To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual cost to business of new taxes introduced since May 1997. [92747]

The net effect of the Government's Corporation Tax changes introduced since 1997 is to reduce the corporate tax burden on business. We now have the lowest corporation tax rates in UK history. We have introduced a series of targeted measures, including tax credits for R&D to reward entrepreneurship.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the costs of introducing tax credits. [92748]

Through the new tax credits the Government is investing £13 billion in supporting families of which £2.7 billion is additional to what is already available. No government has spent so much on children and families.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the recent effect of interest rates upon the balance of payments. [92749]

It is difficult to isolate the specific effect of interest rate movements on the balance of payments. However, the Government's strong macroeconomic framework has delivered economic stability and historically low interest rates so that the UK economy is well placed to benefit as the pace of global recovery picks up.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the annual cost to manufacturing businesses of taxes and regulations introduced since May 1997. [92751]

The net effect of the Government's Corporation Tax changes introduced since 1997 is to reduce the corporate tax burden on business. We now have the lowest corporation tax rates in UK history. We have introduced a series of targeted measures, including tax credits for R&D to reward entrepreneurship.The Government is committed to ensuring that regulations are fair and effective, so that they protect the vulnerable but do not stifle enterprise or productivity.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the trends in manufacturing industry throughout the United Kingdom in the last year. [92753]

After achieving its fastest rate of output growth for six years in 2000, the past two years have clearly been difficult for the manufacturing sector, not just in the UK but across the industrialised world. Nonetheless, the domestic macroeconomic stability that this Government's policies have put in place, together with our wide range of policies designed to improve productivity and enterprise, offer solid foundations for manufacturers to build on when the recovery in the world economy gathers pace.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy concerning reform of the European Stability and Growth Pact. [92754]

This Government has consistently made clear that it supports a prudent interpretation of the Stability and Growth Pact, which takes into account the economic cycle, sustainability and the important role of public investment. A prudent interpretation of the Stability and Growth Pact will provide a long-term solution and strengthen fiscal discipline. We continue to discuss this with our EU colleagues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the International Monetary Fund has made of the current economic situation in South America. [92755]

The latest IMF assessment of economic developments and prospects in Latin America was in its 'World Economic Outlook', published in September 2002. That showed 2002 was a difficult year, with an estimated fall in GDP of 0.6 per cent. for the region, but a recovery is expected during 2003. Growth rates experienced in 2002 varied widely, but countries with sound policy frameworks were generally better able to withstand the period of uncertainty.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had on the participation of the poorest countries in the global economy; and if he will make a statement. [92752]

Overcoming economic marginalisation and integrating the poorest countries into the global economy is vital to securing the economic growth required to meet our Millennium Development Goal of halving the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to bring rules governing investment-linked annuities into line with those already in operation for pensioners in income drawdown. [91556]

On 17 December the Government published, for consultation, simplification proposals for the pension tax rules. The consultation paper, "Simplifying the taxation of pensions: increasing choice and flexibility", is available in the House of Commons Library. The consultation is to allow people the opportunity to put forward their views before final decisions are taken.The consultation paper puts forward a proposed framework of general benefit rules within which new retirement products can be developed consistent with the requirement to annuities by age 75. These rules will apply to both annuities and drawdown products.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will take steps to enable new providers to take over the payment of conventional annuities; [91557](2) if he will make it his policy to enable with-profits annuitants to transfer to other annuity providers. [91555]

Tax legislation does not prevent the transfer of liability to pay an annuity to a different provider so long as the terms of the annuity are not altered. It is a matter of contract between the parties whether this can occur at the request of the annuitant.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the value of the Bank of England's land and buildings at (a) Threadneedle Street, London. (b) other London addresses and (c) other UK addresses, based on (i) the valuation for existing use and (ii) the highest valuation for alternative use; and if he will make a statement. [92515]

As at 30 November 2002. the existing use value of the Bank of England's land and buildings (including fixed plant) in the respective locations is:

(a) £172.4 million

(b) £40 million

(c) £17.2 million

These figures reflect a professional valuation as at 28 February 2001 by Insignia Richard Ellis, plus the cost of subsequent additions, less depreciation.Valuations for alternative uses are not available. These figures are unaudited.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the value of the fixed assets of the Bank of England; and what date these estimates were made; and if he will make a statement. [92516]

A valuation of the tangible fixed assets of the Bank of England, as at 28 February 2002, was included in the Bank's Annual Report, laid before Parliament on 23 May 2002.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what margin of error is officially regarded as acceptable for the 2001 census in (a) inner city areas and (b) rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [92496]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants have been employed by (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental bodies in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [92370]

Figures for HM Treasury and its agencies at 1 April for the period 1994–2001 are published in Civil Service Statistics copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library. Figures for 2002 will be published in due course.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many working-age people not in full-time education were economically inactive in each year since 1997. [91978]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to publish the 14 supporting studies on euro convergence before his Department's assessment of the five tests for entry to EMU. [92818]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 20 January 2003, Official Report, column 54W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the regulatory regime applicable to equity release products and providers. [92567]

The Government is giving the Financial Services Authority responsibility for regulating mortgage business, including mortgage based equity release arrangements. In August last year, the FSA published its consultation paper, CP 146 setting out its approach to regulating mortgage sales including lifetime mortgages (the FSA's term for regulated equity release mortgages). It is expected that regulation of lifetime and other mortgages will come into force in October 2004.As for home reversions, the Government announced in its Green Paper on Pensions that it would be looking at options to create a level playing field for the regulation of equity release and home reversion plans to protect consumers and make the market work better. The Government is gathering evidence of consumer detriment to decide the appropriate level of regulation. If the Government decides to go ahead and regulate home reversions the likely timescale would be a consultation later in the year, and the Government would decide on the basis of legal advice whether secondary or primary legislation was necessary.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's strategy is for economic reform in the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [91198]

The Government's White Paper on European economic reform (Realising Europe's Potential; economic reform in Europe, February 2002) sets out the Government's strategy for economic reform in the European Union and describes the next steps in this process. These include:

further reform of labour markets to meet EU employment targets and establish employment opportunity for all;

less and better targeted state aid;

continued improvement of the EU competition regime;

work to deliver a genuine single market in services, including financial services, as well as in manufacturing; and

the full opening up of gas, electricity and telecoms markets.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sales of heritage assets and antique assets have been made by his Department since May 1997; if he will list such assets; and if he will estimate the total sales proceeds. [92372]

HM Treasury did not hold or dispose of any heritage assets over this period.HM Treasury's Resource Accounts (1999–2000, Cm 5062 and 2000–01, HC 573) include a disclosure of all asset disposals including separate figures for antiques. Accounts for 2001–02 will be published shortly. Resource accounts were not compiled for years before 1999, and so data are not available in the form requested.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 14 January 2003, Official Report, column 514W, on home insurance, if he will publish the guidelines set out for the Financial Services Authority for their consultation on home insurance. [93035]

The Government have not issued guidelines to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) on the content of their consultation on mortgages and whether it should include requirements in relation to fees charged for switching home insurance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on whether the Pre-Budget Report predictions of fixed investment growth will be fulfilled. [92817]

As normal, the Government will update its forecasts for the UK economy in the forthcoming Budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of net international migration of population of working age is assumed in his trend growth projections for 2002–03 to 2007–08; and if he will make a statement. [90983]

The Treasury's neutral trend growth projections for 2002–03 to 2007–08 assume net inward migration to the UK of 104,000 people of working age a year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer after (a) five years, (b) 10 years and (c) 20 years, of the Government's proposals to give people a lifetime limit for pension contribution tax relief. [91091]

The cost of the proposed regime will depend on behavioural effects and the final design of the new regime, which will be decided in light of the consultation process.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to allow all staff in his Department to retire at age 65; what proportion of staff retire at or before age 60; and if he will make a statement. [92553]

Retirement policy is a matter for individual public sector employers and detailed numerical information is not held centrally. Government policy as set out in last year's pensions green paper, "Simplicity, security and choice: Working and saving for retirement (Cm 5677)" is to encourage people to work up to the age of 65 and beyond if they wish. Public service employers are reviewing their retirement policies to take account of that. In local government, the normal pension age is already 65 for new entrants. Longer serving staff may have rights to an earlier normal pension age, between 60 and 65, depending on their length of service.As set out in the Green Paper, the Government proposes to increase the normal pension age from 60 to 65 for new entrants to pension schemes such the NHS, teachers and civil service. Some 75 per cent. of civil servants already have the option to retire at age 65 and the numbers able to serve beyond age 60 are expected to increase. NHS staff are generally encouraged to continue to work beyond age 60 and those retiring on age grounds typically leave well after age 60. In the state education sector, teachers can normally work until age 65 if they wish and they can work beyond 65 by mutual agreement between the individual and the employer.In the armed forces, police and fire services the great majority of people leave before age 60 and pensions for those retiring are payable well before 60. There are a few posts in these services where individuals may be retained beyond age 60. There are a few posts in these services where individuals may be retained beyond age 60.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the figure of 87 per cent. in Annex B of the Treasury Autumn Performance Report for the proportion of PSA performance targets met is based on the same calculation as the figure of 87 per cent. contained in Annex A2 of the Departmental Report; [87634](2) if he will place in the Library the calculations on which he based the statement that 87 per cent. of PSA performance targets have been met or partly met by 2002, as stated in Annex A2 of HM Treasury Departmental Report 2002; [87635](3) if he will place in the Library the calculations on which he based the statement that 87 per cent. of PSA performance targets have been met or partly met, as stated in Annex B of HM Treasury Autumn Performance Report, Cm 5665; [87636](4) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) of 27 November 2002,

[holding answer 17 December 2002]: Both reports gave the latest position available at the time of publication, and are based on the same calculation: the number of targets met or partly met, divided by the total number of targets assessed. The Autumn Performance Report is therefore more up to date, and is based on 169 targets met or partly met out of 194 targets assessed. 11 targets have subsequently been met or nearly met, giving 180 targets out of 194, which is how the 93 per cent. figure is derived.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of further savings that will be made if the rules of public service pension schemes are changed so that new members receive an unreduced pension from age 65. [91084]

As noted in Cm 5677, "Simplicity, security and choice: Working and saving for retirement", the Government envisages that the higher pension age might be introduced in most schemes as part of a package of changes to pension arrangements. This would allow for improvements to benefits which employers and staff value and have a positive impact on staff recruitment and retention, including greater flexibility in the transition from work to retirement, and help the financial sustainability of public service pension schemes. Also, while it is envisaged that the new pension packages will be introduced for new employees, the Government will also be consulting on how and to what timescale the higher pension age and any associated enhancement to benefits could be extended to existing employees while protecting rights already accrued. Against that background there are too many uncertainties to give estimates of any likely net costs or savings and these will only become available as proposals are worked up for individual public services after full consultation with staff representatives. The effects of increasing pension ages would also vary considerably from scheme to scheme and build up gradually over time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total amount of money that was spent on research and development by small and medium-sized companies in (a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01 and (d) 2001–02. [91020]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the recommendations made by Grant Thornton in its Action Plan on the Royal Mint had been addressed by 31 December 2002; if he will place a report on the actions in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [90952]

Of the 70 recommendations contained in the above report, 67 have been completed. Of the remaining three, one is being addressed as part of a new Code of Practice for the Royal Mint and will be put in place by the end of March 2003 (Grant Thornton recommendation 14); one is on schedule to be completed by the agreed date of end March 2003 (Grant Thornton recommendation 32); and one has been found to be impracticable as there is no software available for our current systems (recommendation 62).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the annual cost to businesses of tax rises announced in the last Budget. [92750]

Budget 2002 introduced measures to modernise the corporate tax environment, providing longer-term stability and the best possible environment for investment. A series of targeted measures, such as tax credits for R&D and an exemption for capital gains on substantial shareholding, were introduced; as well as cutting the starting rate of corporation tax to zero and a reduction in the small companies rate to 19 per cent.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual cost to businesses of new tax rises announced in the last Budget. [92835]

Budget 2002 introduced measures to modernise the corporate tax environment, providing longer-term stability and the best possible environment for investment. A series of targeted measures, such as tax credits for R&D and an exemption for capital gains on substantial shareholding, were introduced, as well as cutting the starting rate of corporation tax to zero and a reduction in the small companies rate to 19 per cent.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue yield of a 49 per cent. income tax rate on (a) taxable income and (b) gross incomes exceeding £100,000 per annum; if he will estimate in each case the (i) income tax and (ii) capital gains tax yield; and if he will make a statement. [92775]

The full-year yield in 2003–04 of making the changes are set out in the table.

The full-year yield in 2003–04
	(i) Income Tax yield £billion	(ii) Capital Gains Tax yield £million
(a) 49 per cent. rate for taxable incomes
over £100,000	4.5	100
(b) 49 per cent. rate for gross incomes
over £100,000	4.6	100

The Income Tax estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the November 2002 Pre-Budget Report. These estimates exclude any behavioural response to the tax change.Capital Gains Tax estimates take into account the likely effect on yield of changes in the volume of disposals in a full year caused by taxpayers' behaviour.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedures are in place to ensure that revenue underspend by other Government Departments are (a) recognised by HM Treasury and (b) factored into decision making in future spending reviews. [92980]

Spending is monitored by the Treasury. The End Year Flexibility (EYF) system allows Departments to carry forward unspent budgets within departmental expenditure limits. Departments' EYF entitlements are published every year in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper. Departmental allocations in the Spending Review take account of all relevant factors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost has been of installing CCTV cameras in North Belfast for security purposes. [90161]

The PSNI commenced installation of CCTV cameras at various interface locations in North Belfast in early summer 2002. The installation costs associated with this project are £681,400.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost has been of damage to CCTV equipment in north Belfast installed for security purposes. [90162]

It is wholly regrettable that cameras and associated equipment installed to protect the local community have been attacked. The cost to date of replacing damaged CCTV equipment is £23,800. This does not include the costs to the PSNI (and the army) of supervising the replacement of damaged equipment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total expenditure of his Department was on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002. [90540]

The expenditure by the Wales Office in 2002 on newspapers, magazines and periodicals was £9,389.09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that the Welsh mining industry is provided with financial assistance on a basis similar to the English Partnerships National Coalfield Programme; and if he will make a statement. [84189]

I understand that there are no plans to establish a Welsh equivalent to the English Partnerships National Coalfield Programme in Wales.However, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Wales was allocated £3.462 million over three years by the UK Government since its launch in late 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his estimate is of public spending per head from all sources in Wales in the last year for which figures are available, originating from (a) local councils, (b) devolved Government and (c) central Government. [90008]

The latest estimates of public expenditure for Wales were published in the annual Treasury publication "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2002–03". The next edition of this publication is expected in the spring of this year.Table 6.9 shows local authority expenditure in Wales for 2000–01 as £4,414 million, equivalent to £1,520 per head of Wales' population.Table 8.7 shows total identifiable expenditure by the National Assembly for Wales in 2000–01 as £7,980 million, equivalent to £2,748 per head of Wales' population.Table 8.7 also shows identifiable expenditure by other central Government Departments in 2000–01 of £7,642 million, equivalent to £2,632 per head of Wales' population.In addition there is £40,436 million of non-identifiable expenditure where it is not possible to allocate the expenditure to a specific country of the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his estimate is of total spending by the Welsh Office in each year from 1999–2000 to 2005–06; and if he will make a statement. [89960]:

Estimated Wales Office spending for the years in question:

Year	£000
1999–2000	1,485
2001–01	3,011
2001–02	3,526
2002–03	3,696
2003–04	4,196
2004–05	4,196

The figure for 1999–2000 is for expenditure after the establishment of the Wales Office in its present form on 1 July 1999. These figures are spending on the Wales Office and do not include the payments made to the National Assembly for Wales to fund its budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much producing her Department's latest Annual Report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge. [90881]

The Defra Departmental Report 2002 cost Defra £17,512.00 plus VAT. This cost was for designing, typesetting and proofing the report.The printing of the document was handled by The Stationary Office Limited. They bore the full cost of printing and publishing of the document.Defra does not have information on how many copies were printed while the Stationary Office is not obliged to give us this information. I understand that the Stationary Office has sold 404 copies of Defra's Departmental Report.Defra has distributed 750 copies free of charge. The bulk of these have been made available to our staff, 25 sent to our International Relations and Export Division, 25 to the Forestry Commission and seven to the Office of Water Services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the incidence of bovine TB in cattle in Cornwall. [92826]

At the end of November 2002, the most recent date for which we have raw data, some 493 or 13 per cent. of the cattle herds in Cornwall were under TB movement restrictions. Of those around 380 were placed under restrictions in 2002; disease has been confirmed in 218 of these herds. This number will certainly rise as culture results come through over the next few months. Statisticians have advised that the backlog of overdue TB tests will have to reduce further before conclusions can be drawn about the changes in TB incidence between 2000 and 2003. This likely to be in summer of 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether her Department and its agencies have met the commitment arising from Action Point 13 of the June 2000 strategy statement on Revitalising Health and Safety to summarise health and safety performance and plans in annual reports from the year 2000£01 onwards; [89511](2) what information she has collated on the application to her Department and its agencies of the checklist, circulated by letter by Sir Richard Mottram, referred to under Action Point 12 of the Revitalising Health and Safety strategy statement; and if she will make a statement; [89513](3) which senior officials within her Department and its agencies take responsibility for health and safety at board or equivalent level; and where their names are publicised. [89512]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr. Nicholas Brown) on 20 January 2003, Official Report, column. 86W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will abolish the 20 day rule. [92882]

I announced earlier today that we intend to reduce the whole farm standstill to six days from 4 March, subject to satisfactory further consultation with the livestock industry on a package of measures to improve biosecurity and disease surveillance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the cost of the public inquiry into the creation of a New Forest National Park. [91695]

Defra has allocated £1.2 million for the costs to the Countryside Agency and Planning Inspectorate of the New Forest National Park inquiry. We do not expect an overspend. Other parties at the inquiry are bearing their own costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of (a) fruits and (b) vegetables sold in the UK were organic, in the last year for which figures are available. [91000]

Figures published by the Soil Association¹ estimate that the organic market accounted for 1 per cent. of the total food and drink market in the UK in 2001–02. Defra estimates that the organic market for fruit and vegetables accounted for approximately 2 per cent. of the total market for fruit and vegetables in the UK, in the same period. Detailed information on retail sales figures for organically produced fruit and vegetables is not currently available, however, to enable such a comparison to be made.The collection, collation and publication of information on the production, manufacture and wholesale and retail marketing of organic foods on a sector by sector basis is one of the many initiatives being further developed under the Organic Action Plan, published on 29 July 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government policy in relation to taxation of plastic carrier bags. [89830]

Taxation is a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. As was announced in the Pre-Budget Report on 27 November 2002, the Government currently does not have any plans to introduce a plastic bag tax, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is still considering the use of economic instruments for the better waste management of this and other items in the waste stream.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to promote the recycling of plastic bottles. [89808]

[holding answer 22 January 2003]:We have set all local authorities statutory performance standards to increase recycling and provided additional funding to deliver these standards. It is for local authorities to decide whether to focus on particular parts of waste stream such as plastic bottles. However, I would expect increasing numbers of local authorities to put in place a collection infrastructure for these as standards increase.The Producer Responsibility Regulations we have in place require relevant businesses to recover and recycle packaging waste including plastic. That framework also generates income that is used for collection capacity, end use markets and reprocessing capacity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the obtaining of temporary kennels for stray dogs collected by local authority dog wardens from (a) local police forces and (b) other sources when temporary police kennels are not available. [92589]

Section 149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires every local authority to appoint an officer to deal with stray dogs. In addition, under section 3(8) of the Dogs Act 1906, the local authority officer, police, or any other person having charge of a stray dog, are required to feed and maintain a dog until the owner has been given a reasonable opportunity to claim it back. Also, under the Protection of Animals Act it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to a captive or domestic animal. It is therefore for local authorities to decide how they will meet the statutory requirements placed upon them.

To ask the Advocate-General what the total expenditure of her Department was on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002. [90522]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, Official Report, 23 January 2003, column 491W.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office who the suppliers are of his Department's (a) paper and (b) paper products. [91898]

Cabinet Office operates framework agreements with the Stationery Office Ltd. and Hewlett-Packard Ltd. for the supply of all standard photocopier and printer paper. The Cabinet Office is also party to framework agreements with the James McNaughton Group, the Robert Home Group, the Howard Smith Paper Group and the Premier Paper Group for the provision of paper for printed publications. Self-adhesive message notes are provided under a framework agreement with Guilbert UK Ltd.Further information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the amount raised through the National Lottery for good causes in Northern Ireland; and if she will list those good causes. [92943]

To date the National Lottery has raised over £13 billion for the good causes. Over £137 million of this has been raised for distribution by the Northern Ireland Arts and Sport Councils, and additional amounts have been made available to Northern Ireland through the six UK wide distributors. At 31 December 2002 over £371 million of Lottery funding had been awarded to projects in Northern Ireland.The National Lottery etc. Act 1993 established five good causes to benefit from the Lottery: these are sport; the arts; heritage; charities and projects to mark the year 2000 and the beginning of the third millennium. The National Lottery Act 1998 Act introduced a new good cause of health education and the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the total value of National Lottery ticket sales in Northern Ireland has been since its inception; and what analysis has been undertaken as to the social class of those buying tickets. [92944]

The total value of National Lottery ticket sales in Northern Ireland since 1994 to date is £991 million. Research carried out by the National Lottery operator in 2001–02 indicated the following breakdown, taking the adult population of the United Kingdom as a whole who play the National Lottery regularly.

Percentage
	Saturday players	Wednesday players
AB	17	16
C1	29	28
C2	26	28
DE	27	27
Male	45	49
Female	54	50

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the total spending of his Department on entertainment in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if she will make a statement. [92395]

The following table shows expenditure on entertainment by my Department. The figures do not include the Department's agencies and NDPBs.All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Government Accounting.

£
	DCMS expenditure
1994–95	14,967
1995–96	25,563
1996–97	41,000
1997–98	17,230
1998–99	28,688
1999–00	32,533
2000–01	50,891
2001–02	28,657
2002–03 spend todate	35,990

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she has taken to implement the findings from the focus groups research run by her Department since June 2001; and what recent discussions and representations she has had with stakeholders and industry to deliver policies arising from those findings. [92719]

[holding answer 22 January 2003]: Since June 2001, the Department has made use of focus group research in two cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions she has had with local authorities on the effect of the proposed licensing bill on health and safety regulations; and if she will make a statement; [92333](2) what discussions she has had with local authorities on the

[holding answer 21 January 2003]: Ministers and officials have discussed all aspects of licensing reform with the local authority associations. We are continuing this discussion as the Bill undergoes Parliamentary scrutiny. The Local Government Association and the Association of London Government are represented on the Advisory Group on the Bill.Under the proposed reforms there will no longer be a separate entertainment licence. Instead a single premises licence for each place where licensable activities are to take place will set out the activities that are permitted there, including entertainment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what sales of heritage assets and antique assets have been made by her Department since May 1997; and if she will list such assets; and if she will estimate the total sales proceeds. [92396]

The Department has made no sales of heritage assets or antique assets since May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to enable greater community access to school and local authority sports facilities and equipment; and if she will make a statement. [89994]

As part of its £1 billion commitment to investment in sport and physical activity, the Government are allocating £750 million across the UK—including £581 million in England—from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) to support projects designed to bring a step change in the provision of sporting facilities for young people and for the wider community. This funding has been provisionally allocated to local education authority areas, and each LEA was invited to be the lead organisation for its area and work with schools and other partners, including community organisations, to determine the priorities for spend in their areas and submit a balanced portfolio of projects. Initial revenue funding is being made available from the allocations to support the development and promotion of the facilities for wider community use. Space for Sport and Arts, a joint DCMS-DfES initiative providing £130 million towards creating new, and rebuilding existing, primary schools, is also paying particular attention to developing facilities that can also be used by the community out of school hours.Local authorities are key providers of sport and recreation and play a central role in the delivery of sport in and for the community. The majority of local authorities continue to recognise good value for money represented by spending on sport and recreation for people of all ages in the communities they serve, and they have made considerable progress in investing in quality sports facilities after so many years of neglect in that area. This Government have embarked on an unprecedented investment in sport and recreation across the board, and has to date, through the National Lottery, invested over £660 million into improving local authority sports facilities in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what Government funds are available for modernisation of sports clubs; and by what means she channels modernisation funds to sports clubs. [91915]

The Government is making available £60 million over the next three years to enhance sports clubs' facilities. The programme will commence on 1 April this year. Its aims are to create a sustainable and viable sports club infrastructure in England that meets the needs of local communities particularly in deprived areas, to provide appropriate support and pathways for identifying and developing talented individuals and to increase club membership amongst young people, women, ethnic groups and people with disabilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) infrastructure and (b) training costs of Amport House were in each of the last five financial years. [92678]

The infrastructure and training costs of Amport House in the last five financial years are as follows:

Amport House infrastructure and training costs
£million
Financial year	Infrastructure
1998–991	1.847
1999–20001	0.857
2000–01	0.599
2001–02	0.633
2002–032	0.628
Training
1998–99	0.515
1999–2000	0.547
2000–01	0.656
2001–02	0.673
2002–032	0.764
1 Costs include capital works funding for new Chapel.
2 Forecast of expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many chaplains have attended each conference at Amport House in each of the last five financial years; [92674](2) how many personnel were employed at Amport House in each of the last five financial years, broken down by

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many conferences were held for chaplains at Amport House in each of the last five financial years. [92679]

The information requested is shown in the table:

FY	Number
1997–98	17
1998–99	18
1999–2000	20
2000–01	21
2001–02	18

The Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre (AFCC), based at Amport House supports all three services and all three of the major ecclesiastical groupings (Church of England (CofE), Roman Catholic (RC) and Church of Scotland and Free Churches (CSFC)) and other faith groups. The above figures include conferences, lectures, structured discussions and Continuing Ministerial Education (CME) as mandated by the sending church authorities, which areattended primarily by service chaplains. It does not include other courses or training activities held at the AFCC which service chaplains may also attend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the size is of the British Army of the Rhine; what its size was in (a) 1997, (b) 1993 and (c) 1983; and what British forces remain in Germany. [91854]

As a result of the drawdown of British troops in the early 1990s the British Army of the Rhine was disbanded on 1 April 1994. The present establishment of British Army (Germany) is 22,500.In the period between the years 1983 and the commencement of the drawdown of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) in 1992 there was little change in the establishment figure. In 1983 it would have been approximately 59,000.Following the commencement of the drawdown this figure had reduced to 35,000 by the end of 1993 and to 23,500 by 1997.In addition to the British Army (Germany) establishment, there are a small number of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel currently stationed in Germany.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many call-out notices have been issued in 2003; what percentage of those fit for active duty this represents; and if he will make a statement. [92138]

As at 21 January 1,909 call-out notices had been issued. This represents 0.85 per cent. of the total number of volunteer and Regular Reserves available. At any one time it is not possible to state how many members of the Reserve Forces will be fit for active duty because their state of health will change from day to day. This will only become apparent either when the Reservists report for service or if they make an application for revocation, exemption or deferral of call-out based on their health. This is one reason why we issue a larger number of call-out notices so that we can ensure that we achieve the number of Reservists that we require.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the desertisation of Challenger II tanks; when he expects the work to be complete; and if he will make a statement. [91047]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. Mercer) on 10 December 2002, Official Report, column 218W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what medical equipment is (a) possessed by his Department and (b) being shipped to the Gulf; and if he will make a statement. [92139]

The Ministry of Defence holds a vast range of medical equipment, ranging from pharmaceutical items through to mobile operating theatres. To list all the medical equipment held by the MOD, and that which is currently being moved to the Gulf, would be impracticable and could be done only at disproportionate cost. Sufficient medical equipment would be deployed to provide the level of medical support required in the event of military action against Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the responses given by naval personnel to questions no. 30 and 31 of the most recent Royal Navy Continuous Attitude Survey; how many personnel responded to questions 30 and 31; and what percentage of respondents to the survey this represents. [92799]

Details of the responses to questions 30 and 31 of the Royal Navy's most recently published Continuous Attitude Survey report are provided as follows.Q30—Please indicate your own morale in the service (morale in this context is a combination of contentment, motivation and a sense of well being)

	Number
Very Good	69
Good	328
Average	344
Poor	170
Very Poor	41
Total	952

The number responding to this question, 952, represents over 99 per cent. of the 957 responses to the survey as a whole.Q31—Having now had the opportunity to give your views on various aspects of service life, please give your overall view of your conditions of service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the next continuous attitude surveys for the (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) Air Force will be (i) conducted and (ii) published; whether the questions to be asked will differ in any way from those asked in the last survey; and if he will make a statement. [92800]

The next continuous attitude survey for the Royal Navy will be issued at the end of January with a report expected at the end of May. For the Army the next survey is scheduled to be sent out in June with a report scheduled for publication in September. For the RAF the next questionnaire will be issued on 3 February and the report will be published in August.The questions in the Royal Navy and the RAF surveys are the same as those asked in the last surveys. For the Army some of the questions will be slightly different from last time. All of the Army surveys have common themes but, within each theme, the type and number of questions is re-examined on each occasion. For the forthcoming survey in June the existing diversity and discipline sections will be re-balanced against a different subject, yet to be decided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) names and (b) employers of the members of the (i) National Defence Industries Council, (ii) National Defence Industries Council Research and Technology Group, (iii) National Defence and Aerospace Systems Panel, (iv) Research and Technology Task Force and (v) Defence Task Force. [91918]

The membership details, both from industry and Government, are as follows:

National Defence Industries Council (NDIC)
Membership	Industry
Sir Richard Evans	Chairman. Defence Industries
	Council and BAE Systems plc
Mr. David Singleton	Defence, Intellect
Mr. Martin Jay	Society of Maritime Industries
Sir David Lees	GKN plc
Mr. Nick Prest	Defence Manufacturers
	Association
Mr. Gordon Page	Society British Aerospace
	Companies
Mr. David Marshall	Defence Industries Council
Mr. Simon Frost	Claverham Group
Mr. Alex Dorrian	Thales Defence Ltd
Government
The right hon. Mr. Geoffrey	Secretary of State for Defence
Hoon MP

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of ammunition containing depleted uranium by British armed forces. [92711]

United Kingdom forces have two types of depleted uranium (DU) ammunition; 120 mm antitank rounds (CHARM 3), fired by the Army's Challenger tanks, and 20 mm rounds used by the Royal Navy's Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (a missile defence system).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers subject to manning control in the last 10 years submitted a redress to the Army Board against being discharged; and how many were (a) discharged and (b) retained after the redress. [92699]

Central records for those who have submitted a Redress of Complaint to the Army Board have only been maintained since 1997.Since then there have been two applications for Redress of Complaint relating to the Manning Control Point policy, which were resolved before submission to the Army Board. In these cases, manning control action was terminated and the individuals concerned continue to serve on their original engagement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many infantry soldiers who were subject to manning control in the last five years were discharged. [92698]

The number of infantry soldiers subject to manning control in the last five years who were discharged under Queen's Regulations 9.413 cNot required for a full Army career', is shown in the following table:

	Yearly totals
1998	46
1999	40
2000	55
2001	44
2002	2
Total	187

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security of supply for armed forces equipment and munitions should forces be committed to military action in Iraq. [92035]

Security of supply is one of the many factors taken into account in the procurement of equipment and munitions. We maintain a close dialogue with our key contractors and international partners to ensure the early identification of any difficulties that may arise so that we can address them accordingly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of munitions released over Iraq were precision guided in each of the last five years. [92534]

All of them. RAF aircraft have employed only precision guided munitions when forced to defend themselves while monitoring the No Fly Zones.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2002, Official Report, column 293W, on Iraq, when figures for ordnance released over Iraq for the whole of 2002 will be published. [92517]

Between 5 and 31 December 2002 RAF aircraft released 11.8 tonnes of ordnance while responding in self defence to attacks from Iraqi air defences. The total released in 2002 was 67.6 tonnes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by the UK in enforcing the no-fly zone over Iraq in each year since its introduction. [91530]

Our records do not separately identify expenditure incurred in maintaining the no fly zones. However, the following table sets out the overall additional expenditure incurred by the Ministry of Defence as a direct result of operations in the Gulf from 1992–93 onwards.

Year	£million
1992–93	551
1993–94	179
1994–95	58
1995–96	14
1996–97	6
1997–98	16
1998–99	35
1999–2000	28
2000–01	25
2001–02 (estimate)	122
2002–03 (estimate)	126
1Denotes figure calculated on a resource basis; all previous figures are cash-based

I will write to the hon. Member concerning expenditure in 2001–02 and 2002–03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with Health Ministers about the removal of medical reservists from NHS hospitals for service in (a) RFA Argus and (b) other Royal Fleet Auxiliary or Royal Navy vessels in the next 12 months. [89879]

Currently, there is no requirement for the employment of medical Reservists in Royal Fleet Auxiliary Argus or other Royal Fleet Auxiliary or Royal Navy vessels over the next 12 months. However, if such a requirement arose, the Ministry of Defence would liaise with the Department of Health and, together, we would work closely with the NHS Trusts concerned to minimise any disruption as far as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the last three operational deployments and the length between each has been for (a) 1 Para, (b) 2 Para,(c) 3 Para, (d) 7th Armoured Brigade, (e) 1st Armoured Brigade and (f) 161 Ambulance Regiment RLC; and how many personnel have been medically downgraded in each. [92140]

Details of the last three operational deployments of each of the units listed, and the length between each of those deployments, are shown in Table 1. 1st Armoured Brigade does not exist. The details for 161 Ambulance Regiment RLC have also been excluded as the unit was disbanded last year, and no longer exists. 161 Ambulance Regiment RLC was a specialist TA unit, and never deployed as a formed unit.

Table 1
Unit	Date	Location	Interval (months)
1 PARA	June–August 1999	Kosovo	-
	May and August 2000 (two short deployments)	Sierra Leone	9
	January–June 2001	Northern Ireland	4
2 PARA	September–October 2001	Macedonia	-
	January–March 2002	Afghanistan	2
	September 2002–March 2003	Northern Ireland	6
3 PARA	September 1997–March 1998	Northern Ireland	-
	January–June 2000	Northern Ireland	21
	January–June 2002	Northern Ireland	18
7 Armd	April–October 1997	Bosnia	—
Brigade	May–November 2000	Kosovo	31
	May–November 2001	Kosovo	6

The details of those personnel classed as Non-FE, as at 1 December 2002, are included in Table 2. Non-FE status signifies some form of temporary medical downgrading, although it should be noted that while an individual is considered to be medically downgraded, they may still be liable for deployment, depending on the reason for the downgrading, the nature and location of the deployment, and medical advice.

Table 2
Unit	Non-FE total	Establishment total	Percentage of establishment
1 Para	30	620	4.8
2 Para	20	687	2.9
3 Para	30	687	4.3
7 Armd
Brigade	350	6,576	5.3

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's definition is of overstretch. [89277]

There is no formal definition of overstretch. It has however been referred to in the past as that operational loading of military formations or individuals which is excessive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Royal Naval vessels which have entered service in each of the past five years. [92962]

Details of Royal Navy vessels entering into service in each of the past five years are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is supplied from each of the ROD sites in the UK. [92033]

Royal Ordnance Defence (ROD), part of BAE Systems, supply a variety of munitions to the Ministry of Defence under the terms of the MOD/ROD Framework Partnering Agreement. This work is undertaken by ROD at five main sites: Radway Green, Cheshire (supplies Small Arms Ammunition and manufactures components for 20mm and 30mm ammunition for other RO sites); RO Birtley, Co Durham (manufactures metal components); RO Bridgwater, Somerset (produces explosives); RO Chorley, Lancashire (produces a variety of components such as Small Arms Primers, Tube Vent Electric L4 and other initiating devices); and RO Glascoed, Gwent (undertakes assembly, fill/ pack activities and supplies finished munitions to the Department, including 20mm and 30mm ammunition, tank ammunition, 4.5 inch Naval shells, 105mm and 155mm Artillery rounds).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 8 January 2003, OfficialReport, column 226W, on S-type contracts, what the rank is of those soldiers serving on S-type contracts. [92702]

The breakdown by rank of those soldiers who are employed on an S-type engagement following termination of their notice or open engagement after a manning control review, is shown in the following table.

	Pte	LCpl	Cpl	Sgt	Army total
Rank totals	82	76	162	31	351