To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with European Union counterparts about the (a) allocation and (b) delivery of EU aid to third world countries; and if he will make a statement. [200719]

On 23 November, the Secretary of State attended the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels, which discussed both the issues of aid allocation and its delivery.

DFID continues to work for agreement that a much larger share of EC aid of higher quality should be allocated to low income countries where it will have the greatest impact on poverty reduction. Over the past two years, EC spending has been moving in the right direction, with 56 per cent. of aid being spent in low-income countries in 2003. A further re-balancing of aid is required if the Millennium Development Goals are to be met and the UK has called for the EC to spend 70 per cent. of its aid in low-income countries by 2008. This proportion would still recognise the needs of the poor in middle-income countries. It remains clear from the Council discussion that a number of other member states do not subscribe to this view. After a discussion, the Council Conclusions invited the Commission to find ways to increase focus on the poorest, with a specific focus on Africa.

EC aid has gone through serious reforms since it launched its reform programme back in 2000. DFID welcomes this and recognises important progress in terms of speedier delivery, more local capacity in the field and improved portfolio performance overall. Current reforms have focused on qualitative improvements. DFID believes there is a case for continuing reforms also under the new Commission, but with a focus on quality and impact of EC aid. The 23 November Council called upon the new Commission to undertake an assessment of EC External Assistance and to identify what follow up to the Reform Process is required focusing on quality, impact and results.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Developmentwhat assistance his Department is giving to Iraqi civilians remaining in Falluja. [201661]

The Interim Iraqi Government (IIG) is leading on humanitarian and reconstruction work in Falluja and has established a central team to co-ordinate its assistance to the people of Fallujah. The UK is in close contact with the IIG, and DFID is providing technical advice to its Fallujah coordination team.

The IIG and the Multi-National Force operating in Fallujah have reported that there is no humanitarian crisis so far and humanitarian visits to Falluja by British military officials confirm this assessment. The Iraqi Ministry of Health, Iraqi Security Forces, and the Multi-National Force have reported that their stockpiles of humanitarian supplies have provided for the immediate needs of Falluja's civilians. The IIG and Iraqi Red Crescent trucks containing humanitarian supplies are entering the city and distributing food, water, and medical supplies. Work to clear rubble and restore basic services is also underway.

DFID is maintaining close contact with the IIG, with representatives of the Multi-National Force, and with humanitarian organisations on the ground, to address the needs of Falluja's population. DFID is ready to respond positively to requests for humanitarian help or further advice in Falluja or elsewhere.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information he has received on the (a) location and (b) humanitarian condition of Iraqi civilians who left Falluja in advance of the US bombing. [201663]

The Iraqi Interim Government (IIG), together with its humanitarian agency partners, is monitoring the location and condition of Falluja's displaced population. The IIG has reported that the main concentrations of Falluja's civilians are located in Ameria, Habania, Saqlawiyah, and Gaana, with a significant number also in Baghdad.

The IIG judges that there is no humanitarian crisis in Falluja or the surrounding area.The Iraqi Ministry of Health (MoH) assessment teams have visited the four areas around Falluja where it considers the main concentrations of Falluja's displaced population to be located. The MoH teams report that most of the displaced citizens are staying with family and friends, some are in schools, mosques, and government buildings, and a small number are in tents. Pre-positioning of supplies has helped to provide for immediate needs, and the IIG and humanitarian agencies are continuing to deliver essential food, water, blankets and medical supplies. The IIG plans to send public health teams and medical staff into the four main areas to address potential health and hygiene concerns until it is safe for the displaced families to return to Falluja. DFID is providing technical advice to the IIG Falluja co-ordination team and is ready to respond positively to further requests for humanitarian help or advice in Falluja and the surrounding area.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance his Department is giving to the Iraqi civilians who left Fallujah in advance of the US bombing. [201662]

The Interim Iraqi Government (IIG) is leading on assistance to the citizens of Falluja who left the city before military action took place. The IIG has established a ministerial team to co-ordinate its response, which includes supplying food, water and medical supplies to Falluja's displaced population, and planning for their safe return to the city. DFID is providing advice to the IIG Falluja team and is ready to respond positively to requests for further humanitarian help or advice in Falluja and the surrounding area.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what studies his Department has undertaken into the effects that the European Commission's proposed price reductions on sugar will have on his Department's existing programmes in Jamaica. [200238]

DFID is currently reviewing the composition of its Jamaica programme, developing in more detail, the areas identified in the Regional Assistance Plan for the Caribbean. This assessment will be undertaken in discussion with the Government of Jamaica and in light of the studies on the potential impact of sugar price changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development

(1) what assessment his Department has made of the impact that a three-year transition period and a price reduction on sugar would have on the sugar industry in Jamaica; [200239]

(2) what studies his Department has undertaken into the effects that the European Commission's proposed price reductions on sugar would have on the sugar industry in (a) Jamaica and (b) the wider Caribbean region. [200240]

DFID recognises that the reform of the EU sugar regime will have a significant impact on the sugar industry in Jamaica and the Caribbean, and hence on many communities already among the poorest in the region.

The impact of EU reform will vary between countries, and will depend crucially on the policies that Caribbean countries adopt with regard to their sugar industries. The Government of Jamaica are bringing together representatives of the Government, the sugar industry, academia, trade unions, and other civil society organisations to identify possible future scenarios for Jamaica's agricultural sector. The exercise will develop a relevant and practical action plan for the future, which will be passed to the Government of Jamaica for consideration and action.

The impact of EU reform will also depend on the transitional assistance available. On a parallel track, DFID is working to ensure that the EU offers the most effective possible package of transitional assistance.

In order to help inform the debate and ensure the impact on developing countries is taken sufficiently into consideration, DFID commissioned a study last year with LMC International and Oxford Policy Management, 'Addressing the Impact of Preference Erosion in Sugar on Developing Countries'. The study is divided into two sections. The first part assesses the economic and social impact on the African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP) Sugar Protocol countries of the various reform scenarios suggested by the European Commission. The second part of the study assesses alternative options for addressing the impact of preference erosion in sugar. The purpose of this analysis was to identify various options for debate by the ACP and the EU.

DFID has recently commissioned two further pieces of work on this issue: from LMC International, 'EU Sugar Reform: the Implications for the Development of Least Developed Countries (LDC)s' and from the Overseas Development Institute: 'Forthcoming changes in EU sugar/banana markets: a menu of options for an effective EU transitional assistance package'. This latter report should help those countries affected by reform determine their priorities for a transitional package. It also includes some analysis of alternative uses for sugar.

DFID is now following up this work by commissioning a series of country profiles for those Caribbean countries that will be affected by the change in the EU trade regime. The principle objective of these profiles is to identify a specific menu of options for an effective competitive fund package, which addressees the impact of sugar reform at both the national and the household level.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Developmentwhat estimate he has made of the percentage of snow cover on Mount Everest in (a) 1953, (b) 1983 and (c) 2003; and what assessment he has made of the impact on Nepal of changes in the level of snow cover. [200691]

Quantifying the change in percentage snow cover on Mount Everest from 1953 to 2003 is difficult because there have been few surveys of the mountain's snow-covered area over the period in question and none of these surveys has been continual. DFID has recently funded a research project on Snow and Glacier Aspects of Water Resources Management in the Himalayas, 2001–2004 (SAGARMATHA) that undertook analysis of temperature data and developed a predictive model to assess impacts of changes. The analysis revealed a trend of increasing annual average temperature between 1961–1996 of around +0.07o C/year across Nepal, while data from the 15 highest gauges for the period 1976–96, at elevations of between 1800 and 4100 metres, showed an upward trend of +0.1o C/year. If maintained, such trends will cause the snow-covered area in the Nepal Himalaya to recede.

Photographs taken of the mountain since the 1950s, and other anecdotal evidence, do suggest a general reduction both in the snow-covered area and the spatial extent of the mountain's glaciers, but with the snow-covered area varying within each year and from year to year, it is not possible to provide definitive figures from these for the percentage change.

The impacts of a reduced snow-covered area are many. There is a greater tendency for glaciers to retreat resulting in glacial lakes being formed behind unstable moraine dams. Consequently a build-up of melt-water and/or glacier surges behind these structures increases the threat of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), several of which have been reported in Nepal. The reduction in snow and ice cover also has potential impacts on water resources availability and use downstream: it is likely to lead to a temporary increase followed, ultimately, by a reduction in river flows. Increased river flows, resulting from more glacial ice being exposed for melting, could increase the incidence of flooding and landslides; whereas reduced river flows, as the glacial ice disappears, could affect agricultural productivity, fisheries, hydropower generation, industry, domestic water supply, and transportation.

The SAGARMATHA project sought to quantify the timing and extent of these impacts across the Himalayan region. It concluded that, while glaciers were retreating throughout the Himalaya, the threat to future water availability was greatest in the west. In the eastern Himalaya changes in the melt-water from glaciers has a relatively small effect. The project's models forecast that flows in eastern Nepal would gradually increase for several decades but would eventually diminish. In the west, river flows were forecast to diminish rapidly over the next few decades, which will be a concern for both India and Pakistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans his Department has to work with (a) other donors and (b) main partner governments to establish sector wide approaches in water and sanitation. [200112]

holding answer 29 November 2004

The Department for International Development (DFID) works with its partners to support governments to achieve the Millennium development goals, including the water and sanitation goals. Where appropriate, DFID provides Poverty Reduction Budgetary Support, which helps countries implement their Poverty Reduction Strategies. Poverty Reduction Strategies are produced following a consultation process within the country concerned, and between governments and donors. Water and sanitation are a key part of these discussions.

Where DFID does not provide all or any of its assistance through Poverty Reduction Budgetary Support, DFID may work with others towards sector wide approaches in water and sanitation. This will depend on the specific situation in a country, including whether water and sanitation are agreed priorities for DFID support. DFID is also promoting improved donor co-ordination in the water and sanitation sector, under the European Union Water Initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms were affected in 1986 by fallout from Chernobyl; on how many farms restrictions remain in place as a result; and when she expects the effects to be eradicated from farms in Wales. [200268]

I have been asked to reply.

This is a devolved issue and the Food Standards Agency for Wales has responsibility for this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons the term "common policy in the sphere of operation of fisheries", specified in the Maastricht Treaty, was replaced by the term "exclusive competence to manage marine life" in the proposed constitutional treaty for the European Union; and what assessment she has made of the consequences for the UK of the change. [200259]

The conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy has been an exclusive competence of the Community since 1979. This competence is derived from a combination of the EC Treaty and the language negotiated in 1973 in the UK Act of Accession and endorsed by all the then member states. This has been confirmed by the European Court of Justice.

The new Constitutional Treaty has been drafted to reflect this position and does not extend competence in fisheries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the (a) outcome of her Department's negotiations with the European Commission in respect of the request for financial aid to assist in the management of the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001 and (b) the comments by the European Commission on the handling of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [200731]

holding answer 30 November 2004

The Department has recently concluded its negotiations with the European Commission and as a result the United Kingdom will receive a total of £350 million in co-financing for the 2001 outbreak.

The United Kingdom will continue to work with the European Commission and other member states to ensure that the lessons learned from the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001 are applied.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the impact of a total ban on the sale and use of nickel-cadmium batteries on employment in the United Kingdom. [200282]

Neither the European Commission proposal for a Directive on Batteries and Accumulators nor the European Parliament's amendments at First Reading envisage a total ban on the sale and use of nickel-cadmium batteries. A partial ban has, however, been suggested during current negotiations on the proposed Directive, and is the subject of an extended impact assessment by the Council. When participating in negotiations, the Government weigh all relevant factors, including impacts on cost, employment, customer choice, and environmental protection, in consultation with business and other interested parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to improve collection and recycling rates for nickel-cadmium batteries. [200283]

The proposed EU Directive on Batteries and Accumulators, currently being negotiated, contains collection and recycling targets for portable and industrial nickel-cadmium batteries. If these targets appear in an adopted Directive, it is likely that a range of approaches to achieving them will be necessary. We will develop these in consultation with industry and other parties, taking account of best practice, cost, and environmental impact.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that offshore dredging of marine aggregates does not adversely affect fish spawning. [199496]

I have been asked to reply.

No offshore dredging of marine aggregates can take place without first receiving an environmental consent called a favourable 'Government View' from the First Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister. His decisions on Government View applications are only reached following wide publicity and consultation, including with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which, in turn, consults the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science; the Sea Fisheries Inspectorate and local fishermen. Applications are subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment and must be accompanied by an Environmental Statement. Only if he is satisfied that there will be no significant effect on the marine environment, including, if appropriate, effects on fish spawning, will the First Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, consider issuing a favourable Government View. Consented proposals are subject to conditions relating to mitigation and monitoring measures; where appropriate, these may relate to fish spawning.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list consultation documents and mailings that were sent unsolicited by her Department or its agencies in the most recent 12 months for which information is available that contained general information; how many of each publication were printed; and what the cost was per copy. [200321]

During the period we issued 117 consultation documents. These include some very specific and narrow proposals regarding animal welfare, farm products and secondary legislation to the transposition of European legislation, amendments to environmental regulations and draft guidance consequent on domestic legislation. They also include major initiatives such as the Clean Neighbourhoods consultation, implementation of CAP reform, Rights of Way and Pollution Control. I am placing a copy of the full list in the Library of the House of Commons. It is also available on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/ corporate/consult/default.asp. Information on the cost per copy of each mailing is not available and to establish the information would incur the Department in a disproportionate cost. The extent of the circulation will depend on the issues involved and the range of people and organisations likely to be affected by it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many overseas temporary veterinary officers were employed in the public sector to assist in her Department's veterinary work in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [200687]

The Department does not hold statistical data for overseas Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs) for the period outside of Foot and Mouth disease. During this disease, the Number of Overseas TVIs who were appointed to assist the State Veterinary Service (SVS) was 706.

The figures do not include vets employed outside the SVS whether in Defra or other Government Departments.

Temporary Veterinary Inspectors are appointed to carry out specific functions on behalf of Defra. They are not employed by the Department.

These figures are referenced from: Smith, L (2002) Foot and Mouth Disease: Veterinary Resource Issues. State Veterinary Journal 12 (1) 3–5.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discretion her Department allows Warm Front Scheme managers to (a) repeat grants for households which have already benefited from Warm Front and (b) fast track exceptionally vulnerable households. [200448]

Under the current scheme applicants are entitled to assistance once at the same address. However, in cases where heating measures are not recommended the Scheme Managers will review any further application within a twelve month period.

A Fuel Poverty Action Plan, including proposals for the future development of Warm Front is expected to be published shortly.

We are currently funding a project to assess the feasibility of fast-tracking applicants with particular medical conditions to the scheme. The project is being delivered by the National Energy Action, the Warm Front Scheme Managers and local health practitioners. Results will be reported to the Department during 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms are in place to monitor private landlords' compliance with the requirement to freeze rents for a one or two year period after a Warm Front improvement. [200449]

Where measures are to be installed by Warm Front in a privately rented property, prior to work going ahead landlords sign an agreement that they will not increase the rent for either one or two years.

However depending on the measures provided, where a property is regulated under a fair rent agreement or is subject to an annual rent review, landlords can increase the rent providing it does not take into account the impact of any Warm Front measures installed.

The Warm Front Scheme Managers do not have any formal requirement to check whether these arrangements are being complied with but would act if contacted by a tenant on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport,

(1) if she will make representations to Ofcom to prevent the exposure of children to graphic pictures of bullfighting in late afternoon transmissions; [200705]

(2) what controls there are on the content of satellite transmissions by Sky television. [200706]

Responsibility for what is broadcast on television rests with the broadcasters and the appropriate regulator and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State therefore has no plans to make specific representations to Ofcom about this issue.

Broadcasters established in the United Kingdom and licensed by Ofcom must comply with their programme code which is intended, among other things, to ensure that children are not exposed to inappropriate material.

Some of the channels on the Sky platform are not licensed by Ofcom but by other jurisdictions in Europe. Under EU law, in the Television Without Frontiers (TVWF) Directive, licences granted in EU countries are recognised throughout the EU and stations which hold a licence can also be carried on other countries' domestic satellite platforms. In these circumstances they are subject to regulation by their country of origin only, and not by the second country on whose satellite platform they also appear.

The TVWF Directive provides minimum standards for the protection of minors. The UK Government would intervene only if those standards were manifestly, seriously and gravely breached and Ofcom had recommended intervention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the effect of the coming into force of the European Constitution on the operation of her 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. [200166]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for Europe on Monday 29 November, Official Report, columns 10W-11W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [200444]

The pieces of primary legislation passed since 1997, for which the Department is responsible, and which remain to be brought into force, are listed in the table. The information requested for the period prior to 1997 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications for off-licences have been objected to by local residents in each of the last 10 years; what the main reasons given for such objections were; and what proportion of licences objected to were rejected. [201653]

This information is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many appeals were made by civil servants to the Civil Service Commissioners regarding special advisers in her Department between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004; and when each appeal was lodged. [201366]

There were no appeals regarding special advisers made by civil servants to the Civil Service Commissioners in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to increase penalties for those who sell alcohol to under-age drinkers. [201523]

Under the Licensing Act 2003 the maximum fine for selling alcohol to an individual aged under 18 will increase to a maximum of £5,000 (level 5 on the standard scale). This is an increase on the maximum penalty available under the Licensing Act 1964, which is a fine of £1,000 (level 3 on the standard scale). Furthermore, on convicting a personal licence holder for such an offence (or a range of offences set out in the 2003 Act), the court will have the power to order the forfeiture of the personal licence or its suspension for up to six months. Also, an application for a personal licence could be refused because the applicant has such a conviction. In addition, such a conviction could jeopardise an application for the renewal of a personal licence. By contrast, under current law, the holder of a justices' licence may have his licence declared forfeit by the court only on conviction for a second offence under certain provisions of the 1964 Act. The 2003 Act is being brought into force in stages and it is planned that the sentencing provisions referred to above would be in force from November 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) low carbon vehicles and (b) vehicles were sold in the UK in each of the last five years. [201208]

The Government support sales of low carbon vehicles in a number of ways, as summarised in our "Powering Future Vehicles Strategy". Our Vehicle Excise Duty and company car tax regimes in particular reward those who choose the cleanest, most fuel-efficient cars.

We reported progress on low carbon vehicle sales in the Second Annual Report on the delivery of the Powering Future Vehicles Strategy, published in October 2004 and available via the Department's website. Some good progress has been made in recent years. Average new car fuel efficiency has been improving each year since 1995 in the UK, by between 1 per cent. and 2 per cent. per year on average, and in 2003 sales of cars with a fuel efficiency of 120 g/km carbon dioxide or better made up about 3 per cent. of total new car sales.

Information on annual new vehicle registrations is published each year in "Transport Statistics Great Britain", available via the Department's website. Total new vehicle registrations and new registrations of private and light goods vehicles are presented in the following table.

Thousand

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he will take to promote cycling in the English regions after the end of the contract for the English Regions Cycling Development Team in May 2005. [201224]

We have announced a wide range of measures to promote cycling, many of which can be found in our Action Plan on Walking and Cycling published June this year. These measures include £10 million to provide links from the National Cycle Network to more schools, and over £500,000 for improved bike parking at 200 targeted stations to aid bike and rail journeys. A new National Standard for cycle training will be launched shortly. We will also be working with the bicycle industry, DfES, local authorities, teachers and parents to roll out the "Bike It" scheme to the more than 250 school travel advisors. "Bike It" aims to make comprehensive provision for cycling to school by putting in place cycle training, bike parking and safer routes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what information he holds on the performance of intercity train companies; [200429]

(2) if he will publish information he holds on the punctuality of Virgin Trains' intercity services. [200430]

The Strategic Rail Authority monitors the performance of all train operators, including Virgin, and publishes the results in their quarterly "National Rail Trends" publication. Copies are held in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) how many manned level crossings were (a) closed and (b) converted to automatic operation in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [199419]

(2) how many permanent road closures over railway lines at the point of level crossings there were in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [199420]

During the last two years, 178 level crossings have been closed by Network Rail. Almost all of these were crossings worked manually by users on private roads.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the use of cameras linked to heat and movement sensors triggering remote signalling to prevent train and road vehicle collisions at level crossings. [200087]

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) is conducting a formal industry investigation into the tragic derailment at Ufton Nervet, Berkshire on 6 November. As part of this, a panel of level crossing experts from Network Rail and RSSB has been convened to consider practical suggestions which might prevent similar incidents in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the contribution that a new Mersey crossing may make to the economic growth of the North West. [201583]

Halton borough council will shortly be submitting to my Department a revised appraisal of the proposed New Mersey Crossing including an assessment of the wider economic benefits of this scheme to the areas that it would serve. We will consider this assessment once it has been submitted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who will be responsible for drawing up the new franchises created as a result of the termination of the Central Trains franchise; what the timetable is for the developments of these franchises; and to whom representations should be made about suggestions for new services. [200100]

The Secretary of State announced in the House on 19 October that he would reduce the number of rail franchises to 19. He also announced that when the Central Trains franchise expires in 2006, routes will be distributed into the Silverlink Trains, Virgin Cross Country, Midland Mainline, Chiltern and Northern franchises. Where appropriate, these will be put out to competitive tender as soon as possible. Responsibility for this process rests with the Strategic Rail Authority and any successor body. Representations about potential new services should be sent to the Strategic Rail Authority until such time as DfT, subject to the Railways Bill becoming law, takes over its functions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who will be responsible for drawing up the terms of the new Greater Western franchise; what the timetable is for its development; and to whom representations about the services it specifies should be made. [200101]

Plans for a Greater Western franchise were first announced by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) on 6 November 2002 following extensive local consultation. The new franchise will combine the existing First Great Western, First Great Western Link (previously Thames Trains) and Wessex Trains franchises into one operation as part of the process of reducing the number of rail franchises to 19 as the Secretary of State announced in the House on 19 October. The SRA is currently developing an invitation to tender for these services which will be issued in summer 2005. The new franchise is scheduled to commence in April 2006. Any representations on the Greater Western franchise should be sent to the SRA, until such time as DfT, subject to the Railways Bill becoming law, takes over its functions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is with respect to the provision of tunnels at pedestrian rail crossings where there have been fatalities, with particular reference to the Jamaica Road Crossing in Malvern, Worcestershire. [201467]

This is an operational matter for Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager. However, I understand that Network Rail has no current plans to install a tunnel at the Jamaica Road pedestrian level crossing in Malvern, Worcestershire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his latest estimate is of the public transport subsidy per head of population from central Government for each English county in each year from 1997 to 2005; and if he will make a statement. [199898]

The Department for Transport does not hold financial information and expenditure in this format. Total departmental spend and planned expenditure from 1994–95 to 2014–15 was published as a graph in "The Future of Transport: a network for 2030", Annex A. (Cm 6234).

For a breakdown of central and local government expenditure on transport in terms of England, Scotland, Wales and Great Britain, see Table 1.15 in Transport Statistics Great Britain 2004 (Published 2004).

Copies of both documents are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the proposed devolvement of control of Scotland's railways as proposed by the Railways Bill will give powers to the Scottish Executive to renationalise railways. [200922]

holding answer 30 November 2004

No. While streamlining the structure of the Rail industry and making a number of amendments to current rail legislation, the Railways Bill does not propose any changes to the status of Network Rail, which would remain a private 'not for dividend' company limited by guarantee, with responsibility for operating, maintaining and renewing Britain's rail network. Nor does the Bill propose amendments to Section 25 of the Railways Act 1993, which prevents any public sector body or emanation of the Crown or any company controlled by the Crown from operating a franchise, other than as an operator of last resort.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on noise reduction barriers to reduce noise from roads in each of the last seven years. [200611]

Figures for the last seven years are not available. Spend on noise reduction barriers that are provided in conjunction with highway improvement schemes are not separately identified in the scheme cost. Spend on the installation of noise barriers provided retrospectively on older trunk roads that commenced in 2000 has been met by the £5 million per year ring-fenced allocation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has commissioned in respect of the products which claim to prevent wheel loss. [201199]

The Department has not itself commissioned such research. However, work carried out on behalf of the British Standards Institution indicated that a loss of clamp force—due to settlement between the interfaces of the wheel-fixing assembly—can take place without rotation of the nut. Thus, although use of locking devices can prevent loss of wheel nuts the devices cannot counteract a loss of clamp force, and excessive wear as a consequence of this could result in loss of a wheel while nuts were still attached. Nonetheless there might be benefit in some cases, with such equipment preventing or delaying total loss of a wheel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice his Department has issued to (a) manufacturers and (b) operators of heavy commercial vehicles on reducing road traffic accidents attributable to lost wheels. [201201]

My Department, in association with the Confederation of Passenger Transport, Freight Transport Association, Institute of Road Transport Engineers, Road Haulage Association and the Tyre Industry Council, has issued a leaflet offering guidance on regular and effective wheel fixing maintenance measures to reduce the possibility of wheel loss.

Copies of the leaflet have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) how much and what proportion of the Highways Agency budget for 2004–05 is expected to be spent on (a) noise barriers and (b) other environmental programmes in (i) maintenance and (ii) non-maintenance programmes; [200639]

(2) what route mileage of (a) road surface and (b) noise barriers is expected to be installed by the Highways Agency and its operators in (i) 2004–05, (ii) 2005–06 and (iii) 2006–07. [200901]

The Highways Agency does not have available all data in relation to noise barriers and other environmental measures in the format requested. However, it is known that approximately £8.5 million will be spent on noise barriers in the current financial year. This figure is about 0.5 per cent. of the Highways Agency's published business plan total programme budget.

The total approximate cost of environmental measures for the current financial year is £20 million. This figure includes measures such as wildlife fencing, badger runs and landscape planting. Although some of the measures are noise related, it is not possible to break down the costs to extract these.

The cost of noise mitigation measures included in maintenance schemes cannot be separately identified. However, when building new roads or re-surfacing existing ones, quieter noise surfacing is used where possible.

The approximate route length to be replaced or newly built in the current financial year is 400 km. The approximate length of noise barriers to be installed in the same period is 32 km. Figures are not yet available for 2005–06 and 2006–07 as budgets are yet to be confirmed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what percentage of trips to schools were by bus by (a) five to 10 year olds and (b) 11 to 16 year olds in the latest year for which figures are available; and what proportion of these were (i) under three miles and (ii) three miles and over (1) in total and (2) broken down by region. [201206]

The National Travel Survey provides the data requested. The latest available data are for 2002–03, shown in the tables.

Trips to and from school 2002–03, Great Britain

Source:

National Travel Survey, DfT

Numbers of trips are averaged over all children. Bus includes local and private school buses. Figures exclude trips over 50 miles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent performance improvements have been achieved by South Eastern Trains; and if he will make a statement. [201802]

Since South Eastern Trains (SET) franchise began operating on 9 November 2003 performance has been improving. At that time the yearly average number of SET services arriving on time was 79.4 per cent. Performance figures change from month to month. The most recently published figures cover the year to June 2004, and show that SET performance has risen to 80.8 per cent.

This improvement of 1.4 per cent. points is marginally better than the improvement of 1.3 per cent. points across the South East sector as a whole. Over the same period, sector performance improved from 79.3 per cent. punctuality in November last year to 80.6 per cent. in June 2004.

By way of comparison, performance on South West Trains (SWT) and Southern, the other two big south of London commuter operators, also improved over this period. SWT's yearly average was 73.7 per cent. at 9 November 2003 and rose to 74.5 per cent. in the year to June 2004. Southern performance rose from 78.2 per cent. to 79.5 per cent. over the same time.

The overall increase in punctuality for SET is driven by two factors: a reduction in the delays caused by Network Rail's infrastructure operation and maintenance of around 2 per cent.; and a comparable reduction in knock-on delays caused to SET services by other train operators.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to fund the establishment and maintenance of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber. [201144]

The Department supports and welcomes the creation of a Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) which would provide much needed advice to suppliers and purchasers of timber. However, as a result of budget constraints, we are unable to provide funds towards its establishment although we expect to pay for its services when it has been created.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [199645]

The effective handling of parliamentary questions is an issue to which I, and ministerial colleagues, attach great importance.

At all times Ministers make every effort to answer questions substantively before Prorogation. However this is not always possible. One question did not receive a substantive response before the House prorogued on Thursday 18 November. It is open to the hon. Member to re-table the question this session.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will authorise payment of a grant to the charity Band Aid equivalent to the sum to be paid in VAT by the end of the 2004–05 tax year from the sales of their new song. [201255]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Chancellor gave on 8 November 2004, Official Report, column 509W to the hon. Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Mrs. Lawrence)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what change there will be in civil service jobs in Middlesbrough as a result of the merger of Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue. [201500]

We are currently working on detailed plans on where staff reductions will arise but it is still too early to say what effect the changes will have on any particular location.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he has introduced to improve the financial position of (a) parents and (b) pensioners in the Lewisham, Deptford constituency; and how many recipients there were of such measures in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2004. [201098]

Changes to the tax and benefit system made by this Government mean that, compared to the 1997 system:

in 2004–05 families with children are, on average, £1,350 per year better off and families in the poorest fifth of the population are, on average, £3,000 per year better off. These improvements have been delivered in particular through increased child benefit and the introduction of tax credits. In 2001, 11,280 families in Lewisham Deptford benefited from the increases in child benefit, 1,729 working families also benefited from working families tax credit or disabled person's tax credit and 3,700 non-working families benefited from the child allowances in income support and jobseeker's allowance. In 2004, 10,915 families benefited from child benefit, of these 6,000 also benefited from more than the family element of child tax credit and 1,800 benefited from the family element of child tax credit.

the average pensioner household was £11 per week better off in 2001–02 and is £26 per week better off in 2004–05. A key part of this has been financial support offered to the poorest pensioners by pension credit, introduced in October 2003. 3,200 pensioners in Lewisham Deptford are currently benefiting from pension credit with an average award of £57.30 a week.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to apportion (a) child tax credits and (b) child benefits to non-resident parents. [201506]

Child benefit and child tax credit are awarded to the person with main responsibility for a child. Parents may choose which of them will receive the payments, but if no agreement is reached the Board of the Inland Revenue is responsible for determining entitlement, based on the facts of each case. There is no provision to allow the splitting of payments.

The Government have an ambitious long-term goal to eradicate child poverty by 2020, and have a PSA target to halve it by 2010. To meet this challenging target it is necessary to focus financial support in a way which enables the parent with main responsibility for the child to provide for the child's needs. Child poverty groups support this approach. Splitting tax credits and benefits could have far reaching risks and consequences. The Government will continue to listen to parents and representative groups about the best way to support families with children.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the change in public spending between 1997 and 2004. [201290]

Annex B of the 2004 Pre-Budget Report contains the latest historical series on total managed expenditure, including figures for 1996–97 and 2003–04.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the refurbishment projects 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; whether guidance will be issued to contractors on each of these projects to ensure that the timber used on site during refurbishment also comes from legal and sustainable sources. [200724]

HM Treasury has no current or planned refurbishment projects which involve the procurement of timber.

The Inland Revenue, HM Customs and Excise and Valuation Office Agency outsourced works including refurbishments to a private company, Mapeley, in April 2001 under a 20-year contract. The Department's only current and planned refurbishment works are part of the Mapeley STEPS contract and are given as follows.

Due to the size of the estate, works have been grouped rather than giving line by line property data.

The STEPS contract requires Mapeley and all contractors used by them, to comply with various environmental requirements, specifically that they must ensure all procurement follows environmental procurement guidelines (PUG 177/97). Further to this they must ensure all wood is from an independently verified sustainable source and must support the Government's vision of sustainable development. Contractors are required by contract to use timber on site during refurbishment from legal and sustainable sources. Lifecycle plans for other departmental PFI contracts are currently being compiled, all such contracts are bound by the same government guidance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place a copy of the results of his exercise to establish the extent of fraud and error in provisional new tax credit awards for 2003–04 in the Library. [201581]

Claimants have until 31 January to report 2003–04 incomes and finalise their 2003–04 awards. The extent of any non-compliance in 2003–04 tax credits awards can only be estimated when all such awards have been finalised.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many TC840 forms for requesting reconsideration of recovery of tax credits have been sent out during the current tax year. [201574]

I refer my right hon. Friend to my answer to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 19 October 2004, Official Report, column 666W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there are circumstances in which governing bodies in sport have to pay VAT on money received from the lottery. [200664]

holding answer 30 November 2004

Lottery grants to sports governing bodies will generally be outside the scope of VAT as they are generally not payment for any supplies. VAT incurred on purchases made using grant income can only be recovered to the extent that those purchases relate to the grantee's taxable business activities. VAT can not be recovered on purchases related to an organisation's exempt supplies or non-business activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many flights there were into Belfast City airport on average each week in the latest period for which figures are available, broken down by type of aircraft; and how much fuel each such aircraft would be expected to consume during the first three minutes of take-off. [200508]

The weekly average of flights into Belfast City airport by aircraft type between 1 August 2004 and 31 October 2004 is shown in the following table. The amount of fuel used by an aircraft taking-off will vary depending on various factors including loading and weather conditions. The table shows an estimate of how much fuel each such aircraft would be expected to consume during the first three minutes of take-off where this was made available.

⁽¹⁾ Unavailable

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

(1) what steps are being taken to enforce compliance by Belfast City Airport of its planning agreement to offer 1.5 million scheduled seats for sale from the airport in any 12 month period;. [200916]

(2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which Belfast City Airport is meeting its planning agreement in respect of scheduled seats on offer. [200917]

The latest information available to the Department indicates that Belfast City Airport (BCA) is operating within the current limit included in the Planning Agreement in relation to the number of scheduled seats for sale.

As BCA has not to date exceeded the planning agreement restriction of 1.5 million scheduled seats for sale from the airport in any 12-month period the Department would have no reason to pursue enforcement action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of Crumlin Road gaol. [200909]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 18 November 2004, Official Report, column 1751W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [199691]

At present, only the website of the Northern Ireland Office complies with the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) guidelines at Priority Checkpoint 2 (Level AA) standard.

The websites of the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration currently do not fully comply with the Priority Checkpoint 2 (Level AA) Guidelines although work is currently underway to attain compliance with that standard in 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many recommended prosecutions by bailiffs in Northern Ireland have been prevented by the issuing of exemption certificates by the Fisheries Division of the Department of Agriculture Northern Ireland in each of the last three years. [199861]

There has been one recorded recommended prosecution which was subsequently not progressed following the issue of an exemption certificate by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. This occurred in 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new housing starts there have been in (a) North Belfast and (b) Northern Ireland in each year since 1997. [200908]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 18 November 2004, Official Report, column 1758.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision for psychotherapy is available under the national health service in Northern Ireland. [201174]

The term psychotherapy encompasses a range of interventions such as family therapy, supportive psychotherapy, psychoanalytical therapy, and cognitive and behavioural therapy. These may be delivered by therapists from various professional backgrounds and addressing a range of issues from emotional and psychological problems to severe mental illness or addiction. Identifying all psychotherapy interventions could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the Department for Regional Development Roads Service Structural Maintenance budget was in each of the last three years. [200082]

The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.

Letter from Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. Gregory Campbell, dated 30 November 2004

You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about what Roads Service's Structural Maintenance budget was for each of the last three years. I have been asked to reply as these issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.

The maintenance of the structure of roads and footways in Northern Ireland continues to be one of the primary objectives of the Roads Service. In the last three years 01/02; 02/03; and 03/04 the expenditure on structural maintenance has been £54, £65 and £83 million respectively. In the current financial year it is expected that just under £70 million will be spent on this key activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will institute a public inquiry into the construction of a 45 foot gabion wall at Strangford View in Killyleagh; and if he will make a statement. [200370]

It would not be appropriate to initiate a Public Inquiry in this instance. Planning permission was granted on 5 December 2003 for proposed alterations to an existing entrance, development roads, dwelling footprints together with storm and foul sewers. The approved plans did not provide for a wall of the scale and character now constructed and the wall is therefore unauthorised.

Although the Planning Service has received assurances that the developer is keen to rectify this breach, enforcement action has been initiated and a final warning letter issued on 22 November. Formal enforcement proceedings will now follow unless the developer takes action on the breach.

The developer has submitted a planning application for twelve 3-storey townhouses on a portion of the site, which is still under consideration. It is anticipated that the developer will submit a further application addressing the breach of planning control through the delivery of a comprehensive scheme for the whole site.

Once an application is received, interested parties will be notified and given the opportunity to inspect relevant plans and comment as appropriate. Any comments will be taken into account before a final decision is reached on the application. The Department will continue to ensure that concerns expressed by residents and elected representatives in relation to the wall are addressed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made on redeveloping Victoria Square, Belfast. [200906]

Further to the answer I gave on 18 November 2004, Official Report, column 1775W, Churchill House was successfully imploded on 21 November.

To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on the work of the Crown Prosecution Service in North Yorkshire. [201251]

The Crown Prosecution Service in North Yorkshire is working with the police and the courts to bring offenders to justice and to ensure people can have confidence in the criminal justice system.

Last year's inspection finds their casework decision-making to be "good".

The CPS is bringing persistent young offenders before the courts speedily and they are reducing the number of cases which do not result in a guilty plea or conviction after trial.

To ask the Solicitor-General what interaction takes place between local police officers and local lawyers of the Crown Prosecution Service in Nottinghamshire to improve mutual understanding of the process from arrest to charge; and if she will make a statement. [201252]

The principal interaction between local prosecutors and police officers is through the charging scheme, which was implemented in Nottinghamshire on 5 July 2004. Early consultation between police officers and duty prosecutors takes place in over 1,000 cases a month in Nottinghamshire. This promotes and encourages the prosecution team approach towards the common goal of bringing offenders to justice.

Additionally the CPS and police meet every month to examine management information and to learn lessons, identify issues and training needs and to consider any changes required to further improve arrangements. For example, consideration is currently being given to opening further charging centres in local police stations to reduce waiting times for officers and ensure the charging advice scheme is more convenient for police officers.

I understand that my hon. Friend met a senior official in the Crown Prosecution Service to discuss the new charging arrangements. A scheduled review is shortly to take place when the issue you have raised will be examined. A report will be sent to my hon. Friend shortly about the findings.

To ask the Solicitor-General what recent discussions she has had with the Crown Prosecution Service about the strength of the evidential test needed to bring a case to court. [201254]

The evidential test for public prosecutions is set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Attorney-General and I maintain a close interest in the code. A revised edition was published last month and a copy is available in the House of Commons Library.

But the evidential test remains the same, namely whether there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction. This is an objective test which means that a jury or bench of magistrates, properly directed in accordance with the law, is more likely than not to convict the defendant of the charge alleged.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the recent poll held in Tewkesbury borough with respect to the future of Alderman Knight School. [201240]

Under arrangements introduced in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, the consideration of proposals for establishing, altering, or discontinuing maintained special schools are a matter for local decision making. It is for the local School Organisation Committee to take into consideration any objections received when they make their decision on proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research he is undertaking into the relationship between diet and behaviour of children in schools. [201242]

The Department for Education and Skills is not undertaking any research into the relationship between diet and behaviour of children in schools. However, the Food Standards Agency is currently carrying out research into the impact of food additives on children's behaviour.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the teaching of practical science in schools. [201243]

Exciting science practical work has a key part to play in delivering inspiring science lessons. We are improving teacher skills and confidence in practical work through the national network of Science Learning Centres, our £51 million partnership with the Wellcome Trust. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority have developed a new Programme of Study for science at Key Stage 4: which gives greater flexibility and has more emphasis on practical understanding of science. science.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to increase the number of students studying science and technology subjects at A level. [201244]

The Government's 10 Year Investment Framework for Science and Innovation outlined our plans to enthuse more students to achieve in science and technology and study these subjects at A level. We said we would improve science teaching, addressing recruitment of science teachers and providing access to continuing professional development. Through the new Programme of Study for science at Key Stage 4, we are ensuring the science taught in schools inspires learners to pursue further study.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance he has issued to local authorities which have successfully bid for Building Schools for the Future funding. [201237]

Comprehensive guidance has been issued to all authorities within Building Schools for the Future, from both the Department and its delivery partners, partnerships for Schools. This covers a wide range of areas; how to develop and Education Vision for local areas, the funding assumptions underpinning the programme, establishing a project team, the latest developments in school design and ICT, value for money procurement, and how to prepare a successful business case for final funding approval. The core guidance documents issued include BSF Wave 1 (or 2 as appropriate) Overview for Local Authorities, which covers all key areas from Education Visions to funding, design and procurement; "Building Schools for the Future": "Local Authority Education Vision—Guidelines for Wave 1" (or 2 as appropriate), which covers the whole range of policy areas and expectations from school organisation to the 14–19 agenda; "Guidance for Local Authorities on Improved joined-up Planning and Funding": and "Prioritisation and Forward Planning Information", which details how we prioritised local authority projects for investment, and how they can best plan ahead of Building Schools for the Future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the refurbishment projects for (a) schools under the Building Schools for the Future programme, (b) colleges and (c) his Department's buildings that (i) are in progress and (ii) that 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 also comes from legal and sustainable sources. [201591]

Funding for Building Schools for the Future is not fully available until 2005–06. While it is not possible to forecast, at this stage, how many projects will start building work at the beginning of that financial year, a limited number of wave 1 projects are expected to start building work within the next 6 months.

There is no specific guidance available on the procurement of legal and sustainably sourced timer as part of the BSF. However, recently we have launched BREEAM-Schools (Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method) which will help schools, local authorities and dioceses to set environmental targets for new school buildings and major refurbishments and help designers to improve the environmental performance of their buildings. All schools supported by Government funding should aim for a very good or excellent rating. Within BREEAM there are two optional credits available where timber and wood products used in structural and non-structural elements are responsibly sourced (legal and sustainable) or utilised reused and recycled timber. There are also other credits available in BREEAM which promote the use of timber as it has a low environmental impact.

All of the Department's funds for post-16 learning and skills sector capital investment are allocated to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The LSC has sole responsibility for the programme of renewing and replacing the FE estate. This is an operational matter for the LSC. Mr Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member about this matter and provide the information that he has asked for. A copy of this reply will be placed in the House Library.

My Department has no refurbishment projects in progress and no future plans that will call for the use of timber.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress his Department is making with the Building Better Schools programme. [201660]

We are making excellent progress with Building Schools for the Future. On Tuesday, I announced the 20 new authorities in waves two and three, which will develop projects aiming to sing in 2006–07 and 2007–08. This brings to 39 the number of local authorities in the programme: over a quarter of the total. About 380 schools will benefit from £6.5 billion of investment being allocated over the next three years. We have established Partnerships for Schools to help authorities develop their projects. We have published a range of exemplar designs for schools, which have been well received. Two of the wave one authorities have had their outline business cases approved and are now moving to procurement; other have submitted or will submit their cases shortly for consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the financial co-operation between local education authorities and the Learning and Skills Council on implementing the Government's 14–19 strategy for vocational education; and if he will make a statement. [201245]

The joint 16–19 Capital Fund announced in the Department's five year strategy will be available for cross-sector projects, including vocational provision. The forthcoming 14–19 White Paper will consider how financial co-operation between LEAs and the LSC can be further developed to help support implementation of the 14–19 strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action his Department has taken to improve standards in secondary schools in the Lewisham, Deptford constituency since 1997. [201105]

Standards in secondary schools in the Deptford, Lewisham constituency have improved significantly. Since 1997 the Key Stage 3 results at Level 5 and above show an increase of 17.3 (percentage) points in English, 22.7 (percentage) points in mathematics and 21.2 inscience. At Key Stage 4 there has been an increase of 20.6 (percentage) points in the attainment of 5+A*-C GCSEs and 10.9 at 5+ A*-G GCSEs, significantly above the national rates of improvement. A summary of the improving outcomes is set out in the table . Data for 2004 will be provided at constituency level during January 2005.

Information about education and skills by constituency is made available by the Department through the 'In Your Area' web site, available at http//www.dfes.gov.uk/inyourarea.

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action his Department has taken to improve standards in primary schools in the Lewisham, Deptford constituency since 1997. [201106]

This year's results show that standards in primary schools are improving again. In English the percentage of 11 years olds achieving the expected level has increased by 3 (percentage) points to 78 per cent. and mathematics has increased by 1 (percentage) point to 74 per cent.

Standards in primary schools in the Lewisham, Deptford constituency have improved dramatically. Since 1997 the Key Stage 2 results show an increase of 23.2 (percentage) points in English and 23.7 (percentage) points in mathematics, significantly above the national rates of improvement of 15 (percentage) points in English and 12 in mathematics. A summary of the improving outcomes is set out in the following table. Data for 2004 is not yet available at constituency level but will be provided when the Achievement and Attainment tables are published in mid-January.

Information on education and skills by constituency is made available by the Department through the "In Your Area" website available at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/inyourarea

Key stage 1 (achievement at level 2 and above)

Key stage 2 (achievement at level 4 and above)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what capital investment his Department has made in the Lewisham, Deptford constituency in the last three years. [201107]

The capital allocations made to Lewisham Local Education Authority and its schools in the last three years are:

£000

Information on the split between constituencies is not held centrally. Decisions on how resources should be invested in schools are made in accordance with locally prepared asset management plans.

The capital investment on ICT made to the LEA and its schools is not included in the figures provided above. This information is kept separately and can be found in the house of Commons Library in a paper Funding for ICT schools in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research his Department has undertaken to ascertain the willingness of employers to pay for training. [201268]

The Department has not commissioned any research specifically to investigate the willingness of employers to pay for training. However, the Learning and Training At Work Survey in 2000 researched how much employers do pay for training and the 2002 report "The Nature of Training and Motivation to Train in Small Firms" by John Kitching and Robert Blackburn contains a section on the barriers to training (including financial barriers). Both reports are in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made the financial benefit conferred on British Nuclear Fuels by the Energy Act 2004. [200656]

holding answer 30 November 2004

The Energy Act 2004 does not confer any direct financial benefit to BNFL. Its provisions relating to the civil nuclear industry (in part) establish the NDA and provide for nuclear transfer schemes to facilitate the consequent reorganisation of British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL). This reorganisation will be conducted in line with the conclusions of the Joint Strategy Review as announced by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the House of Commons on 11 December 2003

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) if she will list the value of (a) UK High Technology Fund and (b) Regional Venture Capital Funds expenditure in each region since the Funds' establishment; [200528]

(2) if she will list the value of (a) UK High Technology Fund and (b) Regional Venture Capital Fund expenditure in each region since 2000. [200537]

As at the 31 October 2004 the Regional Venture Capital Funds (RVCFs) had invested £38,194,527. This number can be broken down regionally as follows:

The UK High Technology Fund is a fund of funds, as at the 30 June 2004 £123.6 million had been invested in nine private equity partnerships. The information necessary to determine a regional breakdown of this expenditure is not made available to us by the UK High Technology Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial provision has been made for the Regional Venture Capital Funds in each year since 2001; and what the uptake was in each year. [200530]

The UK Government have committed a total of £74,375,000 to the Regional Venture Capital Funds.

As at 31 October 2004 this provision has been drawn down as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial provision has been made for the Research and Development Grants/Smart in each year since its inception; and what the uptake was in each year. [200531]

I refer to the answer given on 26 January 2004, Official Report, column 84W. For 2003–04, provision for Smart and Grant for Research and Development was £27 million and expenditure of £47 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial provision has been made for enterprise grants in each year since its inception; and what the uptake was in each year. [200532]

The enterprise grant scheme is now closed. Initially the scheme was allocated a budget of £45 million between January 2000 and March 2003. The scheme deadline was extended to March 2004. The uptake has been as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the value of Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme expenditure in each (a) region and (b) constituency in each year since 2000. [200535]

The following table lists the value of Small Firms Loan Guarantee expenditure by Region from 2000–04.

Value £ million