To ask the Leader of the House how much the production of his Office's latest annual report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge. [171151]

My office does not produce an annual report. Its functions are included in the Privy Council Office's Departmental Report, details of which can be found on the Department's website (www.privy-council.co.uk/output/page40.asp).

To ask the Leader of the House what percentage of the (a) crockery, (b) cutlery and (c) glassware procured by his Office over the last five years is of British manufacture. [170804]

The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons was established in June 2003. Since then only a small amount of crockery and glassware has been purchased, and no cutlery. All the crockery was of British manufacture.In line with current Government policy the decision to purchase goods for the Office is taken on value for money grounds: restricting purchases to British-only goods would not necessarily achieve this.As a trading nation the UK has commitments under both EC and WTO procurement rules to ensure our access to export markets, and a 'Buy-British' policy would make UK companies less competitive by closing down likely export markets. One of the five principles underlying the EC Treaty is one of non-discrimination on the grounds of nationality and this would also exclude a 'Buy-British' policy. In these days of global markets it is increasingly difficult to determine whether goods are British.

To ask the Leader of the House what assessment he has made of the implications of the Independent Monitoring Commission Report for the use of House facilities by Sinn Fein. [170658]

The Government has already taken steps in respect of the financial assistance payable to Sinn Fein and the PUP, in line with the recommendation of the Independent Monitoring Commission. The IMC's recommendations made no mention of parliamentary facilities. We hope the next report on paramilitary activity, due in the autumn, will reflect significant progress. But we will need to consider the implications of that report at that time.

To ask the Leader of the House how much has been paid to Sinn Fein since the decision by the House to pay allowances to Sinn Fein hon. Members who have not taken the oath. [171739]

Since 8 January 2002, Sinn Fein Members have been able to claim against the incidental expenses provision, staffing allowance and additional costs allowance. They can also claim certain free travel for themselves, their families and their staff; they can use centrally-provided computer equipment on loan without charge, and they can draw on centrally purchased stationery.Figures showing what each Member has spent against the allowances will be publicly available from the autumn of this year. Figures for the years in question are currently being compiled and checked by the House authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to take further steps to improve international law and the structures of the UN to end tyrannical regimes. [171838]

We are working with the UN Secretary-General's High Level Panel to improve the UN response to all threats to global and human security. The UN's International Tribunals and the International Criminal Court have shown that there is no impunity for the perpetrators of crimes against humanity. We also need to do more to develop an international consensus in favour of humanitarian intervention where it is justified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Mr. Sharon's disengagement plan and the realities on the ground to be taken into consideration in future negotiations. [171842]

The UK welcomes Prime Minister Sharon's proposed withdrawal of all settlements from Gaza and four from the West Bank. We hope it will go ahead. As the Prime Minister said on 19 April, it is a statement of fact that final status negotiations cannot ignore the reality on the ground. But all final status issues, including borders and refugees, can be decided only by negotiations between the parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Israeli settlements in the west bank, Gaza, east Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are regarded as legal by the UK Government. [171846]

We consider all settlements in the Occupied Territories to be illegal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on bilateral relations with Iran. [171843]

Our policy towards Iran is one of constructive but critical engagement. We aim to support Iran's efforts to reform while continuing a robust dialogue on matters of concern such as Iran's nuclear programme, human rights record, and attitude to the fight on terrorism and the Middle East Peace Process. Ministers are in close contact with Iranian leaders on all these issues of concern; I last met my Iranian counterpart in London on 22 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support he has offered to President Khatami to reduce use of torture and repression in Iran. [171845]

We remain seriously concerned at human rights violations in Iran, including the alleged use of torture. We welcome the statement by the head of the Iranian judiciary on 28 April that torture is forbidden and that confessions extracted through torture are not legal. We hope this will be reflected in practice throughout Iran. Ministers have raised human rights concerns with their Iranian counterparts bilaterally on many occasions and we have done so through the EU/Iran Human Rights dialogue. The EU has made clear that its relations with Iran can move forward only if Iran takes action to address our concerns in areas such as human rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affair what assessment he has made of the results of the referendums in Cyprus. [171844]

We respect the outcome of both referendums and the right of the Greek Cypriots to say "no". However, we hope they will take time to reflect on the decision they made and consider whether it was the right one.The reunification of Cyprus remains the Government's objective. But there is no immediate prospect of a resumption of talks. We await the UN Secretary General's report on his Good Offices mission to Cyprus, which we expect later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the prospects for re-unification of Cyprus. [171776]

I draw my hon. Friend's attention to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's written statement on 28 April 2004, Official Report, columns 44–46WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with Mr. Paul Bremer on the handover of sovereignty to the Iraqi governing council from the coalition provisional authority. [171847]

The Foreign Secretary has discussed the political transition process with Ambassador Bremer during his visits to Baghdad, but the handing over of sovereignty to the Iraqi Governing Council has never been coalition policy. The coalition is committed to handing over sovereignty on 30 June to an Iraqi Interim Government, whose structure and composition will be decided by the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser, Lakhdar Brahimi after consultation with a wide range of Iraqis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the most recent findings of the Iraq survey group. [171848]

The most recent published findings of the Iraq Survey Group were contained in the report of the leader of the Group Charles Duelfer, on 30 March, a copy of the unclassified version of which was placed in the Library of the House. There is nothing that I can add to the Written Statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 31 March 2004, Official Report, column 94WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with investigations into Iraq's mass graves following the recommendations of the UK forensic team which visited Iraq last summer. [167870]

Since the recommendations were made the UK has seconded four UK forensic experts to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) who have been leading CPA efforts on mass graves. A Mass Grave Action Plan has been produced, which details how to deal with the hundreds of reported mass grave sites. A centralised system for reporting potential sites has been set up in co-ordination with the Human Rights Ministry. Around a quarter of reported sites have been assessed. Training seminars have been held in anthropology, archaeology, surveying, crime scene management and scene searching to build Iraqi capacity to undertake mass grave exhumations. A full equipment list for exhumations has been completed and equipment is on order. In addition, the Government has funded a forensic NGO, Inforce, to produce standard protocols and operating procedures to enable Iraqis and international teams to undertake this work to the same standards.Unfortunately, the mobility of the forensic team was severely restricted by the upsurge in violence and kidnappings in Iraq in early April. Security problems have been a major hindrance to them in doing their jobs, which include an unusually high level of travel outside of Baghdad. We have therefore withdrawn them temporarily from Iraq. The forensic team will be able to continue some of this work from outside Iraq. We hope they and other teams will be able to resume work on mass grave sites in Iraq shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his Answer of 27 April 2004, Official Report, column 965W, on Iraq, if he will place a copy of the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) agreed by the Iraqi Governing Council on 8 March, and the annexe to the TAL, in the Library. [171123]

A copy of the Transitional Administrative Law has been placed in the Library of the House. The annexe will be added once it is completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 27 April 2004, Official Report, columns 964–65W, on Iraq, who will be consulted; what the consultation process will be prior to 30 June; and who will be eligible to vote to elect the Advisory Council. [171158]

UN Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is leading consultations with a wide variety of Iraqis on the formation of an Interim Government. He is returning to Iraq this week to continue his consultations. He aims to make his recommendations on the structure and personnel of the Interim Government by 31 May. He will also continue consultations on his proposal for a National Conference to be held after 30 June, including the best method of selecting delegates to the Conference. The Conference will elect the Advisory Council, which will advise and monitor Ministers until elections to a Transitional National Assembly in January 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will condemn north Korea's decision to ban south Korean aid supplies crossing the land border during the recent emergency. [171850]

We regret any unnecessary delay to the urgent provision of emergency humanitarian aid to victims of the Ryongchon explosion. We understand that the DPRK authorities have since decided to allow shipments of relief materials over land from south Korea and that these began on 7 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the arrest of the former Zimbabwean Finance Minister, Mr. Chris Kuruneri. [171851]

We understand that Mr. Kuruneri is alleged to have externalised foreign currency. His arrest and the investigations into the allegations against him are a matter for the Government of Zimbabwe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in Burma and the representations he has made about the treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi. [171852]

We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Burma. The UK cosponsored a widely supported resolution at the UN Commission on Human Rights on 21 April which condemned human rights violations in Burma. We fully support the efforts of Sergio Pinheiro the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma and regularly call on Burma's military regime to co-operate fully with him.I have repeatedly called on the Burmese regime to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Council of Europe's reports on the human rights situation in Belarus. [171129]

The issues raised in the two Council of Europe reports on Belarus remain of serious concern. We welcome the reports and support their recommendations. Together with EU partners we will respond to the findings of the reports and consider what measures to take in light of the recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese Government concerning the arrest of the North Korean refugee Kang Byong-sop. [171525]

The EU carried out a demarche on North Korean border crossers in February 2004 specifically to request safe passage to a third country for the Kang family. The case was also raised at the EU/China Human Rights Dialogue in February. However, the Kang family was repatriated to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in March.I raised the issue of China's treatment of DPRK border crossers with Zhang Zhijun, Deputy Director of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party, when we met in March. I also expressed concern about the treatment of the Kang family to Choe Tae Bok, a senior DPRK official, when he visited London during that month. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have made official representations to the Chinese and DPRK Ambassadors in London and also the Chinese authorities in Beijing about the repatriation. We expect the EU to take follow-up action shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the (a) crockery, (b) cutlery and (c) glassware procured by his Department over the last five years is of British manufacture. [170799]

97 per cent. of all crockery, cutlery and glassware is British manufactured.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the annual overall running cost was for the UK embassy in (a) Washington and (b) Paris in 2003–04; and how many staff were employed in each of these embassies. [170819]

Final running cost figures for financial year 2003–04 will not be available until November 2004 at the earliest. I will send them to the hon. Member when they are. The number of staff at each post are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what steps his Department has taken to export the UK model of co-operation between Government, police and industry to tackle child pornography on the internet; [166800](2) what measures his Department is taking to increase international co-operation among law enforcement agencies to combat child pornography on the internet. [166802]

I have been asked to reply.While the Government have actively encouraged, and worked towards, the development of a partnership approach between the various agencies and organisations which deal with tackling child abuse on the internet in the UK, how this issue is dealt with by other jurisdictions is a matter for each individual country to consider. The Government have promoted the success of multi agency co-operation to tackle child abuse on the internet, using examples such as the Task Force on child protection on the internet, in speeches, at conferences, in the international fora it operates within, through ministerial and officials' visits overseas, and to the many visitors it receives with a relevant interest in this issue.There are a variety of mechanisms to assist in furthering international co-operation between law enforcement agencies on this issue. This may be through the provision of equipment and training to overseas law enforcement by UK agencies, or by the development and hosting of specialist training courses or conferences. For example, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and National Crime Squad recently co-funded a conference for international law enforcement experts, NGOs and officials concerning child abuse and the internet. The National Crime Squad is also engaged in a global initiative with partner countries currently comprising Canada, USA, Australia and Interpol which seeks to establish new and imaginative ways of combating and reducing child abuse on line, seeking to produce a virtual police presence which will ultimately make the internet a safer place.A problem for all law enforcement agencies is the identification of children featured in child abuse images. As part of a G8 strategy on Protecting Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet, the UK is leading the development of an international (not restricted to G8 countries) Child Image Database, housed at Interpol. It aims to act as a global repository of images of child abuse with the capacity to carry out automated analysis. It will be a significant tool for international law enforcement contributing to the identification of victims and offenders and analysis of images. The strategy also seeks to promote mechanisms for sharing information and best practice internationally to further protect from exploitation online.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian Government regarding elections for the Indian Parliament in Jammu and Kashmir this year. [171380]

The elections have been discussed with Indian Government Ministers in general terms but we have not made any formal representations to them regarding the current elections for the Indian Parliament in Jammu and Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterparts in Pakistan and India regarding peace negotiations in Kashmir. [171381]

Both my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have discussed the recent moves towards dialogue between India and Pakistan with our counterparts in both countries during visits to the region between December 2003 and March 2004. The Foreign Secretary also issued a statement welcoming the breakthrough in relations between the two countries following the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation Summit on 6 January. A copy of the statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/policy/news/press-releases. We continue to take every opportunity to encourage the Indian and Pakistani Governments to build confidence through peaceful engagement that will, in time, lead to the resolution of all their outstanding differences, including over Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost. [171571]

For details on overseas visits by Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers please refer to my answer to the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) on 4 May 2004. Official Report, columns 1440–43W.No central record of costs for UK travel by FCO Ministers is kept. During the period December 2003 to April 2004, FCO Ministers made the following visits within the UK:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the EU Common Position on Myanmar/Burma. [171115]

The EU is willing to support national reconciliation in Burma, leading to the restoration of democracy and respect for human rights in Burma.The EU shares the view of a number of international partners that the best interests of the people of Burma continue to be served, in current circumstances, by a balanced approach of carefully targeted measures against those responsible for the obstruction of reform and progress, together with humanitarian support to ensure that the ordinary people a Burma do not suffer as a result of the damaging policies of their Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press the UN for a full implementation of the resolutions that the General Assembly has passed on Myanmar/Burma. [171116]

We welcome the recent adoption of a resolution by the UN Commission on Human Rights criticising Burma's human rights record. The British Government encourages all the appropriate bodies of the UN to help bring about national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy in Burma. We fully support the efforts of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Burma, Tan Sri Razali Ismail, and the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights, Sergio Pinheiro, and call on Burma's military regime to co-operate fully with them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of copying paper used by the Department in 2002–03 was from recycled sources; and how much post consumer waste this paper contained. [171812]

93 per cent. of copying paper supplied throughout the Department in 2002–03 contained at least 80 per cent. post consumer waste. This was reported in the Sustainable Development in Government 2nd Annual report 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of paper for printed publications used by the Department in 2002–03 was from recycled sources; and how much post consumer waste this paper contained. [171813]

Our Publications and Print Services departments used a number of different papers in this period and the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost as detailed records were not kept. Current guidelines in our Publications and Print Services departments stipulate 75 per cent. post consumer waste content for publications paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department expects to implement in full the quick win targets set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that (a) all copying paper bought by the Department is 100 per cent. recycled with a minimum of 75 per cent. post consumer waste content and (b) all paper for printed publications bought by the Department is 60 per cent. recycled, of which a minimum is 75 per cent. post consumer waste. [171815]

We aim to meet the copying paper target by the autumn of this year.From the beginning of May this year we have been meeting the publications paper target.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the Department's main suppliers of (a) copier paper, (b) stationery, (c) envelopes and (d) paper for reports; and what the (i) name of each paper used and the (ii) recycled and post consumer recycled content is in each case. [171816]

Copier paper is supplied by the Sappi Heritage Paper Company. We do not have details of the names of each kind of paper used but it contains 80 per cent. recycled content of which 100 per cent. is post consumer waste.Stationery is supplied by Banner. We purchase numerous stationery items and our records do not allow for analysis of recycled content across the board. Banner has a strong environmental record, having been awarded the British Office Supplies and Services Federation Environmental Certificate every year since 1996. Many of the stationery items available to Foreign and Commonwealth Office customers have a high recycled content.Envelopes are supplied by Banner. All the envelopes are 80 to 100 per cent. recycled content with 60 to 85 per cent. post consumer waste.Premier Paper is our main supplier of paper for reports. We buy a variety of papers from them. Our Publications and Print Services teams' guidelines stipulate a minimum recycled content of 75 per cent. post consumer waste for publications paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in Sudan and what steps his Department is taking to encourage progress towards peace. [171117]

We are seriously concerned about the human rights situation in Darfur, western Sudan. Civilian protection there remains a major concern, with reports of systematic attacks on civilians, including rape, pillage and destruction of livelihoods. The promotion of human rights throughout Sudan, through advocacy with the Government and support for NGOs, remains one of our priorities. We welcome the recent signing of a humanitarian ceasefire agreement. We are working with the parties and other members of the international community to try to get the ceasefire monitoring mechanism on the ground as soon as possible.Good progress has been made at the Sudanese peace talks in Kenya. Both sides have said that the peace process is irreversible and they are hopeful on reaching a final agreement very soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what peace proposals are being taken forward to bring an early end to conflict in Darfur, Sudan. [171388]

The 8 April Ceasefire Agreement provides for a Commission to monitor the ceasefire, and for a role for the international community. We are in close contact with the parties and other members of the international community to try to help set up such a monitoring mechanism as quickly as possible. Officials attended an African Union (AU) meeting about this in Addis Ababa on 19–20 April, and since then we have discussed the matter with the US and in the EU. An AU reconnaissance mission to Chad and Darfur began on 7 May. The mission includes representatives from the EU, the US and the UN, as well as the AU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial support her Department provides to charities working with Britain's wildlife. [169881]

The Department's principal direct support to charities working with Britain's wildlife is the Environmental Action Fund. In the period 2002–05, £4,115,782 has been provided to voluntary bodies to undertake 23 biodiversity projects. Other voluntary bodies working with Britain's wildlife have received funding for understanding and awareness projects, including education for sustainable development. Full details of the Environmental Action Fund grants can be found at: www.defraweb/environment/eaf/index.htmVoluntary bodies working with biodiversity in England also receive support from the funding provided to the Department's conservation agencies, English Nature, Environment Agency and Forestry Commission.In addition, the Department provides funding—usually through contractual arrangements—or voluntary wildlife bodies for particular purposes such as research and monitoring. Examples of funding of this sort in 2003–04 included £248,145 for the National Biodiversity Network, £72,981 for a mammal monitoring project and £25,000 to the Bat Conservation Trust to run a helpline and set up a database.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list for each civil service grade within her (a) Department and (b) Department's executive agencies, the total number of staff employed, broken down by (i) gender, (ii) ethnic group and (iii) age group; and how many are registered disabled. [166391]

Data on staffing levels in the Civil Service are collected by the Cabinet Office and published in Civil Service Statistics. A copy of Civil Service Statistics 2002 is available in the Library, and at www.civil-service.gov.uk/statistics. The 2003 edition will be published in summer 2004.Data on staff in Defra and its Agencies for 2004 have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Minister for Rural Affairs is a member of the Co-operative Party. [170756]

Yes. I am proud to have represented the Co-operative Party as well as the Labour Party since I was first elected as a Cardiff City Councillor in 1973 and as a Member of Parliament since 1987, in accordance with the long-standing formal agreements between the two parties at national level. I am one of 30 Labour and Co-operative MPs currently serving in the House of Commons and I represent Wales on the Party's National Executive Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the welfare implications of the use of electric shock collars for dogs. [170190]

The scientific evidence concerning the welfare implications of the use of electric shock collars for dogs is not conclusive. In the absence of conclusive evidence it would not be appropriate to make an assessment but we will carefully consider any further evidence that is produced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received on electric shock collars for dogs; and if she will make a statement. [170191]

The Department has received a number of representations both in support of and in opposition to the use of electric shock collars for dogs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect on fly-tipping of (a) the Landfill Directive and (b) the most recent rise in landfill tax. [167515]

No formal assessment has been made of the effect on fly-tipping of implementing the Landfill Directive in England and Wales, or the £1 increase in the landfill tax rate for a tonne of active waste that occurred on 1 April this year. However, Defra is commissioning a comprehensive research project looking at the causes and incentives of illegal waste disposal that will result in a good practice guide focusing on pro-active, preventative policies. We expect the results of the research to be available in late 2005.Defra launched a consultation on its proposed Fly-Tipping Strategy on 23 February 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions (a) she and (b) her ministerial colleagues held with National Assembly colleagues on each day in the week up to and including 24 February; and on which topics. [158359]

[holding answer 3 March 2004]: My Ministerial colleagues and I have regular discussions with National Assembly colleagues, those of the Scottish Parliament and Northern Irish Ministers across a wide range of topics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms in England, comprising what land areas and in what locations, still have restrictions applied to them in respect of land use as a result of the residual radioactivity from the Chernobyl nuclear accident. [169877]

I have been asked to reply.There have been no restrictions on land use as a result of the Chernobyl accident. However, restrictions have been placed on the sale, movement and slaughter of sheep in areas affected by the Chernobyl accident, to prevent contaminated sheep meat from entering the food supply.The number of farms and area of land affected, as of 30 April 2004, are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many representations have been received on the Environment Agency's proposed decision document relating to the operation of Rolls Royce Marine Power Operations, Derby in the consultation closing in January; and when she will reach a decision on their proposals; [171376](2) whether objections have been received to the Environment Agency's proposed new authorisations for Rolls Royce Marine Power Operations, Derby and the related decision to end authorisation of disposal of radioactive waste at Hills Quarry, Crich in the consultation ending in January 2004. [171377]

Ministers have received 17 representations in response to Rolls Royce Marine Power Operation's applications for disposal of radioactive waste from the company's nuclear fuel production plant and the Neptune Reactor, Raynesway, Nuclear Licensed sites. These were all in relation to the disposal of solid low-level radioactive waste at Hilts Quarry landfill site.Ministers are currently considering the Agency's proposed decision document. An announcement will be made shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidelines she issued to English Nature prior to English Nature's recent assessment of sites of special scientific interest. [171071]

English Nature assesses the condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) according to common standards agreed for the UK through the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), and not on the basis of Government guidelines. Detailed standards for individual habitats and species are also prepared through the JNCC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what English Nature's policy is regarding informing relevant landowners of its intention to conduct assessments of sites of special scientific interest. [171072]

English Nature will seek permission from an owner before entering onto land within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to make a condition assessment. In the rare cases where permission is refused, or where ownership cannot be ascertained (four out of 4,699 assessments of SSSI units in 2003–04), English Nature has power of entry onto land to carry out condition assessments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what English Nature's policy is on allowing relevant landowners (a) to see the information it holds on sites of special scientific interest and (b) to comment on it before it is published. [171073]

The English Nature website gives information on the conservation interest of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and their condition. The ecological and geological information on SSSIs is generally available from English Nature, on request, under the Environmental Information Regulations. Owners and occupiers are welcome to offer comments on the information on SSSIs on the website. There is a comments section on the website, under the heading 'Contact Us'.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2004 to question no.167068, to what uses the tobacco grown in EU countries is put; and what proportion was exported from the EU in the last period for which figures are available. [171184]

Tobacco grown in the EU is used in the manufacture of tobacco products for consumption within the EU and for export.In 2002, production of tobacco in the EU was 334,000 tonnes. EU exports of raw tobacco to third countries were 189,131 tonnes (about 57 per cent. of EU production).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Government funding is provided to the Woodcraft Folk; what the purpose of that funding is; and what its constitution and governance arrangements are. [170752]

The records for Defra's main funding streams to voluntary organisations show no payments to the Woodcraft Folk. We do not keep records of payments from other parts of Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the relationship is between the Woodcraft Folk and the Co-operative Party. [170757]

As I was not aware of any relationship I have consulted the General Secretary of the Co-operative Party who has confirmed that there is no connection between the Party and the Woodcraft Folk.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make it his Department's policy to source all sea bass used in catering outlets for which his Department is responsible from hand-line fishermen rather than pair trawlers. [167540]

The purchasing policy of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister reflects the Government's policy. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 30 April 2004, Official Report, column 1344W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the deprivation indicators for the electoral wards in the City of Newcastle as designated in 2003. [171157]

There are 37 indicators underpinning the Index of Multiple Deprivation. These fall into seven separate dimensions of deprivation (income, employment, health, education, barriers to housing and services, crime and living environment). Further details on these indicators can be found in the full report on the Indices of Deprivation 2004, which is available at www.odpm.gov.uk/indices.While the Indices of Deprivation 2000 was produced at ward level, the new Indices—The Indices of Deprivation 2004—have been produced at Super Output Area, lower layer.A decision was taken to explore another base geography for the Indices to overcome the problems associated with frequent ward boundary changes and the inconsistency in the size of wards. This new base geography is intended to be more stable over time and more consistent in size. The decision to use Super Output Areas was taken after an extensive period of consultation.Super Output Areas cover between 1000 and 3000 people and are, in most cases, smaller than wards. They allow us to better identify small pockets of deprivation and provide a richer picture of local variations in deprivation. They will also help to ensure that the Government continues to focus its efforts on tackling disadvantage at those areas most in need.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he received the report by the Electoral Commission on Guildford Borough Council Elections of 1 May 2003, The Integrity and Security Report; and when and in what form he will publish the report. [171747]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 29 April 2004, Official Report, column 1226W. The statutory evaluation report referred to is the only report that the Electoral Commission has published on the all-postal pilot election held in Guildford in May 2003.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on plans to remove the fire control from the Gloucestershire Tri-Service Centre at Quedgley; [172365](2) what assessment he has made of the likely impact on the performance of the Fire Service of a move away from the Gloucestershire Tri-Service Centre at Quedgley; and if he will make a statement. [172366]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 4 March the Government's response to the consultation exercise on regional fire and rescue control rooms. The regional control centres will be able to communicate effectively with police and ambulance controls as well as with each other. They will provide a unified, resilient national network and enable enhanced service delivery by all Fire and Rescue Authorities. No decisions have yet been made on the location of the new regional control centres, and there are no specific plans in respect of any existing control rooms.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homeless persons applications were made to the District of Easington Council in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003; and how many were accepted and housed in each year. [170118]

Information reported to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by Easington District Council in relation to its activities under homelessness provisions of Housing Acts is in respect of households rather than persons. A summary of the latest data supplied by Easington DC is tabled as follows.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 30 April 2004, Official Report, column 1331W, on Green Belt, how many applications for development on Green Belt land have been refused planning permission since 1 May 1997. [172481]

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what conditions must be fulfilled before a council may apply to transfer management of its housing stock to an arm's length management organisation; and whether the council is required to demonstrate that it is performing to the Government's satisfaction. [172283]

A local authority requires the approval of the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister under section 27 of the Housing Act 1985 to enter into an agreement for its housing stock to be managed by an Arm's Length Management Organisation (ALMO). The criteria for approval are set out in "Guidance on Arms Length Management of local authority housing" issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in March 2003. The performance of the local authority is not a relevant criterion, though the performance of the ALMO must be rated at least 2^* (good) by the Housing Inspectorate to qualify for additional funding.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the last meeting of the Inter-regional Board on the Milton Keynes growth area was; what issues were discussed; and what the outputs were. [170142]

The Milton Keynes and South Midlands growth area Inter-regional Board convened for the first time on 11 February 2004. The board contains senior representatives from the key organisations involved in delivering the MKSM growth proposals, and is designed to provide top-level oversight. The board is chaired by my noble Friend Lord Rooker and is scheduled to meet around three times a year. All meetings are open to the public. At the initial meeting the board discussed a number of issues, including infrastructure delivery and the MKSM public examination. The minutes of the meeting and news release are available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the cost to local authorities of administering schemes of roadside and roundabout advertising. [172106]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not made such an assessment.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many planning applications for mobile phone masts have been refused in Essex in the last 12 months; and if he will list the (a) applicants and (b) sites. [171097]

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.However, during September and October every year the mobile network operators write to every local authority with details of their network rollout for the year ahead. When they write to the local authority they also provide details of their existing sites within the local authority area. The hon. Member may want to contact the network operators for copies of their plans.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department plans to contribute financially to the establishment of the second phase of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber. [167616]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 10 May 2004, Official Report, column 31W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on reports that the US Army has been firing on ambulances in Falluja. [171251]

We are not aware of any incidents of Coalition Forces firing on ambulances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken since the end of the Iraq war to monitor levels of uranium in (a) milk and (b) drinking water. [166869]

The Ministry of Defence will provide advice on carrying out risk assessments on depleted uranium (DU) within urban areas and on long-term monitoring of DU in the environment, to the United Nations Environment Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with BAE Systems regarding the proposed disposal of its shipbuilding business; and if he will make a statement. [170750]

The Ministry of Defence has had one approach from BAE Systems to discuss procedure. However, no proposals have been received from the company regarding change of ownership or control of its ship building business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many medical personnel are based at (a) AAC Aldergrove, (b) AAC Hereford, (c) AAC Wattisham, (d) AAC Middle Wallop and (e) AAC Netheravon, broken down by (i) service, (ii) rank and (iii) specialisation. [169987]

The following tables detail the medical personnel based at AAC Aldergrove, AAC Wattisham, AAC Middle Wallop and AAC Netheravon broken down by service, rank and specialisation. I am withholding information for AAC Hereford under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on current and future research and development projects to be undertaken by the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, Berkshire. [170210]

The research and development activities undertaken at AWE are designed to ensure the safe stewardship of the UK's stockpile of Trident warheads and our ability to maintain the capability necessary to meet the policy described in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review. As indicated in Paragraph 3.11 of the Defence White Paper of December 2003 (Cm 6041–1), this includes the need to take appropriate steps to ensure that the range of options for maintaining a nuclear deterrent capability is kept open until decisions are required on whether to replace Trident. This policy is consistent with our international treaty obligations. Research and development activities fall under four principal headings: computer simulation; hydrodynamics; high energy density plasma physics; and materials ageing. The precise nature and scope in the future of such programmes will depend on the outcome of the processes referred to in the December 2003 Defence White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many full-time equivalent, permanent (a) industrial and (b) non-industrial civilian staff are employed by his Department in the UK, excluding Trading Funds, Royal Fleet Auxiliaries and those on career breaks, long-term sick leave and secondments; what the equivalent figures were in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [170449]

The number of full-time equivalent, permanent and casual, industrial and non-industrial civilian staff employed by the Ministry of Defence, excluding Trading Funds, Royal Fleet Auxiliaries and those on career breaks, long-term sick leave, secondments etc. as at the latest available date and for the last three years is as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure was incurred by his Department at the cancellation of (a) Counter Anti-Radiation Missile Suite, (b) Mine Detection and Neutralisation and (c) Microwave Landing System in 2003–04 cash terms. [170559]

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many departmental (a) civilian and (b) service personnel are based at (i) RAF Leeming, (ii) RAF Linton on Ouse, (iii) AAC Dishforth and (iv) Alanbrooke Barracks. [170002]

Reliable data are not available centrally (except at Government Office Region level) and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name (a) customer one and (b) customer two for the (i) Advanced Air-Launched Anti-Armour Weapon, (ii) Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile, (iii) Airborne Stand-Off Radar Astute Class Submarine, (iv) Attack Helicopter WAH-64 Apache, (v) conventionally Armed Stand-Off Missile, (vi) Typhoon Extended Range Ordnance/Modular Charge System and (vii) Hercules C-130J projects. [170745]

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name (a) customer one and (b) customer two for the (i) Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft, (ii) Ground Based Air Defence, (iii) Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, (iv) Indirect Fire Precision Attack, (v) Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon Systems, (vi) Next Generation Anti-Armour Weapon and (vii) Terrier projects. [170746]

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name (a) customer one and (b) customer two for the (i) High Velocity Missile System, (ii) Landing Platform Dock (Replacement), (iii)Merlin HC Mk 3 Helicopter, (iv) Merlin HM Mk1 Helicopter, (v) Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle, (vi) Nimrod Maritime Reconnaissance and Attack Mk 4, (vii) Seawolf Mid-Life Update, (viii) Spearfish Heavyweight Torpedo and (ix) Sting Ray Lightweight Torpedo projects. [170747]

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name (a) customer one and (b) customer two for the (i) Swiftsure and Trafalgar Class Submarine Update, (ii) Tornado GR1 Mid-Life Update, (iii) Challenger II, (iv) A400M, (v) Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) (formerly Alternative Landing Ship Logistic), (vi) Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, (vii) Typhoon Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids, (viii) Future Joint Combat Aircraft and (ix) Short Term Strategic Airlift projects. [170748]

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name (a) customer one and (b) customer two for the (i) Sonar 2087, (ii) Successor Identification Friend or Foe, (iii) Trojan and Titan, (iv) Type 45 Destroyer, (v) Skynet 5 Support Vehicle, (vi) Battlefield Light Utility Helicopter, (vii) Future Aircraft Carrier and (viii) Future Integrated Soldier Technology projects. [170751]

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his Department's policy to source sea bass used in catering outlets (a) in the armed services and (b) for which his Department is responsible from hand-line fishermen rather than pair trawlers. [167543]

All food for use by the armed forces is sourced through a central food supply contract with a bespoke price list. Sea bass is not currently listed and is not supplied under the contract.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the date of contract signature for the (a) Typhoon Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids, (b) Future Joint Combat Aircraft, (c) Short Term Strategic Airlift, (d) Sonar 2087, (e) Successor Identification Friend or Foe, (f) Trojan and Titan, (g) Type 45 Destroyer and (h) Skynet 5 projects are; [170555](2) what the date of contract signature for the

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the forecast cost was on 31 March 2003 for the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) and Support Vehicle. [170359]

Forecast costs for the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) and Support Vehicle programmes were excluded from the published Major Projects Report 2003, due to commercial sensitivity. The situation remains unchanged. Negotiations with the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) contractor are continuing, and the Support Vehicle Preferred Bidder is yet to be announced. I am, therefore, withholding this information under Exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the forecast costs on 31 March 2002 were for (a) Spearfish Heavyweight Torpedo, (b) Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile, (c) Extended Range Ordnance/Modular Charge System, (d) Swiftsure and Trafalgar Class Submarine Update, (e) Landing Platform Dock (Replacement), (f) Hercules C-130J and (g) Seawolf Mid-Life Update; [170360](2) what the forecast costs on 31 March 2001 were for

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the forecast in-service dates on 31 March 2001 were for (a) A400M Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, (b) Successor Identification Friend or Foe, (c) Typhoon Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids, (d) Trojan and Titan and (e) Future Joint Combat Aircraft. [170362]

I will write to the hon Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the forecast in-service dates were on 31 March 2003 for (a) Sting Ray Lightweight Torpedo, (b) Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle and (c) Future Joint Combat Aircraft. [170364]

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the forecast in-service dates were on 31 March 2002 for (a) Spearfish Heavyweight Torpedo, (b) Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile and (c) Future Joint Combat Aircraft. [170365]

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 22 March to the hon. Member for Chorley, Official Report, columns 548–49W on the Future Joint Combat Aircraft programme, what the original (a) estimated cost and (b) delivery date of the Joint Strike Fighter was; and what the current projected final cost is. [170470]

The original estimated cost at the time of the US Defense Acquisition Board approval of the Systems Demonstration and Development phase of the Joint Strike Fighter was $33 billion. The current projected final cost of the phase is $41 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when, during the process to outsource IT support and provision across his Department, he will provide to trade unions, (a) a risk strategy, (b) a scoping study, (c) an up to date procurement strategy, (d) a personnel impact study, (e) an intelligent customer strategy and (f) information on a public service comparator; and if he will make a statement. [168288]

As previously agreed with the Council of Civil Service Unions (CCSU), a meeting is being arranged at a mutually convenient date to review the key risks identified within the Defence Information Infrastructure (DII) programme and their management. This meeting should have taken place by mid May. The DII Business Prospectus provides a comprehensive description of the intended scope of the programme. This was made available to the TUs on 3 April 2003.A copy of the Procurement Strategy Review Note was made available to the TUs on 3 April 2003. At the request of the CCSU, on 13 February 2004 a copy of comments provided by HM Treasury on the Review Note was also provided.A copy of the report produced at the end of the Personnel Impact Study was made available to TUs on 24 June 2003.The work on the Intelligent Customer Strategy is in its early stages with the plan for its production currently being formulated. It was agreed with the CCSU at a meeting on 16 February 2004 that they would be directly involved in its development. The plan should be sufficiently developed by 7 May to allow the TUs to see and comment on it.As the CCSU is aware, the work on the Public Sector Comparator is reaching a state of maturity that will enable it to be communicated to the TUs. Again, this is expected to be done by 7 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make it his policy to ensure that there is an in-house bidder for the support and provision of IT across his Department. [168292]

No. A significant proportion of the Department's IT provision has been outsourced in recent years as part of wider initiatives to make greater use of the private sector in the provision of public services. The Department's policy is that when services already delivered under outsourcing arrangements are re-competed or rationalised, in-house bids should not normally be invited because the associated requirement for substantial reinvestment in management, training and support systems makes it unlikely that an in-house option would represent value for money. Where no in-house bid is invited, an estimate of the costs of a public sector option or a "status quo" option would normally be made, in order to provide a value for money benchmark.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current weight of the standard take-off vertical landing version of the Joint Strike Fighter is; what the required weight at in-service date is; and if he will make a statement. [170353]

Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) requirements are defined in terms of aircraft performance, which is the product of many factors, including weight, drag, and engine thrust. At current engine thrust and drag values, the Short Take Off/Vertical Landing variant of the JSF is some 3300 lbs overweight to meet its stipulated overall performance levels. Work is in hand in the United States to examine options to ensure that the overall performance requirements are met, addressing all possible options including a significant reduction in aircraft weight. This work will not mature in detail until early 2005, although an interim assessment of likely outcome in summer 2004 will enable performance against the United Kingdom's Key User Requirements to be preliminarily evaluated at that time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what contacts (a) Defence Ministers and (b) departmental staff had with the Deputy Political Editor of The Sun in the seven days prior to 6 May; [172580](2) whether his Department authorised

All contacts with the media are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and Guidance on the Work of the Government Information Service. No decisions have been taken on the deployment of additional troops to Iraq. Should a decision be taken to commit additional forces to Iraq, I shall inform the House in the usual way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on service morale of imminent deployment plans to conflict zones being published in the Press. [172581]

When decisions are taken on operational deployments units are informed in the proper manner, through the chain of command. Recent press comment has focused on speculation concerning the Royal Marines. Morale in the Royal Marines remains very good. The Royal Marines continue, as is usual, to focus on their professional preparations for a full range of training and operations. Media speculation does however, have a considerable impact on the morale of young Service families, particularly, as happened on this occasion, when wives and children are accosted by journalists outside schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 11 March, Official Report, column 1654W, on Procurement Contracts (Scotland), what the average duration of the contract terms directly placed by his Department with companies based in Scotland was in each of the last four financial years; and what the (a) 10 longest and (b) 10 shortest running contracts were; and what the total value was of (a) and (b). [170433]

Data necessary to respond fully to this question prior to financial year 2003–04 are not held centrally. However, in respect of these earlier years I am able to offer the following information based on the numbers of the new contracts previously reported:

of the 724 new contracts let with companies based in Scotland during 2000–01, 205 of these contracts lasted less than one year and these 205 contracts had an average value of £9,000. 104 of the new contracts let with companies based in Scotland in 2000–01 were still running in 2003–04, and these 104 contracts had an average value of £15 million;

of the 604 new contracts let with companies based in Scotland during 2001–02, 180 of these contracts lasted less than one year and these 180 contracts had an average value of £18,000. 110 of the new contracts let with companies based in Scotland in 2001–02 were still running in 2003–04, and these 110 contracts had an average value of £102 million;

of the 600 new contracts let with companies based in Scotland during 2002–03, 292 of these contracts lasted less than one year and these 292 contracts had an average value of £410,000. 308 of the new contracts let with companies based in Scotland in 2002–03 were still running in 2003–04, and these 308 contracts had an average value of £20 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2004, Official Report, column 1654W, on Procurement Contracts (Scotland), what the total projected annual cost of the procurement contracts his Department placed with companies based in Scotland in (a) 2002–03, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2000–01 was for each of the 10 years following the placing of the contracts; what the actual total cost was of the contracts placed in (i) 2002–03, (ii) 2001–02 and (iii) 2000–01 for the years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. [170434]

The information requested in respect of the total projected annual cost of procurement contracts placed by the Ministry of Defence with companies based in Scotland is not held centrally. These data could be provided only at disproportionate cost (Exemption 9 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information).Details of total payments made against contracts placed with companies based in Scotland up until 2003–04 are as follows.