To ask the Prime Minister (1) what estimate has been made of the cost of civil service time allocated to the Big Conversation consultation; [141882](2)what his Department's estimate is of the proportion of the total cost of the Big Conversation consultation that will be borne by the Government; [141883](3)how many civil servants have been seconded to work on the Big Conversation consultation.[141884]

The Labour Party is consulting its members and the wider community on the Government's progress and challenges ahead. This is a party document and has been issued by the Labour Party. No civil servants have been seconded to work on the consultation process.However Ministers and special advisers have of course participated in this process according to the rules laid out in the Ministerial Code and the Special Advisers Code.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to meet the Dalai Lama when he visits the United Kingdom in May 2004. [142064]

I have not received a request to meet the Dalai Lama.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to amend the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. [14250]

In its response to the ninth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, the Government proposed an amendment to the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers to clarify the relationships between special advisers and permanent civil servants. In the light of comments made, the Government have decided to delete the reference to "instructions" in the opening paragraph. A revised amendment has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to ensure that Ministers representing the United Kingdom abroad are adequately briefed on the London 2012 Olympic bid. [140508]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport gave to him on 3 December 2003, Official Report,columns 64–65W.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what percentage of (a)primary and (b)secondary legislation sponsored by his Department in 2002–03 was introduced to implement EU requirements. [141127]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations he has made to the Government of Angola about the reintergration of demobilised soldiers. [141374]

The reintegration of demobilised soldiers is a key issue in the UK's regular discussions with the Government of Angola.Since the end of the war in April 2002, over 88,000 ex-combatants have benefited from the Government of Angola's own disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programme.DFID is supporting the World Bank's Multi-country Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme (MDRP) for the Great Lakes region of Africa with a contribution of $25 million. The specific programme for Angola (ADRP) is an integral part of the MDRP and is worth $180 million over the next two years. The programme formally starts in January 2004 and will focus mainly on providing social and economic reintegration assistance including training and employment opportunities for 138,000 former combatants from UNITA and the government's own forces. My department has actively participated in each of the World Bank missions held over the last 18 months in order to design and set up the ADRP. DFID was also one of two donor countries (together with the Netherlands) to participate in the executive committee of the ADRP Special Project that aimed to provide 50,000 ex-combatants with seeds and tools for the autumn 2003 planting season and training in basic livelihoods skills for another 3,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made with supplying food to vulnerable people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [141372]

DRC is considered as one of 38 countries requiring exceptional external assistance by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN, as a result of the effects of civil strife and the presence of large numbers of displaced people and refugees. However not all vulnerable people in DRC require food aid, and the UN's assessed requirement for food aid in DRC is low relative to chronically food insecure countries such as Sudan or Ethiopia. In these circumstances emergency help with health and nutrition can be more effective in reducing mortality than food aid.Between 2000 and 2003 the World Food Programme delivered 259,081 metric tonnes (mt) of food for DRC. WFP began a distribution of 46,000mt of food aid in the east of the country in June this year in response to high levels of malnutrition there. This project is due to finish on 15 December. Just under 40per cent. of the requested food aid (17,237mt) has been distributed. DFID has not made a specific contribution to this, although it is supporting food aid distribution in the same area through the International Relief NGO, CESVI.DFID has steadily increased its humanitarian programme in DRC over the past five years.This year we will spend over 10 million on emergency humanitarian relief. Much of this is for emergency medical interventions, rather than food aid. We are also committed to supporting the new transitional national government and the political transitiongenerally in DRC. It is only with a lasting political solution that the needs of vulnerable people can be properly addressed.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the £60 million being held in the Treasury to be drawn down to assist humanitarian and reconstruction work in Iraq has been (a) drawn down to contribute to the Madrid pledge and (b) withdrawn. [141512]

The £60 million is included in the UK's total Madrid pledge of £544 for the three years from April 2003.£30.8 million of it has already been allocated, primarily towards meeting the costs of UK secondments to the Coalition Provisional Authority. The allocation of the remainder is under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action is being taken to prevent the assault and rape of civilians by gunmen in Liberia.[141371]

The international community has put in place a peacekeeping force under the direction of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). UNMIL has successfully created an arms free zone in Monrovia, and plans progressively to extend its influence over the entire country as it builds up to its full complement of 15,000 peacekeepers by March.The most effective way to provide security and protection for Liberian civilians is for all factions to implement the Accra Peace Agreement, signed in 17 August, beginning with instructions to their followers to disarm and demobilise. The UK, as part of the international contact group on Liberia, is supporting the implementation of the agreement. Plans to support the process and to reform the security services, including the police, as part of the reconstruction of Liberia are being taken forward by the UN and donors.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Sool Plateau in Somalia; and what assistance he has offered. [141369]

Approximately 90,000 pastoralists are at risk from the failure of the autumn rains in northern Somalia. The global malnutrition rate for the Sool plateau is just under 14 per cent., which indicates the need for close monitoring rather than immediate intervention.The humanitarian response includes: greater use of targeted family rations by WFP alongside UNICEF's supplementary feeding programme to screened children, monitoring of the health and nutrition situation; cash assistance to allow communities meet their non-food needs especially water, transport for livestock and/or people and to some extent pay up for accumulated credit; emergency water provision; emergency health services provision and veterinary services.A United Nations assessment found a difficult situation although not yet a humanitarian crisis. We are envisaging a contribution to a UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs emergency response fund that is likely to appear as an amendment to the 2004 Consolidated Appeal for Somalia. The UN's Children Fund received £1 million from DFID for its health and nutrition work in Somalia in March 2003. We will be making some further contributions to meet humanitarian needs in Somalia very soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total (a)area and (b)population affected by aircraft noise is within (i) 57 Leq contour, (ii) 63 Leq contour and (iii) 69 Leq contour and above at (A) Belfast International Airport and (B) Belfast City Airport. [141667]

The information requested is set out in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of those eligible for an influenza vaccination in Northern Ireland have received one; and what steps he is taking to increase take-up of the vaccination. [140809]

From commencement of 2003–04 flu vaccination campaign to 31 October 2003, 56.7 per cent. of the over 65 population in NI have received flu vaccination. This is up on the same period of 2002–03, when the figure was 56.3 per cent. In the under 65 "at risk" group for the period to 31 October, 41.4 per cent. of these have received flu vaccination. This is up on the same period of 2002—03, when the figure was 39.7 per cent.The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety ran the Influenza Immunisation Campaign. This included a TV advertisement and the vast majority of those eligible for immunisation also received a personal invite from their GP along with a detailed information leaflet. In October the Department also issued a second letter to GPs, Boards, Trusts advising that the influenza virus was circulating and exhorting them to take urgent action to encourage uptake of the vaccine, in particular among at risk children. Additional interviews for TV and radio encouraged those eligible to get the flu vaccine. At local levels, HSS Trusts and GPs took action to increase the uptake.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Department contributed to the research reported on in the report, Radioactivity Monitoring of the Irish Marine Environment 2000 and 2001, released in May by the Radiation Protection Institute of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on research collaboration between his Office and the RP II. [141673]

The Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland did not contribute to the research reported in the report, "Radioactivity Monitoring of the Irish Marine Environment 2000 and 2001", released in May by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland.The Department has undertaken a number of collaborative studies with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and University College Dublin since 1990. These studies looked at artificial radioactivity in Carlingford Lough, Lough Foyle and Strangford Lough and confirmed that contamination levels in the Northern Ireland environment are of negligible radiological significance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the joint-venture bid by Boeing and BAE Systems to provide air-to-air refuelling to the RAF. [140521]

Boeing and BAE Systems (with SERCO and Spectrum Capital) make up the Tanker and Transport Service Company (TTSC), one of the bidding consortia for MOD's Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) competition. The competition is on-going and it would therefore be inappropriate to make a statement. I have, however, recently met with both consortia concerned (AirTanker and TTSC) to discuss the UK industrial implications of their respective bids.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which British companies have investments in Burma.]141636]

[holding answer 2 December 2003].The two largest UK investors in Burma, Premier Oil and British American Tobacco, have agreed to withdraw from Burma. British investment is now minimal; a number of British tour operators have links with Burmese travel companies and Sea Containers/Orient Express operate cruises in Burma. I have however written to ABTA to suggest that travel operators promoting Burma, should think twice before proceeding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has in the company law review to ensure that company law and industrial and provident society law are brought into line; and if she will make a statement. [141485]

The Company Law Review (CLR) focussed on core company law and did not extend to industrial and provident societies.The Industrial and Provident Societies Act 2002 enables the Treasury to update industrial and provident society legislation in line with company law, following a change in company law.In order to provide for a strategic, consistent and up-to-date approach between companies and societies, the general modernisation of industrial and provident society legislation will be considered by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in the light of new companies legislation following the Company Law Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions her Department has had with (a)her European counterparts and (b)the European Commission regarding new proposals for an EC directive on cross-border mergers; what the outcome of those discussions has been; and if she will make a statement. [140526]

UK representatives have met with European counterparts and the Commission during the past 12 months in both Council and Commission Working Groups and in informal meetings to discuss the proposed cross-border mergers Directive, which is a part of the EU Action Plan on Company Law and Corporate Governance.The new proposal for an EC Directive on Cross-Border Mergers was published on 18 November 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what responsibility (a)the Government, (b)the regulator and (c)electricity suppliers have for maintaining electricity supplies in the event of severe winter weather. [141851]

Legal responsibility for energy security is shared by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Ofgem. The Secretary of State is responsible for setting the overall regulatory framework for the supply of electricity. A key part of that framework is set out in section 3A of the Electricity Act 1989 as amended by the Utilities Act 2000 and includes the objectives "to protect the interests of consumers". To this end the Secretary of State has made a new statutory instrument (The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002) requiring electricity distribution companies to prevent interruption of supply as far as is reasonably practical.Electricity for domestic consumers is provided through their contracts with electricity supply companies, which are trading organisations, not responsible for the electricity infrastructure such as overhead lines. The local infrastructure is the responsibility of electricity distribution companies. In each electricity distribution region the physical supply of electricity to customers is the responsibility of a monopoly Distribution Network Operator (DNO), regulated through an Ofgem licensing system. The Secretary of State lays down the Standard Licence Conditions. Enforcement of the licence conditions is for Ofgem.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on how the Euratom programme will provide opportunities for research that may help support the domestic skills base. [141486]

The Euratom programme covers both fission and fusion research and includes areas of research, like radiation protection, that the Nuclear Skills Group (NSG)^1> indicated might face a domestic skills shortage in the future. It allows the UK to be part of large scale cutting edge international projects like the fusion International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The programme provides opportunities for UK researchers to collaborate with other EU research groups encouraging the spread of best practice. It has a role to play in maintaining expertise and attracting younger scientists in a sector currently facing considerable change.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Government have contributed to (a)Euratom and (b)Euratom nuclear fusion research and development programmes in each year since 1997. [141487]

The EU budget is not disaggregated at project/spending level to show national contributions by members states. However, Euratom spending forms part of the UK's annual contribution to the overall EC budget. The following table gives the UK's financial share after abatement to the EC budget for the years 1997–2003¹

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much financial support the UK has received from Euratom for nuclear fission research in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement on research projects supported by Euratom. [141489]

The European Commission figures on the final use of funding for the FP5 Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection programme (1998–2002) provide an indication of opportunities that the programme brings to UK researchers. In FP5, the EC funded a total of 289 projects at a cost of 167.2 MEuro. UK participations totaled 266 and those participants received 21.6 MEuro of the available funding. Only France and Germany had a greater number of participations. Commission funding is paid direct to researchers and the UK Government hold no record of these payments.The Government take a proactive approach in the negotiation of the Euratom Programmes and content of both FP5 Euratom and the new FP6 Euratom programme (2002–06) broadly match UK interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export control licences have been revoked for each year since 1997; and on what grounds. [140724]

[holding answer 3 December 2003]:Since May 1997, the Government have published the number of export licences that have been revoked, and also on what grounds. These details are in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls, copies of which are available from the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the procedures adopted by the Insolvency Service for dealing with members of staff believed to be inefficient; and whether there have been recent changes in these procedures. [141258]

[holding answer 3 December 2003]:The Insolvency Service has two procedures to deal with inefficiency, unsatisfactory performance and unsatisfactory attendance. The procedures are designed to bring performance (or attendance) up to the required standard, and comply with employment legislation and the ACAS Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance (2000). The inefficiency procedure was revised earlier this year. Both sets of procedures will be reviewed again next year to ensure compliance with the Employment Act 2002 (Dispute Resolution) Regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Insolvency Service staff have had inefficiency proceedings initiated against them in each of the past five years; and what the ethnic background of the individuals concerned was in each year. [141259]

[holding answer 3 December 2003]:The following table shows the number of Insolvency Service staff and their ethnic background who have had inefficiency proceedings initiated against them in the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she is taking to implement British Standards in the reconstruction of Iraqi industry and commerce. [140535]

It is for a future, independent government in Iraq to decide which standards that country should adopt. The Coalition Provisional Authority is using existing standards as much as possible. I fully support this approach.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with representatives of the firm MG Rover about the decision to suspend production on 25 November. [141248]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total paid to date in compensation claims for (a)chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b)Vibration White Finger of former coalminers is in (i) the Rother Valley constituency and (ii) the United Kingdom. [141536]

As of 31 October 2003 £10.4 million had been paid for respiratory disease claims and £16 million for Vibration White Finger claims in the Rother Valley constituency; and as of 23 November 2003 £913 million for respiratory disease claims and £983 million for Vibration White Finger in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial contributions have been made by her Department to the Foresight Vehicle LINK programme. [142120]

The Department has made commitments totalling £12.4 million, as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the operation of the Foresight Vehicle LINK programme.[142122]

The Foresight Vehicle LINK programme supports technology transfer through collaborative R&D, aiming to raise the innovation performance of the automotive industry in the UK, including its supplier base. A supporting knowledge transfer network, now managed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, carries out technology roadmapping to set the research priorities for the programme, brokerage and dissemination activities. The programme includes a wide portfolio of projects, valued in excess of £100 million, in the key thematic areas of advanced materials; advanced electronics, sensors, software and telematics; powertrain; alternative propulsion systems; and design and manufacturing processes. DTI has now fully committed it funds of £12.4 million to the programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the recent change in the price of natural gas. [140520]

Wholesale spot gas prices rose from 15p a therm in September to a peak of 34p a therm in October (and on 2 December stood at 27.6p a therm). This may reflect seasonal factors.Ofgem has announced that it is seeking views from industry on the recent increase in wholesale gas prices, and that it is examining the allegations about possible manipulation of wholesales gas prices. In due course Ofgem will determine whether it is appropriate to start a formal investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the cost of managing nuclear waste in each of the next 10 years. [140957]

The cost of managing Britain's civil public sector nuclear waste is included within the estimated total of nuclear liabilities which currently stand at around £48 billion. Reliable estimates of annual costs are hard to identify as there remains considerable uncertainty surrounding both the total of the liabilities, and the ongoing operational imperatives and constraints at individual nuclear sites. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), which is intended to be operational from April 2005, will need to establish more certainty on the overall liabilities and annual costs. To this end the government has already started preparation of lifecycle baselines for NDA sites that will provide the basis for estimating the costs of clean up going forward. The NDA will be operating within the overall framework of Government policy on decommissioning and waste management and will need to manage the clean up programme accordingly.In the longer term, the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) will make recommendations to ministers about the long-term strategy for managing UK radioactive waste.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry from which other EU member states the sale of precious metal articles in the UK has been validated for sale by the hallmark of that member state; and whether such a validation process applied to past hallmarked articles from those member states. [140525]

As a signatory to the Vienna Convention, the UK accepts items marked with the Common Control Mark (CCM) without additional marking and testing. Other member states belonging to the Convention and entitled to use the CCM are: Austria, Finland, Portugal, Sweden, Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands. Following the ECJ Houtwipper judgment in 1999, the UK has also recognised the hallmarks of other EU member states without a CCM where they have been marked by independent assay offices. This includes France, Ireland, Portugal, the Netherlands and some Spanish marks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports and recommendations her Department has received since 1998 relating to the draft Directive on Articles of Precious Metal; and to what extent their recommendations have been followed. [140528]

The DTI has received a number of reports and recommendations from stakeholders about the draft Directive. The majority of these have been against the proposals. Since we believe that the draft Directive would effectively weaken consumer protection, and there was little support for a change of system, the UK did not support the Directive in Council Working Group discussions. At Coreper (Committee of Permanent Representatives to the EU), it was decided that the draft Directive and Progress Report would not go forward to the Council of Ministers on 27 November because of the lack of agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what business support schemes and organisations within her Department have been re-branded within the last two years; and what the cost was of each re-branding exercise. [141610]

No existing business support schemes or organisations within my Department have been re-branded within the last two years. Four new business support products were launched in spring 2003: these and future DTI business support products have to conform with DTI corporate brand guidelines which aim to standardise design and eliminate the cost of developing unnecessary new brand identities.I have joint responsibility with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for UK Trade and Investment, which recently brought together British Trade International, Trade Partners UK and Invest. UK under a single worldwide corporate identity at a cost of £600,000. Consequential savings of £250,000 per year are anticipated through the use of commonly branded stationery and promotional materials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times the Ministerial Panel for Regulatory Accountability has met since its formation. [141607]

I have been asked to reply.It has been established practice under successive Governments not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees. This practice is now formalised by Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish the outcomes of inefficiency proceedings initiated against members of staff in each of the past five years; how many involved (a)office transfers, (b)resignations and (c)dismissals; and what the ethnic background of the individuals concerned was in each year. [141260]

[holding answer 3 December 2003] :The DTI does not collect statistics on inefficiency proceedings initiated in each of the past five years in the form requested. The total number of dismissals for inefficiency in DTI HQ in the period June 1998 to November 2003 was 16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what research her Department is undertaking to establish the potential impact of offshore wind farms on common scoters; and if she will make a statement; [141955](2) what action her Department is taking to ensure that common scoters are protected from adverse impacts of proposed offshore wind farm developments; and if she will make a statement. [141956]

The DTI itself has not commissioned any research on the potential impact of wind farms on common scoter specifically. A DTI report published in 2001 assessed the effects of offshore wind farms on birds. The report reviewed all contemporary published data from both UK and overseas studies and looked at the effects, if any, that wind farms have on birds including common scoter.More recently, a Strategic Environmental Assessment has been completed in advance of the second round of offshore wind farm development. The Environmental Report resulting from the Assessment considers the full range of impacts that might arise from wind farm activity including those affecting birds. The Report also identifies additional studies that need to be carried out. These include further work on the distribution and main flight paths of seabirds including migratory, feeding and roosting patterns and their behavioural response to wind farms.The University of Wales at Bangor is close to completing a project on the potential displacement of birds (especially common scoter) from benthic feeding areas because of the impact of wind turbines. The Bangor study is being carried out on behalf of COWRIE (Collaborative Offshore Wind Farm Research in the Environment), a body which includes members drawn from the Crown Estate, Government, offshore wind farm developers and environmental groups.Before any offshore wind farm can be developed, a number of statutory consents are required—especially under either the Electricity Act, the Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) and the Coast Protection Act or under the Transport and Works Act and FEPA. As part of the application process for Electricity Act and Transport and Works Act consents, the applicant has to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment, the product of which is an Environmental Statement. This document addresses the potential environmental impacts (including those affecting bird populations) of the projects under application. In determining the application, the Secretary of State will consider any likely impacts on the environment including on any European sites in line with the requirements of the Birds and Habitats Directives. Any decisions about granting consents for offshore wind farms will consider advice provided by the statutory nature conservation bodies and other interested parties about their impact on the marine environment.Any consent granted in response to an application may include conditions that will minimise and monitor impacts. Since the Food and Environment Protection Act specifically addresses the protection of the marine environment, it is likely that conditions relating to seabirds would be incorporated into any licence issued under this Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to hold a public inquiry into Cirrus Energy's proposed offshore wind farm development at Shell Flat, Liverpool Bay; and if she will make a statement. [141957]

Cirrus Energy has applied for consent for the proposed Shell Flat offshore wind farm under the Transport and Works Act 1992 (TWA). The TWA process requires that a decision is taken on which one of three processes will be used to consider objections to an application for consent: a public inquiry, a hearing or an exchange of correspondence. The timing of this decision can be varied at the request of the applicant for the Order or at the instigation of the Secretary of State.No decision has yet been taken on how to deal with the objections to the Shell Flat proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what his Ministry's obligations are under the Government-to-Government arrangements with Saudi Arabia concerning the A1 Yamamah programme; [140789](2) if he will publish the terms of reference for the Director-General of the Saudi Armed Forces Project. [140790]

The Ministry of Defence's obligation in respect of the A1 Yamamah programme are covered in Government-to-Government arrangements, the details of which are confidential between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabian Governments. The Director-General of the Saudi Armed Forces Project (DGSAP) is responsible for fulfilling the Department's obligation under these arrangements. DGSAP and his staff are involved in the negotiation of the A1 Yamamah contracts, monitoring the progress and performance of the programme prime contractor in the delivery of goods and services to the Saudi armed forces and, when satisfied, endorsing claims made by the prime contractor in accordance with the terms of the contracts for payment by the Saudi Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hours on average were flown by RAF pilots based at RAF Marham in each month over the past two years. [141295]

The information in the table. shows the number of hours flown on average by pilots based at RAF Marham, by month. These figures include hours flown by exchange pilots from foreign air forces serving with RAF Squadrons based at the Station, as these are not recorded separately. On average there are two such pilots at the Station, and they would normally fly at the same rate as RAF pilots. The figures include hours flown by Marham-based pilots deployed on Operation TELIC, hence the increase in March and April 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many deaths in custody there have been since the start of the Iraq conflict of Iraqis (a) under UK responsibility, (b) under US responsibility and (c) under the responsibility of other authorities in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [141102]

There have been six recorded deaths of Iraqis while in the custody of UK Forces all of which are being investigated. The number of deaths of Iraqis in custody of authorities other than UK Forces is a matter for those authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on technology transfer agreements which have been concluded between BAE systems and the US Administration on the Joint Strike Fighter Project. [141922]

BAE Systems has recently concluded negotiation of an updated technology transfer agreement, marking a significant step on the path towards achievement of its full participation in the Joint Strike Fighter development programme. With the involvement of the company, a plan has been drawn up to identify future key technology transfer milestones, in order to ensure that further updates are signed when required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pages of (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation his Department put through Parliament in 2002–03. [141124]

My Department did not sponsor any primary legislation during the 2002–03 session.In the case of secondary legislation my Department was responsible for the making of 11 General Statutory Instruments which would have been considered by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments or the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments. These instruments made a total of 53 pages.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the NATO requirements for low-flying military training are for 2004; [140540](2) what discussions he has had with NATO colleagues on changes in the requirements for low-flying military training;[140541](3) what recent changes there have been in NATO policy on low-flying military training. [140543]

NATO sets the minimum standards for low-flying military training but does not have a separate policy on how to achieve these standards. Nations are responsible for their own training to achieve what is required of them and make their own arrangements for any low-flying training which they deem necessary. There are no foreseeable changes to this position in 2004 and I have not been involved in discussions with NATO on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Air Force, (c) Army and (d) civilian MoD personnel are on deployment to (i) NATO HQ in Brussels (ii) NATO Southern Command and (iii) other NATO command centres; and if he will make a statement. [141346]

As at 1 December 2003, the number of United Kingdom Ministry of Defence armed forces and civilian personnel in NATO HQs was as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military diplomatic personnel have been deployed to the United States in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [141347]

During the last five years since November 1998, 26 Service Attachés have been deployed to the United States. These are broken down as follows:

Three Defence Attachés (also the Head of the British Defence Staff, Washington)

Three Naval Attaches and five Assistant Naval Attachés

Three Military (Army) Attachés and three Assistant Military Attachés

Three Air Attachés and three Assistant Air Attachés

Three Heads of British Defence Intelligence Liaison Staff

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether a 24-month gap between tours has been achieved for (a) the 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots and (b)the 1st Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [140454](2) what the

The Army's Harmony guidelines recommend a tour interval of 24 months between each six month operational tour, per Army Battalion. Since 1997, the 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots and the 1st Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers have both experienced a gap of at least 24 months between operational tours.The 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots have undertaken two unaccompanied operational tours since 1997, with a gap of 36 months between them. In addition they have completed a two year residential (accompanied by families) tour in Northern Ireland.The 1st Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers, have completed four operational tours since 1997. The longest and shortest gaps between these tours are 26 months and 10 months respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many civilian milk tankers have been converted to military refuelling tankers; and how many of them have been deployed to Iraq; [141923](2) what the

No civilian milk tankers have been converted to military refuelling tankers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential of network-centric warfare in the future tactics of the (a) United Kingdom and (b) United States armed forces; and what plans he has to adopt it. [140567]

Developing a networked capability is fundamental to achieving desired effects in joint and coalition warfighting. It offers the potential for dramatic increases in tempo—the ability to make better quality decisions and act more quickly and with greater agility, control and precision.The Ministry of Defence has commissioned research to assess the positive impact of Network Centric Warfare, which we in the United Kingdom refer to as Networked Enabled Capability. At this stage, the preliminary results of this study indicate that Networked Enabled Capability will have a very positive impact on the operational effectiveness of our armed forces. The study is due to report next year and it is anticipated that it will produce detailed results demonstrating the benefit. Additionally, the MOD is collaborating and providing data for a United States Department of Defense (US DOD) study which is looking at the benefit delivered by Networked Enabled Capability. The outcome of this work is expected in the summer of next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many soldiers from Scottish battalions have been stationed in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years; and what estimate his Department has made of the number of soldiers required in future years; [141656](2) how many British soldiers have been stationed in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years; and what estimate his Department has made of the number of soldiers required in future years. [141657]

The number of Army personnel stationed in Northern Ireland, in each of the last 10 years, is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many people work for the (a) Army Personnel Centre and (b) Army Training and Recruiting Agency; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of each agency are; and how these figures compare to the previous year; [141023](2) how many people work for the

Figures for service and civilian personnel and overall staff costs relating to each organisation are provided below. Information on numbers of service personnel working in Scotland is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the original target date for the completion of work on surge capacity was; what the reasons were for the delay; and if he will make a statement. [140983]

We had planned to advise the Defence Committee of the results of the work on the need for a surge capability by the end of 2002. It took longer than anticipated to obtain all the relevant background information, but this meant that we were able to take account of the Ministry of Defence Police's experience in meeting extra commitments during Operation TELIC. The work resulted in recommendations for a modest increase in capability, including improved co-ordination and responsiveness.