months, (b) 12 months, (c) 18 months and (d) 24 months. [94088]

The information requested is not held centrally.Reviews will vary widely in their breadth and complexity, but in all cases lessons should be learned and acted upon as quickly as possible. They are expected to be carried out in accordance with "Working Together to Safeguard Children (1999)" guidance. This expects that the area child protection committee will determine, within one month of a case coming to light, whether to conduct a review. The review should be undertaken and completed within a further four months. Exceptionally, the complexity of the case or other factors may necessitate a longer timescale, which should be discussed and agreed with the Social Services Inspectorate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the purpose is of undertaking a Part 8 Review following the death of a child. [94089]

The purpose of serious case reviews carried out in accordance with "Working Together to Safeguard Children" (1999), the Government's child protection guidance (known widely as part 8 reviews') is to:

establish whether there are lessons to be learned from the case about the way in which local professionals and agencies work together to safeguard children;

identify clearly what those lessons are, how they will be acted upon, and what is expected to change as a result; and as a consequence,

to improve inter-agency working and better safeguard children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what care arrangements are made for children who are victims of child prostitution to ensure they are placed in a safe care environment and receive treatment. [93553]

Children involved in prostitution and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation are likely to be in need of welfare services and—in many cases—protection under the Children Act 1989.Where there is a risk to the life of a child or a likelihood of serious harm, an agency with statutory child protection powers, for example, the police or councils with social services responsibilities, should act quickly to secure the immediate initial safety of the child. In some cases, it may be necessary to ensure either that the child remains in, or is removed to, a safe place. Under section 20 of the Children Act 1989, a local authority may provide accommodation for any child within their area if they consider that to do so would safeguard or promote the child's welfare.When a child is identified as involved in prostitution or other commercial sexual exploitation, or at risk of being drawn into it, an assessment of the child's needs will be undertaken in accordance with "Safeguarding Children Involved in Prostitution" (2000), "Working Together to Safeguard Children" (1999), the Government's child protection guidance, and the "Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families" (2000). This assessment should be followed by consideration of how best to address the identified needs of the child and development of a care plan for the child who is in need. The plan could include a range of services, for example, mentoring to assist a return to education or employment, and help to secure appropriate health services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the distribution of delayed discharge funding, with particular reference to those local authorities which are affected by the ceiling on grant increase for services spending. [93099]

The Access and Systems Capacity Grant 2003–04 is being distributed according to the new older people's formula for social services. We have not yet made any decisions on the distribution of the additional £100 million per full year, related to the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Bill. The distribution formula is not affected by the system of general grant expenditure increases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans are being drawn up by (a) East Somerset NHS trust and (b) Dorset and Somerset health authority to establish a new diagnostic and treatment centre in Yeovil; and if he will make a statement. [92559]

Dorset and Somerset strategic health authority in their capacity plan have set out a range of proposals to meet local targets for access.Among their proposals was a development at Yeatman hospital in Sherbourne, which sought to expand capacity in the area served by east Somerset national health service trust. This scheme has many of the features of the national diagnostic treatment centre (DTC) programme as it seeks to create dedicated elective capacity for a modern, patient focused, high productivity clinical service. The trust is currently producing a business case for this development, which will require approval by local primary care trusts and the StHA before it proceeds.A proposal to create a new provider DTC in Somerset delivered through the local procurement route has been agreed. It is not currently envisaged that this DTC will be in Yeovil. A further proposal was to explore whether a new provider DTC may be required to serve an area in eastern Dorset and western Hampshire. It is not currently envisaged that this DTC will be in Yeovil.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many proposals there are (a) to convert and (b) to establish maternity units as midwife-only centres. [85789]

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of children with a mental disorder in (a) Haltemprice and Howden and (b) the UK; and if he will make a statement. [93841]

Information is not collected centrally in the format requested. However a survey of the mental health of children and adolescents in Great Britain was carried out in 1999 by the Office of National Statistics on

Number of children in residential caret1 in England and East Riding of Yorkshire at 31 March 1997–2002
	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
England	7,900	8,500	8,300	8,900	8,500	8,600
East Riding of Yorkshire	25	45	35	45	35	2—
1Includes children in secure units, children's homes and hostels, residential schools and other residential settings.
22002 figures for East Riding of Yorkshire are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were on in-patient waiting lists for (a) Hull Royal Infirmary and ( b) Castle Hill hospital in the last month for which figures are available. [92851]

At the end of November 2002 there were 9,913 patients waiting for in-patient treatment at Hull and east Yorkshire hospitals national health service trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS ambulance trusts have stopped recruitment of ambulance staff. [85787]

The recruitment of ambulance staff is a local matter and, as such, the Department does not hold this information centrally.The Department does, however, collect data on the total numbers of ambulance staff recruited. There has been an increase in the total numbers of ambulance staff from 15,280, or 14,480 whole time equivalents employed in 1995, to 16,920 or 16,320 whole time equivalents, employed in 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children there were in residential care in (a) England and (b) Haltemprice and Howden in each year since 1997 for which figures are available. [93839]

The information available on looked after children in residential care is shown in the table. Figures for East Riding of Yorkshire council have been provided, as data for Haltemprice and Howden are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will increase the United Kingdom's donation to the International Atomic Energy Agency to assist the international inspection and safeguards regime. [93886]

In addition to its assessed contributions to the regular budget of the IAEA, the UK makes a number of voluntary contributions to it for specific activities, including those carried out by the Agency's Safeguards Department.The agency is now discussing with member states proposals that it has put forward for the regular budget for 2004 and 2005. These proposals include a significant increase in funding for safeguards. The UK has welcomed the proposal that the budget be increased to enable the agency to better carry out its statutory and other obligations. We believe that, if a convincing case is made for an increase in the safeguards budget, member states must ensure that the extra resources are made available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her Department regulates the manufacture of ammunition. [93584]

DTI has no specific responsibility for regulating the manufacture of ammunition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list assets and liabilities of BNFL which will be (a)I transferred to the Liabilities Management Authority, (b) retained by BNFL and (c) shared between each. [94973]

Paragraph 5.5 of The White Paper 'Managing the Nuclear Legacy—A Strategy for Action' (Cm5552) sets out the aims and basic framework for restructuring BNFL and transferring assets and liabilities to the LMA. Those aims remain unchanged. Details of the restructuring will be finalised in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many telephone inquiries the Business Link national 0845 telephone number received per week in (a) September 2002 and (b) December 2002; how many inquiries per week led to appointments for Business Link advisers; and if he will make a statement about the different categories of enquiries received between September and December 2002. [93106]

The information requested is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many call centres are contracted or operated by her Department and its agencies. [93798]

My Department and its agencies have a number of call centre operations in place as well as specific inquiry number helplines which will vary in number at any given time to reflect particular initiatives we are engaged in.The number of call centres currently in use across the Department and its agencies is 11. These involve a mix of 0800, 0870, 0845 and STD (e.g. 020) numbers and are either operated direct by the Department or its agencies or as a managed service on our behalf.Information is not available centrally on the current number of inquiry helplines but at the last review in 2001 some 33 departmental and 25 agency helplines existed. These generally utilise STD numbers but some 0800 and 0845 numbers are also used.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent study she has made of new car prices in (a) the UK and (b) other EU countries; [92814](2)whether her Department monitors the regulations designed to ensure that private buyers receive the same level of discounts on new car purchases as fleet buyers; and what research she has undertaken as to whether the regulations are ensuring that private car buyers do not subsidise fleet buyers. [92756]

The Office of Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the Supply of New Cars Order 2000. The Order is one of several factors influencing car prices. These include a renegotiated block exemption from EU competition rules for vehicle supply and servicing introduced on 1 October 2002.The EC publishes a six-monthly study of list prices of new cars, across a range of countries and across a range of models. In the UK, the Alliance & Leicester in conjunction with What Car?, publishes a monthly survey of new car prices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Task Force on Tackling Over-Indebtedness cost (a) to establish and (b) to run in each year since its establishment. [92713]

[holding answer 22 January 2003]: The members of the Task Force have not been remunerated. DTI staffing costs, have amounted to a total of 119,900. (October 2000 to January 2003).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Energy White Paper will be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. [94412]

[holding answer 30 January 2003]: The White Paper will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will take measures to establish an independent regulator of estate agents; and if she will make a statement. [94055]

The conduct of estate agents is independently regulated by the Director General of Fair Trading, who has powers under the Estate Agents Act 1979 to ban persons he considers unfit to carry out estate agency work.The Office of Fair Trading is currently investigating the market for estate agents in England and Wales, including the effectiveness of the Act. I will consider carefully any recommendations the Director General of Fair Trading makes about future regulation of this market.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she plans to take to improve the availability of independent, free financial advice to consumers. [91835]

There are currently a number of providers of independent, free financial advice to consumers including that provided by the Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), and the Federation of Information and Advice Centres (FIAC). In addition there is a large amount of information available on the internet, including through the Financial Services Authority's website.There are also a number of organisations such as National Debtline, Consumer Credit Counselling Services and Payplan which, while primarily focused on providing independent, free debt advice, will offer consumers contacting them general financial advice where relevant.We are reviewing Government policy on debt advice in response to recommendations in the PIU report "Lending Support: Improving Government's Use of Loans" published March 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on fossil fuel reserves near Morecambe. [94127]

The sea adjacent to Morecambe includes a number of gas fields that have significant remaining reserves which continue to provide a major source of swing gas during times of high demand. A small onshore gas field is in production to the south of Morecambe, and there is some possibility of further small gas developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of whether the spectrum allocated to the Ministry of Defence is being used in a manner which best serves the public interest. [94932]

There are effective mechanisms in place to ensure effective use of MOD spectrum, which will be further strengthened as a result of the recommendations of the independent Review of Radio Spectrum Management.My Department's Radiocommunications Agency has a close working relationship with the Ministry of Defence and the use of the spectrum allocated to defence is kept under constant review, balancing the needs of national defence against the requirements of other spectrum users, this process is overseen by the United Kingdom Spectrum Strategy Committee, a Cabinet Office committee, jointly chaired by the Radiocommunications Agency and the Ministry of Defence.Over the years, much defence spectrum has been made available for commercial services, either on a shared or exclusive basis. The Ministry of Defence also pays an annual charge to the RA for its spectrum use. This is calculated on a comparable basis to civil users and provides an important incentive to efficient spectrum use.The independent Review of Radio Spectrum Management has made a number of recommendations designed to promote the optimal use of defence spectrum. These include an audit of defence spectrum, the continued application of spectrum pricing in parallel with non-military users on a comparable basis and the introduction of trading to provide incentives for effective spectrum use. The Government have accepted these recommendations and their implementation is now being taken forward by the Radiocommunications Agency with the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the reactors of origin were of the plutonium used in the MOX fuel sent to Japan and Switzerland from Sellafield; and what safeguards arrangements apply to this plutonium. [93904]

It is not possible to identify definitively the individual reactors in which specific batches of plutonium allocated to the ownership of specific customers might originally have been produced. Reprocessing customers receive back separated plutonium based on that contained in the fuel they originally supplied. This is assessed before the fuel is reprocessed. The nature of commercial reprocessing in large-scale bulk chemical processing facilities means that the plutonium contained in the fuel becomes blended with that contained in fuel from other reactors.International safeguards arrangements for MOX fuel assemblies include measurement of the nuclear material content of the fuel before its shipment from the fabrication plant and then the application of seals to the transport flasks into which the assemblies have been loaded. On receipt at a reactor facility seals are checked and removed before the fuel is placed in storage or loaded into the reactor. Such fuel storage and reactor loading is monitored by safeguards inspections combined with the use of containment and surveillance equipment (e.g. cameras and seals). Safeguards measures continue to be applied after MOX fuel has been loaded in a reactor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many pedlar's licences were issued in each month since 2000; and if she will make a statement. [94560]

[holding answer 30 January 2003]: This information is not held centrally by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the number of street traders who are operating illegally; and if she will make a statement. [94561]

[holding answer 30 January 2003]: None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice her Department issues on UK investment into Peru; when and for what reason this advice was last updated; and if she will make a statement. [94256]

Advice on direct investment into Peru, including reference to the legal framework governing foreign investment in the country, is available on the Trade Partners UK website www.tradepartners.gov.uk which is regularly updated.For all markets, Trade Partners UK advises companies to base their decision on whether and where to invest on a sound knowledge and understanding of local conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which international agreements cover the arrangements permitting the swapping of plutonium batches between that material owned by British Nuclear Fuels, British Energy or the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and that owned by foreign customers as held at Sellafield. [92305]

In the European Union, the ownership of nuclear materials is governed by the Euratom provisions that deal with the supply of nuclear materials (essentially Chapter 6 of the Euratom Treaty). These provide that exchanges of material—which are basically a commercial matter for the companies concerned—require the approval of the Euratom Supply Agency on a case-by-case basis.External obligations, for example limiting the use of such material to peaceful, non-explosive purposes are, however, a feature of some international nuclear co-operation agreements, such as those between, Euratom and the United States, Euratom and Australia and Euratom and Canada. In some cases where there are no Euratom agreements in place, there are bilateral agreements which contain comparable provisions. The owners of nuclear material can request that external obligations attached to one batch of material can be exchanged or swapped for different obligations on another equivalent batch of material. Each such request for a swap involving material that is subject to Euratom co-operation agreements must be approved by the Services of the European Commission, whose assessment takes account of the characteristics of the nuclear material concerned, (i.e. to ensure that the swap would not diminish the obligations involved) and the reasoning behind the request.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when (a) the Postal Services Commission's, (b) Ofgem's and (c) the Office of Telecommunications' service delivery agreements for 2003 to 2006 will be published. [94211]

None of these bodies is required to produce a service delivery agreement for the period 2003 to 2006. However, they all publish information on their targets and objectives and how they will aim to achieve them, elsewhere.The Postal Services Commission produces a yearly business plan, which is published on its website (http:// www.psc.gov.uk). The plan for 2003–04 is due to be published by mid-February 2003.Each year Ofgem publishes a three-year corporate plan. The plan for 2002–05 is currently available on its website (http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/public/pubframe.htm) and the plan for 2003–06 is due to be published by April 2003 and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the telephone services operated by her Department and its agencies; and how many calls have been made to each service in the last 12 months. [93800]

My Department and its agencies operate a range of telephone services in support of their work, in particular:

Direct Dialling In, which is used extensively throughout the Department and its agencies, giving direct access to customers to individual members of staff or to advertised call centres and inquiry points.

Call Centres, with 11 currently in use, offering advice and guidance on a range of issues.

General Inquiry Points, put in place to handle specific areas of help and information. Numbers will vary at any given time but at the last review these totalled some 33 DTI and 25 Agency Inquiry Points.

Numbers of calls made to each of these services are not held centrally but the numbers are significant. For example, ACAS, who run two call centres, received 750,000 calls in the last 12 months and the main DTI Inquiry Point received 304,800 calls during 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the UN Convention on International Sales. [91088]

Primary legislation will be needed to implement United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. The United Kingdom intends to ratify the convention, subject to the availability of parliamentary time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the recent SRA report on the Central Railway project that responded to the consultant report to the SRA of 23April 2002. [94133]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11 December 2002 Official Report, column 351W to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Sir John Stanley).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) minor, (b) serious and (c) fatal injuries there were at the A63 Melton junction in each year since 1997. [94303]

The number of (a) I minor, (b) serious and (c) fatal injuries from road traffic accidents at the A63 Melton junction in each year since 1997, are shown in the table.

Casualties by severity at the A63 Melton junction, 1997 to 2001
Severity	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
Fatal	0	1	3	0	0
Serious	0	3	1	0	0
Slight	2	27	16	10	9
All	2	31	20	10	9

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason his Department did not issue a definitive response to the inspector's report on the A63 Grade Separated Junction proposal from the Highways Agency. [94426]

The Inspector's Report on the A63 Melton Public Inquiry contained conclusions that supported the Highways Agency's proposals in all respects apart from one element of the Side Roads Order. This related to an alternative proposal for a junction at Corby Park, submitted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC). The Inspector concluded that further work should be carried out to check the feasibility of ERYC's alternative. That is why it was not possible for the Secretary of State to issue a definitive response on the outcome of the Public Inquiry.The Highways Agency is currently working with ERYC to identify the optimum solution and reach agreement on the way forward. It is hoped that an announcement will be made soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department will reply to the letter of 22 July 2002 from the right hon. Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West relating to Railtrack and CalSolutions Ltd. [94436]

I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 30 January 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list road schemes proposed by his Department which will have effects on (a) sites of special interest, (b) areas of outstanding natural beauty and (c) national parks; and if he will make a statement; [93816](2) which

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 decisions were made to approve each of the road schemes listed in the Targeted Programme of Improvements. [94845]

The dates on which schemes were added to the Targeted Programme of Improvements following decisions taken by Ministers are as follows:

31 July 1998
M25	J12–15 Widening
M60	J 5–8 (formerly M63 J6–9 Widening)
Al (M)	Ferrybridge to Hook Moor
A1 (M)	Wetherby to Walshford
A1	Willowburn-Denwick Improvement
A2	Bean-Cobham Widening Phase 1
A2	Bean-Cobham Widening Phase 2
A2	A2/A282 Dartford Improvement
A5	Nesscliffe Bypass
A5	Weeford-Fazeley Improvement
A6	Rothwell—Desborough Bypass
A6	Rushden and Higham Ferrers Bypass
A6	Great Glen Bypass
A6	Clapham Bypass
A6	Alvaston
A10	Wadesmill-Colliers End Bypass
A11	Roundham Heath-Attleborough Dualling
A 14	Rookery Crossroads Grade Separated Junction
A21	Lamberhurst Bypass
A27	Polegate Bypass
A34	Chieveley/M4 J13 Improvement
A41	Aston Clinton Bypass
A43	Whitefield Turn-Brackley Hatch Improvement
A43	Silverstone Bypass
A43	M40–B4031 Dualling
A46	Newark-Lincoln Improvement
A63	Selby Bypass
A66	Stainburn and Great Clifton Bypass
Al20	Stansted Braintree
A249	Iwade—Queenborough Improvement
A303	Stonehenge
A421	Great Barford Bypass
A500	Basford, Hough, Shavington Bypass
A500	City Road/Stoke Road Junctions
A650	Bingley Relief Road
A1033	Hedon Road Improvement, Hull
24 March 2000
A74(M)	Carlisle—Guardsmil upgrading to motorway
A11	Fiveways to Thetford Improvement
A 11	Attleborough Bypass Improvement
A47	Thorney Bypass
17 October 2000
A63	Melton Grade Separated Junction
28 March 2001
M62	Junction 6 Improvement
A 1	Peterborough—Blyth Grade Separated Junctions
A3	Hindhead Improvement
A14	Haughley New St.—Stowmarket Improvement
A30	Bodmin-Indian Queens Improvement

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the (a) technical consultants and (b) financial consultants used by the Strategic Rail Authority since 3 July 2001 on a call-off basis, the total amount paid to each consultant; and the nature of the projects; [93223](2)if he will list the technical and financial consultants awarded contracts by the Strategic Rail Authority between 3 July 2001 and 31 March 2002, the nature of the assignment for each consultant, and the value of each contract; [93224]pursuant to his answer, 7 January 2003,

Information on contracts worth less than £25,000; and those awarded prior to April 2002 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The information on call-off contracts is in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost has been of the Thames Valley multi-modal study. [93613]

The Thames Valley Multi-Modal Study is expected to cost £1,250,300.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the evidential basis was for the description by the Minister for Lifelong Learning and Higher Eduction of some higher education courses as Mickey Mouse; and to which courses she was referring. [93942]

I was referring to any course where the content is not intellectually rigorous and where there is not a clearly designed purpose. I made the comment in the context of ensuring that the expansion of higher education is both relevant and appropriate to meet the needs of learners and employers, particularly when we are seeking a contribution towards the cost of tuition from students.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with (a) the Scottish Executive and (b) Scottish university representatives as to the possible implications for Scotland of the changes for English and Welsh universities announced in his statement of 22 January 2003, Official Report, columns 301–09. [93741]

[holding answer 28 January 2003]: My right hon. Friend meets members of the Scottish Executive from time to time in the course of normal business, as indeed do I. There have also been specific discussions during the higher education review, including the possible implications for Scotland.The White Paper, "The Future of Higher Education", identified the need for further discussions with the Devolved Administrations to consider the impact of our proposals for student and institutional funding on flows of students between UK countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the maximum values of Learning and Skills Council training allowance are (a) by region and (b) by sector within each region. [90918]

We do not set a maximum value on training allowances paid by the Learning and Skills Council. The minimum training allowance is 40 per week, although even here, local Learning and Skills Councils have discretion to increase this minimum depending on local circumstances, such as wage rates for unskilled employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research the Department has carried out on the relationship between the level of Learning and Skills Council training allowance and the rates of young people entering full-time training. [90920]

We have not undertaken any specific research on the relationship between the level of the minimum training allowance and the numbers of young people entering full-time training. The majority of young people in full-time Modern Apprenticeships are employed and receive a wage rather than the allowance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how he defines the meaning of his phrase 'fair access' in higher education. [94072]

As set out in "The Future of Higher Education" (Cm 5735), fair access means that the opportunities that higher education brings are available to all those who have the potential to benefit from them, regardless of their background.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is her Department's policy (a) to introduce manufacturer/ importer declarations on products manufactured outside the European Union stating that an article does not contain and release chemicals restricted in the EU and (b) to increase the use of animal testing in order to produce the test information required by the European Union's chemicals management system REACH; and if she will make a statement.[Transferred] [87024]

The Government supports the overall aim and approach set out in the Commission's White Paper of February 2001 on a Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy. As part of the process of developing its position in preparation for negotiations on the resultant legislation (expected in 2003) the Government published a Position Statement on 9 December, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. This is not a definitive statement of the Government's negotiating position, not least because the Commission has still to publish proposals for legislation. The Statement focuses on the main elements of the system itself and how it might function.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the inclusion of a specific objective in the European Commission's Mid-Term Review that CAP reform should work in the interests of poverty reduction and food security. [87567]

We estimate that the Common Agricultural Policy costs the average family of four in the United Kingdom between 8 and 9 per week through higher food prices and taxes. We believe reform is necessary to reduce this cost and contribute towards our wider poverty reduction objectives. Similarly, reform of the CAP would assist objectives of poverty reduction in developing countries, by increasing access for their agricultural produce to EU and third country markets.The CAP was originally introduced in 1962 to address a strategic need for food security in Europe. However, as production responded, surpluses became chronic and required increasingly heavy expenditure. Food security is now less of a policy driver, and we would prefer to see producers rewarded for delivering public benefits focussed on the environment and wider rural economy, rather than over-production.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what reform of the Common Agricultural Policy has taken place since 1997; what recent discussions have taken place with European colleagues on this matter; what proposals she has for future reform; and when they will be submitted to the EU. [93577]

The Agenda 2000 reform package, agreed at the March 1999 Berlin European Council, brought EU cereal, milk and beef prices closer to world levels, and gave member states some flexibility to use CAP money for environmental schemes. It represented a significant shift from price support to direct payments and it reduced some of the economic distortions of the CAP, enabling the formulation of an integrated EU rural development policy.On 22 January 2003 the Commission issued its draft legislative proposals for the 'Mid-term Review' of Agenda 2000. The Government has welcomed these proposals, believing further reform of the CAP to be necessary for both domestic and international reasons. In particular, we were pleased to see formal proposals to break the link between subsidy and production ('decoupling'), which will give producers greater flexibility to exploit market opportunities. However, we also have concerns over some elements of the proposals. For example, the proposed mechanism for transferring funds to support rural development is complex, would be hard to administer and would unfairly impact on larger farms; and we are disappointed at the proposed extension of milk quotas.The first formal discussion of these proposals took place at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting on 27 and 28 January. Further Council discussions are planned for the coming months. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly meets her EU counterparts bilaterally to discuss this issue. Since the start of this year she has met both the French and Greek Agriculture Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the reform of CAP. [92003]

The Government welcomed publication on 22 January of the European Commission's formal legislative proposals for reform of the CAP. In particular, we were pleased to see formal proposals to break the link between subsidy and production (decoupling), which will give producers greater flexibility to exploit market opportunities. However, we have concerns with some elements of the proposals. For example, the proposed mechanism for transferring funds to support rural development is complex, would be hard to administer and would unfairly impact on larger farms; and we are disappointed at the proposed extension of milk quotas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Environment Agency budget has been in each year since 1994. [93680]

The Environment Agency became operational on 1 April 1996.The total annual budget of the agency for each year since then, ending 31 March, is as follows:

Total annual budget for Environment Agency
	£million
1997	581
1998	610
1999	612
2000	640
2001	655
2002	707
2003	1760
1Forecast.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time staff have been employed at the Environment Agency in each year since 1994. [93706]

The Environment Agency became operational on 1 April 1996.The numbers of staff employed by the agency in each year since then, ending 31 March, are as follows:

Number of staff employed by Environment Agency
	(a) full-time	(b) part-time
1996	8,325	522
1997	8,502	621
1998	8,586	487
1999	9,163	544
2000	9,699	597
2001	9,862	614
2002	10,372	445
2003	10,195	1698
1 At 31 December 2002

Holding by size of agricultural area
	Size classes of the holdings (hectares agricultural area)
	<2ha	2-<5ha	5-<10ha	10-<20ha	20-<50ha	30-<50ha	50-<100ha	>=100ha	Total
	Number of holdings (1,000 holdings)
EU 15	2,376.8	1,524.9	929.2	757.7	386.9	415.1	372.2	226.3	6,989.1
Belgium	12.1	9.5	935	11.5	8.4	9.4	5.6	11.1	67.2
Denmark	1.2	1.1	10.3	13.5	8.6	11	12	5.6	63.2
Germany	85.1	82.9	77.9	90.4	57.4	65	53.3	22.3	534.4
Greece	382.4	244.3	116.1	53.8	13.4	8.1	2.7	0.5	821.4
Spain	329.1	318.1	197.8	149.3	59.7	55.5	51.5	47.3	1,208.3
France	96.6	85.8	61.8	75	60.5	98.4	125.7	76.1	679.8
Ireland	2.1	9	18.4	40.1	29.1	28.2	16.6	4.2	147.8
Italy	1,187	566.7	273.2	151	53.5	42.5	27.4	14.1	2,315.2
Luxembourg	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.4	0.9	0.2	3
The Netherlands	18	16.5	17.3	19.3	14.3	14.9	6.6	1.1	107.9
Austria	33.1	46.6	39.4	46.8	21.4	14.5	5.7	2.8	210.1
Portugal	207.1	110	48.7	26.5	8.5	6.3	4.2	5.4	416.7
Finland	2.2	5.7	14.5	27.4	17.8	15.9	7	1.1	91.4
Sweden	3.4	9.4	15.9	18.2	10.9	12.7	13.1	6	89.6
United Kingdom	17.1	19	28.4	34.7	23.2	32.3	39.9	38.6	233.2

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average annual direct subsidy receipts were for farmers in each EU member state from (a) 2000 to 2002, (b) 1997 to 1999 and (c) 1994 to 1996. [93571]

[holding answer 29 January 2003]: Based on available data, the following table gives the average level of CAP direct subsidy paid by EU member state.

Average level of CAP direct subsidy paid by EU member state.
	2000–02 (f)€million	1997–99€/ecu million	1994–96ecu million
Belgium	320	270	230
Denmark	745	670	550
Germany	4,215	3,520	2,830
Greece	2,295	2,290	2,050
Spain	4,190	3,670	3,055
France	6,710	6,085	5,150
Ireland	900	785	605
Italy	3,580	3,265	2,600
Luxembourg	20	15	15
Netherlands	245	215	175
Austria1	515	450	250
Portugal	440	370	325
Finland1	365	250	120
Sweden1	540	445	215
UK	3,325	3,270	2,245
EU	28,405	25,575	20,130
1The 1994–96 average for Austria, Finland and Sweden covers only 1995 and 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms in each member state are (a) under 50 hectares, (b) between 51 and 150 hectares, (c) 151 to 250 hectares, (d) 251 to 350 hectares, (e) 351 to 450 hectares, (f) 451 to 550 hectares and (g) 551 hectares and over. [93572]

[holding answer 29 January 2003]: The most recent results available on farm sizes across member states are from the 1997 Farm Structure Survey, are shown in the table. Results from the 2000 survey are expected to be released by Eurostat later in 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are in place to prevent the flooding of properties along the Trent in Nottinghamshire; and what financial provision has been made for flood defence in Nottinghamshire in 2003–04. [92858]

This Department provides grants for flood and coastal defence capital works, and associated studies, which meet essential technical, economic and environmental criteria and achieve an appropriate priority score Operational responsibility for flood management measures rests with the local operating authorities, normally the Environment Agency (EA) and local councils, who decide which projects to promote and their timing.I understand that there are approximately 250 km of flood defences along the Trent and its tributaries which have been constructed by the Environment Agency and its predecessors. The Agency spends some £1.5million per year on the maintenance of these flood defence systems.Defra encourages operating authorities to take a strategic approach to flood and coastal defence problems and to consider the need for schemes and develop proposals within an overall strategy for catchment areas so as not to create problems elsewhere. The Agency has commissioned consultants to prepare a strategy which will inform flood defence options for the River Trent between Stoke-on-Trent and Newark. Defra is providing grant aid for related studies. It is expected that the strategy will be published this Autumn. The Agency then plan to prepare a strategy for the tidal reach of the River between Newark and the Number Estuary. Defra will consider any capital works emerging from these strategies against the criteria above.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on changes in the rate of fly-tipping in the last three years. [93709]

Data on the level of fly-tipping is not currently collected centrally. Anecdotal evidence suggests that fly-tipping may have increased recently, but the Government have no firm evidence. We intend to carry out some further work in this area to ensure that we have a firm data base to inform future policy development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the recommendations laid out in the Report on the Future of Farming and Food and her Department's response to it in the light of the recent proposals for common agricultural policy reform. [93742]

[holding answer 29 January 2003]: The European Commission's proposals for reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP), published on 22 January 2003, are based closely on proposals in their discussion document of 10 July 2002. Therefore, we see no need to review the Government response to the independent Policy Commission, published alongside the Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food for England on 12 December 2002.The Commission's proposals are a positive step towards reform and will benefit farming. The Government will engage positively in negotiations, working to ensure a fair package for the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much farm waste was used in recycling across the UK in 2002. [93126]

Agricultural waste is currently excluded from waste management controls in Great Britain by section 75(7)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. No data are therefore held centrally of either the total amount of agricultural waste produced annually in the UK or the amount recycled. The same position applies under Northern Ireland legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what control she has over the operation of waste disposal plants. [93121]

The Department controls the regulation of waste disposal and recovery sites through a licensing system that is set out in legislation. The Environment Agency must have regard to the legislative framework and to any statutory guidance provided by my Department when discharging its functions as the Government's regulator and when fulfilling the requirements of the European Directives on waste.The operation of waste disposal plants is largely in the hands of the private sector. The Environment Agency prescribes the nature of the operations through waste management licences and pollution prevention and control permits and it supervises compliance with the relevant terms and conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the maximum permitted levels of smell from a waste plant are. [93124]

The Environment Agency regulates odour emissions from waste facilities with the objective of achieving "no reasonable cause for annoyance". The level of odour from a waste facility that will result in annoyance will depend on factors such as the type, strength and duration of odour. Guidance for Environment Agency officers in determining unacceptable levels of odour from waste facilities is provided in "Internal Guidance for the Regulation of odour at waste management facilities" and "IPPC Horizontal guidance note H4—external consultation". Both of these documents are available on the Environment Agency's website at www.environrment-agency.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what work has been done on assessing the effect of waste treatment plants on livestock. [93125]

No work has been done specifically relating to the effects of waste treatment plants on livestock.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he plans to take into account the National Audit Office report, "Improving Social Housing Through Transfer", in his forthcoming statement on council housing finance; and whether he contributed to the NAO report during its preparation. [93694]

The National Audit Office worked closely with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in researching their report on "Improving Social Housing Through Transfer". This has been helpful in the broader review of the vehicles for the delivery of the decent home target.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many armed forces breathing apparatus rescue teams and rescue equipment support teams were on fire cover during the strike by members of the Fire Brigades Union on 21 January 2003. [94219]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (John Barrett) on 30 January 2003, Official Report.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures he will take to lift the ceiling on local authority funding in order to allow more resources to be directed towards the police. [94868]

Local authorities are split into three groups for the purposes of the floor and ceiling calculations. These are:

• authorities with responsibility for education and social services;
• shire district councils; and
• police and metropolitan fire authorities, including the Greater London Authority.

The total amount of grant for each of these groups is unaltered by the application of floors and ceilings. Therefore, lifting the ceiling would not direct more resources to this group. In order to pay for the increased level of the ceiling, either the level of the floor would need to be lowered, or the authorities between the floor and the ceiling would need to contribute more money to help pay for the floor via the scaling factor. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister believes that it has set the level of floors and ceilings at an appropriate level to ensure a reasonable increase in grant for all authorities.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on how the development of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has been influenced by lessons from the Adult and Community Learning Fund. [94466]

The development of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy was influenced by the Adult and Community Learning Fund in that Department for Education and Skills officials provided the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit with the findings of the independent ACLF evaluations and impact studies as the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy was being devised.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will impose, as an additional requirement upon the City of London Corporation, as part of the local government grant allocation settlement, provision for the effective removal from forest and other open space land, for which it is responsible, rubbish which has been fly-tipped, obsolete tyres and refrigerators and abandoned cars, from its own resources; and if he will make a statement. [94518]

Under section 59 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the local authority (or the Environment Agency) has the power to remove fly-tipped waste from private land and to recover the costs of doing so from the perpetrators, where they can be traced. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible for the policy on fly-tipping. There are no plans to require local authorities to remove fly-tipped waste as such a requirement would provide an incentive for unscrupulous operators to fly-tip waste in the knowledge that it would be removed at no cost to them. Local authorities are already required to remove abandoned vehicles. It would therefore not be appropriate to impose additional requirements on the City.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the differing regional take ups of working families tax credit before deciding that it would be appropriate for working families tax credit to be used in the education formulae of the local government grant. [94636]

Ministers are aware of the difficulties caused by differential take-up rates and that, as a new scheme, the working families tax credit might be particularly affected. They considered, however, that the benefit to the education formula of broadening the measurement of social need considerably outweighed any drawbacks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had regarding the services offered by the airline Bmibaby from Cardiff airport. [90751]

Services at Cardiff airport frequently arise in my discussions. The growing range of destinations now being offered by Bmibaby represents a substantial improvement in local customer choice, as well as a welcome contribution to the economy of South Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action. [93048]

One, since the establishment of the Wales Office on 1 July 1999. The individual concerned was given a formal warning.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the running costs were of the Department in (a) 1997 and (b) the most recent year for which figures are available. [90753]

The net running costs of the Wales Office in 2001–02 were £2.4 million. The Department was established in 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many full-time equivalent staff are employed in the Department; and what the figures were for 1997. [90667]

Since the establishment of the Wales Office on 1 July 1999, it has been staffed entirely by secondees mainly from the National Assembly for Wales. As at 1 January 2003, the number of full-time equivalents seconded to the Wales Office was 42 staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he had with the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on devolving to the National Assembly for Wales powers over tuition fees and maintenance grants over the weekend prior to the launch of the White Paper on Higher Education. [95229]

I have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, including, most recently, the question of further devolution in this area to the National Assembly for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many working days have been lost in his Department owing to (a) industrial action and (b) illness in each year since 1997–98. [94282]

[holding answer 30 January 2003]: My Department was created in July 1999 and has lost no days to industrial action. In respect of illness I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) on 23 May 2002, Official Report, column 514W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the extent of job sharing in his Department. [90864]

Job sharing is only one of a number of alternative and flexible working patterns that staff at the Wales Office are welcome to take up. The flexibility of the pattern is decided in consultation with management to suit an individual's need and the needs of their work. At the present time, the Wales Office has eight staff out of 49 who work a flexible pattern; none of these job-share.