To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for the post-mortem testing of badgers killed in road accidents in Staffordshire; and if she will make a statement. [1349]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will (a) instruct the State Veterinary Service to carry out post-mortem tests on badgers killed on roads in Staffordshire and (b) ensure that the service is adequately funded to carry out such tests. [1321]

Post-mortem testing of badgers killed in road accidents is carried out under the Road Traffic Accident (RTA) survey. This was established on the advice of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISO) and is conducted in seven English counties (Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Dorset). The objective is to determine whether the RTA can provide an accurate indication of the prevalence ofMycobacterium bovis in badgers by comparing it with the data from the randomised badger culling trial.

We are awaiting the results of the validation of the survey in the badger culling trial areas before taking any decisions about extending the survey area further. There are also logistical and budgetary problems in extending the RTA survey.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much compensation has been paid to farmers in (a) Wales and (b) England for cattle slaughtered under TB control policies in each year since 2001. [1067]

The amount spent on bovine TB compensation for the last five financial years for(a) Wales and (b) England and the forecast for 2005–06, is given in the table:

£ million

⁽¹⁾Forecast

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance she plans to make available to proprietors of livery stables to assist them in complying with the provisions of the Waste Management Licensing (England and Wales) (Amendment and Related Provisions) Regulations 2005. [1635]

Guidance on the Waste Management Licensing (England and Wales) (Amendment and Related Provisions) Regulations 2005 (the 2005 regulations) will be published before the end of June.

Changes to the composting exemption from waste management licensing made in the 2005 regulations do not apply to the storage of manure. They apply to composting, that is, the active mixing of manure with other biodegradable waste to make compost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes she plans to make to the (a) role and (b) jurisdictions of Sea Fisheries Committees, with particular reference to the proposed Marine Bill. [1491]

The Government have undertaken an extensive engagement process with stakeholders on recommendations on inshore fisheries management made by both the Strategy Unit report on the UK fishing industry (Net benefits") and the Bradley review of fisheries and environmental management. The English Inshore Fisheries Working Group which met as part of that process reached agreement on an updated set of responsibilities and powers which would be needed to operate a modern, efficient system of inshore management and have submitted their report on this to me. Views in the working group were divided on the best structure to deliver inshore fisheries management.

The response of the four UK Fisheries Departments to the Net Benefits" response will be published shortly, but we are currently further evaluating the options for the future structure of inshore fisheries management in England. Whatever the outcome of that consideration, there will be a need for legislation, at the minimum to update the current legislative framework for Sea Fisheries Committees. The proposed Marine Bill is likely to be the vehicle for introducing such changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date she expects to publish the draft Marine Bill. [1492]

The Government have made a commitment to publish the draft Marine Bill in the first Session of this Parliament. We have yet to fix a specific date, but it is likely to be published during the later stages of the Session.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many recycling centres there are in England, broken down by (a) region and (b) type of facility. [1075]

The information requested is shown in the table:

Number of recycling sites⁽²⁾

⁽²⁾Number of recycling sites under local authority control. Information on the number of sites run by other organisations such as charity shops or supermarkets is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were in receipt of the social tariff for water meter charges in each of the last three years. [1774]

The following table sets out the numbers of customers in receipt of the social tariff, otherwise known as the Vulnerable Groups Tariff, over the last three years for which figures are available, as collected by Ofwat.

These relate to the total number of successful applications across England and Wales (Welsh Water and Dee Valley Water offer the scheme voluntarily even though the Regulations do not apply to Wales).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) the Government of Norway and (b) other Governments on the practice of whaling; and if she will make a statement. [675]

The UK Government regularly make their opposition to whaling known to the Government of Norway. Officials will be raising the recent announcement of an increase in Norwegian whaling when they visit the country in the near future.

Together with Australia and New Zealand, we intend to make our opposition to Japanese 'scientific whaling' known in a forthcoming joint demarche.

Together with colleagues from the French and German embassies, HM ambassador in Reykjavik issued a statement on 24 May repeating our strong opposition to their continuing 'scientific whaling' programme.

I made our objections very clear with regard to Norwegian whaling and the Japanese and Icelandic 'scientific whaling', together with the extreme cruelty involved, following the BBC news feature on 9 May on Norwegian whaling.

To ask the Leader of the House what plans he has to bring forward proposals to change the arrangements for September sittings. [1943]

The House will not be sitting this September because of work required in the Chamber. The calendar for 2006 has not yet been decided.

To ask the Leader of the House what assessment he has made of the Work of Parliament and Development in Africa Working Party. [1944]

The establishment of the cross party working party on Parliament and Development in Africa last year reflects the strong interest which exists on both sides of this House in international development, and the role which parliamentarians can play. I welcome this.

To ask the Leader of the House what plans he has for the further modernisation of the House of Commons. [1945]

I believe there is scope for further modernisation in the way we do our business in this House, and I look forward to discussing with colleagues from all sides of the House how we can best take this forward.

I hope a motion re-establishing the Modernisation Committee will be tabled before the summer.

To ask the Leader of the House if he will encourage Government Departments to subject all Bills in this and future Sessions to pre-legislative scrutiny. [1946]

The Government are committed to pre-legislative scrutiny, and have substantially increased the number of Bills published in draft. But it is not realistic to expect that all Bills should be published in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny: Parliament must be able to legislate quickly where there is a clear need, and constraints on drafting capacity place a limit on the number of Bills that can be produced in draft in any particular Session.

To ask the Leader of the House what plans he has to make the business of the House more comprehensible to the public. [1947]

There is certainly more to be done to make our proceedings in the House readily comprehensible, and accessible, to the public; and I am very willing to consider any suggestions from hon. Members on how this might best be done.

To ask the Leader of the House what plans he has to propose changes to the arrangements for the tabling of written parliamentary questions during the summer recess. [2018]

My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has no plans to propose changes to current practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government are taking to tackle aircraft emissions at Coventry airport. [1268]

The Government's policy on tackling aviation emissions is set out in chapter 3 of the Air Transport White Paper, published in December 2003. The Government have also introduced national objectives for air quality, set out in the National Air Quality Strategy and prescribed in the Air Quality Regulations 2000. Local authorities have a duty to assess the air quality in their areas against these objectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 23 May 2005, Official Report, column 11W,

(1) how many Crossrail trains per hour are planned to operate on the (a) Great Western Main Line and (b) Great Eastern Main Line (i) during peak hours, (ii) between peak hours and (iii) in the evenings; what forecast he has made of how much capacity, in terms of trains per hour, will remain for other passenger and freight trains during these periods; what the existing capacity is during these periods; and how these numbers compare with existing numbers of trains operated; [2104]

(2) what the maximum number of Crossrail trains per hour is for which priority powers are being sought in the Crossrail Bill; [2105]

(3) how much capacity, in terms of trains per hour, will remain for passenger and freight trains, other than Crossrail trains, if the maximum permitted number of Crossrail trains are operated; and what estimate he has made of changes to journey times for other passenger and freight trains on these routes if the maximum number of Crossrail trains are operated. [2106]

The following tables summarise the assumptions that have been made in developing Crossrail. Table 1 shows how many Crossrail trains per hour will operate in the central section between Paddington and Whitechapel. Table 2 shows how many Crossrail trains per hour will serve stations to the west of Paddington and to the east of Whitechapel for a corresponding frequency in the central section.

Table 1

Table 2

There could also be the following services that would not be part of the principal Crossrail passenger service but would be complementary to it:

(i) a service of up to six trains per hour between Gidea Park and Liverpool Street during the morning and evening rush hours; and

(ii) an all day service of between two and four trains per hour serving Reading, Slough and Paddington.

The capacity for non-Crossrail passenger services (other than existing suburban services subsumed by Crossrail or complementary services) and freight trains is largely unaffected for the following reasons.

For the Greater Western route Crossrail services will share use of two of the four tracks and will not displace services on to the other two tracks. So apart from periods of maintenance and disruption when services on all four tracks may need to be looked at together, there will be no impact from the operation of Crossrail on the two tracks that currently, and will continue to, carry all of the passenger services not subsumed into Crossrail and complementary services.

For the Great Eastern route the position is similar with Crossrail trains normally operating on the tracks currently carrying the local services subsumed into Crossrail services and not normally affecting the other two tracks.

In relation to freight, Crossrail service planning assumes that the current level of planned freight paths will continue. This allows for some growth in services run, since not all of the planned paths for freight are currently used on any given day. The Crossrail project includes a number of local infrastructure works specifically to facilitate continued freight operation.

This Bill does not specify a maximum number of principal Crossrail passenger service trains to which the use of powers in the Bill could apply. The Bill enables the Secretary of State to specify a minimum number of principal Crossrail passenger service trains. If the Secretary of State exercised this power he would do so taking account of all of his relevant rail and other policies, not simply the interests of Crossrail services in isolation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints he has received regarding poorconsultation procedures for aircraft flight path changes. [2304]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 25 May 2005, Official Report, column 123W, where I indicated that the Department does not maintain a noise complaints database. It does however regularly receive representations about aircraft flight paths. Most concerns relate to the effect of noise on correspondents. As part of this, some comment adversely on the way in which they became aware of changes. I am aware of a judicial review case on airspace changes affecting Suffolk.

Airspace changes are primarily the responsibility of the Directorate of Airspace Policy at the Civil Aviation Authority in the light of Guidance and Directions from the Secretary of State for Transport under section 66(1) of the Transport Act 2000. These are designed to ensure that changes are made only where it is clear, after consultation, that an overall environmental benefit will accrue, or where airspace management considerations and the overriding need for safety allow for no practical alternative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made on implementing the proposed rail link between Oxford and Bedford via Bletchley; and if he will make a statement. [1296]

The Strategic Rail Authority is taking part in the ODPM-sponsored East West Transport links study which is looking into the business case for the East West Rail scheme alongside other transport initiatives aimed at improving transport links in this corridor. The study will report this summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many convictions were obtained by safety camera vans operating outside the conspicuity guidelines in (a) Barnsley, (b) Rotherham, (c) Doncaster and (d) the Pogmoor district of Barnsley in 2004–05; and how much revenue was raised in fines from these convictions. [1680]

Safety Camera Partnerships are responsible for the detailed operation of individual camera sites, as a police enforcement matter.

2004–05 revenues for the south Yorkshire partnership are currently being audited by the Audit Commission and will be published later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the revenue from fines levied as a result of the activities of the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership were in (a) Barnsley, (b) Rotherham, (c) Doncaster and (d) the Pogmoor district of Barnsley in each year since the partnership was established. [1682]

The information as requested is not available. The information for the South Yorkshire police force area for 2002–03 and 2003–04 is shown in the table.

2004–05 revenues are currently being audited by the Audit Commission and will be published later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many days in 2004–05 safety camera vans operated in (a) Barnsley, (b) Rotherham, (c) Doncaster and (d) the Pogmoor district of Barnsley. [1681]

The Department does not hold this information. Detailed information is available from partnerships, unless relating to police operational matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the areas in which the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership operates. [1683]

The partnership operates within the area of the South Yorkshire police, which covers Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield councils. Details of the camera sites operated in each of these four areas can be found on the partnership's website at www.safetycamera.org

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents involving (a) injury and (b) loss of life (i) have taken place in each year since the installation of speed cameras and (ii) took place in each of the five years before the installation of speed cameras at the site of each fixed speed camera on the Isle of Wight. [1448]

holding answer 6 June 2005

The information requested is not held in the format required but the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership have provided the information shown in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

(1) what his latest estimate is of the (a) number and (b) percentage of pensioners entitled to council tax benefit who do not receive it; and if he will make a statement; [1037]

(2) what his latest estimate is of the total of unclaimed means-tested benefits, including pensions, broken down by benefit, for the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [1038]

The latest information available on the amount of unclaimed minimum income guarantee, income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit and income-based jobseeker's allowance, relates to financial year 2002–03 and is published in the DWP report entitled: Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2002/2003". A copy of the report is available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to simplify the application form for disability living allowance. [1467]

The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Disability and Carers Service, Terry Moran. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Terry Moran to Annette Brooke, dated 1 June 2005

I am writing in response to your recent Parliamentary question in which you asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to simplify the application form for disability living allowance (DLA).

The Disability Carers Service (DCS) is committed to reviewing and improving the services and products we offer to our customers in consultation with customer representative organisations. This includes looking at ways in which we can simplify our claim packs and address the concerns that our customers have about the difficulties they experience in claiming disability benefits.

We have recently developed and tested a shortened version of the DLA claim pack but after careful consideration, have concluded that a more structured" claim form is appropriate. This could be personalised to obtain information about an individual's care and mobility needs arising from their disabilities. The draft structured" claim form is being designed in line with National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee recommendations on reviewing and improving Government forms, and through consultation with our customer representative organisations. We intend to pilot the form in the Autumn of this year and will, in conjunction with our customer representatives, be evaluating it for ease of completion and general understanding as well as other criteria.

I hope this information is helpful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects (a) Channel 5 and (b) Freeview television to be available throughout Rossendale and Darwen. [1775]

We do not have a breakdown of coverage by constituency but Digital 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.

The current availability of Freeview is restricted in much of the constituency because of the local terrain which means that, until switchover, the local transmitter at Winter Hill can only broadcast signals at low strength. At switchover, I expect the power of these signals to be increased significantly.

Similarly, Winter Hill carries Channel 5 at a reduced power compared to the first four channels, and the areas reliant on the relay transmitter network will not be able to receive it until switchover.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on contributing towards the cost of a Gaelic language television channel. [1301]

Exchequer funding for Gaelic broadcasting is principally through the Scottish Executive's support for the Gaelic Media Service (GMS). Funding of £8.5 million for the GMS was transferred from the Secretary of State for Scotland to the Scottish Executive in 1999. Gaelic language broadcasting is also undertaken by the BBC in radio and television and by ITV1 in Scotland.

We are working with all the parties concerned to secure a better deal for Gaelic broadcasting and to help achieve that, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently proposed a contribution of £250,000 directly from DCMS budgets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding the Department plans to provide for (a) Gaelic language broadcasting in Scotland and (b) Welsh language broadcasting in Wales in financial years (i) 2005–06, (ii) 2006–07 and (iii) 2007–08. [1585]

Gaelic language broadcasting is provided by the BBC on radio and television and are a statutory requirement on ITV1 in Scotland; production is funded by the broadcasters and by the Gaelic Media Service (GMS); the funding of £8.5 million for the GMS was transferred from the Secretary of State for Scotland to the Scottish Executive as part of the devolution settlement in 1999. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has also offered a contribution of £250,000 directly from DCMS budgets in 2005–06 as part of the strategy for securing a Gaelic television channel.

Welsh language broadcasting is provided by the BBC on radio and the Welsh Fourth Channel Authority on S4C television. Funding for S4C continues to fall within my Department's budget and is determined according to a statutory formula: provision is currently set at £92.217 million for 2005–06 and 2006–07 and £92.817 million for 2007–08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what performance indicators are used to assess the performance of Lord Hollick in his role as chairman of the South Bank Centre. [1232]

Lord Hollick's performance is assessed against the following criteria:

Leadership;

Setting a clear strategic direction;

Partnership working; and

Media handling and representation.

In reappointing Lord Hollick to the Chair's post this year, assessments of his performance were sought by my Department from Arts Council England and other South Bank Board members, as well as from relevant officials at the Department itself. All individuals reappointed to DCMS NDPBs are assessed against similar criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the likely costs to the Inland Revenue of administering a local income tax in Scotland. [1954]

Scotland Office Ministers have regular discussions on a range of issues with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Foreign Office and (b) the Scottish Executive concerning measures to promote Scotland during the G8 summit in Perthshire. [1955]

My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discuss many matters. Scotland Office Ministers are also in regular contact with the Scottish First Minister, with whom we discuss a wide range of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will next meet the new leader of Glasgow City Council to discuss levels of employment in the city. [1956]

I hope to meet Councillor Steven Purcell, the new leader of Glasgow City Council, later this month to discuss a range of issues relating to the city.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent devolution issues the Advocate General has considered. [1957]

In the time since her last parliamentary questions on 15 March, the Advocate General has had 327 devolution issues intimated to her. 275 of these were concerned with civil matters and the remaining 52 with criminal matters. Most of the civil cases concerned prison conditions. Almost half of the criminal cases concerned pre-trial delay. The Advocate General has not considered it necessary or appropriate to intervene, at this stage, in any of the devolution issues intimated to her since 15 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he plans to meet the Minister for Energy in the Department for Trade and Industry to discuss developments in the Scottish oil and gas industry. [1958]

Scotland Office Ministers and officials are in touch with their counterparts in the Department for Trade and Industry regularly on a range of energy issues. I expect to meet the Minister for Energy and representatives of the oil and gas industry at next week's meeting of the PILOT group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on financial measures to relieve the burden of fuel costs in remote and rural areas of Scotland. [1959]

My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with the Chancellor on a wide range of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met Transport Ministers in the Scottish Executive to discuss ferry subsidies. [1960]

I have regular discussions with Ministers in the Scottish Executive on a range of transport issues. Assistance for ferry services and the level of subsidy provided are devolved matters for decision by the Scottish Parliament and Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on further financial measures to continue regeneration in the County of Lanarkshire. [1961]

Scotland Office Ministers have regular discussions on a range of issues with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Government recognise that the continued regeneration of the Lanarkshire area, like many other areas, is of crucial importance to both its people and the wider national economy. Many Lanarkshire wards currently benefit from their Enterprise Area status, which brings together a range of Government policies to provide support for businesses in creating jobs, opportunities and prosperity. These efforts will reinforce the work of the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire and help to ensure that all communities benefit from our continuing economic prosperity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further constitutional changes that affect Scotland are planned for this parliamentary Session. [1962]

The Government have no plans to reopen the general division between devolved and reserved matters under the Scottish devolution settlement. Neither are there plans to change constitutional arrangements more generally. Elements in some of the Bills recently announced in the Queen's Speech will have an impact on devolved matters in Scotland. These are being handled through the normal arrangements whereby the UK Parliament does not legislate on devolved matters without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on security of energy supply in Scotland. [1277]

Security of supply must always be a core objective of energy policy. We will utilise a wide variety of traditional and new sources of energy and the fullest range of technological developments in order to maintain the future reliability of supplies throughout the UK, while also reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change.

The major responsibilities for overall energy policy affecting Scotland are reserved to UK Ministers. Scottish Executive Ministers have devolved responsibilities for promotion of renewables and encouraging energy efficiency which are central to security of supply. The Government and the devolved administration are committed to expanding use of renewable energy sources. This applies to proven technologies for onshore wind and to developing technologies to capture Scotland's abundant marine energy resources.

The Government welcome the interest which the Scottish Affairs Committee has taken in Scotland's future energy needs and will respond in due course to the report which they published shortly before Parliament was dissolved. We also welcome the independent inquiry launched last month by the Royal Society of Edinburgh into energy supply and demand in Scotland to 2050.

To ask the Solicitor-General on what grounds the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew charges against Kamel Bourgass and co-defendants of conspiring to make chemical and biological weapons and substituted conspiracy to cause a public nuisance; for what reasons Government lawyers requested an order requiring no reporting of the charge of making chemical weapons being dropped at the time; and if he will make a statement. [1853]

I am advised that the initial charges of conspiracy to manufacture chemical weapons were based upon preliminary indications that traces of ricin were present on articles recovered during searches made of premises occupied by Mr Kamel Bourgass and others. However, it was later confirmed by scientists from Porton Down that the articles did not contain such traces.

In any event, upon a full review of the case papers it was concluded that other offences properly reflected the totality of the alleged offending behaviour.

Charges of conspiracy to murder and to cause a public nuisance were therefore substituted. I am told that the prosecution did not apply for an order restricting reporting in relation to the dropping of the charge.

To ask the Solicitor-General what the policy of the Crown Prosecution Service is relating to the prosecution for first offences of theft from the person; and if he will make a statement. [1615]

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reviews all cases in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. Crown prosecutors consider whether there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction' and if such evidence exists, whether it is in the public interest to prosecute the accused. A prosecution will usually take place unless there are public interest factors tending against prosecution, which clearly outweigh those tending in favour, or it appears more appropriate to divert the person from prosecution. The public interest decision will depend upon all the circumstances of the offence and the background of the offender.

In respect of adults, diversionary options include informal warnings, cautions, and, in some places, conditional warnings. A caution will only be appropriate when the public interest accords with the Home Office's guidelines on cautioning.

In respect of youths, the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 established a diversion scheme to prevent re-offending by children and young people, who are issued with reprimands or final warnings aimed at diverting them from crime before they enter the formal court system. This scheme, which replaced the previous system of repeat cautioning, provides a response, with appropriate interventions to reduce re-offending. Although the CPS may be consulted during the course of an enquiry if officers want to seek advice on the correct charge, the decision whether or not to issue a reprimand or final warning is for the police.

Since the introduction of this scheme, the Home Office has issued detailed guidance to the police forces in England and Wales on the application of the legislation to ensure national consistency. It provides a number of options enabling a reprimand or final warning to be administered to a youth, depending on the seriousness of the offence. The police are guided to the appropriate resolution by the identification of a number of gravity factors in the case. A caution or final warning may be an appropriate disposal where a youth without previous convictions or cautions commits an offence, fully admits it and shows appropriate remorse. A very large percentage of young people who are the subject of the diversion scheme do not re-offend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) what the estimated average (a) energy use, (b) direct greenhouse gas emissions and (c) indirect greenhouse gas emissions were for air conditioning systems to cool domestic homes in the last year for which figures are available; [1502]

(2) if he will estimate how many homes in the United Kingdom have domestic air conditioning installed; and in what proportion of homes it is estimated under current projections of growth systems will have been installed by (a) 2010, (b) 2020 and (c) 2050. [1503]

I have been asked to reply.

It is estimated that current indirect (via electricity generation) carbon emissions from air-conditioning in homes are in the range 20 to 80 kT of carbon per year.

This represents estimated annual electricity consumption of between 195,000 and 780,000 MWh.

The global warming effect of direct emissions depends on the refrigerants used, and on the proportion emitted to the atmosphere by leakage, during servicing or on disposal. It is estimated that the direct impact of emissions from air-conditioning in homes is the equivalent of between one and seven kT of carbon per year, depending on the assumptions made for these factors.

There are limited statistics on the number of air-conditioning systems in UK homes, but the figure is believed to be of the order of 500,000. These are much smaller systems than would be found in larger buildings. Many of them are portable units sold over the counter". The annual usage of the systems is also uncertain. Emissions and energy use estimates therefore have a wide range of uncertainty. Estimates of the future stock of air-conditioning in homes, based on continuation of current trends are 2005, 0.5 million; 2010, 0.7 million; 2020, 1.1 million; 2050, 2.3 million. In practice, sales will be affected by the pricing and marketing policies of suppliers, household wealth, weather (including perceptions of climate change) and energy efficiency policy measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research (a) has been conducted and (b) planned into the contribution to future climate change emissions made by air conditioning in domestic homes. [1504]

I have been asked to reply.

Defra has recently commissioned research to update estimates of direct fluorinated gas historic and projected emissions (1990–2025) from the UK refrigeration and air conditioning sectors. This work, which is still in progress, is being performed under Defra's contract with AEA Technology plc for the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. As part of this study, an assessment will be made as to whether it will be possible to estimate emissions separately for domestic air conditioning units, as at present only a single emission estimate is calculated for a wider equipment category.

Several measures are in place or under consideration to address indirect emissions, which arise through electricity consumption:

Reducing cooling need.

Building regulations already include requirements aimed at limiting overheating in new housing. These are currently being reviewed as part of the general revision of the Regulations;

Encouraging the use of efficient equipment.

Domestic air-conditioners are required to carry energy performance labels. (Mandatory minimum performance standards exist outside Europe, but not within the EU). Ways of including air-conditioning energy use within the Government's Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) are being investigated. SAP defines the energy performance of a dwelling for Building Regulations purposes and for the building energy performance certification required by the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive;

Encouraging wise use.

Energy consumption can be affected greatly by the way in which users operate systems but there is little empirical information on actual use. Field measurements of the annual usage of domestic air-conditioning are in progress at University College, London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the merits of extending British Summer Time in England and Wales so that it remains in force all year. [1627]

holding answer 6 June 2005

As there is not a clear public desire for any particular change, I am not persuaded that a change to our existing arrangements would be in the best interests of the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been received on British Summer Time by his office during thepast five years; and how many of these were in favour of continuing British Summer Time throughout the year. [1628]

holding answer 6 June 2005

The Department receives representations on British Summer Time from time-to-time. These reflect the divergence of opinion that exists on this issue and indicate that there is no clear public desire for any particular change.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage the (a) establishment and (b) growth of small and medium enterprises in Hertfordshire; and if he will make a statement. [771]

The Department for Trade and Industry sponsors the East of England Development Agency (BEDA) to develop and pursue a Regional Economic Strategy and contribute to achievement of the Government's Public Service Agreement targets. EEDA provides funding for Hertfordshire Business Link and Hertfordshire Economic Partnership to help existing businesses to grow and new businesses to be created.

An extensive range of support and services is provided including the provision of business information, helping clients access and secure appropriate finance, supporting businesses with people issues and building managerial capacity.

Other support includes helping clients embrace technology, overcoming technical/manufacturing issues and securing new customers particularly in overseas markets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to encourage (a) national and (b) international investment in Hertfordshire; and if he will make a statement. [774]

The Department for Trade and Industry sponsors the East of England Development Agency (BEDA) to develop and pursue a Regional Economic Strategy and contribute to achievement of the Government's Public Service Agreement targets. EEDA supports national and international investment in Hertfordshire both directly and through funding the activities of other agencies, working in partnership with UK Trade and Investment.

EEDA provides grants directly to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises for research and development.

EEDA also provides funding to the following:

East of England International (EEI) which identifies and attracts global mobile projects to invest in the East of England and also provides support to existing foreign owned businesses in the region. In the seven years since the inward investment agency was established it has secured 34 foreign inward investment successes for the county.

Hertfordshire Future which provides a range of services for foreign owned businesses in Hertfordshire to complement EEFs activities.

The Hertfordshire Business Incubation Centre, which is creating new businesses through spin-offs from academia and the larger technology based businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what legal advice was sought over the implications of the undated UDM letter, reference CNW/REG/VWF, faxed to his Department on 24 May by the hon. Member for Bassetlaw, when the letter was first seen by his Department. [1481]

holding answer 6 June 2005

When the letter (Ref: CNW/REG/VWF) was first brought to its attention in December 1999 the Department sought legal advice from its external lawyers advising in relation to the VWF Scheme. The advice received was that further inquiries should be made before a decision as to what action to take was made. Having received that advice further inquiries were undertaken of the UDM. The UDM assured the Department that the letter related to a very limited number of Claimants who were part of a pilot group who had, for operational reasons and with the agreement of the DTI, undertaken the VWF MAP report process twice. The UDM acknowledged that it had been wrong to issue the letter and gave the Department assurances both as to its limited use and its unconditional withdrawal. The Department also made inquiries of its Claims Handlers at the time in relation to the cases affected having received the UDM's explanation and having reconsidered the advice from its legal advisers in the light of the information received from its Claims Handlers the Department chose to take no immediate action either against the UDM or any individual Claimant, but to keep under very close review the potential for the coaching of claimants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department received the letter from the Union of Democratic Mineworkers, reference cnw/reg/vwf; and what response was made to the letter. [1777]

holding answer 6 June 2005

The Department was passed a copy of the letter in December 1999. Subsequently we wrote to the UDM who assured the Department that only 41 claimants had received copies of the letter. This cohort of claimants had undergone a Medical Assessment Process (MAP) examination for Vibration White Finger but because the UDM had raised concerns about a particular consultant they asked for 41 claimants seen by this consultant to undergo a second MAP examination. It was in between these two examinations that the letter was sent. The Department's claims handlers reviewed all 41 claims and they considered that the letter had had no impact on the results of the examinations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure that officials in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are invited to comment on policy advice he receives from his officials on energy matters; and if he will ensure that such comments are made available to him on a regular basis. [1524]

holding answer 6 June 2005

Energy matters are discussed by Ministers and officials regularly, in particular through the sustainable energy policy network, whose ministerial group oversees the delivery of the Energy White Paper commitments. The group is jointly chaired by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effects of ECJ ruling C-88/04, 2005/C 45/21, OJ C45 of 19 February 2005; and if he will make a statement. [492]

The judgment of the European Court of Justice in case C-88/04 concerns non-implementation in Gibraltar of Directive 2001/29/EC on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society. The Government's response to the ruling foreshadowed implementation in Gibraltar early in 2005 and the European Commission has since been notified of the entry into force of this legislation. The Directive was implemented in the United Kingdom by Statutory Instrument (2003) No. 2498 which came into force on 31 October 2003 (The Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which (a) companies, (b) organisations and (c) trade associations are represented on the Export Control Advisory Committee. [943]

holding answer 26 May 2005

The CBI; NEC UK; Engineering Employers Federation; UK Steel; the Defence Manufacturers' Association; the Society of British Aerospace Companies Ltd.; GAMBICA; Chemical Industries Association; Manufacturing Technologies Association; the Defence Industries Council; Intellect (Federation of Electronic Industries); the Gun Trade Association; UK Universities; the Royal Society; the UK Industrial Space Committee; the British Chambers of Commerce; and the Export Group for Aerospace and Defence (EGAD). Also, DTI, MOD, FCO, DfID and HM Revenue and Customs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what functions of the Export Control Organisation have been (a) identified as suitable and (b) confirmed for private sector partner involvement. [944]

holding answer 26 May 2005

The Department is still considering the options and no decisions have been taken on which functions, if any, might involve private sector partners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on new arrangements for distribution of newspapers and magazines to retailers and consumers under the proposals announced by the Office of Fair Trading. [1272]

It is for the companies concerned to make decisions about what distribution arrangements they put in place for the supply of newspapers and magazines. I hope the work undertaken by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to consider the compatibility with competition law of current arrangements for the distribution of newspapers and magazines will help those companies ensure their arrangements comply with the law. The OFT's findings on this matter were announced in February and have now been published in detail as a draft advisory opinion. Substantive observations on OFT's draft advisory opinion should be submitted to OFT by 17 June 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the process by which deadlines are set for correspondence handling by Capita as contractors in handling coal health claims. [1598]

Deadlines for correspondence handling by the Department's coal health claims handling contractor are part of the service specification in the contract with Capita. Correspondence is generally required to be answered within 10 working days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much and what percentage of public expenditure on energy research and development was spent on research and development for (a) nuclear fission, (b) nuclear fusion, (c) fossil fuel generation and(d) renewable energy sources in each year since 1997. [170]

holding answer 23 May 2005

The table sets out the expenditure of the DTI and research councils on research and development for nuclear fission, fusion, fossil fuel generation and renewables between 1997–98 and 2004–05.

⁽³⁾ Estimated spend with some elements not included

⁽⁴⁾ Includes full range of renewables and also Research Council spend on carbon capture, energy storage and networks

⁽⁵⁾ Includes energy efficiency

In addition further research relating to energy is included in the work of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research which has some £310 million funding from research councils over 2000–05, and in the work of the Carbon Trust. The UK also participates in international collaborative energy research via the EU and the International Energy Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many potential threats as defined by the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 have occurred at each licensed nuclear installation since 1 January 2004. [2081]

The Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 do not define potential threats. Section 10 of the regulations requires the reporting of security incidents: details of those incidents reported to the Office for Civil Nuclear Security for 2004 are at:

http://www.dti.gov.uk/about/foi/documents/ocns.pdf

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the relationship is between the new building programme at the AWRE Aldermaston and the next generation British nuclear weapons. [1554]

Developments at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston are consistent with the policy set out in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review and in the December 2003 Defence White Paper (Cm 6041–1). Such developments include the sustainment of the capabilities necessary to meet safety, environmental and operational requirements and to keep open options in respect of any decision on whether or not to replace Trident.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recruitment rates to the armed forces. [1778]

Over the last three years armed forces recruitment has been buoyant. In financial year 2004–05 there were 17,560 new entrants. This represented 96 per cent. of the overall armed forces recruiting target for the financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what legal advice the Government have taken concerning the obligations of intelligence personnel to report abuse of detainees in US custody; [512]

(2) what legal advice the Government have taken concerning the obligations of intelligence personnel (a) to report and (b) to intervene to stop breaches of the Geneva Conventions at US interrogation facilities. [513]

As a matter of policy, any such breaches witnessed by United Kingdom personnel would be reported through the UK chain of command to the US chain of command, at the appropriate level. Legal advice informing this policy is subject to legal privilege.

United Kingdom defence intelligence personnel are required to report any such breaches through the UK chain of command to the US chain of command, at the appropriate level. Legal advice informing this policy is subject to legal privilege.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it remains the policy of his Department to implement all the reductions in the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force announced prior to the 2005 general election. [1557]

Yes. The 'Future Capabilities' Command Paper, published last July, set out the changes we will make to both force structures and capabilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what precautions his Department takes to ensure that life-expired ordnance transported by rail and road to Shoeburyness for demolition is not exposed to the possibility of detonation by terrorist or other criminal attack. [1351]

holding answer 6 June 2005

During the carriage by road and rail of life expired ordnance, the Ministry of Defence fully complies with the safety and security requirements of SI 2004 No. 568 (The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004 (The Carriage Regulations)), Regulations Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) and The European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). Additional security measures assessed to the level of threat are also imposed.

It is not MOD policy to declare the specific details of security arrangements imposed during the carriage of life expired ordnance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the UK Government intend to resume military assistance to Nepal. [1595]

holding answer 6 June 2005

I refer my hon. Friend to the written statement issued by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 25 May 2005, Official Report, column 17WS, which, interalia, refers to the departmental minute laid by this Department regarding the intended resumption of military assistance to Nepal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects work to begin on the re-provisioning of military facilities in Aldershot under Project Connaught. [1119]

Contract negotiations are proceeding with Aspire, the Preferred Bidder for Project Allenby/Connaught. On current plans we would expect construction in Aldershot to start early in 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has undertaken a review of the proposed mergers of the Scottish infantry regiments since taking up his position. [1499]

No. The changes to the infantry announced by the previous Defence Secretary last year are part of a wider restructuring of the Army. These changes represent the right way forward for the Army; they will make it more robust and resilient, and better able to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the UK armed forces were stationed in Iraq during the general election; and how many were provided with (a) proxy and (b) postal votes. [902]

There were approximately 9300¹ service personnel in Iraq, or overseas in support of operations in Iraq, on land and at sea, in May 2005. It is not possible to determine how many service personnel used a proxy to exercise their vote and how many applied for and used a postal vote.

¹ Rounded to the nearest 100.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) how many Territorial Army soldiers mobilised under section (a) 54 and (b) 56 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 since 1 March 2003 have not been deployed to an overseas operational theatre; [1246]

(2) how many Territorial Army soldiers have been mobilised under section (a) 52, (b) 54 and (c) 56 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 since 1 March 2003; [1247]

(3) whether it is his policy to mobilise members of the Territorial Army under sections 54 or 56 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to occupy United Kingdom-based posts left vacant by members of the regular Army on operational services overseas. [1273]

I can confirm that since 1 March 2003: there have been no Territorial Army (TA) soldiers mobilised under Section 52 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996; some 500 TA soldiers have been mobilised under Section 56; and some 9,820 TA soldiers have been mobilised under Section 54. Of the soldiers mobilised under Section 54, some 290 personnel have not deployed to operational theatres and these include: enablers at the Reserves Training and Mobilisation Centre; unit and welfare support staff, who provide a vital liaison role in the home bases of TA units, whose members have been mobilised and deployed; movement control specialists at the Air and Sea Ports of embarkation; Intelligence Analysts; staff officers working in direct support of operations but based in the United Kingdom, and Royal Engineers providing Explosive Ordnance Disposal support in the UK. In addition, it is possible for individuals to be mobilised to fill posts left vacant by members of the regular Army serving on operations. However, in general it is our policy to use Reservists contracted on Full Time Reserve Service terms to fill such posts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the practicability of (a) fitting and (b) retro-fitting Type 45 destroyers with tactical Tomahawk missiles. [1556]

The Defence Procurement Agency conducted an assessment in 2004 of the potential to fit tactical Tomahawk missiles to the Type 45 destroyer. This assessment was one of a number carried out from time to time to consider alternative options for delivering best value military capability. Although this assessment confirmed the practicability of either fitting or retro-fitting Tomahawk missiles it remains the position that there is currently no requirement for the Type 45 to be fitted with them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it remains his policy that the decision to replace Trident with the next generation of the strategic nuclear deterrent will be taken before the end of this Parliament. [1553]

The December 2003 Defence White Paper (Cm 6041, paragraph 3.11) indicated that it was likely that decisions on whether to replace Trident would be needed during this Parliament. As I said on 18 May 2005 during the Foreign Affairs and Defence Debate on the Gracious Speech, Official Report, column 247, that continues to be the case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what preliminary assessments his Department has made of the relative merits of (a) extending the life of Trident and (b) replacing Trident with an entirely new system. [1555]

We have previously made clear that, in advance of decisions on whether to replace Trident, which are likely to be needed in this Parliament, we will continue to take appropriate steps to ensure that the range of options for maintaining a nuclear deterrent capability is kept open. We have not yet made an assessment of the relative merits of such options. We previously indicated on 30 June 2004, Official Report, column 358W, that we routinely undertake studies into the optimum operational life of key defence capabilities, including the Trident system, and that these have included concept studies on options for platforms to carry the Trident missile in the longer term.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum has been reported to Her Majesty's Treasury as total public expenditure within the assigned budget by the (a) former Welsh Office and (b) National Assembly for Wales in each year since 1997, for the purposes of assessing the block grant for Wales under the Barnett formula. [1282]

Details of calculation of the block grant payable to the Welsh Assembly Government and its relationship with Total Managed Expenditure in Wales can be found in the Wales Office Annual Report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made in the duties carried out by the Customs and Excise officer in Berwick-upon-Tweed in respect of (a) customs duties and (b) immigration; and where that officer is to be based. [1164]

The Revenue and Customs officer based in Berwick did, until recently, spend approximately one third of his time on customs work, including some agency work on behalf of the immigration service.

The nature of this work has changed in recent years and over 90 per cent. of customs clearance at the frontier now takes place immediately, thanks to the very large increase in electronic trading. Fiscal control is increasingly carried out by inland audit. general customs detection activity in the Berwick area is intelligence led, according to risk, and this activity is now covered by a flexible team based in Newcastle, who are also responsible for mandatory examinations.

There were a number of meetings with the trade to explain the changes and resolve early teething problems, including one in February 2005 attended by trade representatives from Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Revenue and Customs are entering discussions with the immigration service, who will need to make alternative arrangements to cover their activities in Berwick.

The Custom House at Berwick closes on 21 June 2005. The officer has been provided with facilities in Revenue and Customs' building in Alnwick. Following the changes in duties outlined above, the officer will be working on taxation (VAT) duties, supporting the trading population in the area (this work has in fact been a considerable proportion of his duties for the last 12 months).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons are taxed on the basis of incomes of over £1 million a year before allowances; and how many were taxed at that level on that basis in each of the last 10 years. [1601]

holding answer 6 June 2005

The information is given in the table as follows:

Number of taxpayers with total income of at least £1 million

⁽⁶⁾ Estimates based on Survey of Personal Incomes

⁽⁷⁾ Estimates based on the 2002–03 Survey of Personal Incomes projected forward in line with Budget 2005 assumptions.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many non-pensioner families in Birmingham were recipients of tax credits in the last three years; and how many have been identified as having received overpayments. [1877]

holding answer 6 June 2005

The information requested on non-pensioner families is not available. HMRC statistical publications show estimates of the number of in-work families in each region, local authority and constituency with tax credits awards at selected dates since July 2003. They also show estimates of the number of 2003–04 awards to families in each such area, and the number of these that were overpaid at 5 April 2004 after finalisation. The estimates are based on samples and are subject to significant sampling uncertainty. The publications can be found on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hertsmere of 23 May 2005, Official Report, column 5W, on Academic Boycott (Israel), what mechanisms the Government have used to make clear their opposition to academic boycotts; and whether these have included discussions with individual academics. [2022]