To ask the Prime Minister if he will undertake to hold a referendum in the UK on UK accession to the treaty establishing a constitution for the European Union if the French vote no in their referendum. [2187]

I refer the hon. Member to the statement my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave on 6 June 2005, Official Report, columns 991–92.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average emission of a new car, in grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre, has been in each year since 1985. [1489]

Data for the period 1985–94 is not available. Data for 1995 onwards, is shown in the table. The data for 1995 and 1996 comes from the European Commission, that for 1997 to 2002 from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd (SMMT) and for 2003 and 2004 from UK Government data obtained by the DVLA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what communication activities are planned in relation to the policy areas covered by his Department during the UK presidency of the EU; and what budget has been allocated for these activities. [1661]

External communications activity for the presidency is being co-ordinated centrally by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

We are currently finalising communication activities to take place around our presidency programme. We expect any costs to be met from within existing resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passenger miles were travelled on (a) buses and (b) lightrail in each transport authority in England in each year since 1996. [1813]

The data for London buses and for light rail systems are given in the table. Estimates of bus passenger miles are not collected for transport authorities outside London.

Million passenger miles

⁽¹⁾ Opened March 2004

⁽²⁾ Data unavailable before 1999

⁽³⁾ Opened May 1999

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the provision of key worker housing and affordable homes. [1973]

The Government wants to offer everyone the opportunity of a decent home at a price they can afford. Further details are laid out in "Homes for All", copies of which can be found in the Library of the House.

Government funding, and innovative work with banks and building societies, will contribute to help as many as 110,000 first time buyers and key workers into affordable home ownership by 2010.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his plans to increase availability of affordable homes in Greater London. [1974]

The Government have allocated nearly £1.5 billion on the provision of affordable housing in London through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme in 2004–05 and 2005–06 to provide over 21,000 affordable homes.

In addition English Partnerships is expected to deliver about 4,500 homes through the pilot phase of its London Wide Initiative over the next five years of which around 2,000 will be affordable homes for sale to key workers and first time buyers.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the merits of turning unused space over shops into flats. [1977]

This is a potentially useful source of additional housing units, which can also help in reviving town centre living. There are however a number of barriers preventing much of this potential from being realised, including the complex ownership patterns in high street property. We are considering a number of ways in which these barriers might be overcome, and we will announce how we intend to take this forward in due course.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many social homes have achieved the decent homes standard; and whether he expects the Government to meet their target of ensuring that all homes meet the standard by 2010. [1976]

Since 1997 we have reduced the number of social homes that do not meet the decent homes standard by over a million. Schemes that have been approved or are already under way are set to deliver further progress towards meeting the target to ensure all social homes meet the standard by 2010.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much from (a) Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme funding and (b) Challenge Fund sources was spent on (i) mixed funding social rented housing, (ii) temporary social rented housing, (iii) Homebuy general market purchase, (iv) Homebuy general new build, (v) mixed funded low cost home ownership for sale, (vi) miscellaneous works to RSL stock, (vii) improvements to rented RSL stock, (viii) works only rehabilitation of rented RSL stock, (ix) works only rehabilitation of RSL stock for sale, (x) intermediate rent for key workers, (xi) Homebuy market purchase for key workers, (xii) Homebuy new build for key workers and (xiii) mixed funded sale for key workers in the East Midlands region in each year since 1997–98. [1302]

The following table shows funding through the Housing Corporation approved development programme in the east midlands region for the categories (i) to (ix). The information in the table does not include all programmes that the ADP is used for and therefore does not represent the total funding for the east midlands region. Other categories with funding during the time period covered by the table are Right to Acquire, Voluntary Purchase Grant, Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership, and Temporary Intermediate and Market Rent Housing.

The Key Worker Living programme is limited to London and the wider south-east, therefore there is no investment in categories (x) to (xiii) in the east midlands through this programme.

The Challenge Fund was limited to London, south-east and eastern regions, therefore there is no Challenge Fund expenditure in the East Midlands.

Expenditure for the East Midlands Region from 1997–98 to 2004–05

Note:

Categories (vii), (viii), and (ix) are included in Miscellaneous Works (vi) for years 1997–98 and 1998–99.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many affordable housing units built or procured through (a) the Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme and (b) the Challenge Fund were classified as (i) mixed funding social rented housing, (ii) temporary social rented housing, (iii) Homebuy general market purchase, (iv) Homebuy general new build, (v) mixed funded low cost home ownership for sale, (vi) miscellaneous works to RSL stock, (vii) improvements to rented RSL stock, (viii) works only rehabilitation of rented RSL stock, (ix) works only rehabilitation of RSL stock for sale, (x) intermediate rent for key workers, (xi) Homebuy market purchase for key workers, (xii) Homebuy new build for key workers and (xiii) mixed funded sale for key workers in the East Midlands region in each year since 1997–98. [1303]

The following table shows completions through the Housing Corporation approved development programme in the east midlands region for the categories (i) to (ix). The information in the table does not include all programmes that the ADP is used for and therefore does not represent the total funding for the region. Other categories with completions during the time period covered by the table are Right to Acquire, Voluntary Purchase Grant, Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership, and Temporary Intermediate and Market Rent Housing.

The Key Worker Living programme is limited to London and the wider south-east, therefore there is no investment in categories (x) to (xiii) in the east midlands through this programme.

The Challenge Fund was limited to London, south-east and eastern regions, therefore there are no Challenge Fund completions recorded for east midlands.

Completions in units for the East Midlands region from 1997–98 to 2004–05

Note:

Categories (vi) to (ix) do not have complete records of units.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on Government plans to build 21,000 homes on green belt around Bournemouth. [1876]

There are no Government plans to build 21,000 more homes on green belt around Bournemouth. The South West Regional Assembly—as the regional planning body—are working to prepare the new Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West which will look at housing need in the period to 2026. However, no proposed planned housing figures or locations for development have been made by either the Regional Assembly, the strategic planning authorities or the Government.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many affordable housing units built or procured through the Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme and Challenge Fund were (a) mixed funded social rented housing, (b) temporary social rented housing, (c) homebuy general market purchase, (d) homebuy general new build, (e) mixed funded low cost home ownership for sale, (f) miscellaneous works to RSL stock, (g) reimprovements to rented RSL stock, (h) works only rehabilitation of rented RSL stock, (i) works only rehabilitation of RSL stock for sale, (j) intermediate rent for key workers, (k) homebuy market purchase for key workers, (l) homebuy new build for key workers and (m) mixed funded sale for key workers in the West Midlands Region in each year since 1997–98; and how much was spent on each category in each year. [1843]

The following tables show completions and expenditure through the Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme, for categories from(a) to (i) . The information in the tables do not include all programmes that the ADP is used for and therefore does not represent the total funding for the West Midlands region. Other categories with funding during the time period covered by the table are Right to Acquire, Voluntary Purchase Grant, Starter Home Initiative, Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership, and Temporary Intermediate and Market Rent Housing.

The Key Worker Living programme was limited to London and the wider South East, therefore there are no completions or investment in categories(j) to (m) in the West Midlands region through this programme.

The Challenge Fund was limited to London, south-east and eastern regions, therefore there is no Challenge Fund expenditure in west midlands.

Funding and completions are not directly comparable, as funding will relate to projects running, not necessarily units completed, in any one year.

Completions in units for the West Midlands Region from 1997–98 to 2004–05

Note:

Categories (f) to (i) do not have complete records of units.

Expenditure for the West Midlands Region from 1997–98 to 2004–05

Note:

Categories (g), (h), and (i) are included in Miscellaneous Works (f) for years 1997–98 and 1998–99.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will abandon plans for council tax rebanding in England. [1975]

The terms of reference for the independent inquiry into local government funding by Sir Michael Lyons require him to make recommendations on how best to reform council tax. His report is due to be submitted by the end of this year to my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The report will inform the Government's decisions on council tax bands.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to reform the council tax system. [1971]

We look forward to the report of the independent inquiry by Sir Michael Lyons which is due to be submitted to my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer by the end of the year. In the meantime, we continue to receive many representations on a variety of local government finance issues.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what green belt designations (a) are being and (b) have been reviewed by the Regional Chambers, since their establishment. [1096]

Regional Planning Bodies take the lead in reviewing the need for, and broad extent of, green belt designations. Site specific boundary changes are a matter for Development Plan Documents within the context set by the Regional Spatial Strategy. The information in the following tables show those green belts, and particular areas of green belt, that have been, or are being, subject to a specific review as part of a review of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

(a) Green belt designations that are being reviewed

(b) Green belt designations that have been reviewed

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many registered social landlords have taken over council housing; if he will list those which (a) have been put under supervision by the Housing Corporation, (b) have been the subject of mergers or takeovers and (c) have broken (i) rent guarantees and (ii) Housing Corporation rent guidelines. [1752]

holding answer 6 June 2005

Since 1988 204 registered social landlords have received housing from local authorities as part of the-large scale voluntary transfer programme. 183 of these were established solely for the purpose of receiving housing from a local authority.

(a) Registered social landlords (RSLs) that have been established solely for the purpose of receiving housing from a local authority which have been in Housing Corporation supervision for a period of time since registration

(b) The following RSLs have been the subject of mergers or takeovers.

Once associations have been registered with the Corporation they may set up group structures, join existing groups, transfer their engagements or be subsumed into other RSLs. Of those associations listed, the following have undertaken some group/merger activity:

(c) Which RSLs have broken (i) rent guarantees and (ii) Housing Corporation rent guidelines.

No RSL that has been established solely for the purpose of receiving housing from a local authority has broken rent commitments given to tenants at ballot. 12 have been granted exemptions from compliance with the Government rent restructuring guidelines which were introduced in April 2002. In all cases these are transfer organisations whose business plans assumed higher rates of increase after transfer than is now permitted under the Government guidelines. As tenants voted for transfer proposals that were based on the higher rents exemptions were agreed to ensure tenants received the works and services for which a commitment had been given.

Local authority housing that has transferred to RSLs since the introduction of rent restructuring has been on the basis of business plans and valuations that comply with the current rent guidelines.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what studies the Department has commissioned of the workings of local strategic partnerships. [1441]

In 2002 the Department commissioned a comprehensive Local Strategic Partnerships (LSP) evaluation and action learning programme, which will complete by the end of this year. Key components include: in-depth case study research, surveys of all LSPs every two years, and research based guidance on a range of topics highlighting good practice and advice.

This research was jointly commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Department for Transport. Findings indicate that LSPs have made good progress since their recent establishment; however, there are areas for improvement to which the research has produced pragmatic support. Evidence from the research also directly informs evolving policy on community leadership.

The Neighbourhood Renewal Unit has additionally commissioned a small number of neighbourhood-renewal specific studies to complement the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister-wide evaluation. One study summarised and analysed the Local Neighbourhood Renewal Strategies produced by the 88 Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) areas. Another study summarised overall progress with LSPs in the 88 NRF areas, drawing mainly on existing evidence.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many public toilets there were on a given date in each year between 1990 and 2004, broken down by Government Office Region. [1618]

The provision and maintenance of toilets in public places is at the discretion of local authorities who have, under section 87 of the Public Health Act 1936, a power to provide public conveniences, but no duty to do so. For this reason, the information requested is not held centrally. The information in the following table has however been obtained from commercial and industrial property data held by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

Number of public conveniences: Government Office Regions, 2000–2004—Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) analysis of provisional Valuation Office Agency data⁽⁴⁾

1 October 2000, and 1 April for 2002, 2003 and 2004.⁽⁴⁾ Data as at

The table gives the number of public conveniences as at 1 October 2000 and 1 April for 2002, 2003 and 2004. No data prior to 2000 and for 2001 are currently available. The statistics are provisional pending the release of revised VOA commercial and industrial property data on 30 June 2005.

Totals given in the table show conveniences that are open to the public. They will include stand alone conveniences, and also those located in (for example) car parks and shopping malls.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the Royal Institute of British Architects' proposals for Better Neighbourhoods—Designing for Sustainability; and if he will make a statement. [1731]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to delivering high quality, well-designed sustainable communities that can offer everyone a decent home that they can afford in a community in which they want to live and work, now and in the future. I welcome the continuing commitment of the Royal Institution of British Architects to this important agenda.

The Government are committed to promoting sustainable forms of new development. Examples include:

utilising public land to demonstrate best practice in sustainable design and construction techniques and mixed tenure through programmes such as English Partnerships' Millennium Communities programme;

Planning Policy Statement 22, which advises on renewable energy, expects local planning authorities to devise policies that promote and encourage the development of renewable energy resources;

Raising building energy performance standards through a review of Part L of the Building Regulations;

developing the Code for Sustainable Buildings; and

support to the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment to provide Enabling advice to all of the 17 Building Schools for the Future Pathfinder and Wave 1 local education authorities.

Decisions on taxation are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list planning permissions for Traveller sites that were refused by the local planning authority but were granted on appeal by the Secretary of State in each year since 2001. [279]

The list detailing all the planning appeals for Traveller sites decided between 1 January 2001 and 30 April 2005 has been made available in the Library of the House. The list is sorted by appeal decision date and shows who decided the appeal—either The Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the First Secretary of State my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister or the First Secretary of State my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister. During the period, 111 appeals were allowed and 230 appeals were dismissed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the performance of the Rural Payments Agency in dealing with the common agricultural policy reforms, with particular reference to single farm payments. [1322]

Ministers meet regularly with officials from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). RPA is part way through a major change programme which, since the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP), has focused on the introduction and administration of the single payment scheme (SPS). The time scales for the implementation of the change programme were acknowledged to be stretching from the outset. Despite this challenge, RPA has made considerable progress with the introduction of the single payment scheme.

By the 16 May closing date 115,196 applications to the SPS had been received, and I am satisfied that this covers not only applications from those previously in receipt of subsidy but has also brought additional land into the scheme thus contributing to the Department's sustainable agricultural and environmental objectives. The number of applications received is in line with RPA's projections for applicants to the new scheme.

RPA has been working closely with the National Farmers Union and other industry representatives to ensure the successful launch of the SPS. This was a very large undertaking reflecting the scale of the reform of the CAP successfully negotiated by this Government, and included:

the distribution of a series of policy booklets and three detailed guidance booklets;

the provision of extensive information on the RPA website, resulting in approximately 6,000 hits per day at peak periods;

a sustained media advertising campaign to existing customers and potential new applicants;

undertaking, with Defra, 32 road shows across England attended by around 8,500 farmers;

distribution of over 12,000 videos, CD-ROMs and DVDs with key excerpts of the road shows introducing and explaining the SPS; and

the distribution of specimen forms to enable applicants to prepare the information required to apply for the scheme in advance of receiving the application form.

The change programme is closely monitored through a joint RPA/Defra programme board which reports via the permanent secretary to Ministers. The programme makes use of regular external reviews, including the Office for Government Commerce Gateway Review process, who reported in their latest review of the programme in January 2005 that the review team finds that the programme is under strong leadership and has very visible ministerial and Defra support. They also considered that the programme continues to be managed in a professional manner and given stability in the programme scope, there is the desire and capability to deliver the programme successfully against challenging time scales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the (i) Committee for the implementation of the Community framework for co-operation in the field of accidental or deliberate marine pollution, (ii) Committee for the implementation of legislation on ambient air quality assessment and management, (iii) Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the air quality limit values and guide values for sulphur dioxide and suspended particulates and (iv) Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of the directive on air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [571]

The Committee for the implementation of the Community framework for cooperation in the field of accidental or deliberate marine pollution sits twice yearly. In relation to the specified presidencies, the committee sat as follows:(a) once during the Italian Presidency in September 2003; (b) once during the Irish Presidency in March 2004; (c) once during the Netherlands Presidency in September 2004. The UK expert attending each meeting was the Head of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Counter Pollution and Response Branch.

The Committee for the implementation of legislation on ambient air quality assessment and management did not meet during the Italian, Irish or Dutch Presidencies.

The Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the air quality limit values and guide values for sulphur dioxide and suspended particulates relates to part of Directive 80/779/EEC which was repealed with effect from 19 July 2001. This committee therefore did not meet during the periods in question.

The Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of the directive on air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide relates to part of Directive 85/203/EEC which was repealed with effect from 19 July 2001. The committee therefore did not sit during these Presidencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the (i) Committee for the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors, (ii) Committee for the adaptation to technical progress and for the implementation of the directive on contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms and (iii) Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress and implementation of the directive on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [629]

The Committee for the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors falls within the responsibility of Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. This committee did not meet during the Italian, Irish or Dutch Presidencies.

The Health and Safety Executive have confirmed that the Committee for the adaptation to technical progress and for the implementation of the directive on contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms did not meet during the three Presidencies.

Between June 2003 and December 2004, the periods in question, the Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress and implementation of the directive on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms met twice in the form of the Competent Authorities meetings on 3 December 2003 and 1 April 2004. Both meetings were held in Brussels and were attended by Defra policy officials. The purpose of the meetings was for member states to share experiences of operating the directive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the (i) Committee for the implementation of the directive relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars, (ii) Advisory Committee for the implementation of the directive on the limitation of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain activities and installations and (iii) Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the directive on the prevention and reduction of the environmental pollution by asbestos met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [634]

The Committee for the implementation of the directive relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars did not meet during the Italian, Irish or Dutch Presidencies.

No meetings were held, during the periods in question, of the Advisory Committee for the implementation of the directive on the limitation of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain activities and installations.

As to the Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the directive on the prevention and reduction of the environmental pollution by asbestos, I understand this committee did not meet during these Presidencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the (i) Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the directive on a limit value for lead in the air, (ii) Advisory Committee for the implementation of the directive on the reduction of the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels and (iii) Committee for the adaptation to technical progress and the implementation of the directive on the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions resulting from the storage of petrol and its distribution from terminals to service stations met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [637]

The Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the directive on a limit value for lead in the air relates to part of Directive 82/884/EEC which was repealed with effect from 19 July 2001. This committee therefore did not meet during the Italian, Irish or Dutch Presidencies.

The Advisory Committee for the implementation of the directive on the reduction of the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels did not meet during the periods in question.

The Committee for the adaptation to technical progress and the implementation of the directive on the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions resulting from the storage of petrol and its distribution from terminals to service stations did not meet during these Presidencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average price paid by consumers for a litre of milk has been in each year since 1980. [1538]

The average prices paid by consumers for pasteurised whole milk, collected by the Office for National Statistics, are shown in the table.

Average retail milk prices

Source:

Office for National Statistics RP20

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people who immigrated into the UK in each year between 1990 and 2004. [2581]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Frank Field, dated 8 June 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding estimates for the number of people migrating to the UK in each year between 1990 and 2004. (2581)

The methodology used to make estimates of international migration to and from the UK has been improved in recent years. The new methodology has been used to produce revised estimates back to 1991. Therefore the estimate for 1990 would not be directly comparable with those for other years. For this reason, the attached table shows estimates for 1991 onwards. The most recent estimates are for 2003. Estimates for 2004 will be published in November 2005.

These estimates are extracted from the annual reference volume "Series MN, International Migration". The most recent edition, "Series MN no.30, International migration, 2003", includes estimates for 1994 to 2003. Copies of this publication, and earlier editions, can be accessed at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Product.asp?vlnk=507.

Total International migration: 1991 to 2003 -- Thousand⁽⁵⁾

⁽⁵⁾ Data for 1991–2003 are based mainly on data from the International Passenger Survey. Includes adjustments for (1) those whose intended length of stay changes so that their migrant status changes; (2) asylum seekers and their dependants not identified by the IPS; and (3) flows between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

⁽⁶⁾ These estimates are extracted from the annual reference volume Series MN, International Migration. The most recent edition, Serves MN no. 30, International migration, 2003, includes estimates for 1994 to 2003. Copies of this publication, and earlier editions, can be accessed at: http://www.Statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Product.asp?vlnk=507

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in manufacturing industry in (a) Brent East and (b) each London borough in each year since 1997. [2540]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Ms Sarah Teather, dated 8 June 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people were employed in the manufacturing industry in Brent East Parliamentary Constituency and in each London borough. (2540)

The attached table shows the number of employee jobs in manufacturing, in the requested areas, from 1997 to 2003. This is the latest year for which information is available. The data are published on the Office for National Statistics' Nomis website (http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/). Comparable figures for those local areas, including self-employed jobs are not available.

Employee jobs in the manufacturing industry—1997 to 2003 -- Thousand

⁽⁷⁾ Data is for December of each year.

Source:

Annual Business Inquiry, 1998–2003; Annual Employment Survey, 1997

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the VAT liability of the proposed staging of the Live8 concert in Hyde Park; and if he will make a statement. [2406]

The Government have discussed VAT and other issues with Live8 and their advisers, and have already announced support with staging and clear-up costs for the Hyde Park event, worth some £500,000.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the private finance initiative and public private partnership projects the Treasury is undertaking; and what the status is of each. [2367]

The Treasury's only PFI project is for its office building at 1 Horse Guards Road. Details of the scheme are on the Treasury website http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/about_building/about_goggs_goggs.cfm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what EU legislation was implemented by (a) the Employment Relations Bill 1999, (b) the Working Time Regulations 1999, (c) the Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999, (d) the Transnational Information Consultation of Employees Regulation 1999, (e) the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000, (f) the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2000, (g) the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill: Parts 1 and 3, (h) the Maternity and Parental Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2001, (i) the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2001 and the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 and (j) the Undertakings on Supermarket Supplier Relations (Code of Practice). [1709]

This question requests details of the EU legislation giving rise to a number of pieces of UK legislation. The following table giving the reply, indicating the source of the legislation, approximately one third of which is purely domestic and was not instigated by the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what EU legislation was implemented by (a) the Industrial Training Levy (Construction Board) Order 2002, (b) the Employment Act 2002, (c) the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, (d) the Flexible Working (Procedural Requirements) Regulations 2002, (e) the Dangerous Substances and Explosives Atmospheres Regulations 2002, (f) the Sale and Supply of Goods Consumer Regulations 2002, (g) the Additives for Use in Animal Nutrition (England) Regulations 2003, (h) the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations 2003, (i) the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2003, (j) the Employment Relations Bill and (k) the Consumer Credit Regulations 2004. [1710]

This question requests details of the EU legislation giving rise to a number of pieces of UK legislation. The following table, indicating the source of the legislation, approximately one third of the pieces of legislation listed were not instigated by the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the accuracy of analyses prepared for his Department of the number of deceased mineworkers' damages claims for (a) Nottinghamshire, (b) Derbyshire and (c) Leicestershire; and if he will make a statement. [1990]

Regional statistics in respect of live and deceased claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease classify the claim according to postal town codes of the solicitor handling the claim.

The Department is aware that the ratio of live to deceased cases in Notts/Derbys/Leics is well out of line with that of other regions. As at 31 March 2005 there were 23,002 live and 5,511 deceased claims registered and reflected in the regional statistics for Notts/Derbys/Leics—a ratio of 81 per cent. live to 19 per cent. deceased. The ratio for the other six regions ranged between 33 per cent. to 44 per cent. for live claims and 56 per cent. to 67 per cent. for deceased claims.

In order to assess the reasons for this variance, the Department's claims handlers, Capita, ran a report by claimant post code where the postal town was for Notts/Derbys/Leics. This report was then matched against a second report in respect of deceased claimants registered under the scheme, where they were registered with a solicitor in one of the other six regions.

This exercise confirmed that the 5,511 deceased claims registered against the Notts/Derbys/Leics postal town region was accurate. The exercise has also confirmed that there are an additional 26,500 deceased claims with Notts/Derbys/Leics post codes who are registered with a variety of solicitors spread among the other six regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government take to ensure that overseas operations by companies registered in the UK do not harm underprivileged people overseas; and what form of redress such people may seek if they believe that they have been harmed by such activities. [624]

holding answer 25 May 2005

UK companies that operate overseas are subject to the laws applicable in those countries which will take account of the particular circumstances and practices of each host country. We encourage companies to apply high standards of corporate behaviour by addressing their environmental and social impacts wherever they operate, including adhering to relevant internationally agreed norms and initiatives. In line with this, we promote the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises which recommend standards of responsible business conduct for business and have written to the FTSE 100 companies to raise awareness of these expectations. We have also set our approach to encouraging environmentally and socially responsible practice internationally in our international Strategic Framework on Corporate Social Responsibility published in March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is being taken to (a) contain the radioactive leakage at the Sellafield site and (b) protect (i) the workers at the site and (ii) the environment. [2007]

I am advised by the independent regulator, the Health and Safety Executive, that following the recent leak of liquid inside the THORP facility at Sellafield, the plant remains in a safe and stable state. Safety monitoring has confirmed that there has been no release of material and there is not risk to employees, to the local community or to the environment.

The material is contained within an engineered stainless lined totally enclosed cell designed to contain such leaks. Safety is the key priority and British Nuclear Group is working to recover the liquid in a safe and controlled manner. The regulators have been kept closely informed throughout.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the discovery on 19 April 2005 at the Sellafield site of the 20 tonne leakage of radioactive uranium and plutonium. [2008]

The recent leak of liquid inside the THORP facility at Sellafield has led to plant being closed while the situation is fully assessed. The plant is in a safe and stable state and there has been no release of material and there is no risk to employees, to the local community or to the environment. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is considering the future of THORP; any proposals will be subject to scrutiny by the safety and environmental regulators.

The Health and Safety Executive is carrying out an investigation and will make its findings public in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has held with (a) the Association of British Travel Agents, (b) the Federation of Tour Operators and (c) the Association of Independent Tour Operators regarding steps to reduce the regulatory burden in the travel industry. [2164]

The Department is in regular contact with all of these organisations, and matters relating to the regulatory burden on the package travel industry are frequently discussed. Last year I also held two meetings with key stakeholders in this sector, including these three bodies, at which regulatory issues among others were discussed.

Recent discussions have focused on the review by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), in conjunction with the Department for Transport, of the future of provision of financial protection for consumers against the bankruptcy of air travel providers; on CAA guidance on the scope of the Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing) Regulations; and on the three organisations continuing compliance with the requirements for approved bodies under the Package Travel Regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to apply section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to all statutory agencies. [1610]

Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 places a duty on specific agencies to consider the potential impact of all their decisions and activities on crime and disorder. The scope of section 17 was included in a wider review of the partnership provisions of the Act earlier this year. The review looked at how local agencies could better embed crime and disorder reduction into their core business. It also assessed whether section 17 currently covers the right agencies and bodies. I am considering the findings from the review and the Government will announce proposals for making partnership working more effective later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to (a) develop the launch of the national identity register of instructions to issue identity cards and (b) review the Police IT Organisation. [549]

The Identity Cards programme development timescales allow for sufficient time to design, develop and implement a scheme with a thorough analysis and ongoing management of the risks. As the programme proceeds it will be subject to regular Office of Government Commerce (OGC) Gateway reviews and have already been through a successful OGC Gateway Zero Review.

The launch of the Identity Cards scheme will be supported by a communications campaign which will explain the purpose of the scheme and the practicalities. The proposed new Agency will also work with the verification service users to encourage them to communicate directly with their staff and customers to explain the scheme.

The Review of the Police Information Technology Organisation has been completed and is currently being considered by Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the fighting strength of the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force has been in each year since 1992. [2185]

The following table shows the full-time trained strength of UK armed forces at 1 April points since 1992, which includes trained UK regular forces, trained Gurkhas and FTRS (full-time reserve service) personnel. They do not include the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, mobilised reservists or Activated Reservists.

⁽⁸⁾ Naval Service includes Royal Navy and Marines.

⁽⁹⁾ FTRS were created by the Reserve Forces Act 1996 and none existed before late 1997 and were formally recorded from late 1998 only.

1 April 2001 Army FTRS Officer figures are not available, data are for 1 March 2001.⁽¹⁰⁾

⁽¹¹⁾ The Army Officer FTRS strength figures supplied to DASA between April 2001 and October 2004 are currently under review. Figures contained in this table have been supplied by the Army Personnel Centre and should be considered as provisional.

⁽¹²⁾ provisional

Note:

All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims in respect of Gulf War related illness have been (a) rejected and (b) accepted by the Veterans Agency office in Blackpool; and how many claims have been allowed the right of appeal. [2052]

Our records indicate that as at 30 April 2005,1,477 claims have been accepted and 119 rejected in respect of Gulf War related illness. All decisions issued by the Veterans Agency carry a right of appeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the destination of HMS Turbulent following departure from Devonport was on 16 January 2004. [2117]

HMS Turbulent's destination was Rame Head, near Plymouth.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the deployment of the Joint Strike fighter aircraft in the RAF. [2119]

RAF Leeming, RAF Cottesmore, RAF Marham, RAF Lossiemouth and RAF St. Mawgan, are currently being considered as potential bases for the Joint Strike Fighter (the procurement solution to the Joint Combat Aircraft requirement). I expect to make a decision on basing later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the destruction of life-expired ordnance at Shoeburyness by QinetiQ will not detonate explosives contained within the SS Montgomery sunk in the Thames Estuary. [1352]

holding answer 6 June 2005

The wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery is well outside all the Shoeburyness Range danger areas. No incidents of any nature have been reported as a result of the activities at Shoeburyness. The wreck is examined by diver and sonar survey on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on a regular basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low flying aircraft were used in the Wye Valley between Hay-on-Wye and Builth Wells from 27 May to 2 June. [2378]

Information is only recorded in such a way as to enable us to provide data for the whole of Low Flying Area (LFA) 7, which covers almost all of Wales. The number of aircraft booked into LFA 7 over the period in question are shown in the table.

The Low Flying System is closed at weekends, and was also closed on 30 May, as this was a bank holiday. At such periods, special permission from the Directorate of Air Staff is required for aircraft to operate in the low flying system. The only aircraft that are recorded as having operated in the system over this period were the Red Arrows, who flew through LFA 7 on both Saturday and Sunday; and the Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which operated on Sunday and Monday.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) UK and (b) other nations' vessels were involved in the Thursday war military exercise in the English Channel on 15 January 2004. [2118]

The only Royal Navy vessels involved in the Thursday war exercise on 15 January 2004 were HMS Cumberland, HMS Edinburgh and RFA Brambleleaf. No vessels of other nations were involved on that day.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK nuclear weapons are available for use by the Government; and how many US tactical nuclear weapons there are at RAF Lakenheath. [2335]

In line with the policy set out in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, the United Kingdom maintains a stockpile of less than 200 operationally available Trident warheads, 48 of which are onboard the single submarine on deterrent patrol.

On the issue of US nuclear weapons, NATO's Strategic Concept (paragraph 63) states that:

"nuclear forces based in Europe and committed to NATO provide an essential political and military link between the European and North American members of the Alliance. The Alliance will therefore maintain adequate nuclear forces in Europe."

Numbers of US nuclear weapons in the UK can and do vary, and the capability for deployments of such weapons to and from the UK remains extant regardless of the particular number of weapons in the UK at any given time.

It is NATO and national policy not to comment on the detail of such nuclear deployments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the difference is between the UK specification for the Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle and the version commissioned by the Italian Army. [386]

As a Command and Liaison Vehicle, Panther will provide protected mobility and, through the Bowman communications and information system, a sophisticated communications capability. Since the roles of the UK's Panther Vehicle and the Italian Light Multirole Tactical Vehicle are different, their specifications are also different; there will be differences in areas such as protection, situational awareness and communications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) design, (b) manufacture and (c) licence costs are of the Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle to (i) Iveco and (ii) other non-UK contractors. [387]

The Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle contract with BAE Systems Land Systems (formally Alvis Vickers Ltd.) is £166 million for 401 vehicles. Further contracts are envisaged for the fitting of Bowman radios, and other systems, therefore the total value could reach £193 million. This price includes the design and manufacture of the vehicle. The licence cost paid to Iveco and to non-UK contractors is withheld given its confidential nature.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions HRH Prince Andrew has used his Department's vehicles, vessels and planes for private use in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004; and at what cost. [2048]

His Royal Highness the Duke of York has not made private use of the official transport facilities of the Ministry of Defence in 2003 or 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department on Project Connaught; and how much was spent on the Aspire Consortium's involvement. [1120]

Project Connaught started in the summer of 1999. The following year it combined with its Salisbury Plain counterpart, Project Allenby, to form Project Allenby/Connaught, since when cost records have been kept on a combined basis. As at the end of financial year 2004–05 total expenditure on the project was some £23.3 million, of which the cost of the Aldershot based project team was some £1.9 million.

To date there has been no MOD expenditure on the Aspire consortium as we are still in negotiations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Class 2 Royal Irish Regiment warrant officers (a) applied for and (b) took part in promotion boards in each of the past five years, broken down by (i) gender and (ii) religion; and how many of these applications were (A) successful and (B) rejected. [2184]

The information requested in respect of gender is set out in the following table. All eligible candidates are considered by the promotion board.

⁽¹³⁾ Fewer than five.

Figures for candidates eligible have been rounded to the nearest multiple of five, in line with our normal practice for published statistics. As lists of successful candidates are published and the gender breakdown can be determined from the list, actual figures are given for those appointed.

These figures do not include part-time Royal Irish, as this information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

A breakdown by religion is not held in a readily retrievable form and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communication activities are planned in relation to the policy areas covered by his Department during the UK Presidency of the EU; and what budget has been allocated for these activities. [1648]

External communications activity for the EU Presidency is being coordinated centrally by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

In contributing to this effort the MOD has drawn up a comprehensive communications strategy covering a range of media and communications activity to present European Security and Defence Policy to Parliament and the general public, including a feature in the mobile "Defence Tourer" exhibition and a contribution to the House of Commons Defence Committee conference at the Royal United Services Institute in November.

There is no central departmental budget allocated for these activities. Costs lie where they fall across a number of directorates.

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

(1) if she will put back the second appointed day of the Licensing Act 2003 by at least eight months; [947]

(2) if the Government will put back the deadline for licensees to submit a conversion licence application under the Licensing Act 2003 by at least six months; [948]

(3) what assistance the Government will provide to help licensees meet the deadline for completion of conversion applications under the Licensing Act 2003; [952]

(4) what steps the Government will take to enable licensees (a) to fulfil the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 with regard to applications to convert premises and (b) to meet the deadline for applications of 6 August. [1194]

As I announced to the House on 8 June, the Government will shortly make an order confirming that 24 November will be the second appointed day. New licences and certificates will have effect from that date.

The Government have no intention of extending the period for converting existing licences. Potential applicants and local authorities are aware of the timetable and it would be counter-productive to alter it at this late stage.

We are aware that there are concerns over the low number of applicants so far. However, we believe that the deadline of 6 August 2005 allows applicants sufficient time to secure the conversion of their existing licences, should they apply for this. We have invested significant resources in making potential applicants, and other interested parties, aware of the timetable for implementation. Licensing authorities have also run road shows, surgeries and other events. The Government have also produced detailed guidance on our website, and have circulated a regular newsletter, Licensing Countdown, to keep the public and the industry fully informed of progress in implementing the 2003 Act.

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

(1) what consultations her Department has undertaken with (a) the licensed trade and (b) local authorities since 7 February regarding the coming into force of the Licensing Act 2003; [951]

(2) what recommendations the Government have implemented since 7 February in relation to the Licensing Act 2003 began following representations from the licensed trade and local authorities. [1149]

Since 7 February my officials have held regular meetings with a stakeholder advisory group which comprises representatives of the licensed trade, local authorities, the police, and magistrates, among others. The advisory group met on 16 February; 15 March; 19 April and 16 May. The bodies represented on the advisory group include:

Alcohol Concern

Arts Council England

Association of Chief Police Officers

Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers

Association of London Government

Bar Entertainment and Dance Association

British Beer and Pub Association

British Hospitality and Restaurant Association

British Institute of Innkeeping

British Marine Federation

British Retail Consortium

Business in Sport and Leisure

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

Cinema Exhibitors Association

Committee of Registered Clubs Association

Editor of Paterson's Licensing Acts

Federation of Licensed Victuallers Association

Guild of Master Victuallers

Justices' Clerks Society

Licensed Victuallers of Wales

Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS)

Local Government Association

The Magistrates' Association

Musicians Union

I also chair a high level group to ensure the smooth running of the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. The high level group met on 22 March; 4 May; and 23 May. It comprises representatives of:

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Home Office

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Association of Chief Police Officers

British Beer and Pub Association

Bar Entertainment and Dance Association

British Retail Consortium

Central Council for Physical Recreation

Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS)

Local Government Association

Tourism Alliance

Since 7 February, the DCMS has been engaged in targeted communications activity to encourage at-risk groups to make their applications as quickly as possible. We have recently re-doubled these efforts. We are also issuing guidance for applicants to help address some of the common mistakes which stakeholders inform us are being made on application forms and there will also be a revamp of the licensing pages on the DCMS website (www.culture.gov.uk) to make them more accessible for applicants. In addition, we have responded to requests from stakeholders seeking help on a number of issues including embedded restrictions; whether a personal licence holder must be at a premises at all times; and how transferred licences should be dealt with during the transitional period. The DCMS position on these matters has been circulated widely through the stakeholder groups and has helped ease the transitional process for both licensing authorities and applicants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the private finance initiative and public private partnership projects her Department is undertaking; and what the status of each is. [2361]

My Department is not itself undertaking any PFI or PPP contracts. The Department's executive agency, the Royal Parks (TRP), has entered into the following:

Inn the Park at St. James Park. This is a contract to provide new catering equipment and facilities at an existing site in return for the right to run a catering concession.

The Boathouse at Regent's Park. Under this contract a new building was supplied by the contractor, and a catering concession was granted to them.

Pembroke Lodge at Richmond. The building was restored by the contractor and a catering concession was granted to them.

All three are now operational.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations her Department has made to the EU Commission on the sale of the Tote. [2697]

The Government first notified their plans for the sale of the Tote to a racing trust to the European Commission on 27 May 2004, and provided additional information to the Commission on 9 September 2004 and 15 March 2005. I met Commissioner Kroes on 27 May to explain our proposals in person.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will take steps to ensure that the quality of (a) civil aid service and (b) criminal aid service available to local communities is not reduced as a result of the Legal Services Commission's proposals to introduce price competitive tendering to the legal aid system. [1799]