To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what work has been carried out (a) by and (b) on behalf of her Department to establish the background levels of fluoxetine in the aquatic environment. [4448]

During 2002–03 the Environment Agency carried out a desk based ranking exercise on the 500 pharmaceuticals most commonly used in England and Wales in order to prioritise those of environmental significance. This exercise included fluoxetine, more commonly known under the trade name Prozac. A short, targeted monitoring programme was then set up for 12 pharmaceuticals. Fluoxetine was not included because no analytical method suitable for use on environmental samples existed and development of one would be difficult.

The top ranked antidepressant was lofepramine and this was included in the monitoring survey. Lofepramine was not detected in any of the five sewage works effluents or receiving watercourses monitored. However, it does not necessarily follow that the same would be true for fluoxetine.

The Environment Agency have developed a Position Statement on Pharmaceuticals—which can be found on the agency's website, www.environment-agency.gov.uk (search-pharmaceuticals). This elaborates further on the work done and includes a recommendation to the pharmaceutical industry to do more on the development of analytical methods for environmental monitoring. I am pleased that the Environment Agency is in discussion with the industry on the development of a work programme to cover the recommendations to industry listed in the Position Statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to preserve fish stocks in UK waters. [5396]

There are a range of policies in European Union and UK legislation to protect fish stocks. The Government's response to the "net benefits" report which made a wide-ranging series of recommendations to secure sustainable fisheries in the waters around the UK will be published on 28 June 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people have been prosecuted for fishing without a licence in London in each year since 1997. [5149]

The Environment Agency administers and collects the rod licence fee for England and Wales. Due to the constraints of their databases and the historic data recorded we cannot answer the specific questions, and have provided figures for the Thames region.

The Fisheries Offence Processing System (FOPS) database has only been live since the year 2000. Data prior to this date, for prosecutions was sourced from regional legal Departments.

Historic data sourced from the Environment Agency's regional legal Departments for all rod and line related offences prosecuted

Source:

The Environment Agency

Recent data sourced from the FOPS database for rod and line licence offences—fishing without a licence

Source:

The Environment Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was collected in fines from people fishing without a licence in London in each year since 1997. [5259]

The Environment Agency administers and collects the rod licence fee for England and Wales. Due to the constraints of their databases and the historic data recorded we cannot answer the specific questions, and have provided figures for the Thames region.

The fisheries offence processing system (FOPS) database has only been live since the year 2000. Data prior to this date, for prosecutions was sourced from regional legal departments.

Historic data sourced from regional legal departments for all rod and line related offences prosecuted.

Source:

The Environment Agency

Recent data sourced from the FOPS database for rod and line licence offences—fishing without a licence.

Source:

The Environment Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fishing licences have been issued in London in each year since 1997. [5278]

The Environment Agency (EA) administers and collects the rod licence fee for England and Wales. Due to the constraints of their databases and the historic data recorded we cannot answer the specific questions, and have provided the figures for the Thames region.

The rod licensing administration database (RAD) database has only been live since the year 2000. The EA cannot source information for rod licence sales prior to this date.

Data sourced from the RAD for rod licence sales.

Source:

The Environment Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to tackle the poaching of fish. [5336]

In 2003–04, the Environment Agency carried out a review of enforcement with respect to the more serious fisheries offences (those excluding the more straightforward acts associated with angling without a licence). It also spent £3.2 million on enforcement against serious fisheries offences.

In 2004 the Environment Agency issued 350 warrants to officers to enforce fisheries laws as per the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975, which provides that an officer warranted by the Environment Agency as a water bailiff holds the powers and duties of a police constable.

The Environment Agency has established good relationships with police forces, having signed a memorandum of understanding with the Association of Chief Police Officers. This covers such matters as the sharing of intelligence, access to databases and mutual working arrangements. Contacts are also well established with the relevant Sea Fisheries Committee and, as locally appropriate, with the Sea Fisheries Inspectorate, HM Customs and Excise and/or the Department of Defence. Arrangements include cross-warranting of officers, sharing of equipment, exchange of intelligence and collaborative operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) discussions she has had with and (b) representations she has had from local authorities on the new Environment Agency maps of zones susceptible to flooding; and if she will make a statement. [6363]

Improved flood risk maps were published by the Environment Agency in October 2004 as part of a five-year programme of development and refinement.

Flood risk mapping is an important part of the our public awareness strategy, to ensure that flood risk is better understood by all concerned including people living and working in the floodplains and those responsible for development control and emergency planning.

We recently sought the views of a wide range of stakeholders on issues relating to flood and coastal erosion risk management as part of our "Making Space for Water" consultation. Local authorities responded on a wide range of issues including flood risk mapping. In general recent improvements to the flood risk maps were welcomed and suggestions were made on how they could be improved further. These views will be considered as part of the ongoing "Making Space for Water" programme. The responses are summarised on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waterspace/index.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to help maintain biodiversity on the Galapagos Islands. [5881]

The UK is currently involved in a number of projects aimed at preserving the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands. Since 1993 the British Government have approved a total of £1,087,561 in funding for 24 separate environmental projects. These include four current projects under my Department's Darwin Initiative, which funds biodiversity projects in developing countries using UK expertise in partnership with local organisations.

British embassy representatives in Ecuador also take part in regular Galapagos round table meetings to discuss issues relating to the environmental management of the islands. These are attended by major Galapagos donors and local government officials. The embassy also maintains close contact with the new British Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will issue best practice guidelines to local authorities on their duty under S2(1)(a) of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 with reference to (a) the (i) nature and (ii) frequency of inspections required by the Act and (b) the training and qualifications of inspectors; and if she will make a statement. [4853]

It is for local authorities to decide on the most appropriate pest control programme in their own area, while having regard to their duties under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949. Therefore Defra has no plans to issue best practice guidelines to local authorities on their duty under S2(1)(a) of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the responsibilities of (a) the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, (b) Nirex and (c) nuclear power generators for identifying long-term options for dealing with (i) high level and (ii) intermediate level radioactive material. [5888]

holding answer 20 June 2005

The independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) has been set up under the "Managing Radioactive Waste Safely" programme to oversee a review of options for managing the UK's higher activity radioactive waste, and to recommend the option, or combination of options, that can provide a long-term solution, providing protection for people and the environment. CoRWM is due to deliver its recommendations by July 2006. UK Government and the devolved administrations will then decide policy and its means of delivery in light of CoRWM's recommendations. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Nirex and the nuclear power generators are all free, along with others, to input their views and supporting material to the CoRWM option assessment process.

The role of the NDA is set out in the Energy Act 2004. It's purpose is to oversee and manage the decommissioning and clean-up of the UK's civil public sector nuclear legacy. Nirex's mission is

"in support of Government policy, develop and advise on safe, environmentally sound and publicly acceptable options for the long-term management of radioactive materials in the UK".

The owners of radioactive waste are obliged to make suitable arrangements for the management of their waste, according to Government policy and regulatory requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

(1) how many meetings officials from her Department have attended with the Environment Agency, Thames Water and the Greater London Authority since June 2004 to discuss the levels of raw sewage in the River Thames; [5266]

(2) what assessment she has made of the level of pollution in the River Thames; and if she will make a statement; [5275]

(3) how much raw sewage was discharged into the River Thames in each month since June 2004; [5274]

(4) whether the condition of water in the Thames breaches the European Union Urban Waste Water Directive; [5302]

(5) what assessment she has made of the need for an interceptor tunnel in the River Thames; and if she will make a statement. [5319]

The objective of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive is to protect the environment from the adverse effects of waste water discharges. The directive does not however set specific standards for the condition of inland and coastal waters into which waste water is discharged. Rather, it includes requirements to put in place sewage collecting systems, and sets standards for the treatment of sewage at sewage treatment works. Treatment standards and deadlines are set according to the size of the population served and the sensitivity of waters receiving the discharges.

The sewage collection system serving London is a combined system which collects both domestic and industrial waste water, and rainwater run-off. The directive acknowledges that it is not possible in practice to construct combined collecting systems and treatment plants to deal with all waste water during situations such as unusually heavy rainfall. Consequently the directive requires the limitation of pollution of receiving waters due to storm water overflows according to best technical knowledge not entailing excessive cost. The system along the tidal Thames has combined sewer overflows which operate to prevent flooding and sewage treatment works from becoming overloaded during wet weather.

The estimated volumes of sewage pumped to the river during some wet weather conditions in the following table are taken from pumping station records from the five largest pumping stations that discharge to the Thames Tideway. These are the only "overflow" points that have records of discharge volumes and are considered to be responsible for approximately 60 per cent. of the overflow discharges to the tideway in wet weather. The remaining 40 per cent. come from other pumping stations and gravity sewers. These percentages will vary considerably depending on the spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall across London as well as other factors such as tidal state.

The pollution of the tidal Thames by storm water overflows and compliance with the standards of legislation for continuous discharges is of considerable concern to this Administration.

Since 2000 Thames Water, the Environment Agency, Defra, the Greater London Authority and the Office of Water Services (Ofwat) have been involved in a strategic study of the environmental impact of intermittent storm sewage (sewage and rainwater run-off) discharges to the Thames Tideway. The remit of the study was to identify objectives for improvement, and to propose potential solutions, having regard to costs and benefits.

Since June 2004 five meetings of the Thames Tideway Strategic Study Steering Group have been held with my officials in attendance. The Greater London Authority representative did not attend one of the five meetings.

The strategic study has developed three principal objectives:

to protect the ecology of the tideway;

to reduce the aesthetic pollution due to sewage-derived litter; and

to protect the health of recreational water users.

With regard to the assessment of the River Thames against these objectives the information can be found in the Thames Tideway Strategic Study Steering Group Report at www.thamestidewavstrategicstudy.co.uk. Defra has not made a separate assessment of the level of pollution of the Thames.

We consider that the proposal arising from the interim report of the group for a large 35 km interceptor tunnel needs further investigation—it would take about 15 years to implement and cost in the order of £1.7 billion.

My officials and the Thames Tideway Strategic Study Steering Group are carrying out further consideration of the issues and possible appropriate smaller-scale measures which may be able to deliver needed improvements sooner than could be delivered by the proposed tunnel. The report of the further findings and options presented, which is expected soon, will be carefully considered by Ministers and a decision will be taken on an appropriate course of action to be taken to meet our obligations to protect the environment in a cost effective way. No options including the interceptor tunnel are being ruled out at this stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome of the 2004 meeting between the European Council and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries on the EU sugar regime was; and if she will make a statement. [5622]

In preparation for reform of the EU sugar regime, the European Commission and the Council of Ministers have had a range of contacts with the EU's existing preferential suppliers, notably in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries.

As part of that dialogue, a joint meeting was held immediately following the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 25 January 2005. The purpose of the meeting was to explain the Commission's approach to reform and to discuss the proposed action plan on accompanying measures for Sugar Protocol countries likely to be affected. Commissioner Fischer Boel reiterated the case for early and substantive reform and said that she hoped for agreement before the WTO ministerial meeting in Hong Kong in December. Commissioner Michel stressed that the EU would help the ACP to adapt on the basis of the actual needs of the countries concerned. Commissioner Mandelson underlined that preferential access to the EU market for ACP producers would be an important part of the Economic Partnership Agreements currently being negotiated with the ACP states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the receipts to her Department were from the sale of tallow from animals slaughtered under compulsory schemes in each of the last three years; and what the projected income or deficit figures for the sale of tallow are for the next three years. [5663]

holding answer 20 June 2005

Sales of tallow from animals slaughtered under the over-30-month scheme have resulted in the following receipts:

Because of impending changes to the over-30-month scheme estimates for future tallow income are limited to the current financial year (2005–06) where sales of £2.35 million are forecast.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2005, Official Report, column 443W, on water meter charges, if she will break down those in receipt of the social tariff in each of the last three years by water company. [6729]

The following table sets out the numbers of customers in receipt of the vulnerable groups tariff (social tariff) for each company, over the last three years for which figures are available, as collected by Ofwat. Figures for 2004–05 are not yet available and will be published in October.

Number of successful applications for the vulnerable groups tariff

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints (a) his Department and (b) the Inland Revenue received about the administration of child tax credit in 2003–04. [6188]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 June 2005, Official Report, column 393W, to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken by HM Revenue and Customs to improve the administration of child tax credit. [6189]

I refer the hon. Member to the oral statement I made to the House on 22 June 2005.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the gross domestic product per head was in (a) London, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Cardiff, (d) Glasgow, (e) Belfast, (f) Liverpool, (g) Bristol, (h) Leeds, (i) Birmingham, (j) Manchester, (k) Sheffield, (l) Newcastle, (m) Nottingham and (n) the UK in (i) the most recent year for which figures are available, (ii) 2001 and (iii) 1997. [6355]

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

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 23 June 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about GDP per capita in regions of the United Kingdom in the last period for which figures are available, for 2001 and for 1997. (6355)

The estimates in Table A are based on the regional gross value added1 (GVA) estimates published in December 2004. These are available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBavSe/Productasp?vlnk=7359

The latest published information is for 2003 at the higher level of geography and 2002 at the lower levels. London is the only city with data available for GVA per capita in 2003, as specified below.

Table A: GVA per capita for regions of the United Kingdom -- £⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾ Information presented here is gross value added (GVA) which is gross domestic product (GDP) less taxes (plus subsidies) on products.

⁽²⁾ Cardiff is part of the NUTS3 region Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, which is currently the lowest level of geography ONS publish.

⁽³⁾ Outer Belfast and Inner Belfast are published as separate NUTS3 regions.

⁽⁴⁾ Newcastle is part of Tyneside (NUTS3) which is currently the lowest level of Geography ONS publish.

⁽⁵⁾ Extra-Regio is that part of the UK's economic territory, which cannot be allocated to any specific region.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the gross disposable household income was in (a) current and (b) real price terms, using 2005 as the base year, for (i) each region, (ii) each country of the UK and (iii) the United Kingdom, for each year from 1996 to 2003; and if he will set out figures for each region and country indexed against the United Kingdom average. [6321]

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

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 23 June 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about gross disposable household income. (6321)

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) currently compiles regional gross domestic household income (GDHI) at current basic prices only. These are shown in Table A in pounds million and in Table B as indices.

The latest estimates were published in April 2005 with new figures for 2000 to 2003 and revisions for 1995 to 1999. They are available on the ONS website: http://statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=7359

ONS produce national real price estimates for household income. The latest available estimates using 2001 as the reference year are available for the years requested, 1996 to 2003, and are shown in Table C. These figures were published in "United Kingdom Economic Accounts, Quarter 4, 2004", which can be found on the National Statistics website at: http://statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/UKEA04Q4.pdf

Table A: Headline gross disposable household income (GDHI)2 ,3 at current prices -- £ million⁽⁶⁾

⁽⁶⁾ The headline regional GDHI series for this publication have been calculated using a five point moving average.

⁽⁷⁾ Household income covers the income received by households and non-profit institutions serving households.

⁽⁸⁾ Components may not sum to totals as a result of rounding.

⁽⁹⁾ Provisional.

⁽¹⁰⁾ Parts of the UK economic territory that cannot be assigned to any particular region.

Table B: Headline gross disposable income per head (GDHI) indices at current prices -- UK less Extra-Regio=100^(11)(12)

⁽¹¹⁾ The headline regional GDHI series for this publication have been calculated using a five point moving average.

⁽¹²⁾ Household income covers the income received by households and non-profit institutions serving households.

⁽¹³⁾ Provisional.

⁽¹⁴⁾ Excluding Extra-Regio.

Table C: Real household disposable income:Chained volume measure

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of individuals filed their self-assessment returns on time in each of the last five years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. [7087]

The figures of returns issued before 31 October each year and received on time are as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding concerns about money laundering through landlords' use of the insurance premium tax system. [6643]

The Treasury have received no representations regarding concerns about money laundering through landlords' use of the insurance premium tax system.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the underpayment of (a) direct tax and (b) national insurance contributions in each of the last 10 years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. [7103]

There is no reliable estimate of the direct tax and national insurance contributions underpaid in any of the last 10 years. However, as was acknowledged by the NAO Fraud Study published last year, HMRC is as well advanced as overseas fiscal authorities in its thinking and work on fraud measurement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend the 100 per cent. VAT refund on repairs to listed religious buildings and to listed buildings of non-religious and secular significance. [6665]

The Government are negotiating with our EU partners to achieve a reduced rate of VAT for repairs to listed places of worship. The Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme is due to continue until March 2008, unless a reduced rate is achieved earlier. The Government recognises the importance of these buildings within their communities and that the need to use specialist craftsmen and costly materials means that their upkeep can be a heavy burden, particularly on small congregations. The same considerations do not apply to all listed buildings. Approved alterations to certain charity, or residential, listed buildings are VAT zero-rated.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has further to expand the VAT exemption scheme in Northern Ireland to cover all church buildings. [7158]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury gave on 4 April 2005, Official Report, column 1168W, to the former right hon. Member for Upper Bann (Mr. Trimble).

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what tenders have been issued by the Central Office of Information on behalf of the (a) Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) Department for Constitutional Affairs concerning communications activity relating to EU matters. [2102]

The Central Office of Information (COI) has issued tenders on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in relation to the United Kingdom (UK) presidency of the European Union (EU), as follows:

recruiting a public relations agency to inform consumer and regional media on the presidency priorities;

recruiting an integrated marketing agency to inform UK audiences on the presidency priorities;

printing information materials for distribution during the presidency;

producing official presidency stationery and products;

research to test information materials and identify key areas of interest.

COI has separately issued tenders in relation to:

development of e-communications activity;

mailing of EU Guide to libraries, citizens advice bureau etc;

research to test information materials such as the EU Guide;

development of partnership marketing activity;

activity to raise awareness of the facts about the EU and to inform the public on where to access EU information.

COI has not issued any tenders on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs on EU matters.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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. [6251]

The Cabinet Office is implementing the Lyons Review recommendations to relocate 250 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.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has for the Borough Market site if the deficiencies identified by the public inquiry inspector, in respect of the proposed Thameslink route, cannot be remedied. [5098]

Network Rail as the promoters of the Thameslink route modernisation scheme have revised their proposals to address the deficiencies identified at the earlier public inquiry. Their latest proposals, including those in respect of the Borough Market area, will be considered at the re-opened inquiry which starts in September. Once the inquiry inspector has reported, the various applications relating to this scheme will require joint decisions by this Department and ODPM. The Department cannot anticipate the outcome.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what distribution formula is proposed for the free bus travel scheme for over 60s from April 2006; and what indicative allocations have been set for each local authority for 2006–07. [6385]

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

(1) what assessment he has made of likely container port demand in the UK; [6783]

(2) what assessment he has made of the change in volume of container traffic which is likely to arise from the current applications for port expansion in the south of England. [6877]

The forthcoming review of ports policy, due to be launched once preliminary work has been completed, will address the key questions around existing and future port capacity and demand.

To that end, my Department has commissioned consultants to produce national port traffic forecasts by region. These forecasts will include demand for container traffic through to 2030 in southern England as well as nationally, and will be published as part of the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities underspent on their road maintenance budgets in the last financial year; and by how much in each case. [7114]

Information on local authorities' spending on road maintenance in 2004–05 will not be available until early next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2005, Official Report, column 9W, on the EU Driver Licensing Committee, when he expects a decision to be taken in relation to revisions to the medical standards set out in Annex III to European Directive 91/439/EEC. [6731]

The timetable for the work of the EU Committee on the Driving Licence is a matter for the European Commission. Before any decision is taken on medical standards, we intend to consult the Secretary of State's Honorary Medical Advisory Panels on any proposals which may be made for change to these standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the assumptions used by the Future of Transport White Paper published on 21 March take account of potential future changes in global oil (a) prices and (b) resources. [1235]

holding answer 26 May 2005

The modelling and analysis supporting the White Paper was based on DTI's May 2004 long-term modelling assumptions for crude oil of $23 a barrel (2003 prices) in 2010 rising to almost $28 a barrel by 2020. This was consistent with assumptions used by the International Energy Agency.

A good deal of uncertainty surrounds all transport projections. At present, developments in the oil market are injecting a major element of uncertainty. Sustained higher oil prices would imply lower traffic growth. If crude oil prices were to end up around US$5 a barrel higher in real terms in 2010 than assumed, we expect traffic projections would fall by around 1 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the British Airports Authority regarding the proposed third runway for Heathrow; and if he will make a statement. [5892]

The Secretary of State meets with BAA on a periodic basis to discuss a range of issues affecting the company's airports, including Heathrow. There is a substantial programme of work under way in the Department, working with BAA and others, to assess the prospects for further development at Heathrow, including adding a third runway, while meeting the stringent environmental conditions laid down in the Air Transport White Paper (Cm6046). Further details about this, which is known as the Project for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow, are available on the Department's website (www.dft.gov.uk/aviation/projectheathrow).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed (a) third runway and (b) sixth terminal at Heathrow Airport on (i) road, (ii) train and (iii) tube routes to the airport from central London. [5894]

The impact of an expanded Heathrow on the surrounding surface access network was examined in the run up to Air Transport White Paper. The White Paper concluded that any further development of Heathrow would require improvements to public transport (especially rail infrastructure) and that some form of road user charging should also be considered. The surface access measures necessary to support an expanded Heathrow are being examined further as part of the project for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much central funding Kent county council has received for its roads budget in each year since 1997. [6728]

The Department for Transport has approved approximately £268 million of funding support for Kent county council between April 1997 and March 2005 in local transport capital settlements. Approximately £74 million has been for capital highways maintenance, £46 million for local improvements to the road network and roads based public transport and £148 million for major schemes (each costing more than £5 million). The major schemes were mainly road improvements, but also included is support for investment in the Fastrack public transport network in Kent Thames-side.

In addition to funding provided through the local transport capital settlement, the Government also provided funding to Kent county council covering most of the costs of the Ramsgate harbour approach road.

In addition central funding support for services, including routine highways services, is provided through revenue support grant. This is not allocated by the Government between individual council services.

The funding support provided directly to Kent county council through the local transport capital settlement for each year is shown in the table. It has been for Kent county council to determine.

Kent county council local transport capital settlement -- £000

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has undertaken into ways of addressing parking shortages in town centres, with particular reference to controlled parking zones. [6546]

The Department is about to publish the results of research about the extent to which restrictions in controlled parking zones are understood. This does not specifically deal with parking shortages in town centres, which is a responsibility for local authorities under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints his Department received concerning each train operating company in the last year for which figures are available. [7107]

The Department does not index correspondence by train operating company, and this information is therefore not available.

The number of complaints received by the Rail Passengers Council about different train operators is published in its annual report. The results of the national passenger survey on passenger satisfaction are published on 24 June in the Strategic Rail Authority's National Rail Trends Yearbook 2004–05, a copy of which is placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road bridges there are over railway lines in the Stroud constituency; and how many of these have additional measures of protection. [7241]

This information is not held centrally. Gloucestershire county council is the highway authority for the Stroud constituency, and is responsible for almost all road bridges over railway lines there.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what authority (a) private contractors, (b) the emergency services and (c) others have to cone off road lanes; and if he will make a statement. [5910]

Private contractors carrying out works on the road for highway authorities should follow the advice in chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual; if working for utility companies they should follow the guidance in Safety at Street Works and Road Works—a Code of Practice. These publications show how works should be set out, including how cones should be used to close off sections of a road, to ensure the safety of the work force and road users. If any works require a temporary traffic regulation order, for example to close a road, then the relevant highway authority must make the order.

Local authority or utility employees carrying out works on the road will be subject to the same requirements as contractors working for the bodies concerned.

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 gives the police powers to place signs, which includes traffic cones, when dealing with events, incidents and emergencies. The Traffic Management Act 2004 gives Highway Agency Traffic Officers powers to direct traffic and to place signs on the agency's roads in order to manage traffic.

The Traffic Signs (Temporary Obstructions) Regulations 1997 specify the devices that may be used for directing traffic round broken-down vehicles and other temporary obstructions, and conditions for placing them. The devices include traffic cones, flat traffic delineators or traffic pyramids.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the female prison population. [6538]

I very much welcome the recent announcement by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary of £9.15 million funding over four years for "a radical new approaches to help reduce women's offending". The new initiatives, set up in two areas, will include women's Community Supervision and Support Centres. These will provide women with one-stop access to the support and services needed to address issues that can affect why women offend, such as drug abuse, mental health, housing, child care and domestic violence. I and my right hon. Friend the Cabinet Minister for Women are in close contact with the relevant Ministers.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps she is taking to ensure the equal treatment of pregnant women within the workplace. [6539]

Employers who discriminate against pregnant women are breaking the law. We have taken the opportunity afforded by the amended Equal Treatment Directive to clarify the law and are amending the Sex Discrimination Act so that it explicitly outlaws pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps the Government are taking to help women returning to work after (a) giving birth and (b) bringing up a family. [6540]

We recently consulted on options to encourage communication between employers and employees and ease women's return to work after time away to give birth and care for children. Other work includes an RDA pilot providing women returners with career advice and training, and the Women and Work Commission, who will report to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in the autumn on ways of giving women a fairer deal in the workplace.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs concerning the Council of Europe convention on trafficking in relation to the trafficking of women. [6541]

I fully support the work my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe and Sale, East (Paul Goggins), the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, is doing in relation to the Council of Europe Convention on Trafficking. My hon. Friend chairs the Ministerial Group on Human Trafficking and I will be attending the next meeting of the Ministerial Group, the first such meeting since my appointment.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what recent discussions she has had with contractors to Government Departments about pay discrimination on gender grounds. [6542]

The Office of Government Commerce is currently producing guidance to cover "Social Issues in Purchasing". This includes how and where gender and other social considerations may be incorporated in public sector procurement. It is acknowledged that the current framework allows scope to take account of gender considerations, as long as they occur within the existing legal and policy framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been spent on humanitarian aid for the Darfur region of Sudan in each of the last three years; and what his plans are for each of the next three years. [6334]

Since the start of the crisis in Darfur in April 2003, the Department for International Development (DFID) has committed £90 million of humanitarian aid to the Darfur crisis, including assistance to Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad. In the financial year 2003–04 DFID spent £7 million on humanitarian aid, of which £3 million went to the refugees in eastern Chad. In the financial year 2004–05 DFID spent £48.5 million on humanitarian aid for Darfur; of this £7 million went to eastern Chad. In the current financial year, 2005–06, DFID has set aside £75 million for humanitarian work across Sudan. Of this, DFID has so far spent £10 million on humanitarian aid to the Darfur region; of which £0.3 million has gone to eastern Chad.

A further £23.5 million is committed for humanitarian projects in Darfur this year, including £2 million for eastern Chad. A further £7.5 million is available for humanitarian assistance across Sudan including Darfur, but it has not yet been allocated to specific projects or locations. Given the evolving situation, DFID is not yet in a position to confirm how much humanitarian aid will go to the Darfur region in the next three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of progress towards the Millennium Development Goal to provide universal primary education in Africa. [5693]

The most recent assessment of progress towards all the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)s is a United Nations report published in June 2005. A 2004 UN chart colour codes whether regions are on track to meet key MDG targets or not.

As reported in the United Nations Millennium Development Goal Report (2005), sub-Saharan Africa has made progress, but still has a third of its children out of school; 62 per cent. of children in this region were enrolled in primary school in 2001 (the most recently available figures). Unsurprisingly, given this, the UN's 2004 chart shows that this region is not on track to meet the universal primary education Millennium Development Goal (MDG) by 2015 without dramatically scaled up efforts. Northern Africa is however, on track to meet this target, with 92 per cent. of pupils enrolled in primary education in 2001.

The picture is not uniform. Appropriate policies and sufficient expenditure have enabled countries such as Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda to make good progress. These countries are judged on track to meet the universal primary education Millennium Development Goal (MDG) by 2015.

DFID puts a high priority on expanding primary school enrolment and promoting girls education and plans to contribute £1.4 billion to education in Africa between 2005 and 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the financial impact of the G8 Finance Ministers meeting in June on African countries in the highly indebted poor countries initiative; and if he will make a statement. [6300]

At their meeting on 10/11 June, the G8 Finance Ministers re-affirmed their commitment to the full implementation and financing of the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. They also agreed a new proposal to cancel 100 per cent. of qualifying HIPCs' debts to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank and the African Development Fund of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The proposal, to be presented to the Boards of the World Bank, IMF and AfDB, would cancel up to $55 billion worth of debt for 38 countries. Eighteen countries, 14 of which are in Africa, would immediately be eligible for this relief, as they have completed the HIPC process. They would benefit from up to $40 billion worth of debt cancellation. The G8 proposal will therefore free up substantial additional resources for spending on health, education and infrastructure and to help countries meet the Millennium Development Goals. The mechanism by which qualifying HIPC countries would receive this new multilateral debt relief would be by adjusting these countries' gross assistance flows by the amounts forgiven. Details of the proposal are still being worked out, so it is not yet possible to give precise figures of the net benefits to individual countries.

An additional nine African HIPCs are expected to complete the HIPC process over the next year or two. They would then also qualify for assistance under the new proposal. A further nine African countries have been identified as eligible for HIPC. However, conflict and governance concerns are hampering their progress through the HIPC process. As and when they complete the HIPC initiative, they would also qualify for assistance under this new deal.

The G8 Finance Ministers have agreed that G8 countries will provide their share of the finances needed to cover the cost of this debt relief. Therefore in addition to the proposed debt stock cancellation, the additional resources donors provide as compensation to the World Bank and AfDB would be channelled through IDA and the African Development Fund to benefit all recipient countries.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much the Government have spent to date on the Family Resolutions Pilot Scheme; how many couples have completed full courses on the Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the future of the Scheme. [4467]

I have been asked to reply.

Total expenditure on the Family Resolutions Pilot Project as of 31 May 2005 is £190,628. 47 couples have been referred to the Pilot. Of these, 23 couples have completed the full programme. We expect to take decisions on the future of the Family Resolutions Project in April 2006, after evaluation is complete.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs

(1) if she will ensure that her Department and its contractor Pickfords Records Management make no greater charge per page for the general election marked register than do local councils for marked registers after local elections; [6645]

(2) if she will ensure that marked registers remain in the custody of local authorities following future general elections. [6646]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 22 June 2005.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what (a) administrative and (b) legislative steps would need to be taken to ensure that marked registers remain in the custody of local authorities following a general election. [6647]

Transferring the duty to store marked registers from the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery to local authorities, would require amending Schedule 1 of the Representation of the People Act 1983. This could be achieved only through primary legislation.

If the duty to store election documents produced, at a general election, were to be transferred to local authorities, it would then be for those authorities to take any appropriate administrative steps to ensure effective storage of all documents, and access to those documents open to inspection, including the marked registers.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of Operation Scrap-it; and if he will make a statement. [5273]

Operation Scrap-it, led by the Association of London Government, and funded as part of the Together programme has shown what can be achieved by focussed action on tackling nuisance vehicles. 98 per cent. of abandoned vehicles across London are now being removed within 72 hours and free take back of end of life vehicles is provided across the capital.

The Government's national strategy for tackling nuisance vehicles, published last November, aims to learn on this success and that of other schemes, such as the car clearance initiatives funded by the Arson Control Forum, to cut the number of abandoned vehicles by 25 per cent. by 2008.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received from the residents of Braeburn Park, Crayford in respect of the planning applications from FM Conway Dartford; and if he will make a statement. [6640]

My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister received a petition from the residents of Braeburn Park and a number of individual letters objecting to the development. These will be fully considered before a decision is made on whether to call in the application.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to make a decision on the FM Conway Dartford planning applications. [6641]

These applications have been formally referred to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, the First Secretary of State as departures from the development plan. We are still considering whether they should be called in for the Secretary of State's decision and we expect to take a view on this very soon. I cannot make any further comment on the applications at this time.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance he has issued on the application of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to public areas of (a) local authority and (b) housing association (i) blocks, (ii) walkways, (iii) play areas and (iv) open spaces. [6774]

It is the responsibility of local authorities and housing associations to ensure that they comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. Providing guidance on disability issues is one of the functions of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC). The DRC's part 3 code of practice deals with the duties placed by part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 on those providing goods, facilities or services to the public and those selling, letting or managing premises.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the net cost change that will ensue from the proposed Regional Fire Control Centre for South East England. [4932]

Figures for the south-east only are not currently available, as the business case for the FiReControl project currently exists at a national level. The new national network of control centres is expected to achieve, on average, a possible saving of 30 per cent. over existing arrangements from financial year 2009–10 onwards.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will review the guidance given to local authorities on development in areas at risk from flooding or on a flood plain; and if he will make a statement. [6434]

My right hon. Friend, the former Minister for Housing and Planning, announced that we will be revising planning policy on development and flood risk (PPG25) in his statement of 24 March 2005, Official Report, column 83WS.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the bodies in Gloucestershire with whom he has discussed plans for local government reorganisation. [6777]

None. At present the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no plans for local government reorganisation.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Government have to allow health concerns to be taken into account during the planning process for mobile phone masts. [3371]

The Government are carefully considering the judgment on 13 November 2003 by the Court of Appeal in the case of "First Secretary of State 11 January which both make reference to the extent to which local planning authorities can take health concerns into account in decisions about the siting of mobile phone base stations. The NRPB supports the Government view that whilst planning is necessarily a local issue the assessment of evidence related to possible health concerns associated with exposures to RF fields from base stations is best dealt with nationally.v. T Mobile and others" and the report entitled "Mobile Phones and Health 2004" published by the National Radiological Protection Board on

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what quantity of public recreational open space there was in each London borough in each year since 1997. [5283]

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

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he intends to hold a referendum on establishing an elected regional assembly in (a) the North West and (b) Yorkshire and Humber. [4293]

No. I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's statement to the House given on 8 November 2004, Official Report, columns 587–89. The hon. Member was present during my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's statement and led the response on behalf of the opposition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of her Department's posts (a) have been relocated and (b) are under consideration for relocation from London to the deprived areas of the South East. [6254]

My Department and sponsored organisations are implementing the Lyons Review recommendations to relocate 600 posts out of London and the South East by 2010. This will not exclude consideration of relocating some of the posts to relatively deprived areas of the South East. So far, my Department has not identified any posts suitable for transfer to deprived areas of the South East.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will ensure that those areas of the country which are unable to receive digital terrestrial television for technical reasons have access to a free digital satellite service equivalent to Freeview at a comparable set-up cost. [6034]

All the BBCs television services are broadcast without encryption and can be accessed by viewers using digital satellite receivers and dishes available from retailers. In addition, a free-to view satellite service offering all public service broadcasting channels was launched by BSkyB in 2004.

The Government believe there are considerable benefits for consumers in broadcasters continuing to promote the development of free to view satellite provision. This will help to drive digital take up in areas poorly served by digital terrestrial in the run up to digital switchover.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department expects the publication of Ofcom's Review of Electronic Programming Guides; and if she will make a statement. [5759]

The matter 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 both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department expects to publish its consultation on revised criteria for listing buildings; and if she will make a statement. [6484]

As part of the wider reform of the heritage protection system, we expect to publish the consultation on the revised criteria for listing buildings in summer 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the outcome was of the recent meeting between the four sport consortiums and her Department to discuss the National Sports Foundation. [5242]

holding answer 20 June 2005

Discussions with the National Governing Bodies for Sport about the National Sports Foundation are at an early stage and no decisions have been made. Further details will be announced in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her Answers of 24 May 2005, Official Report, column 53W, on the National Sports Foundation, when the Government expects to announce the (a) location, (b) budget, (c) staffing requirements, (d) structure and (e) grant criteria for the National Sports Foundation. [5370]

holding answer 20 June 2005

Discussions about the National Sports Foundation are at an early stage and no decisions have been made. Further details will be announced in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what initiatives are (a) in place and (b) planned to meet the Department's public service agreement target to increase participation within priority groups, including women, by three per cent. by 2008. [6297]

DCMS is working with Sport England on a range of key interventions to increase participation within priority groups, including women and we are in the process of agreeing a delivery plan with Sport England for the PSA target,

(a) Key initiatives in place include:

In the five years to 2008, Government investment in the PE, School Sport and Club Links strategy will top £1.5 billion, which also includes Lottery Fund assistance.

Investment of £60 million in the coaching programme that seeks to build on the National Strategy.

By 2006, Government and the National Lottery will have committed over £1 billion to develop new or refurbished sports facilities. We aim to develop a comprehensive facilities strategy mapping out supply, demand and priorities for investment.

(b) Planned initiatives include:

The creation of a National Sports Foundation, bringing together Government and the national governing bodies for sport, will be an investment fund for grassroots sport, with a £27 million initial investment as announced by the Chancellor in March.

The creation of "Sport Direct", a new information service which will establish a single portal for sport so that people can find out what is on offer in their local area.

In addition, Sport Action Zones (SAZs) were established in January 2000 as part of the Sport England Lottery Strategy to tackle sporting deprivation impacting on our target groups, in some of the most socially and environmentally deprived areas in the country.

The DCMS Participation Survey, starting in July 2005, will provide statistically robust data to monitor performance of our PSA targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what provision there is in the BBC Charter for Ulster Scots programmes in Northern Ireland. [5509]

There is no specific requirement under the BBC's Charter for the provision of Ulster Scots programmes in Northern Ireland. However, the BBC does provide a range of content in Ulster Scots and the Government's March Green Paper on the BBC made clear that its role should include provision in indigenous minority languages across a range of platforms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which aircraft he expects to fly from the new aircraft carrier in 2012. [3821]

The future aircraft carrier has been designed with the flexibility to operate a variety of aircraft, both fixed-wing and rotary. The planned composition of the first carrier's air group continues to be defined, but we anticipate that the Joint Combat Aircraft, which we expect to start taking delivery of in 2011, will be conducting flight trials from the new carrier when it enters service, as part of our progressive approach to providing the future carrier strike capability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the value of his Department's equipment (a) lost and (b) stolen in each of the last five years, broken down by service. [5057]

The value of losses to the Ministry of Defence in each of the last five years are listed in the MOD's Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

The figures representing the MOD's equipment stolen in each of the last five years are not available in the requested format. However, the totals for each period are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy ships have visited (a) Gibraltar and (b) Spain since 1 April. [6387]

The following tables show which Royal Navy and (for completeness) Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships have visited Gibraltar and Spain since 1 April 2005 to date (22 June 2005).

Gibraltar

Spain

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the application of the International Criminal Court Act 2001 to UK service personnel; and what his Department's policy is regarding bringing prosecutions under (a) this Act and (b) other military and civil law. [5160]

It is an offence under the International Criminal Court Act 2001 to commit genocide, a crime against humanity, or a war crime. This applies to any person subject to UK Service jurisdiction, by any UK national, and by any UK resident. UK criminal courts and courts martial have jurisdiction over service personnel for offences under the Act.

Decisions on the prosecution of persons subject to UK service jurisdiction for any criminal offence are matters for the relevant independent prosecuting authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many agency medical staff have been employed in Iraq since 1 June 2004; and at what cost. [4664]

holding answer 14 June 2005

11 agency medical staff have been employed by the MOD in Iraq since 1 June 2004 through two separate contracts. The total value of these two contracts to the Ministry of Defence since 1 June 2004 is £600,573. This figure includes agency staff that have been employed in other theatres of operation; to further breakdown this figure would breach commercial confidentiality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the in-service date is for the Joint Combat Aircraft. [3885]

In-service dates for projects are not set until the main investment decision which is made when we have a clear understanding of the risks, contracting arrangements and robust estimates of cost and time. In the case of the Joint Combat Aircraft this will be the manufacture Main Gate decision point. Our internal planning assumptions are based on an ISD of 2014.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the recovery of remote-controlled minehunter submarines in respect of (a) retrieval by the Royal Navy and (b) salvage payments to civilians who recover such units. [5557]

The policy relating to the recovery of Royal Navy remote controlled mine hunting submersibles is the same as that for any other item of Royal Navy property lost at sea.

A cost/benefit assessment is carried out, covering issues such as public safety, environmental impact, technical probability of successful recovery, security, operational requirements and the cost of replacing the item. Depending on the outcome of this assessment, a salvage operation may be undertaken.

Salvage payments to civilians, other than those employed by the Ministry of Defence, who recover such items are generally dealt with in accordance with the guidelines set out in the London Salvage Convention 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many remote-controlled minehunter submarines have been lost by the Royal Navy in each year since 1997; and what the cost has been. [5558]