To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel in each year since 1997 by his Department's predecessors in areas relating to transport, stating in each case (a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [137737]

Neither the Department for Transport nor its predecessors has awarded any contracts to Bechtel since 1997 in areas relating to Transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the sharing of windfall profits was the subject of negotiations with the infrastructure companies in the London Underground Public Private Partnership contracts; whether provision is made for windfall profits in the contracts; and if he will make a statement. [137521]

Windfall profits were considered in the negotiations between London Underground and the PPP consortia.The contracts provide the infrastructure companies reasonable certainty that they will receive a level of payment sufficient to earn an agreed rate of return if they are economic and efficient in delivering the services. The periodic reviews, every 7½years, by the independent PPP Arbiter will, among other things, aim to enable the infrastructure companies to earn an agreed rate of return for the next period, while providing efficient and economic delivery of their services and take account of the rate of return earned in previous period.The contracts specify that in the event of the infrastructure company re-financing its debt, London Underground Ltd. would receive a share of any benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost was of (a) setting, (b) monitoring and (c) measuring the performance targets for his Department in 2002–03; and how many and what grades of civil servants monitor these targets. [137958]

Performance targets for the department were agreed as part of Spending Review 2002. The monitoring and measurement of PSA targets forms part of departmental performance management. Performance management is an integral part of the day to day running of the department, and as such it is not possible to separate out the specific costs. The monitoring of progress towards, and performance against, the department's PSA targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of violence on railway trains have been reported to British Transport Police in the last three years for which figures are available, broken down by operating company. [137190]

The British Transport Police (BTP) does not record crime statistics broken down by train operating company. However, the BTP have provided information regarding incidents of violence on trains for the last four years. Table 1 shows the total number of offences reported in England and Wales and Table 2 shows the total number of offences reported in Scotland.

Table 1: England and Wales
	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03	April 2003 to October 2003
Actual Bodily Harm	781	824	766	209
Disorder and Affray	103	144	143	29
Assaults on Police	36	28	28	17
Assaults and Violent Incidents	119	115	118	115

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter dated 3 October from the Member for Banff and Buchan to the hon. Member for Wentworth, regarding VAT on building repairs. [137583]

I have done so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the merits of introducing a tax on carrier bags supplied by supermarkets. [137093]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 22 October 2002 Official Report, column 213W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what action his Department will take in response to the recent report by the Statistics Commission on the accuracy of the 2001 census for the Westminster city council area; [136989](2) if he will ask the Statistics Commission to investigate the accuracy of the 2001 census in Blackpool; [136990]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what policy advice the Inland Revenue gives to local authorities on the taxation of the expenses given to a councillor in a mayoral year. [137244]

Guidance to local councils on the expenses and allowances payable to councillors and civic dignitaries is published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).The ODPM guidance includes advice provided by the Inland Revenue on tax and National Insurance issues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the UK workforce was employed in creative industries in 2002–03. [135836]

I have been asked to reply.The most recent estimate of employment in the creative industries is for June 2002. It is estimated that at that time 6.7 per cent. of the UK workforce were employed in the creative industries, or in creative occupations outside of the creative industries.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held on 4th November; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [137073]

I attended ECOFIN on 4 November.The Council decided to postpone the discussion on the Excessive Deficit Procedure for France (recommended under Article 104(8)) until the next ECOFIN on 25 November. France has committed to a budget deficit of less than 3 per cent. of GDP in 2005. The presidency concluded that postponement was the favoured option.The Council endorsed the Economic Policy Committee (EPC) report on the impact of ageing populations on public finances and confirmed the mandate to EPC to produce new common budgetary projections by mid-2005 on the basis of approach outlined in the EPC report. The Council also invited the EPC to produce a study on economic incentives affecting retirement. I led the orientation debate on the Transparency Directive and expressed strong concerns about the regulatory burden of introducing mandatory quarterly reporting across the EU. I supported the principle of transparency but stressed the importance of balance between it and burdensome reporting requirements. The Presidency concluded that there was a realistic chance of finding a solution and Coreper should continue discussions, ahead of the next ECOFIN, according to European Parliament timetable.On structural indicators for the spring report 2004, the Council adopted the following conclusions:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 29 October 2003, Official Report, column 243W, on EDS, what sums have been paid (a) in VAT and (b) in respect of capital purchases by the Inland Revenue since 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [136947]

The information requested is as follows:

(a)	£million
1998–99	44.9
1999–2000	51.8
2000–01	51.4
2001–02	76.1
2002–03	64.7

(b)	£million
1998–99	48.0
1999–2000	43.4
2000–01	46.9
2001–02	135.5
2002–03	37.9

During 2001–02 and 2002–03 the Inland Revenue exercised its right under its contract with EDS to buy out the future finance lease obligations for the EDS-held assets used to provide IT services to the Inland Revenue under the terms of the IT service agreement. This did not affect the legal status of the contract.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment was made of the environmental effects before setting duty rates for (a) liquefied petroleum gas and (b) biodiesel in the 2003 Finance Bill. [137499]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Waveney (Mr. Blizzard), 8 September 2003, Official Report, column 102W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people (a) paid income tax and (b) paid no income tax in each of the last 10 tax years. [136749]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to table 2.1 on the Inland Revenue website for the number of taxpayers in the UK http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/income_tax/it_t01_1.htm and the Office For National Statistics website for the population estimates for the United Kingdom for the years 1991–2000, 2001 and 2002 respectively.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of pensioners paid income tax in each nation of the United Kingdom in (a) 1996–97 and (b) 2002–03, broken down by region. [137219]

[holding answer 10 November 2003]: Estimates for the number and proportion of taxpaying pensioners for the years 1996–97 and 2002–03 by Government Office Region are given in the table.

	Number of taxpaying pensioners(numbers: thousands)1		Percentage of pensioners paying tax2
Region	1996–973	2002–034	1996–97	2002–03
England	3,200	4,100	36	45
North East	140	200	30	40
North West and Mersyside	420	530	34	42
Yorkshire and the Humber	280	370	30	40
East Midlands	250	330	33	42
West Midlands	290	410	30	42
East of England	380	460	39	44
London	410	530	38	52
South East	670	770	45	51
South West	400	510	40	48
Wales	200	270	35	46
Scotland	330	410	36	43
Northern Ireland	70	90	30	33
United Kingdom	3,800	4,900	36	45
1 Men aged 65 and over and women aged 60 and over.
2 Mid-year population estimates on the number of pensioners are supplied by the Office for National Statictics.
3 This estimate is based upon the 1996–97 Survey of Personal Incomes.
4 This estimate is based upon the 200–01 Survey of Personal Incomes and is consistent with April 2003 budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of the Treasury supplement to the National Insurance Fund for the current year if it were paid at the rate specified in section 1(5) of the Social Security Act 1973; and what proportion of the total cost of the basic pension this would be. [132275]

The rate of Treasury supplement varied each year. The rate that applied when it was abolished in 1988–89 was 5 per cent. On this basis, Treasury supplement (if it still applied) would be £3.4 billion in 2003–04.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on Treasury revenues of the exemption for private schools arising from their charitable status from (a) income tax, (b) corporation tax, (c) capitals gains tax, (d) stamp duty and (e) inheritance tax on gifts in each of the last five years. [137468]

Information is not available on the costs of charitable reliefs broken down by type of charity. The available information relates to all charities and is published in Table 10.2 of Inland Revenue Statistics at: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/charities/menu.htm.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1)if he will take steps to amend tax legislation to make St. Helena a tax-free zone; [137434](2)if he will provide tax breaks for companies who relocate their offices to St Helena. [137438]

No. The fiscal affairs of St. Helena are primarily for its own Government. The UK would only intervene in exceptional circumstances.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 3 November 2003, Official Report, columns 455–56W, on stamp duty land tax, if he will publish his assessment of the impact of stamp duty land tax on the retail sector. [137603]

The impact of stamp duty land tax on the retail sector was considered and discussed as part of the recent consultation process, as my earlier answer made clear. However, no formal assessment has been made of the impact on the retail sector.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the reasons are for the differences in the statistics on value added tax registrations and de-registrations published by HM Customs and Excise in its value-added tax bulletin for September, dated 20 October and by the Department of Trade and Industry in its Statistical News Release 03/111, dated 21 October. [137659]

[holding answer 10 November 2003]: The data published by the Department of Trade and Industry's Small Business Service is taken from the Inter-Departmental Business Register and not directly from HM Customs and Excise.Customs and Excise receive their data directly from traders' requests to register and deregister. These figures are published in the VAT Bulletin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's policy is on the application of the Government's Better Payment Practice Code. [136839]

Defra's payment policy is to pay invoices within 30 days of receipt and agreement of a valid invoice properly supported with proof of delivery of the goods, services and works requested. Defra is a signatory to the Government's Better Payment Practice Code. My Department's payment performance is reported annually to Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of English Nature. [137139]

We strongly support the role and work of English Nature. Lord Haskins was asked to review the way the Government delivers its rural policy. This included the activities of those organisations that act directly on behalf of Defra, such as English Nature. We have recently received his report and are considering his recommendations carefully. The report has been published today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will publish her Department's assessment of the impact on farm business sectors of different options for decoupling; [135351](2) what assessment she has made of the relative impact on unsupported livestock farmers of decoupling using

A copy of such an assessment made by economists in Defra has been placed in the Library of the House. The assessment was placed on the Department's website on 16 October and copies have been sent to some stakeholders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultations she has had with (a) deer, (b) bison and (c) other unsupported livestock producers about the impact of Common Agricultural Policy reform on their businesses. [135354]

A public consultation was launched on 22 July in England on the CAP reform agreement, seeking views on various options available to member states in implementing the new system. Consultation responses have been received from the British Bison Association, a deer farmer in North Devon and organisations concerned with the welfare of livestock including unsupported species. In previous consultation rounds responses were received from a deer farm in Fife and the British Deer Farmers' Association.The Farm Animal Welfare Council is one of the Department's key stakeholders on CAP reform and is a member of my noble Friend the Lord Whitty's stakeholder group.Separate consultations are being undertaken by the Departments responsible for agricultural policy in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the action the Government are taking to protect and support the UK food supplements industry. [135765]

I have been asked to reply.The Government support a safety-based approach to the regulation of food supplements. In considering specific proposals for regulation of this sector, the Government take account of the views of all stakeholders, including the food supplements industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what requirements are placed upon her Department by the (a) National Audit Office and (b) European Union concerning invoices submitted to her Department by contractors in respect of the (i) 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease and (ii) subsequent clear-up operation; and if she will make a statement. [132771]

Public bodies are required to operate financial controls that ensure public monies are properly accounted for and that the risks of systematic and systemic overcharging, financial abuse and fraud are minimized and that value for money is secured. A key requirement of this financial control is that there should be a clear audit trail with sufficient supporting documentation at all key stages.The National Audit Office's role is to enable the Comptroller and Auditor General to certify my Department's financial statements and to examine and report to Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the use of my Department's resources. As such they enabled the C&AG to certify and report on the expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of the (i) 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease and (ii) subsequent clear-up operations as recorded in my Department's resource accounts for the years 2000–01 and 2001–02. The National Audit Office also enabled the C&AG to examine and report on whether the Department acted in a cost-effective manner and whether there were adequate controls against irregularity. Their recommendations are contained in their report "The 2001 Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease" published by The Stationery Office and available also on the NAO website—www.nao.gov.uk. The House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts published on 14 March 2003 its Fifth Report of Session 2002–03—the 2001 Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease—covering the report, together with Proceedings of the Committee, Minutes of Evidence and an Appendix.The European Commission auditors are auditing the expenditure incurred in respect of the eradication of foot and mouth disease in 2001. As part of this work commission auditors carry out on the spot checks of the costs incurred during the 2001 outbreak. This includes the examination of invoices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to ensure that labelling of potatoes in shops and supermarkets indicates the type of potato. [136357]

I have been asked to reply.The Food Labelling Regulations 1996 (as amended) require potatoes sold in shops and supermarkets to be labelled with the potato variety. Enforcement of these labelling requirements is the responsibility of local authorities. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has funded the development of a robust DNA method to check whether potato variety information is accurate. In a United Kingdom-wide survey published in October, the FSA found that 96 out of 294 (33 per cent.) samples were not labelled correctly. These results have been passed to the relevant local authorities, which are taking appropriate action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risks of market distortion if Scotland or Wales were to apply a different policy from England in respect of the decoupling of livestock support payments. [132632]

Full decoupling of livestock subsidies frees producers to farm in response to market demands. It ensures that resources may be released to undertake more profitable activities rather than being constrained to activities which generate low value added, in order to be eligible for subsidy. The removal of the constraint on producers' choice allows them to alter their activities in order to generate increased incomes or, if they wish, to continue with their current production patterns.These benefits to producers are independent of any action in other parts of the UK because full decoupling removes the constraints on their business decisions but does not force them to change their activities. It is in producers' best interests in one part of the UK to benefit from full decoupling irrespective of the choices made in other parts. However, if the whole of the UK does not opt for full decoupling then the overall benefits to the economy will be diminished.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria she has applied when deciding whether to seek to make a statement in the House on the environment since the creation of her Department. [135471]

[holding answer 30 October 2003]: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has made Oral Statements on a variety of subjects since the creation of Defra in June 2001, including a statement on the environmental issue of climate change (Kyoto protocol) in June 2002. In addition the House is kept informed of Departmental policy by means of Written Ministerial Statements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to publish Lord Haskins' review of her Department and its agencies; and if she will make a statement. [137837]

Lord Haskins was asked to review the way the Government deliver their rural policy. The report has been published today, and a written statement has been made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State this morning.Copies of the report are available in the Vote Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the review of rural delivery policies being undertaken by Lord Haskins. [135076]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish Lord Haskins' report into rural delivery. [135367]

[holding answer 30 October 2003]: I asked Lord Haskins to review the way the Government deliver their rural policy. I have recently received his report and am considering his recommendations carefully.The report has been published today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to place anaerobic digestion on an equal level with composting in the Government's waste hierarchy. [132663]

The Government have agreed that anaerobic digestion should be treated as a contributor to both composting and energy recovery within the Municipal Waste Best Value Indicators. A consultation document seeking views on the options for bringing anaerobic digestion into the composting category of best value and for determining the method for allocating the proportions of treated waste that count towards composting and energy recovery was issued on 15 October. It can be viewed on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/ consult /anaerobic-digestion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the deployment of reservist forces to Iraq; what the longest period served by a reservist in Iraq has been; and what range of specialisms has been covered by reservists in Iraq. [137547]

The range of specialisms provided by reservists to support Operation Telic broadly reflects those possessed by the Regular Forces plus a number of specialist areas unique to the Reserves. The range includes: RN amphibious warfare advisers, logisticians, intelligence analysts, linguists, RN mine warfare specialists, media operations, combat engineers, amphibious bridging specialists, signallers, port operating specialists, NBC warfare specialists, movements personnel, medical personnel, meteorologists, aircrew, ground crew, railway specialists, POL operators, HGV drivers, cooks, ambulance crews, administrative staff and the Army and Royal Marine combat arms.The individual reservist who has served longest in Iraq is an Army military intelligence specialist who was called-out for service on 2 February 2003 and who has volunteered to extend his period of service to 2 August 2004. Obviously, this does not represent the normal experience and most reservists will serve no more than six months in Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military equipment including (a) a description of the equipment, (b) the quantity and (c) the intended recipient gifted by the Government to other countries since September 2002; and which of those gifts were funded from the Global Conflict Prevention Fund. [136284]

The following items have been gifted to other countries since September 2002:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the visits made by Ministers in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by constituency. [136913]

This information is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average cost was of procuring (a) each

Programme	Comment	MPR UPC (£ million)
Typhoon	MPR 03	56.8
Challenger II battle tank	Challenger II last appeared in the MPR in 2000 as delivery concluded in FY 2001–02	3.7
Type 45 destroyer	MPR 03.(Includes PAAMS missile systems)	552.7
Astute class submarine	The current estimated total resource cost for the three boats on contract of £3.6 billion includes design, development and other costs specific to a first of class. These costs would not be attributable to further buys should any subsequent orders be made. The National Audit Office has agreed that a it would be misleading to produce a UPC for Astute at this stage.	—
Nimrod MRA4	No UPC is provided in the MPR, however an indicative figure has been given here. For Nimrod MRA4, a significant part of the Agreement with BAE Systems announced on 19 February by the Minister for Defence Procurement was the separation of production from design and development until we have seen demonstrated performance from the first three aircraft used for flight trials. The indicative production cost of Nimrod MRA4 will thereafter be influenced by the outcome of these design and development results, timing of build and appropriate contractual negotiations.	60

It should be noted that unit production costs are on a resource account basis and exclude development costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were recruited to each of HM armed forces in the most recent year for which figures are available, broken down by region. [137502]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave on 17 September 2003, Official Report, column 754W, and 29 October 2003, Official Report, columns 222–27W, to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants in his Department are seconded to other (a) Governments, (b) organisations

Outward secondments to organisations
Organisation	Number of personnel seconded	Start date	End Date
United Kingdom Council for Electronic Business	1	June 2002	December 2003
Employment Opportunity Now	1	July 2002	July 2004
The Princes Trust	1	August 2002	August 2004
Civil Service Sports Council, Sports and Leisure	1	August 2002	August 2005
Defence Industries Council	1	September 2002	September 2004
Royal Institute of International Affairs	1	September 2002	September 2004
Forum for the Future	1	October 2002	October 2004

[holding answer 10 November 2003]: Unit production costs (UPC) for major equipment programmes, where these are practical to construct, can be found within the information given in the Ministry of Defence Major Projects Report (MPR). Those figures are estimated in accordance to methodology agreed with the National Audit Office (NAO). The NAO expect to publish their MPR 2003 in December and copies will be available as normal in the Library of the House.Current estimated unit production costs for the projects listed are as follows:and (c) companies; to which; for how long; and if he will make a statement. [136522]

Information available on Ministry of Defence civil servants seconded to other Governments is not held centrally. As at 3 November 2003 personnel currently seconded from the Department to companies and organisations is outlined in the following two tables:

Outward secondments to companies
Company	Number of Personnel seconded	Start date	End Date
LogicaCMG	1	April 2002	April 2004
Rolls Royce PLC	1	July 2002	July 2004
Thales, France	1	July 2002	July 2004
Admiral	1	July 2002	July 2004
Atomic Weapons
Establishment	1	August 2002	August 2004
BAE Systems	2	November 2002	November 2003
		January 2003	January 2004
Lloyds Register	1	November 2002	November 2004
		March 2003	March 2005

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what type of radiation (a) submariners and (b) radiation workers are exposed when they leave radiation-controlled areas on board submarines. [137697]

Both submariners and radiation workers leaving radiation-controlled areas may be exposed to very low levels of gamma and neutron radiation on board the submarine, if the reactor is operating. The construction of the submarine, and controls on occupancy of all areas, ensure that the amount of such radiation received by personnel is below Ministry of Defence's self-imposed limits, which are themselves well below all legal limits. If the reactor is shut down, the gamma and neutron radiation falls to natural background radiation levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many resignations from the Territorial Army have been tendered in each of the past 10 years; and how many have been received in 2003 to date. [137726]

[holding answer 10 November 2003]: Data are not held centrally on the number of tendered resignations from the Territorial Army prior to 1998. Once the information from 1998 onwards has been collated, I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on research on unmanned aircraft in each of the last 10 years. [137339]

The Ministry of Defence has a long-established research programme into Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), with a total of approximately £40 million invested over the past 10 years. The figures for annual expenditure on this research programme are provided in the table.It should, however, be noted that these figures detail the expenditure on UAV-specific research only: research into technologies such as aerodynamics, stealth and sensors is of relevance to UAVs but has a wide range of applications.

	Spend (£million)
1994–95	11.0
1995–96	11.0
1996–97	11.0
1997–98	11.0
1998–99	2.1
1999–2000	3.7
2000–01	5.1

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United States of America military helicopters are based in the UK. [137387]

[holding answer 10 November 2003]: The MH-53M Pave Low is the only United States military helicopter based in the United Kingdom. Seven of these aircraft are currently based at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what health protection measures are in place at aircraft manufacturing plants where depleted uranium counter weights are installed in aircraft wings. [136720]

I have been asked to reply.Work with depleted uranium is governed by the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99) enforced by the Health and Safety Executive and any employer working with depleted uranium has duties under those regulations.The use of depleted uranium as a counter weight installed in aircraft wings presents little radiological risk and so few, if any health protection measures are required by the IRR99. It is only when the depleted uranium is machined or in some way dispersed as a dust that, because it can be inhaled or ingested, it presents any significant radiological risk. The IRR99 would then require protection measures such as adequate local ventilation and/or the use of appropriate respiratory protection and protective clothing to minimise those risks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to enforce regulations limiting excessive packaging on products. [137543]

The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003 are enforced by local Trading Standards Offices who work closely with the packaging industry and producers to advise them on best practice in packaging design and to resolve complaints of excessive packaging. A recent study commissioned by the DTI highlights the extensive changes brought about since the introduction of the Essential Requirements. These relate to improvements in packaging design, including minimisation. This report can be viewed at www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability/finalpackagingreport.htm and is also available from DTI publications order line (0870 150 2500).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases were considered by the Housing and Estate Agents Ombudsman in the last year for which figures are available; how many cases were (a) upheld and (b) rejected; what the average time taken was to consider cases; and the average cost per case. [137194]

This is a matter for the Ombudsman for Estate Agents. However, I understand from the Ombudsman's 2002 annual report that 2,306 complaints concerning member agencies within the scheme's terms of reference were received in 2002. Of the 583 cases closed, 340 were found in favour of complainants, 239 in favour of member agents and four outside the terms of reference.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to promote inward investment in the north west. [136916]

UK Trade and Investment is charged with ensuring that the UK as a whole maintains its place as the number one destination in Europe for inward investment in the EU. It works with the North West Development Agency (NWDA) to provide a tailored service to encourage inward investment in the region. The NWDA uses a targeted approach to secure new investment in key sectors. This contributed towards the north west being the top UK region for job creation in 2002–03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investigations have been overtaken by officials of her Department into the production methods of minerals imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo. [136511]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for compensation from former miners for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger have not been allowed since the schemes began; and what the average solicitor's fee charged was for dealing with each of these unsuccessful claims. [137019]

As of 26 October 2003, 16,383 respiratory disease claims and 11,096 vibration white finger claims have been denied.Under the Claims Handling Agreement, agreed with the solicitors representing the claimants, no costs are paid to solicitors where a claim is denied.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions (a) her Department and (b) representatives of the Government has had with (i) local communities, (ii) members and representatives of the Government of the Philippines and (iii) non-governmental organisations concerning the activities of UK companies in the mountains of Zamboanga del Norte in the Philippines since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [136937]

There has been some routine contact with local officials and organisations in Zamboanga City, as elsewhere in the Philippines, on general economic issues. However, officials at the British embassy in Manila have no current knowledge of UK firms with commercial interests or activities in the mountains of Zamboanga del Norte.The FCO currently advises against all travel to central, southern, and western Mindanao, where the threat of terrorism and kidnapping in the Philippines is greatest. The mountains of Zamboanga del Norte are within this region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to reassess the list of countries selected as target markets for preferential trade promotion; if she will withdraw preferential trade promotion status from Israel; and if she will make a statement. [137115]

The trade promotional activities of UK Trade and Investment (formerly British Trade International) reflect commercial developments overseas which present real and specific opportunities for UK industry sectors. In the case of Israel, we have identified opportunities, particularly in the high tech industries, and have developed a programme of activity designed to bring these opportunities to the attention of UK firms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to ensure that owners of small businesses are informed by enforcement agencies of (a) new regulations and (b) changes in existing regulations. [136616]

Individual enforcement agencies are required to publicise new regulations as part of the implementation process developed by SBS. To reinforce this, DTIs Small Business Service also provides a signposting service for all small businesses requiring information on new regulations.They do this by providing details of current regulations on the Business Link website and in "The No-Nonsense Guide to Government rules and regulations for setting up your business," which was published by Business Link earlier this year.Our website will shortly highlight changes to regulations as they occur and will enable proactive alerts on these changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of (a) imports to and (b) exports from St. Helena was in each of the last five years. [137435]

According to estimates published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), St. Helena's trade in goods with the rest of the world were as follows:

St. Helena's trade in goods with the world
US$ million, current princes and exchange rates
	Exports	Imports
1997	6	44
1998	6	30
1999	8	53
2000	7	28
2001	11	27

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the future of the Government's textile strategy after the end of import quotas in 2005. [137349]

The UK textiles and clothing industry faces tough challenges. The way for this vibrant and innovative industry to secure the future, despite the very real competition faced from China and other low cost suppliers, is through investment, continual innovation, diversifying into new markets or products, more efficient production methods and continually raising its game to remain competitive.My Department is working with the industry-led Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group, which aims to build a sustainable future for the UK industry by increasing its competitiveness to meet the challenges of globalisation and the impact of the final stage in the phasing out of import quotas in 2005. This work is underpinned by my Department's Manufacturing Strategy, which is helping to ensure that UK manufacturers have the right conditions for growth and sustainability to enable them to improve productivity and to move up the value chain to high skilled, knowledge intensive operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what import quotas are in place for textiles; and what assessment she has made of the effect of removing them. [137350]

The European Union currently imposes import quotas on imports of certain textiles and clothing products from 19 supplier countries. Under the terms of the GATT/WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) a ten-year quota phase-out from 1995 is underway and will be completed on 31 December 2004. From 1 January 2005 quotas will only remain on textiles and clothing imports from a small number of non-WTO member countries (e.g. Vietnam, north Korea, Belorus). No assessment of the effects of quota removal specifically on the UK has been made, though an EU-wide assessment is due to be released early in 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what tariffs are in place on the import of textiles; what assessment she has made of the future of the tariff system after 2005; and what tariffs are imposed on the import of textiles outside the EU. [137351]

As a result of the GATT/WTO Uruguay Trade Agreement, maximum EU tariffs on imports of textiles and clothing from 1 January 2004 will be 0 per cent. for textile raw materials, 4 per cent. for yarns, 8 per cent. for fabrics and 12 per cent. for clothing and other made-up items (such as blankets). This represents a small reduction on current rates: a maximum 4.6 per cent. for yarns, 8.2 per cent. for clothing and 12.2. per cent for clothing and made-up items. No further change in the tariff system is expected until the results of the Doha Development Agenda are implemented when we hope to see a significant reduction in global industrial tariffs. EU tariffs are among the lowest in the world in the textile and clothing sector in which tariffs of over 30 per cent. are not uncommon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of exports of textiles from (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland was in each of the last 10 years in (i) cash and (ii) real terms. [137354]

Data on the UK and Scotland's exports of textiles are given in the table:

UK and Scottish exports of textiles (excluding clothing)
£million
	Current Prices	2000 Prices
UK exports
1993	2,836	2,591
1994	3,212	2,858
1995	3,447	2,965
1996	3,654	3,193
1997	3,629	3,329
1998	3,305	3,134
1999	3,066	3,021
2000	3,027	3,027
2001	2,969	2,951
2002	2,829	2,820
Scottish exports
1993	n/a	n/a
1994	n/a	n/a
1995	n/a	n/a
1996	290	n/a
1997	280	n/a
1998	259	n/a
1999	248	n/a
2000	252	n/a
2001	253	n/a
2002	212	n/a

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of textile imports into the United Kingdom was in each of the last 10 years in (a) cash and (b) real terms. [137355]

Data on the UK's imports of textiles are given in the following table:

UK imports of textiles 1993–2002—trade in textiles (excluding clothing)
£million
	Current prices	2000 prices
1993	4,405	4,279
1994	4,819	4,431
1995	5,190	4,289
1996	5,598	4,716
1997	5,698	5,145
1998	5,538	5,359
1999	5,202	5,349
2000	5,238	5,238
2001	5,453	5,444
2002	5,415	5,710

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment her Department has made of the (a) impact and (b) cost to UK companies of the 1998 Brazilian Government decree recognizing and officially demarcating the lands of the Marubo, Matis, Matses, Kanamari, Kulina and Korobo peoples in the Javari valley in Western Amazonia as an indigenous area; and if she will make a statement; [136935](2) what assessment her Department has made of the (a) impact on and (b) cost to UK companies of the 1998 reclamation by the native Guarany; peoples of the Jarara, Sucuiy, Lima Ry and Potrero Guacu communities in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; and if she will make a statement. [136936]

None, since no representations have been made to this department on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) financial and (b) other assistance his Department (i) is providing and (ii) plans to provide to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [136860]

So long as the transition process remains on track, DFID is planning a significant increase in support to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the period 2003–06, with a view to helping DRC make progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.We have recently informed the Transitional National Government (TNG) of the DRC, and made public, a significant increase in our programme for DRC to £23 million for 2003–04, following the installation of the TNG this summer. The UK is working with other bilateral donors and multi-lateral agencies to ensure a coordinated response to the needs of the DRC. In 2002£03, in addition to £16 million in bilateral assistance, the UK contributed approximately £9 million through the EU, £26 million through the World Bank and £36 million through the UN agencies (including the United Nations Mission to DRC).Ensuring a successful transition process, including the successful embedding of the TNG, is crucial to our overall goal of ensuring peace and poverty reduction in the DRC and through that, the region as a whole. As a member of the Kinshasa-based International Committee for Support to the Transition, we are pressing for a well developed and shared understanding between donors and government of the transition process, as well as strong day-to-day co-ordination of donor support.We are providing direct support for the basic infrastructure needs of the Transition Institutions, which include the Offices of the President and the four Vice Presidents, Government, Parliament, Senate, Supreme Court and the five Democracy Support Commissions (Elections, Human Rights, Truth and Reconciliation, Anti-Corruption and Media). We have provided technical assistance for the drawing up of a national Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) strategy, and have offered similar support on the Security Sector Reform (SSR) strategy and the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). We are also looking at providing some civil service capacity building support to the Government with UNDP and other donors.It is crucial for DRC and the wider Great Lakes region that the transition process remains on track. We are therefore making continued efforts to strengthen and consolidate peace, which include humanitarian support, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants, army, police and justice sector reform, and grassroots peace-building.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions his Department has had with the Governments of (a) the Democratic Republic of Congo, (b) Rwanda and (c) Uganda regarding the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [136861]

The UK is seeking to help resolve conflict and establish conditions for genuine development in the whole of the Great Lakes region. We have maintained a close dialogue with the former Government and now the Transitional National Government (TNG) in Kinshasa and with the Governments of Rwanda and Uganda on the need for good neighbourly relations as the basis for national and regional stability. We continue to do so.Both Rwanda and Uganda have taken positive steps recently to normalise their relations with the TNG in DRC, including mutual ministerial visits and the signing in New York on 25 September 2003 of a Good Neighbourly Pact, which included commitments that all support for armed groups should end and that there should be no illegal exploitation of natural resources of the DRC.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the UK's combined net public and private investment and development assistance to the developing world was in each year since 1995 in terms of percentage of GDP. [137506]

The information requested is given in the following table. Note that such flows are usually expressed as a percentage of gross national income (GNI) rather than GDP.

Total UK net flows(amounts extended less amounts received) to developing countries 1995–2002
£million
	Official flows	Private flows	Total	As a percentage of GNI
1995	2,164	5,968	8,132	1.15
1996	2,102	11,590	13,692	1.83
1997	2,027	9,046	11,073	1.39
1998	2,299	4,301	6,600	0.83
1999	2,103	7,353	9,456	1.05
2000	2,927	1,737	4,664	0.50
2001	3,181	3,453	6,634	0.67
2002	3,272	9,264	12,536	1.18

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what impact he estimates the security situation in Iraq will have on promotion of (a) democracy and (b) reconstruction of Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [136559]

Today there are over 40,000 police on duty in Iraq, the first battalion of the new Iraqi Army has graduated and is on active duty, a major police recruitment and training exercise is under way, and a new police academy has opened in Basra. Over 30 countries (in addition to the UK and US) have a total of 16,000 troops on the ground in Iraq, as part of the international stabilisation effort.Although the security situation has restricted the activities of the international staff of aid agencies, politicians, coalition officials and Iraqi citizens are able to go about their business. Progress is being made in promoting democracy and undertaking reconstruction. Political parties are forming, the Iraqi media is now free and many newspapers are appearing, and civil society organisations are emerging. Ministries are functioning and plans are being formed to modernise the civil service. In addition, Iraqi business is beginning to grow, infrastructure is being restored and service delivery is improving. Donors have also been undertaking needs assessments and are making arrangements for funding following the successful Madrid Conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the average nutrition levels are (a) globally, (b) for each continent, (c) in each of the EU member states, (d) in each of the ex-Soviet Union states, (e) in each country in Africa and (f) in West Darfur; and if he will make a statement. [136643]

Worldwide, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimated that 840 million people were undernourished in 1998–2000. These figures include 11 million in the industrialised countries, 30 million in countries in transition and 799 million in the developing world. There is no single measure of nutrition levels: different indicators measure different aspects of nutrition. The attached table, based on data in the World Bank's 2003 World Development Indicators, gives figures for three of these indicators where they are available.Recent reports from West Darfur, Sudan, using rapid assessment techniques indicate very high levels of malnutrition among people displaced by conflict. Relief agencies are seeking, as a matter of urgency, to investigate further using standard assessment methodologies.The Department for International Development (DFID) is concerned about the situation in all parts of Darfur. DFID has recently provided Save the Children UK with £500,000 for a humanitarian intervention. DFID has also agreed to provide £1 million to UNHCR for Sudanese from Darfur who have sought refuge in Chad. DFID is planning an additional £1 million contribution to the 2003 International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Appeal for Sudan and a £2 million contribution to the World Food Programme Emergency Operation in Sudan, in response to the situation in Darfur. Other interventions, through international NGOs and United Nations agencies in Darfur, are being considered.

Indicators of nutritional level1
	Proportion of population undernourished	Proportion of children under five underweight	Proportion of children under five stunted
(a) Global	18	—	—
(b) Region
Sub-Saharan Africa	33	—	—
Middle East and North Africa	8	15	—
L America and Caribbean	12	9	19
East Asia and Pacific	11	15	14
South Asia	25	53	47
(c) EU states	No comparable figures available
(d) Ex-Soviet2
Azerbaijan	—	17	20
Georgia	—	3	12
Kazakhstan	—	4	10
Kyrgyz Rep	—	11	25
Russian Fed	—	3	13
Tajikistan	—	—	31
Turkmenistan	—	12	22
Ukraine	—	3	16
Uzbekistan	—	19	31
(e) Africa
Algeria	6	6	18
Angola	50	41	53
Benin	13	23	31
Botswana	25	13	29
Burkina Faso	23	34	37
Burundi	69	45	—
Cameroon	25	22	29
CAR	44	23	28
Chad	32	28	29
Congo DR	73	34	45
Congo Rep	32	—	—
Cote d'Ivoire	15	21	25
Egypt	4	4	19
Eritrea	58	44	38
Ethiopia	44	47	52
Gabon	8	12	21
Gambia	21	17	30
Ghana	12	25	26
Guinea	32	33	41
Guinea-Bissau	—	25	—
Kenya	44	22	33
Lesotho	26	18	44
Liberia	39	—	—
Libya	—	5	15
Madagascar	40	40	48
Malawi	33	25	49
Mali	20	27	49
Mauritania	12	32	35
Morocco	7	—	—
Mozambique	55	26	36
Namibia	9	—	—
Niger	36	40	40
Nigeria	7	31	34
Rwanda	40	24	43
Senegal	25	18	23
Sierra Leone	47	27	—
Somalia	71	26	23
S Africa	—	9	23
Sudan	21	11	34
Swaziland	12	10	—
Tanzania	47	29	44
Togo	23	25	22
Tunisia	—	4	8
Uganda	21	23	39
Zambia	50	24	42
Zimbabwe	38	13	27
1 Taken from 2003 World Development Indicators—most recent figures available.
2 Where figures are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government's policy is on the proposed oil pipeline from Baku to Ceyhan. [137406]

I refer my hon. Friend to the written statement made on 5 November 2003 Official Report, columns 35–36WS, which sets out DFID's position on funding by the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group, for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many tourists he estimates will visit St. Helena in each year once (a) the breakwater and (b) the airport is completed. [137227]

No decisions have been made on whether to build a breakwater or an airport in St. Helena. The possibility of a breakwater, which the island authorities believe would provide safer and assured disembarkation and embarkation at all or most times from and to ships, is to be investigated further for technical and economic viability. For the latest position on possible establishment of air access, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my Written Statement to this House on 16 September 2003, Official Report, column 43WS. Last year, 7,692 arrivals were recorded by St. Helena's Immigration Department. This figure included 5,362 persons landed from cruise ships. The rest included other tourists, business visitors and those visiting friends and families. Consultants estimated in 2001 that total arrival numbers could increase to 14,850 within five years of establishing access by air. The St. Helena Government estimates that largely assured disembarkation and embarkation of passengers from and to ships could alone more than double the number of cruise ship visitors to the island.

To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements are made for chairing his weekly planning and co-ordination meeting in Downing street when he is unable to attend. [137904]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel for agencies responsible to her Department and its predecessor in each year since 1997, stating in each case (a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if she will make a statement. [137886]