To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, recent discussions he has had with ministers in the Scottish Executive concerning the future of the Scottish electronics industry. [133811]

I have regular contact with Scottish Executive Ministers to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the Scottish economy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Work and Pensions about assistance for workers in Scotland whose companies are in receivership and whose pension rights might be jeopardised. [133813]

My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a variety of issues of relevance to Scotland.On 11 June, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced government proposals to introduce a range of measures on occupational pensions. In insolvency cases, the Pension Protection Fund will guarantee pension scheme members a specified minimum level of pension. The Government will also introduce a full buy-out provision for solvent companies who decide to wind up their schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on the uptake of pension credit in Scotland. [133814]

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the take-up of pension credit in Scotland. [133816]

My right hon. Friend launched the Pension Credit in Scotland on 3 October. Around 201,000 pension credit awards have been made to pensioner households in Scotland, benefiting approximately 235,000 individuals.We are making every endeavour to ensure that all those eligible for Pension Credit take up their entitlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to promote pension credit uptake in Scotland. [133815]

My right hon. Friend launched the pension credit in Scotland on 3 October 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on proposed changes to the air traffic control infrastructure in Scotland. [133817]

I was pleased to be at Prestwick to welcome the recent announcement by National Air Traffic Services that they are to re-start works on the new Prestwick centre in the near future. Their two-centre strategy, based on Swanwick and Prestwick, will ensure that the UK continues to have one of the most modern, efficient and safe air traffic systems in the world.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to meet (a) the Treasury and (b) the Scottish Executive to discuss motoring taxation as it affects Scotland. [133818]

My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with both the Treasury and the Scottish Executive about a variety of issues affecting Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with public sector bodies in Dumfries and Galloway about Carlisle airport and a possible financial contribution by them towards the airport's costs. [133819]

The Scotland Office has not taken part in any such discussions. Responsibility for economic development in Dumfries and Galloway rests with Scottish Ministers.I understand that Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway are involved with the North West Development Agency in looking at the issues surrounding the financing of airport and route development at Carlisle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Home Office about the continued use of Dungavel for the detention of asylum seekers' children. [133820]

I have regular discussions with Home Office Ministers on asylum issues, including the operation of Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre. I most recently visited Dungavel on 20 October 2003 and was impressed by the high quality of the facilities for the children there and the conscientious and caring attitude of the staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has held with (a) the Royal Bank of Scotland, (b) Halifax Bank of Scotland and (c) Clydesdale Bank concerning the provision of banking services in the Post Office; and if he will make a statement. [133526]

No recent discussions have taken place between Scottish banks and the Scotland Office on this subject. Scotland Office Ministers have taken a specific interest in the provision of banking services in Scotland and have also had discussions with Post Office Ltd. in relation to this.Discussions are on-going between. the Post Office and the banks to improve the level of services currently offered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met members of the Scottish Executive to discuss employment in the water industry in Scotland. [134003]

Scotland Office Ministers have discussions from time to time with members of the Scottish Executive across a wide range of issues affecting Scotland. Management of the water industry is a devolved matter.

To ask the Leader of the House what plans he has to bring forward proposals for pre-legislative scrutiny of a draft bill on aviation. [134533]

My hon. Friend will be aware that I cannot reveal the Government's future legislative plans or pre-empt the contents of the Queen's Speech.

To ask the Leader of the House what proposals he will put before the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons on the use of information technology in Standing Committees. [134534]

My right hon. Friend is conscious of the benefits which information technology can bring to Members serving on Standing Committees, as in other aspects of our work, but has no immediate plans to put proposals to the Modernisation Committee on this subject.

To ask the Leader of the House what criteria he proposes for selecting draft legislation to be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny. [134535]

My right hon. Friend's wish is that bills should be published in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny whenever time and the preparedness of the bill permits, as long as this is consistent with the overall interests of the legislative programme.

To ask the Leader of the House how much he estimates will be paid to the Conservative Party out of public funds in the year 2003–04. [135097]

Short Money is allocated under three headings: general funding, travel expenses and the costs of the office of the Leader of the Opposition. The amounts available in the first two categories are determined by a formula based on the number of votes cast and the number of seats won in the last general election. The amounts available in 2003–04 for general funding and the office of the Leader of the Opposition are £2,935,041 and £548,102 respectively. Full travel expenses have yet to be claimed.Cranborne Money is the House of Lords equivalent of Short Money. It must be used by the Official Opposition exclusively in relation to their parliamentary business. The amount available to the Official Opposition in the House of Lords for the 2003–04 financial year is £402,662.In addition, section 12 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 established a policy development grant, which is a grant to a represented registered political party which meets the qualifying conditions to assist the party with the development of policies for inclusion in any manifesto. The total fund for 2003–04 is £2 million, the amount stipulated in the legislation, of which the Conservative Party will be paid £438,603

To ask the Leader of the House if he will list the transport arrangements for which payment is made out of public funds to (a) the Prime Minister, (b) the Leader of the Conservative Party and (c) the Leader of the Liberal Democrats in their respective capacities; and what payments were made in each case in 2002–03. [135096]

I have been asked to reply.The travel arrangements for Ministers are set out in Travel by Ministers, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. The Leader of the Official Opposition is provided with a car for official duties associated with that office. The leader of the Liberal Democrats is not provided with an official car. For details of costs, I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Pete Wishart), on 3 March 2003,

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what proportion and how much of the total costs of the visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury to Rome in the first week of October were paid by the Church Commissioners; and of that sum, what proportion and how much relates to the cost for staff members, excluding the Archbishop, his wife and chaplain. [134346]

The total cost met by the Commissioners from within an annual budget set aside for the Archbishop for overseas travel was £2,100.Of this amount, £227 (11 per cent. of the total) related to the cost for staff members.Other members of the party and supporters were paid for by their respective offices or travelled at their own expense.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how much the Church of England has contributed since 1 June 2002 towards the costs of (a) the Anglican Commission, (b) the Anglican Consultative Council and (c) the Anglican Consultative Centre in Rome. [134345]

The Anglican Communion (not Commission) comprises 38 self-governing Anglican churches, including the Church of England. Each church is responsible for its own costs.The member churches of the provinces of the Anglican Communion meet 85 per cent. of the Anglican Consultative Council's core budget income and the Church of England's contribution is provided by parishes via the Archbishops' Council. I understand from the Council that the current amount paid is £359,700 a year, which would amount to some £509,000 from 1 June 2002 to the present.The Anglican Centre in Rome is financed by fundraising and is not a responsibility of the Church Commissioners. However, the Archbishop made a contribution of £2,500 from his discretionary funds in 2002.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps the Lord Chancellor is taking to involve hon. Members in the work of local criminal justice boards. [134518]

Local Criminal Justice Boards are newly formed partnership comprising key stakeholders including the Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, Probation and the Courts. As executive boards focused on improving the local criminal justice system, they need the ability to meet in private to discuss sensitive policy matters. However, it is possible for there to be more regular consultative discussions with hon. Members in particular, and for non-sensitive minutes of meetings to be published.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent progress the Lord Chancellor has made in increasing consumer choice in legal services. [134519]

The Government have commissioned an independent review of the regulation of legal services aimed at promoting competition and innovation and improving services for consumers and we are reviewing future demand for legal services and the suppliers needed particularly in the publicly funded sector. We have already decided to open up the probate market to new providers, which should enable consumers to benefit from better and more cost effective services.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many stipendiary magistrates there are in England and Wales; and what the figure was in 1995. [134521]

Stipendiary magistrates are now known as "District Judges (Magistrates' Courts)", and there are currently 108 in England and Wales, including the Senior and Deputy Senior District Judges. At the end of 1995, 92 full-time stipendiaries were in post.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if the Secretary of State will bring forward proposals for an indirectly elected second chamber for the UK Parliament. [134523]

As I announced to the House on 18 September, the Government proposes to introduce legislation, when parliamentary time allows, to put the House of Lords on a stable basis for the medium term. We are consulting on the details of our proposals and recognise that there is more to be done on Lords Reform after the removal of the remaining hereditary peerages.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made in (a) improving the payment rate for financial penalties imposed by the courts and (b) implementing the recommendations made by the Committee of Public Accounts in its 68^th Report, Session 2001–02, on the collection of fines and other financial penalties in the criminal justice systems. [134525]

Sustained improvement in the fine payment rate is a key priority, and to deliver that my Department has established a wide-ranging programme of change to implement my 7-point action plan and to address the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee. Furthermore I have now set a revised target for 2003–04 which gives a clearer focus to those involved in enforcement.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made with putting the Land Registry on-line. [134526]

Land Registry's key information services are already available online. The Department is also progressively enabling customers to make land registration transactions electronically, the culmination of which will be the introduction of a full electronic conveyancing system in England and Wales from 2006.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans the Lord Chancellor has to amend the workings of the legal aid system. [134527]

The Government has a clear responsibility to ensure that we achieve value for money from the legal aid system. It seeks to achieve this through active monitoring and a programme of work which includes a major review of the demand, supply and purchasing arrangements for legal services, which will report in December.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment the Lord Chancellor has made of the effectiveness of community legal service partnerships in promoting increased access to legal advice and assistance. [134520]

Since the launch of the CLS in April 2000 more than 200 Community Legal Service Partnerships have been set up, covering more than 99 per cent. of the population of England and Wales. These partnerships have been effective in identifying priority areas of unmet need for legal and advice services in their locality. The extent to which these Partnerships have been effective in getting advice to the right people at the right time will be folly examined by the Independent Review of the CLS, which is due to report in April 2004.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the judges' lodgings system. [134524]

As I confirmed to the hon. Member in my written answer of 6 October 2003, it is our policy intention to introduce further efficiencies, particularly on rationalisation of Lodgings' ownership. I still hope to be in a position to make a more detailed statement later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage by volume of the goods imported into the United Kingdom in the latest available financial year were transported by (a) sea, (b) rail and (c) air. [133901]

In 2002¹, the estimated shares of goods (tonnes lifted) imported into the United Kingdom were as follows:

¹Information is not available on a financial year basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking in (a) European and (b) international forums to promote a common approach to imposing tax on aviation fuel. [133959]

This matter was last raised internationally at the ICAO 33^rd Assembly in 2001, when the overwhelming majority of States spoke out against the introduction of a tax on aviation fuel. Analysis by the European Commission has also suggested that an EU-wide tax would deliver minimal environmental benefit. However, the Government remain committed to finding alternative ways of applying the 'polluter pays' concept to civil aviation. Information is contained in the joint HM Treasury/ Department for Transport discussion document "Aviation and the Environment: Using Economic Instruments", published in March 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions he has reached following his review of fuel duty rebate for operators of bus services. [134266]

The Chancellor's Budget statement in April 2003 announced that the review of bus subsidies would be continuing in the context of the review of the 10-year transport plan. This is being taken forward in line with Spending Review 2004 and is expected to conclude next summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 16 June 2003, Official Report, column 26W, on transport policies, what measures he has taken to disseminate good practice in the bus sector to (a) individual authorities, (b) bus companies, (c) regulators and (d) professional and trade bodies, including trade unions, listing the (i) cost, (ii) means of dissemination and (iii) what assessment has been made in each case; and if he will make a statement. [133985]

The Department takes many measures to disseminate good practice in the bus sector, both alone and in partnership with other stakeholders. It is not possible to allocate costs and benefits in the form set out in the question.For example, the Department has published:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures he has taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to promote the use of quality bus corridors; and if he will make a statement; [133986](2) if he will list the

The Department provides funding to local authorities for bus priority measures such as quality bus corridors which, in 2002–03, put in place almost 900 kilometres of improved bus routes.The Department has published Good Practice Guidance on Quality Bus Partnerships and has facilitated their provision on a statutory basis through powers in the Transport Act 2000, making them enforceable by traffic commissioners. Many such partnerships comprise one or more bus corridor improvements.The Bus Partnership Forum has published an information pack, "Bus Priority: The Way Ahead", to help local authorities get the most out of bus priority measures including bus corridors.Research shows that quality partnership schemes typically increase bus patronage by between 5 per cent. and 20 per cent. within the first 12 months of operation. These schemes also contribute towards modal shift, with surveys showing that around 33 per cent. of new users had previously undertaken their journey by car.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to simplify fare structures on buses to a flat-rate for all inner-city single journeys; and if he will make a statement; [133988](2) if he will list the

The setting of bus fares in a deregulated market is a matter of commercial decision for bus operators. The appropriateness of a flat-rate fare system (with concessions for those statutorily entitled to them) will depend on the size of the urban area concerned and on travel patterns within it. Many operators are simplifying their fare structures in the light of evidence that this is what customers prefer.The Department's booklet, "Protecting Bus and Coach Crews", advises that simplifying fare structures can reduce the scope for disputes between passengers and drivers. This booklet is currently being revised by the Safer Travel on Buses and Coaches Panel (STOP).In April 2002, the Department published "Get on Board: an Agenda for Improving Personal Security in Bus Travel", including advice to operators and local authorities on using fare structures to reduce the scope for conflict between drivers and passengers.The Government do not collect data on flat-rate fare schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to create integrated bus/rail links; and if he will make a statement; [134015](2) if he will list the

The Department's Local Transport Plan (LTP) funding provides local authorities with the resources from which they can develop bus/rail interchange facilities. The LTP guidance highlights the benefits of developing seamless travel conditions at interchange points where rail and bus services can dovetail to enable fully integrated journeys.The West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority which has Centre of Excellence status, has, for example, developed a network of modern bus interchanges in the major urban centres of the county many of which provide bus/rail links. These have the latest designs which have resulted in significant improvements in user satisfaction, and increases in passenger throughputs. They are also developing a significant number of bus/ rail interchange facilities at smaller rail stations.The statistical information requested here is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies operate a hail-and-ride system, broken down by (i) number of passengers carried, (ii) length of schemes and (iii) number of services run; and if he will make a statement. [134021]

Hail-and-ride has been in common use for many years outside main urban centres. Registration documents lodged with the Traffic Commissioners record the stopping arrangements for services, including whether they are wholly or partly operated on a hailand-ride basis, but the statistical information requested here is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to operate a buy before boarding ticket system; and if he will make a statement; [134026](2) if he will list the

Information about where bus tickets are sold is not held centrally. This is essentially a matter for local decision. Multi-journey tickets, particularly weekly and monthly travelcards and carnets, are commonly sold off the vehicle.The Department's booklet "Protecting Bus and Coach Crews" advises that the use of pre-paid tickets reduces the scope for disputes between passengers and drivers and the risk of theft created by carrying large amounts of cash on the bus. This booklet is currently being revised by the Safer Travel on Buses and Coaches Panel (STOP).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to offer combined ticketing for bus, rail and taxi journeys; and if he will make a statement; [134028]

The Transport Act 2000 empowers local authorities to make ticketing schemes covering local bus services which may include travel on connecting rail or tram services. Operators themselves may agree inter-available tickets within the terms of the Public Transport Ticketing Schemes Block Exemption Order. This Order covers journeys by bus, rail, tram or ferry.The "Plus-bus" scheme run by "Journey Solutions" and funded by transport operators, provides an add-on bus option to rail tickets at either or both ends of a train journey. Plus-bus is currently available at 135 stations across the rail network, and is being rolled out to every major town and city in Great Britain.Various other combined ticketing schemes are available, particularly in major conurbations. Their terms and conditions vary from time to time and it would not be practical for central Government to collect data on them, or the number of passengers using them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies which provide a route from rural train stations to towns not served by rail; and how many (i) passengers are carried and (ii) services there were; and if he will make a statement; [134030](2) what measures have been taken to encourage

The Department is providing significant funding to improve rural bus services through the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant (RBSG) and Rural Bus Challenge (RBC). This has enabled local authorities to address the transport needs of rural communities, including where necessary the provision of services from rural train stations.The Department has recently conducted research on the impact of RBSG and RBC funding. This showed, for example, that in allocating RBSG, several authorities gave attention to reducing barriers to travel and promoting social inclusion, by considering access and interchange requirements. More than a quarter of the authorities responding to the study's survey, specifically sponsored services that provided improved bus-rail interchange.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to install seating on buses where seats face each other; and if he will make a statement. [134031]

No measures have been taken to encourage either local authorities or bus companies to install seats that face each other. It is for the operators and those requiring the service to determine the best design for the seating arrangements that will get the optimum use on the route the vehicle is required for.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to enforce bus lane restrictions with (i) staff and (ii) cameras; and if he will make a statement. [134032]

The use of bus priority measures, including bus lanes, as a way of providing attractive and reliable bus services has been encouraged by Local Transport Note 1/97 "Keeping Buses Moving", Traffic Advisory Leaflet 6/01 "Bus Priority" and the Bus Priority Resource Pack "The Way Ahead" published in September this year. Each of these publications points to the importance of enforcement to the extent that the priority measures in question are not self-enforcing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies that have enforced their bus lane restrictions with (i) staff and (ii) cameras; how many (A) prosecutions for infringement there are (1) 12 months before and (2) after implementation, (B) staff are employed and (C) cameras are set up; and if he will make a statement. [134033]

Responsibility for enforcement of bus lanes rests with the police or local authorities with civil enforcement powers. Information in the form requested is not collected centrally.Civil enforcement of bus lanes in London by London local authorities and Transport for London (TfL) has been enabled by powers contained in Part II of the London Local Authorities Act 1996. Such enforcement is carried out using bus mounted cameras, roadside cameras and closed circuit television cameras. Under the bus lane enforcement camera project run by TfL, 836 buses have been equipped with cameras and 46 roadside cameras have been installed to date. In addition, the following 12 London authorities are currently using closed circuit television cameras to enforce bus lanes in their areas: Bexley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Lambeth, Newham, Southwark, Waltham Forest and Wandsworth. In 2001–02, 290,231 penalty charge notices were issued by London local authorities and TfL for bus lane contraventions.Regulations under section 144 of the Transport Act 2000 enabling civil enforcement of bus lanes by local authorities outside London are in preparation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures he has taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to improve the regularity of bus timetabling for rural services; and if he will make a statement; [134034](2) if he will list the

The Bus Partnership Forum encourages operators and local authorities to agree to limit the dates on which timetable changes are made and has produced a Code of Conduct on Service Stability for implementation locally, which was placed on the Department's website in May 2003. This code should help to stabilise the timetabling of services in rural areas, among others, but it is too soon to monitor any improvement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to offer reduced-rate tickets for (i) pensioners, (ii) people with disabilities, (iii) children under 16 and (iv) people between the ages of 16 and 19 in full-time education; and if he will make a statement; [134078](2) if he will list the

From June 2001 the Transport Act 2000 provides a standard minimum requirement for concessionary travel in England which guarantees half fares for all pensioners and disabled people on local buses, with no charge for the pass. Local authorities may make more generous provision at their discretion. From 1 April this year concessionary travel schemes are available to men aged 60 to 64, bringing them into line with women of the same age.Free travel to and from school is provided by local education authorities under the education acts for schoolchildren up to the age of 16 living more than the statutory walking distances from school. Under the Transport Act 1985 local authorities have a power to provide concessionary travel for school children, and for young people aged 16 to 19 who are undergoing full-time education (see table). That power applies to all journeys, not just those to or from school. Some bus operators offer reduced fares for young people on a commercial basis. These schemes will vary from time to time. In addition the Connexions Card project offers a range of commercial discounts for all 16 to 19-year-olds and the card is capable of carrying existing travel concessions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to use low-emission buses; and if he will make a statement. [134080]

The Powering Future Vehicles strategy set a target that:

"By 2012, 600 or more buses coming into operation per year will be low carbon".

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies using low-emission buses; what the level of emissions was (i) before and (ii) after implementation; and if he will make a statement. [134081]

The Department has, through the TransportEnergy programme, given financial support for the purchase of 38 cleaner fuelled buses and the fitting of 4,898 buses with pollution reducing equipment. The Energy Saving Trust, which manages the programme, estimate that over the life time of these vehicles, emissions of NOx will be 4,340 tonnes less and PM10 will be 709 tonnes less. The Energy Saving Trust do not hold information on other operators using such buses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to increase public awareness through improved advertising of bus services; and if he will make a statement; [134082]

The Bus Partnership Forum recently produced a report, "Understanding Customer Needs", which was placed on the Department's website in May 2003, and has been widely publicised among operators and local authorities. The report gives many examples where intelligent marketing and branding of bus services has increased public awareness, and hence patronage of the services.The Department does not evaluate the effect of advertising campaigns by local authorities or bus companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies, to introduce yellow school buses; and if he will make a statement; [134084](2) if he will list the

The Department for Transport has commissioned an independent evaluation of yellow school bus schemes. The evaluation is now almost complete and we expect to publish the final report, which will include an analysis of the various dedicated school bus schemes currently in operation, within the next few weeks. We will make a statement at that time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to fit bicycle racks on buses; and if he will make a statement; [134086](2) if he will list the

The Department recognises that combined bicycle and bus journeys have the potential to increase the market of operators as well as enabling people to use bicycles for part of a longer journey. It has encouraged local authorities and bus operators to improve the provision of cycle and bus journeys.The Department has funded the production of advice leaflets on combined cycle and bus journeys. The National Cycling Forum (since renamed as the National Cycling Strategy Board for England) has published:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures have been taken to encourage (a) local authorities and (b) bus companies to provide seat belts on buses; and if he will make a statement; [134088](2) if he will list the

This information on individual local authorities and companies is not available. However, there has been a progressive increase in the provision of seat belts on buses over the last six years. This has been due to:

(i) legislation implemented from February 1997 to require children on organised trips in minibuses and coaches to be provided with seat belts, and

(ii) legislation requiring all buses registered since October 2001 (apart from those specifically designed for standing passengers) to have seat belts provided for all forward and rearward-facing seats.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimate he has made of the potential costs to (a) each local authority, (b) London boroughs and (c) local government as a whole, of replacing the national minimum standards for concessionary travel schemes for people over the age of 60 with a 100 per cent. discount on fares for people over the age of 70; [134384]

The extension this year of the minimum statutory requirement to men aged 60-65 cost £50 million per year. The Government does not plan further extensions of concessionary fares. We estimate that free concessionary travel for pensioners in England (women aged 60 and over, men aged 65 and over) would cost in excess of an extra £300 million a year. We have not costed all the variants listed in the question and could do so only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations were held during the preparation of the school based cycle helmet awareness programme booklet with the (a) Schools Travel Advisory Group, (b) Health Development Agency, (c) Sports and Physical Activity Board, (d) National Cycling Strategy Board, (e) cycle user groups and (f) other bodies. [135018]

The Department has not produced a school based cycle helmet awareness programme booklet. However the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust has produced, "Guidelines for setting up a successful school based helmet awareness programme" booklet with Government grant financing some of the costs. The principal aims of the BHIT guidelines, to encourage school children to wear cycle helmets, are consistent with Government policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the local authorities which have applied to his Department for special Dealing with Disadvantage grants; and if he will set out the criteria used in deciding upon the successful applications. [134745]

[holding answer 27 October 2003]: Applications for Dealing with Disadvantage funds have been made by:

• Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Wigan.
• Further applications have been invited from:
• Bradford, Liverpool, Nottingham, Sandwell.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many members of the Dover Harbour Board are appointed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on future policy relating to such appointments. [135032]

Seven board members, including the Chairman, are appointed by the Secretary of State to the Dover Harbour Board (DHB).Government appointments to the DHB are made in strict accord with its policy on the appointment of all non-executive directors and board members of public bodies and we abide by guidelines set out by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). We have no current plans to alter this policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his target is for the time taken to process a provisional driving licence application from the date of receipt to the applicant receiving the licence, in cases where the applicant indicates that they have a relevant medical condition; and what proportion of licences were issued within this target in each of the last three years. [134663]

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's published charter standards for dealing with applications, where a medical condition has to be considered, are as follows:

(a) if a decision can be made based on the information originally provided by the applicant, the Agency aims to make a decision on 97.5 per cent. of cases within 15 working days;

(b) if further information is needed about the medical condition from the applicant, his doctors or other sources, the Agency aims to make a decision on 80 per cent. of cases within 90 working days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 15 October 2003, Official Report, column 240W, on road deaths, whether the information provided by the Dutch on new traffic arrangements at various sites in North Holland indicated decreases in casualties; and what reasons were given by the two UK authorities for considering more familiar techniques rather than the measures used in North Holland. [134106]

Information was supplied on 15 locations in North Holland that had been treated in innovative ways. Only two of the locations had an injury accident record showing more than one injury per year (one had two in a single year, one had three). Of the 15 treatments, 13 were neutral in their influence on injuries, one may have saved injuries and one may have put injuries up. In all cases, though, the casualty numbers are very small.No specific reasons were given by UK authorities, in discussion with Department officials, for not including measures used in North Holland. The discussions took place while the authorities were considering various approaches in the design of traffic management for the areas under consideration. Removing traffic signals was just one technique in the approach used in North Holland for sharing space. We are not aware that either of the UK sites had traffic signals but the authorities were considering a range of techniques similar to those used in North Holland. Lower vehicle speeds plays a key part in this. Reducing the dominance of motor vehicles allow alternative urban treatments aimed at providing a more equal allocation of space for all road users.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a regulatory risk assessment of the proposal to amend the Road Vehicles Construction and Use Regulations in respect of tinted windows. [135029]

No assessment was produced because the regulation amendment did not change anything—it merely clarified an existing provision of law.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what communications he has received, and on what date, from the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) in respect of the proposal to bring ships from the US Reserve Fleet to Teesside for disposal; and if he will make a statement. [133292]

[holding answer 20 October 2003]: Correspondence between the Department and its correspondents is treated in confidence unless the originator chooses to make it public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the terms of the netting off arrangement agreed between his Department and Her Majesty's Treasury in relation to the costs and penalty income arising from vehicle excise duty offences. [134746]

[holding answer 27 October 2003]: The terms of the netting off arrangement are contained in the "Proposed governance arrangements for the cost recovery system for continuous registration" document which has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the components of the cost estimate over three years to the DVLA in implementing continuous registration; and what he estimates will be the gross proceeds from penalties levied on vehicle excise duty offenders. [134747]

[holding answer 27 October 2003]: The components of the cost estimate over three years in implementing continuous registration are contained in the "Proposed governance arrangements for the cost recovery system for continuous registration" document which will be placed in the Library of the House. The cost information appears on page 1-9 paragraph 1.3.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles are outside the vehicle registration system; and how many of these will be brought back into the system through the measures set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) (No 3) Regulations 2003. [134749]

[holding answer 27 October 2003]: These are currently 2.1 million vehicles on the vehicle record with no current keeper details, although not all of these will be in use on our roads.As I announced on 22 May, I have set the DVLA tough new targets in relation to Continuous Registration, which have to be achieved by 2007. One objective is to halve the number of vehicles outside the system, either by relicensing them or by removing them from the road.The purpose of the regulations is to stop further seepage out of the system by making keepers of vehicles responsible for taxing them until the DVLA are informed that the vehicle has been sold or taken off the road. This will be assisted by enhanced checking procedures for the identity of new keepers when DVLA is informed of a change of keeper.In addition, as a result of the publicity that will accompany the new arrangements, it is anticipated that many unlicensed vehicles will be brought back onto the register by their keepers relicensing them.Vehicles outside the system will be dealt with through enhanced enforcement measures—mainly wheel clamping and removal—undertaken by the DVLA. Since April 2002 local authorities can now take on the powers of DVLA in clamping unlicensed vehicles. 14 authorities have these powers already, three are being inducted into their use currently and a further 27 are in talks with DVLA about taking on these powers. This will complement DVLA's own wheel clamping capacity and will ensure that vehicles currently outside the system are properly dealt with.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to his answer of 1 July 2003, Official Report, column 258W, on asbestos, if he will list the buildings which have been identified as containing asbestos. [130944]

Following the Asbestos Survey of 2002, Gwydyr House was found to contain asbestos.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been paid under the (a) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and (b) vibration white finger schemes in Wales, broken down by constituency. [133248]

I will write to my right hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of the letter in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what commitments of capability the UK plans to make to the EU under Articles III—210 to 214 of the Draft EU Constitution. [134312]

The EU's Headline Goal, towards which the UK has offered a substantial military contribution, is due to be reviewed. The review will need to take account of the strategic environment, including the outcome of negotiations on the draft Treaty. The Government will then consider whether any changes to the UK contribution are appropriate. Under the draft Treaty, the commitment of national resources by Member States to ESDP operations will as now be based on their sovereign decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what budget is planned for the first year of the European Armaments, Research and Military Capabilities Agency. [134313](2) what level of

The organisational and financial arrangements, including the contributions to be made by individual Member States, for the proposed European agency in the field of defence capabilities development, research, acquisition and armaments are under discussion with European partners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what help is given to ex-service personnel who have difficulty in returning to civilian life; and if he will make a statement on his assessment of the emotional changes that can result. [121522]

In my statement of 17 September 2003, Official Report, column 51WS, I drew Member's attention to the King's College London research paper published on the same day. It confirmed the MOD's assessment that although joining the armed forces is generally a positive experience, with the overwhelming majority of Service Personnel who have difficulty making the transition back to civilian life. Personnel most vulnerable to problems of transition include those discharged for medical reasons, including mental health conditions, as well as those dismissed for disciplinary reasons, premature leavers and those discharged as temperamentally unsuitable.The MOD has a comprehensive range of measures to prevent or help deal with these potential difficulties. All Service Personnel who are medically discharged are entitled to the full resettlement package available to personnel serving prescribed lengths of service, including a career transition workshop, financial and housing briefings and individual interviews with a career consultant who is available for up to two years after discharge. When Service Personnel are medically discharged, the Veterans Agency automatically considers entitlement to pensions and allowances under the War Pension Scheme. Disablement pensions are tax-free and not income-related. The scheme includes a range of supplementary allowances to address the disabling effects of accepted disorders, for example, mobility and care. The War Pensioners' Welfare Service, located throughout the United Kingdom, provides war pensions advice, information and help to access appropriate services. When personnel leave the armed forces, their medical management becomes the responsibility of the national health service (NHS). Since the 1950s war pensioners have been entitled to NHS Priority Treatment for their accepted disorders.The MOD has recently developed an Early Service Leavers Initiative which involves a programme to improve the transition process for those who leave early for whatever reason and are not eligible therefore, for the full resettlement package. The overarching aim is to create a resettlement umbrella that will cover all Service leavers. The Initiative provides for a range of measures that will include a mandatory resettlement interview to assess vulnerability, provide guidance on access to Job Centre Plus and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits, housing associations, financial matters and give contact details for the ex-Service charities and other welfare organisations.As part of the Veterans Initiative, projects are in place or being developed on housing and homelessness and employment issues. Many of these involve the voluntary sector. Close contact is also being maintained with the DWP Pathways to Work Project and MOD is represented on the Social Exclusion Unit's Mental Health Project. This is inter-Departmental and is looking at how to improve employment rates for adults with mental health problems, both in terms of take-up and retention of jobs and how to promote greater social participation and access to services for this group. The Department of Health (DoH) has designated mental health in the community at large as one of its key priorities. MOD is working closely with DOH colleagues to explore better services including delivery of mental health services for veterans and improved access to services. This will include work to increase Service leavers' and veterans' awareness of NHS facilities and services and to brief health professionals on military matters and culture.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many units within his Department's married quarters estate will be upgraded in each of the next five years. [133372]

For financial year 2003–04,1 refer the hon. Member to my Written Ministerial Statement on 2 July Official Report, columns 18-19WS. Planned targets for financial years 2004–05, 2006–06 and 2006–07 were published in this year's Ministry of Defence Departmental Plan. Copies are available in the Library of the House. No target has yet been identified for financial year 2007–08, but will emerge from the decisions made in the MOD's Short Term Planning process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was in each of the last five years of upgrading properties in his Department's married quarters estate; and what the planned expenditure is for this financial year. [133376]

The cost of upgrading Service Family Accommodation to Standard 1 for condition in mainland United Kingdom in each of the past five financial years was

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he estimates his Department's upgrade programme for the married quarters estate will be completed by November 2005; how many units are part of this upgrade programme; how many units have been upgraded so far; and if he will make a statement. [133379]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 13 May 2003, Official Report, column 153W, by my hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy (Dr. Moonie).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that the EU Emissions Trading Scheme benefits combined heat and power systems. [131970]

[holding answer 14 October 2003]: The Government are aware of concerns that the EU Emissions Trading Scheme may act as a disincentive for the installation of combined heat and power (CHP) technologies. For this reason we are considering options for the treatment of CHP plants in the process of developing the National Allocation Plan.The CHP industry believe that supplying operators in this situation with allowances for free from a limited CHP set-aside may act as an incentive. In this case operators installing new CHP plants would be provided with allowances equal to the difference in emissions between their existing or proposed traditional boiler and the proposed CHF plant. We are considering this and other options in the draft National Allocation Plan which we intend to publish for consultation in early December, giving industry an opportunity to comment on the various options.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to seek to amend the substitute Fuels Protocol; and if she will make a statement. [133105]

The Environment Agency asked its Regional Environment Protection Advisory Committees (REPACS), in June, to consider the need for review of the Substitute Fuels Protocol and their views are being taken into account in the preparation of a formal consultation paper, which the Agency hopes to publish in November. Interested stakeholders will have three months from publication in which to respond to the consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many authorisations for export have been granted by the animal exports division for captive wild animals in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) breed and (b) destination; and if she will make a statement. [132443]

The information is not available in the form requested. However according to our computer systems used for issuing export health certificates and CITES certificates, the following numbers of export certificates and permits have been issued during the last three years for categories of animals which exclude livestock, horses and pets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what timetable she has set for the resumption of unrestricted beef exports to the EU when BSE cases in the UK have fallen to below the moderate risk status threshold. [133858]

It is not possible to give a precise date for any such relaxation of current beef export controls. We have submitted papers to the European Commission to support our case for lifting restrictions and these are now being considered by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA's opinion is expected in early 2004. In addition an inspection by the EU Food and Veterinary Office is likely to be required. We would then need agreement with other member states and changes to EU regulations. Export controls are therefore unlikely to change before mid 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets have been set for the introduction of (a) beef from cattle born after August 1996 onto the UK market from 24 April 2004 and (b) moderate risk status beef onto the UK market before autumn 2004; and if she will make a statement on progress towards these targets. [133859]

Ministers are currently considering Food Standard's Agency recommendations on changes to the Over Thirty Month rule. Beef from over thirty month cattle born after August 1996 will not therefore be allowed onto the UK market before April 2004.We have worked closely with the Meat and Livestock Commission to examine how the domestic market can absorb the extra beef from cattle born after 1 August 1996 and the balanced view of the industry is that this can be achieved by import substitution and increases in processed product consumption. We are also pressing the commission to introduce market support arrangements should there be a short term need.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions her Department has had with the United States Department of Agriculture on United Kingdom beef exports. [133982]

We lobbied the United States Department of Agriculture in October 2002, in collaboration with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as part of a wider lobbying strategy of third countries to lift their bans on UK beef exports. Plans for further such lobbying are kept under continuing review in the light of developments with the associated EU rules.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations her Department has received from the horticultural industry over Common Agricultural Policy Reform. [134140]

[holding answer 27 October 2003]: The department has received a number of representations from the horticulture industry in response to our consultation on the implementation options under the CAP reform agreement. Most of these representations have argued in favour of an area based approach in implementing the new Single Payment Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimates she has made of the (a) average net value and (b) average net profit of dairy farms in the (i) 12 months to March 2002 and (ii) 12 months to March 2003. [134378]

Results from the Farm Business Survey published earlier this year show that the average net worth of full-time dairy farms in the year ending March 2002 to be £415,000. The average Occupiers Net Income for the same period was £22,200. The data for the year ending March 2003 will be published in March 2004.Occupiers net income is defined as the return to the farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and on all their capital invested in the business. This is the most appropriate income measure to compare with net worth.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which EU directives relating to environmental matters would incur a financial penalty if the commitments were not met; and how much each fine would be, per annum. [133261]

Failure by any part of the UK to observe EU obligations may lead to enforcement action being taken by the European Commission in the European Court of Justice (ECJ).If a member state fails to take the necessary measures to comply with the judgment of the European Court of Justice within the time limit specified, the member state may incur either a lump sum penalty or a daily penalty payment. The penalty payment would be based on a uniform flat rate amount, multiplied by two coefficients, one reflecting the seriousness of the infringement, and the other the duration. This would then be multiplied by a factor reflecting the ability of the member state to pay and the number of votes it has in Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when details on the application of the National Fallen Stock Scheme will be announced; and what consultation there has been with farmers on the scheme. [133597]

Rapid progress is now being made on the establishment of this Scheme. We have recently announced the names of the Directors who will sit on the Board of the company that will run the Scheme. These were selected by organisations representing the farming industry and cover regional and sectoral interests. They are now addressing key issues associated with Scheme rules. The Scheme administrators are developing the necessary computer software for recording farmer details and registration. If things go according to plan we hope that the Scheme will be up and running early in the New Year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has commissioned into the age profile of those in the farming community; and what measures she is taking to encourage younger people into the agriculture industry. [133891]

[holding answer 27 October 2003]: The Government recognise the importance of encouraging new entrants into farming. The Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food sets out how industry, Government and consumers must work together to secure profitable and internationally competitive farming and food industries, which are attractive to those already engaged in them and to potential new entrants.This Department has commissioned research which will seek to identify the existence and nature of any artificial barriers to new entrants, and the potential means by which such barriers might be overcome.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with non-farming commercial interests regarding loss insurance in the event of a disease outbreak in (a) farmed livestock and (b) crops. [134506]

The discussions are the same ones referred to in the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend on 6 October 2003, Official Report, column 1185W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether (a) the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and (b) the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries has scientific evidence on the connection between fishing effort by the UK fishing fleet and the levels of fish stocks in UK national waters; and if she will review fisheries management systems including those applied by the Faeroese and Icelandic industries. [133991]

In recognition of the migratory behaviour of the fish species concerned, stock assessments and related work are carried out on identifiably discrete stocks of fish, rather than according to national boundaries. For the same reason they are carried out by independent international organisations, which combine data from most of the main countries and fleets that exploit each stock in order to assess their impact on stocks. As part of this process, the scientists from the UK who attend the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, (STECF) therefore submit data on our national catch, and on fishing effort, to inform the discussions. I expect the report being prepared on fisheries by the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit to cover a broad range of issues related to fisheries management, including possible alternative management systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made with EU negotiations over the marketing standard for apples and pears. [134139]

[holding answer 27 October 2003]: The EU Commission's proposals to amend the marketing standard for apples are expected to be presented at the November meeting of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Management Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantity of biofuel the United Kingdom imported from (a) Germany and (b) France in the last year for which figures are available. [134371]

[holding answer 27 October 2003]: Currently, around 2 million litres of biodiesel are sold each month in the UK. Around half of this is imported but information is not collected on the country of origin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the duty reduction to 20 pence a litre for biofuels. [134372]

[holding answer 27 October 2003]: The cut in the duty on biodiesel has already brought forward production of biodiesel from recycled vegetable oil. This offers waste reduction benefits as well as savings in carbon dioxide emissions. Currently, around 2 million litres of biodiesel are sold each month from over 130 filling stations in the UK. Companies are actively considering the production of biodiesel from UK-grown oilseed rape.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's estimate is of (a) the percentage of the United Kingdom's farmland suitable for growing biofuel crops and (b) the quantity of biofuel that could be produced from this land. [134373]

[holding answer 27 October 2003]: As biofuels can be produced from mainstream arable crops, a large proportion of the UK's 4.2 million hectares of arable land (2001–02 figures) is suitable for growing biofuel feedstocks. The key factor in determining the amount of land used is the need for the market return to the farmer to be sufficient to motivate diversion from production for established food and animal feed markets. Achieving the Biofuels Directive's reference target of 5.75 per cent. use of biofuels by 2010 would require the production of biofuels from waste vegetable oil, plus feedstocks from around 1 million hectares of agricultural land.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what actions her Department is taking to tackle abuse of greyhounds. [134187]

Officials are discussing with the racing industry and welfare organisations possible measures to improve the welfare of greyhounds under the proposed Animal Welfare Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to maintain the existing regulatory framework not to introduce further restrictions on (a) fishing and (b) shooting laws. [133515]

Within our manifesto is a firm commitment not to introduce further restrictions on the sports of fishing or shooting. The Government recognises the significant contribution that shooting can give to the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of rural areas, where it can provide a supplement to incomes and jobs, and contribute to conservation of landscapes, habitats and wildlife.When undertaken correctly, we fully recognise the usefulness of shooting as a wildlife management measure. For species such as deer and foxes, lawful shooting is one of the recommended methods of population control and can be very effective. In addition the Government fully supports The Code of Good Shooting Practice, launched by the County Land and Business Association earlier this year, which is based on the following "golden rules":

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's progress in tackling illegal meat imports. [134004]

Progress against the Government's Action Plan on illegal imports in the financial year 2002–03 is reported in the Annual Review of Controls on Imports of Animal Products. Copies have been placed in the House Libraries.The 2003–04 Action Plan is appended to the Review, and we are working with HM Customs and other responsible parties to implement it. HM Customs took over responsibility for anti-smuggling controls at the border on 11 April this year. Progress will be reported in the next Annual Review, to be published after the end of this financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the spread of Japanese knotweed; and if she will make a statement. [134228]

I am aware of the problems caused by the spread of Japanese knotweed. The Department commissioned a new survey of plants in Britain and Ireland between 1987 and 1999 to produce updated 10-km square distribution maps of all plant species found in the wild. The results of this research were published in the New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora in September 2002. This included information on the spread of non-native plants such as Japanese knotweed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many livestock markets there were in 1997, broken down by county; how many of them closed during the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001; how many markets (a) did not open after the outbreak and (b) have closed since; and how many livestock markets there are in each county; [134404](2) which livestock markets have closed in each of the last six years. [134406]

The information in the format requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, based upon information provided by the Livestock Auctioneers Association, in 1997 there were 199 livestock auction markets in England and Wales compared with 140 currently. Of the closures 40 have been since February 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what official overseas visits she made in 2002. [132158]

In addition to regular Agriculture and Environment Council Meetings in Brussels and Luxembourg, I made official visits to the following countries:

• January: Germany and Poland—Bilaterals
• February: India—World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)
• March: Denmark—CAPRI (CAP Reform Meeting) and South Africa—WSSD
• April: USA and Canada—WSSD and Spain—Informal Agriculture Council
• June: Indonesia—WSSD
• July: France—OECD and Denmark—Informal Environment Council
• August: South Africa—WSSD
• September: Denmark—Informal Agriculture Council
• October: France—The Global Food Marketplace (SIAL), Germany—Bilateral and India—Trade Visit

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what additional incentives will he made available to the forestry industry to produce renewable products for use in power stations. [133883]

[holding answer 22 October 2003]: Defra, in association with the devolved administrations and the Forestry Commission, is setting up a £3.5 million UK-wide Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme. This scheme will help develop the supply chain required to harvest, store, process and supply biomass, such as energy crops and forestry woodfuel, to energy end-users. The European Commission's approval of the scheme is currently being sought. Subject to this, Defra hopes to launch the scheme in early 2004. Markets for woodfuel in heat, combined heat and power, and power generation are being developed through the Department of Trade and Industry/New Opportunities Fund's Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on further assistance for the agriculture industry in producing biomass for use in power stations. [133884]

[holding answer 23 October 2003]: This Department is committed to supporting biomass for energy use. In addition to Defra's existing Energy Crops Scheme, which provides funding to support the planting of energy crops and the setting up of producer groups, there are several new initiatives which will support biomass.Under the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, crops for energy use can continue to be grown on both set-aside and non set-aside land and will receive payments under the new Single Payments Scheme. An additional Euro 45 per hectare will be available from 1 January 2004 for energy crops grown on non set-aside land. A maximum guaranteed area of 1.5m hectares is fixed for the EU for this additional payment and aid will be reduced if production exceeds that area. Defra, in association with the devolved administrations and the Forestry Commission, is setting up a £3.5 million UK-wide Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme. This scheme will help develop the supply chain required to harvest, store, process and supply biomass to energy end-users.Markets for biomass in heat, combined heat and power, and power generation are being developed through the Department of Trade and Industry/New Opportunities Fund's Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme. The Department of Trade and Industry is currently consulting stakeholders on changes to the rules for co-firing biomass with fossil fuels in conventional power stations. The proposed changes will give longer timescales for the use of biomass, thereby making co-firing a more attractive option for both farmers and power generators.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with other Government Departments on the potential for future expansion in the use of biofuels. [134189]

The Department has had a number of discussions, both at ministerial and official level, with the Treasury, HM Customs and Excise, the Department for Transport, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Inland Revenue. The potential for biofuels has also been considered by the Ministerial Low Carbon Group and the Ministerial Group on the Implementation of the Energy White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the farming industry about the opportunities for growers to produce biofuel crops. [134374]

The Department has had a number of discussions, both at ministerial and official level, with the National Farmers Union, the Country Land and Business Association and with trade organisations, such as the British Association for Biofuels and Oils and British BioGen, which include farming industry representatives amongst their members. Officials have also had discussions with many individual farmers, plant breeders, agricultural suppliers, farming consultants, other agricultural businesses and potential project developers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantity of palm oil the United Kingdom imported for use in the biofuel industry in the last year for which figures are available. [134375]

Total imports of palm oil in 2001, the latest year for which figures are available, amounted to 1.28 million tonnes. Information is not collected on the use of the oil. Some palm oil is known to be used in the production of biodiesel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what factors explain the difference between the figure of £131 million stated in Press Release 133/03 from her Department to be the spending on research and development by her Department during financial year 2002–03 and the figure of £174 million presented in the publication Forward Look (Cm 5877). [133942]

The figure of £131 million stated in Press Release 133/03 correctly reflects the Department's baseline for R&D expenditure in 2002–03. This is funding that the Department spends directly on R&D services to support its policies. The R&D figure provided in the Government's Forward Look of Science, Engineering and Technology includes the DEFRA R&D baseline of £131 million, but also incorporates indirect expenditure by DEFRA Agencies and NDPBs (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; English Nature; Environment Agency; and Countryside Agency) leading to the higher overall figure for DEFRA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the contribution of conventionally powered vehicles to (a) summer smog and (b) winter smog. [133280]

The most important component of summer smog is ground level ozone. Ozone is not emitted directly by vehicles. It is a secondary pollutant formed from precursor gases. Due to the complexities of the chemistry of ozone formation it is not possible to provide a quantitative estimate of the contribution of conventionally powered vehicles to summer smog.The major chemical precursors for ground level ozone in industrialised nations are oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons produced mainly by conventionally powered motor vehicles and industry. Ozone and its precursors can be transported over hundreds of kilometres making ozone a transboundary pollutant. Local emissions of precursors do not generally make a significant contribution to local ozone concentrations in the UK.The most important components of winter smog are particulate matter (PM

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her Department plans to outsource call centre work to premises outside the United Kingdom. [132109]