To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the benefits of Bayer GM rice approved by her Department as animal feed on 7 January. [148610]

[holding answer 19 January 2004]: The application by Bayer for the importation of herbicide tolerant rice (event LLRICE62) into the European Union is being considered under the procedures set out in Directive 2001/18/EC. The Directive requires each application to market GM crops for commercial importation or cultivation to be assessed on a case-by-case basis on the scientific evidence of any risks it may pose to human health or the environment. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment concluded that, "This GM rice does not pose a risk to human health and the environment. The marketing of this product for importation and processing in the UK will be no different from that of other rice imported for processing and animal feed purposes." No assessment is required or made of comparative advantages with other products. The full UK assessment of Bayer's application is available on the Defra website at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/regulation/euconsent. htm.The UK is the lead member state on the application and therefore undertakes the initial assessment. The application and the UK's assessment will now be assessed by other EU member states and the Commission before a collective decision is made. Consent, if granted, would not permit cultivation of the rice in the EU nor, without separate approval, could it be used in human food.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to (a) conduct and (b) commission further research on how GM plants might invade new habitats. [148903]

The Department has commissioned research on the potential invasiveness of GM crops. An example is "An Investigation of Feral Oilseed Rape Populations" the report of which was published in February 1999. Details of this and other Defra-funded research projects that have included a consideration of the invasiveness of GM crops are available on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/research.In addition to work funded by the Department there has been a large body of research on the invasiveness of GM and other plants conducted elsewhere. This body of research was recently reviewed by the GM Science Review (details available from www.gmsciencedebate.org.uk). Chapter 6.2 of the their final report specifically considered research on the risks of invasiveness of GM crops.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the evaluation of the costs and benefits of the commercial cultivation of GM crops in the UK over the next 10 to 15 years. [148905]

As part of the GM dialogue the Strategy Unit carried out a study of the costs and benefits of GM crops. This looked at not only the range of GM crops currently available, but also those that might be available in 10–15 years.The unit concluded that GM crops could offer some cost and convenience advantages to UK farmers, although any economic benefit is likely to be limited in the short-term as only a narrow range of existing GM crops are currently suited to UK conditions, and weak consumer demand may limit take-up. In the longer term it concluded that future developments in GM crops have the potential to offer more wide-ranging benefits, to both farmers and consumers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government will decide their GM food policy. [148906]

We are considering our policy on GM food and crops generally in the light of all the information we have gathered. That includes the reports of the public debate and the science review, the Strategy Unit's costs and benefits study, the AEBC's report on coexistence and liability, and now ACRE'S advice on the FSE results. We will set out our conclusions in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has evaluated in which badgers have been systematically removed from an area, and the area kept free of badgers, where the incidence of TB in cattle has declined; and what conclusions she drew from this work. [148660]

Four large-scale badger clearances have been carried out, at Thornbury in Avon (104 sq km), at Steeple Leaze in Dorset (12 sq km), at Hartland in North Devon (about 62 sq km) and in an area of East Offaly in the Irish Republic (738 sq km). All four clearances were followed by a reduction in the incidence of TB in cattle.However, none of the previous TB control strategies that involved badger culling have been assessed in a properly designed experiment to establish their efficacy. While removal operations may have had an effect on the prevalence of TB in badgers and on herd breakdowns, other factors may also have influenced these. In the absence of scientific controls, it is not possible to separate out the effects of badger removal from these confounding factors.A complete assessment of previous TB control strategies can be found in the 1997 Report on Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle and Badgers by Professor John Krebs and the Independent Scientific Review Group (the "Krebs Report"), available in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the resources necessary to ensure that a given area is cleared and kept free of badgers, with particular reference to (a) number of visits and (b) personnel employed; [148651](2) what

As part of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT), ten areas are subject to "proactive" treatment. As many badgers as possible within the design of the trial are culled in these areas (each approximately 100 sq km) and badger numbers are kept as low as possible. After the initial cull, the work involves an annual re-survey and cull of all proactive areas. However, the human resources for "proactive" work cannot be separately identified, except at disproportionate cost.Information on the costs of trapping as a "proactive" culling method in the RBCT cannot be used to assess the resources required to clear an area of badgers, because this would require the use of snares, poisoning or gassing which have been ruled out by the Government on welfare grounds. The RBCT clears as many badgers as possible from proactive areas using cage traps, but this removes, at best, 80 per cent. of badgers.The average number of field staff employed by the Veterinary Directorate Wildlife Unit for field operations in the RBCT and the associated costs by financial year are given in the following table:

WLU Field Staff and Costs
Year	Number of Field Staff	Total cost of Wildlife Unit (£ million)
1998–1999	62	2.9
1999–2000	90	4.2
2000–2001	110	5.5
2001–2002	136	5.5
2002–2003	127	5.6
2003–20041	133	6.8
1projected

For most of 2001, field staff were reassigned to dealing with the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. Over the first three years of the Trial, contracts to carry out initial Triplet surveying were negotiated with the Central Science Laboratory and ADAS and additionally small numbers of staff were deployed from elsewhere in the Department to support major proactive cull operations. Badger culling, however, is always carried out by Wildlife Unit personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are in place to assess the effectiveness of the enhanced capital allowances scheme managed by the Carbon Trust; and if she will make a statement. [148915]

[holding answer 19 January 2004]: On behalf of Defra the Carbon Trust are carrying out an Impact Assessment of the Enhanced Capital Allowance for energy-saving technologies. Defra and the Carbon Trust will use the results of the assessment to consider further promotion of the scheme to ensure that it has the greatest possible impact.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with EU Ministers in connection with the Common Agricultural Policy since the Agriculture Council in June 2003. [148861]

Since June last year, the Common Agricultural Policy has been on the agenda at several of the monthly meetings of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, or her ministerial colleagues have attended. At its September meeting, agreement was reached on the Council Regulation implementing the June reform agreement. Since then, there has been discussion of the European Commission's proposals for further reform of the CAP, covering the cotton, tobacco, olive oil and hops sectors and of options for reforming the sugar regime.In addition, my right hon. Friend discussed CAP reform with the Irish Agriculture Minister in November as part of his preparations for Ireland's presidency of the European Union. Agriculture was also a major issue at the WTO ministerial meeting in Cancun in September at which my right hon. Friend discussed the June agreement and future CAP reform with her EU colleagues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with colleagues in the Department for International Development in connection with the development implications of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. [148862]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, has regular meetings with her colleagues from other Departments, including the Secretary of State for International Development, to discuss issues relating to the current World Trade Organisation negotiations. These discussions encompass the relationship between development and CAP reform.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the (a) advantages and (b) disadvantages of the proposed flood defence plan for Cheltenham. [148540]

Defra agreed the Environment Agency's strategic approach to flood management measures for Cheltenham in 1999 and has since provided grant to the Agency for the first three phases of works. Defra is currently considering the Agency's application for grant on the detailed proposals on the remaining four phases of works but in any event the commencement of works must necessarily await the outcome of the Agency's application for planning permission for these works. I understand that the Agency's proposals would reduce the risk of flooding to over 600 properties and provide environmental and amenity benefits. I also understand that there are local concerns about disruption during construction, the removal of trees (although a major planting scheme is planned in mitigation) and a change in the use that could be made of an area identified by the Agency as a flood storage area. It will be for the planning authority to reach a view on the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed works in the first instance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the purpose was of the meeting held on 7 January, involving the Environment Minister, at which ghost ships were discussed; who requested the meeting; what factors were taken into account before the Minister agreed to meet representatives of Able UK Ltd.; what the outcome of the meeting was; and if she will make a statement. [148616]

[holding answer 19 January 2004]: I met the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr Mandelson), at his request, with the Mayor and Chief Executive of Hartlepool Borough Council and the Chief Executive of Able UK. The meeting agreed that the issue of the US Ships in Hartlepool is a matter for the regulatory bodies—in particular, the Environment Agency and the local planning authority. The meeting enabled the participants to understand the respective responsibilities of the bodies involved, and to help ensure that all the necessary procedures are followed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Environment Minister will agree to meet a delegation representing groups and individuals opposed to the proposed dismantling of US ghost ships in Hartlepool. [148617]

[holding answer 19 January 2004]: I am always happy to consider requests to meet local delegations from the relevant Member of Parliament. I recently met my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), along with Mayor of Hartlepool and others, to discuss the US ships.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total cost to public funds was of the Joint Environmental Markets Unit in each of the past 10 years; and what the total value is of waste management contract which British companies have secured overseas as a direct result of the activity of the Joint Environmental Markets Unit in each of these years. [144575]

JEMU is a joint unit between DEFRA and DTI. JEMU provide support for the environmental goods and services industry, of which waste management is a sub sector. The total public funds (from both departments) spent on the Joint Environmental Markets Unit over the past 10 years are as follows:

Year	Total budgets (£000)
1993–94	1488
1994–95	1819
1995–96	11,032
1996–97	1990
1997–98	11,133
1998–99	11,046
1999–2000	11,026
2000–01	11,305
2001–02	11,254
2002–03	1,333
2003–04 (Year's allocation)	1,404
1These figures are an estimate based on available records.

JEMU targets its international trade work at developing markets, where it can add most value. JEMU has worked with other parts of Defra and the Environment Agency to promote UK Environmental Policy as a means of marketing UK expertise. Relationships in these countries take time and persistence to develop and contracts can take several years to be finalised. JEMU is aware of at least two waste management companies who, in recent years, have won contracts totalling in excess of £5 million as a direct result of JEMU work. Feedback from waste companies, who participated in a JEMU trade mission to SE Asia last March, has also forecasted total potential business of £63 million over the next three years. JEMU introduced a systematic method of monitoring performance recently, and will be evaluating the results of this carefully.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has commissioned into the economic effects of the introduction of the Large Combustion Plant Directive on the United Kingdom coal industry. [148511]

[holding answer 20 January 2004]: We are continuing to assess the potential economic impact of the introduction of the Directive on the UK coal industry, and on the coal-fired electricity generating industry which is its major market, using both internal analyses and independent research. We are also in detailed dialogue with these industries to help us to understand their views.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the recovery of livestock farming in (a) Chorley and (b) Lancashire; and if she will make a statement. [148228]

Other than the June annual Agricultural Census, which among other things records the number of animals present on holdings on the designated census day, no specific assessment has been made of the recovery of livestock farming in Chorley and Lancashire. Data from the Agricultural Census¹ show the following:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total supermarket share of the (a) liquid milk and (b) cheese market was in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [148691]

The supermarket share of the biggest four supermarkets (Asda, Safeways, Sainsburys and Tesco) of liquid milk in 2001–02 was 36 per cent. If smaller supermarkets are included (excluding town centre and local shops) the share rises to 48 per cent. The corresponding market shares for cheese are 64 per cent. for the big four and 80 per cent for all supermarkets. Figures are from the Expenditure and Food Survey and are only available for the twelve month period ending in March 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the outcome of the retail price initiatives on liquid milk and cheese during the last three years. [148692]

The evolution of farmgate and retail prices over the last three years is tabulated below. Last year, in a Milk Development Council commissioned study by KPMG on "Prices and Profitability in the British Dairy Chain", London Economics undertook an econometric study of various aspects of the supply chain, including price transmission. For the UK, London Economics found that increases and decreases in retail prices for liquid milk are fully transmitted to farmgate prices with a lag of five months. However, price changes at farmgate level are not fully transmitted, A 1 unit increase in farmgate price results in a 0.56 unit increase in retail price, while a 1 unit decrease in farmgate prices results in a 0.71 unit decrease in retail price. For cheese they found no transmission and for butter they found some evidence that a fall in the farmgate price of milk resulted in an increase in the butter price.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the application by the Department for a derogation for (a) 2006, (b) 2009 and (c) 2016 on the biodegradable municipal waste diversion targets of the Landfill Directive. [148757]

Article 5.2 of the Landfill Directive lays down demanding targets for reducing the amount of biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill and the timescale for achieving those targets. The targets require the quantity of biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill to be reduced to 75 per cent. of the total amount (by weight) of such waste produced in 1995 by 2006; to 50 per cent. by 2009; and to 35 per cent. by 2016.For those member states (like the UK) which landfilled more than 80 per cent. of their municipal waste in 1995, the Directive contains a derogation permitting a delay to the target dates by up to four years i.e. to 2010, 2013 and 2020. If a member state intends to take advantage of this derogation, there is an obligation on it to inform the Commission in advance. The UK will meet that obligation by informing the Commission at least a year in advance if it intends to make use of the derogation for a target year. As was made clear in the recent consultation, planning for the Landfill Allowances Trading Scheme assumes that the derogation will be used for all three target years

To ask the Secretary of state for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to require companies storing oil to undertake environmental risk assessments. [148916]

[holding answer 19 January 2004]: There are no plans to require this. However, a full assessment of a company's site to identify potential sources of pollution and the development of a plan to minimise these risks is a central recommendation in the Environment Agency's Pollution Prevention Guidance on Industrial Sites (PPG11).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to place the Environment Agency's pollution prevention guidelines on a statutory footing; and if she will make a statement. [148917]

[holding answer 19 January 2004]: There are currently 27 Pollution Prevention Guidelines jointly published by the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Environment & Heritage Service for Northern Ireland. These establish best practice for the prevention of pollution for a wide range of sectors and activities. Where appropriate, statutory codes of practice may refer to the standards set in the Pollution Prevention Guidelines. There are no plans at present to change the status of the Guidelines themselves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to extend the Oil Storage Regulations to cover (a) domestic and agricultural waste oil and (b) underground oil storage tanks. [148918]

[holding answer 19 January 2004]: There are no current plans to extend the regulations. Separate regulations are already in place for agricultural fuel oil, waste oil storage is subject to waste regulation controls and statutory guidance is in place for underground oil storage. Large domestic storage tanks are already included in the Oil Storage Regulations and all new domestic installations are now subject to control under building regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to establish a targeted inspection and enforcement regime in connection with the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) 2001 Regulations; and if she will make a statement. [148919]

[holding answer 19 January 2004]: The Regulations are enforced by the Environment Agency and apply minimum prescriptive standards on a blanket basis to all premises storing oil in above ground fixed or mobile tanks or facilities. There are no plans to change the Agency's approach to enforcement which is explained in the Defra guidance note which accompanied the Regulations. The Legislative background in that Guidance states that the Environment Agency will not need to make a special visit to individual sites to assess risks, but will enforce the regulations during routine visits and thus reduce resource burdens.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many prosecutions are pending in the (a) Foot and Mouth Department, (b) Forestry Commission, (c) Environment Agency and (d) IACS Payment Department. [148922]

The information requested is as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will set out the number of employees in her Department who have a disability, broken down by disability type. [148984]

Data on disability is collected on the basis of voluntary self-classification. The Department currently employs 12 people declaring a disability. The Department's Code of Practice on Equal Opportunities Monitoring prevents us from disclosing data for individual groups fewer than five. This is also in accordance with exemption 12 of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial support her Department provides for the maintenance of historic buildings; what plans she has to increase this support; and if she will make a statement. [149493]

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's financial support for the maintenance of historic buildings is channelled through English Heritage, which received a baseline grant-in-aid allocation of £115.4 million in 2002–03. English Heritage's baseline grant-in-aid for 2003–04 and 2004–05 is £121.7 million. Funding for English Heritage beyond 2004–05 is currently under consideration.In addition, Lottery funding is available for repairs to historic buildings through the Heritage Lottery Fund, which has a joint grant scheme with English Heritage for repairs to listed places of worship.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to carry out a review of the new traffic arrangements on the A40 at the Charlton Kings Sixways Junction in Cheltenham; and in what form he would like submissions to the review. [148535]

The next review of the scheme is due in September 2004. This will be a formal Road Safety Audit. There is no statutory or formal consultation as part of this process but the Highways Agency would welcome feedback from local people about the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money Sefton council received on transference of ownership of the A565 from the Highways Agency; and how much it will receive on an annual basis. [148928]

The Highways Agency has a programme for handing over responsibility (known as detrunking) for the A565 trunk road to Sefton borough council on 1 April 2004. The statutory process to enable detrunking to proceed is currently ongoing, and includes negotiations with the council. A Grant, calculated to be in the region of £600,000, will be awarded based on a formula for maintenance expenditure. This Grant, uprated for inflation, will be paid in the 2004–05 financial year and will continue until detrunked roads are included in the Highways Maintenance Formula Spending Share.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations he has received from the National Air Traffic Service on the need for them to validate capacity forecasts contained in the White Paper on The Future of Air Transport; [149045](2) whether he has commissioned the National Air Traffic Service to validate the capacity forecasts contained in the White Paper on The Future of Air Transport. [149046]

National Air Traffic Services responded to the consultation exercises carried out prior to the publication of The Future of Air Transport, but have not made any representations to the Government since the White Paper was published. Air Traffic Management is an essential part of the Aviation White Paper strategy and NATS will have a key role in delivering it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents there were in each region of England in each of the last five years involving a driver or drivers who were uninsured; and what percentage of those accidents involved (a) third party personal injury and (b) third party property damage. [148739]

[holding answer 21 January 2004]: Information on the insurance status of drivers involved in accidents is not held centrally in my department.However, the Motor Insurers' Bureau (Mffi) holds figures for accident claims in the United Kingdom involving uninsured or untraced drivers. For the past five years, the MIB paid claims as follows:

£ million
1999	173
2000	213
2001	222
2002	214
2003	235

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the overall cost to public funds in the latest year for which figures are available of driving without adequate insurance cover. [148741]

[holding answer 21 January 2004]: Information on the overall cost to public funds of driving without adequate insurance cover is not held centrally.The main costs of uninsured driving will be the substantial ones arising from accidents involving uninsured drivers. In the public sector these costs will fall on the emergency services (police, fire, ambulance and hospitals). Costs will also fall on the victims, and (through increased insurance premiums) on the honest, insured motorist. The estimated cost to the honest motoristsl insurance premium is an average of £30.There will also be a cost to the Courts Service arising from the need to prosecute and to enforce fines and penalties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many members of the Coastguard Service work in Wales; and how many worked in Wales in 1996. [150012]

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency currently employs 90 Coastguards in Wales. There are also 476 Auxiliary Coastguards based in Wales.Due to a change in Human Resource systems, there are no exact figures for 1996. However, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency estimates that there were 60 Coastguards and 500 Auxiliary Coastguards in Wales at that time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to (a) commence and (b) be completed on the link road between the Hemsworth bypass and the A1; how much funding he has made available for this purpose; and if he will make a statement. [149671]

This scheme is awaiting the completion of the necessary statutory procedures. We confirmed in the 2004–05 Local Transport Capital Expenditure Settlement, announced last month, that we would provide sufficient resources for completion of the scheme up to a maximum of £11.261 million. However, Wakefield Metropolitan District Council recently notified us of a cost increase of £9.337 million over and above this agreed contribution. I cannot make a decision on the case for additional funding until the statutory procedures have been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of the (a) motorway and (b) dual carriage network has raised central reservation barriers to eliminate the glare of headlights from oncoming traffic. [149708]

There are no recorded examples on the English dual carriageway trunk road or motorway network where the central reserve barriers have been raised to eliminate the glare of headlights from oncoming traffic.A trial of an anti-glare device attached to central reservation barrier has been undertaken on an English motorway but this proved to be ineffective in reducing accidents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 6 January 2004, Official Report, column 215W, how much of the money raised in fines from speed cameras in Essex was spent in Essex on the costs of purchasing and operating speed cameras for each of the five years prior to 2001–02. [149382]

[holding answer 20 January 2004]: Before the safety camera netting off trial began in April 2000 money raised in fines was retained by the Treasury and the cost of placing and maintaining cameras met by local authorities. The money claimed back by the Essex Safety Camera Partnership to meet the cost of operating cameras for the financial year of 2000–01 was £1,846,480.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure the long-term future of the Thornbury-based Vale Link Community Transport scheme; and if he will make a statement. [150075]

Vale Link Community Transport was awarded funding of £612,000 from the Department's Rural Bus Challenge (RBC) competition in 1998. The long-term future of the scheme is primarily a matter for the local authority and the other local organisations concerned to consider.We have taken a number of steps to support community transport schemes. From May 2002 many community transport organisations are eligible to receive Bus Service Operators Grant and I understand Vale Link Community Transport is in receipt of this grant. We have also extended Rural Bus Subsidy Grant, of which South Gloucestershire has been allocated £285,000 this year, to enable authorities to use it for the further support of schemes that have previously received RBC funding. However, it is essentially for individual authorities to decide which services are most appropriate for support in their respective areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to increase the percentage of waterborne freight on UK flagged ships. [149445]

Freight Facilities Grants are available to encourage the carriage of freight by inland waterways, coastal and short sea shipping. Freight Facilities Grants are non-flag specific.

To ask the Minister for Women what representations she has received on the barriers to women working due to the lack of high-quality child care provision. [149754]

My postbag leaves me in no doubt about how much high quality childcare provision gives real choices to women. This is why I welcome the announcements by the Chancellor in his Pre- Budget Report on record spending on childcare.

To ask the Minister for Women what recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues about gender balance within Government Departments. [149756]

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Women is holding a series of meetings with ministerial colleagues to review progress on gender balance in Government Departments.

To ask Minister for Women what action she is taking to help women entrepreneurs. [149758]

The Government are now actively implementing the Strategic Framework for Women's Enterprise which was launched in May last year, to provide a co-ordinated and long-term approach to the development of women's enterprise.We are now working with many partners nationally and in the regions to take forward the recommendations of the Framework. And we continue to work productively with women's enterprise organisations such as PROWESS and Everywoman.We are encouraged by the findings on women's enterprise of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor's most recent report which finds levels of total female entrepreneurship in the UK having risen from 3.3 per cent. in 2002 to 3.8 per cent. in 2003 and female attitudes to start-up having become far more positive during the last year.Early reports from the regions suggest levels of women's enterprise are rising; although it is still early days, it encouraging to hear of real progress being made in the north east, East Midlands and the south east.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on manufacturing industry in England. [149742]

Having put in place the first Government manufacturing strategy for 30 years with the active support of industry and unions, we are making good progress in addressing the key factors for manufacturing success identified in that strategy-promoting investment, applying science and innovation, best practice and skills to achieving more high value manufacturing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the sum allocated for improvements to urban post offices under the urban reinvention programme has been applied for. [149743]

To date, my Department has paid £5,448,897 to Post Office Ltd. under the urban reinvention programme for investment grant funding. This includes an element of pre-funding to the company to facilitate prompt payments to sub-postmasters. I understand from Post Office Ltd. that the total number of applications submitted by sub-postmasters so far is 485, with further cases under discussion with individual sub-postmasters. Of these applications, 98 grants, totalling £506,934, had been paid in full as at 20 January 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-postmasters of (a) rural and (b) urban post offices in each constituency have applied for compensation to close their business; how many have been successful in their application; and how much has been paid to them to date. [147066]

[holding answer 12 January 2004]: Decisions on compensation to sub-postmasters are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 14 January 2004, Official Report, column 796W, on benefit payments (pensioners), if she will publish the figures used by the Post Office to justify the proposed closure of (a) Belgrave Branch, 326 Wilnecote Lane, Belgrave, Tamworth, (b) Dosthill Branch, 49 High Street, Dosthill, Tamworth, (c) Kerria Road Branch, Kerria Centre, 34 Kerria Road, Tamworth, (d) Hockley Branch, 158 Hockley Road. Wilnecote, Tamworth, (e) Kettlebrook Branch, 134 Kettlebrook Road, Tamworth, (f) Silver Link Branch, 66 Caledonian, Tamworth, (g) Two Gates Branch, 1 Springfield Road, Two Gates, Tamworth and (i) Wilnecote Branch, 80 Watling Street, Wilnecote, Tamworth. [149492]

Decisions on proposed closures of post offices are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. (POL). I understand that the figures used by POL in proposing the closure of a post office are commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research her Department has conducted into the use of carbon capture technology to enhance recovery of North sea oil. [149744]

The Department has conducted its own research and sponsored research jointly with the oil industry since the mid 1980's into the use of carbon dioxide injection into mature oil fields to recover more oil. We are currently investigating the feasibility of demonstrating the use of carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery in the North Sea. We expect to publish the findings of this investigation in March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support she is providing to the shipbuilding industry. [149745]

The Department gave a £2.8 million grant to the Shipbuilders and Shiprepairers Association for a four-year programme of productivity improvements and research and development benefiting shipyards, which concluded on 31 December 2003. Separately, my Department is funding the Science, Engineering and Marine Training Agency (SEMTA) to undertake a range of studies into training needs and provision in the shipbuilding industry, with the aim of ensuring that the UK shipbuilding and marine engineering sector has sufficient numbers of properly skilled people to meet the Ministry of Defence's substantial naval procurement programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to facilitate the connection to the national electricity grid at affordable prices of potential consumers living in remote areas. [149746]

I have no such plans.Connections for those in remote areas are generally more difficult and this is, unfortunately, reflected in the cost. There are no provisions in existing legislation which could be used to require the cost of connection to be subsidised by, for example, the existing customer base.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research her Department has carried out into the availability of natural gas worldwide. [149748]

DTI uses information on natural gas availability from a variety of sources including the International Energy Agency, the Energy Information Agency of the US Department of Energy and the BP-Amoco Statistical Digest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards trade negotiations following the World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Cancún. [149749]

Her Majesty's Government remains committed to delivering a development Round that will benefit industrialised and developing countries alike.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the number of financial services jobs being exported to (a) Eastern Europe and (b) Asia. [149750]

We do not have official figures for the number of financial services jobs being offshored. We are addressing this issue through seeking views from parties interested in offshoring as part of our consultation exercise. In recognising the economic and social importance of this issue, we are also looking at how we can improve data collection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she has taken to inform (a) schools, (b) colleges and (c) universities of the Altran Foundation for Innovation's award for 2004 on the theme of Discovery, Understanding and Enjoying Science through innovation. [144502]

I understand that Ecsite-UK, the organisation that represents Science Centres, has details of this award on its websites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which inter-ministerial group is responsible for the English equivalent of the Scottish Business Birthrate Strategy; and which ministers are members of that group. [149634]

Responsibility for small business policy, including start-up strategy, is a matter for the Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs, Productivity and Competitiveness. The member are:

• Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chair)
• Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State
• Secretary of State for the Home Department
• Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Secretary of State for Transport and Secretary of State for Scotland
• Secretary of State for Health
• Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
• Secretary of State for Defence
• Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
• Leader of the House of Lords and The Lord President of the Council
• Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
• Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
• Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
• Secretary of State for Education and Skills
• Chief Secretary, Treasury
• Leader of the House of Commons, Lord Privy Seal and Secretary of State for Wales
• Minister without Portfolio
• Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
• Minister for State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mike O'Brien)

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses have been helped by each of the UK business link organisations; what the average sum of money received by these businesses is; how many of the businesses helped are still operating; and how many of those businesses have increased their profitability. [148190]

In the last full operating year (2002–03) over 300,000 businesses were helped by Business Link Operators (BLOs) in England. A breakdown of this total"by individual BLO—follows. Information about business survival rates are not collected individually.BLOs do not report on levels of support funding received by the businesses they assist.A Gross Value Added measure to enable BLOs to quantify—in terms of wealth creation and productivity improvements—the impact of their support to businesses will be available from 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact that (a) regional venture capital funds have had on (i) the overall productivity of United Kingdom businesses and (ii) reducing disparities in regional productivity, (b) Faraday centres have had on enterprise areas, (c) University Challenge Seed Funds and (d) the SMART scheme. [146147]

The nine regional venture capital funds have only recently become operational. The first funds became operational in January 2002 and the final fund in July 2003. These funds have a 10 to 12 year lifespan and it is, therefore, too early to assess their impact on the areas you have identified. Plans are already in hand, to assess their impact at the appropriate time.An early evaluation, to measure progress, was concluded in July 2003 and a summary report can be found on the following website address: http://www.sbs.gov.uk/content/finance/SBS_RVCF_Esummary_ july2003.pdf

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) actual and (b) percentage change in the take-up of connectivity technologies among the UK's micro and small businesses was in each year since 1997; and what steps are being taken to increase take-up. [146133]

Measurement of take up of connectivity is covered by the DTIs International Benchmarking Study (IBS). The IBS has been produced annually since 1997 and copies are available from the Libraries of the House.IBS 2003 shows UK businesses in general have reached saturation point on internet access although there has been a slight falling off in connection by micro and small businesses. A similar situation applies to the use of websites.The Government will continue to promote the benefits of being connected to the internet for micro and small businesses but emphasis will be placed on encouraging a more effective use of information and communication technology (ICT). Businesses of all sizes need to use ICT in a more sophisticated way, paying due attention to people and processes, as well as the technology, if they are to gain the expected benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of employees in the information and communication technology sector are women; and what steps are being taken to increase the representation of women in the sector. [146138]

The proportion of women in ITEC occupations across all sectors is currently 23 per cent. (e-skills UK and ONS, Labour Force Survey 2002).As part of the Government's strategy the DTI announced in December the award of a contract to the JIVE Consortium (Bradford College, Sheffield Hallam University, the Open University and Cambridge University) to operate a new resource centre for women in science, engineering and technology (SET) occupations, which include IT. JIVE will offer advice and support to SET employers about best practice in recruiting and retaining women and also support and advice for women wishing to work in or already working in SET occupations. This strategy is aimed at increasing the representation of women in all SET occupations at all levels, and will include the provision of a dynamic and content-rich website; good practice guides for SET employers; a 'Good SET Employer' recognition for women wishing to return to SET occupations. Working with their Open University partners JIVE are developing specific ideas about increasing the number of women in IT. Bradford College already trains women to be Microsoft professionals and their experience in this field will be invaluable in ensuring that the new resource centre is effective.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims there have been for (a) chronic pulmonary emphysema and (b) vibration white finger in the Easington constituency; how many have been settled; and what amount of compensation has been paid to date. [148852]

The information is as follows:

COPD		VWF
Claims received (number)	8,098	5,607
Interim payments made (number)	2,012	3,764
Full and final offers made (number)	3,541	2,218
Offers accepted (number)	2,466	1,918
Total amount paid (£ million)	24.4	38.4

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many vibration white finger cases the Government have referred to the Vibration Reference Panel; and on what date the Vibration Reference Panel was set up. [149027]

Three cases.The VRP was set up on 1 September 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much the Government have charged the (a) Miners Pension Scheme and (b) British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme for their role as guarantors in each of the last six years; [148939](2) how much the Government intend to charge the

The Government do not charge for providing the guarantee for the Mineworkers' pension Scheme or the British Coal Superannuation Scheme.The Government guarantee that members' basic pensions as at the time of privatisation will always rise in line with inflation, irrespective of underlying economic conditions.Any surpluses from the guaranteed fund are shared between the Government and the schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her Department's procurement policy with regard to offshore IT and call centre outsourcing; whether her Department is outsourcing IT and call centre jobs to offshore companies; to which countries her Department has outsourced these jobs; how much her Department has spent on this outsourcing in each of the last two years; and how much has been budgeted for this purpose for the next two years. [147583]

The DTI does not have a specific procurement policy with regard to offshore IT and call centre outsourcing. In all procurements, the DTI always seeks to achieve best value for money, having due regard to propriety, regularity and the European procurement directives.The DTI is not outsourcing IT and call centre jobs to offshore companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list windfarm sites in operation in Cambridgeshire, giving their (a) location and (b) output in kW hours. [149678]

As far as I am aware there are currently only two operational windfarms in Cambridgeshire. These are both single turbine facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of electricity generated in Cambridgeshire was from renewable sources in each of the past five years. [149679]

Statistics for electricity generation are not available at county level. This is because such data would disclose information about individual private companies. Out of the 11.4 MWh of electricity generated from renewable sources in 2002, 1.3 MWh (11 per cent.) was generated in the east of England region that includes Cambridgeshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many security passes have been reported (a) lost and (b) stolen by staff in (i) her Department and (ii) departmental agencies in the last 12 months. [147907]

129 staff passes have been reported lost by DTI staff in the past twelve months.The respective figure for agencies is 75.Neither DTI nor its agencies hold figures for stolen passes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of small business failures in the East of England; and if she will make a statement. [149690]

VAT registrations and de-registrations and insolvency statistics are the best official guide to the number of business success or failures. There were 17,190 VAT de-registrations during 2002 in the East of England, which was 470 less than those registering for VAT during the same year. There have been more registrations than de-registrations in the East of England each year from 1995 to 2002.The number of company insolvencies in the East of England area also fell between 1999–2000 and 2002–03. A stable economy with low interest rates has assisted the net growth of business in the East of England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of Smart Feasibility award winners have failed to launch product or service due to failure to attract investment. [146315]

The report of the most recent, independent evaluation of the Smart scheme was published in September 2001. It found that 29 per cent. of those businesses which received only a Feasibility Study award and 19 per cent. of those which received both a Feasibility Study and a Development Project award did not or expected not to introduce a new or improved product or process as a result of the project. Of those businesses, regardless of the outcome of their projects, which found barriers to the introduction of new products or processes to market, 37 per cent. which received only a Feasibility Study award and 31 per cent. which received both a Feasibility Study and a Development Project award cited "lack of finance" as a barrier.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect of current EU proposals for software patenting on the small and medium sized enterprise sector. [142016]

The current European Commission proposal for a Directive on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions has been subject to a regulatory impact assessment, which was cleared by the European Scrutiny Committee of the House in its forty-first report of the 2001–02 session.Although the scope of the assessment is necessarily wider than the SME sector, it does specifically consider the effect of the proposals on small businesses. In particular, it indicates that the proposed Directive would reduce the uncertainty concerning the patentability of computer-implemented inventions and should therefore reduce patenting and legal costs. As these costs and uncertainties are of particular concern to small and medium sized businesses, I believe that a Directive that achieves these aims would have particular benefits for the SME sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the policy is of the UK Government regarding the EU proposals for software patenting. [142017]

The Government continue to support the proposal put forward by the European Commission for a Directive on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions that clarifies the existing position and reduces uncertainty in this field. My Department continues to work with interested parties and other member states to achieve a Directive that meets these aims and offers benefits for both software developers and software users in the UK and Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what remuneration will be provided to each of the members of the new Sustainable Energy Policy Advisory Board. [145685]

The Chairman will receive £450 for a full day's meeting or £225 for a half-day meeting. Board members will receive £200 for a full day's meeting or £100 per half-day meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how often the new Sustainable Energy Policy Advisory Board will meet. [145686]

The full Board will meet once a quarter. There may be additional meetings of sub-groups on an ad hoc basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will break down the Transdepartmental Science and Technology Group administration costs set out in her Departmental Report 2003, for 2003–04; and what amounts were allocated in each year since 1997. [147801]

Allocations of gross administration costs to the Transdepartmental Science and Technology Group (TDST) since 1998–99 are set out in the following table. 1997–98 figures are not available because administration costs were compiled on a different basis before 1998–99.

TDST gross administration costs: allocation an breakdown per year since 1997
£000
	Type of expenditure
	Pay and pensions	Current expenditure other than pay	Administrator gross total
1997–98	n/a	n/a	n/a
1998–99	3,665	2,738	6,762
1999–2000	3,431	3,527	7,173
2000–01	3,744	2,516	6,380
2001–02	4,191	3,845	8,171
2002–03	4,279	4,425	8,704
2003–04	4,134	3,816	8,085

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the annual economic cost to developing countries of the breakdown of the World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Cancún. [149075]

I have no estimate of the annual economic cost to developing countries of the breakdown of the WTO ministerial conference in Cancún. However, there are a number of studies by academics and international organisations of the benefits to developing countries of a successful round of negotiations. The scale of estimated gains depends on a number of factors including the scale of trade liberalisation implemented, its timing and the product coverage. Most recently, a World Bank study ("Global Economic Prospects and the Developing Countries", 2004) estimated that significant liberalisation could boost developing country incomes by between £159 billion and £349 billion per annum by 2015.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what formal meetings she held at the ministerial conference in Cancún with representatives of developing countries. [149076]

My ministerial colleagues and I between us talked with Ministers from around 40 developing countries, including many from the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group, in meetings in Cancún. A visit to Honduras with Christian Aid to visit poor families meant I was in Cancún for the last 48 hours of the conference. In that time, in addition to EU and other meetings, I spoke with six developing country Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with her EU counterparts since the breakdown of the World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Cancún about (a) improving processes for decision-making and (b) taking account of the views of developing countries. [149110]

The Government have had various discussion with our EU partners and the European Commission since the WTO Ministerial in Cancún.My right hon. Friend and I met with my our fellow EU Trade Ministers and the European Commission, on 2 December, to reaffirm our commitment to the current round of negotiations and to send a clear message of the importance of positive and flexible engagement with all WTO members, including taking account of the views of developing countries. We also discussed improvements to the functioning of the WTO, in particular WTO ministerial meetings.These discussions are reflected in the Commission's strategy paper, "Reviving the DDA Negotiations—the EU perspective", which was endorsed by the European Council of Ministers on 8 December last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the progress achieved by World Trade Organisation members in meeting the terms of the Cancún Declaration by 15 December 2003. [149144]

Following the disappointing conclusion to the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancan, the Government welcome the fact that all WTO members have committed themselves to re-engaging in the Doha round of trade negotiations. It is vital that all WTO members now turn themselves towards making real and significant progress in implementing the Doha Development Agenda.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) prospective members of the proposed new Armed Forces Pension Scheme and (b) beneficiaries of the associated compensation arrangements he estimates will find the provision for them capped by a £1.4 million limitation on the total value of pension and related arrangements. [149153]

The Ministry of Defence expects very few members of the new Armed Forces Pensions Scheme to be affected by the Government's proposed lifetime allowance of £ 1.4 million. Payments from the new Armed Forces Compensation Scheme are not retirement pensions for taxation purposes and are not therefore affected by the proposed allowance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value of the pension provision through the proposed Armed Forces Pension Scheme, capitalised in accordance with the rules proposed by the Treasury, will be for (a) a senior warrant officer, (b) an officer retiring at normal retirement age at the rank of major or equivalent and (c) a four star officer; and if he will make a statement on the assumptions and calculations underlying the valuations. [149154]

The figures are as follows:

	£
4* officer	1,518,000
Major (and equivalent)	493,000
Warrant officer 1 (higher)	418,000

The figures assume broadly mid-point 2003–04 pay rates, 35 years Service (some of which might be after normal pension age of 55) and the new pension scheme provision of a 50 per cent. pension after 35 years' Service. The pensions have been capitalised using the Inland Revenue formula of 20 times pension plus the lump sum, equivalent to three times the pension. Figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000. The formula used to capitalise pensions is subject to public consultation by the Inland Revenue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he intends to make in relation to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme and compensation arrangements to ensure that, as the pay rates of the armed forces are increased over time to protect their real value, the full value of pension and compensation arrangements are not restricted by a cap on capitalised value fixed in cash terms. [149155]

The Government propose to increase the proposed lifetime allowance annually by the Retail Prices Index. Like any other employer, the Ministry of Defence will keep this under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what change there will be in his Department's funding for conflict resolution projects over the next five years; [149427](2) what assessment he has made of the amount of money spent by other Defence Departments in European countries on conflict resolution projects; [149451](3) how much his Department spent on conflict resolution projects in the latest year for which figures are available. [149541]

Ministry of Defence involvement in conflict resolution projects, as opposed to operations, is funded through the programme budgets of the United Kingdom's Global and Africa Conflict Prevention Pools. Pool funding levels for future years will be established during Spending Review 2004.In Financial Year 2002–03, the Pools funded nearly £41 million of Ministry of Defence support to conflict prevention and conflict resolution projects. Further information on the conflict resolution work of the Ministry of Defence, together with that of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development, can be found in the Global Conflict Prevention Pool booklet, published on 9 September 2003.The MOD has made no assessment of the amount of money spent by other Defence Departments in European countries on conflict resolution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 15 December 2003, Official Report, column 657W, on vaccination, when he will write to the hon. Member. [149581]

There has been a delay in this response as I require further information to establish the precise licensing position on all the vaccines and to provide a precise answer. I will do so as soon as I can.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the NATO Secretary General about European defence. [149470]

I had regular discussions with Lord Robertson across a wide range of issues concerning European defence and I look forward to working with the new NATO Secretary General in the same way. There have been no meetings of the NATO Defence Ministers since the beginning of the year, when Mr. de Hoop Scheffer took on his new role, but one is scheduled for early February.In a telephone conversation on Friday 9 January 2004. I congratulated Mr. de Hoop Scheffer on his appointment and outlined some of the United Kingdom's priorities for NATO including the importance of the European nations' contribution to the Alliance and the NATO/EU relationship.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Falklands War veterans were still serving in the (a) Army, (b) Navy, (c) RAF and (d) Royal Marines in 2003. [148457]

The matter is being investigated and has taken longer to compile than initially thought. I will write to my hon. Friend when this work is complete and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of modernising the Defence Fire Service to the standard envisaged by Fire Study 2000. [149059]

The recommendations contained in Fire Study 2000 for modernising the organisation of the Defence Fire Service would expect to achieve yearly savings rather than increased expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to co-ordinate tri-Service civil emergencies fire training. [149061]

The Ministry of Defence has no plans to co-ordinate tri-Service civil emergencies fire training. Dealing with a civil emergency remains the responsibility of the civil authorities. Any assistance provided by the armed forces in the event of such an emergency would be in support of those authorities and at their specific request. It would most likely take the form of general duties support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many international law enforcement officers are stationed in the British zone in Southern Iraq. [141680]

As at 16 January 2004, there were around 645 international law enforcement officers stationed in the British zone in Southern Iraq. This figure includes international civilian police officers, contract police officers and carabinieri who are mandated with civilian policing powers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the Department has been to date in respect of the Iraq conflict; and what the projected costs are for (a) 2004, (b) 2005 and (c) 2006. [148779]

Outturn information for 2002–03 on the cost of operations in Iraq has been published as part of the Ministry of Defence's Annual Report and Accounts. Operating Costs for 2002–03 for operations in Iraq total £629.531 million. Expenditure on capital equipment amounts to £217.680 million. The grand total is, therefore, £847.211 million.For 2003–04, funding voted at Winter Supplementary Estimates amounted to £1.2 billion and covered the cost of peacekeeping and associated Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs). The MOD will seek a further £300 million at Spring Supplementary Estimates to cover primarily the cost of the Recuperation of my Department's operational capability. Thus, the total sought in 2003–04 will be £1.5 billion.It is too early to say what costs might be incurred after 2003–04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his statement of 13 January 2004, Official Report, column 690, on the National Audit Office Report on Operation Telic, when he gave Mrs. Samantha Roberts, a (a) summary of the incident in which her husband died and (b) ballistics report; when he met Mrs. Roberts; when the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch report into Sergeant Roberts' death will be published; and when the Army Board of Inquiry into Sergeant Roberts' death will be convened. [149539]

Mrs. Roberts was provided with a summary of the incident on 18 June 2003 by the Casualty Visiting Officer. A report summary of the weapons test was passed to Mrs. Roberts in December 2003. I met Mrs. Roberts, together with other members of Sergeant Roberts' family, on 15 October 2003 and 19 January 2004.It is not clear when the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch investigation will conclude, but a briefing will be offered to Mrs. Roberts as soon as is practicable, once the SIB's findings are known. A Board of Inquiry will be convened when the SIB investigation has concluded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what reason the pilots of the two helicopters of 849 Naval Air Squadron which collided on 22 March 2003 had not been issued with night vision goggles; [149876](2) what the criteria are for the issuing of night vision goggles to Naval Air Squadron personnel; [149877](3) if he will list the equipment available to Naval Air Squadron helicopter pilots, other than night vision goggles, to prevent collision in poor flying conditions at low altitude at night; [149879](4) if he will make it his policy that night vision goggles will be issued to helicopter pilots before nighttime missions. [149880]

Night vision goggles (NVG) can be operated only in aircraft that have been specifically modified for this role. Naval helicopters are fitted to allow operation with NVG according to their tactical role in operations. The operational role for the helicopters of 849 Naval Air Squadron involved in Operation TELIC did not require the modifications to the helicopters that are necessary for the provision of NVG.For RN helicopters, safety is provided by operating procedures such as, air traffic control awareness of hazards through radar detection, communications, lighting and lookout. NVG can, in certain circumstances, enhance these capabilities. But ships operating NVG aircraft need to be compatible. Darkening a ship to allow aircraft NVG operations brings its own safety issues.Policy for a fleet-wide night vision capability is currently under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 8 December 2003, Official Report, column 278W, if he will make a statement on co-ordination between external security measures taken by the UK and on-board security measures taken by a visiting nation during the docking of non-British naval ships in UK waters. [148966]

External and on-board security measures put in place during the docking of a non-British naval ship in the United Kingdom waters are closely coordinated between the relevant UK authority and the visiting nation. Jurisdiction, however, is clearly delineated, with the visiting ships' Commanding Officer responsible for security within the confines of the ship while external security measures rest with the local police authority or the Naval Base Commander for visits to a Naval Base.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Government have to change the requirement that members of the armed forces take an oath of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen, her heirs and successors. [148930]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what preference is given to the use of port facilities at Gibraltar over those at other Iberian ports where Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary or other vessels owned or chartered by his Department transit the Straits of Gibraltar or operate in, or transit, nearby waters. [148958]

The goodwill generated from visiting foreign ports makes a significant contribution to Defence Diplomacy, the continuing development of bilateral relations and support to the United Kingdom Industry. A balanced approach is, therefore, taken to ensure that Gibraltar and other ports in the region, including those of other Iberian states, are visited on a regular basis. In addition, ships en route to or returning from deployments east of Suez and Atlantic Patrol Tasks are routinely programmed to visit Gibraltar.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each (a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Fleet Auxiliary and (c) other vessels owned or chartered by his Department which has visited (i) Gibraltar and (ii) other Iberian ports in the last year; and what the (A) date, (B) length and (C) location of each visit was. [148959]

The following tables lists visits by Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Ministry of Defence-owned or chartered vessels to Gibraltar and other Iberian ports over the 2003 calendar year.

Visits to Gibraltar by RN, RFA and MOD-owned/chartered vessels during 2003
Ship	Arrival	Departure
RFA Orangeleaf	13 January	13 January
RFA Orangeleaf	24 January	31 March
MV Laine	28 January	28 January
HMS Westminster	31 January	1 February
MV Ulusoy-4	1 February	2 February
HMS Westminster	5 February	6 February
MV Pancaldo	11 February	11 February
HMS Richmond	14 February	17 February
MV Strada Gigante	15 February	15 February
HMS Westminster	18 February	21 March
MV Dart-9	26 February	27 February
HMS Westminster	28 February	3 March
MV Southern Trader	2 March	2 March
MV Ulusoy-5	5March	5March
HMS Westminster	7March	10 March
MV Germania	3 April	3 April
MV Kapitan Burhanettin Isim	7 April	7 April
HMS Turbulent	7 April	12 April
MV Arroyofrio Uno	11 April	11 April
Mv Tychy	27 April	27 April
RFA Fort Victoria	2 May	5 May
RFA Fort Victoria	6 May	8 May
HMS Scott	10 May	10 May
MV Valibur	11 May	11 May
RFA Gold Rover	16 May	17 May
MV Pacific Winner	18 May	18 May
NAV Kinterbury	18 May	18 May
RFA Argus	20 May	24 May
HMS Ocean	21 May	24 May
HMS Edinburgh	24 May	24 May
HMS Westminster	5 June	6 June
HMS Westminster	6 June	7 June
HMS Westminster	11 June	12 June