To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the National Assembly for Wales about NHS waiting lists in Wales. [5069]

I regularly meet the Assembly First Minister and the health service in Wales is one of the topics that we frequently discuss.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps the Government plans to take to improve the quality of life of older people in Wales. [5070]

The Government is taking a number of steps to improve the quality of life of older people in Wales.

I am proud that this month the Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill was introduced into the other place, and received its Second Reading on 14 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the National Assembly for Wales Government on the effects of tax credits on the take-up of childcare in Wales. [5071]

I regularly meet with Ministers from the Welsh Assembly Government to discuss a range of issues, including the effects of tax credits on the take-up of childcare in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has met the National Assembly for Wales Minister for Health to discuss the provision of new hospitals in Wales. [5072]

I have regular meetings with the Assembly First Minister and we regularly discuss health matters.

Over the last year, 12 new major hospital development schemes have begun in Wales. These include the building of a number of new hospitals and the renovation and modernisation of a significant proportion of existing hospitals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on measures to improve digital signals in the South Wales valley communities. [4039]

Current levels of digital terrestrial coverage are not indicative of the situation post-switchover. Coverage is, at present, limited to only nine of the 200 transmitters in Wales to prevent interference being caused to viewers of analogue television services. At the time of switchover, these restrictions can be removed and the power and coverage of digital services will increase to match that currently achieved by analogue. Planning for switchover is making provision for all of the existing transmitters to broadcast digital services.

We are committed to achieving digital switchover between 2008 and 2012 ensuring universal access to high quality digital television through a mix of terrestrial, cable and satellite services. This will happen region by region, and we will make sure that the interests of elderly people and other vulnerable groups are protected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many laptop computers have been used by (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department in each year since 1995; how many have been (i) lost and (ii) stolen in that period; what the cost was of the use of laptops in that period; and if he will make a statement. [4114]

The Wales Office was established July 1999, and during this time there have been no losses or thefts of laptops. The Wales Office is currently issued with two laptops, one allocated to the Minister and an official. The laptops are provided to the Wales Office under the DCA PFI Contract since April 2004 at an annual cost of £4,055.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with Network Rail on the inclusion of Newport as a through destination on the planned Cardiff to Ebbw Vale passenger railway. [4035]

The Ebbw Vale railway project is being delivered in two phases. Phase 1 comprises an hourly service from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff starting in 2007; phase 2 will be an hourly service from Ebbw Vale to Newport.

I understand that the Newport service cannot begin before 2009 because of the need for major re-signalling works in the Newport area by Network Rail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to the Strategic Rail Authority on improving the main line passenger service from London to South Wales. [4037]

The Strategic Rail Authority has recently invited detailed bids for the Greater Western Franchise. One of the authority's objectives is to improve operational performance and sustain a level of service quality consistent with meeting customer needs. The authority has also launched a public consultation on the specification for the franchise. Where appropriate, revised instructions can be given to bidders in the light of consultees' responses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on legislation relating to smoking and its impact in Wales. [5068]

My right hon. Friend has had regular discussions over the last few months with the Secretary of State for Health on this matter.

Earlier this week the Government published consultation on proposals for introducing smoke free environments in England and Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the regenerative potential for towns in the South Wales valleys of a scheme similar to the Market Towns Initiative. [5059]

Regenerating the South Wales valleys is a major priority for this Government. We secured Objective 1 funding for West Wales and the valleys, and this successful programme is having a huge impact on towns and communities across the valleys. In the South Wales valleys, £154.9 million of Objective 1 grant has been committed to 313 local projects, representing more than £308 million of total project investment.

As part of its sustainable communities agenda, the Assembly also runs the Communities First programme, which is a comprehensive approach to area-based regeneration. The programme applies to many of the most deprived areas in the South Wales valleys. It was launched on 31 March 2000 and has a budget of £150 million until 2006.

CADW also operate the Townscape Heritage Initiative scheme, which is a Heritage Lottery Fund run scheme aimed to promote urban regeneration but biased towards heritage conservation by improving town centres, through the restoration of historic architecture.

There are currently 14 Townscape Heritage Initiatives ongoing around Wales, with a further two proposed in South Wales valleys areas (Maesteg in Bridgend and Rhymney in Caerphilly).

In addition, the Assembly operate a range of measures to assist rural towns, for example the £1.8 million a year Rural Community Action programme which covers nine local authority areas and is benefiting rural towns in places such as Flintshire, Wrexham and the Vale of Glamorgan. Over 100 projects are also being supported under a £8.7 million programme in rural areas to support basic services, renovation of villages and supporting local tourism and craft sectors. A Rural Retail Scheme is also in operation designed to help encourage the retention of retail facilities in rural areas.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will meet the directors of Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Limited to discuss the route that the restored canal will take with respect to Planning Policy Guidance 13, and its progress to date. [4176]

This is a local issue for Staffordshire county council, Lichfield district council and the Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. Outline Planning Permission for the development including the Lichfield Southern Bypass has already been granted by Lichfield district council and a legal agreement entered into with the developers. It is therefore inappropriate for my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and other Ministers to enter into discussion about these matters.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance the Government issues to local authorities relating to (a) crematoria and (b) the display of religious symbols in crematoria. [5577]

I have been asked to reply

Regulations relating to the cremation of bodies are made under the Cremation Act 1902. Guidance on these regulations is issued from time to time as the need arises. No guidance has been issued on the display of religious symbols in crematoria and there are no plans to do so.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was spent by each London borough per 1,000 population on environmental services in the last year for which figures are available. [2467]

Table 1 lists the net current expenditure for environmental services as reported to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in Revenue Outturn (RO) returns for 2003–04-RO5 data (line 290).

Table 1: Net current expenditure on environmental services in 2003–04 for each London borough

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many houses in (a) Greater Manchester and (b) Merseyside are scheduled to be demolished in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006, (iii) 2007, (iv) 2008 and (v) 2009; and if he will make a statement. [3220]

Demolition is a matter for individual local authorities in the light of local circumstances.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the estimated typical (a) number of rooms and (b) floor space is for a property provided by his Department's £60,000 home scheme. [5423]

The £60,000 target specified in the Design for Manufacture competition relates to the construction of a two bedroom home with a minimum gross internal floor area of 76.5m² .

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the properties provided by the £60,000 home scheme will be sold as (a) leasehold, (b) commonhold and (c) freehold properties. [5587]

It is expected that a range of homes with a variety of tenures will be built under the Design for Manufacture competition, and that about 30 per cent. of all of the homes will be made available under the terms of the First Time Buyers initiative. The precise mix of housing types and tenures on each site will depend on local circumstances.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will publish the consultation document on a revised means of determining overcrowding. [4363]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is considering the future of the statutory overcrowding standards and plans to publish a consultation paper in the near future.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the 15 local councils and 100 wards with the highest proportion of overcrowded housing, indicating in each case (a) the proportion living in each category of property and (b) the proportion of all households living in overcrowded accommodation. [4364]

The 15 local councils with the highest proportion of accommodation which fails the bedroom standard and the wards within these councils are listed in a table to be placed in the Library of the House. Against each council and each ward is the estimated proportion of households within that council/ward that are affected.

The 100 wards with the highest levels of overcrowding across the country have not been determined.

A breakdown of the proportion of overcrowded households by property type is not available.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his Department's policy is regarding whether living rooms should be used as sleeping accommodation for permanent members of a household; and if he will make a statement. [4365]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recognises that the statutory overcrowding standards in Part 10 of the Housing Act 1985 can be construed as permitting the use of living rooms as sleeping accommodation, although most local authorities apply higher standards. The Part 10 standards are widely recognised as out of line with modern expectations, and we intend to publish a consultation paper on the future of these standards in the near future.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the target increase in local tax take from Government was in each year since the creation of the council tax; and what the actual increase in local tax take as implemented by local authorities was. [4952]

The Government do not set a target increase in the amount which local authorities can raise from council tax, which is dependent on councils' spending decisions.

Tabled are figures for the amounts of council tax received by local authorities in each financial year for which figures are available since the introduction of the council tax on 1 April 1993.

The table also expresses these amounts as cash and percentage increases over the corresponding figures for the previous year.

⁽¹⁾ Regardless of the financial year to which the amounts relate; excludes amounts paid through council tax benefit.

Source:

QRC4 returns to ODPM

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the estimated sale price will be of a typical property provided by New Build Homebuy. [5581]

Proposals for New Build Homebuy are set out in our consultation paper—"Homebuy—expanding the opportunity to own" (April 2005). The consultation period closes on 24 June.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have made no estimates of the sale price of a New Build Homebuy properties. This will vary depending on a number of factors including the prevailing market prices in the relevant location and the proportion being purchased.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many and what percentage of staff in his Office have received training on the general and specific duties of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, broken down by (a) ethnicity and (b) grade. [3527]

To date, 107 people (5.1 per cent. of ODPM staff) have had training on the specific duties relating to the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. In addition, induction training ensures that all new staff are made aware of the Office's responsibilities under the Act. Although the Office is able to produce staff breakdowns by grade and ethnicity, this data is currently unavailable in respect of specific training courses.

The Office's Race Equality Scheme, which sets out how it will meet its general and specific duties under the Act over the period 2005 to 2008, was published in draft on 31 May 2005, and is currently out to consultation.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the running costs of the South East of England Regional Assembly have been in each of the last five years. [5389]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) and the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Browne) on 17 March 2005, Official Report, column 368W.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the sites short listed for the proposed regional fire control centres. [4935]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 June 2005, Official Report, columns 410–11W, to the hon. Member for North Thanet (Mr. Gale).

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Government have to increase Right to Buy discount ceilings in line with house price inflation. [4275]

There are no current plans to increase the discounts available under the Right to Buy scheme to tenants who wish to purchase 100 per cent. of the home they live in. However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is consulting on a number of options for tenants who wish to purchase a share of their homes under Social Homebuy.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance Torbay Unitary Authority sought from his Office in relation to (a) changing the name of Torquay Crematorium Chapel and (b) decreasing the size of the cross inside the ceremonial hall. [5962]

I have been asked to reply.

Torbay Unitary Authority has not sought any advice from my Department in relation to changing the name of Torquay Crematorium Chapel and decreasing the size of the cross inside the ceremonial hall.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated total cost is of the tunnelled section of the A303 in Wiltshire near Stonehenge. [111]

The approved budget for the A303 Stonehenge Improvement is £223 million, which includes an estimated £100 million for the costs of the bored tunnel section. These figures are currently being reviewed by Highways Agency following further site investigations, and some further increase in costs is now anticipated. Details of the revised cost will be announced alongside our decision on the Inspector's Report following the public inquiry into the Stonehenge Improvement scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) collisions and (b) near-misses of aircraft above London there were in each of the last five years. [5312]

An airprox is a situation in which, in the opinion of a pilot or a controller, the distance between aircraft as well as their relative positions and speed have been such that the safety of the aircraft involved was or may have been compromised.

Over the period of 2000 to 2004 there have been 23 airprox in controlled airspace over London. These can be broken down on an annual basis as follows:

These are statistically insignificant numbers which should not be used to derive any trends, especially considering the volumes of air traffic which have increased over the period. The UK Airprox Board assessed that there was no risk of a collision in any of the subject airprox. There have been no mid-air collisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the distribution formula is for the half fare concession to the over 60s; and how much has been paid by the Government to each local authority or transport authority in each of the last five years. [6316]

There is currently no specific distribution formula for concessionary fares; they are one of a wide-range of services covered in the district-level Environmental Protection and Cultural Services Block of the Revenue Support Grant (RSG) system. It is therefore not possible to work out how much grant an authority has received with respect to concessionary fares.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of whether capacity offered by Crossrail on the Shenfield branch will meet the change in demand expected as a result of plans for homebuilding in the South East. [5429]

It is estimated that Crossrail will provide a 40 per cent. increase in capacity of the local services between Shenfield and Liverpool Street with the service pattern currently proposed. That additional capacity will help to meet increases in demand for transport along the branch. In addition, by releasing platform capacity at Liverpool Street, Crossrail would improve the potential for expansion of services from the Lea Valley.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued to the aviation industry on the application to it of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if he will make a statement. [5288]

In common with other transport infrastructure such as stations and ports, airports are covered by Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) which covers access to goods, facilities and services. The Disability Rights Commission has produced a code of practice for service providers on meeting the Part 3 duties.

There is currently an exemption in Part 3 for

"any service insofar as it consists of the use of any means of transport"

which means that the element of the service involving air travel is not covered. We have, however, amended that exemption under Section 5 of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 to make clear that it applies only to services involving the provision and use of a vehicle (including an aircraft) and to allow for it to be lifted to different extents, for different services at different times.

We have said that we would use the new power in respect of air services if the voluntary code of practice which we issued in March 2003 proves to be ineffective. That code, "Access to Air Travel for Disabled People—Code of Practice", was developed in close co-operation with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (the Government's statutory advisers on transport and mobility for disabled people) and industry representatives. It draws on internationally agreed best practice from the European Civil Aviation Conference and the International Civil Aviation Organisation and includes specific advice on all aspects of air travel, from accessing information through to on board services and disembarkation at the final destination.

Research is currently under way to monitor the sector's compliance with the code's recommendations. The study is due to report around the end of this year and will inform our decision on whether to use the provisions in the 2005 Act to bring air services within the scope of Part 3.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with (a) Eurotunnel (i) staff and (ii) creditors and (b) other Government Departments in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [R] [6013]

Officials at the Department for Transport have periodic discussions with a wide range of industry parties, other stakeholders and counterparts in other Government Departments in relation to the Department's strategic interest in cross-channel rail services. The Department also has regular contact with Eurotunnel management on issues relating to the day-to-day operation of the channel tunnel, through its representation on the Anglo-French Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who will meet the costs of the Free Fare scheme; what assessment has been made of the likely cost; whether the scheme will include free local bus travel for (a) people over 60 years and (b) people with disabilities; and when he expects further information on the operation of the scheme to be published. [6242]

Free off-peak concessionary travel will be introduced in England for those 60 and over and disabled people on their local bus services from April 2006. The Government will provide an extra £350 million in 2006–07 which will be sufficient to fund the cost. Final decisions on the distribution of the extra funding—which will be done through the Revenue Support Grant process—have not been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his timetable is for determining the submission for the Hampshire Light Rapid Transit Scheme. [6008]

We will make a decision soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Route Utilisation Strategy for the London to Brighton main line. [5140]

holding answer 20 June 2005

A Route Utilisation Strategy for the Brighton main line will be published in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange for electronic signs on roads leading to those joining the M11 Link Road in (a) Wanstead, (b) Leytonstone and (c) Leyton telling motorists when the Link Road is seriously congested; and if he will make a statement. [5958]

The M11 Link Road is now classified as the A12. The section of the A12 inside London now forms part of the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN). Therefore, any works, including signing on that road, or roads in the vicinity are a matter for the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on trials of alternative forms of motorisation for rail transport. [5218]

A number of private companies and individuals are working in this area but I am not aware of any such research being either carried out or funded directly by Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to give local authorities the power to erect 30 mph repeater signs on roads with high traffic accident rates. [5876]

The provision of repeater signs on only 30 mph roads with high traffic accident rates is likely to create uncertainty for drivers as to whether some roads are 30 mph or not. The absence of 30 mph repeaters on other 30 mph roads, may indicate to drivers that the speed limit is in fact higher, which is likely to increase accident risk.

Under current legislation the presence of street lighting indicates a road is subject to a 30 mph speed limit, unless signs indicate otherwise. This provides a consistent and easily understood approach. It has been law for over 70 years and is contained in the Highway Code, which all drivers study as part of learning to drive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what percentage of maximum power the power supply on the Sussex Coast rail lines will allow the new rolling stock to operate. [5141]

holding answer 20 June 2005

The power supply on Sussex Coast lines is sufficient for new rolling stock to run at full power where trains are formed of up to six coaches. Longer trains are restricted to less than full power but this is sufficient for them to maintain schedules.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the reasons are for the time taken for the (a) assessment and (b) approval of the Second Tyne Tunnel; and whether changes in the proposal made by the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority have had an impact on the time scale. [6353]

Following a public inquiry into the proposed new Tyne crossing the Tyne and Wear PTA have, on several occasions since the close of the inquiry, requested substantial changes to the powers they require to implement the scheme. This is unusual, as normally applicants and their legal advisers have established the powers they require before the inquiry opens. It has caused significant cumulative delays to the Department's assessment of the proposals as we have had to consider carefully the consequences of all the requested changes. We also had to give other interested parties the opportunity to comment on the changes, in the interests of natural justice. On the basis of the information we now have available, we hope to announce a decision shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what volume of (a) low level, (b) intermediate level and (c) high level nuclear waste has become unaccounted for in each of the last five years; and what percentage has been located. [4454]

The Department is not aware of any radioactive waste that is unaccounted for. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and United Kingdom Nirex Ltd. undertake regular reviews and updates of the stocks and predicted arisings of radioactive waste in the UK. The last published version of the UK Radioactive Waste Inventory as at 1 April 2001 reported stocks of waste as 1,960m ³ HLW, 75,400m ³ ILW and 14,700m ³ LLW and predicted future arisings of 750m ³ HLW, 163,000m ³ ILW and 1,490,000m ³ LLW. An updated version of this inventory giving the stocks and predicted future arisings at 1 April 2004 is currently being prepared and will be published later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many new nuclear waste storage facilities she expects to be built in each of the next 10 years; and where. [5217]

It is for the owners of radioactive waste to make suitable arrangements for the management of their waste, including the provision of any stores, subject to securing the necessary regulatory and planning approvals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list sites in the West Midlands where nuclear waste is stored. [5760]

The following sites are identified by the UK Radioactive Waste Inventory as storing quantities of radioactive waste:

Donnington

Stafford.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress of the review of the London Sewer Rat Joint Working Protocol; and what she expects the outcome to be. [4851]

The Local Government Association (LGA) and Water UK published a joint protocol in 1999 which set out arrangements for a closer working relationship between local authorities and water companies in England and Wales on the issue of rat infestation of sewers.

The Department sought the views of all local authority chief executives in England and Wales on the effectiveness of the protocol, but the level of response was disappointing (77 responses were received) and we are unable to draw any clear conclusions from the information provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) reports have been received on, (b) prosecutions have been brought and (c) convictions have been secured for (i) the setting of an illegal snare, (ii) killing through snaring and (iii) taking a protected species through snaring in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [4843]

There is no specific data available for prosecutions on the illegal use of snares. The only figures available relate to the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 S.11, Deer Acts 1991 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, England and Wales 1993 to 2003. This data can be found through the following link: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/commandpubs1.html

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will bring forward legislation to compel manufacturers to reveal which of their products contain phthalates and in what concentrations. [2573]

We have no current plans to bring forward such legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people were prosecuted for operating pirate radio stations in each London borough in each of the last five years. [5314]

The matter raised is 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 the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many successful prosecutions there have been by trading standards officers under the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991 in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [5790]

The numbers of successful prosecutions by trading standards officers in each of the last five years under the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department's latest estimate is of the annual rise of carbon dioxide emissions (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) globally. [4956]

I have been asked to reply.

Greenhouse gas inventory estimates published by the Department in March show that carbon dioxide emissions from the United Kingdom decreased by 3 per cent. between 2001 and 2002. Emissions then rose by 2.2 per cent. between 2002 and 2003, and by a further 1.5 per cent. between 2003 and 2004. The 2003 to 2004 estimate is provisional.

The most recent estimates published by the International Energy Agency show that world emissions of carbon dioxide increased by about 2 per cent. between 2001 and 2002. Energy statistics published in the "BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2005" suggest that world emissions have risen faster since 2002, but the detailed analysis needed to quantify percentage changes is in CO₂ is not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has held with (a) the Association of British Travel Agents, (b) the Federation of Tour Operators and (c) the Association of Independent Tour Operators regarding the regulatory burden in the travel industry. [4589]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr. Donohoe) on 8 June 2005, Official Report, columns 575–76W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress was made towards the public service agreement target for apprenticeship starts in 2004/05; and what assessment she has made of whether the target will be met. [6510]

The Department has a PSA target for at least 28 per cent. of young people to start an Apprenticeship for the first time by age 22 by 2004. Measurement of the target will be based on starts in the 2004/05 academic year. At the end of 2003/04, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) met its milestone of 24.5 per cent. However, since then, starts have fallen behind profile. The LSC have therefore put in place a range of measures to address this shortfall although it is too early to assess their impact. The target outturn will be reported by December 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what data she has collected on bullying in state schools in Portsmouth. [5295]

Data on bullying are not collected centrally and there is no reliable basis for an estimate of prevalence. Bullying cases appear to be reported more often, now than previously but we have no hard evidence that bullying is increasing or that it is affecting more children. Indeed, as children and young people increasingly feel safe at school to report bullying, and confident that it will be tackled effectively and sensitively, it is likely reporting will rise.

However, any level of bullying is too high and we are determined to help schools tackle the problem. Our guidance pack 'Bullying: Don't Suffer in Silence', the anti-bullying charter and the anti-bullying website www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying offer detailed advice on preventing and addressing bullying. We also offer specific advice to schools on tackling homophobic bullying and are developing advice on racist bullying.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total amount of capital costs contributed by sponsors was to each city academy; and what proportion of the total capital costs this represents in each case. [4768]

The sponsorship contribution for each of the 17 open Academies is set out in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of pupils in each city academy are resident (a) in the ward in which the school is situated, (b) in neighbouring wards, (c) elsewhere within the local authority area and (d) outside that local authority. [4773]

The information requested has been provide in the following table.

Resident location of pupils attending academies—January 2005 -- Percentage

⁽²⁾ The neighbouring ward is a ward that shares a boundary with the ward where the academy is situated

Source:

PLASC 2005 provisional data

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what procedures civil servants in her Department follow when deciding on her Department's association with businesses and commercial organisations; and if she will make a statement. [5972]

Civil servants in my Department follow the procurement principles set out in Government Accounting and the procurement guidance issued by the Office of Government Commerce which is transposed into departmental policy and guidance. In their professional and personal dealings with commercial organisations my officials adhere to the civil service code in all matters and the Cabinet Office's Guidance to Departments on Sponsorship of Government Activities when dealing with sponsorship issues.

My Department also has its own partnership principles which are used for those associations with commercial organisations where we require a closer relationship.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr. Sanders) of 6 June 2005, Official Report, columns 336–39W, on grants per pupil, what the figures are for 2005–06. [6354]

The following table gives our most recent figures, for local education authorities in England in 2005–06, for the total funding per primary pupil (aged 3–10) and per secondary pupil (aged 11–15) in cash terms. These funding figures include funding through Education Formula Spending and grants allocated at an LEA level; they include the pensions transfer to EFS.

2005–06: Total funding per pupil aged 3–10 and 11–15—LEAsby Government Office Region -- £

Notes:

1. Price Base: Cash terms.

2. Figures reflect relevant sub-blocks of the Education Formula Spending settlement and include the pensions transfer to EFS.

3. Total funding also includes all revenue grants in DfES Departmental Expenditure Limits relevant to pupils aged 3–10 and 11–15, and exclude education maintenance allowances and grants not allocated at LEA level. For those LEAs in receipt of advance of grant under the transitional support arrangements for 2004–05, advance grant funding was included in the year of payment (2004–05). There will be a consequential reduction in DfES grant for these LEAs in future years (either 2006–07 and 2007–08 or 2006–07 to 2008–09, depending on the terms on which the advance was given to the LEA).

4. The pupil numbers used to convert £m figures to per pupil are those underlying the EFS settlement calculations.

5. Rounding: Per pupil figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

6. Status: 2005–06 figures are provisional as some grants have not yet been finalised/audited.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what alternative education and training provision has been found for young people who are not yet ready to start an apprenticeship following the changes to the Entry to Employment programme; and what evaluation has been made of (a) the appropriateness of such provision and (b) its likelihood of offering meaningful progression to disadvantaged young people. [6512]

Entry to Employment (E2E) is the main programme for young people not yet ready for an apprenticeship. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) guarantees all young people for whom E2E is appropriate, a place on the programme. This is in addition to their commitment that every 16–18 year old can have a place in post-16 education and training. Changes introduced in 2004/05 were to improve the referral and learner review processes.

Some young people are not in a position to be able to benefit from E2E. This may be, for example, because of emotional difficulties and serious substance abuse. These young people receive a range of specialised support and provision, particularly from the voluntary and community sector providers. This type of provision is not formally evaluated, however the aim is to enable them to progress onto E2E.

The Qualifications Curriculum Authority and the LSC are working to establish an inclusive curriculum offer below level 2. It will draw from units and/or qualifications at entry level and level 1 of the Framework for Achievement and will also recognise and incorporate broader aspects. This is an important development to support, facilitate and direct learners into units and/or qualifications both below and beyond level 2, where E2E is not the best option.

The local LSC network is working closely with the Connexions Service and the providers it contracts with, to ensure that it has appropriate programmes to enhance the range of choices to engage all young people. The Government announced, in the recent budget, plans to pilot Activity Agreements and an Activity Allowance to help re-engage 16–17 year olds who have been out of education, employment or training for some time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many EU students are expected to receive bursary support from English universities in each year between 2006 and 2010. [3240]

Reliable information on the bursary arrangements for EU students are not available centrally. The policy on bursary arrangements for EU students is set by each institution individual institutions' access agreements may or may not include this information, as it was not required by the Office for Fair Access.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with Gloucestershire education authority on its primary school review. [6337]

The challenge of reducing the number of surplus places is one that many local authorities currently face. However, the Government believe that planning the supply of school places is best done locally by the local authority. Local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient places and that high quality education is provided in a cost effective way.

Should proposals be brought forward to close schools, the School Standards and Framework Act (SSFA) 1998 includes a requirement on local authorities to consult locally and publish statutory proposals. If objections are received, local independent school organisation committees will take decisions about school closures. Ministers have no direct involvement in decisions to review provision or reorganise schools.

Consequently, neither the Secretary of State nor members of her ministerial team have entered into discussions with Gloucestershire about their review of primary schools. However, officials are in regular contact with local authority officers and are aware of the steps being taken in Gloucestershire to address the problem of surplus places in the primary sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils were excluded from (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in the area corresponding most closely to the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland in (i) 2001, (ii) 2002, (iii) 2003 and (iv) 2004. [5859]

The available information is given in the table. Figures on permanent exclusions in 2003/04 will be available from 23 June 2005.

Maintained primary and secondary schools:permanent exclusions by school type ⁽³⁾

⁽³⁾ Permanent exclusions are collected retrospectively. The Annual Schools Census (ASC) for 2004 collected data on pupils in schools in January 2004 together with data on permanent exclusions in the school year 2002/03. Figures are as reported by schools and are unconfirmed.

⁽⁴⁾ Number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the school population.

⁽⁵⁾ 3 or less, or a rate based on 3 or less.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the School Meals Trust. [5955]

I refer the hon. Friend to the response that I gave to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb) on 7 June 2005, Official Report, column 478W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were in each category of special school in the (a) state and (b) private sector in each of the last five years, broken down by age range. [4098]

The information requested is shown in the following table.

Maintained and non-maintained special schools, independent schools approved for pupils with SEN and other independent schools:Pupils by age—2000 to 2005 (provisional)—position in January each year⁽⁶⁾

31 August⁽⁶⁾ Age as at the previous

⁽⁷⁾ Provisional figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

Source:

Annual Schools Census

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers have been the victims of offences of violence in Coventry, South in each of the last 10 years. [6060]

The information requested is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what involvement his Department will have in the Groundwater and Poverty Reduction in Africa Conference being held at Burlington House on 29 June. [5186]

Sustainable management of groundwater is critical to achieving DFID's commitments in water and sanitation. An official who leads on water resource management issues, based in DFID's Policy Division, will be participating in the Conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of his Department's posts (a) have been relocated and (b) are under consideration for relocation from London to the deprived areas of the south-east. [6259]

The Department for International Development is implementing the Lyons Review recommendations to relocate 85 posts out of London and the south-east by 2010. This will not exclude consideration of relocating some posts to relatively deprived areas in the south-east. As yet, DFID has not identified any posts suitable for transfer to deprived areas in the south-east.