To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps have been taken to encourage Afghan farmers to move from growing poppies to other food crops. [193437]

DFID is supporting organisations that are working in a number of poppy growing provinces across Afghanistan, including Badakhshan, Kandahar and Helmand. These organisations, including the Aga Khan Foundation and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, are working with farmers to help them identify and try a range of legal crops, providing seeds, fertilizer and tools. However, crops alone are not the only way to help those involved in opium poppy farming to earn a legal income. These projects also work to identify and help with non-crop and off-farm opportunities, including help with animal rearing, improving animal welfare, and training in crafts such as tailoring.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan on the possibility of helping with their funding. [195279]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid his Department has (a) pledged and (b) distributed to China since 1999. [194073]

DFID does not make specific pledges of expenditure for country programmes. Since the Financial Year of 1999–2000, DFID has distributed £162,948,000 for development assistance in China. Further information and a breakdown by financial years is available in DFID's Statistics for International Development 2004 (Table 7.3). This is available on-line on the DFID website: http://www.dfid.gov.uk and will soon be available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the budget is of the Government's Africa Commission; which Department oversees the budget; and what the criteria are governing expenditure. [195135]

The budget for the Commission for Africa is £5.9 million. This is met and overseen by the Department for International Development (DFID). It covers the cost of the Commissioners' travel on Commission business; the cost of Commission meetings; the cost of consultation and of analytical work in preparation of the Commission's report; and the cost of the Commission's Secretariat. All expenditures are made in line with the objectives and priorities of the Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many consultancy firms or companies have been retained by the Department since June 2001; what the projects are for which each has been retained; and what the total is of the fees paid or incurred in each case. [193421]

The following table gives the number of consultancy companies and of individual consultants awarded DFID contracts in each of the last three years, together with the value of contracts awarded. The purposes of contracts are set out in the list of 'Contracts Issued 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2004', which has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

These figures do not include lower value contracts issued by DFID's overseas offices, details of which cannot be provided without incurring a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many mobile phones were used by (a) Ministers and special advisers and (b) officials in his Department in each year since 1997; how many were (i) lost and (ii) stolen; and what their cost was. [191433]

Over the last two years, the number of mobile phones in use in the UK, and their costs (including equipment, call charges and access charges) are as follows:

These figures include the two mobile phones for Ministers and two for the Special Advisers.

Mobile phones were not managed under a central contract prior to this period, and therefore information for earlier years (and information on mobile phones in overseas offices) is not readily available and could not be provided without incurring a disproportionate cost.

The total number of mobile phones lost or stolen since 1997 is 28.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many personnel the Department has recruited under the New Deal in each of the past five years. [194855]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 25 October 2004 Official Report column 1052W.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each month of 2004; and if he will make a statement. [195364]

The number of press releases issued each month by DFID Press Office in London in 2004 is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many unpaid special advisers the Department has; what their names are; and which Government (a) bodies, (b) committees and (c) strategy groups each unpaid adviser (i) belongs to, (ii) advises and (iii) works alongside. [194081]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 28 October 2004, Official Report, columns 1380–470W.

To ask the Leader of the House what use hon. and right hon. Members have made of their facility to visit European institutions in each of the years for which figures are available; and what his policy is on encouraging hon. and right hon. Members to make fuller use of the provision. [193598]

During 2003–04 200 hon. Members claimed against the European travel allowance for a total of 272 journeys to European institutions and agencies and the Parliaments of EFTA countries, EU member countries, candidate and applicant countries. 50 Members made two visits each and 11 made three visits each. For information about earlier years I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on 15 July 2003, Official Report, column 189W, and on 1 September 2003, Official Report, column 709W.

My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has invited the Modernisation Committee to consider the operation of this scheme, as part of its inquiry into the Scrutiny of European Business, and in particular whether it would be practicable within the existing budget to enable those Members who have regular and valuable contact through approved visits to do so more than three times.

To ask the Solicitor-General what guidance has been given on the level of evidence needed to bring a successful prosecution for offences of domestic violence. [193877]

The Code for Crown Prosecutors requires prosecutors in all cases to be satisfied that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to prosecute. There is also CPS Policy and Guidance on prosecuting cases of domestic violence. Both documents make reference to the standard of evidence needed for successful prosecutions. The Code for Crown Prosecutors and the Policy and Guidance on Domestic Violence are currently being revised to reflect recent legislative and procedural changes and are due to be published soon.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many personnel the Department has recruited under the New Deal in each of the past five years. [194028]

holding answer given 26 October 2004

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office on 25 October 2004, Official Report, column 1052W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effects of magpies on the populations of song-birds in urban areas and the fringes of urban areas. [188547]

The Magpie is known to take songbirds although the available evidence suggests that this does not have a significant adverse effect on their population levels. Defra issues a general licence allowing year round control of Magpies, and a small number of other species, to conserve wild birds. This licence may be used by authorised persons only and the landowner's permission must be obtained. This licence is among a number of general licences relating to birds that is currently the subject of a consultation exercise.

There is no evidence to suggest that Magpies or birds of prey have played a major role in the declines of songbirds. The population status of songbird and farmland bird species is monitored and Defra is aware of declines in certain species.

By contrast a Mammal Society survey suggests that 275 million wild animals (including birds) are killed each year by Britain's estimated 8 million cats.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

(1) what surveys of public perceptions of her Department and of its areas of responsibility have taken place over the last 12 months; what the (a) title and (b) nature of these surveys was; what the findings of each survey were; where these findings have been published; what the cost of such surveys was; and if she will make a statement and place copies of the surveys in the Library; [176951]

(2) when she will reply to question 176951, tabled on 7 June, on surveys of public perceptions of her role. [188899]

In April 2004 the Communications Directorate of Defra commissioned an omnibus tracking survey to measure public awareness of Defra, knowledge of its responsibilities and opinions on its performance.

The aim of the research was to provide a benchmark from which to track subsequent shifts in public awareness and opinion. The results will act as point of reference from which views on the Department's performance in the public arena and will help to identify where improvements need to be made.

I am placing a copy of the research in the Library of the House. The total cost of the omnibus tracking survey was £14,950 (excluding VAT). I apologise for the delay in answering these questions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the impact on farmers of the Supermarkets Code of Practice. [190125]

The supermarkets Code of Practice seeks to regulate a limited number of practices engaged in by the major supermarkets in their dealings with their direct suppliers, relatively few of whom are farmers.

Responsibility for the Code rests with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). In February OFT published a report of their review of the operation of the code. This can be found on their website at www.oft.gov.uk/news/press+releases/2004.htm.

The review concluded that there was a widespread belief among suppliers that the Code was not working properly, but it found no hard evidence for this belief. Given the reluctance of suppliers to provide specific evidence of alleged breaches of the Code, the OFT has commissioned a focused audit of the four supermarkets bound by the Code. The purpose of the audit is to establish hard facts about compliance with the Code as a basis for any further action. The OFT hopes to publish a report of the audit by the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

(1) how many leaflets have been produced and sent this year relating to the Warm Front programme; and what the cost of this exercise has been; [192301]

(2) what criteria were used in deciding to which addresses leaflets relating to the Warm Front programme grants should be sent; [192302]

(3) how many leaflets relating to the Warm Front programme she estimates have been delivered to addresses which (a) do and (b) do not qualify for grant status in 2004. [192303]

The Warm Front scheme managers, Powergen Warm Front Ltd. and Eaga Partnership are responsible for all marketing to promote the scheme.

A range of marketing techniques are used to reach those who may be eligible for assistance. This includes direct marketing, local and national campaigns and advertising through leaflets in various facilities such as doctors surgeries, libraries and community centres. The Scheme Managers also use range of techniques to target those areas likely to contain a higher proportion of eligible households. The success rate of the various marketing strategies are monitored by the Scheme Managers to assess their impact.

Detailed information on the delivery of these activities is commercially sensitive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many consultancy firms or companies have been retained by the Department since June 2001; what the projects are for which each has been retained; and what the total is of the fees paid or incurred in each case. [193426]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Secretary of State for Wales on 12 March 2003, Official Report, column 129W.

Since the beginning of financial year 2004–05 the Wales Office have used only one consultant firm to provide floor plans, at a cost of £569.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the running costs of Ministers' private offices in his Department have been in each year since 1997. [191375]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave on 15 April 2002, Official Report, column 750W.

The Wales Office annual report was published in April 2004 as Cm 6228, instead of a departmental report. It is available in the Library and gives information on Wales Office running costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many press officers the Department has employed in each of the past five years. [195271]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 3 June 2003, Official Report, column 314.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what volume of cargo arriving at each British airport has been (a) inspected and (b) searched in each year since 2001; [194706]

(2) how many staff have been employed to inspect and search air cargo at each airport in each year since 2001. [194711]

Responsibility for the security of cargo flown to UK airports from outside the country rests with the relevant authorities in the country of export. Cargo that is to be carried on any commercial flight originating in the UK, whether being flown to a domestic destination or internationally, must be screened to a standard sufficient to ensure that it is safe. The screening processes can be carried out either by the airline, or by a regulated agent in the vicinity of the airport, or by exporters whose security arrangements have been approved by DfT-accredited independent validators.

The Department carries out regular visits to cargo agents and airlines to monitor compliance with the regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to change the basis for charging airlines for air navigation services; and if he will make a statement. [194537]

The Single European Sky (SES) regulations, which came into force on the 20 April 2004, require the development of a common charging scheme for the recovery of the costs of air navigation services provided to airlines and other airspace users. An implementing rule to specify the details of the new charging scheme is under development by the European Commission but has not yet been finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on security inspections undertaken at British airports. [194704]

The Department carries out an extensive programme of aviation security compliance monitoring activity. This includes announced and unannounced inspections and tests of the security procedures implemented by industry at our direction. We seek corrective action from industry where necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers he can seek to exercise with EU agreement to prevent the transportation of commercial cargoes within EU waters. [190627]

EU waters do not exist, as the territorial waters adjacent to the European coast belong to the states concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of people in the UK who used a pedal cycle at least once a week in the last period for which figures are available. [194913]

It is estimated from the National Travel Survey for 2003 that 8 million residents of Great Britain aged 5 and over (14 per cent.) used a bicycle at least once a week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his plans for the Gatwick Express franchise. [194643]

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is consulting on the Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy, which includes possible changes to non-stop London Victoria to Gatwick airport services. The current Gatwick Express franchise runs until 2011 and any change would be subject to commercial negotiation between the National Express Group and the SRA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received in response to his consultation on a proposed toll M6 Expressway. [193817]

As from the closing date of responses for the M6 Expressway consultation, we had received approximately 5,260 responses as well as a number of petitions that amount to around 3,000 signatures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that all Mark 1 slam door trains from the South of England rail network are withdrawn from service by 30 November 2005. [194712]

The revised deadline recently set by the Health and Safety Executive for the withdrawal of Mark 1 and vehicles from passenger service is 30 November 2005. In fact, we expect all Mark 1s to have been taken out of service ahead of that deadline.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has caused the delay in the withdrawal of the Mark 1 slam door trains from the South of England rail network. [194645]

Power supplies to the south-of-the-Thames network are being upgraded to cater for new rolling stock, which draws more power than the Mark 1 trains it is replacing. The power upgrade project was not handled well by Railtrack but the Strategic Rail Authority and Network Rail now have a firm grip on it. We expect it to be complete in good time to allow all Mark 1s to be removed from passenger service ahead of the deadline of November 2005 set by the Health and Safety Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the future of the Motorcycle Direct Access Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [194509]

The Advisory Group on Motorcycling (AGM), which submitted its report to Government on 2 August, commented that since the majority of novice riders choose to pass their test via the Direct Access route, as a relatively fast route to big bike riding, it is timely for Government to consider a range of issues in reviewing its effectiveness. It also recommended that the Government seek to negotiate a third EC licensing Directive to retain UK subsidiarity, in so far as possible, over training and testing arrangements, and especially with respect to Direct Access. A copy of the report is lodged with the House.

The AGM conducted a five-year programme of work and its report includes wide-ranging suggestions and recommendations for the future of motorcycling. The future of Direct Access is just one of a range of issues on training and testing discussed by the AGM. We are reviewing these carefully in drawing up a national motorcycling strategy that we are aiming to have developed by the end of the year. Should that review lead to proposals for change, we would consult before implementing them. Our review will need to take account of the third licensing Directive. The Commission's proposals do include arrangements which member states will have to abide by on testing to gain a licence to ride a motorcycle. But we aim to achieve a Directive which furthers the interests of road safety in the UK, and allows maximum latitude for us, and other member states, to tailor future testing arrangements to suit our own needs, and especially in respect of Direct Access.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance the Government have given to the British Airports Authority on the membership of the BAA Consultative Committee on night flights; and if he will make a statement. [195200]

Separate consultative committees exist at BAA (and other) airports to discuss various matters relating to the management of each airport, including (but not limited to) environmental issues such as night flights. The Department issued revised non-statutory guidance on the constitution and operation of airport consultative committees in December 2003. This may be viewed on and downloaded from the Department's website:

www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_aviation/documents/page/dft_ aviation_026254.hsp

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has undertaken into the effects of sleep deprivation in the context of night flights. [195201]

There is no unique technical definition of sleep 'deprivation' but it is generally taken to mean substantial periods of reduced sleep duration over one or more nights. It is distinct from sleep 'disturbance' which is also variously defined, but in general can encompass both transient arousals from sleep, and longer-lasting awakenings.

The principal UK Government research in this area was the "Report of a Field Study of Aircraft Noise and Sleep Disturbance", published by the then Department of Transport in December 1992. This study, which followed earlier work based mainly on social surveys, focused mainly on objective disturbance to sleep rather than overall sleep deprivation, but was nevertheless able to conclude that:

"Aircraft noise itself is most unlikely to increase sleep disturbance rates to the point at which after-effects upon health or performance would be noticeable" (p35)

¹ Southampton and others ("Aircraft Noise and Sleep-1999 UK Trial Methodology Study"—A smaller-scale methodology trial was conducted for the Department in 1999 by ISVR http://www.isvr.co.uk/environm/sleep.htm). This included laboratory as well as field investigation.

A review of research in this area was published on behalf of the then DETR in 2000 ("Adverse effects of night-time aircraft noise", NATS/DORA² R&D Report 9964). This discussed potential deprivation effects including reduction in total sleep duration, reduction in slow-wave sleep and sleep-fragmentation, and consequential next-day effects; but was again unable to determine that such phenomena occurred to any significant extent due to aircraft noise, although it noted that:

" . . . Nevertheless, the possibility of noise-induced sleep loss cannot be ruled out in the case of especially sensitive people." (p9, para 2.26)

A summary of Government-sponsored research into aircraft noise and sleep disturbance is available on the DfT website:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_aviation/documents/page/dft_aviation_503578.hcsp

¹ Institute of Sound and Vibration Research.

² National Air Traffic Services/Department of Operational Research and Analysis. The relevant division is now the Environment Research and Consultancy Department of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA/ERCD).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of the Highways Agency's new specifications for upgrading puffin pedestrian crossings; and what the reasons are for the upgrading. [194380]

My Department estimates the additional cost of installing a new Puffin crossing compared with a new Pelican crossing to be approximately £2,500. This is due to additional items of equipment required for the crossing operation. The cost of converting an existing Pelican crossing to a Puffin crossing may be higher depending on local factors, and often equipment upgrades and other improvements are made at the same time. Local authorities are not obliged to change to Puffin crossings.

The Puffin crossing was developed in response to complaints arising from poor understanding and use of Pelican crossings by pedestrians and drivers, especially confusion caused by the flashing green man and flashing amber vehicle signals. With Puffin crossings, drivers are held at a red signal when pedestrians are crossing and the crossing time is automatically extended for slower pedestrians. The advantages for drivers are that the lights will change back to green sooner than at a Pelican crossing and they will not be stopped if pedestrians cross in a gap in the traffic before the signals change.

The Puffin crossing pedestrian signal is at the near-side of the road. This allows pedestrians to watch the traffic and the pedestrian signal simultaneously. The position of the near side signal is also helpful to visually impaired pedestrians who may not see clearly signals mounted at the far side of the road.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the levels of (a) vehicular and (b) pedestrian traffic using the Port of Newhaven have been in each of the last five years. [193906]

The available information is as follows:

Thousand

Notes:

1. '—' less than half the final digit shown.

2. Ferry passenger figures include drivers of road goods vehicles buses and cars, accompanying passengers, and foot passengers. The figures include traffic both in and out of the port.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officers there have been in each port police force in each year since 2001. [194702]

We do not have a breakdown available for each of the last four years as the Port Authorities are not required to supply employment figures to the Department. However information collected by the Department showed that in 2003 the seven port police forces in England and Wales employed a total of 198 sworn-in officers (exclusive of civilian support staff). Figures for the individual ports were as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to change the (a) powers, (b) remit and (c) number of port police forces. [194703]

We have no current plans to change the powers, remit or number of port police forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who funds the Office of the Public-Private Partnership Arbiter; and if he will make a statement on the future funding of the Office. [194644]

The PPP Arbiter is funded by grant in aid from the Department for Transport. The level of grant is agreed each year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many applications for rail crossing (a) extinguishment and (b) diversion orders have been (i) submitted and (ii) approved in each of the last five years. [194931]

Applications for rail crossing extinguishment and diversion orders are made by rail infrastructure controllers to local highway authorities, who retain records locally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many suspicious bags and packages have been inspected on (a) London Underground, (b) national rail services and (c) at railway stations in each year since 2001. [194710]

The number of suspect packages that have been inspected for London Underground, national rail services and railway stations is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) if he will report on (a) discussions in and (b) outcomes of the recent meeting of the Working Party on Lighting and Light-signalling of the United Nations Economic Committee for Europe in respect to the German proposal to make Regulation UN/ECE 104 mandatory in UN/ECE 48; and if he will make a statement; [194675]

(2) pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2004, Official Report, column 1391W, on heavy goods vehicles, who has been awarded the contract to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of making ECE 104 mandatory; when he expects the report to be completed; when he expects to publish the final report; what the earliest date is that action could be taken to implement measures recommended by the report; and if he will make a statement. [194676]

My Department has awarded the contract to Ergonomics and Safety Research Ltd., part of Loughborough University. We expect the report to be completed and published by the end of February 2005. Any recommendations from the report would then be subject to consultation with interested parties in the UK.

Any requirement for UNECE Regulation 104 reflective contour marking tape to be fitted to new vehicles would have to be agreed and implemented at a European level.

At the recent meeting of the UNECE Working Group of technical experts on vehicle lighting ("ORE"), the delegates agreed to await the results of a cost-benefit analysis that is being carried out by the European Commission before deciding whether or not to adopt the proposal by Germany to mandate the installation of Regulation 104 tape on newly designed heavy vehicles.

A report of the discussions will be published on the UNECE website when it is available.

The proposal will be discussed again at the next GRE meeting scheduled for April 2005. If it were agreed at that meeting, then it could be applicable to new approvals under UNECE Regulation 48 no earlier than 1 July 2006.

As UNECE Regulation 48 is not mandatory in the UK for heavy vehicles, this would then require national legislation to require new vehicles to be fitted with the tape.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by the Highways Agency on main road noise protection measures in each of the last five years; and how much is planned to be spent in each of the next three years. [193620]

holding answer 25 October 2004

The Highways Agency invests in three separate noise protection measures. These are concrete road resurfacing, noise fencing and bunds, and secondary glazing. The total approximate cost of noise mitigation measures for the last five years is £163 million. The detailed breakdown of this figure is set out in the following tables.

In addition, new road schemes will have included noise mitigation measures within the scheme design. It is not possible to separate this element from the overall scheme costs.

Planned major maintenance schemes involving carriageway resurfacing now use lower noise materials.

Concrete resurfacing -- £ million

Noise fencing and bunds -- £ million

⁽¹⁾ Separate data not available.

Secondary glazing

Forward programmes of work are agreed on an annual basis and it is not possible to give an explicit indication of the amount to be spent on noise protection measures over the next three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many sea containers have arrived at each British sea port in each year since 1997. [194698]

The available information is as follows:

Thousand

⁽²⁾ Less than half the final digit shown

⁽³⁾ Not available

Note:

Information for 1997–99 is not directly comparable with subsequent years because of changes to the reporting system in 2000 (containers carried on ship by shipborne port to port trailers were included in 1997–99, but only partially included from 2000. The ports mainly affected by this change are Grimsby and Immingham, Tees and Hartlepool and London). Estimates have been made of the number of inwards containers in 1997–99, from inwards and outwards traffic combined.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff have been employed at each port of entry to inspect and search sea containers in each year since 2001. [194700]

All ports handling international traffic must meet Government set standards for security. However, the actual number of staff that are employed by a port is a commercial decision for the ports themselves. We therefore do not hold this information centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on security procedures at Clapham Junction. [194708]

All railways stations are required to comply with certain security standards as set out in the Department for Transport National Railways Security Programme and the Station Security Instruction issued on 27 May 2004 under the terms of the Railways Act 1993. It is not our practice to detail the required security measures or procedures at individual stations for obvious reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will set a date for the abolition of the Strategic Rail Authority. [194652]

The Secretary of State for Transport said at the time of the publication of the White Paper "The Future of Rail" (July 2004), that the Strategic Rail Authority would be wound up 'probably in the second half of next year'. The exact timing of the closure of the SRA is dependent on the necessary legislation being in place. The Government will introduce legislation as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicle identity checks under the Vehicle (Crimes) Act 2001 have been recorded in each month since April 2003. [195054]

The number of vehicle identity checks undertaken each month since the scheme began in April 2003 are recorded in the table.

22 October 2004⁽⁴⁾ To

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles have been presented to each test station for vehicle identity checks since April 2003; and what the pass rate is at each test centre. [195055]

The number of vehicle identity checks conducted at each test station and the respective pass rate for each station since the scheme began in April 2003 are listed in the following table.

Very few vehicles fail the vehicle identity check. This was expected as the aim of the scheme was to deter ringing crime rather than detect it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to review the regulations controlling the display of motor vehicles' registration letters and numbers. [194328]

The regulations that govern the display of motor vehicles' registration letters and numbers were last reviewed in 1999. The British number plate is considered to be one of the clearest in Europe and there are no plans to review the regulations again at present.

To ask the Advocate-General

(1) what role she played in the decision to place a 100-year closure on the Cullen Inquiry into the Dunblane tragedy; [193769]

(2) on what basis the decision was taken to place a 100-year closure on the Cullen Inquiry into the Dunblane tragedy; [193770]

(3) what statutory basis was cited in placing a 100-year closure on the Cullen Inquiry. [193771]

I played no role in the decision to place a 100-year closure on the Cullen Inquiry into the Dunblane tragedy and, accordingly, had no part in any decision regarding closure periods relating to that Inquiry.

Given the above, I was not involved in any citation of a statutory basis for placing a 100-year closure on Cullen Inquiry papers. I understand, however, that there is no statutory basis for the closure of records created by Scottish public bodies. The Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937 ("the 1937 Act") makes provision for the preservation, care and custody of the public records of Scotland. The terms of the legislation are permissive. I understand that the criteria for closures longer than 30 years were defined in the 1993 White Paper on Open Government (Cm 2290) and that the principles set out in that White Paper are relevant in decision-making on disclosure.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average amount of stamp duty charged on a Right to Buy council property was in the last year for which figures are available. [194689]

The information requested is not available. It is not possible from our survey data to identify Right to Buy council properties.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) what steps he will take to ensure that advertisements at English Premier League football grounds comply with the Betting and Duties Gaming Act 1981; [195187]

(2) what action he plans to take to ensure that Mansion.com complies with the provisions of the Betting and Duties Gaming Act 1981. [195188]

Enforcement of the provisions of the Betting and Gaming Duties Act is an operational matter for Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. They are pursuing this issue with the relevant parties.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average length of continuous service for civil servants within the Department is. [194406]

The information requested is shown in the following table:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Government have made of the amount in forgone tax liabilities likely to arise from the amendments to the Civil Partnership Bill made by the House of Lords. [194727]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many residents in Cleethorpes constituency, broken down by electoral ward, are aged between (a) 60 to 64, (b) 65 to 69, (c) 70 to 74, (d) 75 to 79 and (e) over 80 years. [194614]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Colin Mowl to Shona McIsaac dated 1 November 2004

The National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many residents of Cleethorpes constituency, broken down by electoral ward, are aged between(a) 60 to 64, (b) 65 to 69, (c) 70 to 74, (d) 75 to 79, and (e) over 80 years. I am replying in his absence. (194614).

Mid-year population estimates are not available at ward level. I have therefore provided figures taken from the 2001 Census.

The attached table shows the number of people in each age group who were resident in each ward within Cleethorpes constituency on Census day (29 April 2001). The figures have been extracted from Table S001 on the 2001 Census Standard Tables for wards for England and Wales DVD, which is available on request from Census Customer Services (census. customerservices@ons.gov.uk).

Residents of Cleethorpes constituency aged 60 and over, 29 April 2001

Source :

2001 Census Standard Tables for wards for England and Wales

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to the South Dorset constituency, the effects of changes to departmental policy since 1997 on the South Dorset constituency. [194964]

The Government has put in place a radical programme of both macroeconomic and microeconomic reform since 1997 to improve the economic performance of all parts of the UK. There is significant evidence that these policies have already yielded considerable benefits for the South Dorset constituency. For example, since May 1997, claimant unemployment has fallen by over three quarters, long-term unemployment overall has been almost eradicated and long-term youth unemployment has fallen by over 90 per cent.

The Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at Parliamentary Constituency level, taken from the 2001 Census and other sources. This service is freely available via the National Statistics website at http://neighbourhood. statistics.gov.uk/.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of publications issued by his Department are available in (a) Braille, (b) autoprint, (c) large print and (d) easy read format. [194296]

All documents published by HM Treasury, HM Customs and Excise and Inland Revenue are available on request in Braille, large print, audio tape or CD. These Departments have dealt with over 28,000 such requests in the past year.

The Treasury routinely produces Braille and audio versions of the Budget, Pre-Budget Report and Spending Review Summary Leaflets and Press Notices. Websites for all three Departments enable resizing and printing of documents in large text, are compatible with text-to-speech software, and contain links to pages providing advice for those who need to adapt on-line documents for ease of reading.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held on 21 October; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [194071]

The Council reviewed measures the Netherlands has taken following the Recommendation it issued under the EU's excessive deficit procedure. On the basis of a statement by the Commission, the Council took note that, at present, the action taken by the Dutch authorities in response to the Council's Recommendation of 2 June appears adequate to put an end, by 2005, to the present excessive deficit situation in the Netherlands. The Commission and the Council will continue to monitor the action taken.

The Council was briefed by the Commission on last month's fiscal notifications by member states. Six member states—Greece, Germany, Italy, Hungary Slovakia and Cyprus—would record 2004 deficits significantly higher than previously reported.

The Commission detailed that Greece's annual fiscal deficits were at least 2 percentage points higher than those stated in its returns every year starting from 2000. The Council looks forward to a detailed report from the Commission in time for the next ECOFIN, on Greece's deficit and debt data back to 1997.

Poland highlighted the fact that Eurostat's decision on the accounting treatment of pension funds had added up to 2 percentage points to their deficit. Ministers raised concerns that statistical treatment should not result in perverse incentives to undertake necessary pension reforms and will return to the issue.

The Council discussed the potential administrative burden for business of complying with legislation and regulation. The Council supported the development of a common European methodology, based on the recommendations of the EPC, to measure the administrative burden of EU legislation and regulation by, among others setting up pilot projects to determine the technical characteristics of the methodology and its application. The Council adopted Conclusions calling for the Commission to implement an administrative cost assessment for its proposals by 2005. ECOFIN will return to the topic of regulation, in particular the issue of competitiveness testing, later in the year, and regulatory reform will be discussed at 5 November European Council.

The Council took note of the presentation by the Commission on: the 2003 annual report on protection of the EU's financial interests in the fight against fraud; a proposal for an anti-fraud action plan for 2004 and 2005; and a proposal for a Regulation on mutual assistance in the protection of the EU's financial interests. The Council was also briefed by the Commission on the conclusion and ratification of the EU's anti-fraud agreement with Switzerland and on a 12-year anti-contraband agreement reached by the Commission and 10 member states with Philip Morris International.

The Council held an exchange of views on flexibility arrangements under the budget and the Commission's proposals for the 2007–13 period. The Council concluded that the current levels of flexibility were adequate, and that any changes to the Inter-Institutional Agreement would need to be taken in the context of the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework (2007–13). The Council received a presentation notifications by the Commission on proposals for modifying the EU's system of own resources.

Over lunch, Ministers were informed of the outcome of the Eurogroup meeting held on 20 October. They discussed the EU's financial framework for the 2007–13 period and met Mr. James Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank, for a discussion of progress toward the Millennium Development Goals.

Jon Cunliffe, Managing Director Macro-economic Policy and International Finance of the Treasury, represented the UK at ECOFIN.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs have been created in Cleethorpes constituency since 1997. [194188]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Shona McIsaac, dated 1 November 2004

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about jobs created in Cleethorpes. (194188)

While statistics of new jobs created are not available explicitly, statistics from surveys enable comparisons to be made of net changes in numbers of jobs from year to year.

The attached table shows the information requested, relating to jobs in Cleethorpes, for 1997 and 2002, which is the latest year available.

Number of employees with workplace in Cleethorpes parliamentary constituency, 1997 and 2002 -- Number, percentage⁽⁵⁾

⁽⁵⁾ Employee jobs only, not self-employed jobs.

⁽⁶⁾ The 1997 to 2002 change has been rounded to the nearest hundred separately from rounded levels for 1997 and 2002.

Source:

1997; Annual Employment Survey, rescaled 2002; Annual Business Inquiry (ABI).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the performance of the Financial Services Authority in (a) recruiting and (b) retaining appropriate staff for discharging its role of regulating businesses in the financial sector. [194231]

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is operationally independent of Government. The management of the recruitment and retention of appropriate FSA staff is a matter for the FSA Board.

The FSA annual report for 2003–04 noted that appropriate strategies are in place for staff recruitment and retention and that these are key to the delivery of the FSA's business priorities.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment has been made of the effect in socio-economic classes (a) 5, (b) 6, (c) 7 and (d) 8 of household debt on income levels in (i) North West Leicestershire, (ii) the East Midlands and (iii) England. [194503]

Information is not available in the form requested. Research on the relationship between debt and income includes the work of the Task Force on Tackling Over-indebtedness and the related Household Survey (www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topicsl/overindebtedness.htm), and research reports such as "Characteristics of families in debt and the nature of indebtedness" (211, June 2004, www.dwp.gov.uk/iad/asd5/rports2003–2004/rrep211.asp) and "Low-income Families and Household Spending" (192, July 2003, www.dwp.gov.uk/iad/asd5/rrepl92.asp). The Government set out its policy in the Consumer Credit White Paper (Cm 6040).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of net immigration into (a) England and (b) the United Kingdom over the next 20 years. [195125]

The most recent estimates come from the Government Actuary's latest (2003-based) national population projections. The information requested is available from the GAD website at: http://www.gad.gov.uk/Population/2003/methodology/migrass.htm

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many pensioners were paying income tax on the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will break down the total amount into amounts paid by each gender in five-year age ranges. [194837]

I refer the hon. Member to table 3.12 'Income and tax for the elderly, by region and country' on the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov. uk/stats/income_distribution/table-312–2001–02.xls.

The total amount of income tax in 2001–02 paid by pensioners aged 65 and over by each gender and five-year age ranges is given in the following table.

Note:

Estimates have been rounded so may not sum to the totals.

Estimates are based upon the Survey of Personal Incomes 2001–02.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of increasing income tax on levels of tax avoidance. [195263]

This Government has committed itself not to increase the basic or top rates of income tax. Tax avoidance undermines the principle of fairness that underpins the tax system and the Government keeps under review factors that may influence the behaviours of taxpayers. When considering changes in tax policy, the Government takes into account behavioural impacts that have a significant and quantifiable effect upon the level of tax avoidance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the ability of town and parish councils administering funds on behalf of arm's length projects or organisations which are largely funded by Government to reclaim VAT expenditure incurred on behalf of those projects or organisations. [195294]

Local authorities can reclaim the VAT incurred on goods and services they purchase in connection with either their taxable activities or their non-business activities.

There are long-established guidelines on the recovery of VAT when other organisations are involved as well. To qualify for refunds in those circumstances, a local authority should place the order for the purchase; receive the goods or services ordered; be in receipt of a VAT invoice addressed to it; and pay for the purchase from its own funds.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many litres of red diesel were purchased in the UK in each year since 1997. [194212]

Hydrocarbon oils clearance figures are published by Customs and Excise in the Hydrocarbon Oils Bulletin a copy of which can be found on the UK Trade Information website www.uktradeinfo.com.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent in the last 10 years on refurbishment of the property in Windsor Great Park recently leased by HRH the Duke of York; and from what sources. [191343]

Under the terms of which the Queen Mother occupied Royal Lodge, the internal works were the responsibility of her office while The Crown Estate was responsible for the maintenance of the exterior of the building and the surrounding grounds. Total Crown Estate expenses on all such maintenance (exterior building and grounds) over the last 10 years amounts to £711,087. During that time no external work has been undertaken which could be described as refurbishment.

The Crown Estate has incurred no expenditure on internal refurbishment work.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what appointments he has made to the Shareholder Executive. [192783]

The Treasury makes no appointments to the Shareholder Executive.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures (a) the Office for National Statistics, (b) the Board of Inland Revenue, (c) HM Customs and Excise and (d) his Department (i) has undertaken and (ii) plans to undertake to comply with the Sustainable Energy (CHP Provisions) Order 2003. [194436]

Neither Inland Revenue nor Customs and Excise uses CHP. The estate properties do not generally lend themselves to offering good opportunities for CHP as there is little industrial or high consumption usage on individual facilities. Currently, PFI contractors are looking at certain Customs and Excise and Inland Revenue sites to see if they have the potential to use CHP.

The heating to the Treasury HQ in 1 Horse Guards Road is provided by the Whitehall district heating system, which is supplied from CHP plant.

ONS are currently negotiating with OGC for a CHP energy supply to meet the framework target. ONS purchase 100 per cent. of the Southport site's energy from renewable sources, this is equivalent to 10 per cent. of the estate's requirement. ONS are about to commission a feasibility study for a CHP plant at the Newport site.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of people over the age of 60 years living within the Greater London area have been unemployed for longer than 12 months. [194154]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 1 November 2004

The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment. I am replying in his absence. (194154)

It is estimated that for the three months ending August 2004, the proportion of economically active people over the age of 60 (i.e. those either in a job or seeking a job) resident in the Greater London area who had been unemployed for 12 months or more, was 1.6%.

These estimates from the Labour Force Survey are, as with any sample survey, subject to sampling variability.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what representations the Commissioners have made to the Government about the use of public funds for the upkeep of ancient churches. [194593]

The Commissioners have made no such representations. However, as members of the Church of England's Church Heritage Forum, they are joined in the statement "Building faith in our future" which celebrates the unique contribution of church buildings and seeks the kind of partnerships with Government, local authorities and others that will enhance that contribution for the benefit of future generations.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many full-time equivalent jobs (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies had in (i) Yorkshire and the Humber and (ii) the City of York in (A) 1997 and (B) the latest year for which figures are available. [191838]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 25 October 2004, Official Report, column 1053W, by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Cabinet Office.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the estimated saving to the Magistrates Courts Service is of the transfer of licensing functions from magistrates courts to local authorities. [194112]

On 10 July 2003, the Licensing Act received Royal Assent. The Act transfers responsibility for the administration of licences from magistrates courts to licensing authorities, although magistrates will hear appeals against the licensing authorities' decisions.

Currently, the principle is that the cost to magistrates courts of the administration of licensing is covered by the licensing fees charged. As such there is no separate budget in the magistrates courts allocated to licensing which will be saved due to the changes. Fee levels for the new system are still being negotiated but they should allow the licensing authorities to recover the full costs associated with their administration, inspection and enforcement functions under the Licensing Act 2003.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps he plans to take to ensure that all individuals who manage the finances of those who lack capacity to manage their own finances (a) are bound by the first principles of the Mental Capacity Bill and (b) are subject to the safeguards and the new criminal offences that are in the Mental Capacity Bill. [194736]

The principles in the Mental Capacity Bill will apply to all those who act under the provisions of the Bill on behalf of those who lack capacity. This will include anyone doing an act in connection with care or treatment to which clause 5 applies, attorneys under any Lasting Powers of Attorney, and deputies appointed by the Court of Protection.

It will also include any person appointed a receiver under Part 7 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

The Bill will be accompanied by a Code of Practice, which provides detailed guidance on how to comply with the principles of the Bill. The Public Guardianship Office will produce guidance for attorneys, deputies and receivers advising them of the principles of the Bill and that they must act in the best interest of the person lacking capacity at all times. The Department for Constitutional Affairs and Department of Health will provide guidance for health and social care professionals and all those who care for someone with incapacity.

The principles will not formally apply to attorneys under existing Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs). At the time of execution of the EPA the parties have a legitimate expectation that the power will be capable of being used in the future on the same basis as the one on which it was created. In addition, we do not know how many EPAs exist as they do not have to be registered before use, and therefore we have no means of contacting the attorneys to advise them of the Bill's first principles. However those appointed in such a capacity will still have fiduciary and common law duties towards the person lacking capacity. Guidance issued by the Public Guardianship Office advises attorneys that they must act in the best interests of the client at all times. We will be promoting the principles of the Bill as good practice for those involved with people lacking capacity.

Donees of EPAs and receivers are already monitored in similar fashion to the provisions for monitoring of attorneys and deputies in the Mental Capacity Bill. The Bill does, however, provide greater safeguards for registration of powers of attorney. People with capacity may therefore wish to replace their Enduring Power of Attorney with a lasting power of attorney, the benefits of which we will actively publicise.

The new criminal offence proposed in the Mental Capacity Bill is intended to capture those individuals who are in a position of trust, care and power over people who are then ill-treated or neglected. If an attorney under an EPA has the care of a person who lacks or whom he reasonably believes to lack capacity and ill-treats or wilfully neglects that person, he may be guilty of the offence.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what checks are undertaken by the Court of Protection if there is a complaint made about a receiver misusing the patient's money. [194737]

All receivers are required to account annually to the Court of Protection. Any complaints of misuse on the part of a receiver are investigated by the Public Guardianship Office, which is the administrative arm of the Court. The outcome of the investigation is then referred to the Court for a decision on what action, if any, should be taken against the receiver. The Court has the power to replace a receiver and/or call in the security bond that the receiver deposited when the receivership order was made.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what checks are undertaken by (a) the Court of Protection and (b) the Public Guardianship Office to ensure that an individual's monies are being used in his best interests. [194814]

Receivers appointed by the Court of Protection are required to account annually for monies received and spent.

The Lord Chancellor's Visitors report to the Court and the Public Guardianship Office (PGO) on whether clients' needs are being met and make suggestions on how to improve their quality of life.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what recent advice the Electoral Commission has given regarding the regulation of General Elections. [194594]

As provided for in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, and other relevant legislation, the Electoral Commission regularly provides advice to political parties and others on the rules relating to elections.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance is given to CAFCASS as to whether a parent should be present when a child is interviewed during proceedings to decide how much contact each parent should have with the child. [193013]

The CAFCASS Service Principles and Standards state:

"3.5 Except where the Practitioner is acting as a Reporting Officer, all children who are the subject of proceedings will normally be seen on one or more occasions by them."

"3.6 The Practitioner will also take all reasonable steps to see adult parties to the proceedings and any other relevant children and adults unless directed otherwise by the Court."

Thus, when the practitioner is acting in private law proceedings relating to contact between children and their parents following separation or divorce, CAFCASS expects that its practitioners will see all children who are involved in a case. CAFCASS practitioners have high level skills and experience and are relied upon to exercise their professional judgement in each case. It is important that CAFCASS practitioners tailor their approach to working with children and families, in accordance with the individual circumstances of each case.

Parental presence, during an interview with a child will depend on the following factors:

the circumstances specific to the case;

the age and developmental stage of the child; and

the practitioner's professional judgement.

Rule 4.11 (1) of the Family Proceedings Rules 1991 requires the practitioner, among other things, to "have regard to the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned considered in the light of the child's age and understanding".

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of families involved in separation and divorce cases were referred to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04. [194218]