To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether Ministers in his Department have issued written instructions to override his Department's accounting officer's objections since 1997. [221117]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14 March 2005, , by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the TreasuryOfficial Report, column 80W

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will increase the penalties against car drivers who park by dropped kerbs intended for use by people with disabilities. [222677]

We recognise that dropped kerbs are of great benefit to wheelchair users and ambulant disabled people.

The specific prohibition on parking at a dropped kerb currently applies only in London, under section 14 of the London local authorities and Transport for London Act 2003. The penalty charge levels for contravening the prohibition in London are decided by the Mayor for London.

However, section 86 of part 6 to the Traffic Management Act 2004, once commenced, will allow this prohibition to apply in areas of England and Wales where civil enforcement of parking contraventions is exercised by the local traffic authority and appropriate application for these specific provisions has been made to the relevant national authority. The Secretary of State will be responsible for setting the level of penalties in England. The penalty level will be set when section 86 comes into force, which is currently expected to be in 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets he sets the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for responding to correspondence; whether the time taken is measured from the date when a letter is (a) received and (b) opened; and what steps he is taking to improve turn-around times. [222375]

We have not set the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) a correspondence response target. However, the Agency has been asked continuously to maintain or improve the levels of customer satisfaction. To achieve this DVLA has an internal target of answering 95 per cent. of written correspondence within eight working days from the date of opening.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many security staff are employed at each of the 35 main ports of entry to the United Kingdom. [221092]

All ports handling international traffic must meet Government security standards. However, the number of staff that are employed by a port to carry out security is a decision for the ports themselves. We therefore do not hold this information centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 3 March 2005, Official Report, column 1334W, on hauliers (working time restrictions), whether the new working time rules will apply to mobile workers employed by non-UK hauliers operating in the UK. [221267]

The new Regulations will apply to mobile workers employed by any non-UK hauliers operating in Great Britain, provided those hauliers are established in a member state of the European Union. Separate regulations with similar effect will apply in Northern Ireland.

Mobile workers from non-EU member states will be bound by the terms of the Directive, provided they are deemed to be employed by a EU employer under the terms of our Regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what the level of air traffic movements at Heathrow is; and when such movements are expected to reach the cap set for Heathrow of 480,000 movements; [221626]

(2) what action is planned by the Government when the capped level of 480,000 air traffic movements has been reached at Heathrow airport. [221654]

The number of Heathrow Air Transport Movements (ATMs) in the year ending 28 February 2005 was 469,544. The condition limiting air transport movements to 480,000 a year applies from the date that the core Terminal 5 building opens, which is expected to be 2008. The number of ATMs is forecast to reach the 480,000 limit by the end of 2007. I am advised by BAA that an administrative process for managing the cap has been discussed and agreed in principle with the local planning authority to ensure that the limit is not exceeded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the final scheme for compensation for blight associated with any future development of Heathrow airport to be published. [221630]

BAA plc published a consultation paper on 21 September 2004 setting out its proposals for a non-statutory scheme to protect property values around the airport. At the request of local residents BAA extended the consultation by one month to January 2005. BAA is presently considering the responses to the consultation and has advised the local community that it expects to publish its final scheme by the late spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further work is to be undertaken to assess the economic impact of a third runway at Heathrow airport. [221631]

The economic impact of a third runway at Heathrow was assessed in the work preceding the Air Transport White Paper and is set out in the White Paper and supporting documentation. No further assessment is planned, beyond any that may be necessary to reflect changed circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements have been made to ensure the openness and transparency of the workings of Project Heathrow, with particular reference to the dissemination of information on this initiative to (a) residents of communities living near Heathrow and (b) their elected representatives. [221649]

We are keen to ensure that the Project for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow (Project Heathrow) is taken forward in an open and transparent manner, and to communicate information about the project to local communities and their representatives. The Heathrow Airport Consultative Committee, whose membership includes locally elected representatives, receives regular updates from DfT officials and BAA. Local authorities are represented on Project Heathrow's air quality technical panels. Information about the project has been on the Department's website www.dft.gov.uk/aviation/projectheathrow since last summer and we endeavour to keep this up to date as the project progresses. In addition, Ministers and officials have meetings from time to time with a variety of interested parties. I am currently seeking to arrange a further such meeting with relevant Members of Parliament.

For their part, BAA Heathrow have been working to ensure that the local community is well informed about Project Heathrow. BAA's work has included updating the Heathrow Local Focus Forum on progress and meeting with local action groups to discuss issues connected with the project. BAA has also published the leaflet One Year On—How BAA airports are delivering the Future of Air Transport White Paper" which is available from the company's website www.baa.com.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact the decision in the case of the judicial review of the Government's proposals for airport expansion has had on the proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. [221651]

None. The Court upheld the White Paper policy as regards Heathrow, although we are aware that this is the subject of a further appeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what process would need to be pursued (a) to amend and (b) to delete the environmental mitigation measures on airport operations at Heathrow under the Cranford Agreement. [221653]

Any proposals to amend or abandon the existing noise amelioration operations at Heathrow under the Cranford Agreement would need to be subject to a full environmental appraisal, public consultation and ministerial approval. Any agreed changes would then need to be reflected in operational instructions in the NATS Manual for Air Traffic Services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many unadopted roads there are on estates built in the last 15 years; and how many unadopted residential streets there are in England. [222717]

Information is not held centrally on either question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is allowed to pass on details it holds on individuals to operators of privately-owned and operated car parks. [221968]

holding answer 15 March 2005

Regulations provide for the release of vehicle keeper details from the register maintained by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to applicants who can demonstrate 'reasonable cause' for their request. Legal advice is that the enforcement of parking restrictions on private property meets the 'reasonable cause' criterion. If information were not released in these circumstances, landlords would have great difficulty in enforcing their rights to their property. The Information Commissioner is aware that personal data are used in this way and he has issued advice that is available on his website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers have used (a) Bramley, (b) Burley Park and (c) Headingley rail stations in each year since 1987. [221965]

Figures are only held from year 1990–91 and are shown in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department will be assuming powers previously exercised by the Strategic Rail Authority in respect of (a) waiving penalty payments for train operators involved in industrial disputes, (b) providing compensation to train operating companies for loss of revenue arising from industrial disputes and (c) authorising pay and conditions agreements in the 12 months of a franchise. [222532]

Penalty payments, train operators' revenue and approval of pay deals for train operators' staff are all aspects of franchising. Under the Railways Bill, responsibility for passenger rail franchising would pass to the Secretary of State for Transport and Scottish Ministers as appropriate. Whether and how these specific powers will be used in the future is an issue we will want to consider in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many registered car owners there have been in (a) Southend and (b) Essex in each year since 1997. [222487]

DVLA is unable to provide information on numbers of car owners as our system cannot cater for multiple vehicles registered to a single owner. In addition DVLA registers vehicle keepers (the person responsible for the use of the vehicles on the road) and not legal owners. However, the numbers of licensed vehicles registered to addresses in the Southend and Essex areas are as follows:

⁽¹⁾ 2003 is the last full year for which information is currently available

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish the number of road accidents in (a) Essex and (b) Southend in 2004. [222471]

The Department for Transport will report accident and casualty figures for Essex and the unitary authority Southend on Sea in Road Casualties Great Britain: 2004", which is due for publication in September 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government are taking in support of the policy of the European Union to halve the number of road deaths across the EU between 2002 and 2010. [222350]

We continue to develop and implement our wide-ranging road safety strategy. The provisional 2004 third quarter casualty figures show we are now over halfway towards our 2010 target of a 40 per cent. reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured, and over three-quarters towards our 50 per cent. target for children.

The first review of the road safety strategy identified that, while we are making good progress toward meeting our overall casualty reduction targets, the number of fatal casualties has levelled off. This is a complex issue, affecting other European countries which like us have a good record on road safety, and it is receiving in-depth analysis and special focus as we develop the strategy further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to review the operation of race relations legislation in relation to seafarers. [222309]

I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 17 January 2005, Official Report, column 675W, given to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in descending order the 10 local authority areas in England which have the greatest number of fixed speed cameras. [221719]

holding answer 15 March 2005

Details are in the tables of the safety camera partnerships' sites and casualties which my Department published and placed in the Library in June 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in how many traffic calming schemes introduced in England since 1998 speed humps have been constructed and later withdrawn or modified, broken down by local authority. [222352]

Local authorities have the power to introduce or modify traffic calming schemes without approval from the Department, so there are no central records which contain this information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of speed humps, with particular reference to (a) air pollution and (b) noise pollution; and if he will make a statement. [222353]

The Department has commissioned a number of research projects in recent years to assess the environmental impact of road humps.

The research has indicated that emissions from individual vehicles may increase with the implementation of traffic calming measures, due to increased driver acceleration and deceleration. However, the reduction in the volume of traffic within traffic calming schemes usually means that the overall changes in air quality are roughly neutral.

After the installation of road humps and speed cushions, research has shown that the maximum noise levels from light vehicles (cars) are reduced, as is the overall traffic noise level when light vehicles form most of the traffic stream. However, the effect on noise from large vehicles is more complex. While there are some decreases in maximum vehicle noise levels from large commercial vehicles due to reductions in their speeds, this can be offset by increases in noise from the bodywork of such vehicles as they pass over the humps and cushions. The net effect of these measures on the overall traffic noise depends on the proportion of large commercial vehicles in the traffic stream, and on the type of road hump installed.

The environmental impact of road humps has to be considered against the need to improve road safety. Around 3,500 people are killed and a further 34,000 are seriously injured on our roads every year. Nearly 2,400 of these casualties are child pedestrians. Compliance with speed limits would reduce these unacceptable numbers, and experience shows that traffic calming measures such as road humps have significant safety benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons an appraisal summary table for a fully worked up lower cost alternative in relation to the Stoke Hammond and Linslade Western Bypass has not been provided since 1994. [222363]

The Stoke Hammond and Linslade Western Bypass was subject to the Department's appraisal requirements applicable at the time when relevant funding and approval decisions were taken. These requirements have changed over time. Alternative options and routes were considered, but not recommended, by the Public Inquiry into the Compulsory Purchase Orders held in 2003. Once a scheme has completed its statutory processes, the Department does not generally require an assessment of alternative options when the local authority submits a request for Full Approval and release of funding under the Local Transport Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the policy of the Government is in relation to the legality of (a) fitting and (b) using television equipment in cars which operate while a vehicle is stationary at traffic lights. [222347]

It is legal to fit television equipment in a motor vehicle. However, if the screen of the television can be seen by the driver then it is only lawful to display information about the state of the vehicle, or about the location of the vehicle and the road which it is on, or information to assist the driver to see the road adjacent to the vehicle, or to assist the driver to reach his destination.

It is unlawful for the driver to watch screens for entertainment purposes (e.g. TV programmes or DVDs) at any time while driving, including when stopped at traffic lights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Highways Agency expenditure was in Hampshire in each of the last five years; and how much was spent on (a) new road schemes and (b) road maintenance. [221754]

holding answer 15 March 2005

No major new road schemes have been carried out by the Highways Agency in Hampshire in the last five years.

Delivery of the Highways Agency's road maintenance programme and smaller improvement schemes is carried out through a number of area-based managing agents. The area that includes Hampshire also includes other counties and it is not possible to identify how much has been spent in Hampshire alone.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government Actuary's Department will respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Yeovil of 20 December 2004 in relation to public sector redundancy packages; what the reasons are for the delay; and if he will make a statement. [221800]

In response to the hon. Member's letter of 20 December 2004 the Government Actuary's Department provided advice to the Ministry of Defence in January, on the basis of which Ministry officials, given the unusual nature of the case, were given specific Treasury approval for a redundancy payment to the hon. Member's constituent. Treasury approval was initially given on 18 February but the payment was re-calculated to add interest at a standard rate in order to take full account of delay before payment was actioned on 7 March. Officials have already apologised to the constituent for the excessive time taken to settle this case but I believe that it has now reached a satisfactory conclusion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average age of women at first childbirth was in each of the last 10 years. [222059]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Tim Loughton, dated 17 March 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the average age of women at first childbirth in each of the last 10 years. (222059)

Figures for England and Wales from 1993 to 2003 are published in Table 1.7 of the annual births reference volume (Birth statistics 2003 FM1 no 32). Table 1.7a contains means calculated from number of births. Table 1.7b contains means calculated from fertility rates, thus controlling for the age distribution of the female population, so providing a better measure of trend. Copies of the publication are available from the House of Commons library and is also available at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=5768&Pos=l&ColRank =l&Rank=256

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) what the estimated effect upon revenue would be if the 10 per cent. band of income tax were increased by (a) £1,000, (b) £2,000 and (c) £3,000; [221727]

(2) what the estimated effect upon revenue would be if the lower threshold for income tax were increased by (a) £1,000, (b) £2,000 and (c) £3,000; and how many taxpayers would no longer pay income tax in each case. [221728]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 February 2005, Official Report, column 1405W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated yield arising from levying income tax at a rate of 50 per cent. on all taxable incomes in excess of £50,000 per annum would be; and how many taxpayers would be affected. [221729]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 8 February 2005, Official Report, column 1405W and 1410W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of migrant labour admitted to the UK was employed (a) by outsourcing companies, (b) by employment agencies, (c) by gangmasters, (d) in agriculture, (e) in catering and (f) in the care system in the last year for which figures are available. [221521]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Dr. John Pugh, dated 17 March 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about percentages of employed migrant labour in the UK. (221521)

The attached table, using statistics from the ONS Labour Force Survey, gives estimates of numbers of people aged 16 and over who are resident and employed in the UK but whose nationality is other than UK. Estimates, for the three month period ending in November 2004 are given in total and for those employed by employment agencies, in agriculture, in catering and in the care system.

These estimates from the Labour Force Survey are, as with any sample survey, subject to sampling variability.

Non-UK nationals resident and in employment in the UK

⁽²⁾ Refers to those respondents whose reason for not having a permanent job was because of agency temping.

⁽³⁾ Refers to those involved in activities including, growing crops; market gardening; horticulture; farming of animals; growing crops combined with farming of animals (mixed farming); agricultural and animal husbandry service activities, except veterinary activities.

⁽⁴⁾ Includes only those working in canteen and catering services.

⁽⁵⁾ Refers to those respondents working as care assistants and home carers in the: health and social work, real estate renting and business activity, public administration and defence, other community social and personal and private households with employed persons.

⁽⁶⁾ Of those employed in the care system 3,000 working for employment agencies are included also within the total shown in the table for employment agencies.

⁽⁷⁾ A percentages of total non-UK nationals.

Note:

LFS estimates for small groups such as non-UK nationals are particularly subject to sampling variability because of the small size of the survey samples. They should therefore be treated with caution.

Source:

ONS-Labour Force Survey

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has received the outline business case for the Paddington Basin Health Campus from the North West London strategic health authority. [222669]

No.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether (a) annuities and (b) pensions are still paid from public funds to the descendants of any individuals who through particular public service were granted exceptional perpetual annuity or pension payments. [221921]

No such payments are made by the Treasury.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what indicators his Department uses to assess the productivity performance of the United Kingdom. [221803]

The Government uses two headline measures in its assessment of the UK's productivity performance: HM Treasury estimates of underlying productivity growth in the UK over the economic cycle; and ONS International Comparisons of Productivity estimates.

These headline measures are supported by a set of intermediate indicators to highlight how the UK is performing relative to its major competitors on key dimensions of the drivers of productivity.

Details can be found in the technical note accompanying the Treasury's PSA target on productivity; in Productivity in the UK 5: Benchmarking UK productivity performance: A consultation on productivity indicators¹ "; and Benchmarking UK productivity performance: The Government's response to the consultation on productivity indicators ² ";.

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/EFF/68/iulytechnicalnote 300704.pdf¹

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consultations and legislation/productivity indicators/consult productivity indicators index.cfm²

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers he has to provide tax relief to the over-65s on savings and earnings for those earning between £18,900 and £23,070. [222364]

Those over 65 are entitled to more generous personal allowances than those aged below 65, while those over 75 have a greater entitlement still.

In 2004 the personal allowances for all those aged 65 and over were increased in line with earnings by a provision in the Finance Act. The Chancellor announced his intention at last December's PBR of introducing a similar increase to the personal allowance for all those aged 65 and over in this year's Finance Bill.

This overrides the automatic increase which is made in line with prices for all personal allowances. The higher allowances for those aged 65 and over are reduced where their income is above a certain level. This level, £18,900 for 2004–05, is also increased automatically in line with prices.

In common with everyone else, those over 65 can withdraw funds from any ISAs they have tax free. Consequently, this does not affect their entitlement to age-related personal allowances.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of unemployment was in Aberdeenshire unitary authority area in each year since 1999 broken down by age group. [222062]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 17 March 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment in Aberdeenshire Unitary Authority. (222062)

Table 1 gives estimates of the levels of unemployed people resident in the Aberdeenshire Unitary Authority analysed by age group and covering twelve-month periods ending February each year from 1999 to 2004.

These estimates from Labour Force Survey are, as with any sample survey, subject to sampling variability.

The Office for National Statistics also compiles statistics of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. Table 2 gives, for each age group, the average number of people resident in the Aberdeenshire Unitary Authority who were claiming Jobseeker's Allowance benefits in each year from 1999 to 2004.

Table 1: Unemployed people resident in the Aberdeenshire unitary authority area by age

⁽⁸⁾ Estimates not given in order to protect respondent confidentiality.

Note:

These estimates are based on very small sample sizes and are subject to a high degree of sampling variability. Changes from year to year, especially, should be treated with caution.

Source:

ONS Labour Force Survey

Table 2: JSA claimants resident in the Aberdeenshire unitary authority area by age

Source:

Jobcentre Plus Administrative system

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been raised through VAT on electronically published materials in each of the past 10 years. [222376]

VAT revenue figures are published by HM Customs and Excise in the VAT factsheet, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House and from Customs' website: http://www.uktradeinfo.com

HM Customs and Excise do not collect data on VAT from individual goods and services.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from (a) universities and (b) libraries with regard to the level of VAT levied on electronically published materials. [222377]

I am not aware that any Treasury Minister has received any representations from universities and libraries with regard to the level of VAT levied on electronically published materials in the last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received regarding pet fairs; and if she will make a statement. [222457]

I have received a considerable amount of correspondence both for and against the licensing of pet fairs under the proposed Animal Welfare Bill, and I am currently considering how best to take forward work on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the collection of fallen stock. [222459]

The National Fallen Stock Scheme has been operating for just over three months and already has 25,000 members. While acknowledging there have been teething problems with collection of fallen stock in some parts of the country, the National Fallen Stock Company reports that it is pleased with the response and that the scheme is generally working well.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to protect fish stocks in UK waters. [222462]

There are a range of policies in European Union and UK legislation to protect fish stocks. The Government will shortly be publishing a response to the Net Benefits" report which made a wide ranging series of recommendations to secure sustainable fisheries in the waters around the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the implications of the Commission for Africa's report for her Department's work. [222444]

Along with the rest of Government we are studying the Commission's conclusions carefully and will work up a full response across Government as soon as we can.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantity of fruit and vegetables was destroyed under EU arrangements in each of the last three years. [222458]

Latest data from the European Commission indicate that total produce withdrawn from the market in the EU fell from over 1.1 million tonnes in 2000–01 to 596,000 tonnes in 2001–02, and to 315,000 tonnes in 2002–03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for further reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. [222447]

The key priority over the coming year is reform of the sugar regime. Looking further ahead, the review of dairy quotas in 2008 and the review of decoupling in 2009 may provide further opportunities for reform. We are also pushing for a radical outcome to the current WTO round to increase market access and eliminate export subsidies at the earliest opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 February 2005, Official Report, column 1639, to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Tony Lloyd) on climate change, what the results were of her discussions with newly developing countries, with particular reference to those with substantial and growing energy needs; and if she will make a statement. [222461]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, together with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, jointly hosted a Round Table for the energy and environment Ministers from 20 countries, including the emerging economies, on 15–16 March.

This was an innovative event which enabled us to explore common ground and begin to build a shared agenda to tackle issues of access to energy for development, energy security, and environmental protection.

A summary of proceedings will be placed on the Defra and DTI websites shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether Ministers in her Department have issued written instructions to override her Department's accounting officer's objections since 1997. [221109]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14 March 2005, Official Report, column 80W by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Stephen Timms).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of estimated biomass of the 10 most landed fish species under North Sea Total Allowable Catches were landed by vessels from each EU member state in the last period for which figures are available; and what proportion of each catch was made up of recognised market valuable species. [215234]

The most recent available information for the most landed North Sea species (on the basis of Total Allowable Catches for 2005) is shown in table 1 as follows:

Table 1

⁽⁹⁾ No data

⁽¹⁰⁾ Including the Baltic

⁽¹¹⁾ Estimates include discards

⁽¹²⁾ Estimate from 2002

The proportion of the TAC taken by individual countries for these species is shown in table 2.

Table 2

Information is not available on what proportion of each catch consists of commercially valuable species.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of households in England which are at risk from flooding; and if she will make a statement. [222351]

The most recent estimate of households at risk of flooding is based on data from the Environment Agency's 2004 National Flood Risk Assessment which is also used in the FloodMap available from their website. This identified just under 1.9 million households within the Extreme Flood Outline in England (with more than 0.1 per cent. probability of flooding in any year).

More than half of these households are in the low probability band (less than 0.5 per cent. probability of flooding in any year) and the majority of the remainder are in the moderate band (less than 1.3 per cent. probability in any year).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the over-30-month scheme will end. [222652]

We do not expect any changes to the over-30-month scheme until September 2005 at the earliest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the opportunities available to public sector food buyers and farmers under the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative; and if she will make a statement. [222453]

Examples of developments which offer greater opportunities for local producers to compete for public sector business include:(a) to supply more fruit and vegetables under the expanding 5-A-Day scheme; (b) an increased demand for fresh and seasonal produce and (c) greater emphasis on quality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will urge the withdrawal of EU subsidies to farmers in EU member states to grow tobacco. [221644]

The decision has already been made. In April 2004 the Agriculture Council decided that direct support for tobacco production in the European Community should cease after 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the work of the Waste and Resources Action Programme in the East Sussex region. [221512]

Defra does not assess the work of the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) on a geographic basis but in relation to its progress towards achieving the targets set out in its business plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the funding of the Waste and Resources Action Programme. [221513]

The Waste and Resources Action Programme is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and currently funded by Defra, DTI, the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.

The latest published set of accounts for WRAP (covering the financial year 2003–04) is available for inspection at Companies House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she proposes to introduce changes to the system of using rateable values as the basis for domestic water charges. [222460]

We have no present plans to require water companies to abandon rateable values as the basis of their unmeasured charges. Rateable values are outdated, and we are open to proposals for better systems, but any change would have to address the issue of winners and losers. We will update the existing analysis in the light of the Lyons inquiry and any consequential changes to council tax.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the outputs of the Water Savings Trust feasibility study; and what action she proposes to take following the Environment Agency's report to her Department on the outcome of this study. [222520]

The Environment Agency have been delayed in presenting the report on the feasibility of a Water Savings Trust to Defra. I now expect to receive the report from them in the first week of April.

On receipt of the report, I will consider what contribution a Water Savings Trust could make towards securing a sustainable water supply.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the maximum fine is which local authorities can impose on landowners allowing temporary wheeled billboards to be placed next to motorways. [222680]

Local planning authorities can prosecute the owner or occupier of the land on which the advertisement is displayed. The maximum fine on conviction of an offence is £2,500 and for a continuing offence £250 for each day the unlawful advertisement continues to be displayed.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average fine imposed by local authorities on landowners allowing temporary wheeled billboards to be placed next to motorways was in the last year for which figures are available. [222683]

The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the business rate for Chorley is forecast to be in 2005–06; and what the rate is in 2004–05. [222439]

The net business rate yield for Chorley for 2005–06 is forecast to be £18.187 million, compared with £16.840 million that was forecast for 2004–05.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the level of council tax receipts raised in England was in each year since 1997–98. [219909]

The figures requested are tabled as follows. Figures for 2004–05 are not yet available on the same basis.

Council tax receipts

Note:

The amounts shown are total receipts, irrespective of the year to which they relate. They exclude amounts funded from council tax benefit.

Source:

QRC4 returns

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what exemptions from council tax apply for narrow boats away from their moorings; and when guidance was last issued on this matter to local authorities. [221897]

A mooring occupied by a boat which is somebody's sole or main residence is deemed to be a dwelling" for council tax purposes and will therefore attract a council tax liability in the same way as other domestic types of property. Under Class R of The Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992 (as amended) a dwelling consisting of a mooring which is not occupied by a boat is exempt. This exemption came into force on 1 April 1994. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not issued any guidance on this matter.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Witney constituency, the effects on Rochdale of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [217366]

Along with other Government Departments, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to improving the lives of people across the whole of the UK. For example, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is determined that everyone should have the opportunity to have a decent home, and since 1997 we have reduced the number of non-decent homes nationally by 1 million.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister provides grant funding that benefits the Rochdale constituency through a number of programmes.

For example, over the period 2001–06 Rochdale has been allocated £20.7 million of Neighbourhood Renewal Fund resources to help the local authority, in collaboration with the Local Strategic Partnership, improve services in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the area.

More broadly, since 1997 we have been able to increase the total amount of Government grant given to local authorities by £22.6 billion. This is a 33 per cent. increase in real terms. Rochdale council has received an average annual increase in formula grant since 1997 of 5.3 per cent.

The Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 census and other sources. This service is available on the National Statistics website at http://neighbourhood.statistics. gov.uk./.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) private, (b) public sector key worker, (c) private sector key worker and (d) social housing homes are to be built on each of the redundant NHS sites now controlled by his Department. [222042]

My right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health announced in April 2004 that a portfolio of around 100 surplus NHS sites would be transferred to help deliver the objectives of the sustainable communities plan. It is expected that the first of these sites will transfer to English Partnerships shortly. Many of the sites will be suitable for the provision of affordable homes for sale and will include an element of social housing.

The future use of each site and development proposals where appropriate will be determined in consultation with the relevant local planning authority as part of the normal planning process.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is continuing to develop a First Time Buyers Initiative as recently announced in our 'Five Year Plan—Sustainable Communities: Homes for All'. We plan to deliver 15,000 homes under the initiative by 2010, half of which will be for key public service workers and the other half for individuals and families recommended by Regional Housing Boards. Details about where these houses will be built have not yet been announced.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many affordable housing units were built or procured through the Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme and Challenge Fund in London in each year since 1997–98, broken down by (a) mixed funded social rented housing, (b) temporary social rented housing, (c) homebuy general market purchase, (d) homebuy general new build, (e) mixed funded general low cost ownership for sale, (f) miscellaneous works to registered social landlord (RSL) stock, (g) reimprovement to rented RSL stock, (h) works-only rehabilitation of rented RSL stock, (i) works-only rehabilitation of RSL stock for sale, (j) intermediate rented accommodation for key workers, (k) homebuy market purchase for key workers, (l) homebuy new build for key workers, (m) the London Challenge Teacher Market Purchase Homebuy, (n) mixed funded sale for key workers and (o) starter home initiative. [222371]

The information requested on the number of dwellings built or procured in London through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme and Challenge Fund by the various categories listed in each year since 1997–98 is being collated. I will write to my hon. Friend and make a copy available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme and Challenge Fund funding has been spent on (a) mixed funded social rented housing, (b) temporary social rented housing, (c) homebuy general market purchase, (d) homebuy general new build, (e) mixed funded low cost home ownership for sale, (f) miscellaneous works to registered social landlord (RSL) stock, (g) reimprovement to rented RSL stock, (h) works-only rehabilitation of rented RSL stock, (i) works-only rehabilitation of RSL stock for sale, (j) intermediate rented accommodation for key workers, (k) homebuy market purchase for key workers, (l) homebuy new build for key workers, (m) the London Challenge Teacher Market Purchase Homebuy, (n) mixed funded sale for key workers and (o) starter home initiative in London in each year since 1997–98. [222372]

The information requested on funding in London through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme and Challenge Fund by the various categories listed in each year since 1997–98 is being collated. I will write to my hon. Friend and make a copy available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when Mrs. Lea Rowles of Wylie Court, Sittingbourne will receive her refund from Swale Housing Association. [222368]

This is a private matter between Mrs. Lea Rowles of Wylie Court, Sittingbourne and Swale Housing Association. I understand that Swale Housing Association are currently investigating this matter and will be in contact with Mrs. Rowles shortly.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authority properties were sold under the right to buy in each London borough in each year since 1996–97; and what the average discount per dwelling was in each case. [221426]

The annual number of right to buy sales of council dwellings reported by each London borough and the annual average right to buy discount per sale since 1996–97 have been made available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will use Department of Health patient registration figures as a measure of population for the purpose of calculating local authority grants for Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. [222346]

No. When calculating formula grant allocations, we use the best and most up-to-date data that are available on a consistent basis across all authorities. In the case of population, these are the 2003 mid-year estimates produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Data from GP lists are useful for estimating migration, but are not designed to measure population. They are subject to a number of potential flaws. For example, very few international emigrants de-register when leaving the country. GP lists are also prone to duplicate registrations and there can often be a delay in removing names following a death.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the real terms (a) percentage and (b) cash changes in total external support to (i) Westminster city council and (ii) the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea were in each year between 1992–93 and 2005–06. [221614]

It is most appropriate to calculate year-on-year changes against the previous year's grant adjusted for changes in funding and function so as to give a like-for-like comparison. However adjusted grant data is available only from 1997–98 onwards. Please note therefore that the data for the period 1992–93 to 1997–98 is on an unadjusted basis while the data for the period 1998–99 onwards is on an adjusted basis.

Unadjusted year-on-year changes

Adjusted year-on-year changes

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations and meetings he has had with Unison regarding the Local Government Pension Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [222135]

holding answer 16 March 2005

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 23 February 2005, Official Report, columns 645–46W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle). Further meetings and discussion have taken place since, the last of which was on 10 March. These have been of a constructive nature, looking into the long-term issues relating to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the budget of each Regional Assembly was in each of the last three years; what the administrative costs were in each year; and what the costs were of the other functions co-ordinated by the secretariat of each Assembly in each year. [221270]

holding answer 14 March 2005

Regional Assemblies are voluntary bodies that have been designated to undertake specific functions on behalf of Government. The total level of Government grant in support of these functions for the period 2002–05 is tabled as follows.

£

Regional Assemblies may also receive funding support from other organisations including local authorities. Details of 'administrative costs' and the cost of 'other functions co-ordinated by the Secretariat of each Assembly' are not kept centrally.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost has been of financing the South East England Regional Assembly in each of the last five years. [222050]

The total grant made by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to the South East England Regional Assembly in each of the years since 2001–02, when it was first introduced was:

The increase in funding from 2003–04 was granted in recognition of the Assembly's role as Regional Planning Body for the South East of England within the new planning system. This role involved additional statutory responsibilities that were placed on them by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the statement of 3 March 2005, Official Report, column 358WH, if he will publish the evidence he has received from local authorities indicating that the separation of management and strategic function is delivering better services to tenants in social housing. [221629]

The Government's response to the Select Committee report on Decent Homes set out that the separation of management and strategic functions delivers better services to tenants in social housing. This was based on the findings of the Audit Commission report 'Housing After Transfer: the Local Authority Role', which was published in December 2002.

In addition, the Government's response drew on the quarterly reviews undertaken by the National Federation of ALMOs (NFA) and HouseMark, which demonstrate the increasing levels of tenant satisfaction where homes are managed by an Arm's Length Management Organisation (ALMO).

Copies of the Government's response, and the Audit Commission report, are available in the Library of the House. The findings of the NFA/HouseMark reviews are available to subscribers to the HouseMark website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many accidents occurred at her departmental premises in each of the last five years involving (a) members of her Department's staff and (b) members of the public. [222571]

Accidents at work are reported by means of accident report books.

No member of the public has been seen to have an accident or has reported an accident. None of the accidents to the Department's staff have required more than a sticking plaster or have led to an absence from work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she publishes data for the number of accidents at work involving employees of her Department; and if she will make a statement. [222578]

In 2004 there were three reported accidents, and to date in 2005 there has been one, none of which have required medical attention or resulted in absence from work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangements for monitoring accidents at work involving members of staff of her Department are in place; and if she will make a statement. [222617]

In accordance with Health and Safety Executive guidance an Accident Report Book is provided in a central point on each floor. Completed pages are detached and forwarded to the Departmental Safety officer for collation and any action needed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether her Department will be represented at the Factual TV Commissioning Conference being held as part of the BBC Charter Review in London on 18 March; and if she will make a statement. [221319]

DCMS will not be represented at the Factual TV Commissioning Conference being organised by Broadcast, which has no direct links to Charter review. However I am grateful for all the input we have received from members of the broadcasting industry to BBC Charter review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether Ministers in her Department have issued written instructions to override her Department's accounting officer's objections since 1997. [221106]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 14 March 2005, Official Report, column 80W by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the estimated (a) market value and (b) annual rental value is of each property owned by her Department; who the occupier is of each property; and if she will make a statement. [221010]

DCMS does not own any property that is able to earn rental income.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to Tamworth constituency, the effects on the constituency of changes to her Department's policies since 1997. [221929]

The Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries. The Department's policies and actions have had a significant impact on Tamworth since 2 May 1997.

In 2002 we launched the first ever comprehensive national physical education, school sport and club links strategy with an investment of £459 million. To achieve our challenging targets for increased participation in sport and physical activity, we have invested in thousands of new and refurbished public sports facilities. Sports facilities in Tamworth have benefited from two Sport England Lottery grants totalling £582,152.

We have increased our national funding to the arts in real terms by 60 per cent. from £199 million in 1998–99 to £367 million in 2004–05. Between 1998–99 and 2003–04 Arts Council England, west midlands grants increased from £5.6 million to £32.5 million. In 2005–06 the total Arts Council England investment in regularly funded organisations will be £35.4 million. Tamworth has benefited from grants to arts projects, organisations and individuals, including Black Country Touring and Arts Alive.

Schools in Tamworth also benefit from the Staffordshire Youth Music Action Zone, known as Make Some Noise. Since its establishment in 2001 Make Some Noise has received three grants totalling £804,800 enabling it to reach 6,000 young people through local music projects and events.

Culture Online was launched in 2002 to increase access to, and participation in, arts and culture. Many of its projects are aimed at children of school age and at audiences that might not otherwise participate in arts and culture, including those who do not easily have access to arts and culture, people from deprived communities and people with particular educational or physical needs. People in Tamworth will be among those who benefit from Culture Online. Between 2002 and 2004, £13 million was allocated to fund 20 Culture Online projects.

Renaissance in the regions has funded the appointment of a museums development officer to support museums in the west midlands regional hub. It has provided £90,000 in 2004–05 for additional museums development support through the museums development fund and the hub's regional development fund to the Marches Curators group, of which Staffordshire is a part. This will be increased to £155,000 in 2005–06. Training courses in leadership and conservation have been organised through the hub and a member of Tamworth council's staff has been seconded to Birmingham city council as part of a skills sharing initiative.

Through our commitment to public service broadcasting we have helped to foster an environment in which a creative, commercially successful broadcasting industry provides a wide range of UK-made, high quality original programmes catering for all viewers and listeners. We have ensured a secure funding base for the BBC and Channel 4, while giving them the freedom to develop commercial operations which complement and support their public service remit The Communications Act 2003 includes provisions to ensure that public service broadcasting will continue to have a key role to play in the digital future.

In November 2000 we introduced free television licences for people aged 75 or over. Information on the number of beneficiaries by constituency is not available. However, according to Department for Work and Pensions records, the number of households in Tamworth with at least one person aged 75 or over claiming the winter fuel payment in 2003–04 was 3,865.

We have changed the licensing laws to allow people to hold and attend commercial dances on Sunday, to make it easier for restaurants to open an hour later, and to relax the alcohol licensing hours from 11 pm on new year's eve to 11 am on new year's day in all future years; and we have given the police greater powers to take action against under-age drinking and disorderly and noisy licensed premises. The Licensing Act 2003, when fully implemented, will introduce a streamlined, consistent and fair licensing regime for the provision of alcohol, public entertainment and late night refreshment. It will provide greater choice for consumers, bring regeneration and increased employment opportunities and protect local residents whose lives have been blighted by disturbance and anti-social behaviour.

The Gambling Bill will, when implemented, transfer responsibility for licensing gambling premises to local authorities. Local people and businesses will be able to make representations about applications for licenses and local authorities will be able to decide not to issue licenses for casino premises. These changes will give local communities, including those in Tamworth, a greater say in the regulation of gambling in their area.

Tourism in Tamworth has benefited from Government-funded marketing activity. In April 2003 we established VisitBritain with a new domestic marketing remit for England, and we gave strategic responsibility for tourism development to the regional development agencies, including Advantage West Midlands. These changes, together with VisitBritain's successful marketing activities in promoting Britain abroad as an attractive tourist destination, benefit all parts of the country, including Tamworth .

In common with all those in the United Kingdom, the public library branches in Tamworth are connected to the internet through the People's Network which was funded through a £120 million Lottery grant and which has put all the United Kingdom's public libraries on-line. In addition, the Department is funding the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council with £5 million over three years to implement the Framework for the future action plan and library improvement programme, which is designed to encourage improvement across the public libraries sector in England.

The Department has been an energetic advocate of the community value of public libraries. In 1998–1999 the DCMS/Wolfson public libraries challenge fund allocated funding to the community learning network partnership in Staffordshire. This award of £49,000 was granted in order to assist the provision of Open for learning" centres in libraries across Staffordshire to support self-study and distance learning. Tamworth Library was one such Centre and received a proportion of the funding.

Information from the National Lottery distributors indicates that since 2 May 1997 Tamworth has benefited from 175 awards totalling just over £4.8 million. Of these, 23 awards worth over £800.000 were made by the new opportunities fund which was established by the Government in 1999. The new opportunities fund merged with the community fund in June 2004 to form the Big Lottery Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure that the provisions contained in the Gambling Bill do not adversely affect weekly lotteries operated by the hospice movement. [221716]

We have already brought forward amendments to the Bill, following representations by a number of hospice charities which now promote ticketless lotteries", to ensure that they will not have to change current practice. The Bill approved by the Commons on 25 January incorporates these amendments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions have taken place between her Department, Ofcom and ITV on maintaining regional news and current affairs programmes in the north-west. [222150]

My Department has been briefed by Ofcom and ITV on the implications for regional news and current affairs of Ofcom's review of Public Service Broadcasting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what penalties Ofcom can impose on ITV for failing to maintain Charter undertakings. [222151]

ITV is not established by a Royal Charter, but holds broadcasting licences for its channels, including certain of the regional Channel 3 licences which contain public service broadcasting obligations. Under the Communications Act 2003 there is a range of sanctions available to Ofcom for breaches of licence conditions which depend upon the nature of the breach, for example requirements to broadcast statements of findings, to impose more detailed regulation, fines or licence variation or termination.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions have taken place between her Department and Ofcom regarding ITV's performance. [222152]

No specific discussion has taken place, but my Department and Ofcom meet regularly to discuss a variety of broadcasting and other matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions have taken place between her Department and Ofcom on the (a) quantity and (b) quality of ITV news and current affairs programming in the North West. [222153]