To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Stamp DutyChurch commissioners what study has been made of the impact of increases in stamp duty land tax on the commercial holdings of the Church of England; and if he will make a statement. [135607]

No such study has been made in respect of the Church Commissioners' commercial property investment portfolio. I understand that changes to this tax come into effect on 1 December 2003: whether or not these will have an impact upon the amount of rent tenants will offer for new leases remains to be seen. The Commissioners take independent professional advice regarding the rental values of their properties and these are reviewed regularly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the implications for tenant farmers in Scotland of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. [134845]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Liddell-Grainger) on 9 September 2003, Official Report, column 328W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what statutory investigatory powers the Department has; which ones will be superseded by use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and what plans he has for removing these legacy powers. [136131]

The Scotland Office has no statutory investigatory powers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when she will publish guidance to those wishing to dedicate their land as access land under section 16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; [135813]

I expect to publish guidance and model dedication instruments for those wishing to dedicate their land by the beginning of December 2003. I have discussed with the Forestry Commission what funds might be needed to ensure that they are able to meet their commitment on dedication of their freehold estate.We are developing a strategy for promoting dedication to landowners, which will highlight the benefits of dedication, including the reduced liability that owners will incur and the opportunities to realise the potential that increasing visitor numbers has on the rural economy. This will build on the work undertaken by the Forestry Commission in 2001 when it ran seminars to encourage dedication by woodland owners.I wrote to Ministers in all Departments in February 2002 about the scope for dedication of land held by Government Departments and sponsored non-departmental public bodies. I have also pursued this point with some commercial organisations that are significant landowners. Now that the dedication regulations have been laid, I will be following this correspondence up, not least to encourage all Government Departments to actively consider the extent to which their landholdings can be dedicated under section 16 and to ensure that the option is widely understood by private sector landowners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the contracts for (a) consultancy and (b) work carried out by Bechtel in each year since 1997, stating in each case (i) the nature of the work, (ii) the value of the contract and (iii) the duration of the contract; and if she will make a statement. [134732]

[holding answer 29 October 2003]: Defra was formed in 2001. From information held centrally, Defra has let no contracts with Bechtel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements she intends to put in place to improve the opportunity for United Kingdom dairy farmers to compete in European and global markets: [134377]

We are helping the UK dairy sector to compete better in European and global markets by promoting supply chain efficiency. My noble Friend Lord Whitty, has been chairing the Dairy Supply Chain Forum to consider, among other issues, ways in which the sector can improve its efficiency through collaborative action, and we have made a grant of nearly £0.5 million to the Food Chain Centre to study how the efficiency of the dairy supply chain might be improved. We have also supported the establishment of English Food and Farming Practices, a new industry-led body that has been set up specifically to support and encourage collective activity across all agricultural sectors. In addition to this, we are actively considering bringing decoupling forward to 2005 to give dairy farmers the freedom to restructure their businesses for the more competitively market orientated environment. Furthermore, the Milk Development Council has been working with Food from Britain to identify potential export markets for UK dairy products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with representatives from the dairy industry on the dispute over the price per litre of milk paid to liquid milk producers [134380]

Price negotiations between producers and processors, or processors and supermarkets, are a private commercial matter in which the Government cannot and should not get involved, as long as competition rules are respected. While the Government share producers' concerns over the low farmgate price of milk, they do not support protests.The Secretary of State has had no formal meetings with representatives of the dairy industry to discuss milk prices or the current protests. However, Ministers frequently meet with representatives from all parts of the dairy sector and are therefore aware of the issues. In addition, matters affecting the whole dairy supply chain are regularly discussed at the forum chaired by my noble Friend Lord Whitty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the outcome was of the Environment Council on 27 October 2003; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including their voting record; and if she will make a statement; [135372](2) if she will make a statement on the issues discussed in the meeting of the EU Environment Council on 27 October 2003. [136016]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I represented the UK at the Environment Council on 27 October 2003. The Council reached a political agreement on one legislative measure, and also considered a number of other important issues.The Council reached a political agreement on a Directive on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paints. This measure aims to reduce emissions from paints of these organic solvents, which are precursors of ground-level ozone which can be harmful to human health and the environment. We retained a reservation on the proposal as parliamentary scrutiny is not yet complete. Greece asked for further time to implement limits for decorative paints and varnishes, but its request was turned down.The Council agreed conclusions on the Commission's proposed structural indicators for reporting on progress on employment, innovation, economic reform, social cohesion and environmental protection to the spring European Council. There was general support for the proposed set of 14 headline indicators of which three would be environment-related. Some delegations proposed including new indicators on biodiversity and public health. I stressed the importance of using robust and meaningful indicators. I pointed out that any biodiversity indicator should be able to measure progress towards the EU's target of halting loss of biodiversity by 2010, for example, along the lines of an index proposed by Birdlife International. The current proposal, on protected areas, was not adequate. The Council agreed that the three proposed environment-related indicators, on climate change, energy intensity and transport, should be reformulated in order to focus on the most significant environmental impacts and that good quality indicators on biodiversity and health should be included as soon as possible so as to cover all of the priority areas identified in the EU sustainable development strategy.The Council agreed conclusions on the Commission's proposal for a European strategy on environment and health. This strategy is intended to reduce the disease burden caused by environmental factors in the EU, to identify and prevent new health threats caused by new environmental factors. We also agreed conclusions on the Commission's proposal for an integrated product policy, aimed at reducing the environmental impacts that arise in the supply chain and life-cycle of products.The Presidency noted a presentation from the Commission on the results of its public consultation on a legislative proposal for an EU chemicals strategy. The Council also noted a presentation from the Commission on proposals for implementing the provisions of the Aarhus Convention in the EC and on access to justice in environmental matters. We heard a report from Sweden on a ministerial conference they had hosted on environment and sustainable development in northern Europe, and the Commission circulated a report on progress on thematic strategies under the 6th Environment Action programme. Portugal gave a presentation about the devastating forest fires they had experienced this summer, stressing the importance of tackling this issue for the future.Belgium and France gave short presentations calling for member states' co-operation to reduce ozone levels. The Commission indicated its readiness to help and drew attention to existing measures that might facilitate co-operation and exchange of information.Belgium presented a short paper on decommissioning of ships, expressing concern in particular about the export of vessels to developing countries for disposal. I supported Belgium's concerns, stressing the need to ensure that first class and environmentally sound dismantling facilities are available in the EU.The Commission then called upon member states to support a protocol on sustainable development to the Treaty being considered by the Inter-Governmental Conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what spray density in litres per hectare was used in the GM maize farmscale evaluation programme; and what spray density she expects will be used if commercial cultivation of GM maize goes ahead. [136609]

The recommended individual and maximum permitted application rates of the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium used on GM maize in the farm-scale evaluations were defined by the conditions of the simulated product licence that formed part of the experimental pesticide approval. This specified a maximum permitted rate of eight litres per hectare and a recommended individual rate of four litres per hectare, depending on the weeds present and their growth stage. Application was permitted until the nine-leaf stage of maize. For further details, and for details of other non-herbicide sprays used, see Champion et al. 2003; "Crop Management and Agronomic Context of the Farm Scale Evaluations of Genetically Modified Herbicide Tolerant Crops"; Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society (B). 358 (1439): 1801–18. A copy of this journal has been placed in the Library.Before glufosinate-ammonium could be used on a commercial scale on GM-maize, it would need full pesticide approval. In seeking approval, the necessary data package would have to be supplied by the applicant and be subjected to the considerations of human and environmental safety which have been established for all pesticide uses. Any approval given would specify recommended and maximum application rates in the same way as the experimental permit. These conditions would be determined by the Pesticide Safety Directorate taking due account of advice from their expert advisory committee the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Ministers have visited the National Fruit Show (Marden Fruit Show) since 1997. [134137]

[holding answer 27 October 2003]: No Minister has been able to attend the National Fruit Show in recent years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish (a) guidance to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on the interim conditioning, packaging and storage of radioactive waste and (b) the study on the case for extending waste substitution, referred to in the Government's First Progress Report to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on Managing Radioactive Waste Safely. [134076]

The interim conditioning, packaging and storage of radioactive waste will be among the matters to be included in the plans that sites will prepare for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The appropriate regulators will be consulted on the plans. The waste substitution study is expected to be issued for consultation shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much wild honey has been imported from St. Helena over the last five years; and if she will take steps to ensure that St. Helena continues to be able to export honey to EU countries. [135660]

[holding answer 3 November 2003]: No wild honey has been imported from St. Helena over the last five years. EU rules do not allow the export of wild honey from St. Helena to the European Union.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantities of Arabica coffee were imported in each of the last five years from St. Helena. [135661]

[holding answer 3 November 2003]: The table shows UK imports of coffee from St. Helena in each of the last five years. Arabica coffee is not specifically identified in official overseas trade statistics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the tonnage of tyres (a) sent to waste and (b) dealt with by each method of waste disposal was in the most recent year for which figures are available. [132672]

The latest available figures for used tyres are for 2001. These show that 481,496 tonnes of tyres went for disposal; of these, 290,496 tonnes (60.3 per cent.) were recovered, broken down as follows:

To ask the Solicitor-General on how many occasions since the coming into force of the International Criminal Court Act 2001 the Attorney-General's consent has been sought to bring a prosecution for war crimes; and if she will make a statement. [134400]

Owing to the way records are kept in the Attorney-General's department answer to this question cannot be provided without disproportionate cost. Applications for consent are not recorded by reference to the offence for which the application is made. Also, a request unaccompanied by evidence may not be recorded as an application.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the legal alcohol limit is for (a) operating equipment and (b) driving on military bases in Scotland; when the adequacy of this limit was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement. [135800]

There is no statutory alcohol limit laid down for operating equipment on military bases in Scotland or elsewhere. Where military bases are served by public roads in the UK, the statutory alcohol limits imposed by the Road Traffic Act 1988 apply. If the military bases are not served by public roads, service personnel are subject to standing and local orders which regulate alcohol consumption. Personnel may be prosecuted under the Service Discipline Acts for being unfit for duty as a result of consuming excess alcohol or contravening orders. Commanding officers and the chain of command are very aware of the requirement to provide a safe working environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) minimum and (b) maximum alcohol levels recorded by breathalyser tests in alcohol related cases investigated by military police on each military base in Scotland in 2003; what the comparable readings were in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [135798]

No such tests have been conducted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) the disused army barracks that his Department is selling, (b) the size of each plot and (c) the selling price of each site. [135863]

The table of army barracks that the Ministry of Defence is currently selling is as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many occurrences of drink driving recorded by military police there were in each of the military bases in Scotland each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [135202]

The service police have no powers in Great Britain to stop and breathalyse persons suspected of committing an offence under the 1988 Road Traffic Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the procedures to be followed by veterans in order to claim the Suez medal. [135465]

I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statement of 23 October 2003, Official Report columns 45–46WS, and Command Paper 5999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Suez Canal Zone medal applications have been received from (a) Chorley, (b) Lancashire and (c) the North West; and how many have been granted. [135809]

The Ministry of Defence is very keen to issue medals to eligible veterans as quickly as possible. There is already a sizeable backlog of applications which has accumulated in recent weeks. I would not, therefore, wish to divert staff at the medal offices to undertake an exercise of the sort that has been requested, at the expense of issuing the medal to Suez veterans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the fairness of competition between airlines operating in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [136181]

Fairness of competition between airlines is a matter for the UK competition authorities and, insofar as there is a potential effect on trade between EU member states, the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to equalise aviation landing charges throughout the UK; and if he will make a statement. [136180]

There are no plans because the Government do not set landing charges. These are set by the airport operator and, in the case of the designated airports, the CAA sets a price cap to airport charges in its capacity as economic regulator.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) bus drivers and (b) bus passengers were injured as a result of items being thrown at buses in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [136184]

The information is not available. The Department collects information on bus drivers assaulted by members of the public, assaults on passengers on buses and vandalism to vehicles, but this is not sufficiently detailed to determine how many injuries were as a result of objects thrown at buses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will decide on the Central Railway project. [136250]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce his decision on the Central Railway proposals; and if he will make a statement. [136592]

A decision will be made as soon as is practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, in respect of applications for entry clearance from working holiday makers, identical requirements and conditions are applied for applicants from each Commonwealth country. [133077]

I have been asked to reply.Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department will take to instigate levels of nitrogen dioxide consistently within EU limits by 2010 at Heathrow Airport. [135294]

Heathrow Airport lies within an Air Quality Management Area declared by adjacent local authorities. Various emissions sources may contribute to potential NO₂ exceedances in 2010. In the vicinity of Heathrow Airport mitigation strategies could apply to aircraft, airside and road traffic sources, although general 'background' levels of NO₂ are also a major contributor (as elsewhere). BAA plc is required to produce and review an Action Plan to minimise emissions from Heathrow Airport as a condition of the planning permission for the Fifth Terminal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government are taking in (a) European and (b) other international fora to encourage other countries to include international aviation in the Kyoto Agreement. [136252]

Emissions from international aviation are not included in national targets under the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2008–12). However, the Kyoto Protocol does require contracting parties to work through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation. The Government are therefore working hard in ICAO to engage other countries in the climate change debate and to reduce emissions from aviation. Discussion on action beyond 2008– 12 will begin in 2005 when the Government will work closely with all Parties and argue strongly that the framework for global action after 2012 should address international aviation emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to establish a public inquiry into the proposed increase in the Mersey Tunnels toll. [136081]

Yes. A date for when the inquiry will start will be announced in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions has he had with Triumph about motorcycles capable of 200mph; and what suggestions he made to the firm about manufacturing such a motorcycle. [136086]

I have had no such discussions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with transport operators and regulators in Tyne and Wear concerning (a) integrated passenger transport networks and (b) the future of the Tyne and Wear Metro. [136030]

Officials from the Transport Team at the Government Office for the North East have meetings, on an approximately quarterly basis, with officers at Nexus (Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive). Discussions cover the full range of Nexus' work in developing and promoting an integrated passenger transport network in Tyne and Wear, including buses, rail, metro, ferry and concessionary fares. In addition Government Office officials attend regular meetings chaired by the North East Assembly, attended by representatives of bus and rail operators providing services in Tyne and Wear.Officials from Government Office for the North East and Department for Transport have also had several meetings during the past year with Nexus concerning its proposals for the future development of the Tyne and Wear Metro and the possibility of tram and bus based extensions to the system. The most recent meeting was held on 21 October 2003. I understand that Nexus intends to submit an outline business case for funding for these developments in 2004 and officials have provided advice to Nexus on their potential submission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the locations on the River Tyne that are the subject of discussions between his Department and the Port of Tyne Authority concerning the dredging and disposal of contaminated sediment. [136027]

The locations on the River Tyne that are the subject of the application from the Port of Tyne Authority to DEFRA for a licence for the dredging and sea disposal of contaminated sediment, submitted in February 2003, are referenced in the application as:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what alternative disposal routes his Department has identified with the Port of Tyne Authority for contaminated sediment dredged from the River Tyne. [136028]

It is not for the Department for Transport to determine alternative disposal routes for contaminated sediment dredged from the River Tyne. The Port of Tyne Authority made an application, in February 2003, to DEFRA for a licence for the dredging and sea disposal of contaminated sediment from various locations on the River Tyne. Discussions on matters of detail relating to this application are on-going and, primarily, for the Port Authority and DEFRA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the negotiations between the Port of Tyne Authority and his Department concerning the dredging of the river to reach a conclusion. [136029]

Negotiations concerning the dredging of the River Tyne are primarily for the Port of Tyne Authority and DEFRA in connection with the Port Authority's application for a licence, submitted to DEFRA in February 2003, for the dredging and sea disposal of contaminated sediment from various locations on the river. Discussions between the Port Authority and the Department for Transport about this matter will continue until such time as a satisfactory conclusion is reached. I am aware that further information is being sought from the Port of Tyne Authority as part of their on-going discussions with DEFRA and that a final decision cannot be reached until such time as all the facts are to hand. It is not possible at this stage to say when this might be but the need to move to an early resolution is fully recognised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has commissioned on the correlation between the speed of vehicles and the number of road accidents. [136083]

The Department has commissioned various studies into the correlation between vehicle speed and road accidents. These are either summarised or referenced in the Department's review of speed management policy entitled "New Directions in Speed Management—A review of policy" published in March2000. Copies of this document are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the reasons for the slowing down of the rate of decrease in road fatalities in this decade. [136084]

The Transport Research Laboratory has been commissioned to investigate the reasons for the slowing down of the rate of decrease in road fatalities as part of their on-going work on monitoring the progress towards the 2010 casualty reduction target. It is a complex issue that demands in-depth analysis because there are different trends for different road user groups and for different accident types.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the standard of driving on roads; and if he will make a statement. [136185]

One of our key road safety goals is to improve the standard of driving and our road safety strategy sets out a number of measures to achieve this. "Tomorrow's roads: safer for everyone", published in March 2000, is available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve road signage and road markings. [136186]

The appearance of signs and markings, and conditions for their placing, are specified in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 (SI 3113), which came into effect earlier this year. Guidance on good practice in the design and use of signs is given in the Traffic Signs Manual. An updated Chapter 7, on sign design, and Chapter 5, on road markings, will be published later this month. It is the responsibility of individual traffic authorities to ensure that signs and markings are used in conformity with the statutory requirements and Government guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the risk to (a) motorists and (b) pedestrians posed by the level of non-compliance with traffic signals by pedal cyclists in London [136388]

The Department has made no such assessment. It is an offence for any vehicle not to stop at traffic signals when required to do so. Any cyclist or other road user who fails to comply with traffic signals is a danger to themselves and other road users.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of licensing pedal cycles as a means to improve compliance by cyclists with road traffic regulations. [136390]

The Department has examined the case for a road tax on cyclists in the past. It would require a registration system like the one for motor vehicles and the costs of the system would certainly outweigh any benefits for enforcement of road traffic offences by cyclists. Moreover, increasing the costs of cycling would not support our policy of encouraging more people to consider cycling as a viable mode of transport and we have no plans to introduce such a tax.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to make the wearing of bicycle helmets compulsory when riding on roads; and if he will make a statement on their safety uses. [136159]

A study commissioned by the Department to look into the effectiveness of cycle helmets, published in November last year, found that overall, the evidence suggests that cycle helmets are effective at reducing the severity of brain and upper facial injuries for all ages, and especially children. This reinforces our view that we should encourage helmets to be worn by children.A survey undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory measuring wearing rates in 2002 found that the rate for all cyclists on built-up major roads was 25 per cent. The wearing rate is continuing to increase, with the exception of boys under 16 where the rate has reduced from 16 per cent. in 1994 to 12 per cent. in 2002. At these levels making helmets compulsory would cause enforcement difficulties and without greater public acceptance could have an effect on levels of cycling. We are making special efforts to persuade adolescents, and especially boys, to wear helmets. We will continue to monitor wearing rates by all ages and review the option of compulsory wearing from time to time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have died from head injuries whilst riding a bicycle in each of the past 15 years. [136160]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to raise awareness of safety issues on the roads for (a) bicycle users and for (b) car drivers. [136161]

The Road Safety Strategy, "Tomorrow's Roads—Safer for Everyone" sets out our aims to improve road safety for cyclists and car drivers. This is being done through publicity, training opportunities for cyclists, education initiatives and driver testing and training. Recent publicity campaigns have included drink driving, speed, mobile phones, seat belts and cycle helmets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to seek a joint meeting of representatives of the police, local government, the National Assembly for Wales, the NHS and the Home Office to discuss issues relating to tackling crime and disorder in Wales. [135535]

The Welsh Community Safety Unit works closely with the 22 Community Safety Partnerships in Wales to tackle crime and disorder. The membership of these partnerships includes the police, local authorities and local health bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the impact of the rate of the euro on European funding available in Wales. [135536]

My right hon. Friend and I meet regularly with Treasury Ministers to discuss a range of issues.The Spending Review 2002 settlement enabled the Welsh Assembly to continue to meets its commitment to the success of the Objective 1 programme in Wales.I understand that £595 million has so far been committed to 955 projects in West Wales and the Valleys.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of community support officers in Wales. [135538]

The Government are carrying out an ongoing assessment of CSOs throughout England and Wales. Forces with CSOs are submitting evaluations now and we hope to provide an interim assessment by the end of the year.CSOs have been welcomed across Wales and I have been impressed by the amount of positive feedback that has been received even at this early stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on employment in the manufacturing sector in Wales. [135539]

Manufacturing industry is a major contributor to our economy and to employment in the UK and in Wales.The Government are committed to stimulating enterprise and economic growth through our macroeconomic policies, funding programmes and our "Manufacturing Strategy".

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to promote the prosperity of Welsh farming. [135540]

Over the last few months I have visited a range of agricultural producers and manufacturers across Wales and I will continue to do everything possible to promote Welsh produce and producers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to assist the retention of women in the work force in Wales. [135541]

Widening employment opportunities for women has always been a key priority for the Government. As examples of recent legislation, all women are now entitled to 26 weeks' maternity leave, and employers must give serious consideration to parents' requests for flexible working arrangements. Financial support has also been made available to enhance the provision of child care facilities—in Wales this is the responsibility of the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Department of Health regarding the number of painkillers available over the counter in Wales which contain codeine phosphate. [135542]

I have not held specific discussions on products containing codeine phosphate, but I am aware that the position in Wales is the same as that in England.According to the records held by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), there are currently 96 granted marketing authorisations for medicinal products containing the active ingredient codeine phosphate. These are licensed as pharmacy medicines and are available without prescription from a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist. No products containing codeine phosphate are licensed for general sale.The National Assembly has recently supported 'Ask about Medicines Week' in October. This is an awareness week to highlight the role of pharmacists and increase people's understanding of medicines.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether United Kingdom consumers withdrawing euros from automatic teller machines in European Union member states are subject to additional charges. [136661]

Whether United Kingdom consumers are subject to charges for withdrawing euros from automated teller machines in European Union member states is determined by the terms and conditions of their accounts and of the automated teller machines they use.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effect upon consumers of the cross border payments regulation adopted on 1 July 2002. [136662]

The Regulation on cross-border payments in euro seeks to prevent excessive charges for consumers for certain cross-border payments in euro by imposing requirements in connection with the level, transparency and facilitation of charges for these types of payments. It does not apply to sterling denominated payments.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of children in Coventry he estimates will benefit from the additional £250 to the Child Trust Fund. [136141]

This information is not available. However, it is estimated that around a third of all children will receive the additional payment of £250.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of third world debt which the IMF and World Bank is prepared to cancel; and if he will make a statement. [136061]

The UK Government remain fully committed to the rapid and full implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative to ensure that it delivers a robust exit from unsustainable debt for the world's poorest countries. At present, 27 countries have reached Decision Point and have started to receive interim relief. Of these countries, eight have reached Completion Point and are now also receiving irrevocable debt relief.In the September 2003 publication "Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative: Status of Implementation", the staffs of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) provided an update on progress under the Initiative and new estimates of costs. This document is available on both the World Bank and the IMF websites. Table 9 in the document sets out the status of delivery of assistance by the World Bank. Under the original and enhanced HIPC Initiatives, the World Bank has made total debt service reduction commitments of US$12.4 billion and has delivered $2.5 billion.Table 11 sets out the status of delivery of assistance by the IMF. Under the original and enhanced HIPC Initiatives, the IMF has made total debt service reduction commitments of SDR £1.8 billion (approximately $1.3 billion) and has disbursed SDR £1 billion (approximately $740 million). The Special Drawing Right (SDR) serves as the unit of account of the IMF and is allocated to member countries in proportion to their IMF quotas.The UK has provided commitments of around £2 billion of debt relief to eligible HIPC countries and has pledged a total of $474 million through the multilateral institutions to further support the initiative. The UK is committed to providing 100 per cent. relief for eligible HIPC countries, and calls for all bilateral, multilateral and commercial creditors to participate in the Initiative.The HIPC Initiative has an important role to play in maximising the resources available for poverty reduction in developing countries. However, unless there is an increase in the volume of resources available from donors to poor countries, additional debt relief would simply reallocate resources from one form of financing to another, and from non-HIPC poor countries to HIPC countries, without adding to the overall financing available for poverty reduction. Furthermore all HIPC countries would still need additional aid to meet the Millennium Development Goals even if all of their debt from the World Bank and IMF were forgiven. That is why the UK's proposal for an International Finance Facility is so important. It can provide the much-needed substantial increase in resources that debt relief alone would not achieve, which could be disbursed by way of grants and additional debt relief.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses have been registered for VAT in the York unitary authority area in each year since 1995. [135949]

VAT Registration thresholds are reviewed as part of the Budget process. The Small Business Service produces statistics that are available on their website at www.sbs.gov.uk which show that VAT registrations for the York unitary authority area from 1995 were as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the recent increase in fuel duty. [136265]

My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced the increase in fuel duty in his Budget statement in April.Following that announcement, the legislation implementing this change was debated in Parliament as part of the Finance Bill, which received Royal Assent on 10 July and it took effect on 1 October.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken to appoint the fund managers of the futurebuilders investment fund. [136066]

An open competition to appoint the fund managers was launched on 10 September. A procurement exercise is now under way. It is hoped to make an appointment in December, with the funds coming on stream in the last quarter of this financial year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the (a) total and (b) average liability for stamp duty land tax after 1 December for farm business tenancies; and if he will make a statement. [135604]

I regret that this information is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people living in York have received each tax credit in each year since each was introduced. [135950]

The numbers of families receiving the Working Families' and Disabled Person's Tax Credits in each local authority and constituency in each quarter between May 2001 and November 2002 are shown in "Working Families' and Disabled Person's Tax Credit Statistics. Geographical analyses". Estimates, based on a sample of cases, of the numbers receiving the Child and Working Tax Credits in each local authority and constituency at July 2003 are shown in "Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics. Geographical analyses". These documents can be found on the Inland Revenue website, at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu.htm.No corresponding estimates are available for the Children's Tax Credit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated annual cost is of administering (a) child and (b) working tax credit. [136150]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General gave my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 3 June 2003, Official Report, column 30W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Exchequer proceeds were in the last financial year of charging value-added tax on cycle helmets. [136427]

From 1 April 2001, the Government removed VAT from adult cycle helmets. Children's cycle helmets have never been subject to VAT.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were unemployed in (a) the Edinburgh West parliamentary constituency, (b) the City of Edinburgh local authority area and (c) Scotland in each year between 1985 and 1995. [136624]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when funds provided by his Department for landmine clearance in Afghanistan in 2003 were made available to de-mining teams there; what role the UN is playing in adminstering these funds; and when de-mining personnel in Afghanistan funded by his Department were first paid for this work in 2003. [135845]

In 2003 The Department For International Development has provided £2.3 million to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UN MAS) for mine and unexploded ordnance clearance in Afghanistan. This has provided additional support to the on-going activities of UNMAS in Afghanistan allowing an increase in the number of deployed mine clearance teams from 94 to 134 and an increase in the number of mine action personnel to over 8,000. DFID does not directly fund humanitarian demining personnel in Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on attacks on de-mining teams in Afghanistan. [135846]

Attacks on demining teams took place in March and April this year on the Kabul to Kandahar road. Since June 2003 the Ministry of Interior has provided four hundred guards to protect teams working on mine clearance and the reconstruction of the road between Kabul and Kandahar. As a result the number of attacks have decreased.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money (a) his Department and (b) other Departments of the Government (i) have pledged and (ii) provided to the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFSAS) since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [136311]

The Governments of Central Asia established the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) in the early nineties; an interstate mechanism for developing and centrally funding regional environmental and research activity aimed at improving the environmental situation in the Aral Sea region. Although the established mechanism provides for an operational framework to generate international assistance, in practice the IFAS has failed to become a functioning institution with a strong regional environmental remit. The failure is attributed to a number of factors but chiefly by the general lack of enthusiasm by the governments in the region to cooperate on practical issues.A $12 million Water and Environmental Management Project financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), managed by an Executing Agency of IFAS, has a component to develop longer term, sustainable regional and national water management strategies; to replace the current system of annual ad hoc water allocation and distribution arrangements which is slowly breaking down. This strategy will help to develop strategic choices at the river basin level such as water allocation between and within the five states, cost sharing for operations, maintenance, rehabilitation and improvement of the existing infrastructure. The UK contrilbutes to the GEF and last year DFID provided an additional contribution of £15 million to the third replenishment.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much (a) electricity and (b) other energy his Department has used in each year since 1997 (i) in total and (ii) per square metre; what the projected use is for each of the following years for which forecasts are made; what plans he has to reduce usage; and if he will make a statement. [135056]

For information on how much electricity and other energy DFID has used in each year since 1997 I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr. Bradshaw) on 4 November 2003, Official Report, column 403W.Forecasts of future consumption are still in the process of being developed. We have occupied our 1 Palace Street building for less than two years and a reliable baseline is only now emerging. Similarly, our East Kilbride office is undergoing extensive refurbishment and extension that will completely alter the energy consumption picture there, and our subsidiary London office is being vacated in 2004 so is excluded from future predictions. However the Department's aim is to reduce its energy consumption in accordance with Government targets, and to this end the London and East Kilbride refurbishments include such features as energy-efficient boilers, low-energy light bulbs and tubes, and, where appropriate, movement sensors instead of light switches to ensure that lights are not left on unnecessarily in unoccupied rooms. The offices have also had their computer monitors replaced throughout with low-energy flat screens. In addition, the London office electricity supply has been 100 per cent. from renewable sources since July 2002, while from this month the new supply contract for East Kilbride is 10 per cent. renewable (the maximum available there). Also at East Kilbride, a feasibility study for an on-site wind turbine is currently under way. The staff Green Awareness programme includes an energy section and a computer switch-off campaign backed up by monthly monitoring and feedback.DFID is committed to the Government's Sustainable Development Framework and Targets, which include an Energy component, and is developing an Environmental Management System based on ISO 14001 in order to deliver these. Building management systems incorporate energy reduction elements; consumption is monitored monthly and any undue increases investigated.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list bilateral aid for (a) reproductive health care, (b) family planning and (c) sexually transmitted disease control including HIV/AIDS, broken down by (i) project or sector aid, (ii) programme aid, (iii) technical co-operation, (iv) grants and other aid in kind, (v) humanitarian assistance, (vi) his Department's programme and (vii) CDC investments for each financial year since 1996; and if he will make a statement. [135267]

The following provides the figures for DFID bilateral expenditure on 'HIV/AIDS'¹ and 'Reproductive Health'².We regard reproductive health as an essential and inseparable element of good health. We believe that the best way to deliver this is for people to be given the right, freedom and support necessary to enable them to take full individual and personal control of their own fertility and reproductive health. Reproductive health continues to be a key priority for DFID and we remain firmly committed to the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) target of achieving access to reproductive health for all by 2015.There is no simple solution to HIV/AIDS crisis. It is a very complex and globally diverse epidemic. Condoms or drugs alone are not the answer to tackling HIV/ AIDS. The fight against HIV/AIDS also has to include effective public health programmes involving education, prevention, treatment, care and support. For any of these programmes to be implemented successfully they need to involve government, education, health, agriculture, civil society and the private sector and this is the approach the UK promotes.In financial year 2002–03 alone DFID spent over £270 million on projects related to reproductive health and HIV/AIDS.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list his Department's total funding to (a) UNFPA, (b) WHO sexual and reproductive health programme, (c) UNICEF sexual and reproductive health programme, (d) UNAIDS, (e) International Planned Parenthood Federation, (f) Marie Stopes International, (g) Interact Worldwide (population concern) and (h) International Family Health in each financial year since 1996 for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [135266]

The following table details the funding provided to the various organisations listed since 1996.We regard reproductive health as an essential and inseparable element of good health. We believe that the best way to deliver this is for people to be given the right, freedom and support necessary to enable them to take full individual and personal control of their own fertility and reproductive health. Reproductive health continues

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid his Department has (a) pledged and (b) contributed to emergency relief programmes for victims of the Orissa Floods in India; and if he will make a statement. [136312]

DFID did not receive any request for assistance from the Government of Orissa, nor any NGO for the floods in year 2003. However, Care India utilised £25,000 for flood relief from an on-going DFID supported drought relief project of £1.5 million. It was encouraging to note that Government of Orissa was well equipped and organised to manage the flood relief.In 2001 DFID contributed £800,000 for flood relief through UNDP and International NGOs. The relief focused on two key areas: agriculture and a combination of cash/food-for-work programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many unexploded cluster bomblets he estimates there are in Basra; how many unexploded cluster bomblets have been (a) cleared and (b) marked by munition clearance organisations in Basra since the end of hostilities in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [135853]

UK forces used approximately 80 cluster bombs against a number of Iraqi military targets and fired around 2,000 artillery delivered L20A1 Enhanced Range Bomblet Shells, mainly in the UK area of operations around Basrah. The UK has over 120 military personnel in Iraq, approximately 1 per cent. of our total in-theatre force, for clearance of explosive remnants of war, and a significant number of Royal Engineers are involved in the marking and fencing of bomblet strike and mined areas. They have already completed 1.600 clearance tasks of unexploded ordnance of all types and have now made safe 619,000 explosive remnants of war and 350,000 small arms rounds.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's spending on mine clearance by the United Nations. [135850]

DFID's current policy of channelling a high proportion of its funds for Humanitarian Demining via United Nations Agencies is currently being reviewed. This will be the first formal review of the policy. The UN agencies have a mixed record of success in their various roles; in particular the role of global coordination and the management of field operations could be improved. However there have also been some significant successes (Kosovo and Sudan are two examples).

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid his Department has (a) pledged and (b) contributed to emergency relief programmes for the victims of the Tharparkar Floods in the Sindh province of Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [136313]

Following the floods in August DFID made a contribution of £97,100 to Oxfam UK to help address the immediate needs of 2000 families in Badin District in Sindh Province.Emergency assistance to affected families was also provided by the national authorities of Pakistan, UN agencies and other international non-government organisations to meet the immediate needs of those affected.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the population of (a) Zambia, (b) Ethiopia, (c) Iraq and (d) Malawi he estimates has access to a plentiful supply of safe drinking water. [135296]

The Global Water Supply and Sanitation Assessment 2000 (World Health Organisation (WHO)/ United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)) provides baseline figures on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Joint Monitoring Programme is continuing and will provide the United Nations reference data for access to improved water supply.The figures for the proportion of the population with access to improved water supplies were:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the proposed South Caucasus oil pipeline; and what discussions he has had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the environmental consequences of the proposed pipeline. [136065]

DFID interest in the Baku-Tbilisi Ceyhan (BTC) pipe line project in the South Caucasus is as a shareholder of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group and of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The Board of the IFC has already decided to provide finance for this project, and the Board of the EBRD is expected to take a decision on this on 11 November.Both institutions have carried out rigorous due diligence, including on social, environment, legal and commercial issues, in accordance with their standard procedures. DFID has not duplicated this work but, in view of the complexity of the project, commissioned consultants to carry out an assessment of its compliance with the environmental safeguard policies of the IFC and EBRD. I am placing this assessment in the Library of the House.In considering the IFC and EBRD proposals on the BTC project, DFID carried out extensive Whitehall co-ordination, including with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will ask the UN Relief and Recovery Unit to publish reports confirmed of confirmed incidents of (a) politicisation and (b) the corrupt use of (i) international food aid and (ii) GMB grain in Zimbabwe. [135346]

The World Food Programme (WFP) have agreed with all their implementing partners a protocol for reporting irregularities, and in particular political interference, in relation to the distribution of donor-funded food aid. which accounts for the large majority of food being distributed in Zimbabwe this year. This information is shared with donors and implementing partners. We believe that, so long as there is no damage to the effectiveness of international humanitarian operations in Zimbabwe, the UN should also make this information available publicly. We and other donors are discussing this with the UN as part of the present review of the UN's Relief and Recovery Unit (RRU).Despite continual pressure from WFP, the Government has provided very little information about its own plans and activities in relation to food and grain distribution which it funds itself, distributed by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB). The UN agencies do not have a formal role in monitoring the activities of the GMB, in which donor funding is not involved. However, some local non-Governmental Organisations do monitor food supplies, including those from GMB, and publish reports locally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the scale of poppy production in Afghanistan in each year since 1996. [136535]

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), conducts an annual survey into the level of opium cultivation and production in Afghanistan. Their figures since 1996 are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Moroccan authorities on the imprisonment of Ali Salem Tamek. [136491]

[holding answer 4 November 2003]: We have made no recent representations to the Moroccan authorities on the imprisonment of Ali Salem Tamek. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mike O'Brien) gave him on 28 April 2003, Official Report, column 133W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the recent Argentine-British Council meeting held in Argentina is endorsed by the Government as an official forum for discussing Anglo-Argentine relations; what support was provided by (a) the Government and (b) the British embassy in Buenos Aires for the meeting; and whether a Minister from his Department attended. [136495]

[holding answer 4 November 2003]: The Argentine-British Council (ABC) is a non-governmental organisation. The Government did not offer financial support for its recent meeting. Our ambassador in Buenos Aires held a reception at his residence for all ABC delegates. A member of our embassy attended a session of the meeting as an observer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the export of arms to Morocco, with specific reference to their use in the Western Sahara. [136493]

[holding answer 4 November 2003]: Secretaries of State from the main Government Departments involved in export licensing are in regular contact with each other on the subject of specific export license decisions and broader export control policy matters. However, Morocco has not been raised recently in such contacts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the Government's responses to the questionnaires issued by the Italian Presidency on the Intergovernmental Conference negotiations on the Convention on the Future of Europe. [136140]

Yes. I will place written responses in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 20 October 2003, reference 132935, what discussions he has had with EU institutions on the relationship of sections 2 and 3 of the European Communities Act 1972 and the jurisprudence to which he refers of the European Court of Justice since the case of Costa v. ENEL; and what assessment he has made of the judgments of the United Kingdom courts in (a) Macarthys Ltd. v. Smith and (b) Thorburn v. Sunderland City Council in relation to the principle that no provision of national law may be invoked to override Community law. [135482]

[holding answer 3 November 2003]: The UK has given effect to its obligations under the EU treaties through the European Communities Act 1972. Costa v EN EL set out the clear principle that its obligations under the treaties cannot be overridden by domestic legal provisions.In Thorburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will publish the evidence that underlay the claim by the UK's special representative to Iraq on 28 October that foreign terrorists were behind the bomb attacks in Iraq on 26 and 27 October; [135942](2) upon what evidence the claims made by the UK's special representative to Iraq that elements in Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and further a field in the Islamic world are contributing to instability in Iraq were based, with particular reference to the bomb attacks on 26 and 27 October. [135943]

We have received information from a wide range of sources about the infiltration of foreign extremists into Iraq. The bombings on 26–27 October are currently under investigation by the Iraq authorities and the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). We do not know at this stage the identities of those responsible for these attacks, although as Sir Jeremy Greenstock said, the use of suicide bombers may indicate the involvement of foreign terrorists.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Governments of (a) Iran, (b) Syria, (c) Afghanistan and (d) other Islamic countries regarding terrorists from those countries entering Iraq to participate in terrorist activities. [135944]

We have discussed border security with all of Iraq's neighbours and urged them to tighten up security and border controls to deny terrorists access to Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional steps the Government has taken to ensure the security of (a) British personnel and troops and (b) those working for international aid organisations in the south of Iraq since 26 October. [135947]

Security measures are kept under constant review by UK commanders on the ground. The safety and security of all UK personnel is paramount. Force protection measures in place in southern Iraq are consistent with the current threat level. The Coalition offers security advice and assistance to aid workers wherever possible. However, international aid organisations are responsible for ensuring that adequate personal security arrangements are in place for their staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 12 May 2003, Official Report, column 85W, to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith), on nuclear non-proliferation, what further actions his Department will pursue to implement the disarmament measures identified at the end of the 2000 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference; and if he will make a statement. [135824]

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the cornerstone of the nuclear nonproliferation regime. The United Kingdom fully supports the Final]Document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference and the 13 practical steps towards disarmament that it identified. We intend to continue our close co-operation with other NPT members to strengthen the effectiveness of measures against nuclear proliferation.To that end, we will participate actively in the NPT review process, including the next Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) in April and May 2004 and the subsequent Review Conference in 2005. We will continue to provide reports at those meetings on our progress on all actions agreed in the 2000 Final Document. The UK is currently working on research into the verification of nuclear disarmament, and we will be presenting a second interim report on our studies at the next PrepCom. We intend to issue a consolidated report on this research at the 2005 Review Conference. This will contribute significantly towards one of the 13 practical steps towards disarmament identified in the Final Document of the 2000 Review Conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made since 11 September 2001 to the Israeli Government to persuade it (a) to sign and ratify the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, (b) to ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention and (c) to sign and ratify the Biological Weapons Convention. [135825]