To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will seek to introduce a legislative change which will define alpacas as livestock. [184]

I have no plans to introduce a legislative change which will include alpacas to be defined as livestock.

I am unsure of the context of the question but there is some existing legislation which may be relevant to this issue. For example, the Agriculture Act 1947 provides that 'livestock includes any creature kept for the production of food, wool, skins or fur, or for the purpose of its use in the farming of land'. Alpacas could conceivably fall within this definition. Also, the Department issued guidance last year that, for the purposes of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, alpacas should be considered to be 'domesticated' rather than 'wild' animals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has had made of the impact on human health of the use of antibiotics on farms; and if she will make a statement. [692]

There is increasing scientific support for the view that the increase in antimicrobial resistance affecting human health is primarily the result of the use of antibiotics in human rather than veterinary medicines.

Nonetheless, we take this issue very seriously and in June 2000, published a cross-Government strategy to address the issue. In 1999 the Defra Antimicrobial Resistance Co-ordination (DARC) Group was established. Details of the work of this group, together with other information about antimicrobials and links to related websites, are available on the VMD website (www.vmd.gov.uk). We recognise that veterinary medicines, including antimicrobials, are required to ensure healthy food animals in the UK, but we believe that their use should not replace good farm management and animal husbandry systems. We believe that antimicrobials should be used responsibly in food animal production and have issued guidelines in the Code of Practice on the Responsible Use of Animal Medicines on the Farm, produced by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). We also support the industry's Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA), which has also published responsible use guidelines for antimicrobials that have been adopted by assurance schemes for the five major food-producing species. Also, as a precautionary measure, the use of antimicrobial growth promoters in the EU will be banned from 1 January 2006.

The VMD annually collates and publishes figures on the UK sales of all veterinary antimicrobials. These are likely to reflect usage of antimicrobials in animals. The figures illustrate that, whilst sales of some groups of antimicrobials have increased, others have decreased or remained relatively constant over time. The VMD, in collaboration with the Department of Health, has prepared and published a list of all antimicrobial therapeutic ingredients authorised for use in animals and humans. This illustrates that many antibiotic substances used in human medicine are not used in animals.

A number of research projects designed to provide scientific data to inform further consideration of relevant issues are also underway. These range from investigating the mechanism of antimicrobial resistance transfer in organisms, to investigating the husbandry factors on farms which might lead to reduced antimicrobial usage, thereby reducing the potential for the development of antimicrobial resistance. Details of these projects can be found on the VMD website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to publish her response to the consultation on vehicles on bridleways and footpaths. [147]

In response to the consultation paper on the use of mechanically propelled vehicles on rights of way, 'The Government's framework for action' was published on 20 January, which set out a commitment to legislate and provide new guidance.

The legislative commitment is being delivered through Part 6 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill, which was introduced to the House on 19 May.

A comprehensive revision of the departmental publication 'Making the Best of Byways' and a new enforcement guidance document will be published this summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to make a decision on the exchange of land from common land to access land at Brockeridge Farm, Twyning, Gloucestershire; and if she will make a statement. [690]

The application for an Order of Exchange, made under section 147 of the Inclosure Act 1845, in relation to land at Brockeridge Common, Twyning, Gloucestershire was received by the Department on 2 September 2004. On 17 September officials wrote to the solicitors acting for the applicants seeking further information. A reply was received on 23 May 2005 and the documentation is being scrutinised. The procedures are complex and applications can take some time to determine, so I am not in a position to say if, or when, an Order might be made. The outcome will depend on the Secretary of State being satisfied that the exchange is fair to the parties involved, and its terms just and reasonable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the level of (a) carbon dioxide emissions and (b) greenhouse gas emissions has been in the UK in each year since 1990; and what the percentage change was in each case since 1990 in each case. [181818]

The information is as follows:

(a) The following table contains the carbon dioxide emission from 1990 to 2003 expressed as million tonnes of carbon equivalent (MtCeq). The figures are based on the 2005 national inventory report which contains national estimates from 1990 and 2003 inclusive. Percentage changes are shown as a year-on-year change and as a total change from 1990.

(b) Similarly, the following table contains UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the same period, weighted together using global warming potentials:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to evaluate the effects of the recent ban on fox hunting. [155]

The Government have no plans to evaluate the effects of the Hunting Act 2005, beyond its normal arrangements for monitoring rural areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to monitor (a) the welfare of the fox, (b) changes in population numbers of urban and rural foxes and (c) effects on rural employment following the ban on hunting of foxes with hounds. [534]

Defra has no plans to institute new arrangements to monitor the welfare or population levels of the rural or urban fox, although it will retain an overview of these issues as part of its general animal welfare responsibilities. Similarly, Defra has no plans to monitor the effects of the Hunting Act 2005 on employment, beyond its normal arrangements for monitoring rural areas

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the consultation period being undertaken by the Environment Agency on flood defences on the Tidal Severn will end. [151]

The Environment Agency advise that the consultation period will end on 29 July 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Government are taking to encourage adults to learn new skills. [314]

On March 22 we published our White Paper setting out our policies and progress in improving adult education and skills-entitled Skills: Getting on in business, getting on at work. Our aim with this White Paper is to help even more adults to get the skills they need to move from welfare into jobs and to progress in their careers. It builds on the infrastructure established through the national Skills Strategy published in 2003. It announced our plans for further improving adult provision, including the roll out of the National Employer Training Programme, the creation of new Skills Academies to deliver training in each sector, the national roll-out of the entitlement to free tuition to NVQ Level 2, and an improved and extended service to deliver advice and guidance on careers, training and support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which Ministers have had responsibility for the Careers Service and the Connexions Service since May 1997; and if she will make a statement on her plans for the Connexions Service. [740]

Ministers with responsibility for the Careers Service and Connexions Service since May 1997 have been as follows:

Proposals for Connexions and the delivery of services for 13 to 19-year-olds will be set out in the Youth Green Paper which we intend to publish in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the cost of extending education maintenance allowances to all students who remain in post-16 education. [275]

The following tables show the estimated take up and cost of education maintenance allowances (EMAs). Estimates in Table One are based on the current scheme and the household income thresholds that apply in 2004–05. The second table gives estimates for all 16 to 18-year-olds in post-16 further education and assumes that all are eligible for £30 EMA per week plus bonuses. The tables also take account of drop-out from the scheme.

Estimated take-up and cost of EMA for eligible 16 to 18-year-olds in England

Estimated take-up and cost of EMA assuming all 16 to 18-year-olds in post-16 further education receive the maximum payment of £30 per week

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her estimate is of Government spending on the education maintenance allowance projected for each year from 2004–05 to 2009–10; and if she will make a statement. [823]

The following table shows the estimated take up and cost of education maintenance allowances (EMAs) for young people in post 16 further education, projected for each year from 2004–05 to 2008–09. Estimates for 2009–10 are not currently available. These estimates are based on the current scheme and the household income thresholds that apply in 2004–05. The table also takes account of drop-out from the scheme.

Estimated take-up and cost of EMA for eligible 16 to 18-year-olds in England

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what restrictions are applicable to the choice of (a) food and (b) drinks for children in receipt of free school meals. [214]

Since 2001 all school lunches must comply with statutory nutritional standards. Subject to these standards, the contents of individual school meals is a matter for either school governing bodies or local education authorities, depending on whether or not funding has been delegated to schools. DfES has published Healthy School Lunch guidance in which the Secretary of State strongly recommends that the value of a free school meal should be set to enable eligible children to have a standard two course lunch and drink. Schools are strongly encouraged to provide drinking water free of charge. Pupils entitled to free school meals cannot substitute other school food such as breakfast or break-time snacks for food served at lunchtime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the truancy levels were in schools in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) England in each year since 1995. [116]

The information requested is as follows:

Percentage of half days missed due to unauthorised absences for schools in Gloucestershire and England

⁽¹⁾ Figures have only been published to two decimal places since 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much had been paid to the Union of Democratic Mineworkers in respect of handling fees for coal health claims up to 31 March. [276]

As at 31 March 2005, the total paid to UDM solicitors for fees under the schemes was £19 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much had been paid to solicitors in respect of legal fees for coal health claims up to 31 March; and how much had been paid to each of the top 20 firms of solicitors. [277]

As of 31 March 2005, the total paid in solicitors for fees under the scheme was £493.5 million. The 20 highest paid solicitors under the scheme as at 31 March 2005 were:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the proportion of the adult population in (a) the UK, (b) the South West and (c) South Gloucestershire that had domestic access to e-mail (i) in the latest year for which estimates are available and (ii) five years earlier. [644]

The Office for National Statistics does not produce figures for home adult email access but they do produce household Internet access figures, which are quoted as follows.

The percentage of households able to access the Internet from home in Q4 2004 were:

(i)(a) 52 per cent. for the whole of the UK

(b) 50 per cent. for the South West

(c) Unknown

The percentage of households able to access the Internet from home in Q4 1999 were:

(ii)(a) 20 per cent. for the whole of the UK

(b) 19 per cent. for the South West

(c) Unknown

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions the Department has had with (a) the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and (b) BNFL in respect of the future operation of the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) following the leakage of radioactively contaminated nitric acid at THORP in April. [837]

DTI officials have had a number of discussions with both the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and British Nuclear Group (BNG) concerning the leak at THORP that resulted in the plant being closed. With regard to the future operation of THORP, the NDA and regulators are still looking at how best to proceed. We will wait for their advice before taking a decision on the way forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on UK businesses of the increase in wholesale gas prices and the increase in energy costs, with specific reference to the terms of (a) productivity and (b) competitiveness. [45]

The impact on UK businesses of increases in gas and energy prices will depend on a variety of factors, including how much gas or energy a particular company uses, the degree of their exposure to spot and forward prices and the duration of high prices. It will also be affected by the energy prices paid by their competitors. A further sector-specific issue is whether they are in a competitive market where international trade sets the price or in a sector where prices are determined more locally and rising energy costs could be passed on.

Despite recent rises, UK gas and electricity prices for industrial users in 2004 were lower in real terms than they were in 1994. In January 2005, UK gas and electricity prices for small, medium and large energy users were still below the EU median; for extra large electricity users their electricity prices were at the level of the EU median. However, individual companies will have agreed commercially confidential contract terms and prices which might differ from these averages.

Data on the average industrial gas and electricity prices in the UK over time can be found in tables 3.3.1 Real Terms and 3.3.2 Real Terms at:

www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy_prices/tables/table_331.xls

Average gas price comparisons for different size categories of energy users across the EU can be found in tables 5.8.1, 5.8.2 and 5.8.3 at:

www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy_prices/tables/table_581.xls and for electricity prices in tables 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.4.3 and 5.4.4 at:

www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy_prices/tables/table_541.xls

There is anecdotal evidence that, for very large users of gas, gas prices in the UK are above those on the Continent. The Department is in discussion with the Energy Intensive Users Group and other industrial stakeholders to develop ideas for improving the operation of the forward market and to identify ways users can mitigate the effects of high forward gas prices. On 16 May the DTI held a seminar with major users to discuss forward gas prices and we are planning a further similar seminar with smaller users. We have undertaken research into the operation of the forward gas market. The report by independent consultants Global Insight can be found at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/publications/policy/index.shtml

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made since 1 April of the merits of asking the Serious Fraud Squad to investigate solicitors who have doubled-charged clients claiming under the coalminers' compensation scheme. [165]

The regulation of solicitors is a matter for the Law Society. The Department continues to work closely with them on the issue of double charging.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which solicitors are refusing to agree his Department's proposed scheme of £500 minimum compensation for successful claims for miners' industrial disease. [167]

holding answer 23 May 2005

The £500 minimum payment is a proposal from the Claimants' Group of solicitors. A revised minimum payments proposal has recently been received and is under discussion between the parties. The Department has not yet been formally notified of any solicitors' refusal to agree to this proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the British Veterinary Association on the proposed legislation to abolish free prescriptions for veterinary purposes. [153]

In my capacity as Minister with responsibility for competition, I met the British Veterinary Association to discuss the Competition Commission recommendations on prescription-only veterinary medicines on 18 September 2003. The draft legislation recently published proposes to implement their recommendation that prescriptions should be free for three years. Currently there is no requirement for free veterinary prescriptions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implications for the working arrangements of hon. Members of the proposed changes to the rights of UK workers to opt out of the Working Time Directive; and if he will make a statement. [643]

The Working Time proposals are still under negotiation; any changes must be agreed by both the European Parliament and European Council.

The Government are therefore not yet in a position to assess their impact. I will of course, submit a full Regulatory Impact Assessment when the final proposals are clear.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission whether the House purchases electricity on a green tariff. [402]

11 per cent. of the electricity purchased for the parliamentary estate is from renewable sources.

To ask the Leader of the House if he will bring forward proposals during 2005 to combine the functions of the Procedure Committee and the former Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons in one new select committee. [180]

I have no plans to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with representatives of sports clubs which run small bars as ancillary businesses about the impact on those bars of the recent changes in licensing fees; and if she will make a statement. [695]

The concerns of amateur sports clubs were debated in detail before the Licensing Act 2003 was passed. My Department held a number of meetings with the Central Council of Physical Recreation to discuss the effects of the Act on sports clubs with bars, and these discussions will continue as implementation proceeds.

In introducing the new licensing regime, the Government have no intention of penalising those involved in running clubs, nor to affect the important roles such clubs play in local communities. The situation will remain under review, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made a commitment to an independent review of fee levels and associated costs, within a reasonable period after the new framework is fully introduced. The review will consider the concerns of sports clubs, and its results will inform any necessary adjustments to the levels of fees introduced under the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether it is her policy that the creation of the National Sports Foundation should not have any impact on the amount of money directed to sport through the National Lottery. [683]

In establishing the National Sports Foundation, we have no intention of reducing the amount of money spent on sport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how the interests of (a) the Football Association, the Rugby Football Union, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Lawn Tennis Association, (b) the Central Council for Physical Recreation and (c) other sports national governing bodies will be represented at the National Sports Foundation. [684]

Discussions on how the interests of the sport national governing bodies will be represented at the National Sports Foundation are at an early stage. Further details will be announced in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria will be used to assess grant applications to the National Sports Foundation. [685]

Discussions on what criteria will be used to assess grant applications to the National Sports Foundation are at an early stage and decisions will be taken in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport where the offices of the National Sports Foundation will be located; how it will be organised; and how many people she expects that it will employ. [686]

Discussions on where the National Sports Foundation will be located, its structure and its staffing levels are at an early stage and decisions will be taken in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many registered sex offenders are living in each housing executive district in Northern Ireland; how many of these have been relocated from other parts of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [345]

As of 23 May there were 561 offenders living in the community who are subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. This means they are required to notify the police of certain personal details, including their home address. The information is not available broken down by housing executive district or by jurisdictional origin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the level of additional funding required for the Social Fund Community Care Grant scheme to ensure that all high and medium priority claims are met. [650]

holding answer 23 May 2005

The information is not available in the format requested.

However, for 2004–05 we estimate that the amount of extra funding that would have been required to meet all high, medium and low priority needs is £204 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether British service personnel have been deployed or seconded to (a) Guantanamo Bay, (b) Guam and (c) Diego Garcia since 1995. [241]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether British service personnel have been (a) deployed and (b) seconded to (i) Guantanamo Bay, (ii) Guam and (iii) Diego Garcia since 1994. [506]

No British service personnel have been deployed operationally or seconded to other nations' armed forces to serve at Guantanamo Bay or Guam. The armed forces maintain a permanent presence on Diego Garcia, totalling some 40 service personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate how many personnel will move from the future redundant infantry regiments to fill the future establishment figures for (a) The Royal Engineers, (b) The Royal Logistic Corps and (c) The Intelligence Corps. [394]

As the hon. Member is aware, the progress towards a lasting settlement in Northern Ireland means that we are able to reduce the Infantry by four battalions. The 2,500 posts that will be freed-up as a result will be reinvested across the Army in order to produce more robust establishments and strengthen those trades critical to a sustainable expeditionary capability. In terms of those Arms and Services listed by the hon. Member, they will be strengthened by the numbers shown in the following table. She should note, however, that these figures are subject to future refinement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who meets the cost of the new uniforms and mess-dress of existing personnel up to the date of changeover for the future (a) Mercia, (b) Yorkshire and (c) Scottish regiments. [392]

Officers receive an initial outfit allowance to fund their first purchase of uniform and mess dress. Thereafter, a tax-free allowance is provided to enable them to maintain their uniform and dress. Soldiers' uniform is provided by the public purse.

While much of the existing uniform may be used up until such time as it requires replacement, those elements deemed essential on transition (such as cap badges and buttons) will be provided from public funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which infantry regiments and battalions have re-roled in the last six years; and what the duration was of re-roling. [391]

Data on the re-roling of Infantry Battalions before January 2000 is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. I can, however, provide detail of all Infantry re-roling (whereby Infantry Battalions change role) from January 2000 to May 2005 inclusive.

Battalions re-roled to Armoured Infantry role January 2000-May 2005

Battalions re-roled to Mechanised Infantry role January 2000-May 2005

Battalions re-roled to Air Assault role January 2000-May 2005

Battalions re-roled to a Light role (from Mechanised, Armoured Infantry or Air Assault January 2000-May 2005

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will instigate a survey of all service personnel to discover how many were (a) registered to vote and (b) able to vote by post or other means in the General Election on 5 May. [693]

We are considering with the Electoral Commission a number of initiatives relating to service voting, including the conduct of research on levels of service voter registration. The exercise of a vote is however an entirely private matter, but we are examining whether there are any ways in which we could make it easier for service personnel to vote.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the siege of Kut-el-Amara from December 1915 to April 1916. [533]

The Government does not have any plans to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the siege of Kut-el-Amara. The siege was a costly defeat for the allies and both the British Army and the British Indian Army lost many brave men in the siege and the attempts to relieve the besieged garrison and we honour their memory.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which regiment or battalion comprises the future Spearhead Land Element (SLE); whether it is presently fully equipped; whether the present SLE is deployed; and when the future SLE will take over from the present SLE. [384]

The 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets are currently undertaking the role of the Spearhead Land Element and they are not deployed at present. It is planned that the 1st Battalion The Green Howards will assume the role of SLE in July 2005 and I can confirm that both battalions are fully equipped to undertake this task.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the required commitment of Territorial Army personnel deployment; and if he will make a statement. [393]

Future Army Structures will integrate further the Territorial Army (TA) with the Regular Army, ensuring a more relevant, capable and useable TA. There will be some adjustments to their capabilities to meet new requirements and to best support the Regular Army on operations. Work is continuing on these issues and an announcement will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements will be made for UK service personnel overseas to celebrate Trafalgar Day. [292]

The annual commemoration of the Battle of Trafalgar is primarily a concern for the Royal Navy with ships and establishments, both in the UK and overseas, traditionally holding mess dinners on 21 October to honour the Immortal Memory of Nelson and all those who fought at the Battle of Trafalgar. Requests have also been received from a number of our embassies for senior naval officers to attend dinners, which are currently under consideration.

A programme of events is planned to take place in Gibraltar during the weekend of 28 to 30 October 2005. These include a Nelson exhibition, Beating the Retreat and reception, and a Royal Navy Ceremonial Guard Mount at His Excellency the Governor's residence. The Royal Navy will also be invited to exercise their Freedom of the City privileges.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effects of the declarations to the Joint Forces Agreement in Bosnia involving Morocco, OJ L34 of 8 February on the liability of UK personnel serving in the Balkans, with particular reference to culpability; and if he will make a statement. [499]

The declarations attached to the Agreement between the EU and the Kingdom of Morocco on the participation of Morocco in the EU operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina has no effect on the liability of UK personnel serving in the Balkans. The declarations place the Kingdom of Morocco on the same footing as the other troop contributing nations with regard to reciprocal waiver of claims arising out of the deployment of their forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why people who enlisted in the armed services during the second world war and who worked in mining and other industries, known as the Bevin Boys, are not eligible for war disablement pensions when suffering illness or disablement as a consequence of that service. [548]

While Bevin Boys were called up and allotted National Service Registration Numbers, they were not enlisted or conscripted into HM Armed Forces. They remained civilians, mobilised to perform essential works. This being so, any illness or disablement suffered as a consequence would not have arisen as a direct result of enemy action and therefore would not fall for consideration as a war injury under the war pension scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce compensation payments for traders affected by trunk road closures. [435]

There are no plans to change the existing arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to reduce the impact of transport on climate change. [436]

We published a summary of the main measures in the December 2004 consultation paper on the Review of the UK's Climate Change Programme. As part of the Review, we are considering the scope for additional measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from all sectors, including transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of elderly and disabled people who will be entitled to free off-peak bus travel in 2006–07. [437]

From April 2006, people aged 60 and over and disabled people will be entitled to free off-peak travel on their local bus services in England. This will benefit around 11 million people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding aviation policy and its impact on climate change. [427]

My Department and Defra keep in regular contact on aviation and climate change issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on punctuality levels on the railways (a) in the most recent period for which figures are available and (b) in 1997. [438]

The moving annual average of the Public Performance Measure (PPM) for rail punctuality at 31 December 2004 was 82.8 per cent. For the year to March 1998 the moving annual average was 89.7 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his plans for public transport in Greater Manchester. [439]

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive is responsible for transport planning in Greater Manchester. They are required to submit their provisional five-year Local Transport Plan in July and final LTP in March 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government have to tackle aircraft emissions. [451]

holding answer 23 May 2005

The Government's plans to tackle aircraft emissions are set out in "The Future of Air Transport" White Paper (Cm 6046).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Department has taken to publicise exclusions to airline ticket protection provided through credit card booking; and if he will bring forward legislation to improve financial protection for UK air travellers. [834]

The Department has not publicised exclusions to airline ticket protection provided through credit card booking.

The Department has asked the Civil Aviation Authority to consider a range of options for the future financial protection of air travellers and will make a decision on receipt of further advice from the Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the financial protection scheme for air travellers. [835]

The Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme (ATOL) provides financial protection for people buying package holidays. There is currently no statutory protection for people who buy air travel that is not part of a package.

The growth in popularity of no-frills air travel has meant the proportion of holidaymakers protected by the ATOL scheme has gone down. Together with the Civil Aviation Authority we are considering a range of options in relation to this decline.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the Civil Aviation Authority's estimate of the number of UK leisure passengers who flew without financial protection in 2004; if he will bring forward measures to address the gap in financial protection for air travellers; and if he will make a statement. [836]

In July 2004 the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provided advice to the Government on the current financial protection arrangements for holidaymakers. In response, the Government asked the Authority to carry out further work on a range of options, including an assessment of the likely regulatory impacts. We will decide on next steps upon analysis of the CAA's further advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish his response to the Civil Aviation Authority fifth freedoms study. [181]

The Civil Aviation Authority completed its consultation on this study on 13 May, and we expect that it will submit the final version of the study to the Department shortly. The response will follow in due course after we have carefully considered the content of the study.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) priority and (b) funding his Department has committed to Crossrail. [433]

The Department attaches a very high priority to Crossrail. That is why we introduced a hybrid Bill for the project in February 2005, and reintroduced it on 18 May.

The Government remain equally committed to finding an equitable funding package for Crossrail. We will bring forward funding proposals during the passage of the Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the fencing being erected north of junction 11 alongside the southbound carriageways of the M1 motorway are not being set back to allow for future planned widening to take place. [179]

While the Government have announced their intention to widen the M1 in this area, the plans are still at an early stage, requiring land outside the current boundary.

The fencing at junction 11 is being erected inside the highway boundary to give the residents of Luton relief from severe noise problems. The construction of the fence allows the infill panel to be re-used at a later date, should the widening scheme proceed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on maximum noise levels from motor-powered two-wheeled vehicles. [688]

Under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and the Motor Cycles etc. (EC Type Approval) Regulations 1999, motor powered two wheeled vehicles must be constructed to meet the following maximum noise levels (dB(A)) when subjected to a drive-by noise test.

Measures are also in place to ensure that these standards are maintained as far as possible in service by ensuring that inappropriate after-market/replacement silencers that would make motorcycles significantly noisier should not be sold or fitted and by enforcement of such measures at MOT, at the roadside and at point of sale.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list areas where studies are being undertaken on sites of (a) historical, (b) environmental and (c) archaeological importance that are being considered as possible new motorway and trunk road routes. [467]

holding answer 23 May 2005

The Highways Agency undertakes environmental impact assessment studies for all proposed new motorway and all-purpose trunk road schemes. All sites of historical, environmental and archaeological importance that may be affected by route options will be subject to an appropriate level of assessment. The areas where these assessment studies are being undertaken are those associated with the Targeted Programme of Improvements listed at Appendix 5 in the Highways Agency's Business Plan 2005–06 which is available in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average cost is of constructing a mile of (a) motorway and (b) trunk road. [464]

The average cost of building one mile of new(a) motorway: £23 million per mile (b) Dual lane carriageway: £12 million per mile. In considering the cost of a new road there is a vast array of variables, not least the difference between urban or rural areas, new route or existing network. Factors such as quality of land, site geology, drainage, environmental mitigation, traffic management or restricted access can all have a large impact on cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce (a) further toll motorways and (b) tolls on other major roads. [450]

holding answer 23 May 2005

Last summer's consultation exercise, "M6: giving motorists a choice" sought views on whether the Department should develop the option of an M6 Expressway between Birmingham and Manchester as an alternative to the current option to widen the M6 between junctions 11a and 19. The Government are considering the response to the consultation and will respond in due course.

The Government are introducing a Lorry Road User Charge (LRUC) to ensure that all hauliers, regardless of nationality, pay their fair share towards the costs they impose in the UK. Responsibility for implementing LRUC has been laid to HM Revenue and Customs.

In line with their manifesto commitment, the Government are examining the potential of moving away from the current system of motoring taxation towards a national system of road pricing.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to provide a single point for citizens to register change of details with all Government agencies through the e-government system. [445]

The Cabinet Office offered an online 'change of address' service for Government some years ago. The service was not popular and was discontinued.

However much has changed in the way people use online services since then and the underlying principle that responsible citizens should only have to tell us changes once is a good one.

We shall explore that in the Cabinet Office led work on service delivery within the "Connecting the UK: the Digital Strategy" initiative announced in March.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what part the Strategy Unit has played in advancing e-democracy. [446]

The Strategy Unit has not undertaken any work on e-democracy. The e-Government Unit in the Cabinet Office was taking this work forward, however, responsibility has now transferred to the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has for ensuring that the Better Regulation Task Force becomes more effective. [447]

The Better Regulation Task Force is already an extremely effective champion of better regulation and we have made a commitment to build on this further.

We plan to put the Task Force on a permanent footing and give it additional responsibilities, including providing independent scrutiny of departmental plans for simplification, in becoming the Better Regulation Commission.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list civil servants seconded to European Union (a) institutions and (b) working committees, broken down by post occupied; and what the appointment criteria were in each case. [494]

118 UK civil servants are seconded to the European institutions as "Seconded National Experts" as at 23 May 2005. This figure is subject to change. The distribution of these secondees in the European Union is shown in the following table.

Selection by the institution is generally on the basis of presentation of a curriculum vitae for each candidate, usually followed by interviews, based on the requirements of each vacancy. UK Departments will submit details of only those civil servants whom they consider suitable for the posts and who will enhance their expertise during the secondment to the longer-term benefit of the Department or civil service as a whole.

At any time a further 10 to 14 UK civil servants are on short-term traineeships ("stages") to the European Commission. Other UK civil servants may visit the Commission for short-term work experience visits but these would not be centrally recorded.

The majority of UK staff who sit on Council or Commission working groups or management committees are serving UK civil servants, employed in the UK permanent representation to the European Union in Brussels or working in UK Departments and travelling to Brussels or Luxembourg for meetings.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the operation of the Interchange scheme for providing broader work experience for local government staff. [80]

I have been asked to reply.

Interchange opportunities between staff in local and central Government are arranged by individual Departments.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister currently has 10 members of staff on secondment to local authorities and 26 local authority staff working in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on secondment in areas including Housing, Homelessness, Social Exclusion, Local Government Legislation, Urban Policy Unit, and Local Government Strategy Unit. Such opportunities provide useful development and training opportunities for individuals to develop new skills and new ways of working and for organisations to benefit from the exchange of new ideas and ways of working. An evaluation process is in place to assess the benefits of each secondment.

It is however for the local authorities to develop their own interchange policy and make decisions on the number of their staff they can release on secondments. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no input into these policies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many vehicles there are in the ministerial fleet, broken down by type; how many have a chauffeur; what greener fuel alternatives have been studied; and what the running costs of the fleet were in each of the last five years. [455]

The responsibility for the provision of ministerial cars and drivers has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive Mr. Roy Burke to write to the hon. Member. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letters from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to (a) Mehwish Saeed, dated 7 March, (b) Mrs Z. Kanum, dated 3 March and (c) Mr. M R Sufi, dated 7 February. [190]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary replied to my right hon. Friend's letters with regard to Mehwish Saeed and Mrs. Z Kanum on 15 March and 14 March respectively.

My right hon. Friend will reply to my right hon. Friend's letter with regard to Mr. M R Sufi shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 3 March with regard to the Manchester Muslim Funeral Committee. [194]

We have no record of having received this letter. UKvisas has requested a copy from the office of my right hon. Friend. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will reply to him as soon as possible, once a copy of the letter is received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letters from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to (a) Mrs. K. Akhtar, dated 30 March, (b) Hina Khalid, dated 20 January and (c) Mr. T. Iqbal, dated 18 January. [195]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary replied to my right hon. Friend's letters on 14 April, 1 April and 6 April respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to support the development of democratic elections in Egypt. [77]

We fully support the development of democratic elections in Egypt and welcome President Mubarak's proposal on 28 February to change the Egyptian constitution, with the stated aim of enabling direct election of the President from multiple candidates. On 12 May, the People's Assembly voted in favour of the amendment.

The UK, through our Embassy in Cairo, works closely with Egypt to promote political reform including, for example, through training on election reporting in the media. We are also encouraging the European Union to focus more on supporting democracy, governance and human rights in Egypt.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the US authorities in relation to (a) prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay having access to people and texts appropriate to their faith and (b) the appropriate treatment of religious representatives and texts at Guantanamo Bay. [57]

We have expressed our concern to the US authorities about the conditions of detention at Guantanamo Bay on many occasions. British officials conducting welfare visits to the British detainees made inquiries about the detainees' freedom to practise their religion.

We understand that detainees are given copies of the Koran, prayer mats and Halal food, and that prayer calls are made throughout the camp.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit India. [380]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary hopes to visit India again before long. As is normal practice, his next visit will not be announced until the dates for it are firm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring the UK has undertaken (a) directly and (b) through the UN of the impact of the withdrawal of Syrian forces from the Lebanon. [331]

Our Embassies in Beirut and Damascus are observing the extent and impact of the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon.

The UK has supported the decision of the United Nations Secretary General to deploy a UN mission made up of military experts to verify whether there has been a full and complete withdrawal of all Syrian troops and military assets and intelligence apparatus from Lebanon. We are pleased to have seconded a British Army Colonel to act as second-in-command of this mission. We understand that the mission will be producing its report later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent Israeli attacks on Lebanese border villages. [332]

We are aware of a number of exchanges of fire on the Blue Line earlier this month. We understand that during these exchanges of fire, some Israeli artillery landed on the Lebanese side of the Blue Line, although Lebanese villages were not hit. On 13 May the Israeli Defence Force attacked Hizballah positions in southern Lebanon following a missile attack from Lebanon on the northern Israeli town of Shlomi and mortar and missile attacks on the area of Har Dov/Sheba'a Farms. We understand that the missile and mortar attacks were in response to Israeli overflights of Lebanese territory.

We are concerned about these infringements of the Blue Line and welcome the statements by the United Nations Secretary General on 10, 13 and 16 May expressing his own concern and calling for all parties to show restraint. We reiterate those sentiments and call on all parties to abide by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1310 and other relevant UN resolutions. In this sensitive political time in Lebanon it is irresponsible for any party to heighten tension along the Blue Line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what circumstances MI6 may decide that major decisions it takes need not be communicated to him; and what mechanism exists to ensure such decisions are in the public interest. [509]

The Intelligence Services Act 1994 requires the explicit authority of the Secretary of State in respect of a wide range of major operations of the Secret Intelligence Service. There are therefore no circumstances in which major decisions by the Secret Intelligence Service would not be submitted to me or one of my Cabinet colleagues for approval, or of which I, or they, are not otherwise informed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will make immediate funding available for the human rights monitoring commission referred to in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Nepal and the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights to start work. [833]

The UK attaches great importance to improving the human rights situation in Nepal. Our expenditure plan for the Financial Year 2005–06 includes an allocation of approximately £80,000 for the support of various human rights groups in Nepal and £75,000 on human rights training support. We were closely involved in efforts to secure Nepalese agreement to international human rights monitoring in Nepal under the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). We are keen in principle to offer financial support to the OHCHR office and are currently exploring suitable sources of funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Sudan on behalf of Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam. [133]

Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, a prominent Sudanese human rights activist, was detained in Khartoum on 8 May along with two colleagues, Mr. Yasir Saleem and Mr. Abdallah Taha. Mr. Abdallah was released without charge on 11 May. Dr. Mudawi and Mr. Yasir were subsequently charged under articles 53 (Espionage against the Country) and 57 (Entering and Photographing Military Areas and Works). Mr. Yasir was released unharmed on 12 May. Dr. Mudawi was released unharmed on 17 May.

Our embassy in Khartoum raised this case with the acting Foreign Minister on 10 May and on 14 May. We also supported representations made by the local EU presidency on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate how many deaths have occurred in Darfur in the last 18 months. [134]

Estimates of deaths in Darfur since the crisis began vary from 70,000 to 300,000 and above. Accurate figures are not available and better data are needed. The UK is funding the World Health Organisation to conduct a new mortality survey, and preliminary results are expected by mid-June. This will only give a snapshot of the situation; we have to accept that, given the complexities on the ground, we are unlikely ever to get a full picture of deaths from this conflict.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan about the aerial bombardment of parts of Darfur. [135]

We have made regular representations to the Government of Sudan regarding aerial bombardment in Darfur. In early February the Government of Sudan announced that they would remove their Antonov aircraft from Darfur and refrain from hostile use of aircraft there. Both my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) pressed the Sudanese Minister for Foreign Affairs on this issue when they met on 10 February, and received the same assurances. The Antonovs appear to have been withdrawn. Although helicopter gunships remain in Darfur, the UN Secretary General has concluded in his monthly reports that there has been no further hostile use of aircraft since January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he will make available to the International Criminal Court investigation into Darfur. [136]

At the request of the International Criminal Court (ICC), we currently share background material to help the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) become better attuned to the political situation in the region.

We are also negotiating with the OTP an agreement to allow the provision of any material that may be useful to investigative work.

The UK is fully committed to supporting the ICC and is engaged in dialogue with the Court at official level to consider ways of providing effective practical support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to encourage the Sudanese Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement to attend peace talks about Darfur. [137]

We are in regular contact with both the Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM—the political arm of the Sudanese Liberation Army) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and have consistently encouraged them to return to peace talks about Darfur. The SLM and JEM have now announced that they will attend a new round of peace talks with the Government. A recent regional Heads of State meeting on Darfur, held in Libya on 16–17 May, announced that the talks would restart in Abuja by the end of May. A UK representative will attend the talks and offer support to the African Union mediators.