To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what balancing adjustments have been made to reflect changes in the cost of council tax subsidy for Wales in each year since 1997. [1283]

The following council tax benefit adjustments have been made to the Wales departmental expenditure limit.

A reduction of £0.56 million in 2001–02 in respect of 2000–01, and an increase of £1.957 million in 2003–04 in respect of 2001–02 and 2002–03 net of rate relief adjustment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hours he spent on ministerial duties during the week commencing Monday 9 May 2005 in his capacity as (a) Secretary of State for Wales and (b) Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. [1151]

I have spent as much time as is necessary to fulfil my responsibilities as Secretary of State for Wales and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, including spending the same proportion of time in Wales as has been the case previously.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he used public funds to attend the Monaco Grand Prix. [1534]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what communication activities are planned in relation to the policy areas covered by her Department during the UK Presidency of the EU; and what budget has been allocated for these activities. [1659]

External communications activities for the UK presidency of the EU are being co-ordinated centrally by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Any communication activities planned by my Department are an integral part of preparations for events related to the conduct of the residency, such as events on broadcasting, intellectual property and sport planned for the period of the presidency. I have no proposals for communication activities separate from these events, and therefore no specific budget provision has been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total amount of public subsidy given to passenger air services was in the United Kingdom in the last financial year. [2332]

The total amount of subsidy for passenger air services in the UK in the last financial year was £2,320,720. All of this was in support of lifeline air services in Scotland and was provided either by the Scottish Executive or the Islands Councils.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what restrictions his Department applies to the use of public subsidy to support air transport services in the United Kingdom. [2348]

The Department only authorises subsidy of air transport services through the use of Public Service Obligations (PSOs). The imposition of PSOs is governed by European legislation laid out in Regulation 2408/92. This Regulation sets out a number of criteria which must be met in order for a PSO to be imposed.

The Department would consider any PSO application it received against these criteria and the Secretary of State for Transport will then decide whether to impose a PSO on that route.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to impose a levy on outbound UK air passengers, in the form proposed by the Civil Aviation Authority, to fund a consumer protection regime. [2165]

holding answer 8 June 2005

The Department is considering the Civil Aviation Authority's economic analysis and assessment of the likely regulatory impact of a range of options for the future financial protection of air travellers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Government have any plans to implement random breath-testing of drivers. [2404]

The Government have no plans to introduce random breath-testing of drivers.

The police may test any driver involved in a road traffic collision and aim to test all drivers at injury collisions they attend. They may also test any driver they consider to have committed a moving traffic offence or where there is any suspicion of alcohol consumption.

These are broad powers and we believe they are sufficient to enable the police to deal with drink-drive offenders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to bring the drink-drive limit in the UK into line with those of other EU member states. [2465]

There are no plans at present to reduce the legal alcohol limit for drivers to bring this country into line with other EU member states. The Government's priority for reducing drink-related crashes and casualties is through effective enforcement of existing controls and national publicity campaigns.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of noise vibrations from trains on the North London Line on residential properties; and if he will make a statement. [2505]

Measures to mitigate the effects of noise vibration from trains are a matter for the railway industry. In response to concerns raised by residents who live near the North London Line, Network Rail has undertaken to carry out a number of measures to reduce noise vibration on this line. This will include carrying out grinding and joint removal work to improve the track surface. Network Rail will also look at a number of potential contributory factors in the area, including the speed of trains and local environmental conditions and will continue to engage in discussions with freight operators and the local authority to keep them advised of any relevant findings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains operate between midnight and 7 am on the North London Line. [2532]

An average of 86 trains operate between midnight and 7 am on weekdays on the North London Line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his strategy is for reducing the number of deaths in road traffic accidents. [3591]

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

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras have operated since 6 December 2004, broken down by (a) region and (b) class of road. [2174]

Information on the number of speed camera sites, broken down by partnership and class of road, within the safety camera programme as at 31 December 2004 is shown in the table. This information is provided to the Department by the safety camera partnerships.

Safety cameras in England and Wales by region and class of road for 2005

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras there were in (a) Brent East and (b) each London borough in each year since 1997. [2544]

The information broken down as requested is not held centrally by the Department. The London Safety Camera Partnership publishes details of the number of safety camera sites, by London borough, available through its website www.lscp.org.uk

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what percentage of street lights were broken on the last date for which figures are available; and what the average time taken to repair a street light was in the most recent period for which figures are available. [2417]

Street lighting is the responsibility of individual highway authorities, and the information requested is not held centrally. However, from 2005–06, local authorities will be required to report best value performance indicator (BVPI) 215, which will measure the average time taken to rectify street light faults.

The Department for Transport works with the UK Lighting Board to encourage local authorities to adopt best practice in street lighting management, especially through promotion of Well-lit Highways: Code of Practice for Highway Maintenance Management (TSO, 2004).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects Part VI of the Traffic Management Act 2004 to be brought into force. [2778]

Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004, which covers the civil enforcement by local authorities of a range of parking and traffic contraventions, will be brought into effect in stages as the necessary regulations and statutory guidance are completed. We are working on the parking provisions first and hope that they will be put in place during 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions in the last 12 months for which figures are available the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency initiated court proceedings against people who were believed not to have paid vehicle excise duty, broken down by regional authority. [1471]

During the period April 2004 to the end of March 2005 192,818 cases were prosecuted in court for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) evasion. A VED offence is prosecuted in the area in which it is detected. A breakdown of cases by regional authority could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress his Department's alternative livelihoods programme in Afghanistan has made in the last six months; and if he will make a statement. [2141]

Over the past six months the Government of Afghanistan has strengthened its resolve to tackle the problem of opium cultivation and placed greater emphasis on the role of alternative livelihoods in a successful counter-narcotics effort. There is evidence which suggests that figures for poppy planting in 2005 may be lower than they were in 2004. This is good news, but the challenge will be to maintain that trend.

In view of this, DFID has increased the amount of its funding allocated to the development of alternative livelihoods. This year, DFID is spending around half its total development assistance budget to Afghanistan on alternative livelihoods (approximately £50 million). In total, the international community is providing over US$300 million in alternative livelihoods assistance across all 34 provinces.

We know from experience that development of sustainable alternative livelihoods takes time. Sustained reductions in levels of opium cultivation will ultimately be the measure of the success of our efforts, but on their own the availability of alternative livelihoods will not stop people growing opium. People stop growing opium poppy for a number of reasons, including the impact that interdiction and other law enforcement activities have, as well as the availability of other ways of earning a living. Collectively, the UK Government is helping the Afghans to work out how to co-ordinate these efforts better in the future.

Examples of what DFID, working closely with the Government, will provide, in terms of alternative livelihoods opportunities over the next year or so, include: 5.8 million days of work, benefiting 190,000 people and providing a range of essential local infrastructure; agricultural inputs e.g. seeds and fertiliser to at least 36,000 farmers; micro-credit to 125,000 new clients and block grants totalling $40 million to 1,090 democratically elected Community Development Councils for small-scale productive and social infrastructure in villages in the top seven poppy growing provinces.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the private finance initiative and public private partnership projects his Department is undertaking; and what the status of each is. [2368]

The Department for International Development is not currently undertaking any private finance initiative or public private partnership projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department plans to take to improve animal welfare. [2617]

Animal welfare is primarily the responsibility of animal owners and keepers. The UK Government play an active role to improve animal welfare internationally and at EU level where most rules governing farmed animals are agreed. The Animal Welfare Bill which we hope to bring before the House shortly will be the most important piece of animal welfare legislation for nearly 100 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to improve transparency in the dairy supply chain. [2618]

In September 2004, the Milk Development Council published its first annual report on margins across the dairy supply chain. DEFRA has also made a grant of nearly £0.5 million to the Food Chain Centre to conduct a value chain analysis which should help improve understanding and trust along the dairy supply chain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle were slaughtered in the last recorded month as a result of bovine tuberculosis. [2619]

Latest provisional TB statistics indicate that 2,613 cattle were slaughtered as bovine tuberculosis reactors or direct contacts in April 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress on the establishment of the gangmasters licensing authority. [2620]

The Gangmaster Licensing Bill received Royal Assent on 8 July 2004. Regulations establishing the Gangmasters Licensing Authority were approved by Parliament in March and the authority started work on 1 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the level of water leakage from pipes. [2622]

Ofwat publish leakage figures annually. Overall water company leakage for 2003–04 showed a small increase (1 per cent.) from the previous year. However, most companies achieved the leakage targets set by Ofwat and are operating at their economical level of leakage. Figures for 2004–05 are expected to be available from Ofwat in July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the water leakage rate for each water company was in the latest period for which figures are available. [2726]

The Director General of Water Services publishes leakage figures annually in the 'Security of Supply, Leakage and the Effective Use of Water'. The figures for 2004–05 have not yet been published. Ofwat will publish these figures in July and the formal report will be published towards the end of 2005.

However, in 2003–04 total water company leakage, in Megalitres per day, was reported as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Home Office to develop strategies to reduce crime in rural communities. [2623]

I, my ministerial colleagues and DEFRA officials frequently meet with colleagues in the Home Office to discuss issues which are of importance to rural communities, including crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to promote alternative crops for renewable energy. [2650]

The Government is committed to supporting energy crops. Ministers and officials work closely with other Government Departments on the development of policy. Officials are working closely with farmers, project developers and others to promote the potential of energy crops.

Aid is available to establish crops for the production of heat, electricity and transport biofuels, and to develop supply chains for crops for heat and electricity generation. R and D programmes and commissioned reports support the development of current and new energy crops. Funding has been provided for farmers' open days and industry conferences. £66 million has been allocated to develop markets for biomass, including energy crops, in heat and electricity generation. The co-firing of energy crops with fossil fuels in conventional power stations is promoted under the Renewables Obligation. The biomass study task force, led by Sir Ben Gill, is working with all stakeholders to identify the barriers to developing biomass heat and electricity and will recommend ways to overcome the problems. The production of transport biofuels is promoted through duty rate cuts and the Government is carrying out a feasibility study on the possible introduction of a renewable transport fuel obligation. A number of companies have indicated that such an obligation would encourage them to build processing plants in this country and to include UK-grown crops as a feedstock.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average net annual income for a tenant farmer has been in each year since 1980. [1482]

The average annual net farm incomes for a tenanted farmer since 1980 are shown in the following table. For comparative purposes mixed tenure, owner occupied and all tenure farms are also shown. Net farm income is defined as the return to the principal farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and on the tenant type capital of the business.

Net farm incomes in England by tenure types

⁽¹⁾ Excluding farms subject to compulsory foot and mouth disease cull.

Source:

Farm Business Survey

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people in Coventry South were in receipt of the social tariff for water meter charges in each of the last three years. [2615]

Figures for water charges are not collected on a constituency basis.

The following table sets out the numbers of households who are customers of Severn Trent Water in receipt of the social tariff, also known as the vulnerable groups tariff, over the last three years for which figures are available, as collected by the Office of Water Services (Ofwat).

To ask the Prime Minister

(1) when he last discussed with NATO colleagues the situation in Darfur; and if he will make a statement; [2398]

(2) when he last discussed with G8 colleagues the situation in Darfur; and if he will make a statement; [2399]

(3) when he last discussed with his EU counterparts the situation in Darfur; and if he will make a statement. [2400]

I regularly have discussions with our NATO, G8 and EU colleagues on a wide range of international issues, including the situation in Darfur. We continue to be in constant contact with the Government of Sudan, both at ministerial and official level. Our presidency of the EU and G8 will give an opportunity to continue these discussions at all levels.

To ask the Prime Minister whether it is his intention that the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs should retain this title in addition to the title of Lord Chancellor. [2818]

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of (a) fatalities and (b) respiratory hospital admissions caused by transport-related air pollution, excluding ozone in the last period for which figures are available. [2380]

This information is not collected directly as it is not possible to identify individual patients affected by air pollution. The link between air pollution and hospital admissions is derived from statistical correlations between daily air pollution levels and routine daily statistics on total deaths or respiratory hospital admissions.

The Department's committee on the medical effects of air pollutants (COMEAP) estimated in 1998¹ that there were 10,500 respiratory hospital admissions (additional or brought forward) and 8,100 deaths brought forward per year due to PM _{1 0} (particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter) in urban areas of Great Britain.

Assuming that around a quarter of the PM_{1 0} ² in urban areas is due directly or indirectly to emissions from transport, as a rough estimate it can be assumed that up to around 2,500 respiratory hospital admissions and around 2,000 deaths brought forward in urban areas of Great Britain may have been related to emissions from transport at that time.

This estimate does not include the impact of transport emissions on life expectancy and on cardiovascular admissions. These were not quantified by COMEAP at the time of the 1998 report. Further work on this issue is likely to be considered as part of the work of the new COMEAP sub-group on quantification.

¹ Based on pollution levels in 1996. Pollution levels have reduced substantially since then.

² This includes PM _{1 0} derived directly from road, rail, aircraft and ships and PM _{1 0} derived indirectly from NOx transport emissions from the UK and Europe. It excludes sources such as coarse dust, sea salt, and emissions from industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulance stations there were in London in each of the last five years. [2531]

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her most recent estimate is of the average time taken to settle a claim for clinical negligence against the NHS; and what the figure was in 1997. [254]

The latest available data from the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) is shown in the table. There is no directly comparable data available for 1997. However, the National Audit Office estimated that of claims closed in 1999–2000, the average time taken from claim to payment of damages was five and a half years, and the average total time from incident to payment of damages was just over seven years. These figures were for existing liability scheme (ELS) cases. The ELS covers clinical negligence claims made against the national health service in England where the incident in question took place before April 1995. While initially, NHS bodies were responsible for handling and funding lower-value ELS claims themselves, since April 2000 all ELS claims have been handled centrally by the NHSLA.

2004–05

⁽²⁾ The ELS cases are those cases open at 1 April 1996 and taken over by the NHSLA. These tended to have been handled locally by NHS trusts before the NHSLA were notified of them.

⁽³⁾ The CNST scheme covers clinical negligence cases where the treatment was delivered after 1 April 1995. They have usually been dealt with directly by the NHSLA from the start of the case.

Source:

NHS Litigation Authority

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many inappropriate referrals to patient advisory and liaison services there were in the last period for which figures are available; how she plans to ensure that consumers of health services who are not satisfied with the treatment they receive know to whom they should complain; and what help is available in making such complaints. [1608]

Data about inappropriate referrals to patient advice and liaison services (PALS) is not collected centrally.

Consumers of health services who are not satisfied with the treatment they receive will have access to a range of help and information sources, which can point out to whom they should complain. In particular, national health service and primary care organisations are required to publicise their complaints procedure, including the name of the complaints manager. There should also be local publicity about the role and location of PALS, which can often offer on the spot help and potential resolution of issues without engagement in the formal complaints procedure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health

(1) if she will make a statement on the progress being made in developing a national framework for the assessment of NHS continuing care; whether the framework will constitute a single, universal set of national eligibility criteria for access to NHS continuing care; what representations she has received on whether the current eligibility criteria are weighted towards physical needs, as opposed to mental health or psychological need; whether the national framework will include a national standard assessment methodology; and whether she expects that the national framework will integrate the system for assessing NHS continuing care with the system for assessing NHS-funded nursing care; [2282]

(2) what steps she is taking to ensure that patients with continuing needs are offered assessments for NHS continuing care; and what steps she is taking to ensure that assessments for NHS continuing care are carried out before assessments for NHS funded nursing care; [2285]

(3) what steps she is taking to ensure that the potential savings available to residents of care homes deemed eligible for either NHS continuing care or NHS-funded nursing care are reflected in reduced care home fees. [2286]

All strategic health authorities (SHAs) have undergone a review of their current eligibility criteria to ensure their legal compliance. New cases are now considered routinely as part of hospital discharge. This ensures that patients are assessed first for continuing care, if they do not meet the criteria they are then considered for national health service-funded nursing care only. Assessments are based on the totality of an individual's physical and mental care needs arising from one or more disability, accident or illness.

Where someone is assessed as needing NHS continuing care, the NHS directly provides all the services that the individual has been assessed as requiring. If the individual needs to be in a care home, then the care home fees are paid directly by the NHS.

An amendment to the care home regulations obliges homes to provide a breakdown of their fees. When an individual in a care home receives registered nursing care, therefore, it should be clear to the resident which aspect of their fees relate to registered nursing care, and which to residential care.

The Department is currently working closely with stakeholders to produce a national framework for assessment for continuing care due for publication in early 2006. This should result in national eligibility criteria and suitable assessment methodologies for access to NHS continuing care. The Department has a number of representations about the development of a national framework, all of which will be taken into account in its development. In accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines, we will consult on the official guidance and any legislation required later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the trend in numbers of cases of decompensated cirrhosis. [1704]

Figures for cases of decompensated cirrhosis are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will begin consultation on a new system of dental patient charges; and on what date she first received the report on options for a new system. [232]

A dental charges working group, led by Harry Cayton, the Department's Director for Patients and the Public, submitted proposals for a new system of dental patient charges to the Department in March 2004. These proposals are being considered alongside information about the effects of the new pilot dental contracts on treatment patterns. A written ministerial statement in January indicated that we would be consulting on the regulations for a new system of dental charges in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the value is of each recruitment contract awarded to Methods Consulting for recruiting overseas dentists in (a) Greece, (b) Portugal, (c) Germany, (d) Spain and (e) India; and how many dentists Methods Consulting are contracted to recruit from each country. [2770]

No contracts have been awarded by the Department to Methods Consulting for recruiting dentists from Greece, Portugal, Germany, Spain or India.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the recording of adverse events in domiciliary care services. [2913]

Departmental officials are working with Action on Elder Abuse, the United Kingdom Home Care Association and the Commission for Social Care Inspection to consider this recommendation from the Health Select Committee Inquiry into elder abuse. The outcome of this work will be fed into the review of the national minimum standards announced by the Government in October 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the likely impact of proposals to close two wards at Evesham community hospital on (a) capacity in the Worcestershire health service and (b) compliance with her Department's policy on giving priority to local wishes in developing local services. [2773]

Decisions about the configuration of local national health service services are taken at a local level.

South Worcestershire primary care trust (PCT) is considering a number of options for the configuration of services across South Worcestershire in the future. The PCT will be entering into wide and detailed discussions during the coming weeks with key individuals, groups and organisations including the overview and scrutiny committee.

West Midlands South strategic health authority is working closely with South Worcestershire PCT to ensure that the views of the public are sought and taken into account in developing the proposals and that any changes are in line with "Keeping the NHS Local".

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with retailers about country of origin labelling requirements for food. [2605]

I have had no specific discussions with retailers on country of origin labelling. However, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has regular discussions with the retail sector on a range of issues and these have included country of origin labelling.

The FSA is currently reviewing its best practice guidance on country of origin labelling; it is also likely that the European Commission review of labelling legislation, which is currently under way, will address it. The retail sector is being consulted and is involved in both of these processes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she is taking to assess whether the genetically modified corn MON 863 is safe for human consumption; and if she will make a statement. [1195]

holding answer 26 May 2005

Genetically-modified crops undergo a rigorous safety evaluation before they are authorised in the European Union for food use for human consumption. The European Food Safety Authority in its safety assessment of MON 863 stated that there were no concerns over the safety of the maize. This was endorsed by the United Kingdom Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes. A decision has not yet been taken on the authorisation of MON 863 maize for food use in the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she received on the effects of GM maize MON 863 on human health prior to (a) 29 November 2004 and (b) 19 May 2005. [2016]

A vote on the authorisation of MON 863 genetically-modified (GM) maize grain, including animal feed but excluding food and cultivation, under the deliberate release directive 2001/18/EC took place on 29 November 2004. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs received one representation prior to this date. Friends of the Earth Europe wrote to all competent authorities for directive 2001/18/EC on 17 November 2004, urging member states to consider human and animal safety in deciding how to vote on MON 863.

A vote on the authorisation of foods derived from MON 863 GM maize under the novel foods regulation was taken at a regulatory meeting in Brussels on 19 May 2005. The Food Standards Agency did not receive any representations on the effects of MON 863 on human health prior to this date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate the Government have made of the costs to local authorities in England of the introduction and implementation of the proposed Health Improvement and Protection Bill. [1094]

A full regulatory impact assessment will be published when the Bill is introduced into Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the trends in rates of infection of hepatitis C among injectors in the last three years for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [1838]

holding answer 6 June 2005

Information on the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C, found in both past and current infection, among current and former injecting drug users in contact with drug agencies and services, may be obtained from the Health Protection Agency's unlinked anonymous prevalence monitoring programme. In addition, the prevalence of antibodies among those who began injecting in the last three years, that is, recent injectors, is also available from this survey. Figures for the last three years are available from the Health Protection Agency report "Shooting Up", October 2004. This is available at: www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/injectingdrugusers/ShootingUp-2004.pdf.

Among its many conclusions, the report states that the proportion of injecting drug users reporting having a voluntary confidential test for hepatitis C has increased, indicating that efforts to improve access to testing may be working.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what benchmarks the effectiveness of her Department's hepatitis C awareness campaign will be assessed; and if she will make a statement. [1464]

holding answer 6 June 2005

Before the hepatitis C awareness campaign commenced in June 2004, the Department conducted a market research exercise to determine the level of awareness of hepatitis C, amongst health professionals and the general public. This provided the Department with a benchmark from which the effectiveness of the subsequent awareness campaign, for both health professionals and the general public, could later be measured. It is planned to repeat this once the awareness campaign is better established.

In addition, the Department will assess progress on the national outcome indicators as set out in the Department's Hepatitis C Strategy for England, August 2002 and the subsequent "Hepatitis C Action Plan for England, 2004". For example, the increase in the total number of laboratory-confirmed hepatitis C infection reports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to introduce proactive screening of at risk groups for hepatitis C. [1702]

The Department has already published information and guidance for health professionals and for the public, highlighting those considered to be at risk of hepatitis C infection and who should consider being tested, or should be offered testing, for hepatitis C infection. This forms part of the hepatitis C awareness campaign and there is currently a continuing programme to raise awareness of hepatitis C among the public and those groups at risk.

In addition, a new national health service hepatitis C awareness website has been launched at: www.hepc.nhs.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account has been taken in resource planning of the trends in incidence of hepatitis C, with particular reference to demand for liver transplants. [1706]

The Department has commissioned a report from researchers at Southampton Medical School on the likely future demand for liver transplant, which highlighted future pressures not only from hepatitis C but also the rise in obesity, which leads to fatty liver failure.

At present, the transplant programme is entirely constrained by the availability of donor organs. Measures to increase the supply of organs include public awareness for donor programmes, currently about 45 per cent. of next of kin decline permission for organ removal, as well as new surgical techniques (splitting allows one liver to be used for two recipients).

In addition, the Department has commissioned from the Health Protection Agency, a project to mathematically model future hepatitis C related liver disease.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to ensure that patients from different areas of the country have equal access to treatments for hepatitis C; and if she will make a statement. [1839]

holding answer 6 June 2005

In line with "Shifting the Balance of Power", most national health service funding is now passed on to local NHS organisations so that they can make decisions about local needs and services. There has been substantial increased investment in the NHS, which includes funding for National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)-recommended treatments.

Decisions on funding of treatment for chronic hepatitis C at the local level are therefore a matter for primary care trusts and their local partners. Strategic health authorities (SHAs) have been asked to ensure that local arrangements are in place to provide appropriate services.

In June 2004, the then Secretary of State, John Reid announced plans to achieve better and equal access to NICE-recommended therapies. As part of these proposals, it is intended that information about NICE-recommended drugs prescribed and dispensed in hospitals will be available to the NHS. This will enable SHAs to compare their own uptake of drugs recommended by NICE with the national distribution. Where uptake locally appears to be below average, SHAs will be expected to investigate and take action to overcome the barriers to implementation. This information will also be available to the Healthcare Commission, which has indicated that assessing the implementation of NICE guidance will be one of their key priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on the hepatitis C awareness campaign in the most recent year for which figures are available; how much she has allocated to the campaign for future years; and if she will make a statement. [1840]

holding answer 6 June 2005

The expenditure on the hepatitis C awareness campaign in the financial year 2004–05 was about £0.7 million. The projected expenditure for the campaign in the financial year 2005–06 is estimated to be around £1.5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the written Answer of 25 May 2005, Official Report, column 119W, on Health Service Expenditure, what the total hospital expenditure alone was in each year since 1996–97 in (a) nominal terms and (b) real terms. [2250]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 24 March 2005, Official Report, column 1065W.

It is not possible to provide figures for hospital expenditure alone as this information cannot be separately identified from the accounts of national health service bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the incidence of mental health problems, including clinical depression, was among those who have lost their sight in (a) England and (b) the Coventry area in each of the last five years. [2111]

Information is not available for each of the last five years. However, the latest information on registered blind people is available from the triennial data collection, "Registered Blind and Partially Sighted People" for the year ending 31 March 2003. This is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/08/02/33/04080233.pdf.

At 31 March 2003, 157,000 people were on the register of blind people in England, of which 34,000 were also categorised as having an additional disability. 3 per cent. of all registered blind people who had an additional disability were also recorded as having a mental illness. Similar information for Coventry shows that about 1 per cent. of people categorised as having an additional disability were recorded as having a mental illness.

Registration of blindness is voluntary so the register does not necessarily include all people who are blind. However, it is a pre-condition for the receipt of certain benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the implications for human health of the findings of the EU study into the safety of Monsanto's MON863 maize, with particular reference to the effects on rats fed this maize. [1528]

The safety of the food use of genetically modified MON863 maize has been reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which concluded in April 2004 that it is unlikely to have an adverse effect on human health. The EFSA evaluation included an assessment of a study in rats fed MON863 maize grain. EFSA subsequently examined a critical review of this feeding study and concluded that it did not raise any issues that caused EFSA to revise its opinion. EFSA's conclusion on the food use of MON863 maize has been endorsed by the United Kingdom Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health

(1) how many and what percentage of nurses in each primary care trust area reported personal back and joint injuries for the first time in each of the last five years; [1294]

(2) how many and what percentage of nurses in each primary care trust area retired as a result of back or joint problems in each of the last five years. [1295]

The Department does not collect this information centrally, but recognises that pain accounts for 40 per cent. of sickness absence in the national health service. That is why the back in work campaign was launched nationally in 2002 to reduce back injuries among NHS staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health

(1) what the running costs of the Paddington health campus project have been on (a) a monthly basis and (b) a cumulative basis since its inception; [2149]

(2) what the cumulative costs of external consultants providing advice on the Paddington health campus project are. [2151]

The running costs, on a monthly basis, of the Paddington health campus project are not held centrally. The estimated cumulative expenditure on development of the project is about £13.8 million of which about £7.8 million relates to external consultants. This development expenditure is under a quarter of one per cent. of the cost of a project of this scale.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the timetable and process to reach a conclusion on the viability of the Paddington health campus project, in the light of the resolution by the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS trust not to recommend the addendum to the outline business case for approval by the strategic health authority. [2153]

North West London strategic health authority will consider the outline business case at its extraordinary meeting on 21 June and a decision on the future of the project will be made thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department will commission research into the effect of phthalates (a) as an environmental pollutant and (b) on reproductive health. [2574]

Phthalates are a family of chemical substances, with a range of properties. Extensive research into the effects of certain phthalates on both the environment and human health has been carried out at a European level, under the auspices for the European Union's Existing Substances Regulation (793/93/EC). Details of the programme can be found on the European Chemicals Bureau website at: http://ecb.jrc.it/existing-chemicals/. The United Kingdom has commented upon the detailed risk assessments and ensuing risk reduction strategy for the various phthalates which have been studied.

These risk assessments and risk reduction strategies concluded that these phthalates do not pose a risk to the environment or, where a risk was anticipated, adequate control measures were already in place on an EU-wide basis to control the potential risk. As a result, the UK has no current plans to commission research into phthalates as an environmental pollutant but will consider each on a case by case basis where new data come to light.

These detailed EU risk assessments have indicated that some phthalate compounds have been shown in animal studies to produce toxic effects on the reproductive system and this has led to European-wide restrictions on their use in consumer products, in order to prevent exposure of young children, as a precaution. However, other phthalates have not shown such effects, despite being adequately investigated for reproductive toxicity.

The UK takes the view that phthalates must be considered on a case-by-case basis. Where the database is insufficient to complete a risk assessment, it is normally expected that the industry will carry out the required additional research. However, the Government have asked their expert committee, the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, to keep the area of environmental chemicals and reproductive health under review and will consider their advice on the need for additional research in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health

(1) what action she plans to take to tackle non-compliance with National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis; [2700]

(2) what estimate she has made of the number of patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis who would benefit from anti-TNFa therapy but who do not receive it; and if she will make a statement; [2737]

(3) if she will make a statement on whether anti-TNFa treatment will be made available on prescription in all areas. [3566]

It is the responsibility of strategic health authorities to ensure local compliance with clinical guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

The Department does not hold information on the number of people who would benefit from, or are receiving, specific treatments.

All primary care trusts in England and Wales are obliged to make available anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment for those patients with rheumatoid arthritis who meet the clinical guidelines issued by NICE.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the Department plans to address individual needs in their provision of services for people who suffer sight loss; and if she will set up a care agency to co-ordinate the provision of services for people who suffer from sight loss. [2112]

Provision of support and services for people who suffer sight loss are the responsibility of the local national health service and social care agencies. It is at a local level that services are commissioned and provided for people who suffer sight loss. We have no plans to set up a care agency to co-ordinate the provision of services for people who suffer from sight loss.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the Department's plans to reform the law relating to bailiffs and the enforcement of fines. [2816]

Proposals to reform the law relating to bailiffs were published in the Government White Paper 'Effective Enforcement' in March 2003.

The collection of fines is a priority in increasing confidence in the Criminal Justice System (CJS). Progress has been made through a combination of legislative and non-legislative measures. The payment rate for financial impositions in 2004–05 was 80 per cent. compared to a baseline of 69 per cent. at the end of the first quarter of 2003–04.

The Courts Act 2003 is being implemented during 2005–06.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps the Department is taking to reduce the number of (a) ineffective and (b) cracked trials. [2853]

The ineffective and cracked trial rate is a CJS performance indicator. Since June 2002, the national rate has improved from 24 per cent. to 14.0 per cent. in the Crown court and by 31 per cent. to 22.1 per cent. in the magistrates courts. This represents approximately a 42 per cent. and 28 per cent. improvement in the Crown court and magistrates courts respectively

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the Department's plans to reform provisions relating to jury research and impropriety. [2815]

My Department currently has no plans to reform provisions relating to jury research and impropriety. In January 2005 my Department published a Consultation Paper—"Jury Research and Impropriety" and the relevant consultation period finished on 15 April. The responses are currently being analysed and an announcement of the Government's intentions for any change will be made in due course.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many magistrates there are in each commission area, broken down by constituency; and what assessment she has made of trends in recruitment. [2859]

Information on the number of magistrates is collected by advisory committee area and is set out as follows as of 31 March 2005.

The number of magistrates recruited over the last ten years is set out as follows.

⁽⁴⁾ No figures available

⁽⁵⁾ From 2001, data was collected on a financial year, rather than calendar year, basis.

⁽⁶⁾ Figures for magistrates in the Duchy of Lancaster are not available for 2002.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the proportion of magistrates from each socio-economic group in each year since 1997. [2871]

Data on the proportion of magistrates from each socio-economic group is not collected.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many magistrates' courts have closed in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years. [1757]

Up to and including 31 March 2005, the provision of magistrates' courthouses was a matter for the 42 independent Magistrates' Courts Committees (MCC).

From 1 April 2005, Her Majesty's Court Service, an executive agency of my Department, is now responsible for the administration of all magistrates' courts in England and Wales. For the last 10 years the information you requested is as follows:

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what proportion of rape allegations resulted in a guilty plea in England and Wales during (a) 2003 and (b) 2004. [612]

I have been asked to reply.

Data on allegations are not collected centrally. The available information, on the number of defendants who were tried at the Crown Court for rape, the percentage pleading guilty and the percentage of those pleading not guilty who were convicted, in England and Wales in 2003 is contained in the table. Equivalent data for 2004 are not yet available.

Proportion pleading guilty and conviction rate following a not guilty plea for persons tried at the Crown Court, for rape, 2003⁽⁷⁾

⁽⁷⁾ These data are on the principal offence basis.

⁽⁸⁾ Excludes those not tried (i.e. bench warrants issued, indictment to lie on file, unfit to plead, defendant died etc.)

Note:

Percentages in brackets are based on totals of less than 100.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) production and (b) testing on animals of botulinum toxin takes place at (i) Porton Down and (ii) other departmental establishments. [335]

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Dstl, at Porton Down produces only a small amount of crude botulinum toxin to test detection antibodies. This is not tested on animals.

However, Dstl does produce an antitoxin to the seven serotypes of botulinum toxin. This could be used to treat personnel exposed to botulinum toxin in the event of it being used as a biological weapon. This antitoxin is manufactured in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and has been granted a Special Licence to enable it to be administered under the direction of, and by, medical personnel in the event of an emergency. The Ministry of Defence aims to obtain a full product licence for this antitoxin. Part of the regulated production process involves the use of commercially produced botulinum toxin in an animal model to assess the efficacy of the antitoxin.

Under the UK's regulations for the approval of new medicines, an application for a product licence needs to be supported by data from animal studies showing the safety and effectiveness of the anti-toxin. All such animal tests in the UK are regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel have been (a) deployed and (b) seconded to (i) Guantanamo Bay, (ii) Guam and (iii) Diego Garcia since 1997, and for what purpose; and if he will make a statement. [2050]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) and the hon. Member for Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr (Adam Price) on 24 May 2005, Official Report, column 54W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent support has been offered to the African Union Force in Darfur with (a) logistics and (b) equipment; and what British military personnel are supporting this deployment. [1634]

The United Kingdom strongly supports the expansion of the African Union (AU) mission in Darfur, and is working with NATO, the EU and the UN to identify what assistance can be provided to support the AU's objectives. The UK will provide £6.6 million this financial year to help the expansion of the AU mission. It is planned that the money will be used to provide, among other things, additional off-road vehicles, rapid deployment equipment (including shelters) and support to civilian policing. In addition, the Ministry of Defence will provide some movement and logistics specialists, although the exact details of this contribution is yet to be finalised.