To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the percentage of compensation payments for animals destroyed because of (a) suspected foot and mouth and (b) bovine tuberculosis which may have been paid at above the level of average market values in each of the past five years. [192881]

No estimate has been made of what percentage of the compensation payments for animals compulsorily slaughtered because of FMD in 2001 were above the level of average market values. The average value for each type of livestock increased during the epidemic, peaked in May 2001 and gradually declined. No compensation for FMD was paid in each of the other four years.

For bovine tuberculosis it is not possible to provide a meaningful assessment of the percentage of animals that might have received compensation over and above "average market values". However, there is evidence to show that the provision of above market value compensation has been a significant problem in England and Wales, particularly since the outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in 2001. This is one of the reasons why my Department will shortly be consulting stakeholders on a proposed new compensation system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of households in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley which (i) composted and (ii) recycled in the last period for which figures are available. [194623]

Local authorities do not currently report on the number of households participating in recycling and composting schemes, or the numbers that carry out home composting. The 2002–03 Municipal Waste Management Survey established that 14.5 per cent. of household waste in England was recycled, about one third of which was centrally composted. Chorley borough council recycled and composted 16 per cent. of household waste, and Lancashire county council 20 per cent. The Government's Best Value Performance Indicators for local authorities show that in 2002–03, 86 per cent. of the population of Chorley were served by a kerbside collection scheme, or lived within 1 km of a recycling centre. The regional average for Lancashire was 80.3 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many UK households are recycling and composting; and whether the national target is being met. [194165]

holding answer 1 November 2004

Waste is a devolved issue. In England, the Government have set national targets to recycle or compost 17 per cent. of household waste by 2003–04 and 25 per cent. by 2005–06. The latest (2001) Defra survey of public attitudes to quality of life and to the environment found that in England, paper was recycled on a regular basis by 53 per cent. of households, glass by 42 per cent. cans by 30 per cent., plastic by 23 per cent. and kitchen waste by 20 per cent. Local authorities do not report on the number of households participating in recycling schemes or on the numbers that carry out home composting, but the 2002–03 Municipal Waste Management Survey identified that 14.5 per cent. of household waste was recycled in England, about one third of which was centrally composted. Audited figures for 2003–04 are expected in December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many licences to shoot cormorants have been (a) applied for and (b) granted since her Department announced its change of policy on obtaining such licences on 14 September. [194341]

The announcement of new measures to help alleviate cormorant predation problems at fisheries was made on 16 September 2004.

Up until 22 October, the Department has received 195 applications for a licence to kill cormorants to prevent serious damage to fisheries. Of these, we have granted 104.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2004, Official Report, columns 695–96W, on cormorants, what non-lethal alternatives to culling she is considering to control the population of cormorants. [194810]

holding answer 1 November 2004

There are a number of non-lethal methods that can be used to control cormorants. These include the use of enclosures, scarers, roost management, stocking control and fish refuges. Further details may be found in a technical advice note:

www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/rds/publications/technical/TAN 14.pdf

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2004, Official Report, columns 695–96W, on cormorants, what advice her Department has received from the Moran Committee regarding deterrents to predation by cormorants of fish stocks. [194812]

holding answer 1 November 2004

The Moran Committee was set up in 1997 to provide a co-ordinated platform of organisations to address angling and fisheries issues. The Committee has recently forged links with other nature conservation groups such as the Environment Agency, English Nature and the RSPB in order to identify common ground on the bird predation issue and to ensure that a reasonable balance is struck between the need to conserve both fish and birds. The Group has also established a useful dialogue with Defra and CEFAS.

The Committee has provided advice through producing leaflets such as "Cormorants—The Facts" and "Protecting your Fisheries from Cormorants". Further information may be found on www.cormorants.info

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of publications issued by her Department are available in (a) Braille, (b) autoprint, (c) large print and (d) easy read format. [194295]

Defra's policy is to follow best practice on diversity and to ensure that publications meet guidelines on type size, font clarity and general ease of readability.

We make all publications available on demand in Braille, large print format and audio. During the past year, we have fulfilled 20 requests for Braille publications and one for audio.

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

(1) whether she plans to seek EU Commission approval for Fleetwood fishermen to use 110mm mesh in cod ends in the plaice fishery in the Eastern Irish Sea while retaining their full allocation of 22 days at sea per month; [192946]

(2) what representations she has received from Fleetwood fishermen on effects of the operation of the Cod Recovery Plan on the plaice fishery in the Eastern Irish Sea; and what action she has taken in response. [192953]

I have met representatives of the Fleetwood fishing industry on several occasions this year. They expressed concerns that the EU days at sea scheme did not allow them sufficient days to use their preferred 100mm plus nets to target plaice and that they were therefore forced to use smaller mesh nets (which attracted a higher number of days) and thus increase their catches of undersized and juvenile fish. My officials explained that the scheme did, in fact, allow them to continue with their normal fishing patterns and offered to provide individual guidance, where required, to the fishermen concerned—which was subsequently taken up. Separately, we are discussing with the commission potential improvements to the operation of the scheme for the benefit of fishermen generally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) quota allocations and (b) landings for cod were for the Fleetwood over 10 m fishing fleet in the last five years. [192949]

UK fish quotas are managed by the allocation of shares of the national quota to fishermen's producer organisations for them to manage through the year. The quota allocations made to the Fleetwood Producer Organisation and their actual landings of cod in the years requested are given as follows. These data include activity by all vessels based in Fleetwood of over 10m overall length.

Tonnes

⁽¹⁾ End-year allocations of quota after incorporating swaps of quota with other producer organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the Greek presidency of the EU the Committee (a) on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Habitat) and (b) for the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present at each meeting; what (i) technical and (ii) financial issues were raised by the UK Government expert at each meeting; what recommendations the Committee produced during that period; what actions were (A) proposed and (B) taken by (1) the EU and (2) the UK Government as a result of the Committee's recommendations; and if she will make a statement. [193398]

10 March 2003.(a) The Committee on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (the Habitats Committee) met once during the period of the Greek presidency, in Brussels on

UK representation consisted of two officials from my Department, one official from the Scottish Executive and a scientific expert from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. The main agenda items considered were:

Establishment of the Natura 2000 network

Projects to Co-finance under Life Nature (opinion of the Committee)

Points of Information/Progress Update (including Marine Working Group, Article 12 Working Group, Monitoring, Large Carnivores, Enlargement, Financing, Communication Issues, Article 16 and 17 Reporting and Compensation)

At this meeting the UK representative provided technical information regarding progress on the submission of the UK list of Natura 2000 sites for the Atlantic region. In discussions concerning the Report on the Financing of Natura 2000 the UK representative highlighted the importance of marine areas for the cost estimates of the network and the uncertainties due to the outstanding designations. The UK representative also asked for clarification on the timing and format of member state's reactions to the Commission's Communication which will follow on from the Report on Financing Natura 2000.

The Commission proposed the following actions

Member states to submit sites for the Bio-geographic regions by the agreed deadlines

Member states to provide comments on the Monitoring Document presented by the Commission

Member states, who had not already done so, were asked to complete questionnaire on Large Carnivores

Member states were requested to provide comments on the draft common report for Article 16 and 17 reporting

As a consequence of discussions at the meeting, the Commission has adopted the Alpine List of Sites of Community Interest, published the list of successful projects for co-financing under LIFE Nature, published its Communication on Financing Natura 2000, and presented papers on Monitoring and Surveillance at the EU Nature Directors meeting on the 10 April 2003.

13 March 2003.(b) The EC CITES Committee (The Committee on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora) met once during the period of the Greek presidency, in Brussels on

UK representation normally comprises officials from my Department. At this meeting the UK representative raised a number of technical issues: introducing a discussion paper on Ivory; the use made of Article 8.2 of Council Regulation 338/97 in other member states; licensing of trade in vaccines, cell lines, etc.; the marking/identification of parts and derivatives; the role of the EU at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation meetings and the release of meeting documents to NGOs. The UK representative also asked for the implementation of the mahogany listing to be added to the agenda for the next EC meeting. On financial issues the UK representative inquired over EU financial assistance to the CITES initiative—Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) programme.

The Commission proposed the following actions: adding the species "oxymura jaimaicensis" and "Chrysemys picta" to Annex D of Council Regulation 338/97 and considering further the case for the addition of "Padda Fuscata" to Annex D. The Commission also proposed looking further at: a proposal for an Annex B listing for certain Italian endemic species; intra-EU certificates for transboundary movements pending implementation of new CITES appendices; and the UK proposals in relation to the licensing of trade in vaccines, cell lines, etc. No actions were proposed by the UK.

The Committee on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora is chaired by the European Commission. It makes decisions, not recommendations, in relation to the implementation of Council Regulation 338/97. Copies of the Summary of Conclusions for the meeting which took place on 13 March 2003 have been made available in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research has been undertaken to assess the effect of a ban on the hunting of foxes on the predation of ground nesting birds; and if she will make a statement. [195775]

The Department is not aware of specific academic research into the predation of foxes on ground nesting birds. However, we recognise the damage that foxes can do to such birds. The Hunting Bill, introduced into the House of Lords, which would have introduced a general ban on hunting with dogs, included a specific exemption related to this issue. This is designed to ensure that gamekeepers or others can continue to use dogs to control pests that threaten ground nesting birds in their care.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the successful prosecutions for illegal dumping of waste in each of the past three years; and what the penalty issued in each case was. [194616]

The information is as follows:

Notes:

1. Data are based on number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts under s33 Environmental Protection Act 1990.

2. Data from 2003 will not be available until the end of November when the 2003 criminal statistics have been published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 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. [191395]

The amount spent on residential properties for Ministers and officials since the formation of Defra has been as follows:

£

⁽²⁾ Actual

⁽³⁾ As per forecast

The running costs are those paid by the Department to the Cabinet office in respect of the capital charge and the costs for utilities, the Whitehall District Heating System, security and facilities management.

Information about the costs of official residences used by Ministers for previous financial years is already in the public domain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of organic farming on biodiversity. [193293]

Defra last year funded a major fully referenced study (OF0405). An Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of Organic Farming (May 2003). This can be seen on www.defra.gov.uk/farm/organic/research/env-impacts2.pdf

An additional item of research is the English Nature and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds report "Does Organic Farming Benefit Biodiversity?" This has been published electronically by the journal Biological Conservation (10 August 2004).It can be seen on http://www.sciencedirect.com/science searching for "organic farming".

Both of these reports point to a general increase in biodiversity resulting from organic farming methods.

Defra has also funded a five year research project (OF0165)—Factors influencing biodiversity within organic and conventional systems of arable farming—which has recently been completed (30 September 2004). The full report should be available in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the operation of schemes to promote solar panels. [195869]

The DTI provides support for two capital grant schemes that promote use of solar panels.

The Major Photovoltaics Demonstration Programme launched in 2002 has committed some £16.3 million to 148 large-scale projects and some £4.7 million to 700 small-scale projects.

The Clear Skies programme provides grants for a number of renewable technologies including solar thermal. The programme has offered some £1.9 million for solar in 3,887 households and £1,821,623 for solar in 138 community projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of rising energy prices on British manufacturing. [195870]

DTI officials and Ministers meet regularly with industry groups and companies to discuss concerns on energy prices.

Recent increases are in the main a result of market forces and follow a period in which energy prices have generally been at historically low levels in real terms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of Business Link Services in Northampton. [195871]

I am advised that Business Link Northamptonshire has performed well. During the 2003–04 financial year the Business Link operator had a market penetration rate of 34.5 per cent. compared to the England average of 33.8 per cent. This continued in 2004–05 where Northamptonshire's penetration rate remains higher than the England average at 34 per cent. as compared to 33.9 per cent.

Customer satisfaction with its services also remains strong. It exceeded the England average in both 2003–04 and 2004–05 of 89 per cent., by achieving a 91 per cent. satisfaction level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the level and cost of regulation imposed on business by her Department since 1997. [195874]

DTI has produced 1,080 statutory instruments since 1997. Regulatory impact assessments are produced for SIs, covering impacts on business and others. These are placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to ensure that power generating companies are able to meet future energy demands. [195875]

As set out in the Energy White Paper published in 2003, the Government have put in place a market-based framework for the energy industry in which price signals will show when new build is both needed and economically viable. The market is working well to deliver secure energy supplies. We expect it to continue to do so. National Grid are forecasting that the GB plant margin will rise over the next few years, reaching over 30 per cent. in 2007–08 and remaining around that level to the end of the decade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the reliability of electricity supplies in rural areas. [195876]

DTI inspectors monitor the performance of rural networks in response to storms and carry out more detailed investigations in extreme circumstances. This work follows on from the publication of a major investigation into the storm of 27 October 2002, which affected 2,000,000 customers. Inspectors have also been working with the electricity industry to explore opportunities to improve storm performance, and a report was published in December last year.

In addition, Ofgem, the industry regulator provides incentives to companies to improve the reliability of electricity supplies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to protect computer users from unsolicited premium rate calls being made from their machines. [195877]

The Government have asked the Office of Communications (Ofcom), to carry out a review of premium rate services regulation in order to examine ways of improving consumer protection in the future. The review is expected to report in November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the importance of the (a) motor sport and (b) performance engineering industries to the UK's industrial base. [195878]

These industries form an important and highly successful part of the UK's industrial base. They employ some 40,000 people and have a sales value of £5 billion, over half of which is export sales.

The Motorsport Competitiveness Panel, which was co-chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, undertook a detailed assessment of the significance and future potential of the motor sport and performance engineering sectors. Its report was published on 11 July 2003 and is available in the Libraries of the House.

The panel also made a number of recommendations to secure the future of these industries. We have pledged £16 million in support of these actions, which include widening participation in motor sport and improving the provision of training and qualifications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to minimise the movement of call centre jobs to eastern Europe and Asia. [195863]

The Government share the concerns expressed about the impact of offshoring of services on individuals and communities in the UK. Nonetheless DTI's study into the competitiveness of UK call centres shows the UK call centre sector continuing to grow. The Government's focus must remain on enhancing UK competitiveness, and helping improving skills and on help to improve the skills of those who do lose their jobs to get back into work as quickly as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 25 October, Official Report, column 996W, on civil partnerships, whether the estimated costs given refer only to those aged over 30 years who have been living for 12 years with a close family member; and whether they assume 100 per cent. take-up rate. [195191]

The estimated costs refer only to those over 30 years and who have lived together for 12 years. However, the estimated costs do not assume 100 per cent. take-up.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight to the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs dated 11 May, which was referred to her via the Home Secretary. [194153]

When the Home Office inquired whether the hon. Member's constituent's concerns were the responsibility of my Department, my office responded on the same day explaining that the issues raised were not ones for this Department.

I understand that the Office of Fair Trading is now preparing a response.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the development of airblown gasification combined cycle technology developed by British Coal for making electricity from coal. [193829]

After British Coal ceased trading, the practical development of air blown gasification cycle technology was transferred to an industrial consortium termed the Clean Coal Power Generation Group headed by GEC-Alstom. With some financial support from the European Commission, GEC-Alstom together with Mitsui Babcock and Scottish Power undertook a design study examining the concept of installation of this technology at significant demonstration plant scale in the UK. The report associated with this study was completed but subsequent lack of financial interest has prevented the air blown gasification cycle technology proceeding further in the UK. Components and know how associated with this technology reside with various parties and UK bases who are able to exploit it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will make available to other countries, proposing to construct coal-fired power stations, the airblown gasification combined cycle technology developed by British Coal. [193830]

The intellectual property rights of the components comprising the air blown gasification cycle technology reside with industrial parties, not the Government. These parties are at liberty to exploit such components in their own right and in association with other parties whether of UK or overseas origin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will pursue improvements to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to ensure that combined heat and power projects benefit fully from the scheme; and if she will make a statement. [194489]

I have been asked to reply.

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is an important element of the Government's new energy policy, as set out in the Energy White Paper. While developing the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), the Government undertook analysis to assess whether the proposed methodology would act as a disincentive to good quality CHP capacity. This analysis concluded that, on average, the baseline methodology used for the National Allocation Plan published earlier this year resulted in a baseline emissions level that was no lower for CHP plants than for installations in the power stations sector. It was therefore decided that the allocations to CHP should be calculated on the same basis as for other installations.

However, following consultation earlier in the year on whether various types of change to installations would be eligible to apply for a free allocation of allowances from the new entrant reserve, the Government have now decided to seek the Commission's agreement to extending eligibility to include, among other things, significant increases in the "good quality" capacity of CHP schemes. New combined heat and power (CHP) installations 1 January 2004 onwards will also be eligible for allowances from the new entry reserve (NER).¹ which come online from

This is intended to assist CHP, and help industry meet the CHP target of 10GW good quality CHP capacity by 2010 as outlined further in the Energy White Paper published in February 2003.

¹ Only CHP installations that meet the threshold in Schedule 1 of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme 2003 will fall within the scope of the EU ETS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether universities will be able to benefit from emissions trading; and if she will make a statement. [194490]

I have been asked to reply.

Emissions trading is potentially an efficient and cost effective way to achieve emissions reductions. Installations covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (including some universities) have the opportunity to benefit from trading by reducing their emissions below the number of allowances allocated by Government and selling these on the EU market.

Some universities are already benefiting from emissions trading. Through a carbon club, three universities participate in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and have gained experience of trading through the UK market. These universities, along with other Direct Participants, have been granted temporary exclusion from the EU Emissions Trading Scheme until the UK scheme ends in 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average percentage increase in domestic bills for (a) gas and (b) electricity has been since May 1997; and if she will make a statement. [194713]

Data for gas and electricity bills are published on an annual basis, based on a quarterly census of domestic suppliers.

The change in gas bills for domestic customers between 1997 and 2004, based on provisional 2004 bills are given in the table by payment method. In all cases, prices for 2004 are no higher in cash and real terms than in 1997.

Change in gas bills by payment method between 1997 and 2004

The change in electricity bills for domestic customers between 1997 and 2004, based on provisional 2004 bills are given below by payment method. In all cases, prices for 2004 are lower in cash and real terms than in 1997.

Change in electricity bills by payment method between 1997 and 2004

Note Data covering bills for 2004 are provisional, although the size of any revisions to these data should be relatively small.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times during the Greek presidency of the EU the Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of electric materials used in an explosive atmosphere met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present at each meeting; what (a) technical and (b) financial issues were raised by the UK Government expert at each meeting; what recommendations the Committee produced during that period; what actions were (i) proposed and (ii) taken by the (A) EU and (B) UK Government as a result of the Committee's recommendations; and if she will make a statement. [194884]

During the Greek presidency, there were no meetings of the Committee for the adaptation of technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector relating to electrical equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times during the Greek presidency of the EU the Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of protective equipment and systems for use in an explosive atmosphere met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present at each meeting; what (a) technical and (b) financial issues were raised by the UK Government expert at each meeting; what recommendations the Committee produced during that period; what actions were (i) proposed and (ii) taken by the (A) EU and (B) UK Government as a result of the Committee's recommendations; and if she will make a statement. [194885]

It is my understanding this question relates to the Standing Committee set up to assist the European Commission under article 6.3 of the Equipment and Protective Systems for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Directive, (the "ATEX" Directive) 94/9 EC. There was one meeting of this Committee on 6–7 February 2003 in Brussels which was attended by two UK expert officials, one from the DTI and one from the Health and Safety Executive. They raised for discussion a number of issues.

The Committee produces non-binding guidance rather than more formal outputs. This guidance was adapted to include agreed solutions to the issues raised by the UK and others. It forms the basis for advice to industry on these matters.

The Committee does not address questions relating to financial issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times during the Greek presidency of the EU the (a) Advisory Committee on standardisation in the field of information technology (Sogits) and (b) the Standing Committee for the harmonisation of national legislation relating to recreational craft met; when and where each meeting took place; which UK Government expert was present at each meeting; what (i) technical and (ii) financial issues were raised by the UK Government expert at each meeting; what recommendations the Committee produced during that period; what actions were (A) proposed and (B) taken by (1) the EU and (2) the UK Government as a result of the Committee's recommendations; and if she will make a statement. [194347]

It is my understanding that the hon. Member is referring to the Standing Committee set up under Article 6 of the Directive 94/25/EC (as amended) on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of member states relating to recreational craft. The Standing Committee met in Brussels on 27 January 2003. Two officials from the Department of Trade and Industry represented the United Kingdom.

The UK contributed a number of points to the discussion of various terms of guidance for industry and other stakeholders. No financial issues were discussed. The UK also made technical contributions to a further informal meeting on the same day, attended by many of the same officials plus industry representatives.

The Committee did not make any formal recommendations but its proceedings influenced the work of the Commission and of member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from industry following her statement on the planned Export Credits Guarantee Department Trading Fund on 1 July. [194498]

Representations about ECGD's future as a Trading Fund were made by industry and its trade bodies prior to my right. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry's announcement of 1 July 2004, Official Report, column 22WS. None have been received since. We are committed to consulting on the outcome of the period of operating as a Pilot Trading Fund, which is due to begin next April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for how the budget for improving efficiency and effectiveness of the Export Credits Guarantee Department will be spent over the next two years. [194499]

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave in the Official Report on 11 October, Column 119W. We are awaiting proposals from the Chief Executive of ECGD before taking decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what change she has specified to the current requirement of Export Credits Guarantee Department to obtain Treasury Consents annually, as the Export Credits Guarantee Department (a) moves into Pilot Trading Fund status in April 2005 and (b) becomes a fully capitalised Trading Fund in April 2007. [194506]

Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991 ('the Act') confer various powers on the Secretary of State acting through the Export Credits Guarantee Department, subject to the consent of the Treasury as required by section 4(2) of the Act. The requirement for ECGD to obtain Treasury consent will therefore continue throughout the Pilot Trading Fund, and during its status as a fully capitalised Trading Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new (a) gas and (b) oil reserves have been identified from the fallow field initiative. [195066]

My Department's fallow initiative seeks to put blocks and discoveries in the hands of who can explore and develop them. Activity prompted by the fallow initiative has already resulted in a number of discoveries, 12 of which have resulted in fields with active plans for development. Collectively these are likely to have reserves ranging between 200 and 250 million barrels of oil equivalent. I have provided an overall estimate because specific figures on oil and gas reserves for individual fields and accumulations are commercially sensitive and provided to my Department in confidence by the operating company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make it her policy that, during the UK's presidency of (a) the EU and (b) the G8, all hospitality is sourced from fair trade producers. [192899]

The Department of Trade and Industry works closely with other Government departments to promote fair trade, and the Government are committed to supporting fair trade through their own suppliers wherever possible within the boundaries set by the public procurement rules.

The Government will work to ensure that hospitality offered by their caters within Government departments, when hosting EU Presidency and G8 events, will be sourced from fair trade products. Furthermore, the Government will work to ensure that hospitality provided for UK hosted EU Presidency and G8 events by any outside caterers is sourced from fair trade products where available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much gas (a) was exported from the UK to Europe and (b) was imported from Europe to the UK in each year from 1999 to the latest year for which figures are available. [195805]

The amount of gas exported to and imported from Europe for the years 1999 to 2003 are shown in the table.

GWh

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her (a) plans and (b) timetable for bringing gas interconnectors on-stream. [195049]

Government policy, as set out in the White Paper "Our energy future-creating a low carbon economy" published in February 2003, is to have a market-based approach to deliver energy supply. There are commercial plans to expand the capacity of the existing interconnector from Zeebrugge planned to be operational by Winter 2005 (first phase) and Winter 2006 (second phase). There are also commercial plans to build a new interconnector between the Netherlands and the UK, aiming to be operational 2006–07, and the Langeled pipeline is planned to join the Norwegian Continental Shelf to Britain in 2006–07. The Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group (JESS) publishes a regular overview of security of supply indicators over the medium term to assist market participants investment decisions and the information collected includes details of forthcoming planned gas interconnector projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the gas reserves in the UK Continental Shelf. [195114]

My Department publishes an annual assessment of the oil and gas reserves on the UK continental shelf (UKCS). The latest assessment is on the web at http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/information/bb_updates/chapters/reserves_index.htm. As at the end of 2003, proven, probable and possible gas reserves were estimated to total 590, 315 and 336 billion cubic metres (bcm) respectively. In addition, there are estimated to be a further 74–276 bcm of gas in potential additional reserves, which are not currently technically or commercially producible, and undiscovered resources of between 279 and 1,259 bcm. Gas production from the UKCS to end 2003 was just over 1,800 bcm; production is currently around 100 bcm per annum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for gas storage over the next decade. [195065]

This is a commercial matter, however, I understand there are public plans to build five gas storage facilities at Aldbrough, Byley, Humbly Grove, Welton and Preesall. These facilities are at different stages of the planning and delivery process.

The Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group (JESS) publishes a regular overview of security of supply indicators including the status of potential and planned gas storage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the implications for gas storage requirements to meet peak winter gas demand when the UK becomes a net importer of gas. [195068]

The market is best placed to assess business opportunities for gas storage based on a commercial evaluation. Storage is only one method of providing the flexibility of gas supply to meet peak winter demand. The Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group (JESS) publishes a regular overview of security of supply indicators and provides information to the market on the need for peak supply capacity. In addition, DTI writes to local planning authorities, considering gas storage projects, to ensure that they are aware of the national need for additional supply-side flexibility, including storage capacity, as North Sea gas production declines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her plans to ensure the security of supply of gas. [195116]

As set out in the White Paper "Our energy future-creating a low carbon economy" published in February 2003, the Government believe that allowing the free operation of a competitive British market, within an appropriate regulatory framework, is the most efficient way to ensure security of supply of gas. Commercial operators have incentives to ensure a diversity of sources of gas, of supply routes and of entry points so as to reduce the risk of supply interruption through disruption of any one source or supply route. The Government are working towards liberalised and competitive markets both within the EU and beyond, and are using the EU's relations with Russia and other countries to support our energy objectives.

The Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group (JESS) publishes a regular overview of security of supply indicators over the medium term to assist market participants investment decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of investment between European Union countries other than investment by the UK came to the United Kingdom in each year since 2001. [192268]

holding answer 18 October 2004

The UK received 9.7 per cent. (9.1 per cent.) of all foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows between EU-15 member states in 2002 (figures for EU-25 members in brackets). The UK received the fourth largest share behind Luxembourg with 33.6 per cent. (31.5 per cent.), France with 12.7 per cent. (11.9 per cent.) and Germany with 10.1 per cent. (11.9 per cent.).

This data are only available in terms of financial flow figures rather than in terms of inward investment stocks (by which we measure our PSA targets).

The latest UNCTAD world investment report shows that in 2003 the UK had the largest inward FDI stocks within the EU from all countries, including those outside the EU, with 20 per cent. of the EU-15 total, followed by Germany (16 per cent.) France (13 per cent.), Netherlands (10 per cent.) and Luxembourg (10 per cent.).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs have been created as a result of the Luneside East development; how many jobs have been created to be taken up by residents of communities in need; and what the estimated cost per job created is. [192923]

The scheme is expected to create 315 jobs and includes new and improved cycle and pedestrian links to improve access to job opportunities for local communities in need.

Lancaster City council will also work to maximise the take up of jobs locally through Employment Action Plans targeting these communities.

The net cost per job is £25,000, which is comparable to other projects of this type.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many full-time staff have been responsible for the enforcement of minimum wage legislation in each year since 1999. [195110]

The Inland Revenue carries out enforcement of the national minimum wage.

Details of Revenue staff responsible for the enforcement of minimum wage legislation:

In addition to the figures quoted above, there has been a small Revenue head office team of between four-six staff each year.

In addition the DTI has a small policy team dealing with national minimum wage issues currently numbering four people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many prosecutions there have been for offences in breach of minimum wage legislation in each year since 1999. [195111]

To date there have been no prosecution cases for offences in breach of minimum wage legislation. We monitor the effectiveness of enforcement action and will use prosecution should this become appropriate.

The National Minimum Wage Act 1998 contains a number of provisions empowering compliance officers to take civil action against non-paying employers. The majority (around 90 per cent.) of minimum wage cases are solved, at present, without the need for any formal enforcement action. In tackling the minority of more difficult cases, compliance officers may serve an enforcement notice which requires the employer to start paying the minimum wage and make good any arrears of pay. Where an employer ignores the enforcement notice, the officer may then serve a penalty notice. The penalty notice imposes a financial penalty on the employer of twice the adult rate of the minimum wage for each worker named in the enforcement notice from when it was issued.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from (a) employers and (b) employees about the operation and enforcement of minimum wage legislation with respect to security guards. [195112]

In the last 12 months the Inland Revenue and the Low Pay Commission have received no representations from employers or employees about the operation and enforcement of minimum wage legislation with respect to security guards.

In the same period the DTI has received one letter from a security guard, but this was principally about the number of hours paid during holidays.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her plans to improve enforcement of minimum wage legislation. [195113]

The hon. Member may know that the Government introduced the National Minimum Wage (Enforcement Notices) Act 2003 last year to ensure that former workers were properly covered by the minimum wage legislation, and that we introduced a package of measures in the Employment Relations Act 2004 to improve enforcement of the minimum wage. We work closely with the Inland Revenue to ensure that enforcement continues to be effective.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many 16 and 17 year olds are expected to benefit from the national minimum wage in (a) Glasgow, (b) Scotland and (c) the United Kingdom in the next financial year. [190565]

The information is as follows:

(a) and (b) it is not possible to comment on the number of beneficiaries in Glasgow and Scotland.

(c) The DTI estimates that over 25,000 16 to 17-year-old workers will benefit from the national minimum wage rage of £3.00 per hour in October 2004. This estimate was made in the DTI March 2004 National Minimum Wage Regulatory Impact Assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information she has received from the International Atomic Energy Agency in respect of its evaluation of the adequacy of computer systems installed at nuclear plants in support of safety and security requirements. [195388]

The International Atomic Energy Agency has not evaluated the adequacy of computer systems installed at nuclear plants in support of safety or security within the UK and has no remit to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the future of the reprocessing plant at Sellafield. [194671]

holding answer 1 November 2004

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 October 2004, Official Report, column 1859W to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her assessment is of the security implications of the legal requirement for companies targeted by animal rights activists to provide copies of their shareholder registers; and what plans she has to restrict the right of access to companies' share registers in such cases. [193787]

The UK has one of the strictest regulatory regimes in the world to control the use of animals for medical research and the Government have expressed their determination to stop the illegal and sometimes violent conduct of a small group of extremists who are attempting to intimidate individuals and companies going about their lawful business. I am concerned that these extremists can and do misuse information that is in the public domain to direct their attacks.

The Companies Act requires every company to provide a copy of its Register of Members to those who ask and to list the company's directors. It does not, however, require the company's members or shareholders to provide their home addresses. Directors' home addresses are currently held on the public record but those who are under a serious risk of violence or intimidation can apply for a confidentiality order to remove these addresses from public inspection. Our intention in the Companies Bill will be to implement the recommendation of the company law review that directors should only need to provide a service address for the public record, with home addresses being held on a register to which access is restricted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the financial contribution of the licensing of software patents to the UK economy in each year from 1974 to 2003. [194755]

Licensing is in essence a private business activity. The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the average A-level points score for (a) school sixth forms, (b) sixth form colleges and (c) general further education colleges in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [193182]

The average GCE/VCE A/AS point score per candidate aged 16 to 18 in 2002 to 2004 is shown in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the average A-level points score per pupil for 11 to 18 years schools with sixth forms containing (a) 50 or fewer, (b) 51 to 100, (c) 101 to 150, (d) 151 to 200, (e) 201 to 250 and (f) more than 250 pupils in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [193181]

The average GCE/VCE A/AS point score per candidate aged 16 to 18 in school sixth forms in 2002 to 2004 is shown in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which local education authorities receive area cost adjustment in 2004–05. [195921]

The education authorities in the following list received area cost adjustment in their Education Formula Spending Share for 2004–05.

LEAs Receiving Area Cost Adjustment in EFSS for 2004–05.

Barking and Dagenham

Barnet

Bath and north east Somerset

Bedfordshire

Bexley

Birmingham

Bolton

Bracknell Forest

Bradford

Brent

Brighton and Hove

Bromley

Buckinghamshire

Bury

Calderdale

Cambridgeshire

Camden

Cheshire

City of Bristol

City of London

City of Peterborough

Coventry

Croydon

Dudley

Ealing

East Sussex

Enfield

Essex

Gloucestershire

Greenwich

Hackney

Halton

Hammersmith and Fulham

Hampshire

Haringey

Harrow

Havering

Hertfordshire

Hillingdon

Hounslow

Isle of Wight

Isles of Scilly

Islington

Kensington and Chelsea

Kent

Kingston upon Thames

Kirklees

Knowsley

Lambeth

Leeds

Lewisham

Liverpool

Luton

Manchester

Medway

Merton

Milton Keynes

Newham

North Somerset

Northamptonshire

Oldham

Oxfordshire

Portsmouth

Reading

Redbridge

Richmond upon Thames

Rochdale

Salford

Sandwell

Sefton

Slough

Solihull

South Gloucestershire

Southampton

Southend

Southwark

St. Helens

Stockport

Surrey

Sutton

Swindon

Tameside

Thurrock

Tower Hamlets

Trafford

Wakefield

Walsall

Waltham Forest

Wandsworth

Warrington

Warwickshire

West Berkshire

West Sussex

Westminster

Wigan

Wiltshire

Windsor and Maidenhead

Wirral

Wokingham

Wolverhampton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children are in public care in the West Midlands. [195689]

At 31 March 2003, 7,120 children were looked after by local authorities in the West Midlands. This figure excludes children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether a school that a local education authority proposes to close can apply to become a foundation school. [196090]

The governing body of a school which the LEA proposes to close, may seek to change its category to foundation but it must follow the proper statutory process. Publishing proposals for a change of category will not prevent or delay the consideration of any proposals already published for closure.

In deciding both proposals, a School Organisation Committee (SOC) or schools adjudicator must have regard to the Secretary of State's guidance. The guidance makes it clear that the SOC or adjudicator need not delay their consideration of the first proposals in such cases. They may consider the proposed closure first and then take account of that decision when considering the change of category proposals.

Under the new fast track arrangements we are proposing for community and voluntary controlled secondary schools to change category to foundation, the governing body would decide change of category proposals, LEAs will retain the right to publish proposals to close foundation schools and the SOC will continue to decide these.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with the Gloucestershire Learning and Skills Council about its support for (a) The Prince's Trust and (b) the Connexions programmes; and if he will make a statement. [194669]

holding answer 1 November 2004

The Secretary of State has had no discussions, but is aware that the Gloucestershire Learning and Skills Council (LSC) indirectly supports the Prince's Trust, which delivers Entry to Employment (E2E) programmes. E2E is an important part of the work to re-engage young people in learning.

Gloucestershire LSC works in partnership with the Connexions Service to ensure that quality advice and guidance is available to enable young people to benefit from appropriate learning opportunities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the funding he is providing to the Learning and Skills Council in this financial year. [194670]

holding answer 1 November 2004

The budget allocated to the Learning and Skills Council for the 2004–05 financial year was set out in the Grant Letter to the LSC on 4 December 2003. The budget figure in the letter is £8,674 million. This amount represents a record level of investment in the learning and skills sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 18 October 2004, ref 192930, on benchmarks for university admissions. [196502]

A reply was issued to the hon. Member on 3 November 2004, Official Report, columns 290–91W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding streams are available to support students in post-16 non-university based education. [194804]

The Government are committed to encouraging more students to continue in education and training, and to raise attainment levels. Young People from lower income households who are aged 16 at the start of the 2004/05 academic year can apply to receive the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). We are phasing in the scheme nationally from September 2004 to successive 16 year old year groups. By 2006 all young people aged 16 to 19 who meet the eligibility requirements will be able to receive EMA.

Learner Support Funds (LSFs) are available for students aged 16 and over to help with costs associated with further education, including books and equipment, transport, childcare support funds and residential bursaries. LSF continues to be an effective safety net for disadvantaged students from lower income households wishing to remain in education.

Young people in unwaged work-based learning, including Entry to Employment, are entitled to at least £40 a week Minimum Training Allowance paid by the learning provider through the LSC, local LSCs can increase this allowance to meet local needs and can also provide discretionary funding to help with transport, equipment or similar costs. The intention is that from 2006 this arrangement will be replaced by the extension of EMA principles to this group of young people.

Announced as part of the Government's Skills Strategy, the new Adult Learning Grant offers an allowance of up to £30 per week to adults on lower incomes studying full-time for a first full level 2 qualification (equivalent to 5 GCSEs or a National Vocational Qualification at level 2) and young adults (aged 19+) on lower incomes studying full-time for a first full level 3 qualification (equivalent to two A levels or a National Vocational Qualification at level 3).

Career Development Loans, which are operated by the Department and three high street banks, are designed to help individuals pay for vocational education and training. Loans of between £300 and £8,000 are available to pay for all course-related costs on courses for up to two years. The loan can also cover living expenses if the course is full time. The Department pays the interest on the loan while the student is training and repayment starts only after the course has been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many press officers are employed in his Department; and how many were employed in each year since 1996–97. [195362]

holding answer 1 November 2004

The information requested is set out in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teaching assistants were employed in schools in Bury in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [195405]

The following table gives the number of teaching assistants employed in maintained schools in Bury of January in each year. The latest information available is for 2004.

Source:

Annual School Census

The information requested from 1997 has also been published in table 20 of the Statistical First Release 34/2004 on 23 September 2004. The SFR can be accessed from the following URL:

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000493/index.shtml

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money was granted by each local education authority in the Greater London area to be spent on sex education in (a) 1997 and (b) 2003–04. [196035]

Information about individual local education authority expenditure on sex education is not collected by the Department.

Educating young people about sexual health and safer sex are key elements of the Government's sexual health strategy. The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy has a multi-faceted approach, which includes helping young people resist pressure to have early sex, improving sex and relationship education and access to effective contraception and sexual health services. All maintained secondary schools have a statutory requirement to teach sex and relationship education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel are registered as service voters on the armed forces personnel registration scheme; and how many were registered in 2000. [195222]

holding answer 1 November 2004

The Representation of the People Act 2000 gave Service personnel the option of either registering to vote at their private or other qualifying address, or to register by means of a Service declaration. Both are administered by local authority Electoral Registration Officers and the Services no longer maintain an Armed Forces Register of Electors. The number choosing to register by means of the Service declaration is not held by the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the armed forces personnel registration scheme moved to annual re-registration in 2000; and what assessment was made of the implications of the change for the number of servicemen registered to vote. [195223]

holding answer 1 November 2004

The move to annual re-registration brought the arrangements for armed forces personnel in line with those for other voters. The change was considered likely to encourage Service personnel to use their vote, and to register with the local authority Electoral Registration Officer for their up-to-date address.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written statement of 12 October 2004, Official Report, columns 9–10WS, on missile defence, when negotiations on the ballistic missile defence agreement began; and when agreement on the final text was reached. [195410]

Negotiations for a new agreement to replace the 1985 Strategic Defence Initiative Memorandum of Understanding began in early 2003. A "Framework" Agreement, setting out general principles for co-operation on missile defence, was signed on 12 June 2003. Negotiations were conducted in parallel on two Annexes to this Agreement dealing with the upgrade of the Early Warning Radar at RAF Fylingdales, and with co-operation in Research, Development, Test and Evaluation of ballistic missile defence capabilities and systems. These were signed on 18 December 2003 and 12 October 2004 respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the travel costs were of civil servants in (a) his Department and (b) its related agencies in each year since 1997. [183900]

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. I can confirm that all civilian travel is conducted in compliance with Civil Service Management Code, and in the most cost-effective manner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what systems have been put in place to cope with a failure in the planned Windows 2000 operating system in the Type 45 Destroyers; [191620]

(2) whether there has been an external review of the Windows 2000 Combat Management System Type 45 Destroyer Project; [191621]

(3) what the proposed cost was of implementing Unix as the operating system for the Combat Management System in the Type 45 Destroyers; [191622]

(4) what the cost is of implementing Windows 2000 as the operating system for the Combat Management System in the Type 45 Destroyers; [191623]

(5) what steps he has taken to ensure that the Windows 2000 Combat Management System in the new Type 45 Destroyers is reliable. [191643]

The Type 45 prime contractor, BAE Systems, and their sub-contractor, are responsible for selecting an operating system that meets the requirements placed on them by the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA). Industry's decision to use Windows 2000 was in any case the subject of a review conducted by the Ministry of Defence which included specialist representatives from QinetiQ and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). The review concluded that the choice of Windows 2000 represented the lowest risk choice of operating system. In particular, the review concluded that any residual risks associated with reliability were well understood by the contractor and that the normal process of regression and integration testing would quantify and reduce these risks before Type 45 is accepted into service.

The system design has built-in redundancy, with automatic, and transparent, switch-over to a back-up system if the primary system has a problem. This would provide continuity of operation and ensure that no data were lost. The system design also ensures that comprehensive hardware mechanisms will be in place to avoid any other safety or technical issues.

The cost of implementing an operating system for the Combat Management System in the Type 45 is a matter for the prime contractor, BAE Systems, and their sub-contractor. The Department does not have, or require, visibility of costs at that level of detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate her Department has made of the number of television aerials that will need to be upgraded to allow analogue switch-off to proceed. [195605]

A small number of viewers are likely to be using a roof-top aerial which is in poor condition and delivering substandard analogue signals. They may have to replace their aerial in order to continue receiving the public service channels after digital switchover. However, we do not have a reliable figure of the number of households who may be affected in this way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the British Grand Prix; and whether she expects public money to be made available to secure the future of the British Grand Prix. [195610]

We desire and support a British Grand Prix at Silverstone, but the current commercial negotiations between the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) and Formula One Management (FOM), to reach an agreement to secure the British Grand Prix on the 2005 Formula One Calendar, are a matter for them. However, where appropriate, Derek Mapp, Chair of the East Midlands Development Agency and I have done everything we can to help bring the parties together to broker a suitable outcome. There is no prospect of the Government entering into the current commercial negotiations as a direct financial participant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Woking, dated 14 October, concerning Skanska UK Plc. [194507]

The letter was received in the Department on the 18 October and I wrote to the hon. Member on 3 November.

We aim to reply to all departmental correspondence within 18 working days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she 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. [194972]

Since 1997 the Government have introduced a range of initiatives and increased the funding available to develop the cultural, sports and tourism sectors and improve access to cultural and sporting opportunities across the country. There is evidence that these policies are benefiting the South Dorset constituency.

A number of arts organisations in Dorset, which are active in the South Dorset constituency, are receiving significant increases in their public funding. For example, Artsreach and Dorset Dance Forum will each receive over £50,000 from Arts Council England in 2005–06, representing increases of 73 per cent. and 55 per cent. respectively compared with 2002–03. Ten feature films and television programmes have been filmed in and around South Dorset in the past two years and a number of film projects have received Lottery funding, including the Purbeck Film Festival. Museums in Dorset are receiving support from the South West Museums, Libraries and Archives Council under the Government's Renaissance in the Regions initiative. This support is aimed at helping smaller museums develop their documentation and funding a second museum development officer post for the county. The Tank Museum has received over £350,000 since 1999 under the Government's Designation Scheme to recognise outstanding collections in non-national museums.

Tourism in Dorset has increased with the assistance of Government-funded marketing activity. The latest available data are for 2002, when expenditure by staying tourists in Dorset rose to £768 million from £664 million in 2001. In April 2003, the Government established VisitBritain with a new domestic marketing remit for England, and we gave strategic responsibility for tourism development to the Regional Development Agencies. Tourism in South Dorset benefits from these changes, as does the rest of England, and will benefit further if London's bid for the 2012 Olympic Games is successful as Weymouth and Portland have been chosen to host the sailing events.

Information from the Lottery distributors indicates that since 1997 South Dorset has benefited from over 300 awards totalling over £10 million. Of these 40 awards worth £2.3 million were made by the New Opportunities Fund which was established by the Government in 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many full-time equivalent staff her Department has employed in the (a) corporate services, (b) tourism, libraries and communities, (c) creative industries, broadcasting, gambling and the Lottery, (d) arts and culture, (e) sport, (f) strategy and communications and (g) legal advisors' directorate in each year from 1997; and if she will make a statement. [194659]

The Department has undergone a number of reorganisations since 1997. We are currently organised into three Directorates General and one Directorate with full-time equivalent staff as follows:

DCMS contracts out its legal service to the Treasury Solicitor's Department, who employ staff on our behalf. Information for previous structures for earlier years could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many employees the (a) Export Licensing Unit and (b) Advisory Council on the Export of Works of Art had in each year from 1997; what the cost to public funds of each body was in each year (i) in total, (ii) for staffing costs, (iii) for other administrative costs and (iv) for other costs; and if she will make a statement. [195062]

Details of the staffing levels of DCMS are not recorded in the kind of detail that would be required in order to provide information about the precise staffing levels of the Export Licensing Unit on a year by year basis since 1997. Accordingly, details of precise costs cannot be calculated. The current staffing of the Unit consists of approximately 20 per cent. of a Grade B, two Grade Cs and two Grade Ds. This has involved a slight increase since 1997 as staff numbers have been adjusted according to the number of licence applications needing to be processed.

The Advisory Council on the Export of Works of Art provides advice to both the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and DCMS directly from time to time. The Council therefore involves no specific costs to DCMS as it is serviced as a small part of the work of the Reviewing Committee's secretariat.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department has taken to review the Football Association; and if she will make a statement. [195400]

While all sports national governing bodies are independent from Government, the Government's aim is for them to be fit for purpose. The FA is no exception. The FA has been discussing a review of the organisation, including its structure and governance, since the spring of 2004. The Board and Council are committed to a review headed by an independent person, who will want to take a view on when they will be able to report. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to the FA in August 2004, and I have been in regular contact with the FA during this time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment has been made of the competition implications under EU rules of placing a cap or ceiling on the number of regional casinos. [194655]

Any statutory limitation on the number of regional casinos would potentially raise issues of compliance with EU law which would need due consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has held with Camelot on the purchase and supply of National Lottery terminals to (a) newsagents and (b) shops in the UK. [195848]

Issues concerning National Lottery terminals are a matter for the National Lottery operator acting under its licence from the National Lottery Commission. I and my officials have regular meetings with both Camelot and the National Lottery Commission which discuss all areas of the National Lottery; but these have not involved any detailed discussion of terminal supply matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Olympic athletes who have received public funding from the UK have competed for the Republic of Ireland. [195178]

holding answer 1 November 2004

There were four competitors from Northern Ireland at Sydney 2000 and seven at Athens 2004 who received lottery funding from the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and who competed for the Republic of Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many agency temporary staff have been working for the Department in each of the last five years, excluding those working for agencies for which no data are kept centrally. [196052]

The Department employs temporary agency staff on the basis of a booking which can last from as little as one day to many months. The number of individual bookings in each of the last five years is shown in the following table:

⁽⁴⁾ Second half year figure only—first half year figure no longer available.

However, this does not represent the number of temporary agency staff working in the Department at any one time; or the average annual person years worked. There are 17 temporary agency staff currently working in the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding her Department plans to contribute for (a) marketing, (b) e-tourism, (c) improving the quality of tourism products and (d) skills and training towards achieving the £100 billion target value for tourism by 2010. [195226]

This year we have made £48.4 million available to VisitBritain for marketing, e-tourism and quality. My Department expects to announce the new funding allocations for VisitBritain over the coming weeks. Funding for the improvement of skills and training in the tourism industry is provided by the Department for Education and Skills. This includes up to £4 million over three years for the Sector Skills Council/People 1st.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what ratio of funding between the Government and the private sector she expects in meeting the £100 billion target value for tourism by 2010. [195227]

The Department has made £48.4 million of public investment available to VisitBritain this year, alongside our investment in the museums, galleries, heritage sites, arts and sports events and other attractions that encourage tourists to spend their holidays here. Other Government Departments, the Devolved Administrations, Regional Development Agencies and local authorities also make significant public investment which directly and indirectly benefits tourism. However, inbound and domestic tourism is worth almost £74 billion to the UK economy and clearly the vast majority of investment will be made by private firms, investing in their products and marketing their services to the public.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much expenditure his Department has incurred in each year since 2002 on employing external consultants to deal with the press and public relations of his Department; and if he will make a statement. [195459]

From March 2002, my Department's expenditure with press and public relations consultants was as follows: