To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money from the New Opportunities Fund was allocated to Burnley in each year since 1997. [167901]

The New Opportunities Fund began making grants in 1999. The awards to Burnley are shown in the table.

Financial year	£
1997–98	—
1998–99	—
1999–2000	38,000
2000–01	286,877
2001–02	872,209
2002–03	1,466,891
2004–03	220,000
Total	2,883,977

The information is derived from the Department's Lottery award database, which uses information provided by the Lottery distributors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money from the New Opportunities Fund was allocated to Preston in each year since 1997. [168142]

The New Opportunities Fund began making grants in 1999. The awards to Preston are shown in the table.

Financial year	£
1998–99	—
1999–2000	4,378,682
2000–01	558,009
2001–02	3,068,323
2002–03	2,500,450
2004–03	1,730,044
Total	12,235,508

The information is derived from the Department's Lottery award database, which uses information provided by the Lottery distributors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will spotlist the Smithfield General Market, the adjacent fish market and Red House. [165520]

These buildings hive previously been turned down for listing in 1990, 1999 and 2003. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked English Heritage for further advice. She will take a decision on whether to list these buildings once this advice has been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from farming groups regarding biofuels. [167024]

Representations have been received, both at meetings and in correspondence, from the National Farmers Union, the Country Land and Business Association, the British Association for Biofuels and Oils, British BioGen, plant breeders, agricultural suppliers, farming consultants and other agricultural businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessments her Department has made of the effects of her proposals for single farm payments with respect to (a) tenant farmers, (b) new entrants and (c) farmers in severely disadvantaged areas; and if she will make a statement. [167026]

Defra will publish shortly an analysis of the economic impact on the English farming industry of the decoupling of CAP direct payment and the decision to allocate entitlement on the basis set out in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's Statements to the House on 12 February and earlier today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the environmental effects of the aggregates tax on Somerset. [167025]

The Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund was set up using revenue from the aggregates levy to address the impacts associated with aggregates extraction. Somerset is one of the three counties which receive funding direct from Defra to support projects to reduce local impacts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she plans to take to deal with the threat of bovine tuberculosis to cattle. [167018]

We are currently consulting on a long-term strategy for dealing with bovine TB in Great Britain. In the short term our priority must be to prevent further spread of the disease and our consultation seeks views on various cattle-based measures designed to help us achieve this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her ministerial colleagues in the Netherlands on similarities between the approaches taken in the UK and in the Netherlands to (a) the protection of the coastline, (b) the use of soft defences in coastal protection, (c) managed retreat and (d) managed realignment; and if she will make a statement. [164249]

I have had informal discussions with ministerial colleagues in the Netherlands on matters relating to coastal defences. However, officials from the two countries meet on a regular basis. Recognising the benefits to be gained by shared experiences both in respect of policy and engineering solutions, officials from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Denmark and England agreed to meet on an annual basis more than five years ago and so formed the North Sea Coastal Managers Group. The English delegation is led by my Chief Engineer.Meetings of the group have proved an invaluable forum for the exchange of information on the subjects raised by the right hon. Member. However it is important to recognise that there are differences between the Netherlands and England both in terms of the geography of the coastline and the proportion of the economic wealth at risk of flooding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the employment agencies which her Department and its predecessors have used to supply temporary staff in each financial year since 1996–97 to the most recent date for which figures are available. [163821]

Defra was formed in June 2001. The information prior to this date cannot be provided, as it is not held centrally. For the financial years for which information is available centrally the main employment agencies which the core Department has used to supply temporary staff are as follows:

• 2001–2002:
• Adecco UK Ltd.
• Kelly Services UK Ltd.
• Badenoch & Clark
• FSS International Ltd.
• Spherion UK Plc
• Stopgap Ltd.
• Brook Street (UK) Ltd.
• Indigo Selection
• Hays Accountancy Personnel
• Accountancy Additions Ltd.
• Michael Page International
• Chain Solutions Ltd.
• Riverside Recruitment
• Barclay Simpson
• Adept Recruitment
• Manpower plc
• Josephine Sammons Ltd.
• Recruit Media
• Griffiths Davies Recruitment
• Lawson Bishop
• 2002–2003:
• Adecco UK Ltd.
• Kelly Services UK Ltd.
• Badenoch & Clark
• FSS International Ltd.
• Stopgap Ltd.
• Brook Street (UK) Ltd.
• Indigo Selection
• Hays Accountancy Personnel
• Accountancy Additions Ltd.
• Michael Page International
• Chain Solutions Ltd.
• Riverside Recruitment
• Barclay Simpson
• Adept Recruitment
• Manpower plc
• Josephine Sammons Ltd.
• Recruit Media
• Griffiths Davies Recruitment
• Lawson Bishop
• Swantame Ltd.
• Hays Montrose
• Parker Bridge
• Ivor Morrish Associates
• Russell Thomas Associates
• FSS Financial
• Atebion Recruitment Ltd.
• Martin Ward Anderson
• Drax Interim Executive
• Cameron Kennedy
• Marks Sattin
• Manpower UK Ltd.
• IMS Ltd.
• D G Farran Consultants Ltd.
• Contact Technical Services
• Staffline
• MSB International
• Reed Staffing Services
• TMP Worldwide ER
• Blue Arrow Personnel Services Ltd.
• Big Fish Little Fish
• Reed Personnel Services plc
• First Personnel Group plc
• Office Angels
• Cathedral Secretarial Agency
• Recruitment South West Ltd.
• Premiere Labourforce Ltd.
• Execulets
• Parker IT
• Randstad Employment Bureau Ltd.
• Kellys International Ltd.
• Michael Page Ltd.
• 2003–2004 (April to December):
• Adecco UK Ltd.
• Kelly Services UK Ltd.
• Badenoch & Clark
• FSS International Ltd.
• Stopgap Ltd.
• Brook Street (UK) Ltd.
• Indigo Selection
• Hays Accountancy Personnel
• Accountancy Additions Ltd.
• Michael Page International
• Chain Solutions Ltd.
• Riverside Recruitment
• Barclay Simpson
• Adept Recruitment
• Manpower plc
• Josephine Sammons Ltd.
• Recruit Media
• Griffiths Davies Recruitment
• Lawson Bishop
• Swantame Ltd.
• Hays Montrose
• Parker Bridge
• Ivor Morrish Associates
• Russell Thomas Associates
• FSS Financial
• Atebion Recruitment Ltd.
• Martin Ward Anderson
• Drax Interim Executive
• Cameron Kennedy
• Marks Sattin
• Manpower UK Ltd.
• IMS Ltd.
• Hudson Global Resources Ltd.
• Crone Corkill
• Staffline
• Big Fish Little Fish
• Blue Arrow Personnel Services Ltd.
• Cathedral Secretarial Agency
• Recruitment South West Ltd.
• Aptus Personnel Ltd.
• FSS Financial
• Excel Recruitment Ltd.
• Travail Employment Group
• Stop Gap
• Office Angels
• Spherion UK Plc

Other agencies may have been used by local managers when business needs have required resources which could not be provided from within the Department or a quick response. Data on these agencies is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the (a) sampling procedures used in the Chardon LL VCU trials and (b) statistical validity of the results obtained. [166345]

The sampling procedures used in the Chardon LL Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) trials were those specified in the trials protocol and used for all maize variety VCU trials. The procedures are designed to ensure that samples used in trials are as representative as possible of the variety in general. The results of the trials for Chardon LL were reviewed by maize trials experts on the Herbage VCU Group and members of the Interdepartmental Statisticians Group, who confirmed their statistical validity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's support for local food production. [167013]

The Government recognise the benefits of local food and is keen to encourage a flourishing local food sector. In recognition of this, provision is available under the England rural development programme for supporting activities such as the establishment of farmers' markets, the development of regional and local branding of foodstuffs and the formation of collaborative groups to market quality products. For example, within the last year we awarded £100,256 to the National Association of Farmers' Markets to raise the profile of farmers' markets across England and to increase public awareness of them.Defra has also helped finance a number of local sourcing workshops organised by the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) designed to bring together supermarkets and small local producers to explore how barriers to local sourcing can be overcome. Following on from this, we helped fund the Business in The Community (BiTC) and IGD guide for small businesses looking to work with large food retailers and food service companies—"Local Sourcing—Opening the Door for Small Business". In addition to this, our Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative is designed to encourage public sector bodies to procure their food in a manner that promotes sustainable development and to encourage more small and local businesses to compete to supply them with food.This work will be complemented at a regional level through the regional plans that each regional development agency (RDA) is drawing up to help deliver the Government Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food. Although the nature of this support will be determined according to regional priorities, issues to be addressed will include the production and supply of locally sourced food by encouraging food hubs and shared facilities and the linking of local producers with local retailers and tourist businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what position Her Majesty's Government is taking over current applications to the United Nations for exemptions from the international ban on methyl bromide. [166573]

Methyl bromide is an ozone depleting substance and its production and supply are controlled under the Montreal Protocol. Its production is due to be phased out in developed countries after 31 December 2004.However, in recognition that alternatives for all existing methyl bromide uses may not be a available by 2005 a provision was made under Decision IX/6 of the Montreal Protocol, where critical use exemptions can be requested when there are no technically and economically feasible alternatives. The UK's view is that methyl bromide is being phased out by the Protocol and should not be phased back in by excessive critical uses.Several Parties to the Protocol, including the UK, submitted applications for critical use exemptions and a package of exemptions was agreed at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol in Montreal (24–26 March 2004) Some further applications, including from the UK, will be due for decision by the Parties at a meeting of the Parties in November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her best available estimate is of the cost of answering the questions on badgers and bovine TB asked by the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) in session 2003–04. [157135]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost has been of providing answers to parliamentary questions asked by the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) on the subject of bovine TB and related matters since 2003. [164210]

The last estimate made of the average cost of answering a parliamentary question (April 2002) was £135.The hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) has tabled 450 questions on badgers and bovine tuberculosis during this parliamentary session. Thus the estimated total cost involved in answering these questions is £60,750.This cost has been met by the diversion of resources from the development of policy and from scientific research in relation to both wildlife and to bovine TB. It has resulted in delays in responding to public correspondence and has held up work on areas such as the review of badger licensing, consultation on deer management, the review of the TB website and updating the advice to farmers in the booklet "Dealing with TB in Your Herd".

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 9 March, Official Report, column 1391, on temporary staff, if she will list the amounts spent by her Department on (a) temporary staff and (b) consultants for each year; if she will publish the job descriptions of the consultants hired by her Department in (i) 2001–02, (ii) 2002–03 and (iii) 2003–04; and if she will make a statement. [164714]

I am sorry the answer I gave the hon. Member on 9 March, Official Report, column 1391W, incorrectly included reference to consultants and did not accurately record the expenditure on temporary staff.The correct figures from the Departmental accounts show payments to employment agencies for the supply of temporary staff for the three financial years as:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her responsibilities relating to the inclusion of GM crops on the UK National Seed List as it applies in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland. [166523]

The Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3510) deal with the acceptance of agricultural plant varieties onto the National Lists of varieties. These Regulations apply to both conventional and GM varieties. The National Lists are United Kingdom lists.The National Authorities have the joint responsibility to decide whether a plant variety has met the criteria in the Regulations in order that it can be added to the relevant National List. The 'National Authorities' are defined for the purpose of the Regulations as:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the reasons for changes in the level of nitrate pollution in public water supplies; and what steps are being taken to reduce levels. [167020]

Unusual meteorological conditions caused an increase in nitrate levels in 2001. Results for 2002 show a significant improvement. We are supporting water company schemes for nitrate removal in the current periodic review of water price limits, provided there is sound evidence of the likelihood of future failures.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the activities of Al Tawhid in the United Kingdom. [165904]

[holding answer 19 April 2004]: Al Tawhid is a Sunni Palestinian organisation which appears to have close associations with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and al-Qaeda. Its stated aim is to overthrow the Jordanian monarchy and replace it with a fundamentalist Islamic regime. However, though it has some support here, it does not appear to be formally active in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will proscribe al-Muhajiroun under the anti-terrorism legislation; [165905](2) if he will make a statement on the activities of al-Muhajiroun. [165906]

[holding answer 19 April 2004]: Al-Muhajiroun was established in 1996 and has members throughout Britain. It originated in Pakistan and has groups in a number of countries including the US. Its stated aim is the establishment of a worldwide Islamic way of life by openly attracting popular support amongst Islamic communities.The list of proscribed organisations is kept under constant and active review. As a matter of policy, we do not comment on whether a particular organisation is being considered for proscription or de-proscription. Such decisions are and will continue to be taken only after the most careful consideration and on the basis of the best possible security advice. That will remain the basis for all decisions in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are in place to ensure courts give particular consideration to the impact of antisocial behaviour on victims, witnesses and the wider community. [165917]

Section 16 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 requires courts to give particular consideration to the impact of antisocial behaviour on victims, witnesses and the wider community in all nuisance-related housing possession cases.The Magistrates' Association implemented new sentencing guidelines on 1 January 2004, including for the first time guidelines for the offence of breach of an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO). The guidelines reflect the seriousness of the offence and direct the magistrate to consider the impact on the victim.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many areas have been designated as an area of persistent antisocial behaviour by a senior Merseyside police officer since the inception of this power. [165919]

Merseyside police tell me that three areas have been designated as areas where antisocial behaviour is a significant and persistent problem since these powers came into force.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the new antisocial behaviour prosecutor teams in the Crown Prosecution Service. [166682]

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Attorney General, together with the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Director of Public Prosecutions, will be announcing today that 12 specialist Anti-Social Behaviour Expert Prosecutors have now taken up their post in hot spot areas around the country.They will be dedicated to working closely with their local communities and colleagues in the Criminal Justice System, to combat antisocial behaviour, which, although at the lower end of the criminal scale of offences, are the cases which most affect law-abiding people, who remain trapped in their homes through fear of crime.The Home Office, Crown Prosecution Service and Department of Constitutional Affairs will be working closely together to ensure that the Anti-Social Behaviour Expert Prosecutors will achieve their objective of ensuring that the maximum benefit is derived from the new powers given to them by the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 as well as spreading best practice and providing expert advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts regarding requirements for checks on people coming to the UK from other EU countries before they can take up positions working with children or vulnerable people. [165832]

[holding answer 19 April 2004]: On 18 March 2004 the Home Office held a seminar on collecting and sharing of information on child sex offenders across Europe. The seminar provided an opportunity for policy officials from across Europe to discuss how we can improve the collection and sharing of information on those who pose a risk of sexual harm. In particular the seminar examined how member states can ensure that people who pose a risk to children do not evade any requirements or disqualifications put on them in one country by moving to another.We are now considering the options that arose from discussions at the seminar on how we can take this area of child protection forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many car crimes there have been in each year since 1997; and how many resulted from the theft of car keys. [166836]

The number of thefts of and thefts from vehicles (including cars, light vans, motorbikes and mopeds) since 1997 as measured by the British Crime Survey (BCS) are provided in the table.

Numbers of thefts of and thefts from vehicles 1997 to 2002–03 BCS interviews
Period	Thefts of vehicles	Thefts from vehicles
1997	370,000	2,157,000
1999	328,000	1,807,000
2001–02 interviews	315,000	1,491,000
2002–03 interviews	278,000	1,425,000

The BCS also provides the proportion of thefts of or from cars or light vans where entry into the vehicle involved the use of car keys (unlike for the numbers of offences above, these proportions do not include motorbikes or mopeds). The percentages from 1997 to 2001–02 are provided in the table.

Proportion of thefts of and thefts from cars/vans where the method of entry was with a key
Percentage
Period	Thefts of vehicles	Thefts from vehicles
1997	7	4
1999	8	1
2001–02 interviews	12	2

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has evaluated on chromatography tests for traces of explosives in human hair. [166844]

A preliminary study into the recovery of explosive traces from the surface of human hair was carried out by the Forensic Explosives Laboratory, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory on behalf of the Home Office.Subsequent research into the analysis of explosive traces extracted from human hair was carried out and included evaluation by gas chromatographic techniques. This work was published by Sanders et al in

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the intended size of the Correctional Policy Headquarters Command is. [165881]

The size of the Home Office Correctional Policy, Prison Service and Probation Service Headquarters is being considered as part of the ongoing departmental reform exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the Correctional Policy Headquarters' administrative requirements; and what estimate has been made of the costs. [165882]

The Home Office Correctional Policy, Prison Service and Probation Service Headquarters administration requirements are being considered as part of the ongoing departmental reform exercise. Headquarters costs in 2004-05 will be met from within existing provision. Funding for 2005–06 onwards will be agreed as part of the current spending review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional powers the Criminal Records Bureau would require to carry out checks on all people coming from abroad before they were able to take of positions working with children or vulnerable people. [165831]

[holding answer 19 April 2004]: Part 5 of the Police Act 1997, under which the Criminal Records Bureau operates, does not empower the Bureau to search databases outside the United Kingdom for conviction and other information shown on its Disclosures. Inquiries made about arrangements in force in other countries have shown both how varied they are and how complex it would be to introduce widespread arrange vents to link up with records in a range of other countries. The Bureau has taken the initiative by establishing its overseas information service for the benefit of employers who are considering recruiting staff from outside the UK. The service provides detailed information about the arrangements for checks in other countries, including where such information can be obtained, how to go about obtaining a check, the cost and the time taken. At present. this arrangement covers 16 countries, including nine in Europe, and work is in hand to extend the service to a further 15 countries, including 14 in Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he made of the consistency with international law of the interrogation methods deployed by the US at Guantanamo Bay before sanctioning the involvement of MI5 in that process. [162883]

[holding answer 22 March 2004]: The Government have a duty to protect national security. This is the context it which Security Service conducted interviews at Guantanamo Bay. All Security Service interviews were carried out in accordance with United Kingdom law.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions a Merseyside police officer has taken a child home after 9 pm from a designated area since the inception of this power. [165921]

Merseyside police tell me that they have taken home eight unsupervised children in three specific areas since these powers came into force.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which not-for-profit organisations have been invited to comment on the proposed National Offender Management Service. [165186]

Reducing Crime—Changing Lives, which invites comments on the proposed National Offender Management Service, was sent to an extensive list of stakeholders and is available on the Home Office website. The National Offender Management Service Implementation Team is also engaged in an ongoing consultation with key stakeholders.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish legislation to introduce a National Offender Management Service; and whether he plans for it to be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny. [163105]

The National Offender Management Service will be introduced from 1 June 2004. Many of the changes needed to establish the service will not require legislation but where legislation is required this will be introduced as the legislative timetable allows.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which bodies his Department has consulted on the proposals for a National Offenders Management Service. [163107]

Copies of "Reducing Crime—Changing Lives", the Government's proposals for reform of the correctional services, were distributed to an extensive list of organisations, individuals and stakeholders and made available m the Home Office website. The National Offender Management Service implementation team is involved in ongoing consultation with key stakeholders.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disciplinary measures have been taken against police officer; as a result of the breach of security on the parliamentary estate on 20 March. [165872]

[holding answer 19 April 2004]: In the immediate aftermath of the incident on 20 March, the Metropolitan Police Service instigated an investigation into the incident, to ensure that they had delivered the appropriate and professional response. That investigation continues, and I would not want to prejudge the outcome of that investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons were for the decision not to charge the officers who made racist comments while filmed by an undercover journalist for the BBC documentary "The Secret Policeman". [166072]

The Crown Prosecution Service makes the determination in all cases where criminal charges are being considered. The Crown Prosecution Service informs us that matters in respect of two of the 10 officers are the subject of further investigation. Once this investigation has been completed a file will be slit mined for the Crown Prosecution Service's further consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change there has been in police numbers in (a) the Avon and Somerset police authority and (b) Weston-super-Mare in each year since 1997. [167504]

The increase in police numbers for the Avon and Somerset constabulary for each year since 1997 is set out in the table.

	Police officer strength	Increase decrease	Percentage change
31 March 1997	2,989	—	—
31 March 1998	2,976	-13	-0.43
31 March 1999	2,999	+23	+0.77
31 March 2000	2,934	-65	-2.17
31 March 2001	2,960	+ 26	+ 0.89
31 March 2002	3,096	+ 136	+4.59
31 March 2003	3,149	+ 53	+1.71
31 December 2003	3,371	+ 222	+ 7.05
Overall increase	—	382	+12.78

Weston-super-Mare is part of the North Somerset Basic Command Unit (BCU). Information on strength at BCU level is collected annually and reflects the position at the end of March. Information on BCU strength is only available from 2002.Between March 2002 and March 2003 police strength for the North Somerset BCU increased by 4.9 per cent. (from 203 to 213). The deployment of officers to BCUs is a matter for the Chief Constable (Stephen Pilkington QPM) and within the North Somerset BCU deployment of officers is a matter for the Divisional Commander.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in full-time police officers in Manchester Gorton has been since 1997. [167466]

Manchester Gorton is part of the South Manchester Basic Command Unit (BCU). Information on strength at BCU level is collected annually and reflects the position at the end of March. Information on BCU strength is only available from 2002.Between March 2002 and March 2003 police strength for the South Manchester BCU increased by 0.8 per cent. (from 954 to 962). The deployment of officers to BCUs is a matter for the Chief Constable (Michael Todd QPM) and within the South Manchester BCU deployment of officers is a matter for the Divisional Commander.The number of police officers in Greater Manchester Police has increased by 848 since March 1997 to 7,770 in December 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the effect has been on probation areas in England and Wales of the 2 per cent. underspend imposed in December 2003; and how many areas have appealed against the decision. [160807]

The 2 per cent. underspend and compulsory carry forward requirement was introduced for the following reasons:

The Probation Service was heading for a forecast overspend in 2003-04 and it was necessary to reduce spending to bring expenditure back into line with budget.

The probation areas had an average 11 per cent. increase in resources for 2003–04 and the increase for 2004–05 is much lower at 3.5 per cent. It was therefore considered desirable to smooth the annual settlements by moving 2 per cent. from 2003–04 to 2004–05, therefore making the relative financial settlements 9 per cent. and 5.5 per cent.

28 areas have managed to carry forward the full 2 per cent. or more into their budget for 2004–05. A further eight areas have managed partial carry forwards.The remaining six areas have appealed against the decision to have their budgets reduced by 2 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons were for the increase of £47.2 million for Probation Headquarters in the Spring Supplementary Estimates; and how this money will be spent. [165876]

A transfer of £30.5 million was made from the Chief Executive of the National Offender Management Service to the National Probation Directorate primarily to fund Electronic Monitoring, the Standard Technical Environment for the Probation Service (STEPS) Information Technology roll-out and Probation Loan Charges.A further transfer of 16.7 million was made from the Criminal Justice Information Technology Group to fund the STEPS Information Technology rollout.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what new money he pledged to Afghanistan at the recent Donor Conference in Berlin. [166724]

At the Afghanistan donor conference in Berlin I announced an increase of the UK pledge to Afghanistan from £200 million over 5 years, to £500 million over the same period.When DFID made the pledge of £200 million over five years in Tokyo in January 2002, this only related to DFID funds for humanitarian and reconstruction work. Since then funding for Afghanistan has become available from other parts of Whitehall, with the Global Conflict Prevention Pool establishing a programme for Afghanistan (£55 million over three years), and the formulation of a counter narcotics strategy with specific funding (£70 million over three years). Inclusion of these figures in the pledge announced allows them to now be properly recognised by the Afghan Government.Since the pledge look effect in March of 2002, DFID has disbursed over £150 million. The new pledge takes our reconstruction funding for Afghanistan to £375 million, this represents £175 million in new money.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 project, financed by EU Development Assistance, to promote the human rights of the indigenous people of Chaco in Bolivia; and what assessment he has made of the project; [167079](2) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 project, financed by EU Development Assistance, to defend human rights in Colombia; and what assessment he has made of the project; [167080](3) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 project, financed by EU Development Assistance, to strengthen institutional support for human rights in Mexico; and what assessment he has made of the project; [167081](4) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 project, financed by EU Development Assistance, to provide a landmine expert to Sudan; and what assessment he has Trade of the project; [167082](5) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 project, financed by EU Development Assistance, entitled Participation Management of National Resources in Berau in Indonesia; and what assessment he has made of the project; [167083](6) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 project, financed by EU Development Assistance, on rehabilitation and reconstruction in Afghanistan; and what assessment he I as made of the project; [167084](7) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 project, financed by EU Development Assistance, entitled Second Recovery Programme in Afghanistan; and what assessment he has made of the project; [167085](8) what his Department"s involvement was in the 2002 project, financed by EU Development Assistance, entitled Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Peru; and what assessment he has made of the project; [167086](9) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 project, financed by EU Development Assistance, to reinforce civil society in Guatemala; and what assessment he has made of the project; [167087](10) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 project, financed by EU Development Assistance, to reinforce democracy in Venezuela; and what assessment he has made of the project; [167088](11) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 project, financed by EU Development Assistance, to reinforce the judicial system in Colombia; and what assessment he has made of the project; [167089]

DFID has been involved in the projects, or programmes described in a number of ways. Firstly by contributing the UK's share of the European Commission budget allocated to the projects cited and secondly, wherever possible through in-country consultation with the EC office over project and programme design. DFID also attend the relevant Management Committees that approved the EC strategies and programmes under which the projects were or are being implemented. Finally, in some cases, DFID has formed part of a multi-donor in-country programme management committee that oversaw or is overseeing project implementation.Some of the projects cited are ongoing and an assessment will only be possible once they have been completed. The EC, through its results-orientated management system and strengthened evaluation systems, is best placed to carry out such an assessment. DFID is however often involved in, or consulted on, such assessments. Assessments carried out to date have identified both significant success and areas for improvement. DFID continues to work with the European Commission to improve the quality and impact of its development assistance.I refer the Hon. Member for Buckingham 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 about individual programmes and projects. I will place copies of the report in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the efficacy of his Department's contract with the World Food Programme to distribute food to Teso in North East Uganda. [166760]

The Department for International Development has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nation's World Food Programme in Uganda. The current MoU has been in place since December 2002. It clearly sets out the UK's expectations in relation to our bilateral financing, and gives the World Food Programme (WFP) obligations to fulfil.The WFP has the full capacity required to provide food relief in the North and East of Uganda effectively. WFP is the UN agency mandated to provide food aid in such a large-scale emergency, and the only agency on the ground equipped with the necessary staff, resources and experience necessary to respond adequately to the situation. DFID closely monitors the WFP's performance through the reports it submits directly to DFID, the monthly Humanitarian Updates it provides to the donor community as a whole, and regular discussions with WFP representatives in Kampala.

To ask the Prime Minister when he will announce new appointments to the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and if he will make a statement. [168455]

I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Sir Alistair Graham as Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life in succession to Sir Nigel Wicks with effect from Monday 26 April. Sir Alistair has been a Member of the Committee since 1 October 2003.I have also appointed Lady Elizabeth Valiance as a Member of the Committee in succession to Sir Alistair following his appointment as Chairman.Both appointments have been made fully in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Cod of Practice.I am very grateful to Sir Nigel for his excellent leadership of the Committee, and for the significant contribution he has made to upholding and improving standards in public life.

To ask the Prime Minister which Government Departments are responsible for ensuring that (a) EU member states' and (b)> EU accession states' food imports to the UK meet the appropriate EU (i) slaughter, (ii) production, (iii) processing, (iv) labelling, (v) hygiene, (vi) food safety and (vii) traceability standards. [167322]

It is the responsibility of the relevant authorities in each EU member state and accession state to ensure that all food is produced and exported in accordance with EU legislation. The European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office is responsible for ensuring that authorities comply with these responsibilities.Food coming to the UK from accession states before 1 May 2004 (and after this date for accession states not due to join the EU on 1 May) will be subject to the same import controls as food from other non-EU countries. Such food is subject to routine food safety and standards checks at UK ports by local authorities.The Food Standards Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and its agencies are responsible for food safety and food standards in the UK. Enforcement responsibilities are delegated to environmental health and trading standards departments in local authorities, who carry out checks on food to ensure compliance with food safety and food hygiene standards.

To ask the Prime Minister what his policy is on the length of time it is appropriate for Cabinet Ministers to be out of the country. [167798]

Section 7 of the Ministerial Code provides guidance to Ministers making overseas visits.

To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons Mr. Jonathan Powell has the power to direct civil servants. [167797]

Jonathan Powell has executive powers under article 3(3) of the Civil Service Order in Council. He has direct responsibility for leading and coordinating operations across Number 10 and reports to me.

To ask the Prime Minister when he last met the Mayor of London.[168001]

I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals, including the Mayor of London. As with previous administrations, it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings, under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons the hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton left his post as Environment Minister. [167773]

As has been the practice under successive administrations, all ministerial offices are at the disposal of the Prime Minister. Details of resigning Ministers have been announced on each occasion.

To ask the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to reduce the dependency of (a) himself and (b) his Ministers on ministerial cars. [167800]

Under the terms of the Ministerial Code, Ministers arc required to make efficient and cost-effective arrangements, taking account of security considerations.All ministerial travel on official business is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in "Travel by Ministers".

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the reappointment of the Surveillance Commissioner under Part III of the Police Act 1997. [168424]

In accordance with Section 91 of the Police Act 1997, I have agreed to re-appoint Sir Philip Otton as Surveillance Commissioner from 1 February 2004 to 31 January 2007. The remit of each Surveillance Commissioner covers the whole of the United Kingdom so that any Surveillance Commissioner can act in jurisdictions other than his own.The right hon. Sir Philip Otton has served as a Surveillance Commissioner since 2001. I am delighted that Sir Philip has accepted his re appointment and am grateful for his continuing work.

To ask the Prime Minister what his policy is in respect of the use of Government property by individuals other than special advisers to carry out work for New Labour. [167795]

Guidance to Ministers on the use of Government property is set out in section 6 of the Ministerial Code.

To ask the Solicitor General pursuant to her answer of 8 March 2004, Official Report, column 314W, on Katharine Gun, if the Attorney-General will place copies of the correspondence between Ministers and himself on the Katharine Gun case in the Library. [164241]

The correspondence between the Attorney-General and Ministers relates to the "Shawcross" exercise undertaken by the Attorney-General. The Attorney wrote to ministerial colleagues asking for views and any issues which may impact upon his decision whether or not it was in the public interest to consent to the prosecution of Katharine Gun for an offence under section 1 of the Official Secrets Act. The correspondence falls within exemptions 1, 2 and 4 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The correspondence includes information whose disclosure would harm national security and was a consultation between Ministers where their advice and views were sought. The Attorney-General considers that to disclose this would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion. He has concluded the harm likely to arise from disclosure of this material outweighs the public interest in making the information available. In addition the correspondence related to legal proceedings and therefore comes under exemption 4.Copies of correspondence between Ministers and the Attorney-General on the Katharine Gun case will not therefore be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what incentives have been provided to upgrade buses used within the Merseyside transport system. [166979]

Under the LTP process, Merseyside's five year Plan and 10 year Strategy include significant investment in the development and promotion of bus services. Merseytravel are working with local bus operators to improve standards through the Quality Corridors initiative in the LTP. Corridor Q, for example, was launched in St Helens in March 2003, involving a package of bus priorities, new bus stops, information systems and low floor buses. Merseytravel have also encouraged operators to fit particulate filters to 140 city buses through an Energy Saving Trust supported programme to encourage lower vehicle emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met representatives of (a) Transport for London and (b) the Greater London Authority to discuss the congestion charge. [166907]

The London congestion charging scheme is the responsibility of the Mayor, not the Government. However, Ministers have regular meetings with the Mayor at which a wide range of transport matters are discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average wait for a driving test is (a) at Mill Hill test center, (b) in London and (c) in each of the other regions of the United Kingdom; what plans he has to improve delays in giving test dates; and if he will make a statement. [167091]

The Driving Standards Agency has a national target for the average annual waiting time for a practical car driving test in England, Scotland and Wales of six weeks. The current national average waiting time for a test is 9.8 weeks. The current waiting time for a practical car driving test at the Mill Hill test center is 17 weeks. The average waiting time for a test in the London and South East area is 13.3 weeks. Waiting times for a practical car driving test vary in the other areas of Great Britain as follows:

Area	Average waiting time (weeks)
Midlands and Eastern	10.3
Wales and Western	7.2
Northern	9.7
Scotland	4.9

In Northern Ireland, the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency has a target average waiting time for a practical car driving test of 23 days. The average waiting time across test centers in Northern Ireland is currently 27 days.In order to reduce the current high waiting times for tests in Great Britain to the six week waiting time target, the Driving Standards Agency recruited 283 new driving examiners in the last financial year and plans to recruit a further 330 in the coming year. An extra 7.30 am test slot is being added to weekday programmes in some test centers and tests are now offered on Sundays. The agency is deploying as many driving examiners as possible from Scotland to the London and South East area to tackle the problem of high waiting times there. In the context of its Business Plan for 2004–05, I have set the agency a target to bring national waiting times down to six weeks by January 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 1 April 2004, Official Report, column 1571W, on Electronic Vehicle Licensing System, when the Electronic Vehicle Licensing System will be implemented for cars over 3-years-old; and what the completion date for the full scheme is. [166997]

The electronic system for vehicles over 3-years-old will require a link between DVLA and the new MOT computer system. This should be fully available by early 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what work his Department's Green Minister has undertaken in the last three months in that capacity; [166063](2) what meetings his Department's Green Minister has attend,;(1 in the last 12 months in that capacity; [166064](3) if he will list the meetings at which his Department has been represente I on the delivery of sustainable development across Government as coordinated by the Ministerial Sub-committee of Green Ministers; [166065](4) what steps he taking to promote the delivery of sustainable development within Government; [166066](5) what progress has been made on his Department's sustainable developn ent strategy. [166067]

Since becoming the Department's Green Minister, I have attended a number of meetings with Defra Ministers, including the Environment Minister, Elliot Morley, during which a range of sustainable development issues of concern to both our Departments were discussed.I am also a member of ENV(G). It has been established practice under successive Governments not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees. This practice is now formalised by Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.In my role as Green Minister, I have overseen the publication of the Department's Sustainable Development Policy Statement which was published on the DfT website in March of this year. This outlines how DfT is integrating the principles of sustainable development into decision-making. It complements the Department's existing 'Green Operations Policy Statement' (also or, the website), which sets out our objectives for improving the environmental performance of the estates of the Department and its Executive Agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to r view the role of Liverpool Airport within the national airport strategy. [166980]

The White Paper The Future of Air Transport, published in December, recognised the benefits to the lock 1 economy resulting from the expansion of Liverpool Airport and supported its further growth to accommodate increased demand. It is now for the airport operator to bring forward specific development proposals. We will report progress on the policies and proposals set out in the White Paper in 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had from the emergency services since June 2001 on the removal of (a) speed humps and (b) pinch points on the road network. [165960]

The emergency services have made no requests for the removal of traffic calming measures. The London Ambulance Service has however requested that before any measures are introduced full consideration be given in order that the right balance is struck between effective traffic calming and allowing ambulances to continue with minimum hindrance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) factors and (b) statistics relating to road humps his Department is planning to monitor; and when monitoring will commence. [167226]

The Department has conducted a number of monitoring exercises into the effects of road humps in recent years. The results of this work have been published in Traffic Advisory Leaflets and technical reports. Details of these projects are contained in Traffic Advisory Leaflet 5/01 entitled Traffic Calming Bibliography. Copies are available from the House of Commons Library. There are no plans to conduct further monitoring exercises at thc present time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of new cycle lanes have been provided using public funds in Birkenhead since 1997. [166497]

4.05 miles of new cycle lanes have been constructed in Birkenhead since 1997. This includes both on-road and off-road cycle provision, and the breakdown is as follows:

	Miles
Millennium Route (part)	2.80
Beaufort Road cycle route	0.69
Beechwood cycle route	0.56
Total	4.05

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of priority bus lanes have been created in Birkenhead since 1997. [166499]

0.60 miles of priori bus lanes have been created in Birkenhead since 1997. They are as follows:

	Miles
Hamilton Square	align="right">0.08
Borough Road (West)	0.25
Borough Road (East)	0.06
Singleton Avenue	0.03
A41 near Bolton Road	0.10
Woodchurch Road (Prenton)	0.08
Total	0.60

To ask the Leader of the House (1) how many staff are employed in the Office 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; [158159](2) what the total expenditure on communications for his Office has been in 2003–04, broken down by expenditure on

The information requested is as follows:

Expenditure in 2003–04	£
GICs	0
Press Officers	10
Special Advisers	2—
Others	341,348
1My Office does not employ any GICs staff or Press Officers directly. Press Office services are provided by the Cabinet Office at no charge.
2 The Special Advisers' Code of Conduct sets out the sort of work a special adviser may undertake on behalf of their Minister. This includes communications activity. Details of the costs of Special Advisers are given on an annual basis. Information for the financial year 2003–04 will be published in due course.
3 Cost of development and hosting of a new website. This work is contracted out by this Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the proposed European Directive on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, with particular reference to the impact on the free movement of healthcare professionals; and what assessment she has made of the report adopted by the European Parliament on the Directive. [166873]

I welcome the simplification and rationalisation of existing rules relating to professional recognition, in particular new flexibilities proposed for temporary, cross-frontier provision of services. Simpler conditions for services provision will help improve labour mobility across the European Union and contribute to the creation of a real single market in services.The European Commission and Council have recognised the need for controls for health professionals and I agree that prior checks of qualifications are necessary in some sectors, where human health and safety are at risk. In the case of health professionals, the UK is seeking to maintain current provisions for temporary and automatic recognition applying to doctors, dentists, general care nurses, midwives and pharmacists, and is pressing for prior checks before temporary services provision in the cases of other health professionals.The European Parliament has proposed a large number of amendments to the text of the draft Directive, which have yet to be incorporated by the Commission into a revised text. A re-assessment of the draft Directive will be made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education when the revised text has been presented to the Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with the Home Office about combating fraud committed over the internet. [166737]

The Home Office leads on e-crime and sets a comprehensive framework of action. DTI and HO officials are in regular contact to consider the whole range of cybercrime issues and how they impact on the interests of businesses and consumers. DTI officials are represented on the Internet Crime Forum which brings together Government, law enforcement agencies and internet industry to tackle crime and foster business and public confidence in the use of the internet. The Forum is actively considering future work on internet fraud. My officials are also in regular contact with the relevant law enforcement authorities to explore how best to convey crime prevention messages and how best users may manage their systems to enable the efficient detection and investigation of on-line crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list law companies who have not responded to the request to repay amounts overcharged to miners and their widows in respect of processing miners' compensation claims; and if she will make a statement. [166422]

[holding answer 21 April 2004]: Following is a list of solicitors who have either stated they do not intend to repay claimants, or did not respond to my letter about refunding overpayments or who have requested that they be removed from the DTI list of approved solicitors.As you will be aware, my letters of December 2003 and February 2004 to all firms of solicitors handling these claims asked that those who had unfairly taken a proportion of miners' compensation to repay the money. I wrote to the Law Society asking them to take action to ensure that their members voluntarily refund any fees taken, rather than wait for miners to contact them. I also passed the names of all firms who did not reply, to the Law Society asking them to take urgent action to ensure that the firms comply with my request.After looking into the issue, the Law Society has concluded that such double charging is unlikely to be justified, and is 'likely to give rise to a finding of inadequate professional service'.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with the British Chamber of Commerce on the subject of regulatory impact assessments. [166454]

I meet Mr. David Frost, the Director General of BCC regularly, most recently at the BCC Conference on 21 April where I took part in a panel discussion on RIAs. I understand the BCC welcomes the Government's work on RIAs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress her Department is making on promoting the environmental benefits of renewable energy. [167003]

I launched the "It's only natural" campaign in February. This will initially target key decision makers in the financial and planning sectors to ensure that they are equipped with the best information for making decisions regarding renewable energy. The campaign will continue to the end of March 2005 and there is a £2 million budget for the project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of the operational efficiency of Royal Mail; what action she is taking to improve the standards of delivery of domestic mail; and if she will make a statement. [167199]

The assessment of the operational efficiency of Royal Mail and any action to be taken to improve the standards of delivery of domestic mail is a matter for the postal regulator, Postcomm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent action her Department has taken to support small businesses in Tynemouth constituency. [165362]

In his budget statement my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced a number of steps to help small businesses including an increase of capital allowances to 50 per cent. and raising VAT registration threshold to 58 per cent. all of which helps Small Businesses in Tynemouth.The Chancellor also announced that the Employer Training Pilot, which has been running in Tyne and Wear for the last year, would be rolled out and made available to businesses throughout the North East. This helps businesses to improve the skills of their workforce by providing training tailored to their needs. The programme not only offers free tailored advice on training but also the unique prospect of subsidised training and wage compensation to employers for the time workers are away from work—traditionally one of the biggest barriers to training in smaller companies.The core funding provided to Business Link Tyne and Wear, has provided a foundation on which the Business Link has sourced additional funding projected at £14.5 million for the benefit of businesses in Tyne and Wear, for the year 2004–05.Around £3.5 million of this is available, including a subsidy of up to 50 per cent. for management development training and upskilling the workforce to SME's across Tyne and Wear.Businesses can also benefit from a range of Workforce Development services to help SMEs achieve the Investors in People Standard and develop their workforce. One business based in Tynemouth, received 50 per cent. subsidy to help them towards paying their Investors in People assessment fees. SMEs with between 5 and 49 employees are also eligible for additional funding towards helping them to reach the standard. In the past, financial subsidies towards consultancy costs were only available to businesses over 36 months old, and these were restricted to specific projects. Now, a subsidy of up to 45 per cent. can be accessed by businesses of any age or size towards the cost of any business related consultancy. Around £4 million is available for this purpose.Local SMEs can also benefit from up to 45 per cent. funding towards the cost of exhibition space and the design build and dressing of a stand. In conjunction with this, Business Link Tyne and Wear have held three `Meet the Buyer' events over the last two years as a means for local SMEs to meet buyers from both within and beyond the region, offering SME's the opportunity to become integral cogs in supply chains.Business Link Tyne and Wear has helped a number of businesses in the Tynemouth area to access financial assistance, one such SME received a 45 per cent. subsidy to help them to develop their website. They also went on to receive an additional 50 per cent. subsidy towards the cost of training, to enable staff to update the website once developed.In addition, a restaurant in Tynemouth, received 50 per cent. funding towards Management Development training, they also had consultancy assistance, to help them to develop a marketing strategy.Unsecured loans of up to £15,000 are also available to businesses in the North East that have had difficulty accessing finance elsewhere. Businesses must work with a mentor and repay the loan within five years.Over the past 15 months Business Link has received 660 inquiries from existing businesses and people looking to start their own business in North Tyneside. Of these, 43 existing, and 22 start up inquiries were from Tynemouth. 670 businesses have started in North Tyneside. They are offered an independent service of one-to-one 'counselling' and given intensive advice on business planning, marketing and finance.An adviser from Business Link and North Tyneside Council's advisers work side by side at North Tyneside Council's premises in North Shields to provide advice and support to businesses based in North Tyneside, including Tynemouth. In addition, an adviser is based in Tynemouth and North Tyneside Colleges two days a week to offer advice to anyone that is looking to start or already running a business.Tyne and Wear Small Business Fund, through the Regional Development Agency's Single Programme Funding, (Managed by Tyne and Wear Development Company and delivered by each local authority) is a 50 per cent. Capital Equipment Grant of between £500 and £2,500 available to pre-start and new businesses—up to 12 months old.The Regional Service for Clustering (RSC), also funded by the Dti, through the RDA, helps groups of SME's collaborate support across Tyne and Wear—this project is based in North Tyneside.North Tyneside Council also provides free business advice and guidance to all businesses setting up in North Tyneside.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the supply of steel in the UK for manufacturing industries. [167188]

Global steel prices have risen sharply in recent months as a result of rising input costs and market demand. This is causing difficulties for certain steel using industries where they have limited scope for passing on the increased cost to customers. There have been reports of tightness in the steel supply market, with imports to the EU reduced, but I understand that all types of steel remain available, although prices are high. There is no shortage of supply from UK steel producers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people were employed in the textile industry in 1997; and how many are employed in it now. [165383]

The information requested is as follows:

thousands
	Employee jobs in textile and clothing industries (SIC 17–18)
June 1997	347
June 2003	180
December 2003	171
Source:
Office for National Statistics Annual Business Inquiry and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Northern Ireland Quarterly Employment Survey.
Employee jobs in local units of Standard Industrial Classification division 17 (textiles) and division 18 (clothing).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost is per kilowatt hour of electricity generated by (a) offs bore wind and (b) onshore wind; and if she will make a statement. [167200]

Modelling carried out to support the recent Innovation Review puts the current estimated cost of onshore wind generation at 3.1–4 p/kWh expected to fall to? 2.5–3.2 p/kWh by 2020 and offshore wind genera ion at 6.0–7.6 p/kWh expected to fall to? 3.0–l4.6 p/kWh by 2020.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the environmental impact of wind farms. [167012]

The Energy White Paper published in February 2003 set out the Government's energy policy to tackle the crucial environmental challenge of climate change. The challenge we face is to reduce the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, one of the main causes of climate charge, which have risen by more than a third since the industrial revolution and are now rising faster than at any time in the past.The Government has set the target of obtaining 10 per cent. of our electricity from renewable sources by 2010, with the aspiration of doubling this by 2020.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with the IT industry about the recommendations of the industry forum for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access; and if she will make a statement. [166883]

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, commonly referred to as Wi-Max, is a North American based industry initiative to promote open interoperability between products designed for broadband wireless access. We welcome efforts to improve standards of interoperability between vendor products through industry initiatives. The Department participates in several fora where these standards are generated and used. My officials have discussed the initiative in regular meetings with companies concerned in this sector. Use of wireless relies on availability of essential spectrum, which in the UK is now the responsibility of the new independent regulator for communications—Ofcom. Accordingly, my officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to respond to my hon. Friend. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of tire House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extent of Government research and development programmes on allergies. [165062]

Details of research projects relating to allergies funded by, or of interest to, the national health service are recorded on the National Research Register (NRR) at www.update-software.com/national. The NRR currently contains details c f over 100 on-going projects in this area, as well as a larger number of completed projects. Much of this work is funded through allocations made annually to NHS providers for research and development o meet the priorities and needs of the NHS and to meet the costs to the NHS of hosting research supported by external funders. The total amount allocated to NHS providers in 2003–04 for research and development was?442 million. In addition, the Department is funding research on air pollution and asthma under its policy research programme.In 2001–02, expenditure by the Medical Research Council on its respiratory disorders portfolio was an estimated £11.9 million, which included work on allergies and asthma.The Food Standards Agency funds research on food allergy and intolerance, with particular emphasis on severe allergies, how they occur and what causes them. A large programme of research on food intolerance and allergy, costing around £1 million a year is ongoing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital consultants retired in the last quarter of (a) 2002c03 and (b) 2003–04. [165886]

Retirement data in the format requested and figures for 2003–04 are not available. The number of consultants in England and Wales, who received a pension from the National Health Service Pension Scheme in the year to 31 March 2003, is shown as follows:

1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003

Consultant Pension Awards: 451

Pension scheme records are continually, and retrospectively, being updated to reflect further membership activity and revised data. This data extract therefore represents a snapshot in time as at August 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what data collection systems are in place to record the (a) number and (b) costs of drugs for dementia supplied to acute and mental health trusts; [166549](2) what steps he is taking to ensure that accurate out-turn figures are available for the

In 2002–03 national health service trusts in England spent £1,942.8 million on the purchase of medicines, including medical gases. Detail of the break down of this figure into different therapeutic classes of medicines is not available.The national programme for information technology is charged with delivering the IT strategy for the NHS. Details were set out in "Delivering 21

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statistics will be available centrally from his Department on NHS foundation trusts. [166438]

The Department will continue to publish statistics on the performance of the national health service as a whole. This will include information on services commissioned by primary care trusts and provided by NHS trusts, NHS foundation trusts, diagnosis and treatment centers and independent sector providers.

All General Medical Practitioners1 (excluding Gp Retainers) per 100,000 of the population by Strategic Health Authority; 1997-2003, England
Number (headcount)
	1997		1998		1999
	All practitioners (excl. Ret)	All practitioners (excl. Ret) per 100,000 population	All practitioners (excl. Ret)	All practitioners (excl. Ret) per 100,000 population	All practitioners (excl. Ret)	All practitioners (excl. Ret) per 100,000 population
England total	29,389	60	29,697	61	29,987	61
North East total	1,485	58	1,506	59	1,520	60
County Durham and Tees Valley	649	57	650	57	656	58
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear	836	59	856	61	864	62
North West total	4,040	59	4,044	60	4,124	61
Cheshire and Merseyside	1,421	60	1,413	60	1,456	62
Cumbria and Lancashire	1,134	60	1,147	60	1,158	61
Greater Manchester	1,485	59	1,484	59	1,510	60
Yorkshire and the Humber total	3,021	61	3,028	61	3,092	63
North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire	999	62	991	62	1.011	63
South Yorkshire	758	59	758	59	772	61
West Yorkshire	1,264	61	1,279	62	1,309	63
East Midlands total	2,338	57	2,361	58	2,369	58
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland	908	60	902	59	898	58
Trent	1,430	56	1,459	57	1,471	57
West Midlands total	3,026	58	3,057	58	3,093	59
Birmingham and The Black Country	1,327	58	1,343	59	1,357	60
Shropshire and Staffordshire	792	54	813	55	830	56
West Midlands South	907	60	901	60	906	60
East of England total	3,080	58	3,141	59	3,156	59
Bedford and Hertfordshire	915	59	944	60	948	60
Essex	849	54	862	54	860	54
Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire	1,316	62	1,335	62	1,348	62
London total	4,532	65	4,515	65	4,496	64
North Central London	788	69	802	70	786	68
North East London	888	62	896	62	894	61
North West London	1,209	73	1,188	71	1.134	67
South East London	868	60	862	59	901	61
South West London	779	62	767	61	781	62
South East total	4,682	60	4,788	61	4,830	61
Hampshire and Isle of Wight	1,060	61	1,070	61	1,089	62
Kent and Medway	904	58	916	59	918	59
Surrey and Sussex	1,486	59	1,518	60	1,522	60
Thames Valley	1,232	60	1,284	62	1,301	63
South West total	3,185	66	3,257	67	3,307	68
Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire	1,325	63	1,374	65	1,404	65
Somerset and Dorset	794	68	820	70	843	72
South West Peninsula	1,066	69	1,063	69	1,060	68

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners there were per head of population in (a) England and (b) ach strategic health authority in each year since 1997. [166653]

Information on the number of general practitioners (excluding retainers) per 100,000 population in England and in each strategic health authority (SHA) since 1997 is shown in the table.The Office for National Statistics has not yet published 2003 population data by SHA. Therefore, information for 2003 has only been provided on a national level.