To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what areas of common land classified as sites of special scientific interest in England are in unfavourable condition; and what assessment she has made of the need for changes to regulations to ensure favourable condition of such common land is achieved. [196287]

In July 2002, our Common Land Policy Statement set out proposals for addressing the main barriers to the sustainable management of common land. One of our key aims is to enable commoners to manage their own activities more effectively. This in turn will help contribute to the achievement of a number of biodiversity objectives, including the SSSI PSA target.

Following further public consultation in 2003, we have been working up more detailed legislative proposals. We remain committed to introducing legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

The areas of common land SSSIs in favourable or unfavourable condition are given in the table and broken down according to English Nature area team.

Area of common land with Sites of Special Scientific Interest -- ha

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedures are in place (a) to check the criminal records of civil servants in her Department and agencies responsible to her Department who have access to computer databases containing confidential information on the public and (b) to ensure that there can be no improper use of computer databases containing confidential information on the public; and if she will make a statement. [194603]

A basic character check is carried out on all staff before they are allowed unsupervised access to Defra's IT systems. It is also a departmental requirement that staff must declare criminal convictions. Criminal records checks are carried out in cases where staff dealing with particularly sensitive material require formal vetting in line with central Government guidelines. Defra's IT security policy is designed(a) to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer systems and information to a level that meets business needs and (b) to ensure that accounting and audit processes exist. This is achieved by: ensuring all processes and actions are authorised; all authorised users can be identified and monitored; and all systems and associated personnel perform in a consistent manner. The security policy is available to all staff on our internal intranet and regular reminders are issued.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been paid out under the Extensification Payment Scheme in each county in England in 2003–04; and if she will make a statement. [195510]

The amount paid out under the Extensification Premium Scheme in each county in England for the 2003 scheme year (1 January 2003–31 December 2003) and paid between 1 April 2004 and 31 October 2004 are set out in the following table. We are currently unable to provide figures for 2004 as the scheme year does not end until 31 December 2004 and payments will not commence until 1 April 2005.

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

(1) what work her Department has undertaken to update the 1982 Social Survey on the impact of night flights around Heathrow; [195093]

(2) what plans her Department has to conduct a social survey of the impact of night flights around Heathrow. [195094]

I have been asked to reply.

In December 2000, a report funded by the then DETR was published on Perceptions of Aircraft Noise, Sleep and Health (Diamond et al, http://www.socstats.soton.ac.uk/research/noisereport.doc). This study included surveys in the vicinity of Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, East Midlands, and Coventry airports. A broader study of Attitudes to Noise from Aircraft Sources in England, which covers both night and daytime noise, is currently being undertaken on the Department's behalf, the lead contractor being The MVA Consultancy.

Findings from further social research as well as objective studies of sleep disturbance were summarised in the NATS/DORA (now CAA/ERCD) R and D Report 9964, Adverse effects of night-time aircraft noise, published in March 2000.

In addition to these social survey studies, the Department has consulted regularly on the night restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. The Stage 1 consultation on restrictions from 30 October 2005 was published in July and the consultation period closed on 29 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action has been taken by the Government to achieve the targets recommended by the WHO Guidelines for Community Noise; and in which year she expects to attain the targets recommended in the Guidelines. [195095]

I have been asked to reply

as the WHO guidelines bear predominantly on transport noise sources. The Government is a signatory to the WHO Charter on Transport, the Environment and Health, and is thereby committed to take account of the WHO Guidelines.

The noise levels cited in the WHO Guidelines mark the approximate onset of various annoyance and disturbance effects. As such, they are not limits but information to which the Government will have regard when developing policy and seeking to strike the balance between the three pillars of sustainable development. It is not feasible, and will not become practicable in the foreseeable future, to eliminate all such effects, either in the UK or in other signatory States.

The relevance of the guidelines in the context of night noise from aircraft was discussed further in the Department's recent Stage 1 consultation on the night restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, paragraphs 3.8–3.13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what examples of best practice are available to (a) local authorities and (b) police authorities on (i) making provision for off-road motorcycles and (ii) tackling irresponsible off-road motorcycling. [195779]

The departmental publication, "Making the Best of Byways", provides advice and practical examples to local authorities on managing mechanically propelled vehicles on byways and includes guidance on identifying suitable off-road sites. The Department is currently working on a comprehensive revision to the document.

We are preparing new enforcement guidance for both police authorities and local authorities to help them deal with inappropriate and illegal use of motor vehicles off road. The guidance will set out the extensive statutory powers already available to deal with misuse and will draw on existing best practice examples of police and local authorities working in successful partnerships.

Copies of "Making the Best of Byways" have been placed in the House Library. The revised document and new enforcement guidance will be available next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on whether anglers should be required to hold licences for the right to fish at sea. [196949]

The Review of Marine Fisheries and Environmental Enforcement, which was published in July, recommends that, in return for improvements which would benefit sea anglers, a licensing scheme for them be considered. The consultation period on the review ended on 29 September. My officials are now evaluating the replies, and I have not yet made any decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the condition of Sharpness Dock Basin, with particular reference to the views expressed by the Gloucester Harbour Trustees. [194282]

As statutory harbour authority, British Waterways is fully aware of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees' concern about the condition of Sharpness Docks. It has identified improvement works for the docks of some £4–5 million over the next four to five years. It is considering the phasing of this work as part of its asset management programme.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission pursuant to his Answer of 19 October 2004, Official Report, column 566W, if he will make a further statement on the appointment of a Parliamentary Security Co-ordinator. [197193]

I can confirm that the House of Lords authorities have agreed to the establishment of a Parliamentary Security Co-ordinator. An appointment will be made as soon as practicable, initially on secondment. The Parliamentary Security Co-ordinator would be expected, among other responsibilities, to oversee the project of implementing new security measures arising from the joint review, to improve co-ordination of security matters between the two Houses and advise on issues which need to be dealt with across the Estate as a whole, and to provide a focus for liaison with the Metropolitan police and security service. The Parliamentary Security Co-ordinator would be accountable for his/her performance to Mr. Speaker in the Commons and the Lord Chairman of Committees in the Lords, and would come under the Chief Executives of the two Houses for day-to-day management purposes, working with Black Rod and the Serjeant at Arms, who would continue to hold executive responsibility, to ensure the security of their respective Houses.

To ask the Leader of the House if he will bring forward proposals to allow the tabling of written questions during periods when the House is in recess for answer on a named day during the recess. [196392]

I have no plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister what role he played in the decision announced by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that the UK should apply to the EU for an increase in permissible carbon emissions under the EU Emissions Trading Schemes. [196847]

This was a collective decision in accordance with the Ministerial Code.

To ask the Prime Minister when he intends to collect his congressional gold medal; and if he will make a statement. [197205]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 18 May 2004, Official Report, column 878W.

To ask the Prime Minister to what proportion of next of kin of armed forces personnel killed in Iraq he has written condolence letters. [195892]

During the Iraq conflict, the policy on official governmental letters of condolence was reviewed in consultation with single Service Chiefs of Staff. I announced my intention to write to the next of kin of all those Service personnel who were killed in action on operations.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he held with President Bush on the timing of war with Iraq during his visit to the US commencing on 7 September 2002. [195893]

I regularly have discussions on a wide range of issues with President Bush including on Iraq. As with previous Administrations, it is not the practice of this Government to make public details of discussions with foreign governments.

To ask the Prime Minister when he last held discussions with the UN Secretary-General regarding Iraq. [196001]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson) and my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith) on 25 October 2004, Official Report, column 1025W.

To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2004, Official Report, column 1257W, on Iraq, when he was first informed by British military commanders of the request they had received from the US military for the re-deployment of British troops. [196038]

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Hoon) on 18 October 2004, Official Report, column 625–26.

To ask the Prime Minister when he last discussed with Coalition allies ways of minimising civilian casualties in the course of military operations in Iraq. [196292]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave the hon. Member for Newry and Armagh (Mr. Mallon) Official Report, columns 301 and my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) at Prime Minister's Questions on 3 November 2004, and 305–06.

To ask the Prime Minister when he last held discussions with President Bush. [196000]

I refer the hon. Member to my statement of 3 November 2004 which is available on the No. 10 website.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to revise chapter 9 of the regional planning guidance in light of the Barker review; and if he will make a statement. [195165]

The Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, has only recently published in July this year a revised Chapter 9 of Regional Planning Guidance for the South-East (RPG9). The South East England Regional Assembly is currently in the process of reviewing the spatial strategy set out in RPG9 with a view to submitting a draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the South-East to the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, in the summer of 2005. The Government have already highlighted to the Assembly the expectation that in their review the Assembly takes into account key messages emerging from the Barker review.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the responses to the consultation on a separate use class order for casinos from each of the planning authorities in Tyne and Wear. [196362]

After the second report of the Joint Scrutiny Committee, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister undertook to review the possibility of a change to the classification of casinos and invited comments by the end of October. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister did not receive any comments from planning authorities in Tyne and Wear.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average length of continuous service for civil servants within the Department is. [194397]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton West (Ruth Kelly) on 3 November 2004, Official Report, column 268W. The only part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which are not MANDATE reliant are the Fire Service College where the average length of service is 6.5 years and the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre where it is 5.38 years.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to review the funding under the decent homes standard for local authorities whose tenants choose to remain owned and managed by the local authority. [195705]

The Government is not looking at any other options for delivering additional resources beyond the existing three options. The existing options of Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMO), Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) and transfer are proving highly successful and there is no need to create alternative options. There is not and will not be a 'fourth option' for additional funds, and the Deputy Prime Minister has recently written to all leaders of councils of stock owning local authorities to make this clear.

However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is always looking at ways of improving how housing finance works, for example, this year has seen greater freedoms introduced by prudential borrowing and increased Management and Maintenance allowances above inflation.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of the Department's (a) implemented and (b) planned computer systems use open source software; and what plans are in place to raise this level. [195667]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not have statistics on the use of open source software, but to date it is very limited. We follow established Government policy, which is to consider open source software options alongside proprietary ones in IT procurements on a level playing field basis, and award contracts on a value for money, case-by-case basis. The policy can be viewed at www.govtalk.gov.uk.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what decisions he has taken in relation to a regional fire control centre for the South West. [195268]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently running a competitive procurement for fire and rescue regional control centres under the EU Restricted Services Directive, (OJEU Notice 2004/S 78–066658). Submitted sites have been evaluated against criteria such as accessibility (to both people and services), demographics, vulnerability to threats such as flooding, and suitability for development. A shortlist of three bidders has been selected for the South West region and tenders invited from them. The final decisions on locations are expected early next year.

During the procurement process we are unable to release any information on the tenderers and their proposals to anyone who is not directly involved in the process.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what pieces of primary legislation Government Offices for the regions are able to use to implement their work. [194336]

The Government Offices for the Regions (GOs) carry out activities on behalf of 10 Government Departments. A list of all the primary legislation relied upon by those Departments in carrying out their functions through the GOs is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the responsibilities of the Government Offices for the Regions (a) were in 1997 and (b) are now. [194337]

In 1997 the responsibilities of the Government Offices for the Regions (GOs) included work for four Government Departments: Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education and Employment, Department of the Environment, and Department of Transport.

Since 1997, the GOs have been given more responsibilities and they now carry out work on behalf of 10 Government Departments. Their current responsibilities are set out in the Regional Co-ordination Unit and Government Office Network Corporate Plan 2004–05. A copy of this has been available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what additional regulatory powers Government Offices for the Regions have gained since 1997. [194439]

The Government Offices for the Regions (GOs) are part of the central Government Departments for whom they carry out activities but are based in the regions. A regulatory impact assessment is required for powers which impact on business, charities or the voluntary sector (and from April 2004 a public sector impact test), and on which Departments rely in carrying out their functions through the GOs. A list of those powers is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate the 1996 English House Condition Survey made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of houses in multiple occupation that have three or more storeys. [196986]

None. A detailed analysis of the 1996 survey data could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to publish an analysis of houses in multiple occupation in the private rented sector from the information contained in the 2001 English House Condition Survey. [196990]

The most robust figures that can be provided are published in Table 2.2 on page 33 of the English House Condition Survey 2001 main report, a copy of which is tabled as follows. The size of the survey sample of houses in multiple occupation precludes any detailed breakdown by tenure.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects that the majority of bedsits and shared houses will be in the private rented sector, and households with lodgers will be owner-occupied. The survey indicates that in the order of 45 per cent. of self-contained converted flats are private rented.

Table 2.2: Dwellings, buildings, accommodation units, households and people in main HMO categories, 2001

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister

(1) what the average cost to a planning department of processing a planning application was in each of the last three years; and what the average costs were for applications processed by Birmingham city council; [196222]

(2) how many planning applications were resubmitted (a) to planning departments in England and (b) to Birmingham city council planning department in each of the last three years; [196223]

(3) what the average number of hours needed by planning officers to process a planning application was (a) in England and (b) in Birmingham city council in each of the last three years; [196224]

(4) what percentage of planning applications that were resubmitted were from (a) private individuals and (b) property developers in each of the last three years; [196226]

(5) what the average fee charged by planning departments to process a planning application was to (a) private individuals and (b) property developers in each of the last three years. [196227]

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average fee charged for submitting a planning application was (a) in England and (b) in Birmingham city council in each of the last three years. [196225]

The information requested is tabled as follows.

⁽¹⁾ Reported receipts grossed for non-reporting councils; excluding fees for 'county matters' applications. Neither listed building consents nor conservation area consents attract fees.

⁽²⁾ Applications for planning permission, grossed for non-reporting councils. Statistics on total applications received are only collected, so consequently include listed building consents and conservation area consents.

⁽³⁾ Fees per application.

Note:

'County matters' applications and fees, covering mainly waste disposal and mineral extraction, have been excluded. These number only around 2,000 decisions annually for England as a whole.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of the closure of sub-post offices on regeneration strategies in neighbourhood renewal areas. [194443]

The June 2000 Performance and Innovation Unit report on modernising the Post Office network proposed a special fund be established to help sustain and improve post offices in deprived urban areas, in recognition of their important contribution to their communities. The £15 million Deprived Urban Post Office Fund was subsequently set up to support post offices at risk of closure in the most deprived areas.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions his Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry on the impact of closure of sub-post offices in neighbourhood renewal areas. [194444]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has worked closely involved with the Department of Trade and Industry in setting up the £15 million Deprived Urban Post Office Fund which supports sub-post offices at risk of closure in the most deprived areas.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Barker report on housing supply. [195162]

Kate Barker's proposals build on the approach adopted in the Communities Plan, launched by the Deputy Prime Minister in February 2003. Her analysis has reinforced the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's case and strategy for more growth. In particular, in their initial response to her report, my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer accepted Kate Barker's central recommendation that there should be a step change in housing supply. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to set a national market affordability goal as part of a package of measures to achieve this, by the end of 2005.

In addressing the specific suggestions in her report the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will adopt the same principles as set out in the Communities Plan. We want to create sustainable communities; thriving and vibrant places where people want to live and work, and which will stand the test of time. We retain a firm commitment to preserving the Green Belt and using higher densities to minimise the land take from new development. In the recent Spending Review, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer allocated funds which, with additional Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funding, aim to provide an extra 10,000 new homes for social let annually. The Spending Review also provides the resources that will help deliver the 200,000 new homes identified in the Sustainable Communities Plan in Thames Gateway and the other growth areas by 2016 and go further by responding to new proposals for growth.

New housing must be supported by public services (schools, hospitals, transport, water and power supply) as they grow. Departments are working together to ensure this. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has made a start through the spending review in creating a Community Infrastructure Fund. An extra £50 million in 2006–07 and £150 million in 2007–08 will be available to finance transport projects needed to sustain housing growth.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently consulting on proposals to strengthen regional integration by bringing together regional planning bodies and regional housing boards. This will help to ensure that regional housing strategies are better integrated with Regional Spatial Strategies in line with other regional strategies such as the regional economic strategy. This consultation also covers the arrangements to be put in place to provide the new regional bodies with independent advice on housing need and market assessments and on how to interpret the Government's affordability goal at regional level.

The Barker Review also made a number of recommendations for changes to the way in which land is allocated and released for housing development. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will consult widely with key interests on specific proposals made by Barker and intend to produce a draft consultation on revisions to Planning Policy Guidance 3—Housing, during 2005.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also committed to considering the Barker Review's proposals for the introduction of a Planning Gain Supplement to capture increase in land values arising from development for the provision of infrastructure, and to come to a decision by the end of 2005.

Government alone will not be able to deliver the growth required. House builders and developers must respond. Kate Barker laid down specific challenges to the house building industry to improve productivity, design and customer satisfaction. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister looks forward to working with the industry to address these issues and achieve the extra growth required.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the likely impact of net immigration on housing demand in England over the next 20 years. [195163]

The Government estimates that net immigration contributes only a minority of household growth. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has prepared interim estimates of household growth over the period to 2031, using the 2002 Government Actuary's Department figures. These predict that household growth will average 189,000 between 2001 and 2021. We estimate that around one third—or around 60,000—households per year will be directly due to net immigration between 2001 and 2021. Fully updated 2003-based household projections will be published next year. The Government takes the impact of migration on our housing stock seriously and has recently amended social housing allocations policy following the enlargement of the European Union.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate the number of houses to be demolished in each of the Pathfinder areas of England. [195166]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 28 October 2004, Official Report, columns 1321–22W.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on the problems associated with the (a) geographical concentration and (b) accommodation of higher education students. [196859]

Earlier this year I discussed these issues at a meeting with my right. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Alan Johnson) at which universities UK (UUK) and the local government association (LGA) were present. As a result the Department for Education and Skills agreed to help fund a joint project between UUK and the LGA to establish some good practice in the provision of student accommodation in the community.

The study will look at existing schemes with the aim of identifying best practice in managing student accommodation. A specification for the project has now been agreed and UUK are currently in the process of seeking suitable parties to undertake the research. The aim is to have completed the research and to have produced a good practice guide by Spring 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department has taken to investigate the activities of Better Health Global Ltd. and the BHG group of companies; and if she will make a statement. [195678]

holding answer 2 November 2004

Winding-up orders have been made against three companies, part of the BHG group of companies; Betterhealth Global Ltd., Betterhealth International Ltd. and Self-Pay (International) Ltd. The winding-up orders were obtained on 23 June 2004 on the petition of companies' bankers.

The official receivers' investigation into the failure of the companies in liquidation is on-going.

With respect to other companies in the Betterhealth Global group, my Department does not comment on the affairs of live companies that are not the subject to insolvency proceedings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of the total losses incurred by investors and creditors as a result of the liquidation of Better Health Global Ltd. (BHG); what estimate has been made of the cost to the Department of grants to companies used to fund BHG; and if she will make a statement. [195679]

holding answer 2 November 2004

The estimated deficiency of assets over liabilities in the liquidation of Betterhealth Global Ltd. is £346,840.

The official receiver's investigation into the failure of the company is on-going and will include the question of how the company was funded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when her Department was first informed of alleged malpractice by the directors of Better Health Global Ltd., and the BHG group of companies; and if she will make a statement. [195680]

holding answer 2 November 2004

The official receiver was appointed liquidator of Betterhealth Global Ltd., Betterhealth International Ltd. and Self-Pay (International) Ltd. on the making of the winding-up orders on 23 June 2004, and the investigations into the causes of failure of each company are on-going.

With respect to other companies in the Betterhealth Global group, my Department does not comment on the affairs of live companies that are not the subject of insolvency proceedings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the official receiver (a) has taken and (b) is planning to take to investigate the circumstances surrounding the liquidation of Better Health Global Ltd.; and if she will make a statement. [195681]

holding answer 2 November 2004

The official receiver has interviewed the principle UK based director of Betterhealth Global Ltd.; the investigations into the causes of failure of the company are on-going.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received about alleged malpractice by the directors of Better Health Global Ltd. and the BHG group of companies; and if she will make a statement. [195682]

holding answer 2 November 2004

It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the affairs of BHG until the official receiver's investigations into the company's causes of failure have been completed.

With respect to other companies in the Betterhealth Global group, my Department does not comment on the affairs of live companies that are not the subject of insolvency proceedings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times during the Greek presidency of the EU (a) the Committee on implementation of the multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises and (b) the Committee on the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration on promotion of innovation and participation of small and medium-sized enterprises 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 each 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 each committee's recommendations; and if she will make a statement. [194352]

The Enterprise Programme Management Committee met once during the Greek presidency, at the European Commission in Brussels on 13 March 2003. Two members of the Small Business Service represented the UK. Article 14 of the Rules of Procedure states that the committee's discussions shall be kept confidential.

The Horizontal Configuration of the Programme Committee of the FP6 Specific Programme, "Integrating and Strengthening the European Research Area", which considers SME issues, met twice during the Greek presidency, at the Commission on 4 March and 21 May. A DTI official from the Office of Science and Technology represented the UK. Article 14 of the Rules of Procedure states that the committee's discussions shall be kept confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of prospective changes to the wholesale price of gas in the UK in the course of (a) 2005 and (b) 2006. [196025]

UK wholesale prices are linked indirectly to movements in oil prices. Markets in continental Europe are not fully competitive and gas prices are contractually linked to oil prices. The UK therefore imports the gas-oil link through the Bacton-Zeebrugge Interconnector. Expectations are that, in the short run, oil prices will remain relatively high.

Wholesale prices are also in part driven by uncertainty about potential tightness of supply as the UK makes the transition to becoming a net gas importer. There is, however, strong evidence that there are a number of infrastructure projects due to come on stream that will increase gas supply. These include the doubling of the import capacity of the Interconnector and three major LNG import terminals. The DTI and Ofgem Joint Energy Security of Supply Group monitors the situation and provides information to ensure the market is aware of developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) what proportion of the revenues accrued to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in its first operational year are earmarked to come from income generated from (a) Thorp and (b) the Sellafield Mox Plant; [196421]

(2) pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Portsmouth South (Mr. Hancock) of 14 September 2004, Official Report, columns 1536–37W, on Mox Plant (Sellafield), for what reasons the details of (a) the Sellafield Mox Plant annual revenues and (b) SMP profits are classified as commercially confidential. [196459]

Details of the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) and the Sellafield MOX Plant (SMP) annual revenues and profits are classified as commercially confidential, as they relate to future income which if divulged could lead to improper gain or advantage by BNFL's competitors and customers.

The Government recognise that, while THORP and SMP are operational, there will be interest in how the plants perform. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's (NDA) annual report and accounts will therefore include information, consistent with the requirements of commercial confidentiality, on the financial and operational performances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) what steps she will take to provide alternative services following the closure of Crown post offices in city centres; [195932]

(2) if she will make a statement on the closure of Crown post offices by Royal Mail. [195933]

holding answer 4 November 2004

Decisions on individual closures and conversions are operational and commercial matters for Post Office Ltd. The company has no plans for the large scale closure of directly managed post offices and anticipates that fewer than five directly managed branches will close in 2005–06. Post Office Ltd.'s policy is to maintain a core network of directly managed post offices while continuing to drive efficiencies, with the aim of making the business commercially viable. This strategy includes the conversion of some individual directly managed offices to franchise or agency status where suitable opportunities arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to allocate further funding to support the development of renewable energy. [195935]

holding answer 4 November 2004

The Government have announced that they have allocated in total over £500 million in support for research and development and demonstration projects for longer term renewables and low carbon energy generation technologies, over the period from 2002 to 2008.

This includes the additional funding announced in the 2004 Spending Review during the summer. We are currently considering how this additional funding will be allocated between the different renewables technologies.

In addition, the Renewables Obligation, taken together with the exemption from the climate change levy for renewable electricity, is estimated to provide support for renewables of around £l billion a year by 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many reports were completed by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) in the last financial year; and in how many cases contact between children and the father was absent at the commencement of proceedings and then re-established following the intervention of CAFCASS staff. [194222]

CAFCASS completed 33,803 reports in the last financial year. CAFCASS does not record the number of cases where contact between children and their father was absent. However, a one-off survey of 300 families (carried out by the National Association of Probation Officers in the summer of 2002) reported that prior to commencement of CAFCASS involvement, there was no contact with the non-resident parent in 42 per cent. of cases; following the completion of CAFCASS work, only 6 per cent. of non-resident parents remained without contact. The information in the survey was non gender specific.

A survey conducted by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) asked a sample of resident and a sample of non-resident parents about the contact arrangements with their children following relationship breakdown. Results for the non-resident parent sample showed that 78 per cent. of children whose parents had made informal contact arrangements had direct (face-to-face) contact with their non-resident fathers at least once a month. The resident parents sample reported that 61 per cent. of children had direct contact at least once a month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support is available for people who take responsibility for grandchildren who would otherwise be in care; and if he will increase this support. [195609]

Anyone caring for a child under 16 is entitled to claim child benefit and to apply for child tax credits (CTC) subject to the usual eligibility criteria. Where a child is orphaned or one parent has died and the other is missing, the carer may also be entitled to claim guardian's allowance.

Local authorities are also empowered to assist with the care of children and young people under the Children Act 1989. Where the local authority determines that a child is "in need" the authority may then provide services to meet those needs, or, in exceptional cases, provide financial assistance, under Section 17. Some local authorities also support families who have a Residence Order in respect of the child that they are looking after. This type of allowance is generally a contribution towards the cost of accommodating and maintaining them. In both cases the services and payments are provided once an assessment of need has been carried out and are at the discretion of the local authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what duties (a) colleges and (b) schools have with respect to access for people with disabilities; and what assessment he has made of the progress of (i) colleges and (ii) schools in complying with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [195280]

The SEN and Disability Act (SENDA) 2001 amended Part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 to bring access to education within the remit of the Act. From September 2002 it has been unlawful for schools and institutions providing post-16 education to discriminate against disabled pupils or students for a reason relating to their disability, without justification. Both have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled pupils and students are not put at a substantial disadvantage in comparison to those who are not disabled. For schools this does not include the provision of auxiliary aids or services or making changes to physical features.

Schools are under a duty to plan strategically to increase access over time. This duty includes planning to increase access to school premises, to the curriculum and providing written material in alternative formats to ensure accessibility. In the first planning period, 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2006, some £300 million is being made available to local education authorities in England through the Schools Access Initiative for projects to improve the accessibility of mainstream schools to disabled pupils.

Post-16 institutions have been required to make reasonable adjustments, including the provision of auxiliary aids and services, since September 2003; and from September 2005 they will also have a duty to make changes to physical features. Since 2002, £180 million has been allocated to help colleges of further education and local education authority adult education provision in England, become accessible.The duties not to discriminate apply to responsible bodies in England, Wales and Scotland. The planning duty applies in England and Wales only. The Scottish Parliament has legislated separately to introduce a similar duty in Scotland.

The Secretary of State asked the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) to report on the progress being made by schools in England in implementing the duties they acquired under SENDA and their report "Special educational needs and disability: towards inclusive schools" was published last month. Ofsted will continue to monitor the disability duties as part of their on-going inspections of schools.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) requires all colleges of further education in England to comply with the requirements of the DDA. The LSC's Annual Equality and Diversity Report for 2002–03 includes an assessment of overall progress towards compliance.

The DDA requires schools and post-16 institutions as employers not to unjustifiably discriminate against current or prospective employees with disabilities, or those who have had disabilities in the past, and as service providers not to unjustifiably discriminate against disabled people, where they provide non-educational services. More details about these duties may be found at the Disability Rights Commission's website: www.drc-gb.org.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost of the education maintenance allowance (a) has been in 2004 and (b) is expected to be in 2004, broken down into (i) total value of allowance awarded, (ii) administration costs and (iii) other costs. [194070]

The amount already spent on EMA this year is £64 million. The estimated cost this year for EMA is £275 million which is broken down as follows: payments to young people £232.6 million, administration costs £37 million and other costs of £5.2 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills

(1) if he will review the payment regime for foster carers; [195082]

(2) if he will apply the national minimum wage rules to foster carers. [195083]

The Secretary of State has tabled amendments to the Children Bill which would enable regulations to be made prescribing a national minimum allowance to be paid to foster carers in England and Wales.

We propose to work closely with local authorities over the next couple of years to try and find ways of simplifying and making more transparent the payment structures which they have in place. We shall be monitoring progress very closely and this amendment gives us the power to prescribe a national minimum allowance if that is considered appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to assist local authorities in recruiting younger couples into the fostering profession. [195085]

The Green Paper, 'Every Child Matters' explicitly encourages more people to consider fostering, including groups such as single people, older people, unmarried couples and lone parents who may not realise they are eligible. In February this year we produced a Fostering Publicity Pack designed to help local authorities to run targeted local campaigns to recruit new foster carers for looked after children. We have also awarded a 3-year grant of £180,000 to the Fostering Network to support Foster Care Fortnight, which has a particular focus on recruitment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the purpose was of the action against Frontline Technologies Limited (European patent UK MO 0 664 061); what the cost to the Government was of the case; how much of this was borne by the Department; and what the outcome of the case was. [190292R]

holding answer 15 October 2004

My Department issued proceedings against Frontline Technology Limited to challenge the validity of European Patent UK MO 0 664 061 which covers the process of exchanging student data over a wireless network using portable computers and transceivers in an educational environment. The patent encompasses a wide range of school activity including, for example, wireless electronic pupil registration and attendance management systems.

These proceedings were primarily brought because the patent restricted schools' access to a full range of technology. Additionally, my Department assessed the potential additional costs to schools for licence fees, based on Frontline Technology's published terms and scale of charges, to be substantial over the life of the patent to 2013.

The costs of the litigation are subject to negotiation between the parties and in the circumstances it would not be appropriate to cite a figure for those costs. However, the litigation costs incurred to date are a fraction of the potential cost that schools could have incurred by way of licence fees.

The written judgment of the patent court (Deputy Judge David Young) was handed down on 17 June 2004. My Department substantially won its case thus giving greater freedom to schools to buy wireless products and services of their choice, reducing costs for schools and stimulating the wireless technology market through greater competition. Frontline Technology Limited has applied to amend its patent by way of a statutory procedure. My Department is challenging the scope of the proposed amendment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Government have to abolish the Child Protection Register; and on what time scale. [195337]

The Government made it clear, in "Keeping Children Safe: The Government's response to the Victoria Climbié Inquiry Report and Joint Chief Inspectors' Report Safeguarding Children", that in the short to medium term, the training materials commissioned to accompany the booklet "What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused" would include a section on child protection registers. In the longer term, as the Integrated Children's System becomes widely used, it will allow staff to identify those children who, for example, have been the subject of inquiries into whether they are at risk of suffering, or have suffered, significant harm, have been the subject of a child protection conference, or are the subject of a child protection plan. The child protection register will therefore no longer be necessary. It can then be discontinued as a separate register at a date to be agreed when the Integrated Children's System has been fully introduced across England and Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason the right hon. Member for Barking (Margaret Hodge) will not meet Mr. T. Perry, a constituent of the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham. [195804]

Heavy diary commitments do not allow the right hon. Member for Barking to meet with Mr. Perry. However Mr. Perry has had lengthy telephone conversations with departmental officials and has received detailed replies to his correspondence, if Mr. Perry wishes to write a further letter to the right hon. Member for Barking, he will be assured of a reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will break down by type of special educational need pupils with special educational needs who were excluded from schools in 2002–03. [194762]

The requested information is not currently available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the latest available figure is for the average period that a pupil at each key stage spends in a pupil referral unit. [194766]

The requested information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were in residential care in (a) England and (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire in each of the last two years. [194960]

The information requested is given in the table.

Children looked after in residential placements at 31 March 2002 and 2003

Notes:

1. Figures have been taken from the CLA100 return.

2. Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.

3. Residential placements include secure units, children's homes and hostels, and residential schools.

4. National figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Local authority figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to encourage local authorities and the police to name young people convicted of offences under antisocial behaviour legislation; and if he will make a statement. [191965]

The identity of any young person who commits a criminal offence is protected by automatic reporting restrictions under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.

Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) are civil orders rather than criminal penalties and are not subject to the same restrictions. Full details of the order, including the name and address of the perpetrator, can be publicised. However, the breach of an ASBO is a criminal offence, which means the identity of the youth is protected; we will be taking steps to change this.

In our Strategic Plan, published in July this year, we made a commitment to look into ending anonymity for people under 18 who breach the conditions of their ASBOs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum this year have been unsuccessful; and how many unsuccessful applicants have been deported. [191449]

26,360 initial decisions were made between January and June 2004, the latest date for which figures are available. Of these, 890 were granted asylum, 80 were granted Humanitarian Protection, 2,085 were granted Discretionary Leave and 23,305 were refusals.

32,370 appeals were determined by adjudicators between January and June 2004, the latest date for which figures are available. Of these, 6,755 were allowed, 24,875 were dismissed and the remainder were withdrawn or abandoned. Appeals do not necessarily relate to initial decisions made during January and June 2004.

6,450 principal asylum applicants were removed from the UK between January and June 2004, 7,810 including dependants. This includes people who have departed "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them and those leaving under the Assisted Voluntary Returns Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration. Removals do not necessarily relate to initial decision or appeal determinations made during January and June 2004.

Information on initial decisions, appeals and removals are published on a quarterly and annual basis. The next publication covering the third quarter of 2004 (July to September) will be available on 16 November on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances asylum seekers are required to attend in person their appeal decision. [196622]

I have been asked to reply.

There are currently no circumstances in which the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) requires asylum seekers to attend the giving of their appeal decision in person.

Appeals against immigration decisions taken by the Secretary of State for the Home Department are made to the IAA. The procedures of the IAA are governed by The Asylum and Immigration (Procedure) Rules 2003 which contain provisions for the tribunal to serve a written determination upon every party and any representative acting for a party.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department

(1) when he will reply to the letter to him dated 14 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Hanaf Attita; [195517]

(2) when he will reply to the letter to him dated 22 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester,Gorton, with regard to Mrs. R. Faiz; [195518]

(3) when he will reply to the letter to him dated 14 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. A. Hussain, transferred to him by the Attorney General; [195520]

(4) when he will answer the letter to him dated 14 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester Gorton with regard to Mr. Arshad Hussain. [196116]

I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 4 November 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were charged with crimes in each year since 1995, broken down by (a) gender, (b) age and (c) type of offence. [190789]

Statistics of defendants charged with crimes are not collected centrally. The table, which has been placed in the Library, however, gives the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts by gender, age and offence type for England and Wales 1995 to 2002.

Statistics for 2003 will be published in November.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the graffiti removal notice pilots. [191897]

The Government recognises that graffiti causes offence to communities and individuals, leads to the fear of crime and is criminal damage.

The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 sections 48 to 52 gave local authorities the powers in 12 pilot areas to issue graffiti removal notices to speed up the removal of graffiti and recover their costs on certain types of property. This can be applied to the owners of street furniture, statutory undertakers and educational establishments. The Home Office is currently conducting a consultation and associated RIA on the impact and associated costs of national roll-out of these powers. The consultation period finishes on 31 December 2004.

The 12 pilot areas have demonstrated that constructive partnerships between local authorities, statutory undertakers and the owners of street furniture have led to the rapid and efficient removal of graffiti. We have also seen local authorities, the telecommunication industry and local police sharing their knowledge to secure prosecutions against graffiti vandals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to cut the levels of illegal immigration to the UK. [191269]

We have already made significant progress in strengthening the UK's borders. The measures we have put in place have reduced by half the number of asylum claims and they also serve to prevent would-be illegal migrants from circumventing our immigration controls. The operation of juxtaposed control operations and deployment of detection equipment overseas impact directly on those attempting to enter the UK illegally, regardless of whether they intend to abuse our asylum system or to reside or work here without entitlement.

We are committed to maintaining robust pre and on entry controls to prevent illegal immigration into the United Kingdom and there are many strands of work currently being undertaken to ensure the integrity of UK border controls. These include:

Reflex, the multi-agency forum which brings together key law enforcement players including the Immigration Service, as well as relevant government Departments and the Security Services, under the chair of the National Crime Squad to tackle organised illegal immigration (including human smuggling and trafficking). We have trebled funding for Reflex to tackle organised immigration crime with 20 million each year over the next three years.

As part of a longer-term strategy, the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) manages an expanding network of Immigration Liaison Officers in key overseas posts who work closely with local law enforcement agencies to combat illegal migratory flows.

The deployment of New Detection Technology overseas.

The extension of Juxtaposed Controls, now including Calais, Coquelles, Paris and from the end of October Brussels to allow the admissibility of passengers to be determined prior to embarkation to the UK.

The ongoing deployment of our Airline Liaison Officer network overseas.

An informed and robust visa strategy.

Introduction of a criminal offence to arrive without a valid travel document.

Close working with other UK border agencies and European and International partners.

The measures we have already taken to control illegal immigration and unfounded asylum claims are subject to on-going review and we will continue to use and develop our initiatives, resources and response capabilities to allow us to focus on areas of potential abuse whilst expediting the clearance of bona fide passengers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether prior notification was received by his Department concerning the seizure of the Indymedia servers on 7 October. [194455]

holding answer 28 October 2004

I can confirm that the Home Office received no prior notification in relation to this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's consultation on money laundering and accountants' obligations to report money laundering. [191981]

On 4 August the Home Office issued an informal consultation paper seeking views on whether, and if so how, the law on the obligations of accountants to report money laundering needed to be changed to bring it into line with European law. This was in response to representations from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales which challenged the treatment of accountants, auditors and tax advisers under Part 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The consultation period ended on 30 September and around 40 responses have been received. The Home Office is giving full consideration to the responses, in consultation with other Departments. The Government have not reached a final view on whether the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Money Laundering Regulations 2003 need to be changed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought in the last 12 months against people who were suspected of destroying their travel documents. [195468]

Section 2 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Act 2004 makes it an offence, in certain circumstances, to fail to produce a travel document when applying for leave to enter. Between 22 September 2004, when this legislation was implemented, and 30 October 2004, 79 people have been charged. This may include people who are suspected of destroying their travel documents.

There have been 15 convictions in the same period. This figure is provided from locally collated management information and may be subject to change.

To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to the answer of 26 October 2004, Official Report, columns 1105–06W, whether the Attorney-General has sought the Prime Minister's view on the veracity of Iraqi declarations on weapons of mass destruction in the light of the evidence now available. [195390]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Government have taken to encourage individuals to take out private pensions. [196336]

The Government are very keen to encourage individuals to take out private pensions. We have introduced stakeholder pensions, a low charge, flexible and portable pension arrangement as an alternative option to personal pensions, which can be costly and inflexible.

Pensions also offer more generous tax treatment on pensions than on any other form of investment. In addition we want to encourage individuals to plan for their retirement. Clauses in the Pensions Bill will enable us to promote and facilitate financial planning for retirement as part of our wider Informed Choice agenda.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to tackle discrimination against disabled people in the workplace. [196337]

By extending the Disability Discrimination Act from 1 October this year, we have provided comprehensive protection against disability discrimination in employment. The employment provisions now cover an additional one million employers and seven million more jobs, and we will be undertaking a targeted publicity campaign to highlight to employers their duties under the Act. In addition, provisions in the draft Disability Discrimination Bill would extend the protection of the Act, including in employment, to more people with HIV, cancer and MS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent submissions he has received in relation to state retirement pensions from the National Pensioner's Convention; and if he will make a statement. [196339]

I received a copy of the National Pensioners Convention "Pensioners Manifesto" earlier this year. The Government shares its aims of securing dignity and fulfilment for both today's and future generations of pensioners.

My hon. Friend may also be interested to know my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State is due to meet Rodney Bickerstaff, president of the National Pensioners Convention on 15 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the Department's policies for reducing economic inactivity. [196340]

Between 1979 and 1997 the number of people receiving incapacity benefit trebled and had that trend continued there would be around 4 million people now on incapacity benefit instead of 2.7 million.

Almost all of those who move on to incapacity benefits want and expect to go back to work, and our reforms will give them the opportunity and full range of help needed to realise that goal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 1 November 2004, Official Report, column 113W, on agency staff, how many agency temporary staff were working for his Department in its central headquarters buildings in as many of the last five years as may be calculated without incurring disproportionate cost. [196617]

None of the information requested could be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) deaths and (b) notified injuries there have been in the construction industry in each year since 1996. [195407]

The table shows fatal and total injuries in construction reported to HSE under the RIDDOR Regulations during the period 1996–97 to 2003–4¹ .

Injuries to workers in the construction industry— reported to all enforcing authorities 1996–97 to 2003–04 1

Injuries to members of the public in the construction industry— reported to all enforcing authorities 1996–97 to 2002–03

⁽⁴⁾ Provisional

⁽⁵⁾ Provisional non-fatal injury figures for 2003–04 will be available on 18 November 2004 following the publication of Health and Safety Statistics Highlights.

Note:

The construction industry is identified using Standard Industrial Classification 1992 Section F.

Injuries are reported and defined under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995. These include injuries to employees, self-employed people and members of the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are not claiming the council tax benefit to which they are entitled; and if he will make a statement. [196318]

Our most recent estimate, 2001–02, is that between 1.7 million and 2.3 million people who are entitled to council tax benefit are not receiving it.

Since then we have been working hard with local authorities to ensure that those people who are entitled to council tax benefit, get it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) households and (b) pensioner households claimed council tax benefit in England in (i) 1997 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available. [194687]

The available information is in the table.

Council tax benefit recipients in England

⁽⁶⁾ Not available.

Notes:

1. Data refers to benefit units which may be a single person, couple or family.

2. Figures at 1997 and 2003 are rounded to the nearest thousand. The figure for May 2004 is rounded the nearest hundred.

3. 1997 and 2003 figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.

4. Council tax benefit totals exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.

5. "Aged 60 and over" refers to cases where the claimant and/or partner is aged 60 or over.

6. May 2004 data includes estimates for any non-responding local authorities.

7. The latest figures available for recipients aged 60 or over are May 2003.

9. No figures on the number of recipients of council tax benefit have been produced since the introduction of pension credit.

Source:

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, Annual 1 per cent. sample, taken in May 1997 and 2003. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in May 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) areas, (b) groups and (c) services have been affected by the extension of rights under disability rights legislation since 1997. [196332]

Since 1997, this Government has significantly extended and improved rights for disabled people in employment, access to goods and services, education and transport. The Disability Discrimination Act now provides substantial protection against disability discrimination for around 10 million disabled adults and 700,000 disabled children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what impact the extension of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 on 1 October has had on disabled people's rights. [196338]

The improvements we made to the Disability Discrimination Act on 1 October this year extend the employment duties to a further 1 million employers and cover an additional 7 million jobs, including 600,000 in which disabled people already work. By requiring service providers to tackle physical barriers to disabled people accessing their services, they will also open up access to goods and services for the 10 million disabled adults and 700,000 disabled children covered by the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many times during the Greek presidency of the EU the Audit Board of the Administrative Commission on Social Security for Migrant Workers 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 he will make a statement. [196102]

I have been asked to reply.

The audit board of the administrative commission on social security for migrant workers met once during the Greek presidency, on 7–8 May 2003 in Brussels. Officials from the Department attended. The first day was a plenary session and the second devoted to a series of bilateral discussions.

The United Kingdom presented a paper setting out the average costs of treatment given by the national health service in the UK for the year 2000. A number of other member states also presented average cost papers. After analysis and discussion all were accepted by the audit board apart from that for France which was remitted to the next meeting for further explanations and study.

During the Greek presidency, the audit board considered matters concerning; improvement of the administration of, and the then current position on, the payment of old claims between member states; questions concerning the revision of Regulation (EEC) no. 574/72 in the light of work then in progress to simplify and update Regulation (EEC) no 1408/71. The audit board also discussed several other more minor matters which required further deliberation at subsequent meetings or at the administrative commission.

UK officials had bilateral talks on 8 May 2003 with Austria, Belgium and Italy concerning reimbursements of mutual claims.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many additional Jobcentre Plus employees have been employed in the last two years; and what the projected increase over the next three years is for each existing or planned Jobcentre Plus office in North Wales. [190876]

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

Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated 8 November 2004

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning how many extra Jobcentre Plus employees have been employed in the last two years; and the projected increase over the next three years. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

When Jobcentre Plus was created in April 2002 the staff headcount for North Wales stood at 973.15 (whole time equivalent posts). In real terms, no extra staff have been employed since April 2002 in the two Jobcentre Plus Districts that cover North Wales. Whilst there has been some use of casual staff to meet short term business needs, there has been a year-on-year reduction in staffing levels, in order to meet strict head count targets, as shown in the table below.

Note:

The figures are expressed as whole time equivalent (WTE) posts.

For the current year, we are working towards a head count target of 841.12 (WTE posts), by March 2005. Head count targets for the coming three years have yet to be finalised.

These reductions in staffing levels must be seen against the background of a significant investment in the modernisation of our office network and IT infrastructure, which will enable us to operate more efficiently, releasing more of our staff for customer facing roles. Improved services and efficient ways of working mean that, overall, we will need fewer staff to meet our targets and to deliver to our customers.

I hope this is helpful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on backlogs in local pension offices. [196341]

The current Pension Service workloads are within the normal parameters for intake and clearance and are closely monitored at a local level ensuring a consistent service is provided nationally. Where there are problems at individual pension centres, action is taken to remedy this as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

(1) how many and what percentage of calls made to the Pension Service in each month since January (a) were answered, (b) were abandoned and (c) received an engaged tone; [193926]

(2) how many calls were made to the pension credit application line in each month since July; and how many and what percentage of calls (a) were answered within 30 seconds, (b) received an engaged tone or recorded message that all agents are busy and (c) were abandoned. [193988]

The information is given in tables 1 and 2 as follows. The figures are comparable with private sector norms of 90 per cent. of calls answered and 80 per cent. answered within 20 seconds. The pension credit application line, in particular, aims to answer 95 per cent. of calls and has achieved that standard for the period since it became operational.

Table 1: Calls to the Pension Service, January-August 2004