To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what plans the Commission has to relax the rules relating to the use of House stationery. [9204]

The Commission is currently considering the implications of rising levels of expenditure on House stationery and pre-paid envelopes, which falls on the Administration Estimate. The Commission will continue its deliberations on this issue at its next meeting later this month.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission

(1) what the cost has been of undertaking the risk assessment of communal hairbrushes and combs in hon. Members' washrooms; [9413]

(2) how many cases of (a) communicable diseases and (b) infestations have been reported relating to the use of combs and hairbrushes in the hon. Members' washrooms in each of the last 10 years; [9414]

(3) what evidence the Health and Safety Executive provided to the Administration Committee of the risk of communicating (a) HIV and (b) hepatitis through the use of communal hairbrushes and combs. [9814]

The cost of conducting the risk assessment of communal hairbrushes and combs in Members' washrooms was staff time only. The assessment involved Serjeant at Arms staff and professionals from the Parliamentary Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Service and was undertaken as part of their normal duties. Advice was sought from other professionals in relevant enforcement authorities (i.e. Westminster Council's Environmental Health Department and the Health and Safety Executive) at no cost to the House.

There have been no reported cases of communicable diseases or infestations relating to the use of communal combs and hairbrushes in Members washrooms over the last 10 years. However health, safety and hygiene standards now mean that the House has a duty of care properly to control health and safety risks to those working at or visiting the House of Commons. A risk assessment was undertaken resulting in the removal of communal combs and hairbrushes as a preventative health measure, following submission of the matter to the Administration Committee in the last Parliament. The risks of communicating disease or infection was one of a number of risk factors highlighted that contributed to the overall risk assessment and decision, though it is acknowledged in the risk assessment that the likelihood of contracting HIV or hepatitis is extremely low. A copy of the risk assessment as provided to the Administration Committee has been placed in the Library.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission

(1) what arrangements will be put in place to allow Westminster Hall debates and Question Time to continue once Westminster Hall closes for major works at the end of 2005; [9053]

(2) what arrangements will be put in place to replace the Jubilee Room facilities, including the ability to use outside caterers for receptions when Westminster Hall closes for major works at the end of 2005; [9054]

(3) what plans there are to provide additional small meeting rooms when the W rooms, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Inter-Parliamentary Union rooms will cease to be available due to the major works in Westminster Hall at the end of 2005. [9055]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 June 2005, Official Report, columns 1179–80W.

To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Beaconsfield of (a) 14 June and (b) 15 June. [9827]

The request for information set out in the hon. Member's letter of 14 June is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. A reply will be issued within the statutory 20 working-day limit set out in the Act.

To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements he is making for the implementation of the Warwick agreement with trade unions; and how much of the agreement has been implemented. [9652]

The policies agreed at the Warwick National Policy Forum, which range from the introduction of ID cards to the reform of public services and improving people's rights at work, are a programme for implementation over the life of this Parliament. We have already started making progress including, for example, consulting on a package of family-friendly proposals to be implemented by 2007, including an extra three months of maternity pay.

To ask the Leader of the House which Bills the Government plan to submit for pre-legislative scrutiny in this parliamentary session. [9203]

The Government have announced that they intend to publish the following bills in draft this session for pre-legislative scrutiny:

Counter-Terrorism, Coroner Reform, Legal Services, Marine, Pensions (subject to the outcome of the Pensions Review) and Tourism (Wales).

The draft Corporate Manslaughter Bill has already been published in draft. Other bills may be published in draft as the session progresses. My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House will ensure that the Liaison Committee is kept informed of developments.

To ask the Leader of the House if he will bring forward proposals to improve the effectiveness of House of Commons Committees in scrutinising legislation. [9206]

This is certainly a matter which my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House believes that the Modernisation Committee may wish to consider over the course of the Parliament.

To ask the Leader of the House what recent discussions he has had on the timetable for House of Lords reform. [9205]

I have had a number of recent discussions with ministerial colleagues on the Government's plans for House of Lords reform.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the Department's plans to reform the law on duress and undue influence on voters; and if she will make a statement. [9190]

The Government plans to strengthen the laws against electoral offences. We are consulting on proposals to do so as set out in the Electoral Administration policy paper published in May 2005.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans she has to take steps to increase voter participation. [9191]

We have responded positively to recommendations made by the Electoral Commission for further improvements to the electoral system. We must recognise, however, the key role that politicians and political parties have to play in engaging the electorate to make them wish to turn out to vote at elections.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans she has to review the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [9192]

The Freedom of Information Act has only been in operation for six months and represents a new way of working for public authorities. Already there is evidence of the beginnings of the long-term culture change that the Act was designed to drive forward. The Government will monitor the Act's progress on an on-going basis and take action as necessary.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that electoral registration officers have adequate resources. [9193]

It is for individual local authorities when setting budgets for electoral registration to weigh up their spending priorities against the resources they have available to them. The Government considers that there needs to be more transparency in the information that is available about the funding of electoral registration, and we are looking into ways of achieving this.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what her policy is on use of national insurance numbers as an identifier in electoral registration. [9194]

I refer the hon. Member for Reading East to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Ludlow.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what her policy is on use of national insurance numbers as an identifier in electoral registration. [9197]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer Igave to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Dunne) earlier.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the Lord Chancellor last met the Lord Chief Justice to discuss judicial appointments. [9195]

The Lord Chancellor regularly meets the Lord Chief Justice and other senior judges to discuss a wide range of issues including judicial appointments. His most recent meeting with the Lord Chief Justice was on 4 July.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what her policy is on the minimum legal qualifications necessary for a judicial appointment. [9196]

I refer the hon. Member for Clwyd West to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for North East Milton Keynes.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans she has to change voter registration arrangements for military service personnel; and if she will make a statement. [9198]

We are in discussion with the Ministry of Defence and are reviewing the voter registration arrangements for military service personnel.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the proposal for increased legal protection for cohabiters will apply to all forms of cohabitation. [9029]

There are currently no proposals to give increased legal protection to cohabitants. However, the Law Commission published its ninth programme of law reform on 22 March, which includes a project on cohabitation. This project will focus on a review of the remedies available to opposite and same sex cohabiting couples on the termination of their relationship by separation or by death. This project is likely to focus on relationships of an intimate nature, rather than on cohabiting family members or friends.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether it is planned that all staff answering inquiries at Community Legal Service Direct will be qualified lawyers. [8909]

All advisers working within the framework of Community Legal Service Direct meet the requirements of the Legal Services Commission's Specialist Quality Mark. This means that they must either have a professional legal qualification, or be able to evidence that they deliver at least 12 hours of legal casework per week. Advisers must also be subject to the supervision of a more experienced colleague, who must maintain a broad portfolio of recent experience.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what her plans are for Community Legal Service Direct. [8910]

The plans for Community Legal Service Direct are to improve the service through the website, telephone service and information leaflets continuously, based on user feedback. It is also planned to increase the number of people helped by the service as follows:

These targets are included in Public Sector Agreement5 for the Legal Services Commission and Department for Constitutional Affairs, which emerged following SR2004.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much had been spent from the public purse on the Community Legal Service Direct project as at 28 June. [8911]

Expenditure on Community Legal Service Direct and its predecessor services in the financial year 2004–05 was £6,927,000. This includes pre-launch costs for Community Legal Service Direct (launched 14 July 2004) and the costs of running its predecessor services from 1 April 2004 to 13 July 2004. The figure also includes costs associated with the Website, leaflet production and distribution, the telephone service, marketing activities and materials and the costs of staff working in the Community Legal Service Direct Team within the Legal Services Commission.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress of Community Legal Service Direct. [8912]

Since its launch in July 2004 Community Legal Service Direct has established itself as an important new element within the range of publicly funded legal services. The telephone service has received over 300,000 calls, and now regularly receives more than 30,000 calls per month. Many of these are for assistance in finding a local legal adviser, but more than 30,000 people have obtained direct assistance over the phone.

The website www.clsdirect.org.uk has received nearly 750,000 unique visits since its launch, with the average visitor looking at six pages. More than 1.7 million legal information leaflets have been distributed in the first year of operation as more and more are added to the range.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps her Department is taking to inform (a) other departments and (b) agencies of the position of hon. Members representing their constituencies in terms of the Data Protection Act 1998. [8509]

The Cabinet Office provides relevant guidance on the Data Protection Act in Section 16 of the Data Protection Act 1998: Standards and Best Practice Handbook for Government Departments". This is available on the Cabinet Office website.

The Information Commissioner also provides Guidance on the disclosure of sensitive data to Members of Parliament carrying out constituency casework.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the Department will issue guidance to local authorities on applying for (a) all-postal voting pilots and (b) other forms of election pilot in (i) forthcoming by-elections and (ii) the 2005 local elections. [9811]

No decision has yet been taken about issuing a prospectus to local authorities on piloting in by-elections or the May 2006 local elections. If we are intending to encourage electoral pilots of innovative voting methods, a prospectus will be issued.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the effect of the systems of proportional representation as used in England on election turnout. [9768]

An internal review of the experiences of the new UK voting systems introduced for the devolved Administrations, the European Parliament and London Assembly elections is being conducted by officials within my Department. It is at an early stage, and any decisions regarding the next steps for the review will be taken in due course.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the average cost of a (a) public defender and (b) private legal aid lawyer was in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by region. [8270]

Private solicitors firms and barristers carry out a wide variety of public funded work and are paid from different schemes within the Criminal Defence Service (CDS). It is therefore not possible to provide an average cost. However, an independent research programme has been continually evaluating the progress of the Public Defender Service(PDS) since its inception. The results of the research, including a full assessment of the cost of the scheme in comparison to private criminal defence practitioners, is due to be published in autumn 2005.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much was paid in legal aid fees for (a) civil work and (b) criminal work in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [9573]

Payments made by the Legal Services Commission for civil and criminal work, in cash, since 2000–01 are shown in the table:

£ million

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many law firms practised legal aid work in 1999 for (a) criminal law, (b) general civil law, (c) immigration law, (d) family law, (e) housing law and (f) mental health law, broken down by region. [9620]

The figures for law firms, by region, who practised in criminal, family and other civil law in the 1999–2000 financial year are in the table. It has not been possible to break this down into the other categories requested in the time allowed.

Number of providers paid by region and type of work 1999–2000

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many law firms, have contracted for criminal legal aid work in each year since the Access to Justice Act 1999 came into force, broken down by region [9621]

The number of law firms contracted for criminal legally aided work, by region, since the Legal Services Commission (LSC) began operating the General Criminal Contract in 2001 are set out in the table.

The figures shown in the answer are figures taken directly from the LSC's scrutiny and payment of criminal claims (SPOCC) system and include firms who, although may not still have a contract with the LSC, are still billing for work that was carried out under their contract.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many law firms bid for civil legal aid contracts in each of the bid rounds that have taken place since the Access to Justice Act 1999 came into force, broken down by region. [9622]

In June 1999, bids were invited for contracts from solicitors firms and not-for-profit organisations to undertake civil legal aid work. Over 6,000 bids for contracts were received. At the start of the new scheme on 1 January 2000, there were 5,156 contracts signed. Approximately 90 per cent. of existing contracted solicitors re-bid for their contract during the bid round in 2003, with the other 10 per cent. being let to solicitors firms moving into new categories of law or who were new to legal aid, and not-for-profit agencies. The present contract began on 1 April 2004. At the start of the 2004–05 financial year 6,242 solicitors firms had been awarded contracts. The number of contracts continues to change between bid rounds, with firms joining as well as withdrawing.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2005, Official Report, column 1329W, on criminal cases, when she expects to announce the Government's vision for the future of legal aid. [10010]

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor on 5 July 2005.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much legal aid was paid to (a) solicitors, (b) junior counsel and (c) senior counsel in each year in Northern Ireland since 2000. [9486]

The amount of criminal legal aid paid since the financial year 2000–01 is set out in the table:

£ million

The amount of civil legal aid paid since the financial year 2000–01 is set out as follows:

£ million

⁽¹⁾As fees to counsel in civil cases are paid as a disbursement to the instructing solicitor details of the amount paid to senior and junior counsel is not retained in an accessible form.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans the Government have to amend the electoral system for the (a) London Assembly and (b) Scottish Parliament to prevent party list candidates also running for constituency seats. [9812]

An internal review of the experiences of the new UK voting systems introduced for the devolved Administrations, the European Parliament and London Assembly elections is being conducted by officials within my Department. It is at an early stage, and any decisions regarding the next steps for the review will be taken in due course.

With regards to the Scottish Parliament, the Secretary of State for Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, South-West (Mr. Darling), set up the Commission on Boundary Differences and Voting Systems in July 2004 under the chairmanship of Professor Sir John Arbuthnott. The Commission has been asked to report by December 2005.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the arrangements for postal voting. [9189]

We will improve the security of the postal voting process and are currently consulting on proposals.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the Department will accept applications for all-postal voting pilots from local authorities in (a) forthcoming by-elections and (b) the 2005 local elections. [9810]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 15 June 2005, Official Report, column 464W. This answer also applies to any pilot applications received from local authorities for by-elections.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the cost efficiency of the public defender scheme. [8269]

The Public Defender Service (PDS) has been undergoing continuous independent research and assessment since its inception. A full evaluation of the PDS pilot, including a full assessment of the cost efficiency of the scheme in comparison to private criminal defence practitioners, is due to be published in autumn 2005.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on progress of the public defender pilots. [8271]

The Public Defender Service (PDS) has been undergoing continuous independent assessment since its inception in 2001.

An interim research report published in 2004 assessed the PDS as performing better than private criminal defence practitioners in terms of the overall level of service provided and results achieved at police stations. In addition, more than 97 per cent. of PDS clients surveyed were satisfied with the service they received and 98 per cent. were happy to recommend the PDS to a friend.

A final evaluation of the PDS pilot is due to be published in autumn 2005.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many defendants are being represented by public defenders in each area where pilots are taking place; and what plans she has to extend the scheme to other areas of the country. [8272]

Data collection under the PDS does not specifically record the numbers of defendants helped, but rather the number of matter starts." Each matter start" refers to an act of help given by a PDS representative. The nature of the help can vary from advice and assistance at the police station to representation before the courts. On this basis, the number of matters started at each PDS office during 2004–05 is set out as follows:

Matters started: 2004–05

At present any further expansion of the scheme is subject to the final evaluation of the PDS pilot, due to be published in autumn 2005. These findings will determine the future of the Public Defender Service.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 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. [7857]

Detailed sick absence statistics are derived from medical and self-certificates, which are completed by staff or their GPs. While certain illnesses, such as depression", anxiety", general debility" and even stress" may be indicated on certificates, it is not possible to determine levels of work-related stress". Consequently, we have no details on the number of working days lost due to work-related stress or the cost to the Department.

Over the last year the Department has introduced a stress at work policy and a managers' toolkit to ensure that the policy is used effectively and at appropriate times. The Department has also introduced a stress helpline as part of its internal occupational welfare provision and enhanced its two existing courses for managers and individuals on managing stress in the workplace. All these new initiatives are based on best practice and on the Stress Management Standards issued by the Health and Safety Executive last year. It is not possible to estimate the costs associated with these activities since they were not accounted for separately. Similarly, we have no records of costs associated with compensation for work-related stress.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of the Government's aviation policy in Scotland. [8170]

We continue to work closely with the Scottish Executive on all aspects of policies from the Air Transport White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues about the future of post offices in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [8171]

My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet with ministerial colleagues and discuss a range of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has held with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Scottish Executive on off-shoring tax arrangements for crew of Caledonian MacBrayne. [8172]

I regularly meet my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Scottish Executive Ministers to discuss a wide range of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent devolution issues the Advocate-General has considered. [8173]

Since 7 June, the Advocate-General has had 55 devolution issues intimated to her. 43 of these were concerned with civil matters. Most of the civil cases concerned prison conditions. Of the 12 criminal matters raised, four concerned pre-trial delay. The Advocate-General has not considered it necessary or appropriate to intervene, at this stage, in any of the devolution issues intimated to her since 7 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive regarding the development of an integrated energy policy for Scotland. [8174]

Scotland Office Ministers and officials are in regular contact with the Scottish Executive on a wide range of energy-related matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Home Office and the Scottish Executive on the introduction of identity cards in Scotland. [8176]

I have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and the First Minister on a number of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the implications for the rest of the UK of the introduction of a local income tax in Scotland. [8177]

Scotland Office Ministers have regular discussions on a range of issues with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ensure lasting beneficial effects for Scotland following the G8 summit. [8175]

The G8 Summit is a real opportunity for Scotland to showcase its many attractions to a world audience and demonstrate our expertise in hosting major events. I am also confident that, by the end of the UK's presidency of the G8, Scotland will have given a significant boost to the drives to make poverty history and to secure our environment for future generations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his assessment is of the implications for Scotland of the G8 summit to be held in Gleneagles. [8179]

Hosting the G8 Summit is a real opportunity for Scotland to showcase its many attractions to a world audience and to demonstrate our expertise in hosting major events. I am also confident that, by the end of the UK's presidency of the G8, Scotland will have given a significant boost to the drives to make poverty history and to secure our environment for future generations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss Scotland's economic performance. [8178]

I meet my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer regularly to discuss a range of issues. The Scottish economy continues to benefit from the economic stability delivered by this Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the use in animals of antibiotic substances also used in human medicine, with particular reference to (a) amoxicillin, (b) tetracycline and (c) clindamycin. [9479]

holding answer 4 July 2005

In October 2003 VMD and the Department of Health prepared lists of all antimicrobial compounds authorised in the UK for use in humans and animals (species noted against each entry). The lists are available on the VMD website www.vmd.gov.uk.

With specific reference to the antimicrobial ingredients amoxicillin, and clindamycin, and the antimicrobial class of tetracyclines, the following table details the animal species in which these antimicrobials are also authorised for use.

The Government recognise that antimicrobials are essential medicines for ensuring the good health of both humans and animals. Controls are in place to safeguard the proper use of antimicrobials and to minimise the development of resistance that can make products less efficacious.

Antimicrobial veterinary medicinal products may only be used under the direction of a veterinary surgeon on animals in his care and this ensures they are used only when necessary and that advice on use is available to theanimal owner to minimise the development of antimicrobial resistance.

A Code of Practice on the Responsible Use of Animal Medicines on the Farm has been produced by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and is available at their website. There are also a number of guidelines available concerning the responsible use of antimicrobials in livestock that have been produced by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much carbon was emitted by (a) aircraft and (b) cars in the UK in the last period for which figures are available. [9032]

The answer is as follows:

(a) Emissions from aircraft in the UK in 2003 are shown for (1) carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) in million tonnes carbon dioxide per year (MtCO ₂ /yr), and (2) the Kyoto basket of greenhouse gases (GHG) in million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent per year (MtCO ₂ eq/yr). These figures are from the most recent official UK greenhouse gas inventory.

(1)CO₂ :2.11 MtCO ₂ /yr

(2)GHG:2.14MtCO₂ eq/yr

The data cover emissions from all civil domestic passenger and freight traffic movements inside the UK. Under guidelines agreed internationally, emissions from international aviation taking off and landing at UK airports are not included in UK total emissions, but are estimated for information purposes. Emissions of CO₂ and all greenhouse gases from international aviation in 2003 are estimated to have been 29.7 and 30.0 MtCO ₂ eq/yr respectively.

(b) Similarly, CO ₂ and GHG emissions for cars in 2003 are:

CO₂ :71.1 MtCO ₂ /yr

GHG: 75.4 MtCO₂ eq/yr

For all road transport the figures are:

CO₂ : 119.5MtCO ₂ /yr

GHG: 124.6MtCO₂ eq/yr

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations the Government have made to the (a) EU Council and (b) EU member states for increased levels of protection for cetaceans; and if she will make a statement. [8642]

Following pressure from the UK for community wide action Council Regulation 812/2004 establishing measures to address the incidental bycatch of small cetaceans was adopted by the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in March 2004. Earlier this year Iasked the European Commission to extend the UK prohibition on pair trawling within 12 miles of the south west coast to vessels from other member states with historic rights of access to the 6–12 mile zone. I sought support for these measures from the French Minister for fisheries. This request was subsequently rejected by the Commission.

At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in March 2004 I secured a commitment from the Commission to conduct a review this year of existing bycatch data to determine whether further action is needed. ICES (The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) has recently published its review of data at http://www.ices.dk, which will now be considered by the Commission.

I will continue to promote and support measures to protect cetaceans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has commissioned into marine noise pollution, with particular reference to the impact on cetaceans; and whether she plans to address this issue in forthcoming legislation. [8904]

The UK is a signatory to ASCOBANS (Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas). At the 4th Meeting of Parties in 2003, Resolution 4.5 invited Parties and Range States to conduct research into the effects on small cetaceans of acoustic disturbances.

In October 2004, the Department let a contract to the Zoological Society of London to assess the feasibility of researching induced anthropogenic acoustic damage to cetaceans in British waters through the detailed examination of the auditory apparatus of stranded or by-caught animals.

As well as furthering the objectives of ASCOBANS, the work will also form a valuable contribution towards the UK's cetacean biodiversity action plans which call for studies into the effects of underwater sounds on cetacean species.

The Department also contributes to the Inter Agency Committee for Marine Science and Technology and a Crown Estate initiative which includes sound research and development in relation to piling noise for wind farms.

The Department would need to assess the results of research before considering whether legislation is the best mechanism to deal with any potential problems of marine noise pollution with regard to cetacean life forms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects of marine noise pollution on (i) marine mammals and (ii) other marine life; and if she will make a statement. [9104]

The UK is a signatory to ASCOBANS (Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas). At the 4th Meeting of Parties in 2003, Resolution 4.5 invited Parties and Range States to conduct research into the effects on small cetaceans of acoustic disturbances.

In October 2004, the Department let a contract to the Zoological Society of London to assess the feasibility of researching induced anthropogenic acoustic damage to cetaceans in British waters through the detailed examination of the auditory apparatus of stranded or by-caught animals.

As well as furthering the objectives of ASCOBANS, the work will also form a valuable contribution towards the UK's cetacean biodiversity action plans which call for studies into the effects of underwater sounds on cetacean species.

The Department also contributes to the Inter Agency Committee for Marine Science and Technology and a Crown Estate initiative which includes sound research and development in relation to piling noise for wind farms.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee has produced guidelines for minimising acoustic disturbance to marine mammals for seismic surveys (available from www.jncc.gov.uk). It is a legal binding condition of the consent issued for seismic surveys under regulation 4 of the Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001 by the Department of Trade and Industry that the JNCC guidelines must be followed at all times for all seismic surveys.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received on marine noise pollution in UK waters. [9105]

The Department has recently received one representation on marine noise pollution in UK waters. The Department is involved in discussions on marine noise pollution at the international level through the agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS) and the Oslo Paris Convention (OSPAR).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she plans to take through the International Whaling Commission to seek greater protection for cetaceans. [6825]

We will continue to maintain our opposition to all forms of whaling other than some limited subsistence whaling. The UK strongly supports the IWC moratorium on commercial whaling and our major objective will be to resist any attempt to lift the moratorium.

The UK will support the creation of regional whale sanctuaries and the continuation of existing ones. We will also continue to oppose so called scientific" whaling and seek to raise welfare issues at every suitable opportunity, highlighting the cruelty involved in whaling.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of computer (a) hacking, (b) fraud and (c) theft her Department recorded in each year since 2001–02; and for each year, on how many occasions computer systems have been illegally accessed by computer hackers (i)within and (ii) outside her Department. [7187]

The Department is not aware of any successful hacking or fraud involving its IT systems during the period. The Department deploys anti-hacking measures on its IT network including firewalls, application firewalls, hardening of servers, intrusion detection systems and IT security health checks.

The following numbers of computer thefts are recorded for the period:

Computer thefts

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to protect and enhance (a) the habitats and (b) the number of the dormouse population in England; and what estimate she has made of the dormouse population in England in each of the last five years. [9212]

The dormouse is a priority species with an individual Species Action Plan that is led jointly by English Nature and The Wildlife Trusts. It has also been the subject of an English Nature Species Recovery Programme since 1991. The main reasons for the decline of the dormouse appear to be the fragmentation of our woodlands coupled with inappropriate woodland management. The dormouse recovery programme has sought to address these issues. Guidance on woodland management to favour dormice was published in 1996 and has been followed by a series of training courses for woodland managers. Awareness of the needs of the dormouse is now very high. In addition, the Forestry Commission has a large programme to restore planted ancient woodland sites, which will favour the dormouse. An innovative research programme, carried out at Royal Holloway, University of London, showed the importance of hedgerows for dormice and guidance on hedgerow management was published by English Nature in 2002. 'Dormouse friendly' hedgerows are now an option in the Government's new Environmental Scheme. A greatly-expanded conservation handbook on dormice will be published later this year.

As well as efforts to improve the countryside for dormice, the species has been reintroduced into some parts of England from which it was lost. A partnership between English Nature and the People's Trust for Endangered Species, with veterinary support from the Institute of Zoology, has now carried out 14 reintroductions to 11 counties, using dormice supplied by the Common Dormouse Captive Breeders Group. Follow-up surveys have confirmed the success of this approach, with the first reintroduction now more than 10-years-old. The most recent reintroduction was to the Chatsworth Estate, Derbyshire in June this year.

Estimating the number of dormice is difficult as the species is very under-recorded. The first Great Nut Hunt in 1993 greatly increased the number of known sites for the species and a national inventory of more than 1,300 sites is now available through the National Biodiversity Network. More than 200 of these sites now contribute to the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme by counting the number of dormice in nest-boxes every summer. These data, summarised in the report of the Tracking Mammals Project, have shown that, nationally, the dormouse population has declined by 23 per cent. since 1993, though it has been relatively stable in recent years. However, there are indications that the species remains vulnerable at the edge of its range, particularly in the marginal uplands, so there is an on-going need for conservation work. A recent estimate of the national population suggested that there are in the region of 45,000 dormice in Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the treatment of funds collected under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. [8605]

holding answer 30 June 2005

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme works at an installation rather than state-level, and therefore any potential profits or losses from the Scheme are accrued by the individual operator.

The two categories of payments from individual operators under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme are regulator fees and civil penalties. Fees are imposed by the regulator to cover the costs incurred in administering the scheme. The regulator also administers the collection of civil penalties, levied when regulations have been broken. Regulation 41 of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2005 requires the regulator to collect any civil penalties, and then to pass them to the appropriate authority", before entering the Treasury's Consolidated Fund. The appropriate authority is the Secretary of State for installations in England and offshore installations, the Scottish Ministers for installations in Scotland, the Welsh Assembly for installations in Wales, and the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland.

Operators can avoid paying civil penalties by purchasing (and surrendering) additional allowances from other operators, in line with their obligations under the Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will assess the merits of including aircraft emissions in the European Emissions Trading Scheme. [8745]

Aviation accounted for approximately 3 per cent. of the EU's carbon dioxide emissions in 2001. While this is a relatively modest share, this represents an increase of 68 per cent. from 1990 levels. Furthermore, in their 1999 Special Report on Aviation and the Global Atmosphere, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimated that the total climate change effect from aviation is approximately two to four times larger than the effect of its CO₂ emissions alone. The EU has recognised the need to tackle this growing area of emissions in the absence of other international action.

The use of emissions trading allows the coverage of environmental costs through a mixture of emissions reductions within the sector and purchase of reductions that can be produced more cheaply by other sectors. The advantage of emissions trading is that, through the use of a defined emissions cap, it guarantees a desired environmental outcome in a way that other instruments, such as charges, do not. Furthermore, it ensures that the emissions reductions required to achieve a particular environmental outcome take place in as cost-effective a manner as possible.

For an international industry, an international trading regime is the best solution. The Government have made taking forward the work programme for the inclusion of aviation emissions into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme a priority for the UK presidency of the EU. While there are further instruments that may be appropriate, our focus is on emissions trading as the most cost effective way of delivering our environmental objective.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under what legislation the proposed buyers' licences for fish merchants were introduced; and if she will make a statement. [8877]

holding answer 4 July 2005

In England the registration of buyers and sellers of first sale fish was introduced by The Registration of Fish Buyers and Sellers and Designation of Fish Auction Sites Regulations 2005 (SI 2005 No. 1605). Similar legislation has been or will be introduced by the devolved administrations and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will relax the three day notice period on movements given in North Yorkshire following the flooding. [9473]

It is a requirement under the Disease Control (England) Order 2003 that livestock movements are reported within three days of the movement taking place.

We have not been asked to relax this reporting period due to flooding in North Yorkshire, but we would treat any requests we receive to do so sympathetically, where the farmer concerned is suffering hardship.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will provide funds to assist the clear-up of the countryside and carriageways following the floods in North Yorkshire. [9476]

The Bellwin Scheme, administered by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, is the means by which financial assistance can be made available to local authorities following an emergency. Funding from DEFRA is not available for this purpose.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list occasions referred to in Commission Decision 2005/436/EC, OJL151 of 14 June, where EU states were supported by the EU in emergency foot and mouth vaccination campaigns; what the cost was; what funding procedures were used; whether such procedures remain in place; what happened to stock following vaccination; and whether this facility was available to the UK during 2001. [8984]

Decision 2005/436/EC concerns the operation and European Community contributions to a Trust Fund established by the European Commission for the Control of Foot and Mouth Disease (EUFMD) aimed at emergency measures to be carried out in the Balkans, the main route of entry of FMD into Europe. EUFMD was founded under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. It has over 30 member countries some of which are member states of the European Community; some are not.

The Trust Fund has been used to support foot and mouth disease emergency vaccination campaigns in Turkey and in Transcaucasia thereby protecting areas at risk within the European Community. No member state of the European Community has received funds from the Trust Fund to support foot and mouth disease emergency vaccination campaigns and this facility was not available to the UK in 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much central government financial support has been made available for private sector forestry in the East midlands region in the last 10 years; and whether her Department plans to change the allocation. [8915]

With the introduction of the Forestry Commission's English Woodland Grant Scheme later this month we will, for the first time, be allocating forestry grant funding on a regional basis. Grants under the previous Woodland Grant Scheme were funded on a national basis. The following table gives details of payments in the East midlands for each year for the last 10 years.

Forestry commission grant scheme payments

⁽²⁾This figure includes estimated payments of £133,000 that were made against old grant schemes and which are not recorded on the current financial management systems.

The allocation of funds for the current financial year is £2.0 million. This is for payments due under grant schemes agreed in previous years and for new applications that will be approved this year. Future years funding will depend on national and regional priorities.

In addition much of the National Forest lies within the east midlands region. Payments under their tender scheme, which is principally funded by DEFRA, are given in the following table. This excludes the woodland grant scheme element of the scheme, which is included in the above table.

National forest company tender scheme payments

There are no plans to change the funding allocated to the National Forest in the current spending review period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will increase the level of maintenance grant available for tree planting schemes. [8914]

The woodland creation element of the Forestry Commission's new English Woodland Grant Scheme, which will open for applications later this month, has payment rates that are broadly comparable to those available under the previous Woodland Grant Scheme.

The woodland creation grant provides a contribution to both the cost of woodland establishment and for maintenance in the 10 years following planting. There are no plans to change the rate of grant. However, changes may need to be made to the rate payable from 2007 onwards in order to reflect any requirements of the new Rural Development Regulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the full text of contributions made by UK representatives in the EU Council of Ministers discussion on 24 June on genetically modified crops and food. [9181]

At the Environment Council the Presidency asked member states to intervene only if their voting position on the GM proposals had changed. The UK had not changed its voting position (either on the question of whether to approve the GMO MON 863, or on the dossiers relating to other member states' safeguard actions) so no intervention was necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list countries eligible to vote at the International Whaling Conference in South Korea. [6824]

Nine new members joined at this year's International Whaling Commission meeting, held in Ulsan, South Korea in June, bringing the total number of members to 66. However, Belize, Costa Rica, Kenya and Peru lack voting rights. Thus of the 66 member nations, only 62 contracting member governments were eligible to vote at the meeting.

These countries were Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, People's Republic of China, Cote d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Grenada, Guinea, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Republic of Palau, Panama, Portugal, Russian Federation, San Marino, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Senegal, Slovak Republic, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, Tuvalu, UK, and the USA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the latest meeting of the International Whaling Commission; and what the Government's position is on the hunting of whales. [7659]

The latest meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) was a successful meeting for the UK. All key UK objectives were achieved, most notably: retention of the moratorium on commercial whaling and the Southern Ocean Sanctuary; rejection of secret ballots; adoption of a Resolution, criticising Japan's plans to significantly increase its scientific whaling programme; and agreement by consensus to hold a Workshop on Whale Killing Methods and Associated Issues.

The UK is opposed to whaling and strongly supports the current IWC moratorium on commercial whaling. We do not believe there is any justification for whaling apart from some limited subsistence whaling by indigenous people. We believe that whaling does not serve any genuine need and involves unacceptable cruelty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 22 June 2005, to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), Official Report, column 1040W, what proportion of the waste relates to the Ministry of Defence. [9103]

The proportion of the wastes which relate to the Ministry of Defence is between 2 and 3 per cent. The figures are deduced from the 2001 UK Radioactive Waste Inventory. The 2004 inventory should be published this autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the grant scheme available for parish councils to conduct consultation about parish plans extends to village residents associations in areas where there is no parish council. [8625]

It is possible for parish plan grants funded by DEFRA to support the development of community plans in parts of the country where there is no parish council. Responsibility for administering the grant scheme now rests with individual Rural Community Councils.

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

(1) if she will make it her policy to ban exotic pet markets; [8968]

(2) how many illegal pet markets have been discovered in England in each of the last five years; and what action was taken in each case. [8969]

The scope of the prohibition on pet markets and similar events in public places under the Pet Animals Act 1951 (as amended 1983) is in need of clarification. The Animal Welfare Bill will provide an opportunity to supply this clarification. We are currently in contact with parties with an interest in the sale of animals at pet markets. Once we have had an opportunity to consider the responses to this first consultation, it is our intention to prepare proposals which will be subject to a wider public consultation, before any legislation is introduced.

It is for local authorities to enforce the Pet Animals Act 1951, including the licensing of pet markets. Data on enforcement action taken under this Act are not collated by my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the level of rat infestation of sewers in each London borough. [8238]

My Department does not undertake assessments of the level of rat infestation of sewers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the (a) targets and (b) funding mechanism for the maintenance and enhancement of rights of way networks in rural areas. [8917]

The Government set a target in their Rural White Paper, published in 2000, of a 10 per cent. improvement in defining, maintaining and publicising the rights of way network by 2005. The Countryside Agency is currently carrying out research to evaluate whether this target has been met. Local highway authorities receive their rights of way funding through the unhypothecated Environment Protection and Cultural Services block in the Revenue Support Grant. The method of funding was agreed with the Local Government Association and all four leaders of the political groups on the Association.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what budget has been allocated to the proposed Rural Housing Commission; and if she will make a statement. [8919]

Work to set up an Affordable Rural Affordable Housing Commission is under way and I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly. That work will include the Commission's terms of reference. The budget will be found from within existing departmental resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many smog warnings have been issued in London in each year since 1979. [8207]

Forecasts of high air pollution are issued when Defra estimates that concentrations of specific air pollutants are likely to exceed guideline values. The table shows the number of forecasts of high air pollution in London published by Defra from 1992 (the first year that forecasts were available) to the present time.

Defra warns of high air pollution through the Air Quality Information Archive at www.airquality.co.uk, Teletext, page 169 and the freephone service 0800 556677. On occasions when a notable air pollution episode is forecast, such as the first photochemical smog in any year, Defra may supplement these forecasts with a news release.

Number of forecasts of high air pollution in London published by Defra⁽³⁾

⁽³⁾Number of days when a forecast for high air pollution was published for one or more of the pollutants included in the air quality banding and index system. Details of the air pollution banding and index system are available at http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/standards.php#band

⁽⁴⁾There are no numbers available for the individual years 1993 and 1994. The numbers presented are the average for 1993 and 1994. The same applies to 1999 and 2000.

⁽⁵⁾The guideline values for some air pollutants were changed in 1997 following advice from the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) and a public consultation. A statement from COMEAP is available at ₁http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/comeap/statementsreports/airpol9.htm. Before 1997 the air quality guidelines for poor" air quality were: nitrogen dioxide, 191 microgrammes per metre cubed as an hourly average; sulphur dioxide, 333 microgrammes per metre cubed as an hourly average; and ozone, 180 microgrammes per metre cubed as an hourly average. From 1997 onwards, the thresholds for the definition of high pollution were defined as: nitrogen dioxide, 573 microgrammes per metre cubed as an hourly average; sulphur dioxide, 532 microgrammes per metre cubed as a 15 minute average; ozone was unchanged. In 1997 guideline values for particulate matter (PMio) and carbon monoxide were added. These are: PM ₀ , 97 microgrammes per metre cubed, gravimetric equivalent; carbon monoxide, 17.4 microgrammes per metre cubed.

⁽⁶⁾High forecasts up to 30 June 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Department has spent on taxis in each of the last five years. [6504]

The Department does not hold information on travel by taxi centrally and this could be provided only at disproportionate cost

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress the Government have made in meeting the targets of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000. [9178]

A detailed update on progress against the targets outlined in the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy will be available in the third annual Fuel Poverty Strategy Progress Report, expected to be published later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 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. [7862]

DEFRA's current sickness absence system does not differentiate between stress and work-related stress. So the number of reported cases of work-related stress and work days lost as a result cannot be calculated.

There are no records of compensation being paid out for work-related stress.

The Department has set a target to reduce the number of working days lost from work-related injury and ill-health by 30 per cent. by 2010. This mirrors the revitalising health and safety strategy target.

DEFRA was established in June 2001. Since then the management board has established a sub-committee on stress which recommended a number of actions. The Department has a stress policy and stress strategy and was one of the first organisations to pilot the Health and Safety Executive's Management Standards for Stress. The Department has several initiatives to help address stress such as assistance to aid managers when undertaking stress risk assessments. It regularly runs stress workshops and roadshows aimed at raising awareness in staff and managers.

It is not possible to quantify the cost of this strategy without detailed analysis of all work groups which is not practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place with the US administration concerning the use of RAF Menwith Hill in connection with the American Missile Defence System. [7812]

There has been no request from the United States to use facilities at RAF Menwith Hill for missile defence purposes. The position remains as set out in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's response of 26 April 2004, Official Report, column 727W, to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) if he will list all cases heard by the Army Reviewing Authority in the last five years in respect of which no legal proceedings are ongoing; what the original sentence imposed was in each case; who the original sentencing authority was; what sentence was determined by the reviewing authority; whether the sentence was subsequently altered further; and where the reviewing authority's decisions are publicly presented; [8685]

(2) who is eligible to sit on the Army Reviewing Authority; what the arrangements are for (a) the Crown prosecution and (b) the defence at a review authority hearing; whether each has been present in all cases heard in the last five years; what the arrangements are for the (i) Royal Navy and (ii) Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement; [8717]

(3) under what statutory authority an Army Reviewing Authority can overrule a decision or sentence made by a (a) civil and (b) criminal court; [9354]

(4) whether a senior army officer in charge of an Army Reviewing Authority is required to attend for the full duration of the hearing. [9355]

The Army Reviewing Authority has no authority over civil cases or cases heard in civilian courts. The Armed Forces Act 1996, under a revised Section 113 of the Army Act 1955, established the Army Reviewing Authority to deal with courts-martial proceedings and petitions.

The Army Act defines the reviewing authority as the Defence Council or any Officer to whom all or any powers of the Defence Council as reviewing authority may be delegated. In practice the Army Board of the Defence Council has delegated its powers of review to the following personnel—the Deputy Adjutant General, the Director Personal Services (Army) or any Colonel under the direct command of the Director Personal Services (Army).

When a case is reviewed by the Army Reviewing Authority there is no actual hearing, therefore it is not possible for anyone to attend. This system of review is similar for all three services and the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force also have reviewing authorities.

All Army courts-martial proceedings are reviewed whether or not a petition by the accused or his/her legal representative has been presented. Legal advice is always provided by a judge from the office of the Judge Advocate General.

The reviewing authority may quash or substitute the finding or the sentence passed by the court-martial. When a reviewing authority substitutes a sentence it must be a sentence which could have been awarded by the court-martial and it must not be more severe than the original sentence. The accused and their representative are informed of the result of a review by the reviewing authority but the result is not otherwise publicly presented.

It will be proposed in the Armed Forces Bill, which is due to be introduced later this year, that the process of review is discontinued in all three services. The safeguards for service personnel can be provided in a modern system by full rights of appeal against both finding and sentence to the court martial appeal court, and by bail pending appeal.

The detail requested about cases reviewed in the last five years could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However the following information gives an overview of activity by the Army Reviewing Authority (ARA).

Army reviewing authority

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the performance of the Bowman communications equipment in theatre operations; and if he will make a statement. [7888]

An initial Bowman operational capability has been achieved and it is having a direct and positive effect on the communications capability with UK Forces on Operation Telic 6 in Iraq.

The deployment of 12 Mechanised Brigade to Iraq in April 2005, with a core Bowman capability alongside some existing Clansman capability, marked a critical milestone in the incremental Bowman programme as this was the first operational use of the system. Overall, the feedback has been positive. In particular, the voice quality and coverage achieved over differing environments have vastly improved. It is being used in a range of modes, providing both secure and insecure communications, and interoperability with non-Bowman units.

The personal role radio with a 500m effective range, has significantly enhanced low level command and control wherever deployed, including on operations in Iraq. 50,000 radios have been issued to date.

Bowman is not a direct replacement for Clansman and there are still issues to be resolved. Problems encountered in fitting Bowman to complex warfighting platforms such as Challenger 2, Warrior and turreted armoured vehicles have introduced delays. The Ministry of Defence is working closely with the Bowman Prime Contractor and Design Authorities to resolve these issues. To date, over 2,600 vehicles have been converted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will write to the hon. Member for Blaby with a full list of ships and equipment involved in the STOROB process of reused ships' fitted equipment or parts thereof and place a copy of that letter in the Library, as he undertook to do in the answer of 17 March 2005, Official Report, column 414W, in the last session of Parliament. [7948]

holding answer 28 June 2005

I have written to the hon. Member, and a copy of my letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) on how many occasions in the last 12months the Defence Export Services Organisation has provided information to UK companies about agents; if he will list the companies to which this information was given; and in which countries the agents were based; [7664]

(2) on how many occasions between April 2004 and December 2004 officials from the Defence Export Services Organisation met BAE Systems to discuss agents in relation to Export Credits Guarantee Department disclosure requirements; [7671]

(3) whether the Defence Export Services Organisation has provided information to BAE Systems on the selection of agents since April 2004. [7923]

If the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) has information likely to assist UK companies including BAES, in selecting agents suitable to act for them overseas, our policy is to make this available. Provision of such advice is part of normal DESO business. DESO has staff in many countries overseas, and instances of such advice are not centrally recorded.