To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average house price was (a) in each local billing authority in England and (b) in England, in each year for which figures are available. [359]

Estimates of median house prices at local authority level are only available back to 1996 and are based on Land Registry data. The figures for 1996 to 2004 are available from the Housing Statistics section on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's (ODPM) internet site.

These data are published on the ODPM website at: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/ documents/page/odpm_ house_609382.xls

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what advice he has given to local authorities concerning councillors elected to two authorities holding Cabinet positions on both; and if he will make a statement. [1144]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has given no advice to local authorities specifically concerning councillors who hold Cabinet positions on two different authorities. Members are, however, required to follow the provisions of the code of conduct for Members, issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which sets out the standards of conduct expected of Members, and includes provisions relating to Members' personal and prejudicial interests.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister

(1) if he will amend the local government code of conduct to incorporate a defence of acting in the public interest; and if he will make a statement; [1042]

(2) if he will undertake a review of the operation of the (a) Local Government Code of Conduct and (b) the Standards Board; and if he will make a statement. [1045]

The Standards Board for England is currently consulting on a review of the code of conduct for Members. The review includes consideration of whether there is a case for the addition to the code of a provision which would allow Members to disclose certain information in the public interest. Any recommendations the Standards Board may wish to make for amendments to the code will be considered by Ministers.

The role and effectiveness of the Standards Board and the operation of the ethical framework for local government has recently been the subject of reviews by both the Committee for Standards in Public Life and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Select Committee. Both have published their findings, and the Government are considering its response to these reviews.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will rank local authorities by percentage increase in amount received in revenue support grant plus national non-domestic rates in the period from 1999–2000 to 2005–06. [1156]

A table has been placed in the Library of the House showing the percentage change year-on-year on a like-for-like basis (i.e. after adjusting the base year for changes in the funding and functions of local authorities) of formula grant for the period 1999–2000 to 2005–06, together with the average percentage change over this period. Authorities have then been ranked by the average percentage increase over the period within class.

Formula grant consists of the sum of the following grants (where appropriate):

Revenue Support Grant;

Redistributed Business Rates;

Police Grant;

Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) Reduction Grant (SSA Review);

SSA Reduction Grant (Police Funding Review); and

Central Support Protection Grant.

SSA reduction Grant (SSA Review), SSA Reduction Grant (Police Funding Review) and Central Support Protection Grant were damping grants provided to protect authorities from year-on-year changes in Revenue Support Grant, Redistributed Business Rates and Police Grant. In 2001–02 Central Support Protection Grant was replaced by floor and ceiling damping within Revenue Support Grant for authorities with education and personal social services responsibilities. In 2002–03, floor and ceiling damping was extended to all authorities. Floor and ceiling damping refers to the increase year-on-year in formula grant.

As different classes of authorities provide different services it would be inappropriate to compare all authorities. Please note that the Combined Fire Authorities became precepting bodies in 2004–05, and therefore the average percentage increase in formula grant for these authorities refers to the two-year average for 2004–05 and 2005–06.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the time scale is for the publication of further consultation papers on reform of local government. [363]

Before the general election, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister set out a number of ideas on the future of local government, both in our five year plans, the initial local vision document and subsequent discussion papers on neighbourhoods, local leadership, and the performance framework. We are considering the best way of developing this work in light of the feedback so far and the ambitious programme of work in the manifesto.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidelines mobile network providers have to follow to set up mobile telephone masts; what plans he has to review the guidelines; and whether mobile network providers have to consult nearby residents before installing masts. [577]

Current planning guidance for all electronic communication developments is set out in planning policy guidance note 8 (revised) (PPG8). The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also issued a code of best practice on mobile phone network development. The code provides detailed guidance on best practice for public consultation. In September last year the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister commissioned the University of Reading and Arup to undertake an independent study to assess the impact that the code has had since its introduction. This forms part of the Government's review of all the planning arrangements surrounding telecommunication masts.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Government have for the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. [982]

In Spending Review 2004 (SR04), the Government made available over £1 billion of new Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) resources for the period 2006–08. No decision has yet been taken on how these resources will be allocated. The Government are carefully examining the options available, in the light of responses to the recent consultation with key stakeholders such as local authorities and Local Strategic Partnerships. An announcement on the allocations will be made as soon as possible once we have completed our consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants for refugee status he expects will be processed each year at the accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester. [668]

The total number of applicants processed annually will be dependent on the mix of asylum applicants but we expect it to be no less than 1,500.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many migrants claimed refugee status in each month in the last three years. [696]

The table shows the number of asylum applications received in each month in the last three years.

Information on asylum applications is published quarterly. The next publication covering the second quarter of 2005 will be available in August 2005 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Applications for asylum in the UK, excluding dependants, 2002–04⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾ Figures rounded to the nearest 5.

⁽²⁾ Figures are provisional.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects his office to reach a decision on the case of Ms Alexis Perreira in respect of her application for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. [416]

A decision to regularise Ms Perreira's immigration status in the United Kingdom was taken on the 23 May 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will issue a letter confirming her status to Mrs. Maliheh Sadeghi Boroujerdi, of Newcastle, following the decision of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal of 2 February (appeal no. TH/07220/2004) not to grant the Secretary of State permission to appeal against the earlier decision of the adjudicator. [831]

holding answer 24 May 2005

Mrs. Boroujerdi's representative was contacted on 23 May to request the necessary documentation. Her status will be confirmed as soon as the correct documentation has been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the case of Mr. Hugh Hickson, formerly of the Prison Service, referred to in the letter of 4 April from the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton. [449]

Mr Hickson took his grievance to an employment tribunal, which found against him in September 2004. There was no subsequent appeal to an employment appeals tribunal and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the due process of law in this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he plans to have with the Police Federation concerning a reform programme for the police service. [562]

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I regularly meet the chair and other officials of the Police Federation to discuss all topics including police reform.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many accidents involving police (a) pursuit and (b) patrol cars and drivers and members of the public resulting in serious injuries or death there were in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [99]

holding answer 24 May 2005

Accidents involving pursuit and patrol vehicles are not recorded separately. Figures for road traffic collisions are currently available from 2002–03.

The available information for the numbers of casualties and degree of injury from road traffic collisions resulting from immediate/emergency response and police pursuits on public roads involving all police forces in England and Wales is provided in the table.

Table 1: Casualties and degree of injury from road traffic collisions involving all Police Forces in England and Wales -- Number of casualties/injuries

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many accidents involving (a) Kent police and (b) Metropolitan police (i) pursuit and (ii) patrol vehicles and drivers and members of the public resulting in serious injuries or death there were in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [100]

Accidents involving pursuit and patrol vehicles are not recorded separately. Figures for road traffic collisions are currently available from 2002–03.

The available information for the numbers of casualties and degree of injury from road traffic collisions resulting from immediate/emergency response and police pursuits on public roads involving Kent police and the Metropolitan police is provided in the table.

Casualties and degree of injury from road traffic collisions involving Kent police and the Metropolitan police

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the delivery of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. [888]

The UK has provided over £100 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan since 2001. Afghanistan is gradually moving from being a failed state with urgent humanitarian and relief needs, to a post-conflict state with a growing economy and new state structures in need of sustained support. In response to this process of slow stabilisation, and at the request of the Afghan Government, DFID is increasingly focusing on support to long-term reconstruction and development.

The UK continues to provide some targeted humanitarian support to Afghanistan through international agencies. In 2004–05, DFID gave £2.5 million to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and £0.5 million to the International Organisation for Migration to help Afghan refugees return to their homes. DFID contributed £3 million to the Afghan Government's drought appeal in September 2004, of which £0.7 million has been reallocated for flood protection following heavy rains in early 2005. Our support to cash for work programmes to help poppy farmers and labourers move to alternative livelihoods (over £20 million in 2005–06) also meets humanitarian needs.

DFID continues to provide substantial multi-annual support to the major multilateral organisations who deliver humanitarian assistance globally. A number of these, for example, the UNHCR and the United Nations Children's Fund, are still implementing major humanitarian programmes in Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action his Department has taken in response to the statement by the UN that a rapid deterioration of local coping mechanisms among the local population has taken place in Darfur. [865]

The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that it will increase its target beneficiaries in Darfur from 2.1 million in April to between 3 and 3.5 million during the July-October hungry season as local coping mechanisms fail. This year as part of its £45 million contribution to humanitarian components of the UN 2005 Workplan for Sudan, DFID has provided £11 million to the WFP across Sudan and £1.2 million to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's programme to increase agricultural and pastoral production in Darfur. DFID has also contributed £5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross, who are delivering food aid to 320,000 people in less accessible Darfur communities.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the physical security conditions for humanitarian operations in Darfur. [866]

While the security situation is relatively calm in Darfur, banditry is now the biggest security threat to humanitarian operations there. On several occasions during April, clearly marked humanitarian vehicles came under fire, causing the serious injury of one humanitarian worker and considerable damage. Intimidation of humanitarian workers including United Nations personnel throughout April was reported in the UN Secretary-General's April report to the Security Council. This has continued in May: in South Darfur, two truck drivers, contracted by the World Food Programme (WFP), were shot and killed by unidentified attackers on 8 May; and five Sudanese NGO workers were detained by the Sudanese Liberation Army on 11 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms are in place to ensure co-ordination between countries which give aid to developing nations; and if he will make a statement. [522]

Donor co-ordination takes place at a number of levels: internationally, regionally and within partner countries. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) is the main international forum for bilateral donors to discuss co-operation and increased effectiveness of development assistance. As well as annual high-level meetings for heads and deputy heads of development agencies, there are a number of working parties and groups dealing with specific subject areas.

The Paris High Level Forum in March this year brought together Ministers, heads of aid agencies and other senior officials from 60 partner countries, bilateral donors and the main multilateral institutions, to agree ways of making aid more effective. The Paris Declaration is the best statement yet of internationally agreed best practice on aid effectiveness with around 50 commitments, plus indicators and targets, to improve country ownership and donor harmonisation and alignment.

The EU also provides a mechanism to increase coordination and harmonisation among member states. Last year the EU agreed an Action Plan on Harmonisation which included measures to improve co-ordination of EU development assistance at country level. The World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring and annual meetings also provide an opportunity for donors to coordinate policy on aid and development.

There are also co-ordination mechanisms at regional level. For example the Strategic Partnership for Africa seeks to support poverty reduction in Africa by increasing the quality and quantity of aid.

At country level the World Bank led Consultative Groups review overall progress on poverty reduction and donor commitments to help governments achieve their poverty reduction objectives. The development of Poverty Reduction Strategy papers or similar national development strategies provides an opportunity for developing countries to coordinate donor support. In some countries partner governments lead donor co-ordination processes aimed at improving the overall coherence of donor support (for example, the Government of Tanzania are leading a joint assistance strategy). In some countries, donors have begun to undertake joint strategic planning. For example, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and DFID are developing a joint plan in Cambodia. There are also sector co-ordination processes in many countries particularly in health and education where many donors are present.

DFID is working hard to improve the effectiveness of co-ordination and to increase developing country voice at all these levels. A principal concern is that there is no international forum in which total aid allocations to each country are reviewed. We believe that this results in some countries consistently receiving less than their fair share of aid.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance he is proposing to provide to Yemen following the recent outbreak of smallpox. [551]

DFID is unaware of a recent outbreak of smallpox in Yemen. However, there has been an outbreak of polio recently. As of 17 May, 66 cases had been confirmed (source World Health Organisation). Experts expect the total number of cases to exceed 100 before the outbreak is stopped. A nationwide immunisation campaign is due to get under way shortly with support from Saudi Arabia. Six million doses of vaccine have been shipped to Yemen. The Government of Yemen completed a mass information campaign in April.

DFID has not received any official requests for help to date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the traffic levels were on the A628 and A57/A628 Mottram-Tintwistle by-pass in the last year for which figures are available; and what forecast has been made of likely future levels. [1233]

Annual average daily traffic levels for the A628 at Woodhead for the year 2004 were 11,900 vehicles per day. Construction has not yet started on the planned A57/A628 Mottram Tintwistle bypass. The Highways Agency expects construction work to start in 2007–08 subject to satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures and funding.

Projected annual average daily traffic levels for the A628 at Woodhead in 2023 are 12,600 vehicles per day without a bypass, and 20,000 vehicles per day with a bypass and route demand management measures, as the bypass will make the route attractive to road users.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions in each of the last five years the A628 has been closed as a result of accidents (a) in total and (b) involving heavy goods vehicles. [1234]

Information for the full five years requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Between July and December 2003, the A628 was closed once as a result of accidents, on five occasions during 2004, and once since January 2005. All of these closures involved HGV vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from road safety organisations regarding the prevalence of roadside signs alongside motorways. [1021]

My Department has not received any recent representations from road safety organisations about the prevalence of roadside signs alongside motorways.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many parking spaces there are in central London in (a) street slots and (b) car parks. [462]

Since 3 July 2000, the Mayor has had overall responsibility for traffic management in London. However, responsibility for parking enforcement in London generally rests with the relevant local authority. It is a matter for individual local authorities to decide on the nature and scope of parking controls and to balance the needs of residents, emergency services, local business and those who work and travel in the area.

While we do not hold any up to date figures, Transport for London's report, "Transport Statistics for London 2001", provides the following figures for parking spaces in central London in 1999–2000:

These figures are estimates only and are based on sample surveys undertaken in 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish the study carried out by the Ergonomics and Safety Research Institute of Loughborough University on ECE 104 retro-reflective tape; and if he will make a statement. [1243]

The "Assessment of the safety benefit of retro-reflective markings on heavy goods vehicles and buses" research was completed at the end of February and the final report was issued by the Ergonomics and Safety Research Institute of Loughborough university on 18 May. It is available on the university's website at: www.lboro.ac.uk/research/esri/main/reports.htm and copies are being placed in the House Libraries. The review has up-dated our understanding of this issue and has indicated a more favourable cost benefit ratio, compared with earlier research, for the application of retro-reflective tape to some categories of vehicle. My Department is now considering how best—including wide consultation—to take this forward.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has (a) to make more public services available online and (b) to develop the responsibilities of the e-Government unit. [550]

As reported in last year's Cabinet Office Autumn Performance report, 96 per cent. of Government services are estimated to be available electronically by the end of 2005, with 75 per cent. of services currently online.

The e-Government Unit will continue to work with central and local government to support the business transformation of Government so it can provide better, more efficient and trusted public services. Under the "Connecting the UK: the Digital Strategy" initiative, it is working with the newly-created Government CIO Council to set out a vision of public service delivery enabled and delivered through technology, and a strategy to achieve that vision.

Copies of the Cabinet Office Autumn Performance report 2004, can be found at http://cabweb/cabwebpub/strategvandperformance/departmentalplansreportsrevi ews/df0020.htm and in the Library.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the Boundary Commission's proposals for parliamentary boundary changes will be implemented. [528]

Any changes to parliamentary boundaries in Wales arising from the Boundary Commission's report presented to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 31 January, will come into effect at the first proclamation summoning a new Parliament issued after the order implementing the changes comes into force. The final report of the Boundary Commission in relation to parliamentary boundaries in England has not yet been published.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which 12 barristers received the most money from the (a) criminal legal aid budget and (b) civil legal aid budget in each of the last three years; how much each received in each year; and if she will make a statement. [1138]

The information requested has to be extracted from different computer system across Legal Service Commission and my Department and collecting and collating that data will take some time. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as the information is available.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which was the most expensive case for the (a) criminal and (b) civil legal aid budget in 2004–05; how much was paid by way of (i) brief fee and (ii) refreshers to each of the barristers concerned; how much was paid to each solicitors firm involved; who the (A) barristers and (B) solicitors were; and if she will make a statement. [1139]

Payments relating to one specific case may be spread over a number of financial years and identifying those will take some time. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as the information is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the Government's time scale for switching off analogue television. [1163]

We will achieve digital switchover between 2008 and 2012 ensuring universal access to high-quality, free-to-view and subscription digital TV. This will happen region by region, and we will make sure that the interests of elderly people and other vulnerable groups are protected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government are taking to support digital subtitling in cinemas. [925]

The UK Film Council, the Government's strategic agency for film, set up the Cinema Access Programme in September 2003 to improve disabled peoples' experiences of cinema. Through the programme, funding of £500,000 has been allocated to equip 78 cinemas with subtitling and audio description equipment (£350,000); develop a web-based information service to raise awareness of subtitled and audio-described screenings (£50,000); assist UK distributors with producing subtitled and audio-described film prints (£60,000); and conduct research into the ongoing needs of disabled audiences, both technically and in terms of awareness of available films and cinemas (£40,000). The programme has so far been rolled out only across England, as the funding is an initial allocation from Arts Council England. However, the UK Film Council is working with Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, Scottish Screen and Sgrîn Cymru Wales to set up similar schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the availability of Freeview in (a) Bexhill-on-Sea and the surrounding area and (b) the UK. [1162]

We do not have a breakdown of coverage by constituency but Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) coverage maps have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Freeview also provide a comprehensive postcode database (www.freeview.co.uk) that gives availability of DTT throughout the UK.

At least a quarter of UK households cannot currently receive the DTT service; this figure cannot be increased before switchover. The current availability of Freeview is particularly severely restricted in Bexhill-on-Sea, because of its proximity to continental Europe which means that, until switchover, the Heathfield transmitter can only broadcast digital signals at low strength.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions (a) she, (b) her Ministers and (c) her officials have had in the past six months with (i) the Chairman and (ii) representatives of the South Bank Centre in relation to the lease of land for the London Eye. [1198]

I have been in discussion with the South Bank Centre Chair, Lord Hollick, over this matter. My officials have been in regular contact with colleagues at the South Bank Centre about this issue over the last six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what role her Department played in the negotiations on the original lease of land on London's South Bank for the London Eye. [1199]

My Department consented to the original lease following the completion of commercial negotiations between the South Bank Centre and the London Eye, and will similarly be required to give consent to the new lease.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department was first informed of the breakdown in negotiations on the lease of land between the South Bank Centre and the London Eye. [1200]

There has been no breakdown. Negotiations are ongoing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of whether the eviction notice served on the London Eye by the South Bank Centre is in the public interest. [1227]

No "eviction notice" or "notice to quit" has been served and no legal proceedings have been commenced.

The South Bank Centre wrote to British Airways London Eye on 14 December 2004 to advise them that their lease expired on 31 December 2004. The letter pointed out that under the terms of the original lease previously agreed, the site was to be vacated six months after that lease expired (i.e. by 1 July 2005).

However, subsequent to this letter, the South Bank Centre agreed a "standstill agreement" with the London Eye under which it committed to not apply to the court for possession of the site for an agreed period while negotiations over a new lease were ongoing. Negotiations are still continuing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the contribution the London Eye makes to UK (a) tourism and (b) cultural heritage. [1229]

The London Eye was visited by 3.7 million people in 2004, and clearly plays an important role in London's tourism economy. The Greater London Authority (GLA), which has responsibility for the development of tourism in London, is currently working to produce a modeling system that will be capable of estimating the economic impact of such major attractions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government provided to support sign language interpreted programmes in (a) 1997 and (b) 2004; and what proportion of programmes were signed in each year. [929]

The Government are committed to extending access to broadcasting services for people with sensory impairments and have placed the responsibility for the provision of signing on individual broadcasters. No direct Government funding is provided for such services.

Comprehensive data for the proportion of signed television programmes for 1997 and 2004 are not available.

Following the implementation of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom published their code on Television Access Services in July 2004, which came into effect for most broadcasters on 29 December 2004. Targets for signing are set by Ofcom and were previously set by the Independent Television Commission and the BBC.

The relevant dates for the purpose of determining when provision of signing must begin are 1 January 1997 in the case of BBCs 1 and 2, 1 January 1998 for Channel 5 and 1 January 2000 for Channels 3 and 4 and S4C Digital. In the case of digital television programme services, the relevant date is the date on which the provision of that service began. The BBC are required to sign 4 per cent. of their programmes. The remaining PSB's are required to sign 3 per cent. Requirements on signing increase to 5 per cent. of programming within 10 years of the relevant date.

From December 2004, 60 additional digital channels have been required to sign 1 per cent. of programmes. Again this figure will rise by the tenth anniversary of the relevant date to the statutory target of 5 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government provided to support the production of television programmes in the Welsh language in (a) 1997 and (b) 2004. [949]

The Welsh Fourth Channel Authority, S4C, received grant in aid of £72.223 million in 1997 and £85.729 million in 2004, under its statutory funding formula. Under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1990, S4C also receives Welsh language programmes from the BBC free of charge. These were valued at £16.7 million in the financial year 1997–98 and £20.3 million in 2003–04.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what plans the Government has to review the Equal Pay Act 1970. [546]

The Government has announced an independent Equalities Review, led by Trevor Phillips, to improve our understanding of the long-term and underlying barriers to opportunity. Alongside this, the Discrimination Law Review, led by the Women and Equality Unit in the Department of Trade and Industry, will examine the current anti-discrimination legislative framework, by developing proposals for a more modern, coherent and effective legal framework for tackling discrimination.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what plans the Government has to improve pay progression for women. [543]

We set up the Women and Work Commission to make recommendations when it reports to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in autumn 2005 on tackling the causes of the gender pay gap.

The national minimum wage helps to close the gender pay gap. Around 70 per cent. of beneficiaries of recent increases were women. We will increase this further to £5.05 in October 2005 and to £5.35 in October 2006.

To ask the Solicitor-General

(1) how many applications by the Crown Prosecution Service for the use of special measures to protect complainants in trials concerning domestic violence were (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful during (i) 2003 and (ii) 2004; [608]

(2) how many applications for the use of special measures for complainants in trials concerning domestic violence were made by the Crown Prosecution Service in 2003 and 2004. [609]

Special measures were introduced in Part II of the Youth Justice Criminal Evidence Act 1999. Measures include, for example, the use of screens, video link, video-taped evidence in chief and aids to communication. They are available in criminal trials to support eligible witnesses. The CPS does not collate national data on the number of special measures applications it makes or on whether such applications are successful or not.

To ask the Solicitor-General

(1) what his policy is on writing to rape complainants to explain why a discontinued case would not proceed; [610]

(2) if he will make it his policy that the complainant should be personally visited by the Crown Prosecution Service lawyer who makes the decisions when cases of rape are discontinued. [613]

The Crown Prosecution Service's policy in cases of this kind is for the crown prosecutor concerned to write to the complainant to explain why the charge of rape has been discontinued or substantially altered. The Crown prosecutor will also offer a meeting with the complainant to discuss the decision. The meeting will usually be held at a CPS office or other suitable venue. The wishes of the complainant will be taken into account when deciding the venue.

The policy affords the complainant an explanation for the decision and allows her to decide whether she wishes to have a meeting to discuss that decision further.

To ask the Solicitor-General what the Crown Prosecution Service's policy is on the use of video interviews of rape complainants as evidence in chief. [605]

Video interviews of rape complainants can be led by the prosecution in evidence when the rape complainant is "vulnerable" as defined by section 16 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.

The CPS policy is to prosecute rape cases as robustly and effectively as possible. In so doing, prosecutors should take advantage of special measures provisions, including now the ability to use a video recorded interview as evidence in chief, where it is right to do so. This has to be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the views and needs of the complainant. As such, there is no specific policy in relation to the use of video interviews.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (a) dated 11 April regarding the MG Rover Dealership Network and (b) dated 21 February on hydrogen technology. [1184]

The hon. Member's letter of 11 April to my right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, West (Ms Hewitt) on the MG Rover Dealership Network now falls within my remit as Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs and I will reply to it very shortly. My hon. and learned Friend the Member for North Warwickshire, (Mr. Mike O'Brien) former DTI Minister for Energy and e-Commerce, replied on 11 March to the letter of 21 February on Hydrogen Technology. I have asked for a copy to be sent to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much crude oil has been produced by the UK in million tonnes of oil in each year from 1999 to 2004; how much crude oil has been consumed by the UK in each of these years; and what the Government's estimate is of when the UK will recommence being a net importer of crude oil. [916]

Figures for UK production and consumption of crude oil are presented in the following table.

The figures for 1999 to 2003 from the table are taken from DTI's Digest of UK Energy Statistics while the provisional figures for 2004 come from the March 2005 edition of Energy Trends. Copies of both publications are in the Libraries of the House. The 2004 figures will not be finalised until July when published in the 2005 edition of the Digest of UK Energy Statistics.

The 2003 Energy White Paper noted that the UK is expected to become a net importer of oil on an annual basis by around 2010. This is still considered to be the case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the (i) Standing Committee for veterinary medicinal products, (ii) Standing Committee on technical rules and standards, including rules relating to information society services and (iii) Management Committee on horizontal questions concerning trade in processed agricultural products not listed in Annex I met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement. [639]

The Standing Committee on Veterinary Medicinal Products for the Adaptation to Technical Progress of the Directives on the Removal of Technical Barriers to Trade in the Veterinary Medicinal Products Sector is a regulatory committee. Most of its business is conducted electronically and meetings are only held in the event of an issue arising that is considered to require discussion. According to records, no meetings were held during the Italian, Irish or Dutch presidencies of the EU.

The Standing Committee on technical rules and standards, including rules relating to information society services met in 2003 on 2–3 October and 9–11 December and in 2004 on 10–11 March, 24 June and 5–7 October. All of the meetings were held in Brussels and the UK was represented by officials from the DTI. The meetings covered issues related to the implementation of the Directive (98/34/EC), most of which were technical regulations and standardisation mandates, and also policy on standardisation.

The Management Committee on horizontal questions concerning trade in processed agricultural products not listed in Annex I met in 2003 on 4 July, 12 September, 10 October, 7 November and 5 December and in 2004 on 23 January, 5 March, 19 March, 2 April, 14 May, 8 July, 10 September, 15 October and 3 December. All of the meetings were held in Brussels and the UK was represented by officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Rural Payments Agency. The UK's priority within the Management Committee is to ensure the efficient operation of the non-Annex I exports refund regime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of Government employees likely to be affected by ECJ case 2005/C31/16 of OJ C31 of 5 February; where such staff are located; what estimate has been made of the cost of implementation; and if he will make a statement. [501]

As the Infraction Case in question is still ongoing it would not be appropriate to make an estimation of affected Government employees; their location and the cost of implementation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans his Department has to consult on public sector involvement in delivering Export Control Organisation services. [936]

I have no present plans to consult as I have reached no view on any changes to the delivery of the Export Control Organisation's services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes in personnel and resources allocated to export control (a) have been made since 2003 and (b) are planned; and if he will make a statement. [939]

For the 2003–04 financial year, the Export Control Organisation (ECO) was allocated a running costs budget of £6,094,000, and for 2004–05, £6,389,000. The 2005–06 budget has not yet been formally delegated.

In 2003–04 ECO had an average of 156 staff in post; and in 2004–05, an average of 142. ECO has a target to reduce its headcount to 109 staff by 1 April 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff there are in the Export Control Organisation; how many there were in (a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04 and (c) 2004–05; what sections of the organisation have experienced changes in staff numbers since 2002–03; and what targets have been set for the number of staff in each section of the organisation. [940]

The Export Control Organisation (ECO) currently has 125 staff in post. In 2002–03 ECO had an average of 146 staff in post; in 2003–04 an average of 156; and in 2004–05, an average of 142. There have been changes in staff numbers in all sections of the organisation. Targets are not section specific; there is an overall target for headcount of 109 by 1 April 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has decided whether to seek private sector partner involvement in delivering Export Control Organisation services; and if he will make a statement on the future of the organisation. [945]

This matter is still under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the progress of the Manufacturing Advisory Service in assisting manufacturing businesses in (a) the West Midlands and (b) England to become more competitive. [1020]

The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has made excellent progress since it was established in 2002 as part of the Manufacturing Strategy. It has played a key role in helping many manufacturers across the UK to improve productivity. On average, every company assisted has seen an increase in added value of £107,000 as a result of productivity improvements generated through MAS.

(a) In the West Midlands MAS has fielded 4,211 inquiries, completed 1,819 company diagnostic reviews, and completed 727 in-depth company interventions adding value of £7.56 million.

(b) In England MAS has fielded 48,410 inquiries, completed 8,500 company diagnostic reviews, and completed 2,443 in-depth company interventions adding value of £103.3 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice the Department gives to companies wishing to trade with Morocco. [63]

British firms looking at trading overseas receive advice and a broad range of support services through UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). Through UKTI, we are helping unprecedented numbers of smaller companies break into export markets like Morocco. UKTI monitors commercial developments in Morocco and alerts British firms on a case-by-case basis to specific opportunities. UKTI also supports the activities of the private sector led Moroccan British Business Council, which aims to improve the climate for bilateral trade and investment and increase the number of Moroccan and British exporters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Department intends to launch an investigation into the activities of Phoenix Holdings directors. [217]

Sir Bryan Nicholson, chairman of the Financial Reporting Council, has been asked to carry out a Financial Reporting Review Panel (FRRP) review into the audited accounts of MG Rover and its associated companies over the past five years. He is due to report shortly. In addition, the administrators have a duty to report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on the conduct of the directors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) meetings and (b) contact took place between Ministers of the Department and the directors of Phoenix Venture Holdings following their taking over of MG Rover. [218]

Recently, Ministers from the Department have frequently spoken to the directors of Phoenix Venture Holdings (PVH) in relation to the proposed joint venture with SAIC. There have also been a number of letters to and from PVH regarding the prospective deal with SAIC.

Prior to this year there were three meetings between my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State and one or more directors of PVH. These were in November 2004, at the Motor Show in May 2004 and at a CBI dinner in November 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the negotiations which took place between his Department's officials and the Shanghai Automotive Company over the takeover of MG Rover. [219]

The negotiations on the proposed joint ventures between MG Rover and SAIC were a matter for the companies themselves. The Government did, however, do all it could to help bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion, and officials from the DTI did engage with both MG Rover and SAIC to that end. We regret that the efforts of all concerned were ultimately unsuccessful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much public money was given to Phoenix Venture Holdings before it went into administration in April. [220]

No public money has been given to Phoenix Venture Holdings, which is not in administration.

MG Rover Group entered administration in April 2005.

Since 2000 MG Rover Group has been offered assistance in the following two areas:

A grant of up to £9 million under the Learning and Skills Act 2000 towards the cost of employee training and development, of which £4 million is from Rover Task Force funding and the balance from European funds. The company had drawn down some £5 million to date.

An offer of grant of £1.057 million (awarded to a partnership of MG Rover, MIRA, Powertrain Ltd. and Pi Technology) under the Department for Transport's Ultra Low Carbon Car Challenge, of which £424,830 has been drawn down.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry had with MG Rover before he announced that MG Rover was to go into administration. [221]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State had a number of discussions with the management of MG Rover and trades union representatives regarding the company's proposed joint venture with SAIC and the prospects for its successful conclusion in the weeks preceding the Directors' decision to put the company into administration. On the day the decision was taken, the then Secretary of State spoke with John Towers on the telephone on a number of occasions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to preserve the UK's opt-outs from the Working Time Directive; and if he will make a statement. [772]

It is still the case that we are determined to maintain the opt out. To this end we are working closely with the European Commission and other EU member states to ensure a satisfactory outcome.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of (a) carbon dioxide emissions and (b) Kyoto basket emissions are estimated to have come from air transport flights taking off from and landing in UK airports in 2003. [694]

The proportion of emissions in the UK greenhouse gas inventory of (a) carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ); and (b) the Kyoto basket of greenhouse gases (GHG) from air transport flights taking off from and landing in UK airports in 2003 are shown in the following table.

The data cover emissions from all civil domestic passenger and freight traffic movements inside the UK. Under guidelines agreed internationally, emissions from international aviation taking off and landing at UK airports are not included in UK total emissions, but are estimated for information purposes. Emissions of CO₂ and all greenhouse gases from international aviation in 2003 are estimated to have been 29.7 and 30.0 MtCeq/yr respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the working of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. [130]

The Department is looking at how it implements its licensing responsibilities under the Act. This process has already started with a public consultation which closed on 5 February 2004. The Department is in the process of summarising those responses. It is hoped that these will be published by the end of August.

From these responses we will develop proposals for change and we will go out for further consultation on these. The potential effect of the coming together of the two licensing authorities (English Nature and parts of Defra) into the new integrated agency, Natural England, will also need to be considered.

This review of licensing procedures does not include any plans to open up the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 for amendment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanism exists to review the status of land designated for public access under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. [1508]

Section 10 of the Act requires the Countryside Agency to review the conclusive map of open country and registered common land not more than ten years after the time that the conclusive map was first issued and not less frequently than every ten years thereafter. These periods may be amended by regulation. At the time of the review the Agency must consider whether land shown on the conclusive map as open country and registered common land remains open country and registered common land, and whether any other land covered by the conclusive map for that area should now be shown as open country and registered common land.

Section 11 of the Act makes provision to make regulations supplementing the provisions of section 10 of the Act including the procedure to be followed by the Countryside Agency in reviewing the maps.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent changes have been made to regulations governing disposal of substantial amounts of horse manure by equestrian establishments. [150]

Changes have recently been made to a number of exemptions from waste management licensing in the Waste Management Licensing (England and Wales) (Amendment and Related Provisions) Regulations 2005. These amendments are due to come into force on 1 July 2005 and include changes to the composting exemption.

The amended composting exemption will require establishments and undertakings to compost manure on an impermeable pavement with sealed drainage. A charge will also be made for registration of the exemption. The charge will depend on size of operation and is made so that the Environment Agency can recover the cost of regulation.

These changes will not apply to the storage of manure. They will only apply to the active mixing of manure with other biodegradable waste to make compost.

All individuals and most liveries, stables and other establishments that keep horses will not be subject to the recent changes. If the pile is simply manure there is no need to apply for a waste licence or register an exemption from one.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to bring forward legislation to protect the marine environment. [92]

The Government are committed to publication of a draft Marine Bill in the first session of this Parliament. Introduction of the Bill will follow later in this Parliament, once we have considered the outcome of both a public consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the consequences for the Spanish Government of losing ECJ case C-42/03 (OJ C19 of 22 January 2005) on failing to control excess to quota fishing; what representations she has made on the issue; what the scale of surfeit was; and if she will make a statement. [502]

The ECJ found that the Spanish Government failed to fulfill obligations relating to the management of its fishing quotas during the period 1990 to 1997, and ordered Spain to pay the costs of the case. On the basis of information provided by Spain the amount of overfishing was as shown in the table.

It is for the Spanish Government to consider the implications of the court's ruling. The UK Government has made no representations on this case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will introduce requirements that all sewers and drains are laid by suitably qualified persons. [942]

holding answer 25 May 2005

A protocol for the construction of new sewers was published in 2002. Its aim is to put into practice a common approach for the design and construction for new development, to enable wider adoption of sewers in England and Wales.

A review of the effectiveness of the protocol was recently undertaken on the Department's behalf. Its findings indicate that developers are not always adhering to the protocol. The Government are now considering the results of this review and its possible implications for the current arrangements for the construction of sewers.

I understand that Energy and Utility Skills Ltd, the Sector Skills Council whose purpose is to identify the skill needs of employers and provide effective training solutions in the electricity, gas, waste management and water industries, offers a 13 week Ambition Energy programme. This has been designed for operators who are involved in the maintenance of the sewerage infrastructure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish a summary of responses to the consultation on "Snares and Traps, The Way Forward", which closed on 13 November 2003. [744]

Defra carried out an informal consultation in England on traps and snares at the end of 2003. As the consultation sought general views on the use of snares under Section 11 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and traps under section 8 of the Pests Act 1954, there is no requirement to publish a summary of responses.

The principle outcome of the consultation was the convening of an independent snares working group. The aim of the working group is to agree good practice guidelines, produce a code of good practice and advise Defra on the next steps.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the International Whaling Commission's approach to the protection of minke and humpback whales. [183]

Since the 1985–86 whaling seasons, the International Whaling Commission has maintained a moratorium on the hunting and killing of all great whales, including minke and humpbacked whales. Norway objected to the introduction of the moratorium, is thus not bound by it and hunts minke whales legally; Japan and Iceland abide by the moratorium, but pursue so-called 'scientific whaling' as provided for under Article VIII of the International Convention on the Regulation of Whaling.

The UK Government are strongly opposed to all forms of whaling other than limited whaling by indigenous people to meet a substantiated subsistence need. We regularly protest to Norway, Japan and Iceland about their continued whaling operations which, though legal, are not in keeping with the spirit of the IWC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of people living in Northern Ireland were living in areas that were more than 90 per cent. (a) Catholic and (b) Protestant in each of the last three censuses. [621]

Table 1 shows the percentage of people living in Northern Ireland in areas (ie electoral wards) where more than 90 per cent. had(a) a Catholic community background and (b) a Protestant community background according to the 2001 census. Community background information was derived from the responses provided to the current religion and religion brought up in questions, the latter question being asked of those who indicated that they did not currently belong to any particular religion.

Table 1: Based on community background (religion or religion brought up in)

Note:

The category Protestant relates to Protestant and other Christian (including Christian related)

The provision of community background information was a new development in the 2001 census aimed at meeting the need for additional equality monitoring data. Directly comparable information is not available for either of the two previous censuses in 1991 and 1981, which gathered information on current religion only. Table 2 presents the results for 1981, 1991 and 2001 based on responses to the religion question.

Table 2: Based on religion

Note:

For 1981 and 1991, the Protestant category includes other denominations which comprised both other Christian (including Christian related) and other religions and philosophies. In 2001 the Protestant category excludes other religions and philosophies, which accounted for 0.3 per cent. of the population.

The figures in table 2 are affected by non-response to the religion question and people stating that they have no religion. The proportion of people falling into this category in each of the past three censuses were 18.5 per cent. in 1981, 11.0 per cent. in 1991 and 13.9 per cent. in 2001. Many electoral wards where the Catholic or Protestant percentage of the population is high fall short of being 90 per cent. Catholic or Protestant because of the presence of people who have not responded to the religion question or stated that they have no current religion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Children's Fund. [515]

In the course of the Northern Ireland Priorities and Budget 2005–08 process, Ministers concluded that, rather than having a separate allocation process for the Children's Fund, the unallocated sums that had previously been earmarked over the Budget period should be allocated within the mainstream Budget process.

Although the published Priorities and Budget document does not explicitly refer to the Children's Fund, all commitments to existing Children's Fund projects have been honoured and the allocation to the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety includes almost £15 million, on a specific ring-fenced basis, for this purpose. The issue of further ring-fenced allocations for future years will be considered in subsequent Budget processes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether an audit has been conducted of whether there is a neutral working environment in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. [453]

While no specific audit has been completed in regards to a neutral working environment, it is the Northern Ireland Prison Service policy that all managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that:

any material, which, is offensive or potentially offensive is not displayed or circulated in the workplace;

they are alert to unacceptable behaviour and take appropriate action;

complaints are taken seriously; and

staff are not victimised in any way.

This policy is enforced by senior management on their visits to work locations.

The service proactively encourages staff to report any incidents where the neutral working environment has been breached. Steps taken include:

New policies are subject to Section 75 review;

All staff entering the NIPS receive equal opportunity awareness training;

All staff are issued with a copy of the Harassment and Bullying Policy Statement and Guidance;

A new equal opportunities guide has just been printed and will be issued to all staff;

Harassment contact officers are available at all work locations;

Posters relating to equality are widely displayed on notice boards at each work location.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will break down the complement of the Northern Ireland Prison Service in each of the last five years by (a) community background and (b) gender. [454]

The breakdown of the complement of the Northern Ireland Prison Service grades for the last five years is detailed as follows. There has been little change in the composition—only 130 prison service grade staff have been recruited in this period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when, on present trends, it is calculated that the Northern Ireland Prison Service will be reflective of the community as a whole in terms of community background. [504]

Over recent years the Northern Ireland Prison Service has significantly reduced staffing levels as a result of the closure of HMP Belfast and HMP Maze. There has been no major recruitment campaigns to affect the composition of the service.

In the service's recruitment competition for night custody officers last year it specifically encouraged Roman Catholics and women to apply. The wording of the welcome statements in the job advertisements read as follows:

"The Northern Ireland Prison Service is committed to equality of opportunity in employment. All applications for employment will be considered strictly on the basis of merit.

The service welcomes applications from all suitably qualified applicants irrespective of religious belief, gender, race, political opinion, age, marital status, sexual orientation or whether or not they have dependants. As Roman Catholics and women are currently known to be under-represented in the Northern Ireland Prison Service, applications from the Roman Catholic section of the community and from women would be particularly welcome".

Given the small number of staff currently being recruited it is not at this stage practicable to determine when the composition of the service will fully reflect the wider population of Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

(1) if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Senior Civil Service Review; [538]

(2) if he will make a statement on progress in implementing each recommendation made by the Senior Civil Service Review. [559]

An action plan on the recommendations arising from the Ouseley Review of the Senior Civil Service in Northern Ireland was put out for public consultation in July 2002. A comprehensive update, detailing the progress made against the recommendations was published in January 2005. A copy of the update has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what definition he uses of the term British interests worldwide. [1135]

British interests worldwide can be described as the promotion of a secure and prosperous United Kingdom in a safe, just and prosperous world. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is guided in its work to promote and protect these interests by the command paper UK International Priorities: A Strategy for the FCO published in December 2003. This sets out the UK's international priorities and objectives and the role of the FCO in achieving them. Further information on the Strategy can be found on the FCO website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet7Front?pagenam=OpenMarke t/Xcelerate/PreviewPage&AssetType=Page&ResolvePa geId=FCO_OBJ_StrategyMain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Burma regarding violations of religious freedom for Christians and Muslims. [844]

Our ambassador in Rangoon has drawn to the attention of the Burmese Foreign Minister the serious concerns expressed by hon. Members and Peers of both Houses about the question of religious freedom in Burma. Most recently, our ambassador reminded the Foreign Minister on 16 May that UK parliamentarians are particularly concerned about human rights abuses in ethnic areas.

The UK works closely with its international partners to press for improvements to human rights in Burma. When the EU Troika, including the United Kingdom, met the Burmese Foreign Minister in Kyoto on 6 May they emphasised the need for the regime to enter into a constructive dialogue with ethnic groups to achieve lasting national reconciliation.

Discrimination and persecution on the basis of religious or ethnic background has been condemned in successive UK and EU co-sponsored UN Resolutions on Burma, most recently at the UN Commission on Human Rights in April. We fully support the efforts in this field of the UN Secretary General's Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma, Professor Sergio Pinheiro.

We will continue to raise our concerns at every suitable opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to include diversity issues in the themes of the UK Presidency of the EU. [379]

One of the Government's priorities during the UK Presidency of the EU will be to start implementing key parts of the justice and home affairs programme agreed in The Hague in 2004. Specifically, we will seek to focus the EU on practical measures which will benefit all citizens. The Government are also looking at proposals to support diversity-related events that take place during our Presidency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the establishment of the European Administrative School; what its role is; whether European Parliament personnel will be required to attend, with particular reference to political group staff; what requirement there will be for balance in the presentation of European integration; and where it will be sited. [498]

The European Administrative School (EAS) was established in order to step up investment in the professional training of the staff of the various European Institutions, namely: the European Parliament; Council; Commission; Court of Justice; Court of Auditors; European Economic and Social Committee; Committee of the Regions; and the European Ombudsman. Its role is to:

design, organise and evaluate training activities;

facilitate participation in external activities; and

carry out any tasks related to or in support of its duties.

The training will include management courses for officials who perform management functions and induction courses for new members of staff. Other courses may also be organised by each of the institutions in line with their specific needs. European Parliament personnel, including political group staff, will only be required to attend if the training is necessary for them in their role.

The EAS is currently attached administratively to the European Communities Personnel Selection Office in Brussels. As a general rule, the courses organised by the school will be given in both Brussels and Luxembourg, but other places of employment may be taken into consideration.

The EAS gives training in administrative duties, not presentation of European integration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress being made on European Security and Defence Policy. [140]

Since its beginnings in 1998, European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) has developed considerably. It has enabled the EU to launch three peacekeeping operations: in the Democratic Republic of Congo (2003); Macedonia (2003); and Bosnia (December 2004). The Bosnia operation took over from NATO's Stabilisation Force and is proving the efficacy of the Berlin Plus arrangements agreed in 2003 for EU access to NATO assets.

The EU has also launched a number of civilian ESDP missions. These include police missions in Macedonia, Bosnia and the Democratic Republic of Congo; a rule of law mission in Georgia; and, most recently, an integrated rule of law mission for Iraq, to provide training for high and middle-ranking officials in the criminal justice system. The EU's first security sector reform mission, with both civilian and military elements, will be launched in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 2 June.

Beyond operations, successes include the establishment of the European Defence Agency in 2004 to drive forward capability development and improve defence-industrial co-operation; the continuing development of a capacity for military and joint civil/military planning, based on agreed consultation arrangements with NATO; and the establishment of Initial Operating Capability for the rapid-response Battlegroups initiative, with Full Operating Capability expected in 2007. Most recently, a Civil/Military Cell has been established to strengthen strategic planning for joint civil/military missions. It is still recruiting staff; once recruitment is complete, it will play an important part in the EU's efforts to improve the co-ordination of its wide range of security instruments in order to act more coherently and effectively in crisis management, not least in liaison with other key actors, such as the UN and the African Union.

More broadly, the development of military and civilian capabilities continues, including post-tsunami work on improving the EU's disaster response capability. The agreed military Headline Goal 2010 focuses on deployability, sustainability and interoperability.

The UK continues to play a leading role. For example, we proposed the Battlegroups initiative jointly with France, and have made a national Battlegroup available on standby for the first six months of Initial Operating Capability (January-June 2005); and the December 2004 Council agreement on planning capabilities was based on a UK-France-Germany proposal.

The Luxembourg Presidency will issue a report on ESDP progress at the European Council on 16 June, which will be issued to Parliament for scrutiny. A White Paper on the UK Presidency will be published on 30 June that will highlight progress made on ESDP so far this year and EU objectives for the remainder.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the (a) role, (b) membership and (c) legal basis of the European Union Civil Service Tribunal. [496]

The Council of Ministers announced its Decision creating the European Union Civil Service Tribunal on 2 November 2004. Work to enable the Tribunal to begin operations is currently in progress. The Council Decision makes the following provisions.

(a) The Tribunal will adjudicate in disputes between the EU's institutions and their officials and other staff.

(b) The Council of Ministers will appoint seven judges after an open call for applications, in consultation with an independent committee consisting of former members of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and Court of First Instance, and other lawyers of recognised competence.

2 November 2004) is Article 225a of the EC Treaty. The Tribunal is an integral part of the ECJ.(c) The legal basis for the Decision setting up the Tribunal (Council Decision 2004/752/EC, Euratom of

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the combat clothing items delivered under the cut and sew contract have been supplied from China. [803]

To date over 193,000 items (of which over 85,000 are combat clothing items) under the cut and sew contract, have been delivered within the prime contractors supply chain from a variety of sources, both in the UK and overseas. This includes around 70,000 items of combat clothing supplied from China.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts regarding a role for NATO in the Darfur region. [857]

The United Kingdom strongly supports the expansion of the African Union mission in Darfur and is working not just with NATO, but with the EU and the UN to find the best means by which the international community as a whole can support the African Union's objectives. The Secretary of State for Defence discussed the provision of support to the mission in Darfur with fellow EU Defence Ministers, the EU High Representative and the NATO Secretary-General at the meeting of the EU's General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on 23 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role he expects NATO to play in Darfur. [867]

As requested by Mr. Alpha Oumar Konare, the Chairman of the Commission of the African Union, NATO is considering, in close consultation with the EU and the UN, what logistical support it can best provide to the African Union's peacekeeping mission in Darfur. Full details of NATO's contribution will become clearer following a donor conference in Addis Ababa on 26 May 2005, but it is likely to include: assistance with the deployment of the expanded African Union mission, including strategic lift, and the training of African Union personnel to improve their capacity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of his Department's properties and areas of land are (a) listed for disposal and (b) under consideration for disposal. [846]

Details of Ministry of Defence properties and land currently listed for disposal are available in the Library of the House. It should be noted however that the need to retain such properties and land is constantly under review. Consequently the list changes frequently and generally it is updated quarterly.

I regret that I am unable to provide a list of properties and land being considered for disposal due to the commercially sensitive nature of the information. I can however, assure the hon. Member that the Ministry of Defence does not seek to retain a site once it has been clearly established that there is no known defence requirement to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the timetable is for the MARS programme. [1134]

The Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme is currently in the Concept Phase. We are planning for the Assessment Phase to commence shortly, and for the main investment decision to be made in 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Department has objected to the planning application for a parachute jumping centre at Acklington, Northumberland on grounds of possible conflict with low-flying military aircraft. [1159]

The Ministry of Defence has not raised any objection to the proposed parachute jumping centre at Acklington, Northumberland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was reimbursed by the US authorities at RAF Menwith Hill in lieu of payment to the MoD Police Agency in each of the last five years. [847]

The Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency received the following amounts from the United States authorities in the last five years in relation to services provided at Menwith Hill.