To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to update computer (a) hardware and (b) software standard packages used in her Department. [166363]

The wide range of Defra's responsibilities and its geographic spread result in a variety of computer hardware and software being employed. These are constantly reviewed and updated where necessary in order to ensure they continue to meet business requirements, offer value for money and are fully supportable.The supply of computer hardware and software standard packages to Defra is currently subject to an outsourcing procurement exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the use of the red tractor logo on food produced in the UK. [172451]

The Red Tractor logo is privately owned and its use on food is licensed by a private company, Assured Food Standards (AFS). The logo denotes foods which comply with standards of production set by AFS or by schemes that AFS has recognised as being equivalent. The Government plays no part in setting those standards nor in validating its operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she will take during 2004 (a) to increase awareness of the dangers of global climate change and (b) to promote education about ways in which (i) citizens, (ii) businesses, (iii) public services and (iv) the media can help the Government to reach its target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. [171228]

The Department provides funding to two key bodies which as part of their activities run programmes to promote energy efficiency and climate change, including advertising schemes, events, marketing, and awards.The Energy Saving Trust encourages the sustainable use of energy in the domestic and small business sectors. Work includes an Energy Efficiency campaign to encourage domestic consumers to take up energy efficiency measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many milk processing companies in Lancashire are available for farmers in Lancashire to sell the milk they produce. [172072]

There are 112 milk processing establishments in Lancashire, approved under the Dairy Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1995. However, producers are not restricted to delivering their milk to purchasers or processors within their county. Farmers in Lancashire can therefore deliver their milk to milk processing companies outside Lancashire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department gives on how many years should elapse before apple trees can be replanted in the same field. [168144]

Defra has not issued advice on this subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) parish and (b) town councils have been awarded Quality status in (i) Lancashire and (ii) Chorley. [172071]

To date no applications for Quality status has been received from parish councils or town councils in Lancashire or Chorley. However, the Lancashire and Mersey County Training Partnership (CTP) has received 14 registrations from clerks who are working towards the Certificate in Local Council Administration. So far one clerk has passed the qualification that was developed in line with the Quality Council Scheme launched in August 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total annual cost of her Department's websites, including those of its agencies, was in the most recent year for which figures are available. [159514]

The use of websites is now a mainstream of communication for any organisation in the public sector or the private sector and for business units throughout any large organisation. Direct operating costs for the main Defra website (www.defra.gov.uk)—including technical and staff costs associated with hosting of the site, and staff costs for the central team with lead responsibility for updating and maintaining the content of the site—are estimated at around £294,000 for the financial year 2003–04.Additional costs arise from the activities of a large number of staff in business units across the Department, contributing to the content of the website as part of their communications activities, but an overall cost for this could not be accurately estimated without incurring disproportionate cost.A number of other websites are operated by the Department and its agencies, for which costs are either covered by the budgets for specific programmes (and not separately identified), or included within the above figures. Detailed information is not held centrally for other websites managed by the Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies, and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the effects of Government expenditure policy on community sports since 1994. [173478]

The Government has invested over £3 billion Exchequer and lottery funding in sport since 1997. Government policy is to marry mass participation with sporting excellence, as illustrated by the 45 County Sports Partnerships, comprising local authorities, schools, governing bodies of sport and the voluntary sector, established to generate competitive and grass roots sport. Community sport has also benefited from unprecedented investment in facilities, improving community access. To complement this, the Government is investing in coaching and volunteering to deliver community activities. For children and young people the Government is investing almost £120 million this year to deliver the entitlement to high quality PE and School Sport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consultations were held with the police about the effects of binge drinking on local alcohol and violence problems before the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003; and what consultations are going on now about its implementation. [173665]

Prior to the publication of the White Paper on licensing reform in April 2000 (Cm 4696), the Association of Chief Police Officers ("ACPO") were thoroughly consulted on the related development of the policy. Following the publication of the White Paper, ACPO, the Association of Police Superintendents' Association and the Police Federation engaged in the public consultation, as well as several individual police forces. In developing the legal instructions for the Licensing Bill, ACPO provided advice to officials in weekly meetings. In July 2002, a Licensing Bill Advisory Group was formed which included a wide range of stakeholders, including ACPO, and assisted the Government in preparing the Bill. The Group met on a weekly basis and continued to meet regularly throughout the Bill's parliamentary stages. Since Royal Assent in July 2003, this Group has continued to meet on a monthly basis to discuss issues relating to the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. In addition, during the House of Commons stages of the Licensing Bill, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State also met ACPO to discuss underage drinking and the way in which the Bill dealt with children and the then Minister responsible, the hon Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells), also met ACPO to discuss other general licensing issues. More recently, I have met the police in a Working Group which is examining issues relating to alcohol related violent crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she 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. [171560]

I have listed visits made by each Minister in my Department, specifying date and constituency visited. The cost of each visit could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Date of visit	Constituency
Tessa Jowell
3 December	Cities of London and Westminster
4 December	Hackney, South and Shoreditch
6 December	North Southwark and Bermondsey
7 December	Cities of London and Westminster
15 December	Holborn and St. Pancras
22 December	Stratford-upon-Avon
10 January	Islington, North
	Cities of London and Westminster
13 January	Oxford, West and Abingdon
16 January	Cities of London and Westminster
27 January	Cities of London and Westminster
1 February	Brent, South
3 February	Cities of London and Westminster
9 February	Cities of London and Westminster
10 February	Bradford, West
	Pudsey
	Shipley
	Hammersmith and Fulham

Date of visit	Constituency
25 February	Cities of London and Westminster
26 February	Cities of London and Westminster
3 March	Cities of London and Westminster
4 March	Telford
	North Southwark and Bermondsey
	Cities of London and Westminster
6 March	Twickenham
8 March	Cities of London and Westminster
9 March	Birmingham, Ladywood
	Leicester, South
	Harborough
11 March	Harrow, West
21 March	Dulwich and West Norwood
23 March	Leeds, Central
	Leeds, East
	City of York
24 March	Holborn and St. Pancras
25 March	Vauxhall
28 March	Islington, North
29 March	Cities of London and Westminster
30 March	Nottingham, South
4 April	Bethnal Green and Bow
6 April	Regents Park and Kensington, North
18 April	Greenwich and Woolwich
20 April	Belfast, East
21 April	Holborn ant St. Pancras
22 April	Cities of London and Westminster
29 April	Regents Park and Kensington, North
Estelle Morris
8 December	Hackney, South and Shoreditch
	Cities of London and Westminster
9 December	Vauxhall
10 December	Holborn and St. Pancras
11 December	Holborn and St. Pancras
15 December	Cities of London and Westminster
17 December	Cities of London and Westminster
18 December	Cities of London and Westminster
6 January	Bethnal Green and Bow
8 January	Holborn and St. Pancras
9 January	Birmingham Ladywood
	Stoke-on-Trent, Central
11–13 January	Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Central
	Tyne Bridge
14 January	Vauxhall
15 January	Holborn and St. Pancras
19 January	Cities of London and Westminster
22 January	Wolverhampton, South-west
29–30 January	Cambridge
30 January	South Cambridgeshire
2 February	Vauxhall
3 February	Cities of London and Westminster
6 February	Birmingham Edgbaston
9 February	Croydon, North
	Cities of London and Westminster
10 February	Brighton Pavilion
	Kensington and Chelsea
15 February	Cities of London and Westminster
16 February	Bristol, West
17 February	Kensington and Chelsea
18 February	Cities of London and Westminster
3 March	Cities of London and Westminster
4 March	Vauxhall
7 March	Cities of London and Westminster
9 March	Folkestone and Hythe
12 March	Sunderland, South
	Sunderland, North
	Tyne Bridge
	Houghton and Washington, East
16 March	Cities of London and Westminster
16–17 March	Liverpool Riverside
18 March	Cities of London and Westminster
20 March	Birminghan Ladywood
22 March	West Ham
	Cities of London and Westminster
23 March	Cities of London and Westminster
24 March	Cities of London and Westminster
	Holborn and St. Pancras
25 March	Bournemouth, West
	Vauxhall
26 March	Cities of London and Westminster
	Greenwich and Woolwich
28 March	Cities of London and Westminster
29 March	Greenwich and Woolwich
31 April	Cities of London and Westminster
1 April	Cities of London and Westminster
6 April	Truro and St. Austell
	St. Ives
7 April	Holborn and St. Pancras
20 April	Cities of London and Westminster
21 April	Cities of London and Westminster
22 April	Manchester, Central
23 April	Enfield Southgate
25 April	Stratford-on-Avon
26 April	Cities of London and Westminster
27 April	Hammersmith and Fulham
28 April	Beaconsfield
	Holborn and St. Pancras
29 April	Lewisham, West
	Cities of London and Westminster
	Vauxhall
Andrew McIntosh
9 January 2004	Cities of London and Westminster
23 January 2004	Oxford, West and Abingdon
	Abingdon
26 January 2004	Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush
2 February 2004	Winchester
19 February 2004	Camberwell and Peckham
	Bethnal Green and Bow
4 March 2004	North Down
	Belfast, North
	Belfast, East
	Belfast, South
	Belfast, West
8 March 2004	Cities of London and Westminster
11 March 2004	Edinburgh, Central
	Glasgow Kelvin
	Glasgow Maryhill
15 March 2004	Cardiff Central
	Cardiff, North
	Cardiff, South and Penarth
	Cardiff. West
24 March 2004	Streatham
	Vauxhall
29 March 2004	Bournemouth, East
	Bournemouth, West
	Southampton Itchen
	Southampton Test
27 April 2004	Bethnal Green and Bow
Richard Caborn
2 December 2003	Greenwich
9 December 2003	Edmonton
11 December 2003	Horsham
12 January 2004	Bethnal Green and Bow
14 January 2004	Bethnal Green and Bow
21 January 2004	Bournemouth, West
23 January 2004	Louth and Horncastle
29 January 2004	Cities of London and Westminster
2 February 2004	Brent, East
3 February 2004	Wimbledon
8 February 2004	Sunderland, North
10 February 2004	Barking and Dagenham
12 February 2004	Leeds, Central
13 February 2004	Huddersfield
18 February 2004	Winchester
20 February 2004	Haltemprice and Howden
21 February 2004	Warrington, North
24 February 2004	Bristol
25 February 2004	Hammersmith and Fulham
26 February 2004	Penrith
26 February 2004	Meriden
1 March 2004	Greenwich and Woolwich
3 March 2004	Meriden
4 March 2004	Telford

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consultations she has held with the commercial radio sector about the relationship between its activities and proposed commercially-funded community radio stations, with particular reference to (a) the protection of the economic viability of existing services, (b) the requirement to offer specific and quantifiable evidence of any harm to that viability, (c) the establishment of clear and transparent rules for withholding any licence on the basis of harm to viability and (d) the interaction of OFCOM and her Department in determining these issues. [172960]

A public consultation of the draft community radio Order finished on 20 April 2004. We are carefully considering all the issues raised, including those from the commercial radio sector. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, Ministers and officials have met, or will be meeting, representatives of the Commercial Radio Companies Association to discuss these issues before the Order is laid. Officials will also discuss these views with Ofcom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has held with broadcasters on the introduction of a free satellite digital television service; and if she will make a statement. [172884]

The Department is in ongoing discussions with broadcasters and with Ofcom about the further development of digital television services. Ofcom have indicated that they will consider whether regulatory intervention is needed to secure a viable free-to-view satellite proposition before switchover.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's relations with BAE Systems. [173166]

The Ministry of Defence's relationship with BAE Systems is based on the need to purchase and maintain equipment to meet the requirements of the armed forces affordably and effectively.BAE Systems is currently the largest defence supplier to the Ministry of Defence. The changing pattern of demand for defence equipment makes it important that the Ministry of Defence works closely with them and other defence suppliers, in keeping with the Government's Defence Industrial Policy.Our relations with BAE Systems' work force continue to be excellent. I pay tribute to their dedication and commitment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he has made to defence logistics operations in the light of lessons learned from Operation Telic. [173167]

In light of the lessons learned from Operation Telic the Ministry of Defence has taken steps to address issues such as its holding of a range of desert equipments including body armour, clothing and boots. A package of improvements for logistics materiel management has been introduced which will greatly increase our visibility of logistic materiel in theatres of operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Future Rapid Effects System will enter service with the Army. [173168]

The in-service date for Future Rapid Effects System will not be endorsed until the main investment decision, but on current plans, the intention is to introduce early variants into service around the end of the decade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to change the (a) number and (b) composition of British troops serving in southern Iraq; and how regularly this is reviewed. [173170]

We keep under continuous close review the level of forces we require in Iraq. We are currently considering, with other partners, the levels and dispositions of forces in the context of the forthcoming crucial period from the handover of authority to the Iraqi Interim Government on 30 June, through to the election of the Transitional Assembly and Government around the turn of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of investigations into allegations of abuse by the military in Iraq. [173169]

Investigations by the Royal Military Police Special Investigations Branch into allegations of abuse continue and as I have already informed the House, I cannot put a precise timeframe on how long these might take. As I said, in my statement last week, it is essential that the integrity of the criminal justice process be maintained. This can involve detailed and lengthy processes, but these are crucial to allow the necessary impartial evaluation of the evidence. As I said last week, two cases have reached an advanced stage with decisions on prosecution pending.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the legal immunity granted to coalition forces in Iraq from prosecution under local law will continue after the handover of power to the Iraq Governing Council. [162665]

Following the hand over of authority to the Iraqi Interim Government on 30 June 2004, currently we expect that coalition forces will continue to be granted immunity from prosecution under local law by virtue of an amended Coalition Provisional Authority Order 17. However, they will be subject to the jurisdiction of their home state.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of UK forces in protecting (a) tankers at ports and (b) oil terminals in Iraq. [171419]

Currently coalition forces, including those from the United Kingdom, are working closely with the Iraqis to provide effective protection of both ports and offshore installations within Iraqi territorial waters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place for families of Iraqis detained by British forces to (a) have access to information about the detention and (b) visit those detained; and if he will make a statement. [172304]

Following the detention of a suspect the individual is taken to the Divisional Temporary Detention Facility. Upon arrival at the detention facility the suspect is provided with a form setting out the reasons for their detention (this has been approved by the International Commission of the Red Cross) and is asked to provide details of a person who he wishes to notify of the detention. The military then inform the person nominated. Internees are entitled to three visits per week by members of their family.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name the Iraqi individuals whose treatment by UK armed forces personnel has been the subject of a Special Investigation Branch inquiry, broken down by individuals for whom (a) investigations are ongoing, (b) the finding is that there is no case to answer and (c) a report has been submitted to the Army Prosecuting Authority. [172346]

[holding answer 11 May 2004]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 January, Official Report, column 917–18W. In addition the death of Tanik S Mahmud in April 2003 is the subject of an ongoing RAF Police investigation and the deaths of Mr. Zaher in March 2003 and Ghanim Gala'e Hacham Daghir Roomi in January 2004 are the subject of ongoing Royal Military Police investigations. However, it would be inappropriate to disclose the names of living individuals whose alleged treatment has been the subject of a Service Police investigation.Of the 33 cases I referred to in the statement I made to the House on 4 May 2004,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the outcome was of the investigation into the deaths of the six Royal Military Police soldiers killed in Iraq on 24 June 2003; whether Her Majesty's Government received a response to it from the families of the men; whether he plans to make public the relevant communications log; and if he will make a statement. [173319]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 February 2004, Official Report, column 1637W. Although extensive inquiries have been undertaken, the investigation is still ongoing and it remains unclear when it will conclude.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with the aircraft carrier orders placed with BAE Systems. [173171]

The Future Carrier (CVF) programme remains in the Assessment Phase. Ministers are currently considering proposals on the overall CVF programme, the Alliance strategy, and on when to proceed to the Demonstration and Manufacture phases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the measures the Ministry of Defence is taking to promote defence exports. [173172]

The Defence Export Services Organisation, within the Ministry of Defence, promotes legitimate defence exports by offering advice and assistance to the United Kingdom defence industry. The organisation invites and hosts foreign delegations at defence exhibitions in the United Kingdom, and provides military support teams in the promotion of military products and services. The Department continues to work for better market access for United Kingdom manufacturers to foreign defence markets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the US Administration on the implementation of the Joint Strike Fighter programme. [173173]

The Joint Strike Fighter has been selected to meet our Joint Combat Aircraft requirement to replace our current Harrier aircraft. It will be flown from our new aircraft carriers and from land bases. It will also create thousands of jobs and help to boost our economy. Ministers and officials regularly discuss the progress of the programme with our US partners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) quantity and (b) type of observation equipment is deployed for British troops to use in Afghanistan. [153038]

I am withholding information on observation equipment available to British Forces in Afghanistan under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the (a) crockery, (b) cutlery and (c) glassware procured by his Department over the last five years is of British manufacture. [170797]

For the last five years the Ministry of Defence's requirements for crockery, cutlery and glassware have been procured through the Office of Government Commerce (OGC).The OGC have provided the following information covering the use of British Manufacture, in percentage terms, over the last five years:

British Manufacture
	Percentage
Crockery	100
Cutlery	100
Glassware	0

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department will receive a discount on its order for the second tranche of Eurofighters similar to that achieved by the German Defence Ministry. [172318]

Negotiations between partner nations and industry for the second Tranche of Eurofighters (Typhoons) are ongoing. We are working to ensure that the Tranche 2 contract is affordable and soundly based to deliver the required capability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further investigations his Department has undertaken into the (a) reasons and (b) those responsible for the flakjackets missing since 1999; what conclusions he has reached; and if he will make a statement. [173318]

I have assumed that my hon. Friend has in mind the National Audit Office Report on Operation Telic, which reported that approximately 200,000 sets of Enhanced Combat Body Armour had been issued since the Kosovo campaign in 1999, but seemed to have disappeared.I should explain that the figure quoted in the NAO report was an estimate provided for the NAO inquiry of the equivalent number of sets of body armour that would have been issued since 1999. However, the body armour ensemble is not usually issued as a complete set. Instead, units request the number of components required to make up the sets they need (covers, fillers and ceramic plates). The fillers and covers are accounted for as items of consumable stock and are, therefore, usually disposed of locally when they wear out, although items may be returned to stock and re-issued if undamaged. Due to their value, the plates, when surplus to unit requirements and serviceable, are returned to stock for re-issue as the need arises.In light of the concern raised about the supply of body armour, the Defence Logistics Organisation conducted an audit of Enhanced Combat Body Armour The audit has provided a picture of our current holdings. It shows that current stock holdings account for 66 per cent. of the total number of Enhanced Combat Body Armour components procured since 1992. The remainder will have been consumed over this period as a result of wear and tear, and operational loss.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the prime contractor for the Future Aircraft Carrier programme. [170330]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 May 2004, Official Report, column 1514W, to my right hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne East (Mr. Brown).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has studied the Amnesty International Report published on 6 May 2004, Protecting the Human Rights of Women and Girls Trafficked for Forced Prostitution in Kosovo; what assessment (a) he and (b) his Department have made of the Report's claims that the international community, including United Kingdom members of KFOR and the UN, make up a significant concentration of these women's clientele; and if he will make a statement. [173235]

The Ministry of Defence has studied the Amnesty International report 'So does it mean that we have the rights?—Protecting the Human Rights of Women and Girls Trafficked for Forced Prostitution in Kosovo'. The report's findings are a matter of grave concern. The Government condemns the exploitation of vulnerable people, and expects UK military personnel to adhere to the rules for conduct on operations. Military personnel breaking these rules are dealt with under the relevant military disciplinary procedures and, depending on the offence, UK criminal law. With the exception of two cases where, as the report recognises disciplinary measures were taken, we are not aware of any involvement of UK military personnel in the activities the report describes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 5 May 2004, Official Report, column 1523W, on the Nimrod MRA4, what plans he has to ensure that, in the event of an eventual favourable decision to continue production of the Nimrod MRA4 aircraft, a workforce with the sufficient skills and product knowledge will be available at Woodford. [172415]

BAE Systems is clearly best placed to manage their workforce to provide the skills and knowledge to meet current obligations and likely future business requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what qualifications armed forces personnel have in prison warder duties; whether the training they receive for such duties leads to a recognised qualification; and if he will make a statement. [171586]

The Ministry of Defence does not run prisons. However, members of the Adjutant General's Corps Military Provost Staff (AGC(MPS)) receive the relevant training to run the Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC) in Colchester.The MCTC is subject to independent inspection and is a National Vocational Qualifications Award accredited custodial care assessment centre. Individual qualifications are not awarded; however close liaison with Her Majesty's Prison Service is undertaken in order that best practice is maintained.AGC(MPS) also run the Regimental Police course at MCTC. This course prepares soldiers to run the unit guardroom and to provide them with the skills necessary to handle soldiers serving short-term periods of detention in the unit guardroom. The course covers all legal, administrative and welfare aspects of detention and provides a City and guilds Qualification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 when radioactive material has been unaccounted

Table 2: Other ranks
Specialism	Warrant Officer	Flight Sergeant	Chief Technician	Sergeant	Corporal	Junior Technician	Senior Aircraftsman	Leading Aircraftsman/Aircraftsman	Total
Pharmaceutical technicians	1	2	—	5	5	1	1	5	20
Laboratory technicians	1	7	—	10	4	2	—	—	24
Radiographers	—	3	—	6	3	1	1	1	15
Staff nurse (Registered Mental Nurse)	—	5	—	13	7	—	—	—	25
Operational theatre	1	5	—	12	1	6	2	3	30
Environmental health technician	1	6	—	7	2	14	7	5	42
Medical administration	23	43	2	130	111	—	2	—	377
Medical assistant	—	—	—	—	5	—	265	137	407
Staff nurse (Registered General Nurse)	4	21	—	123	96	3	56	30	333
Total	31	92	2	306	300	27	334	181	1,273

Table 3: Locations of officer and other ranks
Location	Number of personnel: Officer ranks	Numbers of personnel Other ranks	Total
Aldergrove Northern Ireland	2	14	16
Aldershot Duller Barracks	1	—	1
Aldershot DMSTC (Keogh Barracks)	4	106	110
Armed Forces Careers Office, Belfast	—	1	1
Armed Forces Careers Office, Newcastle	—	1	1
Armed Forces Careers Office, Nottingham	—	1	1
Defence Academy Shrivenham	—	1	1
Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering Cosford	1	18	19

[holding answer 14 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 strength of the RAF Medical Services is, broken down by (a) service, (b) rank, (c) specialisation and (d) establishment. [169996]

Tables 1 and 2 show the strength of personnel in the RAF Medical Services, by rank and specialisation. Table 3 details the number of RAF medical personnel by Ministry of Defence establishment. These figures do not include dental officers and other ranks.Those deployed on operations are not shown separately but are recorded at their home unit.All figures are correct as at 1 April 2004.

Table 1: Officer ranks
		Specialism
Rank	Medical officer	Medical support	Princess Mary Royal Air Force Nursing Service	Total
Air Vice Marshall	1	—	—	1
Air Commodore	7	—	—	7
Group Captain	20	1	1	22
Wing Commander	62	11	11	84
Squadron Leader	59	18	46	123
Flight Lieutenant	51	30	57	138
Flight Officer	12	10	4	26
Pilot Officer/Acting Pilot Officer/Officer Cadet	33	3	—	36
Total	245	73	119	437

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the savings projected from the transfer of functions from RAF Boulmer to RAF Scampton are assumed to derive from savings in (a) personnel costs, (b) maintenance and infrastucture running costs and (c) depreciation and capital charges. [172987]

The Prime Minister's letter of 21 April to the right hon. Member explained that the estimated net running cost saving from the transfer of functions from RAF Boulmer to RAF Scampton is £13 million a year. Some three fifths of this is attributable to personnel costs and one fifth to maintenance and infrastructure running costs. In accordance with standard accounting practice, depreciation and capital charges were not included in the Investment Appraisal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which members and former members of the UK's armed forces will be entitled to qualify for the Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) approved by Royal Warrant SR2002/224; and if he will make a statement. [173529]

None. The Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) was instituted by the Government of New Zealand in 2002. Retrospective awards instituted by Commonwealth countries with the permission of Her Majesty The Queen are the sole responsibility of the countries concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with the Watchkeeper programme. [173372]

The Watchkeeper programme will deliver, incrementally, an intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability using tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Proposals for the demonstration and manufacture phase of the Watchkeeper project were received from Northrop Grumman and Thales on 18 March 2004 and are currently being assessed. The main investment decision is due later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens were (a) killed and (b) murdered while living in or visiting another country in each of the last three years, broken down by the country in which the deaths occurred. [171255]

[holding answer 13 May 2004]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office collected data on how British citizens died overseas on an informal basis until the end of the 2001–02 Financial Year period. Our records show that the total number of British citizens reported as killed overseas in 1999–2000 was 200, in 2000–01 was 308 and in 2001–02 was 216. Our records show that the total number of British citizens reported as murdered overseas in 1999–2000 was 27, in 2000–01 was 43 and in 2001–02 was 95.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance he has issued to British embassies and high commissions in respect of encouraging international dialogue about the future of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. [171230]

We remain committed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its overall aim to stabilise emissions at a level that will prevent dangerous climate change. We are working hard to ensure that ambitious action is taken under its auspices. Our immediate focus is to bring the Kyoto Protocol into force and we are working hard to achieve that. Discussions on further action to follow the Kyoto Protocol commitment period 2008–2012 are not due to start until 2005. However, we regularly brief our posts on the full range of the UK's climate change priorities and are exchanging views informally with other countries on how to promote further effective action on climate change.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning (a) threats to and (b) abuses of human rights of native tribes in Colombia by (i) paramilitary groups and (ii) drugs lords; and if he will make a statement. [173367]

It is often difficult to distinguish in the field between paramilitary, guerrilla or criminal drug trafficking organisations. Our embassy in Bogota has regular contact with representatives of indigenous groups. In recent months they have met such groups from Amazonas, Choco, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Maria and La Guajira. The meetings covered such groups' treatment by paramilitary and guerrilla groups. Embassy staff have also discussed the situation of indigenous people with representatives of the key UN agencies, the Catholic Church and civil society, and with the Colombian Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he, (b) senior members of his Department, (c) the UK Government's representatives in Colombia, (d) the Government's representatives in New York and (e) his ministerial colleagues in London have (i) had, (ii) agreed to have and (iii) sought to have with (A) Jan Egeland, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, (B) other officials of the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (C) members and representatives of the Government of Colombia and (D) non-governmental organisations, in the UK and Colombia, following Jan Egeland's statement of 10 May 2004; and if he will make a statement. [173370]

Our ambassador had three separate meetings with Mr. Egeland during his visit to Colombia, including dinner and a private conversation with him on 8 May. He subsequently met the UN Co-ordinator on 11 May. EU Heads of Mission have a private meeting arranged with the Colombian Foreign Minister on 17 May, and ambassadors from the countries represented at the July 2003 London Meeting on Colombia (the G24) will meet the Colombian Defence Minister on 18 May. Our Ambassador spoke to representatives of British NGOs in Colombia following Mr. Egeland's visit on 10 May. A further meeting with NGOs is planned for later in the month. The foregoing is the extent of our engagement with the UN to date; we are considering our next steps.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department last assessed the security and humanitarian situation in the Chocó Department in Colombia; and if he will make a statement. [173436]

British embassy officials visited Chocó in February to assess the situation there. During their visit they met a cross-section of society. In addition the ambassador visited the region twice in 2003. He also had a meeting in Bogota to discuss the region's problems with the Bishop of Chocó in March 2004. We are very concerned about the severe social problems the people of Chocó face, including high levels of poverty, illegal drug activity, the presence of illegal armed groups and a vulnerable population. We have raised these with the Colombian authorities. In partnership with UNHCR, we support a project aimed at helping displaced communities there.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of Colombia's (a) economic and (b) humanitarian situation; and when this was last updated. [173459]

Our embassy in Bogota provides regular reporting on economic and humanitarian issues, drawing its information from a wide range of governmental and non-governmental sources. The latter includes the Church, local and international NGOs, the business community, academic circles and others. They also supplement their knowledge by travelling around the country to see the situation firsthand. Such reporting is vital as it helps us ensure that our policy towards Colombia is based on the most up to date information and analysis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to seek a new settlement plan for the EU for the Cyprus problem which does not involve the indefinite presence in Cyprus of foreign troops. [173224]

We will continue to work with all sides with a view to realising the ultimate objective of achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement so that we can see a reunited Cyprus within the EU.We believe the UN Secretary General's comprehensive plan established the best possible basis for achieving a settlement. We welcomed the fact that the settlement would have seen a reduction in Greek and Turkish troop numbers to a purely symbolic level. It is now time for reflection on the deal that was rejected and a considered examination of where we go from here.We look forward to the UN Secretary General's report on the settlement talks as an important first step in that process. In the meantime there is no prospect of a renegotiation of the UNSG's plan, including the provision for a limited number of Greek and Turkish troops to remain. Any change in this would have to be by mutual agreement of the parties concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to seek a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis that refugees should, in reasonable time, be allowed the right to return to their homes. [173225]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him today (UIN 173224).The UN Secretary General's comprehensive settlement proposals would have enabled a large number of Greek and Turkish Cypriots the right to return to their former homes. Furthermore, every dispossessed owner was entitled to a guaranteed proportion of all their former property under a regime designed to deliver material benefits to all.We will continue to work with all sides in pursuit of a just and lasting settlement. We continue to believe that the UNSG's plan offers the best possible basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to seek a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis that Cyprus has control of future migration across its sovereign borders. [173226]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him today (UINs 173224 and 173225).An effective migration regime, agreed by the parties and in line with EU principles would be one important element of any future settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between the UK Government and (a) other European Governments and (b) institutions of the European Union regarding the application of the European Convention on Human Rights in Iraq; what the results were; and if he will make a statement. [171553]

The Government have not had discussions with other European Governments nor with the institutions of the European Union regarding the application of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in Iraq. As the Government have said in relation to the current High Court cases brought by the families of 13 Iraqi the Government's position is that ECHR rights have no application in Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what areas of Iraq are under the jurisdiction of the UK for the purposes of (a) section 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, (b) the Geneva Convention and (c) UN Security Council Resolution 1511; and if he will make a statement. [171555]

The question of whether any areas of Iraq are within the jurisdiction of the UK for the purposes of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) are matters in issue in the current cases before the High Court brought by the families of 13 Iraqi civilians. The Government's position in those cases is that ECHR rights have no application in Iraq. The applicability of the Geneva Conventions and of UN Security Council Resolution 1511 are not matters that turn upon whether jurisdiction is being exercised. Resolution 1511 is a binding Security Council resolution and therefore binds the UK and all other UN member states. The mandate given to the multi-national force to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq in resolution 1511 applies to UK forces in those areas where they are operating. The UK accepts that the Geneva Conventions apply to the conduct of UK forces engaged in an armed conflict and that in some areas of southern Iraq, UK forces are exercising sufficient control as an occupying force for the purpose of the application of the Geneva Convention IV.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether UK officials are bound by the European Convention on Human Rights wherever they discharge their duties; and if he will make a statement. [171557]

Whether the European Convention on Human Rights applies extra-territorially to the actions of UK officials turns upon whether the United Kingdom can be said to be exercising jurisdiction over an individual in the particular circumstances for the purposes of Article 1 of the Convention in accordance with the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Spanish Government concerning cruise liners which have previously docked at Gibraltar being prevented from entering Spanish ports; [171965](2) if he will make a statement on the decision by the Spanish Government to refuse entry to the cruise liner Norwegian Dream to the port of Barcelona. [171966]

[holding answer 10 May 2004]: On the instructions of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, the British ambassador in Madrid delivered a message to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday 30 April and complained again over the weekend of 1–2 May. He complained once more, to the Spanish State Secretary for Europe and the Americas, on 12 May, and to a senior Spanish official on 13 May. He expressed HMG's disappointment and surprise at the Spanish action and stressed how seriously HMG views such hindrance to legitimate business by cruise liners. HMG is in close touch with the Spanish Authorities with a view to achieving an early solution to this problem. I will also raise the issue in meetings with Spanish officials this week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much time his Department spent dealing with honours in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by Civil Service grade. [173039]

Five staff in my Department are employed full-time on honours work: one ×D6 (Principal), two × C4 (Higher Executive Officer), one × A2 (Administrative Officer), one × A1 (Administrative Assistant).In addition, members of the Senior Management Structure (Senior Civil Service) spend a total of approximately six to seven person-weeks in aggregate a year on honours.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what areas of Iraq are under the effective control of the UK. [171554]

The UK commands Multinational Division South East (MND SE) which comprises all Coalition military forces in the provinces of Basra, Muthanna, Maysan and Dhi Qar. Troops from 10 states operate in the MND SE Area of Responsibility.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest estimate is of the amount owed by Iraq in reparations. [171982]

The United Nations Compensation Commission has assessed 98 per cent. of the claims submitted to it for direct losses arising as a result of Iraq's illegal invasion and occupation of Kuwait in 1990. The total amount awarded so far amounts to US$ 48,170,438,256 of which US$ 18,389,089,070.86 has been paid. An amount of US$ 29,781,349,185.20 remains to be paid. Work on assessing the remaining claims is ongoing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what payments his Department has made to private military companies working in Iraq. [172695]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not employ any private military companies. It does employ two private security companies to provide armed protection for its staff and assets in Iraq. Payments under these contracts to 31 March 2004 have amounted to approximately £15 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on encouraging the development of secular political parties in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [173008]

We fully support the vital role of the UN in helping Iraq prepare for elections in early 2005 to a Transitional National Assembly, as requested by the Iraqi Governing Council. As part of that process, the UN are helping the Iraqis to produce a political parties law which will provide the legal basis for the activities of Iraqi political parties. This and the Transitional Administrative Law will provide the framework in which Iraqis will be free to form political parties and to compete in elections. The Department for International Development have created a Political Participation Fund for Iraq to increase the opportunities for Iraqi citizens to participate in the democratic process. It is now for the Iraqis to decide what sort of political parties they wish to develop within the legal framework being established.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of official vehicles used by his Department are run on (a) petrol, (b) diesel, (c) liquid petroleum gas and (d) compressed natural gas. [172766]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) runs two distinct fleets of vehicles. The first is the home fleet run by FCO Services and managed by the Supply Chain Service Delivery Group. Vehicles are situated in London (based at King Charles Street) and at Hanslope Park. London vehicles are used to run the London Messenger and London Car Service; the Hanslope fleet is a diplomatic freight/mail delivery service covering the UK and Europe. The required breakdown of this fleet of vehicles is:

	Percentage
Total number of vehicles (London and Hanslope combined)	36
Petrol	13
Diesel	67
LPG	20

Our vehicle replacement programme for the home fleet pays particular attention to the provision of LPG vehicles in London; this is part of our commitments under the FCO's environmental 'green issues' policy.The second FCO vehicle fleet is that run by overseas missions in pursuit of diplomatic business, the details we have available on this fleet are as follows:

	Percentage
Total number of vehicles in the FCO Overseas Fleet	1,352
Petrol	45.8
Diesel	33.8
LPG/Hybrid	0.3
Unknown1	20.1

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to (a) increase the productivity and (b) cut the costs of his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies. [171881]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my honourable Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Ruth Kelly) on 10 May 2004, Official Report, column 149W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will mount an independent investigation with the UN and EU into the role of, and support for, the Janjaweed militias operating in the Darfur region of the Sudan, with specific reference to human rights abuses. [173488]

The Government of Sudan has announced the creation of a national independent human rights committee to investigate alleged human rights abuses in Darfur, with particular focus on the activities of the Janjaweed armed militias. The UK's Special Representative for Sudan is currently in Sudan where he will meet with the head of this committee and senior Government officials to discuss the situation in Darfur.We are in close contact with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) about Darfur. We are considering the best way to take forward recommendations made following their recent mission to Sudan. We are also working to ensure that the Independent Expert, mandated by 23 April UN Commission on Human Rights decision on Sudan, is appointed as soon as possible. We and our EU partners have made clear that alleged abuses should be thoroughly investigated, and we will continue both to monitor the situation closely and to press the OHCHR to follow up effectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of (a) the Sudanese Liberation Army and (b) the Justice and Equality Movement about bringing peace to Darfur, Sudan. [173784]

Through our embassy in Khartoum we have been in regular contact with both the Sudanese Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement in the run up to the ceasefire talks in Chad, during the talks, and subsequently. We are urging both groups, and the Sudanese Government, to fully implement the ceasefire agreement, and to ensure unhindered humanitarian access and the protection of civilians, in order to find a sustainable solution to the problems in Darfur in the long-term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 10 May 2004, on targeted assassinations, question reference 169853, on what basis the Government has determined that the policy of targeted assassinations by the Government of Israel is illegal. [173000]

We recognise Israel's right to defend itself against terrorism but it must act in accordance with the applicable law. We do not consider that Israel's policy of targeted killings is in conformity with its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention and international human rights law. In particular, the policy does not appear to meet the conditions required for a killing to be justified as self-defence.

To ask the Minister for Women what recent representations she has received from (a) trade unions, (b) employers and (c) other bodies concerning the pay gap between men and women in Hampshire. [171642]

I have had no specific representations concerning the pay gap between men and women in Hampshire. However I have ongoing dialogue with trade unions, employers and others including the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and Opportunity Now concerning action to tackle the gender pay gap. For example, last week I met with over 40 trade union women from across the country to discuss this issue and identify action which builds on what we have already achieved. We have made it easier for employers to pay fairly through EOC toolkits, which have been well received. Recent EOC research shows a significant increase in the number of large organisations undertaking pay reviews which suggest we are on track to meet our Public Service Agreement target of 35 per cent. by April 2006. 41 per cent. of those that had carried out a pay review or were planning to do one said that government policy and publicity had influenced them.

To ask the Minister for Women pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2004, Official Report, column 486W, on equal pay, what methodology was used to conclude that the gender pay gap in the South East is the second biggest in Great Britain. [171710]

The figure I reported on 26 February 2004 was based on April 2002 figures. Using April 2003 figures shows that the South East had the third largest pay gap of regions in Great Britain. The figures in both cases were taken from the New Earnings Survey (NES), conducted by the Office for National Statistics.Average earnings are estimated for full-time employees on adult rates of pay whose pay was unaffected by absence during the pay period, by their place of work. This is the standard definition used for NES tables. The gender pay gap for each region is derived from the male and female estimates for those regions.

To ask the Minister for Women what research she has commissioned into the effect of a long working hours culture on women's employment and promotion prospects; and if she will make a statement. [172845]

I have commissioned no specific research into the impact of a long working hours culture on women's employment and promotion prospects, however last year my Department published "Working Long Hours: a review of the evidence" which was commissioned from the Institute for Employment Studies. It is available on the internet at hppt://www.dti.gov.uk/er/emar.Its main findings are that 11 per cent. of employees in the UK work long hours (over 48 hours per week). There are clear gender differences with men more likely to work long hours than women. Two thirds of women who work long hours are in managerial and professional occupations (23 per cent. and 40 per cent. respectively).Through the Work-Life Balance Campaign and the introduction of the right to request flexible working, my Department has sought to demonstrate the benefits of alternative work patterns. Employers who pursue family friendly policies and provide their employees with choice about how they work, report greater motivation and productivity and a reduction in recruitment and retention costs.In April my Department published research complied by the Office for National Statistics on the first year of the flexible working law. It showed that overall the new flexible working law is proving to have been a huge success. Many more flexible working requests (86 per cent.) are being either fully or partly accepted by employers compared to the rate immediately prior to the new law (77 per cent.). The study can be found at the website mentioned above. 11 per cent. of flexible working requests made since April 2003 were declined, which represents a near halving of the rate of refusal by employers compared with the previous two years. And it suggests the new law has significantly increased employers' willingness to consider employee requests.The Second Work-Life Balance Baseline Survey of Employers published in 2003 showed that more than nine out of 10 employers agree that people will work best when they can strike a healthy balance between work and the rest of their lives. The report is also available at the website mentioned above. The report also revealed an increase in the provision of flexible working time practices by employers. Significantly this increase was not confined to workplaces of a particular size or in a particular sector or industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department has taken to export the UK model of co-operation between Government, police and industry to tackle child pornography on the internet. [173047]

The Department of Trade and Industry attaches great importance to protecting children from illegal or harmful material on the internet. The Government are primarily addressing it through the Home Secretary's Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet. The Department takes part in the activities of the Task Force, and in particular, supports cooperation between Government, law enforcement, industry and other stakeholders to develop self-regulatory responses to problems arising, in order to strengthen the take-up of the internet and the growth of e-commerce. We strongly support the work of the industry-led Internet Watch Foundation.Child protection on the internet is a common challenge in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. The UK's approach has served as the model for the EU's main programme to tackle it, the Safer Internet Programme. Since 1999, Safer Internet has funded

over 130 projects across Europe bringing together Government, industry, law enforcement and child protection agencies in the following streams of activity:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the relative efficiency of energy generation by wind power in relation to (a) wave power, (b) nuclear, (c) gas and (d) coal generation. [173632]

Comparing the efficiency of renewable and non-renewable technologies is difficult. Fuel costs for the majority of renewables are zero, so obtaining the highest level of efficiency is less of a priority than reducing the overall cost of each unit of energy generated. The Department has published estimates of the cost of electricity generation from a variety of technologies by 2020. These come from the 2001 PIU energy review, 2002 Interdepartmental Analysts Group report, and the 2004 Renewables Innovation Review. The following ranges are based upon the lowest and highest estimates from each of these reports:

	p/kWh
Onshore wind	2.0–3.2
Offshore wind	2.0–4.6
Gas	2.0–2.9
Nuclear	2.6–4.0
Marine	4.0–6.2

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by her Department and its agencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey constituencies. [171643]

My Department, including the Small Business Service Executive Agency, currently employs no staff in Southampton, Eastleigh, Winchester and Romsey constituencies.Agency Chief Executives will be replying on behalf of their organisations where they employ staff within the constituencies mentioned. These are Employment Tribunal Service and the Insolvency Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to reduce identity theft in areas within the remit of her Department and its agencies. [173052]

The DTI will work closely with—particularly small business—trade unions and others so that a system to combat identify theft maximise the benefits and minimise the compliance costs to law-abiding business and to develop an effective enforcement system that will deal with illegal workers and the majority of businesses that deliberately flout the law.Effective recruitment procedures are in place to deter identity fraud being used to gain employment within the Department itself.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many prosecutions have been carried out against shopkeepers selling goods in imperial measurements in (a) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (b) England. [172759]

The Department does not hold comprehensive information on prosecutions carried out by trading standards departments. However, we are aware of five prosecutions of traders selling goods in imperial measurements: one each in Sunderland, Hackney and Sutton and two in Cornwall.East Riding Trading Standards Department inform us that it has carried out no such prosecutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the likely impact on the UK coal industry of the Large Combustion Plants Directive. [173388]

This Department commissioned independent research into the likely impact of the two options for implementing the Large Combustion Plants Directive, by a national plan or by emissions limit values. The results of this study will inform the implementation decision, which has not yet been made. The research report will be published in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 4 May 2004, Official Report, column 1404W, on ministerial meetings/visits, which people and organisations in Japan the Minister of State for Energy, e-Commerce and Postal Services plans to meet or visit; and what matters are to be discussed. [173398]

[holding answer 14 May 2004]: I hope to be able to meet a number of Ministers, senior Government officials and senior representatives from utility power companies responsible for energy, e-commerce and telecommunications issues, including the following;

Mr. Fuji, Chairman of Federation of Electric Power, Mr. Nakagawa, Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Mr. Kusaka, Director General, Agency of Natural Resources and Energy, part of the Ministry of Economy and Industry, Mr. Aso, Minister and Mr. Nabekura, Vice-Minister for Policy Co-ordination (International Affairs), Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications, Mr. Abe Senior Vice-Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I also hope to meet representatives of British companies operating in Japan.I shall be having wide-ranging discussions on telecommunications and energy issues, including nuclear and BNFL related issues. I shall also be explaining the changes to the UK nuclear industry described in the Energy Bill and hope to hear an update on Japan's plans for its nuclear energy programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will instruct Post Office Ltd. not to withhold information requested by hon. Members on closures of local post offices. [172068]

[holding answer 10 May 2004]: Under the public consultation process, Post Office Ltd. supplies extensive information to assist stakeholders and other interested parties in their consideration of post office closure proposals, but detailed financial information is, necessarily, commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advertising is taking place to promote (a) Post Office card accounts and (b) the use of post offices for the collection of pensions. [172323]

The DWP Direct Payment information campaign raises awareness of all the account options for Direct Payment, including bank and building society and Post Office accounts and also accounts that can be accessed through Post Office branches. It is for customers themselves to decide which account will best meet their needs and circumstances.Post Office Ltd. is responsible for advertising its own services and has undertaken a number of advertising campaigns promoting the banking services which are available at post offices. The current campaign recently launched nationally advertises the banking services of the High Street Banks and the Post Office card account available at post offices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the Government's Post Office Modernisation Fund has been spent in Brent since the fund was initiated; and how much has been spent to (a) keep post offices open and (b) to encourage closures. [172821]

Rationalisation is necessary in urban areas where there are too many post offices for all of them to survive on the current levels of business available. Parliament has approved funding of up to £210 million to support Post Office Ltd.'s programme to restructure the urban post office network comprising £180 million to compensate sub-postmasters exiting the business and £30 million for investment in modernising offices.The administration of the restructuring programme is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member on how much has been utilised in Brent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Government funding was made available for post offices in (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04, broken down by local authority; and what spending is planned for 2005–06, broken down by local authority. [172921]

The Government's on-going nationwide package of funding for Post Office Ltd. and the post office network amounts to some £2 billion in total since 1999. This funding is not allocated on the basis of local authority boundaries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the visual impact of wind farms currently in operation. [173633]

The Department has made assessments of the visual impact of wind farms currently in operation. Applications for consent to construct wind farms are accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment statement, which includes details of visual impact.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what vote was recorded by the UK director of the International Finance Corporation at the 4 November 2004 meeting on the approval for a commercial loan for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline. [172504]