To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultants and advisors in each of the last three years. [171876]

The use of external consultants and advisers over the period 2000 to 2003, the last full years of accounting, were as follows:

	£
2000–01	358,000
2001–02	693,000
2002–03	323,820

These figures include the Royal Parks Agency. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has over 66 sponsored bodies and compiling the figures for them could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service not to proceed with the case against Mr. Robert Duqueria for the alleged removal of objects from the scheduled site of Cunetio, Wiltshire on her strategy to protect archaeological sites in England; and if she will make a statement. [172212]

It is for the Crown Prosecution Service to determine whether any prosecutions are in the public interest and it judges each case on its individual merit. Through the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and the Treasure Act 1996, there is a framework of legislation in place to protect important heritage sites. I would expect those, who operate in this area would do so in accordance with the law.In addition, the recently expanded Portable Antiquities Scheme, through its network of Finds Liaison Officers, is designed to encourage closer working relations between archaeologists and metal detector users.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of bingo halls which occupy more than 10,000 sq ft and would be eligible to convert to a casino under the terms of the draft Gambling Bill. [172046]

There is no central record of the total area which each licensed bingo club covers; but we have seen estimates that over half of the current total of about 700 clubs have a total area in excess of 10,000 sq ft. We indicated last August that, under the proposed Gambling Bill, the minimum size of the area set aside for table games in a new casino should be 5,000 sq ft. We are now looking again at that requirement in the light of the views of the Joint Scrutiny Committee on the Bill and the points made by interested bodies and individuals in commenting on the Bill proposals. It is, however, relevant to note that a 5,000 sq ft minimum table gaming area would entail a total casino size considerably in excess of that, particularly if the casino also wanted to provide bingo for its customers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many employees in her Department took early retirement, and at what total cost, in the last financial year. [172185]

In DCMS one employee was granted approved early retirement terms in the financial year 2003–04 at a cost of £9,361. In addition, two employees were awarded compensation payments at a cost of £61,887.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance is provided by her Department to Ice Hockey UK. [172077]

Ice Hockey is classified as an Olympic sport and as such funding decisions are a matter for UK Sport.The top priority for UK Sport is the provision of support for those senior athletes/teams operating at a UK/GB level who have realistic chances of winning medals at the highest level (Olympic Games/World Championships within the current Olympic cycle).UK Sport have informed us that in recent years, GB Ice Hockey has been unable to provide evidence that it can meet this criteria and has not, therefore, received support from UK Sport.There is scope for developing talent via the home country Sports Councils but sports would be assessed against a number of criteria. Ice Hockey has not been deemed a priority at present by Sport England.However, UK Sport does acknowledge that if GB athletes are to win medals in the Winter Olympics, in the longer term, some form of support needs to be provided. In recognition of this, UK Sport is in discussion with a number of partners, including an Olympic Winter Sports Group. Ice Hockey UK is represented on the Winter Olympic Sports Group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is for (a) increasing the productivity and (b) cutting the costs of (i) her Department and (ii) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies. [172190]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 10 May 2004, Official Report, columns 148–49W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money has been spent on the digitisation of content in libraries in South Ribble since 1997. [172143]

This information is not held centrally.The New Opportunities Fund £50 million Digitisation of Learning Materials Programme has delivered 150 projects across the UK to enable resources which support learning of all kinds held in libraries as well as museums, archives and other public-sector institutions, to be made available online through the People's Network and the National Grid for Learning. This initiative has created a body of material containing over 2 million images, tens of thousands of sound and video clips and documents and over 1,000 learning packages. All projects can be accessed via the EnrichUK portal at http://www.enrichuk.net.Information on grants awarded to individual local authorities and their expenditure can be obtained from the relevant authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the work of regional development agencies in developing tourism in South Ribble. [172144]

The North West Development Agency (NWDA) is working closely with the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, the nominated Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Lancashire. The new DMOs are, in effect, smaller versions of tourist boards. They aim to ensure a strong visitor and market focus to all that is done within the region and strengthen the connection between businesses and other organisations in the tourism sector.During 2003–04, the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board received £275,000 from the agency's tourism budget for a variety of tourism marketing and development projects. South Ribble has also benefited from the agency's contribution of £60,000 during 2003–04 towards the construction of a visitor centre in Cuerden Valley Park.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money from the New Opportunities Fund was allocated to South Ribble in each year since 1997. [172153]

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

Financial year	Amount (£)
1999–2000	482,994
2000–01	273,735
2001–02	0
2002–03	0
2003–04	31,296

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what grants are available to build (a) a running track and (b) rugby football and other sports stadia in Chorley; and what other assistance her Department can give to such projects in Chorley. [172332]

Grants for the provision of sports facilities, including running tracks and sports stadia, are available through the following programmes: Community Club Development Programme and Active England, administered by Sport England; and the New Opportunities Fund for PE and Sport, administered by the New Opportunities Fund. In addition, grants are available to support football facilities through the Football Foundation.Chorley Cricket Club has benefited from a Community Club Development Fund grant of £53,000 to provide cricket practice areas and nets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households in Wales she estimates cannot receive a terrestrial television signal from the public service broadcasters. [172440]

The spectrum planners working for the Government's Digital Action Plan have been working to improve the accuracy of the planning tools used to derive both analogue and digital coverage. Until this work is completed, OFCOM estimates that approximately 3 per cent. of households in Wales are unable to receive PSB services (excluding Five) via terrestrial means (analogue or digital).Analogue coverage for Five is not available on a per country basis. According to figures given by Ofcom, 20 per cent. of UK households do not currently have access to Five in analogue form, although some of these will be able to receive it by digital terrestrial TV.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's response is to the recent request of the transitional Government in Afghanistan for extra military forces from NATO to ensure security; and if he will make a statement. [172050]

The Afghan Transitional Authority holds ultimate responsibility for the security of the Afghan national elections due in September 2004. NATO's planned expansion of the International Security Assistance Force will, however, contribute to creating the security conditions within which free and fair elections may take place. As I explained to the House on 31 March 2004, Official Report, column 96WS, we have offered to play a leading role in this expansion in Northern Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what specialised diagnosis services are available to personnel based at (a) AAC Aldergrove, (b) AAC Hereford, (c) AAC Wattisham, (d) AAC Middle Wallop, (e) AAC Netheravon and (f) AAC Dishforth; [169988](2) what the average waiting time is for specialised diagnosis services available to personnel based at

Specialised diagnosis services would require secondary care opinion that would normally be provided within the NHS, including those NHS Trusts which host Ministry of Defence Hospital Units. Waiting times would be based on clinical need and would vary depending on the type of specialised diagnosis required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place a moratorium on the (a) use, (b) manufacture, (c) sale and (d) export of cluster bombs until new international law on the use and clearance of these weapons is introduced. [172024]

No. Cluster bombs are legal weapons that are not indiscriminate. They provide a unique capability for use against wide area or dispersed targets. Were we not to use them, it would be necessary to use a large number of either unitary bombs or artillery shells to cover an equivalent area, involving a greater tonnage of explosive. Increasing the number of munitions launched also increases the risk that one or more launches may go astray. In many instances, using munitions other than cluster bombs may pose a far greater risk to civilians at the time of attack. Any applications for the export of cluster bombs would be considered on a case by case basis against criteria announced by the Foreign Secretary on 28 July 1997 and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Sales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to whom the legal title of the land occupied by the Droitwich Spa Army Medal Office belongs; and who would receive the proceeds of any sale of the site. [172034]

The land was acquired on 30 March 1940 by 'The Commissioners of His Majesty's Works and Public Buildings'. Subsequent Government inter-departmental transfers culminated in the disaggregation of the Common User Estate by the Government's Property Holdings Unit in April 1996. This resulted in the land transferring (again on an inter-department basis) to the Ministry of Defence although technically the legal title remains with the successor to 'The Commissioners of His Majesty's Works and Public Buildings'. The proceeds of the disposal would fall to the MOD.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the investment appraisal for the proposed closure of the Droitwich Spa Army Medal Office and the relocation of its services to RAF Innsworth; [172036](2) what the costs of upkeep and maintenance of the Army Medal Office, Droitwich Spa, were in the most recent year for which figures are available. [172037]

A copy of the Investment Appraisal will be placed in the Library. It considered the options for co-location of all functions that will come into the Joint Personnel Administration Centre, but did not deal exclusively with the issue of the Army Medal Office. I have also placed in the Library a letter dated 18 March 2004 to the Trade Unions, in which more details were provided on the specific business and financial justification for the closure of Droitwich and the creation of the Joint Medal Office at RAP Innsworth.For financial year 2003–04, the property management costs for the upkeep and maintenance of the Army Medal Office were some £110,000. This figure excludes staff and medal bullion/production costs. Utility costs for the same period were some £22,600.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the safety of HMS Trafalgar following its repairs. [170663]

[holding answer 4 May 2004]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 6 May 2004, Official Report, column 1713W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the procurement of an infantry anti-structure weapon system; and if he will make a statement. [167231]

I refer the hon. Member to my Written Ministerial Statement of 6 May 2004, Official Report, column 86WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what laws apply to the activities of private contractors operating in (a) Iraq and (b) UK controlled areas; and which courts have jurisdiction. [171441]

[holding answer 11 May 2004]: 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 (a) average and (b) maximum tour lengths of troops deployed to Iraq since 1st May 2003 were for (i) territorial army and (ii) regular personnel; and if he will make a statement. [171442]

[holding answer 11 May 2004]: The average tour length for troops deployed to Iraq, for both Territorial Army and Regular Army personnel, since 1 May 2003, is approximately five to seven months, while the maximum tour length is six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when payments for expenses incurred in financial year 2003–04 relating to Operation Telic will be made to his Department. [172125]

The net additional costs of Operation Telic are met from the Reserve in the year in which they fall. Funds to cover these costs are voted by Parliament under Request for Resources 2 in Main and Supplementary Estimates. Final expenditure will be reported in the notes to the Ministry of Defence's Annual Report and Accounts to be published in September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long it has taken, on average, to process each application for the General Service Medal, Suez Canal Zone, 1951–54. [172367]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 April 2004, Official Report, column 663W, to my hon. Friend the Member for The Wrekin (Peter Bradley).The updated situation since then is:

Service Medal Office	Applications received
Royal Navy	5 November 2003
Royal Marines	As they arrive
Army	5 September 2003
RAF	11 November 2003

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many outstanding claims there are for the General Service Medal for serving in the Suez Canal Zone between 1951 and 1954. [172368]

As at 7 May there were 29,153 applications requiring assessment. It is not possible to estimate the total number of claim applications that will be received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many General Service Medals have been issued for service in the Suez Canal Zone between 1951 and 1954. [172369]

As at 7 May 7,696 medals and/or clasps had been dispatched to veterans or their families.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold discussions with Leyland Trucks on the contract for the supply of the Support Vehicle. [172073]

Leyland Trucks withdrew from the competition for the supply of the Support Vehicle in June 2002. This competition is now at an advanced stage and it would be inappropriate to invite their further interest. We are confident that the existing competition, involving four bidders, will deliver an operationally effective, value for money solution.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of how the change in the level of council funding for housing has affected the residents of Stockton South since 1997. [171469]

Since 1997 allocations of capital funding to local authorities for housing purposes have risen consistently by an average of 15 per cent. per annum. This includes the Major Repairs Allowance we introduced in 2001–02 specifically for the improvement of local authority housing stock alongside the Decent Homes Standard that set minimum standards to be met by 2010. Stockton's allocations in the period 1997 to 2003–04 have risen by some 320 per cent. In addition, Arms Length Management Organisation initial resources of £44.5 million are available with a further £8 million to follow to facilitate Decent Homes improvements over the whole of the Stockton borough.Increased resources have also been generated through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and Single Housing Investment Partnerships (SHIP) to target non-decent and non-sustainable housing stock. In the last three years alone £12.7 million has been invested in the local authority housing stock with future investment up to 2010 expected to be £11.45 million.In the private sector and as a result of successful SHIP/English Partnerships bids £6.9 million has been secured in addition to £532,000 for renovation grants, home repair assistance, empty homes and damp proofing.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 29 April 2004, Official Report, column 1227W, on Coverage Care, when he expects the matter to be resolved. [172095]

I understand that on 28 April 2004 all parties to Gloucestershire county council met in private session to discuss options for the long term continuation of care provision to the county. The council hope that this matter can be resolved by the end of the year.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much he expects to spend in this financial year; how much was spent last year; how much is budgeted next year for writing off outstanding debt of local authorities that transfer housing stock; and from which budget this sum is allocated. [172276]

Payments to meet local authorities' overhanging debt are made where the value of the housing stock transferring is less than a local authority's associated housing debt. £90.9 million was paid in 2003–04. The budget is £616 million for both 2004–05 and 2005–06. The payment reflects the liability the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister would otherwise have to pay continuing subsidy on a local authority's housing attributable debt. It is not possible to use this resource for capital purposes.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on the percentage of housing land to be made available for (a) low cost housing and (b) part-rent-part-buy schemes in the Chorley constituency; and what advice he gives to local authorities on the matter. [172334]

This is a matter for local assessment. National planning advice in Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 "Housing" (PPG3) and Circular 6/98, 'Planning for Affordable Housing' makes it clear that each local authority should assess the local need for affordable housing within its area. Policy UR9 of Regional Planning Guidance for the North West gives further advice on the need for affordable housing.PPG3 advises that where there is a demonstrable lack of such housing, local planning authorities should include a policy in their development plan seeking affordable housing in suitable housing developments. It advises them to identify sites on which affordable housing will be expected and to indicate the amount of such housing to be sought as a proportion of the overall dwelling provision on a site. Decisions about the amount and types of affordable housing to be provided in individual proposals should reflect local housing need and be a matter for agreement between the local authority and the developer.The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has published for consultation proposed changes to the current policies for affordable housing set out in PPG3 and Circular 6/98. The proposed changes re-emphasise the above policy, but also include allowing local authorities to seek affordable housing on smaller sites where this is justified. The changes are designed to help deliver more affordable housing where it is needed, and deliver a better match between a community's housing needs and supply.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the research evidence showing how housing stock transfer better meets the interests of tenants. [172274]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's housing research report entitled Views on the Large Scale Voluntary Transfer Process—May 2000, examines the degree to which tenants who have transferred from a local authority to a new landlord under a Large Scale Voluntary Transfer scheme are satisfied with their new landlord.A copy of the report is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how many (a) Ordinary Written and (b) Named Day Questions his Department received in (i) 2002–03 and (ii) this parliamentary session, broken down by month; [171187](2) what proportion of Ordinary Written Questions to his Department were answered within five sitting days of tabling, and what proportion of Questions for a Written Answer on a named day received a substantive answer on that day, in

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on 3 March 2004, Official Report, column 907W. The effective handling of parliamentary questions is an issue to which my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and ministerial colleagues attach great importance, endeavouring to reply to all Parliamentary Questions within Parliamentary deadlines wherever possible.The information requested is tabled as follows:

	Number of named day PQs tabled to ODPM	Number of named day PQs answered on time (percentage)	Number of ordinary written PQs tabled to ODPM	Number of ordinary written PQs answered within five working days (percentage)
Parliamentary Session 2002–03
November 20021	85	84.7	245	88.2
December 2002	60	91.7	155	87.1
January 2003	71	90.1	237	65
February 2003	27	85.2	253	63.2
March 2003	53	84.9	258	63.2
April 2003	21	95.2	176	61.4
May 2003	34	88.2	234	56.4
June 2003	27	74.1	253	73.1
July 2003	32	84.4	201	82.6
September 2003	16	31.3	115	58.3
October 2003	34	88.2	170	88.2
November 20032	25	96	135	68.9
Parliamentary Session 2003–04
November 20033	11	100	38	86.8
December 2003	32	90.6	232	72.4
January 2004	105	73.3	393	85.5
February 2004	51	96.1	267	67
March 2004	75	90.7	320	72.5
April 2004	28	92.9	178	86.5
1 13 November to 30 November 2002.
2 1 November to 12 November 2003.
3 26 November to 30 November 2003.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the planning inspectorate has ensured that value for money was achieved when employing external consultants; and who was responsible for making such value for money assessments. [170045]

The Planning Inspectorate follows standard Government purchasing procedures including best practice guidance issued by the Office of Government Commerce from time to time. Particular care is taken to achieve value for money in the procurement of external consultancy which is always handled by the Agency's specialist procurement unit.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the staff numbers were for 2003 of the (a) Standards Board for England, (b) Advisory Panel on Beacon Councils and (c) Review of the Needs Indices used in the allocation of housing capital resources to local authorities and registered social landlords. [172471]

The information requested is as follows.

(a) The number of staff in post at the Standards Board for England on 31 March 2003 was 105,

(b) the Advisory Panel on Beacon Councils, an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body, has no staff. Its board of 10 core members and 10 specialist advisors is supported by officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and

(c) I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 29 March 2004, Official Report, column 1257W.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects the planned re-valuation of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre to be (a) finished and (b) published; and if he will make a statement. [169116]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects the revaluation to be completed later in 2004. The valuation report will not be published, but the valuation amount will be included in the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister's Resource Accounts for 2004–05.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 1 April 2004, Official Report, column 1649W, on regional assemblies, what proportion of the set-up costs of elected regional assemblies he estimates will be (a) premises, (b) wages and salaries, (c) equipment and stationery and (d) other costs for (i) the North East, (ii) the North West and (iii) Yorkshire and the Humber. [169441]

Available estimates, rounded to the nearest 5 per cent. are:

colspan="4" align-"right">Percentage
	North East	North West	Yorkshire and the Humber
Premises	10	5	5
Staff and supplies	35	20	25
Other	55	75	70

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was spent by local authorities in promoting tourism in each of the last 10 years to (a) domestic markets and (b) overseas markets. [172393]

I have been asked to reply.The only information available, for English local authority net expenditure on tourism, is as follows:

	Amount (£ million)
1998–99	75
1999–2000	92
2000–01	99
2001–02	106
2002–03	109
2003–04	102
Sources:
Revenue (Outturn) Forms 1998–99 to 2002–03, and Revenue Account (budget) form 2003–04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the development of combined heat and power in the UK in the last three years. [171031]

[holding answer 5 May 2004]: In 2000 we announced a target of achieving at least 10,000 megawatts of Good Quality CHP capacity by 2010 and to developing a Strategy to achieve it. We consulted on a draft Strategy in 2002, reaffirmed our commitment to the target in the February 2003 Energy White Paper and published "The Government's Strategy for Combined Heat and Power to 2010" on 26 April of this year.Development of CHP in terms of installed capacity for each of the last three years for which we have figures is: 4,730M We in 2000, 4,753M We in 2001 and 4,742M We in 2002. A figure for 2003 will become available when the annual Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) is published in the summer by DTI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress being made on the introduction of new entry level schemes for environmental support. [168792]

Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) has been developed in response to recommendations made by the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food. The ELS is intended to tackle countrywide environmental problems such as diffuse pollution, loss of biodiversity and landscape character and damage to the historic environment. A pilot scheme has been running in four areas of England since February 2003, and an evaluation of these pilots has confirmed that the scheme is popular with farmers and has the capacity to deliver widespread environmental benefits.Following the success of the pilot, Defra intend to launch Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) as part of a new agri-environment scheme called Environmental Stewardship in early 2005. Proposals for the new scheme have recently been submitted to the European Commission for approval. It is proposed that the ELS should be open to all farmers in England and that they will be paid at a flat rate of 30 per ha in return for carrying out a certain amount of environmental management options across their whole farm.A parallel Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) is proposed, which will have the same design as the standard Entry Level Scheme but would be tailored towards organic farming systems. It is proposed that organic farmers will receive a higher payment rate of 60 per ha, in recognition of the contribution that organic farming systems make towards increases in soil health and fertility, benefits for biodiversity and wider landscape benefits.Entry Level Stewardship and its Organic equivalent will be complemented by Higher Level Stewardship, which is designed to build on the basic Entry Level in order to deliver significant environmental benefits in targeted high priority situations and areas. Further information on Environmental Stewardship will be available once Commission approval has been received. Final details of the new Scheme will be made available immediately prior to the launch in 2005. Application packs will not be available until the launch of the Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the impact of flash flooding in (a) Worcester, (b) Worcestershire and (c) England and Wales; and if she will make a statement; [170130](2) what advice she has received on the future incidence of flash flooding. [170131]

I understand the recent flash floods in Worcester resulting from exceptionally intense rainfall equivalent to around a month's rain in just a few hours. This caused extensive highway flooding and some local property flooding. This flooding was from surface runoff and storm sewer/highway drain overflow and not from the main river system.Although the Environment Agency (EA) issued a Floodwatch and were operating a local storm balancing system on the Barbourne Brook in Worcester, the wider emergency response to the flash flooding fell for the most part to Severn Trent water and the local highway authority who are primarily responsible for responding to such incidents, the EA will be assisting its partners in the follow up investigation and the review of the storm event.The Government recognise the need for Integrated Drainage Plans for urban areas prone to such flooding, and this will be considered as part of Defra's new strategy on flood and coastal erosion risk management. However any assessment on flash flooding would need to take into account detailed knowledge of the drainage systems in the area, the local topography, together with modelling of the effects of different types of event. This information is not generally available and carries a high degree of uncertainty. The EA are in the meantime working with Research Councils and the Flood Risk Management Research Consortium to develop improved modelling and prediction of flooding in urban areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will estimate how many properties in Cheltenham will be affected by flooding in a once in 100-year event if no bund is constructed at Cox's Meadow; [168387](2) if she will estimate how many properties will be affected by flooding in a once in 100-year event if

The final stage of the Cheltenham Flood Alleviation Scheme is currently being considered by Defra for formal approval.The Project, including the bund at Cox's Meadow and the Project approved in 1998, was designed to protect over 600 properties from flooding up to, and including, a one in 100 year flood. I understand from the Environment Agency (EA) that with no bund constructed at Cox's Meadow, the majority of the 600 properties identified at risk before the project began would remain vulnerable.The extent and impact of the 100 year modelled floods were published in the EA's Environmental Report for the Combined Works Contract dated October 2003. This report is available from Cheltenham Library or the local EA office at Tewkesbury. A summary of the modelling that has been prepared for the EA by their consultant's specifically for the benefit of interested parties and members of the public is also available from the local EA office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance her Department has provided to alleviate the risk of flooding in the London borough of Redbridge since 2000. [164878]

The Environment Agency has powers to undertake works to manage flood risk on designated "main rivers" while Redbridge borough council has similar powers for "ordinary watercourses" in their area.The Agency is undertaking a study into flood risk from the River Roding which is due to report in December 2004. Working with Thames Water (which has responsibility for the drainage system) and the council, the Environment Agency aims to agree a strategy to reduce flood risk in the area. Funding of the Environment Agency's Flood defence function will almost entirely be funded by Defra from 1 April 2004.Defra has also grant-aided the council for two studies—the Seven Kings Water Hydraulic Study and the Cran Brook Hydraulic Study, both carried out in 2001–02. Our grant amounted to £9,225.00 and £7,425.00 respectively for these two studies. I understand the council plans to apply for grant aid for a further study in 2004–05 into flood risk adjacent to the River Roding in the Chigwell Road and Roding Lane South areas.In addition the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister supports the borough's own flood defence expenditure through the local government funding system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the written statement of 20 April 2004, Official Report, columns 7–8WS, on the flood defence finding review, what other substantial reforms to improve accountability and effectiveness will be introduced in the next 12 to 24 months as part of the Government's development of a long-term strategy on flood defence. [171516]

The Government intend to consult on the proposed content of a new strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England during summer 2004. The final strategy will have a long-term delivery plan from 2005 onwards.Background information on the scope of the strategy and updates on progress are available via http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/strategy.htm

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Government funding was allocated to zoos in 2003–04. [169947]

The Department's spending on issues connected with zoos in 2003–04 totalled £36,708.76. This covered funding of the Zoos Forum (the Government's advisory body on zoos issues); publicity material relating to zoo policy (including a Defra Circular on the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 following amendments to that Act) and a research study on the operation of the Zoo Inspectorate.In addition the Department donated £50,000 to 21st Century Tiger (a partnership between London Zoo and a non-governmental organisation called Global Tiger Patrol) to undertake tiger conservation projects in the wild.These figures do not include the Department's staff costs for officials working on issues relating to zoos or spending by local authorities in respect of their statutory role under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will broaden the duty of care provisions under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to encompass prosecution for dumping of household waste. [169983]

A review of section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which sets out the framework for the current duty of care regime, began in March this year. The terms of reference for this review are currently being finalised, though it is expected that the review will consider the issue of householders and household waste.It is currently a criminal offence under section 33 of the 1990 Act for a householder to dispose of household waste outside the curtilage of his or her property other than in accordance with a waste management licence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department is taking to stop the illegal import of (a) animals and (b) endangered species into the United Kingdom. [169855]

Most commercial consignments of live animals must be imported into the UK via a Border Inspection Post (BIP) where import checks are carried out by a veterinarian. The only BIPS approved to check live animals in the United Kingdom are at Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, Luton, Manchester, Prestwick and Stansted airports. There are no live animal BIPS at UK seaports.Rabies susceptible mammals, including some commercial consignments, may be imported into specified ports and must be pre-licensed and moved directly from the port of entry to an approved quarantine establishment by an authorised carrying agent. The carrying agent submits a report to Defra to state that the animal has been delivered to the quarantine premises.As an exemption to quarantine, cats and dogs may also enter under the Pet Travel Scheme. The animal must enter using an approved transporter on an approved route where the transport company is responsible for checks on the animals documents for compliance with the rules of the Scheme. If an animal is entering on an unapproved route then they are licensed into quarantine.It is illegal to import rabies susceptible mammals into the UK without a licence issued by the Government. The penalties for not complying are detention of the animal in quarantine at the owners' expense, re-export or destruction. The person responsible is also liable to prosecution and/or imprisonment.Accompanied pet birds have to be pre-licensed and under go quarantine under the supervision of a veterinarian at the place of destination.Outside border inspection posts enforcement responsibility for ensuring that animals are not introduced illegally rests with the local authority. The State Veterinary Service (SVS) also take action when they receive information that animals have been illegally imported.HM Customs and Excise have a presence at all points of entry and if they find live animals they detain or seize (as appropriate) and inform the local Divisional Veterinary Manager of the SVS.The "Washington" Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, more commonly known as CITES, aims to protect certain plants and animals by regulating and monitoring their international trade to prevent it reaching unsustainable levels. My Department acts within the UK as the UK CITES Management Authority.As part of our efforts to stop the illegal import of endangered species a dedicated team of Customs officers is located at Heathrow airport and they are recognised worldwide as a "centre of excellence".Furthermore, we are continuing to contribute to the National Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit, to help counter serious national and international wildlife crime, including the import of endangered species.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 10 March 2004, Official Report, column 1534W, on meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister on compliance with the Landfill Directive, on what dates meetings were held; and what was is discussed on each occasion. [168371]

As stated in the answer of 10 March 2004, Official Report, column 1534W, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has many meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister to discuss all manner of topics. However, while there have been exchanges of correspondence between my right hon. Friend and the Deputy Prime Minister on Landfill Directive compliance issues, there has not been a formal meeting to discuss this matter specifically.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the use of pharmaceutical crops. [167830]

'Pharmaceutical crops' is a term used for plants that have been genetically modified so that they contain proteins or other chemicals that may be used for the treatment of disease in humans or animals. Such plants are regulated as all other GMOs, and must be kept under contained conditions as required by the legislation on the contained use of GMOs. Release of such crops into the environment requires consent under the deliberate release legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research into bio-pharmaceutical crops she has commissioned in the last five years; whether this research was carried out outdoors; and what plans her Department has to commission further research. [167831]

The Department has not commissioned any specific research in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from companies proposing to plant genetically modified food crops for commercial scale drug production. [167833]

We have not yet received any representations from companies proposing to plant genetically modified food crops for commercial scale drug production.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Government's policy on pharmaceutical crops differs from its policy on other genetically modified crops. [167835]

The Government's policy on genetically modified organisms applies to any GM crop whether intended for pharmaceutical use or other purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the tonnage of household recycling was in 2002–03 of the 10 local authorities in England that achieved the (a) highest and (b) lowest rates for household recycling in 2002–03. [169772]

Provisional results from Defra's 2002–03 Municipal Waste Management Survey indicate that the tonnage of household waste recycled and composted by the local authorities in England that achieved the 10 highest and lowest rates for household recycling and composting in 2002–03 (as measured by the Best Value Performance Indicator dataset for 2002–03), is as presented in the following table:

Local authority	Type of local authority1	Tonnage of household waste recycled and composted in 2002–032
Daventry District Council	WCA	16,132
Lichfield District Council	WCA	17,428
Wyre District Council	WCA	11,312
Melton District Council	WCA	6,001
Isle of Wight District Council	UA	18,823
St. Edmundsbury District Council	WCA	14,258
Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council	UA	19,009
Forest Heath District Council	WCA	7,444
Eastleigh	WCA	10,759
Chiltern District Council3	WCA	7,870
Dorset County Council3	WDA	55,658
Kettering District Council	WCA	1,412
North Tyneside Council	UA	3,735
Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council	WCA	2,778
Corby District Council	WCA	928
Tower Hamlets London Borough	UA	2,684
Bolsover District Council	WCA	1,030
Hackney London Borough	WCA	2,426
Sunderland City Council	UA	2,718
Barking and Dagenham London Borough	WCA	2,090
Liverpool Metropolitan Borough Council	WCA	3,320
1 The Waste Disposal Authority (WDA) and Unitary Authority (UA) recycling rate includes all recycling in the area, i.e. the amount recycled by the authority through its own civic amenity sites plus the amount recycled by its constituent collection authorities through bring or kerbside collection schemes. Waste Collection Authorities' (WCA) rates do not take account of waste deposited at civic amenity sites for recycling or disposal.
2 The tonnage of household waste sent for recycling and composting by each local authority is not collected with the Best Value Performance Indicator dataset. The tonnages given are collected through the Municipal Waste Management Survey 2002–03.
3 Joint tenth place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the population in their domestic premises in Greater London has access to (a) mains sewerage systems, (b) unadopted sewers, (c) sewers connected to a private treatment facility and (d) septic tanks. [168943]

Detailed information on the number of properties served by various types of sewerage system is not available. However, estimates do exist.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place in the Library a copy of the environmental assessment underlying the decision that dismantling of the US ghost ships on Teesside is now the preferred environmental option; what views have recently been expressed on the matter by the Environment Agency; on what date her view was reached; and if she will make a statement. [169857]

[holding answer 30 April 2004]: The Government position remains as stated to the House on 22 April 2004, Official Report, column 435. Four US ships are currently docked in Graythorp dock near Hartlepool. Applications are due to be submitted for the necessary permissions for dismantling to take place at this location, and an associated Environmental Impact Assessment is being prepared. The applications will need to be considered by the relevant authorities. In the meantime, dismantling work is prevented, and the ships are subject to regular inspection by the Environment Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures have been taken to consult the public over proposed amendments to the Environment Agency's Substitute Fuels Protocol. [169924]

The Environment Agency is undertaking a 12 week consultation on its proposals to revise the Substitute Fuels Protocol for use on cement and lime kilns, in accordance with Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations. Responses are invited by 18 June 2004. The consultation document has been sent to a variety of stakeholders and published on the Environment Agency's website. The Agency has engaged with the environmental trade press to encourage coverage of the consultation in relevant magazines and journals.In preparing the list of consultees for direct mailing, the Agency has included national organisations such as trade associations, Government agencies, local organisations and members of the public with an interest in this subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received to extend the consultation period for amendments to the Environment Agency's Substitute Fuels Protocol. [169925]

The Department has not received any representations to extend the consultation period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will extend the consultation period for amendments to the Environment Agency's Substitute Fuels Protocol. [169926]

The consultation period, of 12 weeks, has been set in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations. The Environment Agency considers that the 12-week period is appropriate in this case. The Agency has consulted on amendments to the Substitute Fuels Protocol on several consultations in the past.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on (a) the positions taken by her delegation at the 12 Commission on Sustainable Development in New York and (b) the outcome of that meeting. [172020]

[holding answer 10 May 2004]: The Twelfth UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 12) met in New York from 19 to 30 April to review progress towards implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) commitments on water, sanitation and human settlements. Over 100 Ministers attended the ministerial segment (28 to 30 April) including my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and myself, along with senior representatives of the major UN and other international institutions. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan addressed the opening session.The UK delegation, led by the Secretary of State, played a leading role at CSD 12, in concert with EU partners, in identifying obstacles to progress and examples of best practice. Amongst the priorities we identified were: incorporation of water, sanitation and human settlements issues in Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and national Sustainsable development strategies; integrated water resource management plans to be in place by 2005; innovative financial mechanisms, such as the UK's proposed International Finance Facility; promotion of small-scale local initiatives and partnerships; and improved coordination between UN agencies and with international financial institutions.CSD 12 raised the profile of these issues and stimulated inclusive and interactive debate by all parties. The Chairman's Summary of the ministerial segment recognises that we are not yet on track to meet the targets, identifies the main obstacles faced and picks up on most of the UK's priorities. It also sets out a number of challenges to be addressed in the second year of the cycle on water, sanitation and human settlements, culminating at CSD 13 in May 2005, which has the task of agreeing the policy responses needed to get back on track with these international targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) which councils and bodies are responsible for monitoring pollution on Two Tree Island in the constituencies of Castle Point and Southend West; [170825]

(2) what assessment she has made of the risk to children on Two Tree Island of the accidental ingestion of dust or soil; [171527]

(3) what the cost was of the Halcrow Report into Two Tree Island; and what steps have been taken to publicise the report's conclusions; [171528]

(4) whether it is safe for the public to consume (a) vegetables and (b) fruit grown on Two Tree Island; [171529]

(5) what estimate she has made of the cost of stopping the old Two Tree Island waste dump polluting the environment; [170829]

(6) what assessment she has made of the potential and actual impact on (a) bird life, (b) marine life and (c) mammals of the pollutants within and seeping from the old Two Tree Island waste dump; [170830]

(7) which areas of land on Two Tree Island may be subject to contamination from leakage from (a) old landfill and (b) old sewage works; [171530]

(8) when repair work to Two Tree Island's sea wall was first identified as necessary; and when that work will commence; [171531]

(9) if she will give advice to (a) walkers and (b) bathers regarding the pollutants in and seeping from the old Two Tree Island waste dump; [170831]

(10) if she will list the health hazards to (a) walkers and (b) bathers around and on Canvey Island and Two Tree Island resulting from pollutants from the old Two Tree Island waste dump; [170832]

(11) if she will list the toxic substances (a) within and (b) seeping into the Thames and surrounding areas from the old Two Tree Island waste dump; and if she will make a statement; [170833]

(12) what assessment she has made of the extent of leakage of pollutants from the old Two Tree Island waste dump; [170834]

(13) if she will make a statement on the Halcrow Report into environmental problems associated with Two Tree Island in the Castle Point constituency; [170835]

(14) what investigations have been undertaken by the Environment Agency into leachate seeping into the Thames from Two Tree Island. [171532]

The local authorities, that is Southend borough council and Castle Point borough council, are responsible for preventing pollution from this landfill site as it was closed before 1990. In this case, the local authority is also the landowner and is responsible for the sea defences.I understand that Southend borough council commissioned a consultant, Halcrow, in 2001 to assess the risks associated with the sea defence failure at Two Tree Island and to prepare a management strategy. Following wide consultation with relevant bodies, including the Environment Agency, a report was produced that considered the options. The local authorities involved are considering action in light of the recommendations made in the report.Questions about the pollution risks and the assessment of any health impacts associated with this landfill site are a matter for the local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in South Ribble have benefited from the Warm Front and Home Energy Efficiency Schemes. [171278]

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is now marketed as Warm Front. Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2004, approximately 1,800 households in South Ribble received assistance from the Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in Oldham, West and Royton have benefited from the Warm Front and Home Energy Efficiency Schemes. [170881]

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is now marketed as Warm Front. Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2004, approximately 3,600 households in Oldham West and Royton received assistance from the Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department intends to hold a public consultation on the recommendations of the Report commissioned by her Department from PricewaterhouseCoopers on the future structure of the Consumer Council on Water and the future of WaterVoice organisations. [169478]

A wide range of groups were consulted by PricewaterhouseCoopers during their study of the organisational and regional structure of the Consumer Council for Water, including water industry representatives, consumer organisations, and WaterVoice members and staff.The Government do not intend to carry out a further consultation. The priority now is to work towards a successful establishment of the Consumer Council for Water in October 2005 based on the consultants' report and to seek to minimise the uncertainties for WaterVoice and its staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost to her Department has been of commissioning the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on the structure of the Consumer Council on Water and the future of WaterVoice organisations. [169479]

The PricewaterhouseCoopers study of the organisational and regional structure of the Consumer Council for Water cost £93,261.41.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets are in place for the length of time taken to process asylum claims; when these targets were introduced; and which Minister in his Department approved the setting of these targets. [166557]

The principal target for processing asylum claims made in 2003–04 is to decide and serve 75 per cent. within two months. This was an element of target 7 of the Home Office Public Service Agreement (PSA) covering the period 2003–04 to 2005–06. The PSA targets were agreed between my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer and formed the basis for the Home Office's funding settlement for SR2002.The technical notes were published on 25 March 2003, and this was announced by Written Ministerial Statement on 25 March 2004,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of ballistic protection provided by (a) HG1 and (b) HG1A body armour. [172356]

[holding answer 11 May 2004]: HG1 and HG1A are body armour protection levels defined in a Home Office body armour standard. Both HG1 and HG1A afford the same ballistic protection. They both provide protection against standard ammunition fired from short-barrelled handguns. In the case of HG1A a back face deformation of the armour to a maximum depth of 44mm is allowed and in the case of HG1 this maximum deformation is reduced to 25mm. The back face deformation is a measure of the trauma that would be inflicted.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he was informed (a) that Highmark Manufacturing Co Ltd. had changed the specification of its KCW223 model of body armour and (b) that the body armour used by some police forces did not meet the protective HG1/KR2 classification of the original tender. [172357]

[holding answer 11 May 2004]: Highmark did not change the specification of the armour. In mid 2001 it incorporated a material that had been cured in a different way. They did not inform the Home Office of this change. It has now been established that the fully cured material affords a lower ballistic trauma protection level than the partially cured material. The Home Office was informed of the problem in February 2004 and established its extent in March 2004. All affected forces have been told what action they should take, and the manufacturers are providing upgrade packs to return the armour to the specified protection level.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (a) which police forces and (b) how many police officers are using body armour supplied by Highmark Manufacturing Co Ltd. that does not meet the protective HG1/KR2 specification of the original tender. [172358]

[holding answer 11 May 2004]: The police forces in England and Wales using KCW223 model of body armour supplied by Highmark Manufacturing Co Ltd. are Avon and Somerset constabulary, Cheshire constabulary, Cumbria constabulary, Devon and Cornwall constabulary, Dorset police, Durham constabulary, Greater Manchester police, Hampshire Constabulary, Lancashire constabulary, Leicestershire constabulary, North Wales police, South Wales police, West Midlands police and West Yorkshire police. 30,000 models of this armour have been supplied and the manufacturers are supplying upgrade packs to return the armour to its original HG1/KR2 level (where required).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long police forces have been using body armour supplied by Highmark Manufacturing Co Ltd. that does not meet the protective HG1/KR2 specification of the original tender. [172359]

[holding answer 11 May 2004]: In mid 2001, Highmark Manufacturing Co Ltd. started using a material that makes up part of the construction of the armour model KCW223 which was supplied to police forces. This material had been cured in a different way to material previously used. This resulted in the armour in having a reduced ballistic (trauma) protection level in terms of the HG1/A specification and a slightly reduced stab protection level that placed it just below the KR2 level in some carriers and just above KR2 in others.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long police forces were using HG1A body armour before it was approved by his Department; and what action his Department is taking to ensure that police forces are issued with the certification of body armour they specify at tender. [172360]

[holding answer 11 May 2004]: The Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB) of the Home Office produces a body armour standard. HG1A is a body armour protection level, which was introduced in early 2002. PSDB approved test houses test body armour to the current PSDB standards and the results are published in the Manual of Ballistic and Stab Resistant Body Armour maintained by PSDB. When body armour is tested at a PSDB test house the manufacturer is asked to provide a Declaration of Construction that details the material used in the manufacture of the armour along with a detailed description of the construction of the armour. Any model of armour tested is assigned an identification number that uniquely identifies it and the test sample is retained by PSDB. This procedure is designed to ensure that all armour bearing a particular model number that has met a PSDB defined protection level, which is subsequently supplied by the manufacturer, is of the same construction as the original test armour.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Care Custody computer system to be fully operational throughout England and Wales. [170722]

The current plan proposes that the Custody and Case Preparation software applications will be installed and ready for service in all 43 Police Forces by October 2005 and that Forces will have the systems in full operational use by March 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether (a) the Came Custody computer system will contain all data held in England and Wales regarding an individual and (b) the information will be limited to locally-held data. [170723]

As currently designed the bulk of the Custody and Case Preparation information will be held locally within the force area and only core data and that information required to be recorded on the PNC will be available nationally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what timescale targets he intends to set for the input of data into the Care Custody system regarding custody decisions, bail and court decisions. [170724]

The current requirement established by the Association of Chief Police Officers and monitored by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, (HMIC), stipulates that the following timeliness performance indicators are required to be met by the Police for entry onto the Police National Computer:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he intends to reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, dated 19 February, with regard to Wajid Shamsul Hasan; [167260](2) when he intends to reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 25 March with regard to Mr. Amanah Ullah. [172254](3) when he intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 30 March with regard to Ms S.A. Ntonga. [172255](4) when he intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 30 March with regard to Mr. Cristian Cornel Peres. [172256]

I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 11 May 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings Ministers have had with their counterparts from (a) Sweden, (b) Greece, (c) Belgium, (d) Denmark, (e) Finland, (f) Spain, (g) the USA, (h) Portugal, (i) Italy, (j) New Zealand, (k) Ireland, (l) Canada, (m) Jamaica, (n) the Netherlands, (o) Switzerland, (p) France and (q) Germany on drug abuse in the past two years. [171622]

Over the past two years, in addition to the regular contacts we have with European colleagues in the Council of Ministers and with other counterparts at other international meetings, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has met counterparts from Greece, Belgium, Denmark, the United States, Italy, Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany and France; my predecessor as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office with responsibility for drugs issues, my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, North-East (Mr. Ainsworth), met his counterparts from Ireland. Jamaica and France; I have met my counterparts from Jamaica and the Netherlands. As a matter of major concern to Home Affairs and Justice Ministers across the world, drugs will have featured in most of these discussions. Home Office Ministers also have ready access to drug policies and practice in those countries through published reports from and about them and through advice from officials and others who keep in close touch with developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public funds were spent on tackling drugs misuse in Oldham, West and Royton in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 2003–04. [170957]

Breakdown of financial allocation to local constituencies is not available to the Home Office. Funding is allocated to Drug Action Team (DAT) areas, in this case Oldham Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT).The period 1997–98 pre dates the Government's current National Drug Strategy. Expenditure across all appropriate agencies in the area at this time is estimated to have been £977,350. This figure is based on locally held information for the period 1998–99 and has been supplied by Oldham DAAT.In 2003–04 the total drugs allocation for Oldham was £1,697,123. In order to ensure consistency figures supplied are based on funding streams associated with the National Drug Strategy and are readily verifiable. These funding streams are specifically targeted at tackling the harm caused to individuals, families and communities by the misuse of drugs. Other mainstream funding is made available at a local level, this varies and both in amount and origin as a result it is not possible to provide robust financial information.

2003–04
	£
Partnership Capacity	69,259
Treatment Pooled Budget	1,016,000
Through Care After Care Pump Priming	35,000
Building Safer Communities1	386,069
Young people	190,795
Total	1,697,123
1 Contains non-drug elements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public funds were spent on tackling drugs misuse in South Ribble in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 2003–04. [171656]

Breakdown of financial allocation to local constituencies is not available to the Home Office. Funding is allocated to Drug Action Team (DAT) areas, in this case Lancashire DAT.In 1997–98 (pre-dating National Drugs Strategy) funding available to Lancashire DAT area totalled £670,000.In 2003–04 the total drugs allocation for Lancashire was £6,015,000. In order to ensure consistency, figures supplied are based on funding streams associated with the National Drug Strategy and are readily verifiable. These funding streams are specifically targeted at tackling the harm caused to individuals, families and communities by the misuse of drugs. Other mainstream funding is made available at a local level; this varies both in amount and origin, as a result it is not possible to provide robust financial information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many administrators were involved, and at what cost, in each police authority, to deal with the paperwork resulting from emergency police vehicles captured on speed cameras contravening speed limits. [170733]

The information requested is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Ministers in his Department were informed of the letter from the UK Vice Consul in Bulgaria to the Home Office Business case Unit, of 20 November 2002, regarding the operation of the European Communities Association Agreement scheme. [166558]

The operation of the ECAA scheme, including letters to the Home Office about it, is covered by the investigation which Ken Sutton is undertaking of the operation of the ECAA scheme for Bulgaria and Romania. I do not wish to pre-empt the investigation by commenting on the issues before it is completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the Department did not make explanatory notes available on the day a Bill was published in the last two years; and what steps are being taken to ensure that this does not occur in future. [165897]

This has happened on only one occasion in the last two years. The guidance issued to Bill teams makes clear that "Explanatory Notes" must accompany the Bill and this is also reflected in the training they receive.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the outline business case and financial analysis of the privatisation of the Forensic Science Service will be published. [171397]

It is not intended to privatise the Forensic Science Service, but to develop the organisation as a public private partnership (PPP). The outline business case currently being prepared will look in detail at how to optimise the performance and economic prospects of the PPP and will include a financial analysis of the impact of the proposed change of status. We expect to be able to announce the results of the work on the outline business case by July.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times since July 2003 he has met trade unions representing the Forensic Science Service workforce to discuss the future of the Service. [171759]

[holding answer 10 May 2004]: Ministers last met formally with the Forensic Science Service trade union representatives on 20 October 2003. Since then there have been a number of helpful meetings at official level.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have been held between his Department and the Police Service of Northern Ireland regarding immigration irregularities in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) south Belfast. [158610]

UK Immigration Service (UKIS) has an office in Belfast and there is regular contact between the Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) and UKIS staff. At operational level, the police refer details of potential immigration offenders, and UKIS staff work with them to investigate illegal working allegations and other similar issues. At a more strategic level there is a local Immigration Organised Crime group, chaired by PSNI, with delegates from UKIS, the police and the Garda National Immigration Bureau, Dublin, which meets regularly to discuss matters relating to immigration crime in Northern Ireland (including cross border issues).Apart from routine day-to-day contact in respect of immigration offenders throughout Northern Ireland, South Belfast has not been the subject of any special discussions in respect of immigration irregularities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on (a) the policing of street preaching outside North London Central Mosque and (b) monitoring the compliance of views expressed in that preaching with the law. [169785]

The Commissioner of the Police for the Metropolis tells me that the activities outside the Finsbury Park Mosque are monitored by the Metropolitan police who have a duty to ensure public safety and to prevent crime and disorder. It is an offence to use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent or likelihood to stir up racial hatred. The police will take action where appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 4 May 2004, Official Report, column 1398W, on road traffic offences, if he will list the centres at which information about points on licences is recorded. [171914]

Information about the number of points on the licences of individual motorists is recorded on the database maintained by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the total value of fines levied as a result of the speed camera at Grape's Hill in Norwich from its installation until its removal. [171745]

[holding answer 10 May 2004]: Information on the value of fines made at specific speed camera locations is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Perth (Annabelle Ewing) of 17 March 2004, Official Report, column 354W, on Tetra, if he will set out details of the comprehensive programme of work on Tetra health issues; and what institutions are carrying out this work. [171915]

Following the publication in May 2000 of the Stewart Report on Mobile Phones and Health, we took expert advice from the National Radiological Protection Board's independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR) on the health and safety aspects of TETRA technology.The AGNIR experts confirmed that it was unlikely that the specific features of TETRA technology could pose a risk to health and suggested a number of areas where further research would be useful. These suggestions have been taken forward as follows:

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will place in the Library a copy of the review of environmental performance, which the Commission has commissioned. [171511]

The Report will be placed in the Library once it has been considered by the Board of Management.

To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on the progress of the Attorney-General's review into infant deaths following the Cannings Judgment. [171552]

I would refer the hon. Member to the Attorney-General's statement, 5 May 2004, Official Report, House of Lords, column WS55.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the change in the incidence of cancer in each region since the Chernobyl nuclear accident. [171927]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.