To ask the Leader of the House how many of the reductions in the numbers of civil servants in his Office announced in the comprehensive spending review will be of special advisers. [185467]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury gave today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the terms of reference are for the review of the Government's climate change strategy; what procedures she has established for the conduct of the review; and when she expects to publish the final report. [183680]

The Government remain committed to reviewing the UK climate change programme this year. We will be making an announcement shortly on our plans for the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has commissioned on the implications of Common Agricultural Policy reform; and when she next plans to meet her European Union counterparts to discuss Common Agricultural Policy reform. [184007]

Defra commissioned several analyses of the likely impacts of the reform proposals before they were agreed, to help inform the Government's negotiating position. In addition analysis of the redistribution of subsidy and other effects arising from implementation of the Single Payment Scheme in England was carried out in-house. These studies are all published on Defra's website. A programme to monitor and evaluate the CAP reforms is also being put in place. This will include a CAP Environmental Observatory to monitor the environmental impacts of changing farm practices and production levels, and a project to analyse the economic linkages of the agricultural industry, including the Single Payment Scheme, with the wider rural economy.My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, met her European counterparts at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 19 July, where she set out the UK's views on reform of the CAP sugar regime and on proposals to review the EU's Rural Development Regulation—an increasingly important element of the CAP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the report of the survey of Health and Pesticide Exposure, undertaken by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to be published; and if she will make a statement. [184612]

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine sent a preliminary report to Defra on the afternoon of Tuesday 13 July 2004.This is a preliminary draft that has not yet been subject to peer review, as is usual prior to the publication of any scientific report. We are currently seeking independent experts to carry out such a review. We will send their comments to the researcher at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, inviting him to address them in his final report. This may necessitate redrafting the report. We hope that this process will be completed by the end of October.Defra is also continuing to seek the contractor's co-operation with an independent

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many megawatts of renewable energy were generated from landfill gas in each year since 1998; and what projections she has made of how much renewable energy will be generated from landfill gas in each year from 2005 to 2010. [181223]

I have been asked to reply.Electricity generation from landfill gas in the UK in each year since 1998 is as follows:

	MWh
1998	1,185,000
1999	1,703,000
2000	2,188,000
2001	2,507,000
2002	2,679,000
2003	3,276,000
source
Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2004

Forecasts of renewables are not giving for individual technologies because the Renewables Obligation is market led and therefore the precise make up in the future will be decided by the market.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many litres of liquid milk were imported into the UK from EU countries in each of the last five years, broken down by country of origin. [172935]

[pursuant to his reply, 20 May 2004, c. 1110W]: My answer referred to a table showing UK imports of liquid milk from the EU 15 member states in

UK imports of liquid milk from EU15 countries, 1999–2003
Thousand litres
Country	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	Grand total
Irish Republic	60,342	60,199	54,835	26,233	19,494	221,103
Denmark	30,334	25,166	9,421	795	425	66,140
Germany	17,078	19,531	11,196	5,629	3,888	57,323
France	13,288	8,514	9,667	10,299	8,600	50,368
Belgium	6,786	6,922	3,811	2,345	3,759	23,624
Netherlands	3,620	462	919	2,198	1,027	8,227
Austria	2,844	1,355	—	—	—	4,200
Italy	114	214	91	101	70	590
Portugal	—	0	—	—	40	40
Spain	23	14	—	—	—	37
Sweden	1	—	—	—	—	1
EU 15 total	134,431	122,378	89,940	47,6011	37,303

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what conclusions she has reached about the future prospects for (a) tenant farmers, (b) livestock farmers, (c) arable farmers, (d) horticulture producers, (e) moorland farmers, (f) non-moorland, severely disadvantaged area farmers, (g) traditional family farms and (h) all other farms following her Department's published assessment of the likely impact of her plans for the future disbursement of single farm payments. [184759]

By decoupling subsidy and implementing the Single Payment Scheme in England, as announced on 22 April, the Government are providing a policy framework conducive to encouraging enterprise and market orientation in line with the Strategy for Sustainable Food and Farming. Future prospects for agriculture depend on various factors but the Government are optimistic that farmers and growers will rise to the challenges and opportunities that present themselves.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire representing the House of Commons Commission if he will review the workings of the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978 in the light of progress with the implementation of the Braithwaite Report on the structures and procedures of the House, with particular reference to the recommendation contained in it that there should be a further review in about five years from July 1999. [184408]

Almost all the recommendations of the 1999 Braithwaite Report have been implemented by the House of Commons Commission. There has been continuing follow-up, including review of estates and each of the last five years to 2003, broken down by country of despatch and a footnote made clear that the figures were provisional and subject to amendment. It has since been established that a figure under the 2003 entry for the Irish Republic was incorrect. The figure should have read 19,494 thousand litres. The rest of the answer remains correct and the amended table is as follows:works, and reporting services. The Commission frequently discusses House governance issues; most recently, at its June and July meetings, considering the recommendations of a major review of IS/IT governance, which will be taken forward in consultation with the Information Committee and the authorities of the House, of Lords. In the circumstances, I see no current need for a broader review.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action the Government are taking to tackle the problem of AIDS worldwide. [184317]

I refer my hon. Friend to the written statement made by the Secretary of State to the House earlier today and to the Government's new Strategy 'Taking Action: The UK's Strategy for Tackling HIV/AIDS in the Developing World' copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for how many empty houses his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement. [182143]

DFID is not responsible for any empty houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action he is taking to address the long-term causes of environmental vulnerability of poor communities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic following the recent flooding and landslides in the border region between the two countries. [184328]

DFID responded swiftly to the recent floods in Hispaniola providing £0.5 million of immediate humanitarian support to the relief operation in Haiti through the United Nations and non-governmental organisations. £259,400 of this money will go in support of emergency programmes to relaunch agricultural production and help provide food security, water and sanitation, distribution of non-food items and interventions in emergency education.The longer-term reconstruction and development needs of Haiti have recently been assessed, costed and set out in a two-year Interim Co-operation Framework covering the period July 2004 to September 2006. One of its specific priority sectors is environmental protection and rehabilitation. An International Donor Conference will take place on 19–20 July in Washington DC at which donors will pledge financial support to Haiti. The UK will participate in this Conference. DFID's financial contribution will be through the EU and shareholdings in the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank.In the Dominican Republic, DFID provides support through a small grants scheme. which assists non-government organisations to target poverty reduction.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to measure the criterion the Department set itself in its current Regional Assistance Plan for the Caribbean of improved understanding of Haiti's situation and options for recovery. [184329]

DFID undertook a fact-finding mission to Haiti in June 2003, in order to become familiar with the situation on the ground. In 2004 DFID sent two missions to Haiti to assess the humanitarian situation, following the political violence and instability in the first quarter of 2004, and the floods in May.DFID works closely with an international network of bilateral and multilateral institutions working to support Haiti, including the Haiti Contact Group co-ordinated by the World Bank. The UK will be represented at the upcoming International Donors Conference on Haiti, to be held in Washington on July 19 and 20, which will focus on securing donor support for the Interim Co-operation Framework.DFID also maintains contact with civil society organisations in order to get their perspective on the situation in Haiti. DFID officials met with UK NGOs working in Haiti in May 2004 and DFID receives regular information from civil society organisations through various channels, including the Haiti Support Group.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how he will work with the EU to ensure that EU aid to the interim Haitian Government is conditional on ensuring that the aid is directed towards those most in need. [184331]

The provision of EU aid to Haiti under the European Development Fund (EOF) has been subject to constraints applied by member states within the Common Position since January 2001. EOF 8 funds have only been available for civil society projects and electoral support. On 16 July, the appropriate measures put in place by the EU in relation to Haiti under Article 96 of the Cotonou agreement were amended and the European Commission will notify the interim Haitian Government of the funds available under EOF 9.EU development assistance can be provided only after free and fair elections have been held. Once funds start to flow, DFID will monitor how these are spent as part of our continuing watching brief on Haiti. DFID will be particularly keen to ensure that poverty reduction is the principal focus of this assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking for immediate release of funds for Haiti under the European Development Fund (EDF 9). [184332]

¢27 million from EDF 8 will continue to support programmes of direct benefit to the population of Haiti through civil society organisation and the electoral process.On 16 July, the European Council agreed that the appropriate measures, which had been in place by the EU in relation to Haiti under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement, should be amended. This decision means that the European Commission will now notify the interim Haitian Government of the level of funding under EOF 9 which is available to Haiti, and will proceed to draft the new Country Strategy Paper.Under EOF 9, ¢95 million is available to Haiti. Of this ¢72 million cannot be disbursed until the Country Strategy Paper is developed, and free and fair elections have been held. At this point the National Indicative Programme will be prepared which sets out how the detail of these funds will be used. The other ¢23 million, under EOF 9, can be released prior to the signing of the National Indicative Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the Kenyan Government on assistance on their current budget deficits; and if he will make a statement. [185020]

DFID is in regular contact with the Kenyan Government on this issue. DFID's Kenya Country Assistance Plan recognises that budget support is Kenya's preferred form of aid. It also makes clear that the level of British aid to Kenya, and whether or not DFID will provide bilateral poverty reduction budget support, will depend on the pace with which the Kenyan Government implements its Economic Recovery Strategy, especially in tackling corruption, preparing and implementing budgets that benefit the poor, and strengthening public financial management.Progress is not yet sufficient to enable us to provide such support. DFID is particularly concerned about recent reports of corruption allegedly involving senior members of the Kenyan Government and we have urged President Kibaki to ensure that appropriate and firm action is taken to investigate these reports, make the results public and take action against all those found to have acted corruptly. However, DFID will continue to use sectoral support and project aid where we believe that it can have a sustainable impact on poverty reduction and progress towards the Millennium Development Goals in Kenya.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Strategic Rail Authority regarding rail routes from Southampton to the midlands; and if he will make a statement. [184919]

Ministers and officials in my Department meet regularly with the Strategic Rail Authority about a wide range of issues.The Government have set out their long-term proposals for passenger and freight services in the "Future of Rail" White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on improvements to the west coast main line. [184928]

The West Coast Upgrade is being delivered in line with the Strategy published by the Strategic Rail Authority in June 2003. New tilting trains have entered service, and a new timetable will be introduced in September this year with enhanced service frequencies and reduced journey times. Further improvements will follow in 2005 and 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport support he has given to community transport in South Derbyshire. [184929]

Most of the capital funding for local transport provided by the Department is allocated through Local Transport Plans, and so it is for the Local Transport Authorities to determine how these resources are best used to serve local priorities. This year we have, however, made £465,750 available through the Rural Bus Challenge Programme to support the Southern Derbyshire Rural Access Initiative

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the proposed introduction of a national railcard. [184930]

My right hon. Friend has asked the Strategic Rail Authority and the industry to work up proposals for a national railcard. The SRA is currently taking this forward and I expect to receive advice later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many crashes involving vehicles on the hard shoulder of motorways occurred in the last year for which figures are available. [184931]

The number of personal injury accidents that occurred on hard shoulders of English trunk motorways in 2002, the latest year for which validated data is available, was 104.The provisional number of personal injury accidents that occurred on these motorway hard shoulders in 2003 was 73.No records are kept of non-injury accidents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects to make a decision on whether to introduce an employment and training link for UK seafaring ratings and officers as part of the tonnage tax regime. [184932]

The tonnage tax regime is under review and representations have been invited by the end of September. The possibility of an employment link is one of the issues that has already been raised. We will announce our conclusions when all of the representations have been carefully considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent representations he has received about the need for noise controls near regional airports. [184933]

Although from time to time the Department receives representations about noise control measures at various regional airports, recent representations have mostly been about Nottingham East Midlands Airport. The Government's conclusions on proposals to tackle operational aircraft noise from civil aircraft were published in December 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to publicise his Department's guidelines for the operation of camera safety partnerships. [184613]

The current handbook of rules and guidelines for the operation of the safety camera cost recovery programme was placed in the Library of the House on 5 December 2003. The handbook is currently being updated for 2005–6. The new handbook will be placed in the House Library and published on the DfT website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what monitoring processes are in place to ensure that his Department's guidelines for the operation of camera safety partnerships are observed. [184614]

The programme rules require the safety camera partnerships' accounts to be audited annually by the audit commission. Partnerships must also provide regular data to the Department on numbers of collisions and casualties. An independent report on the first three years of the operation of the safety camera programme by University College London and PA Consulting Group was published on 15 June, confirming the major reduction in collisions, deaths and casualties achieved at camera sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of public awareness of the guidelines that are in force for the operation of camera safety partnerships. [184615]

The criteria for the deployment of safety camera and the rules on camera conspicuity and visibility rules have been placed on the DfT website. The University College London and PA Consulting Group report on the first three years of the safety camera programme, published on 15 June, includes a description of the programme and the key rules and guidelines, and this is also available on the DfT website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money was received by central Government in 2003 in fines paid by motorists who were prosecuted for speeding as a result of the evidence of fixed cameras. [179818]

[holding answer 21 June 2004]: During the financial year 2002–3, the latest year for which figures are available, the amount of conditional offer fixed penalty fines relating to speed and red light safety cameras within the safety camera programme was £68,872,320. From this amount. £54,256,502 was returned to the Safety Camera Partnerships to cover their costs. We do not hold information centrally for camera operations other than those operated within the Safety Camera Partnerships. Neither is information held centrally on the amount of fines raised as a result of court proceedings.Figures for fixed cameras alone are not separately available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Highways Agency to publish its report on safety of commercial vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [184301]

The Highways Agency intends to publish a report on its Study of Trunk Road Accidents Involving Goods Vehicles early in 2005.The Highways Agency is currently undertaking research into accidents involving Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). The work is not yet complete but the initial findings suggest that there are a number of complex and interrelated issues involved with HGV accidents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many prosecutions there have been in each of the last five years as a direct result of a vehicle depositing diesel on the road. [185552]

The information requested is not collected by my Department in this format.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding has been spent in the Harwich constituency from the Local Transport Plan. [184998]

The constituency of Harwich falls within the Essex Local Transport Plan area. Essex has been allocated £109 million of local transport plan funding since 2000.Decisions on how much of this funding is spent in Harwich are a matter for the authorities concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has commissioned on preventative measures to restrict damage to transport (a) infrastructure and (b) services caused by adverse weather conditions. [184037]

The Department has commissioned a number of projects addressing the impact of adverse weather conditions on transport infrastructure and services. This includes the following recent projects:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether cars registered in England, but whose MOT vehicle test certificate expires during their stay in Northern Ireland, will be exempt from prosecution (a) while in Northern Ireland and (b) immediately on their return to England where the vehicle owner can demonstrate that the reason for not having their vehicle examined was due to the industrial action of Northern Ireland civil servants; and if he will make a statement. [184763]

[holding answer 16 July 2004]: The industrial action in Northern Ireland would have no impact on cars registered in Great Britain as such vehicles can only be MOT tested here. If the MOT certificate expires during a stay in Northern Ireland, the driver of the vehicle could face prosecution in the Province. On returning to GB, the vehicle would be exempt from the requirement to hold a MOT certificate provided it was driven directly to a pre-arranged MOT test.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many traffic officers have been deployed on motorways in England; and where they have been deployed. [184791]

There are currently 92 traffic officers, both on the road and in the control room, responsible for motorway patrols in the West Midlands. This will increase to 180 by the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether an assessment has been made of the environmental impact of the proposed new noise preference routing (a) pole and (b) Trent 2 over southern and western Nottinghamshire for aircraft using Nottingham East Midlands Airport; [183978](2) whether the proposed flight path

These proposed airspace changes have been the subject of an environmental assessment by Nottingham East Midlands Airport (NEMA). After careful examination of the proposals, the Department is satisfied that they provide a safe and effective solution for all airspace users in the East Midlands, while mitigating the environmental impact to the greatest extent possible. Officials have conveyed this response to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It will then be for the CAA to agree the changes with NEMA.In order to mitigate the environmental impact of the new POLE Standard Instrument Departure route and following consultation, NEMA have given an undertaking that the route will not be used between the

Project	Company	Length of Road (km)	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03	2003–04
M1-A1	Yorkshire Link Ltd.	30	—	640	676	716	743	769
A69	Road Link (A69) Ltd.	84	489	494	488	505	526	537
A19	Autolink Concessionaires (A19)	118	—	1565	1611	1637	1698	1753

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations have been made to him from councils in Nottinghamshire about the proposed new flight paths over southern and western Nottinghamshire for aircraft using Nottingham East Midlands Airport. [183981]

None directly, though I am aware of representations made to the Civil Aviation Authority and Nottingham East Midlands Airport (NEMA) by various local authorities in this connection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what methods of tackling road congestion between Manchester and Birmingham he has considered since 10 December 2002 in addition to widening the M6 motorway between junctions 11 and 20. [181667]

The document "Managing our Roads" published in July 2003 set out the Government's approach to tackling congestion and the various approaches which are being considered in addition to widening motorways However, the Secretary of State for Transport has published a consultation paper "M6: giving motorists a choice", which invites views on a new Birmingham and Manchester as an alternative to widening the existing M6.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of road congestion in Essex in each of the last 10 years. [183599]

The Department does not make estimates of the costs of road congestion in Essex. Detailed information on traffic flows on all roads in the county would be needed for such an estimate. The cost of its collection to the highway authorities in the county would exceed the value of the information to decision-makers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles used each of the roads built using the design, build, finance and operate contracting method, in each month of operation; who the contractor was in each case; how much was paid under each contract; and if he will make a statement. [180846]

The table shows the traffic figure (in vehicle kilometres) for each financial year for each of my Department's Design Build Finance and Operate projects since these were opened to traffic. Providing figures for each month would be disproportionately expensive.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to co-ordinate the improvement of public service delivery across Government. [184911]

The Delivery and Reform Team, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, brings together those Heads of Units from the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury and No. 10 that are concerned with the delivery of better public services and civil service reform. The Delivery and Reform Team ensures co-ordination from the centre of the overall strategy and key strands of the Government's agenda.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans she has made for switching off analogue radio signals; what the likely timescale is; what criteria will be applied; what target she has set for the proportion of households with access to digital technology before the analogue signal is switched off; and if she will make a statement; [184127](2) what representations she has received regarding the switching off of analogue radio signals; and if she will make a statement. [184131]

Section 67 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 requires the Secretary of State to keep under review the development of digital radio for the purposes of considering how long it would be appropriate for sound broadcasting services to be provided in analogue form.In particular, the Act requires her, on or before the fourth anniversary on which the first national digital multiplex is granted, to ask Ofcom and the BBC to report on the current position and future prospects for the provision of radio multiplex services; the availability of digital sound programme services and existing analogue services in digital form; and the ownership or possession of equipment capable of receiving digital sound services. These reports are to be submitted to the Secretary of State by 31 October. A number of other industry bodies have also been asked to submit any comments they wish to make. All contributions will be considered alongside the BBC and Ofcom reports, and the Government will publish their response.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the activities of the Green Minister in the Department in financial year 2003–04. [185113]

Since my appointment as Green Minister for DCMS in July 2003, the Department has published its comprehensive Sustainable Development Strategy and a copy is in the Library of the House. I have encouraged collaboration at ministerial and official level with the Department for Education and Skills in connection with education for sustainable development. I have also had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of State for the Environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her answer of 28 June 2004, what initiatives the Government have introduced to improve public access to items in publicly owned collections of museums, galleries and other civic buildings that are permanently in storage; and if she will make a statement. [185657]

DCMS encourages each of its sponsored museums and galleries to improve both intellectual and physical access to those collection items not on open display. Examples include the Natural History Museum Darwin Phase 1 Project which contains the Museum's remarkable collection of 22 million zoological items collected over the last 200 years and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester's Collection Centre which opened up 70 per cent. of the Museum's collection to the public when it opened in 2001. The National Museum of Science and Industry will be opening a new branch of the National Railway Museum (Locomotion) at Shildon in September of this year. It will enable visitors to view up to 60 vehicles that they might not have been able to see previously. In each case the Department has contributed funding to these developments. We also encourage the development of virtual access. A recent example of this is 'Ingenious', the new website of the National Museum of Science and Industry which allows access to 30,000 images from its collections, which might not otherwise be seen.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received on progress on the new Wembley Stadium development: and what the latest estimated date is for completion. [183595]

In the period since 1 April 2004 we have received no representations asking about progress towards completion of the Wembley Stadium development.A key milestone for Wembley National Stadium Ltd. was the successful raising of the Stadium arch in June 2004. The Stadium remains on target for completion in January 2006 and to be built within budget.We continue to work with all those involved in the development to ensure that public contributions are protected and used in the most efficient and effective ways possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received on the costs of the new Wembley Stadium development. [183596]

Since 1 April 2004 we have received letters from the right hon. Sir George Young and from Mr. Stuart Sutherland of Dornoch, Scotland, about the cost of the Wembley Stadium development.The stadium remains on target for completion in January 2006 and to be built within budget.We continue to work with all those involved in the Wembley National Stadium development to ensure that public contributions are protected and used in the most efficient and effective ways possible.

To ask the Minister for Women what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education and Skills regarding (a) the opportunities available for older women to attend universities and (b) how to increase opportunities for women to attend universities. [183712]

[holding answer 15 July 2004]: We have regular bilaterals on the cross-Government skills agenda. These bilaterals cover a host of skills related items including, where relevant, issues relating to gender and age in industry and academia. Women returners will be helped by reforms in the Government's Skills Strategy, including the new learner entitlement for those without qualifications, better learner support, and better Information Advice and Guidance. Steps have already been taken to improve services for adults such as the University for Industry (Ufi)/learndirect national advice service. DTI is also taking forward a strategy to improve women's representation in science, engineering and technology, including a resource centre with a specific women returners project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what policies are followed by his Department to encourage young people to enter apprenticeship schemes within the construction industry. [185339]

Changes to the Apprenticeship programme recently announced will benefit all sectors including construction. We want to put in place a coherent ladder of high quality vocational opportunities responsive to the needs of young people, older workers and business. We intend to build a family of apprenticeship programmes to suit a variety of needs from aged 14 upwards. These will include: Young Apprenticeships for 14 to 16-year-olds, a pre-apprenticeship route within the existing Entry to Employment programme, Apprenticeships at NVQ Level 2, Advanced Apprenticeships at NVQ Level 3 and a strengthened progression route into higher education, including vocational Foundation Degrees.In addition we have set up a new network of employer-led Sector Skills Councils to work with government to meet the skill needs of their sectors. Construction Skills—the SSC for construction—was licensed in September 2003. A key role for SSCs is to encourage take up of apprenticeship places by young people and others.The number of new entrants to the sector rose by 4 per cent. between 2001/02 and 2002/03 and the construction sector is the second most popular Apprenticeship framework with over 23,000 young people in training. Construction was also the most popular sector for both young people and employers responding to the recent Apprenticeship marketing campaign.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions of 15 March 2004, Official Report, column 12, on child poverty, if he will list for each year since 1997 for which data is available the resources that the Government has put into counselling and encouraging people to resolve their relationship difficulties in the interests of their children. [184445]

There are a number of ways in which the Government encourage people to resolve relationship difficulties in the interests of the child. The Marriage and Relationship Support (MARS) grant funds activities aimed at helping people establish, maintain and develop successful relationships with their partners. This includes encouraging people to resolve relationship difficulties in the interests of their children and meeting the needs of socially and commonly excluded groups.The MARS programme (since 1997) provided grants as follows: 1997–98: £3.4 million; 1998–99: £3.0 million; 1999–2000: £3.2 million. Following Sir Graham Hart's recommendations in his report to the Lord Chancellor on Marriage Support Funding (published in November 1999), the allocation was increased as follows: 2000–01:£4 million; 2001–02: £4.5 million; 2002–03 and 2003–04: £5 million.Additionally, Sure Start local programmes and Children's Centres provide a range of family support and counselling services and opportunities for couples to discuss relationship issues. Similarly, a Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) officer might be involved at court directions hearings in providing assistance to children and their families to help them reach agreement on arrangements for their children, primarily in respect of contact and residence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the running costs of each children's centre have been since each was established, broken down by region. [185155]

[holding answer 19 July 2004]: The Sure Start Unit does not hold details on the running costs for individual children's centres—this is a matter for local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions he has had with HM Customs and Excise concerning the ability of local authorities acting as Connexions partnership lead bodies to reclaim VAT charged on services subcontracted to private providers; and if he will make a statement. [185070]

[holding answer 16 July 2004]: Guidance on the ability of local authorities acting as Connexions Partnership lead bodies to reclaim VAT on services subcontracted to private providers was given at a workshop for Connexions Partnerships provided jointly with HM Customs and Excise on 20 April. Written guidance was issued to Partnerships on 12 May. We continue to work with HM Customs and Excise to consider, and advise on, individual Partnership proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what programmes are being implemented by the Connexions Service to engage young people during the summer holiday period. [185357]

The majority of Connexions Partnerships (40 out of 47) are the Lead Delivery Agents for the Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) programme. This provides diversionary and developmental activities for 8 to 19 year olds in school holiday periods. In addition 17 partnerships are involved with the delivery of the Big Lottery Fund's Uproject. This offers a similar range of activities and is aimed at 16 year olds who have no firm plans for their future. The Connexions Service is also responsible for signposting young people to a range of other activities provided by partner organisations.The programmes comprise quality arts, sports and cultural activities which include an element of learning and self development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many nursery places there were in St. Helens in each year from 1997 to 2004. [184624]

The information is not available in the form requested.Figures on the number of free nursery education places taken up by three and four-year-olds in St. Helens local education authority area are shown in the table.

Number of free nursery education places1, 2 taken up by three and four-year-old children in St. Helens local education authority area 1997–2003
Position in January each year	Number
1997	3,300
1998	3,200
1999	3,200
2000	3,600
2001	3,700
2002	3,900
2003	3,900
1Part-time equivalent number of free nursery education places taken up by three and four-year-old children.
2 A free nursery education place comprises five two and a half hour sessions of early years education per week, for 33 weeks of the year, usually three terms of 11 weeks.

The latest figures on provision for three and four year olds in England were published in a Statistical Bulletin Provision for children under five years of age in England—January 2003' which is available on the Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many St. Helens families have been involved in Sure Start schemes. [184625]

Around 2,100 families were seen by the five Sure Start local programmes in the St. Helens local authority area in 2003–04. We expect around 600 families to use the nine neighbourhood nurseries in the area. They offer 370 child care places and we are expecting some 900 children to use these.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding was made available to, and how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by, the Finance and Analytical Services Directorate in 2004–05. [182601]

As at 1 April 2004, 472 staff worked in the Finance and Analytical Services Directorate. The administrative costs allocated to the Directorate for 2004–05 were £19.268 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding was made available to, and how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by, the (a) Analytical Services Directorate, (b) Secondary Education Group and (c) Standards and Effectiveness Unit in 2004–05, broken down by their constituent parts. [182602]

As at 1 April 2004, 293 staff worked in Analytical Services Directorate (ASD), 179 staff worked in the Secondary Education Group (SEG), and 143 staff worked in the Standards and Effectiveness Unit (SEU). However, as part of the Department's intention to create a stronger strategic capacity, ASD has recently restructured so that around 50 per cent. of analysts are based in the Department's Schools, Children Young People and Families, Lifelong Learning and Higher Education Directorates.The administrative costs allocated for 2004–05 were:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether all people in the London East Learning and Skills Council region who wish to study for a basic skills qualification in a further education college in the academic year 2004–05 are guaranteed a place; and if he will make a statement. [184293]

These are matters for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to my hon. Friend with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions he has had with business representatives on levels of literacy and numeracy skills of school-leavers. [185214]

I have many discussions with a range of business leaders about skills needs at all levels, including regular meetings with the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) and the Sector Skills Councils. I visit bursaries of all subjects on a regular basis.At the Skills Strategy One Year on Conference on the 7 July, I welcomed the shared statement by the CBI, TUC (Trades Union Congress) and Small Business Council which emphasised the importance of ensuring employers, unions, employees, Government and training providers support the development of skills at basic level and Level 2 to improve employability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the rate of unauthorised absence from pupil referral units. [184434]

The Department does not collect absence data from pupil referral units.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will publish the Green Paper on the reform of services for young people; which specific services he is seeking to reform; and what recommendations for reform will be included. [185069]

[holding answer 19 July 2004.]: We plan to work across Government to develop and publish a Green Paper for young people in autumn 2004. The types of service and issues it will address are set out in the Department for Education and Skills: Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners. It is too early to say what recommendations for reform will be included.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of full-time students resident in the London borough of Wandsworth stayed in education after the age of (a) 16 and (b) 18 years in each of the last three years. [184118]

For Inner London, participation in education and training is only shown as a total because participation estimates for individual Inner London LEAs cannot be estimated reliably. This is due to considerable numbers of pupils who attend independent schools in an LEA other than the one in which they reside and residence information for independent school pupils is not available. The percentage of 16-year-olds participating in full-time education in Inner London at end 2001 (the latest available year) was 73 per cent.There are also figures published for local Learning and Skills Council (LSC) areas, which cover Inner London. These will be affected by the cross-boundary movement, though to a lesser ex tent due to their larger size. The London Central LSC area includes Wandsworth LEA. The percentage of 16-year-olds participating in full-time education in London Central LSC area at end 2001 (the latest available year) was 74 per cent.These figures are taken from the Statistical Bulletin 01/2004 and have been produced using post-Census population estimates. Historic population estimates are not currently available on a comparable basis; and therefore, comparable participation rates for earlier years prior to 2001 cannot be produced.The percentages of 18-year-olds participating in full-time undergraduate courses in Wandsworth LEA for the last three years are given in Table 1. The higher education (HE) figures show the proportion of students who gain places in HE courses at age 18, and so will not include those who enter at 19 or over.

Table 1: Proportion of English domiciled students aged 18 accepted through UCAS to full-time undergraduate courses in the UK, by LEA of domicile
As at autumn	Percentage
2001	23.9
2002	23.6
2003	23.4

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to support disadvantaged children and families who do not live in wards covered by the Sure Start programme. [184996]

Children's centres are the focus of the Government's plans to expand high quality integrated service provision to young children and families. By 2008 we will have developed up to 2,500 children's centres. In areas not currently covered by Sure Start programmes, centres will develop from a wide range of settings in the maintained, private and voluntary sectors. In the long term the Government aim to develop a children's centre in every community.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what assessment his Department has made of the distribution cost of installing vending machines in schools selling only water, fresh milk, juice and fruit; and if he will make a statement; [184541](2) whether his Department has conducted research into installing healthy vending machines in schools; and if he will study the example of the Green Machine when conducting work in this area; [184542](3) what correspondence his Department has had from

The provision of vending machines in schools is determined by individual school governing bodies.The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has not carried out any assessment of the distribution cost of installing vending machines which offer healthy food and drink, nor conducted research into installing healthy vending machines in schools. However, DfES and Department of Health are jointly funding the `Food in Schools' (FiS) initiative, which includes an investigation of how healthy food and drink can be offered in vending machines in schools.In addition, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently investigated the economic viability of healthier drinks vending provision in schools, and their findings are published in "A Feasibility Study into Healthier Drinks Vending in Schools" which can be found on the FSA's website: www.foodstandards.gov.uk/news/ newsarchive/2004/apr/vendingInformation about the Green Machine has been forwarded to officials in DoH and FSA who lead on vending machine projects.We have not received correspondence about vending machines from the National Association of Head Teachers or the National Association of Schoolmasters/ Union of Women Teachers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much money was paid to students on means-tested benefits in the last year for which figures are available. [184877]

The information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants have an appointee to act on the claimant's behalf in respect of benefit claims and payments; and in how many cases the appointee is (a) a family member or friend, (b) a member of staff of a public body, (c) an independent care home owner or manager and (d) another person acting in their professional capacity. [182728]

The information is not available in the format requested as details on appointees are not collected centrally.At the end of February 2004 there were 174,700 pensions credit claims where there was an appointee and 118,200 in respect of income support claims.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many representations have been received about appointeeship in connection with the proposed mental capacity legislation; and from whom. [182729]

The Department received correspondence from the Making Decisions Alliance after the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Mental Incapacity Bill.In addition, a number of organisations, including the Making Decisions Alliance, referred to the Department's appointee procedures when giving evidence to the Joint Committee on the Draft Mental Incapacity Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what changes are planned on the information for (a) staff undertaking assessments of capacity and (b) appointees following the implementation of the mental capacity legislation; [182730](2) whether there will be a requirement for staff of his Department undertaking assessments of claimant's capacity to manage his or her affairs to have regard to the Code of Practice under the mental capacity legislation. [182731]

We are currently looking at the potential impact of this Bill on our appointee arrangements. We will finalise the review in the event that the Bill receives Royal Assent and the Code of Practice is completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the weekly multiplier is that is used to estimate the average amount of housing and council tax benefit fraud run-on in cases where a fraudulent claim has been detected. [183161]

For local authorities, the Weekly Benefit Saving (WBS) scheme was replaced by the Security Against Fraud and Error (SAFE) scheme on 1 April 2002. Unlike WBS, where a 32 week multiplier was used when calculating savings from anti fraud activity, no such multiplier is used for SAFE.Under SAFE, local authorities earn a fixed monetary reward based on the amount of reduction in benefit for each overpayment which they detect that is a result of fraud or claimant error. In addition, local authorities are partly compensated for the costs incurred in bringing forward sanctions and prosecutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his written answer of 17 May 2004, Official Report, column 731W, on benefit fraud, what the average (a) weekly incorrect benefit reward and (b) security against fraud and error subsidy was as a proportion of expenditure. [183261]

Local authorities earn Weekly Incorrect Benefit (WIB) rewards for overpayments they recover which have arisen as a result of fraud and claimant error. The average total WIB reward across all local authorities as a proportion of expenditure was 0.2 per

Number	Outcome	Value
1	Officer prosecuted and sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge and £75 costs. The officer continues in post pending a decision about his employment status	£979
2	Officer prosecuted for offences committed in 2000 and sentenced to 11 months imprisonment.	£38,938
3	Officer prosecuted and sentenced to two months imprisonment. The officer was initially suspended on full pay, which changed to suspension without pay from the date formal charges were made. They have since been dismissed.	£4,180 plus an additional potential overpayment of £2,013
4	Officer prosecuted and sentenced to an 18 month Community Rehabilitation Order and ordered to pay £1,510, the amount to be repaid in full by 18 December 2004. The officer was initially suspended from duty and subsequently resigned.	£410
5	Officer found guilty of benefit fraud and will be sentenced on 16 July 2004. The officer was suspended from duty and subsequently dismissed.	£1,327 plus an additional potential overpayment of £2,600
6	Officer sentenced to a 200 hour community service order and has been dismissed	£3,112
7	Officer prosecuted and fined £120 costs and ordered to pay £628. The overpayment has been repaid in full	£2,599
8	Officer Dismissed	£5,280
9	Officer Dismissed. Prosecution pending.	£660
10	Officer Dismissed	—

In addition to the cases listed in the table four officers resigned prior to a penalty being imposed.Details of staff suspensions are not routinely captured. Where appropriate, staff are suspended from duty pending the outcome of any action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the benefits that can be claimed using an electronic claims facility. [185057]

At present, only Carers Allowance can be claimed using an electronic claims facility; however, we are working to extend this provision to other benefits as soon as it is practical to do so. In addition, electronic

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff in his Department have been (a) investigated, (b) suspended, (c) dismissed, (d) prosecuted and (e) convicted for involvement in benefit fraud in each of the last six months; and what amounts were involved in each case. [184688]

Information is not available in the exact format requested. Such information as is available is shown in the table and accompanying text.32 cases of staff suspected of involvement in benefit fraud have been investigated during the period 1 January 2004 to 30 June 2004. These cases include both fraudulent personal claims to benefit and assisting third parties to commit benefit fraud.In the same period, 10 members of staff were given either a disciplinary penalty and/or were prosecuted and convicted of an offence. Some of these will have resulted from investigations in earlier periods. Details, including the amount of benefit involved in each case, are shown in the following table. Where an amount is not shown in the table, either it has not been possible to determine a value or the overpayment is still being calculated.claim forms are available on the internet for many of our benefits; these can be completed before being printed off, signed and forwarded to the appropriate office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions resulting from the criminal offence of non-co-operation with the Child Support Agency there have been since January 2001. [184670]

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the Child Support Agency has been owed in outstanding maintenance payments in each of the last seven years. [184671]

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many non-resident parents have had their driving licences removed by the courts since April 2001 as a result of the provisions introduced under the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000. [184673]

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many full-time equivalent employees of his Department there were in the East Midlands in each year since 1997. [185495]

Information on staff numbers by Government Office Region was not collected prior to September 2001. Information at that date and each year thereafter is in the table.

DWP staff numbers in East Midlands Government Office Region
	Staff numbers
30 September 2001	5,730
30 September 2002	6,126
30 September 2003	6,245
Notes:
1. Numbers are Whole Time Equivalent (rounded to the nearest whole number).
2. Numbers are consistent with Cabinet Office definitions other than the inclusion of staff on paid maternity leave.
3. Numbers are point in time at the dates shown.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what co-ordination is taking place across agencies and sections of his Department to minimise the loss of experienced staff in offices subject to plans for closure. [185148]

Following the Budget and Spending Review announcements detailed business and staffing plans are currently being developed across the Department in order to manage the reduction of 30,000 posts by March 2008.This planning activity is being undertaken through co-ordinated activity across all agencies and sections of the Department. In taking the programme of change forward staff deployment will be managed to ensure the Department retains and utilises the skills and experience of staff in each of its businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to help those seeking employment in Havering. [184254]

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Havering in each year since 2000. [184249]

The information is in the table.

People claiming Job Seekers Allowance in Havering local authority area
	Number of people claiming
May 2000	2,934
May 2001	2,241
May 2002	2,346
May 2003	2,593
May 2004	2,444
Notes:
1. Information related to all Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) claimants, and will include both those receiving contribution-based JSA, income-based JSA, and claimants not receiving JSA but signing for national Insurance credits only.
2. Information is based on a 100 per cent. count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits.
Source:
Count of unemployment related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases against his Department, the agencies for which it is responsible and its predecessor organisations have been brought to employment tribunals in each year since 1997 in relation to (a) equal pay, (b) sex discrimination, (c) race discrimination, (d) disability discrimination and (e) unfair dismissal; how many cost awards were made against (i) respondents and (ii) applicants; and how much has been spent (A) settling and (B) contesting claims. [181469]

The available information is in the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the value in cash terms was of reducing each benefit affected by the hospital downrating rules in each of the last seven years. [184672]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the running costs, including staffing costs, of Jobcentre Plus centres were in each year since 1997; and how many people were employed in centres in each year. [182164]

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 16 June 2004, Official Report, column 1018W, on attendance allowance, how many attendance allowance claims in Scotland have been subject to appeal since February 2002, broken down by (a) disability benefit centre and (b) month. [183264]

The information required is set out in the following tables Total number of attendance allowance cases in payment in Scotland at February 2004 and february 2004 are included ina subsequent table.