To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many written questions tabled in the last parliamentary session his Department had been unable to provide a substantive answer before the end of the session. [199657]

The Department for International Development (DFID) makes every effort to answer all questions substantively before Prorogation, however, this is not always possible. Where this was the case, hon. Members were issued with a response that followed parliamentary guidelines to notify them of this. Where hon. Members did not receive a substantive response they have the option to re-table the question in this session.

During the last Parliamentary Session of 2003–04; there were 2,296 written parliamentary questions tabled to DFID, of which, 13 questions could not be answered substantively in the time available before Prorogation.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made on each of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG) on the basis of existing funding levels; and when each MDG will be met (a) including China and (b) excluding China. [199599]

The latest edition of DFID's annual publication 'Statistics in International Development' which is available in the House of Commons Library, summarises progress towards the MDGs. Globally, progress has been most noticeable in reducing income poverty and that the goal of promoting gender equality has also seen notable improvement. The water and sanitation targets for MDG 7 have also moved in the right direction. The prospects are less good for the goals related to universal primary education, improving child and maternal health and combatting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, though some countries have seen substantial improvements in these areas, showing what can be done with the right policies and targeted resources. Goal 8 highlights action required by developed countries and progress is being made, although further effort is still needed.

The UK has recently completed a report which sets out its own contributions towards meeting the MDGs, this will be published early in 2005.

The UN has recently produced a chart showing progress towards selected indicators related to the MDGs by region. Although this represents the most thorough assessment currently available, it does not provide an analysis excluding China. The most recent UN progress report on the Millennium Development goals (October 2004) can be accessed via http://millenniumindicators.un.org.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's policy is on instituting sector budget support for water and sanitation in cases where main partner governments do not prioritise water and sanitation in their poverty reduction strategies; and if he will make a statement. [200113]

In our dialogue with our partner governments, we regularly discuss the priority placed on water and sanitation in their poverty reduction strategies.

Whether DFID will consider, along with other donors, to provide sector budget support in a particular country will depend on the specific situation in that country.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office

(1) if she will make a statement on the anti-war demonstration held inside the Cabinet Office on 23 November; how many demonstrators entered the building; at what time they (a) entered and (b) were removed; and what security status was in force at the time; [200265]

(2) what period of time elapsed before the intruders in the Cabinet Office on 23 November were challenged. [200266]

On Tuesday 23 November at approximately 1.15 pm a security officer stopped a member of the public who was attempting to enter the Cabinet Office at 70 Whitehall without a pass. While the officer was dealing with this person, who was agitated, three further persons were able to gain entry. These individuals gained access to an office inside the building where they were, within a few minutes, stopped and challenged by security guards who had pursued them. The police were called, and they arrested, and removed all four protestors from the building at 1.30 pm.

The security status at the time was black special.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether identity passes are required to be worn within the Cabinet Office building. [200267]

Yes.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list meetings he has attended with representatives of casino operators from outside the UK in the last 12 months, broken down by (a) location and (b) purpose; and if he will make a statement. [200372]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 10 November 2004, Official Report, columns 691–92W.

To ask the Prime Minister

(1) if he will make a statement on his recent discussions in Washington with President Bush on climate change; and what progress was made; [200692]

(2) if he will make an assessment of the degree to which (a) President Bush and (b) the US Administration believe that climate change is happening. [200750]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, Southall (Mr. Khabra) at Prime Minister's questions on 17 November 2004, Official Report, column 1350.

To ask the Prime Minister whether (a) Ministers and (b) departmental officials briefed reporters for (i) The Sun and (ii) Daily Mail in respect of information used in articles published on 23 November on alleged terrorist plots to attack targets at Heathrow and Canary Wharf in London. [199633]

All contacts with the media are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and Guidance on the Work of the Government Information Service.

To ask the Prime Minister whether his Office's .gov.uk websites comply with the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines adopted by the Government in 2001; and if he will make a statement. [199692]

Recent work on the Downing Street website was part of an on-going commitment to ensure that the website is fully compliant with World Wide Web Consortium's guidelines. Further work is planned to ensure that the entire site meets the highest possible standards of accessibility.

To ask the Prime Minister what reports he received during 2002 from the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. [200148]

Under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1051, the IAEA was tasked with submitting reports to the UN Security Council every six months on the status of its investigations into Iraq's nuclear weapons programmes. Reports were produced on 10 April 2002 and 16 October 2002 although there were no in-country inspection activities until November 2002 as a result of the refusal of the Iraqi Government to allow entry by the inspection teams. Following the resumption of inspections after UNSCR 1441 the IAEA presented an interim report on progress together with an interim assessment of Iraq's Declaration to the Security Council on 19 December 2002.

To ask the Prime Minister on what date he was made aware of the July 2003 withdrawal by the intelligence services of the reports on Iraq's weapons. [200037]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 21 July 2004, Official Report, column 285W.

To ask the Prime Minister when he read the final report of the Iraq Survey Group. [199662]

I read the report when it was published on 6 October 2004.

To ask the Prime Minister

(1) what discussions he has had with President Chirac on the Commission for Africa; [199598]

(2) what discussions he has had with President Chirac on the International Financing Facility. [199600]

I discussed a wide range of issues with President Chirac during the UK-France summit held in London on 18 November 2004, including the Commission for Africa and the International Financing Facility.

I also refer the hon. Member to the Communique and Declaration on Africa, which is available on the Foreign Office website, and to the press conference I held with President Chirac, which is available on the No. 10 website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the financial deficits for the financial year ended 31 March were for (a) the Peninsula strategic health authority, (b) Plymouth Primary Care Trust, (c) South Hams and West Devon Primary Care Trust, (d) Plymouth Hospital NHS Healthcare Trust and (e) Devon Partnership Trust; and what the anticipated financial deficit of each of them is in the year to 31 March 2005. [199728]

The information requested is shown in the table.

£000

The forecast outturn for 2004–05 is based on the latest information published by the South West Peninsula SHA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in ending mixed-sex wards in Hampshire; and if he will list hospital premises where inpatient accommodation does not comply with the standards set by his Department. [200271]

The Department has set three objectives to support the delivery of single-sex accommodation, designed to deliver single-sex sleeping accommodation, segregated bathroom and washing facilities and to safeguard the mentally ill. The objectives apply to all national health service organisations providing inpatient accommodation.

All inpatient hospital accommodation provided within Hampshire is fully compliant with the standards which we have set.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets his Department has set for nurse numbers in each of the next 10 years, expressed as a (a) headcount and (b) whole-time-equivalent figure. [199923]

The NHS Plan set a target for an extra 20,000 nurses by 2004, over a 1999 baseline, the Government's Manifesto made a further commitment for 20,000 nurses by 2005, over a 2000 baseline, and "Delivering the NHS Plan" set an expectation for increasing the qualified nursing workforce by 35,000 by 2008 over 2001 levels.

These targets and expectations are on a headcount basis, and all have been met and exceeded. The table shows the increases against the targets and expectations.

Sources:

Department of Health non-medical workforce census

Department of Health general and personal medical services statistics

There has been a further headcount increase of 10,000 between September 2003 and March 2004.

There are no additional targets for increasing the nursing workforce, though we expect further annual increases. It is for local national health service organisations to determine the number of nurses needed locally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health

(1) if he will meet (a) the Chief Executive of Oxleas NHS Trust and (b) the hon. Member for Erith and Thamesmead to discuss the matters raised by the hon. Member for Erith and Thamesmead in his letter of 13 October; [199605]

(2) what discussions he has had with the (a) South East London Strategic Health Authority and (b) Private Finance Unit regarding Oxleas NHS Trust on the matters raised with him by the hon. Members for Erith and Thamesmead and Bexleyheath and Crayford (Mr. Nigel Beard) on 14 July. [199606]

Departmental officials have been in touch with South East London Strategic Health Authority about this matter.

I met with my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Thamesmead and the hon. Member for Bexley Heath and Crayford earlier in the year and wrote to both of them regarding Oxleas earlier this month. I have no immediate plans for a further meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget of the Peninsula Strategic Health Authority is for the current financial year. [199727]

The budget figure for the South West Peninsula Strategic Health Authority for the financial year 2004–05 is £4.563 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding attacks by anti-Ahmadiyya agitators upon Ahmadis in Bangladesh; what representations he (a) has made and (b) is making to the Government of Bangladesh regarding the protection of the Ahmadiyya community in Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement. [200436]

We have received many representations on this subject from interested NGOs,including the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK and hon. Members of this House. We share their concerns about attacks and organised incitement against the Ahmadiyya community. We have both bilaterally and together with EU colleagues, regularly raised issues of religious persecution and intolerance with the Bangladeshi authorities urging them to ensure that minorities, not least the Ahmadiyyas, are suitably protected, that every reported crime is promptly and fully investigated, that the perpetrators of crimes against religious minorities are brought to justice and that firm action is taken against incitement. We shall continue to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he (a) has made and (b) is making to the Government of Pakistan regarding the protection of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, particularly with regard to the blasphemy laws in that country; and if he will make a statement. [200437]

The British Government takes a serious and very concerned view of all cases of religious intolerance and persecution.

We have raised our concerns, bilaterally and together with our EU colleagues, about religious persecution and the blasphemy laws with the Pakistani Government on a number of occasions. The EU has called upon the Pakistani authorities to take all possible measures to reform the Blasphemy Laws; to strengthen institutional and legal safeguards while these laws remain in force; and to make the abuse of these laws an offence. The EU urged the Government of Pakistan to continue its efforts to bring the perpetrators of crimes against religious minorities to justice, and to ensure that every reported crime is promptly and fully investigated.

We will continue to monitor the situation in Pakistan and will make representations to the Pakistani Government when this is called for.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to tackle anti-semitic broadcasts from Middle East countries. [199741]

Her Majesty's Government deplores anti-semitism in any form. It is not our policy to seek to control broadcasts in other countries. But we look to all governments to promote the right to freedom of religion and the enjoyment of all human rights without distinction on the basis of race or religion. We engage closely with the Arab media in the UK and in the region, including funding for training programmes to help them improve standards. The EU tabled a resolution at this years UN Commission on Human Rights which urges all states, in conformity with international human rights standards, to take action to combat intolerance and intimidation based on religion or belief.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the effect anti-semitic broadcasts in Arab media have had on prospects for a resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict. [199742]

We deplore anti-semitism wherever it occurs, as we deplore racism and xenophobia in any form. We have consistently called on all parties in the Middle East to do everything within their power to desist from incitement and to curb extremism. We expect all media outlets to broadcast in a responsible and objective manner. We have not made any specific assessment of the effect anti-semitic broadcasts in the Arab media on prospects for a resolution of the Arab-Israel conflict.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the influence of Arab media on extremist Islamic movements in the UK. [199743]

The Arab media represents a wide spectrum of views, including those of modernisation and reform. We have not undertaken a measure of its impact. We expect all media outlets to broadcast in a responsible and objective manner. We engage closely with the Arab media in the UK and in the region, including funding for training programmes to help them improve standards. Where Arab media groups operate within the UK, they must operate within UK law. Possible offences of inciting racial hatred or violence under the Public Order Act can be referred to the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those areas of competence that will remain exclusive to the United Kingdom if the proposed EU Constitution is adopted. [199800]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) on 1 July 2004, Official Report, column 429W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effect of the coming into force of the European Constitution on the operation of his Department, with reference to (a) changes in legislative competence, (b) the extension of qualified majority voting, (c) the increased legislative role of the European Parliament, (d) the cost of implementation of regulations, (e) the requirements of adherence to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and (f) the quantity of legislation originating in the EU institutions. [200179]

Following the commitment made to Parliament by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 4 May 2004, Official Report, column 1456W, we are aiming to publish by the end of the year a comparative analysis of the EU Constitution with existing EU treaty provisions. This document will address points (a), (b) and (c). In addition, with regard to point (b), I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for New Forest East (Dr. Lewis) on 5 July 2004, Official Report, columns 592–93W which sets out moves from unanimity to QMV in the EU Constitution. With regard to point (e), I refer the hon. Member to the statement on the Charter of Fundamental Rights made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 9 September 2004, Official Report, columns 133–36WS. With regard to points (d) and (f), the EU Constitution will not in itself determine the quantity of EU legislation, or any costs associated with its implementation. The introduction of a rigorous subsidiarity mechanism involving national parliaments should provide a check on new legislation and help focus it better when it is necessary. For more detail on the subsidiarity mechanism and the Government's position on the treaty as a whole I refer the hon. Member to the White Paper on the treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe which the Foreign Secretary published on 9 September (Cm 6309).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which parts of the text of the Constitutional Treaty for the EU are additional to provisions contained in treaties already ratified; and in which treaties those parts of the text which do not introduce new provisions were originally contained. [200447]

Following the commitment made to Parliament by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 4 May 2004, Official Report, column 1456W, we are aiming to publish by the end of the year a comparative analysis of the EU Constitution with existing EU treaty provisions. This document will compare each article of the new treaty to the existing treaties, identify which provisions are new, highlight moves to QMV and co-decision and extension of competence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to how many written questions tabled in the last parliamentary Session his Department had been unable to provide a substantive answer before the end of the session. [199644]

Seven. Of the seven, five were tabled shortly before the end of the parliamentary Session.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Spanish authorities over (a) the remarks of the Spanish coach and (b) events at the matches during the recent international football matches in Spain. [199596]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with the Spanish authorities about the remarks of the Spanish football coach, but he discussed the incidents at the Spainv. England football match with his Spanish counterpart, Sr Miguel Angel Moratinos, the day after the game.

Sr Moratinos condemned the racist chanting that we witnessed that evening, and agreed that such behaviour cannot be tolerated anywhere in society. I spoke to my Spanish counterpart, Sr Navarro, the morning after the match along similar lines, and expressed our outrage at the chanting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

(1) if he will make a statement on his Department's efforts to open up the Vietnamese economy to (a) domestic and (b) international trade; [199563]

(2) if he will make a statement on his Department's plans to assist Vietnam in becoming a market-based economy. [199564]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Department for International Development (DfID) have adopted a joint approach to assist Vietnam in becoming a market-based economy, and in developing its domestic and international trade.

Key to this is a common position on Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), in particular an insistence on accession on terms that benefits all Vietnamese people, particularly its poor. The European Commission (which negotiates on behalf of EU member states on WTO accession) has been encouraged by the British Government to recognise, in the negotiation process, Vietnam's low income country status.

In terms of developing Vietnam's domestic economy, DFID is working with the World Bank to support reform of state-owned enterprises (SOE). Activities focus on the restructuring of three general corporations to reduce state direct investment, and encouraging the private sector to play a stronger role. This area of reform is crucial to free-up government resources for social service provision and poverty reduction. DFID further supported the revision of key investment and enterprise laws to create a level playing field for business, and to reduce state intervention in company decision-making and the allocation of resources.

In the longer term, DFID, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, is helping the Government of Vietnam to identify and develop policies to make the transition to a market-based economy work in favour of the poor, through improving their access to land and other natural resources, through increased opportunities for employment and income generation, and through linking up the domestic markets within which they supply labour to global markets, for example those that supply supermarkets. For further information on this intervention I refer my hon. Friend to the Making Markets Work Better for the Poor website: www.markets4poor.org.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints were lodged against building societies in the most recent period for which figures are available. [199592]

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not publish figures on complaints against individual firms.

The FOS's Annual Review 2003–04 indicated that it had resolved a total of 76,704 complaints in the year ending 31 March, 13 per cent. of which were concerning Banks and Building Societies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Economic Secretary will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 25 October (PO Ref: 5/10798/2004). [200324]

I have done so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 5 October (PO Ref: A/01567/2004). [200326]

I have done so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will commission research on the advantages and disadvantages of giving tax relief to cover the cost of private dental insurance for patients of dentists who have opted out of the NHS and where there is no alternative NHS dentist with an open list in the local primary care trust area. [200146]

The Government have no plans to commission research on tax relief for expenditure on private dental insurance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take if the EU Court of Auditors refuses to approve the EU accounts in its next annual report. [200304]

The Government are already discussing with the Commission and the European Court of Auditors how the annual Statement of Assurance may be improved to give a better assessment of progress. The Government also consider that it is important to continue to take an active role in promoting best practice in financial management and control in the Commission and in member states.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the UK's net contribution to the EU budget was over the last 10 years for which figures are available. [199813]

The UK's net contributions to the EC budget for the financial years 1994–95 to 2003–04 are set out as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what duty of care his Department has to ensure that the UK contribution to the EU budget is used for appropriate purposes. [200302]

The Treasury takes the lead in negotiating EC annual and multi-annual budgets, as well as agreeing funding for new spending programmes, in line with UK priorities. The Treasury also leads in monitoring and reviewing the implementation of effective financial controls in the Commission and in member states to enable the budget to be spent appropriately and in accordance with the rules.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of fraud in the use of the EU budget in (a) the last year, (b) the last five years and (c) the last 10 years. [199809]

Member States are required to report irregularities detected in the own resources, agriculture and structural funds budget sectors to the European Commission and the European Anti-Fraud Office. These figures are reported each year in the Commission's annual "Fight against Fraud" report. Reported irregularities may include suspected fraud cases, but the Commission does not identify the extent of fraud. Most irregularities are not fraud but genuine errors where the money paid out is usually recovered.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what questions his Department has put to (a) the European Commission and (b) the European Court of Auditors during the last year regarding the Commission's accounting practices. [199811]

Treasury officials have taken the opportunity to question the Commission on a quarterly basis at the Council's Budget Committee and on other occasions with particular reference to its progress with the implementation of new accounting procedures. They have been assured that progress is on target for the implementation of full accruals accounting with effect from January 2005. There has been no formal discussion with the European Court of Auditors on this issue.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has made, since August 2002, to (a) the European Commission and (b) the EU Court of Auditors to ensure that UK funds have not been used inappropriately by EU institutions. [199812]

Treasury officials played a major role in shaping the new Financial Regulation which now includes rules to govern the accountability of EU officials and requires the setting of "SMART" objectives (and the evaluation of their achievement) for all Community spending to ensure that the budget is spent appropriately. It also required the Commission to modernise its accounting practices. Officials continue to maintain close contact with the Commission and may assist in resolving specific UK issues. But while we maintain informal contact with the European Court of Auditors (ECA) on these issues, the ECA is prohibited under the treaty from taking instructions from any government.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has raised concerns about the rate of turnover in senior accounting staff in the European Commission in the last three years. [199808]

This is a matter for the European Commission.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his Department's policy to encourage the European Commission to adopt double-entry book-keeping. [199810]

Article 134 of the Financial Regulation, which came into effect on 1 January 2003, requires the European Commission to use double entry book keeping.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for the competitiveness of Eurozone countries of the strengthening of the euro against the US dollar. [199804]

Based on all relevant factors, the Government will publish on 2 December their assessment of macro-economic prospects for the euro area in the 2004 pre-Budget report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints were received by the Financial Ombudsman Service in the latest period for which figures are available; how many of those cases were investigated; and in what proportion of cases investigated the complaint was upheld. [199591]

In the financial year ending 31 March 2004, the Financial Ombudsman Service received a total of 97,901 cases and resolved 76,704 cases. This data and breakdown was published in June 2004 by the Financial Ombudsman Service in their annual review and report and financial statements, 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to increase the (a) powers and (b) penalties available to the Financial Services Ombudsman to deal with building societies who provide inadequate services to those seeking mortgages. [199593]

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 established the Financial Ombudsman Service as an independent organisation to help resolve individual disputes between consumers and financial firms.The Financial Ombudsman Service has no powers to impose penalties against financial firms. This role is fulfilled by the Financial Services Authority, which may impose sanctions on firms, including building societies, which breach its rules.

The Financial Services Authority assumed responsibility for regulating first charge mortgages, including advising and arranging on mortgages, on 31 October 2004.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many advertisements for the new regime for General Insurance Regulation were placed in the national press by the Financial Services Authority in each month of 2004. [199545]

The FSA ran two advertising campaigns advertising the new regime for General Insurance regulation in 2004. The first campaign, between late May and July, consisted of 15 advertisements in the national press and nine advertisements in selected trade press. The second campaign in October consisted of a total of 48 advertisements, in the national press.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the extent to which (a) the public and (b) banks and building societies have been made aware of the recent agreement negotiated by him for the release of sufficient assets of deceased individuals to pay inheritance tax on their estates in order to permit probate to be granted; and if he will make a statement on the steps taken to publicise that agreement. [200272]

The Direct Payment Scheme was introduced on 31 March 2003 in order to help streamline the process for paying inheritance tax. The Inland Revenue worked closely on the design with the British Bankers' Association (BBA) and the Building Societies' Association (BSA) to produce a straightforward process. The scheme allows participating financial institutions to transfer funds belonging to a deceased person directly to the Revenue and eliminates the need for administrators to obtain funds from outside the estate in order to secure probate.

Members of the BBA and the BSA were given details of the scheme before it was launched. It was announced by press release and on the Inland Revenue website. Everyone dealing with a deceased person's estate who will need to pay IHT liabilities is given full details of the scheme and how to use it in the guidance notes they receive with their IHT return form. Callers to the Probate and IHT help line are also given guidance on the scheme when discussing payment of IHT. Information on the scheme is still available on the Revenue website at; http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/howtopay/iht-direct-pay-scheme.htm.

Since the scheme was introduced there has been a steady increase in take up, with approximately 4,000 payments a year made through this route.

The Inland Revenue monitor the scheme closely and have invited feedback and have stayed in contact with the BBA and the BSA.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on taxation issues affecting the proposed International Cricket Conference Headquarters in London. [200363]

The Government have received a number of representations from a variety of organisations regarding taxation issues affecting International Sports Federations such as the International Cricket Council.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further steps he proposes to take to protect the financial interests of those applying for mortgages in the UK. [199590]

The Financial Services Authority assumed responsibility for regulating first charge mortgages, including advising and arranging on mortgages, on 31 October 2004. The FSA will review how the new regime is functioning in due course.

The Government intend to bring forward legislation to bring Home Reversion schemes under FSA regulation as soon the Parliamentary timetable allows.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to regulate shared appreciation mortgages. [200214]

The Financial Services Authority assumed responsibility for regulating first charge mortgages, including advising on and arranging such mortgages, on 31 October 2004. The regime incorporates shared appreciation mortgages.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to how many written questions tabled in the last parliamentary session his Department had been unable to provide a substantive answer before the end of the session. [199643]

One, which first appeared on the day before prorogation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue his Department has received from the duty paid on petrol and diesel oils in each of the last three years. [200314]

Historic petrol and diesel fuel duty revenue figures are published by HM Customs and Excise in the Hydrocarbon Oils Bulletin, a copy of which is available on the UK Trade information website (www.uktradeinfo.com).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many 16 and 17 year olds are not in employment, full-time education or training. [200159]

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

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Steve Webb dated 29 November 2004

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about employment. (200159)

The latest estimate from the Labour Force Survey is that, in the three months ending in September 2004, a total of 198,000 (seasonally adjusted) 16 and 17 years olds in the United Kingdom were not in employment (including Government training schemes) or in full-time education.

These estimates from the LFS, as with any statistical sample survey, are subject to sampling variability.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff there were in his Department in each year since 1997. [200185]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8 July 2004 to the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb), Official Report, column 811W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in the constituency of Weston-Super-Mare are in receipt of (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit. [199770]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply the Economic Secretary gave on 18 November 2004, Official Report, column 1712W to the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Paul Farrelly).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the letter of 26 August from a constituent of the hon. Member for Vale of York regarding child tax credit. [199835]

The hon. Member's letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions was passed to the Inland Revenue, who replied to the hon. Member on 17 November.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average length of time to process (a) a child tax credit and (b) a working tax credit application is. [199836]

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 18 November 2004, Official Report, Column 1510–1511W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the proportion of tobacco products consumed in the UK which had evaded duty through (a) smuggling and (b) fraud in each of the last five years. [199470]

HM Customs and Excise do not separately estimate the proportion of illicit tobacco products which evade duty through(a) smuggling and (b) fraud. However, the latest combined smuggling and fraud estimates, for cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco, are available in HM Customs and Excise's paper "Measuring and Tackling Indirect Tax Losses", published alongside the pre-Budget report in December 2003, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the European Commission to undertake a treasury audit. [200303]

The European Commission has no reason to audit the Treasury as it has no direct responsibility for the management of EC funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to maintain the regulation of (a) Varroasis and (b) European Foul Brood in beekeeping. [199527]

The Department has no plans to maintain a statutory enforcement role for the control of varroasis. Since the disease is now endemic we plan to remove it from the list of notifiable bee diseases in 2005.

In the case of European foul brood, we are working towards delisting this as a notifiable disease by the end of 2007–08. This will be subject to making satisfactory progress with trials of the 'shook swarm' technique, which the National Bee Unit is currently evaluating.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Environment Agency report auditing the refrigerator recycling scheme was published; and if she will make a statement. [199947]

The results of an audit of refrigerator and freezer treatment facilities have been discussed with the site operators and the Environment Agency expects to publish the key findings shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether her Department's .gov.uk websites comply with the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines adopted by the Government in 2001; and if she will make a statement. [199624]

Our main website complies with all of the Consortium's Priority 1 checkpoints, most of Priority 2 and some of Priority 3. The RNIB has undertaken an audit to assess accessibility of our main website. We will work with the RNIB to address the outstanding issues over the next six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has made to the Spanish authorities over (a) the remarks of the Spanish coach and (b) the actions of the crowd at the recent international football matches in Spain. [199595]

None. However, I wrote to the Spanish Minister of Sport last week about the incidents of racism at the England games in Spain last week. The Football Association has also written to the Spanish Football Association.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance she has given to (a) the Football Association and (b) the Kick It Out campaign over the issue of racism in football. [199597]

The Government fully supports the initiatives undertaken by football, including the campaign Kick it Out and the charity Show Racism the Red Card, to help eradicate racism in the sport. Through the Football Foundation, the Government (with its funding partners the FA and FA Premier League) provides £155,000 to the Kick it Out campaign, and £161,000 to Show Racism the Red Card.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Football Association on the sanctions available to (a) international referees, (b) participating teams and (c) international coaches or managers when faced with racism at international matches. [199601]

None. There is no place for racism in sport—nor in modern society and I believe the strongest action should be taken, at the highest level, to ensure its eradiation from the game. I have written to the UEFA and FIFA expressing these points and I await their reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether Gideon Hoffman is an employee of her Department; and if she will make a statement. [199726]

Gideon Hoffman is a permanent employee of Her Majesty's Treasury on loan to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of whether additional policing costs arise from the extension and late opening of premises for the sale of alcohol. [199879]

The reforms associated with the Licensing Act 2003 apply only to England and Wales. The regulatory impact assessment presented to Parliament when the Licensing Bill entered the House of Commons in March 2003 indicated that there should no additional costs to the police in terms of enforcing licensing law generated by the reforms. The reforms should however generate administrative savings for the police. The police are currently involved administratively in an average of 1.6 million licensing processes annually in England and Wales across the six existing licensing regimes that are merged into a single regime by the 2003 Act. The number of administrative processes in which the police are involved is expected to reduce to fewer than 200,000 annually once the Act becomes fully operational. The saving to the police in respect of administrative activity is estimated to be £45 million over a period of three years, which can be redeployed to frontline police work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many written questions tabled in the last parliamentary session her Department had been unable to provide a substantive answer before the end of the session. [199651]

Seven written questions did not receive a substantive answer at the end of the 2003–04 parliamentary session. Four of these questions were amongst 36 written questions tabled to DCMS in the week prior to prorogation.

At all times DCMS Ministers make every effort to answer written questions substantively before prorogation. However, this is not always possible. Where right honourable and hon. Members did not receive a substantive response it is open to them to re-table their question this session.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what controls are in place to ensure foreign satellite TV channels available in the UK are not broadcasting material which breaches UK laws on incitement to (a) racial hatred and (b) violence. [199744]

The regulation of such stations is principally a matter for their country of origin. Under the Television without Frontiers Directive, member states of the European Union are required to ensure that broadcasts do not contain any incitement to hatred on grounds of race, sex, religion or nationality. The Directive also provides that broadcasts from another member state which manifestly, seriously and gravely infringe that requirement can be restricted.

The Broadcasting Act 1990 provides a power for the Secretary of State to proscribe a foreign satellite TV service if it has been notified to her by Ofcom. Ofcom may notify a service on the grounds that it repeatedly broadcasts material which offends against good taste and decency, or which is likely to encourage or incite to crime or to lead to disorder or to be offensive to public feeling. This can include services which incite racial hatred or violence.

Proscription means that it is an offence for anyone in the United Kingdom to perform certain acts connected with the service, including advertising it, advertising on it, supplying decoding equipment designed or adapted to be used primarily for receiving it, and supplying equipment or other goods in connection with its operation. The Secretary of State may proscribe a foreign satellite TV service only if that is compatible with the international obligations of the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of girls' attitude to sport in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools. [199962]

There has been a number of previous reports over the years on the attitudes of young women towards sport. Sport England commissioned the University of Oxford to examine, systematically, UK published and unpublished qualitative research studies on children and adults' reasons for participation and non-participation in sport. They also reviewed attitudinal questions in recent UK published quantitative surveys on sport and physical activity. The report of this review "Understanding participation in sport and physical activity amongst children and adults" will be published in January 2005.

Some evidence from the draft report shows that school age girls do want to do sport and be physically active. There is also the need to offer them a choice of activities and on dress, as well as the ability to work in single sex groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the proportion of sports spending which benefits girls. [199961]

At present, we do not have specific figures on the proportion of sports spending which benefits girls. However, over the past 10 years, about £2 billion of Lottery funding has been invested in sport and physical activity, and it is an imperative that each initiative, programme or scheme must demonstrate how women and girls will be specifically addressed.

Sport England is responsible for delivering the Government's sporting objectives in England. It is committed to creating opportunities for people to start in sport, stay in sport and succeed in sport.

Specific posts aimed at girl and women sports development across England have been funded through Sport England's Active Communities Development Fund.

Awards for All, another of Sport England's funding programmes, has targeted specific girl and women only groups in order to increase their grassroots participation in sport.

The Sport Action Zones have specifically targeted women and girl issues in sport. In addition, Sport England established "Girl Sport"—a programme that addresses dropout rates in sport by girls.

The Women's Sports Foundation's main source of funding is from Sport England, receiving £200,000 a year. The WSF is the UK's leading organisation dedicated to improving and promoting opportunities for women and girls in sport and physical activity.

The Government is investing £459 million into the national strategy for PE and School Sport which aims to increase the percentage of school children in England who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum to 75 per cent. by 2006 and to 85 per cent. by 2008. This will have an impact on all children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions the (a) Chief and (b) Deputy Chief Executive of the Fisheries Conservancy Board carried out unassisted patrols in a FCB vessel in each of the last three years. [199859]

The Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive carried out no unassisted patrols in either 2002 or 2003. A total of nine unassisted patrols were carried out in 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prosecutions have been recommended by bailiffs of the Fisheries Conservancy Board in each of the last three years; and how many prosecutions have resulted. [199860]

The number of prosecutions recommended by Fisheries Conservation Officers of the Fisheries Conservancy Board, the number of prosecutions taken forward by the board, and the number of successful prosecutions in each of the last three years are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions a Fisheries Conservancy Board vessel has been in the sole control of the (a) chief and (b) deputy chief executive without the designated skipper in each of the last three years; and if he will publish the log report of each such patrol. [199888]

The chief executive and deputy chief executive have been in the sole control of a Fisheries Conservancy Board vessel on 10 occasions without the designated skipper. Both officers are qualified to skipper the board's north coast fisheries protection vessel.

The Fisheries Conservancy Board does not publish log reports that support its fisheries enforcement activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions the (a) chief and (b) deputy chief executive of the Fisheries Conservancy Board, accompanied by other FCB officials, carried out patrols on an FCB vessel in each of the last three years; and which areas were patrolled. [199889]

The chief executive and deputy chief executive did not carry out any patrols accompanied by other FCB officials in 2002 or 2003. These officers undertook five patrols of the north Antrim coast with other FCB officials in 2004. The deputy chief executive also undertook a further patrol of the north Antrim coast, and one patrol of Lough Neagh, accompanied by FCB officials other than the chief executive in 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make representations to the Government of the Irish Republic to change the title of the President of that country to a title which specifically excludes Northern Ireland. [200081]

The title of the said office is defined by the Irish Constitution and is therefore a matter for the Irish Government and people of the Republic of Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future development of the Larne-Belfast rail link. [199846]

There are no plans at this stage to invest further on the section of the Belfast to Larne line between Belfast and Bleach Green which is in good condition following recent upgrades. A project to relay the section of the line between Bleach Green to Whitehead has been approved by the Department and work is scheduled to commence in the spring of 2005 and be completed by December 2005. The remainder of the line from Whitehead to Larne forms part of the lesser used part of the railways network and I am currently considering future investment on these lines as part of the 2004 Spending Review taking account of the recent public consultation on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on how many occasions in each year since 2000 the lack of an MOT certificate has been detected, broken down by district command unit. [200912]

This information is not held in the format requested. These figures could only be compiled at disproportionate expense.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the Department of Health and Social Services does not provide the level of priority treatment for ex-servicemen and women provided elsewhere in the UK. [199552]

Guidance was issued by the Department of Social Security in 1972 on hospital treatment for ex-servicemen and women which applied to England, Wales and Scotland, but did not apply in Northern Ireland. No equivalent guidance has been issued in Northern Ireland, although boards and trusts here have been asked by the Department to ensure that a safe and effective service is provided and that patients are treated according to their clinical priority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in residential accommodation on a voluntary financing basis have been paid in full during the 12 week disregard period by each Health and Social Services Trust in Northern Ireland. [200353]

The information requested by the hon. Gentleman could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on how many occasions in each year since 2000 the non-display of vehicle tax discs has been detected, broken down by district command unit. [200911]

This information is not held in the format requested. These figures could only be compiled at disproportionate expense.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will rescind the decision to change the role of traffic wardens in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [200352]

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has taken the decision to withdraw from the enforcement of parking and waiting restrictions in order to concentrate resources on areas of greater policing priority.

As a result, the Roads Service of the Department for Regional Development, following public consultation in 2003, intends to introduce new primary legislation which will decriminalise parking offences and allow the responsibility for the enforcement of on-street parking restrictions to pass from the PSNI to DRD. It is expected that the legislation will be in place by mid-2005, with an operational scheme on the ground in mid-2006.

All existing Traffic Wardens and Senior Traffic Wardens will transfer with the function. Transfers will be in accordance with the provisions of the Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and Cabinet Office guidelines, which protect the rights of employees when a transfer of function occurs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

(1) what the (a) cost to the Department, (b) title and (c) location was of each training course organised by his Department for its staff in each financial year since 1997–98; [200388]

(2) what financial penalties were paid in each financial year since 1997–98 to training providers by the Department for training courses prepared for its staff which were subsequently cancelled at the Department's request. [200408]

The information sought by the hon. Member is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had on the military implications of the Galileo Project. [199370]

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security situation in Iraq. [199371]

The security situation in Iraq remains difficult with determined fanatics and terrorists opposing the building of a new, democratic, stable and secure Iraq. Iraqi security forces supported by the multinational force-Iraq, continue to conduct operations against this insurgency. The aim is to create the conditions within which Iraqi elections can take place in a safe and secure environment next January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposed new regimental structure for the Army. [199372]

The Army is restructuring in order to ensure it is better prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. The new structure will ensure that the Army is more resilient, robust and focused to deliver operations at brigade level while retaining its core ethos of being a war-fighting Army able to conduct large scale operations alongside our allies.

As part of this work the infantry will reorganise in order to accommodate both the ending of the arms plot and the consequence of reducing the number of infantry battalions by four. The decision to cease the arms plot means that the infantry must reorganise on the basis of regiments of two or more battalions. This is because in the future infantry battalions will be fixed by role and, largely, by location and it will be necessary to move individuals between battalions for experience, variety and development. Multi-battalion regiments will allow this movement, enabling us to deliver the real advantages of ending the arms plot in terms of operational capability and family stability, while still preserving the benefits and traditions of a regimental system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he expects the amalgamation of the Black Watch with other Scottish regiments to take place. [199374]

The infantry will need to reorganise on the basis of multi-battalion regiments. No decisions have been taken on exactly how this will be implemented within each infantry division, and the consequent impact on individual infantry battalions. Nor have any decisions been made on the timing of implementation of the changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to recognise the service of Arctic Convoy veterans. [199375]

As we approach the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War the whole House will I am sure agree that we owe all veterans, including those who served in the Arctic Convoys, our greatest respect and thanks for that service.

However and specifically, service on the convoys to Northern Russia during the Second World War has already been recognised by the award of the Atlantic Star. The qualifying criteria for the medal, are published in Command Paper 6633 in May 1945 and Command Paper 6833 in June 1946 and are indeed quite specific.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action the Ministry is taking with (a) EU and (b) NATO allies to combat the threat of international terrorism. [199377]

The Government are involved in a large number of counter terrorism initiatives with our EU and NATO partners, across the spectrum of civilian and military activity. The majority of these fall in areas which lie beyond the responsibilities of the Ministry of Defence. The issue is regularly discussed at all levels including in my own meetings with EU and NATO counterparts.

There is a significant role for armed forces in helping to tackle the underlying causes of terrorism through stabilisation and peace keeping operations. Both NATO and the EU are making a vital contribution to international peace and security through operations in countries where terrorism might flourish.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the single battalion regiments that are to be merged into two, three or more battalion regiments will retain their (a) old regiment names in some form, (b) individual uniforms, (c) traditions and (d) recruiting areas when downgraded into a battalion under the new regimental structure. [200014]

The Army is currently working on the detail of the future infantry structure and an announcement will be made before the Christmas Recess. Where possible, the history, traditions, and names of famous regiments will be incorporated into the new structure, and the linkages with traditional recruiting areas maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to promote British defence exports on the international market. [199369]

The Ministry of Defence provides a high standard of support to legitimate defence exports. The Defence Ministerial team plays a full part in this work. Last year we helped United Kingdom defence industry to win orders worth nearly £5 billion, including the sale of Hawk to India worth £800 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who appoints the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe. [200020]

NATO Allies have agreed that the post of Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe will be permanently filled by a United Kingdom incumbent. The appointment of the incumbent to the post is approved by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, and Her Majesty The Queen.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel were registered as entitled to vote (a) in 2001 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available. [199533]

Information is no longer held on the number of Service personnel registered to vote.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of his recent speech at the University of Nottingham. [199664]

I did not use a prepared text for my discussion with students at the University of Nottingham on 12 November 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry regarding the maintenance of a strategic capacity for naval shipbuilding in the UK. [199364]

Building on the solid base established by the Defence Industrial Policy we remain fully committed to maintaining a strategic capacity and capability for naval shipbuilding and ship repair in the United Kingdom. MOD and DTI officials and senior representatives from the shipbuilding industry have regular, positive and constructive meetings to discuss the current and future programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he and his ministerial colleagues have had with (a) the armed forces and (b) veterans on arrangements for commemorations of the 60th anniversary of VJ Day. [199373]

I announced on 27 September that there will be Government-supported ceremonies at the Cenotaph on Sunday 8 May to mark the 60th anniversary of VE Day and on Sunday 21 August to mark VJ Day. Both the Burma Star Association and the Royal British Legion have welcomed our support for these ceremonies, which are, of course, in addition to the events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War on 10 July next year which I announced the House on 1 March 2004.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will publish correspondence sent by Mr. Peter Ross to the Lord Chancellor's Department in January 2000, relating to Claims Direct. [199748]

Mr. Ross did write to the Lord Chancellor's Department in January 2000 about Claims Direct, however we regret that in spite of extensive searches of our departmental records we cannot locate the actual correspondence requested.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what meetings were held between 1997 and 2003 between representatives of Claims Direct and (a) the Lord Chancellor's Department and (b) the Department for Constitutional Affairs; and what was discussed at each such meeting. [199747]

The information available from our records is that officials attended meetings with representatives of Claims Direct on three occasions between 1999 and 2000 to discuss the implementation of the Access to Justice Act 1999 in respect of conditional fees and after the event insurance. Officials met with representatives of Claims Direct on one occasion in 2002 to discuss a number of matters relating to the operation of the personal injury market.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the Independent Appellate Authority will set a date for a hearing for Flordeliza Moody, the wife of a constituent of the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey. [199528]