To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) budget, (b) expenditure and (c) amount spent on administration was for each area-based initiative for which her Department and its predecessors have been responsible in each year since 1997. [177108]

The information is as follows:1.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to implement a system of horse passports; and if she will make a statement on her strategy for increasing public awareness of the need for such passports prior to their implementation. [177705]

Legislation on requirements for horse passports came into effect on 30 November 2003. This has been updated by the Horse Passports (England) Regulations 2004, which came into force on 10 June.We have worked alongside the horse industry and passport issuing organisations to publicise this requirement. Bearing in mind the diversity of the target audience, our strategy has been to concentrate on specialist and regional media for news and advertising activity, and providing information direct to a full range of horse establishments (including riding stables, retail and service outlets.)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial and other support her Department (a) has given, (b) is giving and (c) plans to give to the use of helicopters in fighting moorland fires. [178099]

No support is given to this activity, nor has support been given in the past but officials will review the position as part of a forthcoming review of policy concerning moorland management.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the acreage of (a) apple, (b) pear, (c) plum and (d) cherry orchards is in active production in England; and whether that has varied over the last 10 years. [177782]

The following figures show the total estimated area of orchard fruit from 1994 to 2003 in England and Wales.

Crop area (hectares)
	Apples (dessert and culinary)	Pears	Plums	Cherries
1994	14,477	3,032	1,669	611
1995	12,797	2,941	1,588	604
1996	11,993	2,739	1,444	592
1997	12,783	2,665	1,672	645
1998	12,506	2,500	1,596	578
1999	12,013	2,360	1,367	591
2000	11,457	2,355	1,213	459
2001	9,970	2,330	1,072	473
2002	8,373	2,041	947	428
2003	7,796	1,742	1,003	381
Notes:
1. Data for 1994 and 1995 relates to England only.
2. Data for 1994 to 2000 inclusive excludes minor holdings.
3. The Orchard Fruit Survey is conducted on a sample basis with estimates made for non-responders and those holdings not surveyed.
Source:
Orchard Fruit Survey (England and Wales)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money was paid to English apple growers under the Countryside Stewardship scheme in each of the last 10 years. [177786]

Annual payments to Countryside Stewardship agreement holders, for the restoration of traditional orchards in each of the last 10 years were as follows:

£000
	Amount
1994	99
1995	133
1996	146
1997	192
1998	220
1999	265
2000	294
2001	343
2002	387
2003	470

These orchards can be apple, pear, cherry, plum or damson, or cider and perry orchards, or cob nut platts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications have been received for products to be included in the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme for Water Technologies; and how many have been refused. [175276]

Since the launch of the scheme, 366 applications for inclusion of products have been received. Of these applications, 147 have been refused inclusion in the scheme, as the products failed to meet the relevant technical specifications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost is to date of the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme for Water Technologies. [175277]

When the Government announced the introduction of the scheme in 2003, it published estimated Exchequer costs of £20 million in 2003–04, £30 million in 2004–05 and £25 million in 2005–06.Actual Exchequer costs will depend upon take-up of the qualifying technology products. It is too early to comment on the actual take-up.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many employees in her Department have (a) signed a formal opt out from and (b) are exempt from the Working Time Directive; and how many employees in her Department have recorded hours, including any accruing on a flexitime basis, in excess of the maximum allowed under the Working Time Directive in the last month for which figures are available. [178363]

Currently 13 staff in DEFRA have signed voluntary agreements to disapply the 48 hour limit set by the Working Time Regulations. The Department has determined that none of its staff is exempt from their provisions. The Department does not have centralised records to show how many staff have worked in excess of the maximum in the last month. The Regulations require that the 48 hour limit is measured over a 17 week period but a flexibility to the Regulations introduced in 1999 removed the requirement for employers to keep records of the hours worked by staff who voluntarily agree to disapply the limit. DEFRA has stated its commitment to keep to an absolute minimum the numbers of staff who regularly work more than 48 hours per week and continually reviews this including staff who are working close to but may not actually exceed the limit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason her Department granted a licence to Wyevale Garden Centre near Thornbury to shoot robins; and if she will make a statement. [176392]

[holding answer 27 May 2004]: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes provision for a system of licensing to allow certain persons to undertake actions against birds which would otherwise be illegal in terms or the Act.Section 16(1)(i) gives powers to the Secretary of State to grant licences for the purpose of preserving public health or public or air safety, subject to there being no other satisfactory solution.An application was received by the Department to kill a small number of robins that were persistently fouling a cafeteria located within a garden centre. The application was considered by one of the Department's wildlife management advisers and based on the adviser's recommendation the licensing unit granted a licence to allow up to four robins to be killed to preserve public health and safety. An investigation of this case, showing that the shooting of the birds by a pest control company was legal and proper procedures were followed, was published on the DEFRA website (www.defra.gov.uk) on 11 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the responses received from safety camera partnership project managers in England and Wales to his Department's letter of 19 December 2003 about the safety camera programme. [155540]

[holding answer 23 February 2004]: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has today made a Statement to hon. Members on the successful operation of the Safety Camera Programme, and have placed in the Libraries of the House, copies of the Partnerships' replies to my Department's letter of 19 December, regarding their work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 19 May, Official Report, column 1002W, on speed cameras, at which locations in Humberside he has given permission for (a) fixed and (b) mobile camera sites to be placed; and what criteria he took into account before granting permission for these sites. [176050]

The approved sites are listed as follows. They were assessed against and meet the criteria for proposed new sites set out in flat current 'Handbook of rules and guidance for the operation of the national road safety camera programme for England and Wales', a copy of which was placed in the Library in December, including the criteria for the number of collisions over the preceding three years (4 or more collisions involving people being killed or seriously injured (KSIs) or eight or more personal injury collisions (PICs) for fixed speed camera sites, and 2 KSIs or 4 PICs for mobile speed camera sites.

Fixed Cameras	Killed and Seriously Injured (KSI) collisions in the preceding three years	Personal Injury Collisions (PIC) in the preceding three years
Clough Road	5	12
Spring Bank west	4	28
B1239 North of Preston	4	6
A1079BeverleyRoad	6	6

Mobile Cameras	KSI casualties in the preceding three years	PIC collisions in the preceding three years
Greenwood Avenue	4	13
A614 North of Shiptonthorpe Roundabout	3	6
Ashby Road, near Pittwood	3	22
Luneburg Way	2	7
Bricknell Avenue	2	4
Anlaby Road	2	20
Cromwell Road, Grimsby	2	6
Saltshouse Road	2	3
Queensway	2	22
A161 Belton	2	6
A 1077 Barton	2	5
A614, south of Shiptonthorpe	2	1
Pelham Road, Immingham	2	11

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the current state of Mr. Sharon's plan to move out of Gaza and the effect of that on the road map. [178640]

I welcome the 6 June announcement of approval in principle by the Israeli Cabinet for the removal of settlements in Gaza and four from the West Bank. I hope that preparations for withdrawal will be carried out without delay and that implementation swiftly follows. Withdrawal of settlements would be in line with Israel's commitments under Phase One of the roadmap.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in UK relations with Libya. [178642]

Libya's decisions to formally accept responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing, renounce terrorism and take action to dismantle its Weapons of Mass Destruction development programmes opened the way for my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, to meet Colonel Qadhafi on 25 March.The Government are building on this contact to develop further our political, cultural and commercial ties, while continuing to seek progress on the difficulties that remain between us.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent advice he has given to British nationals resident in Saudi Arabia. [178643]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises British nationals resident in Saudi Arabia that if they choose to remain in Saudi Arabia they should take all necessary steps to protect their safety and should make sure they have confidence in their individual security arrangements. They should maintain a high level of vigilance, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners. They should adopt a low profile and avoid public gatherings, which could lead to disorder. They should remember that Islamic law is strictly enforced in Saudi Arabia.Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice makes clear that there is a continuing high threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia. Following terrorist attacks in April and May 2004, we continue to believe that terrorists are planning further attacks against Westerners and places associated with Westerners.The full test of our advice is available at: www. fco.gov.uk. We keep our travel advice under close review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what account the Government takes of the changing (a) security and (b) political situation in Saudi Arabia when making decisions on arms export licences; and if he will make a statement. [178139]

Export licence applications for Saudi Arabia, as for all countries, are assessed against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Criteria, taking account of the circumstances at the time and other announced Government policies. In assessing export licence applications, the Government take account of all available and relevant information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Turkish and (b) Greek Governments about the future of Cyprus. [178644]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, North. The Government, at the 26 April General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels and the 17 May UK-Turkey summit, and via our Ambassadors in Ankara and Athens, have been in regular contact with the Turkish and Greek Governments following the 24 April referendums on the UN Secretary-General's Cyprus settlement plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Turkish Government on protecting cultural sites in Turkish-occupied Cyprus. [178134]

The Government attaches importance to the protection of cultural sites throughout Cyprus. We urge the authorities on both sides of the island to co-operate for the protection and preservation of Cyprus's cultural heritage for the benefit of all Cypriots.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the regime in Burma about human rights and the treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi. [178645]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend for Edinburgh, North and Leith (Mr. Lazarowicz).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the enlargement of the European Union on 1 May. [178646]

The enlargement of the EU on 1 May was a historic event. It will make a lasting contribution to peace, stability and prosperity across the continent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an official visit to St. Helena. [178647]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no immediate plans to visit St. Helena.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on negotiations on the European Constitution. [178648]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary took part in a further round of negotiations with European partners yesterday in Brussels. I understand that he intends to make a statement to the House tomorrow.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list of the changes to the draft European Constitution demanded by the Government representative on the Convention on the Future of Europe. [178649]

Throughout the 18 months of the Convention on the Future of Europe the British Government representative, the right hon. Mr. Hain, submitted many amendments, comments and suggestions to different versions of the draft Constitution as it developed. The written amendments can be found on the Convention website at: www.european-convention.eu.int

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements have been made for international supervision and monitoring of the forthcoming elections in Afghanistan. [178039]

The Joint Elections Management Body (JEMB), comprised of the Afghan Transitional Administration (ATA) and UN representatives, and chaired by Interior Minister Jalali, is responsible for election preparations. As part of its electoral support plans, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) intends to establish an 'Observation Office' to facilitate national and international election observation. The Office is intended to support information exchange between Afghan and international observers and other interested parties; provide briefing packages for observers; and develop training materials for Afghan observers.We are currently discussing with EU partners and the European Commission a range of measures to support the elections, including deployment of monitors and advisers. There are also likely to be observer teams from a number of other countries. Work is also in hand to develop domestic monitoring capacity. Afghan civil society organisations involved in this have formed a 'Core Group' to coordinate domestic monitoring activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of the reform of the Afghan National Army since 2002. [178054]

The creation of multi-ethnic and accountable armed forces, providing the elected Government with the institutional means to exercise their authority, is one of the key challenges for the Afghan Government and international community in post-conflict Afghanistan. Considerable progress has been made, and the Afghan National Army (ANA) is now about 10,000 strong. In recent months the training of officers and soldiers has been accelerated after the building of further capacity at the military training centre in Kabul and a total of 1,800 additional troops are now able to undergo training at any one time.International support in this area is led by the United States. UK military forces stationed within the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are providing training and mentoring for Afghan NCOs. In the next few months the ANA will start to establish permanent bases in cities outside Kabul, with the first to be established in Kandahar. This follows successful deployment of ANA battalions in March and April 2004 in response to unrest in the Herat and Faryab regions.

To :ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has collated on US exports of biological materials between February 1985 and November 1990. [177154]

None, other than information published by the United States Administration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the actions of the Chinese Government in respect of the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. [178583]

We are concerned by reports from Human Rights NGOs that at least 12 dissidents were put under house arrest or surveillance in the run up to this anniversary. Those under house arrest included the leader of the Tiananmen Mothers Group, Ding Zilin.The UK raised the harassment of dissidents, including those linked to the events in Tiananmen Square, most recently at the May round of our human rights dialogue with China.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when he will reply to the letter to him dated 26 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Yakubu Kabiz; [177998](2) when he will reply to the letter to him dated 26 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to H S Khan. [178945]

My right hon. Friend's letter refers to documentary evidence at appeal, which is collated by the Immigration Appellate Authority. The letter has been transferred to the Department of Constitutional Affairs as the Department responsible for the Immigration Appellate Authority. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs (Mr. Lammy) will reply to my right hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to encourage the US Administration to remove its sanctions against Cuba. [178129]

The UK prefers a policy of constructive engagement and dialogue with Cuba, and we make our objections known to US policy every year at the United Nations General Assembly. On 4 November 2003, we again voted to adopt the resolution on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the USA against Cuba.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Gordon Prentice) on 26 May 2004, Official Report, column 1634W, on Guantanamo Bay, on how many occasions, and in respect of how many individuals concerns were raised with the US authorities; and on what dates. [179054]

We are not in a position to provide the detailed information requested. This information is withheld under Exemption 12 of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The Data Protection Act also prevents us from disclosing personal data on individual cases under Exemption 15 of the Code.We are very conscious of the importance of seeking to safeguard the welfare of all British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay. Officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are in touch with the families of the British detainees, who are advised of the welfare visits by British officials to Guantanamo Bay.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2004, Official Report, column 581W, on Iraq, what the basis is of the Government's understanding that the originators of the intelligence that Iraq sought the supply of uranium from Africa discussed the issue with the International Atomic Energy Agency shortly before the International Atomic Energy Agency Report of 7 March 2003. [178086]

As stated in the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to my hon. Friend, together with subsequent answers given to my hon. Friend on this issue, I am withholding further details of intelligence exchanges with allies under Exemption 1 (c) of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to whom the Coalition Provisional Authority is accountable. [178397]

The role of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) was recognised and further defined in resolution 1483 of 22 May 2003, and its authority is set out in CPA Regulation No 1, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. Resolution 1483 will continue to operate until 30 June, when the handover of authority to the Iraqi Interim Government will be complete and the CPA will dissolve. Security Council Resolution 1546 of 8 June sets out the transition arrangements for after 30 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to whom the Iraq Survey Group is accountable. [178398]

The Iraq Survey Group forms part of the Joint Task Force Iraq, which reports through the chain of command to General Abizaid and upwards to the US Secretary of State for Defense. The US Director Central Intelligence has overall responsibility for the search for weapons of mass destruction. The British element of the Group has a national link to the Secretary of State for Defence through the Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood and the UK Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Iraq Survey Group to complete its work; and what criteria will be applied when deciding whether the work of the Iraq Survey Group is complete. [178399]

There is no set timetable for Iraq Survey Group activities. The Group will continue its work for as long as appropriate. It is not possible to say when the Iraq Survey Group will have completed its task

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Independent Expert mandated by the 23 April UN Commission on Human Rights decision on Sudan to be appointed. [177384]

The UN Economic and Social Council has to endorse the decision of the Commission on Human Rights before an Independent Expert can be appointed. We have pressed for an early decision of the Council and consultations are under way. Once the decision is approved, the Chairman of the Commission on. Human Rights will then be in a position to appoint an individual to the post.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many premises have a licence to serve alcohol all night, broken down by local authority. [178410]

Alcohol licences are granted by licensing justices and, where available, statistics are broken down by petty sessions areas and not by local authority areas. Generally, no justices' licences permit the sale or consumption of alcohol all night. This is the effect of section 60 of the Licensing Act 1964 which details the permitted hours for the sale and supply of alcohol from licensed premises. There are however four exceptions. Firstly, all on-licensed premises are able to sell alcohol all night on each New Year's Eve unless the premises are subject to a restriction order. Secondly, the 1964 Act does not prohibit or restrict the sale or supply of alcohol to, or its consumption by, any person in any licensed premises where he is residing, or the supply for consumption by any private friends of such a person who are being entertained by that person at his own expense. Thirdly, the 1964 Act does not prohibit or restrict the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises to persons employed there for the purposes of the business carried on by the holder of a justices' licence if the alcohol is supplied at the expense of their employer or the person carrying on or in charge of the business on the premises. Fourthly, under section 74 of the 1964 Act, justices of the peace on application from premises situated in the immediate neighbourhood of a public market or place where people follow a lawful trade or calling, may grant an order adding, either generally or for such days as may be specified in the order such hours as may be so specified, to the permitted hours in those premises. These are commonly called "general orders of exemption". There are no centrally held statistics on the numbers or dispersal of general orders of exemption. However, the number permitting the sale or supply of alcohol all night in connection with a public market (for example, Smithfields Meat Market in London) is believed to be very small.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has held with National Assembly for Wales Secretaries concerning improvements to the A483. [177368]

Responsibility for the A483 Trunk Road rests, in Wales, with the National Assembly, and in England with the Highways Agency. Officials from these two bodies meet regularly to discuss improvements.A public consultation was held last year, on a Route Management Strategy for the A5/A483 Trunk Roads. Further consultation is planned towards the end of this year, on the Pant—Llanymynech by-pass, and it is hoped to award the contract for this work at around the same time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made towards the 5 per cent. reduction in real terms in his Department's administration budget by 2008, announced by the Chancellor in the House on 17 March 2004, Official Report, column 331. [177423]

The real terms reduction of 5 per cent. or more will be a central feature of the public spending settlements for 2006–08 to be announced in detail later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have left employment in his Department because of (a) anxiety, (b) stress, (c) depression and (d) other mental health reasons in each year since 1997. [175673]

Since the establishment of the Wales Office on 1 July 1999 there have been no departures by staff from the Wales Office because of anxiety, stress, depression or mental health reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will cease his Department's funding of the state's deregulatory Centre for Good Governance in Andhra Pradesh, India. [178607]

The Centre for Good Governance (CGG) was set up in 2001 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) to assist it in developing and implementing its governance reform programme. The programme has many strands, and since its inception, the Centre for Good Governance has undertaken work on a wide range of issues. Highlights include a thorough assessment of public expenditure management systems, and an action plan for their improvement. The Centre has also studied Citizens' Charters and how they can be effectively used to improve services. Other work includes analysing corruption-prone processes, and assisting the Government to develop a broad anti-corruption strategy. CGG is currently completing a study on local bodies, and how their effectiveness can be improved. In addition to assisting the AP Government, the Centre is working with the Government of India, particularly in the areas of civil service reform and e-governance.Recognising the importance of governance to tackling poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals, DFID has committed up to £5.9 million for the Government of Andhra Pradesh's governance reform programme; this lasts until March 2005. The assistance is provided in a flexible way so that it can respond to the state Government's evolving agenda. Regular discussions are held on the work programme of the Centre to ensure that it is line with the Government's priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will end the arrangement which places the Implementation Secretariat of the Andhra Pradesh state's Public Enterprises Department under the control of the Adam Smith Institute. [178608]

The Implementation Secretariat is responsible for taking forward the Government of Andhra Pradesh's public enterprise reform programme. It has always been under the control of the state government, and is headed by an Andhra Pradesh government official. The Implementation Secretariat reviews the options for state enterprises, and recommends their closure, restructuring or sale; it then implements the state government's decision.Adam Smith International (ASI) won a competitive tender to provide advisory and administrative support to the Government of Andhra Pradesh. In the first stage, as well as providing consultancy advice, ASI also engaged the local consulting firms and staff for the Implementation Secretariat. In 2003, the Implementation Secretariat itself took over these administrative responsibilities. DFID is discussing its programme, including assistance to public enterprise reform, with the new government, to ensure that it reflects their priorities and makes the most effective contribution to their efforts to tackle poverty.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the viability of his Department's commitments entered into as a result of the Vision 2020 document produced by McKinsey & Co for Andhra Pradesh's Chief Minister Naidu. [178609]

Vision 2020, published in 1999, set out the vision of the Government of Andhra Pradesh for development in the state. It committed the government to a number of goals, including the eradication of poverty and universal primary education, and included many ideas and approaches about how these goals could be achieved. It was not however, a strategy or plan that could he funded. The projects which DFID is supporting in Andhra Pradesh were each based on requests for assistance, and were designed and agreed only after detailed appraisals and discussions with government. They are regularly reviewed to assess progress and agree any changes.DFID has a wide-ranging programme in Andhra Pradesh. It includes both support to the government in implementing cross-cutting reforms and support for programmes providing basic services such as primary schooling and treatment of Tuberculosis. DFID also has two large programmes—AP Rural Livelihoods (APRLP) and AP Urban Services for the Poor (APUSP)—which aim to make government more responsive to the needs of poor people, and to encourage the involvement of poor communities in decisions which affect their lives. APRLP works in five of the poorest rural areas, and has a central focus on agriculture, on which most poor people depend. APUSP works in 32 towns, and as well as improving government's services, it finances new infrastructure in slum areas, for example to address drinking water and sanitation needs. Both projects include components to help poor families to make a better living by developing new opportunities to earn income, for example through skills training.The new state government of Andhra Pradesh is setting out its priorities for development and poverty reduction. Discussions have started on how DFID can most effectively support government's efforts to tackle poverty, and this dialogue will include reviewing existing projects to see whether any changes are required.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost to public funds of travel expenses incurred by Ministers in his Department in (a) domestic journeys and (b) journeys abroad was in each year since 1997. [176659]

In respect of overseas travel by Ministers, since 1999 the Government has published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. These reports give information reaching back to 1995–96. Information for 2003–04 will be published in due course.For domestic travel the information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.All Ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department has provided to enable the Palestinian Authority to prepare for elections. [178594]

The Government welcomes the recent announcement by the Palestinian Authority (PA) to hold municipal elections between August 2004 and mid-2005. The European Commission has committed €10 million to enable the PA to prepare for these and other elections. 17 per cent. of this expenditure is attributable to the UK. DFID has no plans to provide additional bilateral financial assistance for elections.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made on the Rome Declaration on Humanitarian Aid. [176793]

The UK is one of 23 members of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)'s Development Assistance Committee (DAC), which provides a means for donors to share experience and develop best practice in aid management. In February 2003, an OECD High Level Forum in Rome agreed a series of Good Practice Papers on the Harmonisation of Donor Practices for Effective Aid Delivery. With support from DFID and other agencies, the DAC has been developing means to measure progress in this work and a report will be published in December 2004.The UK Harmonisation Action Plan was also agreed in February 2003, and over the last year DFID has been at the forefront of advocating harmonisation, both by testing out new approaches and by working collectively with others to change ways of working. This should significantly reduce the burden imposed on partner countries by the wide range of procedures that donors now apply to very similar tasks in delivering their assistance, for example during audit and evaluation.As co-chair of the Strategic Partnership for Africa (SPA), DFID has also supported efforts to improve donor harmonisation. The 2003 survey indicated that alignment with national Poverty Reduction Strategies was still falling short. However, work is now being carried out jointly by SPA donors to identify how to make faster progress.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) action is being taken and (b) aid is planned to be offered by the United Kingdom Government to help Rwanda reach the targets set in the memorandum of understanding; and what aid is being offered from other western countries, with particular reference to the United States of America. [177665]

DFID's programme of support to Rwanda is set out in the Rwanda Country Assistance Plan. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) complements this, providing the political framework in which the Country Assistance Plan is set.The United Kingdom Government is committed to helping Rwanda reach the targets set out in these documents. Officials from DFID work closely with colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and with other donor Governments, to ensure our approach is consistent and focused on helping the poor of Rwanda.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if his Department will (a) increase pledges to and (b) ensure more supplies are delivered and pre-positioned in Darfur, Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [178238]

During my visit to Darfur last week I announced a further allocation of £15 million for humanitarian response to the situation in Darfur. This takes the total DFID humanitarian response to the crisis to £34.5 million since September 2003. The UK is the second largest bilateral donor in Darfur. We are urging other donors to make significant contributions and will keep our own levels of funding under review.DFID is working closely with the UN and other operational agencies and donors to ensure that the delivery of assistance is increased as more areas become accessible and as operational capacity on the ground increases. This includes supporting the World Food Programme to pre-position foodstuffs in the areas likely to be cut off during the rainy season.I refer the hon. Member for Banbury to the Statement I made in the House on 9 June 2004,

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations his Department has made (a) bilaterally to the Government of Sudan and (b) through the international community, with particular reference to the EU, to ensure resources ate made immediately available for the rapid deployment of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism in Darfur and if he will make a statement. [178239]

The UK has been heavily engaged in ensuring an effective deployment of the African Union (AU) Ceasefire Monitoring Mechanism.I have emphasised to the Government of Sudan on several occasions the importance of swift agreement to and full co-operation with the African Union Monitoring Mechanism. In particular, during the visit of the Sudanese Foreign Minister to London on 11 May, during a telephone conversation with the Sudanese Foreign Minister on 20 May and during my visit to Sudan on 6–8 June. In addition, the Joint DFID/FCO Sudan Unit is in almost daily contact with the Government of Sudan in London and Khartoum and have been reiterating these messages.Following agreement of the AU proposals on 28 May, the UK committed £2 million to the mission and one observer. EU member states last week approved an EC proposal to provide the AU mission with 12 million euros (c. £8 million) from the Africa Peace Facility, which is funded from the European Development Fund. This will cover over half of the estimated costs. DFID have urged other donors to support the AU mission. The EU and member states are also contributing six observers to be integrated with each of the six AU observer teams (including the observer for the UK), a representative on the political-level Joint Commission and the Deputy Chairman of the Ceasefire Commission.Effective deployment of the African Union Monitoring Mechanism will play a critical part in improving the security situation in Darfur. I met with the first group of monitors in E1 Fasher on 7 June. I refer the hon. Member for Banbury to the statement I made to the House on 9 June 2004,

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if his Department will maintain pressure on the Government of Sudan to permit only the voluntary return of displaced people and refugees in relation to Darfur; and if he will make a statement. [178269]

During my visit to Sudan I raised with the Government of Sudan, including the first vice-President, the urgent need for the Government of Sudan to rein in the Janjaweed and other militias, to condemn these acts of violence and to provide adequate protection for displaced people. The UK is fully involved in the situation in Darfur and will continue to press the Government of Sudan to take all steps to ensure the security of its citizens, including by ensuring that any return of internally displaced persons (IDP)s and refugees is voluntary and with adequate protection. I was told by the Sudanese Government that IDPs and refugees would not return unless there was adequate security.I refer the hon. Member for Banbury to the Statement I made in the House on 9 June 2004,

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidelines are issued to magistrates on the consequences of a youth breaking an antisocial behaviour order. [178470]

A sentencing guideline for a breach of an ASBO has been produced for use in the Adult court by the Magistrate's Court Sentencing Guidelines Working Party. However, due to the specific legislative and other considerations applicable when dealing with youths, these guidelines cannot be readily applied within the youth court.The Criminal Justice Act 2003 provided for the creation of the recently formed Sentencing Guidelines Council, and it will fall to them to determine in due course, whether Youth court guidelines should be provided. The Judicial Studies Board (JSB) is planning to undertake a review of its Youth Court Bench Book during this financial year and will consider whether information and guidance on the breach of an ASBO could be included.Statutory responsibility for the training of magistrates currently rests with the 42 independent Magistrates Courts' Committees (MCCs). The JSB has provided training materials to MCCs on ASBOs, which encourage through case studies, discussion of the issues arising in sentencing on the breach of orders, including those in the Youth court. In addition, in February 2004, the JSB advised MCCs that it expected every magistrate to receive a minimum of two hours face to face training on ASBOs by the end of this financial year.In court lay magistrates sit with their justices' clerk or a legal adviser. The justices' clerk has a statutory duty to provide advice to the magistrates on questions of law, practice and procedure. This will include advice on applying any case law and relevant Court of Appeal judgments when making decisions on sentence.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the Secretary of State has considered, as part of the Government's programme of constitutional reform, the introduction of fixed-term parliaments; and if he will make a statement. [178720]

No.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many (a) men and (b) women from ethnic minorities sit as judges in the High Court. [178686]

There are at present no High Court judges who declare themselves as from minority ethnic communities.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what (a) regulations and (b) code of standards govern the opinion polling industry. [178184]

I have been asked to reply.The Data Protection Act 1998 applies to market research and opinion polling. Professionally conducted market research and opinion polling should be carried out in accordance with the Code of Conduct and Guidelines of the Market Research Society.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps the Department is taking to ensure standards of accuracy and integrity in opinion polling. [178185]

I have been asked to reply.These are matters for the industry's professional body, the Market Research Society, to address in the first instance.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans his Department has to undertake an investigation into the methods used by polling organisations to gather, use and present information. [178186]

I have been asked to reply.The Department has no such plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received on the retrieval and assessment of the radiation from badges worn by participants in the Technical Services Forward Group during the nuclear tests in August and September 1958; and if he will make a statement. [178576]

[holding answer 14 June 2004]: The Ministry of Defence has received one representation on this issue in the last six months, which was a letter on 6 January 2004 from my hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy (Dr. Moonie) on behalf of one of his constituents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with the work of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. [178146]

Under the terms of the United Nations' Security Council Resolution 1510, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) continues to assist the Afghan Transitional Authority in maintaining security in Afghanistan, and the United Nations and other international civilian organizations engaged in humanitarian and reconstruction work. Work is in hand in NATO to expand the ISAF across Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assurances General Dynamics has given regarding the continuance of (a) Alvis plc's UK-based and (b) Alvis Hagglund's development and production programmes and capabilities; [177780](2) what light and medium armour capabilities are produced by General Dynamics Corporation and its subsidiaries; what discussions have been held with General Dynamics concerning Alvis plc's Future Rapid Effects System activities; and if he will make a statement on the defence implications of the Office of Fair Trading's investigation into the proposed takeover of Alvis plc by General Dynamics Corporation. [177892]

General Dynamics Corporation (GDC) and its subsidiaries produce a full suite of light and medium armour capabilities. Since the GDC offer to acquire Alvis plc was announced there have been several high-level discussions between the Ministry of Defence and GDC. These discussions covered both Alvis plc and the Future Rapid Effects System programme. On 3 June 2004 the Alvis plc Board recommended to its shareholders their acceptance of an offer from BAE Systems to acquire the company. GDC subsequently announced on 4 June 2004 that it would not revise its offer. The GDC offer for Alvis plc formally lapsed on 7 June 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to delay the closure of the Army Medal Office until the end of the 2006–07 financial year. [178994]

No. I am convinced that the investment of effort now to modernise medals delivery through the formation of a Joint Medal Office linked to the new Joint Personnel Administration system, will be to the ultimate benefit of veterans, and serving personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with (a) the Israeli Government and (b) the Palestinian authority regarding the protection of Commonwealth war graves. [178584]

Neither my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, nor the Secretary of State for Defence has had discussions on this subject with the Israeli Government. However, the Consul-General in Jerusalem has raised the vandalism of the Commonwealth War Graves at Gaza War Cemetery on Sunday 9 May with the Palestinian authority, which has undertaken to investigate.The Commonwealth War Graves Commission views the recent vandalism at Gaza War Cemetery as an isolated incident. Officials at local level within the Israeli Government and the Palestinian authority have given the Commission assurances that there is continuing respect for their cemeteries among the local population.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances service personnel who have had private medical treatment or diagnosis owing to delays in receiving such treatment and diagnosis from the Defence Medical Services will be refunded the cost of such treatment. [170006]

The Defence Medical Services are responsible for the provision of clinical care to military personnel. Secondary care for military personnel is usually provided through routine treatment within the national health service unless there are operational reasons to do otherwise. In such cases, accelerated access to diagnosis and treatment can be provided at NHS hospitals that host the Ministry of Defence Hospital Units. An initial decision on the most appropriate care pathway is made at the time of referral, and is reviewed once the diagnosis is confirmed. Occasionally, use is made of private healthcare providers to enable Service personnel to be returned to operational fitness quickly it' it is anticipated that treatment within the NHS would fail to meet an urgent operational requirement. However, no financial provision is made for reimbursing the cost of diagnosis and treatment if individuals choose to seek private medical care.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the use of explosion mitigation technology in the fuel tanks of armoured fighting vehicles used by British forces. [177214]

In the main, the armoured vehicles used by the British forces rely on the protection afforded to the fuel tanks by the vehicle's armour and the positioning of tanks themselves within the vehicle. Some of the newer armoured vehicles currently in service, however, have additional measures incorporated in their design, with the intention of reducing the risk of fire and explosion in the fuel tanks.In addition, since the acceptance and implementation of the current NATO Single Fuels Policy by the United Kingdom in 1991, all operational vehicles procured will run on diesel or kerosene type fuels which are inherently safer than gasoline. This in itself mitigates against the threat of fire, because of the reduction in the flammability of the fuel. For older vehicles, conversion programmes have been undertaken where this represents a cost-effective option for the remaining life of the fleet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strategic purpose is of the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) programme; if he will make a statement on the range of technologies required for FRES; how many of the technologies needed for the FRES programme will be UK-sourced; what importance he places on FRES being a British developed and manufactured capability; and what role (a) Alvis Hagglund and (b) Alvis plc are expected to have in the FRES programme. [177781]

The Future Rapid Effects System will provide a family of network-capable armoured vehicles as part of a coherent, effective and highly deployable medium-weight force, able to operate across the full spectrum of conflict, but with a significantly improved rapid intervention capability to prevent escalation of conflict and more protracted military commitment. However, the overall utility of FRES is much broader than just rapid intervention, as the vehicles will fulfil a wide range of combat and combat support roles.There are a number of technologies that are under consideration, and early work will focus on maximising our understanding of their risks and maturity levels before we determine what is, and what is not, suitable for FRES.FRES provides excellent opportunities for the United Kingdom industry to engage in the programme in line with the Defence Industrial Policy. However, until we have a better understanding of the FRES capability, and the potential solutions for providing it, the industrial arrangements must remain flexible in order to avoid prejudicing future options.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in securing the retention of HMS Caroline in Belfast once decommissioned by the Royal Navy. [178548]

After consideration by the Ministry of Defence, it has been decided to retain HMS Caroline for the foreseeable future as the RN Reserve Training Centre in Belfast. HMS Caroline will remain under the ownership of the Warship Support Agency who fund the maintenance of the ship.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the operation of the concessionary postal service for forces personnel in Iraq. [178432]

I refer the hon. Member to my Written Statement of 27 February 2004, Official Report, column 70WS, and subsequent answers of 5 March 2004, Official Report, column 1155W, to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock), 1 April 2004, Official Report, column 1605W, to the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson) and 5 May 2004, Official Report, column 1527W, to the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Randall).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sites where it is known that cluster bombs were dropped by UK forces in Iraq have been cleared; how many sites await clearance; and if he will make a statement. [161586]

To date, around 1.1 million individual items of unexploded ordnance have been cleared in the Multinational Division (South East) Area of Operations. This figure includes around 6,000 items of submunitions, though it is not possible to break down this figure into type of submunition or the county from which individual submunitions originated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are being made governing the responsibility for prisoners currently detained by the occupation forces in Iraq when powers of sovereignty are returned to Iraq on 1 July 2004. [167376]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 8 June 2004, Official Report, columns 292–93W, to the right hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether British Service personnel have used stress postures as a technique of interrogation in Iraq. [174619]

[holding answer 20 May 2004]: The use of stress positions is not a permitted interrogation technique and is therefore not permitted in Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, Department of Health hon. Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton), of 11 May 2004, Official Report, column 22WH, how many overseas dentists he expects to start working in the armed services; and if he will make a statement. [178565]

The Ministry of Defence employs two types of dentist—those who are part of the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, and Civilians employed as Civilian Dental Practitioners (CDPs) or as locums, who work within the Defence Dental Agency (DDA).In order to become a military dentist, individuals have to satisfy the nationality requirement to join the armed forces. This requires that applicants must be UK, Commonwealth or Irish Republic nationals. Therefore recruitment of Military dentists from outside of these areas does not take place.The DDA does however recruit some civilian and locum dentists from the European Economic Area (EEA) and other countries, in addition to those from the UK, Commonwealth and the Irish Republic.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) men and (b) women held in British-run military and civilian prisons in Iraq have been charged with (i) criminal and (ii) military offences; and if he will make a statement. [177249]

As of 10 June 2004 the United Kingdom were holding in Iraq 78 male internees no female internees and no detainees at the Divisional Temporary Detention Centre in Shiabah. Individuals are classified as internees if they pose or are judged likely to pose a threat to Coalition Forces. They are classified as detainees if they are suspected of a criminal act under Iraqi law. Detainees are immediately handed over to the Iraq Police Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how he takes account of the sustainability of the UK defence industrial base when making decisions on defence acquisitions for UK forces. [177389]

The Government's Defence Industrial Policy, published in October 2002, seeks to provide the armed forces with the equipment which they require at best value for money for the taxpayer while sustaining a healthy and globally competitive defence industry. The factors that we take into account when making acquisition decisions are set out in Tables 1 and 2 of the Policy and, taken together, enable the best value for money solution to be identified. These factors include consideration of the impact on long-term value for money and on industrial capabilities which it is desirable to retain in the United Kingdom industrial base not only for defence reasons but also owing to the high value which they bring to the industrial economy. Copies of the Policy, together with detailed implementation guidance are freely available, and are included on the Ministry of Defence's website (www.mod.uk).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what measures he has taken to ensure that non-commissioned officers convicted of child pornography sex offences are debarred from further contact with young soldiers; and if he will make a statement on the particular circumstances of an NCO serving in the Royal Regiment of Wales; [175197](2) what steps were taken to inform civilian authorities in

All personnel convicted of child pornography offences will have details of the charges, and punishment, recorded on their career file and conduct sheet. Subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, this will be taken into consideration during the selection process, in order to assess an individual's suitability for any particular post.There is no record of a non-commissioned officer currently serving in, or attached to, the Royal Regiment of Wales being convicted, in 2002, of offences related to child pornography, though a junior NCO attached to RRW was convicted in 2004 as a result of an investigation started in 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of defence-related ship building in the United Kingdom. [178588]

The Ministry of Defence has embarked on the largest procurement programme of new ships for the Royal Navy in many years, including orders for six Type 45 destroyers, three ASTUTE Class submarines and four Landing Ships Dock (Auxiliary).Future plans include the purchase of two new aircraft carriers, further orders of Type 45 destroyers and Astute Class submarines, and the progressive replacement of existing RFA vessels.Looking further ahead, we expect to replace the capability provided by the Type 22 and 23 Frigates with the Future Surface Combatant.It remains the policy of this Government that all warships for the Royal Navy, or vessels designated warlike, will be built in the United Kingdom, although weapon, command and propulsion systems, may be procured from overseas, following open competition.All bidders for new procurements will, of course, have to demonstrate the capability and competitiveness to meet our needs, but this future programme should provide an excellent opportunity for the UK's shipbuilding industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what undertakings were given to his Department by Thales when they acquired Racal. [177146]

When Thomson CSF (now Thales) acquired Racal Electronics plc in July 2000, contractual undertakings addressing national security aspects were provided to the Ministry of Defence by Thomson CSF.Statutory undertakings were also provided to the Department of Trade and Industry as part of the regulatory clearance for the acquisition. These are in the public domain and provide assurance that the company will comply with the contractual undertakings provided to the MOD.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies have benefited from the Small Businesses Loan Scheme in (a) Greater London and (b) each London borough in each of the last three years. [177130]

The Government do not operate a Small Business Loan Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of changes in carbon emissions which would result if all gas fired power stations which have been approved, but are yet to enter service, replaced existing carbon emitting generators. [178323]

The answer depends on the assumptions made about the type of existing carbon emitting generation which the new gas-fired capacity would replace and the load factor for the new gas-fired plant. There is currently around 4,800MW of gas-fired capacity, comprising six large stations, approved but yet to enter service.If coal-fired plants are replaced then the carbon saving would amount to around 4 million tonnes per annum as coal emits more than twice the amount of carbon as gas per TWh of generation. If older gas-fired generation plants were replaced then the change in emissions would be around 0.3 million tonnes per annum, the change reflecting only the higher efficiency of new gas-fired generation compared with older gas generation technologies. A load factor of 70 per cent. is assumed for gas-fired generation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of how much carbon would be emitted if all gas fired power stations which have been approved, but are yet to enter service, entered service. [178324]

There is currently around 4,800MW of gas-fired capacity comprising six large stations, approved but yet to enter service. The level of associated carbon emissions will depend on the operational load factor associated with this capacity. On the assumption of a 70 per cent. load factor, emissions from these stations would amount to around 3 million tonnes of carbon per annum. The net impact on UK emissions will depend on what type of capacity (conventional fossil fuel or nuclear generation) this new capacity is replacing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the likely changes in carbon emissions if all renewable electricity generators which have been approved, but are yet to enter service, replaced carbon emitting generators. [R] [178325]

There is currently around 1700MW of renewable capacity approved but yet to enter service. This comprises 500MW of onshore wind and 1200MW of offshore wind as well as 20MW of hydro power. The change in carbon emissions associated with this level of new renewables capacity will depend on the assumption made about the type of carbon emitting generation which it replaces and the operational load factors associated with the renewables capacity.If new renewables capacity replaces gas-fired generation, which would otherwise have been built, then the reduction in emissions would amount to around 0.5 million tonnes of carbon per annum. If the new capacity is assumed to have replaced coal-fired generation then the change in emissions would amount to around 1.2 million tonnes of carbon per annum. These figures are based on the assumptions of a 30 per cent. load factor for onshore wind and 35 per cent. for offshore wind and hydro.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies her Department has undertaken to assess the (a) economic impact and (b) carbon savings of requiring energy suppliers to have a statutory requirement to include combined heat and power as part of their overall production; and if she will make a statement. [177692]

In 2003, the DTI and DEFRA commissioned Cambridge Econometrics to undertake a study of the prospects for CHP to 2010. This work included an analysis of the effects of a CHP obligation along the lines of the existing Renewables Obligation. The results of this study were published in November of that year and can be found at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/environment/energy_efficiency/chpreport.pdf

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 24 May 2004, Official Report, column 1442W, on DVDs/videos, if she will ask the Office of Fair Trading to investigate whether fair pricing competition exists between national supermarket chains and small independent retailers of DVDs and videos. [178670]

[holding answer 14 June 2004]: It is for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), as the UK's independent competition authority, to decide whether to investigate competition issues. Any information or evidence concerning market failure or anti-competitive practices should be submitted directly to the OFT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average gross weekly pay for (a) managers and (b) senior officials in (i) Merseyside and (ii) the UK was in 2003; and if she will make a statement. [177918]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what basis her Department includes (a) generators subject to transmission constraints and (b) inherently intermittent generators in aggregated totals of generation capacity when comparing levels of installed generation capacity against possible levels of electricity demand. [178351]

National Grid Transco (NGT) reports the level of installed generating capacity relative to forecast levels of electricity peak demand in its annual "Seven Year Statement" (SYS) and the associated quarterly Updates.NGT do not currently differentiate the capacity of intermittent generators directly connected to the system from other forms of installed capacity. The registered capacity of any transmission-constrained generator is adjusted to the limit of the constraint in question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 13 January 2004, Official Report, column 696W, on the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD), what information her Department can provide within reasonable cost that will not prejudice ECGD negotiations. [177722]

We are able to provide a breakdown of all of ECGD's unrecovered claims on a market-by-market basis (see following table). This information is updated regularly on ECGD's website at www.ecgd.gov.uk. These figures do not include our assessment of what claims are or ate not recoverable. To disclose these figures would prejudice ECGD's attempts to recover claims outstanding.

Country	Unrecovered claims ((£)
Algeria	129,541,473.30
Angola	52,540,571.75
Antigua and Barbuda	2,745,763.44
Argentina	31,517,224.98
Australia	7,144,450.70
Bahrain	69,465.62
Belgium	18,688,061.48
Benin	1.00
Bolivia	0.00
Bosnia and Herzegovina	895,641.37
Brazil	176,101,779.37
Bulgaria	0.01
Burkina Faso	0.00
Cameroon	24,387,259.69
Canada	17,085,467.64
Central African Republic	144,745.87
Chad	0.00
Colombia	1,024,981.33
Congo	58,027,462.04
Costa Rica	0.00
Cote D'Ivoire	21,029,634.18
Croatia	46,133,199.40
Cuba	52,146,568.31
Cyprus	454.00
Dominica	981,167.37
Ecuador	27,136,774.09
Egypt	134,034,814.42
El Salvador	0.00
Ethiopia	10,996,463.86
France	83,801.01
Gabon	74,718,999.71
Germany	0.00
Ghana	50,821,016.55
Greece	120,559.82
Grenada	957,608.78
Guinea	922,419.10
Guyana	0.01
India	1,742.06
Indonesia	772,775,807.24
Iran (Islamic Republic of)	28,766,647.48
Iraq	621,852,319.97
Israel	0.00
Italy	71,063.06
Jamaica	1,170,673.49
Jordan	216,315,339.29
Kazakhstan	5.97
Kenya	16,555,734.19
Korea, Democratic People's Republic	5,864,356.17
Kuwait	1,398,519.12
Lebanon	77.14
Liberia	7,875,586.13
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya	8,972,335.50
Macedonia	2,382,683.45
Madagascar	9,930,882.07
Malawi	306,816.44
Mali	0.04
Mauritania	0.00
Mexico	1,291,657.72
Morocco	19,684,364.48
Mozambique	159,513.38
Myanmar	22,904,009.02
Nicaragua	367,532.50
Niger	3,370,318.92
Nigeria	1,650,458,746.72
Pakistan	6,517,406.84
Paraguay	5,939.89
Peru	56,027,018.47

Country	Unrecovered claims ((£)
Philippines	6,089,710.50
Poland	359,163,789.81
Portugal	1.00
Russian Federation	570,898,987.19
Saudi Arabia	1,305,765.53
Senegal	616,506.63
Serbia Republic	148,479,862.67
Seychelles	882,602.43
Sierra Leone	810,763.64
Singapore	5,326.27
Somalia	10,380,865.12
Spain	64,866.50
Sri Lanka	811.63
Sudan	89,460,418.44
Switzerland	23,412,038.16
Syrian Arab Republic	0.00
Taiwan	0.00
Tanzania, United Republic of	7,374.26
Togo	9,460,912.59
Turkey	1,632,772.29
Turkmenistan	0.00
Uganda	619.00
United States	3,207,078.66
Vietnam	5,528,838.01
Yemen	0.00
Yugoslavia	0.00
Zaire	24,652,248.37
Zambia	67,215,313.47
Zimbabwe	85,797,036.06

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the merits of allowing employment tribunals to test the business case for the refusal of a request for flexible working; and if she will make a statement. [178115]

The flexible working law was designed by the Work and Parents Taskforce to be light-touch and is based on employer best practice. In translating the Taskforce proposals into legislation, the Government accepted their recommendation on handling unresolved requests. As the law currently operates, the facts on which the business case is based can be contested in an employment tribunal, as long as the appeal stage has been exhausted.Since its introduction in April 2003, we have been constantly monitoring the impact of the law. We are committed to not making any changes to the laws for working parents until after their impact is reviewed in 2006. We continue to work with stakeholders and intermediaries, as well as engaging the views of both employers and parents directly to build up a strong evidence base for the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many requests for flexible working from (a) women and (b) men were for (i) shorter working hours and (ii) compressed working hours. [178116]

The DTI published results of the first flexible working employee survey in April 2004. The survey reported the types of flexible working requested by male and female employees since the introduction of the new employment rights in April 2003.

Table A4—Types of flexible working requested (percentage)
	Male employees	Female employees	All employees
Part-time	31	41	38
Flexitime	30	23	25
Reduced hours for a limited period	1—	12	13
Work from home on a regular basis	17	1—	10
Compressed working week	1—	1—	8
1 Sample size too small for a reliable estimate. Percentage of those employees surveyed who had requested flexible working.
Notes:
1. Respondents could give multiple responses.
2. Respondents also stated other types of flexible working, but sample sizes were too small to report above.
3. All employees who requested flexible working since April 2003. Total of 456 employee responses.
Source:
ONS Omnibus Survey, September to November 2003 and February 2004.

In total an estimated 56,000 men and 294,000 women have requested shorter working hours, although the sample size was not large enough to include the number of men requesting reduced hours for a limited period, so this has not been included.The sample sizes were too small to reliably estimate the number of women or men requesting compressed working hours.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much public funding from industrial development grants has been spent in Crosby. [177946]

There have been two offers made to businesses in Crosby since 1997 worth £154,401.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will estimate the total gross value added to the economy from the mining and quarrying of minerals in each year between 1994 and 2004. [178661]

The gross value added of mining and quarrying of minerals and of the whole economy from 1994 to 2002 (latest available) are:

	Gross value added at basic prices (£ billion)
	Mining and quarrying of minerals	Whole economy	Minerals share of whole economy (percentage)
1994	1.2	608.7	0.2
1995	1.4	639.9	0.2
1996	1.6	680.2	0.2
1997	1.7	720.4	0.2
1998	1.6	762.4	0.2
1999	1.7	797.8	0.2
2000	1.8	839.2	0.2
2001	1.9	880.9	0.2
2002	2.3	925.6	0.2

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people aged (a) between 18 and 21 and (b) over 21 years of age are receiving the national minimum wage in Scotland, broken down by parliamentary constituency or nearest available area. [176733]

It is not possible to provide estimates for individual parliamentary constituencies.Based on the Office for National Statistics' Low Pay data released in 2003, the DTI estimates that between 100,000 and 120,000 people in Scotland were expected to have benefited from the October 2003 up-rating of the national minimum wage. However, it is not possible to provide estimates specifically for the development rate because of small sample size.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new firms have been established in the UK during each of the last five years. [178665]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) on 20 May 2004, Official Report, column 1118W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the occasions since 1974 when nuclear material has been found to be unaccounted for, broken down by (a) the material and (b) the location where it had been held. [179055]

In accordance with international practice, the inventory difference that occurs when the result of a physical inventory of nuclear material is compared with the book inventory is referred to as MUF (material unaccounted for'. The difference may be negative (an apparent loss) or positive (an apparent gain). MUF is a recognised feature of accounting for nuclear material and is caused primarily by the uncertainties inherent in the techniques used to measure nuclear material.MUF figures at UKAEA, BNFL and Urenco sites are published annually by the industry. Figures published since 1973—74 will be placed in the Libraries of the House. There is no evidence to suggest that there have been any real losses or gains of nuclear material.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the employment rights and benefits of constables in the Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary will change under the provisions of the Energy Bill. [178317]

The Energy Bill requires that the Secretary of State make a nuclear transfer scheme providing for the transfer to the Civil Nuclear Police Authority those employees of the UKAEA who are members of the UKAEA Constabulary. The Bill also provides for members of the UKAEA Constabulary to hold office as members of the new Civil Nuclear Constabulary.There will be no practical effect on the employment rights and benefits of members of the UKAEA Constabulary as a result of this transfer. The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (TUPE) will apply, and current and future members of the Constabulary will continue to be eligible for membership of the UKAEA pension scheme.The Bill prohibits members of the Constabulary from joining trade unions (subject to the same limited exceptions that apply to other police officers). This puts current informal arrangements on a statutory footing. It also brings the Constabulary into line with long established arrangements for other police forces. The restriction on trade union membership will not extend to civilian employees of the Police Authority.The Bill also provides for statutory recognition of a Civil Nuclear Police Federation, and requires the Civil Nuclear Police Authority to align any provisions it makes about conditions of service of members of the new Constabulary with the provision made on such matters by police regulations (unless differences are justified due to the circumstances and structure of the Constabulary). Again this provides a statutory basis for current informal arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the proposed decommissioning dates are of each nuclear power station in the UK; and what level of carbon emissions would result if each was replaced by combined cycle gas turbine generation. [R]178321]

The proposed closure dates of each nuclear power station in the UK are as follows:

Name of power plant	Current proposed closure date
Chapelcross	2005
Dungeness A	2006
Sizewell A	2006
Oldbury	2008
Dungeness B	2008
Wylfa	2010
Hinkley Point B	2011
Hunterston B	2011
Hartlepool	2014
Heysham 1	2014
Heysham 2	2023
Torness	2023
Sizewell B	2035

Output from nuclear generation in 2003 amounted to 82TWh. If this output was replaced by combined cycle gas turbine generation then the increase in carbon emissions would be around eight million tonnes of carbon per annum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the decision by the Office of Fair Trading not to include the impact of local authorities' purchasing power on the financial viability of nursing homes in its investigation into nursing homes. [178141]

[holding answer 14 June 2004]: The Office of Fair Trading is an independent body, and Ministers have no role to play in relation to its decisions about the conduct of market studies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of eligible (a) men, (b) women and (c) parents have taken parental leave in each year since its introduction. [175407]

[holding answer 24 May 2004]: Take-up of parental leave is not recorded by the DTI. However, a DWP report ("Maternity and Paternity Rights in Britain 2002: Survey of Parents") suggests that around 8 per cent. of eligible female employees whose employers provided parental leave used the provision. The same report also states around 10 per cent. of eligible male employees whose employers provided parental leave used the provision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) evidence she has collated and (b) representations she has received regarding cartels in petrol prices, with particular reference to West Wales. [177601]

[holding answer 8 June 2004]: I have received no such evidence or representations. Under the Competition Act 1998 the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is responsible for anti-cartel enforcement. Where the OFT has reasonable grounds to suspect a cartel in a particular sector of the economy, it will investigate the matter. Evidence of anti-competitive behaviour should therefore be passed to the OFT. The OFT's powers of investigation were strengthened by the Enterprise Act 2002, which also introduced a criminal penalty for cartel activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which organisations have received funds from each of the regional development agencies, for each year since 1999; and how much funding was received in each case. [178858]