To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what actions the Government is taking to assist African nations to produce their own generic pharmaceutical drugs. [119192]

The UK Government are committed to significantly improving access to medicines, both branded and generic, in developing countries. We need to work with others, including our G8 partners, to tackle the issues affecting access if we are to make lasting improvements.The factors recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that can improve poor peoples' access to medicines are: affordable pricing, sustainable financing, reliable health and supply systems, and the rational selection and use of existing drugs.In line with this, since May 1997, DFID has committed over £1.5 billion since 1997 to support the strengthening of health and supply systems in developing countries, which will help to build capacity to deliver medicines to the poor and to make effective choices about the selection of drugs. The UK has also pledged $280 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM). This will help pay for increased access to medicines for the three diseases and some associated health systems strengthening.My predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Clare Short) chaired a High Level Working Group on Increasing Access to Essential Medicines in the Developing World, which examined the key factors above in detail. The Working Group made a series of recommendations for action, which are being taking forward by a number of other stakeholders.The recent G8 Summit at Evian also secured commitment to action on these issues in line with the Working Group's recommendations.With regard to generic production in particular the UK is also engaged in seeking a solution to the outstanding mandate from the Doha Declaration on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and Public Health—the issue of how countries with insufficient or no manufacturing capacity in the pharmaceutical sector can make effective use of compulsory licensing procedures within the TRIPS Agreement. It is important to find a solution to this issue, both for its own sake and in order to allow the international community to focus on the many other issues affecting access to medicines.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what reports he has received on whether (a) the military air traffic control system sold by BAe Systems to the Tanzanian Government is in use and (b) a civilian air traffic control system supplied subsequently to Tanzania is now in use. [121015]

DFID has received information from the Government of Tanzania and the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority that the air traffic control system sold by BAe Systems to them is in use. They have reported that it has dual military and civilian use.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many (a) small, (b) medium and (c) shared loans were provided to poor people in Andhra Pradesh as a result of Departmental programmes in each year since the project began; what the target was for these years; and if he will make a statement. [120484]

Access to credit is a critical issue for many poor people in Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere in India, with indebtedness being a major cause and symptom of poverty. Over the last few years, the state government has strongly supported activities in this area, particularly the formation of women's self-help groups. More than 450,000 groups (with membership of around 6 million women) have been established in Andhra Pradesh—the largest number in any state in India. These groups are centred on savings and credit, enabling the members to build up their own savings and to borrow from group funds to cover unexpected expenses eg illness, or as start-up capital for income-earning activities eg purchasing livestock. DFID is supporting this work under the Credit and Small Household Enterprise (CASHE) project, which provides funding to local organisations. The project operates in five of the poorest districts in Andhra Pradesh, and also districts in Orissa and West Bengal. The CASHE project works with around 250,000 groups in Andhra Pradesh, helping to facilitate their establishment and providing training to enable them to operate effectively. The group members keep their own records and make the decisions on the amount and number of loans that will be made from their group savings. No targets are set and no central records are kept of the transactions.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many children have been taken out of labour in Andhra Pradesh as a result of Departmental programmes in each year since the project began; what the targets were for these years; and if he will make a statement. [120485]

Andhra Pradesh has one of the highest incidences of child labour in India. Since 2000, DFID has been supporting the International Labour Organisation's Integrated Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (ILO-IPEC) in the state. This programme works with trades' unions, parents, employers, and non-governmental organisations to build support for eradicating child labour. It works in parallel and as a support to the state government's own efforts to eliminate child labour and to ensure that all children attend school; the government has set universal primary education as a target to be reached by 2005. It is not possible to determine how many children have been taken out of child labour by the ILO-IPEC project and how many from government's own efforts. The government has estimated that combined effect of these actions in 2002 was that almost 500,000 children were taken out of child labour.In Andhra Pradesh, the Government of India's District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) includes establishing "bridge" schools for former child labourers. Children attend these schools for around four months with the aim of moving into mainstream schools at the end of the period. DFID is one of the donors supporting DPEP in Andhra Pradesh, providing up to £46.5 million over 9 years.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will list Sewel motions passed by the Scottish Parliament since May 1999 that apply to his Department's responsibilities and Government Bills he has sponsored. [120698]

Of the Bills sponsored by DFID, the International Development Act 2002 was the subject of an International Development Sewel motion in the Scottish Parliament. This Sewel motion received approval on 8 March 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to (a) limit the distances that stock can travel without rest periods and (b) prevent animals from staying overnight at livestock markets; and if she will make a statement. [120535]

[holding answer 20 June 2003]: The Government would prefer animals to be slaughtered near to the point of production and for long distance transport for slaughter to be replaced by a carcase trade. EU Commissioner David Byrne has said that he will shortly bring forward proposals to amend the current rules on animal welfare in transport including maximum permitted journey times and rest periods. Between March and May we consulted on a package of biosecurity measures for the livestock industry including a proposal to prevent animals from staying overnight at livestock markets in England and Wales. We expect to make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what aid, including financial assistance, has been provided to bee farmers by her Department to help combat the threat of varroa in each of the last five years. [119971]

[holding answer 18 June 2003]: Combating varroa as been the greatest single challenge to UK beekeeping since the mite was first detected in Devon in 1992. Defra funds a range of bee health measures to assist bee farmers and the beekeeping sector generally, the cost of which has been around £1.3 million in each of the last five years. Under these measures, the National Bee Unit (NBU), part of the Central Science Laboratory, provides a free diagnostic and inspection service to beekeepers in England as well as training and technical advice to help them become more self-reliant through improved bee husbandry. In addition, the NBU has been carrying out routine screening throughout England and Wales for varroa mites that are resistant to authorised treatments, having first detected them in August 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of varroa mite infestation there have been in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland in each of the past five years. [119970]

[holding answer 18 June 2003]: The number of new varroa infestations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in each of the last five years is set out in the following table:

Numbers of new cases of varroa mite infestation: 1999–2003
	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003 (to date)
England	261	286	38	58	31
Wales	47	15	1	3	1
Scotland	19	10	21	39	31
Northern Ireland	0	0	0	28	2

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans there are (a) to mark and register Dartmoor ponies and (b) to prosecute owners of such ponies who neglect their herds; and if she will make a statement. [120506]

There are no plans to introduce a statutory requirement to mark Dartmoor ponies. However, the Government is planning to introduce legislation by the end of 2003 which will require all equines to have an identity passport. Dartmoor ponies, the owners of which hold grazing rights on Dartmoor, will not be required to have a passport until they leave Dartmoor for the purposes of sale, slaughter or veterinary treatment. These animals will be recorded in a list held by the Dartmoor Commoners' Council. The list will record all the details which would be contained in a full passport. We also understand that the Dartmoor Commoners Council will require that each animal is freezebranded.The Dartmoor Commoners' Council is responsible for the husbandry and welfare of farm animals and ponies grazing common land in the Dartmoor National Park and for enforcement under the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the detailed returns received from English energy conservation authorities concerning their performance under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 during financial year 2000–02; and if she will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in publication. [119058]

Under Section 3 (4) of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) the Secretary of State is required from time to time to prepare a report on the progress made by English energy conservation authorities in implementing the measures set out in the reports they are required to prepare under Section 2 of the Act. A report on the improvements reported by authorities for the period 1 April 2001–31 March 2002 was published on 1 April 2003 and copies were made

Table 1
£
	Value	1975	1980	1985	1990	1995	2000	2002(p)	Indication of further processing
Cherries1	Farmgate2	3—	3—	0.77	1.22	1.84	2.57	2.25
	Retail	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—
Tomatoes1	Farmgate2	0.29	0.49	0.49	0.70	0.60	0.75	0.82
	Retail4	3—	0.99	1.06	1.43	1.15	1.50	1.40	Packing and grading off farm
Cucumbers1	Farmgate2	3—	3—	0.38	0.55	0.77	0.54	3—
	Retail	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—
Cheese1	Farmgate	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—
	Retail4,5	1.01	2.09	2.73	3.31	4.56	5.05	5.24
Strawberries1	Farmgate2	3—	3—	1.15	1.36	1.58	2.25	2.65
	Retail	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—
Raspberries1	Farmgate2	3—	3—	0.72	0.84	2.56	2.73	4.16
	Retail	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—
Blackcurrants1	Farmgate2	3—	3—	0.38	0.73	1.64	1.11	0.80
	Retail	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—
Butter1	Farmgate	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—	3—
	Retail4,6	3—	1.89	2.27	2.48	3.12	3.28	3.08
Chicken1	Farmgate2	3—	3—	0.90	0.87	0.84	0.71	0.68
	Retail4,7	3—	1.47	1.77	2.16	2.03	2.23	2.24	Slaughtered
Potatoes1,8	Farmgate2	3—	3—	0.07	0.08	0.16	0.13	0.11
	Retail4	3—	0.26	0.42	0.40	0.60	0.70	0.87	Packing and grading off farm
Eggs9,10	Farmgate2	3—	0.44	0.48	0.54	0.53	0.53	0.56
Size 210	Retail4	0.43	0.72	0.99	1.21	1.38	1.68	1.72	Packing and grading off farm

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average (a) farmgate and (b) retail price was of (i) one kilogramme of (A) cherries, (B) tomatoes, (C) cucumbers, (D) cheese, (E) strawberries, (F) raspberries, (G) blackberries, (H) blackcurrants, (I) redcurrants, (J) butter, (K) pork pies, (L) chicken, (M) smoked salmon and (N) new potatoes, (ii) one pint of (1) cider, (2) English wine, (3) Pimms and (4) yoghurt and (iii) one dozen eggs was in (t) 1975, (u) 1980, (v) 1985, (w) 1990, (x) 1995, (y) 2000 and (z) in 2002 figures. [119157]

Farmgate and retail prices of these foodstuffs, where available, are shown in table 1. Neither farmgate nor retail prices are available for redcurrants, pork pies, smoked salmon, cider, English wine, Pimms or yogurt. Small quantities of butter, cheese and yogurt are sold at the farm gate direct to consumers at retail prices.The amount of processing taking place between farmgate and retail varies from commodity to commodity; an indication is given in the table. Farmgate prices include produce destined for highly processed food, which is normally lower quality and sells at a lower price. Changes to the level of processing over time will impact on the trends shown within the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she proposes to take if livestock farmers do not agree to contribute to a national disposal scheme. [120265]

There was a low response rate of 30 per cent. from livestock farmers to the letter inviting interest in a national scheme. In the light of this disappointing response the Government is now considering whether the scheme should go ahead, and if so in what form.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how she estimates the market towns initiative has benefited (a) towns in Lancashire and (b) Carnforth. [120459]

All five towns included in the Market Towns Initiative in Lancashire, including Carnforth, have now completed the Healthcheck process, drawn up action plans, and appointed project managers to take the plans forward. Progress with delivery of outputs varies from town to town. In Carnforth it remains at an early stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on protecting and promoting rare (a) equine species and (b) farm animals. [119972]

[holding answer 19 June 2003]: Defra produced a comprehensive report on the conservation and sustainable use of the UK's Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR), including equine species, during 2002 for the FAO.This UK Country Report on FAnGR contained a number of recommendations for the protection and promotion of British breeds at risk, which were accepted by the Government and the Devolved Administrations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with representatives of unsupported sectors in the run-up to the mid-term review. [117550]

My noble Friend Lord Whitty has had regular discussions on the CAP reform proposals with a range of bodies who represent both supported and unsupported sectors. Officials have also had a number of meetings with those specifically representing unsupported sector interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the Government's strategy is with regard to its unsupported sectors in the mid-term review; [117551](2) what action she will take to ensure that existing farmers of unsupported crops will not be disadvantaged in relation to farmers of supported crops in the forthcoming CAP mid-term review. [118061]

The Government has explored the implications of the Commission's CAP reform proposals and the desirability of potential amendments with representatives of the unsupported sector. Once the detail of the final agreement is known, we will review the position and consult all sectors of the industry on if and how any national discretion should be exercised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in the development of renewable energy technologies, including CHP on brownfield sites. [119881]

I have been asked to reply.The Government set out their energy policy, including action to encourage renewable energy and CHP, in their Energy White Paper, "Our energy future—creating a low carbon economy", which we published in February.The land use planning system promotes the use of brownfield over greenfield sites whenever possible and appropriate, but makes no distinction as to the type of development which should take place. Decisions to proceed with renewable energy or CHP developments would be made on a commercial basis, and would be subject to the local planning process. Each case should be considered on its merits taking full account of the views of the local population and the various planning and environmental considerations.Developers wishing to develop in brownfield areas may be eligible to benefit from the framework of measures already in place to support renewables and CHP. Developers may, depending on the technology in question, apply for funding from our Renewable Energy R&D programme or from capital grants such as the Clear Skies Programme which is specifically targeted at smaller community-based schemes. Once operational, if the installation is using an eligible renewable source, their electrical output will be eligible for inclusion under the Renewables Obligation. The £50 million Community Energy capital grant programme is another incentive for development. This three-year programme aims to increase the development and installation of community heating schemes, mainly based on CHP, across the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the UK armed forces serving in Iraq are attached to the Iraq Survey Group. [120542]

There are some 54 United Kingdom service men and women attached to the Iraq Survey Group. Over the next few weeks the UK contribution of military and civilian personnel will increase to between 90 and 100.Investigation into Iraq's programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction remains a high priority for all coalition forces in Iraq. Elements of British forces are committed to this task as part of the Iraq Survey Group. Their priority will be the search for weapons of mass destruction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the call-up of members of the reserve forces for the conflict in Iraq. [120563]

The Government are very grateful to the members of the Reserve Forces who provided support to the military action against Iraq. The use of Reservists to support such operations is fully in line with the Strategic Defence Review, namely having more capable, usable, integrated and relevant reserve forces that support their regular counterparts on operations overseas.As previously reported to the House, a call-out order was made on 7 January in support of Operation TELIC. Over 5,000 reservists were accepted into service in sufficient time to be deployed to the region of Iraq before the start of hostilities on 19 March. This was by far the biggest call-out since the 1950s. The call-out procedures worked well. The Reserve Forces produced the necessary manpower and skills. Some served with regular units, helping to bring units from peacetime to war fighting complements, while others served with reserve units.Now that the period of combat operations is over, we are withdrawing assets and personnel where possible. However, there is still a need to maintain an appropriate military presence for as long as necessary. Thus, reservists who have a role to play in the stabilisation and rebuilding of Iraq will remain there to complete a six month deployment. In addition, others will continue to be called-out to support these activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many interviews with Iraqi personnel thought to have information about weapons of mass destruction have been conducted by coalition forces; and if he will make a statement. [119591]

Coalition forces are currently investigating Iraq's programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction, including by debriefing Iraqi prisoners of war, interviews with senior regime figures, and information from other Iraqi military and civilian sources. The breadth of such contacts means that it is not possible to quantify the number of interviews on this subject to date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many samples of suspected chemical and biological agents have been (a) found and (b) confirmed by coalition forces in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [119592]

The coalition's extensive investigations into Iraq's weapons of mass destruction are at an early stage. But we are committed to what may be a long process. At the present time, samples of suspected chemical and biological agents are taken by a range of coalition units with data logged by the unit concerned in-theatre. At the appropriate time we will make the evidence public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of British forces in international peacekeeping. [120557]

The United Kingdom Government remain committed to making the world a safer place. This means maintaining a strong and authoritative United Nations and doing all that is practicable to promote peace, democracy and good governance. Our armed forces are involved in peacekeeping operations throughout the world, for example in the Balkans, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia/Eritrea and Sierra Leone. Acting as a force for good around the world, the UK participates both in peacekeeping operations as formally defined and contributes to other multinational operations that help maintain peace and security.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many regiments are under strength; and how many vacancies there are. [120560]

As at 1 May 2003 whole Army strength (which comprises of United Kingdom trained Army personnel, Gurkhas and full-time reserve staff) stood at 102,430, which represents a shortfall of 4,550 against the current requirement. Recruiting and retention performance during the last 12 months has been particularly encouraging with whole Army strength increasing by over 1,600 personnel.Precise information on the details relating to individual regiments is not readily available, however I shall ensure the hon. Member receives the details when the information is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on proposals for future numbers of infantry soldiers. [120561]

There are no plans to reduce the number of infantry soldiers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on proposals to reduce the battalion strength of (a) the Royal Irish Regiment and (b) the Royal Anglians. [120644]

The Government do not have plans to reduce the battalion strength of the Royal Irish Regiment or the Royal Anglian Regiment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are deployed in the Gulf region. [120564]

As at 20 June, there were 15,598 United Kingdom Servicemen and women deployed in the Gulf region.We will continue to review our force levels in the region in the light of the evolving strategic environment to ensure that we maintain an appropriate presence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement about the deployment of British troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [120565]

I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Wiggin), at column 702.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the people appointed to ad hoc posts within his Department bearing the titles of advocate, tsar, adviser, champion and comparable titles since May 1997; what their job title is or was; what their role is or was; whether they were or are being paid; what the total cost of each such person was in each financial year, including expenses and benefits; what the expected cost of each such person is in 2003–04; to whom they are accountable; and if he will make a statement. [112460]

Since May 1997 the Secretary of State for Defence has appointed the following special advisers:

Name	Date
Alisdair McGowan	from May 1997 to October 2000
Bernard Gray	from July 1997 to September 1999
Andrew Hood	from December 1999 to May 2001 and, following the General Election, from June 2001 to May 2002
Richard Taylor	from January 2001 to May 2001 and, following the General Election, from June 2001 to date
Michael Dugher	from September 2002 to date

All of the above are paid appointments. Under Exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, details of individual salaries are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned. All the appointees listed above are accountable to Ministers for their decisions and actions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what capability in respect of (a) biological and (b) chemical weapons the UK retains. [120558]

The United Kingdom abandoned its offensive biological and chemical warfare programmes in the late 1950s. However, a number of states and terrorist groups have, or want to acquire, such weapons. The UK therefore maintains defensive capabilities against biological and chemical weapons. The UK is fully compliant with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 14 May 2003, Official Report, column 673W, on the Boer War, on what basis the annual contribution was calculated; and what proportion of the total annual spending on the sites this sum represents. [119375]

The maintenance of Boer War graves has been the responsibility of the South African Government since 1957. Since that time, the United Kingdom Government have supported the South African authorities in this task through an annual financial contribution. The basis upon which this contribution was originally calculated is not known, although it is clear that it was never intended that it should cover the full cost of maintenance. In recent years, the annual contribution has increased substantially—from £3,100 in 1992 to the current £15,000. The Ministry of Defence holds no information on the total annual spending by the South African authorities on the sites concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Woking of 21 May 2003, regarding Mr. Paul Connolly, a Gulf War veteran. [121067]

I replied to the hon. Member on 17 June 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding on missile defence signed between the US and United Kingdom on 12 June 2003. [121274]

I refer the hon. Member to my written statement of 12 June 2003, Official Report, column 57WS. The details of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) remain confidential between the respective Governments and I am therefore withholding the information in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent research his Department has commissioned in the field of nanotechnology. [117011]

There is no universally agreed definition of nanotechnology. The term is used to cover a group of sciences and technologies where the dimensions of component parts can be measured in millionths of millimetres. Elements of nanotechnology may be present in many parts of the research programmes.We expect nanotechnology will help enhance or improve capabilities such as:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what locations naval gunfire support training takes place. [120499]

Shore-based, simulated training for the Royal Navy is undertaken at the Maritime Warfare School, based at HMS Collingwood and HMS Dryad, both near Portsmouth. In addition, there are four United Kingdom-based sea ranges as follows:

• Cape Wrath (north Scotland)—sea to land range firings;
• Dodman Point (off Plymouth)—buoy firing;
• Wembury Point (off Plymouth)—buoy firing; and
• St. Alban's Head (off Dorset coast)—buoy firing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions on which his Department has held discussions with US officials about nuclear weapons during the last two years; and what aspects of nuclear weaponry were discussed on each occasion. [119593]

A wide range of officials in the Ministry of Defence have discussions with United States officials on nuclear weapon related subjects under the auspices of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement. Information on the number of occasions when such discussions have taken place during the last two years, and the subjects discussed, is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 5 June 2003, Official Report, column 509W, on the Royal Irish Regiment, if he will make it his policy not to set a timetable for the disbandment of the Home Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment until the terrorist threat has been completely removed from Northern Ireland. [120135]

Until significant progress has been made towards normalisation as described in the Joint Declaration, it would be premature to come to any conclusions on the final composition of the Northern Ireland garrison.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, (1) how many (a) requests have been received by DESO from UK companies for special commissions to be paid on sale of defence equipment since 1990 and (b) special commissions that DESO has approved since 1990; and if he will list (i) the countries in which these special commissions were to be paid and (ii) the amount to be paid; [108991](2) in which year the requirement was introduced for UK companies to seek permission from DESO in order to make special commissions on defence equipment sales. [108990]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the savings to public funds that would flow from his proposed change to the burden of proof for the war pensions scheme. [120005]

If Ministers were to accept the proposals arising from the reviews, it is expected that the new scheme would be broadly cost-neutral. However, there would be a better focus of resources on the more severely disabled whose earning capacity had been significantly affected. Those whose conditions were not expected to affect significantly their earnings capacity would receive a lump sum payment rather than a pension, but their cases would be reviewed if, exceptionally, there was a significant and unexpected level of deterioration that affected this judgment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what kinds of illnesses, at present accepted under the burden of proof for the war pensions scheme, would cease to be accepted under his proposed changes; and if he will make a statement. [120012]

The proposals arising from the reviews of the Armed Forces Pension and Compensation arrangements are currently under consideration by Ministers. Illnesses or injuries would only fail to be accepted under the new scheme proposals where, on a balance of probabilities standard of proof, they were considered not to be caused or significantly aggravated by Service. The Department's decisions on claims would be subject to appeal to an independent tribunal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding has been made available for arts in Liverpool in each of the last three years; and what it is expected to receive in the current year. [119809]

[holding answer 17 June 2003]: The following table, supplied by Arts Council England contains the detail for revenue and lottery funding for regularly funded arts organisations (RFOs) in Liverpool. It does not include one-off and project funds. The figures for 2004–05 and 2005–06 are projected figures taken from the allocations announced for RFOs in March this year.

Year	Grant-in-aid (£s)	Lottery (£s)
2000–01	4,297,936	558,130
2001–02	4,885,342	1,014,156
2002–03	4,452,667	544,679
2003–04	5,088,990	1—
2004–05 projected	5,755,739
2005–06 projected	6,290,511
1 Not applicable

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are in place to ensure that the taxpayer receives good value for money from the sum allocated to the grant-in-aid. [115796]

The amount of the grant-in-aid has reduced from £23.9 million to £15.4 million over the past 12 years, a reduction in real terms of 60 per cent. This indicates the Royal Household's overall aim of achieving best value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of delays in the introduction of new gambling legislation on the regeneration of seaside resorts in the North West. [120468]

We have made no such assessment and remain committed to bringing legislative proposals forward as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what remit relating to sustainable development is required by her Department's (a) executive agencies, (b) advisory non-departmental bodies, (c) executive non-departmental bodies, (d) tribunals, (e) public corporations and (f) other bodies. [116670]

DCMS has over 60 sponsored bodies including one executive agency (Royal Parks) and two public corporations (BBC and Channel Four). The role of the Department in respect of all environmental matters is to ensure that Government targets are made known to autonomous sponsored bodies and to offer guidance and encouragement towards achievement of agreed targets. It is not the Department's role to direct the way in which sponsored bodies are managed but many, such as the Royal Parks Agency and the National Science Museum, are proactive and take a leading role in sustainability and biodiversity. In the Greening Government First Annual Report a commitment was made to have Cabinet Office NDPB guidance revised to include the requirement for departments to encompass Sustainable Development into the remit of any newly created NDPB. This was done and reported in the Greening Government Second Annual Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Heritage Lottery Fund has contributed to York Minster Library; for what purpose this grant was made; and if she will place in the Library a copy of (a) the Minster's grant application and (b) the Lottery Fund's decision on it. [118761]

In 1996 the HLF awarded a grant of £967,000 to the Dean and Chapter of York Minster to extend the library to balance the 13^th century chapel. The application form and supporting papers contain information that would be considered exempt from disclosure under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and therefore it would not be appropriate to place these in the House of Commons Library. The Heritage Lottery fund is writing to the hon. Member in more detail regarding this award. I will place in the Library of the House a copy of the minute detailing the Heritage Lottery Fund's decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost is of the advertising campaign "Those Who Can, Teach". [119985]

The cost of the Teacher Training Agency's advertising campaign "Those Who Can, Teach" was about £5.6 million in 2001–02 and about £8 million in 2002–03. It has contributed to a 13 per cent. rise in recruitment to initial teacher training over the last two years and record numbers of applications from graduates for teacher training next year.The campaign has been successful in achieving a high level of awareness among the target audience of students (71 per cent.) and career changers (61 per cent.). In each year of the campaign, calls to the Teaching Information Line (TIL) have numbered around 300,000, with half of these registering their interest in becoming a teacher at some point.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the budget deficit is for schools in Suffolk in the current financial year. [120424]

Information on school balances is published annually by local education authorities. Data for balances carried forward into the year beginning 1 April 2003 are due to be published by 9 October 2003. As at 31 March 2002, schools in Suffolk had collective surplus balances of £17.799 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the average cost of full-time child care in Buckingham; and if he will make a statement. [109242]

The cost of child care reported in the Department for Education and Skills 2001–02 audit shows average costs for Buckinghamshire, the LEA within which Buckingham falls, of £146 per week for full day care. The audits were completed for each local authority by their respective Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships. The audits do not give a further breakdown by constituency.Working parents, subject to the level of their income, may receive support through the child care element of the working tax credit. Tax credits are targeted at lower and middle income families who may use a range of types of child care. The child care element of the working tax credit provides for up to 70 per cent. of costs of eligible child care. It can pay up to £94.50 a week for one child (where the child care cost is £135 or above), and up to £140 a week for two or more children (where the cost is £200).No Government has provided the kind of direct support for the costs of child care that is delivered by the child care element of the working tax credit. £1 million a day is now spent on supporting parents with child care costs.The DfES and the Inland Revenue will continue to monitor the cost of child care to ensure good quality, affordable and accessible child care is available for all those who need it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) nurseries, (b) playgroups, (c) childminders, (d) out of school clubs and (e) holiday schemes there were in (i) Leeds metropolitan district and (ii) the Leeds West constituency for each year since 1990. [116020]

The information is not available in the form requested. The available information for Leeds local authority is shown in the tables.Figures for 2001 and earlier years for England and Government Office regions were published in DfES Statistical Bulletin 08/01 "Children's Day Care Facilities at 31 March 2001", which is available in the Library and on the DfES website, www.dfes.gov.uk/ statistics. Figures for 2001 for out of school clubs and holiday schemes have recently been revised and are shown in the tables.

Numbers of day care providers1by type of provider: Leeds local authority area: 1998–2001
Position at 31 March each year	1998	1999	2000	2001
Day Nurseries	90	100	120	110
Childminders	1,400	1,200	1,200	1,200
Playgroups and pre-schools	240	190	130	120
Out of school clubs	100	110	120	120
Holiday schemes	140	400	200	510
1 Figures have been rounded.
2 Includes those schemes exempt from registration.

Numbers of day care places1by type of provider: Leeds local authority area: 1998–2001
Position at 31 March each year	1998	1999	2000	2001
Day Nurseries	3,500	3,900	5,100	4,400
Childminders	5,400	4,700	5,300	4,700
Playgroups and pre-schools	4,900	4,200	3,200	3,000
Out of school clubs	2,800	2,300	2,700	2,600
Holiday schemes	3,800	12,400	5,500	8,400
1 Figures have been rounded.
2 Includes those schemes exempt from registration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which local authorities (a) have and (b) do not have reciprocal arrangements with other local authorities to pay for (i) nursery and (ii) child care facilities. [119694]

This information is not collected centrally.Although the Department actively encourages reciprocal arrangements, decisions about cross-border funding can realistically be taken only at local level so that proper account can be taken of local needs and circumstances. By April 2004, six months ahead of schedule, all three-year-olds will have access to a free early education place irrespective of where they live.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many children's centres have opened in each year since 1997; where they are located; what links they have with pre-school learning in disadvantaged areas; and if he will make a statement; [110774](2) what funding and technical support has been made available for establishing and running children's centres; and what plans he has to improve co-operation with local Sure Start programme plans. [110775]

In the 2002 Spending Review Settlement the Government announced plans to reach, by March 2006, at least 650,000 pre-school children living in the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged wards in England through integrated children's centres. We are making available £435 million over the next three years to achieve this. The children's centres will provide integrated care and early education for young children together with health and family support services.These centres are intended to bring together and build on the practice learned from other initiatives. This means that, where possible, they will develop from Sure Start local programmes and other existing services such as Early Excellence Centres and Neighbourhood Nurseries.Guidance was issued to eligible local authorities in February 2003 on developing strategic plans for developing their children's centres. Since then, regional Sure Start teams based in the Government Offices have been providing support and advice on how to put these plans together.The first centres to be named children's centres will be announced in June 2003. These early designations will be existing settings that already meet the core offer for children's centres now. They will provide models to guide the development of new services. Local authorities are due to submit their strategic plans by 15 October 2003 and we expect further announcements to follow throughout the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the letters his Department has received from Essex County Council regarding the Criminal Records Bureau over the last six months, and the dates of his replies. [118754]

The Chair of Essex's Education Committee raised issues about the Criminal Records Bureau at the North of England Education Conference in January. I wrote to the Leader of the Council about those on 21 January and, subsequently, to the Chair of the Education Committee in response to an enquiry from her dated 29 January. The Leader of the Council acknowledged my letter on 18 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what percentage of three-year-olds have access to early years education in (a) rural areas and (b) urban areas; [116338](2) what percentage of three-year-olds have access to early years education in north Shropshire. [116339]

[holding answer 3 June 2003]: The information is not available in the form requested.In January 2002, 98 per cent. of three-year-old children in Shropshire received early years education in a private, voluntary, independent, special or maintained establishment.In every local education authority area, there is an early education place for every four-year-old whose parents want one in either the maintained, private or voluntary sector. We have made the commitment that by April 2004, six months ahead of our original target, all three-year-olds whose parents want one, will have access to a free, part-time early education place.The latest local authority figures on early year's education in England were published in the Departments Statistical Bulletin 08/2002 "Provision for children under five years of age in England: January 2002" in December 2002. An electronic copy of which is available in the Library and on the DfES website, www.dfes. gov.uk/statistics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the Further Education Funding Council published its final accounts; from where copies can be obtained; and if he will make a statement. [120016]

The Further Education Funding Council's accounts for 2000–01, its final year of operation, were laid before Parliament on 24 July 2002 and published by the Stationery Office on 10 April 2003. Copies are available from the Stationery Office.The delay in finalising the FEFC's accounts was due to the complexities of winding up a large NDPB and arranging for the redeployment of the organisation's assets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of children of compulsory school age in each local education authority area attended independent schools in each of the last five years. [118853]

The information requested has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the Learning and Skills Council published their Annual Accounts; whether these were published on schedule; and if he will make a statement. [120018]

The first Annual Report and Accounts of the Learning and Skills Council, to 31 March 2002, were laid before Parliament on 8 April 2003 and were subsequently published by The Stationery Office. This timetable was in accordance with the Learning and Skills Act 2000.The Act also requires that the LSC send copies of its statement of accounts to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the Comptroller and Auditor General before the end of August following the financial year to which the statement relates. The LSC's statement of accounts was delivered on 29 November 2002.The LSC agreed with the Comptroller and Auditor General that they would deliver their accounts to a revised timetable to provide time for FE colleges to deliver assurances on the proper use of LSC funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the responsibilities of the Minister for Children which have been transferred from the Department of Health; and what matters concerning child protection have not been transferred. [120384]

[holding answer 19 June 2003]: Responsibility has been transferred from the Department of Health for social services policy for children, and for policy relating to teenage pregnancy. The transfer of social services policy responsibilities includes child protection policy. However all staff working with children have a role in keeping children safe, including staff in the NHS. The Department of Health will have responsibility for child protection matters in so far as they relate specifically to health services, working in close co-operation with the Department for Education and Skills.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how much revenue funding will be allocated to support implementation of the National Agreement on Raising Standards and Tackling Workload in (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06; [120395](2) how much each

The agreement is about making better use of the existing £25 billion which is spent each year on schools as well as deploying extra resources cost effectively. The overall increase in funding for schools and local education authorities is £2.7 billion in 2003–04. Our plans allow for a further increase of £1.4 billion between this year and 2004–05 and a subsequent increase of £2.1 billion in 2005–06. The amounts available to individual primary and secondary schools up and down the country to support the agreement will inevitably vary according to a number of factors, including pupil numbers, teachers' pay and the way in which school budgets are determined. For 2004–05, we are working with representatives of schools and local education authorities (which will consider the position of schools with licensed deficit budgets) to ensure that every school receives a reasonable per pupil settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what online information services for young people receive funding from his Department; and what the level of funding is for each service. [120527]

The Department for Education and Skills funds Connexions Direct, a telephone helpline and internet service for 13–19 year olds at a cost of £2.2 million in 2003–04. Connexions Direct complements the face to face delivery of services provided by local Connexions partnerships by offering remote information, advice and support to young people on a wide range of issues that constitute barriers to learning.The Connexions Direct website currently provides a range of information for young people. To enhance this, the Department has commissioned Uf1 to produce a single national course database covering post 16 learning opportunities. The funding for this is £100,000 in 2003–04.The Department is also leading on the development of a customer-focused, cross-Government young people's internet portal, which aims to provide easy access to everything young people want and need to know on the web, from Government and non-Government sources. The portal is due to be launched in September 2003, and the budget for 2003£04 is £163,000.In addition, the Department supports websites providing targeted information for young people. The Children and Young People's Unit (CYPU) website provides information for 0–19 year olds on various aspects of the Unit's work ranging from the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child to the Youth Advisory Forum. The budget for 2003–04 is £600,000. CYPU is also contributing to the development of the Youth Portal. The Connexions Card website provides information for young people aged 16–19 on the benefits of using the card. The budget for 2003–04 is £200,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 12 June to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale West, what individual public relations campaigns his Department undertook in 2002–03 with a cost of more than £100,000; and what the actual cost was of each of those campaigns. [120593]

[holding answer 20 June 2003]: The information requested is as follows:

Campaign	Cost (£)
Foundation Degrees	240,000
Connexions	336,000
Aimhigher	186,400
UK Online Centres	131,274
Adult Basic Skills 'Get On'	222,580
Dads and Sons	120,637

£
	Total budget share including standards fund devolved	Total budget1 share per pupil
Primary Schools
Barons Court Infant School and Nursery	419,887	3,043
Blenheim Primary School	1,102,447	2,412
Bournemouth Park Infant School and Nursery	317,565	2,656
Bournemouth Park Junior School	247,708	2,844
Bournes Green Infant School	438,511	2,436
Bournes Green Junior School	632,491	2,144
Chalkwell Hall Infant School	720,186	2,294
Chalkwell Hall Junior School	870,372	2,102
Darlinghurst Primary and Nursery School	839,448	2,351
Earls Hall Infant School	622,022	2,304
Earls Hall Junior School	763,803	2,140
Eastwood Infant and Nursery Foundation School	489,918	2,707
Eastwood Junior School	533,096	2,380
Edwards Hall Infant School	478,481	2,441
Edwards Hall Junior School	610,647	2,173
Fairways Primary School	1,298,844	3,035
Friars Infant School and Nursery	713,822	2,714
Friars Junior School	695,101	2,348
Hamstel Infant School	956,786	2,447
Hamstel Junior School	1,092,853	2,267
Heycroft Primary School	934,846	2,101
Hinguar Community Primary School	682,134	2,266
Leigh Infant School	623,477	2,301
Leigh North Street Junior School	767,866	2,169
Located at Bournemouth Park Road Southends on Sea	772,094	2,669
Located at Richmond Avenue Shoeburyness Essex	584,122	2,542
Milton Hall Primary School	1,250,844	2,507
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School	892,591	2,066
Porters Grange Primary School and Nursery	1,585,661	2,792
Prince Avenue Primary Foundation School and Nursery	965,601	2,327
Richmond Avenue Junior School	207,057	2,460
Richmond Infants' and Nursery School	212,203	2,653
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School and Nursery	545,212	2,381
St.George's Catholic Primary School	459,969	2,300
St. Helen's Catholic Primary School	539,370	2,366
St. Mary"s, Prittlewell, CofE Primary School	893,168	2,142
Temple Sutton Primary School	1,701,396	2,290
The Westborough Primary School and Nursery	1,622,350	2,304
Thorpe Greenways Infant School	820,648	2,318
Thorpe Greenways Junior School	1,004,056	2,155
Thorpedene Infants' School	711,061	2,504
Thorpedene Junior School	820,322	2,254
West Leigh Infant School	783,281	2,182
West Leigh Junior School	1,048,240	2,047
Secondary Schools
Belfairs High School	4,036,467	3,790
Cecil Jones High School	4,833,618	3,656
Prittlewell Technology College	3,240,180	3,418
Shoeburyness High School	4,706,349	3,683
Southend High School for Boys	2,779,850	4,257

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money each (a) secondary and (b) primary school in Southend West has been given for financial year 2003–04; and what each school originally budgeted. [118513]

My Department collects information according to local education authority areas. Information provided by the authority on how much each primary and secondary school in Southend-on-Sea LEA has been given is contained in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much additional capital funding will be allocated to support the changes to school buildings which may be needed to provide facilities for the additional support staff needed to implement the National Agreement on Raising Standards and Tackling Workload in (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06. [120400]

Overall capital investment is set to rise from £3.8 billion this year to over £5 billion in 2005–06. Much of this capital investment is delivered to local authorities by formula and in accordance with their local asset management processes. It is, therefore, up to local authorities to decide on their priorities in consultation with local schools. In addition, from 2005–06, we will be rolling out the proposed Building Schools for the Future programme, details of which will be announced shortly. In the meantime, we have also invested £50 million over the two years 2002–03 and 2003–04, specifically to address school workforce issues. This funding was allocated by formula to all local education authorities for them to address their priority needs in accommodating Schools' Workforce.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how schools who have been allowed to use devolved capital for revenue purposes in order to set a balanced budget for 2003–04 will be compensated by his Department in subsequent years. [120399]

[holding answer 19 June 2003]: On 15 May 2003, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, announced that in response to exceptional

Lancashire Local Education Authority
£ million
	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03
ESSA	405	445	468	493	510	516
Recurrent Grant	18	10	21	49	70	95
Capital Funding	13	17	35	38	30	44
Total	436	472	524	580	610	655

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total central Government funding for schools in Lancashire was in each year since 1995. [120469]

The following table shows the total education standard spending assessment (ESSA), recurrent and capital funding allocated to Lancashire Local Education Authority between 1997–98 and 2002–03, the years for which data is available on a likefor-like basis. The Department allocates funding for schools at local education authority level without specifying separate amounts for schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what plans he has to introduce a career structure for school technicians in (a) secondary and (b) further education recognised throughout England; [119804](2) if he will introduce a national pay scale for school technicians to over-ride local education authority restrictions, and be recognised as a minimum standard by establishment heads; 119805](3) what representations he has received on introducing national levels of pay commensurate with experience, qualifications and responsibilities for school technicians; and from whom.[119807]

[holding answer 17 June 2003]: My Department has received a number of representations which propose the introduction of a career structure and national pay scales for school support staff, including science technicians.Since the Royal Society (RS) and Association for Science Education (ASE) published their report on January 2002 we have been working closely with them and with the Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services (CLEAPSS) to develop a career structure for science technicians. The work is being taken forward in consultation with the wider scientific community and will take account also of broader advice on school support staff roles being produced by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services. We are aiming to publish guidance this autumn.As part the Government's investment and reform strategy for further education and training, the new DIES Standards Unit will be trialling best-practice teaching and learning materials and teacher training in Level 3 biology, chemistry and physics this summer. The trials will lead to larger scale pilots from September and will give a real boost to science teaching and to the vital support work by science technicians.The Government's position on pay remains that the terms and conditions of employment of school support staff including science technicians are best determined locally, in light of local needs and circumstances. This means that local arrangements cart reflect the fact that, for example, the duties and responsibilities of technicians vary widely between schools. The National Agreement on Raising Standards on Tackling Workload, signed by the Government, local authority employers and school workforce unions on 15 January this year, will improve training and career progression opportunities for support staff and makes clear that we expect their pay to reflect their level of training, skills and responsibilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what representations he has received about (a) falling rolls and (b) shortfall in funding to schools attended by children of Service personnel, caused by delays in transferring regiments; and if he will make a statement; [120351]

Two schools in Colchester wrote to the Secretary of State in March 2003 about funding issues for schools with a large proportion of pupils who are children of Service personnel. There is no need for specific or additional funding from central Government for such schools. The Regulations which govern local education authority funding formulae for schools permit the use of factors which give extra funding for high turbulence levels, or compensation for significant falls in numbers on roll. The Essex formula for school funding already has a turbulence factor. If the schools believe this to be inadequate, they should seek reconsideration at local level, perhaps through the Essex schools forum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2003, Official Report, column 784W, on specialist status schools, if he will make a statement on the variation in the average capped GCSE/GNVQ point scores among pupils attending (a) languages colleges, (b) sports colleges, (c) arts colleges and (d) technology colleges. [119793]

In 2002, specialist schools outperformed non-specialist schools where the GCSE capped average point score was considered. When considering the individual specialist subjects, technology colleges had the highest average point score of the four specialisms. Technology, language and arts colleges all performed above the non-specialist average. The performance of sports colleges was slightly below the non-specialist average.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 11 June 2003, Official Report, column 885W, on education initiatives, if he will list those non-selective specialist schools that are not defined as mainstream. [119886]

The list of non-selective, non-mainstream specialist schools (ie special schools) is as follows.

Special schools	Area	Subject
Fox Hollies School	Birmingham	Arts
Arbour Vale Special School	Slough	Sports
Calthorpe Special School	Birmingham	Sports
Westcroft Special School	Wolverhampton	Sports
Abbey Hill School	Stockton on Tees	Technology
Alder Grange High School	Lancashire	Technology1
Beaumont Hill School	Darlington	Technology
Blackfriars Special School	Staffordshire	Technology
Crosshill Special School	Blackburn with Darwen	Technology
Marshfields School	City of Peterborough	Technology1
West Oaks School	Leeds	Technology
Westfield Technology College	Dorset	Technology
1 From September 2003

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many secondary schools in North East Lincolnshire have applied for specialist status; and how many have been successful in their applications. [120059]

There have been seven applications for specialist school status received from seven schools in North East Lincolnshire LEA since the programme started in 1994. Four schools currently have specialist status: The Lindsey School, Toll Bar School and the Hereford School, which has joint specialist status with Western School.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will estimate outstanding student loan liabilities (a) currently and (b) in each of the next five calendar years, on the assumption of (i) current participation and policies and (ii) expansion of numbers at one per cent. per annum and introduction of top-up fees at (A) 50 per cent. and (B) 100 per cent. of potential total income. [119790]

The total amount of debt outstanding at the end of financial year 2001–02 was £10,015 million. Of this total debt, £1,621 million was privately owned mortgage style debt. £8,394 million of the debt was publicly owned, and includes both mortgage style and income contingent loans. The debt outstanding includes loans issued but not yet due for repayment.The information on future estimates is not available without disproportionate cost. Future loan liabilities will depend on a wide range of factors, including: the number and composition of students who enter higher education; the proportion of students who take up a loan; the amount of loan they take out; subsequent graduate earnings and hence future repayments; and the rate of inflation (which affects the nominal value of outstanding debt). After 2006–07, loan liabilities will also depend on the fee levels charged by universities of their full time undergraduates, and the extent to which those students exercise the new option to defer those.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to extend the number of deprived wards eligible to receive sure start financial support. [115109]

[holding answer22 May2003]: The Sure Start Unit was allocated funding in the 2002 spending review to establish children's centres to serve 650,000 children living in the most disadvantaged wards in the country. The Government's longer term aim is to establish children's centres services for all children living in the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged wards. Sure Start also funds local authorities, in all areas, to create, support and sustain good quality childcare provision through the Early Years and Childcare Grant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of the total number of teachers were made redundant in each of the last 10 years in England. [120010]

Definitive figures are not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average teacher's salary in each local education authority in England was in the most recent year for which figures are available. [119050]

The table shows the average annual salary of full-time regular qualified teachers in the maintained sector in England by LEA at 31/3/2001. This is the latest information available. Figures cover all grades and include any allowances paid. The figures are provisional.The average salary figures include some threshold payments that were made before March 2001, following the introduction of the threshold in September 2000. Some threshold assessments were not made in time for the associated payments to be reflected in the March 2001 data, but these were ultimately backdated to September 2000. As a result the figures in the table will be an under estimate of the actual average salary in March 2001.

	Average salary (£s)
City of London	28,260
Camden	31,140
Greenwich	29,270
Hackney	27,890
Hammersmith	30,560
Islington	29,630
Kensington and Chelsea	1—
Lambeth	1—
Lewisham	30,400
Southwark	30,320
Tower Hamlets	30,260
Wandsworth	28,950
Westminster	28,860
Barking	29,210
Barnet	28,540
Bexley	27,760
Brent	30,160
Bromley	28,530
Croydon	32,930
Ealing	28,940
Enfield	28,340
Haringey	29,850
Harrow	28,700
Havering	29,020
Hillingdon	28,190
Hounslow	28,250
Kingston upon Thames	1—
Merton	29,560
Newham	29,050
Redbridge	29,690
Richmond upon Thames	28,100
Sutton	1—
Waltham Forest	29,080
Birmingham	27,260
Coventry	27,670
Dudley	26,940
Sandwell	26,990
Solihull	25,130
Walsall	26,640
Wolverhampton	27,370
Knowsley	26,820
Liverpool	26,270
St Helens	27,490
Sefton	27,030

	Average salary(£s)
Wirral	27,610
Bolton	27,060
Bury	27,500
Manchester	27,200
Oldham	26,900
Rochdale	27,090
Salford	25,280
Stockport	27,180
Tameside	27,070
Trafford	27,270
Wigan	27,470
Barnsley	26,690
Doncaster	27,350
Rotherham	27,270
Sheffield	1—
Bradford	27,000
Calderdale	26,970
Kirklees	27,400
Leeds	27,400
Wakefield	26,740
Gateshead	26,750
Newcastle upon Tyne	26,830
North Tyneside	27,020
South Tyneside	27,150
Sunderland	27,100
Isles of Scilly	27,000
Bath and NE Somerset	1—
City of Bristol	26,500
North Somerset	26,930
South Gloucestershire	26,540
Hartlepool	26,780
Middlesbrough	27,230
Redcar and Cleveland	26,930
Stockton on Tees	26,960
City of Kingston-Upon-Hull	27,240
East Riding of Yorkshire	27,210
North East Lincolnshire	27,230
North Lincolnshire	27,160
North Yorkshire	26,470
York	26,960
Bedfordshire	27,000
Luton	26,980
Buckinghamshire	27,080
Milton Keynes	26,720
Derbyshire	27,370
City of Derby	26,570
Dorset	27,010
Poole	26,840
Bournemouth	27,210
Durham	26,740
Darlington	25,350
East Sussex	27,030
Brighton and Hove	27,020
Hampshire	26,810
Portsmouth	26,730
Southampton	26,260
Leicestershire	27,040
Leicester City	1—
Rutland	27,380
Staffordshire	26,740
Stoke-on-Trent	26,640
Wiltshire	25,740
Swindon	26,020
Bracknell Forest	27,790
Windsor and Maidenhead	27,800
West Berkshire	26,280
Reading	1—
Slough	25,650
Wokingham	26,870
Cambridgeshire	26,340
City of Peterborough	26,420
Cheshire	26,850
Halton	27,080
Warrington	26,780

	Average salary (£s)
Devon	27,140
City of Plymouth	27,250
Torbay	1—
Essex	27,600
Southend	27,540
Thurrock	27,240
Herefordshire	26,980
Worcestershire	27,010
Kent	27,150
Medway	1—
Lancashire	27,340
Blackburn and Darwen	26,240
Blackpool	26,670
Nottinghamshire	27,500
City of Nottingham	26,920
Shropshire	27,430
Telford and Wrekin	27,400
Cornwall	27,120
Cumbria	27,130
Gloucestershire	26,710
Hertfordshire	25,340
Isle of Wight	26,560
Lincolnshire	26,930
Norfolk	27,250
Northamptonshire	26,670
Northumberland	26,800
Oxfordshire	27,100
Somerset	27,400
Suffolk	26,590
Surrey	25,740
Warwickshire	27,030
West Sussex	26,860

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) fatal and (b) non-fatal road accidents there have been on the A49 between Ludlow and Shrewsbury in each year since 1992. [1201001

The following table provides the figures provided by West Mercia police.

	Fatal	Serious	Slight	Total
1992	5	15	35	55
1993	4	10	29	43
1994	4	16	30	50
1995	3	12	25	40
1996	3	7	35	45
1997	4	5	27	36
1998	0	11	25	36
1999	0	5	35	40
2000	1	8	22	31
2001	2	4	31	37
2002	4	8	23	35
2003 (To date)	0	1	18	19

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions have taken place with Royal Mail regarding use of rail to transport mail; and what plans he has to encourage the use of trains for this purpose. [121095]

The Department has had no discussions with Royal Mail about its decision to withdraw from rail.It is the Government's policy to promote a competitive and efficient distribution industry that supports economic growth while bringing benefits to society and the environment. Transferring more freight from the roads on to more sustainable modes is a key component of the Government's long term vision for transport.The Strategic Rail Authority published its first Freight Progress Report on 8 May, explaining achievements to date in facilitating more freight by rail. Copies of the report are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to vary the maximum fees charged by garages for an annual MOT test. [120609]

We are currently consulting on revised maximum MOT test fees and our intention is to introduce them on 1 August 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 16 June 2003, Official Report, column 21W, on number plate cloning, on how many occasions during the last 12 months Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority Intelligence Officers passed information on cloned number plates to the police. [121261]

Each week DVLA refers around 80 cases of suspected cloned vehicles to the police. Approximately 60 per month require detailed investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statutory powers provide for the exemption of private ambulances from elements of (a) the Highway Code and (b) road traffic regulations. [120927]

[holding answer 20 June 2003]: The rules of the Highway Code apply to all road users and many are legal requirements. Those that are not may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts in order to help establish liability.However, Section 87 of the road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 exempts drivers of vehicles used for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes from speed limits in an emergency. The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations 1997 give qualified exemptions from signals at Pelican and Puffin crossings to vehicles being used for fire brigade, ambulance, national blood service and police purposes, and The Traffic Signs Regulations 2002 give similar qualified exemptions from other red light signals and keep right/ left arrows to vehicles being used for fire brigade, ambulance, bomb or explosive disposal, national blood service or police purposes.Traffic regulation orders made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 may include such exemptions as determined by the order making traffic authority. Where appropriate it is usual to include an exemption for vehicles being used for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes.In no case is any distinction made as to whether a vehicle being used for ambulance purposes is private or not.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the names and addresses of the members of each rail passengers' committee, stating in each case whether they were (a) elected, (b) nominated and (c) appointed, and by whom. [121243]

Appointments to the Rail Passengers' Committees (RPCs) are subject to open competition and are carried out in accordance with the Office of the Commission for Public Appointments (OCPA) guidance. The members of the RPCs are appointed by the Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) after consultation with the Secretary of State for Transport, the Scottish Ministers and the National Assembly for Wales, as appropriate, and the Chairman of the Committee in question. The Committee Chairmen are appointed by the Secretary of State after consultation with the SRA and in the case of the Welsh RPC, the National Assembly for Wales. The Scottish Ministers appoint the Chairman of the Scottish RPC after consultation with the SRA. The London Assembly appoints the members and the Chairman of the London Transport Users' committee after consultation with the SRA.The names of the members and the addresses of each RPC are set out in their annual reports. Copies of the annual reports are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 16 June 2003, Official Report, column 23W, on road building, what estimates he has made of the level of Government funding necessary for the completion of the proposed road schemes. [120583]

In taking forward the detailed development of the road schemes, the local authorities will determine the cost of each scheme. The estimated costs for each of the road schemes detailed in the Final Report of the South East Manchester Multi Modal Study will need to be reviewed in the light of any changes to their design and to include preparation costs and provision for risk assessment in accordance with HM Treasury Guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each year since 1997 the figures for (a) reliability and (b) punctuality of train journeys between (i) Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton and (ii) Wolverhampton and London. [121110]

The Strategic Rail Authority publish performance statistics for all train operating companies in their quarterly "National Rail Trends" publication and their six-monthly "On Track" publication. The figures for each operator are not broken down to route level, but reflect the performance of their services in aggregate. The most recent editions of these publications were published on 16 June. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average annual number of passengers travelling by train between (a) Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton and (b) Wolverhampton and London was in the last three years. [121111]

The information is not available in the form requested. The Strategic Rail Authority publishes annual passenger journey figures for each Train Operating Company in its Annual Report, a copy of which is placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding programmes are operated by his Department to support voluntary organisations working with young people; and what the level of support has been in each of the last three years. [120513]

The Department operates a number of funding programmes to support a wide range of voluntary organisations which include, but are not exclusive to, young people as a target group. We do not hold centrally information on the level of support to voluntary organisations working with young people. However, the Department is committed to working with and giving young people a real say in shaping transport policy and influencing decisions for the future. The Department is due to publish an Action Plan, setting out how it intends to work better with young people to achieve this.