To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the value of commercial fishing for bass in UK inshore waters. [200048]

holding answer 29 November 2004

Data for the value of commercial fishing for bass in UK inshore waters are not available. However, the total value for landings of bass in 2003 by the UK commercial fleet wherever they fish was approximately £3.2 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what GM crop applications are pending; when a decision on whether they may be added to the National Seeds List is expected; and if she will make a statement. [199440]

There are no current GM crop variety applications in the UK National List system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to support the right of individual countries to implement national bans and safeguard measures in relation to GM crops and food at the 2001/18 Regulatory Committee on 29 November; and if she will make a statement. [200033]

Article 23 of Directive 2001/18 provides member states with the right to take safeguard action to restrict or prohibit the use and/or sale of a GMO in their territory if new or additional scientific information becomes available, after the date of consent, that indicates that the GMO constitutes a risk to human health or the environment.

Additional scientific evidence in support of the actions being discussed at Regulatory Committee on 29 November was provided by Greece and Austria earlier this year. The European Food Safety Authority has considered the information provided and concluded that there is no new, scientific evidence, in terms of risk to human health and the environment that would invalidate the original risk assessments. The Advisory Committee on Release to the Environment has also assessed the further information provided and agrees with the EFSA opinion. Defra officials will therefore be voting in support of the Commission Decisions requesting the countries concerned to repeal these measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what directions she has given the Environment Agency with regard to monitoring sites dealing with hazardous waste; and if she will make a statement. [200089]

holding answer 29 November 2004

None. The Environment Agency regulate hazardous waste landfills in accordance with the requirements of the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 and other relevant legislation. Other sites dealing with hazardous waste will be subject to the waste management licensing or pollution prevention control regimes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment was made of Wingmoor Farm, Bishop's Cleeve, Gloucestershire when deciding which sites should be eligible to deal with hazardous waste; and if she will make a statement. [200090]

holding answer 29 November 2004

The requirements for a hazardous waste landfill are set out in the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002, as amended by the Landfill (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 and related Pollution Prevention and Control legislation. For those sites, such as Wingmoor Farm, that choose to be designated as hazardous waste landfills, operators had to apply to the Environment Agency for a permit that contained the operating conditions for the site. The agency had to then decide whether a permit should be issued and, if so, what operating conditions would be applied. The Environment Agency is unable to issue a permit unless the necessary planning permissions are in place. I understand that a permit has been issued for Wingmoor Farm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the safety implications of the transportation of hazardous waste. [200091]

holding answer 29 November 2004

Hazardous waste is subject to the controls of the Special Waste Regulations and transport of dangerous goods legislation. Each movement is accompanied by a consignment note and tracked and recorded from the point of production to the place of disposal or recovery. The system is regulated by the Environment Agency and ensures that the waste is transported and dealt with appropriately in order to protect the environment and prevent harm to human health.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to licence pair trawling in British inshore waters. [199823]

holding answer 29 November 2004

As a result of Defra-funded research which identified a dolphin bycatch problem in the pelagic pair trawl fishery for bass, I announced my intention to prohibit this fishery within 12 miles of the south west coast of England. We are currently considering responses to a consultation exercise on the technical aspects of the closure before proceeding. Alongside this measure, I announced that I would introduce a licensing scheme elsewhere for UK vessels in this fishery which will be taken forward in the light of responses to the consultation exercise on the 12 mile prohibition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action is taken to enforce rules relating to pair trawling of British inshore waters by Spanish vessels. [199826]

holding answer 29 November 2004

Under the Common Fisheries Policy, Spanish vessels do not have access rights to UK coastal waters. Any vessels breaching these rules would be liable to prosecution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the size of the peregrine falcon population in the UK; and what the size was (a) 10, (b) 20 and (c) 30 years ago. [199543]

Surveys are carried out by BTO, RSPB and conservation agencies.

The most recent UK survey was carried out in 2002 with the number of breeding pairs estimated at 1,402.

(a) In 1991 the number of breeding pairs in the UK was estimated at 1,283.

(b) In 1981 the number of breeding pairs in the UK was estimated at 768.

(c) In 1971 the number of breeding pairs in the UK was estimated at 445.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many positive reactor cattle subsequently proved to be free of tuberculosis in each of the last five years; how their carcase was subsequently disposed of; and how many of them entered the human food chain. [199572]

Cattle which react to the tuberculin test are considered to be affected by bovine tuberculosis (TB), regardless of culture results. Bacteriological tests on samples taken from reactor animals are not carried out to validate the skin test results but to identify, for epidemiological purposes, the strain of "Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis)" responsible for the infection.

Carcases and their associated offal are inspected by the Meat Hygiene Service at slaughter and those with generalised infection are fully condemned and declared unfit for human consumption. Where localised TB lesions are found in more than one organ or area of a carcase the whole carcase is condemned. Carcases with lesions in a single organ or part of the carcase and associated lymph nodes are only passed fit for human consumption once the affected part of the carcase has been cut out and condemned. If no TB lesions are found the carcase is passed fit for human consumption. Any remaining "M. bovis" would be de-activated by thorough cooking.

Once identified as unfit for human consumption, condemned carcases, or parts of carcases, are disposed of in accordance with the relevant Animal By-Products Regulations.

Information on meat condemned from carcases of TB reactor animals is not available in the format requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to publish the study funded by her Department into health improvements for families and individuals whose homes have benefited from energy improvements under the Warm Front scheme. [199972]

The results from the study funded by Defra into health improvements for those whose homes have benefited from Warm Front will be published in academic journals over the course of 2005–06. A summary report will be published on the Defra website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she has put in place to permit waste disposal authorities which will be introducing new private finance initiative waste management contracts to suspend fines prior to the full introduction of the contract under the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme. [199439]

None; under Section 9(2) of the Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003 a waste disposal authority (WDA) automatically becomes liable for a (financial) penalty if the amount of biodegradable municipal waste it sends to landfill in any one scheme year exceeds the amount authorised by the number of landfill allowances it holds for that year. Before that position is reached, however, a WDA will be able to trade or borrow allowances in a six month reconciliation period that follow the end of a scheme year, in order to balance its books. Alternatively, a WDA can make a case to the Secretary of State for her to use her powers to waive a penalty if the reason for the breach was beyond its control.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason secondary legislation has not yet been introduced to give effect to powers authorised in 2003 to (a) increase the maximum prison sentence for wildlife trafficking and (b) give the police the power of arrest for such crimes; and if she will make a statement. [200653]

The powers will be implemented through a Statutory Instrument which will also replace The Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997.

A comprehensive review of these Regulations identified a number of difficult issues. We are now close to resolving these matters and plan to publish a draft Statutory Instrument shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) for what reason the Highways Agency does not remove broken-down vehicles on the A249 Iwade to Queensborough new build; [201041]

(2) if he will make representations to the Highways Agency to request that it remove broken-down vehicles on the A249 Iwade to Queensborough whilst the second crossing of the Swale is being built. [201042]

holding answer 30 November 2004

The Highways Agency and its contractor, Sheppey Route Ltd., do provide a vehicle breakdown recovery service on the 17km length of the A249 between the M2 near Stockbury and Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey, but only in locations where roadworks are in progress.

This ensures that broken-down vehicles and their passengers are removed quickly from roadworks to a place of safety. On sections of road not subject to roadworks, motorists are responsible for organising their own recovery, as they are anywhere else on the network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress his Department has made on the joint Public Service Agreement target to improve rural air quality by meeting the National Air Quality Strategy objectives for carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particles, sulphur dioxide, benzene and 1–3 butadiene. [201207]

In 2002 there were no exceedences of any PSA objective across any of the pollutants included in the air quality PSA in rural areas. This is also the case in 2004 to date.

2003 saw unusually high levels of PM_{1 0} across the UK with Saharan dust storms, continental particles and continued re-circulation of air contributing to several notable particle pollution episodes. Consequently, in 2003, there were exceedences of the objectives for particles (PM _{1 0} ) at two rural monitoring sites measuring PM _{1 0} .

In implementing the White Paper, "The Future of Transport", my Department is pursuing measures to ensure that air quality continues to improve across the whole country, including rural areas. We are providing significant resources to support local authorities' local transport plans, which are required to take account of air quality and we are actively encouraging the European Commission to produce tighter proposals for emission standards for new vehicles (Euro standards).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average level of carbon dioxide emitted per kilometre driven was for road traffic in each (a) EU and (b) G8 country in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [200696]

The average level of carbon dioxide emitted per kilometre by new cars under official test cycle conditions for the original EU-15 in 2002 is shown in the table. The table includes data for cars sold by European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) members, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) members, and the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) members. Together, these three associations account for virtually all cars sold in the EU.

There is no official test cycle for vehicles other than cars and so we do not have data on such vehicles. We also do not have data for the other G8 countries.

Average EU-15 2002 new car CO

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the robustness of the estimates made for carbon emissions for road transport by the National Environmental Technology Centre. [200897]

The figures that the National Environmental Technology Centre publish on carbon emissions from road transport are based on internationally agreed emission reporting guidelines which require them to be based on national statistics on fuel consumption. Thus, the figures are as robust as DTI's energy statistics on petrol and diesel consumption in the UK. A very small correction is made for the amount of these fuels used for off-road machinery, for example, lawn mowers, but the relative amounts used for these machines are very small. The allocation of the carbon emissions between different vehicle classes is based on vehicle km data from DfT's national traffic survey and speed-related CO₂ factors for different vehicle types.

Further, the National Environmental Technology Centre emission inventories are subjected to rigorous quality assurance and quality control checking procedures and the data and procedures are reviewed annually by an expert review team of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the relationship between congestion and carbon emissions is factored into the figures for total carbon dioxide emissions compiled by the National Environmental Technology Centre. [200898]

The effect of congestion on carbon emissions is included in as much as it affects the overall fuel consumption figures the National Environmental Technology Centre use in the calculations. That is, where increased congestion leads to higher fuel consumption then this would be reflected in the DTI fuel consumption figures used for the carbon emission calculations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the targets are for the length of time between receipt of an application for a driving test and the date of the test in Gillingham. [199529]

holding answer 29 November 2004

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has a single appointment availability target for all practical driving test centres of nine weeks from the date the test is requested. The Agency also has a target to maintain a national average car practical test waiting time for six weeks. The current appointment availability at Gillingham is twelve weeks, and DSA is working hard to reduce this.

For theory test appointments, the target is to give 95 per cent. of candidates an appointment at their preferred test centre within two weeks of their preferred date. The performance figure achieved during October 2004 at Gillingham theory test centre was 92 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who audits the performance of the driving test services at Gillingham against their targets. [199776]

holding answer 29 November 2004

The Driving Standards Agency's performance against targets, including those achieved at all driving test centres, is assessed initially by the Agency's Central Operations Branch and Business Planning and Performance Team. Internal auditors from the Department for Transport audit these performance figures, which are published at the end of the financial year in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts. This document is subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the annual budget of the Highways Agency is for 2004–05. [200640]

The indicative capital and resource budgets of the Highways Agency are identified, in total and by main categories of expenditure, in the agency's published business plan for the year 2004–05, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the remaining part of junctions 5 to 6 on the M2 will be resurfaced using a quieter tarmac. [200237]

holding answer 29 November 2004

The remaining section of the M2 between Junction 5 and Junction 6 (Milstead to Faversham) will be resurfaced using a quieter surfacing material in the summer of 2005, subject to funding being available.

The Highways Agency's scheme to resurface the M2 between Junction 5 and Bredgar, using quieter resurfacing materials, has started works and is due for completion before the end of March 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the wearing of tinted visors as a safety measure by motor cyclists; and if he will make a statement. [200190]

Following a public consultation in 2002, and after careful consideration, I decided to retain the level of tint for motorcyclists' visors at a minimum 50 per cent. transmittance. However, riders may choose the option of a helmet with a dark internal sun shield provided it is retractable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) how much the Irish Government have agreed to contribute for the Dun Laoghaire project being undertaken by the Commissioners of Irish Lights; and if he will place in the Library a schedule of costs; [200451]

(2) if he will make a statement on the plans for the Dun Laoghaire project being undertaken by the Commissioners of Irish Lights; [200452]

(3) when the Irish Government first agreed to provide funding for the Dun Laoghaire project being undertaken by the Commissioners of Irish Lights. [200457]

The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) propose to redevelop their existing site at Dun Laoghaire to become their combined headquarters building and operational base. The project, with an estimated total cost of £14 million, would bring substantial efficiency gains from co-location, and realise some £7 million from the sale of the CIL's current HQ building in central Dublin. CIL has submitted an application for planning permission to the relevant authorities. Detailed design work is not yet complete and so no schedule of costs is available.

The Irish Government confirmed on 26 November that they are ready to contribute 35 per cent. of the cost of the project, starting in 2005. We are now considering the case for sanctioning expenditure from the General Lighthouse Fund for the balance of the costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) if he will list the dates of meetings since January between his Department and the Irish Government on navigational aids in the Republic of Ireland; and who the attendees were at each meeting; [200453]

(2) what his latest estimate is of the 2005–06 value of the subsidy to Light Dues in the Republic of Ireland from the General Lighthouse Fund; and what the projected cost is in 2006–07; [200454]

(3) what the date is for the cessation of payment of subsidies for navigational aids in the Republic of Ireland; [200458]

(4) whether he plans to seek a rebate from the Irish Government for the sums contributed for the Irish Lights from the General Lighthouse Fund in the last financial year. [200459]

The provision of aids to navigation around the British Isles as a whole is funded by light dues levied on shipping using ports in Britain and Ireland. Because light dues revenue at ports in Ireland is much less than at ports in the UK, there is effectively a subsidy from the UK to Ireland. This can only be calculated retrospectively; and it cannot be estimated until the annual expenditure plans of the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) are agreed. We expect the subsidy will amount to £6.1 million in respect of 2003–04.

This figure is after allowing for the contribution the Irish Government already make to bring receipts from Ireland up to 35 per cent. of the operating costs of CIL, in accordance with a 1985 agreement between the British and Irish Governments. We are working with the Irish Government to renegotiate the 1985 agreement, but cannot set a date when the subsidy might cease. There have been two meetings in 2004, on 26 April and 14 October, between officials of the Department for Transport and of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR). The issue was also raised at a meeting in June between HM ambassador to Ireland and the secretary-general of the DCMNR. We are pressing for more substantive negotiations, involving additionally officials from the Foreign Office and the Northern Ireland Office, to begin in the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many regional transport boards there will be; when they will be established; what their budget will be for (a) 2005–06, (b) 2006–07 and (c) 2007–08; and what their (i) composition and (ii) remit will be. [200039]

holding answer 29 November 2004

We have no plans to establish regional transport boards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the major road developments that (a) have been agreed and (b) are under consideration by his Department within the Greater London area. [200308]

Under the GLA Act 1999 the strategic road network in London was transferred to Transport for London (TfL) along with responsibility for funding major projects on London borough roads. As a result there are no major road developments within the Greater London area that have been agreed or are under consideration by the Department for Transport.

One road project that has been and will continue to be considered by the Department for Transport is the Thames Gateway Bridge. This is a TfL project where the Government have made a provisional offer of up to £200 million of PFI credits. This offer is subject to the finalisation of an acceptable business and environmental case, a satisfactory financial structure and the granting of all construction and tolling powers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards fulfilling the European Commission Recommendation on Enforcement in the Field of Road Safety (2004/245/EC). [200632]

The Recommendation was adopted by the European Commission on 21 October 2003. Since then the UK has participated in an expert group on enforcement in June this year and a meeting of a sub-group on seat belts. Further sub-group meetings on spending and drink-driving are planned. The aim of these groups is to identify common ground, encourage collaboration between Member States and to establish good practice in road traffic enforcement.

Road traffic enforcement was discussed recently at an informal meeting of EU Road Safety Ministers in Verona (October 2004), which I attended. The meeting underlined the importance of enforcement for road safety and the conclusions are due to be considered at a forthcoming meeting of the Transport Council

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles have been registered with a statutory off road notification in each year since 1992. [201203]

The Statutory Off Road Notification system was introduced in February 1998. The information requested, from that date, is as follows:

⁽¹⁾ To 31 October

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps his Department (a) has taken and (b) is planning to take in support of the Circle Initiative and business improvement districts. [200603]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister supports the promotion of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) through our participation on the advisory board of the Circle Initiative, and by providing financial support to the Association of Town Centre Management's National BIDs pilot project, which is developing 22 BID partnerships across England and Wales. These pilots will provide good practice information for the public and private sector on how to set up BIDs.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much Pendle council has received in Government grant in real terms since 1996–97; and what the percentage change since 1996–97 has been in the annual grant. [200993]

The amount of Government grant made available to Pendle borough council in the period 1996–97 to 2004–05 in real terms is shown in the table.

The figures are derived from data as reported by the local authority, adjusted using the GDP deflator, and consists of outturn data for 1996–97 to 2002–03 and budget data for 2003–04 and 2004–05. The amounts are shown in £000s and have not been adjusted for changes affecting local authorities such as changes in function or financing.

Government grants to Pendle borough council in real terms

The grants included are special and specific grants inside Aggregate External Finance, Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) reduction grant, revenue support grant and redistributed non-domestic rates.

The unadjusted percentage increase in annual grant for Pendle since 1996–97 in real terms is 16.5 per cent.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the timing of the introduction of changes to the retirement ages for members of the Local Government Pension Scheme. [200497]

Amendments to the Local Government Pension Scheme to remove provisions that allow some scheme members to retire with unreduced pension benefits before age 65 will come into effect on 1 April 2005.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants have (a) been relocated and (b) been agreed for relocation in the last 12 months; and to which areas of the United Kingdom. [200521]

Progress on delivery of the relocation programme will be announced in the pre-Budget report on 2 December.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the civil service job cuts recommended by the Gershon Review were outside Greater London. [200522]

There will be an overall gross reduction in posts of 84,150 by 2008 and Departments will pursue these reductions in line with business need. Progress will be reported in the Pre-Budget Report on 2 December.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs recommended for relocation by the Lyons Review were also recommended to be cut by the Gershon Review. [200523]

Planned work force reductions in London and the South East are excluded from the 20,000 posts identified for relocation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [200184]

Following the Prime Minister's commitment to Parliament on 4 May 2004, , the Government will shortly be publishing a comparative analysis of the EU Constitution with existing EU Treaty provisions. This document will address points 5 July 2004, -93W, to the Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) setting out moves from unanimity to QMV in the EU Constitution, and to the statement given by the Foreign Secretary on 9 September 2004, Official Report, column 1456W on the Charter of Fundamental Rights. With regard to points (a) , (b) and (c) . In addition, with regard to points (b) and (e) , I refer the hon. Member to the Foreign Secretary's reply on Official Report, columns 592W Official Report, and columns 133–36W, (d), (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.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many higher rate taxpayers there have been in each county in England in each year since 2000; and what percentage of the total they represent in each case. [200969]

I refer my hon. Friend to table 3.11 "Income and tax, by region and country" on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu.htm.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff were employed at the Inland Revenue in (a) April 1997 and (b) April 2004; what the reasons were for the change in staff numbers; and if he will make a statement. [200249]

The numbers of staff employed in civil service Departments and agencies, including the Inland Revenue, are available on the Cabinet Office's "Civil Service Statistics" website at http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/statistical_information/statistics/index.asp.

The effects of changes in departmental responsibilities on departmental staff numbers are also available on the website.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average length of time was between the date of invoices issued to his Department from a supplier and payment by the Department of the invoice in the last 12 months for which figures are available; what percentage of these invoices were paid within 30 days of the date of issue of the invoice; what percentage of these invoices remained unpaid after 90 days; and if he will make a statement on the Department's policy on the payment of invoices issued to it. [200628]

Information relating to the Treasury's payment performance was published in the Treasury's resource accounts for 2003–04 (Paragraph 51 on page 10, HC920), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Additional information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the number of pensioners living in (a) the London borough of Wandsworth and (b) Greater London who pay income tax on their income. [200945]

I refer my hon. Friend to table 3.12 "Income and tax for individuals aged 65 and above, by region and country" on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu.htm.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans his Department has to fund the establishment and maintenance of the central point of expertise on timber. [200725]

I welcome the establishment of a central point of expertise (CPET) on timber procurement as a valuable source of advice on purchasing timber from legal and sustainable sources for both Government buyers and their suppliers. Clearly, some departments are likely to draw on this resource more heavily than others, and therefore at present my Department does not plan to contribute to the funding of this body.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from golfing organisations in Scotland relating to VAT. [201189]

I am not aware that any Treasury Minister has received representations in the last year from golfing organisations in Scotland relating to VAT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of (a) chronic illness and (b) care for dementia in each of the last three years. [199586]

The data required to attribute national health service spending to classes of disease with the precision the question seeks are not available. However, the cost of treating and caring for patients with chronic disease, including dementias, is significant and this Government are committed to increasing investment in the NHS year-on-year, so that the needs of these patients and their carers are properly addressed.

That is why, in the 2004 spending review, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, confirmed the sustained high levels of investment that were set in the five-year NHS settlement announced in the 2002 Budget.

This means that, for the period 2003–04 to 2007–08, expenditure on the NHS in England will increase on average by 7.2 per cent, a year over and above inflation. Over the three years 2005–06 to 2007–08, NHS spending will increase on average by 7.1 per cent, a year over and above inflation; a total increase over the period of 23 per cent. in real terms, taking total spend on the NHS in England from £69 billons in 2004–05 to £92 billion in 2007–08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects to publish (a) the responses to his consultation paper Strengthening the Dental Team, (b) the amendments he wishes to make in the light of those responses and (c) an Order under section 60 of the Health Act 1999 to implement his conclusions; and if he will make a statement. [199515]

I plan to lay the Order before Parliament, along with a report on the recent consultation exercise, early in 2005. The Order will include amendments made in the light of responses to the consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission research into the NHS dentistry service in the Portsmouth City area in order to determine (a) levels of access to an NHS dentist and (b) levels of resources required to provide an acceptable standard of dentistry provision in the city; and if he will make a statement. [200022]

The latest figures available show that in the area covered by Portsmouth City primary care trust (PCT), 49.9 per cent. of adults and 65.9 per cent. of children are registered with an national health service dentist. The PCT has a detailed dental action plan to improve access to dentistry and is actively working with dentists in advance of the new contract to ensure that dental services meet local needs. At a national level, the Department is investing an extra £368 million in NHS dentistry, recruiting 1,000 more NHS dentists in little over a year and reforming the dental system to improve the long-term oral health of the nation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many direct payments were made by each local authority to disabled people in each year from 2001 to 2003. [200642]

Information showing the number of adults aged 18 and over with physical disability, frailty and sensory impairment receiving direct payments in England and each council with social services responsibilities, for the years 2000–01 to 2002–03, has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [199630]

The Department's website—www.dh.gov.uk—complies with the world wide web consortium's level "A" guidelines for accessibility. This has been confirmed by more than one independent assessor.

The Department's website sits on DotP, the central Government content management platform developed and hosted by the e-Government unit. This platform was developed to comply with United Kingdom Government and industry best practice guidelines on accessibility and has been designed to work with screen readers. We are currently working with the e-Government unit to improve the product's accessibility rating from single "A" compliance to double "A" compliance.

In addition, the Department's website was speech-enabled in September 2004. This facility allows users to download free software which enables them to have the site read aloud. Speech enabling provides an additional way of accessing the Department's content for people who may find it hard to read the website including those with dyslexia or learning difficulties, those for whom English is not their first language, or those with mild visual impairment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of FIT magazine, as described in the White Paper, Choosing Health, Cm 6374, paragraph 95. [199455]

FIT magazine was launched as a pilot scheme in November 2004 with 23 primary care trusts (PCTs). FIT costs PCTs an average of 40 pence per copy. This compares favourably with the cost of advertising or inserting leaflets into men's magazines, which in any case would not offer the same scope for providing tailored local information. The total cost to the national health service was £92,000. The Department subsidised the overall cost of FIT by £175,000, in order to make it more affordable for PCTs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of children under 15 years of age who (a) died and (b) suffered from leukaemia in each of the last three years who lived (i) within 100 metres of and (ii) over 100 metres away from high voltage power lines. [199609]

No such estimate has been made. The Department has, however, been supporting a study by the Childhood Cancer Research Group at Oxford University of children with leukaemia diagnosed between 1962 and 1995 in relation to their residential proximity to power lines. A summary of the study design is available on the WHO web site at www.who.int/peh-emf.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [199649]

Seventeen.

At all times Ministers 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.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health

(1) how many pregnant women were tested on the NHS for group B streptococcus in each of the last three years; [199707]

(2) how many babies were born having contracted group B streptococcus from their mother in each of the last three years; how many of these (a) died, (b) contracted meningitis and (c) contracted other related conditions; and what the cost of treating these babies was in each year; [199710]

(3) what estimate he has made of the cost of providing IV antibodies from the onset of labour to all pregnant women identified as carriers of group B streptococcus. [199711]

Information relating to the testing of pregnant women for group B streptococcus (GBS) is not centrally available. It is for local clinicians to decide whether to test individual women for this infection. Guidelines have been issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), as well as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Data on the number of babies who are born having contracted the infection are not collected centrally. However, a descriptive analysis of cases of GBS infection in which GBS was isolated from blood (bacteraemia) for the year 2003 only, has been published by the Health Protection Agency from routine reports received from microbiology laboratories in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England and Wales, a total of 208 cases of GBS bacteraemia occurred in the first week after birth (early onset) and a further 103 cases of GBS bacteraemia occurred between seven and 90 days after birth (late onset).

A special United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland study of infants up to 90 days old with invasive GBS infection (GBS isolated from a normally sterile site), diagnosed between 1 February 2000 and 28 February 2001 found a total of 377 cases of GBS infection that occurred in the first week of life, 53 of who died.

Following on from the latter study, a further study is being conducted in collaboration with the Oxford perinatal epidemiology group into the economic impact of this infection.

The cost of providing intravenous antibiotics is not currently centrally available. However, this information will be sought as part of the further work that the National Screening Committee is undertaking on this important topic.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average budget deficit or surplus is for a primary care trust in (a) the area covered by the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic Health Authority and (b) England and Wales. [199542]

Information provided by primary care trusts (PCTs) in the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic Health Authority area shows they are forecasting an average year-end deficit in 2004–05 of £1.82 million. In 2003–04, the latest year for which audited information is available, PCTs in England made an average surplus of £12,769. Information on matters relating to Wales is a matter for the devolved Administration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that pulmonary rehabilitation is made available to all appropriate patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in line with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines on the management of COPD in primary and secondary care. [199432]

It is for primary care trusts (PCTs), in partnership with local stakeholders, to commission local services, taking account of National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines and subject to independent inspection.

The national health service is currently receiving the largest sustained increase in funding in its history. The total of PCT allocations is £45 billion for 2003–04, £49.3 billion for 2004–05 and £53.9 billion for 2005–06. This represents an increase of £12.7 billion, or an average of 30.8 per cent. over the three years 2003–04 to 2005–06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS of treating patients with medical conditions deemed to have been linked to the use of tobacco products was in the last 12 months for which records are available. [199613]

Treating illness and disease caused by smoking has been estimated to cost the national health service up to £1.7 billion every year in terms of general practitioner visits, prescriptions, treatment and operations.

Source:

Buck D, Godfrey C, Parrott S, Raw M, University of York Centre for Health Economics: Cost Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Interventions, London: Health Education Authority, 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the detentions of 31 people under the Metropolitan Police Community Support Officer detention power pilot resulted in release after the arrival of a police officer; and if he will make a statement. [200357]

This information is not available because the data were not sought during the evaluation of the use of the detention power in the six pilot forces.

The report "Community Support Officer (Detention Power) Pilot: Evaluation Results" published on 29 September concluded that the evidence collected and analysed in evaluation indicated that the power to detain did not have an adverse effect either on the Community Support Officer or the detainee.

A decision to arrest or take alternative action is at the discretion of the constable who attends the scene. A decision by a constable not to make an arrest does not imply that the decision by the Community Support Officer to detain was incorrect, particularly if the decision to detain results from an individual's failure to comply with a lawful direction by a Community Support Officer.

The Association of Chief Police Officers is developing guidance on the power to detain and how it should be exercised. The guidance will be issued shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether budgets for the National Offender Management Service will be held (a) regionally, (b) nationally and (c) locally. [199983]

Different elements of the budget for the National Offender Management Service will be held at national, regional and local level. Individual budgets will operate within the system according to where they will be most effective in helping to reduce reoffending. Most of the funding for offender services will be held by Regional Offender Managers (ROMs), who will be responsible for planning and commissioning those services.

To ask the Solicitor-General 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. [199685]

The Websites for the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office and the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers comply with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines' Priority 1 checkpoints. The SFO will be updating its website shortly and will be making improvements to the overall structure.

For the Treasury Solicitor's Department, the website dealing with the Department's bona vacantia matters currently complies with the guidelines, although the website for the Department generally has some minor issues which need to be addressed. These are being addressed as part of the current website development.

The Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate website conforms with the majority of the requirements and a full compliance review will be conducted next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on (a) the work and (b) the future of the regional broadband aggregation organisations. [200894]

In the light of the significantly changed market conditions for broadband since the set up of the broadband aggregation bodies, the original central co-ordination mechanism is no longer appropriate. In practice the opportunities are regionally based and broadband aggregation will continue to operate at the regional level. Delivery mechanisms will vary across regions, as is the case now. While there will be some cost cutting over the next year, in line with the changed business environment, the specific operations and organisation of each of the individual Regional Aggregation Bodies are governed by their boards, and decisions will be based on their regional needs and opportunities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) if she will make a statement on her plans for the Broadband National Aggregation Board; [200896]

(2) what funding was provided for the Broadband National Aggregation Board in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement on its future funding. [200895]

To date, the funding provided to the National Aggregation Body amounts to £571,000. Any future funding will be a collective matter for the National Aggregation Body Executive Board, as will any decisions on its future as a trading entity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former mineworkers or beneficiaries are in receipt of concessionary coal in (a) Midlothian, (b) Scotland and (c) the United Kingdom. [200207]

There are 32,434 beneficiaries (as at 1 November 2004) who are in receipt of Concessionary Fuel in the UK. Of these some 1,331 reside in Scotland and, included in that number, are 605 beneficiaries taking solid fuel that live within the Midlothian constituency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former mineworkers or beneficiaries are in receipt of cash in lieu in (a) Midlothian, (b) Scotland and (c) United Kingdom. [200210]

There are 78,440 beneficiaries (as at 1 November 2004) who are in receipt of Cash in lieu of Concessionary Fuel in the UK. Of these some 6,120 reside in Scotland and, included in that number, are 2,532 beneficiaries taking the cash alternative to fuel that live within the Midlothian constituency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) cost to the Department, (b) title and (c) location was of each training course organised by her Department for its staff in each financial year since 1997–98. [200385]

My Department does not hold this information centrally. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [200405]

My department does not hold this information centrally. To provide this information could be done only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [199693]

All of my Department's websites aim to comply with the Guidelines for UK Government websites, which are based on the W3C Guidelines. It is very important that all citizens should have access to Government information and services online, regardless of disability or level of competence and equipment. My Department strives to have a high level of accessibility in all its communications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of the rising price of wholesale gas on domestic consumers. [199541]

Initial estimates suggest that, for domestic customers, prices at the end of 2004 are likely to be 18 per cent. higher for gas and 13 per cent. higher for electricity than they were at the start of the year. The impacts of these increases will be greatest for lower income customers. They can be minimised by taking a range of actions. Switching from "home" gas and electricity suppliers can save an average of £50 a year; switching payment method to direct debit can save a further £25. Taking energy efficiency measures can provide significant annual savings, and taking advantage of social programmes offered by energy suppliers including benefits health checks and fixed tariffs, can respectively increase household income and provide greater certainty on payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to announce how she intends to implement the large combustion plant directive; and if she will make a statement. [200738]

I have been asked to reply.

We are seeking to implement the revised EU large combustion plants directive in a way that will meet its environmental objectives and be as cost-effective as possible for business. As we announced on 22 July, we have therefore decided to explore with the European Commission a modified approach to implementation of the directive that would combine the National Emissions Reduction Plan (NERP) and Emissions Limit Values (ELV) approaches. The UK's reasoned arguments in support of this approach were sent to the Commission on 26 November.

We will take final decisions in the light of the Commission's response, which we expect to receive by March 2005 at the latest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the (a) impact and (b) success of basic research in the UK is being assessed; and how it will be assessed in the future. [199951]

holding answer 29 November 2004

The Department of Trade and Industry undertakes an international benchmarking study to assess the impact and success of UK research against a comparator group of 26 countries, including the G8 and leading EU nations. The 2004 study shows the continued strong performance of UK science across a number of key scientific indicators including papers published, citations received, number of high impact papers and productivity per unit spend of GDP. A copy of the study "PSA target metrics for the UK research base" is available in the Libraries of the House.

The Department will continue to track progress towards meeting the Government's overall targets outlined in the "Science and Innovation investment framework 2004–14". In particular, progress will be measured against a basket of performance indicators for each of the broad attributes of the UK science and innovation system, as set out in Annex B of the Investment Framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [199652]

121. At all times Ministers make every effort to answer questions substantively before Prorogation. However this is not always possible and where right hon. 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 Northern Ireland how many incidents of (a) punishment beatings, (b) expulsions and (c) criminal extortion from the owners of commercial enterprises have been committed by Republican sympathisers over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [199406]

In the period 1 November 2003 to 31 October this year there have been a total of 40 casualties as a result of paramilitary style assaults attributed to Republican groups. No official figures on the number of people exiled from Northern Ireland as a result of paramilitary intimidation are available as not all incidents are reported. The most recent report by the Independent Monitoring Commission on paramilitary activity, published on 4 November, clearly states that Republicans are engaged in criminal extortion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reasons determined the length of the consultation period in relation to Belfast City Airport's application to increase the number of seats for sale. [199734]

There is no statutory period for this type of procedure. However, we recognise that it is important to be consistent in our approach and we therefore chose to align it with the new Development Plans Regulations, which provide for an eight-week consultation period. This period was recently extended from six weeks to eight weeks and it accords with the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) consultation process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on recent discussions held in Northern Ireland on the restoration of devolved government. [199735]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Members for South Antrim (David Burnside) and Edinburgh, West (John Barrett).

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on recent talks regarding the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland. [199739]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Members for South Antrim (David Burnside) and Edinburgh West (John Barrett).

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process. [199736]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Members for South Antrim (David Burnside) and Edinburgh West (John Barrett).

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the funding of education in Northern Ireland. [199405]

Since 1999–2000 total Department of Education spending has increased by 48 per cent. per pupil. By the end of the Draft Budget period, that figure will rise to an increase of 76 per cent. per pupil by the addition of £1.86 billion.

In the current year the Department for Employment and Learning allocated £188 million for the further education sector and £217 million for the higher education sector in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs have been created in (a) North Belfast and (b) Northern Ireland as a result of public investment in each year since 1997. [200907]

This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the level of (a) gross domestic product and (b) gross value added per hour worked in the Northern Ireland economy was in (i) 1996, (ii) 1999 and (iii) 2002. [200885]

The Office for National Statistics is responsible for producing estimates of gross value added (GVA) for the regions of United Kingdom including Northern Ireland. Regional Estimates of gross domestic product are no longer produced since the extension of the European System of Accounts 1995 (ESA95) to the Regional Accounts. Total GVA and GVA per hour worked for Northern Ireland in

the requested years is detailed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on inward investment in Northern Ireland. [199562]

In the period April 2003 to March 2004 Invest NI secured 27 inward investment projects and total investment of £132 million. Of these, 16 were mobile projects from externally owned companies who already had a presence in Northern Ireland. In addition, there were 11 new inward investment projects involving a total investment of £35 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what pieces of legislation passed in the last 30 years that the Department is responsible for remain to be brought into force, broken down by year of enactment. [200445]

Providing the information for the period requested would incur disproportionate costs. The following list, therefore, sets out a broad overview of primary legislation from 1997 for which the Northern Ireland Office is responsible and parts of which remain to be brought into force. The list does not include provisions which have never been in force and are now repealed or spent.

The Northern Ireland Act 1998

All in force, apart from

Schedule 13 paras.

1—Minor and Consequential Amendments—Repealed (never in force)

10—Minor and Consequential Amendments—Repealed (never in force).

Sch. 13 paras.

16—Repealed

18—Repealed

Sch. 15—Repeals—Not in force, apart from in cases of exception mentioned in the schedule.

The Police (NI) Act 1998

S 25 (4)—The Board's policing objectives—Not in force

S 40 (3), (4)—Appointment of police reserve trainees—Not in force

Sch. 6—Amendments—Not in force apart from exceptions noted.

The Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000

Part V—Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness

S 28—Arrangements relating to economy, efficiency and effectiveness—not in force

S 29—Audit of performance plans—not in force

S 30—Examinations—not in force

S 31—Enforcement of duties under section 28—not in force

2001

None.

2002

Justice (NI) Act 2002

Magistrates

Section 9 (12)—Lay magistrates—not in force

Section 10—Transfer of functions of justices of the peace—not in force

Section 11—Transfer of functions of lay panellists—not in force

Lord Chief Justice

Section 12—Role of Lord Chief Justice—not in force

Section 13—Presiding County court judge—not in force

Section 14—Presiding resident magistrate—not in force

Section 15—Presiding lay magistrate—not in force

Section 16—Complaints about holders of judicial office—not in force

Other provisions

Section 18 (10)—Qualification of appointment—not in force

Section 20—Crown Solicitor—not in force

Section 21—Judicial Pensions: pension sharing—not in force

Attorney-General

Section 22—Attorney-General—not in force

Section 23—Terms of appointment of Attorney-General—not in force

Section 24—Removal of Attorney-General—not in force

Section 25—Participation by Attorney-General in Assembly proceedings—not in force

Section 26—Annual report by Attorney-General—not in force

Advocate-General

Section 27—Advocate-General—not in force

Section 28—Functions of Advocate-General—not in force

Public Prosecution Service

Section 29—Public Prosecution Service—not in force

Section 30—Director of Public Prosecutions—not in force

Section 31—Conduct of Public Prosecutions—not in force

Section 32—Discontinuance of proceedings before court appearance—not in force

Section 33—Consents to prosecutions—not in force

Section 34—Police complaints—not in force

Section 35—Information for Director—not in force

Section 36—Exercise of functions by and on behalf of Service—not in force

Section 37—Code for Prosecutors—not in force

Section 38—Equality and non-discrimination—not in force

Section 39—Reports by Director—not in force

Relationship of Director and Attorney-General

Section 40—Superintendence and removal of Director—not in force

Section 41—Transfer of functions etc.—not in force

Section 42—Independence of Director—not in force

Section 43—Appointment and removal of Director by Attorney-General—not in force

Supplementary

Section 44—Interpretation—not in force

Law Commission

Section 50—Law Commission—not in force

Section 51—Duties of Commission—not in force

Section 52—Reports etc.—not in force

Youth Justice—Aims

Section 53 (6)—Aims of Youth Justice System—not in force

New Orders

Section 56—Custody Care Orders—not in force

Other Provisions

Section 63—Extension of youth justice system to 17-year-olds—not in force

Section 64—Juvenile justice centre orders for 17-year-olds—not in force

Section 65—Consultation about detention—not in force

Royal Arms and flags

Section 67—Flying of flags at court-houses—not in force

Community Safety

Section 72—Local Community Safety Partnerships—not in force

Civil Procedure

Section 73—Constitution of Rules Committees—not in force

Court Service

Section 78—Power to abolish Court Service—not in force

Supplementary

Section 82—Excepted matters: judicial office-holders—not in force

Section 83—Reserved matters: new institutions—not in force

Section 84—Assembly Acts about judiciary, law officers and prosecutions—not in force

Schedules

1—Listed Judicial Offices—not in force

2—Judicial Appointments—not in force

3—Appointment to listed judicial offices—not in force

4—Functions of justices of the peace—not in force

5—Transfer of functions to Lord Chief Justice—not in force

7—Functions of Advocate-General—not in force

9—Law Commission—not in force

11—Extension of youth justice system to 17 year olds—not in force

12—Minor and consequential amendments

paras. 1–14—not in force

paras. 18 + 22 Repealed (never in force)

paras. 30, 32–52 not in force

paras. 53 (3), 55 (4), 57, 59–65, 68, 69, 72, 73, 76–81 not in force

13—Repeals and revocations—not in force apart from exceptions.

2003

Police (NI) Act 2003

District Policing Partnerships

S 31—Enforcement of duties under section 28—not in force

Section 15(1)-(5)—Independent members: declaration against terrorism—not in force

Section 16 (1)—Independent members: disqualification—not in force

Police functions and Service

Section 26 (1)-(3)—Protected disclosures by police officers—not in force

Searches and samples

Section 41(1)—Intimate searches—not in force

Section 42 (1)-(5)—Intimate samples—not in force

Schedule 1—Belfast—not in force

Schedule 4—Repeals and Revocations—not in force apart from exceptions

2004

Justice (NI) Act 2004

The Judiciary

Section 2—Membership of the Commission—not in force

Section 3—Duty of the Commission to secure judiciary reflective of the Community—not in force

Section 4—Appointment of Lord Chief Justice and Lords Justices of Appeal—not in force

Section 5—Removal or suspension from listed judicial offices—not in force

Prosecutors

Section 6—Duty of Director of Public Prosecutions to refer certain matters to Police Ombudsman—not in force

Section 7—Influencing a prosecutor—not in force

Criminal Justice Organisations

Section 8—Guidance for criminal justice organisations on human rights standards-not in force

Bail

Section 10—Prosecution right of appeal against grant of bail by magistrates court—not in force

Schedules

1—Transfer to Lord Chancellor of functions relating to Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission—not in force

3—Court Security—not in force

4—Repeals—not in force apart from exceptions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the funding surplus within the LMS scheme was for each school in the South Eastern Education and Library Board in each of the last five years; and how each surplus was used. [200501]

I understand from the Chief Executive of the South-Eastern Education and Library Board that the funding surpluses and deficits within the Local Management Scheme for each school in the South-Eastern Education and Library Board in each of the last 5 years is set out in the published outturn statements for those years. A table containing the funding surplus for each school for the period in question has been placed in the Library. Information on how each school has been or will be using its budget surplus could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the political situation in Northern Ireland. [199737]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Members for South Antrim (David Burnside) and Edinburgh West (John Barrett).

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the number of racist attacks in Northern Ireland (a) generally and (b) with specific reference to attacks on the Chinese community. [199423]

Government are working on many fronts to tackle this problem. Action is being taken at operational and strategic levels by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Government Departments and through funding of the voluntary sector. Government are committed to eradicating all manifestations of hatred, and will be unceasing in their efforts to create a safer and more tolerant Northern Ireland.

The attacks on people from minority communities are unacceptable and to be deplored. They are an issue for all sections of society in Northern Ireland. Some of the recent media headlines would lead observers to the conclusion that Northern Ireland has become a hotbed of racial intolerance. However, this is not the case. It is frequently only the bad news that is reported, not the work going on behind the scenes to promote integration and tolerance. And while crimes have increased significantly over a number of years, I am pleased to report that the rate of increase in the number of attacks appears to be slowing down.

The following table shows the number of racist attacks in Northern Ireland since 2001:

The following table shows the number of recorded racist attacks on the Chinese community since 2002:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current security situation in Northern Ireland. [199402]

The general security situation is improving. Dissident republicans remain a threat, though for the most part their activities have been thwarted, intercepted or nullified by good policing and intelligence operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to replace the Worktrack programme in Northern Ireland. [200084]

The Department for Employment and Learning is not planning any direct replacement for the Worktrack programme. There are already significant resources available in a comprehensive provision under the various New Deals and other employment programmes. Significant provision to improve workforce skills is also available through higher and further education.

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]

pursuant to his reply, 30 November 2004, Official Report, c. 63W

There was a factual inaccuracy in the figure provided for the "Number of starts in Northern Ireland—2003–04". The correct information is as follows.

To ask the Prime Minister, how many written questions for his Office were unanswered when Parliament Prorogued; and how many of the unanswered questions were tabled in each of the previous months of the 2003–04 Session. [201557]

None.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the actions achieved in 2004 through his diplomatic engagement with President Bush. [200899]

As always, during 2004 the UK and US worked closely together on a range of issues including Iraq, Iran, the Middle East Peace process and Afghanistan. I look forward to working with President Bush over the coming months in order to make further progress on these, and other matters.

To ask the Prime Minister,

(1) on how many occasions he has (a) met and (b) spoken to Sir John Day in the last 12 months; what was discussed on each of those occasions; on how many occasions he has (i) met and (ii) spoken to (A) other Ministers, (B) Government officials or (C) other staff of BAE Systems with regard to Sir John Day's appointment to BAE Systems; and what was discussed on each of those occasions; [200510]

(2) whether he had been informed of Sir John Day's role in assessing the causes of the crash of the RAF Chinook HC2 helicopter ZD576 on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994; when he overturned the ruling of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments; and on how many occasions he has overruled the Advisory Committee on business appointments; [200511]

(3) whether he has discussed with Sir John Day his role in assessing the causes of the crash of the RAF Chinook HC2 helicopter ZD576 on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994; [200512]

(4) how he was first informed of Sir John Day's appointment to BAE Systems; and what factors underlay his assessment that it would be in the wider national interest for Sir John Day to take up his post at BAE Systems three months after his retirement from the RAF. [200513]

As set out in my letter to the hon. Member on 11 October 2004, copies of which have been placed in the Library, the tragic helicopter accident on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994 played no part in this case. As in previous cases, the procedures and rules governing Business Appointments were rigorously adhered to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children with severe allergies were denied access to local authority extra-curricular schemes because of the lack of trained staff who can administer adrenaline in the last year for which figures are available. [199757]

My Department does not keep a central record of the number or type of study support (out of school hours learning) activities provided by schools or local authorities, nor of the number of children who attend them. It is for local authorities and schools to determine what provision best meets the needs of the young people in the area.

We encourage schools and local authorities to make study support activities available to all young people who wish to attend. This includes ensuring that all provision incorporates a health and safety policy. The DfES publication "Safe Keeping: a good practice guide for health and safety in study support" provides information on the legal responsibilities of staff, and guidance on first aid requirements. Copies of the publication are held in the Library of the House of Commons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what work is undertaken by the Connexions service in prisons. [200433]

Connexions is working in secure establishments, chiefly Young Offender Institutes, alongside the Prison Service and youth justice professionals, to deliver support services and personal development opportunities aimed at re-engaging young offenders into education, training and employment. The precise role of Connexions depends on the established support structure in each individual prison and is determined locally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his estimate is of the percentage of three and four-year-olds in early years education in Somerset in each year from 1997 to 2005; and if he will make a statement. [199897]

The information is not available in the form requested. Figures on the provision of early years education in January 2005 have not yet been collected. The latest available figures for January 2004 show that all three and four-year-olds in England took up some form of early years education. Ninety seven per cent. of these children received funding.

The available sub-national information relates the number of free part-time nursery education places taken up by three and four-year-olds. The latest figures for the Somerset local education authority area are shown in the table.

Number of free nursery education places taken up by three and four year old children in maintained nursery and primary schools and private, voluntary and independent providers—1997–2004