To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the work of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat. [9575]

The Civil Contingencies Secretariat (CCS) was set up in 2001 to improve the UK's resilience against disruptive challenges, working in partnership with others at the national, regional and local levels to enhance arrangements for anticipating, assessing, preventing, preparing for, responding to and recovering from all types of disruptive challenge.

The CCS drives the delivery of improved resilience across the government and the public sector by making sure that the Government can continue to function and deliver public services during a crisis. It achieves this through risk assessment and horizon-scanning activity to identify and assess potential and imminent disruptive challenges to the domestic UK, and by working with others to improve the capability of all levels of government, the wider public sector and the private and voluntary sectors to manage potential challenges.

A key focus of the CCS's work over the last year has been the Civil Contingencies Act which received Royal Assent in November 2004. The Act and supporting regulations, guidance and non-legislative measures will deliver a single framework for civil protection in the United Kingdom. Part 1 of the Act establishes a clear set of roles and responsibilities for organisations with a role in emergency planning and response at the local level. As enabling legislation, this part of the Act is heavily reliant on supporting regulations and guidance, which are currently under development. Part 2 of the Act modernises the United Kingdom's emergency powers framework and is already in force.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to ensure that English wine is served (a) exclusively and (b) at the request of guests at meals, parties and receptions hosted by his Department during the EU presidency; and if he will make a statement. [8872]

In planning presidency events, the Cabinet Office's principal objective is to source the most suitable venue for each event in terms of facilities, accessibility and overall value for money. Wherever possible, conference organisers will make arrangements to serve British produce, including English wine.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the examiners at the British Board of Film Classification; what the professional background of each is; and if she will make a statement. [10386]

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an independent company and my right hon. Friend has no locus to provide the information the hon. Member requests. Examiners employed by the BBFC make recommendations on film classification to the BBFC's director, David Cooke, who has the responsibility for all such decisions. Ultimately, it is for local authorities to decide whether to accept the classification awarded by the BBFC to films for cinema release or to impose their own.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance will be given to (a) pensioners and (b) people on low incomes to switch to digital television. [9780]

The Government are committed to ensuring that the interests of the most vulnerable consumers are protected during digital switchover and have proposed that the BBC help establish and fund appropriate support. We will announce details of the scope of this assistance in due course.

As part of the process of detailed scheme design, we and the BBC will run a trial later this year in the Bolton ward of Hulton, in association with SwitchCo and Bolton metropolitan borough council. The aim of the trial is to assess the effectiveness of various forms of assistance, with leaflets, telephone helplines and support from carers and social workers among the methods being piloted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received from sports clubs about the impact on them of the Licensing Act 2003. [9455]

Since 16 May, my Department has received 22 letters from sports clubs via their constituent MPs, one letter from the National Golf Clubs Advisory Association and another from the English Golf Union, and two letters from individual sports clubs. Most of the letters have concerned the impact of the 2003 Act's fee structure on the running of sports club bars. My Department recently announced the Independent Review Panel, chaired by Sir Les Elton, which will review fee levels and associated costs, including those payable by amateur sports clubs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate her Department has made of the number of premises licence applications for variations to include live music that will be made under the transitional provisions for the Licensing Act 2003 by (a) 6 August and (b) 24 November; and if she will make a statement. [10191]

The Government estimate that during the transitional period, 65 per cent. of all applications to convert existing licences into new premises licences will include some form of variation. We have no estimate on what proportion of variations would involve live music. The Government established the Live Music Forum to promote the take-up of reforms in the Licensing Act 2003 relating to the performance of live music.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what means her Department uses to assess the effectiveness of Ofcom in upholding its duties to citizens and consumers; and if she will make a statement. [10043]

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is a public corporation, operating independently from Government, principally under the terms of the Communications Act 2003 and the Office of Communications Act 2002. The Office of Communications Act requires Ofcom to report annually to the Secretary of State on the carrying out of their functions during the financial year and a copy of this report is laid before each House. In addition, DCMS and DTI Ministers and their departmental officials meet regularly with the Ofcom chairman and senior officials to discuss issues relating to the exercise of Ofcom's statutory functions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications there were for local radio station licences in (a) 2004 and (b) to date in 2005. [9982]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of RAF Gibraltar; and how many and what types of aircraft use the base. [7207]

The Ministry of Defence is committed to the future of Gibraltar and its defence outputs, including the airport.

There are no permanently based aircraft at RAF Gibraltar but the base is available for use by all the United Kingdom military aircraft except Tri-Star, VC10 and E3 due to runway length performance restrictions.

The following aircraft have used the base in the last year:

UK military

C130

C17

Tornado F3

Tornado GR4

Jaguar

Nimrod

BA 146

BA 125

Hawk

Puma

Merlin

Chinook

Sea Harrier

Falcon DA 20

Lynx

Foreign military

C130

CP140

C12

Fokker 50

C560

C26

P3

Learjet

C160

Lynx

Sea King

Sea Hawk

CN235

C40

In 2004 there were 1,358 military movements.

Details of civil flights are not held. The largest civil aircraft regularly handled is the B757. Schedules are flown by B757 and A320 but numerous types, from light aircraft/powered gliders upwards, are regular visitors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many other nations' air forces have used RAF Gibraltar in the last three years; and how many and what type of aircraft were involved. [7208]

Aircraft from the eight other nations' air forces have used Gibraltar in the last three years. 61 aircraft of the following types were involved: C130, C26, C12, P3, C40, Learjet, Sea Hawk, CP140, C160, C560, CN235, Fokker 50, Lynx, and Sea King.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) Royal Navy and (b) Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels which are not at full operational readiness in consequence of the STOROB process of cannibalisation. [9696]

No units are at a reduced state of readiness as a result of the STOROB process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the report made to Multi-National Division (South East) by the (a) Prisoner of War Registration Unit and (b) Prisoner Monitoring Team at Camp Bucca has been forwarded to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [7900]

To the best of our knowledge, no reports made by the Prisoner of War Registration Unit or Prisoner of War Monitoring Team were forwarded to the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current whereabouts of the three Royal Naval patrol boats seized by Iran in June 2004; what representations he has made to the government of Iran since their seizure; and what his assessment is of the date of their likely return to the UK. [9765]

Current information indicates that the three patrol boats are being held in South West Iran. We have maintained a dialogue with the Iranian authorities since June 2004 and, at every opportunity, continue to press for their return.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what definition his Department uses of a (a) fixed and (b) mobile site for posters and advertisements. [9223]

There is no definition of a fixed or mobile site. The definition of "site" is in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992. Sites are not characterised as fixed or mobile. The extent of the site is a matter for the local planning authority to decide bearing in mind all the circumstances of the case.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) affordable homes and (b) homes for rent were provided with public funds in Lancashire in each of the last five years, broken down by district council area. [8895]

The following table shows the number of low-cost home ownership units for sale, and units for rent, provided with public funds through the Housing Corporation in local authorities in Lancashire from 2000–01 to 2004–05.

The figures include properties provided through the Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme, the Local Authority Social Housing Grant (LASHG) and Transitional LASHG; and the Safer Communities Social Housing Fund.

Figures do not include Right to Acquire or Voluntary Purchase Grant sales, as these are losses to social housing stock.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will reconsider the proposed capping of Hambleton district council's tax. [9461]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has been giving careful consideration to the challenges which the designated authorities have made to the caps proposed by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, the Secretary of State and we aim to announce decisions before the summer recess. Any in year capping will be subject to approval of an order by the House of Commons.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what expenditure in total has been incurred so far on the council tax revaluation in England by (a) his Department, (b) the Valuation Office Agency and (c) other Government Departments and agencies. [9529]

The information is as follows:

(a) The cost of council tax revaluation for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not separately identified.

31 March 2005.(b) The Valuation Office Agency incurred costs of £31.8 million up to

(c) The cost for the Valuation Tribunal Service is not separately identified.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much land English Partnerships owns in each Lancashire district. [8897]

English Partnerships currently owns around 800 hectares of land in Lancashire, including two recently acquired former hospital sites at Whittingham, Preston (81 ha) and Lancaster Moor (18.5 ha), which can be broken down by district as follows:

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with English Partnerships on securing a better return on resources under its ownership. [9803]

English Partnerships seeks to ensure that its resources and assets are utilised efficiently and effectively in support of Government's objectives for sustainable communities.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has regular meetings with English Partnerships at all levels to discuss its programme and utilisation of resources. One of the key elements of this is the annual corporate planning process where English Partnerships' Corporate plan is discussed and agreed by ODPM officials and Ministers.

Effective use of resources and value for money are primary considerations and English Partnerships' project appraisal and approvals processes are kept under regular review.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many attacks have taken place on fire crews in (a) Southend and (b) Essex in each of the last five years. [9970]

I understand from the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service that information on attacks has been collected for the last two months, and that during this period they have recorded two attacks. It is not known whether either was in Southend.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average response time was to an emergency call to the Fire Brigade in each Essex borough in each of the last eight years for which figures are available. [9972]

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

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will propose a moratorium on planning applications for construction of buildings on (a) functional flood plains and (b) areas that have recently experienced flooding problems. [9467]

Owners and developers of land cannot be prevented from submitting applications, but Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG) 25 advises that permissions for built development should be wholly exceptional in the functional floodplains, where water has to flow or be stored in times of flood. The exceptions are limited to essential transport and utilities infrastructure that has to be there, or recreational and amenity facilities suitable for a waterside location. PPG25 applies a sequential test to new development in all areas considered to be at risk of flooding, so as to direct development to areas of lower risk. It requires a flood risk assessment to accompany applications for planning permission in all areas at risk of flooding.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the merits of establishing urban development corporations in the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder areas in England; and if he will make a statement. [9387]

Housing market renewal pathfinder intervention areas are tightly defined to encompass largely residential areas with the greatest concentrations of housing in low demand. The pathfinder partnerships of local authorities, the private sector and others are working well together to renew housing markets. Urban Regeneration Companies or other regeneration vehicles are active in the areas of many pathfinders and co-operation between the two brings a strong economic development dimension into pathfinder strategies and programmes.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister

(1) when he expects to receive the London Housing Board's recommendations on funding allocations for 2006 to 2008; [9399]

(2) if he will place a copy of the London Housing Board's recommendations on funding allocations for 2006 to 2008 in the Library; [9400]

(3) when he expects to reach a decision on the London Housing Board's recommendations on funding allocations for 2006 to 2008. [9401]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has recently received the London Housing Board's submission setting its recommendations on the allocation of Regional Housing Pot funds for 2006–07 and 2007–08. The submission and the associated London Housing Strategy are being placed on the Government Office for London's website (www.gos.gov.uk/gol). We will be announcing decisions on their, and other regions, recommendations shortly.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of planning procedures for mobile phone masts. [9697]

Current planning guidance for all electronic communication developments is set out in planning policy guidance note 8 (revised) (PPG8). The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also issued a Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Development. It provides more detailed advice than is contained in planning policy guidance note 8.

In September last year the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister commissioned the University of Reading and Arup to undertake an independent study to assess the impact that the code of best practice on mobile phone network development has had since its introduction. The report will be published in due course. On 4 April I announced the Government will be commissioning further research to identify the future direction of mobile phone technology and the future need for mast developments.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on the siting of advertisements on land adjacent to motorways. [9225]

Outdoor advertisements are controlled by local planning authorities under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992.

Most advertisements on land directly facing motorways and major roads require the express consent from the relevant local planning authority as well as prior permission from the landowner before they may be displayed lawfully. When considering whether an advertisement should be allowed to be displayed, the local planning authority must consider amenity and public safety aspects on a site-specific basis.

Local planning authorities have enforcement powers to deal with advertisements displayed unlawfully.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the floor targets for Neighbourhood Renewal Support Fund are; what the performance of Newcastle upon Tyne against those targets was; and what the average performance against those targets in (a) the North East and (b) England was. [9872]

Floor targets are an advance in how Government tackles disadvantage. They are delivered by Government Departments and contribute to the overarching Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Public Service Agreement, (PSA) 1 target, on neighbourhood renewal and social exclusion.

Floor targets for neighbourhood renewal:

Help reduce the gap between the poorest areas and the rest of the country.

Show what the priorities should be at a local level.

Make sure that where public services are failing, they get better.

Areas in receipt of Neighbourhood Renewal Fund resources focus on delivering floor targets and targets agreed locally.

The latest floor target performance data we hold centrally have been made available in the Library of the House, although more up to date data may be available locally. These graphs show the performance of Newcastle upon Tyne, the North East average, the average performance of all areas in receipt of Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, and the England average for each of the key outcome areas (health, education, crime, worklessness, and liveability). We do not have a graph for housing, as centrally we only have data on council-owned dwellings.

Further floor target performance data can be found at Floor Targets Interactive http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/page.asp?id=21

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library (a) the assessment of each (i) output and (ii) super output area of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne against the factors in the matrix of deprivation and (b) the rating of each post-2004 electoral ward in the city of Newcastle against (A) each factor and (B) the combined indicator in the index of deprivation. [9873]

The Indices of Deprivation 2004 (ID 2004) was created only at lower layer Super Output Area level (SOA), with summaries of the SOA level data at local authority and county council levels. It is therefore only possible to provide ranks for each SOA in Newcastle upon Tyne against the seven individual domains and the overall Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD 2004) and this information has been made available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homes have been built in Lancashire in each of the last five years, broken down by district council area. [8896]

The annual numbers of new build completions reported for each of the housing authorities in Lancashire since 2000–01 are tabled as follows.

Numbers of new build completions

Source:

Returns (P2/NHBC) to ODPM on building control completions.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on how many occasions the Mayor of London exercised his power to direct a refusal of a planning application in each of the last five years for each London borough; and how many were subsequently subject to an appeal where permission was (a) granted and (b) not granted. [9443]

The information is in the following tables.

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

⁽¹⁾ No appeal.

⁽²⁾ Awaiting appeal decision.

⁽³⁾ Still considering whether to appeal.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the allocation for Birmingham local authority is from the Safer Stronger Communities fund for 2005–06; and what the population of Birmingham local authority area is. [9175]

The Safer Stronger Communities fund (SSCF) allocation from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) for Birmingham in 2005–06 and the population of Birmingham local authority area are detailed in the table:

Safer Stronger Communities Fund

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the allocation for Walsall local authority is from the Safer Stronger Communities fund for 2005–06; and what the population of Walsall local authority area is. [9176]

The Safer Stronger Communities fund (SSCF) allocation from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) for Walsall in 2005–06 and the population of Walsall local authority area are detailed in the table:

Safer Stronger Communities Fund

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the allocation for Wolverhampton local authority is from the Safer Stronger Communities fund for 2005–06; and what the population of Wolverhampton local authority area is. [9177]

The Safer Stronger Communities fund (SSCF) allocation from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) for Wolverhampton in 2005–06 and the population of Wolverhampton local authority area are detailed in the table:

Safer Stronger Communities Fund

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will provide additional support for Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council for the provision of social housing. [8696]

Decisions on the overall funding for provision of additional social and other affordable housing in 2006–07 and 2007–08 through the Housing Corporation's Affordable Housing Programme will be taken over the summer. Detailed allocations to individual local authority areas will be made early next year in the light of priorities identified in Regional Housing Strategies and the quality and value for money of bids made to the Housing Corporation.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the running costs were of the Standards Board for England in each of the last five years. [8296]

Information on the amount of grant provided to the Standards Board for England each year is given as follows.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many cases were reported to the Standards Board for England in each of the last five years; and in how many cases standards were found to have been breached. [8297]

Information on the total number of cases received each year by the Standards Board for England since its establishment, and the number of determinations where breaches of the code of conduct for members were confirmed, is given as follows.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average cost of an investigation by the Standards Board for England was in 2004–05. [8303]

The Standards Board for England estimates that the current average cost of an investigation into allegations of a breach of the code of conduct is around £5,000 per case.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance he gives planning authorities concerning car parking requirements for (a) dental surgeries and (b) general practitioners surgeries in residential areas; and if he will make a statement. [9384]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not given guidance on this specific topic. General guidance on parking in planning policy guidance note (PPG) 13 "Transport" stresses the need to restrict the amount of parking in new developments as part of a package of planning and transport measures, to promote sustainable travel choices. Local authorities should in development plan documents set maximum levels of parking for broad classes of development which may include surgeries, and parking for disabled people should be additional to these maximum parking standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle were slaughtered in the last recorded month as a result of bovine TB. [10116]

Latest provisional TB statistics for Great Britain indicate that 1,964 cattle were slaughtered as bovine tuberculosis reactors or direct contacts in May 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her environmental priorities for the UK presidency of the European Union. [10114]

A key priority is climate change action, working with EU partners and internationally, prior to the Kyoto convention meeting in Montreal. Also, progress on the "REACH" chemicals regulation and the EU Sustainable Development Strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the implications for the British sugar industry of the European Commission's proposals for reform of the EU sugar regime. [10121]

The Commission's proposals are a step change towards removing the market distortions which stop UK processors and growers benefiting from their relative efficiency and comparative advantage. The package includes a voluntary restructuring scheme and decoupled support payments to help in the adjustment process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fatalities of UK fishermen she estimates were caused by fishing vessels operated by other EU states in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [9024]

I have been asked to reply.

The information requested is not held by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) of DfT record details of fatalities aboard UK registered fishing vessels. From 1999 to 2004 there were 80 fatalities to crew of UK registered fishing vessels. The nationalities of these are not recorded, but are likely to be predominantly UK. None of these fatalities has been recorded by MAIB as involving a fishing vessel registered in another EU state.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department gives to local authorities on measures to combat fly-tipping. [9208]

Guidance was issued to local authorities, and others, on the new powers to tackle fly-tipping that were included in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 and which were commenced with effect from 7 June. The 2005 Act contains further powers for local authorities to issue fixed penalty notices for some offences. The Department is funding ENCAMS to provide training for local authorities on how to use these powers later in 2005, in advance of the powers being commenced in April 2006.

We are funding the Environment Agency through a project known as Flycapture Enforcement to provide additional training for local authority enforcement officers and local authority lawyers on how to successfully build cases against those responsible for fly-tipping offences and on hew to use the full range of enforcement powers that are now available to them. It is hoped that this training will be available from September.

Finally, we have commissioned the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science to carry out research into the causes and incentives of fly-tipping. One of the outputs of this work will be a good practice guide for local authorities on effective strategies for reducing fly tipping levels in their area. This should be available in the spring of 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) product specification, (b) production and (c) content disclosures were required as a result of the granting of protected geographical indicator status to Newcastle Brown Ale in 1998; and in what form such disclosures were made. [9875]

Newcastle Brown Ale was registered as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) under Article 17 of EC Regulation 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs. Article 17, which no longer applies, required the applicant to send the full product specification, including a list of raw materials and the method of production, to the competent authority in their member state. Article 17 did not require the publication of a summary specification in the www.defra.gov.uk/foodnn/foodname/UKingdom/newbrown.htm.Official Journal of the European Union. However, a copy of the, summary specification is available at

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultations were carried out on the proposed removal of protected geographical indicator status from Newcastle Brown Ale; in what form comments were sought; and how many replies were received. [9876]

Defra wrote to the relevant industry organisations on 9 July 2004 and invited written comments from them. In addition, officials were already in correspondence with CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) about the application by the producers for cancellation of the registration of protected geographical indication status for Newcastle Brown Ale. The Department has, to date, received two replies, including the correspondence from CAMRA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the hon. Member for Wight will receive the substantive reply promised in the Prime Minister's letter of 2 June concerning his response of 25 May 2005, Official Report, column 699, about pet cemeteries. [10089]

holding answer 6 July 2005

I wrote to the hon. Member on 4 July and explained that I was taking up the issue with the Environment Agency on the subject of fees for the regulation of pet cemeteries. I will write to the hon. Member substantively in due course and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many press officers the Department and its predecessors employed in each year since 1997; and what the cost was in each year. [8137]

Defra was set up in June 2001. Figures relating to the number of press officers by the Departments subsumed into the new Department would not correspond accurately to the scope of the current press office.

Year on year comparisons since that date are as follows:

The numbers vary within the course of any one year.

The information on costs of press officers could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the salary and directly related costs for all permanent and temporary staff for both press officers and support staff were as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the Rural Pathfinders in England; on what date each was established; and what outcomes they have achieved since inception. [10385]

There are eight rural delivery pathfinders, one in each of the Government Office regions (outside London):

Dorset;

Fens area of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Peterborough;

Hampshire;

Humber sub-region (covering East Riding of Yorkshire Council, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire);

Lancashire;

Peak District Rural Action Zone (covering the Derbyshire High Peak and Dales, Staffordshire Moorlands and East Staffordshire areas of the Peak District National Park);

Shropshire; and

West Durham (covering Teesdale and Wear Valley).

Announced as part of the Government's Rural Strategy in July 2004, the pathfinders were formally-launched on 14 March 2005 and will run through to April 2007. It is too early to expect outcomes from the work to date but the pathfinders have been working closely with their local and regional partners to develop a shared agreed business plan to tackle local priorities and identify practical solutions to gaps, blockages or failures in service delivery to rural customers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the terms of reference of the Rural Pathfinder for the Peak District are; which other agencies are involved in its work; and if she will make a statement. [10416]

As set out in the "pathfinders prospectus" published in March 2005, a copy of which has been made available in the Library of the House, the overall aim of the rural delivery pathfinders is to explore and test opportunities for more joined up, flexible and effective approaches to rural delivery at a local level. This includes innovation in rural development and delivery of services in rural areas, and better prioritisation of existing resources, in line with local priorities, towards areas, communities and people with the greatest needs. The prospectus sets out in more detail the overarching framework within which all pathfinders, including the one in the Peak District Rural Action Zone, are operating.

In the Peak District RAZ pathfinder, the focus is on access to services with particular emphasis on access to support a sustainable rural economy and community regeneration. Local priorities for action include affordable housing, sustainable tourism, promoting local distinctiveness, learning and skills, and enhancing and sustaining a high quality environment. More detail can be found in the outline business plan published at the pathfinders launch on 14 March 2005 (and to be found at http://wwwdefra.gov.uk/rural/ruraldelivery/pathfinders/default.htm)

From the outset the pathfinder has aimed for an inclusive approach; the cross-border nature of the area makes this imperative. The steering group formed to oversee the preparatory work for the pathfinder involves two Local Strategic Partnerships (Derbyshire and Staffordshire), six local authorities, a National Park Authority, a sub-regional Strategic Partnership, the voluntary and community sector, representation from the Natural England confederation, a Rural Community Council, a Government Office and RDA. further linkages are being developed with other partners within the East and West Midlands.

The pathfinders represent a key element of DEFRA's agenda to ensure that decisions on service delivery can be taken closer to the customer. We have allowed local areas to set the agenda for what they tackle. This is critical because we are embarked on a radical process of improving the way in which we support rural delivery, as outlined in Rural Strategy 2004. The pathfinders provide us and our delivery partners with an opportunity to recognise and respond to difficulties and opportunities and better meet rural needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the (a) transparency and (b) legitimacy of the recent election in Guinea-Bissau. [9251]

The European Union Election Observation Mission, along with other international observers, considered the first round of presidential elections to have been peaceful and generally well administered in line with international principles for democratic elections. On 23 June the UN Security Council expressed its satisfaction with the peaceful and orderly manner in which the polls took place. We welcome the fact that all candidates have now accepted the results of the poll and encourage all parties in Guinea-Bissau to continue to respect the democratic process when the second round of elections takes place on 24 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to facilitate the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor for violation of international humanitarian law. [9984]

The UK Government believe that Charles Taylor should face justice at the Special Court for Sierra Leone. We have made this clear to the Nigerian Government and will continue to do so. We remain in discussion with Nigeria and our international partners over the next steps.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has passed to the Home Office information the Department has gathered on the impact on children of being accused of witchcraft, with particular reference to countries in Africa. [9119]

We have not to date passed any information on this subject to the Home Office because we do not hold anything relevant. We do, however, forward information from our overseas posts to home Departments where relevant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the health-related advertising campaigns commissioned since February 2002, indicating the (a) objectives, (b) start and end dates, (c) media used, (d) criteria used to assess the effectiveness, (e) extent to which effectiveness criteria were met, (f) agency used and (g) cost of each. [6726]

holding answer 23 June 2005

The Department's advertising is commissioned through the Central Office of Information. Expenditure from 2001–02 to 2004–05 is shown in the following table. Information on objectives, start and end dates, media used criteria used to assess the effectiveness, extent to which effectiveness criteria were met and agency used can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

£ million

⁽⁴⁾ To date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were admitted to hospital in each London strategic health authority owing to alcohol-related problems in 2004–05. [8205]

The table shows the latest figures available for finished admission episodes and alcohol-related problems for under 18 age group in London strategic health authorities in 2003–04. Please note that "alcohol related" is not a clearly defined condition and there may be some differences in the diagnostic codes used for different cases. The table includes diagnosis codes for alcohol-related diseases, which are defined by a primary diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol, alcoholic liver disease or toxic effect of alcohol.

Counts of finished admission episodes for selected alcohol-related diseases by London SHA of residence—Age at admission between 0–17 years⁽⁵⁾

⁽⁵⁾ Alcohol-related diseases defined as following ICD-10 codes recorded in primary diagnosis

F10 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol

K70 Alcoholic liver disease

T51 Toxic effect of alcohol

Notes:

1. A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

2. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (7 prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

3. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).

Source:

Hospital episode statistics, Health and Social Care Information Centre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) adults and (b) children per 100 population diagnosed with asthma there are in each London borough. [8208]

The Department does not collect figures on adults and children per 100 population diagnosed with asthma.

The table shows the count of finished admission episodes and counts per 100 population for admitted care episodes in national health service hospitals where asthma was the primary diagnosis, in each London local authority district of residence in 2003–04.

Primary diagnosis asthma (ICD-10 codes 345–346). Finished admission episodes. London local authority of residenceNational health service hospitals, England 2003–04

⁽⁶⁾ Mid-2003 Resident Population Estimates for all London boroughs is provided by Demography and Geography, Health and Social Care Information Centre

Notes:

Finished admission episodes

A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

Diagnosis (Primary Diagnosis)

The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (7 prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

Ungrossed Data

Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).

Low Numbers

Due to reasons of confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 have been suppressed and replaced with "*".

Source:

Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in each year since 1997. [9912]

This information is not collected centrally. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence appraisal of the use of Methylphenidate in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), published in October 2000, estimated the prevalence of all types of ADHD at around 5 per cent., of school-aged children, or approximately 345,000 six to 16-year-olds in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the suitability of bacteriophage in methods to reduce MRSA infection; and what representations she has received on such suitability. [3360]

The available evidence suggests that bacteriophages may have a role in helping to control health care acquired infections, such as methicillin-resistant "Staphylococcus aureus" (MRSA). It is for any company or individual, who believes they have a product that has an effective role to play in combating health care acquired infections to refer to the rapid review panel, when appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have given blood in London in each of the last five years. [8312]

Information on the number of donors and donations of blood collected in the Greater London area between 2000 and 2005 is shown in the table. Thousand

⁽⁷⁾ The National Blood Service (NBS) collects such information in a different geographical format, so it is unable to provide information on the number of collections in the Greater London area for 2000–01.

Source:

NBS

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list children's hospices, broken down by region; and if she will make a statement. [8045]

There are now 35 registered children's hospices in England. In addition, a small number are at the planning stage. A full list of the current hospices is shown in the following table.

Registered children's hospices in England

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much (a) the Department and (b) non-departmental bodies for which the Department is responsible spent on advertising in 2004–05, broken down by media type. [8019]

Media spend on advertising for the Department for 2004–05 was £32.7 million. The breakdown is shown in the following table.

£ million

We have no central record of advertising spend by non-departmental bodies, and could not obtain these without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department's advice "Clostridium Difficile: Infection Prevention and Management" was last reviewed; and what plans she has to audit compliance with it. [8017]

"Clostridium Difficile: Infection Prevention and Management" has not been formally reviewed, but we will be discussing options for this with the Health Protection Agency, in light of the lessons we have learned since its publication and any recommendations that may arise from the Healthcare Commission inquiry into the recentClostridium Difficile outbreak. The guidance is still relevant in its current form. There are no plans for an audit for compliance with this guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list diagnostic and treatment centres, broken down by (a) location and (b) specialism. [6810]

The information requested has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) medical students and (b) student nurses receive diversity training; and what research the Government have commissioned on the effects of diversity training for (i) medical students and (ii) student nurses. [9615]

The Department does not set the curriculums for health professional training. This is a matter for the statutory and professional bodies. However, we do share a commitment with them that all health professionals are trained to acquire, the skills and knowledge to deliver a high quality health service to the diverse range of individuals, cultures and groups with whom they have contact.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates the Department's Recovery and Support Unit visited East Sussex Hospitals Trust; whether it has reported to Ministers; and what actions she plans to take as a result of their intervention. [9782]