To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make an assessment of the economic impact of the Single Farm Payment on the Exmoor National Park area. [199817]

An assessment of the economic impact of the Single Payment Scheme in England has been placed in the House of Commons' Library (and is available on the Defra website). Data are not available to enable an assessment to be made specifically of impacts within the National Park, but the report contains analysis relating to cattle and sheep farms in the Less Favoured Areas, which is the predominant farm type in National Parks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many foxes were killed during hunts in each of the last five years. [199780]

The Department does not maintain records of the numbers of foxes killed by hunting each year. However, Lord Burns' report estimates that between 21,000 and 25,000 foxes are killed by hunts each year, which accounts for around 6 per cent. of all fox deaths.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department last met representatives of the League Against Cruel Sports; and if she will make a statement. [199637]

Ministers meet a wide range of people in the course of their day-to-day business. The last meeting between a Defra Minister and representatives of the League Against Cruel Sports took place in August.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to 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. [199647]

Four of the 4,883 parliamentary questions tabled by MPs in the last Session did not receive a substantive answer before the end of the Session.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the details of the new set-aside rules. [200320]

We have already published many of the rules concerning set-aside that will apply under the Single Payment Scheme in 2005, including details about which farmers will have to set land aside under the new scheme, how these farmers should calculate the area of land they will need to set aside, and how set-aside entitlements must be used. Guidance about the management rules for set-aside, which will be very similar to the corresponding rules which formerly applied under the Arable Area Payments Scheme, will be published shortly.

To ask the Solicitor-General when she will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West dated 4 February. [200590]

A reply was sent on 5 April 2004. A duplicate copy of that letter has been sent to my hon. Friend on Monday 29 November 2004.

To ask the Solicitor-General what discussions the Attorney-General held with John Bellinger, senior associate counsel to President Bush and legal adviser to the National Security Council, during his visit to Washington in February 2003. [199763]

As made clear in paragraph 377 of the Report of the Butler Review of Intelligence on Weapons of Mass Destruction, in order to assist in reaching a concluded view on the proper interpretation of resolution 1441, in February 2003 the Attorney-General met members of the US Administration who, as co-sponsors of the resolution had detailed knowledge of its negotiation. These were confidential Government to Government discussions and their content is covered by legal professional privilege. The detail of the discussion is therefore exempt from disclosure under both paragraphs 1 and 4(d) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much it has cost to produce carrier bags branded with ODPM since 1997. [200631]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. Since then the Office has spent £790.00 on the production of 5,000 branded carrier bags at a cost of about 16p per bag.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his 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 he will make a statement. [199626]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's main website (www.odpm.gov.uk) and the info41ocal. gov.uk site follow the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content (W3C) Accessibility Guidelines Priority 2 Checkpoints.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures his Department is taking to encourage the installation of domestic greywater recycling systems in (a) new and (b) existing properties. [199430]

Water conservation, including the use of recycled water, is being considered in the current review of Part G, Hygiene, of the Building Regulations. This will provide guidance on how recycled water can be used in new buildings.

The use of recycled water in existing buildings is being appraised in integrated water management plans for growth areas including the Thames Gateway.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will issue guidance to local authorities in respect of provisions to address problems with high hedges contained in the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. [199903]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to issue guidance for local authorities at the same time as Regulations to bring Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 into force are laid before Parliament. We expect the complaints system to be fully operational early in 2005.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what representations the Electoral Commission is making to companies to encourage workers who live abroad to register to vote in British elections. [200086]

I am advised by the Electoral Commission that it is making no such representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notices have been issued for firework abuse since 14 September. [199712]

The latest provisional data shows that, between 1 October 2003 and 31 October 2004, 302 penalty notices for disorder have been issued by police forces in England and Wales for the offence of throwing fireworks. A further 10 penalty notices have been issued thus far for offences under the Fireworks Regulations 2004, which were implemented on 11 October 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will end the funding rule which results in police authorities facing financial penalties if they fail to maintain officer numbers. [199779]

The number of police officers in England and Wales reached a new record of 139,728 on 31 August 2004 and we are committed to maintaining these record numbers.

The major component in the rise in police numbers since March 2000 has been the use of the Crime Fighting Fund. The Fund has supported forces' recruitment of more than 9,500 officers additional to those which forces were already planning to appoint.

The Home Office will continue to provide funding for these additional posts on condition that the uplift achieved since 2000 is maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make an announcement on the Police Grant Settlement. [200318]

I shall announce details of the provisional police grant settlement for 2005–06 on 2 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department

(1) if he will make a statement on the future of the police training centre at Bruche, Warrington; [200194]

(2) what discussions he has had on the future of the police training centre at Bruche; when these discussions took place; and who was involved in them. [200197]

The police training centre at Bruche, Warrington, is run by Centrex, the national police training provider. It is currently used to provide the residential Stage 2 of Foundation Training to probationary officers.

We are currently working on the modernisation of probationer training. Under this, probationers will no longer automatically be sent for residential training at Centrex regional training centres, and the role of Centrex will change, with a greater focus on design, quality assurance and evaluation of training, rather than delivery.

Taking forward this work has involved extensive discussions between the Home Office and key stakeholders, in particular representatives of the Association of Police Authorities, the Association of Chief Police Officers and Centrex. The Home Office has been represented in these discussions by officials. The discussions have been taking place through most of this year, in particular over the summer, and are still on-going.The modernisation of probationer training will necessarily have implications for the future of Centrex's estate, including the training centre at Bruche. We are still working with Centrex on the details of these.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of policing incidents arising from excessive alcohol consumption was in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [199612]

Police authority accounts are not kept in a form which would make it possible to identify the costs of policing related to alcohol related disorder, and there is no specific grant made available to forces to deal directly with the problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption. It is for individual police forces to decide how they allocate their resources to tackle their crime and disorder priorities.

The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England, published on 15 March 2004 estimates that alcohol related crime and disorder costs taxpayers up to £7.3 billion a year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the future new regiments of three battalions will be broken down into heavy, medium and light battalions. [200018]

Each battalion within the new infantry structure will be allocated one of four roles: armoured, mechanised, light or air assault.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost to public funds has been to date of the Future Surface Combatant assessment studies, broken down by (a) the Triton Trimaran project, (b) the integrated project team and (c) other costs. [199531]

holding answer 29 November 2004

At outturn prices, the total estimated cost of the Future Surface Combatant studies from inception to date is £17 million. This figure is comprised of £6.2 million for Trimaran trials, £5.7 million for the Defence Procurement Agency's project team costs and £5.1 million for additional concept studies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many standing tasks the Royal Navy Fleet fulfills; and what assessment he has made of the number of standing tasks to be fulfilled by the Royal Navy in 2008 following the implementation of the decision to reduce the number of frigates and destroyers. [199567]

Royal Navy frigates and destroyers currently undertake six standing tasks where forces are permanently committed to the task. We are currently developing an effects based approach to programming which is likely to reduce the number of standing tasks before 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average cost is of providing a child care place in the London borough of Wandsworth. [199673]

Data at local authority level on the cost of providing child care places are not collected centrally by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the grants his Department has made for education provision in the London borough of Wandsworth in each of the last three years. [199672]

The following revenue and capital grants for each year from 2002–03 have been provided by the Department:

2002–03

Revenue

Nursery Education Grant

Class Size Grant

Teachers' Pay Grants

School Standards Grant

Learning and Skills Council

Standards Funds

Excellence in Cities

Capital

Basic LEA co-ordinated voluntary aided programme

Condition

Devolved Formula

Modernisation Voluntary Aided

School Security

Seed Challenge

Staff Workspaces

Voluntary Aided School Grant

2003–04

Revenue

Teachers' Pay Grants

School Standards Grant

Learning and Skills Council

Standards Funds

Excellence in Cities

London Budget Support Grant

Capital

Basic LEA co-ordinated voluntary aided programme

Condition

Devolved Formula

Modernisation Voluntary Aided

Seed Challenge

Staff Workspaces

2004–05

Revenue

Teachers' Pay Grants

School Standards Grant

Learning and Skills Council

Standards Funds

Excellence in Cities

Capital

Basic LEA co-ordinated voluntary aided programme

Devolved Formula

Modernisation (Primary)

Modernisation LEA

Seed Challenge

Sustainable Transport

The grants for each year are included in the grant total figures in the following table.

Funding for Wandsworth local education authority -- £ million

Notes:

1. Price Base: Cash

2. Figures reflect relevant sub-blocks of education Standard Spending Assessments/Education Formula Spending settlements and exclude the pensions transfer to EPS and LSC.

3. Funding also includes all revenue grants in DfES Departmental Expenditure

Limits relevant to pupils aged 3–19 and exclude EMAs and grants not allocated at LEA level.

4. Where responsibility for funding a school has transferred from an LEA, related funding no longer appears in the series.

5. Rounding: Figures are rounded to the nearest £0.1 million.

6. Status: 2003–04 and 2004–05 figures are provisional as some grants have not yet been finalised/audited.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria he will use to determine which 10 per cent. of local authorities will not receive funding to provide Home Start in 2006–07, as described in the White Paper, Choosing Health, Cm 6374, paragraph 44. [199463]

Home Start schemes are independent, voluntary organisations, established by communities themselves and managed locally. Home Start UK works closely with local schemes, supporting them to deliver a high quality home visiting support to families with at least one child under five years. We have significantly increased our funding for Home Start UK from £874,000 in 2003–04 to £2.46 million this financial year to expand the support it offers to local Home Start schemes and increase the availability of Home Start support. Establishing a new local scheme depends on community initiative and Home Start UK seeks to stimulate interest in those areas without existing established home visiting services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the schools in England that were selected for the sample to be included in the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment 2003 study. [200290]

The schools for the sample were selected by the PISA international consortium, led by the Australian Centre for Educational Research, that undertook PISA 2003 on behalf of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Participation was voluntary on the part of schools.

The Department's contractor for PISA 2003, the Office for National Statistics, was responsible for running the study in England. The Data Protection Act requires ONS to honour any pledge that it makes to respondents before taking part in its surveys. Both the sampled schools and sampled pupils were assured before agreeing to co-operate that their decision to take part and the information they gave would be held in confidence by ONS. Consequently ONS cannot release the names of participating or non-responding schools or pupils.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of 11-year-olds attained Level 4 at Key Stage 2 in each year since 1997, broken down by parliamentary constituency. [199916]

holding answer 29 November 2004

The information requested has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reasons a GNVQ pass is counted as four GCSE passes in reporting school performance. [200442]

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) decide on the equivalence of qualifications. In reaching these decisions they look rigorously at the level of difficulty, the content and size of the qualification. The QCA has established that 6-unit GNVQs are the equivalent of four GCSE passes. It is on this basis, these achievements are included in the School Achievement and Attainment Tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on progress of the West Hendon Sure Start scheme. [199487]

Sure Start Underhill and West Hendon, a sixth wave local programme has been offering services to under fours and their families since 2003, so it is in its second year. Compared with other similar programmes it is making reasonable progress and was held to be low risk in its latest risk assessment.

The figure for the number of children 'reached' for Underhill and West Hendon at September 2004, was 12 per cent. This is slightly lower than the average for fifth and sixth wave programmes in London (20 per cent.) and national average for fifth and sixth wave programmes (15 per cent.). However, when looking at the percentage of new children seen, the local programme's results for September 2004 are clearly higher than the average for London and nationally.

Percentage

Sure Start Underhill and West Hendon will form part of a purpose built children's centre on the site of Parkfield School in West Hendon, to be opened by March 2006. The programme is receiving special support from the Atkins Help Squad, who provide expert advice on capital projects, to ensure the deadline is met.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures have been introduced since 1997 to enable incompetent teachers to be dismissed by their employer; and how many teachers have been subject to those measures. [200648]

As a manifesto pledge, action was taken following the 1997 general election to agree new procedures for dealing speedily and fairly with teachers who cannot do the job. A new outline procedure was agreed at a national level among representatives of teacher employers, teacher unions and associations, and other interested parties. Building on this a statutory duty was introduced for all maintained schools to establish procedures for dealing with teacher capability problems, and the Government issued guidance for schools and LEAs in July 2000. We do not collect records centrally on the number of teachers who undergo capability procedures; they would be an unnecessary burden on schools and LEAs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of teachers retired at age 60 in each of the last five years; and what percentage took early retirement in each year. [199731]

The following table shows the numbers and percentages of teachers leaving service from maintained sector schools in England who have retired on age grounds at aged 60 or over, prematurely, with actuarially reduced benefit (ARB) or on ill health grounds in each of the last five years.

1. Actuarially reduced benefits were introduced in April 2000.

2. The percentages are calculated from the total number retiring from the maintained school sector during the year.

Source:

Database of Teacher Records and Pensioner Statistical System (PENSTATS)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions his Department has had with the teaching unions regarding teachers' pensions. [199729]

Many aspects of the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) have been examined recently by the Teachers' Pensions Review Group (TPRG). The teacher unions from England and Wales represented at the TPRG include the National Union of Teachers, National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education, National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers, Secondary Heads Association, National Association of Head Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers.

Regular meetings of this group have been held since November 2003 and will continue throughout the review of the TPS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects of proposed changes to teachers' pensions on recruitment and retention of teachers. [199730]

The review of the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) is an opportunity for modernisation in a way that scheme members will value and also secures the long term affordability of the scheme. We have therefore embarked upon a major consultation with interested parties, including individual teachers, to give them an opportunity to comment on range of issues related to the future of the TPS.

In particular, we are looking at ways of increasing the flexibilities available to teachers over the way in which they plan for their retirement because the more attractive and flexible the TPS is as a benefit to the membership, the greater the contribution it will make to recruitment and retention.

The consultation document can be found at www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what ill-health retirement benefits are available to teachers under their pension scheme; and what changes are proposed to those benefits. [199732]

The Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) provides for early payment of retirement benefits, comprising annual pension and retirement lump sum, to teachers who become permanently incapacitated. These benefits are normally enhanced in relation to the teacher's age and the amount of pensionable service accrued in the TPS.

The current consultation on the Review of the TPS seeks views on an alternative approach that recognises the severity of the medical condition and its impact on future earnings capacity. Further details are available on www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Barnstaple bypass project was given final approval. [200092]

holding answer 29 November 2004

Final approval for this scheme was announced on 9 November 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his 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 he will make a statement. [199694]

The main Department for Transport web site at http://www.dft.gov.uk has been designed to comply with the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines at double AA level (Level 2). Following an RNIB audit of the site, RNIB asked for further changes, which we are now implementing. RNIB will be undertaking a further audit in December this year to measure progress.

The Department also maintains a number of .gov.uk web sites. Three of these do not currently fully comply with the guidelines for departmental sites. The specific problems have been identified and actions are being taken to ensure that they will all be compliant with the guidelines as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date a red light camera facility to detect crossing infringements was first installed at Beddingham level crossing on the A27; for what reasons it remains inactive; and on what date he expects that it will be operational. [200693]

This is an operational matter for Network Rail who will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent to date in connection with the installation of the red light camera facility at the Beddingham level crossing on the A27. [200694]

This is an operational matter for Network Rail who will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many manned level crossings are operated by each train operating company. [199418]

Network Rail, as the mainline railway infrastructure manager, operates all level crossings on its national network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when local transport authorities will be informed whether bids for funding for projects have been granted. [200095]

holding answer 29 November 2004

The Department is currently considering all of the bids for funding under the local transport plan process. The date for decisions for this years settlement has yet to be confirmed, but an announcement will be made in December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date each local transport authority was informed about the postponement of decisions on each local transport project. [200096]

holding answer 29 November 2004

Decisions on the individual schemes that will comprise this years local transport plan settlement have yet to be made. However, arrangements are in place to ensure that local authorities are informed of decisions as soon as possible after the statement to Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the South West Regional Development Agency on the (a) financial and (b) engineering viability of the local transport plan in each local transport authority in the South West Region. [200199]

None. It is for a local authority promoting a local transport scheme to ensure its proposal is supported by a robust appraisal case, and for them to discuss any relevant issues with regional stakeholders. The Department would consider the appraisal case carefully, as part of the decision making process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many proposals for final approval from each local transport authority in the South West region have been put on hold. [200200]

The final decision on the schemes that will comprise this years local transport plan settlement, which to postpone and those that should not be taken forward has yet to be made. The Department is currently considering the relative merits of the proposals received in all of regions and an announcement will be made shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many requests for immediate approval he has received from Somerset county council in relation to the North West Taunton Package; and what discussions he has had with the council on the likely impact of delays in approval. [200203]

Since September my officials have been in discussion with Somerset on the final appraisal of the North West Taunton Package following the approval of the Compulsory Purchase Order for the scheme. As part of these discussions the council have expressed their views on the timing of the scheme to officials in both the DfT and the Government Office. In addition the Department has received a letter from Councillor Carroll and an email from the Leader of the Council, both dated 8 November, which set out Somerset's position in relation to the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is the intention of the Government to continue their programme of investment in the Loran C navigational system. [200460]

The General Lighthouse Authorities are planning to operate an experimental Loran C signal from a site near Rugby for a 2-year period, starting early in 2005. Decisions on possible future investment in Loran C will be made in the light of the experience gained and on international developments in the use of this system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Ministers from his Department have visited the London borough of Wandsworth in each of the last five years; and what the purpose was of each visit. [199666]

The Department for Transport was formed on 29 May 2002. Since that date no Ministers from the Department have undertaken a departmental visit to Wandsworth.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what discussions he has had with the First Great Western and Thames Trains about possible reductions to the direct service from Hereford to Paddington; [200485]

(2) what representations he has received about the direct rail service from Hereford to London. [200486]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations are in place to preserve the frequency of direct trains from Hereford to London; and if he will make a statement. [200487]

Train operating companies must provide a minimum level of service as prescribed by their franchise agreements. Services beyond these minimum levels are provided at operators' discretion on a commercial basis. Under its franchise with the Strategic Rail Authority First Great Western is contractually required to provide one service per day in each direction between Hereford and London to arrive in London by 1000 and depart no earlier than 1700. There is no contractual requirement for First Great Western Link (previously Thames Trains) to run services between Hereford and London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many unadopted roads there are in (a) Lancashire and (b) Pendle. [199929]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions Ofcom has held regarding Jazz FM's radio licence requirements; and if she will make a statement. [199519]

The matter raised is the responsibility of Ofcom as independent regulator. DCMS officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the criteria by which Ofcom assesses applications for changes to commercial radio licences; and if she will make a statement. [199520]

The criteria are set out in Section 106 of the Broadcasting Act 1990, as amended by Section 312 (3) of the Communications Act 2003, which states:

Conditions included in a licence for the purposes of subsection (1) may provide that Ofcom may consent to a departure from the character of the licensed service if, and only if, they are satisfied:

(a) that the departure would not substantially alter the character of the service;

(b) that the departure would not narrow the range of programmes available by way of relevant independent radio services to persons living in the area or locality for which the service is licensed to be provided;

(c) that, in the case of a local licence, the departure would be conducive to the maintenance or promotion of fair and effective competition in that area or locality; or

(d) that, in the case of a local licence, there is evidence that, amongst persons living in that area or locality, there is a significant demand for, or significant support for, the change that would result from the departure.

The matters to which Ofcom must have regard in determining for the purposes of this section the character of a service provided under a local licence include, in particular, the selection of spoken material and music in programmes included in the service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the (a) name and (b) marketing of a commercial radio station is taken into consideration when commercial radio licence bids are considered. [199521]

The matter raised is the responsibility of Ofcom as independent regulator. DCMS officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will reply to the letter to her dated 6 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to John Paton. [200315]

I replied to my right hon. Friend on 26 October 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the refurbishment projects within her Department that (a) are in progress and (b) will start in the next six months; what action is being taken to ensure that these will procure timber from legal and sustainable sources; and whether guidance will be issued to contractors on each of these projects to ensure that the timber used on site during refurbishment comes from legal and sustainable sources. [200438]

DCMS has no refurbishment works in progress or planned for the next 12 months. When any such work is undertaken contracts will state the need for certification of timber being used.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans her Department has to fund the establishment and maintenance of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber. [200439]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 29 April 2004, Official Report, column 1179W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley).

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions a Fisheries Conservancy Board vessel under the control of the (a) Chief and (b) Deputy Chief Executive has been returned damaged in each of the last three years; and what the total cost of repair was on each occasion. [199887]

A Fisheries Conservancy Board vessel under the control of the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive was returned damaged on one occasion. The total cost of repair was £17,981.96 plus VAT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions, after carrying out patrols in a Fisheries Conservancy Board vessel unassisted by other FCB staff, the (a) Chief and (b) Deputy Chief Executive required overnight accommodation charged to the FCB in each of the last three years. [199890]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [199650]

At all times, the Northern Ireland Office will make every effort to answer questions substantively before Prorogation. However, this is not always possible. Where right hon. and hon. Members did not receive a substantive response, it is open to them to re-table their question this session.

The hon. Member will be aware of the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House of Commons on 21 July concerning "will write" responses. In accordance with that statement, my ministerial colleagues and I answered that 'it had not proved possible to provide a substantive reply' to 15 parliamentary questions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what tonnage of waste is estimated to have been dumped illegally in Northern Ireland since November 2003. [200079]

Although no figures are available for the total volume of illegal waste dumped in Northern Ireland during this period, Environment and Heritage Service estimates that approximately 250,000 tonnes of waste, originating in the Republic of Ireland, have been deposited in illegal sites in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is being done with the waste illegally dumped in Northern Ireland over the past 12 months. [200080]

Where large-scale illegal deposits of waste have been discovered, cases are being pursued through the Courts against landowners and operators of illegal sites. We are seeking Court decisions that will result in the remediation of sites. Discussions are also continuing with the relevant enforcement authorities in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) with regard to the repatriation of ROI waste illegally deposited in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made in apprehending those responsible for illegal dumping of waste originating in the Irish Republic in Northern Ireland. [200085]

EHS has investigated a number of instances where waste originating from the Republic of Ireland has been illegally deposited in Northern Ireland. A number of such cases have been referred to the Public Prosecution Service. To date, no case that has a direct link to waste originating in ROI has been heard. EHS continues to work with the relevant enforcement authorities in ROI to improve the control of waste movements and detect illegal activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent in each year since 2000 on the Worktrack programme in (a) North Belfast and (b) Northern Ireland. [200902]

The information is as follows.

£ million

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been placed on the Worktrack programme in (a) North Belfast and (b) Northern Ireland in each year since 2000. [200903]

The information is as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the quality of accounting practices in the EU institutions. [199806]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed this matter with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether citizens of British Overseas Territories will be able to vote in the referendum on the EU constitution. [199799]

The Gracious Speech on 23 November announced that a Bill will be introduced to give effect to the Constitutional Treaty for the European Union, subject to a referendum. The Bill will provide for the holding of the referendum including the franchise. It would not be appropriate to comment on the exact nature of those provisions until a Bill is published. I can confirm however that it is our intention to include the people of Gibraltar in the franchise for the referendum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he has given to the England and Wales Cricket Board on the Zimbabwe Government's decision to ban journalists covering the England cricket tour from entering the country. [200362]

holding answer 29 November 2004

Officials in London and our embassy in Harare have been in close touch with the England and Wales Cricket Board throughout this period.

On news of the banning of several UK journalists accompanying the England team, my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. MacShane) summoned the Zimbabwean Chargé d' Affairs on 24 November, to convey our strong concern about this attack on press freedom.

The Zimbabwean authorities have now decided to accredit the UK journalists. We remain greatly concerned at the broader restrictions on a free media in Zimbabwe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is his Department's policy that all British citizens living overseas should be able to vote in a referendum on the Constitution. [199802]

A Bill providing for the holding of the referendum is still to be published. However, in general terms a UK citizen who, when resident in the UK, was registered to vote and who then takes up residence abroad is entitled to apply to the electoral registration officer for the area in which they were most recently registered in the UK, in order to be placed on the "overseas electors' list". Entitlement to be included on the overseas electors' list is limited to a period of 15 years from the time that the applicant was last included on a UK electoral register and entitles them to vote in elections in the UK. Those on the overseas electors list would likewise be entitled to vote in a referendum if its franchise were the same as a Parliamentary election in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals his Department has to celebrate Europe Day on 9 May 2005; and what budget he has set aside for this purpose. [199803]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not yet finalised its plans for Europe Day-celebrations. No specific budget has been set aside for such celebrations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to press for a peace agreement to resolve the conflict affecting Darfur in Sudan. [199721]

holding answer 29 November 2004

We are actively pressing the Government of Sudan and the rebels to end the fighting in Darfur and reach a political settlement, and building on the Humanitarian and Security Protocols that were signed on 9 November. We are closely involved in the African Union (AU)-mediated peace talks in Abuja, where the UK participates as an observer. We are working alongside the AU to enhance the AU observer mission in Darfur. And we are continuing to play a leading role in the UN Security Council in maximising the pressure on the parties. Security Council Resolution 1574 reaffirms the readiness of the international community to apply sanctions on the Sudanese parties if they fail to fulfil their commitments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

(1) how much money his Department (a) has given since 1 January and (b) intends to give to the African Union to fund its forces in Darfur; and if he will make a statement; [199722]

(2) whether it is the Government's policy to give additional financial support to the African Union for the cost of administering its force in Darfur. [199723]

holding answer 29 November 2004

The UK is providing significant financial support to the African Union (AU) mission in Darfur, through the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool, which is a joint DFID/FCO/MOD fund.

In May the UK contributed £2 million to help jump-start the AU mission in Darfur. In August, we helped to pay for the airlift of 150 Nigerian troops into Darfur and provided rations packs at a total cost of approximately £220,000. On 7 October my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a further contribution of £12 million to support the expanded AU mission. It is for the AU to decide exactly how they allocate this money; we are in close touch with them on this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department has received regarding the likely date by which a peace agreement to resolve the conflict affecting Darfur in Sudan might be signed. [199724]

holding answer 29 November 2004

The next round of the African Union-mediated peace talks being held in Abuja is due to begin on 10 December. We will continue to urge the parties to engage seriously and in good faith to reach a political solution to the crisis in Darfur as soon as possible.

We welcome the commitment to the Security Council in Nairobi by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement to conclude a comprehensive peace agreement by 31 December. The implementation of this agreement should have a positive impact on the situation in Darfur.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether an estimate exists of the overall cost within the current budget of her Department of the overall cost of creating a separate Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. [201047]

I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on 10 November 2004, Official Report, column 769W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what role he plays in the development of housing policy. [200139]

As Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, I have a cross Government role in the co-ordination of Government Policy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what Ministerial responsibility he has for (a) crime, (b) jobs, (c) health, (d) education, (e) child care and (f) pensions. [200987]

As Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, I have a cross Government role in the co-ordination of Government Policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

(1) how many people in (a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom are in receipt of industrial injuries benefit in relation to exposure of asbestos dust; [200208]

(2) how many people in (a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom have been diagnosed with pleural plaques due to exposure to asbestos dust; [200211]

(3) show many people in Midlothian have received industrial injuries benefit in the last 10 years due to mesothelioma caused by asbestos dust; [200212]

(4) show many people in Midlothian are in receipt of industrial injuries benefit due to asbestosis. [200213]

holding answer 29 November 2004

Information is not available in the form requested. The available information is in the table.

Number of people in receipt of industrial injuries benefit for prescribed diseases D1, D3, D8 and D9 as at March 2002

Notes:

1. Figures are from a 10 per cent. sample. Figures marked * are subject to a high degree of sampling error and should only be used as a guide to the correct situation. Figures are not available at constituency level.

2. — denotes nil or negligible.

3. Industrial injuries disablement benefit is currently payable for four prescribed diseases to people whose jobs involved working with asbestos or being exposed to asbestos after 4 July 1948. These are: D1-Pneumoconiosis, D3-Diffuse mesothelioma, D8-Primary carcinoma of the lung with accompanying evidence of one or both (A) asbestos (B) unilateral or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening and D9-Unilateral or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening.

4. D1 relates to all Pneumoconiosis cases only some of which (an unknown proportion) are asbestos related. Prescribed diseases D3, D8 and D9 are all asbestos related.

5. Pleural plaques is not a prescribed disease for industrial injuries disablement benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

(1) what assessment he has made of the suitability of Inverness as a site for benefit processing; and if he will make a statement; [200982]

(2) when he will make a decision on the location of the six benefit processing centres in Scotland. [200983]

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. David Stewart, dated 30 November 2004

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning the suitability of Inverness as a site for benefit processing and when a decision will be made on the location of the benefit processing centres in Scotland. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

You will recall that the Secretary of State, Alan Johnson, announced in September that(subject to detailed planning(benefit processing will in future be carried out in 8 sites in Scotland, The locations chosen are: Inverness, Coatbridge, Kilmarnock, Glasgow, Springburn, Bathgate, Clydebank and Greenock. Further detailed planning and design work is continuing in these sites, and I expect to be in a position to confirm these choices early in the New Year.

I can confirm that, following appraisals undertaken by our Project Team, the social security office in Inverness appears suitable for conversion to a processing centre and remains part of our current plans for benefit processing in Scotland.

I hope this is helpful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to continue carer's allowance payments to those entitled upon their take-up of state pension; and if he will make a statement. [200328]

No. It is a basic principle of the social security system that only one benefit at a time can be paid for the same purpose. Even though the circumstances which give rise to entitlement to carer's allowance and state pension are different, they are both designed to provide a degree of replacement for lost or foregone income. Carer's allowance replaces income where the carer is over working age or has to give up the chance of working to look after a severely disabled person, while state pension replaces income in retirement.

Carer's allowance is therefore not payable, or not payable in full, in addition to state pension. As the contributory benefit, the payment of state pension takes precedence, either extinguishing or reducing the payment of carer's allowance. Nevertheless, the income of a person in these circumstances will be at least as high as the rate of carer's allowance, and is usually higher. In addition, where the benefit cannot be paid, the person will keep underlying entitlement to carer's allowance, which gives them access to the carer premium in housing benefit and council tax benefit and the additional amount for carers in state pension credit.

We have no immediate plans to change these arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his 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 he will make a statement. [199686]

We test all of our departmental websites against the minimum level of the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines as outlined in the Government Guidelines for UK Websites. Several of our sites already meet or exceed these. These are:

www.thepensionservice.gov.uk

www.childsupportagencv.gov.uk

www.disabilitv.gov.uk

www.europeansocialfund.gov.uk.

www.emetaskforce.gov.uk

The first three of these have also achieved the RNIB "See It Right" accreditation.

Where we have identified websites that do not yet meet the minimum standard, we are working towards achieving them as part of existing redevelopment plans. Sites being worked on currently include:

www.dwp.gov.uk

www.worktrain.gov.uk

www.iobcentreplus.gov.uk.

Our aim is to exceed the minimum prescribed 'Level A' standard wherever possible, achieving "Level AA" or better.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average weekly payment of income support was to recipients of incapacity benefit credits only in each year since 1997. [200660]

The information is in the table.

Average weekly payment of income support for working-age claimants receiving both income support and incapacity benefit credits-only

Notes:

1. Working age claimants are men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59.

2. Includes income support paid to single people, couples and families.

3. Includes pension credit payments to men aged 60–64.

4. Number is taken from a 5 per cent. sample and is subject to a degree of sampling error.

5. There will also be some incapacity benefit credits-only claimants who do not receive income support. These have not been included in the data.

Source:

IAD Information Centre, 5 per cent. samples.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the renewal of contracts from April 2005 with those organisations that are contracted to deliver the New Deal for Disabled People. [199616]

All current New Deal for Disabled People contracts cover the period to March 2006 and, consequently, there are no plans for any renewals from April 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for 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. [199658]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action he is taking to reduce the number of winter deaths of pensioners due to cold weather. [199765]

I have been asked to reply.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Stephen Hepburn) on 18 November 2004, Official Report, column 1945–47W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Social Fund crisis loan applications were received in Edinburgh Lothians and the borders in each of the last five years; and how many of these applications were successful. [199578]

The information is in the table.

Crisis Loan applications received and initial awards made in the area covered by Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders Jobcentre Plus District

Notes:

1. Only the numbers of initial awards have been given, information regarding awards subsequently given on review is not included.

2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.

Source:

DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Treasury regarding petrol prices in remote areas in Scotland. [199382]

My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with the Chancellor on a wide range of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the First Minister on levels of health provision in border areas. [199383]

My right hon. Friend meets the First Minister regularly to discuss a wide range of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding the operation of the Child Support Agency in Scotland. [199384]

I have discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on a range of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from client groups in relation to the Jobcentre Plus roll-out programme in Lanarkshire. [199388]

I have not received any representations on the subject of the Jobcentre Plus roll-out programme in Lanarkshire from client groups, but I am fully aware of the concerns my hon. Friend has voiced with regard to the changes in the Job Centre Plus network in Scotland, including those affecting his constituency.

The impact on jobs and services does vary from location to location in Scotland but, overall, the picture and shape of Job Centre Plus business is changing and in some areas the changes are significant. Where closures are being considered DWP have made clear that they wish to pursue different means of delivering services with partner organisations in the locality. These options have been discussed with MPs and other interested parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the numbers of people in Scotland claiming carer's benefit. [199389]

My right hon. Friend has discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on a range of issues. There are 41,695 people in Scotland receiving carer's allowance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence since 26 October regarding the future of Scottish Infantry Regiments. [199390]

My right hon. Friend and I have had recent discussions on a range of issues including the future of the Scottish infantry regiments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence in the last month on the future of the Scottish infantry regiments. [199391]

My right hon. Friend and I have had recent discussions on a range of issues including the future of the Scottish infantry regiments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with (a) the First Minister and (b) train operating companies in respect of the recent timetable changes on the West Coast Main Line. [199392]

Recent timetable changes reflect the outcomes of the Strategic Rail Authority's "West Coast Strategy" for extensive up-grading work on this line. The strategy was published in July 2003 following extensive consultation with the rail industry, the Scottish Executive, national and local politicians, local authorities and others.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Fisheries Commissioner on the impact of the Common Fisheries Policy on Scotland. [199387]

My right hon. Friend and I have had no recent discussions with the Fisheries Commissioner. Fisheries is a devolved matter and the Scottish Executive Minister for Environment and Rural Development is fully involved in the development and presentation of the UK position in Brussels. I keep in close touch with developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the impact of the Lyons Review in areas of Scotland not named in the King Sturge report; and what role his Department is taking in public sector job relocation to Scotland. [199386]

The King Sturge report was intended to be used as a guide to Departments when considering relocation opportunities and is not definitive. The choice of locations is for individual Departments to decide based on operational need.

I have made the advantages of Scotland as a location clear to other Government Departments and have encouraged them to consider Scotland when reviewing relocation plans. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State, has agreed to a meeting to discuss the matter further.

To ask the Advocate-General how many devolution issues she has dealt with regarding prisoner complaints about prison conditions. [199397]

I have received intimation of 175 devolution issues minutes which concern prisoner complaints regarding prison conditions.