To ask the Prime Minister how many laptop computers have been used by (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Office 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. [4112]

For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to issue guidance on effective commissioning for those in the public and voluntary sectors who are commissioning work from external consultants. [7019]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her on 27 June 2005, Official Report, column 1286W by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many books were borrowed from libraries in each London borough in each year since 1997. [7475]

The aggregate number of books issued by library authorities across inner and outer London for each year between 1997–98 and 2003–04 is shown in the following table. These figures are drawn from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's annual Public Library Statistics (Actuals) which also contain figures for individual library authorities. Copies are available in the House of Commons Library.

Thousand

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on differences in amounts received by constituencies from grants to good causes from the national lottery. [8073]

Policy directions issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport state that lottery funding must be accessible to all sections of the population and all areas of the country (especially those at risk of social exclusion).

Ensuring equality of access does not, however, mean that every constituency will receive exactly the same amount. And nor should it. The distribution of national lottery funds was always intended to respond to particular needs and to ensure that areas of significant disadvantage are first to benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will take steps to promote women's football in England. [8378]

The Government have sought to help promote the women's game by working closely with the football authorities and other sporting organisations to raise its profile in this country.

Sport England on behalf of the Government funds the Football Foundation which invests in a wide range of projects that benefit women's football. Sport England has also directly funded girls' football in recent years through the Active Sports programme which has contributed to the 53 per cent. increase in the number of girls playing the game since 2001.

The Government place much importance on women's football and football in general. The sport is a key deliverer of our aims to increase participation in sport, improve social inclusion, community cohesion and the health of the nation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in her Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if she will make a statement. [7858]

The Department records the number of stress related absences, but the records do not distinguish between stress and work-related stress. The number of stress related cases identified for the last three years are as follows:

⁽¹⁾This information has been suppressed on grounds of confidentiality.

DCMS has a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for all employees and guidance is available for staff and managers on how to manage stress effectively.

No compensation has been paid to employees for any stress related cases in the last three years.

As part of our larger managing attendance, health and welfare programme for staff we have a range of policies and procedures in places to reduce work-related stress.

These include: Stress Management policy: Sickness Absence policy, which includes guidance on making reasonable adjustments; full range of flexible work patterns to support work-life balance; dedicated stress management channel on DCMS Intranet; health awareness pages on Intranet; access to welfare services, onsite gym and yoga classes.

The Department does not hold details of costs for absences resulting from work-related stress or procedures put in place to tackle it.

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

(1) what assessment she has made of the welfare conditions of animals used in circuses; and if she will make a statement; [7035]

(2) what plans she has to bring the welfare standards for circus animals up to the same standard as for animals kept in zoos; and if she will make a statement. [7036]

The Government are aware of anecdotal evidence that there are certain welfare problems associated with circuses. The Government's preliminary conclusion is that any such problems can be addressed through better regulation.

Proposals under the Animal Welfare Bill will improve significantly the welfare of animals in circuses. The Bill will introduce a 'duty of care' requiring that the owner or keeper of an animal takes reasonable steps to ensure its welfare and enables action to be taken before any suffering occurs. This will strengthen protection for circus animals.

It is also our intention, through secondary legislation under the Bill, to regulate all trainers of performing animals. No decisions have been taken as to what form the regulation will take but any proposals will be subject to public consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the legislative position in other European countries in respect of the use of wild animals in circuses; and if she will make a statement. [7448]

The Department is aware that animal welfare laws, including those relating to circuses, vary across Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to publish statistics on roadside badger deaths in Surrey; and if she will make a statement. [7360]

As Surrey is not one of the seven counties in which DEFRA is conducting its Road Traffic Accident survey, we do not have data on the numbers of badgers killed on Surrey roads.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to include kilns on the Energy Technology List of the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme; and if she will make a statement. [7395]

The Carbon Trust is responsible for providing the Government with technical advice on technologies for the Energy Technology List (ETL). Each proposal for a new technology group is considered and prioritised based on the potential to save carbon dioxide emissions and ease of incorporation within the scheme. To date we have not received any detailed or quantitative proposals to include kilns on the ETL from the relevant industry representatives and our own market assessment indicates that kilns offer relatively low EGA accessible abatement potential compared to other technologies not yet listed. Therefore we have no plans to undertake a detailed evaluation of kilns for the ETL at the moment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many calls the Environment Agency emergency helpline received in each year since 1997, broken down by the type of problem being reported. [7152]

The Environment Agency does not record the number of calls to the incident hotline, or keep a central log of those calls by subject. Preparing the information from the manually completed record sheets would could be done only at disproportionate cost.

The following schedule shows an approximation of the number of calls received, based on information supplied by BT concerning the total duration of all calls to the hotline, divided by an average duration calculated using figures for April 2005. Unfortunately this information is only available since June 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much is budgeted for expenditure on flood defences in the East Riding of Yorkshire in the next five years; and to which projects funding will be allocated. [6547]

DEFRA funds most of the Environment Agency's flood management activities in England and provides grant aid on a project by project basis to the other operating authorities (local authorities and internal drainage boards) to support their investment in improvement projects to manage flood and coastal erosion risk. Defra does not build defences, nor direct the authorities on which specific projects to undertake.

I understand from the Environment Agency that their budget for expenditure on flood risk management in East Riding of Yorkshire over the next five years is approximately £41 million (at September 2004 prices). This is made up as follows:

For local authorities and internal drainage boards, the forward programme is not budgeted at regional level. DEFRA does however hold forecasts of expenditure of individual approved flood risk management improvement projects covering the period from April 2005 to March 2008. These forecasts total approximately £1 million and are made up as follows:

In addition to this list of approved projects for local authorities and internal drainage boards, there are also a number of planned improvement projects that meet the current priority score thresholds but which have not yet been approved for grant aid by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress with the Silkstream Flood Defence scheme, Edgware. [7053]

The Environment Agency is promoting this flood alleviation project. I understand that two of the six flood storage areas have been constructed, these being Temple Pond and Prince Edward Playing Fields (Harrow). Construction work is programmed to commence in autumn 2005 for Summerhouse Lake and Stoneywood Lake. Design and land negotiations for the final two sites, Edgwarebury Park and Bury Farm, are being progressed and underpinned by a Compulsory Purchase Order procedure.

The completion of all flood storage areas is still on target for year 2007, subject to securing the necessary funding and successful negotiations with landowners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many households have been assisted by the Home Energy Efficiency and Warm Front schemes in the borough of Dartford in each year since June 2000; and what the average size of grant was in each financial year. [7904]

Between the launch of the Warm Front Scheme in June 2000 and the end of the March 2005 the number of households assisted in the borough of Dartford were:

The average size of grant in each financial year for the Dartford constituency was:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken towards implementing the requirements of section 217 of the Housing Act 2004. [7953]

We are working across Government and with key stakeholders to implement the policies detailed in our 2004 Energy Efficiency Action Plan, which will lead to economy-wide annual savings of 12.1 million tonnes of carbon by 2010. We are looking at ways to further strengthen our energy efficiency policies through the joint HM Treasury/Defra Energy Efficiency Innovation Review and the Climate Change Programme Review, due to conclude later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average water sewerage bills are as a proportion of average income in each region. [6293]

Information on water and sewerage bills is not available by economic region. The attached table sets out the average water and sewerage bill as a proportion of average household income in each water and sewerage company area.

2005–06

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential for the recovery of construction and demolition timber as a renewable energy source. [7282]

Information is not available on the amount of construction and timber waste produced each year. Current estimates for all types of wood waste vary from 1.9 to 7.5 million tonnes per annum. This includes municipal, commercial and industrial waste as well as that from construction and demolition. A significant proportion currently goes to landfill, which could be used instead as a valuable energy source. As part of the current review of the renewables obligation, the Government has just consulted on options for incentivising a broader range of mixed waste energy projects. The Biomass Study Task Force, led by Sir Ben Gill, is looking at the barriers to developing biomass energy and will recommend ways to overcome the problems. The use of wood waste as an energy source is one of the areas they are looking at and we will consider the way forward in the light of their recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps have been taken to reduce the conditionality of overseas aid; and if he will make a statement. [7786]

The UK Conditionality Policy which I launched in March this year aims to reduce the overall burden of conditionality on developing countries. UK aid will be subject to only three fundamental conditions, which ensure that aid is used to reduce poverty, is not misused through corruption and supports good governance and human rights. We will no longer make UK aid conditional on specific policy choices by partner governments—including in sensitive economic areas such as privatisation or trade liberalisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to encourage bilateral and multilateral donors to adopt the UK's policy of not placing economic conditions on the aid, loans and debt relief given to developing countries. [7791]

I published a UK policy paper on conditionally in March 2005. Increased transparency about DFID's approach to conditionally and about the conditions that we use will help us to achieve change in other organisations. Last year, I pressed the World Bank to carry out a review of its conditionality. The review will be finalised before the Annual Meetings in September 2005. We have had good discussions with our Nordic Plus partners who are in broad agreement with the principles set out on our policy paper. At country level, when working with other donors, we will encourage others to adopt the approach and principles laid out in our conditionality policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has hadwith Ministers in recipient countries in relation to HIV/AIDS aid in sub-Saharan Africa. [7787]

Over the past few months my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I have met with Ministers and others in a number of African countries to discuss ways of doing more to fight HIV and AIDS prevention, provide better treatment and care, improve and encourage research into protective microbicides and vaccines.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures he plans to put in place to ensure that heavily indebted poor countries receiving debt relief do not incur heavy debts in future. [7788]

Heavily indebted poor countries that have demonstrated a commitment to poverty reduction are receiving substantial debt relief, and would receive more under the G8 proposal agreed recently.

It is essential that these countries do not build up unsustainable debts again. We have therefore agreed a new arrangement—the Debt Sustainability Framework—to determine whether new assistance should be in the form of loans or grants. We will discuss with partners whether the framework should be adjusted in light of the multilateral relief proposed by the G8.

We are also providing assistance directly to countries to strengthen their debt management capacity.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that funds released by debt relief are used to reduce poverty. [7790]

Debt relief under the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative, as well as proposed in the recent G8 deal, will go only to countries that have demonstrated their commitment to poverty reduction and good public expenditure management.

On average, 65 per cent. of the savings from HIPC debt relief are used on health and education. There are already many excellent examples of the difference this debt relief can make—after receiving HIPC debt relief in 2001 Ghana has increased spending on reducing poverty by almost 50 per cent. In Uganda, debt relief has seen spent on reducing poverty rise by 75 per cent. since 2000, and access to health services and immunisation rates have almost doubled.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to assist people in Zimbabwe's urban areas. [7789]

It is estimated that 66,000 households (approaching 330,000 people) have been affected by the callous destruction of people's homes and livelihoods by the government of Zimbabwe. DFID have responded to this man-made disaster by providing US$450,000 so far in humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable. A further contribution is imminent. To date nearly 10,000 families have been reached with food, blankets, soap and other forms of assistance. Where appropriate emergency water and sanitation facilities have been provided. We will continue to press the Government of Zimbabwe to respect human rights and to put a stop to these cruel evictions and arrests.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid programmes his Department has in the Palestinian territories. [7792]

The Department for International Development is working with partners to help end conflict and create a viable Palestinian state that will reduce poverty. The central themes of our programme are to enhance the prospects for peace, promote effective and accountable Palestinian institutions and make international aid and development assistance more effective. We plan to spend £30 million in bilateral aid during 2005–06. Half of our funding will help the United Nations Relief and Works Agency deliver education, health and social services to Palestinian refugees. We will also continue to provide budget support to the Palestinian Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance the Department is providing to Iraq in 2005–06. [7793]

DFID plans to provide £65 million in assistance to Iraq in 2005–06. Our programme is focused on improving infrastructure, including power and water supplies in southern Iraq, and support for public administration, economic reform and participation in the political process in Iraq.

Full details of DFID's programme of assistance in Iraq since April 2003 can be found on the Departments website at www.dfid.gov.uk/countries/asia/iraq.asp

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to ensure that user fees for education are abolished in all countries not on track to meet the millennium development goals. [7794]

DFID supports governments to develop education policies that reduce the financial burden of education for poor families. In Kenya, the recent removal of user fees resulted in over 1 million extra children going to school. We will continue to support countries not on track to meet the education Millennium Development Goals in their efforts to remove user fees for basic education. Over the next three years, DFID plans to spend £1.4 billion supporting education in developing countries. Removing school fees must be part of a plan to ensure the quality of primary education for children is improved.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on reconstruction in the tsunami-affected regions. [7795]

Following a successful humanitarian relief effort, reconstruction after the Asian Tsunami will take several years. Progress is now being made.

In Sri Lanka, 30,000 transitional homes replacing temporary shelters have been constructed so far. Of 182 schools damaged, contracts have been signed to rebuild 176; and roads, railways and electricity supplies have been restored. The recently agreed Joint Mechanism between the Government, the LTTE and Muslims will aid reconstruction in the North East.

Indonesia is still essentially in the relief phase but reconstruction is now beginning through the Aceh Reconstruction Agency. I announced during my recent visit £30 million to be made available to the Indonesian Multi Donor Trust Fund from the £65 million for reconstruction.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been invested in (a) fossil fuel projects and (b) renewable energy projects by the (i) World Bank Group, (ii) European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, (iii) European Investment Bank, (iv) Asian Development Bank, (v) African Development Bank and (vi) Inter American Development Bank in each of the last five years. [6837]

holding answer 23 June 2005

The following summary table details investment in fossil fuel and renewable energy projects across the major multilateral development banks in the last five years.

Multilateral development bank renewable energy and fossil fuel investments: financial year 2000–04 -- US$ million

Notes:

1. Figures shown are commitment amounts and not disbursements.

2. Renewable energy is generally defined as hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal and biomass projects.

3. Sub-sector project definitions may vary across institutions and are not directly comparable.

4. Although projects are in fossil fuel sector, this does not necessarily imply a net increase in fossil fuel use. More efficient fossil fuel investments will displace other inefficient fuel or production methods.

5. Coal projects include costs to close mines in an environmental and socially acceptable manner.

6. Figures excludes sole technical assistance projects although technical assistance is a component of loans described.

7. Figures exclude projects solely to support power transmission and distribution.

8. World Bank renewable energy projects include IBRD/IDA/IFC commitments, MIGA guarantees, Bank GEF projects and IBRD carbon finance.

9. EIB investments are for EU members, and also two projects in Swaziland and Morocco.

10. ADB, AfDB, EIB and IDB energy efficiency project information not shown in table.

11. The energy efficiency component of EBRD industrial projects was not recorded before 2002.

12. EBRD and EIB lending figures converted to US$ at $ per Euro 1.205.

13. AfDB figures converted from Unit of Account to US$ at $ per UA 1.4752.

14. IDB loans include loan amounts placed by IDB Private Sector Department with other lenders.

15. IDB renewable energy includes investment in cogeneration facilities.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many prosecutions for domestic violence in the jurisdiction of the Teesside combined courts have (a) come to court and (b) resulted in conviction in the last 12 months. [7685]

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) records are held according to the CPS unit responsible for proceedings, rather than the court in which the case was heard.

The following table shows the number and outcome of proceedings for domestic violence handled by the Teesside Criminal Justice Unit and the Trials Unit in magistrates courts during the year ending March 2005. During this period, 152 defendants were convicted for domestic violence in the magistrates courts, representing 54.7 per cent. of the total proceeded against. Proceedings in respect of 10 defendants were dismissed after a full trial. All of these prosecutions may be regarded as having come to court. Proceedings in respect of a further 114 defendants were discontinued, while bench warrants for the arrest of two more defendants remained outstanding. These cases may be regarded as not having come to court.

Prosecutions in Teesside Crown court are handled by three CPS units: Durham Trials Unit, Teesside Trials Unit and York Trials Unit. However, CPS units are also responsible for prosecutions in other Crown courts, and it is not possible to disaggregate figures to isolate those relating to Teesside Crown court alone.

A further table shows the number of defendants proceeded against for domestic violence in the crown court by each of the relevant CPS units during the year ending March 2005, and the outcome of the proceedings. The table also shows the proportion of cases resulting in an unsuccessful outcome and in a conviction. In total, 100 defendants were convicted for domestic violence: (73.5 per cent. of the total proceeded against).

All of the Crown court cases shown in the following tables may be regarded as having come to court, with the exception of the one case which could not proceed owing to the death of the defendant.

CPS proceedings for domestic violence in the Crown court 2004–05

CPS proceedings for domestic violence in magistrates courts Teesside: 2004–05

To ask the Solicitor-General how many prosecutions for rape and sexual offences have (a) been brought to court and (b) resulted in conviction in the jurisdiction of the Teesside combined courts in the last 12 months. [7686]

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) records are held according to the CPS unit responsible for proceedings rather than the court in which the case was heard.

The following table shows the number and the outcome of proceedings for sexual offences handled by the Teesside Criminal Justice Unit and the Trials Unit in magistrates courts during the period from September 2004, when the present analysis was introduced, to March 2005. During this period, 26 defendants were convicted for sexual offences in magistrates courts, representing 78.8 per cent. of the total proceeded against. Proceedings were discontinued in respect of the remaining seven defendants, whose cases may be regarded as not having been brought to court.

Prosecutions in Teesside Crown court are handled by three CPS units: Durham Trials Unit, Teesside Trials Unit and York Trials Unit. However, these CPS units are also responsible for prosecutions in other crown courts, and it is not possible to disaggregate figures to isolate those relating to Teesside Crown court alone.

A further table shows the number of defendants proceeded against for sexual offences in the Crown court by each of the relevant CPS units. The table also shows the proportion of cases resulting in an unsuccessful outcome and in a conviction. In total, 72 defendants were convicted for sexual offences: (59.5 per cent. of the total proceeded against).

All of the cases shown in the tables for crown court proceedings may be regarded as having been brought to court, with the exception of two cases in which a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant remained unexecuted.

While CPS records provide an analysis of the number and the outcome of proceedings for sexual offences, these figures cannot be further disaggregated to show the outcome of proceedings for rape.

Information from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database shows that in 2003, in the Teesside Crown Court, 28 defendants were proceeded against for rape of a male and rape of a female, of which nine were found guilty. Data for 2004 will be available in the autumn.

CPS proceedings for sexual offences in the Crown court—September 2004-March 2005

CPS proceedings for sexual offences in magistrates courts Teesside: September 2004-March 2005

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful appeals against council tax banding have been received in each year since 1997; and how many properties were moved down (i) one, (ii) two and (iii) three or more bands following successful appeals. [7151]

The information is as follows:

Appeals settled in each year for England since 1999–2000 ⁽²⁾

⁽²⁾The first year this information is available in this form.

Information on specific levels of banding changes relating to these appeals is not currently available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average cost of an appeal against council tax banding has been in each year since 1997. [7172]

The average costs of an appeal against council tax banding from 2001–02—the first year for which information is available—are:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff (a) are, (b) have been and (c) will be (i) employed and (ii) contracted out by the Valuation Office Agency to carry out the council tax revaluation process. [7210]

The number of staff employed by the Valuation Office Agency for the council tax revaluation process for England is:

(a) 2005–06: 1, 610

(b) 2004–05: 729

(c) 2006–07: 1,419

(ii) There are no current plans to contract out work from the Valuation Office Agency.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the sources are of the house sales price data the Valuation Office Agency is using for computer modelling as part of the council tax revaluation process. [7586]

The Valuation Office Agency has access to property transaction information from the Stamp Taxes Office of HM Revenue and Customs and from HM Land Registry.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of dwellings will be assessed by the Valuation Office Agency using the automated valuation model during the council tax revaluation in England. [7587]

The Automated Valuation Model will be used to support the revaluation of the majority of properties within England. Valuation Office Agency staff will use their expertise to review all the outputs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the specification and technical documentation relating to the automated valuation model used by the Valuation Office Agency for the council tax revaluation. [7590]

The Automated Valuation Model (AVM) is still under development, and so its specification and associated technical documentation is not yet finalised. The Valuation Office Agency will however publish information on this in due course.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Valuation Office Agency has made of the number of appeals which are likely to be made following the council tax revaluation in England. [7711]

The number of appeals which may be received following a revaluation are dependent upon a number of issues, which include the characteristics of the banding scheme, the extent of information provided to individual taxpayers about how their assessment has been arrived at, and also the level of payments to be made including whether any transitional relief scheme will apply. A number of these issues are currently under consideration by the Inquiry being undertaken by Sir Michael Lyons which is due to report in December 2005. It is therefore too speculative to provide estimates of appeal rates at this stage.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent consultations have been carried out by his Department with representatives of faith communities; and if he will make a statement. [3231]

Comprehensive information relating to consultations with representatives of faith communities is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Treasury Ministers are concerned to ensure that the views of all sectors of society, including faith communities, are taken fully into account in the process of policy development and analysis. Recent examples of active engagement with faith groups include the tax treatment of Islamic (Shari'a compliant) financial products and the refund of VAT on repairs to listed places of worship.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions EU finance ministers have had on introducing additional charges on domestic and international flights to fund international development in Africa; what the UK's position is; and if he will make a statement. [5143]

holding answer 20 June 2005

EU finance minister discussions on innovative mechanisms for financing development, including the IFF, the IFF for Immunisation, and an air ticket levy that could support specific development projects and refinance the IFF, are on-going.

The 16–17 June European Council invited the Council to pursue its consideration of the most promising options for innovative sources of funding for development, so as to increase the resources available in a sustainable and predictable manner."

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) value for money savings consequent on the Gershon review, (b) procurement savings and (c) reduction in civil service posts each Department is expected to make in the fiscal year 2004–05; and if he will make a statement. [7710]

Efficiency targets were set out for each Department in the Spending Review 2004 White Paper. Progress was reported in Budget 2005 and Departments will report on further progress in their annual reports.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2005, Official Report, column 681W, on home ownership, what economic analysis was undertaken to underpin the target of one million more homeowners by 2010. [6429]

The Government expect one million people to enter home-ownership over the next five years. This is based upon analysis of recent trends in house-building and new owner-occupiers. It also takes into account the impact that the domestic economic stability delivered by the Government's macroeconomic framework will have had on numbers entering into homeownership.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding allegations of fraud by insurance companies using the insurance premium tax. [7964]

The Treasury has received no representations regarding allegations of insurance premium tax (IPT) fraud by insurance companies in the past year. Some allegations of underpayment of IPT have been received regarding one particular business and these have been investigated by HM Revenue and Customs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average tax deduction due to Mortgage Interest Tax Relief was in April 1997. [7433]

Estimates can be made from data available on the HMRC website:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/mir/mir_t03_1.htm

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contribution to the cost of participation in central Government schemes and services came from equity release or other property-based loans to service users in (a) absolute and (b) percentage terms in the latest period for which figures are available; and what assessment he has made of how this proportion will change over the next 10 years. [6583]

The Treasury does not hold this data centrally.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) how many tax avoidance schemes have been withdrawn or otherwise ceased to operate since legislation was brought into force requiring sellers to secure prior clearance from his Department; [7583]

(2) if he will bring forward legislation to require (a) providers and (b) purchasers of tax avoidance schemes to provide a complete inventory of their schemes to his Department. [7584]

The Government are committed to protect the tax system against tax avoidance when and where necessary, ensuring that all taxpayers pay their fair share, and protecting revenues for essential public services. The disclosure rules for direct tax and VAT are a success, informing a number of anti-avoidance measures in the summer Finance Bill.

However, the disclosure rules do not require promoters of schemes to notify HMRC if a tax avoidance scheme has been withdrawn or otherwise ceased, so this information is unavailable.

The Government continue to keep the disclosure rules under review, and will bring forward any further proposals at the appropriate time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action his Department has taken against PricewaterhouseCoopers for selling tax avoidance schemes; and if he will make a statement. [8128]

The Government are committed to protect the tax system against tax avoidance when and where necessary, ensuring that all taxpayers pay their fair share, and protecting revenues for essential public services. The Government introduced the disclosure rules for direct tax and VAT in 2004. The disclosure rules are a success, informing a number of anti-avoidance measures in the summer Finance Bill. Among other things, the direct tax rules require promoters to disclose to HMRC that they have made available a scheme or arrangement as defined in the rules. This legislation applies to PricewaterhouseCoopers as it does to any other promoter.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions the Inland Revenue has brought for fraudulent tax credit claims in each year since 1997. [4377]

The Government introduced tax credits (working families tax credit, disabled person's tax credit and children's tax credit) in 1999. These were replaced in April 2003 by the new tax credits of working tax credit and child tax credit. There has been a steady increase in prosecutions brought by the Inland Revenue in each year since 1999 as shown in the table. A number of factors contribute to the significant increase in prosecutions:

As more people are eligible to benefit form the new generation of tax credits so there is more scope for fraudulent claims.

HMRC's tax fraud investigators have become increasingly proficient at discovering and preventing fraudulent tax credit claims.

There has been a lead in times from payments being issued, fraud identified and investigated to cases being taken through the court system.

Since the introduction of tax credits in 1999, the Inland Revenue (now HM Revenue and Customs) has prosecuted the following numbers of suspects.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many full-time equivalent staff of the Valuation Office Agency will be employed for the purposes of the council tax revaluation in (a) 2005–06 and (b) 2006–07. [7435]

The number of full-time, equivalent staff, employed by the Valuation Office Agency for the council tax revaluation process in England is:

(a) 2005–06: 1,610

(b) 2006–07: 1,419.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [7874]

The figures for reported cases of work-related stress in the department for the last three years are;

2002: 13 cases resulting in 467 workdays lost

2003: 22 cases resulting in 408 workdays lost

2004: 14 cases resulting in 139 workdays lost

There are no recorded cases of compensation being paid to employees for work-related stress.

A stress audit was carried out in the Treasury in 2000 at a cost of £20,000. To measure progress against the 2000 stress audit, a follow up well being survey was carried out in 2003 at a cost of £15,000. A staff group was set up to assess its recommendations and to take forward an action plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the funding of the new section of the A39 at Camelford; and if he will make a statement. [7921]

The A39 Camelford Distributor Road was provisionally approved by the Department in December 2000 at a cost of £6.8 million subject to the completion of the relevant statutory procedures and final approval by Ministers.

We are aware that costs for the scheme have increased significantly and are now estimated to be £14.4 million.

We therefore asked Cornwall county council to critically review the current benefit and cost assessment of this scheme in order to satisfy themselves that the scheme can be delivered to minimal additional cost and with a robust BCR. They are currently undertaking this work and future progress of the scheme will depend on the results of this assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to reduce road accidents on the A49 between Ludlow and Shrewsbury. [7925]

A number of initiatives have been taken to address safety on the A49 and a Route Management Strategy (RMS) was published in December 2004.

The Highways Agency has recently completed two schemes:

A roundabout junction improvement at Craven Arms

Traffic signal improvements and a vehicle activated speed limit sign at Church Stretton.

A further scheme has been proposed to install a pedestrian crossing facility on the Ludlow Bypass.

In addition, studies have been proposed for 2005–06. These include:

An accident analysis at the Stapleton Crossroads junction south of Shrewsbury and the A49/B4361 junction at the southern end of the Ludlow Bypass

A speed management strategy study for the route as a whole.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assistance the Government provide to regional airports to establish scheduled services. [7358]

The Department for Transport does not directly provide any financial assistance to regional airports to establish regional air services. However, funding contributions can be made by the devolved Administrations and appropriate regional authorities in certain carefully defined circumstances, provided such funding complies with relevant EU state aid guidelines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the environmental impact of increasing capacity for air travel. [7729]

The Air Transport White Paper, published in December 2003, set out an approach, agreed across Government, which provides a strategic framework for development of airport capacity, supporting economic prosperity, while managing and mitigating the environmental impacts of aviation. The Department for Transport and DEFRA keep in regular contact on aviation and environment issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of how many extra aircraft (a) per day and (b) per night would (i) fly in and out of Heathrow airport and (ii) pass over Hammersmith and Fulham if the third runway is built at Heathrow. [5893]

Assessments of the additional capacity of Heathrow airport with a short third runway were made in connection with the preparation of the Air Transport White Paper and are set out in the supporting paper Passenger Forecasts—Additional Analysis" available on the DfT website. It is not possible to be specific about how many additional daily flights would pass over Hammersmith and Fulham, since arrival and departure patterns are subject to air traffic control and meteorological conditions. Night-time traffic would be constrained by the night flying restrictions applying at the time at Heathrow.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers transferred or transited at Heathrow between (a) two overseas destinations and (b) an overseas destination and a UK destination in each of the last five years. [6464]

The following table shows passengers transferred at Heathrow between two overseas destinations, an overseas destination and a UK destination in each of the last five years.

Transfer and transit passengers at Heathrow 2000–04 -- Million

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received from the Sustainable Development Commission regarding the sustainability of the Government's aviation policies; and if he will make a statement. [7394]

The Sustainable Development Commission have recently requested a meeting to discuss the proposals in their input to the Climate Change Programme Review. Their proposals include transport issues. A meeting will take place shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in his review of the operation of the blue badge scheme. [8065]

We are working to implement the recommendations for changes to the scheme made by our statutory advisers, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.

These changes involve amendment to both primary and secondary legislation as well as further research in some areas and revised guidance to local authorities.

Primary legislation

Provision for a power to inspect blue badges has been made through Section 94 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. We will be consulting on the guidance for enforcement officers and badge holders during the summer. The new power will be introduced later this year by commencement order once the necessary guidance is in place.

Two other changes have been included in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. One to change the term 'institution' used in existing blue badge legislation to 'organisation' and another to allow for reciprocity with European Union member states and other countries. These measures are due to be introduced by commencement order at the end of June.

Secondary legislation

We are working on the recommendations requiring changes to regulations (including extending the scheme to children under the age of two and those with temporary disabilities) and we will consult on the draft regulatory package during the summer this year.

Research

We have recently let contracts for the following projects:

Feasibility study into setting up a national database of blue badge holders;

Looking into the independent mobility needs of certain groups of people (e.g. those with autism or mental health problems) to determine whether there is a need for extending the eligibility for a badge; and

Examination of the provision and use of parking spaces for disabled people in the central London area.

Two of the projects are scheduled for completion in December this year and the central London project in February next year, when final reports should be available.

Guidance

New guidance for issuing authorities and badge holders will be produced to cover all aspects of the scheme and issued when changes have been introduced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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 of the use of laptops in that period was; and if he will make a statement. [4116]

The information requested on the use of laptop computers by officials in each year since 1995 is not available centrally or in the form requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The number of laptop computers available for use by Ministers, special advisers and their offices since the establishment of the Department for Transport on 29 May 2002 is as follows:

2002: 3 available for use by Ministers and their offices, 2 available for use by special advisers and their offices.

2003: 4 available for use by ministers and their offices, 2 available for use by special advisers and their offices.

2004: 4 available for use by Ministers and their offices, 2 available for use by special advisers and their offices.

2005: 4 available for use by Ministers and their offices, 2 available for use by special advisers and their offices.

Departmental records show the following numbers of lost or stolen laptop computers since the establishment of the Department for Transport on 29 May 2002:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects a direct rail link between Thirsk and London to be established; and if he will make a statement. [7726]

The Office of Rail Regulation is examining an application from Grand Central Railway to operate a direct rail service from Sunderland to London Kings Cross calling at Thirsk and will announce its findings in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has for the future of sleeper train services in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [7105]

There is no general policy in relation to sleeper services. When considering the specification for each new franchise the value for money and affordability of all services currently provided by that franchise will be considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money his Department has spent on preparatory work on light rail projects in (a) Manchester, (b) Liverpool, (c) Leeds and (d) Portsmouth. [7113]

My Department has provided £119 million to Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive towards the scheme costs for Phase III of Manchester Metrolink. An additional £80 million has been provided to allow GMPTE to buy out the concession for Metrolink.

We are providing £4.2 million towards the preparatory costs incurred for developing the Merseytram Line 1 proposal.

We have provided £6 million to West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive towards the scheme costs for Leeds Supertram proposal.

We have provided £3 million to the promoters of South Hampshire Rapid Transit towards the scheme costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on (a) capital projects, (b) maintenance and (c) improvement schemes on (i)motorways and (ii) trunk roads in (A) West Sussex, (B) Kent, (C) Durham, (D) East Riding of Yorkshire and (E) each English county in each of the last eight years. [7968]

The information cannot be provided as records are not readily available in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) cost and (b) location was of each by-pass scheme approved in each of the past 15 years. [6545]

The following table provides information on by-passes that have been fully approved through the Local Transport Plan programme or have entered the Highways Agency's Targeted Programme of Improvements. Information is not held on trunk road by-passes prior to 1997 and prior to 2000 for major local road schemes.

⁽³⁾Latest outturn cost for the A417/A419 Swindon to Gloucester DBFO.

⁽⁴⁾Latest outturn cost for the A30/A35 Exeter-Bere Regis DBFO.

⁽⁵⁾PFI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which train operating companies are participating in the secure station scheme. [8072]

The following 19 train operating companies, including the London Underground, are participating in the secure stations scheme:

Arriva Trains Wales

C2C

Eurostar

First Great Western

Gatwick Station Services

GNER

London and Continental Stations and Property

London Underground—the Tube

Merseyrail

Midland Mainline

Northern Rail

Network Rail

One Railway

Serco Docklands Ltd

Silverlink

Southern

South West Trains

Thameslink

Virgin

Approximately two thirds of all overground rail journeys, one tenth of London Underground journeys and 90 per cent. of DLR journeys involve passengers starting or finishing their journey at a secure station.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with Network Rail in the last six months about upgrading stations; and if he will make a statement. [5682]

Ministers are exploring with Network Rail what the company might do proactively to further address capacity problems at the larger stations across the network by working with private developers to realise additional development gain. Network Rail advises that further proposals are anticipated for a number of London mainline stations in the near future and that it is working on next stage development projects for smaller stations. These schemes will require works to Network Rail specification, but will build in scope for bidders to reduce the net cost by exploiting development potential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the penalties are for failing to have a V5C Vehicle Registration document; and from when they apply. [6720]

A keeper of a vehicle commits an offence for failing to produce a vehicle registration document (V5), or a vehicle registration certificate (V5C) for inspection, if required to do so at any reasonable time, to a police constable or a person acting on behalf of the Secretary of State. A vehicle keeper, if found guilty of this offence, is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of £500.

There is no specific penalty for not having the new vehicle registration certificate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will raise the lower earnings level at which council tax benefit starts to fall below the maximum to the level of the income tax personal allowance; and if he will estimate the cost of making such a change. [7271]

An individual's earnings is only one of several factors affecting council tax benefit entitlement and we have no plans to make such a change.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of pensioner households paid (a) more than 5 per cent. (b) more than 10 per cent. and (c) more than 15 per cent. of their gross income in council tax in the most recent year for which figures are available. [6766]

The proportion of pensioner households paying(a) more than 5 per cent. (b) more than 10 per cent. and (c) more than 15 per cent. of their household income in council tax for 2003–04, in Great Britain is presented in the following table:

Note:

Thresholds are calculated as quotients. The numerator 'council tax spent' is taken as the expenditure on council tax bill net of council tax benefit. The denominator is total household income net of council tax benefit.

Source:

Family Resources Survey (FRS), 2003–04

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether a woman who works for a short time during a year when she is otherwise engaged in full-time child care is eligible for continued home responsibilities protection. [7331]