To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what target dates she has set for payment of integrated administration and control system entitlements for the 2003–04 capping year; and what date she has set for completion of payment of the first entitlement to the single farm payment. [191640]

The Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) payment target as published in the Rural Payments Agency Business Plan is "to process and pay at least 96.14 per cent. of valid IACS claims by value within the EU deadline".

The following table gives the payment windows for the individual schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many horse passports have so far been issued, broken down by issuing authority. [190722]

The following is a list of the most recent figures that English Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) have submitted to Defra. Forty-nine out of fifty-seven have submitted such information. No figures have been received for seven organisations and one organisation has ceased trading.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made in reducing poverty in the Palestinian territories. [190654]

Little progress is being made in reducing poverty in the Palestinian territory. Palestinian poverty has increased dramatically since September 2000. According to the latest World Bank report, approximately 50 per cent. of Palestinians are living in poverty on less than $2.1 per day. 16 per cent. of the total population currently live in deep or absolute poverty on less than $1.5 per day. While international aid has not prevented the increase in poverty, it has prevented even more Palestinians falling into extreme poverty and desperation.

Poverty reduction is unlikely to be achieved without a major reform of the Israeli imposed closure regime. This would allow the Palestinian economy to grow again and humanitarian aid to be delivered effectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures his Department is taking to encourage transparency and accountability in (a) European and (b) international funding to the Palestinian Authority. [190655]

Substantial progress has been made since 2002 in improving the transparency and accountability of the Palestinian Authority's (PA) financial management systems. This has largely been the result of work by the Palestinian Finance Minister with donor encouragement.

DFID supported a World Bank Country Financial Accountability Assessment that endorsed the major improvements made. It also identified action needed to further improve systems. The World Bank Public Financial Management Reform Trust Fund has encouraged further financial reform. Disbursement of funding is conditional on the PA's achievement of agreed benchmarks, including on financial control management, auditing, and procurement. DFID and the EC have contributed to the Trust Fund. The World Bank and donors are carefully monitoring the use of donor funds. This benchmark approach was also successfully used by the EC in its earlier budget support to the PA. Allegations about the misuse of these funds have been looked at in great detail, but no conclusive evidence has been found that EC funds have been used for anything other than their original purpose.

OLAF, the independent EU anti-fraud office, has also been investigating these matters for over a year. OLAF's provisional assessment of 10 August stated that, to date there is no evidence that funds from the non-targeted EU Direct Budget Assistance to the Palestinian Authority have been used to finance illegal activities, including terrorism. This is a provisional assessment. The investigations are still on-going.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the role of inland waterways and inland ports in inter-modal transport. [191088]

Inland waterways and ports are a valuable resource in the promotion of inter-modal transport. As set out in the recent White Paper "The Future of Transport", the Government want to encourage freight traffic to be shifted from road to both rail and water where this is practical, economic and environmentally beneficial.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations Network Rail has carried out with English Nature regarding plans which have significant environmental impact. [190631]

Network Rail advises that it aims to contact relevant statutory bodies such as English Nature and Scottish Natural Heritage, well in advance of operations in order to ensure that any necessary permissions or licences are obtained. If environmental surveys have identified that operations may have significant environmental impact, communication with these statutory bodies and their experts will then take place to identify procedures that may reduce the impact while still ensuring the safety and reliability of the railway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are planned to reduce emissions from small petrol engines, including lawnmowers. [192310]

Emissions from new equipment, including lawnmowers, powered by small petrol engines under 19kW engine power are regulated by the Non-Road Mobile Machinery (Emission of Gaseous and Particulate Pollutants) Regulations 2004 (S.L 2004 No. 2034). These Regulations transpose EU Directive 2002/88/EC into UK law and take effect for new engines being placed on the market from 11 February 2005. The Regulations also apply a second stage of more stringent standards that will take effect for most engines by 1 February 2009, the actual date dependent on engine size.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to construct a bypass for the village of Chicklade on the A303(T) in Wiltshire. [191770]

The bypass of Chicklade forms part of the Chicklade Bottom to Mere scheme on the A303 and is one of a number of strategic highway schemes currently being considered for entry into the Targeted Programme of Improvements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what the (a) planned and (b) actual completion dates were of the works at Skew Bridge on the A36(T) west of Salisbury; what the (i) estimated and (ii) out-turn costs were; and if he will make a statement; [191760]

(2) what the causes were of the delay to the completion of the Skew Bridge project on the A36(T) west of Salisbury. [191765]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 5 July 2004, . The works at Skew Bridge on the A36 were expected to be complete by 9 March 2004. The works were actually completed on 30 September 2004.Official Report, column 494W

The contract was let for the estimated cost of £2.51 million. The out-turn costs have yet to be determined as the final account has not yet been agreed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Department has to build a road across Curwen Park in Workington at the western end of the A66. [191939]

The Department has no plans for a new road across Curwen Park, in Workington.

Any proposals for improvements to local roads, outside the trunk road network, are the responsibility of Cumbria County Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken, since 1997, to ensure that health risks arising from contaminated cabin air in BAE 146 aircraft are fully and independently investigated. [191635]

The Civil Aviation Authority on the basis of a thorough, independent study has investigated the safety risks associated with contaminated cabin air in BAE 146 aircraft. The Aviation Health Unit, which is funded by the Department, is currently looking into the potential long term health risks associated with contaminated cabin air.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the EU Ideal Cabin Environment project, due to start in 2005, will examine the issue of contaminated aircraft cabin air; and if he will make a statement. [191636]

The proposed EU Ideal Cabin Environment Project is likely to focus on cabin air pressure and is not expected to include the issue of cabin air quality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has investigated the issues raised by the British Airline Pilots Association in relation to the Civil Aviation Authority Cabin Air Quality paper of 2004; and if he will make a statement. [191637]

Following representations made to the Department by the British Airline Pilots Association, its Aircraft Environment Task Group has been invited to present a paper on cabin air quality to the Aviation Health Working Group at its meeting on 27 October 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to investigate the differences between Civil Aviation Authority mandatory occurrence reports and British Airline Pilots Association survey results concerning contaminated cabin air quality incidents in UK aircraft. [191638]

The Civil Aviation Authority compared the British Airline Pilots Association survey results with its mandatory occurrence reports. Much of the survey data related to low level events, often with inconclusive connections to contaminated air. Inclusion of the survey data in the Authority's database would not have advanced or improved the formal intervention action taken to mitigate the threat to safety posed by impairment of pilot performance through exposure to contaminated air. BALPA's data aligns with the CAA's assessment that there is a downward trend in the number of air contamination events now being reported.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of publicly-owned ambulances in England are Mercedes Sprinters; and if he will make a statement. [191793]

Information available from the DVLA record does not distinguish whether a vehicle was publicly owned. At the end of June 2004, there were 10,264 ambulances registered to keepers in England which were not private individuals, of which 1,024 (10.0 per cent.) were Mercedes Sprinters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what he expects the total cost of the Crossrail project to be; what percentage will be provided by (a) the Government and (b) private finance; and what form the private finance will take; [191463]

(2) how much funding the Government plans to give to the Crossrail project over the next five years. [191465]

I refer the hon. Member to the written statement on Crossrail that the Secretary of State for Transport made on 20 July 2004, Official Report, column 23WS, and to the written answer given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Withington (Keith Bradley) on 13 September 2004, Official Report, column 1383W

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria will be set for the compulsory purchase of land for the Crossrail scheme. [191467]

The criteria will be defined in the Crossrail Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much land which is not part of the rail network he expects Crossrail to need to acquire in order to complete the project. [191468]

No figures are readily available and to obtain them would involve disproportionate cost. The land required to construct Crossrail will be included in the Crossrail Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) total toll revenue, (b) total operating cost and (c) surplus for the Dartford Crossing was in its last year of operation for which figures exist. [190730]

Subject to verification by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the outturn for the year ended 31 March 2004 in respect of the Dartford Crossing was:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will use part of the operating surplus from the Dartford Crossing to create a new access road for Canvey Island; and if he will make a statement. [190731]

The Secretary of State has no such plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the use of the surplus from the operation of the Dartford Crossing. [190732]

The Secretary of State has received numerous representations regarding the use of net income from charging at the Dartford Crossing. All income from charging at the Dartford Crossing is taken into account in the funding for the 10-year plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the operating surplus from the Dartford Crossing for the current year; and what uses will be made of the surplus. [190733]

Estimated total income from charging at the Dartford Crossing for the current year (2004–05) is £69 million. Operational costs are estimated to be approximately £17 million. All income from charging at the Dartford Crossing is taken into account in the funding for the 10-year plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles per day on average use the Dartford crossing. [190734]

The average daily traffic volume is 149,000. This figure is the average for the period between 1 October 2003 and 30 September 2004 for vehicles travelling both northbound through the tunnels and southbound over the bridge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what safety rating is given to the Dartford Tunnel crossing; and if he will make a statement; [190735]

(2) what plans he has to improve safety of the Dartford Tunnel crossing. [190736]

The safety of tunnel users is the Highways Agency's primary consideration and the Dartford tunnels are kept under continual review in accordance with the relevant standards for design and operation. There is no formal system for rating the safety of UK road tunnels.

The agency has commissioned a study to assess what work may be required for the Dartford tunnels to comply with the EU Directive on safety in Road Tunnels, published earlier this year. This study is expected to be finalised by the end of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what level of dialogue he envisages between local organisations of driving instructors and test examiners under the auspices of the Driving Standards Authority. [191026]

Examiners routinely seek to maintain professional and mutually beneficial working relationships with driving instructors. Many local driving instructor organisations hold regular meetings. Whenever possible, Driving Standards Agency examiners and senior managers attend. The discussions focus on local issues of interest to the instructors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role he foresees for (a) driving instructors and (b) the Driving Standards Authority in enhancing road safety. [191027]

The government's Road Safety—"Tomorrow's Roads Safer for Everyone"—was published in 2000. It identifies key roles for the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and driving instructors in improving road safety.

The contribution of skilled and well-motivated driving instructors is central to delivering higher standards and improved road safety. Their input is significant, not only in terms of initial driver training but also in encouraging novice drivers to further develop their skills (eg by taking the "Pass Plus" course).

DSA's primary aim is to promote road safety through improving driving standards. Initially this centred on driver testing and the regulation of instructors that provide tuition in the driving of motor cars. However, the Strategy envisages a significant increase in DSA's road safety remit, including raising the standards of all driver training both pre- and post-test. The Government want to raise the quality and expertise of all driving instructors to that of the best.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to make the Driving Standards Authority more accountable; and what continuing professional development is available to driving test examiners. [191036]

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is responsible to Parliament via the Secretary of State for Transport. Ministers set the agency demanding targets on performance, efficiency and service delivery and require regular updates on progress. Key priorities are contained in DSA's Business Plan and Annual Report and Accounts. The latter also reports performance against targets.

DSA's examiners undergo a rigorous supervision regime, including regular assessment of their performance by senior officers, and in-service training and development.

The agency also runs an Open Learning Fund. This is available to all staff and is aimed at encouraging lifelong learning.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons the Driving Standards Agency requires certain applicants to pre-nominate the vehicle before a test takes place; why the agency does not take advance bookings for tests without details of the vehicle; and if he will make a statement. [191188]

[holding answer 15 October 2004]

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) administers a Trainer Booking Scheme. This enables those organisations providing training in riding a motorcycle or driving a lorry or bus to book practical test appointments up to 10 weeks in advance. Neither the name of the candidate nor the vehicle details are required at that time.

Candidate and vehicle details must be provided shortly before the date of the test to enable DSA to confirm that the candidate has the necessary driving licence entitlement to take the test, that the appropriate test has been booked for the category of vehicle concerned and that the vehicle meets the minimum test requirements for that test.

For lorry and bus tests, the test centre manoeuvring area has to be set out to accommodate vehicles of differing lengths. Having vehicle details in advance of the test saves DSA time in setting up the area and reduces inconvenience to the candidate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the current average time taken in processing test applicants by the Driving Standards Agency is; and what action he is taking to reduce this time. [191189]

[holding answer 15 October 2004]

The current waiting times for practical driving tests administered by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) are as follows:

⁽¹⁾ September 2004.

⁽²⁾ Weeks

I have set DSA a demanding target to reduce waiting times for car practical tests to a national average of six weeks from January 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what negotiations have taken place between his Department and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise about lorry road user charging; and what the outcome was of those discussions. [191489]

The 2004 Finance Act laid the formal responsibility for implementing the proposed Lorry Road User Charge on HM Customs and Excise. My Department has worked very closely with HM Customs and Excise and HM Treasury to develop both policy and proposals for procuring and implementing the charge, and will continue to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the traffic information signs between junctions 8 and 12 of the M27 were due to be in operation; when it is expected that this will occur; and if he will make a statement. [190819]

[holding answer 14 October 2004]

The new variable message signs on the M27 between junctions 8 and 12 will come into operation in January 2005. Originally scheduled for June 2004, this new date has been set to ensure both old and new roadside equipment is linked to the police control office and working correctly before being launched.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that the new computer system intended to be used for MOT testing is not introduced nationwide until he is satisfied that no delays will be caused by the use of the new technology. [191186]

[holding answer 15 October 2004]

Overall the new computerised MOT service should have no adverse impact on test times, but it will take time for MOT station users to become accustomed to new processes. Current trials will identify and address factors likely to cause delays. The system will not be rolled out until we are satisfied that contracted service levels, designed to ensure MOT tests are not delayed, will be met.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers Lancashire county council has to designate New Road in Mawdesley, Lancashire, as a 20 mph zone. [190774]

All local traffic authorities were given consent to introduce 20 mph speed limits and 20 mph speed zones when the Road Traffic Regulation Act (Amendment) Act Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/1608) came into force on 16 June 1999.

The decision on identifying the most appropriate speed limit is determined against an assessment framework, taking into account the local environment, the level of vulnerable road users and the road's position in the functional hierarchy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the safety of the railways. [191459]

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the railway health and safety regulator, recently published its annual report on the safety record of Britain's railways during 2003–04. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.

Overall, there has been a continued improvement in railway safety indicators. The year saw the lowest number of significant train incidents on record as well as no train incident passenger fatalities. The total number of signals passed at danger (SPADs) in 2003–04 was the lowest 12-month total since records began in 1985, and there were also reductions in acts of vandalism, broken rails and assaults on staff. The fitment of the Train Protection Warning System, which reduces the risks from trains passing red signals, was successfully completed at the end of 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) if he will make a statement on the condition of (a) Romford and (b) Gidea Park railway stations; [191456]

(2) what plans he has to improve facilities at (a) Romford and (b) Gidea Park railway station. [191458]

Romford and Gidea Park stations are managed on a day-to-day basis by ONE Great Eastern. Their franchise agreement with the Strategic Rail Authority requires them to maintain minimum standards of facilities at stations in terms of waiting accommodation, the provision of information, cleaning and maintenance. These requirements are currently being met. An audit programme is built into the franchise agreement to ensure that there is no degradation of facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is his policy that car parking should be restricted at provincial railway stations in order to discourage long-distance commuting. [191759]

The provision and management of car parking facilities is at the discretion of the train operating companies. Train operators will provide car parking where they consider it appropriate to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what plans he has to twin-track the rail line from London Waterloo to Exeter; and if he will make a statement; [192126]

(2) what plans he has to reduce journey times on the Exeter to London Waterloo line; and if he will make a statement. [192128]

There are no current plans for double-tracking or journey time reductions. The needs of the area will be considered by the South West Regional Planning Assessment which will include input from the relevant local authorities. Service frequencies from some stations on the line are to be enhanced from the December 2004 timetable. For example, Yeovil will receive an hourly service from London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he asked the promoters of the Central Railway project for a guarantee that they would not seek financial assistance from the Government at any stage of the project. [192198]

I refer the hon. Member to the statement made on 25 March by my hon. Friend the then Minister for Transport Official Report, column 68WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government are taking to implement the recommendation of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch on the role of fatigue and minimum manning in ship groundings and collisions. [190636]

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has instigated a survey, to run from November 2004 to March 2005, into safe manning levels across Europe. The survey will examine the manning levels required by different European administrations according to vessel size and types. It will also study accident investigations where levels of manning or fatigue have contributed to the cause. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will present the findings to the International Maritime Organization and also to the European Commission. The findings will inform efforts to improve manning levels on merchant ships through international legislation.

Guidance on the use of lookouts on the bridge will be detailed in a new Marine Guidance Note (MGN) on safe watch keeping which is soon to go out to consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many local authorities have introduced 20mph zones on roads around schools where this is practicable. [191329]

The installation of 20mph zones is a matter for individual local highway authorities. As such this information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the pay scales of each armed service. [191735]

With the exception of Chief of the Defence Staff and Medical and Dental Officers in the Volunteer Reserve Forces, all armed forces personnel are on tri-Service incremental pay scales. All Medical and Dental Officers in the reserve forces are due to move onto a new tri-Service incremental pay system from 1 April 2005. The pay of all members of the armed forces is revised annually on the basis of independent recommendations that the Government receive from the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) and the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB). Copies of the 2004 Reports of the SSRB and AFPRB can be found in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in reviewing the decision of the Board of Inquiry in relation to the crash of Flight ZD576, the reviewing air marshals consulted any third party before coming to their conclusions. [191633]

[holding answer 15 October 2004]

Legal advice was provided for the benefit of the reviewing officers. In giving evidence to the House of Lords' Select Committee on 27 September 2001, Sir John Day referred to this advice [House of Lords Session 2000–2001, Select Committee on Chinook ZD576, HL Paper 25(i), page 120 para 282 A].

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have been medically discharged from each of the three Services since 2002; and if he will make a statement. [183345]

The numbers of medical discharges from the armed forces (both trained and untrained UK regular personnel) are given in the following tables (all figures have been rounded to the nearest 10):

Naval Service

Army

RAF

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) when he will answer the question, reference 146166, tabled by the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South on 29 December 2003, on accommodation for junior ranks of the Services; [160911]

(2) when he will answer the question from the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South, reference 160911, tabled on 9 March 2004; [173351]

(3) when he expects to reply to (a) question 146166, tabled on 29 December 2003 and (b) the pursuant questions (i) 160911, tabled on 10 March and (ii) 173351 tabled on 11 May; and what the reasons are for the delay in replying. [182346]

I replied to the hon. Member on 22 July 2004, Official Report, column 524W. The delay in responding was due to difficulties in confirming figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will answer the question of 5 May 2004, from the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South, on ship-borne surface-to-surface missiles, ref 171863. [187046]

I replied to the hon. Member on 8 September 2004, Official Report, column 1302W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment was made, as part of the Government's recent efforts to promote boxing as a sport among young people, of the cumulative health effects of repeated blows to the head suffered by boxers; and what her Department's policy is on reducing injuries and deaths among boxers. [190752]

Boxing's governing bodies, under the guidance of Sport England, are required continuously to research and implement new safety measures. In amateur boxing, such measures have included the reduction in the duration of rounds of boxing from 3 to 2 minutes, a reduction in the weight categories from 3 kgs to 2 kgs for Junior Competition (Under 15) and an increase in the size of competition gloves from 8oz to 10oz. Amateur Boxing is also the only sport which requires and provides a comprehensive and updated medical history card for every participant which is completed by a doctor every time a competitor participates.

The introduction of these safety factors throughout the UK has seen a marked reduction in the number of bouts stopped by a referee. Evidence of this can be gained from the recent Olympic Games in Athens where out of 276 bouts contested, only one was stopped and this involved Great Britain's Amir Khan.

The Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAofE) recommended the introduction of the "Kid Gloves" programme (a non-contact form of boxing). The programme offers a disciplined and controlled environment where young people can learn to box in a drug and alcohol free environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funds her Department made available to the British Museum in (a) 1996–97 and (b) 2003–04. [192347]

In 1996–97, grant in aid allocated by DCMS to the British Museum was £33,196,000. In 2003–04 the allocation was £37,669,000.

Funds are also available to DCMS-sponsored museums and galleries through specific project funding streams. In 2003–04 the British Museum was allocated three such awards: £400,000 from the DCMS/Wolfson Foundation Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund; £115,000 of strategic commissioning funding to promote partnerships with regional museums; and £50,000 towards the Africa Project (the first part of a three year programme of funding for this project).

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the contracts awarded by her Department to consultants in each of the last five years, stating in each case (a) the name of the consulting company, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the purpose for which the contract was awarded; and if she will make a statement. [191741]

Details of consultancy contracts from 1999 onwards are as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the postcode areas in Essex where Digital Terrestrial Television services are not available. [190963]

Unfortunately, it is not possible to list the postcodes in Essex where Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) is not available. However, Ofcom have supplied detailed information about DTT coverage in the Essex area.

Essex is served by three main transmitters that broadcast DTT services, at Sudbury, Crystal Palace and Bluebell Hill:

Digital signals from Sudbury are available to viewers in north and central Essex, notably Colchester, Braintree, Halstead, Witham and parts of Chelmsford although currently, availability does not extend to the coast, or to the county's southern and western boundaries.

Digital signals from Crystal Palace should be available to many viewers in the south and west of the county and reach Brentwood, Basildon, Billericay, Grays, Stanford Le Hope, Canvey Island, South Benfleet and parts of Southend.

Digital signals from Bluebell Hill are also available to viewers in the south of the county, Grays, Stanford Le Hope, Canvey Island, South Benfleet and in parts of Southend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the proposed plans for alterations to the Flodden Battlefield site. [190527]

A grant of £24,970 has been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund to Branxton Parish Council to fund a project to explain, inform and stress the importance of Flodden Battlefield. The project will increase access to the battlefield by means of new footpaths and by publicising a short route which can be followed by car. Information boards and seats will also be placed at strategic points along these routes. In addition to this, Branxton Village Hall will be refurbished and will become a centre for a mobile exhibition about the battle. A video and leaflet promoting the battle and the local area will also be produced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Department spent on (a) maintenance, (b) renovation, (c) council tax and (d) running costs of residential properties used by Ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [191402]

DCMS has no residential properties for the use of Ministers or officials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many off-licences have been revoked in each of the last 10 years. [190637]

Statistics on the number of licence revocations in England and Wales are collected on a triennial basis. The figures for years 1992, 1995, 1998 and 2001 are shown as follows:

The statistics for 2004 are expected to be published within the next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tsars have been appointed with responsibilities which cover part of the work of her Department; and if she will make a statement. [191920]

There have been no 'tsars' appointed to cover any areas of the work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her assessment is of the likely effect of the new Arbitration, Conciliation and Advisory Service codes extending to the employee a right of appeal against any disciplinary, grievance or dismissal decision made by their employer on (a) the volume of applications to employment tribunals and (b) small and medium-sized enterprises. [189809]

It is widely accepted good practice for employees to have the right of appeal against any dismissal, disciplinary or grievance decision. This has always been reflected in the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures and the revised Code does not differ from the previous version in this respect. This position is reinforced by the new Dispute Resolution Regulations (which came into force on 1 October 2004) that will make the right of appeal a statutory requirement. The Government do not expect this to have any impact on the volume of tribunals applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what practical support Business Links will be giving to the proposed community interest companies. [189945]

Since April 2003 all 45 Business Link operators have been required to include support for social enterprises in their business plans. The Community Interest Company will be one of several legal forms available to social enterprises from July 2005 and Business Link operators will provide a full range of service to such companies.

I am asking the BLOs to make their plans public in respect of CICs before July 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the future of the UK chemicals industry. [191565]

The chemicals industry is well-established in the UK. The Government are committed to helping the industry remain competitive and innovative to help ensure a successful future.

The Government-industry Chemicals Innovation and Growth Team Report in 2002 said that the chemicals industry had the potential to change and grow provided it grasped the opportunities. It set out a road map to help ensure that the industry would be best placed to do so. This process is being taken forward by the industry-led Chemistry Leadership Council with the support of Government.

We have put in place the instruments to help provide the skills the industry needs, the support it needs on R and D and innovation, and to help ensure that regulation is designed and implemented in a way that takes into account the competitive needs of the industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she has taken to reduce regulation in the chemicals industry. [191566]

The chemicals industry is rightly a highly regulated sector. This regulation is there to protect health and the natural environment. At the same time, however, legislation needs to promote innovation and competitiveness if the industry is to have a sustainable future. In order to enable us to address this balance in a more systematic way in line with the Government's Principles of Good Regulation, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the 2004 Budget Statement the establishment of a Chemicals Regulatory Forum. This forum is designed to provide both Government and industry with a better grasp of the cumulative impact and inter-relationship of existing regulation, and to offer the opportunity for an improved dialogue on emerging policy and regulatory proposals emanating from both the UK and the EU.

More specifically, the UK Government have been very active in seeking to help shape the development of the proposed new EU Regulation for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH), to reflect the impact that these proposals will have on the chemicals industry. The changes to the draft regulation, as a result of these representations, have so far reduced the projected cost to the industry of REACH by approximately €10.6 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister for Construction, Small Business and Enterprise will reply to the letter dated 18 August from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding constituent, Mr. A. Keys of Peterhead. [192084]

I have answered the hon. Member's letter today and apologise for the delay.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under what powers her Department closed down companies for operating data protection scams and other such practices last year. [191632]

[holding answer 15 October 2004]:

The Office of Fair Trading has taken action under The Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988 against a number of businesses and individuals disseminating such misleading mailings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she has put in place to ensure that key installations, with particular reference to hospitals, are listed in BT telephone directories, following the introduction of competition for directory inquiry services where that installation may be registered with a different phone network; and how many such cases the Department has taken up. [191012]

The matter raised is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) as independent regulator. Accordingly, my officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what prospective changes to UK employment legislation she expects as a result of Government understandings with trade unions. [191569]

The Government develop their proposals for employment legislation after appropriate consultation, taking into account the views of all interested stakeholders, including trade unions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases are waiting to be heard at industrial tribunal; what the average waiting time is; and what steps the Government are taking to reduce waiting times. [191274]

As at the end of August 2004, 109,535 cases were waiting to be heard at the Employment Tribunals. I regret that it is not possible to provide information on the average current waiting time. However, as at the end of August 2004 the year to date performance against the Employment Tribunals Service performance target of 75 per cent. of single Employment Tribunal cases to a first hearing within 26 week of receipt is 84 per cent. There are no plans at present to refocus resources in order to increase performance against this target.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 12 May 2004, Official Report, column 438W, on the Insolvency Service, what measures she is taking to improve (a) the ratio of calls made from members of the public to the Insolvency Service's Enforcement Hotline regarding disqualified directors and (b) the number of cases accepted by the Legal Services Directorate for full investigation. [191857]

In order to reduce the ratio between relevant calls received and those referred to Legal Services Directorate (LSD), the message on the Enforcement Hotline was amended in April 2004.

The message now clearly states the purpose of the Hotline and refers callers to the DTI Companies Investigation Branch or Office of Fair Trading if their query concerns a trading company; and to the Insolvency Service Central Enquiry Line for general insolvency queries. This has had the effect of reducing the number of invalid calls to the Hotline and will therefore reduce the ratio between the calls received and cases subsequently referred to LSD. Cases are referred to LSD by the Insolvency Service when there is an allegation of a criminal offence contrary to insolvency legislation.

Decisions to investigate criminal allegations are taken by lawyers within the DTI. A lawyer will consider all the information or evidence available at the time and if it is considered that there is sufficient information or evidence then the complaint is passed to the Departments own Investigation Officers Section to conduct a criminal investigation into the complaint. Once the investigation is complete the lawyer will then consider whether in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and whether it is in the public interest to institute criminal proceedings.

In view of the more detailed legal consideration given to any case by Legal Services Directorate, it is inevitable that not all cases referred to them will be taken forward for investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many British companies have obtained contracts in the reconstruction programmes in Iraq. [191000]

We wish to see UK companies play a substantial role in the reconstruction process in Iraq. Many are already doing so. British companies, however, are not obliged to give details of contacts won and there is no central organisation that publishes such information. We estimate that to date, British companies are involved in contracts for reconstruction and other work in Iraq to the value of around US $2.6 billion. British companies are active in the power, water, banking, ports, construction, telecoms, security, legal services and consultancy sectors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at what age an employee qualifies for the new top rate of £4.85 national minimum wage. [190997]

From 1 October 2004 a worker who is aged 22 or more becomes entitled to the main national minimum wage rate of £4.85 an hour.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Department spent on (a) maintenance, (b) renovation, (c) council tax and (d) running costs of residential properties used by Ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [191393]

I am informed that the Department has not had any residential property on its administrative estate since 1998 and that information about the costs for previous years is already in the public domain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the budget is for the Post Office Reinvention Programme; and how much has been spent to date. [191718]

The Government have provided £210 million for Post Office Ltd's reinvention programme: £180 million for compensation payments to exiting sub-postmasters and £30 million for improvements to offices that remain.

To date, £115 million has been paid to Post Office Ltd in respect of compensation payments and £5.4 million in respect of improvement investment grants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies she has initiated of the effect on main post offices of sub post office closures; and if she will make a statement. [192714]

None. This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from (a) trade unions and (b) small businesses on the new statutory dismissal procedure to be introduced on 1 October. [191609]

The Government recognises that the statutory dispute resolution regulations are likely to have a significant impact on Britain's workplaces. Therefore, a wide range of pre-consultation and consultation activities were undertaken.

An Advisory Group was set up in March 2003 to involve key employer and employee stakeholders in policy development and drafting. Members were drawn from small firms organisations, trade unions, sector-specific trade associations and other Government agencies. On the trade union side, the Trades Union Congress, Transport and General Workers Union, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, and GMB were involved. The following small business groups participated as well: Small Business Council, Federation of Small Business, British Chambers of Commerce, and Forum for Private Business.

A 16-week public consultation closed on 29 October 2003. A total of 203 responses were received: 66 (or 32.5 per cent.) were received from individual employers and 20 (or 9.9 per cent.) were received from trade unions.

This was supplemented by a number of specialist focus groups: two for small businesses and one for trade union legal officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people were members of a trade union in (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and (b) the City of York (i) in 1997 and (ii) at the latest date for which figures are available. [191171]

The information is as follows.

(a) Union density for employees in Yorkshire and Humber for autumn 2003 is 32.8 per cent.

(b) Unfortunately the Labour Force survey (LFS) only measures Government office region and unitary authority/county level. Therefore, the City of York is not available.

(i) For autumn 1997 Yorkshire and Humber union density was 27.3 per cent.

(ii) These are the latest figures available from the LFS. Union membership is only available in autumn quarters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the need for a pan-European investigation into the operation of the wholesale gas market. [190988R]

The European Commission is required under Directive 2003/55 concerning common rules for the internal gas market to monitor the operation of the EU gas market and publish annual reports. In addition, the Commission must produce a detailed report outlining progress in creating the internal gas market before 2006 and, where appropriate, propose further measures to address, inter alia, competition issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the need for a pan-European body to oversee the operation of the wholesale gas market. [190989]

All EU member states are required to have independent gas regulators with responsibility for, inter alia, ensuring effective competition and efficient functioning of the EU gas market. The regulators meet regularly to consider pan-European issues, which may include the operation of the wholesale gas market.

The European Commission has powers under the competition rules in the EC Treaty to address restrictions or distortions of competition in the EU.

To ask the Prime Minister whether the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee with the Liberal Democrats has been wound up; and if he will make a statement. [191764]

I refer the hon. Member to the list of Cabinet Committees which is available in the House Libraries and is also available on the Cabinet Office website.

To ask the Prime Minister whether he proposes to amend the Ministerial Code to refer to the procedure that should be followed by ministers before issuing a certificate under section 53 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [191948]

The Ministerial Code will be amended as appropriate to reflect Ministers' responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. More detailed guidance to Ministers and civil servants on the interpretation of the Act, including the issue of a section 53 certificate, will be issued by the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 11 October 2004, Official Report, column 53W, on Government Departments, in reply to the hon. Member for New Forest, East, if he will list the reasons for his belief, that dividing the work of his Department between the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office and a separate Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster best meets the needs of this Government; and why he made this change at this time. [191936]

I have nothing further to add to my answer to the hon. Member on 11 October 2004, Official Report, column 53W.

To ask the Prime Minister whether he has completed the investigation into the intelligence on the allegations that Iraq sought uranium from Africa, to which he made reference in his oral answer of 4 June 2003, Official Report, column 154. [190766]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 22 July 2004, Official Report, column 463W.

To ask the Prime Minister what the basis was for his statement to the House on 4 June 2003, Official Report, column 161, that he has no doubt that the Iraq Survey Group would find the clearest possible evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. [190767]

I refer my hon. Friend to answers I gave at Prime Minister's questions on 13 October.

To ask the Prime Minister what evidence he used to support his statements to the House (a) on 25 February 2003, Official Report, column 124, on the prospect of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction remaining intact and (b) on 18 March 2003, on Iraq not being the only regime with weapons of mass destruction. [190998]

On the prospect of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction remaining intact, I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave at Prime Minister's questions on 13 October. Countries of concern other than Iraq and Global Trade are covered in Chapter 2 of the Butler Report.

To ask the Prime Minister what steps he took to validate the claims made by Hussein Kamel in 1995, under questioning by the United Kingdom's secret intelligence services and the intelligence services of the United States, that Saddam Hussein had already destroyed his weapons of mass destruction. [191668]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for East Carmarthen and Dinefwr (Adam Price) on 16 September 2004, Official Report, columns 1775–776W.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list each occasion recorded in the Official Report where he claimed Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction; and if he will publish a correction of each statement in the Official Report. [191671]

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary (Mr. Straw) on 12 October 2004, Official Report columns 151–55, and the answers I gave at Prime Minister's questions on 13 October.

To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr (Adam Price), of 16 September 2004, Official Report, column 1776W, on Iraq, if he will identify in respect of each question the particular part of the Butler Review and the other unnamed inquiries and statements to which he refers that provide the answer in each case. [191810]

These documents are publicly available and can be found in the Official Report, the Libraries of the House and on the No. 10 website.

To ask the Prime Minister when he received the final report from the Iraq Survey Group on weapons of mass destruction; and if he will make a statement. [190693]

To ask the Prime Minister on what date he received the Iraq Survey Group's recent report; and when he read it. [190768]

I received a final copy of the report when it was published on 6 October 2004.

To ask the Prime Minister

(1) which parts of the Iraq Survey Group report (a) confirm and (b) dispute the findings of United Nations weapons inspectors from 2002–03; [190694]

(2) which parts of the Iraq Survey Group report (a) confirm and (b) dispute the findings detailed in Government dossiers on this issue. [190695]

To ask the Prime Minister

(1) with which conclusions of the Iraq Survey Group he does not agree; and if he will give the reason for disagreement in each case; [190762]

(2) what assessment he has made of the findings of the Iraq Survey Group's report compared to his dossier entitled Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction, dated September 2002; and what steps he has taken to establish why there are significant differences between the conclusions; [190764]

(3) what comparative assessment he has made of the findings of the Iraq Survey Group's report and his dossier entitled Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction, dated September 2002; and what steps he has taken to establish the reasons for the significant differences between the conclusions. [191670]

To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of all matters in the Iraq September dossier that were untrue, inaccurate or otherwise misleading; and if he will make a statement. [192110]

I refer my hon. Friends to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary (Jack Straw) on 12 October 2004, Official Report, column 151–55, and the answers I gave at Prime Minister's Questions on 13 October.

To ask the Prime Minister

(1) what information he has obtained since his oral answer to the hon. Member for Worthing, West in 2001 relating to Krishna Maharaj's applications for a new trial; [191723]

(2) if he will inform authorities in the United States about the recent letter from the hon. Member for Worthing, West about the doubts relating to the conviction of Krishna Maharaj for murder and the possible involvement of another. [191724]