To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he last visited each British Overseas Territory; and whether he has plans for future visits. [33671]

I visited Montserrat in June of last year. I have no immediate plans for any further visits to the Overseas Territories.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on his Department's plans further to improve transport links that would encourage tourism in each of the overseas territories. [33766]

A new airport financed jointly by DFID and the European Union, became operational in Montserrat earlier this year. Last March, I announced plans for an airport in St. Helena, subject to satisfactory contract bids and a rigorous environmental assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what actions are being taken by his Department to limit the effect of natural disasters on the Cayman Islands. [33754]

We are supporting a project, which includes an adviser based in the Caribbean, aimed at improving and strengthening disaster preparedness in all UK Overseas Territories in the region. In the particular case of the Cayman Islands, we also funded a study of the impact of Hurricane Ivan to help learn from the Cayman Islands' experience of handling the emergency.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much financial assistance was directed to the Cayman Islands after they were struck by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. [33763]

Her Majesty's Government's assistance totalled approximately £250,000, provided in response to the immediate humanitarian need. This included the cost of deploying naval vessels in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane and the provision of essential water and medical supplies, plus help with the costs of a contingent from the Bermuda Regiment to help with the clean-up operation. We also offered advice to the Cayman Islands authorities in handling the emergency and we have since funded a review of the hurricane's impact.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes) of 15 November 2005, Official Report, columns1077–78W, on damages, why (a) compensation was paid to pensioners for arrears of payment, (b) interest and a penalty payment was made to the Inland Revenue and (c) compensation was paid to a member of staff for personal effects; and if he will make a statement. [32000]

Compensation was paid to pensioners to recompense them for the reduced pensions they received. Incorrect exchange rates were used in the calculation of their pensions, which resulted in them being paid lower rates of pension than they were due. Besides paying the arrears, DFID paid compensation for their losses.

Payment of interest and a penalty were made, as required by the Inland Revenue, for backdated national insurance contributions that had not been paid correctly by DFID.

Compensation was paid to a member of staff for the loss of personal effects which had been placed in store at DFID expense, under the terms of the employment contract while she was working in one of our offices overseas. An administrative error resulted in invoices never being received by DFID, leading the storage company sub-contracted by DFID's freight contractor eventually to sell the effects to cover their costs. DFID's payment was a contribution to the total loss, with the bulk of the compensation paid by our freight contractor.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many (a) consultants and (b) special advisers were employed by his Department in each year since 1997; what the cost of each was in each year; and if he will make a statement. [27424]

For details of the consultancy contracts awarded by DFID since 1997 to assist with international development, I refer the hon. Member to the response I have given to the hon. Member for St. Ives (Andrew George) on 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 55W.

Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis, the names and overall cost of special advisers and the number in each pay band. For the most recent information I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 July 2005, Official Report, columns 158–62WS.

Information on the numbers of special advisers prior to 2003 was provided at regular intervals and this information is available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money the UK has granted for non-poverty reduction direct budgetary support in each year since 1999, broken down by country recipient. [32443]

The following table gives details of DFID spending on direct budget support to UK overseas territories since 1999, with the objectives of maximising economic growth, meeting basic needs on the way to self-sufficiency and supporting good governance.

Budgetary aid to Dependent Territories -- £

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial support his Department has given to organisations assisting low paid home workers in developing countries in the last two years. [32665]

For the period 2004–06, DFID is providing £500,000 to support HomeWorkers Worldwide to build the capacity of regional organisation in Latin America, South Asia and Eastern Europe who are working to improve the economic and social conditions of poor women home based workers. This builds on support given to the organisation between 2001–04 to map home based work and establish independent organisations of home based workers in 13 countries.

Home based workers also benefit from many other programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods and labour conditions of poor workers. Examples include: DFID's support to the technical assistance programme of the International Labour Organisation; and support to the work of the Ethical Trading Initiative whose corporate, trade union and NGO members are collaborating in a project to develop guidelines for ethical trading where homeworkers are included in the supply chains of corporate members.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress his Department has made towards the goal set out in its publication Montserrat: Country Policy Plan 2004–05 to 2006–07 to achieve improved public information and publicity. [33756]

A number of initiatives are being implemented by the Government of Montserrat to facilitate public access to information. These include the development of websites for Government News and Information, the Tourism Department, the Economic Development Unit, the Government Radio Station and the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. An e-Government Strategy has been drafted, which will further enhance the public availability of Montserrat Government information. Information and Communication Technology has been identified as a priority area for funding from Montserrat's 9th European Development Fund allocation.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what rules govern the application for land purchase licences by those holding official Government positions in St. Helena, with particular reference to potential conflicts of interest. [34079]

For officials holding 'islander' status, there are no restrictions apart from the general prohibition in Order 84 of the St. Helena Public Service Orders. This forbids the abuse of office to further personal interests. For officials who do not hold 'islander' status, there are requirements for:(a) a licence from the Governor in Council, under the Immigrants Landholding (Restriction) Ordinance; and (b) concurrent permission of the Governor and the Secretary of State, in accordance with Order 81 of St.Helena Public Service Orders.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1600W, on St.Helena, what evidence he assessed from (a) Dr.Philip Ashmole and (b) the St. Helena conservation officer Vince Williams before reaching his conclusion that the giant earwig is extinct. [34084]

I refer the hon. member for Lewes to the response which I gave on of 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1600W, in which was explained that the giant earwig is believed to be extinct, not that it is extinct. My understanding is that this is the view currently held by professional entomologists, who are familiar with this species and its habitat. We have frequent contact with Dr.Ashmole and with environmental officials in the Government of St. Helena.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1599W, on St. Helena, for what reason a public inquiry has been ruled out. [34086]

I understand that legislation in St.Helena does not provide for a public inquiry process. Submissions for planning approval are subject to a period of public consultation. This will apply when an application is made in respect of the airport.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the estimated cost is of the proposed airport on St. Helena; and what percentage of this cost will be met by (a) his Department, (b) other UK funds, (c) public funds in St.Helena and (d) other sources. [34087]

Our estimates have not been published, as to do so could commercially prejudice current procurement processes. Our intention is that the full cost of building the airport will be funded by DFID, subject to acceptable contract bids and a rigorous environmental impact assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment was made of the potential to operate feeder services from Ascension Island to St. Helena in deciding the optimum size of the proposed airport at St. Helena. [34113]

This was considered but rejected as part of last year's feasibility study of future access options for St. Helena. Wideawake Airfield in Ascension Island is a military facility, where civilian operations are limited.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1600W, on St.Helena, if he will instruct the Government of St. Helena to withdraw the requirement for members of the Planning and Development Board to sign the Official Secrets Act on the grounds of disproportionality. [34116]

The Planning and Development Board occasionally considers material which is commercially or otherwise sensitive. The St. Helena Government have advised that the Official Secrets Act is currently the only mechanism for protecting such material within its existing legislation. We will not, therefore, be requesting the Government of St. Helena to withdraw the requirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 29 November 2005, Official Report, column 359W, what proportion of the funding for the airstrip on St. Helena will be provided by his Department. [34409]

The Government's intention is to fund the full cost of building the airport, subject to acceptable contract bids and a rigorous environmental impact assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the progress of the building of the new airport in St.Helena. [33765]

A notice has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, seeking capability statements from suitably qualified contractors. We expect to issue an invitation to tender as early as possible in 2006, with construction starting in 2007. Work on environmental and social impact assessments, the outcome of which will be reflected in the airport design, build and operate" contract, is well under way.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whose complaint gave rise to the decision by the National Audit Office on the Objection to the Accounts for year ended 31 March 2004 of Colchester borough council; what estimate he has made of the costs of investigating this complaint; and to whom the costs will fall. [33995]

This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission. I will ask the chief executive to write to the hon. Member and to ensure the answer is made available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) land and (b) property his Department (i) owns and (ii) rents in each constituency; and if he will make a statement. [33259]

The information is as follows:

(a) Land which Office of the Deputy Prime Minister owns and rents, and the constituencies in which it lies, is as follows:

(b) Property which Office of the Deputy Prime Minister owns and rents, and the constituencies in which it lies, is as follows:

This answer does not include buildings occupied by Government offices, who carry out functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what inter-operability will exist at local level between the emergency services following the decision of his Department to contract O2 to undertake the provision of Firelink. [33782]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to procuring a wide area radio system which meets the requirements for inter-operability and resilience of voice communications in line with the 2002 agreement between the chief officers' associations of the fire and rescue service, police and ambulance service. This provides for major incident multi-service inter-operability at strategic and tactical command levels. Both Firelink tenderers have demonstrated the capability to provide multi-service inter-operability.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has announced a preferred bidder, however a final decision has not yet been made about letting the Firelink contract.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate the Government have made of the number of (a) job losses and (b) redundancies that will result from the abolition of local fire control rooms. [33173]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister estimates that around 1,000 staff (full-time equivalents) will be employed in the new control centres, subject to decisions by the employers. Currently according to figures supplied by Fire and Rescue Authorities 1,435 people are involved in providing control services, not all of whom are full-time. Some of the functions currently carried out by control room staff will remain elsewhere in Fire and Rescue Services. The number of job losses will depend on decisions made by the employers.

It is not possible to say whether there will be redundancies and if so how many. This will depend on a number of factors including how many staff choose to transfer to the new control centres, how many leave existing control rooms or retire before the creation of the new centres, and how many are redeployed.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects each regional fire control centre to be operational; and if he will make a statement. [32661]

The current FiReControl timetable schedules all regional controls to be rolled out in 2008 and 2009. A new timetable will be drawn up shortly, when contracts have been awarded for the provision of infrastructure services.

The first three regions (south west, north east and east Midlands) will go live simultaneously and the remainder will become operational in the following order:

South East,

West Midlands,

North West,

East of England,

Yorkshire and Humberside,

London.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for unitary local government; and whether the Government intend to propose (a) unitary districts and (b) unitary counties. [31787]

We are considering the arguments for changes to the local government structure in county areas. We have no decisions thus far.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what method he will use to consolidate the data needed to assess 2004 public service agreement target number 1. [29950]

This is very clearly set out in the PSA 1 technical note published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in November 2004, and available on both the ODPM's website and on HM Treasury's website. It sets out the data sources for each of the floor targets that underpin our PSA 1 target and the frequency of data updates.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister why an 11-year average starting in 1999 is used to measure performance against 2004 public service agreement target number 3. [29952]

The 11-year period was chosen to provide consistency across Government with the time scales for other healthier nation" targets, as set out in the 1999 White Paper Saving lives: Our healthier nation".

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Turner) of 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2238W, on social services funding, if he will extend the table to include the relevant data for Wirral local authority. [34139]

The information is as follows.

£ per person

To ask the Leader of the House what his policy is on including (a) ethical and (b) environmental factors in tenders for services. [33338]

In tendering for services, the Office of the Leader of the House has regard to the rules and general principles of community law deriving from the EC Treaty that apply to all procurement by public bodies.

The general principles of Community law are: non-discrimination, equal treatment, transparency, proportionality and mutual recognition.

To ask the Leader of the House how many different salary levels may be paid to hon. Members, including those for Select and Standing Committee Chairmen; and how many hon. Members are in each band. [34264]

641 hon. Members are entitled to the full parliamentary salary of £59,095. (This excludes the five Sinn Fein Members who do not receive a salary). In addition, 31 Select Committee Chairmen are paid £13,107 per year and, since 1 November 2005, 30 Members of the Chairmen's Panel are paid according to length of service on the Panel as follows:

Under one year: £2,165 (12 hon. Members)

one to three years: £7,340 (three hon. Members)

three to five years: £9,960 (five hon. Members)

Over five years: £13,107 (10 hon. Members)

Members of the Chairmen's Panel who are also Select Committee Chairmen only receive the Select Committee Chairmen's salary.

These figures exclude those Members paid salaries out of the ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what (a) land and (b) property her Department (i) owns and (ii) rents in each constituency; and if she will make a statement. [33263]

The Department for Culture Media and Sport owns a section of land adjoining the British Library in London.

The Department owns the freeholds to the following properties:

The Department rents the following properties in central London for its office accommodation:

The Royal Parks Agency owns the following properties:

The agency does not rent any properties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is on including (a) ethical and (b) environmental factors in tenders for services. [33328]

DCMS Terms and Conditions for Services include the subjects of 'Prevention of Corruption' and 'Discrimination'. It is already the policy in DCMS for all catering to make use of Fair Trade goods and provisions wherever possible.

The Department requires bidders to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire which incorporates questions about their environmental capabilities. This is assessed prior to selection of candidates to participate in the tendering process.

DCMS alongside other Government Departments is developing a sustainable development strategy. Part of that strategy will be to take guidance from the OGC/DEFRA Joint Note on Environmental Issues in Purchasing. DCMS has also been taking guidance from the list of Quick Win" environmentally friendly products supplied by OGC Buying Solutions and the toolkits currently being devised by DEFRA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what proportion of licensed premises have applied for a variation extending their licensing hours under the Licensing Act 2003. [32498]

We do not hold the information in the form requested. However, initial feedback from licensing authorities suggests that around 40 per cent. of premises in England and Wales that converted their old licences, also applied for variations including, but not exclusively, extensions to hours. This would equate to about 57,000 premises.

From an ongoing survey of licensing authorities in England and Wales in relation to pubs, bars and nightclubs, we estimate that two-thirds (about 54,000) will have secured licences for a variety of hours beyond 11 pm and that about 80 per cent. of these (or about 43,000) will have terminal hours of 1 am or earlier.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate the Government have made of the average cost to (a) village halls and community centres and (b) sports clubs of applying for a full premises licence and personal licences under the Licensing Act 2003. [32500]

We do not hold the information in the form requested. Under the Licensing Act 2003, premises apply for a one-off premises licence and then pay an annual charge for their licence thereafter. The charge is based on the rateable value of the property. The current fee structure for these two payments is as follows:

£

The fee relating to an application for a personal licence has been set at £37 to be paid every 10 years. This would not be paid by sports clubs that hold club premises certificates.

The regulatory impact assessment that accompanies the fees regulations states that non commercial premises such as village and community halls and sports clubs tend to fall in fee bands A and B which should not place an undue or disproportionate burden on the premises affected. In addition, no fee is payable by a village hall or community centre if it intends only to put on entertainment. The Licensing Act 2003 also brings deregulatory benefits, reducing the number of administrative licensing processes under the previous arrangements by almost tenfold. This benefits village halls, community centres and sports clubs by removing the need to apply for several licences and permissions and allows them to offer a wider range of activities to their users and members under a single licence. Once the new licence is obtained, there will be no more form filling for committees unless the hall or sports club wish to change their licence.

As part of our arrangements for monitoring the impact of the Licensing Act 2003, an Independent Licensing Fees Review Panel has been established to consider the impact of fees on a wide range of stakeholders, including village and community halls and sports clubs. The panel will deliver an interim report shortly, followed by a Final report in autumn 2006 detailing findings and where appropriate making recommendations for the development of the licensing fees regime. We will consider carefully the evidence from these exercises and any recommendations to help community and village halls and sports clubs operate within the new regime.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) what role his Department has in monitoring bank accounts held in the UK by foreign politically exposed persons which are thought to hold funds derived from corrupt activities or theft of state assets; [34010]

(2) pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2005, Official Report, column 1911W, on overseas public assets, whether his Department has undertaken analysis based on financial reporting of the amount of money circulating in the UK financial system which is derived from the illicit acquisition of foreign states' public assets. [34018]

As part of its objective to promote efficient, stable, and fair financial markets the Treasury has lead responsibility for ensuring that the UK's anti-money laundering controls meet the requisite international standards, and are effective in their operation. Treasury approved guidance available to the financial services sector highlights the importance of a risk-based approach to politically exposed persons. The Financial Services Authority ensures that financial service providers are compliant with the obligations placed on them

The analysis of financial reporting on customer relationships and transactions involving politically exposed persons that are perceived to be suspicious is carried out by NCIS. Channels of communication exist for law enforcement and Government Departments to receive, and comment or act upon the products of NCIS analysis.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much corporation tax was raised frombusiness in Northamptonshire in each year since 1997. [34434]

The information is not available to estimate the amount of corporation tax raised from business in Northamptonshire in each year since 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Paymaster General will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 5 October. [34238]

I have replied to the hon. Member.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency's Automated Value Model computer database will be used by the Northern Ireland Valuation and Lands Agency for the purpose of its rates revaluation. [33161]

In the absence of my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Basildon (Angela E. Smith), I have been asked to reply.

The Valuation and Lands Agency is not using the Valuation Office Agency's Automated Valuation Model computer database nor any valuation models constructed by Valuation Office Agency to value properties in Northern Ireland in connection with its rates revaluation. It has constructed its own regional valuation models to apply to its own local property database.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Department and its agencies have spent on (a) the design and production of new logos and (b) employing external (i) public relations and (ii) graphic design agencies in each year since 2000, broken down by project. [33226]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 18 October 2005, Official Report, column 932W, which set out the total spending on rebranding by the Chancellor's Departments and their agencies in the last five financial years. Further analysis of spending on rebranding into the headings requested and by project, and analysis by project of any spending under those headings for purposes other than rebranding, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was obtained from national insurance contributions in each of the last three years. [34095]

National insurance contribution receipts are published in Table PSF6 of Public Sector Finances. A link to the most recent publication is given as follows.

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/psf1105.pdf

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of making the Office for National Statistics independent on its staff working at the Titchfield office. [34117]

I refer the hon. Member to the Chancellor's written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Paul Clark) on 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 79W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the net cost of tax relief on private pensions was in the last year for which figures are available; what proportion of UK gross domestic product that figure represents; and what the projected figures are in each case for (a) 2010, (b) 2020, (c) 2030, (d) 2040 and (e) 2050. [34865]

Latest estimates of cost of tax relief on contributions to occupational pension schemes are included in table 7.9 of the HMRC website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/pensions/7_9_sep05.pdf.

Latest figures for UK gross domestic product, for comparison, can be obtained from the HMT website: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk./economic_data_and tools/gdp_deflators/data_gdp_fig.cfm.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) what guarantees were (a) sought from and (b) given by EDS in respect of the tax credits IT project within one month of the introduction of the new tax credits system in 2003; and if he will make a statement; [19286]

(2) what written undertakings and assurances were sought from EDS by (a) his Department and (b) the Inland Revenue prior to the new tax credits system going live in 2003; when these assurances were (i) sought and (ii) given; and if he will make a statement. [19299]

Before the IT system supporting tax credits went into live running on 7 April 2003, the Inland Revenue received assurances and commitments from EDS that the IT system would be available and performing as expected, and would be fit for the purpose of supporting tax credits.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the late change requests to the tax credits IT project made between April 2002 and April 2003, including those made by the Inland Revenue project board and policy board. [19288]

In a large-scale project of this sort there are inevitably many change requests as specific issues arise. The information is not available in the form requested.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how many months the IT project for the Inland Revenue's new 2003 tax credits system was assessed as red light before April 2003; and if he will make a statement. [19290]

IR classified this project as having a red risk status from July 2001. This classification reflected the large and complicated nature of the project and the necessity for project risks to be properly managed. OGC's review of the project indicated that risks were being well managed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the dates since the beginning of 2002 on which his Ministers met (a) EDS and (b) revenue officials to discuss the IT problems with the new tax credits system. [23572]

Treasury ministers held regular meetings to discuss tax credits issues with Inland Revenue and HMRC officials in the period from January 2002. There were no meetings between Ministers and EDS to discuss tax credits.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) what the legal status of additional wife/wives/husband(s) is in relation to applications for tax credits; [26587]

(2) if he will set out the criteria for additional wife/wives/husband(s) in relation to applications for tax credits. [26588]

Where a man and a woman are married under a law which permits polygamy, and either of them has an additional spouse, the Tax Credits (Polygamous Marriages) Regulations 2003 allow them to claim tax credits as a polygamous unit. It is only those in legal polygamous unions who are covered by these regulations and there is no provision for those in less formal arrangements to claim as a polygamous unit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases where action was taken to prevent automatic recovery where a claimant disputed an overpayment of tax credits automatic recovery ceased within (a) one, (b) two, (c) three, (d) four, (e) five and (f) six weeks of the overpayment being disputed in the last year for which figures are available. [29317]

holding answer 17 November

New procedures to allow HM Revenue and Customs to suspend the recovery of disputed tax credits overpayments were introduced on 7 November 2005. The Tax Credit Office will now take action to prevent recovery until it has looked into the case and made a decision.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when a Minister in his Department (a) last met and (b) next expects to meet representatives from the voluntary sector to discuss tax credits. [30005]

Treasury Ministers meet representatives from the voluntary sector on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many tax credit cases the claimant received an award notice stating that the claimant had no qualifying children but that an award of maximum child tax credit had been made in (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06 to date. [31525]

HM Revenue and Customs do not know of any instances where maximum child tax credit payments had been made and there were no qualifying children shown on award notices.

If the right hon. Gentleman has a specific case in mind, then I will investigate it if he will write to me with the details.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases in Scotland where tax credit overpayments have been disputed (a) they have been written off, (b) additional tax credits have been awarded to deal with hardship and (c) claimants in receipt of additional tax credits due to hardship have also (i) disputed their overpayment and (ii) had it written off in (A) 2003–04, (B) 2004–05 and (C) 2005–06 to date. [33018]

The information is not available in the format requested.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon.Member for Yeovil on 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 331W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases in Scotland HM Revenue and Customs and its predecessors applied to the Appeals Service under section 32(1) and (2) of, and Schedule 2 to, the Tax Credits Act 2002 for a summons against an individual for failing to provide information or evidence or failing to comply with a requirement regarding a final notice in (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06 to date. [33019]

To the end of October HMRC has made one application in 2005–06 for a summons against an individual under section 32(1) and (2) of, and Schedule 2 to, the Tax Credits Act 2002. No such applications were made in 2003–04 or 2004–05.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total number of overpayments is in Scotland due to official errors in the new tax credit system; and what their value was in each year since April 2003. [33023]

Estimates for 2003–04 of the numbers of in-work families with tax credits awards, including information on overpayments and underpayments by constituency, based on final family circumstances and incomes for 2003–04 are published in Child and Working Tax Credits. Finalised Awards. 2003–04 Geographical Analysis." This publication and provisional estimates for the number of in-work families by constituency with tax credit awards as at selected dates in 2004–05 are available on the HMRC website at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm

Estimates of numbers of overpayments or underpayments for 2004–05 awards at 5 April 2005 will not be available until after family circumstances and incomes for 2004–05 have been finalised.

A breakdown of the causes of these overpayments is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the value of unclaimed income-related tax credit, in each of the past five years, broken down by tax credit. [33294]

Estimates of the value of unclaimed Working Families' Tax Credit entitlements for 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2002–03 are available on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/wftc/takeup_rates.htm (table 2 of each annual publication). Analysis of the value of unclaimed tax credit entitlements for 2003–04 is ongoing and we expect this work to be completed towards the end of 2005–06.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will give a full reply to the letter of the right hon. Member for Birkenhead regarding the tax credits of his constituents, Mr. and Mrs. Holland, sent on 1 November. [33771]

I replied to my right hon. Friend on 30 November 2005.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) how many separate payments are included in the aggregate settlement agreed with Electronic Data Systems on tax credits; and when these payments fall due; [33948]

(2) whether the aggregate settlement with Electronic Data Systems (EDS) on tax credits involves changes to the payments made to EDS by HM Revenue and Customs. [33949]

The settlement agreement reached between HM Revenue and Customs and EDS is commercial-in-confidence as is normal with settlements of this sort.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) if he will estimate the extra annual yield in 2005–06 had the (a) landfill tax, (b) vehicle excise duty, (c) air passenger duty and (d) fuel duty been raised in line with (i) the GDP deflator and (ii) GDP, (A) since its introduction and (B) since 1996–97; and what the (1)rate would be and (2) percentage difference between that rate and the current rate is in each case; [33123]

(2) if he will estimate the extra annual yield in 2005–06 had the (a) climate change levy and (b) aggregates tax been raised in line with (i) the GDP deflator and (ii)GDP since its introduction; and what the (A) rate would be and (B) percentage difference between that rate and the current rate is in each case. [33124]

Reliable estimates of the extra yield or rates in 2005–06 are not available for vehicle excise duty, air passenger duty and fuel duty due to changes in the structure of these rates from their introduction and again from 1996–97. Reliable estimates of the extra yield in 2005–06 are not available for landfill tax because the actual standard rate of landfill tax differs markedly from the scenarios outlined in the question and disentangling behavioural effects would be very difficult and highly uncertain. Estimates for climate change levy and aggregates levy are shown in the following tables.

£ million, rounded

Note:

Includes behavioural effects.

⁽¹⁾Source:

HM Treasury.

⁽²⁾Source: HM Treasury.

⁽³⁾Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

Information on the rates of landfill tax, air passenger duty, fuel duty, climate change levy and aggregates levy is available at the UK Trade Info website: www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=statindex

Information on the rates of vehicle excise duty is available at the DVLA website: www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/taxation.htm

Information on the GDP deflator and GDP is available at HM Treasury's website: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/economic_data_and_tools/data_index.cfm

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of (a) the number and (b) the total asset size of venture capital trusts. [34399]

There were 98 venture capital trusts managing funds as at September 2005, as published on the National Statistics pages of the HMRC Website (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/venture/8_6_sep05.pdf).

Venture capital trusts have raised a total of over £2.2billion since the scheme's inception but we do not have an estimate for the current value of total assets for these funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 26 September. [34240]

I replied to the hon. Member on 11 October 2005. I am arranging for a copy to be sent to him.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners have been assessed as living in poverty in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the United Kingdom in each year since 1997. [33279]

The seventh annual 'Opportunity for all' report (Cm 6673) sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and reports progress against a range of indicators.

Information on the number of pensioners in low income is not available below regional level. The following table gives estimates for the number of pensioners in relative low income and absolute low income in the North East and in Great Britain.

Number of pensioners living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of GB median income in the North East (in millions) based on three-year rolling averages

Number of pensioners living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of GB median income in Great Britain (in millions) based on single-year estimates.

Notes:

1.Figures for the North East are provided using a three-year rolled average, as single-year estimates do not provide a robust guide to year-on-year changes. Figures are therefore not the same as previously published single-year estimates and there may be differences in changes over time. Due to this, the absolute and relative figures in 1996–97 to 1998–99 will not necessarily match. In circumstances such as a change in trend, rolled averages will show less variation than single year estimates.

2.Regional three-year rolled average figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000.

3.The estimates use the same income measures as the Department for Work and Pensions publication 'Households Below Average Income' (HBAI). Income is net of income tax and council tax, and adjusted for household size and composition.

Source:

Family Resources Survey (FRS)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what research his Department has undertaken into the medical status of individuals involved in sleep-related traffic accidents; [32573]

(2) what estimate he has made of the number of road accidents caused by excessive sleepiness due to (a) obstructive sleep apnoea and (b) other sleep disorders in each of the last three years; [32578]

(3) what estimate he has made of the number of adults with (a) diagnosed and (b) undiagnosed obstructive sleep disorder who hold a driving licence. [32579]

The Department has not undertaken research into the medical status of individuals involved in sleep-related traffic accidents. However it held an expert workshop into the medical causes of daytime sleepiness in 2002. Following that event, it has strengthened advice provided to doctors. A question on sleep disorders is now included in the medical report form that must accompany any application, and re-application (from the age of 45 years), for a vocational (i.e. heavy goods vehicle or bus/coach) driving licence.

There is no information on the number of accidents resulting from specific sleep disorders and we have no estimate of the number of adults with sleep disorders who hold a driving licence. Research for the Department for Transport has established that sleepiness is a principal factor in 10 per cent. of all road accidents and 15–20 per cent. of all accidents on motorways.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department provides to (a) licensing category Group 1 drivers and (b) licensing category Group 2 drivers to increase drivers' awareness of obstructive sleep apnoea (i) at the time of initial applications for a driving licence and (ii) on renewal of a licence. [32575]

The Group 1 and Group 2 driving licence application forms require applicants to declare a history of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and this is reiterated in DVLA's information booklet on forms completion. Following normal medical investigations, drivers who are issued a licence, in the knowledge of OSA syndrome, are sent information pointing out the dangers of driving while drowsy and the need to report any deterioration to DVLA. Information is also provided to their general practitioner. This process is repeated at licence renewal.

DVLA has produced an information leaflet about the danger of tiredness and driving for use in sleep clinics.

All medical practitioners have access to the DVLA handbook At a Glance Guide to the Current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive". The most up-to-date version can be found on DVLA's website at www.dvla.gov.uk and includes information on obstructive sleep apnoea.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many doctors have approached the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency on behalf of patients with diagnosed symptomatic sleep disorders in the last five years. [32576]

These data are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many drivers have informed the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency of diagnosed symptomatic sleep disorders in the last five years. [32577]

Data are available only in relation to the number of DVLA inquiries about Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). The following figures show separately the number of cases where OSA was the only medical condition, and where OSA combined with another relevant medical condition was declared.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Department has a growth areas directorate. [34077]

A team of officials in the Department's regional and local transport delivery directorate is responsible for overseeing the delivery of transport infrastructure in the growth areas. They have close working relations with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which has lead responsibility for the sustainable communities plan agenda.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of how many commuters travelled on public transport in London in each month since January 2002. [27154]

Overall responsibility for transport in London rests with the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL). TfL have provided information on London Buses, London Underground and the Docklands Light Railway, which has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) original and (b) expected completion dates of the rail regional planning assessments are. [32439]

The original completion dates of the rail Regional Planning Assessments (RPA) were published by the SRA in October 2003. At that time it was anticipated that the programme would be complete by December 2005. I am currently considering the drafts of the North East England RPA and Eastern RPA with a view to publication shortly. An updated programme will be published after the publication of these first two RPAs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role the regional assemblies have in prioritising the construction of new road building schemes of national importance in their region. [34071]

Regional assemblies are consulted on major road schemes on the strategic road network within their regions, including schemes on routes of national importance, before decisions are taken on whether to add such schemes to the Highway's Agency's targeted programme of trunk road improvements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Department expects to publish the results of the Demonstration of Interoperable Road user End-to-end Charging and Telematics Systems project. [34092]

We expect to publish results from the DIRECTS (Demonstration of Interoperable Road user End-to-end Charging and Telematics Systems) project, assuming data capture and analysis continue to go well, in the 4th quarter of 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance and best practice manuals his Department has produced for local authorities' highway departments on (a) speed cameras and (b) traffic-calming measures. [33171]

The information is as follows.

(a) General guidance on the use of speed cameras was originally contained in Circular Roads 1/92 and 1/95. The Department has since introduced strict criteria to govern the deployment of cameras operating within the National Safety Camera Programme. These are contained in a Handbook of Rules that has been issued to every Safety Camera partnership in England and Wales. A copy is available in the House Library.

(b) The Department's Traffic Calming Bibliography, Traffic Advisory Leaflet 2/05 published in January this year, lists the main items of published advice and research into the design, use and effectiveness of traffic calming measures. Copies of this leaflet are available in the House Library.

In addition, a Local Transport Note on Traffic Calming is being drafted. This will summarise existing information on the design and effectiveness of traffic calming measures. The Department plans to publish this Local Transport Note early next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average speed travelled by private cars in London in (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2004–05. [31883]

Estimates are available for average traffic speeds in London and are derived from speed surveys conducted on a three-year cycle by Transport for London. These surveys measure the average speed of all traffic. Speeds by individual vehicle class such as cars are not available.

Average traffic speeds for the periods 1997–2000 and 2003–06 are as follows:

Average traffic speeds in London 1997–2006 -- Miles per hour

The 2003–06 cycle is not complete and the outer area survey information is not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of safety provisions in legislation covering the use of buses transporting children to school with particular reference to safety of buses (a) with more than 16 seats and (b) carrying older pupils. [32906]

Government statistics distinguish accidents involving mini-buses from those involving larger passenger vehicles but are unable to differentiate those accidents involving buses from those involving coaches. Similarly, the statistics do not differentiate between organised school transport and regular bus services carrying children to school.

With respect to children (12 to 15), and making no distinction for the time of day at which the accident occurred, there was an average of 0.4 fatalities and 20 serious injuries per year for the period 1994–98. In 2004 there was one fatality and 18 serious injuries. These figures reduce slightly if we consider the peak time of day for school transport. Considering only the period 7am to 10 am and 3 pm to 6 pm during weekdays, serious injuries reduce to 15.

The figures are lower for the younger age group (0 to 11) where the 1994–98 average was 0.2 fatalities and 14 serious injuries. In 2004 the figures for this group were 0fatalities and nine serious injuries, reducing to eight during the peak school transport period.

Buses and coaches are the safest mode of personal/passenger road transport, when considering the number killed and seriously injured (KSI) with respect to the number of kilometres travelled. Figures for 2003 indicate that the rate of KSI per billion kilometres travelled was 10 for bus and coach travel compared with 27 for passenger cars, 534 for cyclists and 443 for pedestrians.

The Government is committed to improving child road safety. In 2000 it set itself a challenging target to reduce, by 2010, the KSI child casualties (0 to 15 years) to 50 per cent. of the 1994 to 1998 average. The data indicate that in 2004 there were 3,905 KSI child casualties. This represents a reduction of 43 per cent. on the baseline and we are therefore well on track to meet or exceed our target.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) how many copies were issued of the consultation document published by his Department in 2004 on changes to seat belt wearing regulations; if he will place responses in the Library; and if he will make a statement; [34259]

(2) if he will list the (a) organisations and (b) individuals who were sent a copy of the consultation document published by his Department in 2004 on changes to seat belt wearing regulations; and if he will make a statement; [34260]

(3) if he will list the (a) organisations and (b) individuals who requested a copy of the consultation document published by his Department in 2004 on changes to seat belt wearing regulations; and if he will make a statement. [34261]

This consultation document concerns seat belt wearing in buses and coaches. It was published in September 2004, and 278 copies were then issued by the Department.

The consultation document is available on-line at: www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/divisionhomepage/039143.hcsp

The Department's decision following consultation, including a Summary of Responses, was published on 19 July 2005 and has been placed in the Library. It is also on the Department's website.

A list of the consultees is available at annex B to the consultation document. No records are available for those who subsequently requested a copy of the document or downloaded it from the website.

Regulations are in preparation to come into force in 2006 (subject to parliamentary approval) to require seated passengers aged three years and above to use seat belts where they are available in the larger buses and coaches. Seat belt wearing is already a requirement in vehicles below 2,450 kgs unladen weight (roughly 16 seats) where they are installed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he made of traffic levels on the (a) M62 and (b) A628 Mottram in Longdendale, Hollingworth and Tintwistle bypass immediately after the opening of the bypass. [34408]

The Highways Agency has estimated the traffic levels on the M62, between Junctions 22 to 23, and A628 Mottram in Longdendale, Hollingworth and Tintwistle bypass immediately after opening of the bypass in 2010. These are shown in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2005, Official Report, column 1867W, on transport staff (abuse), when his Department expects to have in place a reliable method of monitoring levels of violence on buses; and when his Department expects to resume recording this information. [33465]

holding answer 1 December 2005

The Department for Transport is working with the Safer Travel on Buses Panel to identify a workable method of collecting and reporting reliable data on crime on buses. Once a method is fully worked up we will be in a position to say when we will resume reporting information.

To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer to question 33139, on how many occasions and in what locations he has visited UK military personnel in hospital who have been wounded in Iraq. [34410]

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has visited wounded soldiers since May; and in which locations. [33403]

I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) on 29 November 2005, Official Report, column 289W.

To ask the Prime Minister how many salary bands there are for Ministers; and how many Ministers are in each band. [34263]

The number and level of salaries available for ministerial posts are set out in the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975, as amended.

To ask the Prime Minister if he willlistthe Ministers who have occupied each of the threeflats in Admiralty House in each year since May 1997. [17494]

The three flats in Admiralty House are currently occupied by: the Deputy Prime Minister; the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and the Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal. With the exception of the Leader of the House of Commons, who took up residence in 2002, the other Ministers have been in residence since 1997. Other Ministers who occupied the flats since 1997 were the then Defence Secretary (1997–79) and the then Northern Ireland Secretary and later Minister for the Cabinet Office (2000–01).

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list Departments which pay council tax for Ministers who reside in official residences; and which Ministers do not have a personal council tax liability for official residences. [17508]

To ask the Prime Minister which hon. Members are currently resident in publicly-owned grace and favour properties for which the Government are responsible; and at what cost to the public purse. [32369]

I, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal declare our official residences as our main residence and are responsible for paying council tax on them. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and HM Treasury pay the council tax on the official residences allocated to their Ministers, because their Ministers primary residences (on which they pay council tax) are elsewhere. In addition, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) made clear to me when he stepped down from office, he would make the necessary arrangements to move out of the official residence as quickly as possible.

The running costs of official residences are the responsibility of the relevant Department. For information on the costs of my residence, I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) on 21 July 2005, Official Report, column 1934W.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will visit Shrewsbury for the opening of the new livestock market. [33363]

I have no current plans to do so.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs for what reasons the British Association of Play Therapists was not included in consultations in relation to the Adoption and Children Act 2002, with particular reference to the role to be played by adoption support agencies. [33038]

I have been asked to reply.

The British Association of Play Therapists was not excluded from consultations in relation to the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (the 2002 Act). These were full public consultations, open to all. Five consultation documents on the adoption and special guardianship regulations and guidance to be made under the 2002 Act were published for full public consultation in 2003–04: Arranging Adoptions and Assessing Prospective Adopters; Adoption Reports and Adoptions with a Foreign Element, Access to Information; Adoption Support and Adoption Support Agencies and Care Planning and Special Guardianship". The Adoption Support and Adoption Support Agencies" document set out the Government's proposals in relation to adoption support agencies (ASAs) and included draft Regulations and National Minimum Standards for ASAs. All of these consultation documents were fully accessible to the public on the Department for Education and Skills website, and consultation responses were invited from anyone who wished to express a view.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the future aircraft carriers are in service before the retirement of the current aircraft carriers. [30823]

The in-service dates for our new aircraft carriers will not be fixed until the main investment decision is taken. It is therefore too soon to know whether there will be implications for the planned out of service dates for the Invincible class carriers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on (a) progress on the Royal Navy's future aircraft carrier (CVF) programme and (b) French involvement in the CVF programme. [32558]

The Government remain committed to providing this important capability for our armed forces. Work is continuing to mature the design, address risks and refine costs to the point at which the main investment decision can sensibly be taken and we can commit to manufacture within defined time, cost and performance parameters.

Given that both we and France are embarking on major, complex carrier procurement projects, we are examining areas of mutual benefit and opportunities to deliver economies. It is for industry to put forward proposals which will be judged on their merits and in light of national policies. It has been agreed with France that for co-operation to work, it must deliver cost savings and must do so without delaying UK or French programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria the Prime Minister used in making the statement to the press that Swan Hunters should be permitted to bid for inclusion in the CVF programme. [32881]

The Government have always said that the development of an optimum shipbuild strategy for the CVF programme will be made by all alliance participants based on cost effectiveness and best long-term value for money while taking into account the capability, capacity and resources of the United Kingdom industry. No company is ruled out, but we are not prepared to give guarantees of work that could be placed with particular shipyards, as each will need to demonstrate the capability and competitiveness required to meet our needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the internal planning assumption for the entry into service of the first future aircraft carrier has been classified as commercially sensitive. [33052]

holding answer 30 November 2005

As for all projects, the in-service dates for the future aircraft carriers will only be set following the main investment decision and once they have been approved by Ministers. This decision has not yet been taken, and will only be taken when we know with confidence the risks, the costs and the associated contractual framework involved in building the carriers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) the voluntary code of conduct for European defence equipment sales and (b) the EU's Military Requirements Catalogue. [32708]