To ask the Leader of the House how many times the (a) Scottish and (b) Welsh Grand Committees have met outside the Houses of Parliament in each of the last four years. [6130]

Neither the Scottish Grand Committee nor the Welsh Grand Committee met outside the Houses of Parliament in any of the past four sessions. The Welsh Grand Committee met in Wales in March 2001.

To ask the Leader of the House for what reason the Northern Ireland Grand Committee has not met outside Westminster. [6131]

There has never been cross-party agreement for the Northern Ireland Grand Committee to meet outside Westminster. Were agreement reached, the Government would be ready to consider facilitating one.

To ask the Prime Minister which areas of reform will be given priority during the UK Presidency of the EU. [3951]

Like any EU presidency, the UK Government will take forward the work begun by its predecessors. This includes work on economic reform issues such as the better regulation agenda, the Services directive, and, EU/US economic co-operation. But this Government believes that the recent referenda in France and the Netherlands require a wider debate within the EU about how Europe can meet the challenges of globalisation.

On the external agenda, we shall take forward new commitments to: Africa; promote development and eradicate poverty worldwide; tackle climate change; and, aim to advance trade liberalisation and development through the WTO trade talks in December. We shall also take forward the EU's enlargement agenda.

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the level of looting of Iraqi heritage sites; and if he will raise the issue of the protection of these sites with (a) the Italian Prime Minister, (b) EU leaders and (c) G8 leaders when they next meet. [5316]

The Government takes very seriously the need to respect Iraq's cultural heritage. As United Nations Security Council resolution 1546 (June 2004) stressed, all parties need to respect and protect Iraq's archaeological, historical, cultural, and religious heritage. Our EU and G8 partners are aware of these requirements.

To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements are in place to ensure that bodies or organisations within the responsibility of his Office comply with the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. [3562]

For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Hutton) today, at column 925W.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission what the annual value of the contract for cleaning the House has been in each year since the last contract was signed; and if he will make a statement. [6127]

I have been asked to reply.

The main cleaning contract for both Houses of Parliament is worth about £2.2 million per annum of which 60 per cent. (£1.32 million) falls to the House ofCommons. The contract commenced in September 2003, and runs for five years.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission what is the average hourly wage paid to cleaners in the House. [6128]

I have been asked to reply.

The in-house cleaning staff who clean sensitive areas are paid an average of £6.81 per hour. I understand that the main contract cleaners who clean common areas are paid a basic rate of £5.00 per hour.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will make a statement on discussions between the House authorities and its cleaning contractors concerning the pay of cleaners in the House. [6129]

I have been asked to reply.

The House authorities have been working with the management of MITIE, the cleaning contractor, to identify economies in the cleaning contract that could help to fund an increase in pay for the cleaners. Both parties have identified some such economies.

To ask the Solicitor-General what Government policy is on prosecutions for domestic violence; and what guidelines have been issued to prosecutors on the subject. [5287]

Stopping domestic violence and bringing perpetrators to justice is a priority for the CPS. In February 2005, it published its updated policy for prosecuting cases of domestic violence. The policy document explains the role of the Crown Prosecution Service and how prosecution decisions are made, and gives information on aspects of the legal process. It is available on the CPS website.

At the same time as the policy was published, the CPS issued revised detailed guidance to its prosecutors. The guidance reflects increased emphasis on the safety of victims and children, concentrates on effective evidence gathering to build strong cases and advises on proceeding where a victim is unwilling to give evidence.

To ask the Solicitor-General on what basis and for what reasons the responsibility for the use of juries in long and complex trials has been transferred to the Law Officers. [6074]

It has not. The use of juries in long and complex fraud trials is the responsibility of all three Criminal Justice System Ministers, who are being advised by the tri-lateral Office for Criminal Justice Reform.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many questionnaires have been issued by BMG Consulting on behalf of his Department; and what the cost has been of this exercise. [5152]

BMG have sent 8,000 questionnaires to individuals across England as part of a national survey of public satisfaction with local government and its services that they are undertaking for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

BMG will be paid £36,000 plus VAT by ODPM for the national survey of public-satisfaction with local government and its services. This survey is currently in the field.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the Government's definition is of brownfield land. [5586]

Annex C of Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 Housing sets out the Government's definition of previously developed land (sometimes referred to as 'brownfield land') for the purposes for planning for housing and the collection of data on previously developed land for the National Land Use Database.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homes in England were in each council tax band in each year since the introduction of council tax. [5575]

The number of homes in England in each council tax band in each year since 1993, when council tax was introduced, are shown in the following table.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people in (a) the London borough of Haringey and (b) Hornsey and Wood Green constituency he estimates will be eligible for his Department's extended home ownership programme; and if he will make a statement. [4803]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently consulting on the details of our proposals for making our low cost home ownership schemes simpler and fairer, as set out in the consultation document 'HomeBuy—Expanding the Opportunity to Own' (a copy of which is available in the Library of the House).

We will make our decisions in the light of responses to consultation and the recommendations from the Regional Housing Boards. Locations will also reflect the quality and value for money of bids received under theprogramme.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many firemen have been hospitalised following assaults whilst on active duty in each of the last five years. [4886]

Attacks on firefighters have only been recorded since 1 April 2004. Since 1 April 2004 a total of six firefighters have been hospitalised due to an assault.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set a maximum level of fees to be levied by local authorities in respect of charges for applications under the high hedges provisions of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. [4933]

I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 23 March 2005, Official Report, column 70WS.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on what date he expects to implement those parts of the Housing Act 2004 relating to home information packs; and if he will make a statement. [4856]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) intends to introduce home information packs throughout England and Wales as early as possible in 2007 and we are discussing with key stakeholders how this might best be achieved. The regulations required for the introduction of home information packs will be made at different times during 2005 and 2006, commencing with those prescribing the contents of the packs in September 2005. Details of the proposed contents have been published on the ODPM website at www.odpm.gov.uk

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many diploma courses for home inspectors are in operation; and how many people are training on them. [4855]

The Awarding Body for the Built Environment (ABBE) has developed a Diploma in Home Inspection in consultation with the industry. The ABBE Diploma has been approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and comprises of a vocationally related qualification rather than a course. Over 1,000 such candidates are registered with assessment centres for the Diploma. ABBE has approved four assessment centres and a further three centres are currently seeking approval.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average house price was in each Government office region in (a) 1991, (b) 2003 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available. [5564]

Data are not available for Government office regions on a consistent basis before 1993, and later for the north-west Government office region.

Mix-adjusted house price by Government office region -- £

Source:

Survey of Mortgage Lenders

Mix-adjusted average house prices from 1993 for Government office regions are published as Live Table 507 on the ODPM website at:

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house_604092.xls.

Prior to 1993, simple average house price data are available for Standard Statistical Regions and are published as Live Table 512 on the ODPM website at:

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house_604071.xls.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time staff were employed by each local authority per 1,000 population in the last year for which figures are available. [5258]

This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister

(1) what the location is of each park and ride scheme in operation in England; and on what date the construction of each was approved by the relevant government office for the region; [5583]

(2) what the location is of each proposed park and ride scheme that has been given approval by the relevant government office for the region. [5584]

The Government do not collect information on the number or location of existing or proposed park and ride schemes. Government offices for the regions do not approve park and ride schemes. Their planning role is to act on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, on land use planning matters in the region.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance the Government have issued to (a) local authorities and (b) government offices for the regions on park and ride schemes. [5585]

The Government have issued planning policy guidance note (PPG) 13 Transport which gives national planning guidance on park and ride. The Government have not issued separate guidance to either local authorities or government offices for the regions.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to change planning requirements for polytunnels; and if he will make a statement. [5668]

holding answer 20 June 2005

Where polytunnels are placed temporarily on agricultural land and used for horticulture, they may be deemed to be a use of land for agriculture and therefore exempt from planning controls under the provisions of section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Where the erection of polytunnels for agricultural purposes is deemed to constitute 'development' under these provisions, 'permitted development rights' under part six of the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) 1995 may be available, subject to criteria set out in the Order. The Government currently have no proposals to change these statutory provisions.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether public conveniences run by local authorities are liable for business rates; and if he will make a statement. [5579]

Non-domestic rates are payable on non-domestic property, including public conveniences. The rateable value of each non-domestic property represents its annual rental value at the set date of 1 April 2003.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many public toilets were available in each (a) unitary and (b) district council area on 1 January (i)2000, (ii) 2002, (iii) 2003 and (iv) 2004. [4829]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 June 2005, Official Report, columns 562–63W. I have deposited in the Library of the House a table that has been obtained from Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's analyses of commercial and industrial property data held by the Valuation Office Agency.

The table gives the number of public conveniences as at 1 October 2000 and 1 April for 2002, 2003 and 2004. No data prior to 2000 and for 2001 are currently available.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Department is responsible for (a) mayoral referendums and (b) local referendums held under the Local Government Act 2003. [5572]

The Department for Constitutional Affairs is responsible for policy on the conduct of mayoral and local referendums. Policy and legislation about when such referendums can be held and for what purpose are the responsibility of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister

(1) what representations he received before the abolition of the Local Authority Social Housing Grant; and from whom; [2560]

(2) what representations he received, and from whom, on extending the transitional arrangements put in place to oversee the abolition of the Local Authority Social Housing Grant. [2562]

A summary of responses to the consultation 'The Way Forward for Housing Capital Finance' was placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 19 May 2004. The summary includes, among other things, details of consultees who responded to the suggestion about the future of Local Authority Social Housing Grant (LASHG) in that paper. In addition, representations were received prior to the abolition of LASHG from the right hon. and hon. Members for:

Barking

Bedford

Bristol East

Bromley and Chislehurst

Bury St. Edmunds

Cheltenham

Chester City

Coventry South

Dagenham

Dewsbury

East Surrey

Forest of Dean

Great Grimsby

Henley

Ipswich

Knowsley North and Sefton East

Lichfield

Mid Bedfordshire

Regents Park and Kensington North

Reigate

Runnymede and Weybridge

Saffron Walden

South Cambridgeshire

Spelthorne

Staffordshire Moorlands

Stratford-on-Avon

Tonbridge and Malling

Wealden

Welwyn Hatfield

Witney

Worthing West

Yeovil

and

Baroness Maddock;

Mark Watts MEP;

and the following organisations, some of whom made representations through right hon. and hon. Members:

Apex Group

Aquarius Housing Consultancy

Association of London Government

Babergh District Council

Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council

Bedford Borough Council

Breckland District Council

Bromley London Borough Council

Bromsgrove District Council

Cheltenham Borough Council

Cambridge City Council

Chester City Council

Chester Housing Partnership

Christchurch Borough Council

Corporation of London Council

Daventry District Council

East of England Regional Housing Forum

East Hampshire District Council

East Lindsey District Council

Eden District Council

Fareham Borough Council

Field Lane Foundation

Forest of Dean District Council

Fylde Borough Council

Guildford Borough Council

Havant Borough Council

Havebury Housing Partnership

Hyde Housing Association Group

Ipswich Borough Council

Lichfield City Council

Linx Housing Association

Local Government Association

Maidstone Borough Council

Malvern Hills District Council

Mid Sussex District Council

Moat Housing Group

Moorlands Housing Association

National Housing Federation

Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council

North Cornwall District Council

North East Lincolnshire Council

North Hertfordshire District Council

North Yorkshire County Council

Orwell Housing Association

Penwith District Council

Reading Borough Council

Redditch Borough Council

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council

Restormel Borough Council

Royal Borough of Kensington And Chelsea

Runnymede Borough Council

Rural Housing Trust

Rushcliffe Borough Council

Slough Borough Council

South Cambridgeshire District Council

South Norfolk District Council

South Oxfordshire District Council

South Shropshire District Council

South Somerset District Council

Spelthorne Borough Council

Spelthorne Housing Association

St. Edmundsbury Borough Council

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

Stratford-on-Avon District Council

Suffolk Housing Society

Surrey Community Development Trust

Sutton London Borough Council

Swale Borough Council

Swanbridge Housing Association

Swindon Borough Council

Test Valley Borough Council

Thames Valley Housing Association

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

Tynedale District Council

Uttlesford District Council

Waverley Borough Council

Wealden District Council

Welwyn Hatfield District Council

West Devon Homes

West Dorset District Council

West Kent Housing Association

Westminster City Council

West Oxfordshire District Council

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council

Wychavon District Council

My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister subsequently received representations about transitional arrangements following the abolition of Local Authority Social Housing Grant from the right hon. and hon. Members for:

Barking

Chelmsford West

Dagenham

Ipswich

Kingston and Surbiton

Maldon and Chelmsford East

Mid Norfolk

Mid Worcestershire

North East Bedfordshire

Rayleigh

St. Albans

Stalybridge and Hyde

Sunderland South

South West Norfolk

West Suffolk

West Worcestershire

and the following organisations, some of whom made representations through right hon. and hon. Members:

Ashton Pioneer Homes

Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council

Bedford Borough Council

Breckland District Council

Canterbury City Council

Cardinal Hume Centre

Chelmsford Borough Council

East Lindsey District Council

Elmbridge Borough Council

Hertfordshire Housing Forum

Ipswich Borough Council

Kennet District Council

North Lincolnshire Council

Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames

Runnymede Borough Council

St. Edmundsbury Borough Council

South Hams District Council

South Somerset District Council

Suffolk County Council

Sunderland City Metropolitan Borough Council

Surrey Community Development Trust

Surrey Local Government Association

Tandridge District Council

Tewkesbury MCTi Partnership

Tewkesbury Borough Council

Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Waverley Borough Council

Westminster City Council

West Wiltshire District Council

Woodstock Town Council

Wychavon District Council

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made with the sale and development of the surplus land on the Southlands hospital site in Shoreham, West Sussex. [4629]

Following the announcement by my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health last year, the first tranche of 67 surplus hospital sites transferred from Department of Health to English Partnerships on 6 April 2005. Other surplus sites, including the Southlands hospital site in Shoreham, will transfer to English Partnerships in 2005–06 and 2006–07. The land will be used to help deliver growth and regeneration including the provision of more affordable homes. English Partnerships is now working up future plans for the sites in discussion with local planning authorities.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which of those surplus NHS sites transferred to his Department (a) have been sold for development, (b) have secured planning permission for development and (c) are to be developed by his Department. [4647]

The first tranche of 67 surplus hospital sites, out of a total portfolio of 96, transferred from the Department of Health to English Partnerships on 6 April 2005. All of the sites will be assessed by English Partnerships for their development potential. Appropriate plans will then be drawn up in consultation with local planning authorities. No sites have yet been sold by English Partnerships for development. A number of sites in the portfolio have existing planning consents. It is likely that all sites will be taken forward by or in partnership with the private sector.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of houses to be built on surplus NHS sites transferred to his Department will be affordable homes. [4648]

The first tranche of 67 surplus hospital sites transferred from the Department of Health to English Partnerships on 6 April 2005. Other surplus sites will transfer to English Partnerships. Residential housing development, including the provision for a mix of tenures, will take place where sites are assessed as suitable. Such decisions will be made on a site by site basis taking account of local development plans and local needs. It is estimated that the total portfolio of 96 sites transferring to English Partnerships has the potential to deliver about 15,000 new homes, at least 5,000 of them affordable.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the Sustainable Communities Plan will amend green belt designation in each of the growth areas. [4283]

Any proposals to change the general extent of green belt boundaries in the growth areas should be considered as part of a review of the regional spatial strategy or the London plan in the first instance, through the statutory development plan process. Government policy set out in the Sustainable Communities Plan is that every region should maintain or increase the area of green belt designated in local plans.

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

pursuant to the reply, 26 May 2005, Official Report, c.179W

The original answer mixed units of million tonnes carbon equivalent per year (MtCeq/yr) and million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent per year (MtCO₂ eq/yr). This resulted in an incorrect percentage to be calculated for the Kyoto basket emissions. All units are now presented as MtCO ₂ eq/yr. A revised table is given as follows.

The original answer also contained an error in the units in the final sentence of text. The text referred to MtCeq/yr, this should have been presented as MtCO₂ eq/yr. The rest of the answer remains correct.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that badgers killed in road accidents in North Yorkshire are tested to see whether they are free of tuberculosis. [4868]

The Road Traffic Accident (RTA) survey is limited to seven counties in England (Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Dorset). We are awaiting the results of the validation of the survey before taking any decisions about extending the survey area further. There are also logistical and budgetary problems in extending the RTA survey.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to allow (a) land owners and (b) land occupiers to test badger setts humanely to ensure they are tuberculosis free. [4870]

There is currently no reliable diagnostic test for TB in live badgers. We are funding research into the development of a number of alternative immunological assays for the detection ofM. bovis infection in badgers at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency. Further evaluation is being undertaken and results should be available by the end of 2005.

Post-mortem inspection and laboratory culture ofM.bovis remains the most sensitive method of diagnosis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that areas, with particular reference to North Yorkshire, remain tuberculosis free in their cattle population. [4871]

We announced new measures last November to tighten surveillance and reduce risk of TB spreading to new areas. These include changes to testing frequency and the imposition of movement restrictions immediately a test becomes overdue from February 2005.

The Government Strategic Framework for the Sustainable Control of Bovine Tuberculosis in Great Britain" was published on 1 March. Specific disease control policies will be tailored to reflect the regional variation in disease and risk, and adjusted to make best use of emerging scientific findings.

In addition, we are also considering a proposal for pre-movement testing in Great Britain, developed by a farmer-chaired stakeholder group. The group delivered its report on 29 April, and published on DEFRA website on 1 June. The group's recommendations will be carefully considered.

Great Britain's pre-movement testing policy would need agreement from the Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly. We aim to consult later this year on the detailed proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the impact of the small hive beetle on the UK's bee population; and if she will make a statement. [4806]

The small hive beetle is a notifiable pest of bees. It is indigenous to Africa and widespread in the USA. EU import controls have been extended to reduce the risk of its introduction. The beetle has not yet been reported within the Community beyond a single finding in a consignment of bees imported into Portugal last October.

The National Bee Unit's assessment of this pest is that if it became established it could have a serious impact on the sustainability and economic prosperity of UK and European apiculture. Accordingly, the unit has been providing advice to beekeepers to raise awareness, and has increased its surveillance programme to monitor for its presence. We are also developing contingency measures to deal with any future finding of the pest in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received on the National Bee Unit health programme; and if she will make a statement. [4807]

The Department has received many written representations from beekeepers in recent months about our proposals to reduce expenditure with the National Bee Unit from 2008. Defra officials are maintaining a regular dialogue with representatives of the national beekeeping associations in England and have met them on three occasions so far this year to discuss their concerns and the possible impact of our proposals on future bee disease prevention and control.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the insect population in England; and what the predicted numbers are in the event of a (i) one per cent., (ii) two per cent. and (iii) three per cent. increase in current average temperatures due to climate change. [4447]

I am not aware of an estimate of the insect population in England.

Scenarios of climate change published by the UK Climate Impacts Programme indicate that in future, the UK is likely to experience warmer, wetter winters, and hotter, probably drier, summers, with extreme high temperatures and rainfall events likely to occur more often. A collaborative research project led by English Nature (Modelling Natural Resource Responses to Climate Change"—Monarch) used these climate change scenarios to investigate impacts on the UK's flora and fauna.

While there is no assessment of total numbers, the project notes that as the climate warms, those insect species suited to warmer conditions will spread north. Those species suited to cooler conditions may become extinct in Britain. It is unlikely that insects will become more abundant overall under possible climate change scenarios. Some species may increase in number, while others will decline, according to their temperature and humidity preferences and changes in their habitats. Non-climate factors (such as changes in land-use, and in the populations of insect predators) will also have a significant influence on insect populations in future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set up a national surveillance agency to give early warning of suspected animal diseases and to monitor the spread of those diseases using satellite intelligence. [5042]

The Government recognise the importance of disease surveillance to allow early identification of new and emerging diseases. To this effect a strategy for enhancing veterinary surveillance in the UK was launched by the Department in October 2003 and is being implemented in partnership with a wide range of interested parties.

Surveillance work is currently carried out on a national basis by two Defra agencies, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency and the State Veterinary Service, with additional surveillance widely commissioned elsewhere according to need. The Department also collects and monitors worldwide information on animal disease. Disease surveillance reports are published at regular intervals in the Veterinary Record . Given this existing activity, it is not planned to set up a further agency.

The Government are funding the development of a unique surveillance information management system, RADAR (rapid analysis and detection of animal-related risks). RADAR incorporates the use of geographical information systems which are capable of analysing data captured by a variety of sources, including satellites. Comprehensive information about surveillance activities and RADAR is available at http://defraweb/animalh/diseases/vetsurveillance/index.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the sites where nuclear waste is kept. [4880]

The following is a list of sites that currently store varying quantities of radioactive waste:

Aldermaston

Amersham

Berkeley

Bradwell

Capenhurst

Cardiff

Chapelcross

Clyde

Culham

Devonport

Donnington

Dounreay

Drigg

Dungeness

Eskmeals

Fort Halstead

Heysham

Hinkley Point

Hartlepool

Harwell

Hunterston

Oldbury

Portsmouth

Rosyth

Sellafield/Calder Hall

Sizewell

Springfields

Stafford

Torness

Trawsfynydd

Vulcan

Windscale

Winfrith

Wylfa

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's plan for the long-term storage of nuclear waste. [4881]

The UK Government and devolved administrations set up the independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) in 2003, under the Managing Radioactive Waste Safely" programme. Its task is to provide a recommendation on the option, or combination of options, for the long-term management of the UK's higher level radioactive waste.

CoRWM launched the second phase of its Public and Stakeholder Engagement consultation programme in April 2005. The committee have evaluated 15 options and is now consulting on its proposal to carry out further assessments on a shortlist of four:

Deep geological disposal

Phased deep geological disposal

Near-surface disposal of short-lived waste

Long-term interim storage

CoRWM will finalise its shortlist of options for assessment, in light of its consultations, by July 2005. It is due to provide its recommendations to Ministers, for their consideration, in July 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the (a) carbon dioxide and (b) greenhouse gas emissions created by outdoor patio heaters in (i) the most recent year for which information is available and (ii) each of the next five years. [4450]

Only very limited information is currently available about the number of outdoor patio heaters in use in the UK.

Using this information the Government's Market Transformation Programme (MTP) has made a preliminary estimate of the number of these appliances in use in the UK—estimating that there are 630,000 in use in the domestic sector and between 26,000 and 105,000 in the hospitality sector (pubs, restaurants and hotels).

Making reasonable assumptions about fuel, power rating, and level of usage, MTP estimates annual energy consumption to be approximately 670 GWh in the domestic sector and between 280 and 1100 GWh in the hospitality sector. The corresponding annual carbon dioxide emissions are 140,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the domestic sector and between 60,000 and 240,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the in the hospitality sector.

No information is available about projected carbon dioxide emission from outdoor patio heaters over the next five years.

No information on other greenhouse gas emissions from outdoor patio heaters is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many primates have been imported for the purpose of (a) laboratory experimentation and (b) sale as pets in each of the last five years. [5227]

Under the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the international movement of certain species (including all primates) is regulated by the issue of export and or import permits. The permits specify the purpose for which the animals are being moved.

The number of primates for which import permits were issued for biomedical research or scientific purposes are detailed in the following table.

No permits were issued to import primates for sale as pets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to ban the (a) importation and (b) sale of primates for commercial purposes. [5229]

It is our view that primates are not suitable for the general pet trade and imports are therefore already limited to zoos, scientific institutions, or specialised private keepers. Commercial trade in the more endangered primate species is also prohibited.

Earlier this month I announced the Government's intention to go out to public consultation regarding the use of powers under Article 8.2 of Council Regulation 338/97 by the end of July. This is essentially a conservation measure but we shall certainly consider whether it would be appropriate to use these powers to restrict the keeping of primates as pets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received about the new dispensing regulation proposed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. [3112]

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is developing new Regulations setting out controls on all aspects of veterinary medicines. These will take forward relevant recommendations made in the Marsh and Competition Commission reports on the dispensing of veterinary prescription only medicines (POMs) in the UK, implement an amending EU Directive and replace the existing voluminous and outdated UK legislation on veterinary medicines with a single set of Regulations.

The new Regulations contain a number of provisions that relate to the supply and dispensing of veterinary medicines, including proposed new distribution categories. We have received correspondence about issues relating to some of these and other provisions from a number of individuals including veterinary surgeons and animal owners/keepers.

During the initial stages of developing the proposals, officials at the VMD consulted informally with a wide range of interest groups. Following further development, a formal consultation package was published on the VMD website on 4 January 2005 and a letter sent to some 350 interested organisations and individuals. Consultees were allowed four months, until 5 May, to comment. Over 300 responses have been received and the comments are currently being considered and will be taken into account in finalising the draft Regulations. The VMD has kept interested parties informed of developments on key issues by publishing a series of reaction notes and has arranged public meetings on 21 and 22 June to discuss the outcome of the formal consultation. The consultation package remains available on the VMD website www.vmd.gov.uk under Consultations" Previous".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of cases set down for committal by magistrates in the Greater London area has not been ready for committal on the due date. [2701]

I have been asked to reply.

Information on the effectiveness of committal hearings in the magistrates courts is not held centrally and could be produced only at disproportion cost. However, figures provided by the Crown Prosecution Service suggest that 1,133 committals were discharged during the period but comprehensive reasons for these are not recorded.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have occurred under sections (a) 18, (b) 19, (c) 20, (d) 21 and (e) 23 of the Public Order Act 1986 in each year since 2000; and how many convictions resulted, broken down by subsection under which each occurred. [4987]

I have been asked to reply.

The following table show the number of defendants prosecuted for an offence or offences contrary to sections 18–21 and 23 of the Public Order Act 1986 for the period 2000–04. The relevant statistics are recorded by reference to the year in which cases were referred to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police. There is no table provided for 2005 as no prosecutions have resulted, to date, from cases referred to the CPS by the police in 2005. It is not possible to specify the subsections concerned in each case as this information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the new charge for renewal of visas on the number of overseas students attending university in the UK. [4814]

In September 2004 my right hon. Friend the former Minister of State for Immigration and Nationality (Des Browne) commissioned a joint project team to undertake an assessment of the likely impact of increased leave to remain fees to attract more international students to the UK. The team comprised representatives from the Department for Education and Skills, the Home Office and the British Council. The outcomes of this work are available, alongside a Regulatory Impact Assessment for the education sector on the Home Office website. Des Browne's statement of 7 February commissioned a new Joint Education Task Force, including representatives from the education sector and other key stakeholders, to further develop this work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many local authority-run libraries there have been in each London borough since 1997. [6416]

The table shows the aggregated number of public libraries, including mobile libraries, across inner and outer London for the period 1997–98 to 2003–04. This information is drawn from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Public Library Statistics Actuals. The CIPFA statistics show figures for individual library authorities. Copies are held in the House Library.

Note:

The table includes the libraries in the London borough of Hounslow which are run for the authority by a not for profit trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the outcomes of the first High Level Ministers/Senior Official Group on the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. [5925]

The High Level Ministers/Senior Officials Group is one of the mechanisms put in place to monitor and evaluate implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. The minutes of the first meeting of 22 March are included on my Department's website at www.culture.gov.uk, under alcohol and entertainment. The key outcomes of that meeting were agreements on:

The terms of reference, to be reviewed in early 2006;

The conduct of future meetings, including the regularity of meetings, and the need for a basic position report to be tabled for each meeting during transition;

Various specific issues arising from the implementation of the 2003 Act.

Two other meetings have since been held—on 4 and 23 May. The minutes to the second meeting are now available on our web site as will be the minutes to subsequent meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had regarding the siting of the memorial to the women of the second world war in Whitehall. [6038]

Discussions were held with the patrons and trustees of the Memorial to the Women of World War II Fund and their technical advisers, the Royal Household, the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Defence, the Office of Government Commerce, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the City of Westminster, and the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether it is her policy that the heritage sector will continue to benefit from the National Lottery after 2009. [5924]

The heritage good cause will continue. A decision on the shares for arts, heritage and sport good causes after 2009 will be made in June 2006, following public consultation on what is worth funding within these good causes.

To ask the Secretary of Statefor Culture, Media and Sport

(1) what guidelines Ofcom work to when deciding whether to investigate complaints made against television programmes; and if she will make a statement; [6176]

(2) how many complaints were received by Ofcom concerning the programme, Jerry Springer The Opera"; what investigations took place into the programme; and if she will make a statement. [6177]

The matters raised are the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) as independent regulator. Accordingly, my officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with (a) other Government Departments, (b) heritage organisations and (c) the London Assembly about the proposed memorial to the late Queen Mother. [6055]

Discussions have been held with HM Treasury, The Royal Household and The Royal Parks about the proposed memorial.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many TV licence inspectors there were in London in each year since 1997. [5260]

The BBC has statutory responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system and TV Licensing carries out the day to day administration under contract to the Corporation. Ihave therefore asked the BBC's Head of Revenue Management to consider the question raised by the hon. Member and to write to her direct, placing a copy of the reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding the Government have allocated for Trooping the Colour in each year since 1996. [5409]

The Queen's Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) is part of the core activities of the Ministry of Defence, and no extra funding is allocated. The only expenditure the Government allocate for Trooping the Colour is for flag flying and preparing and sanding all roads and gun salute areas and preparing the parade ground and clearing up after the event. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for flying the Union flags down the Mall and the Commonwealth flags along Horseguards Road; the Royal Parks are responsible for preparing the Royal Parks for the event. The following table shows the total amount of funding allocated by the Government from 1996.

⁽¹⁾As other figures are unavailable

⁽²⁾Provisional

⁽³⁾Proposed expenditure

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what evidence she has collated of village hall committees carrying on a business without an appropriate licence. [5908]

holding answer 20 June 2005

Evidence of this sort is not collated centrally. It is for the appropriate enforcement authorities, such as the police and licensing authorities, to consider matters of this sort.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the assessment phase of the Future Rapid Effects System undertaken by Atkins will have to comply with the objectives and criteria of the European Defence Agency. [5379]

The FRES Assessment Phase is not required to comply with any European Defence Agency (EDA) objectives or criteria. However, the United Kingdom supports the EDA in its work to ascertain the potential for co-operation/collaboration in the future procurement of Armoured Fighting Vehicles. The FRES Assessment Phase will take account of information from a number of sources, one of which will be the EDA, albeit the work of the EDA is still at an early stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the forecasted estimated annual running costs were of the (a) Medical Supplies Agency and (b) Warship Supply Agency if it had operated as a stand-alone agency. [3960]

The estimated annual running costs for the Medical Supplies Agency (not including Stock Consumption of £40.5 million) for financial year 2004–05 are £28.5million. This is extracted from MSA Annual Accounts, which are in the process of being audited by the National Audit Office and therefore, may be subject to change.

Had the MSA continued operating as an Agency the estimated running costs (again not including Stock Consumption) for FY 2005–06 are £21.5 million.

The Warship Support Agency's net operating costs for 2004–05 were some £2,664 million. This is also taken from the Agency's Annual Accounts, which are being audited by the National Audit Office and therefore may be subject to change.

Had the WSA continued operating as an Agency the estimated running costs for FY 2005–06 are £2,623 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision is made in the contract between his Department and the US authorities for the continuing use of Fylingdales. [6135]

The operation and maintenance of RAF Fylingdales is governed by an Exchange of Notes, under which the US provides the specialist equipment there while the UK operates and maintains the Station. The data produced by the radar at RAF Fylingdales are shared between the UK and the US under the terms of a UK-US Combined Operating Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) class and role, (b) date of entry into service, (c) expected date of removal from service, (d) average annual cost of maintenance over the period of service and (e) cost of building is of each ship proposed by the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability programme; and if he will make a statement. [6170]

The Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme is currently in the Concept Phase and no decisions have yet been made on the class and role, timing or costs of the programme. These matters will be addressed during the Assessment Phase, which is planned to commence shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the former defence base at Potton Island, near Southend, is used for; whether consideration has been given to its release for a non-military purpose; what assessment has been made of impediments to a non-military use arising from his Department's use of the land; and if he will make a statement. [5007]

Potton Island continues to be part of the group of islands that make up the Test and Evaluation Ranges at Shoeburyness and is used as part of the safety zone for the testing that takes place at the Ranges. A significant area of Potton Island is, however, leased for farming. Potton Island has been included in the Land Quality Assessment that is being carried out on the whole of Shoeburyness. Once the information from this assessment is available the future of the site will be reviewed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will re-examine the case for operating Typhoon aircraft from the new aircraft carriers. [5761]

As I have previously indicated, we have no current plans for Typhoon to operate from our future aircraft carriers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for the Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement. [6158]

UK Trade and Investment will continue to run a substantial event programme to assist small and medium sized enterprises to enter overseas markets. Assistance will be given to those who stand to benefit most, namely new-to-export companies. The purpose of this support will be to enable such companies to acquire market knowledge and international experience as part of a strategic approach to exporting. The implementation details for the scheme in 2006–07 will be finalised after discussions with stakeholders during the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies based in (a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK have received assistance under the Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad Scheme in each year since 1997; what the average payment was in each case in each year; what assessment he has made of the impact of the scheme on exporters; and if he will make a statement. [1182]

Companies receiving grants from the Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad scheme (and its predecessor, the Trade Fair Support Scheme, in 1997–98 and 1998–99):

The average grant payment during this period cannot be calculated but the average for 2004–05 is approximately £1,900.

UK Trade and Investment will continue to run a substantial programme to assist small and medium sized enterprises to enter overseas markets through an events-based scheme. Assistance will be given to those who stand to benefit the most, namely new-to-export companies. The purpose of support is to enable such companies to acquire market knowledge and experience as part of a strategic approach to exporting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated number of people per 1,000 population is that (a) own a home computer, (b) have access to the internet via normal telephone line and (c) have access to the internet via broadband in each London borough. [5148]

The information is as follows:

(a) In the latest Consumer Durables survey by ONS in 2002–03, 54 per cent. of households owned a home computer. This information is not available at a London borough level.

(b) and (c) The following table shows the percentage of households that have a dial-up internet connection or a broadband connection for each of the London boroughs.

Source:

Point Topic

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimated cost savings were cited by ASE Consulting in the report which considered privatising the Export Control and Non-proliferation Directorate; and if he will make a statement. [6157]

The report focused on whether outsourcing as a means of service delivery was compatible with the executive functions of the Export Control Organisation and as such did not set out a detailed business case containing cost savings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which parties other than the MG Rover management team and his Department were informed that MG Rover had entered administration before the Secretary of State declared the insolvency on national television on Thursday 7 April; and if he will make a statement. [5863]

holding answer 20 June 2005

Tony Woodley (TGWU) and Derek Simpson (Amicus), were present when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was informed of the Directors decision to call in administrators and make a statement. Representatives of No. 10 and HM Treasury were also present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any of the conditions applied to the bridging loan offered by the Government to the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation in relation to MG Rover were changed by the Government during the week commencing Monday 4 April; and if he will make a statement. [5864]

holding answer 20 June 2005

I can confirm the criteria against which the DTI considered the offer of a bridging loan to MG Rover were not changed in the week commencing Monday 4 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the reasons why the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation decided not to pursue the deal to secure MG Rover. [5865]

holding answer 20 June 2005

That is a question for SAIC. However, as my right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State noted in her statement on 7 April, SAIC made it clear that they were not confident about the future solvency of MG Rover, and that bridging loan finance would not have solved their concerns.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the length of the repayment period was on the £100 million bridging finance offered by the Government in advance of MG Rover entering administration; and whether the length of this repayment period was changed after it was offered. [5866]

holding answer 20 June 2005

The terms of the proposed loan required repayment by 31 May 2005. This requirement was not changed. No negotiations on the term of repayment took place as it became clear that the deal was not going ahead.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the terms of reference for the investigation into the affairs of the MG Rover Group. [5923]

The inspectors have been asked to examine issues raised by the Financial Reporting Review Panel in their report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the events leading up to the appointment of administrators on 8 April 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will discuss with British Telecom its proposal to remove the last remaining pay phone in the village of Longdon in Worcestershire. [6077]

The matter raised is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) as independent regulator. Accordingly, DTI officials have asked the chief executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the chief executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid in costs to Raleys Solicitors since the inception of the vibration white finger and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compensation scheme. [6120]

The total costs paid to Raleys solicitors are as follows:

Total solicitors costs paid⁽⁴⁾

⁽⁴⁾Solicitor's costs include VAT on solicitor's profit costs and disbursements, but exclude generic costs (which are paid to those solicitors involved in the initial litigation and in co-ordinating the claims handling framework).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases have received (a) interim settlements and (b) full and final settlements under the Vendside and Union of Democratic Mineworkers' chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and vibration white finger schemes. [6121]

The numbers of payments and settlements under the Vendside and Union of Democratic Mineworkers' schemes are as follows:

⁽⁵⁾Interim payments reflects the number of claimants" who have received an interim payment, rather than the number of payments made (some cases receive more than one interim).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid in costs under the Union of Democratic Mineworkers and Vendside scheme for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and vibration white finger in each year since 1999. [6123]

The total costs paid by year under the Union of Democratic Mineworkers/Vendside schemes are as follows:

£ million

⁽⁶⁾Solicitor's costs include VAT on solicitor's profit costs and disbursements, but exclude generic costs (which are paid to those solicitors involved in the initial litigation and in coordinating the claims handling framework).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the UN on new talks on Cyprus. [5699]