To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how much of the aggregates levy sustainability fund has been spent in relation to (a) the freight facility grant and (b) the transport action clean up programme; what percentages of the fund these payments represent; and if she will make a statement; [105342](2) if she will list the projects

[holding answer 27 March 2003]: None of the aggregates levy sustainability fund has been spent so far on promoting environmentally friendly aggregates transportation. The Department for Transport, which is the distributing body for the freight facilities grant and the transport action clean-up programme, is considering their compatibility with state aid provisions. Around £1 million of the 2002–03 allocation for these schemes has therefore been diverted to funding for reducing the local effects of aggregates extraction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many regulations relating to agriculture were extant (a) in 1997 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available. [107270]

This information is not available in the form requested as it would involve looking at all legislation, both EC and UK, introduced by different Government Departments to consider whether it related to agriculture. Such information could only be assembled at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will include railway property in future reviews of (a) public litter problems and (b) the effects of degraded environment. [106887]

Railway property is included in our current review of litter and local environmental problems. Defra's consultation document Living Places—Powers, Rights, Responsibilities, described several options for reforming the legislative framework relating to the local environmental management of private land, including railway property.We are currently evaluating responses to that consultation exercise, which closed on 14 February, and will then consider how to take matters forward.My officials are meeting representatives of Network Rail to discuss their response in more detail.Last year, in conjunction with Defra, ENCAMS (Environmental Campaigns) carried out a detailed survey of the state of England called the Local Environmental Quality Survey of England (LEQSE). The survey included elements of a range of land uses including transport facilities. ENCAMS are now building on the LEQSE to carry out a similar survey at district level, by local authority. This potentially would allow both the Government and local authorities to identify elements that require further investigation or remedy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what measures she proposes to take as a result of the Court of Appeal's recent ruling regarding compensation for fur farmers; and if she will make a statement; [106361](2) if she will ensure that the compensation scheme for fur farmers includes

On Thursday 13 March 2003 the High Court gave judgment quashing the Fur Farming (Compensation Scheme) (England) Order 2002.Application has been made to appeal to the Court of Appeal. If permission to appeal is not granted or the decision of the High court is upheld on appeal the Government will consult interested parties to implement a compensation scheme under the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act 2000.There was no suggestion from the ruling that the overall level of compensation was inadequate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she intends to take as a result of the judicial review into the Government's fur farming compensation scheme; how the Government will ensure that it complies with (a) common law and (b) the European Convention on Human Rights; and if she will make a statement on the judgement. [106854]

Application has been made to appeal to the Court of Appeal. If permission to appeal is not granted or the decision of the High Court is upheld on appeal the Government will consult interested parties to implement a compensation scheme under the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers registered for the purpose of IACS there were in 1997; and what the current corresponding figure is. [107227]

The number of farmers registered for the purpose of IACS for England and Wales is as follows:

	England	Wales
1997	77,829	19,300
Current corresponding figure (2002)	69,535	16,800

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many of the stakeholders she consulted over changes to the landfill tax credit scheme recommended (a) no changes, (b) minimal changes, (c) major changes and (d) abandonment of the scheme; [106463](2) if she will make it her policy to ensure that stakeholder opinions are taken into account when deciding upon the successor to the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. [106470]

The joint Treasury/Defra consultation on the future of the Landfill Tax Credit scheme went to 3,468 individuals or organisations and generated 683 responses. Of these 550 (82 per cent.) opted for keeping the Scheme as it is or with minor modifications, 59 (9 per cent.) opted for a major change and 58 (9 per cent.) did not comment. A clear majority (65 per cent.) were in favour of increased funding for sustainable waste management projects.A consistent message also arising from the consultation was the need for a more strategic approach to funding sustainable waste management objectives. The Government fully endorse this view and will set out how they aim to achieve this in their response to the Strategy Unit Report 'Waste Not, Want Not' which will be published shortly. The Government will take into account the opinions of stakeholders in deciding on the new public expenditure programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how much money she estimates will be lost from the sustainable waste sector as a result of funding formerly distributed through categories C and CC of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme being distributed by a public body and losing the capacity to be used to draw further funds from private sources; [106465](2) what figure she uses to estimate the leverage or gearing ratio between landfill tax credit scheme funding and further funding secured from other sources against it. [1064641

The evidence available suggests that the vast majority of levered in funds have been directed at projects in category A—land reclamation, category D—public parks and amenities and category E—building restoration. A survey carried out by Glasgow Caledonian University involving 1,053 Environmental Bodies (with a 40 per cent. response rate) indicates that over the period 1997–2002, waste management projects (categories C and CC) levered in 34 per cent. of LTCS expenditure from other sources.The Government believes that a public expenditure programme can work well with private sources (e.g. retailers or equipment manufacturers) to achieve a similar or better increase in total resources. Moreover local authorities can benefit from a public expenditure programme. Government will also be better able to direct how and where funds are spent through the public expenditure programme to ensure they are focused on areas which will contribute towards achieving our overall aims on sustainable waste management identified in the Strategy Unit Report "Waste Not, Want Not".

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she will take to guarantee transparency in a successor to the landfill tax credit scheme. [106467]

Details of the nature of the new public expenditure programme which will replace some parts of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme will be made alongside the government's official response to the Strategy Unit report, which is planned for around the time of the budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultations she has held to ascertain the (a) nature and (b) scale of (i) the transitional rump fund and (ii) the successor scheme to replace the landfill tax credit scheme. [106468]

Because the transitional rump fund is a short-term measure and had to be put into place very quickly there was no formal consultation. However, discussions with interested parties did take place and their views have been taken into consideration. As indicated in the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report, the proposals in the Strategy Unit report "Waste Not, Want Not" have formed the basis of the consultation for the public expenditure scheme. A large number of stakeholders were involved in the production of that report and, since its publication, we have received a number of written comments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement about how the National Air Quality Strategy will be applied to coal fired power stations. [107035]

The Government's policies and measures for reducing air pollution from industry, transport and other sources are set out in the 'Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland', published in January 2000 and the Addendum to the Strategy, published in February 2003. The Strategy contains ambient air quality standards for nine key pollutants and the dates between 2003 and 2010 by which they should be met. The Environment Agency is responsible for the regulation of larger power stations and other major industrial processes in England and Wales. The Environment Act 1995 requires that the Agency takes account of the requirements of the Air Quality Strategy in discharging its pollution control functions.The larger coal fired power stations are currently regulated by the Environment Agency through the Integrated Pollution Control ("IPC") regime. IPC was established by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and regulates industrial pollution through a system of authorisation. IPC is being superseded by the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control ("IPPC") regime, which implements an EC directive of the same name. Power stations that came into operation before 31 October 1999 will be regulated by IPPC from 2006. New installations or those undergoing substantial change are required to apply for an IPPC permit with immediate effect.Sulphur dioxide from power stations is controlled by system emission limits that restrict the amount that can be discharged in any given year. Limits are set for individual sites and for companies operating several sites to take account of the potential for local air pollution and long-range pollution. In order that the combined impact of adjacent power stations and other sources will not lead to a breach of the objective, operators are required to develop a local air quality management and monitoring plan which will ensure adherence with the Air Quality Strategy by 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her proposals for the National Emissions Reduction scheme; and if she will make a statement [106462]

I assume that this question refers to implementation options under the revised Large Combustion Plant Directive (2001/80/EC) for plants that were in existence in 1987. We are currently considering whether to implement the revised Directive for these plants by the emission limits approach or by adopting a National Emissions Reduction scheme and will issue a consultation paper in due course. Measures under the Directive would apply to these plants from 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many successful prosecutions have been undertaken since 6 February 2002 by the Environment Agency concerning pollution in Buckinghamshire. [106379]

The Buckinghamshire constituency is covered by two of the Environment Agency's regions—Thames and Anglian.There were five prosecutions successfully concluded during the period. These comprised two cases involving fly-tipping, two cases involving breaches of the producer responsibility regulations—designed to encourage the recycling of waste packaging—and one case involving water pollution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding her Department has allocated to (a) Buckinghamshire county council and (b) Aylesbury Vale district council to assist with the costs of storing and processing refrigerators and freezers; and what plans she has to make further funds available. [106992]

(a) Buckinghamshire County Council received £312,480 from Special Grant Report 109 to assist with the costs of storing and processing refrigerators and freezers in 2002–03. This was in addition to an allocation from the £6 million provided to waste disposal authorities in England for 1 January to 31 March 2002. Spending Review 2002 included future funding within the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services block which will be distributed through Formula Standard Shares (FSAs).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total subsidies awarded to (a) farms and (b) non-farming rural businesses were in each of the last five years. [106673]

It is not possible to differentiate subsidy payments between farms and non-farming rural business. The total direct aid payments made under the Common Agricultural Policy in England in each of the last five years were:

Direct Aid Payments
	(£ billion)
1998	1.68
1999	1.61
2000	1.65
2001	1.69
2002	1.34

The year in question relates to the EU financial year, which ends in October. The subsidies are payments made under the Guarantee section of the EuropeanAgricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. Direct aid payments include internal market schemes covering principally fresh fruit and vegetables and milk and milk products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for increasing the proportion of tyres recycled using carbon neutral methods. [104156]

Government have supported research and development into a wide variety of projects looking to reuse and recycle tyres.Current projects include the use of tyres in coastal and river engineering schemes, improving the economics of granulating tyres by reducing the rubber contamination of the processed steel which should enable this steel to be beneficially used, the processing of tyres into fine rubber crumb by the use of ultra high pressure water, and research looking at the use of rubber crumb in asphalt mixes. There is also a study, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Civil Engineers, and supported by landfill tax credits monies, setting out the many potential civil engineering uses for tyres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies receive paid leave to undertake union duties; how many days they are allocated; and what has been the cost to public funds in 2002. [106733]

In the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and its agencies, 353 staff have received paid leave to undertake union duties during the financial year 2002–03. The cost to public funds for this period is not yet available.Up to 25 days was available to each union representative to undertake trade union activities although the average claimed was less.For information, 378 staff received paid leave to undertake union duties during the financial year 2001–02. The cost to public funds was £540,507.In the time available and given the number of NDPBs for which Defra is responsible, it is not possible to confirm the position for all NDPBs at reasonable cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to set up a strategic waste forum to ensure co-ordination between (a) Government Departments, (b) local authorities, (c) the waste management industry and (d) the environmental sector. [106456]

The Government are keen to improve co-ordination with their partners and stakeholders. The Strategy Unit Report, 'Waste Not, Want Not' included recommendations aiming to improve co-ordination between Government, local authorities, and industry, for example to establish an industry forum, and to set up a multi-disciplinary task force to help and provide advice to local authorities.We have been considering our response to the Report, and plan to publish this shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's policy is on the possibility of NATO taking over operations of the ISAF in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [107119]

We fully support the decision by Germany and the Netherlands to benefit from NATO assistance in their leadership of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). We are examining with our NATO partners what scope there may be for the Alliance to widen its involvement with the ISAF.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the potential use of anti-personnel mines in a conflict with Iraq. [102351]

The United Kingdom, as a State Party to the Ottawa Convention, does not possess operational anti-personnel mines and will not use any in Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of the expenditure of his Department on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002. [106313]

With the introduction of Resource Accounting and Budgeting, this information is no longer held centrally in the form requested. Expenditure on commercial and HMSO publications, including newspapers and periodicals, is now reported as one of a number of general administration costs and could only be separated out for financial year 2002–03 at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the grants funded by his Department for which individual members of the public and organisations may apply; and if he will make a statement as to (a) the total of such funding in the last financial year, (b) the total number of awards and (c) their administrative costs. [82189]

There are no funds available through grants from the Ministry of Defence which individual members of the public or organisations may apply for. Such funding that is available relates mostly to professionally provided welfare, health and social services by charitable organisations such as the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association—Forces Help, who provide services at the specific request of the Ministry of Defence. Other organisations which received similar funding in the last financial year included the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and Relate. In financial year 2000–2001 the Ministry of Defence provided almost 18 million in grant funding to such organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the running costs in 2002 were of (a) his Ministers private offices, separately identifying expenditure on staff, and (b) his Department. [105989]

The costs of running Ministers' private offices in financial year 2001–02 were as follows:

(£ Million)
Total (Including staff costs)	Staff costs
2.2	2.1

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many interpreters are serving with the EUFOR in Macedonia. [107120]

The EU headquarters in Skopje for Operation Concordia has a complement of 12 locally-employed interpreters who will provide Macedonian and/or Albanian language skills.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his oral answer of 26 March 2003, Official Report, column 300, what steps he is taking to ensure that procedures to prevent friendly fire incidents work effectively in high intensity warfare. [106843]

Our Combat Identification capability is designed to operate at all levels of warfare including high intensity operations. The specific measures we have taken to make our forces comparable to and compatible with those of the United States in Iraq assumed we would be participating in high intensity warfare. We will continue to pursue vigorously the programme of work described to the Public Accounts Committee last year, and learn the lessons from incidents of fratricide in current operations. However, no Combat Identification system is infallible and the possibility of fratricide cannot be entirely eliminated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are being made to enable members of the public to send support parcels to troops in the Gulf. [106822]

Airmail packets up to 2kg in weight may be sent to named individuals at a subsidised rate equivalent to Royal Mail first class inland postage charges. Due to capacity constraints, there are no parcel services available. I refer the hon. Member also 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).We encourage members of the public who wish to show their support to make use of the internet Bulletin Board at the BFPO website www.bfpo.org.uk or to make contributions to the UK Forces Gulf Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent estimate has been made of the number of troops required to deliver humanitarian relief in Iraq. [106845]

We have made very clear our commitment to the welfare and future of the people of Iraq, and United Kingdom forces will continue to deliver humanitarian relief to the full extent of their capability where it is needed and it is safe for them to do so. This is not, however, the primary role of our forces, which are structured for warfighting. As soon as the security situation stabilises enough for civilian aid agencies to deploy fully, we will hand responsibility for humanitarian assistance over to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to enable people in the UK to send parcels to service personnel serving in the Gulf free of charge once the situation becomes more stable. [106848]

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 how many Iraqi PoWs are under the jurisdiction of British forces. [107115]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 April 2003, Official Report, column 782W, to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the extra money announced for the prosecution of war in Iraq will be allocated to (a) mental health services and (b) counselling services for returning servicemen and women. [107169]

The Ministry of Defence does not maintain financial records to this level of detail. Therefore, this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, where such a need is identified and additional funding is necessary, it will be provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many coalition services personnel have been injured in operations in Iraq, broken down by country; and if he will make a statement. [107427]

As at 3 April, we had sustained 39 United Kingdom battle casualties.Injuries sustained by other members of the coalition are a matter for them to comment on.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the status of (a) military and (b) civilian personnel captured by UK forces in the Gulf; and whether they will all enjoy the protection of the Geneva Convention. [107428]

Any individuals captured or detained by United Kingdom forces in the Gulf will be afforded the appropriate status and enjoy the protection afforded by the Geneva Convention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the daily handling capacity of each of the ports in southern Iraq is; what the estimated daily required (a) military supplies and (b) humanitarian supplies are; and if he will make a statement. [107495]

There are six ports in southern Iraq. We are currently conducting an assessment of the facilities at one of these, Umm Qasr. Until this assessment is complete, we will not be able to determine its handling capacity. Reliable information on the handling capacity of the other ports in Iraq is not available.The requirement for military supplies varies according to the needs of the operation and supplies are provided in accordance with those needs. We have no immediate plans to deliver military supplies through Umm Qasr.While combat operations in southern Iraq continue, it will be very difficult to carry out a full assessment of the requirement for humanitarian aid. However, initial assessments suggest a requirement for water, medical supplies and, potentially, food.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of NATO in post-conflict operations in Iraq. [107496]

The issue of whether and how NATO may play a role in post-conflict Iraq will need to be considered carefully and in the light of developments in the region and at the United Nations.We welcome the positive dialogue on Iraq started at the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brussels on 3 April 2003, but would emphasise that no decisions have yet been taken. It is expected that NATO will take the discussions forward over the next few weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the order of battle for the Iraq theatre of war. [107590]

The Order of Battle for the Iraq theatre of operations comprises elements of all three Services, including reserves. On 3 April 2003, around 45,000 personnel were deployed in support of the operation. The maritime force consisted of around one-third of the combined vessels of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The amphibious package comprised Headquarters three Commando Brigade, 40 Commando Royal Marines and 42 Commando Royal Marines with supporting elements. The land force comprised Head Quarters 1(UK) Armoured Division, with support from 7 Armoured Brigade, 16 Air Assault Brigade and 102 Logistics Brigade. And the air package comprised a fixed wing force of around 100 aircraft and a rotary wing force from the Joint Helicopter Command of 77 helicopters.I will place a full Order of Battle in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) British military personnel and (b) US military personnel have lost their lives in friendly fire incidents in Iraq; and how many of these personnel were killed involving friendly fire from (i) British personnel and (ii) US personnel. [107700]

We cannot confirm numbers of dead until formal identification has taken place. As at 3 April, we believe we have sustained 28 United Kingdom deaths (including battle, accidental and natural causes) since operations began in Iraq. Until investigations are complete we are not able to comment on whether they are the result of friendly fire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the hazard posed by unexploded cluster munitions to the reconstruction of Iraq following military action there. [102357]

At this stage of the conflict in Iraq it is not feasible to make an accurate assessment of the effects of the use of cluster bombs.Unexploded cluster bombs, and indeed all unexploded ordnance, are a matter of humanitarian concern. As such, we are committed to working towards the clearance of explosive remnants of war as part of the reconstruction of Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cetaceans, broken down by species, have been used by the Navy in each of the last 10 years; if he will list the activities carried out by such species; how many cetaceans have been killed while in the service of British forces as a result of military activity in each of the last 10 years; and if he will list the causes of death. [107242]

The Ministry of Defence has no programme utilising cetaceans to undertake any military activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the recent announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister that troops taking part in Operation Fresco have been stood down, whether these troops are available for alternative deployment overseas. [106995]

The announcement made by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made clear that Armed Forces personnel assigned to Operation Fresco were being stood down only until 15 April, at which point they would be held at five days' notice to move. Consequently, they are not available for operations overseas as they continue to be committed to providing essential fire and rescue cover, should there be another strike.The Ministry of Defence does, however, keep the operation under constant review to ensure that emergency fire cover is provided effectively and with the minimum impact on the Armed Forces. Based on the experience of the last 15 days of strike action, it has been agreed with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association (CACFOA), the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and HM Fire Service Inspectorate (HMFSI) that a reduction in the number of Armed Forces personnel committed to Operation Fresco from some 19,000 to around 16,000 can now be made. This reduction is made possible by revising shift patterns, reducing manning levels on fire appliances and amalgamating a number of Joint Operational Control Centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial resources are allocated to the Royal Navy to patrol the waters between Haiti and Turks and Caicos. [107281]

The Royal Navy undertake a regular deployment to the Caribbean under the auspices of the Atlantic Patrol Task (North). The primary task for APT(N) is to provide a tangible United Kingdom presence in the Caribbean region to support our overseas territories and UK interests in the region while also being available to assist in the provision of Emergency Disaster Relief during the hurricane season. APT(N) also undertakes a range of additional tasks including Defence Diplomacy and Counter Drugs operations. These tasks may, from time to time, provide a Royal Navy presence in waters between Haiti and Turks and Caicos. No specific funds are however allocated to that task.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether possible ship losses are taken into account in his Department's policy on the requirement for Royal Navy warship and submarine numbers. [107118]

The Ministry of Defence's policy on the requirement for Royal Navy warships and submarines is based on a number of factors including the planned level of availability. This does not, however, include assumptions about potential complete losses.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what coolant is used in the new House of Commons chillery. [106620]

The coolant used in the new chillers is HFC 134a. This is a hydrofluorocarbon gas, which has zero Ozone Depletion Potential and low Global Warming Potential, unlike chlorofluorocarbons or hydrochlorofluorocarbons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the latest situation regarding the future of ARBRE. [107036]

Officials are in discussion with the Liquidator, who is speaking further with the preferred bidder. An announcement on the outcome of these discussions is expected soon.The Government will work with the successful bidder to build on the early successes of ARBRE and ensure the long-term future of the project. The Government will consider proposals to reduce the technical risk of taking the project through to commercial operation.Many lessons have already been learnt as a result of ARBRE that can be applied to future high efficiency biomass plant, which are likely to be required if dedicated biomass plant are to be available in the medium term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent estimate she has made of the cost of (a) establishing and (b) administering an end-use arms control system. [106074]

I have been asked to reply.The Government do carry out end-use monitoring. This includes pre-licensing checks where information is obtained from a wide range of sources. Desk Officers have standing instructions to advise overseas posts of any approved arms licence that it is felt should be monitored post-export. Overseas posts have standing instructions to inform the UK of any suspected mis-use, or diversion, of UK arms exports. The Government are committed to carrying out post-export monitoring where this will genuinely add value to our efforts to minimise the risk of misuse and diversion.It is not possible to establish the cost of administering the system. A large proportion of end-use monitoring does not uncover mis-use, or diversion, of an export and the monitoring activity is therefore not recorded. In addition there are a high number of officials involved in the process, but they also have other responsibilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent estimates her Department has made of the number of deals concluded each year in military and paramilitary equipment by UK nationals outside the UK; which countries were party to these deals; and in which countries these deals were completed. [106083]

None. We are consulting on the proposed secondary legislation to be made under the Export Control Act 2002. A copy of the consultation document is available from the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arms export licences have been approved for the sale of weapons to Ethiopia in the last year. [105621]

[holding answer 31 March 2003]: Between 17 March 2002 and 17 March 2003, no Standard Individual Export Licence and one temporary Open Individual Export Licence had been issued, for the proposed export of items on the Military List to Ethiopia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many individuals and businesses have been assisted in Milton. Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [107154]

Business Link, the national business advice service provided by the Small Business Service an agency of the Department for Trade and Industry, has assisted the following number of established small and medium enterprises (sole traders or businesses with up to 250 employees) within the Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire areas:

(a) 2001–02: 7,077;

(b) 2002–03: 10,000 (estimate as final numbers for Q4 still being collated).

In addition, they have provided services to the following number of individuals and pre-starts:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the licensed money credit agencies in the UK; and if she will make a statement. [101284]

The Consumer Credit Act licensing provisions cover a number of credit activities in addition to lending, for example, credit brokerage and debt collection.The number of traders in possession of a current licence to lend money under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 is 102,476. The total number of current licences is approximately 215,000. (Traders can hold more than one category of licence). Since 1996, traders have been permitted to apply for a licence covering all the six categories licensable activity and, therefore, the figure I have just given will include traders who although licensed to do so, do not actually lend money. In addition, the Consumer Credit Act licensing provisions do not apply to traders who only lend amounts in excess of £25,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 27 March 2003, Official Report, column 341W, to the hon. Member for Bolton, South-East, by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she intends to publish the results of the consultation on employment rights in relation to statutory employment rights, particularly as it affects the right of registration officers to be heard at industrial tribunals when they are unfairly dismissed. [106814]

The responses to the consultation on employment status in relation to statutory employment rights are being analysed. The DTI plans to publish its response later this year. This will outline any proposed changes, which would be subject to further consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and industry when she has entertained Labour hon. Members at public expense in the last 12 months; and at what cost. [106394]

There have been no occasions when Labour hon. Members have been entertained at public expense in my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria she uses to establish whether replacement component parts for nuclear power stations in India are capable of being diverted to military use; and whether these criteria changed between January 2001 and January 2003. [106183]

All export licence applications for India are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria, and in the light of the statement made by my hon. Friend, the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw) the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on 15 March 2002, Official Report, columns 1296–98W. The consolidated criteria include a specific reference to the existence of a risk that the equipment will be diverted within the buyer country or re-exported under undesirable conditions.As part of the rigorous assessment process, specialist advisers in relevant advisory Departments consider all reliable information available at the time an application is submitted, to determine the risk of the items being used or diverted in contravention of the consolidated criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the adequacy of resources held by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to carry out its additional responsibilities required by the decommissioning programme planned for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority; and what discussions she has had with the Chief Nuclear Inspector on this matter. [107664]

Resourcing of the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate is a matter for the Health and Safety Commission and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. I understand the Health and Safety Executive is currently considering its resource requirements in the light of proposals for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no discussions with the Health and Safety Executive's Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which institution will hold the site licence for (a) the Sellafield MOX plant and (b) THORP, when their ownership is transferred to the new Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. [107665]

As the White Paper on Managing the Nuclear Legacy (Cm5552) explained, for regulatory and operational reasons Sellafield will remain a single licensed site. As and when the NBA is established, I would expect the licence to remain with BNFL plc.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the policy commitment to transparency in the White Paper on the proposed nuclear liabilities management arrangements will apply to the publication of future contracts negotiated for (a) THORP and (b) the Sellafield Mox plant, once their operation is transferred to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. [107668]

The basis on which the commitment to an open and transparent NBA should be implemented is one of the issues on which we will be seeking views from stakeholders prior to the NDA being established. The starting point is that information should be published unless there are good reasons for not doing so. It will be for the NDA to make those judgements and justify them as and when necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total cost to store Britain's nuclear waste in sites around the country was in the last year for which figures are available. [105593]

Figures are not readily available in all cases but I understand the cost to store the UK's public sector nuclear waste to be of the order of £128 million last year. For some sites the capital cost of new stores and waste processing has been included.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices there are in each parliamentary constituency; and how many of them transact more than 40 per cent. of their work from paying benefits and pensions. [107044]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 9 January 2003, Official Report, column 299W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) post offices and (b) sub-post offices there were in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) each region in March (A) 1999, (B) 2000, (C) 2001 and (D) 2002. [107045]

I understand from Post Office Ltd. that the total numbers of post offices in the United Kingdom and each region/country is only available from March 2000 and are as follows:

Region/Country	March 2000	March 2001	March 2002
North East	739	736	726
North West	1,882	1,853	1,848
Yorkshire and Humber	1,583	1,530	1,509
West Midlands	1,479	1,438	1,414
South West	1,926	1,880	1,847
South East	2,267	2,189	2,153
London	1,233	1,225	1,209
East of England	1,706	1,632	1,611

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many households (a) in England and Wales and (b) in the Buckinghamshire constituency have been disconnected by (i) water companies, (ii) electricity companies and (iii) telecommunications companies in each year since 1999. [106986]

The number of disconnections by electricity companies in England and Wales was:

	For debt	For theft	Total
1999	373	3,219	3,592
2000	300	3,004	3,334
2001	375	1,959	2,334
2002	995	2,494	3,489

To ask the Solicitor General when she will reply to the Question from the hon. Member for Cynon Valley of 24 February on a meeting on the prosecution of leading members of the Iraqi regime. [107573]

The Attorney General is happy to meet the hon. Member as he always said he was. A meeting was arranged but had to be cancelled and a new one will now be fixed.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much public money has been spent on the acquisition of artefacts for the Lord Chancellor's apartments in each year from 1997 to date. [96419]

Since 1997 to date, £105,317 has been spent on the acquisition of artefacts for the Lord Chancellor's apartments. These include a dining table, eight mirrors, three beds, and a Pugin designed crockery set. This money was spent as part of the refurbishment of the apartments in 1997/98 and forms part of the overall cost of the refurbishment, namely part of £580,000, not £650,000 as often erroneously stated. No public money has been spent on the Lord Chancellor's apartments since this time.I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer to question no. 96416 for further information.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff were employed by her Department in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [106975]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 4 April 2003, Official Report, column 891W.

To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission what plans he has to increase the budget of the National Audit Office to enable it to examine off-balance sheet Government accounting. [107111]

The National Audit Office already examines whether financing arrangements and related assets should be on or off-balance sheet where the private sector provides assets or services to Government bodies. The National Audit Office does this as part of its annual audit of accounts. Any cost implications of this work will be reflected in the annual corporate plan submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General in the summer, which the Commission will consider before the Summer Recess.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will make a statement on the implications of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 for church-owned land in England. [107086]

There have been four applications brought under this Act in connection with land owned by the Church Commissioners. Two of which they have objected to, and two of which they have conceded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to introduce a distribution of National Lottery funding aimed at tackling social exclusion and regenerating deprived communities. [107057]

Since the introduction of the 1998 Lottery Act and changes to policy directions, distributors have increasingly focussed on areas of social and economic deprivation. Fair Share is one such initiative designed to target funding at those deprived areas which have benefited least from the Lottery.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she last met the Press Complaints Commission to discuss its work. [107060]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met the Press Complaints Commission recently, but she will be meeting Sir Christopher Meyer, the new chairman, on 7 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what powers OFCOM will have over the Press Complaints Commission. [107058]

None. The Press Complaints Commission is an independent body overseeing the self-regulation of the newspaper industry. We continue to believe that self-regulation is preferable to any statutory measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her Department's support for cricket for people with disabilities. [107059]

The Government funds sport for people with disabilities through the English Federation for Disability Sport (EFDS), which will receive £2 million from Sport England over the next year. The EFDS is presently considering whether to add cricket to its list of priority sports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what neighbourhoods will be prioritised in the review of children's play facilities for the New Opportunities Fund. [107061]

No decisions have yet been made on this. The review is currently looking at the needs of areas which have inadequate play opportunities and groups of children who have limited access to play. A report with recommendations about priorities for play provision will be published this summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance she is giving to support access to sporting facilities in rural colleges. [107062]

The Government are fully committed to improving access to a wide range of sporting opportunities in all areas of the country, including rural areas. A number of initiatives including School Sport Co-ordinators, Spaces for Sport and the Arts and the New Opportunities Fund PE and Sport Programme will help to improve provision in rural areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to promote the use of live music in pubs and clubs by reducing the cost of entertainment licences. [107063]

The Licensing Bill will do away with the current system of separate, annually renewable, public entertainment licences and establish a system under which a pub or club obtaining permission to sell alcohol will not pay anything extra to seek permission to provide live music.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and sport how the distinct identities of the Celtic nations will be promoted by the new UK-wide tourist body. [107065]

VisitBritain will build on the work of the BTA to market vigorously overseas each component part of Britain, ensuring that the strong and distinct brand identities are strengthened and developed in partnership with Britain's national and regional tourist boards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will provide support for plans to build a Churchill Museum in the Cabinet War Rooms. [107247]

The creation of a museum in the Cabinet War Rooms dedicated to the life achievements and legacy of Sir Winston Churchill has been a long-term goal of the Imperial War Museum, which is sponsored by my Department. I fully support the Imperial War Museum's aims and objectives for this museum, which will complete the development of the Cabinet War Rooms as a world class Heritage Resource.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the annual report of the Department will be published. [107870]

The DCMS annual report for the year 2002–03 will be published on 16 May 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she has entertained Labour hon. Members at public expense in the last 12 months; and at what cost. [106400]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not entertained any Labour hon. Members at public expense in the last 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether it is her policy that common areas in (a) sheltered accommodation, (b) residential homes and (c) day centres should be subject to licensing when used by a one-person singing entertainer. [107588]

Under the provisions of the Licensing Bill, performances in sheltered accommodation, residential homes or day centres would not be licensable unless the public were able to attend, or a charge was made to those who attended with a view to do more than cover costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the estimated level of saving to the Department is from the use of market testing in 2002–03. [107758]

There have not been any contracts suitable for market testing over the past year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding was allocated in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03 from the DCMS/Wolfson Public Libraries Challenge. [107102]

2001–02 was the final year of the DCMS/Wolfson Challenge Fund. With £3 million of funding available, £2.28 million was allocated to reader development projects and £113,000 was allocated towards a British History programme. The Wolfson Foundation carried forward the remaining monies for other purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her Department's policies to help tackle deprivation and youth crime through sport. [106815]

The Government believe that sport can play a valuable part in achieving a range of social objectives such as alleviating economic and social deprivation, reducing crime, improving health and tackling social exclusion. This policy was set out in The Government's Plan for Sport and re-iterated in the joint DCMS/Strategy Unit report Game—Plan published in December last year.A number of measures to-achieve these objectives are in place. The policy-directions issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State require Sport England, in considering applications for Lottery funding, to have regard to their scope for reducing economic and social deprivation, to promoting access to sport for people from all sections of society and to promoting a knowledge and interest in sport in children and young people. Programmes such as Space for Sport and the Arts, the New Opportunities Fund School PE and Sport funding, the PE, School Sport and Club Links initiative and the Community Club Development programme are all targeted at deprived areas and at under-represented groups such as people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and women.Sport England is involved in a range of initiatives and programmes which target deprivation and social inclusion. Its Lottery strategy provides for 50 per cent. of its funding to be directed to areas of greatest need and its Active Communities Development Fund specifically aims to increase participation amongst women and girls, people on low incomes, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. It also works in close partnership with a range of organisations including the Home Office on Positive Futures, a programme which aims to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and drug taking among 10–16 year olds, and the Commission for Racial Equality on the Sporting Equals programme which aims to promote racial equality in sport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture., Media and Sport how many staff in her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies receive paid leave to undertake union duties; how many days they are allocated; and what has been the cost to public funds in 2002. [106771]

In 2002,14 staff within the Department and agencies received paid leave to undertake union duties; 425 days have been allocated and the estimated cost to public funds was £58,801.The timescale for response to this question does not allow for this information to be obtained for non-departmental public bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the sunset clauses included in legislation from her Department since 1997. [106941]

None of the Bills introduced by the Department since 1997 has contained sunset clauses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department will introduce the preserved rights scheme for TV licences in sheltered housing. [107046]

We have already done so. As announced on 11 March this year Official Report, column 10WS, the necessary amending regulations were laid on that date and came into force on 1 April.

To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations he has made to the Saudi Government on behalf of the British citizens imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for alleged terrorist offences; whether he has sought the support of the United States Government on this matter; and what response he has received from the Saudi Government. [106920]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on Wednesday 12 March, Official Report, column 319W.

To ask the Prime Minister whether the start and finish time of each meeting of the full Cabinet is recorded. [107542]

No.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list each document requested by hon. Members and Members of the House of Lords that have been withheld from public disclosure under the Code of Practice Access to Government Information since the establishment of the Codes, with the relevant section in each case. [107222]

Requests for information are considered on an individual basis taking account of the requirements of the ministerial code, relevant statutes and the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Therefore no such list is held as the cases are dealt with individually.With regard to written parliamentary questions, each year the Public Administration Select Committee publishes an annual report listing the cases where Ministers have withheld information and the justification under the Code of Practice for doing so.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list events at which his Department and each agency and non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible have exhibited in each of the past 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. [107611]

None.

To ask the Prime Minister what recent assessment he has made of whether Iraq has (a) nuclear, (b) chemical and (c) biological weapons. [107194]

Assessments of whether Iraq has nuclear, chemical and biological weapons are constantly updated in the light of information received. We continue to believe that Iraq has chemical and biological weapons, and that it is seeking to re-establish a nuclear weapons programme. Under UN Security Council Resolution 1441, the onus was placed firmly on Iraq to prove that it did not possess such weapons. It has failed to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 2 April, Official Report, column 918, what the evidential basis was for his statement that the damage done to the holy sites at Najaf were perpetrated by forces of the Iraqi regime and not by the allied air forces of the 1991 Gulf War. [107532]

There are a number of independent sources which detail Saddam's damage to Shi'a holy sites in 1991. I refer my hon. Friend to the 1992 report of the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iraq (UN reference E/CN.4/1992/31) which is in the House Library.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what plans he has to meet the leaders of Syria and Iran; and what issues he plans to discuss; [107192](2) what recent discussions he has had with the US administration regarding the Government's policy towards Syria and Iran; and if he will make a statement. [107191]

We have ongoing close consultations with the US Administration, including my own with President Bush, about the Middle East region as a whole, including Iran and Syria. With regard to both, the UK remains committed to a policy of constructive and, where necessary, critical engagement, which allows us to support reform while maintaining a robust dialogue on issues of concern. I have no current plans to meet either President Al-Assad or President Khatami.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the (a) cost of and (b) number of visitors to each website operated by his Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible in each year since its establishment. [107660]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr Cable) on 30 October 2002, Official Report, column 855W. Visitor numbers for the website for 2000 and 2002 are as follows:

2000: 1,635,201 visitors who viewed a total of 17,347,966 pages

2002: 3,312,879 visitors who viewed a total of 18,777,826 pages.

To ask the Prime Minister what action he intends to take to address the political problems in Zimbabwe. [106919]

The Government want to see a democratically elected government in Zimbabwe following sound policies for the benefit of the people. We are deeply concerned at the recent violence in Zimbabwe.The Government have played a significant role in ensuring that the European Union have taken a strong position on Zimbabwe. This includes renewing measures targeted at the ZANU-PF elite—travel ban, assets freeze and arms embargo—and the suspension of non-humanitarian aid. The EU has most recently expressed its concern about human rights in Zimbabwe by issuing a strong statement on 28 March. The EU is sponsoring a resolution on Zimbabwe at theUN Commission on Human Rights, which is currently taking place in Geneva.The Government also support the Commonwealth Secretary General's decision to continue Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth's Councils, pending discussion at CHOGM in December. We are in close touch with the regional states to encourage them to use their own influence on Zimbabwe. My Noble Friend, Baroness Amos reaffirmed the importance of this in a speech in Pretoria on 31 March.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has (a) conducted and (b) evaluated on the availability of (i) insurance and (ii) banking services to teenagers recovering from cancer. [107703]

The Treasury has not conducted or evaluated such research.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to bring the level of VAT on recombinant blood products in line with that in other European countries. [107589]

Along with other EU member states, the UK exempts from VAT human blood, and human blood components and derivatives when these are used for therapeutic purposes. Synthetic 'blood' products, such as those that are genetically engineered, are not exempt from VAT because of long-standing formal agreements with our European partners. Some recombinant blood products are therefore liable to VAT at the standard rate. However, when dispensed to a patient by a pharmacist on the prescription of a medical practitioner, recombinant blood products are zero-rated for VAT.The European Commission and member states, including the UK, have considered whether the exemption for human blood products should be extended to cover chemically-produced derivatives and synthetic blood products. The European Commission has not yet brought forward proposals for change in this area.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2003, Official Report, column 178W, on data access powers, how many applications for access to communications data there have been by (a) the Inland Revenue and (b) Customs and Excise, broken down by each piece of legislation (i) in the last year and (ii) since the enactment of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. [101022]

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 has not yet come into force in relation to access to communications data by the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise.In relation to the Data Protection Act 1998, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 17 October 2002,

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will meet the wine, spirit and beer sector to discuss the future application of HM Customs and Excise throughput rules for bonded warehouses; [106043](2) what assessment he has made of the impact the bonded warehouse throughput rules will have on small and specialist wine distributors across the UK; [106039](3) if he will require HM Customs and Excise to incorporate risk analysis and discretionary assessments into the decision-making process authorising bonded warehouses; [106041](4) what effect the new guidelines for HM Customs and Excise rules on throughput criteria for bonded warehouses will have on the licensed trades industry; [106038](5) if he will have discussions with the Chief Executive of Customs and Excise concerning the impact of bonded warehouse throughput rules on small and specialist wine distributors across the UK; [106040](6) what representations he has received from wine and beer suppliers regarding Customs and Excise application of bonded warehouse throughput rules; [106044]

In line with its wider approach to keeping burdens on business to a minimum, the Government seek to ensure that regulatory requirements on the alcohol trade are fair and proportionate, offering as much flexibility to businesses as possible while preventing unacceptable revenue losses.The law endows Customs and Excise with the ability to exercise discretion over approvals of excise warehouses, and requires them to deploy that discretion in a fair, equitable and reasonable way. Customs have a responsibility to businesses to ensure consistency of treatment. To this end, they have developed and published a policy on the types of premises to which they would normally grant approval. One of the conditions for approval under this policy is that businesses must meet laid-down minimum throughput criteria, which have been in place since 1980, and which were converted into the current monetary criteria in 1996. There are, therefore, no new guidelines on throughput criteria for excise warehouses.These criteria help ensure that a fair balance is struck between facilitating the trade in allowing traders to store goods in duty suspense, and minimising the cost to the Exchequer of allowing duty to be deferred after production or importation of excise goods, and the cost of controlling these premises. Without throughput criteria, any off-licence, tobacconist or supermarket would be eligible for excise warehouse approval and would be able to store its stock without payment of duty up until the time it was removed to its shop shelves. This would increase costs for Customs in assuring and collecting the duty from such a large number of warehouses, would delay the duty point with a consequent effect on revenue cash-flow, and would potentially provide unacceptably widespread opportunities for alcohol fraud.To support this approach, a further condition was introduced which established that premises used for a retail business could not also be an excise warehouse. Details of this were published in the January 1996 edition of Customs' public notice on warehousing and duty suspension.As the Minister responsible for Customs and Excise, I have regular meetings with their Chairman and other Senior Managers. Ministers and officials meet representatives of the alcoholic drinks industries on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the sector, including their Budget representations. I have also recently received one letter containing representations about the effect of the throughput criteria on one wine trader.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether officials from (a) the Inland Revenue and (b) HM Customs and Excise who have access to records relating to electronic contacts between individuals have access to the content of such contacts; under what powers in (i) the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and (ii) other legislation access is permitted; how many requests for access were made in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [104521]

Although the Inland Revenue will have access to communications data under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIPA) 2000, that access will not extend to the contents of communications, whether electronic or otherwise. Under the Taxes Management Act 1970, in criminal investigations the courts can issue warrants and make orders that give the Inland Revenue access to evidence which may include the contents of electronic communications. The number of cases in which the contents of electronic communications were made available to the Inland Revenue as part of wider evidence gathered is not known as separate records are not kept on this specific issue.HM Customs and Excise, in the 12 months to date, have accessed the 'electronic contacts' of an arrested person by virtue of Production Orders under three pieces of legislation. There have been 12 orders raised against 19 accounts as follows:

Legislation	Number of times accessed
Drugs Traflicking Act 1994, s.55	10
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1982	1
Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, s.118D(1)	1

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made with the pay review in his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible, with particular reference to the gender pay gap; and if he will make a statement. [106753]

The Chancellor's Departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies are committed to reviewing their pay systems in response to the Equal Opportunities Commission Task Force "Just Pay" report. Their progress in reviewing pay systems and preparing action plans in line with the guidance issued by the Cabinet Office is as follows:

HM Customs and Excise and Inland Revenue have completed pay reviews.

The Debt Management Office, the Office of Government Commerce, the Government Actuary's Department, the Royal Mint. National Savings and Investments, and the Valuation Office Agency will complete their pay reviews by the end of April.

HM Treasury's equal pay review is progressing and the Office for National Statistics expects to report by the end of May.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rates of economic activity were recorded in each of the last five years in (a) the UK and (b) each region, broken down by (i) age and (ii) sex. [107430]

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) what fiscal measures or instruments he plans to use to encourage (a) registered social landlords, (b) private landlords, (c) local authorities and (d) other public bodies acting as landlords to install the most efficient heating systems in their properties; [106791] (2)what plans he has to use

The Government have already introduced a range of measures to promote energy efficiency in the home. Budget 2000 reduced the rate of VAT to 5 per cent. on the grant-funded installation of new central heating systems and heating appliances. Budget 2002 extended the reduced rate of VAT to the grant-funded installation of factory-insulated hot water tanks, micro combined heat and power systems, and renewable energy heating systems in the homes of the less well-off.Budget 2001 introduced 100 per cent. first-year enhanced capital allowances (ECAs) for designated energy-saving plant and machinery.The ECA scheme enables businesses to write-off the whole cost of their investment in designated energy-saving equipment against the taxable profits of the period during which the investment is made. In the commercial sector, energy service companies can claim ECAs on their spending on qualifying equipment. Special rules enable them to claim allowances where, as part of a comprehensive energy services agreement, they provide equipment that becomes a fixture on another person's land in which they have no interest.The Government's Affordable Warmth Programme supports the installation of modern energy efficient central heating systems in low-income homes, including registered social landlord homes. The equipment is leased to the landlord and where the equipment is designated energy-saving equipment. Special rules enable the lessor to claim the enhanced capital allowances. The benefit can be passed on in the form of lower rental charges.The Government consulted on economic instruments to improve household energy efficiency during 2002 and a summary of responses has been published on the Treasury website. In his pre-Budget report in November 2002 the Chancellor announced that the Government will consult further on specific measures to promote greater energy efficiency by households, once the responses to the initial consultation have been fully considered.The Government have also introduced other measures to improve energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty in the domestic sector, including the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) and Warm Front. This commitment requires gas and electricity suppliers to encourage and assist their domestic customers to reduce energy consumption and to meet targets for quantified energy savings. At least 50 per cent. of the benefits from the EEC currently go to households on income and disability related benefits.Since its launch in June 2000, the Warm Front Scheme, which provides packages of insulation and heating measures worth up to £2,500 to private sector households in receipt of certain benefits, has assisted over half a million households, helping improve the comfort levels and living conditions of some of the most vulnerable members of society.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the EU Directives and Regulations which have been implemented by his Department since 17 April 2002. [106827]

The Treasury plays a leading role in the UK's EU policy on financial services and tax. Since 17 April 2002, the Treasury has led on the implementation of 10 Directives:

directive 2000/46/EC on the taking-up, pursuit of and prudential supervision of the business of electronic money institutions (implementation date: 27 April 2002);

directive 2000/28/EC, amending Directive 2000/12/EC relating to the taking up and pursuit of the business of credit institutions (implementation date: 27 April 2002);

directive 2001/44/EC, amending Directive 76/308/EEC on mutual assistance for the recovery of claims resulting from operations forming part of the system of financing the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, and of agricultural levies and customs duties and in respect of value added tax and certain excise duties (implementation date: 24 July 2002);

directive 2000/31/EC on certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market ('Directive on electronic commerce') (implemented by the Treasury as regards matters within the scope of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000: implementation date: 21 August 2002);

directive 2000/26/EC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles and amending Council Directives 73/239/EEC and 88/357/EEC (Fourth Motor Insurance Directive) (implementation date: 19 January 2003);

directive 2001/78/EC of 13 September 2001 amending Annex IV to Council Directive 93/36/EEC, Annexes IV, V and VI to Council Directive 93/37/EEC, Annexes III and IV to Council Directive 92/50/EEC, as amended by Directive 97/52/EC, and Annexes XII to XV, XVII and XVIII to Council Directive 93/38/EEC, as amended by Directive 98/4/EC (Directive on the use of standard forms in the publication of public contract notices) (implementation date: 4 February 2003);

directive 2002/38/EC and regulation 792/2002 regarding value added tax arrangements applicable to electronically supplied services and broadcasting;

directive 2002/10/EC concerning the structure and rates of excise duty applied on manufactured tobacco;

directive 2001/115/EC with a view to simplifying, modernising and harmonising the conditions laid down for VAT invoicing;

Commission decision 2001/574, following directive 95/60/EC, establishing a common fiscal marker for gas oils and kerosene.

I am not aware of any further directives being implemented since 17 April 2002, but the Department does not keep a central record of this information and it could be assembled only at disproportionate cost.EC Regulations are, in general, directly applicable in the member states, without the need for further incorporation into national law. However, some Regulations require UK measures to make them workable and enforceable. Some Regulations enact small or technical amendments. As far as we have been able to verify, the number of Regulations implemented by HM Treasury since 17 April 2002 is three: