To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will take steps to make all Acts of Parliament published before 1988 for which her Department is responsible available on-line. [3716]

The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) within the Cabinet Office is the Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament, and responsible for the publication of Acts of Parliament. HMSO has considered the publication of Acts prior to 1988, which is the earliest date when these were available electronically, but has decided not to do so as many have been heavily amended and to publish them in their original form would be misleading for many users. The Government are, however, taking forward development of a Statute Law Database which will contain the fully revised and updated text of all legislation from 1275. It is expected that this will be made available to the general public during 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will bring forward amendments to the British Museum Act 1963 following the judgment of the High Court in the case of works of art formerly owned by Arthur Feldman and now in the British Museum; and if she will make a statement. [3209]

We are carefully considering the recent recommendation of the Spoliation Advisory Panel that legislation should be introduced to permit the return of items where possession was lost during the Nazi era. The Vice Chancellor's judgment of 27 May provides clarity in this important area and will contribute to our consideration of the Panel's recommendation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what value-for-money procurement savings were identified and what reduction in civil service posts occurred in her Department in 2004–05. [4551]

DCMS will complete its assessment of the value-for-money procurement savings in July. Last year's savings for DCMS were £5.88 million and this year's return is expected to be a similar figure. I will write to the hon. Member with the 2004–05 savings as soon as they are available. Civil service posts in DCMS increased by 4.6 full-time equivalents in 2004–05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications have been received to date by Easington district council from licensees for a new licence under the Licensing Act 2003; and what percentage of licences held this represents. [3800]

Information on the number of applications for converting existing licences received to date by Easington district council licensing authorities under the Licensing Act 2003 and the percentage this represents of existing licences is not kept by my Department. Information on local licence application levels should be available from the respective district or borough council. Licensing authorities are the main local authorities responsible for administering and enforcing the new regime that comes into effect in November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the likely consequences of the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 on the income of village halls; and if she will make a statement. [2654]

holding answer 9 June 2005

There is no cost to village halls applying for a premises licence for the provision of public entertainment. Only where they wish to add the supply of alcohol to their licence will the vast majority pay no more than £190 on initial application and £180 as an annual fee. For many halls the fees would be £100 and £70 respectively. Once granted a premises licence, village halls will have the flexibility to provide licensable activities on their premises to a wide variety of users.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effect of the London Eye on the 2012 Olympic bid. [1230]

The London Eye is now a much loved and iconic London landmark, as such it is a first class tourist attraction—all of which helps to support London's bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money in each year has remained unclaimed since the National Lottery started; and what has happened to this money. [4584]

All prizes that are unclaimed 180 days after the date of the relevant draw are passed, together with any interest accrued, to the National Lottery Distribution Fund. The amount passed in every year, in £ million, since the National Lottery began is:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total administration costs of (a) the Sport and Recreation Division of her Department, (b) Sport England, (c) regional sports boards and (d) county sports partnerships were in 2004–05 (i) in total and (ii) as a percentage of the overall budget of each. [3606]

The information requested is shown in the following table:

⁽¹⁾ Includes costs of Sports Division and Director of Sport (Group Head). Includes pay and other general administration.

⁽²⁾ Excludes the direct costs of running National Centres and Regional Offices

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures UK Trade and Investment staff take to ensure that the lists of agents they provide to British companies include only agents committed to non-bribery principles. [2557]

The onus remains with UKTI customers to satisfy themselves as to the business standing and integrity of potential agents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many agents were removed from the list of agents provided by UK Trade and Investment to British companies, in each year since 2000; and from which countries. [2345]

UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) do not hold a central list of agents or any other potential business partners. Bespoke lists of agents and other potential business partners can be provided direct to UKTI customers at their request.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is being taken to prosecute Alvis plc for the payment made to Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana in order to secure the contract from the Indonesian Government to supply Scorpion armoured fighting vehicles; and if he make a full statement. [557]

The Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) provided support for the contract referred to. ECGD does not have investigatory powers, but I understand that the above matter has been referred to the Serious Fraud Office, which has primary responsibility for deciding whether such allegations should be investigated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department gave in grant to Citizens Advice Bureaux in each London borough in the last year for which figures are available. [2533]

The Department does not provide grant to local Citizens Advice Bureaux.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many trade union learning representatives there are in his Department. [3313]

DTI has eight trade union learning representatives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of levels of inward investment into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [1461]

holding answer 6 June 2005

On 29 June I will be making a written statement to the House on inward investment into the United Kingdom in 2004–05 updating the one that was laid before the House last July. A copy of UKTI's 2004–05 annual report on UK inward investment will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of outdoor patio heaters imported into the United Kingdom in each year since 1997. [4526]

The information requested is not available because the system of classification used to record trade does not separately identify outdoor patio heaters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of employees in the agencies in his Department are members of ethnic minorities that are (a) included and (b) not included in the schedule for the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000. [978]

DTI agencies included in the schedule for the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 (category a) are: Patent Office, Companies House, Employment Tribunals Service, Small Business Service, Insolvency Service and National Weights and Measures Laboratory.

There are no DTI agencies excluded from the schedule for the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 (category b).

DTI HQ does not have access to the data requested. Agencies listed under(a) were asked to supply the data requested, and have responded with the following information:

As part of the schedule for the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000, the following percentages of staff have registered themselves as from an ethnic minority background:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent by councils on clearing abandoned vehicles in each year since 1997. [2414]

Figures on local authority expenditure on abandoned vehicles are not recorded centrally. However, the Defra Abandoned Vehicle Survey for 2002–03 estimated that the direct costs to local authorities of investigating, removing and disposing of abandoned vehicles was £25 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of abandoned vehicles were investigated within (a) 24hours, (b) a week and (c) a month of a complaint being registered in the last year for which figures are available. [2426]

The Government has introduced a new Best Value Performance Indicator 218 on abandoned vehicles. From April this year, local authorities are required to record and supply data on both:

(a) the percentage of new reports of abandoned vehicles investigated within 24 hours of notification and

(b) the percentage of abandoned vehicles removed within 24 hours of the local authority becoming legally entitled to do so

Figures for 2005–06 will be available later in 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many abandoned vehicles have been identified in each year since 1997; and how many have been cleared. [2427]

Estimates for abandoned vehicles removed and destroyed were first compiled in the Defra Municipal Waste Management Survey for 2000–01.

Annual results for England are listed in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what use is made of revenues raised from National Rod Licence fees. [2915]

All rod licence revenue is used to protect, conserve and enhance freshwater fisheries and other salmonid fisheries. Actions which this revenue funds include enforcement activities, monitoring, research and development, and habitat improvement works. The Environment Agency also uses the revenue to promote the social and economic benefits of fisheries. The Government also fund EA fisheries activities in the order of £6.2 million per year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of auction marts. [3639]

holding answer 13 June 2005

Auction marts continue to be important for livestock farmers, particularly for store and breeding stock. As part of the wider livestock and meat marketing chain they are not immune from change and evolution, but this can have positive impact too. New and/or redeveloped markets will include the one now being built at Cirencester which is p art funded by the Defra Rural Enterprise Scheme. In other markets there may be opportunities for business diversification. We continue to monitor the network of auction markets, and remain in regular contact with the Livestock Auctioneers Association and the Meat and Livestock Commission. The Red Meat Industry Forum, with significant contributory Government funding, is working on finding ways of helping industry improve the competitiveness of the red meat supply chain. This includes livestock auction markets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what precautionary measures have been put in place to prevent the spread of the avian influenza virus H5N1 to the United Kingdom. [2270]

If there is an outbreak of disease in an exporting country Defra takes appropriate emergency safeguard action in accordance with Community legislation. This may include a ban on imports of animals and animal products from all, or parts, of that country.

Safeguard measures in relation to Avian influenza (Al) were put in place for effected Asian countries in January 2004 and have since been extended to 30 September 2005. Restrictions were placed on South African imports in August 2004 and have now been extended to 31 December 2005.

The situation in affected countries is kept under review and controls on imports are modified in line with community decisions. Safeguard measures are currently in place to ban or restrict imports of animals, meat and other products of susceptible species in respect of highly pathogenic Avian influenza (HPAI) in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, the People's Republic of China, including the territory of Hong Kong, North Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and South Africa.

All poultry meat and birds imported into the EU from third countries must enter at designated border inspection posts where they are subject to veterinary inspections. All consignments are subject to documentary and identity checks. These checks ensure that these import conditions are met.

From the time of import, live poultry, or eggs once hatched, must be held in quarantine for six weeks in an approved establishment to ensure that they are not carrying disease.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the impact of Canada geeseon (a) the environment and (b) other forms of wildlife. [3401]

Canada geese were introduced to this country to add interest to parks and are another example of unwise introductions. They are large aggressive birds, now resident and breeding in Britain. The population estimate is 96,000 in England, with a suggested annual increase in population of 10 per cent. Its size and aggressive nature enables it to dominate other native species in terms of feeding and nest site selection, which can result in other species being unable to breed. There are also reports that breeding success of other birds is affected by trampling of nests, eggs and young. The Canada goose can also interbreed with other goose species, resulting in hybrids.

Large congregations of Canada geese in parks can lead to local problems of bank erosion, fouling and intimidation of other park users, both human and wildlife.

Being resident, Canada geese may extend the period during which damage to agricultural crops may occur which can lead to conflict with farmers.

The Canada goose is not a rare species, and the numbers in England are not significant in terms of the world population.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has evaluated on the effects of the consumption of genetically modified maize MON863 on the health of (a) rats and (b) humans. [2011]

I have been asked to reply.

The advisory committee on animal feedingstuffs examined a rat feeding study concerning MON863 and concluded that it did not indicate any adverse effects. The European Food Safety Authority also reviewed the application for genetically modified maize MON863, including a critique of a rat feeding study, and concluded that MON863 would not have any adverse affect on human health.

There have been no studies carried out on the effects on humans of consuming MON863 maize.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of incinerators that will be constructed over the next five years in (a) England and (b) South East England. [3381]

There are no data held centrally on the estimated number of incinerators that will be built in future years. The choice of waste management options is for individual local authorities to make.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the private finance initiative and public private partnership projects her Department is undertaking; and what the status of each is. [2369]

The core Department is currently undertaking one PFI project to provide office facilities at Brooklands Avenue in Cambridge. This project is operational.

There are, however, a number of other PFI and PPP projects being undertaken by Defra's sponsored public bodies ie its Executive agencies, NDPBs, and public corporations. The details are listed as follows:

In addition, although they are not Defra projects, the Department also provides support in the form of PFI credits to allow local authorities to enter into PFI contracts to provide waste recycling and management facilities. Information about these local authority projects can be found on the database of approved projects on HM Treasury's website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of (a) domestic, (b) commercial and (c) industrial waste has been recycled in the UK in each year since 2001. [1076]

The information requested is as follows:

(a) Estimates of the percentage of UK household waste recycled or composted are shown in the table:

Household waste recycled or composted

(a) and (b) Estimates based on an Environment Agency survey of England and Wales in 1998–99 show that 45 per cent. of industrial and 26 per cent. of commercial waste was recycled or reused . Results from a further survey for 2002–03 will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 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. [1657]

External communications activity for the presidency is being co-ordinated centrally by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Defra is engaged with FCO and other Government Departments on presidency communications activity.

Defra's presidency communications activity has been developed to be sustainable and accessible and to address both public interest in the EU in general and the priorities, programme and progress of Defra's parts of the EU agenda.

Ministers will undertake a range of activities, including briefings for media and stakeholders, and explanatory information will be placed in public areas of Defra buildings. Currently we have £20,000 set aside for publicity materials. We will also work with stakeholders, other Departments and the Commission on joined-up communications activity as appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what further steps she intends to take following the decision of the Japanese authorities to (a) increase the quota of minke whale taking and (b) begin hunting the humpback whale. [3129]

With colleagues from 14 other countries HM ambassador in Tokyo delivered a Demarche to the Government of Japan on 2 June 2005, protesting in the strongest terms on Japan's plans to expand its so-called 'scientific' whaling activities. We are working to ensure that the International Whaling Commission's Scientific Committee takes no action which could possibly be read by Japan as an 'endorsement' of their plans, and will make further protest during the annual meeting of the Commission which takes place later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the Government have made of the effectiveness of car-sharing within schools as a means of reducing congestion associated with the school run. [1675]

The Government want to make it possible for more children to walk, cycle or use the bus to get to and from school. Where these are not feasible, we would like as many parents as possible to have the option of car-sharing. Many families already make their own informal arrangements but formal car-sharing schemes for school journeys are only just starting to be developed.

The impact of car-sharing on traffic levels is included in a major research report published by the Department last July—Smarter Choices—Changing the Way We Travel". Based on the evidence provided by this report, we are encouraging local authorities to consider including initiatives such as car-sharing in their new transport strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) how much funding has been given by his Department, and its predecessors, in each year since 1997 towards the (a) development and (b) promotion of (i) car clubs, (ii) car sharing and (iii) the Carplus scheme; [1677]

(2) what funding has been made available to local authorities to promote (a) car sharing, (b) car clubs and (c) education programmes to promote walking and cycling in each year since 1997. [1781]

The information requested is as follows.

Car Clubs and Car Sharing

In 1999, the Department contributed setting up costs of £150,000 to establish the Edinburgh City Car Club. The Department has also supported the CarPlus advisory service with the following grants:

CarPlus have requested further funding for 2005–06. This is currently under consideration.

Education Programmes

In general, revenue funding provided to local authorities is not dedicated for specific purposes. We did, however, provide some ring-fenced funding to local authorities through our bursary scheme for the employment of school and workplace travel plan co-ordinators at a cost of £3 million per annum for three years from April 2001 to March 2004. Both car-sharing and car clubs are measures that could be included in travel plans.

Since October 2003, the focus has been on promoting school travel plans through the Travel to School Initiative. This is a joint project with the Department for Education and Skills. A budget of £50 million has been allocated for the two years up to March 2006. The aim is for every school in England to have a travel plan by the end of the decade and through this to boost walking, cycling and bus use. The funding is being used to support around 250 local-authority based school travel advisers to assist schools with developing their plans. There are also capital grants for schools with approved travel plans to pay for infrastructure such as improved cycle storage facilities. This is typically £5,000 for a junior school and £10,000 for a senior. £14 million was spent on these capital grants in 2004–05 and £20 million is expected for this and each subsequent year up to and including 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the total reduction in vehicle kilometres that would result from a (a) 10 per cent. (b) 20 per cent. and (c) 50 per cent. increase in average vehicle occupancy. [1678]

It is estimated that the decrease in vehicle kilometres for cars, taxis and vans as a result of an increase in vehicle occupancy would be as follows:

This assumes that the occupancy increase is a result of increased trip sharing and therefore fewer trips, and not, for example, from a shift of passengers from other modes of transport. It is also assumed that an increase in occupancy does not result in an

increase in trip length (i.e. passenger kilometre figures stay fixed).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the recent occasions on which (a) he, (b) other Ministers in his Department and (c) officials of the Department have met Clive Soley on departmental business. [2291]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport met Clive Soley at the Future Heathrow event on Monday 23 May. No other Department for Transport Ministers have recently met Clive Soley on departmental business. It is not known whether any officials from the Department for Transport may have met Clive Soley recently since no central record is kept of meetings officials attend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many hours flying time per month are considered necessary for commercial pilots to retain their skills and competence. [3177]

There are no specified flying hours per month necessary for pilots of commercial aircraft to retain their skills and competence. Commercial pilots are however required to complete a minimum of three take-offs and three landings as pilot flying (i.e. handling the aircraft) in the previous 90 days prior to operating a public transport flight, and a programme of recurrent training and checking requires them to demonstrate high levels of competency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the latest estimate is of the cost of Crossrail. [3967]

The latest estimate of the cost of Crossrail is contained in the Estimate of Expense submitted with the Crossrail hybrid Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what derogations the Government have (a) sought and (b) secured from (i) Article 4, (ii) Article 7 and (iii) other articles of Directive 2002/15/EC. [4230]

Directive 2002/15/EC allows for various derogations from Articles 4 and 7 under certain conditions. There is no requirement to seek approval for such derogations from the European Commission.

The Government consulted twice on their approach to implementing the Directive, including the use of derogations, and, following these consultations, the implementing regulations allowed for:

(a) the extension of the reference period (Article 4 of the Directive) over which the average 48 hour weekly working time limit is calculated from 17 to 26 weeks; and,

(b) exceeding the 10 hour working time limit for working at night (Article 7)

In both cases, such derogations may be applied only where there is a collective or workforce agreement (as required under the Directive).

No derogations are allowed from Articles of the Directive other than Articles 4 and 7.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the location of each high occupancy vehicle lane is; how long each lane is; and what new lanes are planned. [1673]

Three sections of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane are presently in operation. In Leeds two lengths totalling 1.5 km have been installed along a 2 km stretch of the A647 Stanningley Road. South Gloucestershire council has three sections of HOV lane on the A4174 Avon Ring Road totalling 1.79 km. North Somerset council has a 1.425 km length of HOV lane on the A370 Long Ashton Bypass.

Leeds city council plans to include HOV lane operation on the East Leeds Link. South Gloucestershire council plans a further 220 metre length for the A4174 and North Somerset council is considering an HOV lane on the A369 as part of a showcase bus route. I understand a number of other local authorities are also considering HOV lanes.

In addition the Highways Agency has recently carried out a study that assessed the feasibility of introducing HOV lanes on sections of the motorway network. As a result of this study it is planned to introduce an HOV lane in both directions on the M1 junctions 7–10 when that section of motorway is widened in 2008. If this scheme proves successful the HOV lane could be extended as far as junction 13 (Milton Keynes) when that section of motorway is widened in 2011. The length of HOV lane to be provided between junction 7–10 is approximately 12.5 km in both directions. If the HOV is extended to junction 13 the total length will be about 36.25 km in both directions.

The Agency is also looking into the feasibility of introducing HOV lanes on other sections of the motorway network. Locations being actively considered include sections of the M25 to be widened, M61 junctions 6–3 on the approach to Manchester and M62 junctions 25–27 on the approach to Leeds. This feasibility work is yet to conclude.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has collated on the effectiveness of high occupancy vehicle lanes. [1676]

The Department is in touch with the highway authorities who have installed high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. The Highways Agency has commissioned reviews of international knowledge and experience on high occupancy/toll (HOT) lanes, a development of HOV lanes.

Leeds city council has reported on the HOV lane on the A647 in Leeds and an information sheet is available on their website at http://www.leeds.gov.uk/, then search for high occupancy vehicle lane.

South Gloucester council can provide data on the performance of their HOV lane and there is some information on their website at http://www.southglos.gov.uk/SouthGlos/TransportAndRoads/TrafficAndRoads/CalmingAndManagement/CarShareLanes.htm

It is too early to report on the lane on the A370 Long Ashton Bypass in North Somerset which commenced operation in February this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will (a) withdraw the Complete Official Learner Driver Pack published by The Stationery Office, (b) amend the inaccurate information it contains and (c) refund the cost to learner drivers and others who have purchased the Pack. [2852]

We have identified an error concerning information about a road sign in the DVD in our Complete Official Learner Driver Pack. We are taking steps to withdraw the incorrect packs from sale. We shall consider sympathetically any requests for a refund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many successful prosecutions were carried out against passengers for dropping litter at (a) train stations and (b) tube stations in London in each year since 1997. [2512]

The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has evaluated on (a) the purposes for car journeys on the M6 and (b) the average length of car journeys on the M6. [2764]

The purposes of car journeys and the average trip length on the M6 has been evaluated in connection with the West Midlands to North West Conurbations Multi-Modal Study.

(a)The purpose of car journeys that join the M6 between Junctions 11 and 19 were as follows:

These figures exclude journeys on the M6 that pass through both these junctions. The Department for Transport does not hold information on the purpose of these journeys.

(b) 42 per cent. of all traffic (cars, vans, lorries etc) passes through both Junction 11 and 19 and therefore has a journey length greater than 54 miles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason a traffic survey was being carried out east of junction 37 on the M62 motorway on 4 June; and who was carrying out the survey. [3041]

A traffic survey was carried out east of junction 37 on the M62 motorway on 4 June to look at traffic flows in preparation for the removal of cones to be undertaken. The cones were in place to allow the installation of safety barriers. The survey was carried out by Balfour Beatty on behalf of the Highways Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents took place on the M62 motorway east of junction 37 in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [3042]

There have been five accidents on the M62 motorway east of junction 37 during 2004, the latest year for which figures are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why speed cameras are being erected on the M62 motorway east of junction 37; upon whose authority the cameras were erected; for how long the cameras are expected to remain; and if he will make a statement. [3043]

Speed cameras have been erected on the M62 motorway east of junction 37 as part of the M62 Gilberdyke to Newport concrete resurfacing scheme to improve safety for the travelling public and the work force during the works. The cameras have been erected by the Highways Agency in agreement with the Humberside Camera Partnership and Humberside police. The cameras will be in place for the duration of the works. The works started on 9 June and are expected to last 10 weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rail journeys were made by freight trains on the North London Line in each year since 1997. [2504]

The Department does not hold this type of statistical information regarding the number of train journeys on specific lines of the rail network.

Specific inquiries of this nature should be directed to Network Rail and the train operating companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) new and (b) expansions of existing park and ride facilities are proposed in the most recent annual progress reports. [2170]

The projected numbers of new and expanded existing schemes recorded by local authorities in the 2003–04 annual progress reports are in the table. A few authorities did not provide returns.

Park and ride facilities

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the evidential basis is for the claim that puffin crossings cause less vehicle delay than pelican crossings; what assessment the Department has made of which type of crossing pedestrians prefer and what guidance his Department gives to local authorities as to which system to install for newly implemented pedestrian crossings. [3724]

The reduced vehicle delay at a puffin crossing is primarily a result of cancelling the call for a pedestrian stage when no pedestrians are waiting. This frequently occurs when pedestrians see a gap in the traffic after pressing the call button. The benefit published in the Transport Research Laboratory study, (TRL Research Report 364), was derived from observations at sites where the call cancelling facility was trialled.

Puffin crossings were developed to address the problems that pedestrians were encountering in using traditional signalled controlled crossings, including pelicans. We are currently carrying out further research to assess the operation of conversions from pelicans to puffins, including the behaviour and perception of pedestrians.

The Department issued guidance to practitioners in the form of Local Transport Notes 1/95 The Assessment of Pedestrian Crossings" and 2/95—"Design of Pedestrian Crossings". These include information about both pelican and puffin crossings. They do not recommend one against the other, although they do say that it is intended that the puffin operational cycle will become the standard form of pedestrian crossing at all types of crossings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the private finance initiative and public private partnership projects his Department is undertaking; and what the status of each is. [2362]

The Department for Transport has awarded private finance initiative/public private partnership contracts for the following contracts. All of the projects are operational.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Estates Rationalisation

Highways Agency

Dartford Crossing

Severn Crossing

M6 Toll Road

A69

A1(M)

A417/419

A50

A30/35

M40

A19

M1-A1 Link Road

A1 Darrington to Dishforth

A249 Stockbridge to Sheerness

Traffic Control Centre

Vehicle Operator and Services Agency

MOT Computerisation

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the target in the 10-year plan for transport on quieter road surfaces remains a Government target. [2169]

The 10-year plan for transport included an illustration of the delivery programme possible by 2010–11, given the levels of investment set out in the plan. Included in the illustration was the installation of quieter surfacing on over 60 per cent. of the strategic road network. The Highways Agency had surfaced approximately 27 per cent. of the network with quieter surfacing by the end of March 2005 and is currently on target to resurface 60 per cent. by the end of March 2011.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Quiet Lanes Regulations to be published. [2171]

The Department for Transport expects to publish the Quiet Lanes and Home Zones Regulations in autumn 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) incidents of and (b) prosecutions there were for (i) vandalism and (ii) trespass on rail lines by (A) adults and (B) juveniles in each of the last five years, broken down by region. [1469]

The British Transport police have provided the following table which shows the number of reported incidents of criminal damage/malicious mischief and of trespass on the railway over the last five years. There are no separate statistics for vandalism and the statistics are not available by region.

The following table shows the number of offences prosecuted for criminal damage and for railway trespass for adults and juveniles, based on the date of the offence. The British Transport police do not hold data on Scottish prosecutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met (a) Network Rail and (b) the Health and Safety Executive to discuss the siting of whistleboards. [4670]

There have been no meetings between Ministers at the Department, Network Rail and the Health and Safety Executive to discuss the siting of whistleboards. The railway industry has a duty under health and safety legislation to ensure that risks to those on or near railway lines are reduced. The location of whistleboards is the responsibility of Network Rail, who apply the requirements laid down by the Health and Safety Executive.

Train drivers are required to sound train horns where whistleboards are located: on the approaches to footpath crossings and at unprotected crossings, in order to alert pedestrians to approaching trains. This is an important safeguard for those using footpath and level crossings, as there have been a number of fatal accidents at such locations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action is being taken to improve services on the South Wales Main Passenger Rail Service. [4040]

The introduction of the Arriva Trains Wales Standard Pattern Timetable in December 2005 will bring a more regular, clockface timetable for services in South Wales. A 60-day consultation began on 2 June on future services in the new Greater Western franchise to run from 1 April 2006, which includes services between London and South Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish a timetable for the break-up of Central Trains; and which franchise he expects will then be responsible for the Derby to Matlock services. [4063]

The Strategic Rail Authority has begun informal consultation with industry stakeholders including passenger transport executives and local authorities. Specific proposals for the re-allocation of Central Trains' services to other franchises will be considered later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many stations with secure station status have subsequently had their designation removed since 6 December 2004; and which stations have been designated secure stations under the secure station scheme since that date. [2173]

Stations are awarded secure stations status for a two year period once they have met the required scheme accreditation standards on station design, station management, crime management, and passenger perceptions. There is provision for the accreditation to be withdrawn if there is a clear breach of standards during that time. No stations have breached the standards since the launch of the scheme in 1998.

The following 38 stations have been accredited under the secure stations scheme since 6 December 2004, including 27 new accreditations and 11 re-accreditations:

Aberystwyth

Barnsley

Bath Spa

Beckton

Birkenhead Central

Birmingham New Street

Bletchley

Bow Church

Brentford

Bristol Temple Meads

Brunswick

Cannon Street

Chesterfield

Clapham Junction

Cobham and Stoke D'Abernon

Deptford Bridge

Devon Road

Fazakerley

Fleet

Gallions Reach

Honiton

Island Garden

Lewisham

Liverpool Lime Street

Meadow Hall

Milton Keynes

Northampton

Old Roan

Prince Regent

Pudding Mill Lane

St. Pancras

Swindon

Wallesey Grove Road

Wandsworth Town

Waterloo

Waterloo International

Watford Junction

Wigan North Western

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many crimes have been committed at stations that meet secure station status since 31 October 2004. [2172]

The British Transport police have provided the following information for the number of offences reported at stations that meet secure station status for the period 1 November 2004 to 31 May 2005:

Notifiable offences are those offences which form the Home Office recorded crime statistics and include all indictable offences together with some closely related summary offences such as common assault. Data supplied include offences recorded within stations' premises, including retail/entertainment outlets, car parks and cycle sheds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average 24 hour traffic volume at the (a) J3-J4E, (b) J4A-J5, (c) J9-J10, (d) J10-J10A, (e) J10A-J11, (f) J12-J13, (g) J6-J7 and (h) J9-J10 automatic traffic counters on the M6 on (i) Mondays to Fridays, (ii) Saturdays and (iii) Sundays has been in each month since January. [2300]

The traffic flows for the period from January to April 2005 are provided in the table. With regard to section(a) , the correct definition of this link is J3-J3a, rather than J3-J4E.

Average 24hr traffic volumes

⁽³⁾ No data

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average 24 hour traffic volume at the (a) J6-J7 and (b) J9-J10 automatic traffic counters on the M42 on (i) Mondays to Fridays, (ii) Saturdays and (iii) Sundays has been in each month since January. [2301]

The traffic flows for the period from January to April 2005 are provided in the table.

⁽⁴⁾ No data available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) passengers in excess of capacity and (b) total number of passengers figure was (i) for each London commuting service train operator and (ii) in total, broken down into (A) am peak and (B) pm peak figures measured in the annual survey in 2004; and how many peak passengers into London there were for (1) am peak periods, (2) pm peak periods and (3) in total for each London commuting service train operator. [2297]

The results of the autumn 2004 counts will be published at the end of this month. The results of the autumn 2003 counts are shown in the following table. The Passengers In Excess of Capacity" (PIXC) mechanism monitors services into London in the morning peak and out of London in the evening peak.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions in the last 12 months for which figures are available when the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) initiated court proceedings against people who were believed not to have paid excise duty (VED), the DVLA (a) withdrew proceedings and (b) lost a case in court because the vehicle keeper showed that he or she had paid VED; how much the DVLA estimates such proceedings cost public funds; what steps the DVLA will take to improve its administration procedures to avoid the initiation of this type of unnecessary proceedings; and if he will make a statement. [1470]

In the 12 months to the end of March 2005 DVLA successfully prosecuted 189,418 cases in court for vehicle excise duty (VED) evasion. DVLA was unsuccessful in 3,400 cases. A breakdown of why these cases were unsuccessful is not available but the main reason is likely to be that VED was paid after the summons had been issued.

DVLA asks for a minimum of £35 to cover the costs of the whole procedure from initiation of enforcement proceedings to attendance in court.

The agency makes every effort to avoid court action. Initial action against VED evaders is taken through the offer of an out of court settlement which offers the offender the opportunity to settle the matter without recourse to court proceedings. Around 27 per cent. of evaders make use of this procedure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of collecting vehicle excise duty in the latest year for which information is available. [4539]

The total cost of collecting vehicle excise duty in 2004–05 was £119.5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) widows and (b) widowers are receiving bereavement allowance; and how many of these are over 55 years and claiming the full rate of benefit. [3867]

The information is in the following table.

Bereavement allowance recipients in Great Britain, as at September 2004

Notes:

1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.

2. The full rate for bereavement allowance at September 2004 is £79.60.

3. Bereavement allowance figures include both age related and non-age related recipients.

4. Figures exclude overseas recipients.

Source:

Information Directorate, 5 per cent. sample

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) widows and (b) widowers have received the lump sum bereavement benefit of £2,000 within the last 12 months. [3868]

The information is in the following table.

Number of successful claims for bereavement payment in the last 12 months, by gender.

Source:

Management Information Systems Programme 04 (MISP 04)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which employment programmes have had a cost benefit analysis produced; and if he will place copies in the Library. [2078]

Evidence on the cost effectiveness of the New Deal for Young People programme has been produced by the Policy Studies Institute and the National Institute of Economic and Social Research and is available in the Library in 'Findings from the Macro Evaluation of the New Deal for Young People, DWP Research Report 168.'

A preliminary cost benefit analysis of New Deal for Lone Parents programme was carried in house by DWP economists, using results from the independent evaluation of the programme carried out by the National Centre for Social Research. The findings were published in 'New Deal for Lone Parents: Second Synthesis Report of the National Evaluation', DWP Evaluation Report W163 June 2003 and is also available in the Library.

This Department is currently producing cost benefit analyses of other major labour market programmes using an improved and more consistent method on a rolling basis. Results are expected to emerge from this autumn and as produced they will be made available under the Department's Freedom of Information procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost of increasing the basic state pension to the level of the guarantee credit, linking that level to the growth of average earnings, abolishing the winter heating allowance and pensioner means-tested benefits, and introducing these charges for all pensioners aged over (a) 65, (b) 67, (c) 70 and (d) 75 years in each year from 2005–06 to 2050–51. [2062]

Such information as is available is in the table:

Cost of raising the level of the basic State Pension to the guaranteed credit level while abolishing pension credit and thewinter fuel payment

Notes:

1. The costs are for Great Britain in 2005–06 price terms, using the Gross Domestic Product deflator index, rounded to the nearest £1 billion.

2. Basic State Pension (BSP) expenditure is estimated by the Government Actuary's Department, consistent with Budget 2005 assumptions, made using 2003 based population projections.

3. Pension credit and the winter fuel payment expenditures are estimated by the Department for Work and Pensions forecasts based on 2005 Budget assumptions.

4. The eligibility to the basic State Pension is assumed not to change and to achieve the minimum basic State Pension payable (25 per cent.) a person will normally need 10 or 11 qualifying years.

5. It is assumed that the full rate of basic State Pension is increased to the level of the individual guarantee credit in 2005–06 and is increased in line with earnings. Category B pension paid to married women and basic State Pension paid to people entitled to less than the full rate of basic State Pension are increased by the same proportion.

6. Both pension credit and the winter fuel payment are assumed to be abolished for the different age groups from April 2005 with no payments to existing pensioners and no new recipients after 2005.

7. These figures do not take into account any offsets of tax.

8. Entitlement to additional State Pension, housing benefit, council tax benefit and other pensioner benefits are all assumed to be unchanged.

Under this proposal the pensioners already in receipt of pension credit would be no better off and a substantial number of pensioners would be worse off. This would be because they would lose pension credit and winter fuel payments and any additional amounts that pension credit gives them for caring responsibility, disability and certain housing costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average housing benefit payment in (a) the London borough of Haringey and (b) Greater London has been in each of the last eight years; and if he will make a statement. [4110]

holding answer 13 June 2005

The information is in the table.

Average weekly housing benefit payments in London borough of Haringey and the Government Office Region of London

Notes:

1. The data refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.

2. The average amounts have been rounded to the nearest penny.

3. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.

4. Housing benefit figures exclude any Extended Payment cases.

Source:

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in November 1997 to 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average housing benefit payment in each London borough has been in each of the past five years. [2249]

The information is in the following table:

Average weekly amount of housing benefit in London by local authority: November 2000 to 2004