To ask the President of the Council if he will list events at which his Department has exhibited in each of the last three years, stating for each (a) the purpose of exhibiting, (b) the cost of exhibiting and (c) the number of staff attending for the exhibition. [107614]

The Privy Council Office has not exhibited at any event in the last three years.

To ask the President of the Council what the estimated level of saving to the Department is from the use of market testing in 2002–03. [107774]

The Privy Council Office has not used market testing in 2002–03.

To ask the President of the Council if he will make a statement on the basis on which the additional subventions from public funds are being made to the hon. Members' pension scheme; what discussions he has had with hon. Members who are members of the Pension Fund on the subject of additional public funding; and what alternatives to additional public funds were discussed on how to meet the shortfall in hon. Members' pension scheme. [107373]

My statement to the House on 24 March 2003, Official Report, column 2WS, explained that the Parliamentary and Other Pensions Act 1987

			BASE Estimate 60y	BASE Estimate 60y	Levy @ airport (IRR)		Levy@ all airports (IRR)		RPI + x% @ airport (IRR)		RPI + x% @ all airport (IRR)
Package	Airport	Runway	NPV	IRR	£2	£4	£1	£2	1%	2%	0.5%	1%
5B	LHR	1st	111	13.3	15.8	18.4	15.4	17.6	15.8	18.2	15.1	16.8
6	LGW	1st	-392	6.1	9.1	11.8	25.1	32.1	9.2	11.5	22.4	25.2
7	STN	1st	-873	5.8	7.5	9.0	14.1	16.8	7.8	9.5	13.7	15.7

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the annual CO₂ emissions from the transport sector were in each year since 1990; and what plans he has in place to reduce these. [107234]

Annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other emissions from the transport sector are published each year in the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, which is available at www.naei.org.uk, and in Transport Statistics Great Britain, which is available via my Department's website at www.dft.gov.uk. Ratified data requires the Government Actuary to value the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund at three-yearly intervals and to make recommendations as to the amount of the Exchequer contribution. The Act further requires the Government to implement the Government Actuary's recommendations with effect from the following financial year.The Senior Salaries Review Body will no doubt consider the balance of funding of the pension scheme, as between Exchequer and members, in its next review of parliamentary remuneration.

To ask the President of the Council what policy on (a) core hours and (b) flexible working hours is operated by his Department. [107654]

Where operationally appropriate, staff in the Privy Council Office may take advantage of flexible working hours. The flexible working day is between 7.30 and 18.30, for which core times are from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00. A half-hour break should be taken between 12.00 and 14.00. Staff may build up excess hours of up to a day and half and work with a deficit of up to one day within any four-week 'flexi-time' accounting period. Flexi-leave to use up excess hours requires line management approval and is agreed where operationally possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish revised projections for the Internal Rate of Return for the Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted options presented in Table 14.11 of SERAS Stage Two Appraisal Findings report, taking account of the new maximum airport landing charges recommended by the CAA. [106216]

[holding answer 1 April 2003]: The calculations, taking account of the new maximum airport charges for the period 2003–04 to 2007–08, are as follows:is available up to the year 2000. CO

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects London Underground to be transferred to Transport for London. [107265]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 1 April 2003, Official Report, column 610W, to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his forecast date is for replacement of the last operational slam door train on British Railways. [93606]

The Strategic Rail Authority is leading an industry wide Mark 1 replacement Programme to ensure that all Mark 1 rolling stock is removed from the Network by 31 December 2004 as required in the 1999 Rail Safety Regulation. Because of the failure of Railtrack to ensure an adequate power supply for the South London Network, it has become clear that it may be necessary to provide for around 300–350 vehicles to operate on the network after December 2004. The SRA hopes these vehicles will be removed from the network in spring 2005.

To ask the Secretary of state for Defence what the (a) mandate, (b) range of duties and (c) composition is of the existing Joint Regional Teams in Afghanistan. [106679]

[holding answer 2 April 2003]: Provincial Reconstruction Teams (as Joint Regional Teams are now called) are deployed with the agreement of the Afghan Transitional Administration. Their role is to assist in extending the Transitional Administration's authority, help to develop a stable and secure environment in the Afghan regions and facilitate security sector reform and reconstruction. The teams deployed so far are led by the US and include both military and civilian personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was in the Levins containers found in the former First World War training area near Saltdene; what happened to this material; and what representations were received from the Health and Safety Executive about the disposal of this material. [106785]

Four Levins containers were recovered to Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) Porton Down from the Brighton area in October 1993. It is believed that these are the items to which my hon. Friend is referring.The containers were opened at Porton Down in 1994 in accordance with normal procedures and were found to contain sand and water.No representations were received by DSTL Porton Down from the Health and Safety Executive concerning the disposal of these containers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions on which (a) his Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department failed to pay valid invoices within 30 days or after the agreed credit period in the financial year 2001–02. [104318]

The Defence Bills Agency is a shared service centre for the Ministry of Defence accounts payable and debt management function, paying the bulk (4.5 million per annum) of the Department's bills.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to review the use by British forces of depleted uranium ammunition in the light of its environmental impact in Bosnia-Herzegovina; [107139](2) if he will make a statement on the findings of the UN Environment Programme's report on depleted uranium in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [107138]

I have no current plans to review the use of depleted uranium (DU) ammunition by British Forces.United Nations Environment Programme environmental assessment of Bosnia-Herzogovina concluded that the recorded contamination levels are very low and do not present immediate radioactive or toxic risks for the environment or human health. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 April 2003,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) civilian support staff and (b) military personnel are required to prove that injuries or illnesses are Gulf war related before they are entitled to compensation from the Government. [105954]

Claims for common law compensation made against the Ministry of Defence by anyone are considered on the basis of whether or not the Ministry of Defence has a legal liability to pay compensation. Where there is a legal liability to pay compensation we do so.No-fault compensation for Service personnel disabled as a result of their Service is provided in the form of the War Pensions Scheme. A war disablement pension can be paid for any disablement provided a causal link to Service is accepted.As at 31 December 2002, 2,364 Gulf veterans were in receipt of a war disablement pension (this figure includes awards for both Gulf and non-Gulf related illness).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1), what guarantee there is in the sale document that HMS Sheffield will never be owned by the Argentinian Government; [105434](2) what discussions he has had with

[holding answer 28 March 2003]: In common with all Government-to-Government sales of surplus United Kingdom defence equipment, the sales documentation for HMS Sheffield contains an undertaking by the buying Government that they will obtain prior formal consent of the Ministry of Defence to the transfer of possession of the ship or its equipments to any third party. Additionally the Government that buys HMS Sheffield from the United Kingdom will be required to apply for an Export Licence from the Department of Trade and Industry, which will involve submission of an end user certificate.The subject of the sale of HMS Sheffield has been discussed during contacts between United Kingdom and Chilean Defence Ministers on issues of mutual interest since the declaration of the ship for disposal. The subject has not been raised in similar bilateral meetings with the Argentinean Government.Negotiations over the sale of HMS Sheffield for future use to an acceptable overseas government are in their final stages.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether UK forces will seek to deliver humanitarian relief in disputed territory in Iraq. [106844]

Until the security situation in Iraq stabilises enough for civilian aid agencies to deploy fully, United Kingdom forces will continue to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq where it is needed and where they are able to do so. However, we cannot deliver that assistance if doing so poses unacceptable risks to British soldiers. By disguising his militia as civilians, Saddam Hussein is disrupting the provision of aid. This is entirely consistent with the disregard he has always shown towards his own people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what responsibilities under the Geneva Convention coalition forces have to deliver humanitarian relief in disputed territory in Iraq. [106846]

The United Kingdom is a party to the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and will comply fully with its obligations under that Convention. The application of the provisions of that Convention depends on the progress of the conflict and may differ across the country. The provision of humanitarian assistance by United Kingdom forces has already begun in towns in southern Iraq where the situation has stabilised enough to make this possible. That effort will continue until civilian aid agencies can deploy fully.In other areas where United Kingdom troops are present, we are monitoring the humanitarian situation and stand ready to provide whatever assistance is required once local elements of the regime collapse and a secure environment is established.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to parachute aid into urban areas meeting fierce resistance in the Iraqi conflict. [107123]

We currently have no such plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions have been given to the Royal Mail regarding parcels and mail to the armed forces involved in action in Iraq. [107142]

Advice given to Royal Mail Group on the subject of mail to personnel deployed in the Gulf is as follows:

A surface parcels service is not available, and parcels should not be accepted.

Airmail letters and packets up to two kilograms in weight should be charged at the BFPO European rate, which equates to first class inland postal charges.

Forces Free Air Letters ("blueys") are available free of charge.

The BFPO numbers applicable to deployed forces and HM Ships have been specified.

I refer my hon. Friend also to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 2 April 2003,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his oral answers to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) and the right hon. Member for Bracknell (Mr. Mackay) on 31 March 2003, Official Report, columns 651 and 660, if he will make a further statement on his Department's policy on postal services to Her Majesty's forces in the Gulf.[107380]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 2 April 2003, Official Report, column 912, to my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley, North (Mrs. Adams).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential environmental impact of the use of depleted uranium ammunition in the current operations against Iraq. [107140]

It is not possible to carry out environmental impact studies in Iraq at the present time. However, we accept the Royal Society's assessment of the potential effects of depleted uranium (DU) on the environment, as detailed in the two reports on "The Health Hazards of Depleted Uranium Munitions" (2001, 2002).DU particulate remains highly localised to the points of impact where DU munitions have struck hard targets: only in these small areas would DU levels be significant enough to necessitate precautions to prevent or reduce possible intakes. This view is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme as well as the Royal Society's DU Working Group.The Royal Society's report on "The Health Hazards of Depleted Uranium Munitions" Part II states that

The following lists provide details of those properties that have been sold to developers in the last six years in the South East of England and properties that are or will be available to developers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will write to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South regarding his answer of 7 November 2002, Official Report, column 454W, concerning service personnel medical records. [84151]

I have written today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the status is of Operation Resonate North; and if he will make a statement. [107121]

In view of the ongoing air operations against Iraq, patrols in the No Fly Zones are now redundant. This does not mean that we have in any way reduced our humanitarian concerns for the Iraqi people. Our servicemen and women have daily risked their lives enhancing the security of the civilian population for over a decade, and we will continue to demonstrate that commitment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who paid for the services of (a) his Department's police and (b) Home Office police at the demonstration at RAF Menwith Hill on 22 March; how many from each were deployed; and if he will make a statement. [107232]

136 additional Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) officers were deployed at RAF Menwith Hill over the 24 hour period, 22 March 2003. The cost of routine MDP services at RAF Menwith Hill is borne by the United States Government. Additional MDP costs occasioned by demonstrator activity is borne by the Ministry of Defence. The funding arrangement and numbers of Home Department Police deployed at RAF Menwith Hill on 22 March 2003, is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made to enable servicemen and women from the Gulf to (a) telephone and (b) e-mail home; and what the costs are to the service personnel. [105643]

Personnel are allowed 20 minutes telephone time per week and open access to e-mail. Both are free of charge. These arrangements have been in place for some time for personnel deployed in support of Operations Resinate and Oracle. For those deployed in support of Operation Telic, we continue to build up all aspects of the Operational Welfare Package as quickly as possible. For the duration of the combat phase, operational security considerations will govern the availability of both telephones and e-mail facilities to troops in a combat role. Any troops unable to use their allowance for operational security reasons will be able to accumulate their allowance for use at a later stage in the operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will issue technical guidance on the use of on-farm incinerators for the purposes of complying with the EU Animal by-products regulation. [107215]

Interim guidance is already available on the DEFRA website. Full guidance will be sent with a letter to all livestock farmers about disposal of fallen stock under the EU Animal by-products regulation shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the level of change in farm incomes between 2001 and 2002. [106383]

Total income from farming in the UK in 2002 is estimated to be £2.36 billion which is 15 per cent. (14 per cent. in real terms) higher than its 2001 level. Total income from farming is income generated by production within the agriculture industry, including subsidies, and represents business profits plus remuneration for work done by owners and other unpaid workers. Total income from farming per full time person equivalent rose by 19 per cent. (18 per cent. in real terms) to £11,107.Although having risen in each of the last two years, total income from farming is still 62 per cent. below its peak in 1995 (after more than doubling between 1990 and 1995). The long term trend in income has been downwards although it rose and fell dramatically in the nineties due to changes in exchange rates, world commodity prices and the impact of BSE.More detailed information on farm incomes can be found in a Statistics News Release titled Provisional estimates of farm incomes in the United Kingdom' published on 30 January 2003 (amended 31 January 2003), which can be found onthe Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/esq/work_htm/Notices/account.pdf, and in the publications Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2002 and Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom, which may be found on the Defra website at http://www.defra.qov.Uk/esq/m publications.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken in the last five years to develop a network of laboratories for the (a) detection, (b) identification, (c) diagnosis and (d) research into (i) biological agents and (ii) technology to counter terrorist action to British (a) farms and (b) food supplies. [105072]

Terrorism is a scenario we do consider seriously. DEFRA has for many years had in place emergency planning and contingency planning for dealing with threats to food supplies and agriculture. Such threats come not only from terrorism or a deliberate action; they can be part of nature.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) training and (b) technical advice has been provided by her Department to officers of Customs and Excise who are due to take over responsibility for anti-smuggling controls on illegal imports of meat from 11 April. [106107]

[holding answer 31 March 2003]: Defra is working with Port Health Authorities and HM Customs and Excise to ensure Customs have the resources and knowledge to fulfil their new role. Detailed tables of products, countries and allowances have been prepared by Defra for use by Customs officers working in passenger terminals, postal depots and with cargo. Defra has provided guidance to Local and Port Health Authorities on Customs' new role and is contributing to HM Customs guidance to their officers. Defra has, since last autumn, paid for additional staff to carry out checks on illegal meat and plant imports at major ports and airports. These staff will be retained for an interim period from 11 to 30 April to give technical support to Customs officers on their new responsibilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures the Government are taking to combat light pollution in urban areas. [106610]

I have been asked to reply.The Government have issued "Lighting in the Countryside: Towards Good Practice", and guidance on good street lighting practice to encourage the use of lighting types which prevent or minimise unwanted upward illumination.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of food purchased by the (a) MOD, (b) NHS and (c) DFES was locally sourced in the last three years; and if she will make a statement. [103348]

[holding answer 18 March 2003]: Defra is leading an initiative designed to encourage key public sector bodies to procure their food and catering services in a manner that promotes sustainable development and does not discriminate against local and UK suppliers. However, we do not hold information on the proportion of food purchased by the MOD, NHS and DfES from local sources. This is a question that should be addressed to them, although they may only be able to supply figures for food purchased from UK sources, as they are unlikely to collect such detailed information. DfES does not purchase food for schools or other educational institutions, as this is the responsibility of individual schools etc or, where budgets have not been delegated, that of the local education authority.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total EU funding to (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England was in each of the last three years. [107314]

A breakdown of all EC receipts paid in Scotland, Wales and England is not held centrally. However, details of total UK public sector receipts, broken down by Fund, from the EC Budget for the period 1996–97 to 2001–02 can be found in Table 3.2 (page 12) of the Government's White Paper: European Community Finances (Cm 5547) published in July 2002.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether additional capital raised through the International Finance Facility will count against the target of gross national product that the United Kingdom has pledged to spend on aid to developing countries; and how it will be accounted for. [105676]

The International Finance Facility will seek to provide the additional resources necessary to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.The UK is committed to reaching the 0.7 per cent. of GNI target in the longer term; the IFF provides a realistic and feasible way to rapidly increase aid flows and make faster progress towards this target in the years up to 2015. The accounting treatment of the disbursement of funds raised through the IFF is subject to further technical discussions.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the costs of waiving the fee charged to couples seeking to marry in less than the 15 day waiting period where one partner has been called up for military service overseas; and if he will make a statement. [106998]

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how the total revenue from duty on (a) wines and (b) spirits is calculated in any one year; [105515]

The total revenue from the duty on wines and spirits for any one year is calculated from the net duty receipts recorded by HM Customs and Excise Central Accounting Operations. Details of the amount of revenue received on wines and spirits are published in Customs' annual report, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.The declared value of wine imports in 2002 was £2.01 billion, excluding duty and VAT.Figures for the total volume of wine and spirits smuggled in 2002 are not available. Estimates of the value of alcohol products smuggled by cross-Channel passengers in 2002 and estimates of the total of fraud affecting alcohol products in 2000–01 were published in "Measuring Indirect Tax Losses" in November 2002, a copy of which is also available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office to what use the national network of civil defence bunkers established during the Cold War is being put. [103429]

Following a review of emergency planning arrangements in 1992, all the civil defence regional headquarters in England and Wales were offered up for sale on the open market and are now under private ownership.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on ethnic minority representation in the Senior Civil Service. [106668]

The Civil Service is making progress on increasing the representation of minority ethnic staff at Senior Civil Service level.As at October 2002, 2.8 per cent. of staff at this level were from a minority ethnic background. This is up from 1.6 per cent. in April 1998, and represents good progress towards our target of 3.2 per cent. by 2004–05.There is a range of action in place to ensure sustained action to improve representation at senior levels.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many staff were employed by his Department in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [106982]

The information is not available in the format requested. Staffing figures for Civil Service Departments and agencies are published twice yearly by press notice, copies of which are laid in the Libraries of both Houses. Information relating to 1 April 2002 was published on 31 October 2002, and information for October 2002 was published on 27 February this year. Information relating to 1 April 2003 is not yet available. The figures are also made available via the worldwide web at: http://www.civil-service.gov.uk/statistics/documents/pdf/staffing_03.pdf

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to protect industry standards and law-abiding companies from rogue traders in the household conservatory construction industry. [106250]

DTI is already rolling out the Quality Mark Scheme for builders and tradesmen in the domestic repair and maintenance sector. A detailed business plan is currently under development to underpin the next stage of the Scheme. It is expected this will be put to Ministers for their approval shortly. The Quality Mark Scheme aims to raise standards in this sector, bring peace of mind to consumers and provide reputable companies with a competitive edge. It covers all the main trades in this sector, including conservatories, and requires tradesmen to be independently assessed against a range of standards including workmanship, skills and qualifications, customer care and financial probity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what UK requirements and guidelines she sets British companies signing contracts in Russia in respect of their policies towards their Russian employees. [104746]

Any UK company wishing to enter into a business arrangement with a Russian partner would be advised to satisfy itself as to all aspects of the contractual arrangements which it was being asked to enter into. In line with our aim of actively promoting corporate social responsibility, we would also encourage companies to work with their partners and suppliers to address the economic, social and environmental impacts of their policies and activities. In the light of this, one good way of achieving these goals would be to act in accordance with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and to perform at least the standards they suggest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the running costs in 2002 were of (a) her Ministers' private offices, separately identifying expenditure on staff, and (b) her Department. [106004]

The Consolidated Resource Accounts published by the Department of Trade and Industry for the financial year 2001–02, show total administration costs for the department and its agencies of £520 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the current status of her Department's provision of insurance services to Huntingdon Life Sciences Group. [105626]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Haris) on 17 December 2002, Official Report, columns 733–34W, and the replies given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 27 January 2003, Official Report, column 592W, and 6 February 2003, Official Report, column 394W, which set out the current status of my Department's facilitation of insurance for Huntingdon Life Sciences Group plc.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much funding has been granted by the Sub-Post Office Start-up Capital Scheme to assist with one-off capital costs associated with the refurbishment or relocation of rural post offices. [107101]

I understand from Post Office Ltd., who administer the scheme, that, as at the end of February 2003, 156 grants to a total value of £1,130,409 had been approved, of which £883,773 had been paid out.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions her Department held with Post Office Ltd. over the imposition of payment rate on postmasters for conducting Post Office card account transactions; what payment rate has been agreed; and if she will make a statement. [107372]

Ministers and officials have regular contact with Post Office Ltd. to discuss a range of issues. Remuneration for postmasters is a commercial matter between Post Office Ltd. and the postmasters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what role her Department is playing in the (a) employment and (b) remuneration of network development managers for the Urban Network Reinvention Programme for the Post Office. [107378]

None. These are operational matters for Post Office Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to (a) review and (b) amend regulation of (i) the pricing and (ii) the advertising of the pricing of premium rate telephone services. [106957]

The basis of the regulation of premium rate telephone services is being changed by the Communications Bill, when the whole telecommunications regulatory regime will be modified to implement the EC Electronic Communications Directives. The arrangements for regulating premium rate services will, however, as far as possible, follow the present model based on compliance with a code of practice established and enforced by the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) with back-up powers exercised, if necessary, by the sector regulator (currently OFTEL, but in future OFCOM).The code of practice embraces issues of pricing, provision, content, promotion and marketing of premium rate services, and provides for ICSTIS to investigate complaints and adjudicate on them. All this is expected to continue under the new arrangements. The Communications Bill gives OFCOM power to set conditions for the purpose of regulating the provision, content, promotion and marketing of premium rate services. It also gives OFCOM power to approve a code for regulating premium rate services (such as the ICSTIS code) and explicitly provides that such a code may, in particular, contain provision about the pricing of premium rate services and provision for enforcement of the code. Premium rate service providers will also continue to be subject to the rules governing non-broadcast advertisements and promotions set out in codes administered by the Advertising Standards Authority (the ASA).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received about delays caused to (a) construction and (b) other development projects due to obstruction by utility companies. [106765]

The Department receives representations from time to time about connection and other issues where development projects interact with utility services.These are generally a matter for the parties concerned. In the case of certain connection issues, the electricity regulator Ofgem may be able to provide a determination.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether the members of a public benefit corporation will have any role other than to (a) appoint and (b) elect the board of governors; [105120](2) whether the members of a public benefit corporation will have a role other than to appoint or elect the board of governors. [105591]

Subject to parliamentary approval, national health service foundation trusts will be set up as public benefit corporations. The minimum requirements for the constitution of public benefit corporations, including the role and function of the membership, are set out in Schedule 1 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill. Subject to approval by the Independent Regulator, individual NHS foundation trusts may add to these minimum requirements under their constitution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for the legal status of bodies corporate formed using investment by NHS Foundation Trusts. [105119]

Subject to parliamentary approval, subsections (4) and (5) of clause 17 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill will give national health service foundation trusts financial and investment powers, including powers to invest money, form subsidiaries and enter into joint ventures, subject to any terms set in their authorisation by the Independent Regulator. Unlike for NHS trusts, for NHS foundation trusts the power to enter into joint ventures or subsidiaries will not be subject to the approval of the Secretary of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of general practices (a) have a nurse with an asthma diploma and (b) have a nurse-led asthma service where the nurse does not have an asthma diploma; and if he will make a statement. [106616]

The information requested is not collected centrally. The Government is investing significantly in training provision in the National Health Service, which includes diploma programmes in the nursing management of asthma. Over the next three years, 2003–04 to 2005–06, an extra £96 million will be made available to ensure that all health professionals, including those working in primary care, have the right knowledge and skills to meet the changing and specific healthcare needs of all patients. The Department will be working with workforce development confederations to ensure that optimum use is gained from this investment and good practice is disseminated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what way a co-payment for health or social services will differ from a charge. [102151]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce co-payments for the public services for which he is responsible. [102200]

[holding answer 10 March 2003]: As my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister made clear on 2 April 2003, Official Report, columns. 914–15, we have no intention of introducing co-payments or extending charges whereby patients or users pay for a proportion of their treatment or care, beyond those services such as prescriptions and dentistry to which they already apply and which have been in place for some time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultants there are on average in an accident and emergency department in (a) England and (b) each strategic health authority. [106206]

Information relating to the average number of accident and emergency consultants, within trusts that have an accident and emergency department, in England and in each strategic health authority, is shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the terms of reference are of the new diabetes tsar. [106629]

The terms of reference for the national clinical director for diabetes are set out in the 'National Service Framework for Diabetes: Delivery Strategy' which was published in January 2003.The national clinical director for diabetes, Dr Sue Roberts, will oversee the implementation of the national service framework for diabetes by:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether it is his Department's policy to include organisations which support the legalisation of cannabis in the list of organisations it recommends to schools for providing advice to young people on drugs. [107210]

Poster 31166 was not produced for schools, although teachers could register to receive it. The Department is not aware of any material produced by organisations listed on poster 31166 that explicitly promotes the legalisation of cannabis.Policy on recommending to schools who should provide advice to young people on drugs is the responsibility of the Department for Education and Skills (DIES). DfES do not recommend or endorse specific organisations for providing advice to young people on drugs, although they do fund training for schools. This is to ensure that schools have the knowledge and skills to make such decisions based on the needs of their pupils and the policy of their school governors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much it cost to produce the poster for schools 31166—Where to find resources; how widely it was distributed; and what representations he has received about it. [107211]

The poster was not produced for schools, although teachers could register to receive it. The total production and distribution cost for poster 31166 was (fully inclusive of all mailing costs) £7,200, at a unit cost of 16p.45,000 copies were produced.The poster was distributed to people who had registered to receive general health promotion information and to health promotion units. Two thirds of the original print run have been distributed. The poster is available on the Department's website. While there are no plans to print further copies at this stage, updates and corrections will be made to the document displayed on the Department's website. I am not aware of any further representations about this poster.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria the Department used to decide which organisations to include as resources on drugs on the Department's poster for schools 31166—Where to find resources. [107213]

The poster was not produced for schools, although teachers could register to receive it. The list of contacts included covered larger national organisations that produce information for the public on a range of health issues, including drugs. As poster 31166 clearly states, this list is not exhaustive and inclusion does not signify endorsement by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the criticisms of Lifeline Drug Information and Advice contained in paragraph 207 of the Third Report from the Home Affairs Committee, Session 2001–02. [107214]

Following the Home Affairs Committee's report, the Government gave a commitment to review its rules on the use of public money to fund drugs communications with young people. The review was undertaken by officials from the Home Office, the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills, as well as voluntary sector partners, academic and communications experts. The new rules have now been approved by Ministers and will be made public shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department had with the Home Office before producing poster 31166—Where to find resources; when the last meeting took place between his Department and the Home Office to discuss drug education in schools and how frequently such meetings take place. [107212]

Officials from the Department of Health and the Home Department are in regular contact over matters of drug policy, and meet frequently. The Departments work closely together to co-ordinate delivery of the national drug strategy although this would not include detailed discussions on each piece of work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to ensure that staff working in non-foundation trusts are not recruited by foundation trusts; and if he will make a statement on the creation of competition between hospitals. [105951]

National health service foundation trusts will play an important part in promoting career development within the NHS and staff will continue to move between employers as part of normal career development. There will be a number of safeguards to prevent development of inappropriate competition between NHS employers in a particular area:

All NHS foundation trusts will, presuming it is agreed, implement the new "Agenda for Change" national pay system for the NHS;

Other local NHS organisations will be able to exercise influence over the running of a NHS foundation trust through its membership and governance arrangements;

NHS foundation trusts will be subject to a statutory duty of partnership just like other NHS trusts;

NHS foundation trusts will provide services at the national tariff rate and will be subject to a system of financial flows that operates on the principle of payment by results. They will not be able to increase charges for clinical services to reflect higher wage costs;

Under the national tariff, any cost increases relating to enhanced terms and conditions for staff would have to be absorbed by NHS foundation trusts themselves and it will not be in their interest to take action leading to local wage inflation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has provided to strategic health authorities and primary care trusts regarding their requirement to reply to hon. Members who seek information from them; and what guidance he has given as to a reasonable amount of time before such replies are received. [105595]

Strategic heath authorities and primary care trusts are required to adhere to the standard national health service response time as outlined in section 6 (Response to Requests for Information) of the "Code of Practice on Openness in the NHS". A copy has been placed in the Library. An acknowledgement must be sent within four working days and, where possible, the information should follow within 20 days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the relative hospital bed occupancy rate was of (a) married and (b) unmarried (i) males and (ii) females in the last year for which figures are available. [106096]

Information on hospital bed occupancy rates by gender and marital status is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurse returners (a) have been recruited to return to practice schemes, (b) have successfully completed these schemes and (c) have subsequently been employed by the NHS in England, for recruits entering schemes (i) from 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000, (ii) from 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001, (iii) from 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 and (iv) from 1 April 2002, including the latest statistics available, in (A) England and (B) each NHS region. [106209]

The information available is shown in the table.

Number of Nurses and Midwives who have returned to work in the NHS1
	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–032
Northern and Yorks	295	733	545	—
North West	622	331	288	—
Trent	368	744	412	—
West Midlands	334	384	344	—
Eastern	352	453	403	—
London	258	561	738	—
South East	622	807	660	—
South West	183	466	373	—
Total	3,034	4,479	3,763	—
South3	—	—	—	459
Midlands and Eastern3	—	—	—	586
North3	—	—	—	319
London3	—	—	—	500
Total	—	—	—	1,864
Overall total	13,140
1 Figures for those attending and completing return to practice courses are not available.
2 For April to September 2002 only.
3 From 2002 the NHS regions have changed from eight to four.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the vacancy rate was for nurses working in coronary care in (a) England, (b) each NHS region and (c) each NHS trust in each of the last six years; [106598](2) how many nurses were working in coronary care in the NHS. [106597]

Nurses employed in coronary care are included in the number of nurses employed in acute, elderly and general care.As at September 2001, the number of nurses employed in the acute, elderly and general care was 177,900.The national health service vacancy survey, first collected in March 1999, collects information on the number of posts which trusts are actively trying to fill which have been vacant for three months or more. Between March 1999 and 2002 the three-month vacancy rate for acute, elderly and general nurses has fallen from 3.6 per cent. to 3.2 per cent.; this demonstrates that our recruitment and retention initiatives are making an impact.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of student nurses, who successfully completed a three year nursing diploma course to become a registered general nurse, failed to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council within one year of completion of their course in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [106175]

Since 1 April 2002, of the 18,766 nurses completing diploma and degree studies, 17,782 (95 per cent.) are now registered, 930 (5 per cent.) are pending awaiting fee payment and 54 (0.3 per cent.) have, to date, made no attempt to register. Separate figures for those completing diploma and degree studies are not held.Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council during 2001–02 was disrupted when the computerised registration system was closed down for 12 days in March 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of student nurses undertaking three year nursing diploma programmes to become registered general nurses failed to complete the course in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [106208]

Data on nurses failing to complete their studies were last collected nationally in 2000–01. The following table shows the number of leavers (nurses who failed to complete the course) by 2000–01 for the last four cohorts where there were substantial numbers of active students undertaking three year nursing diploma programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will recognise the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) as the sole national body for the accreditation of laboratories and transfer the functions of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd. to UKAS. [105488]

United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the sole body recognised by the Government for accreditation of various tests and calibrations undertaken by laboratories and those organisations providing certification and inspection services. Pathology laboratory accreditation is for the most part overseen by Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd. (CPA), which has long-standing expertise in accrediting pathology laboratories. UKAS and CPA have established a Council Partnership and agreed a Memorandum of Understanding. In brief, this agreed the two organisations would work together for the benefit of laboratories interested in both UKAS and both CPA accreditation. This is a sensible approach and the Department of Health does not wish to change it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department has given to the Accreditation Awareness Campaign run by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. [105490]

The Department of Health has been consistent in its full support for the accreditation awareness campaign run by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). The Department uses UKAS accreditation services whenever it is appropriate to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the expected saving to public funds from the private finance initiative schemes due to become operational in 2003. [105724]

Listed are the private finance initiative (PFI) schemes with a capital value of £20 million or above scheduled to become operational in 2003 showing details of the expected savings to public funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many FM access radio licences, as foreseen in the Communications Bill, could be issued to (a) the City of Manchester and (b) the UK; and how many of these will be found (i) in existing national sub bands held by the BBC and (ii) within frequency allocations currently suggested by the Radio Authority to carry future commercial radio stations. [106674]

The evaluation of the 15 pilot stations, published by the Radio Authority on 19 March suggested that there may be as many as five frequencies available in Manchester, although the exact extent would need to be reviewed in the context of precisely-defined demand.The precise numbers of frequencies available for access radio stations across the UK has not been established. However, there would be little point in legislating for a new tier of radio if there was not available spectrum. The Radio Authority's report on future FM frequency availability published on 4 March found that there was likely to be a significant, although still finite, resource for services of very small coverage.Further research will be required into overall FM capacity for access radio. It is expected that this will be taken forward by OFCOM.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Government expect to publish their draft Order facilitating access radio. [106675]

We first need to consider the recommendations of Professor Everitt's evaluation of the 15 pilot stations. It is too early to say when a draft Order may be published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's total spending was on advertising and promotional campaigns between April 2002 and March 2003; and what the cost of each campaign was, broken down by costs relating to (a) television, (b) radio and (c) print media. [106441]

The Department has had a nil spend on advertising and promotional campaigns relating to television, radio and print media between April 2002 and March 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her most recent estimate is of the number of pensioners over-75 in the Buckingham constituency who are receiving a free television licence. [107155]

TV Licensing, who administer the concession as agents for the BBC, are not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that there were approximately 4,300 people aged 75 or over living in the Buckingham constituency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what expenditure has been incurred by her (a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental bodies in 2002 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; and if she will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each. [106273]

The Department's expenditure on opinion polling, focus groups and other forms of market research for 2001–02 is shown in the following table.

Activity	2001–02
Opinion polling	17,595
Focus groups	229,820
Market research	310,800
1(a) Research undertaken that would assess consumers' perceptions of digital television and (b) questions on culture and the internet for Culture Online included in an omnibus survey.
2(a) Eight focus groups with teachers, children and adults for Culture Online and (b) consultation with a group of young people when developing a national arts award, regarding the structure of the award.
3 An online survey of the use of culture web-sites of existing users of six cultural web-sites for Culture Online.

The opinion polling figure is revised from £36,382 presented last year as the difference is proper to 2002–03.The Department's agency, the Royal Parks Agency, did not incur expenditure on opinion polling or focus groups in 2001–02. Its expenditure on market research relating to annual visitors survey, Stakeholder Audit and monitoring the Kensington Gardens cycle trial was £59,840.Information on expenditure by the Department's non-departmental public bodies 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 reasons for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board not being included in VisitBritain. [106898]

[holding answer 3 April 2003]: VisitBritain is the name which the British Tourist Authority will use in future. The British Tourist Authority was set up by the Development of Tourism Act 1969, and it is this Act which is clear that duty to promote Britain abroad covers Scotland, Wales and England, but not Northern Ireland. I am happy to say, however, that the excellent formal and informal co-operation between VisitBritain and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board will continue in future, and a revised and strengthened memorandum of understanding between the two is in the final stages of preparation. Although the 1969 Act does not provide for the Chair of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to be a member of the VisitBritain Board, the Chairman has accepted an invitation to have observer status on the Board.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff are employed by her Department. [106286]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 3 April 2003, Official Report, column 780W.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the cost was of travel by train by staff in her Department in 2002. [106343]

This information is not readily available without incurring disproportionate cost.My Department ensures that staff use the most efficient and economic means of travel commensurate with meeting departmental operational needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the involvement of al-Qaeda in terrorism in the Middle East. [105976]

Al-Qaeda and related groups remain a real and sophisticated threat. They form an international network, not only confined to the Middle East. The UK, together with the US and international partners, remains committed to dismantling their international terrorist network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning incursions made by Islamist mercenaries from Chad into (a) Sudan and (b) Nigeria; and what representations he will be making to the Government of Chad concerning these incursions. [106421]

There are persistent reports of fighting in Darfur, Western Sudan, involving tribes and groups from Chad and Libya. Recent unconfirmed reports allege that Chadian mercenaries were involved in the attack against Al-Tinah on the Sudan/Chad border. Chad has closed the border with Sudan and deployed troops there to uphold the security agreement signed between Sudan and Chad.The Nigerian police regularly report on the presence of substantial numbers of Chadians among those arrested in violent conflicts in Northern Nigeria.It is for the Governments of Sudan and Nigeria, rather than the British Government, to make representations to the Government of Chad on these matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance his Department issues to civil servants on how to deal with claims from organisations that the information they provide to the Department is commercially confidential. [105556]

Guidance to staff in British Trade International, including staff in overseas posts, emphasises the need to ensure that all information is handled carefully, and that information received from or about a British business should not be disclosed, without the latter's permission, to other firms or organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 25 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms E. Vaswani. [106181]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary replied on 31 March to my right hon. Friend's letter on behalf of his constituent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the Ethiopian Government, (b) the Eritrean Government and (c) the United Nations on the demarcation of the boundary between Ethiopia and Eritrea. [105428]

The UK maintains regular dialogue with the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea as well as the UN regarding the demarcation of the boundary between Ethiopia and Eritrea. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed this with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi when he visited the UK in February. My noble Friend Baroness Amos discussed it with the Eritrean Ambassador and Head of the Political Department of the ruling party in March. Our ambassadors in Addis Ababa and Asmara have frequent contact with the governments of both countries and with Legwaila Joseph Legwaila the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General. We have made clear to both Ethiopia and Eritrea that they must respect the decisions of the Boundary Commission, in line with their commitments under the Algiers Peace Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Spain regarding commemoration of 300 years of British sovereignty in Gibraltar in 2004. [106027]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no such discussions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the leaders of the states in the Great Lakes Region on (a) violent crime and (b) small arms proliferation. [105423]

Small arms proliferation remains a significant problem in the region. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no recent discussions with the leaders of the states in the Great Lakes Region on violent crime and small arms proliferation. But the UK works extensively in Africa with Governments, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and NGOs on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) issues. We have committed significant resources from our Global Conflict Prevention Pool for SALW to assist the Secretariat that supports the 2000 Nairobi Declaration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on human rights abuses in Iran. [106130]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary regularly receives a wide range of representations about the human rights situation in Iran. My right hon. Friend and I regularly raise human rights with the Iranian authorities, including with the Iranian Foreign Minister when we met on 6 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met Iranian officials. [106129]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I met the Iranian Foreign Minister in London on 6 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Ministers in his Department next plan to meet their (a) Indian and (b) Pakistani opposite numbers to discuss Kashmir. [106538]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, regularly raises our concerns in relation to Kashmir with the Governments of India and Pakistan, including during frequent telephone calls. Pakistani Foreign Minister Kasuri has accepted an invitation from the Foreign Secretary to visit London in the near future. The Foreign Secretary also hopes to meet the Indian Foreign Minister in the UK during May. Dates for these visits have yet to be confirmed.