To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many passenger journeys were delivered in a typical month for each of the Community Transport Fund's projects in Essex [160105]

The purpose of these projects is to test out a variety of approaches to improving access to transport in rural areas. Passenger journeys per month from the four schemes able to provide information are as follows:

• Family Support Clacton—average 200 passenger journeys per month
• Chelmsford Dial A Ride—average 209 passenger journeys per month
• Family Support Brightlingsea—average 460 passenger journeys per month
• Epping Forest CVS Project—average of 470 passenger journeys per month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what options are open to (a) Essex County Council and (b) Castle Point Borough Council for the provision of community and welfare transport for (i) disabled and (ii) elderly people in Castle Point when the current funding scheme expires in April 2005. [160106]

Following changes to the regulations which will be complete by 1 April 2004, local authorities will be able to support the full range of community and other transport schemes for the disabled and elderly from their own resources, for example, revenue support grant, rural bus subsidy grants and Local Transport Plan funding.The Countryside Agency's Rural Transport Partnership scheme has proved very successful in showing what can be achieved through local engagement. In the short space of three years it has raised the profile of rural transport issues and shown how much can be achieved by taking an innovative and flexible approach. We look to local authorities to build on this from their mainstream resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many bids under the Community Transport Fund in Essex have been (a) granted and (b) rejected; and if she will make a statement. [160107]

The Rural Transport Partnership grant scheme is run by the Countryside Agency on behalf of Defra. In Essex 10 bids were awarded grants and one bid was rejected between April 2001 to February 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what discussions she has had with Her Majesty's Royal Engineers on the maintenance of unsurfaced roads when drafting the consultation paper Use of Mechanically Propelled Vehicles on Rights of Way; and what plans she has to do so during the consultation; [159714](2) on what basis her Department decided to reduce the time for the classification of highways to one year; [159715](3) how much the Highways Agency has spent on the maintenance of unsurfaced byways

As set out in the recent consultation paper "The use of mechanically propelled vehicles on rights of way," I consider it inappropriate and unsustainable that historic evidence of use by horsedrawn vehicles or dedications for vehicular use at a time before the internal combustion engine existed can give rise to rights to use modern mechanically propelled vehicles. I have proposed that this should no longer be the case, but that a period of one year might be allowed for the recording of byways open to all traffic based on such evidence. I will consider carefully the responses to these proposals.As explained in the consultation paper, we intend to revise the advice andguidance on managing the different sorts of traffic on vehicular rights of way in the publication "Making the Best of Byways (1997)". In doing so, we will examine the Hierarchy of Trail Routes in the Lake District National Park and how a similar approach might improve the management of unsurfaced roads elsewhere. We will also look at various techniques for maintaining unsurfaced roads, including those used by Her Majesty's Royal Engineers, which have been applied with some success on the Ridgeway National Trail. The consultation paper invites views on any other ways in which "Making the Best of Byways" might be revised.Local highway authorities are responsible for maintaining rights of way, not the Highways Agency. Information on how much these authorities have spent on the maintenance of unsurfaced byways could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of used batteries was recycled in the UK in 2003. [159097]

[holding answer 9 March 2004]: Latest figures (2002) show that 87 per cent. of automotive lead acid batteries in the UK were sent for recycling. The UK has one recycling plant for automotive lead acid batteries. Around 1 per cent. of portable batteries collected in UK are sent to France for recycling.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department is working to ensure that the UK fulfils its obligation under EU law to recycle 45 per cent.of batteries each year. [159098]

[holding answer 9 March 2004]: Proposals for a new Batteries Directive have only recently been seen and are yet to be negotiated in Europe. As a result, there is currently no EU law that stipulates a target for the collection of batteries. The proposals outline targets for collection of portable batteries of 160 grams per inhabitant per annum. For the UK, this equates to around 45 per cent. of batteries put on the market.At present, the UK is collecting less than 1 per cent. of household batteries. In anticipation of a collection target, both Defra and the DTI are in talks with those stakeholders affected by the proposal and are looking at ways to secure early participation. This will enable the UK to successfully meet a target for collection within a given timeframe. In addition, both Departments are fully involved in discussions with the European Commission and the European Parliament, to ensure that targets for the collection and recycling of household batteries are challenging but achievable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provision she has made to ensure that Chardon LL maize will not be added to the National Seed List before arrangements have been made to restrict herbicide use

[holding answer 9 March 2004]: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on Tuesday 9 March 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether Chardon LL fodder maize has a greater value for cultivation and use than the conventional varieties from which it was bred. [160571]

The value for cultivation and use of Chardon LL has not been compared with that of its parental lines or the equivalent non-GM variety. The criterion for addition to the UK National List is that it should, taking its qualities as a whole, represent a clear improvement compared with other forage maize varieties already on the UK List. Chardon has been assessed on this basis and found to meet the performance standards set to indicate a clear improvement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department is working with the (a) Department of Trade and Industry and (b) retail industry in order to promote the stocking of cotton nappies in order to give parents the choice of types. [159095]

[holding answer 9 March 2004]: It is for individual retailers to decide on the products that they stock.I believe there is a wide range of re-usable nappies available both from local suppliers and through the internet. National retailers also stock re-usable nappies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff were employed in (a) her Department and (b) each of the non-departmental public bodies for which her Department is responsible in each of the last 10 years. [160589]

Defra was created on 8 June 2001 so I can only respond in respect of the period since that date. The figures given refer to that period.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many prosecutions have been brought by the Crown Prosecution Service for breach of an anti-social behaviour order in each of the last five years. [159689]

Information on anti-social behaviour orders is collated by the Home Office, and is available for the period from June 2000 to December 2002. During this period, 329 persons were prosecuted for breach of an anti-social behaviour order, 305 of whom were found guilty.

To ask the Solicitor-General for what reasons it is Government policy never to make public legal advice prepared by the Attorney-General for Ministers. [158111]

There is a long-standing convention, adhered to by successive governments, and reflected in paragraph 24 of the Ministerial Code, that neither the fact that the Law Officers have advised on a particular matter, nor the substance of any advice they may have given is publicly disclosed. As I explained to the hon. Member in my reply to him of 26 March 2003, Official Report, column 236W, the purpose of the convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence. This is in the public interest so that governments take full and frank legal advice and act in accordance with the rule of law.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many cases brought before the Crown Prosecution Service by the police were dropped and not proceeded with, and for what reasons, in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [159506]

The relevant figures are summarised in the following two tables.Table 1 shows the number of cases not proceeded with in the magistrates' courts. These comprise both cases discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service and those written off because the defendant could not be traced by the police, had died or been found unfit to plead. Table 1 also shows the number of cases in which a prosecution proceeded and was completed in the magistrates' courts. These comprise cases in which the defendant: was convicted after trial; convicted after a guilty plea; or convicted in their absence. It also consists of cases dismissed by the magistrates after a full trial or a submission of no case to answer; or cases discharged during the course of a committal hearing.The table also shows the number and proportion of cases resulting in a conviction and the number and proportion resulting in an unsuccessful outcome. Unsuccessful outcomes comprise cases which did not proceed, and those cases which did proceed but which resulted in a dismissal or discharge.Table 2 shows the number of cases not proceeded with in the crown court. These comprise cases dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service before a jury was sworn and written off because the defendant could not be traced by the police, had died, or been found unfit to plead.

To ask the Solicitor-General for what reasons the prosecution against Katharine Gun, in respect of alleged actions she took while employed at GCHQ, was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. [157497]

I would refer my hon. Friend to my statement of 26 February 2004, Official Report, columns 426–29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the level of Welsh business output was for each month of 2003. [157665]

Information on business output is published quarterly.The latest available figures for 2003 are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many speeches he made between 9 June 2003 and 1 February 2004; and where a copy of each speech can be obtained. [156106]

I have made some 20 speeches during the period in question. These include keynote speeches to the Institute of Welsh Affairs¹, Cardiff Business Club, Wales Industry Forum, Alstom UK Annual Dinner, the Italian Ambassadors luncheon and the State of the Nations¹lecture for the Constitution Unit.In addition I have spoken at a number of events such as IPPR breakfast, International Eisteddfod, Salvation Army presentation, British Telecom Broadband presentation and most recently at reception for Japanese business people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answers of 8 March 2004, Official Report, columns 1237–38W, on computerised MOT tests, what benefits were expected prior to tendering, of computerisation of the MOT test; and if he will make a statement on the disadvantages consequent on late delivery of the ordered system. [161497]

The main benefits of computerising MOT testing are expected to be:

Improved road safety and environmental protection by raising testing standards and enabling increased motorists' compliance with annual testing requirements.

Increased consumer protection by improving the consistency of testing, reducing unnecessary MOT test failures and related repairs.

Reduced crime and fraud by preventing fraudulent or unauthorised issue of test certificates and eliminating forgeries.

Modernised and more efficient administration of the scheme through networking communications enabling real time access to testing information and results, reducing the compliance burden on MOT stations, and enabling delivery of an electronic vehicle relicensing service to motorists.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answers of 8 March 2004, Official Report, columns 1237–38W, on computerised MOT tests, under what circumstances the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency could terminate the contract. [161498]

VOSA could seek to terminate its contract with Siemens Business Services (SBS):

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rural bus services in Chorley are funded by rural bus grants. [161533]

Rural Bus Subsidy Grant (RBSG) is paid to local transport authorities. In the case of Chorley this is Lancashire county council. It is for the authority to decide which services should be supported with the grant. We understand from the county council that four rural bus services in Chorley are currently supported by RBSG.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many closed container vehicles and trailers, including curtain sided ones, are (a) registered in and (b) operate from the UK; and if he will make a statement. [160326]

At the end of 2002, there were in total 433,000 goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross weight licensed in Great Britain. 101,000 vehicles were specified on standard international licences authorising operators to carry goods on international journeys.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate how many closed container vehicles and trailers, including curtain sided ones, travelled to mainland Europe through (a) the Channel tunnel and (b) ferry ports in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [160327]

Information is not available in the form requested. The available information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to increase rail capacity (a) in West Yorkshire, (b) on the Wharfedale Line, (c) on the Harrogate Line and (d) on the Airedale Line; [160932](2) what representations he has received on increasing rail capacity in West Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement. [160933]

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has published a Capacity Utilisation Policy and has also developed a new planning framework. A key aspect of this includes Regional Planning Assessments (RPA) which will form a basis for planning rail services over the medium to long term at a more detailed level. The SRA will produce the RPA for Yorkshire and Humberside in 2005, at which time specific capacity issues for the lines in question will be taken into account. I am not aware of any representations specifically on increasing rail capacity in West Yorkshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pedestrians were (a) killed and (b) injured in road traffic accidents in each year since 1997. [161553]

The following table shows, for Great Britain, how many pedestrians were (a) killed and (b) injured in road traffic accidents reported to the police, in each year from 1997 to 2002. This information has been published in "Road Casualties Great Britain 2002—Annual Report", a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of all assessments carried out by his Department of road accidents involving each car type [161554]

The latest assessment of the risk of driver injury when different models of car are involved in an accident, was published in the Statistical Bulletin "Cars: Make and Model: The Risk of Driver Injury in Great Britain: 1996–2000", published on 15 May 2003. Copies have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the (a) research projects and (b) campaign groups connected with road safety to

We provide financial assistance to organisations other than local authorities, who successfully bid under Challenge Fund arrangements, for grant towards the costs of initiatives which promote road safety. Details of the organisations assisted and the nature of their initiatives are provided in the table. We also commission research from a number of research organisations, universities and consultants. Details of the road safety research programme are available at: www.rmd.dit.gov.uk

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will carry out an assessment of the safety implications of allowing three children to travel on seats designed for two on school buses. [159860]

I have no plans to carry out an assessment of the safety implications of the three for two allowance as I have no evidence or data to support an argument that it represents a risk to child safety. Three for two is a concession, which local authorities may apply if they wish, and not a requirement.I also refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 14 January 2004,

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on economic activity of the Forest of Dean of the closures of the first Severn crossing bridge to vehicles in the past three months. [160781]

Closures of the first Severn crossing bridge during high winds are done to ensure the safety of the road user. No specific assessment has been made of the economic effect of closing the first Severn bridge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, when the Highways Agency makes the decision to close the first Severn crossing bridge, it differentiates between high-sided vehicles and saloon cars. [160782]

When the first Severn bridge is closed for reasons of safety, the Highways Agency makes no differentiation between high-sided vehicles and saloon cars. There is no infrastructure at present to filter vehicles. The agency has commissioned a report on the viability of 'filtering out' high-sided vehicles, using enforcement cameras in conjunction with traffic signing. This report is expected to be completed this spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the Highways Agency informs the public of the instances of closure of the first Severn crossing bridge; and if he will review the adequacy of this process. [160783]

The Highways Agency informs the public of bridge closures using advance traffic signing on the approaches to the M48 at Magor in the west and Almondsbury in the east. The agency's information line is also notified, together with other media sources. The effectiveness of this process is monitored regularly by the agency and other interested organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times, and for how long on each occasion, the first Severn crossing bridge has been closed to vehicles since the responsibility for doing so was transferred from the police to the Highways Agency. [160784]

There have been eight closures of the bridge due to high winds since the Highways Agency assumed responsibility from the police on 16 October 2003. Details are set out as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons responsibility for decisions on when to close the first Severn crossing bridge was transferred from the police to the Highways Agency. [160786]

The police were concerned that individual police officers were required to be accountable for making the decision to close the first Severn bridge. They were unwilling to continue to be the primary decision maker in the closure process. The agency has taken responsibility for this role and ownership of the operating protocol.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the siting of (a) fixed and (b) mobile speed cameras; and if he will make a statement. [160651]

The "Handbook of rules and guidance for the operation of the national road safety camera programme for England and Wales" deals with the siting of fixed and mobile speed cameras in those areas participating in the safety camera cost recovery scheme. Copies were placed in the Libraries of the House on 5 December 2003. Guidance for those areas outside the scheme is contained in Circular Roads 1/92.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what revenues were raised from speed cameras in the Wycombe district council area in 2002–03. [160653]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are used by the Highways Agency in determining when and for how long the first Severn crossing bridge should be closed to vehicles. [160785]

A protocol has been developed over several years to determine when and for how long the first Severn bridge should be closed to traffic. It is continually reviewed to explore ways of minimising the closures while ensuring the safety of road users.The following criteria are currently applied:

Wycombe district council is part of the Thames Valley Safety Camera Partnership. Information on fine receipts for 2002–03 will be contained in the third year report of the safety camera programme, to be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how revenues raised from speed cameras in Wycombe district council area are spent. [160654]

Wycombe district council is part of the Thames Valley Safety Camera Partnership. Receipts from fines are made available to the partnerships for the approved costs of purchasing and operating its cameras. Any additional fine receipts are passed to the Consolidated Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many programmes have been undertaken to improve (a) harbours, (b) docks and (c) inland waterways since 1997. [160876]

This information is not available centrally. Harbour and navigation authorities are responsible for programmes of improvement in their areas and, although some harbour and dock projects require Government consent, there is no requirement for reporting of programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funds were contributed by his Department to UK-based civil society organisations in 2002, broken down by nation of the United Kingdom. [161403]

DFID support to Civil Society Organisations is predominantly targeted at UK organisations and with a UK wide base. We do not differentiate between the nations of the UK and do not collate figures on this basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many conferences were hosted by his Department (a) at home and (b) abroad, in the year to 29 February; and what the cost was of attending these conferences, broken down by (i) travel costs, (ii) food and drink costs, (iii) accommodation costs and (iv) miscellaneous costs. [161691]

This information is not held centrally and to collate it would incur disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff are employed in the Department to work in the communications field, broken down by (a) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) others. [158156]

The Department for International Development employs the following numbers of staff in the communications field:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total expenditure on communications for the Department has been in 2003–04, broken down by expenditure on (a) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) others. [158192]

The total expenditure on communications for the Department for International Development in 2003–04 has been as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the objectives were of the (a) environment and tropical forests and (b) training and public awareness projects financed by the General Commission Budget in 2002; what his Department's involvement in the projects was; what the outcome was; and what assessment he has made of their value for money. [160704]

The objectives of the Environment and tropical forests projects were to support the conservation and stainable management of forests. DFID was consulted during the drafting of strategic guidelines and priorities for funding for the Environment and Forestry Budget Line. The Department also participated in committee meetings that reviewed proposals.The training and public awareness projects aim to provide support for public awareness projects that increase European awareness of international development. There is an EC NGO co-financing management committee, which in 2002 consisted of delegates drawn from all 15 EU member states. The UK was represented on the committee by DFID staff.There are a multitude of individual projects in both sectors, each with different objectives and outcomes and many of which run over the course of several years and therefore have not been completed yet. I refer the hon. Member to the information available in the "2003 Annual Report from the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the EC Development Policy and the Implementation of External Assistance 2002" and the European Commission's website http://europa.eu.int for further details.When considering Commission funding proposals, the Department took a wide range of factors into consideration, including likely cost-effectiveness and value for money. Any concerns about value for money were raised with the Commission. Many of the projects approved in 2002 are in the early stages of implementation. An assessment of the value for money will only be possible once the projects have been completed. The EC, through its results-orientated management system and strengthened evaluation systems, is best placed to carry out such an assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the value for money provided by EU Official Development Assistance on (a) production sectors, (b) social infrastructure and services, (c) economic infrastructure and services and (d) multisector/cross-cutting projects in 2002 that was financed by the General Commission Budget and the European Development Fund; and on what criteria his assessment is based. [160709]

There are a multitude of individual projects in the areas cited by the hon. Member, each with different objectives and outcomes and many of which run over the course of several years and therefore have not been completed yet. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the information available in the "2003 Annual Report from the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the EC Development Policy and the Implementation of External Assistance 2002" and the European Commission's website http://europa.eu.int for further details.When considering Commission funding proposals, DFID took a wide range of factors into consideration, including likely cost effectiveness and value for money. Any concerns about value for money were raised with the Commission. Many of the projects approved in 2002 are in the early stages of implementation. An assessment of the value for money will only be possible once the projects have been completed. The EC, through its results-orientated management system and strengthened evaluation systems, is best placed to carry out such an assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's involvement was in the (a) humanitarian aid, (b) food aid and (c) pre-accession, Malta, Cyprus, Turkey projects financed under the General Commission Budget in 2002; and what the outcome was in each case. [160710]

DFID was consulted during the drafting of strategic guidelines and priorities for funding in all three areas. The UK also participated in committee meetings that reviewed specific proposals. For example, DFID was represented at the Humanitarian Aid Committee which met monthly in 2002 to consider European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO)'s draft funding decisions. Relevant DFID staff were consulted about individual proposals. Member states agreed ECHO'S overall 2002 strategy in late 2001.There are a multitude of individual projects in the areas cited by the hon. Member, each with different objectives and outcomes and many of which run over the course of several years and therefore have not been completed yet. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the information available in the "2003 Annual Report from the European Commission to time Council and the European Parliament on the EC Development Policy and the Implementation of External Assistance 2002" and the European Commission's website http://europa.eu.int for further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the objectives were of the (a) Latin America, (b) Asia and (c) pre-accession PHARE projects financed under the General Commission Budget in 2002; what his Department's involvement in each project was; what the outcome was; and what assessment he has made of value for money in each case. [160711]

The overall objective of the many individual projects financed in Latin America and Asia is to promote human development. The objective of the PHARE programme is to help candidate countries' preparations to accede to the European Union. This consists of technical assistance with the implementation of the aquis communautaire, and the building of institutional capacity.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the objectives were of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (a) near and Middle East, (b) Mediterranean and (c) South Africa projects financed under the General Commission Budget in 2002; what his Department's involvement in each project was; what the outcome was; and what assessment he has made of value for money in each case. [160712]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was established to foster the transition towards open market-oriented economies, and to promote private and entrepreneurial initiative, in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union. EBRD does not cover any of the regions identified in the hon. Gentleman's question.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the objectives were of the (a) Western Balkans, (b) NIS and Mongolia/ CEECS and (c)NIS and Mongolia/TACIS projects financed under the General Commission Budget in 2002; what his Department's involvement in them was; what the outcome was; and what assessment he has made of their value for money. [160713]

The objective of the Commission's programme of assistance to the Western Balkans (the CARDS programme) is to support the Stabilisation and Association Process in the region through reconstruction, work on democracy, human rights and the rule of law, economic and social development and promoting closer relations between recipient countries and between those countries and the EU. The objectives of the TACIS programme are to promote the transition to a market economy and to reinforce democracy and the rule of law in the CIS countries.Representatives of DFID sit on the Management Committees that oversee the Commission's implementation of these programmes. In addition proposals for spending in Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania and FYROM are approved by the Governing Board of the European Agency for Reconstruction, on which DFID is also represented.In both CARDS and TACIS, programmes funded under the 2002 Budget will typically last for at least three years. There are a multitude of individual projects in the areas cited by the hon. Member, each with different objectives and outcomes. I refer the hon. Member to the information available in the "2003 Annual Report from the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the EC Development Policy and the Implementation of External Assistance 2002" and the European Commission's website http://europa.eu.int for further details.When considering Commission funding proposals, DFID took a wide range of factors into consideration, including likely cost-effectiveness and value for money. Any concerns about value for money were raised with the Commission. Many of the projects approved in 2002 are in the early stages of implementation. An assessment of the value for money will only be possible once the projects have been completed. The EC, through its results-orientated management system and strengthened evaluation systems, is best placed to carry out such an assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the outcome was of the (a) anti-personnel mines and (b) pre-accession ISPA projects financed from the General Commission Budget in 2002; and what his Department's involvement in each project was. [160714]

DFID was represented at the working groups that considered the projects presented by the European Commission to member states. There are a multitude of individual projects in the areas cited by the hon. Member each with different objectives and outcomes and many of which run over the course of several years and therefore have not been completed yet. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the information available in the "2003 Annual Report from the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the EC Development Policy and the Implementation of External Assistance 2002" and the European Commission's website http://europa.eu.int for further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the objectives were of the (a) co-ordination and evaluation, (b) social infrastructure and services and (c) global health fund projects financed under the General Commission Budget in 2002; what his Department's involvement in the projects was; what the outcome was; and what assessment he has made of their value for money. [160715]

The overall objective of the co-ordination and evaluation projects is to improve the long-term effectiveness of EC aid. Projects under the social infrastructure and services focus on reducing drug abuse. Global Health Fund projects support the Global Health Fund's aim to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.When considering Commission funding proposals, DFID took a wide range of factors into consideration, including likely cost-effectiveness and value for money. Any concerns about value for money were raised with the Commission. Many of the projects approved in 2002 are in the early stages of implementation. An assessment of the value for money will only be possible once the projects have been completed. The EC, through its results-orientated management system and strengthened evaluation systems, is best placed to carry out such an assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in respect of which projects financed under the General Commission Budget co-financing of non-governmental organisations took place in 2002. [160716]

A multitude of individual projects under the co-financing of non-governmental organisations budget line were implemented in 2002. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the information available in the "2003 Annual Report from the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the EC Development Policy and the Implementation of External Assistance 2002" and the European Commission's website http://europa.eu.int for further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the value for money provided by EU Official Development Assistance on (a) Action Relating to Debt and (b) Commodity Aid and the General Programme in 2002 financed by the General Commission Budget and the European Development Fund; and on what criteria his assessment is based. [160719]

When considering Commission funding proposals, DFID took a wide range of factors into consideration, including likely cost-effectiveness and value for money. Any concerns about value for money were raised with the Commission. Many of the projects approved in 2002 are in the early stages of implementation. An assessment of the value for money will only be possible once the projects have been completed. The EC, through its results-orientated management system and strengthened evaluation systems, is best placed to carry out such an assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the value for money provided by EU Official Development Assistance devoted to emergency and distress relief in 2002; and on what criteria his assessment is based. [160720]

When considering Commission funding proposals, DFID took a wide range of factors into consideration, including likely cost-effectiveness and value for money. Any concerns about value for money were raised with the Commission. Many of the projects approved in 2002 have only recently been completed. The EC's results-orientated management system and strengthened evaluation systems Will enable it to assess their value for money in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the objectives were of the pre-accession SAPARD project financed under the General Commission budget in 2002 and referred to as Item B7–0l in the financial tables on page 257 of the Annual Report 2003 from the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the EC Development Policy and the implementation of external assistance in 2002; what his Department's involvement in the project was; what the outcome was; and what assessment he has made of its value for money. [161487]

The Special Accession Programme for Agricultural and Rural Development (SAPARD) aims to help candidate countries deal with the problems of the structural adjustment in their agricultural sectors and rural areas, as well as in the implementation of the acquis communautaire concerning the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and related legislation. DFID was consulted during the drafting of strategic guidelines and priorities for funding. DFID was also represented at committee meetings that reviewed proposals.When considering Commission funding proposals, the Department took a wide range of factors into consideration, including likely cost-effectiveness and value for money. Any concerns about value for money were raised with the Commission. Many of the projects approved in 2002 are in the early stages of implementation. An assessment of the value for money will only be possible once the projects have been completed. The European Commission (EC), through its results-orientated management system and strengthened evaluation systems, is best placed to carry out such an assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid the Government plans to send to Haiti. [160255]

DFID has sent a two-person team to Haiti to assess the humanitarian situation and discuss needs with humanitarian agencies, including the United Nations agencies that will shortly be launching a consolidated Flash Appeal. Decisions on what humanitarian assistance the UK will give to Haiti will be made after this mission and appeal.The European Communities Humanitarian Office (ECHO) is providing Euros 1.8 million for emergency health care. The UK share (19 per cent.) of this EC assistance is approximately £240,000. Following the UN Appeal, ECHO are considering further support.DFID will continue to fund Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Groups through the Small Grants Scheme and the Civil Society Challenge Fund. DFID will also continue to provide funds through international agencies which work in Haiti, including the European Union (DFID provides approximately 13 per cent. of the European Development Fund budget).

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes his Department has introduced to involve Iraqi women in (a) government and (b) other areas of public life in Iraq; and if he will list the (i) personnel and (ii) funding that have been committed. [161475]

Gender equality is an integral part of DFID's work in Iraq. We are working specifically to support Iraqi women in their involvement in political processes and reconstruction. A £500,000 grant to the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) strategy for empowering women in Iraq is strengthening women's groups at a governorate level and encouraging government to take proper account of the needs of women. Two DFID-funded advisers provide support and expertise to the Iraqi Governing Council, the Coalition Provisional Authority and to the newly forming women's groups. We have also recently established a £5 million fund to promote political representation and participation by all Iraqi people, which will include support to achieving the goal of 25 per cent. women's representation in the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has for the provision of technical assistance to the Palestinian civil police in the West Bank and Gaza. [160145]

DFID is considering a programme of assistance to the Palestinian Ministry of Interior to help establish a more legitimate, effective and accountable civil and public order police force. We plan to second a police adviser for a period of six months. He will provide short-term technical support, and make an assessment of how best a longer-term programme could be delivered in co-ordination with other donor partners and other security sector reform activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he has taken to ensure complete transparency in the use by the Palestinian Authority of development aid provided by his Department. [160146]

The vast majority of DFID's assistance to Palestinians has not been provided directly to the Palestinian Authority, but goes through UN agencies, NGOs, and consultancy contracts, all of which have a high degree of transparency; but greater transparency in the PA's use of its resources is a priority for all donors.Substantial progress has been made since 2002 in improving the Palestinian Authority's financial management, the oversight of public spending and accountability. This has largely been the result of efforts by the Palestinian Finance Minister. We have helped the World Bank carry out a thorough Country Financial Accountability Assessment, which has set out an agenda for further improvements in these areas. The continuing need for donors to support the PA budget directly will ensure that these areas remain under close scrutiny. We are ready to provide further support if needed.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will visit the West Bank and Gaza to assess the requirements for (a) humanitarian and (b) development assistance. [160148]

I visited the West Bank and Gaza Strip in July 2003 to see at first hand the conditions on the ground, and hold discussions with a wide range of partners including Government, civil society, and other donors, about humanitarian and development needs. We plan to publish a Country Assistance Plan for Palestinians in April, which sets out DFID's strategy for the next two years. I have no immediate plans to visit again, but will consider a further visit depending on progress with the Middle East Peace Process.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people in the West Bank and Gaza are dependent upon non-governmental organisations or international relief organisations for employment. [160149]

These data are not readily available. Job creation programmes, established by both Government and NGOs, have played an important role in helping sustain the livelihoods of thousands of families during the last three years. As part of its emergency relief activities, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) provide temporary jobs for unemployed refugees. In 2004 it plans to provide over two million workdays of employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effect of development assistance provided by his Department on levels of poverty in the West Bank and Gaza. [160151]

DFID regularly monitors the impact of its projects against their objectives. Some have a specific poverty alleviation focus; others support longer-term Palestinian institutional development needs where the impact on poverty is less direct, and is more difficult to measure. But without peace the prospects for economic growth and poverty reduction are not sustainable. Only a political solution will solve these problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effect of (a) movement restrictions and (b) land confiscation on agriculture in the West Bank and Gaza. [160152]

Movement restriction and land confiscation have led to a severe decline in agricultural production in the West Bank and Gaza, and an increased and unsustainable dependence on food aid. Palestinians, supported by donors, continue to seek innovative ways to maintain agricultural production.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the (a) level of food aid provided by his Department for residents of the West Bank and Gaza and (b) the effectiveness of its distribution. [160153]

DFID have provided a £500,000 contribution to the World Food Programme food aid appeal in 2002, and have contributed over £25 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's Emergency Appeals since the start of the Intifada in 2000.The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)'s Emergency Appeals support job creation programmes, health, education, and shelter programmes as well as food aid. Our support is not earmarked for food aid alone. Effective targeting and distribution have improved with better co-ordination between the main food providers.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will assess the effectiveness of the work of his Department in enhancing Palestinian access to water in the West Bank and Gaza. [160154]

DFID has worked with the Palestinian Water Authority and NGOs for several years supporting the effective delivery of water services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Four projects that have improved access to potable water, sanitation and environmental health in some of the poorest communities have recently been brought to a successful conclusion. We currently fund two projects.Support for the Sustainable Management of the West Bank and Gaza Strip Aquifers project is enhancing the Palestinian Water Authority's understanding of the western aquifer, which is an essential source of water in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. We also support a Water Access and Storage project to enable villages in the south Hebron district of the West Bank that do not have access to the networked water supply to obtain more secure access to drinking water and sustainable improved sanitation. Both projects are making good progress.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the need for a revision of water access arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza. [160155]

Early progress on securing Palestinian water rights would benefit the Palestinian people. DFID has supported the Palestinian Negotiations Affairs Department to research their position in preparation for negotiations on water access. While it would be possible to advance discussions immediately, the link between water rights and other issues such as borders and the separation barrier has so far led to a reluctance on both sides to engage on the issue outside the framework of overall final status negotiations.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information he has of rates of malnutrition in (a) the West Bank and (b) Gaza in (i) 2000, (ii) 2001, (iii) 2002 and (iv) 2003. [160157]

Information about nutritional status in the West Bank and Gaza is uncertain, and no systematic monitoring has taken place. Various organisations have carried out surveys using different methodologies. There are no readily available data to compare the incidence of malnutrition across years.One of the most authoritative recent studies is the Nutritional Assessment and Sentinel Surveillance System, done in 2002 by Johns Hopkins and Al-Quds Universities. Looking at children 6–59 months, they found in the West Bank, 4.3 per cent. with acute malnutrition (wasting), and 7.9 per cent. with chronic malnutrition (stunting). In the Gaza strip these figures were 13.3 per cent. and 17.5 per cent. respectively. They found that 7.8 per cent. of children aged 6ߝ59 months in the Palestinian Territory suffer from acute malnutrition, and 11.7 per cent. from chronic malnutrition. A normally nourished reference population would have 2.28 per cent. of population with global malnutrition, and 0.13 per cent. with severe malnutrition.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department is providing to the Palestinian Authority in developing poverty alleviation policies. [160159]

DFID supported the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to carry out a national Participatory Poverty Assessment for the Palestinian Authority (PA) in 2002. We are now exploring with the PA, the World Bank and other donors the potential for a medium-term, comprehensive poverty reduction strategy for the Palestinian Territory. Continued DFID and other donor support to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, and a proposed new Pro-poor Participatory Planning programme, will help develop the PA's ability to monitor and assess poverty both quantitatively and qualitatively, and respond appropriately. Fiscal crisis is the major constraint on the PA's ability to alleviate poverty.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the results achieved by the Task Force on Project Implementation in the West Bank and Gaza. [160160]

The Task Force on Project Implementation (TFPI) was established as a representative mechanism of the international community for ensuring effective implementation of donor-funded projects in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. DFID believe that lobbying Israel on humanitarian access is most effectively handled through such co-ordinated donor mechanisms. The TFPI has had some success, but not all agreements reached have been implemented in practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to achieve donor harmonisation in the West Bank and Gaza. [160161]

DFID works increasingly with other donors to help mobilise resources in support of agreed Palestinian Authority priorities. We have contributed to a number of multi-donor World Bank led initiatives, and have formed alliances with other bilateral donors and Palestinian partners to ensure that funding is better harmonised. More effective delivery of humanitarian and development assistance is one of three objectives in our draft Country Assistance Plan for Palestinians.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to encourage a process of development planning in the West Bank and Gaza led by the Palestinian Authority. [160162]

The Palestinian Authority's capacity to lead on strategic planning and donor co-ordination has been constrained during the "intifada". With support from international partners it is now starting to play a more proactive role. DFID's proposed support to the Participatory Poverty Planning initiative would focus on the Ministry of Planning and could advance this process. When the time is right, we plan to support the Palestinian Authority in its desire to develop a priority-based, transparent national development framework which sets out the Authority's priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the Israeli Government about freedom of movement for humanitarian goods and personnel in the West Bank and Gaza. [160163]

The Government frequently makes representations to the Israeli government about these issues, both bilaterally and with international partners.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what provisions have been made for aid to the Palestinian territories. [159810]

At the start of the current financial year our agreed budget for support to Palestinians was £24.5 million. This includes funding for both the Palestinian territory and for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), which provides services to Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria as well as the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Planned allocations for 2004–05 and 2005–06 are £26.5 million, an increase of £2 million over the budgeted figures for the current year. In 2003–04 and previous years since the intifada started in 2000, spending plans for the Palestinian territory and UNRWA have been supplemented by additional resources made available in-year in response to unpredictable events.We have increased our expenditure in 2003–04 to £40.2 million in response to emergency needs and Middle East peace process opportunities. The 2003–04 figure also includes £0.7 million allocated to DFID from the Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP), which is managed by the FCO on behalf of FCO, MOD and DFID. Figures for future years make no assumptions about additional resources from within DFID or the GCPP.