To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the building work on the Crossrail scheme to start. [221657]

Main construction of Crossrail could not start until the necessary powers are in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers on the London Underground have been assaulted in the last 12 months. [221454]

The total number of assaults recorded by the British Transport Police for their London Underground Area for the period from 1 March 2004 to 28 February 2005 was 2,022. A breakdown of the offence categories is provided in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance the Department has issued on Operation Stack in Kent. [221589]

The Highways Agency, on behalf of the Department, provides information and advice to motorists about Operation Stack, using road signs, leaflets and on their website.

Kent Police has the sole authority for implementing Operation Stack but work closely with the Highways Agency to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regional (a) bodies, (b) institutions, (c) taskforces, (d) panels, (e) offices and (f) organisations the Government have established since May 1997 which his Department is responsible for. [220261]

Information on taskforces attached to central Government Departments and in existence between May 1997 and October 2000 was made available in three reports published in January, July and December 2000 on "Task Forces, Ad Hoc Advisory Groups and Reviews". For the years 2001–02 and 2003–03, this information has been included in the publications "Public Bodies 2002" and "Public Bodies 2003" respectively. Copies of these reports are available in the Library of the House. For 2003–04, this information can be found on the Cabinet Office's Public Bodies database.

The GLA Act 1999 established Transport for London (TfL) under the direction of the Mayor of London to implement policies that promote and encourage safe, integrated, efficient, and economic transport facilities and services to, from and within London. TfL was established on 3 July 2000. The British Transport Police Authority was established on 1 June 2004 and is modelled on Home Office local police authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) snow ploughs and (b) gritting vehicles were deployed on the (i) M1, (b) M18 and (c) M62 on 21 February. [221722]

On 21 February, the Highways Agency deployed in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region:

Six gritters, all fitted with snow ploughs, on the Ml;

Five gritters, all fitted with snow ploughs, on the Ml8; and

Nine gritters, all fitted with snow ploughs, on the M62

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what recent assessment he has made of whether the Public Service Agreement target to secure improvements to the accessibility, punctuality and reliability for local public transport will be met by 2010; [219089]

(2) what recent assessment he has made of whether the Public Service Agreement target to increase the use of local public transport by 12 per cent. from 2000 levels will be met by 2010. [219090]

Increases in bus patronage in England since 2000–01 have been consistent with achieving the PSA target to increase the use of local public transport (bus and light rail) by 12 per cent. from 2000 levels by 2010. Bus and light rail patronage in England increased by 6.3 per cent. between the baseline year of 2000–01 and 2003–04, the latest period for which data are available, covering the first three years of the 10-year target period.

The version of the target specified for SR2002 also included the requirement to secure improvements to the accessibility, punctuality and reliability of local public transport.

The percentage of the GB local bus fleet that is wheelchair accessible has increased from 22 per cent. in 2000–01 to 39 per cent. in 2003–04.

There is no national target for improvements in accessibility. However, local authorities will need to include at least one local accessibility target in their second round Local Transport Plans and the Department will monitor progress against these targets. The Department has developed a range of core indicators, which will be used to build up a national picture of accessibility. Local targets may be based on these core indicators, or on other factors relevant in the local area.

The reliability of bus services in England (percentage of scheduled mileage run, excluding loses outside operators' control) has increased from 98.2 per cent. in 2000–01 to 98.5 per cent. in 2003–04.

A pilot national survey of bus punctuality in England was carried out in March 2004. The first main survey is planned for March/April 2005. We are not yet in a position to assess whether punctuality is improving. Local authorities will need to include a bus punctuality indicator in their second round Local Transport Plans and monitor progress in their areas. Local authorities and bus operators are encouraged to work together in Punctuality Improvement Partnerships to overcome problems which lead to poor punctuality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Public Service Agreement target to achieve annual efficiency savings across the Department of 2.5 per cent. was met in 2004. [219097]

As outlined in the Department's 2004 Autumn Performance Report, the Department achieved efficiencies of £11.1 million in 2003–04 against a target of £8.9 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of how many women work in the UK transport sector. [221288]

Estimates are available, based on Office for National Statistics surveys of employers, about the number of employee jobs in the transport sector in Great Britain.

The table shows the number of employee jobs in the transport sector in Great Britain that are held by women. The statistics are for March 2004, the latest available period, and are classified according to the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1992.

Number of employee jobs in transport sector held by women; Great Britain, March 2004⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾ Estimates exclude the self-employed

⁽²⁾ Estimates are classified according to the Standard Industrial Classification 1992

Source:

Employment surveys, Office for National Statistics (ONS)

In March 2004, 29 per cent. of employee jobs in the transport sector were occupied by women, compared with 17 per cent. in March 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what educational material is provided by his Department to local education authorities to teach children about road safety. [221453]

The Department for Transport provides a range of educational materials for local education authorities and schools to teach children of all ages about road safety.

Web-based resources include:

On the safe side—local responsibility on road safety education in schools: good practice and teaching ideas for primary schools, secondary schools and local authorities. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/divisionhomepage/032504.hcsp

Road safety lesson plans in a range of curriculum subjects for pupils from key stage 1 to AS/A2 level. http://www.databases.dft.gov.uk/lessonplans/

A database of road safety educational resources, launched in March 2005 http://www.databases.dft.gov.uk/roadsafety

Hard-copy teaching materials available from DfTs Free Literature Service include:

Making Choices—moving on to secondary school: teacher's manual, parent's booklet and child's magazine

Out of school care activity pack—for after school clubs

A rural road safety teaching resource for Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils, prepared with RoSPA, will be launched this spring.

The Driving Standards Agency runs the Arrive Alive education programme, aimed at pre-drivers and newly-qualified drivers aged 16–19. The presentation is delivered free of charge to a range of organisations including schools and colleges, armed forces, youth football teams and Young Offenders' Units.

Road safety education and training is often delivered through local authority road safety officers. They can also deliver training schemes such as DfT's Kerbcraft roadside child pedestrian training scheme, the Crossroads pc-based pedestrian training scheme and cycle training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the criteria by which trunk roads are designated as routes of strategic national importance. [222004]

The Highways Agency announced on 1 December 2004 that the strategic road network would in future be considered as consisting of two categories—roads which are key trade routes of predominantly national and international importance and routes of predominantly regional rather than national importance.

The document 'Devolved Decision Making: a consultation on regional funding allocations' issued by HM Treasury on 2 December 2004 proposed that the criteria for determining routes of national importance should be as follows:

To have average daily traffic flows, along the length of the route, of more than 60,000 vehicles

To link at least two of the top 20 English cities by population; or link one of the top 20 cities with an airport/seaport or Wales/Scotland

To carry heavy goods vehicle traffic equal to or in excess of 15 per cent. as a percentage of all traffic, as an average along the length of the route

To be represented on the European Union's trans-European transport network.

A route would have to satisfy all of these criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2005, Official Report, column 839W, on trunk roads (Bristol), which of the major trunk roads listed are core trunk roads of strategic national importance. [222051]

The Government's consultation paper—"Devolving Decision Making: A Consultation on Regional Funding Allocations"—set out proposals to establish regional transport funding allocations.

The consultation paper explained that the proposed regional transport funding allocations would initially bring together capital funding projected for major schemes (generally costing over £5 million each) under the Local Transport Plan (LTP) system and for major Highways Agency schemes, except for those on routes of strategic national significance where decisions will continue to be taken nationally.

The M4, and the M5 north of Bristol, are categorised as routes of strategic national importance in the consultation paper.

The consultation paper proposes that the other roads listed in the previous Answer should be regarded as routes of regional significance, for the purposes of future regional decision-making. The proposals for regional funding allocations will give regions a far stronger base on which to plan, and will enable them to contribute to decisions that better reflect regional priorities.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission how many times in the last year fire alarms have operated in 1 Parliament street; on how many of those occasions the fire brigade attended; and what percentage involved fires causing serious damage. [221540]

In the year since 1 April 2004, the fire alarm has sounded 22 times in 1 Parliament street. The fire brigade attended 11 of these incidents. None of the 22 incidents involved fires causing serious damage, thanks to the timely intervention of staff. Every effort is being made to reduce the number and frequency of false alarms, which is above what is regarded as an acceptable level.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what role the Commission has in setting the pay and conditions of people employed to clean the parliamentary estate. [221541]

The House of Commons Commission is responsible for the pay and conditions of the 58 cleaning staff who are directly employed by the Refreshment Department, the Department of the Serjeant at Arms and the Library. They are not directly responsible for the pay and conditions of a further 121 cleaners who are employed by contractors.

To ask the Leader of the House what representations he has made to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on giving more emphasis to Parliament in the school citizenship syllabus. [221542]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 8 February 2005, Official Report, column 1369W.

To ask the Leader of the House if he will propose to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons that it examines the arrangements for programming of legislation. [221543]

My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

To ask the Leader of the House if he will propose to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons that it examine the merits of a cross-cutting question time in Westminster Hall on an EU theme. [221544]

My right hon. Friend's memorandum to the Modernisation Committee last year suggested that an option would be to use the facility for cross-cutting questions sessions in Westminster Hall for questions on European matters, perhaps on a regular and established basis. I understand that the Committee hopes to report its conclusions shortly.

To ask the Leader of the House how many times he has met (a) the Law Lords and (b) Lord Lloyd of Berwick, as former Chairman of the Security Commission, to discuss the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Bill. [221357]

I have not met with(a) the Law Lords or (b) Lord Lloyd of Berwick to discuss the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet representatives of small business organisations in Scotland to discuss central Government support schemes in Scotland. [221056]

I frequently meet representatives from small business organisations in Scotland and I am next scheduled to do so on 12 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Secretary of State for Defence to discuss the future of Scotland's infantry regiments. [221057]

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Secretary of State for Defence to discuss the future of Scotland's infantry regiments. [221058]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and I have had recent discussions on a range of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Secretary of State for Defence to discuss the future of Scotland's infantry regiments. [221065]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for South-West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous).

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on the transfer of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi from Barlinnie to Greenock prison. [221061]

I have not had any discussions with the Scottish Executive on the transfer of Mr Al Megrahi and have nothing to add to the reply on this matter which my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, gave on 9 March 2005, Official Report, column 1885W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the unemployment rate in the highlands and islands since 1997. [221062]

The claimant count unemployment rate for the Highlands and Islands fell from 6.2 per cent. in 1997 to 2.9 per cent. in 2004, below the Scottish average of 3.5 per cent., and there are around 6,400 fewer people in the area claiming unemployment-related benefits compared to 1997. This demonstrates the success of the Government's strategy of making work pay in every region through initiatives such as new deal, the national minimum wage and working tax credits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on measures to boost Scottish economic competitiveness. [221059]

I have regular discussions with the Scottish Executive on a range of issues. The current strength of the Scottish economy has been made possible by the macroeconomic stability delivered by this Government and our commitment to work with the Executive to develop economic competitiveness by promoting productivity and building a more enterprising, innovative and highly skilled economy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Department for Work and Pensions on the impact of means testing on pensioners in Scotland. [221063]

My right hon. Friend has had discussions on a range of issues with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, but not on this topic. Our aim is to ensure security and independence in retirement for everyone while targeting greatest resources on those most in need.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the impact on the economy in Scotland of the announced increase in the level of the national minimum wage; and if he will make a statement. [221060]

My right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced the forthcoming increases in the national minimum wage in Scotland on 25 February.

The adult rate of the minimum wage will increase from £4.85 to £5.05 in October, benefiting 140,000 workers in Scotland. A further 6 per cent. increase to £5.35 is planned for October 2006.

Anyone who thinks they are not being paid the minimum wage should call the helpline on 0845 6000 678 or in Scotland 0845 600 1768, or use the interactive website http://www.tiger.gov.uk.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs who is responsible for deciding whether information requested from local government under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 qualifies for an exemption under the Act. [221529]

Each individual public authority—and each local authority—is responsible for ensuring that they fulfil their obligations under the Freedom of Information Act. Local councils will make their own arrangements for deciding whether exemptions apply to information requested.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much his Department spent on external consultants in (a) 1997 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available. [221531]

My Department's expenditure with consultants in the years requested was as follows:

The level of expenditure with external consultants reflects the wide-ranging and fast paced programme of change within my Department. This programme has contributed significantly to modernised and more efficient public services. Delivering such a programme has necessitated the use of external expertise to supplement internal resources.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on UK law. [221533]

The impact has been very much as predicted by the Government when the Act was debated here and in another place during its legislative stages. New laws are compliant, old laws are tested and everyone's rights are protected.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost of providing legal aid for immigration and asylum cases was in the latest year for which figures are available. [221534]

Actual expenditure in 2003–04 was £203 million. Estimated expenditure for 2004–05 is £170 million and £117 million for 2005–06 in cash terms. A number of important measures were introduced in April 2004 and we expect these measures to reduce expenditure. Funding is being concentrated only on those cases which need it, improving cost control and driving up the quality of services provided by the Legal Services Commission's asylum and immigration suppliers.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what percentage of the population had access to civil legal aid in (a) 1997 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available. [221536]

Although we do not have precise data, the results of a number of different surveys indicate that the proportion eligible has remained at approximately 50 per cent. since 1997.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what support his Department has provided for the maintenance of the network of law centres in England in 2004–05. [221535]

In 2004–05, the DCA has provided funding and contracts to 52 Law Centres in England to a value of £9,0959,968.

This was done through the Legal Services Commission's Community Legal Services Budget.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what discussions he has had with the Lord Chancellor about changing his title. [221524]

Throughout the consideration of the Constitutional Reform Bill in Parliament, I have, of course, had numerous conversations with my noble and learned Friend Lord Falconer about the formal title of Lord Chancellor. The Government decided to preserve the title Lord Chancellor while proceeding with all other substantive reforms to the Office, which we intend will become Ministerial in nature given the proposal to end the judicial functions of that post.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many times the Lord Chancellor met (a) the Law Lords and (b) Lord Lloyd of Berwick as former Chairman of the Security Commission to discuss the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Bill. [221356]

The Lord Chancellor has meetings and discussions with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings which would inhibit the free and frank exchange of views.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress Barnet council is making on the decent homes standards initiative. [221265]

In July 2003 Barnet council was awarded a place on the Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) programme. In December 2004 the council's ALMO, Barnet Homes, secured a 2-star (good) rating from the housing inspectorate, qualifying for access to £19.1 million of ALMO funding for 2004–05 and 2005–06 to improve council homes that currently fail the decent homes standard. Subject to decisions on funding for future years, the council forecasts that all its social housing stock will meet this standard by 2010.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his latest estimate is of the number of (a) council, (b) housing association and (c) private development dwellings that will be completed in each London borough in (i) 2004–05 and (ii) 2005–06. [221422]

Local authorities, in their Housing Strategy Statistical Appendices returns to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, estimate there will be the following additional local authority dwellings in six authorities in 2004–05 and 2005–06. These estimates do not distinguish between new build dwellings and acquisitions.

The Housing Corporation estimates that the following housing association dwellings will be completed in each London borough in 2004–05. These estimates are only for dwellings where subsidy is being provided through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme. The information for 2005–06 will not be available until the start of the financial year.

Housing Corporation new build completions 2004–05

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not collect estimates of completions for new private sector dwellings.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the cost of the infrastructure required to support the level of housing development for south Hampshire set out in the South East England Regional Assembly's document, the South East Plan. [221752]

It is the responsibility of the South East England Regional Assembly to prepare the draft of the new South East Plan, before submitting it to Government for testing and final approval. Work is under way and includes consideration of the infrastructure in the region. For example, the Assembly commissioned a series of sub regional studies, including one for south Hampshire, which also looked at strategic infrastructure requirements for different growth options, and the delivery mechanisms needed to make sure new housing is provided in the most sustainable way possible. The results of these studies were fed in to the first draft of the South East Plan that is currently available for public consultation. We expect the Regional Assembly to submit their draft plan to Government later this year.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research his Department has undertaken in relation to the fire safety risks of plug-in air fresheners. [221969]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has undertaken no research in relation to the fire safety risks of air fresheners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 28 February; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [219501]

I represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 28 February 2005.

The Council reached political agreement to send decommissioned EU fishing vessels to areas affected by the tsunami. Once possible vessels had been identified, an assessment of their suitability for the relevant communities would be made. Exports would only take place in accordance with requests from the third countries concerned.

The Council adopted by qualified majority a proposal concerning wood used in packaging material entering the Union. I supported this proposal, which will delay until March 2006 a requirement under new EU plant health rules that such wood should have been de-barked, while the scientific evidence for this requirement is reviewed in consultation with third countries.

The Council discussed the Rural Development proposal, focusing on its contribution to Lisbon agenda goals for growth and development, the scope of the competitiveness objective, possible simplification and support for Natura 2000 sites. I stressed that rural development measures should deliver public benefits. On competitiveness, I argued that support should be targeted on those businesses that found it difficult to raise capital through the normal channels. On simplification, I suggested that it would be appropriate to reduce the number of measures and adopt a more flexible approach to cross cutting projects. And I supported the Commission's work on biodiversity and Natura 2000 while suggesting that there could be a focus on water and climate change issues. No specific conclusions were drawn but the presidency indicated that it would be producing a revised draft of the proposal in the course of the week.

The Council discussed the CAP financing proposal. We stressed the importance of securing equitable treatment of those member states outside the euro zone, supported the case for effective application of the budgetary discipline provisions and reiterated the need for further modulation, whether voluntary or compulsory, to meet land management commitments.

A number of points were raised under any other business. The Commission reported on: the case of a French goat in which BSE had been diagnosed; and on continuing contacts with the Russian authorities over their veterinary and plant health import requirements. The presidency accepted a Dutch request to discuss at a future Council the threat posed by Avian Influenza. Germany urged the Council to seek involvement in action on food and health, sought an update on the WTO Dispute Panel considering the EU approval system for GM crops and products, and suggested a greater use of country of origin requirements in food labelling. The Commission rejected a Spanish proposal that the sugar trade concession offered to certain developing countries under the Everything But Arms commitment should be amended. The Commission also undertook to examine a Spanish request as to whether a regionalised approach to decoupling of tobacco aid could be permitted under the CAP reforms agreed last April. Olive oil producing countries pressed for the EU to resume its contributions to international promotional campaigns. Italy requested a change in the method for calculating part of the aid granted to nut producers. Several landlocked countries pressed for action to help dispose of the exceptionally heavy cereals harvest of 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many meetings (a) she, (b) her Ministers and (c) her officials have had in the past 12 months with representatives of (i) the International Fund for Animal Welfare, (i) the League Against Cruel Sports and (iii) the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. [201352]

Ministers and officials meet representatives of these bodies from time to time in the normal course of business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the ministerial engagements (a) out of London and (b) in London that she has cancelled since 1 January 2004. [209220]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent on official ministerial (a) business cards, (b) headed paper and (c) compliment slips in each year since 1997. [214942]

Defra was established in 2001, and a breakdown of expenditure on ministerial business cards, headed paper and compliment slips for each financial year since then is as follows:

£ (plus VAT)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will meet the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to discuss ways of using more locally grown produce for school meals. [221691]

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) is already involved with Defra in implementing the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative (PSFPI) that includes, as a key objective, a requirement to increase the opportunities for small local farmers and growers to compete to supply public bodies with food.

A representative from DfES sits on the cross-public sector Food Procurement Implementation Group tasked with promoting the PSFPI within schools and other public bodies. DfES' Director of School Resources was also a panel member in a plenary discussion at the National Food Suppliers Conference on 7 March 2005, which attracted some 200 farmers, growers and suppliers from across England to learn about the PSFPI and the opportunities for supplying the public sector.

More information about the conference and the PSFPI is given on Defra's website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/sustain/procurement/awareness.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether departmental special advisers have attended meetings with external (a) bodies and (b) individuals, in their official capacity and without Ministers, since May 1997. [203444]

Special advisers hold meetings with a wide range of external representatives in their official capacity. All such meetings are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what role is fulfilled by the third special adviser in her Department. [210487]

Special advisers in this department are appointed under the terms and conditions set out in Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the occasions between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004 when special advisers attended meetings with external representatives at which Ministers were not present. [210535]

Special advisers hold meetings with a wide range of external representatives in their official capacity. All such meetings are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the speeches her special advisers made in an official capacity between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004, broken down by date. [210556]

All speeches given by special advisers are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many officials working in ministerial private offices in the Department have worked more than a 48 hour week at any time in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of those had signed a waiver under working time regulations; and what percentage these figures represented of the total in each case. [204144]

Most members of Defra ministerial private offices have worked more than a 48 hour week at some time over the past 12 months.

The working time regulations provide workers with the protection of a limit of an average of 48 hours a week working time. This is not an absolute cap of 48 hours in any one week. This average is normally calculated over a 17 week reference period, although this can be longer in certain situations (26 weeks) and can be extended by agreement (up to 52 weeks). Workers may choose to work more than 48 hours per week over this reference period by signing an opt-out agreement, but employers cannot force a worker to sign an op-out, and workers cannot be subjected to detriment for refusing to sign an opt-out.

No members of private offices have signed an 'opt-out' agreement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests for guidance on the Income and Corporation Tax Act 1988 section 577A, concerning tax deductibility on bribes and special commissions, have been received by (a) the Inland Revenue and (b) the Inland Revenue's Head Office since April 2004. [221698]

The Inland Revenue does not keep central records of requests for general or specific guidance on section 577A of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. However the Head Office team most likely to receive requests for guidance have since April 2004 received some dozen requests from Inland Revenue officers and others.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) how many reports of (a) evidence of overseas bribery and (b) suspicions of overseas bribery have been passed to the Inland Revenue's Special Compliance Office since April 2004; [221702]

(2) how many reports of suspected bribery have been passed by the Inland Revenue to law enforcement agencies under the gateway provided by section 19 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. [221703]

This information is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the change to business tax receipts in 2005–06 arising from the business rates revaluation in England. [221864]

Initial estimates were announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local and Regional Government in the written ministerial statement on the distributable amount of national non-domestic rates for 2005–06 on 2 December 2004, Official Report, column 47WS. The net rate yield from local lists after reliefs was forecast to increase by 9.6 per cent., from £15,853 million for 2004–05 to £17,368 million for 2005–06.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) how much tax the Inland Revenue's Oil Taxation Office has collected on (a) signature bonuses, (b) consultancy fees and (c) special commissions on overseas business by UK companies since April 2004; [221699]

(2) how much tax the Inland Revenue's Large Business Office has collected on (a) consultancy fees, (b) special commissions and (c) entertainment expenses for overseas business by UK companies since April 2004. [221700]

This information is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many penalties the Inland Revenue has issued for claims on expenditure that are disallowed under section 577A of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 since April 2004; and what the total value of these penalties is. [221701]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Paymaster General will reply to the letter dated 1 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Carl Walker. [221910]

I have done so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) what assessment he has made of the effect on pension funds of the abolition of the dividend tax credit system; [221510]

(2) whether he plans to review the effect on pension funds of the abolition of the dividend tax credit system. [221511]

The Government's 1997 package of corporation tax reforms included measures to boost corporate investment by removing tax distortions. The withdrawal of payable tax credits on dividends was just one part of these measures. Pension funds and others will share in the long-term benefits from these changes to corporation tax.

The overall effects of these changes on pension funds will depend on a variety of factors including the type of scheme paying the pension, the take-up of private pensions, the level of future pension contributions, pension schemes' asset allocation and investment policies and investment returns generally.

It is not possible to isolate the effect of the July 1997 Budget measures generally from the effect of other factors.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue impact for Scotland of (a) raising and (b) lowering the basic rate of income tax by one pence. [221372]

I refer the hon. Member to table 1.6 'Direct effect of illustrative tax changes' on the Inland Revenue website:

www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/tax_expenditures/ table1–6.pdf.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to impose VAT on sponsorship payments from those entering runners in the London Marathon; and if he will make a statement. [222119]

There are no plans to change the VAT rules on sponsorship payments and no charity need find themselves paying VAT on the funds raised by sponsored runners. Charities can also claim an extra 28p for every £1 of sponsorship raised under the Gift Aid scheme.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) if he will exempt the student bursary for nurses and midwives from tax; and if he will make a statement; [222139]

(2) if he will estimate the cost of exempting the student bursary for nurses and midwives from tax. [222141]

Students nurses and midwives who receive support through the NHS Bursary Scheme are exempt from tax and from national insurance deductions on the bursary, which is treated as a student grant and not classed as salary or wage.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) what assessment he has made of (a) the size of the private equity industry and (b) its contribution to the UK economy; [222088]

(2) what estimate he has made of (a) the number of employees and (b) the proportion of the private sector workforce employed in (i) the private equity industry and (ii) companies financed by the private equity industry. [222089]

Alongside the 2003 pre-Budget report the Government published 'Bridging the Finance Gap: next steps in improving access to growth capital for small businesses'. This set out the Government's assessment of the importance of private equity to the economy, the Government's desire to see a deep and liquid venture capital market in the UK, and the reforms that the Government are bringing forward to improve access to finance for smaller businesses affected by the equity gap.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue raised (a) in total and (b) within each stamp duty band in (i) Scotland and (ii) the UK. [221395]

Estimates of stamp duty revenues raised in the UK in each stamp duty band are given at:

http://www.inlandrevenne.gov.uk/stats/stamp_duty/ table15_3_october04.pdf

Estimates of revenue raised from transactions in Scotland are only available for 2003–04 and are given in the following table:

Estimated revenue from stamp duty land tax in Scotland in 2003–04

Source:

Land Valuation Unit of the University of Paisley (which receives data from Registers of Scotland Executive Agency)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library copies of past advice on tax credits that he has received from the Social Security Advisory Committee. [221766]

I refer the hon. Member to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Inland Revenue and the Social Security Advisory Committee, dated 21 July 2004, a copy of which is available in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total revenue impact has been of changes in (a) duty on whisky, (b) duty on road fuels, (c) national insurance contributions and (d) the rates and bands for income tax since May 1997. [221373]

The impact on Exchequer revenues of Budget decisions concerning direct and indirect taxes since May 1997 have been published at every Budget in chapter A of the Financial Statement and Budget Report. Copies of previous year Financial Statement and Budget Reports can be found in the House Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the latest figure is for the level of net taxes and social security contributions as a proportion of gross domestic product; and if he will make a statement. [221586]

Table B15 in the 2004 pre-Budget report provides the latest figures for the level of net taxes and social security contributions as a proportion of GDP. Updated figures will be published in the Budget tomorrow.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2005, Official Report, column 1187W, on tobacco taxes, when he will place the figures for duty receipts on the website. [221323]

Duty receipts are published once a month in the HM Customs and Excise Tobacco Bulletin', which can be found on the UK trade info website at: www.uktradeinfo.com

A further list of publication dates can be found at:

http://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm ?task= statdates

The next available publication date for the Tobacco Bulletin is 24 March 2005.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Prime Minister in relation to making hospices exempt from the payment of VAT. [221633]

The Chancellor and the Prime Minister meet regularly to discuss a wide range of issues. It has been the practice of successive Administrations for many years not to make public confidential communications between Ministers. Doing so would harm the candour and frankness of internal discussions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs concerning publication of the Welsh translation of the Constitutional Treaty for the European Union. [220342]

I am pleased to say that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will be producing a Welsh translation of the Constitutional Treaty. This will be published on the FCO and the Wales Office websites.

I hope that the translation will help increase awareness of the contents of the Treaty and what it will mean for the people of Wales. My right hon. Friend has also produced a Welsh language version of the Guide to the EU Constitutional Treaty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department sold any surplus stock on the e-Bay auction website, in each year since 2000–01. [220943]

The Wales Office has never sold surplus stock on the e-Bay auction website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the value of sales of surplus assets from his Department was in each year since 2000–01. [220961]

There have been no sales of surplus assets by the Wales Office since 2000–01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the Government have to create regional broadcasting councils for the BBC; whether they are to be based on the Government Offices for the Regions regional structure; and if she will make a statement. [221762]

Under the terms of its Royal Charter the BBC currently has a Regional Advisory Council for each of its 11 English regions. These regions do not coincide with the Government's regional office structure.

The Government's Charter Review Green Paper discusses possible ways of improving the BBC's responsiveness to licence fee payers, including building on the Corporation's existing regional and national Councils.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will reply to the letter dated 3 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Colin Brierley. [221911]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State replied to the right hon. Gentlemen on 10 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment her Department has made of the benefit to children of learning to play musical instruments of (a) existing and (b) planned programmes funded by her Department designed to encourage children to begin or continue playing; and if she will make a statement. [222057]

Youth Music, a national charity set up in 1999 with £10 million per year of National Lottery money provided through Arts Council England, has granted over 1,500 awards nationally and reached over 880,000 participants. All projects funded through Youth Music are evaluated.

Youth Music has also funded seven Wider Opportunities pilots, in which schools have developed programmes to explore ways of delivering instrumental tuition to groups of young people. 'Creating Chances for Making Music', an evaluation of these pilots (and of a further six funded by DfES), has been sent to every primary school and LEA in England.

Ofsted produced an evaluation report of 12 Wider Opportunities pilot areas. Findings were sent to all schools and LEAs in the form of a report and DVD entitled 'Tuning In'.

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

(1) what the cost of running the Television Licensing Authority was in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement; [221592]

(2) whether the running costs of the Television Licensing Authority are deducted from the total revenue derived from the television licence; and if she will make a statement. [221593]

The BBC is the television licensing authority. The Corporation contracts out the collection work to a number of agents and meets these costs directly. The collection costs for each of the last three years, as published in the BBC's annual reports and accounts, were:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes the Government are considering planning to assist in Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement. [218496]

DFID's programme aid to Bangladesh in 2005–06 will be £125 million.

Our programme priorities will be: Primary Education, Healthcare, Water and Sanitation, Livelihoods of the Poorest, Private Sector Development and Economic Infrastructure, Governance, and Disaster Preparedness and Climate Change.

Examples of funding under our programme include:

£25 million annually through the Government of Bangladesh's health programme to accelerate progress of the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by strengthened infrastructure and management and by supporting essential health services such as HIV prevention and control, TB, polio eradication and MMR.

£100 million for the Government's Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP)-II for a period of six years from 2004, with a particular focus on girls education.

£50 million for an eight-year livelihoods programme to benefit 6.5 million poorest and most vulnerable people living on chars (sand islands) in the river areas in northern Bangladesh.

£54 million over five years for the Government's State-owned Enterprise Reform Programme jointly funded by the World Bank to help reduce the Government's fiscal deficit and help free up resources for poverty reduction programmes.

£36 million to support road maintenance to allow better access for the poor to markets.

£25 million together with Royal Netherlands embassy for financial management reform in the Ministry of Finance.

$13 million (£8 million) together with the United Nations Development Programme to the Government of Bangladesh programme to improve the performance and professionalism of the police force.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total cost of aid to Iraq has been since March 2003, broken down by main area of expenditure. [221423]

Since March 2003, DFID has disbursed £254 million for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Iraq. This is broken down as follows:

A further £86 million has been committed to projects which are in the process of implementation.

DFID also provides 19 per cent. of European Community (EC) funding for Iraq (this is currently £38 million for 2003 and 2004).

Reconstruction support to Iraq has also been provided by other Government Departments: The FCO—£38 million for secondments to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA); MOD—£20 million for Quick Impact Projects (QIPs); and the joint DFID/FCO/MOD Global Conflict Prevention Pool—£19 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding was allocated by his Department and its agencies for the control of malaria in each year between 1999–2000 and 2004–05, broken down by (a) country, (b) global region and (c) recipient organisation; and what such funding has been allocated for each financial year to 2009–10. [220663]

UK support to malaria control is provided through funding to: bilateral programmes at country level; global partnerships and programmes; multilateral agencies; and research agencies.

Funding at country and regional level

At country-level DFID supports malaria control through bilateral programmes. Some of these are malaria specific, but increasingly DFID funds the broader health sector plans of developing country governments through sector wide programming and poverty reduction budget support. Such sectoral programmes will build capacity in health systems to improve the way health services diagnose and treat all main causes of illness. It is therefore not always possible to identify the proportion spent on malaria. From 1998–99 to date UK support at country level to specific malaria programmes was about £58 million. In addition we have provided approximately £49 million for projects targeted on malaria and other diseases or which may have an impact on malaria control. This funding is part of over £1.5 billion committed by the UK to strengthening developing country health systems since 1997.

Funding to organisations at international level

DFID has contributed about £153 million from 1998–99 to date to international programmes which target malaria and other diseases. In addition we also provide funding to multilateral organisations such as the World Bank and the European Commission which also support malaria control and health services.

DFID has committed funding to a number of global health partnerships, multilaterals, research agencies, and public-private partnerships. These current and future commitments are set out in table A as follows. These figures are not broken down by year.

Table A

⁽³⁾ Up to.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to encourage greater gender equality in heavily indebted poor countries. [221007]

In order to qualify for debt relief under the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative, all HIPCs are required to develop a poverty reduction strategy paper. DFID works to ensure that gender issues are included in the analysis of poverty and that women are fully involved in stakeholder consultations on poverty reduction strategies. DFID has recently renewed its commitment to assisting partner governments to strengthen their capacity to analyse gender issues in policy formulation, implementation and monitoring.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid the UK provided to Rwanda (a) bilaterally and (b) multilaterally in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [221434]

The United Kingdom (UK) has provided bilateral aid to Rwanda since the UK financial year 1996–97 as follows:

⁽⁴⁾ Includes £5.6 million from the Multilateral Debt Trust Fund for Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that was paid to Government of Rwanda but charged to DRC framework.

Source:

Statistics on International Development—2004 Edition

The UK is also a principal contributor to the major multilaterals working in Rwanda. The UK contribution to multilateral work in Rwanda for the years 1997 to 2002 is set out as follows:

Source:

Imputed Multilateral Shares of UK Aid (Development Assistance Committee)

The relevant figures for 2003 and 2004 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development

(1) how much public funds the Government have pledged to tsunami relief and reconstruction; and if he will make a statement; [221226]

(2) what the Government's policy is on the proportion of Government support to the level of public donations to the tsunami appeal. [221227]

The public has responded with remarkable generosity to this disaster and I commend the individuals, groups, organisations and communities who have contributed to this overwhelming response. We estimate that the Government will be contributing approximately £50 million through tax relief on public donations made through the Gift Aid Scheme.

The Department for International Development (DFID) has committed £75 million for the immediate relief and recovery needs following the tsunami (over £61 million of which has already been programmed).

We have also agreed debt relief for Sri Lanka through the Multilateral Debt relief initiative, which will amount to approximately £45 million. Together with other G7 donors we have also agreed to defer debt payments during 2005 for tsunami affected countries which request it.

We expect to contribute more money over time for longer-term reconstruction. However, our response will be guided by the findings of needs assessments of the affected countries currently being finalised, and the level of resources which are already available to the affected countries, rather than by linking the Government's contribution to that of the British public. We are continuing to work hard with partner governments and the international community to ensure that support reaches those most affected by the disaster.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what requirement there is on public sector organisations to offer childcare vouchers to their staff; and if she will make a statement. [218190]

I have been asked to reply.

There is no obligation on any employer to offer childcare vouchers. That includes employers in the public sector. However, the Government actively encourages all employers to support employees with their childcare needs, particularly through the introduction from April 2005 of tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) exemptions for up to £50 of childcare costs per week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were taken into care as a result of a parent being sent to prison in the last year for which figures are available. [221198]

holding answer 10 March 2005

The information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what cross-border tracking of children on the at risk register takes place between the relevant authorities in England and Wales. [220325]

holding answer 4 March 2005

A central child protection register is maintained for each area covered by a social services department in England and Wales. The register lists all the children in the area (including those who have been placed there by another local authority or agency) who are considered to be at continuing risk of significant harm.

When a child on the register moves to another local authority area the authority where the child has been living must notify the receiving local authority of the child's move. The receiving local authority should convene a child protection conference within 15 working days of being notified of the move.

The Information Sharing Indexes currently under development aim to help children moving area by enabling better communication between professionals in different areas so that services in their new area can identify which services the children were receiving in their old area. We are working with the Welsh Assembly to establish data standards to support information transfer between English and Welsh Authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her policy is on access by hon. Members to the chief executives of public bodies for which her Department is responsible to discuss the effects in individual constituencies of policy decisions made on a national basis; and if she will make a statement. [222104]

Hon. Members can approach the chief executives of public bodies as they wish, about any issues that are of concern to them and that are relevant to the public body.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Government have to monitor the compliance of schools with the duty to promote equal opportunities under the Disability Discrimination Bill. [217657]

Our plans for monitoring how schools promote equality of opportunity for disabled people will be implemented in the following ways: our current arrangements for monitoring the quality of provision generally will include inspecting against the duty to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. Second we will ensure inspections carried out by Office for Standards in Education will inspect this aspect. Third the rights of disabled people will be reflected in the arrangements we are developing as part of the New Relationship with Schools, including school self-evaluation, and finally our powers to support and challenge schools will enable us to monitor complains with the new duty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total expenditure on the Sure Start scheme has been in Tamworth in each year since the scheme has been in operation. [221938]

Sure Start Tamworth is a round 4 Sure Start local programme which received approval in November 2001. It has a capital allocation of £1 million. Its revenue allocations were: £115,000 in 2001–02, £404,000 in 2002–03, £599,000 in 2003–04 and £613,975 in 2004–05. We have just written to the programme announcing its future revenue allocations of £629,324 in 2005–06 and the same amount in 2006–07.

The programme has 619 children aged 4 and under in its catchment area, which covers the wards of Glascote and Belgrave. This area represents the highest level of multiple deprivation within Tamworth. Glascote ward falls wholly within the 20 per cent. band of deprived wards in England and ranks as the fifth most deprived ward in Staffordshire according to the 2000 index of local deprivation.

The programme has used its capital for two builds, the Exley Centre based in Belgrave which has focused on the refurbishment of a Community Centre providing a much needed central point for families in that area. This centre has recently received Ofsted approval to deliver 16 full day-care places. The Glascote Centre based in Glascote Heath is a new build currently registered for 24 full day-care places and providing a base for family support, training, health provision and Jobcentre plus links.

The programme has made strong links with health and employs a midwife and a public health promotion co-ordinator within the programme. This had led to some unique service developments—the programme run a very successful food co-operative and provide families with 'healthy meal bags' which can be purchased for minimal costs but provide a family with all of the ingredients for a healthy, nutritious meal. The success of this project has led to the development of the 'Glascote Soup Kitchen' involving families in the preparation and consumption of nutritious meals, also providing an opportunity for parents to drop in and access not only healthy eating advice, but discuss wider issues with Family Support Workers and Health Advisors.

The Programme has also developed a very successful training and volunteer programme—with parents currently engaged at all levels—from basic first aid through to a familiarisation course with Staffordshire University. There are also clear links with Jobcentre plus, with on-going training for Sure Start staff on in-work benefit calculations and back to work support and guided visits (supported by the Child Care Partnership Manager) to the local Jobcentre plus office for parents wishing to return to work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding her Department provided to the National Children's Bureau in 2004–05. [221222]

The Department has allocated a total of £978,000 in funding to the National Children's Bureau in 2004–05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the expenditure from section 52 budget statements of each local education authority in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) total education revenue expenditure, (b) total schools budget and (c) individual schools budget; and what percentage of the expenditure under section 52 budget statements this represented in each case. [221220]

The information requested is contained within a table which has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how funding of special educational needs provision is made available through the Learning and Skills Council. [221214]

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) allocates funds to local education authorities (LEAs) in England to help support them meet their duty to arrange suitable provision for young people aged 16–19 with statements of special educational needs (SEN). The LSC notify LEAs of their post-16 SEN allocations in December for the following financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the countries referred to in her Department's recent letter (reference 881/6026) to schools where (a) it is not possible to carry out a meaningful Criminal Records Bureau check on foreign nationals and (b) a certificate of good conduct may be obtained for applicants applying for posts working with children. [221442]

My Department's letter of 9 February 2005 advised independent schools of the need to carry out checks on foreign nationals in line with the guidance given in DfES publication 0278/2002.

This guidance about pre-appointment checks on teachers and other workers in schools was issued to all employers in the education service in May 2002 and advises that, if a person who they intend to appoint to work in a school has never lived in the UK, no purpose will be served by asking them to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure when they come to this country.

The Bureau's Overseas Information Service provides advice to employers on the availability of criminal record information from overseas. The service currently covers 16 countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Italy (excluding Vatican City) and Finland). The CRB is in discussions with the 10 accession countries to the European Union and aims to provide information through the Overseas Information Service about the criminal record information available from these countries within the near future.

Where criminal record information is not available, we recommend that employers take extra care in taking up references and carrying out other checks on a person's background.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects the Green Paper on Young People to be published; whether there are issues which are expected to cause further delays in publication; and if she will make a statement on the reasons for the delays that have occurred so far. [220869]