To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the total expenditure across Government on websites has been in each of the last six years. [107248]

Information on expenditure on websites across government is not held centrally and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.Historic costs of the Cabinet Office website (www.cabinet-Office.gov.uk) could be produced only at disproportionate cost. However, expenditure (excluding staff costs) on the Cabinet Office website for the year ending 31 March 2003 was £23,218.80 including VAT.

To ask the Advocate-General what devolution issues have been raised in the last month under the Scotland Act 1998. [106710]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mr. Reid), Official Report, 8 April 2003, column 119.

To ask the Advocate-General what human rights issues have been raised with her since 11 March. [106712]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mr. Reid), Official Report, 8 April 2003, column 119.

To ask the Advocate-General what discussions she has had with Scottish Ministers regarding the proposed establishment of a Scottish Human Rights Commission. [106711]

I have had no discussions with the Scottish Ministers regarding the proposed establishment of a Scottish Human Rights Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the prospects for the North Sea oil and gas sector.[106719]

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the prospects for the Scottish economy related to the North Sea oil and gas sector. [106720]

The Government are committed to maintaining an active and successful oil and gas industry in the UK, and to promoting future development of the nation-1/2s oil and gas reserves. The sector is, and will remain, important to the wider UK economy in terms of jobs, investment and its contribution to national income. The Government are working with the industry—notably through the PILOT initiative—to encourage investment in both existing and new fields.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the First Minister and the Ministry of Defence about providing support to the families of Scottish troops presently in Iraq. [106721]

The Government recognise the important contribution service families make to defence. The First Minister said in his statement to the Scottish Parliament on 19 March they will have our care and support. The Ministry of Defence-1/2s aim is to manage with care the issues of dependent family members recognising the special circumstances of service families, particularly at this time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the prospects for small businesses in Scotland.[106722]

The Government have put in place a solid macro-economic framework for business to prosper in. Small businesses make a crucial contribution to the Scottish economy and I am confident that in Scotland they are well placed to take advantage of this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to give information to Scottish workers who are concerned that they may not be being paid the National Minimum Wage. [106723]

The Government have taken a number of steps to ensure that awareness of the National Minimum Wage is high in Scotland. These include a dedicated Scottish National Minimum Wage helpline, launched on 24 February; access to help and advice through the network of Citizens Advice Bureaux across Scotland; an interactive website www.tiger.gov.uk giving advice on employment rights and information events arranged by the joint DTI and Inland Revenue Customer Responsive Outreach Work (CROW) teams.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations she has received from Scottish (a) employers and (b) employees on the increases in National Insurance contributions. [106724]

My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with business organisations and trades unions about a range of matters including economic policy and taxation matters. I concur with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's view that the additional revenue from the increase in National Insurance contributions is required to fund essential increases in investment in public services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are employed in the Scotch whisky industry in Scotland. [106725]

A recent study commissioned by the Scotch Whisky Association indicated that 9,500 people are employed in Scotland in the production of Scotch whisky and that the industry supports an estimated 41,000 jobs in total in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with Treasury Ministers about difficulties Scottish businesses are having in getting Employer's Compulsory Liability Insurance. [106726]

My Department is in close touch with the Department for Work and Pensions, who are carrying out a review of Employer's Liability Compulsory Insurance. This review is due to report to Ministers in the spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the prospects for manufacturing industry in Scotland. [106727]

The manufacturing sector continues to be of vital importance to the Scottish economy and remains a substantial employer with significant linkages to the rest of the economy. Despite the impact of difficult global conditions the sector has an excellent export record and is well placed to benefit from the wide range of supporting measures in the Government's manufacturing strategy.

To ask the President of the Council what discussions he will have with Chairmen of select committees on pre-legislative scrutiny in the next Session of Parliament. [107451]

The Government are committed to increase the publication of Bills in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny. My right hon. Friend wishes to establish close dialogue with the Chairman of the Liaison Committee on pre-legislative scrutiny and other matters.

To ask the President of the Council what plans the Government have to make proposals to improve scrutiny of European legislation. [107452]

I refer the hon. Member to the Government's positive responses to the report of the European Scrutiny Committee on European Scrutiny in the Commons (Second Special Report from the European Scrutiny Committee, Session 2001–02, HC 1256) and to the report of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union entitled "Review of Scrutiny of European Legislation" (available on the Parliament website).

To ask the President of the Council what proposals he has to improve scrutiny of legislation throughout the Parliamentary Session. [107453]

The proposals agreed by the House last October for more routine publication of Bills in draft, for consultation with opposition parties on the broad shape of the legislative year and more flexibility in programming, and for carry-over of Bills, should contribute to improved scrutiny of legislation.

To ask the President of the Council if he will arrange for the regular publication of (a) commencement dates of all new legislation and (b) the repeal date of all repealed legislation. [107454]

The commencement date of new legislation and the repeal dates of repealed legislation are all set out either in primary legislation or in secondary legislation, and are therefore already published in that form by the Queen's Printer (and accessible via: www.hmso.gov.uk). To make things easier for users, commencement instruments are numbered as a separate sub-series of the statutory instruments. These are identified within the SI issue list, published daily by The Stationery Office Ltd., on behalf of the Queen's Printer.There are a variety of commercial publications which distil and re-present the information published by the Queen's Printer, and there seems to be no need to supplement them.

To ask the President of the Council how many times the Privy Council met in March 2003. [107455]

Once, on 20 March 2003. Full details of the business transacted at the meeting are given on the Privy Council Office website. These details are posted on the site after every meeting of the Privy Council.

To ask the President of the Council if he will list those hon. Members who since May 2001 have voted both aye and no in the same division; and if he will identify the number of times each hon. Member has done this. [106590]

Records are not kept of the occasions on which hon. Members vote both aye and no in the same division. The information is available from the division lists published in Hansard, but could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on the Department's policy on location of magistrates' courts. [107461]

By statute, the Magistrates' Courts Service is locally managed. It is for local Magistrates' Courts Committees to decide on the provision of courthouses at a local level.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent discussions she has had about the future of Harrow magistrates court. [107462]

I have had no discussions on the future of Harrow magistrates court. The Greater London Magistrates Court Authority concluded its consultation exercise to close the magistrates court in Harrow on 14 March 2003. No formal determination has yet been made to close the courthouse.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Lord Chancellor will bring forward proposals to restructure his Department into a Ministry of Justice; and if she will make a statement. [107463]

The Ministry of Justice would be responsible for the whole of the law, both civil and criminal, whereas at present, the Lord Chancellor's Department is responsible for the former and the Home Office for the latter. The distribution of responsibilities between Whitehall Departments is a matter for the Prime Minister. The present distribution of business between the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Home Office and the Crown Prosecution Service supports the effective and efficient discharge of public business and delivery of public services.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent assessment her Department has made of electoral practices in other EU states in considering electoral reform in the UK. [107464]

We are always ready to consider whether electoral practices in other countries could usefully be adopted for UK elections. The responsibility for researching and assessing such matters now rests with the Electoral Commission. I understand that practice elsewhere has helped inform the Commission's current review programme covering various aspects of our electoral arrangements, the results of which they hope to present to the Government shortly.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement about the management of computer projects for the Lord Chancellors Department. [107465]

All IT projects are managed using the Prince 2 project management methodology. The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) process for Gateway Reviews is used to quality assure these projects.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what programme has been agreed for the implementation of the provisions of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 for which he carries ministerial responsibility; and if he will make a statement on that programme [107016]

The Adoption and Children Act 2002 received Royal Assent on 7 November 2002. Ministers in the Department of Health and my Department are considering plans for implementation of the Act. Full implementation is expected by the end of 2004. However, some elements such as the definition of 'harm' in relation to domestic violence are expected sooner. We have begun to consult on amendments to the Family Proceedings Rules 1991 (Domestic Violence).

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when all the provisions of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 will be brought into force, with particular reference to section 122(1)(b) and section 122(2). [107017]

The Adoption and Children Act received Royal Assent on 7 November 2002. Ministers of the Department of Health and the Lord Chancellor's Department are considering plans for implementation of the Act. Full implementation is anticipated by the end of 2004.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Lord Chancellor intends to publish the framework for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [107013]

The Framework Document for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service was published in April 2001 and copies were placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department pursuant to her answer of 20 March 2003, Official Report, column 908W, on portfolio holdings held by the Court of Protection for minors, what measures are in place to ensure that depreciation in the value of funds held by the Public Guardianship Office is kept to a minimum. [105967]

Any equity investment in respect of Public Guardianship Office's (PGO) clients is undertaken by external fund managers either by a panel fund manager appointed by the PGO or by a manager chosen by the receiver on behalf of the child and approved by the Court of Protection. Equities are held in a diversified portfolio, comprising holdings in individual shares or in unitised funds, so as to spread the risk. The performance of the fund managers is regularly monitored and any underperformance investigated.In giving its directions for the investment of funds, the Court of Protection recommends investment strategies that are deemed suitable for the individual requirements of each case. These will provide for some, and sometimes all, of the award to be held as a cash deposit in the Special Account operated by the Court Funds Office, which currently pays a favourable rate of interest of 6 per cent. This is to ensure that commitments over the shorter term can be met without there being any obligation to sell securities at a time when they may have fallen in value, and also to modify risk in the overall portfolio.Equities have suffered badly over the past three years, but they are still recommended as the best means of achieving a return that matches or exceeds the rate of inflation over the longer term.There are no specific measures in place to ensure that there is no depreciation in the value of such funds. The only way to do that would be to hold all the funds in the form of cash, but that would run the risk of failing to match future rates of inflation and mean that clients' funds would perform less well relative to equity markets when they were rising.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how the Lord Chancellor has exercised his powers under paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 2 to the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 to direct the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service on (a) the performance of its functions and powers and (b) the functions of officers of the Service; what the instructions were; and if she will make a statement. [107015]

My right hon. and Learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has not exercised his powers under paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 2 to the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000. CAFCASS's Board has responsibility for establishing the Service's strategic direction within the policy framework, and the key objectives he sets for the Service and the resources he allocates to it. The Chief Executive of CAFCASS is responsible for the Services day-to-day operation within the strategic direction set by the Board.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made with the pay review in the Lord Chancellor's Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which the Lord Chancellor is responsible, with particular reference to the gender pay gap; and if she will make a statement. [106748]

In common with other Government Departments and agencies, and in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines, the Lord Chancellor's Department and the agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which the Lord Chancellor is responsible, are required to undertake gender equality audits of pay and related systems. In most cases these audits have either been completed or are nearing completion. The Children and Family Courts Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) proposes to conduct an equality audit later in the year, once terms and conditions of its staff have been harmonised. Audits which have been completed indicate that there are no significant gender imbalances, and action plans drawn up from the audits will indicate how any imbalances will be addressed.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Lord Chancellor's Department has for monitoring the effectiveness of courts in the Street Crime Initiative. [107146]

The Crown Court Case Management System, CREST, is able to provide the Department with data on the progress of all cases including Street Crime Initiative cases through the courts. The Persistent Young Offender Tracker system has been amended to enable the magistrates courts to monitor the progress of Street Crime Initiative cases. Data are collated at each designated Crown and magistrates court and provided to my Department on a monthly basis.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list the sunset clauses included in legislation from her Department since 1997. [106950]

No Bill introduced by this Department since 1997 has included a sunset clause and there are no plans for the future use of such clauses.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the people entertained on official business at Chequers since January 2002. [108031]

I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings under exemptions 2 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.My family and I have used Chequers in a variety of ways, both official and private, consistent with the wishes of the donor, Lord Lee, and the Chequers Estate Acts 1917 and 1958. The use of Chequers is governed by the Acts, and all meetings held at Chequers comply with the requirements of the Act.

To ask the Prime Minister on what dates he has held meetings with President Bush since 1 January 2001; and where each of these meetings took place. [107544]

I have met President Bush on the following occasions since 1 January 2001:

Date	Location/Event
2001
23 to 24 February	Meetings at Camp David
13 June	NATO summit, Brussels
14 June	EU/US summit, Gothenburg
19 July	Talks at Chequers
20 to 22 July	G8 summit, Genoa, Italy
20 September	Meeting at White House, Washington
7 November	Meeting at White House, Washington
2002
5 to 7 April	Talks at President's ranch, Texas
25 to 27 June	G8 summit, Calgary
7 September	Bilateral, Camp David
21 November	NATO summit, Prague
2003
31 January	Meeting at White House, Washington
16 March	Azores summit
26 to 27 March	Meeting at Camp David
7 to 8 April	Northern Ireland summit

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the United Kingdom Accreditation Service will be used by her Department for the accreditation of certification bodies acting in the organic food sector. [105492]

The Department will use UKAS for the accreditation or assessment of certifications bodies acting in the organic food sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support her Department has given to the Accreditation Awareness Campaign run by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. [105493]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 1 March 2001, Official Report, column 731W, by the Minister of Sate for Trade and Industry (Mr. Johnson), UKAS is the sole body recognised by the Government for the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies in the United Kingdom. Defra uses UKAS accreditation and assessment services whenever it is appropriate to do so Defra has drawn attention to the role of UKAS and its contribution to increasing confidence in the food supply chain by providing assurance of the competence of inspection bodies operating in the food sector. Defra has commissioned work from UKAS in the areas of organic farming, global atmosphere and research and development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has carried out to establish the effects of the six-day movement rule for cattle on agricultural shows; and if she will make a statement. [106533]

We announced in a written statement on 23 January 2003 that the standstill would be reduced from 20 to six days for cattle, sheep and goats with effect from 4 March 2003, but with far fewer exemptions. The removal of most of the exemptions—including the exemption for shows—is a counterbalance to the increased risk created by the reduction in the standstill period.These changes took account of the emerging findings from the risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis of animal movement standstills. A report of those findings, and a supporting document explaining our decision to reduce the standstill, have been placed in the Library and published on the Defra website. The second phase of the analysis is now under way and is due to report at the end of May 2003. We will take account of the final reports—and any other new evidence—when deciding what rules should apply from 1 August 2003 and beyond.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to give guidance on the suitability of biodigestion in respect of meeting the requirements of the EU Annual By-Products Regulation. [107216]

[holding answer 4 April 2003]: The biodigestion of animal by-products is not a permitted disposal route. However, the EU Animal By-Products Regulation may allow for novel disposal methods, such as biodigestion, to be permitted, after consultation of the appropriate scientific committee.I understand that the EU Commission is considering for approval a number of alternative processes that have already been submitted by the industry.The Commission requires any submitted data to be structured in accordance with the five key components of the Framework prepared by the Commission's Scientific Steering Committee to assist the assessment of the risk from different options for the safe disposal or use of animal products. The key components cover:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost to public funds in 2003–04 will be of the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations. [107794]

None. Enforcement of the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 will be by the State Veterinary Service at no additional cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the spending plans are from 2003 to 2008 for (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland under pillar two of the Common Agricultural Policy. [106202]

Rural Development Programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the relevant Administrations.Plans for CAP pillar 2 spending up to 2006 are set out in the published rural development programmes and are summarised as follows. These figures relate to the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund accounting years (to 16 October) and consist of both EU and national funds included in Rural Development Programmes. They do not include spending financed by the European Structural Funds.

£ million (21£0.63)
	2003	2004	2005	2006
England	242.2	269.1	284	320
Northern Ireland	39.9	41.7	41.7	43.8
Scotland	154.4	131.1	136.5	144.6
Wales	79.6	74.6	78.7	72.4

The figures do not include the additional funding that was made available as a result of the 2002 Spending Review to match an increase in modulation to 10 per cent.; that funding was conditional on future ministerial decisions and (in England) on the success of the pilots for the Entry Level Agri-Environment Scheme.Spending in 2007 and 2008 will depend on future decisions on the allocation of EU rural development resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact on British agriculture of the European Commission"s proposals of January 2003 to reform the Common Agriculture Policy; and if she will publish the results. [106504]

We have just this week published our assessment of the economic impact of the Commission"s Long Term Perspective for Sustainable Agriculture, based on both commissioned and in-house analysis. I have placed copies of the assessment in the Libraries of the House. It is also available on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/esg/economics/capreform.pdf

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what role she plans for micro combined heat and power in achieving carbon savings up to 2010; [106800](2) what role she plans for micro combined heat and power in the achievement of Government objectives in

The Government is keen to encourage the development and deployment of low carbon technologies including micro CHP. As the Performance and Innovation Unit Report on energy policy noted, micro CHP has the potential to deliver carbon savings towards the targets in both the Climate Change Programme and the Energy White Paper. It might also be able to deliver lower fuel bills for consumers which in turn could contribute to meeting the Government"s targets in its Fuel Poverty Strategy.However, the technology is not yet commercially available in the UK. It is therefore not yet possible to assess the level of carbon or fuel bill savings which might be achieved in normal use of this technology. I understand that The Carbon Trust, working with the Energy Saving Trust and others, including Defra, will be commissioning a pilot field trial for micro CHP starting later this year. I understand the trial is expected to feature a range of technologies and end use applications across the residential and commercial sectors, in order to provide an objective assessment of the benefits that micro CHP can offer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Department will reply to the letters of 21 October 2002 and 23 January from the hon. Member for Billericay regarding Pitsea Tip. [107236]

[holding answer 4 April 2003.]: I hope to respond to the hon. Member shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff were employed by her Department in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [106973]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) on 4 April 2003, Official Report, column 891–92W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many vets are employed (a) full-time and (b) part-time by the Department. [107328]

The number of veterinary surgeons employed by the Department is as follows:

Full time veterinary surgeons as at 1 April 2003–432

Part time veterinary surgeons as at 1 April 2003–61

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the discussions her Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry with regard to reforming the Export Credit Guarantee scheme. [106521]

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has, since its creation, engaged continually in detailed discussions with the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD)—the Department responsible for export credits—with a view to ensuring that the provision of export credits takes full account of sustainability considerations. Discussions take place at both official and Ministerial levels.The outcome of ECGD"s Mission and Status Review in 2000 provided the basis for this dialogue. Defra was then closely involved in the subsequent formulation of ECGD"s Business Principles and was actively supportive of ECGD"s efforts to finalise the OECD agreement on Common Approaches on the Environment and Officially Supported Export Credits. More recently, Defra has liaised closely with ECGD over revisions to that Department's Case Impact Analysis Process. Defra is consulted in detail on all cases which are dealt with under the Sensitive Cases procedure. Discussions are also taking place on how best to encourage export credit applications by UK renewables exporters.The most recent Ministerial discussion, between the Minister of State for the Environment and the Minister of State for International Trade and Investment, confirmed agreement on the following issues:That Defra and ECGD Ministers should meet whenever necessary to discuss both individual export credit cases and also broader issues of policy; That, in future, ECGD would normally expect to disclose details of High Potential Impact cases at least sixty days prior to making a decision on whether to provide support.Defra will continue to work closely with ECGD to ensure that the principles of sustainable development are reflected fully in the policies and operations of that Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the current threat to the food chain from terrorism. [104905]

[holding answer 25 March 2003]: The terrorist threat to the UK, including the threat to the food chain, is monitored very closely by the Government and we and the industry remain vigilant. Advice on any terrorist threat to the UK is the responsibility of the Security Service. The Director General of the Security Service is responsible to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary for this advice, which is provided on a continual basis. Strategic assessments about terrorist threats to the UK are provided to the Government by the Joint Intelligence Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent steps her Department has taken in conjunction with (a) other EU member states and (b) local authorities to prevent terrorist action against (i) agriculture and (ii) food supplies; [105088](2) what recent steps her Department has taken in conjunction with other EU member states to prevent terrorist action against European (i) agriculture and (ii) food supplies. [105087]

DEFRA is heavily engaged in the central government programme to improve civil contingency planning, especially in areas relating to our departmental responsibilities. Planning is developed and agreed with stakeholders, both in government and industry, including food and agriculture interests, to ensure that the UK's resilience to emergencies of all kinds, including possible terrorist action against the UK food chain, is improved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she and her officials have (a) telephoned and (b) written to the Royal Society during 2003 concerning publication of "The Farm Scale Evaluations with GM Crops"; and what was discussed. [107237]

[holding answer 7 April 2003]: Officials from the Department have corresponded with the editor (one letter in August 2002), and subsequently with the commissioning editor (three emails and a phone call in 2002 and one email and a phone call in 2003) of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society (Biological Sciences).Philosophical Transactions is a peer reviewed scientific journal devoted to themed issues on particular topics. Officials contacted the journal, on behalf of the Scientific Steering Committee, to inquire as to the procedure for proposing a themed issue devoted to papers reporting the results of the GM crop farm-scale evaluations. The appropriate number and structure of papers for such an issue was discussed. Officials also sought an indication of the timescale that the journal would anticipate between submission of the papers and publication, assuming the papers reached the required standard.On 27 February 2003 the Vice-President of the Royal Society wrote to the Secretary of State acknowledging that the farm-scale evaluation papers had been received from the research consortium and giving an indication of the likely timing of publication should the papers be accepted. The Secretary of State responded on 4 March 2003 thanking him for this information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to bring forward proposed reform of regulations governing halal and shechita slaughter; and if she will make a statement. [108118]

The Farm Animal Welfare Council (the Government's independent advisory body on farm animal welfare matters) is currently producing a report on the welfare of red meat animals at slaughter. We will consider the recommendations in their report after it has been published later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made with the pay review in her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible, with particular reference to the gender pay gap; and if she will make a statement. [106750]

In its response to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) Task Force report, "Just Pay", the Government committed all Departments and agencies to review their pay systems by April 2003 and prepare action plans to close any equal pay gaps.The position in Defra and its agencies is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the practice of debeaking in the poultry industry; and if she will make a statement. [106531]

Generally beak trimming should only be carried out as a last resort when it is clear that more suffering would be caused in the flock if it were not done.There are, however, specific requirements for laying hens in Council Directive 99/74/EC. The Directive prohibits all mutilations, but permits member states to allow the beak trimming of birds that are less than 10 days old in order to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism. We intend to take up this authorisation only until 31 December 2010, and have met interested parties, including the egg industry and breeders, to agree an action plan to achieve this aim.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mortality rates were of poultry kept in (a) battery units, (b) enriched units and (c) alternative units in the last year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [106532]

The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 require poultry keepers to record mortality rates and have the records available for inspection. The State Veterinary Service uses the rates as an indicator of management practice on-farm. However, the figures are not recorded on a central database.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many "Pub is the Hub" schemes have been sponsored by the Countryside Agency in (a) England, (b) the eastern region, (c) Suffolk and (d) the Bury St. Edmunds constituency. [104828]

The Countryside Agency does not administer a specific 'Pub is the Hub' grant. A good practice guide of that title was published in December 2001 to inspire rural pubs to diversify their services. However, the Vital Villages Community Services Grant, administered by the Countryside Agency for Defra, can be used to fund Pub is the Hub" style projects. Since April 2001, there have been 24 funded pub schemes in England, of which four are in the eastern region, one in Suffolk and none in the constituency of Bury St. Edmunds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when she expects to make public the first draft of the long term UK sea fishing strategy; [105918](2) what recent progress her Department has made in the production of a long-term strategy for the future of the UK sea fishing industry. [105925]

The fishing industry took on the task of developing a strategy through the Fish Industry Forum and in liaison with Government. A presentation on the state of play on that industry initiative was made to Fisheries Ministers in July 2002.As announced on 26 March, the Strategy Unit has been requested by the Prime Minister to develop a long-term strategy for a sustainable sea fishing industry in the UK: the final report is intended to be completed by the end of 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has conducted on sea levels in the Bristol Bay area for the next 20 years. [107339]

Sea levels have been and will continue to be monitored in the Bristol Channel as a part of the National Tide Gauge Network, operated by Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL) and funded by Defra.Tide gauges are monitoring sea levels constantly at the following sites, Mumbles, Newport, Avonmouth, Hinkley Point arid Ilfracombe. The Environment Agency also monitor levels at West Quay Bridgwater for local operational reasons. This information is used to provide tidal predictions and for monitoring long term sea levels and relative land levels.Through analysis of the Tide Gauge data and information from global climate change modelling POL have made predictions of future trends in sea levels all round the UK. These have informed the recommended Defra allowance of 5 mm rise per year for this area of the coast that takes account of both sea and major land level movements. It is also compatible with a range of future scenarios published by Defra last year as part of the UK Climate Impacts Programme in "Climate Change Scenarios of the United Kingdom", copies of which can be found in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the present system of sheep identification. [107719]

The present system of sheep identification was enhanced on 1 February 2003 in England and Wales. From that date, all sheep born after 1 February or still on the holding on which they were born and not yet marked, need to be individually identified with a tag or tattoo before they move or within one year of birth.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what representations she has received concerning sheep identification; [107720](2) what plans she has to implement in full the tagging system required by the EU for sheep identification. [107718]

We have received a number of representations expressing concern over the European Commission proposals on sheep and goat identification. We have raised these concerns with the Commission and said that any proposal to enhance the current EU rules should be workable, enforceable and proportionate to the disease risk. We shall continue to negotiate on that basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what obstacles are delaying the introduction of a shellfish licensing scheme; and if she will make a statement. [106758]

I am delighted to be able to refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement I made announcing such a scheme on 3 April 2003, Official Report, column 69WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether all Slaughter Premium Scheme claims for 2002 have now been (a) settled and (b) paid. [108036]

For the 2002 English Adult Animal Slaughter Premium Scheme, 57 per cent. of claims have been authorised for payment to date. 50 per cent. of claims have had advance payments made. No balance payments have been made.There is no EC deadline for advance payments, but balance payments have to be made by 30 June following the end of the scheme year.Those claims that are outstanding include ones that have either failed administrative checks or are subject to on-farm inspections. Agency staff are striving to complete work for 30 June in order to pay premium on eligible animals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff are employed by her Department. [106277]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) on 4 April 2003, Official Report, columns 891–892W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the sunset clauses included in legislation from her Department since 1997. [106942]

Since June 2001 when Defra was formed, there has been no legislation containing sunset clauses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the costs was of travel by train by staff in her Department in 2002. [106335]

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. It is this Department"s policy that official travel should be undertaken only if it is essential to the Department"s business and cannot reasonably be met in any other way (e.g. correspondence, e-mail, telephone or video conference). Where it is considered that official travel is justified then staff are expected to take account of business and financial needs as well as environmental considerations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list for Buckinghamshire by (a) tonnage and (b) percentage the amount of waste disposal by (i) landfill, (ii) recycling and (iii) incineration in 2002. [106933]

The latest available data for municipal waste are taken from the 2000–01 Municipal Waste Management Survey. The data for Buckinghamshire are shown as follows.Tonnages and percentages of municipal waste for Buckinghamshire for 2000–01 are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) waste incineration plants and (b) landfill sites there were in Buckinghamshire in 2002. [106988]

(a) There were no waste incineration plants in Buckinghamshire in 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effects of municipal mass burn incineration of waste upon levels of waste recycling; and if she will make a statement. [105383]

The Regulatory Impact Assessment of Waste Strategy 2000 (published in Annex C of part 2 of the strategy) assessed a variety of waste management scenarios and considered variables including different projections for waste growth, different mixes of waste management facilities, and differing levels of participation in recycling schemes. A similar exercise was carried out by the Strategy Unit and published in their "Waste Not, Want Not" report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the impact on low income families of the (a) pricing and (b) regulatory regime for water services. [106922]

The Department has reviewed the needs of low income families for concessions on their water bills as part of its review of the Vulnerable Groups Regulations. The proposals of this review are detailed in the consultation paper Reductions for Vulnerable Groups which was published in February 2003. Data from the DSS Family Resources Survey in the table shows the percentage of household income spent on water and sewerage services in England 1997–98 by income decile.Guidance to the Director General of Water Services, following the Water Industry Act 1999, confirmed that the Secretary of State was keen to encourage the development of innovative tariffs that can assist customers who may face difficulty paying their bills and stated that the Secretary of State expects flexible payment options to be offered to customers to assist with payment problems. The Water Bill, which is currently in the House of Lords, proposes that the new Water Services Regulation Authority and Consumer Council for Water should have regard to individuals with low incomes, when considering consumer interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his 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. [106439]

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.However, the Ministry of Defence"s advertising and publicity costs are published in the annual Departmental Performance Report, broken down into categories of Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and civilian recruitment, PR, marketing and business support services, Chief of PR, sales promotion, scholarships and National Employers" Liaison Committee. Copies of these documents are placed in the Library of the House. The 2002–03 Departmental Performance Report is due to be published in the autumn and will include information on advertising and publicity costs although this may be in a different format due to the introduction of Resource Accounting and Budgeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of UK armed forces in the Gulf who were offered the anthrax inoculation refused it. [107141]

[holding answer 4 Apri12003]: According to centrally held records, as at 12 March 2003, some 56 per cent. of Service personnel offered vaccination against anthrax had accepted it. Information on immunisation against anthrax among Service personnel deployed to the Gulf is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which international conventions apply to the use of depleted uranium shells; and whether the UK is a signatory. [107913]

No conventions apply specifically to the use of depleted uranium shells. Their use is covered by the same provisions of international law that apply to all weapons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with the shipping industry on the ownership and operation of the deep water container port at Umm Qasr, Iraq. [105874]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) British and (b) coalition forces have used (i) depleted uranium and (ii) cluster bombs in the war in. Iraq; and in what circumstances. [107195]

With regard to the use of depleted uranium munitions, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 2 April 2003, Official Report, column 737W to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith).On the use of cluster bombs, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch) during his statement to the House on 3 April 2003,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the purpose was of the United Kingdom troops attack on an electricity switching station in Basra on 23 March 2003; what was achieved; and if he will make a statement; [107252](2) what the purpose was of the military action by allied forces on 23 March 2003 upon electricity installations in Basra; what was achieved; and if he will make a statement. [107251]

No such event occurred.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance has been given to UK forces operating in the no fly zone in southern Iraq on the holy places of the Shi'a in Nayjab and Kerbala. [103735]

[holding answer 18 March 2003]: We are fully aware of the significance of the holy sites in Najaf and Karbala. The coalition is taking every precaution to respect and avoid damage to them.By contrast, we know from intelligence that Saddam Hussein has plans to damage the sites and to blame the coalition. There are precedents: in 1991, Iraq troops attacked and desecrated Imam Ali's shrine and destroyed religious libraries in Najaf; they shelled and desecrated Imam Hussein's shrine in Karbala; and the shrine of Imam Abbas was also reported damaged.The United Kingdom is fully committed to the protection of cultural property in times of armed conflict. The Government take very seriously its obligations to act in conformity with international law, the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. In all our military planning, very careful attention is applied to ensure that we minimise the risk of damage to all civilian sites.The targeting process during current operations is conducted in accordance with all obligations under international law, including Additional Protocol 1 of the Geneva Conventions, and the Targeting Directive to United Kingdom forces stationed in the Gulf contains explicit guidance on their obligations under international and domestic law. For reasons of force protection, I cannot comment on the specifics of our targeting policy, and I am therefore withholding that information under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Defence, security and international relations).In view of the continuing air operations against Iraq, No Fly Zone patrols have been rendered 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 how many animals, by species, are employed by British services in the Gulf; and how many have been (a) injured and (b) killed as a result of military and other action to date. [107243]

There are currently 25 dogs employed by United Kingdom forces in the Gulf. None has been injured or killed. A further seven dogs are to be deployed to the Gulf in the coming days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the weight limit is on parcels sent to British forces in the Gulf; what the weight limit was for (a) exercises and (b) operations in (i) Sierra Leone, (ii) Kosovo and (iii) the first Gulf War; and if he will make a statement. [105833]

[holding answer 1 April 2003]: There is no parcel service to the Gulf. As part of the Operational Welfare Package approved for this Operation, there is an airmail letter and packet service, subsidised so that it costs the same as United Kingdom inland first class post. The maximum weight of an airmail packet is 2 kg. In addition, Forces Free Air Letters ("Blueys"), e-blueys and an internet bulletin board are available, free of charge.I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 2 April 2003,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on interest payable on tax incorrectly deducted from armed forces pensions; and if he will make a statement. [107744]

The Ministry of Defence has received representations from two ex-Service organisations, the Forces Pension Society and the Royal British Legion, and a small number of individuals affected. Those pensioners who have been found to have paid tax incorrectly have received from the Inland Revenue a refund of tax, and, in appropriate cases, the statutory repayment supplement. Officials are currently considering whether there is a case for any further payment to be made to compensate for the consequences of the error, and I would expect this work to be completed by the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what powers can be exercised by, and what rules of engagement apply to, the US National Guard in the event of unauthorised persons being found within RAF bases where the US National Guard is present. [107231]

Where American National Guards have been deployed on RAF bases made available to the United States Visiting Forces, they can exercise the same range of powers as all (United Kingdom and United States) Service personnel in dealing with unauthorised persons found within that base. For instance, although they do not have the powers of arrest, they may detain and hold such persons using the minimum force necessary, until a police officer, who has powers of arrest, arrives.It is not our practice to comment on Rules of Engagement and that information is withheld under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many prosecutions under the RAF Menwith Hill byelaws have been (a) initiated, (b) subsequently dropped, (c) pursued unsuccessfully and (d) pursued successfully in each year since 1996; and if he will make a statement. [107233]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 4 November 2002, Official Report, columns 67–68W, which provided details of the number of police reports produced from 1996 to November 2002. The total number of reports with a view to prosecution prepared by the Ministry of Defence Police at RAF Menwith Hill during financial year 2002–03 was seven. Prosecutions are a matter for my noble and Learned Friend the Attorney General.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the statutory instruments issued by his Department in the last 12 months, indicating (a) the purpose of each and (b) the cost of each to (i) public funds, (ii) businesses and (iii) individuals. [106332]

The HMSO Statutory Instrument Registrar (siregistrar@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk) can provide a list of statutory instruments issued by individual Departments. Statutory instruments which have been originated by Departments but eventually made by the Privy Council Office, are only listed under the Privy Council Office. However, between 1 January 2002 and 31 March 2003, the Ministry of Defence issued the following eighteen statutory instruments:SI 2002/201—The Royal Marines Terms of Service Regulations 2002. This instrument amended Service regulations consequent to a previous Commencement Order.SIs 2002/229: 230 and 231—Three statutory instruments entitled Courts-Martial (Amendment) Rules. These instruments made amendments to court-martial rules in consequence of the Armed Forces Act 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of travel by train by staff in his Department in 2002. [106351]

The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring that its staff should use the most efficient and economic means of travel commensurate with meeting the Department"s operational needs. To deliver this commitment, travel by rail is co-ordinated, managed and negotiated centrally within the MOD. Central negotiations are undertaken with the Association of Train Operating Companies and the MOD secures contracts for discounted travel. The resulting expenditure, after the MOD discount, for the financial year just ended April 2002 to March 2003, was £33,604,837. This figure is provisional and subject to final audit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the French Government regarding the desecration of Commonwealth war graves. [107520]

No war graves were desecrated in the incident which took place at Etaples Military Cemetery south of Boulogne on the night of 26 to 27 March 2003. However, anti-British and American graffiti were sprayed on the central memorial in the cemetery. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who are responsible for the cemetery which contains the graves of nearly 11,000 British and Commonwealth graves from the two World Wars, took immediate action to remove the paint.The Department made no representations to the French Government, but on 3 April 2003 the French President wrote an apology to The Queen, expressing France's regret and condemning the shameful desecration of the cemetery. Also on that day there was a simple wreath-laying ceremony at Etaples attended by the French Secretary of State for War Veterans, together with the British Consul General and the British Naval Attaché in Paris. The French Government and the people of Etaples were greatly embarrassed by this regrettable incident and acted with commendable speed to condemn those individuals who carried out this shameful deed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Salisbury on 7 February 2003, Official Report, column 466W, on water abstraction boreholes, what the daily abstraction rate is from (a) all 24 boreholes, (b) the emergency borehole when in use, (c) the largest volume borehole and (d) the smallest volume borehole. [98649]

The abstraction rate from individual boreholes has security implications and I am therefore withholding it under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.For all the boreholes within the scope of Project Aquatrine in the Salisbury Plain area (either in use, inactive or emergency), the daily average total abstraction rate is approximately 10,169m

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were recorded as having died from a hospital acquired or secondary infection in each year since 1997; and what percentage of recorded deaths this represented in each case [107729]

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received on the impact on the UK"s gross contributions to the EU Budget of a successful application by Spain to the Solidarity Fund following the Prestige disaster; [107514](2) what assessment he has made of Spain"s application to the Solidarity Fund to defray the costs of clean-up after the Prestige disaster. [107515]

No representations on this matter have been received by HM Treasury. Applications for assistance from the EUSF are assessed by the commission in the first instance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of third world debt owed to the UK is debt owed to the Export Credits Guarantee Department. [105062]

Of the total debt currently owed to the UK Government by developing countries over 95 per cent. is owed to the Export Credits Guarantee Department. The key reason for this high percentage of commercial credits is that Official Development Assistance provided by the UK normally takes the form of grants as compared with concessional loans so there is little debt owed to the UK other than amounts owed to ECGD.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has for (a) enforcing UN sanctions against Iraqi assets held in London and (b) confiscating the assets of the Rafidain Bank and its shareholdings in the British Arab Commercial Bank; [107570](2) under what circumstances British companies would be prevented from making payments to Iraqi directors. [107541]

The UK has strictly enforced the terms of UNSCR 661 since it was passed in August 1990. This has required all Iraqi assets held in the UK, including 1 hose of Rafidain Bank, to be frozen.Neither UNSCR 661 nor the domestic legislation that implements it allows for the confiscation of assets.Under the Iraq sanctions order, which implements UNSCR 661, all payments to residents of Iraq are prohibited, except under license from HM Treasury.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the unemployment figures were in the Harwich constituency in each year since 1996. [107711]

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made to the Barnett formula in the last five years. [107313]

Details of the Barnett formula used in the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review were published by the Treasury in the Statement of Funding Policy in 1999. This was subsequently updated in July 2000 and July 2002. The main changes have been that the population figures have been updated to reflect latest ONS estimates and the comparability factors (which measure the extent to which UK Departments" spending programmes are comparable in the devolved Administrations), have been updated where necessary.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was allocated to Scotland under the Barnett formula in each of the last three years. [107327]

The Barnett formula is used to determine the Scottish Executive"s Departmental Expenditure Limit, which is £20.4 billion in 2003–04, £19 billion in 2002–03 and £17.6 billion in 2001–02, as set out in Table B15 of the Pre-Budget Report, November 2002 (Cm 5664).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which companies have imported garments from Burma in the past two financial years. [107507]

HM Customs and Excise is the Department responsible for collecting and recording statistics on the movement of goods between the UK and other countries. The specific information requested is not available. Exemption 13 (third party"s commercial confidences) of the Open Government Code applies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of illegal narcotics intercepted on entry to the UK are believed to have originated in Burma, broken down by type of narcotic; [107510](2) what estimate he has made of the percentage of illegal narcotics available in the UK believed to have originated from Burma. [107552]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave her on 24 February 2003, Official Report, column 205W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department owns (a) the Debt Management Office accommodation at Cheapside House, 138 Cheapside, London, and (b) the Office of Government Commerce accommodation at Fleetbank House, 2–6 Salisbury Square, London; what the market value of each property is; and if he will make a statement. [107442]

The UK DMO has not occupied 138 Cheapside, London since July 2001. The accommodation at 138 Cheapside is not owned by any Government organisation. With reference to the UK DMO present office at Eastcheap Court, London, it is not owned, but the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors are leased by the UK DMO.The accommodation at Fleetbank House 2–6 Salisbury Square, London formerly occupied by the Office of Government Commerce, is not owned by the Department.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many local tax offices are owned by the Inland Revenue; what plans there are to sell them; and if he will make a statement. [107443]

There are currently no local tax offices owned by the Inland Revenue.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of total payments to EDS (a) to date and (b) over the 10-year contract for services provided under its Strategic Partnership Contract; and if he will make a statement. [106793]

The estimate of total payments to EDS are:

(a) To date

Based on 2002 prices the total payments to date are £2.2 billion excluding capital and £2.5 billion including capital.

(b) Over the 10-year contract for services

The estimated total value of the 10-year contract in 2002 prices is £2.6 billion excluding capital and £2.9 billion including capital.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list enterprise areas as announced in Enterprise Britain (November 2002) by (a) ward and (b) local authority area.[107673]

Around 2,000 enterprise areas benefit from a package of measures, including exemptions from stamp duty, the Small Business Service Incubation Fund, the Community Investment Tax Credit, the Community Development Venture Fund and wider assistance from Inland Revenue Business Support Teams. These measures are targeted to support regeneration through enterprise in the most deprived areas of the UK. A full list of the areas, including the relevant local authority, is contained in the Stamp Duty (Disadvantaged Areas) Regulations 2001, which came into force on 30 November 2001. The Regulations are available in the House Library and are publicly available on the Inland Revenue website.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals for strengthening the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative he will bring forward at the Spring Meetings of (a) the World Bank and (b) the International Monetary Fund. [105094]

At the forthcoming Spring Meetings the UK will continue to promote a flexible approach to the additional debt relief or "topping-up" that may be provided at Completion Point to ensure that countries that have had to contend with exogenous shocks benefit from a lasting exit from unsustainable debt. The UK will be seeking agreement that the calculation of topping-up should exclude the additional bilateral voluntary debt relief, to ensure fairer burden sharing among creditors and provide truly additional relief to HIPCs.The UK will also be putting forward proposals to encourage greater creditor participation in the HIPC Initiative.However, even the provision of 100 per cent. debt relief to all low-income countries would still fall short of the resources needed to meet the Millennium Development Goals. This is why the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for International Development have proposed an International Finance Facility (IFF) that would seek to double the amount of development aid from just over US$50 billion a year today to $100 billion per year in the years to 2015. The IFF could also be used to help fund further debt relief for existing debts, which for some poor and indebted countries is a valuable instrument to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he supports proposals for the lifting of the IMF"s structural requirements on heavily indebted poor countries. [105125]

The UK believes that structural reforms should focus on poverty reduction and strongly promotes the streamlining of IMF conditionality. The IMF, with the creation of Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) has been further improving its support to low-income countries. Conditionality has been reduced and streamlined, focusing on key areas of IMF responsibility; further progress has been made in supporting poverty and social impact analysis of key reforms and improved public expenditure management. The IMF is also discussing further improvements in, and increasing alignment of, the PRGF and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).To reach Completion Point in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative countries must develop a full PRSP, and meet key conditions (or Completion Point triggers), these conditions may include structural reforms that support the country"s strategy for reducing poverty. The UK supports this internationally agreed policy which helps ensure that resources provided through debt relief are used to reduce poverty and create the conditions necessary for economic growth.The Government acknowledges that debt relief is not a panacea for broader economic development problems; even the provision of 100 per cent. debt relief to all low-income countries would still fall short of the resources needed to meet Millennium Development Goals. That is why the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for International Development have proposed an International Finance Facility (IFF) that would seek to double the amount of development aid from just over US$50 billion a year today to $100 billion per year in the years to 2015.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conditions applying to poor countries seeking to benefit from the International Finance Facility will be included in the Facility. [105095]

The proposed International Finance Facility would seek to double aid for the world's poorest countries from US$50 billion a year today to $100 billion a year up to 2015. It provides an opportunity to build on current improvements in the way aid is managed.The IFF would seek to disburse funds through existing effective bilateral and multilateral mechanisms, which set out their own conditions to ensure that aid is used effectively.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his policy to support an explicit link between debt relief for poor countries and the achievement of Millennium Development Goals. [105126]

The UK Government is committed to helping achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. The Government supports the conclusion of the United Nations Financing for Development Conference in Monterrey, Mexico that future reviews of debt sustainability should bear in mind the impact of debt relief on progress towards the achievement of the MDGs.Debt relief will provide vital finance to help achieve the MDGs, but if overall aid resources were unevenly allocated in favour of debt relief, fewer resources would be available to finance poverty reduction in other countries perhaps equally poor but not highly indebted. It is important to maintain equity between the two thirds of low-income countries that are highly indebted and the other third that are not.The Government acknowledges that debt relief is not a panacea for broader economic development problems; even the provision of 100 per cent. debt relief to all low-income countries would still fall short of the resources needed to meet the MDGs. That is why the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for International Development have proposed an International Finance Facility (IFF) that would seek to double the amount of development aid from just over US$50 billion a year today to $100 billion per year in the years to 2015.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Inland Revenue staff administer the enterprise area stamp duty exemption; and what their total employment costs are in the current financial year. [107676]

Claims for the relief from stamp duty in disadvantaged areas are processed by Inland Revenue staff alongside all other stamp duty cases, and inquiries are dealt with alongside all other queries by staff at the national Stamp Taxes Enquiry Line.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the owner of the Movie Star Cafe, Belfast met his obligations as an employer with regard to (a) the Inland Revenue, (b) National Insurance and (c) the Minimum Wage, in relation to the female foreign nationals who were discovered by the Immigration Service in Belfast on 18 December 2002. [107445]