To ask the Prime Minister when he intends to reply to the letter dated 12 August 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to a new post office for Rusholme. [130456]

I replied to my right hon. Friend on 12 September 2003.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what contact took place between 10 Downing street and (a) the members of the panel which selected Mr. Ken Macdonald QC as Director of Public Prosecutions and (b) Mr. Ken Macdonald QC during the process of the decision-making on the appointment; [129241](2) if he will list the

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General gave to him today.

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his pre-war assessment of the challenges of post-Saddam Iraq. [130715]

The scale of the reconstruction task in Iraq caused by decades of neglect and misrule was greater than expected. But good progress in Iraq is being made despite security setbacks, and Saddam's appalling legacy. The Iraqi Governing Council has appointed Ministers, work is under way on preparing a new constitution, institutions are being rebuilt, the international financial community is engaging, children are receiving better health care and education, and work is in hand to improve the infrastructure deficiencies. We are also giving urgent priority to building up the Police Force, Civil Defence Corps and New Iraqi Army, so that Iraqis assume greater responsibility for their own security.

To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to visit Southend, West. [130959]

I have no plans to visit in the near future.

To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 8 September 2003, Official Report, column 18W, on Security Clearance, what further clearance is required for Downing street staff in order to see (a) secret and (b) top secret Joint Intelligence Committee material, once they have been positively vetted. [130397]

The levels of security clearance that staff need in order to be granted access to classified material are those which apply across Government. They are set out in HM Government's statement of vetting policy, as announced to the House on 15 December 1994, Official Report, columns 764–66.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what increase in cost for the proposed two new aircraft carriers has been communicated to him; what reasons were given; what his response has been; and if he will make a statement. [127152]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 1 September, Official Report, column 894W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to upgrade and replace the night-vision system on the Apache helicopter. [129490]

An upgrade of Apache's night vision system has been identified as one of a range of possible enhancements to the helicopter during its service life. However, no decision has yet been made on this specific element.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 26 June 2003, Official Report, column 944W, on asbestos, if he will list the buildings identified as containing asbestos. [130943]

There is no central register of buildings in which asbestos is known to be present. Such a register or list could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made in the procurement of the Battle Group Thermal Imaging System; on which platforms it will be deployed; when it is likely to come into service; and what capability it will bring. [129191]

A contract to supply and support the Battle Group Thermal Imaging System was placed with Thales Optronics Ltd. in 2001. The system is on track to meet its approved in-service date in 2004. It will be deployed on Warrior armoured fighting vehicles and Scimitar combat reconnaissance vehicles and will further improve the effectiveness of armoured combat formations at night and in bad weather.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) civilian security personnel and (b) armed services personnel his Department assigned to the Defence Systems Equipment International Exhibition in London; and if he will make a statement. [129692]

The security arrangements for Defence Systems Equipment International, including the assignment of civilian security personnel, were the responsibility of the exhibition organisers (Spearhead Exhibitions Ltd.). 31 Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) officers were deployed to the exhibition site, with an additional small marine unit of 12 MDP officers being present at the request of the Metropolitan police.Ministry of Defence civilian and armed forces personnel attended the event in an official capacity, but details are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for which foreign delegations attending the Defence Systems and Equipment International exhibition in September the Government paid for (a) travel, (b) accommodation and (c) hospitality; and if he will make a statement. [129775]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the country delegations (a) invited to and (b) attending the Defence Systems Equipment International Exhibition in London; what role his Department had in formulating the list of invited countries; and if he will make a statement. [129693]

Most of the funding for the attendance of official overseas defence delegations at the Defence Systems and Equipment International exhibition was provided by the exhibition organisers and defence companies.However, in addition, the official overseas delegations that attended the exhibition as guests of Her Majesty's Government accepted some contribution from the Ministry of Defence towards their visit for travel, accommodation and/or hospitality.The MOD Defence Export Services Organisation prepares a list of countries to receive official invitations to the exhibition, taking into consideration current marketing campaigns and longer-term prospects for business with the countries concerned. The list is then passed to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for consideration. Throughout the process. political issues, arms embargoes and current international relations imperatives are also considered, as is the cost involved in hosting the delegations.Of the 62 countries invited to attend the exhibition as guests of HMG, 56 accepted. The list of countries invited to attend is as listed, with the countries that declined highlighted in italic.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to his Department was of the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition at the Excel Centre on 9 to 12 September; how many departmental staff were present; and if he will make a statement on the purpose of hosting arms sales fairs. [130293]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Jeremy Corbyn) on 20 May 2003, Official Report, columns 677–78W. The final cost remains to be established, but we do not expect it to exceed the estimated figure.Ministry of Defence staff attended the Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) exhibition as part of their normal duties and to gain greater understanding of defence industrial capabilities around the world. This was at the discretion of line managers and no central record of attendance is held.The purpose of defence exhibitions is to bring together purchasers and suppliers of defence equipment and services. DSEi enables the United Kingdom defence industry to demonstrate its capabilities to potential overseas customers and provides an opportunity for those responsible for the defence of their countries to see the range of equipment and services available to meet their legitimate requirements. Formal invitations to DSEi do not imply that Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to issue export licences for the supply of all or any of the equipment displayed, and all export licence applications would be considered on a case-by-case basis in line with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with the US State Department on (a) the use of extraterritorial export control legislation and (b) the need to have strict end-user controls on arms shipments, to reduce threats to military personnel. [130182]

[holding answer 16 September 2003]: A range of issues have been discussed with the United States Government in the context of the negotiations, concluded earlier this year, on a text for an unclassified waiver from the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations. These have included consideration of extraterritorial control in relation to the export of strategically controlled goods, but not specifically of end-user controls. The national security of the United Kingdom and its allies is considered at the time an application for a licence to export is made, under the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate (a) the length of time in training that British army units require before deployment in Iraq and (b) the ratio of deployed personnel to total personnel absorbed by operations in Iraq. [130278]

The duration of pre-deployment training for military forces deploying on operations depends on two factors: firstly, the existing level of training, which is closely aligned to readiness, and, secondly, the operational task the force is required to undertake. The amount of pre-deployment training required is therefore dictated by the extent to which the troops need to raise their military capability, and it is not meaningful to specify set periods of time.As at 11 September there were approximately 10,000 British servicemen and women in the Gulf region. Following the deployment of the balance of the forces announced by the Secretary of State on 8 September this figure will shortly rise to approximately 10,500. Beyond this it is not possible to quantify accurately the total number of people within the Department whose work touches on current operations in Iraq. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken by the Government to ensure that an effective trial-or-release system for Iraqi prisoners is operating in Iraq. [130347]

The Coalition is working with the Iraqi people to establish a fair and just legal system, and estimates that some 100 courts are now in operation across the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the results of the inquiry into the al Majarr al Kabir incident will be published; and if he will make a statement. [123420]

[holding answer 4 July 2003]: The Ministry of Defence is determined to do all we can to establish the facts, and to bring to account those responsible for the deaths of the six RMP soldiers killed so tragically in Iraq in June. It is not possible to say how long this investigation will take.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 8 September 2003, Official Report, column 46W, on civil servants working in Iraq, if he will report on a weekly basis how many civil servants are searching for weapons of mass destruction. [130770]

The number of civilian staff working for the Iraq Survey Group on a weekly basis is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in establishing the Maritime Afloat Reach and Sustainability Project; what will new design ships will be procured; what capabilities this will bring; and if he will make a statement on how they will improve flexibility and responsiveness. [128120]

The Military Afloat Reach and Sustain (MARS) project is now reaching the end of its Concept Phase, in which the Support Requirement is defined and a plan for procuring it in the most cost-effective and efficient way is established. It is anticipated that the project will progress to its Assessment phase before the end of this year. During the Assessment phase the

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposal to redefine the eligibility criteria for disablement through the War Pensions Agency. [130518]

There are no plans to change the eligibility criteria used for decisions under the War Pensions Scheme. I refer my hon. Friend to the details project team will invite industry to provide solutions to this requirement, including ship designs, and will establish how new technologies, vessel designs and logistics concepts can deliver the increases in flexibility and responsiveness our future forces will require.The afloat support capability provided by the MARS programme is essential if the United Kingdom is to maintain the ability to deploy joint forces worldwide to engage in operations where Host Nation Support cannot be guaranteed. As an enabling capability, its effectiveness will be measured by its ability to support our future forces and concepts of operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were recruited to the armed forces since January for (a) each of the recruitment posts in Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland: and if he will make a statement. [129220]

Statistics for officer recruitment are not broken down by region. The numbers of other rank enlistments for all three Services in each month since January 2003 are detailed in the following table.of my statement to the House of 15 September 2003,

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many civil compensation actions have been brought against the employer of the abusing child carer in the UK in each of the past five years. [128397]

The information requested is not collected centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what proportion of the population living in (a) rural and (b) urban areas has access to services provided by Community Legal Service Partnerships. [129360]

To date, Community Legal Service Partnerships cover over 99 per cent. of the population of England and Wales and so include nearly all rural and urban areas. Although the provision of services within the Community Legal Service (CLS) falls to individually contracted providers, each CLS partnership has responsibility for advising on the co-ordination and planning of local service delivery. Data produced by the CLS partnerships, particularly in relation to priority legal needs, helps to inform the allocation of CLS resources through the contracting system. Along with policy developments, such as the Partnership Initiative Budget (PIB) and the Method of Delivery Pilots, the Legal Services Commission ensures that there is both adequate and improving service provision across all regions in England and Wales.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many responses were received to the Court Working Dress Consultation Paper; and if he will make a statement on the responses received. [129828]

The consultation period for comments closed on 14 August and 3,406 responses were received.The responses are currently being analysed and the Government will make a statement in due course.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representations he has received regarding the length of the consultation for the draft Mental Incapacity Bill. [129630]

My Department has received four letters to Ministers about the length of the consultation period set up by the Pre-legislative Committee which is examining the draft Mental Incapacity Bill.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many claims for negligence, errors or omissions have been made against under sheriffs in each of the last three years; what was (a) the highest claim, (b) the average claim and (c) the total value of claims; what was the total paid in settlement of claims for each of the last three years; what plans he has to indemnify sheriffs against liability for claims against under sheriffs; and if he will make a statement. [129317]

The information requested is not available. The courts do not maintain statistics on the identity or role of defendants; nor does the Department employ or have direct responsibility for under sheriffs.We do, however, consider the responsibility for enforcement of High Court writs as an onerous one for sheriffs to undertake, as their position is a voluntary one, and that responsibility extends for up to six years following their term of office. Therefore we are relieving them of this responsibility through measures contained in the Courts Bill. Present insurance arrangements made by under sheriffs cover the possibility of litigation for the duration of a high sheriffs responsibility. The matter of continuing cover once new measures are brought in is under careful consideration by the representatives of those who undertake this work and wish to continue to do so as well as those who represent under sheriffs and high sheriffs. We have no plans to indemnify sheriffs from public funds.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the duties of the office of sheriff consist of (a) formally and (b) informally; and if he will make a statement. [129319]

High sheriffs are technically responsible for the enforcement of High Court writs, but this is, in practice, carried out on their behalf by under sheriffs, and this duty will be removed from high sheriffs by legislation currently before Parliament. The traditional role of the high sheriff is to escort to court and offer hospitality to High Court judges who visit their area. Informal duties are entirely a matter for individual sheriffs, who also have an informal representational role for their county. The office is unpaid, and the expenses are borne personally by the incumbent. High sheriffs receive no public funds, other than a small allowance for days when they attend judges in court.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have appealed disability living allowance decisions in each year since 1997; what proportion were successful in an appeal; and what reasons people give for appealing initial decisions. [128103]

This is a matter for Christina Townsend, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proposals he has to speed up the appeals process for disability living allowance. [128104]

This is a matter for Christina Townsend Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans the Government have Letter from Christina Townsend to Mr. James Wray, dated 17 September 2003:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding the number of people who have appealed Disability Living Allowance decisions in each year since 1997, what proportion were successful in an appeal and what reasons people gave for appealing the initial decisions.

We do not have information on the total number of appeals against Disability Living Allowance decisions nor the reasons why initial decisions were appealed. The attached table shows the number of appeals relating to Disability Living Allowance decisions which were received by the Appeals Service; the number cleared with or without a hearing; the number found in favour of the appellant and the percentage found in favour of the appellant for each year since 1998. We began collecting information for the first full year in 1998 and therefore no information is available for 1997.

I hope this reply is helpful.

The Department intends to improve and update the medical guidance currently provided to decision-makers. This will be based on information technology that will enable the guidance to be more comprehensive and easier to access. The guidance on all conditions contained in the Disability Handbook, including autistic spectrum disorder in children and adults, will be revised as part of this initiative. A programme for this work is being developed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures are in place to ensure that companies provide the necessary access improvements and assistance for disabled employees; and what financial support can be made available for companies to make the changes. [129105]

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires that employers consider making a 'reasonable adjustment' to premises, working practices, or other aspects of a job, if a disabled employee or job

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will meet the Association of British Insurers to discuss the level of employers' compulsory liability insurance premiums in the forestry industry. [130426]

Ministers will meet the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and insurers to discuss the level of Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance premiums and their impacts on businesses in general. The Department is undertaking a review of Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance and has already had a number of meetings with the Association of British Insurers and other organisations. We will report progress and next steps arising out of this second stage of the review, in autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average number of days wait is before an unemployed person's initial appointment with a jobcentre adviser; what research his Department has conducted into the particular problems faced in waiting for appointments by agency workers who become unemployed for short periods of time on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement. [124020]

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive, David Anderson. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many hits the Targeting Fraud website has received; how many cases of suspected fraud have been reported to the website; how many of these suspected cases have been investigated; how many of them have led to a successful prosecution; and how many of them have led to a custodial sentence. [126563]

Information is not collated centrally on sentences imposed by the courts where successful prosecutions have resulted from the Targeting Fraud Website. The available information is in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the purpose was of the counter-terrorism exercise held on 7 September. [R] [129631]

The exercise held at Bank tube station on Sunday 7 September was designed to test the co-ordinated response of the emergency services to a chemical release on a train on the London Underground. The exercise involved rescue and decontamination both at the scene and at a hospital. It also tested the use of new equipment and procedures for the emergency services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost was of holding the simulated terrorist attack at the Bank underground station and its surrounds on 7 September; what lessons were learned from the exercise; and whether the exercise dealt with the requirements of decontamination of the site of the simulated dirty radioactive bomb. [130292]

As with other exercises designed to test the preparedness of the emergency services, the costs are being borne by the participating organisations, whose budgets naturally include general funding for training and exercising.Our early view is that the elements we planned to test in this exercise worked well. A full assessment is currently being carried out. There will of course be lessons to learn for all those involved.The exercise was based on a simulated release of a chemical agent on a train stuck in the London underground and was designed to test new equipment and procedures for rescuing and decontaminating people trapped on the train. The exercise was not designed to test site decontamination or the response to a dirty radioactive bomb.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints (a) he and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority have received about cancellations and delays affecting flights operated by Cyprus Turkish Airlines; and if he will make a statement. [130357]

No complaints have been made to the Department for Transport relating to the cancellation and delays affecting flights by Cyprus Turkish Airlines. The Air Transport Users Council, which was set up by the Civil Aviation Authority, has received four written complaints and two by telephone since April this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 9 September 2003, ref 127778, which (a) Minister and (b) devolved Administration is responsible for (i) ferry services and (ii) air services between (A) England and Northern Ireland, (B) Wales and Northern Ireland, (C) Scotland and Northern Ireland and (D) Scotland and Wales. [130288]

[holding answer 16 September 2003.]: Ferry and air services between different parts of the UK are generally reserved matters, and the Secretary of State for Transport has policy responsibility. Explicit provision was made last year for the devolved Administrations in Scotland and Northern Ireland to take responsibility for financial support for a possible ferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made with the decision on whether to open a second runway at East Midlands airport. [130947]

We are currently considering the responses to the airports' consultation. These will inform our final conclusions on airport capacity which will be published in an Air Transport White Paper later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statutory duty of care airlines have towards passengers whose flights have been cancelled. [130257]

UK airlines currently have no statutory duty of care to passengers with regard to cancelled flights. However, all the significant "full-service" UK airlines (both scheduled and charter) have signed up to the Airline Voluntary Commitments on Air Passenger Rights, developed in 2001 under the guidance of the European Commission and the European Civil Aviation Conference. These commitments contain non-legally binding agreements to deliver defined standards of service to air travellers in a number of key areas, including the prompt notification of known delays, cancellations and diversions.At the Transport Council in December 2002 the European Community reached political agreement on a proposal from the European Commission for a regulation establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to air passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delays of flights. We expect this regulation, which is currently under discussion between the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission to become law during 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which green transport initiatives the Government have supported in the Merseyside PTA area in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04. [130433]

The Government expect local authorities to reflect the principles of sustainable development in their Local Transport Plans (LTPs). They are, for example, required to show how their LTPs will reduce CO₂ emissions from transport sources, how they would contribute to tackling air quality problems, and how they would minimise noise impacts. The Government, through their funding of LTPs, aim to deliver better environmental outcomes across the whole range of Local Transport Plan schemes and initiatives. It would therefore be misleading to identify "green transport initiatives" separately—environmental issues are fully integrated into wider local transport policy.The Merseyside local authorities have reported in detail on their delivery of schemes and initiatives in LTP Annual Progress Reports, covering 2001–02 and 2002–03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many questions directed to him remain unanswered. [130755]

The effective handling of parliamentary questions is an issue to which I, and ministerial colleagues, attach great importance. At 15 September 2003, my Department had 43 unanswered parliamentary questions. Of these, eight were named day questions for answer on 16 September 2003 and 35 were ordinary written questions which by convention are answered within one working week of appearing in the Order Book.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) who will cover the employment costs of sky marshals; [129223](2)how many sky marshals are available for duty on

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport made a written statement on 19 December last year on the capability which has been developed to place specially trained armed police officers aboard UK civil aircraft. Security reasons preclude making public operational details of that capability. Other countries, with an equivalent capability in respect of flights by their own airlines, have adopted a similar approach.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many special marshals he has appointed; and from which budget funding for special marshals will come; [130951](2) what powers special marshals will have if a person refuses to hand over

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Carshalton & Wallington (Mr. Brake).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many projects his Department has supported in Warrington since 1997; and how much funding was allocated to each project. [129926]

In April 1998 Warrington became a unitary authority; prior to that they were part of Cheshire. The funding figures for 1997 and 1998 are not readily available.The Department for Transport has provided Warrington with funding £11.342 million over the last two financial years. The Department has accepted the urban traffic management control major project, and has provisionally accepted two other major projects, Bridgefoot environmental enhancement and Warrington town centre bus interchange.Details of the schemes and spend can be found in Warrington's annual progress report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he has measured the success of the TravelSafe scheme; and what the cost of the scheme has been to date. [130953]

TravelSafe is a local partnership initiative, led by the Merseytravel Passenger Transport Executive to deal with crime on public transport in their area. My Department has taken an interest in this and other anti-transport crime initiatives throughout the country as part of its on-going work commitment to reduce crime and the fear of crime wherever it occurs on the transport system. In February 2003, Merseytravel reported to the Government's Safer Travel on Buses and Coaches Panel on the successes of the initiative. The Department for Transport has not funded this initiative and we hold no information on its cost to date.

To ask the Minister for Women what progress she has made in increasing the proportion of women appointed to public bodies. [129453]

The percentage of women on the boards of public bodies at 31 March 2003,was 35.7 per cent., up from 34 per cent. in March 2002. The Government remain committed to the aim that by the end of 2005, and for the majority of departments, women should hold 45–50 per cent. of the appointments to the bodies they sponsor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from EU non-applicant states bordering the enlarged EU on access to the Single Market after enlargement. [128175]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, met with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Kudrin on 26 June this year, and also in October 2002. During both these meetings the issue of current and future Russian access to EU markets was raised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for reducing the threat from computer viruses. [130197]

Malicious software—including viruses—is a global phenomenon. No one Government can eliminate the development and spread of malicious software but the Government are playing their part in a range of activities to minimise the impact on users. We are talking to vendors about improving the identification of vulnerabilities in software and the underlying protocols. We are working with industry to disseminate advice a bout the availability of solutions to the problems which are identified and how to deal with the difficulties posed by events, such as viruses, which exploit those vulnerabilities. The Department has taken a prominent role in the promotion of good information security management and has developed promotional material aimed at helping smaller companies understand and deal with common security problems. The detection and prosecution of those who create malicious software is the responsibility of the Home Office and Section 3 of the Computer Misuse Act already criminalises the unauthorised modification of the contents of any computer, which includes modifications caused by viruses. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is, however, reviewing the effectiveness of the Act and, as part of this process, will consider whether any further legislation is required to further deter those who write or knowingly disseminate computer viruses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been (a) budgeted and (b) spent by her Department since April 2002 on (i) combating computer fraud, (ii) preventing theft of computers and (iii) safeguarding the security of information held on computer; and if she will make a statement. [128782]

It is not possible to separately identify the budgets and costs requested as they are spread across a number of areas including:

• The overall IT service cost from our outsourced IT services provider;
• Individual project development and system operating costs; Overall physical and building security costs;
• IT systems and network (including firewall) management costs; Overall Internal Audit effort;
• Staff recruitment and training costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much electricity has been used in the UK in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how much has been used in this year so far. [129941]

[holding answer 16 September 2003]: The available information is shown in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the EU tariffs on textiles and clothing imports from (a) India, (b) Sri Lanka and (c) the United States; and if she will make a statement. [129167]

There are over 1,000 individual EU tariff lines covering imports of textiles and clothing so it is not possible to list them individually. These duties are applicable to all countries including USA, India and Sri Lanka and range from 0 per cent. to 12.2 per cent. Both India and Sri Lanka benefit from preferential arrangements with the EU that give lower duties for textile and clothing products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 14 June, Official Report, column 17W, on the Everything but Arms Agreement, what proportion of total trade exports to the United Kingdom are represented by (a) sugar, (b) oil, (c) tobacco, (d) cotton and (e) olive oil regimes for (i) least developed countries and (ii) non-least developed countries in sub-Saharan Africa. [128558]

To obtain such information would require extracting information on a large number of commodity codes for 51 countries and therefore could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the feasibility of using (a) mutual and (b) multilateral legal assistance treaties to allow the UK Government to develop effective end-user controls of arms shipments from the UK. [129849]

I have been asked to reply.The Government have a system for the post-export monitoring of UK-origin arms. Where there is a case of diversion or fraud by a private individual, we look to cooperate with the authorities of friendly countries to bring the perpetrators to justice. Legal assistance treaties are of little use in cases of alleged misuse by Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the export licences that have been granted to Royal Ordnance for the export of TNT to the USA in the past three years. [129284]

[holding answer 15 September 2003]: A list of all UK export licences is published in the Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls. However, details of export licence applications from particular companies are normally commercially confidential and exempt from disclosure under categories 13 and 14 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce a system of registration for gangmasters to ensure minimum standards of health and safety training for the staff they provide. [124890]

I have been asked to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department has taken to implement the findings of the Higgs review of the role and effectiveness of non-executive directors. [129916]

The Government warmly welcomed the Higgs Review. The majority of the recommendations of the Review were for changes to the Combined Code. The Code is the responsibility of the Financial Reporting Council, which published a revised Code on 23 July this year. The Government believe that this will provide a clear and robust framework to improve the performance of boards and increase investor confidence.Following the Higgs Review, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State asked Professor Laura Tyson, Dean of the London Business School, to consider how a broader range of non-executives might be identified and recruited in order to improve board effectiveness. Laura Tyson's report was published on 19 June. The Department of Trade and Industry s currently engaging with various stakeholders in order to take forward Professor Tyson's recommendations.The Higgs Review also recommended the development of guidance on directors' and officers' insurance. The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators are currently developing this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she has taken to review the security of the Department's IT system; and how many digital attacks there were on the Department's system in the last six months. [129507]

All DTI IT systems are designed in accordance with HMG IT security policy.The core Department's internal IT system undergoes a regular cycle of security testing in line with its security policy. In addition, the processes and procedures of those parts of the Department responsible for overseeing its IT services are subjected to six monthly independent audit as part of our certification of compliance with BS 7799 Part 2.During the past six months, one attempted digital attack was identified which failed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance is given to companies researching nanotechnology; what proposals she has to increase its use in British industry; and if she will make a statement on (a) its future and (b) the improvements it can bring. [129153]

Support for nanotechnology research and training in excess of £125 million over the last six years has been provided by OST, via the Research Councils, to UK universities. This has laid a solid foundation for future commercial investment and exploitation. The SBS "Smart" Scheme has helped many small companies, including university spin-outs, to develop their ideas from this technology. Other initiatives, for example the LINK Basic Technologies for Industrial Applications R&D programme, and other LINK programmes in the electronics, IT, chemicals, materials, and biotechnology sectors; although not dedicated to nanotechnology, have also supported projects that enable UK companies to collaborate with universities and commercially exploit this technology.On 2 July my noble Friend the Minister of State for Science and Innovation announced a £90 million programme over the next six years to help industry harness the commercial opportunities offered by nanotechnology. My Department is partnering with the Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations to facilitate regional investment in facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with Ofgem following their announcement of the possible shortfall in the Roc fund; what measures (a) are being taken and (b) are planned to avoid a shortfall; and what assessment she has made of the impact of this announcement upon the renewables industry. [128870]

My officials are discussing the possible shortfall with Ofgem, and with representatives from the renewables industry. Since the extent of any possible shortfall will not be clear until 1 October, it is too early at this stage to assess the impact on the renewables market or to propose measures to address the possible shortfall or to avoid the problem recurring in the future.In the interim, Of gem are in communication with the administrators over compliance with the Renewables Obligation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to close the productivity gap with other European Union countries. [128204]

Today my Department publishes its strategy, setting out our priorities for the next five years to narrow the productivity gap with our competitors, including those in the EU. A copy of the strategy has been placed in the Libraries of the House, along with a companion paper setting out the analysis on which the strategy has been built.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of the number of jobs that have been lost to the British economy as a result of regulations on business introduced since May 1997; and if she will make a statement. [129390]

Since 1997 over 1.5 million jobs have been created within the British economy and the number of people in employment is currently at 27.92 million, the highest since records began in 1984. The claimant count rate of unemployment benefits is the lowest for 27 years.A Regulatory Impact Assessment is produced for all regulations that have a cost to or benefit for business as part of the policy development process. These are prepared in consultation with industry and the Small Business Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will make an announcement on the proposed takeover bids for the Safeway chain of supermarkets. [129394]

I will announce my decision on the proposed acquisition of Safeway alongside publication of the Competition Commission report. The administrative target for publication of this report is within 30 working days of its receipt from the Competition Commission. As the report was received on 18 August 2003, our aim is to publish by 30 September 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of the annual cost to British businesses, in terms of extra training and lost productivity, of basic skills shortages in the workforce. [129391]