To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what expenditure was incurred by the Wales Office for (a) air and (b) rail travel in each year since 2003–04. [32361]

The total travel cost incurred by the Wales Office for the following years were:

Figures for financial year 2005–06 will be available in April 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions since 7 July 2005 he has used the London Underground in connection with his official duties. [35332]

On three occasions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) males and (b) females have been (i)charged with and (ii) convicted of offences under section (A) 72, (B) 75 and (C) 145C of the Government of Wales Act 1998 in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [33804]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many race equality impact assessments his Department completed between (a) April 2004 and March 2005 and (b) April 2005 and November 2005; and how many assessments in each period resulted in a change of policy. [32827]

The Wales Office completed two race equality impact assessments between April 2004 and March 2005 as part of the regulatory impact assessments for the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Bill and the Transport (Wales) Bill. Between April 2005 and November 2005, one was completed as part of the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill. No changes were made as a result of conducting these assessments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance her Department has given to poultry workers and those working with live birds on the actions they should take in the event of their suffering from influenza-like symptoms. [30745]

I have been asked to reply.

The extant general advice to poultry workers is that if they think that they have contracted an infection from an animal they should contact their doctor quickly and inform them that they work in agriculture. In the absence of avian influenza in the United Kingdom, poultry workers and others, having contact with live birds, need to follow only normal good practice in dealing with flu-like symptoms.

Both the Health and Safety Executive and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have published guidance on their websites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who the members are of the Inter-departmental Ministerial Group on biodiversity; how often it meets; and whether the minutes of its meetings are published. [35049]

The members of the Inter-departmental Ministerial Group on biodiversity are the Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Development, the Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity at Defra, and the Chairman of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

The group has met twice to date, and a third meeting is planned for February 2006. Thereafter the group intends to meet at intervals of between six and nine months.

The minutes of the meetings are not published.

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

(1) what proposals the Inter-departmental Ministerial Group on biodiversity has made to date to combat the international trade in bushmeat; [35003]

(2) if the Inter-departmental Ministerial Group on biodiversity will open up discussions on the international trade in bushmeat to external stakeholders and other interested parties; [35005]

(3) what progress has been made by the Inter-departmental Ministerial Group on biodiversity in developing the Government's policy on the international trade in bushmeat from Africa. [35038]

In response to a request from the Inter-departmental Ministerial Group on biodiversity, the Department has recently let a research contract to the Overseas Development Institute.

The research will comprise a desk study which will draw on previous and current research and other relevant literature, particularly focusing on literature published in the past five years. The results will inform policy discussions at the Inter-departmental Ministers Group on biodiversity, by addressing the key questions;

1. Is the bushmeat trade a primary threat to endangered species?

2. From the published literature are the major concerns about bushmeat generic or mainly about endangered charismatic species such as great apes?

3. What action is already in hand by the Government, and to what extent does this fulfil the need to develop and implement specific actions?

4. Is current action by the Government effective and are there further interventions which would be more effective?

5. How do the Governments duties with regard to endangered species/international biodiversity relate to bushmeat? The research will include an assessment of the Governments obligations to the multilateral environmental agreements to which the UK is signed up to, as well as domestic controls that are in place.

6. What is the relative importance of the bushmeat issue in relation to global biodiversity loss; and efforts to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity?

7. What is the degree of aggregate dependence for poor people on bushmeat nationally in key bushmeat producing countries in west and central Africa?

8. What impact would the declining supply of bushmeat have on poor people in these countries?

9. Consideration of the evidence for an association between the levels of bushmeat trade in the sub-region and extra-sectoral influences, such as the EU common fisheries policy, and the policy issues arising.

10. Whether the Governments focus in this regard should remain on western and central Africa or should this be broader to address bushmeat issues in the rest of Africa, and /or other parts of the world?

The recommendations to the group will help to inform Government policy in this area. The specification for this project can be viewed at www.defra.gov.uk/science/funding/historical.htm.

At this stage it would be premature to invite external stakeholders, and other interested parties, to discuss the matter before this work has concluded. The research is due to conclude in the summer of next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which buildings and sites used by her Department and related agencies (a) have ceased to be used in the last year and (b) will be closed under current plans for relocation. [31764]

The Sir Michael Lyons initiative is part of Defra's overall estate strategy that will contribute to the freeing up of space in London and the south east and the subsequent release" of our occupations. Planned relocation is currently unlikely to lead directly to closures.

The following table lists those occupations nationwide that Defra and its agencies has ceased to use in the last year due mainly to estate rationalisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidelines for working in co-operation with local farming interests her Department follows; and if she will make a statement. [34567]

There are no specific guidelines for working with local farming interests, however under the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy we have set up regional steering groups to oversee delivery of regional farming and food action plans. These groups consist of regional and local farming and food sector representatives, alongside other stakeholders from the health and environment sectors. The groups were brought together by Government offices and regional development agencies to decide initially upon the priorities within these plans, and then subsequently to oversee delivery.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to ensure the Forestry Commission works closely with local farmers. [34566]

The Forestry Commission has always worked closely with farmers and other landowners as it carries out its functions and duties under the Forestry Act 1991 and other legislation. These include the provision of advice and incentives for woodland management and creation as well as regulation of tree felling. DEFRA's Rural Strategy published in 2004 is leading to delivery reforms, including the creation of Natural England with which the Forestry Commission will be aligned. This will help to deliver services to farmers and the rural community in a more streamlined customer-focused way.

The English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS), introduced earlier this year is simplifying arrangements for farmers who seek financial support for creating new woodlands by bringing together in a single scheme contribution to cost grants and income forgone payments.

The introduction of woodland options under the Environmental Stewardship scheme has provided new opportunities for farmers. In order to help farmers understand the woodland support options available to them, the Commission and DEFRA have produced guidance for farmers, entitled Funding for Farm Woodlands in England. The Commission has also been working closely with the Rural Development Service through joint Environmental Stewardship staff training events.

The Commission is also a major land manager, which gives it a unique insight and understanding of countryside management and the needs of its neighbours, many of who are farmers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the quantity of carbon dioxide emissions which would be saved in a year if the National Code for Sustainable Buildings was extended to all new housing developments in England. [33303]

I have been asked to reply.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is consulting on a proposed new Code. The consultation document includes the customary regulatory impact assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the impact on the environment of turning high grade agricultural land into low grade park and scrub land. [34565]

Land use inevitably evolves in response to a range of factors and has the potential for both positive and negative environmental impacts. The nature and speed of ongoing change may vary following the introduction this year of the decoupled CAP single payment scheme. Besides existing surveys and monitoring, we are spending over £1 million over the next three years on a new Agricultural Change and Environmental Observatory programme, to monitor and where possible anticipate such changes. The Observatory programme is being developed by DEFRA and key stakeholders including English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Environment Agency.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the recent performance of the tax credit system. [35541]

Child tax credit is benefiting 6 million families, with 1½ million poor children already lifted out of poverty.

Building on work to improve the administration of tax credits, which I reported at the hearing of the Treasury Sub-Committee on 26 October, the Chancellor announced in his pre-Budget report a package of further improvements that reflect our experience of the first years of operating the tax credits system. These measures will provide greater certainty for claimants, while maintaining flexibility to respond to falls in income and changes in families' circumstances.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the principal factors affecting the estimated level of growth in the UK economy. [35544]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr.Boswell) in the Chamber earlier today, Official Report, column 986.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the principal factors affecting the estimated level of growth in the UK economy. [35550]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the principal factors affecting the estimated level of growth in the UK economy. [35441]

Pre-Budget report 2005 (Cm 6701), published on 5 December 2005, provided a comprehensive account of recent economic developments and fully set out the Government's assessment of growth prospects for the UK economy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the rate of duty on (a) biodiesel and (b) bioethanol. [35545]

Both biodiesel and bioethanol attract a favourable duty differential of 20 pence per litre less than that for the main road fuels. We have guaranteed that this differential will continue until at least 2007–08.

Government support for biofuels has led to the amounts of biofuels being released for consumption in the UK increasing 10-fold since the same period last year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the number of children living in poverty in the UK. [35546]

The Government's policy is that every child should have the opportunity to fulfil its potential. That is why we have set a target to eradicate child poverty by 2020, and intermediate targets to reduce it by a quarter and a half.

We are broadly on track to meet our first target, and the latest figures show that we have already lifted more than half a million children out of relative low-income poverty since 1998–99, from 3.1 to 2.6 million by 2003–04.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the public expenditure implications are of the proposals in the Pensions Commission's second report; and if he will make a statement. [35548]

The most reasonable starting point for estimating the costs of the Pensions Commission's proposals is that implied by existing Government commitments and known demographic trends. Using this starting point, the Commission's own published estimates show that their core state pension package begins to add cost in 2010, reaching a total of £14 billion by 2020 in real terms.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of the UK rebate within the EU budget. [35551]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of the UK rebate within the EU budget. [35552]

I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the written ministerial statement given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the House on 5 December, Official Report, column 65WS.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cumulative value of the UK's rebate from the EU budget has been since 1984. [35553]

From 1985–86, when the abatement came into effect, to the end of 2004–05, the value totalled £44.2 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the relationship between the level of skills in the work force and economic growth. [35554]

Skills are vital to the stability and growth of the economy. Increases in an economy's trend rate of growth depend on how many people are in employment and how productive they are. Skills are one of the drivers of productivity.

That is why the Government have more than doubled overall investment in education and training since 1997.

It is also why the Chancellor commissioned the Leitch Review of Skills, this independent review of the UK's skills needs, which published its interim report on Monday, set out the extent of current evidence on the relationship between work force skills and employment.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new jobs have been created since 1997. [35555]

Since 1997, there are 2.2 million more jobs in the UK. Over the last eight years, job numbers have grown by 330,000 a year; an average growth rate of 1 per cent. and, the number of jobs in the UK is now at a record high.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value of air passenger duty has been in each year since 1997 (a) in real terms, allowing for inflation and compared to the increase in gross domestic product, and (b) expressed as average amount per UK passenger. [35239]

Reliable estimates of the value of each of the four APD rates for each scenario requested from 1997 are not available due to the restructuring of APD in 2001. However, estimates since 2001 are shown in the following table.

Real terms APD (£)

APD (£) if raised with money GDP

Information on the rates of air passenger duty is available at the UK Trade Info website at: www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=statindex

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of (a) the increase in air passenger duty which would be required to maintain air fares at a constant level in real terms up to 2010 and (b) what increase in price this would contribute to average air fares. [35241]

No estimate has been made of what APD would be necessary to maintain air fares constant in real terms until 2010. Likewise no estimate has been made into what proportion this would contribute to average air fares.

Information on the rates of air passenger duty is available at the UK Trade Info website at: www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=statindex

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) whether he has drafted new regulations to replace the Companies Act 1985 (Operating and Financial Review and Directors' Report etc.) Regulations 2005; [35007]

(2) if he will list the regulations which implement the operating and financial review for UK listed companies; [35010]

(3) what new regulations he plans to issue on company reporting consequent on his planned abolition of the operating and financial review. [35011]

The Department of Trade and Industry is drafting regulations to amend the relevant sections of the Companies Act 1985, as originally amended by the Companies Act 1985 (Operating and Financial Review and Directors' Report etc.) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/1011). These will remove the statutory requirement for an OFR, leaving in place a requirement for all companies to prepare an enhanced business review in their directors' reports. The new regulations will reinforce the Government's commitment to improving strategic, forward-looking narrative reporting.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Barnett formula will apply to the outcome of the 2007 comprehensive spending review; and if he will make a statement. [33777]

The funding arrangements for the devolved Administrations are set out in the Statement of Funding Policy published in July 2004. The Government have no plans to replace the Barnett formula.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on introducing a requirement for all public sector contractors to establish project bank accounts for all construction projects coming on-stream; and if he will make a statement. [35479]

Government support fair payment practice within the construction industry. Clients within Government Departments must consider the most suitable approach to use on a case-by-case basis from the range of options open to them—including making use of project bank accounts.

It is important that clients are able to judge each case on its merits, as it is not at present considered appropriate to adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to the use of project bank accounts, or for that matter any other single payment mechanism, for all construction procurement activity.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) how many households in (a) West Yorkshire, (b) Wakefield district and (c) Normanton constituency have a level of debt above (i) £10,000, (ii) £20,000, (iii)£50,000 and (iv) £100,000; [35407]

(2) how many women in (a) West Yorkshire, (b) Wakefield district and (c) Normanton constituency have debts of over £10,000; and how many of these are under 30-years-old. [35408]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 8 December 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions on the number of households and the number of women in West Yorkshire, Wakefield district and Normanton constituency that were more than £10,000 in debt (35407, 35408).

The information requested is not available.

The only information available is national data on debt per person or per household. At the end of 2004 debt per person nationally was £25,135; and debt per household was £48,185.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to commission independent assessments of the golden rule. [35442]

Progress against the golden rule is measured by the average annual surplus on the current budget as a percentage of GDP over the economic cycle.

Based on cautious audited assumptions underpinning the public finance forecast the PBR 2005 shows that the Government is meeting the golden rule in the current economic cycle.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to speed up the response of HM Revenue and Customs to investigations by the parliamentary ombudsman. [35517]

HM Revenue and Customs generally respond to inquiries from the parliamentary ombudsman promptly within the time limit set by her office, usually three weeks. Where there are difficulties in meeting the time limit, it is normal practice that arrangements are made with the ombudsman's office to agree an extension.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average percentage increase was in net income in the UK over the past three years; and what the rate of inflation was over the same period. [34678]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 7 December 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking(a) what the average percentage increase was in net income in the UK over the past three years and (b) what the rate of inflation was over the same period, (34678)

(a) It has been assumed that the question relates to gross disposable income of the household sector. The latest information available for gross disposable income is for the second quarter of 20057 (2005Q2). The growth in this series over the three years to 2005Q2 was 12.4%; equivalent to an average of 4.0% per annum.

The series quoted is gross disposable income for the combined household and non-profit institutions, serving-households (NPISH) sectors. The accounts for the household and NPISH sectors are currently combined; separate estimates are not available.

(b) In the UK, there are two main measures of inflation, the Consumer Prices Index (GPI) and the Retail Prices Index (RPI). The Government's inflation target is based on the CPI. The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee sets interest rates to meet this target. The RPI is the more familiar measure of inflation. Tax allowances, state benefits, pensions and many other payments are often revised in line with this index.

The figures are published each month on the National Statistics website, www.statistics.gov.uk, in a First Release, on a Tuesday about a month, after the index date. The publication dates are announced six months in advance.

The most recently available three-year period is for October 2002—October 2005, During this period, the CPI increased by 5.0percent while the RPI increased by 6.9 percent.

The-figures for the last three years are shown in full in Annex A. Figures are presented for both the CPI and the RPI. Monthly figures and the most recently available annual averages for the last three years are presented.

Annex A. CPI and RPI indices and inflation rates: the latest three years

Source:

National Statistics Consumer price indices First Release, 15November 2005

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance his Department has given to financial institutions on the acceptability of interim death certificates in permitting access by next-of-kin to funds held in the name of the deceased. [34956]

No guidance has been given to financial institutions by the Treasury on the acceptability of interim death certificates in permitting access by next-of-kin to funds held in the name of the deceased.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will encourage the use of credit unions among families on low incomes; and if he will make a statement. [35129]

The Government welcome the role credit unions play in promoting financial inclusion and recognises their contribution to choice and diversity in the financial services sector.

Measures announced at this PBR, will facilitate an expansion in the use of credit unions among individuals and families on low incomes. In particular, the maximum rate that credit unions can charge on loans will be increased from 1 per cent. a month to 2 per cent. a month.

The new rate will allow credit unions to develop a more risk-based approach to lending, enabling them to offer affordable credit to more people on low incomes who currently rely on high rate lenders.

The Government have also announced changes that will enable credit unions to offer cash ISAs to their members. This follows changes announced at Budget 2005 to allow credit unions to offer child trust fund accounts. These measures complement a £36 million growth fund for credit unions and other community-based lenders, announced at PBR 2004, and to be administered by the Department for Work and Pensions from mid-2006.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions since 7 July he has used the London underground in connection with his official duties. [35017]

The Chancellor regularly uses public transport in connection with his official duties. It would be inappropriate to disclose details on security grounds.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) men and (b) women aged 50 to 65 years are available for work; and how many are employed (i)full-time and (ii) part-time. [34965]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 8 December 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about people aged 50–65 and their economic activity.

The attached table provides available information showing the number of people aged 50–64 who are in employment and working full or part time, also those who are unemployed. The table covers the twelve month period ending in August 2005.

These estimates from the Labour Force Survey are, as with any sample survey, subject to sampling variability.

People aged 50–64 who are in employment working full or part time and those who are unemployed, United Kingdom, 12 month period ending August 2005 -- Thousand

⁽¹⁾For seeking work and available to start, those people unemployed have been given.

⁽²⁾Includes people who did not state whether working full or part time.

Source:

ONS—Labour Force Survey

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) what assessment his Department has made of the effect on company stakeholders of the non-implementation of the Operating and Financial Review; and if he will make a statement; [34839]

(2) what assessment his Department has made of the cost to businesses in preparing for the implementation of the Operating and Financial Review; and if he will make a statement; [34840]

(3) what the reasons were for his decision to abandon the Operating and Financial Review; [34772]

(4) what estimate he has made of the cost to British companies of preparing to meet the requirements of the Operating and Financial Review; and if he will make a statement; [34773]

(5) what assessment he has made of the implications of his announcement of the removal of the obligation to publish operating and financial reviews for the Government's policy on company law reform; and if he will make a statement. [35009]

The Government assessed the costs of implementing a statutory Operating and Financial Review against those of implementing an enhanced Business Review in a Regulatory Impact Assessment, which was published alongside the DTI's formal response to consultation. It was estimated that a statutory Operating and Financial Review would cost business £33 million per annum more than the Business Review. Most of these additional costs related to the different audit requirements applying to the OFR compared to the Business Review.

Consistent with its approach to company law reform of simplifying company law, reducing the regulatory burden on business and promoting effective shareholder engagement, the Government have concluded that a requirement for an enhanced Business Review, in line with the requirements of the European Accounts Modernisation Directive, is preferable to a requirement for a statutory Operating and Financial Review for quoted companies. The enhanced Business Review will meet key narrative reporting requirements, while imposing considerably less cost than the Operating and Financial Review. The new reporting regime demonstrates the Government's ongoing commitment to strategic forward looking narrative reporting.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) what consultation he undertook with stakeholders before revoking the regulations covering the implementation of the Operating and Financial Review for FTSE listed companies; and if he will make a statement; [34841]

(2) what discussions he had with (a) the Confederation of British Industry, (b) the Department for Trade and Industry, (c) the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (d) the Association of British Insurers and (e) the Sustainable Development Commission prior to his decision to abandon the Operating and Financial Review; and if he will make a statement; [34774]

(3) if he will list the organisations consulted on his decision to remove the obligation on businesses to publish operating and financial reviews; [35008]

(4) whether he consulted the (a) Operating and Financial Review Working Group and (b) Financial Reporting Council before his decision to remove the obligation on companies to publish an operating and financial review. [35012]

holding answer 5 December 2005

In line with the Government's commitment to simplifying company law and reducing the regulatory burden on business, the Government have decided to replace the requirement for quoted companies to produce a statutory Operating and Financial Review with a requirement to produce an enhanced Business Review. This aligns the reporting requirements of quoted companies with the requirements of the European Accounts Modernisation Directive and demonstrates the government's ongoing commitment to strategic forward-looking narrative reporting.

In considering the issues around removing the statutory OFR, the Government reviewed responses to the extensive consultation on the introduction of the OFR published by the DTI in December 2004.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list those Private Members' Bills introduced under (a) Standing Order No. 14(6), (b) Standing Order No. 23 and (c) Standing Order No. 57 which were (i) supported and (ii) opposed by his Department in each session since 1997–98. [36059]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many R64–8 forms have been (a) received and (b) processed successfully each month since May 2004; what target has been set for the speed of processing of form R64–8 in the central processing facility; what assessment he has made of the risk of a backlog of unprocessed R64–8 forms at 31 January 2006; how many centrally employed Inland Revenue staff are involved in processing R64–8 forms; what representations he has received regarding the decision to process R64–8 forms centrally rather than at local HM Revenue and Customs offices; what the average processing time was from receipt to completion for R64–8 forms received (i) prior to and (ii) since the centralising of processing; and if he will take steps to ensure that taxpayers are not penalised where an R64–8 form has been submitted but remains unprocessed at the last date for filing tax returns. [35183]

Prior to April 2005 this work was dealt with across the IR office network. To improve customer service, by ensuring consistency in treatment, the centralisation of this work began in April 2005. Statistics are only available from when the work was centralised in April 2005.

This work is subject to a turnaround target for correspondence of 15 working days. The current average turnaround time for processing the clerical forms 64–8 on all the relevant systems within NICO is 10 days and eight days for recording the 64–8 on the self assessment system.

Plans are in place to ensure that every effort is made to have no self assessment related forms on hand at 31 January 2006. We have introduced an online authorisation service which allows agents to set up client authorisations without the need to submit paper 64–8s.

At 2 December there were 129 full time equivalent staff working on processing 64–8 forms.

We anticipate processing more than 1 million 64–8 forms this financial year, 251 representations have been received about the process. Of those 57 per cent. have mentioned delays in the process. Only a very small proportion has specifically mentioned concerns about the centralisation of the process.

As mentioned above, the current average turnaround time for processing the clerical forms 64–8 on all the relevant systems within NICO is 10 days and eight days for recording on the self assessment system.

The online agent authorisation service is currently available. Existing guidance on HMRC's website or the leaflet COP1 gives taxpayers information on how to appeal against any penalties imposed by HMRC.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of research and development tax reliefs and tax credits on companies' propensity to spend money on research and development. [35495]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 95W on Rand D tax credits. The results from the survey of Rand D companies referred to in that reply were published on the HM Revenue and Customs website on 2 December 2005 at www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/ The survey shows that the R and D tax credit has already had a positive impact since its introduction; half of those with a successful claim said that R and D tax credits had had some impact on either their R and D spend or R and D projects.

The survey results form the first part of the long-term evaluation of R and D tax credits. The Government remain committed to ongoing evaluation of the R and D tax credit and will continue to appraise its overall impact as further evaluation results build up over time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) small and medium-sized and (b) other companies have chosen (i) to offset research and development tax relief against current or future tax and (ii) to receive research and development tax credit as a cash sum in each year for which figures are available; what the total (A) turnover and (B) number of employees is of those companies in each case; and what the total value is of the tax (1) relief and (2) credit in each case. [35496]

Data for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is published on the HM Revenue and Customs website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/randdtcmenu. The data shows the number and value of claims for research and development (R and D) tax reliefs. The value of support claimed is classified as either reductions in corporation tax revenue from setting off R and D tax reliefs against profits, payable credits or a combination of both. The total turnover of companies claiming R and D tax reliefs under the SME scheme is shown in the following table.

R and D tax relief: total turnover of all claimants under the SME scheme

Note:

Figures, particularly for later years, are subject to change as more claims are received.

Data for other companies (commonly called large companies) are shown in the following table. The claims and value of support for large companies relate only to reductions in corporation tax revenue from companies use of R and D tax reliefs to reduce their tax liabilities.

R and D tax relief: number of claims, value of support claimed and total turnover under the large company scheme

Notes:

1.Figures, particularly for later years, are subject to change as more claims are received.

2.The number of claims and total turnover are calculated according to the financial year in which the company's accounting period ends. The value of support claimed is calculated on a receipts-basis according to when tax receipts are foregone by HM Revenue and Customs.

Information is not available on the total number of employees of companies claiming R and D tax reliefs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures his Department is preparing to take to reduce the burden of administration on small businesses. [35518]

The Government set out in the pre-Budget report their approach to better regulation including the progress made in implementing the Better Regulation Task Force's and the Hampton Report's recommendations first announced in Budget 2005. The Treasury is fully committed to the implementation of these recommendations as they effect the department, in particular applying a risk-based approach to the regulation of financial services and measuring the administrative burdens of the Treasury's regulations on business as part of a government-wide project. The Government will set targets to reduce these administrative burdens on businesses, charities and the voluntary sector next year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) how many applications have been received for tax credit additional payments (a) in each year since the start of the scheme and (b) in each month for 2005–06; [35165]

(2) how many tax credit additional payments have been made (a) in each year since the start of the scheme and (b) in each month for 2005–06; and what the total value of these additional payments has been in each case; [35166]

(3) how many tax credit additional payments have been refused (a) in each year since the start of the scheme, (b) in each month for 2005–06 and (c) according to each of the grounds for rejection as set out in Code of Practice 26 (2005); [35167]

(4) how many tax credit additional payments have been made in (a) in-year overpayments and (b) end of year overpayments, broken down by the year in which the initial award was made. [35168]

Information on the numbers of requests for additional tax credits payments, and the number refused, is not available.

For the number and value of additional payments made I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 8 November 2005, Official Report, column 331W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's latest estimate is of the number of likely (a) overpayments and (b) underpayments in tax credits for 2004–05. [35722]

I refer my right hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of small and medium-sized enterprises in Tamworth constituency were eligible for research and development tax credits in each of the last five years; and what the take-up was in each year. [35816]

The information requested in relation to enterprises in Tamworth is not available.

For information generally on take-up of research and development tax credits I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Luton, South (Margaret Moran) of 1 November 2005, Official Report, column 991W, on tax credits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his Department is taking to reduce emissions from aviation as a contribution to the shared Public Service Agreement climate change target to move towards a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions below 1990 levels by 2010. [35244]

International aviation is outside the scope of our domestic targets, but we are taking action to tackle the climate change impact of aviation as set out in the Aviation White paper. This includes pressing for the inclusion of aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme. The Government are also pressing for the adoption by industry of working practices that minimise their impact on climate change, research into new technologies and voluntary action by industry to control greenhouse gas emissions. We recognise that these measures may not provide a total solution. In view of this, the Government will continue to explore and discuss options for the use of other economic instruments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government are taking to tackle aircraft emissions. [34155]

The Government's plans to tackle aircraft emissions are set out in The Future of Air Transport White Paper". On climate change, it sets out the Government's belief that the best way of ensuring aviation contributes towards the goal of climate stabilisation would be through a well-designed emissions trading regime, for which we are pressing at international and European level. At the local level, the Government are seeking powers through the Civil Aviation Bill to require the imposition of an emissions related element in airport charges where an air quality problem exists. We are also continuing to press for tighter standards for aircraft emissions and improved operational practice to reduce local emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that children's education is not affected by exposure to aircraft noise; what (a) standards and (b) guidelines for airlines apply in this area; and if he will make a statement. [33941]

In its White Paper The Future of Air Transport" the Government stated that larger UK airports—those with more than 50,000 movements a year—are expected to offer acoustic insulation to noise-sensitive buildings such as schools, which are exposed to medium to high levels of noise, that is 63dBA Leq or more. The dBA value relates to the Leq16 hour daytime period from 07.00 to 23.00.

The White Paper recognised the difficulties associated with insulating some noise-sensitive buildings. We say that where acoustic insulation cannot provide an appropriate or cost-effect solution, airport operators should endeavour to provide alternative mitigation measures such as environmental grants, provisions of quiet rooms for reading or music, or funding for school trips away from the noisy environment, especially where the loss of amenity outdoors may be severe. In such cases we expect the priority of need and the level of any contribution to be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the airport operator and relevant stakeholders.

BAA have announced its intention at Heathrow to work with relevant local authorities to set up a community-led body to take these decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the (i) impact of exposure to aircraft noise on the educational development of children and (ii) numbers of schoolchildren who may be affected by aviation-related noise. [33957]

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs co-funded the European Community RANCH (Road Traffic and Aircraft Noise exposure and Children's Cognition and Health) Study.

This comprised three field studies of children around major airports in the UK, Spain and the Netherlands. In the UK children from 29 different schools around Heathrow took part.

The Government took the emerging results of this research into account when developing its environmental policies set out in The Future of Air Transport" White Paper.

Full details of the RANCH study—as well as the earlier West London Schools Study—are on DEFRA'S website at www.defra.gov.uk

The study concluded that aircraft noise exposure was related to impaired performance in reading comprehension and recognition memory. In particular that the reading age in children exposed to high levels of aircraft noise was delayed by up to two months in the United Kingdom and by up to one month in the Netherlands for a 5dB change in noise exposure. It was not possible to calculate reading age for the Spanish test.

Aircraft noise was not associated with impairment of recall memory, working memory, prospective memory or sustained attention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Education and Skills on the impact of aviation-related noise under Heathrow flight paths on children's learning. [35346]

The Department for Transport and the Department for Education and Skills are aware of the European Community RANCH (Road Traffic and Aircraft Noise exposure and Children's Cognition and Health) Study, which was co-funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. There have been no discussions between Departments specifically on the issues raised by the RANCH study, as they affect Heathrow. In the first instance these are matters for the local education authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the change in quantities of emissions produced by UK air travel in (a) 2030 and (b) 2050 compared with 2005; and what assumptions underlie those forecasts. [35236]

Our forecasts for aviation and climate change, and the assumptions underlying them, are set out in Aviation and Global Warming, published by the Department for Transport in January 2004. The figures shown relate to estimates of emissions for all flights departing UK airports for 2030 and 2050, with an interpolated figure for 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what amount emissions trading is expected to reduce the Government's forecast of increased climate change emissions from aviation at 2030, expressed as a percentage and in absolute terms. [35237]

At present, it is too early to provide a reliable estimate of the impact emissions trading will have on forecasts of emissions from aviation. This will depend on a number of factors including the overall number of allowances and the detailed design for the inclusion of aviation into the ED ETS. These factors have yet to be specified and will be subject to discussion with other member states' Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what modelling the Government has undertaken of the impact of the trend in aviation's proportion of total UK emissions of greenhouse gases on the costs and reduction requirements of other UK emissions sectors with, particular reference to (a) business, (b) public services and (c) residential use. [35245]

International aviation is outside the scope of our domestic targets. Domestic aviation was responsible for 0.38 per cent. of UK emissions in 2003. We have not undertaken any modelling of the impact that trends in these emissions would have on the costs and reduction requirements in other sectors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much energy has been consumed by his Department in each of the last five years; and how much was spent on energy in each year. [22463]

The Department for Transport was formed in May 2002 and as a result the information provided only relates from the years 2002–03 onwards.

The Department's energy consumption and spend are shown in the following table:

The data above covers approximately 1,100 sites that range from large central HQ offices, regional training facilities, driving test centres, Maritime Rescue Sub Centres and vehicle testing stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff vacancies there are in the railways sector of his Department. [35397]

The complement of the Rail Group is 259. There are currently 250 staff in post.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority has recently sold on information about licence holders to a third party. [35392]

holding answer 7 December 2005

The provisions governing the release of vehicle keeper data have been in place for over 40 years. Regulation (1)(e) of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 allows DVLA to release information from the vehicle register to anyone who can demonstrate 'reasonable cause' to have it. 'Reasonable cause' is not defined in legislation and requests are considered on their merits.

DVLA's inquiry unit deals with approximately 30,000 requests for information each week. When details can lawfully be released, a fee of £2.50 is charged to prevent administrative costs being borne by the taxpayer.

When these provisions were introduced, the large numbers of vehicles currently on the roads, or the range of bodies requesting access was not anticipated. For these reasons, I have announced a review of regulations governing release of information early in the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatal road accidents occurred in the Leeds West constituency in each year between 1992 and 2005. [35255]

The number of fatal accidents in Leeds West constituency from 1994–2004 based on 2004 boundaries are given in the following table. Constituency data is not compiled prior to 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 562W, on festivals, how much was spent by the Department on the Celebration of Culture event on Friday 11 November 2005. [35795]

The Department spent £300 on the Celebration of Culture event on Friday 11 November 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 562W, on festivals, how much money was made available by his Department for staff to travel to (a) the Swansea Chinese Association's New Year Celebration, (b) the 2004 Diwali Event at the NEC in Birmingham and (c) the November 2005 Asian Mela Event at the NEC. [35819]

The Highways Agency reimbursed a total of £200 in travel costs to enable three staff to represent the agency over two days at the 2004 Diwali event at the NEC in Birmingham, and reimbursed a total of £210 in travel costs to enable six staff to represent the agency over three days at the Asian Mela Event at the NEC.

Two members of DVLA's Diversity Team attended the Swansea Chinese Association's New Year Celebration in their own time and at no cost to the Department or DVLA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will include (a) dial-a-ride and (b) community transport services in the provisions for free travel from April 2006. [35146]

As is the case with the current statutory minimum entitlement, dial-a-ride and community transport services will not be included. Local authorities will have the discretion, as they do at present, to offer concessions on these services based on their judgment of local circumstances and their overall financial priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many payments for maladministration have been made by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies, (c) its non-departmental public bodies and (d) other bodies for which his Department has responsibility in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [32238]

The Department for Transport was formed in May 2002 therefore prior to that no information on any maladministration is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on access for disabled people to public transport. [35482]

The Government are committed to an accessible public transport system in which disabled people have the same opportunities to travel as other members of society.

A great deal has already been achieved. For example, we have introduced regulations significantly improving access for disabled people to all new trains, buses and coaches; over 4,700 accessible rail vehicles will be in service by the end of 2005 and almost half of the bus fleet is already accessible across the country, with much higher proportions in many urban areas.

Measures in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 will further increase disabled people's rights when travelling by public transport. These include extending to transport services the right of access" disabled people currently have to services such as shops and banks. The new Act also allows us to set an end date", of no later than 1 January 2020, by which time all trains will have to be accessible. We are on course to implement these measures in December 2006 in line with our published timetable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects all buses in (a) England and (b) Lancashire to be accessible by disabled people and those in wheelchairs. [35483]

The Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (as amended) require buses with a capacity of more than 22 passengers, used on or after 31 December 2000 to be accessible to disabled people including wheelchair users. The regulations set end dates of 1 January 2015 for small single deck buses, 1 January 2016 for large single deck buses and 1 January 2017 for double deck buses to comply with the regulations. After those dates all buses in service will be accessible. Bus operators are free to choose how and where they introduce compliant buses, often leading to higher concentrations of accessible buses in major cities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to improve access to public transport for disabled people in Swindon. [33227]

We have introduced accessibility planning" into the local transport planning process to encourage local authorities and other agencies to assess more systematically whether people can access transport services in their areas. This process covers all forms of transport from buses, coaches and taxis to cycling and walking networks. Making provision for disabled people is a condition against which the resulting Local Transport Plans (LTPs) are assessed.

Swindon borough council is using its LTP funding for an on-going programme of improvements at bus stops that will assist disabled passengers. The programme involves provision of raised kerbs at bus stops to minimise the step height between the pavement and the bus. This allows easier access for wheelchair users and for other people who have difficulty with high steps such as many older people.

Routes to bus stops are also being improved with new link paths and dropped-kerb road crossings and bus Stop Clearways are introduced to ensure that parked cars do not obstruct the stops allowing buses to pull up alongside the raised kerbs.

Local bus operators are providing new accessible low floor buses in Swindon and the Local Transport Plan funding to improve bus stops will allow the benefits of this investment in new vehicles to be maximised.

Rail services in Swindon are already accessible to disabled people. The station has lifts to all platforms and recent access improvements have been made to the forecourt and bus stop areas.

At a national level there has been significant progress in making public transport accessible to disabled people through regulations made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA 1995). We made the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations in 2000 and many of the trains calling at the station comply with those. Although the older rolling stock serving Swindon doesn't comply it can nevertheless accommodate passengers travelling in a wheelchair.

More generally disabled people in Swindon as elsewhere in the country will also benefit from the provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA 2005). We have already laid regulations which will, from December 2006, lift the transport exemption in Part 3 of the for land-based public transport, vehicle hire, breakdown services and vehicles used on leisure and tourism transport services. We will also be consulting shortly on draft regulations to set an end date" of no later than 1 January 2020 for when all trains will have to meet the rail vehicle accessibility regulations and to apply those regulations to older trains when they are refurbished.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Race Equality Impact Assessments his Department completed between (a) April 2004 and March 2005 and (b) April 2005 and November 2005; and how many assessments in each period resulted in a change of policy. [32839]

The Department for Transport is committed to valuing diversity and promoting equality. The Department's Race Equality Scheme 2005–08 covers the activities of the Department and its executive agencies as an employer as well as a policy maker and service provider.

Race Equality Impact Assessments are being completed across all areas of our business. From April 2004 to March 2005 the Department for Transport has completed eight Race Equality Impact Assessments, two of which have resulted in policy changes.

No centrally co-ordinated figures are yet available for the period April 2005 to November 2005 as we collect statistics on an annual basis. These figures will be collected as part of our next race equality data monitoring exercise and published in our 2005–06 Race Equality Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with rail operating companies about fares. [35484]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) if he will take steps (a) to re-establish and (b) to improve rail services between Leeds City Centre and the towns and villages in the outlying areas of Leeds metropolitan district council; and if he will make a statement; [33999]

(2) if he will take steps to re-open rail services to East Ardsley. [34000]

There are no plans to re-establish rail services between Leeds city centre and the outlying areas of Leeds metropolitan district council or East Ardsley. The Department nevertheless continues to work with West Yorkshire passenger transport executive which has responsibility for rail services in this area, to secure improvements, based on proposals that show value for money and affordability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what estimate he has made of the impact of the returned rolling stock to the c2c Fenchurch Street line on the availability of seats for commuters entering the line at Benfleet Station; and if he will make a statement; [34818]

(2) if he will make a statement on the return of rolling stock to the c2c Fenchurch Street line; and when stock will be available to commuters. [34819]

Of the five units transferred away in May 2004, three returned to service on c2c in September. This allowed capacity increases on three morning and three evening peak services, all of which call at Benfleet. The other two units are due to return to c2c by the end of this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of his Department's employees who are within one year of the official retirement age are on extended sick leave. [32590]

The number of employees who are within one year of the official retirement age (age 60) is 424, and the number of those who are on extended sick leave (over 6 months) is 11.

The Department is committed to managing sick absence effectively and to putting in place the recommendations of the 'Managing Sickness Absence in the Public Sector' report. The DfT Board takes an active interest in the issue of attendance management, and a number of steps have already been taken.

The 'Managing Sickness Absence in the Public Sector' report covers a requirement for Departments to demonstrate progress against four generic recommendations:

line managers are trained in both systems and procedures and the skills to deal with absence management;

departmental HR support should enable moves towards integrating absence and performance management;

all public sector organisations should review individual cases and case management arrangements for long-term sick absences (e.g. over six months);

departments should consider whether recruitment procedures are robust in terms of pre-employment checks as to an individual's absence record.

The consumption data has been 'weather corrected' by the Building Research Establishment as part of their work in analysing the annual Government energy data.

The Department is on course to meet the target in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate to source at least 10 per cent. electricity from renewable sources by 2008, and a range of actions are currently under way in our HQ buildings, including the commissioning of a Carbon Trust energy audit, to minimise our energy usage. Our executive agencies are undertaking similar actions to meet the energy targets contained in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many former Strategic Rail Authority staff have been employed by his Department. [35396]

161 former SRA staff have been employed by the Department for Transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff the Strategic Rail Authority employed prior to its abolition. [35398]

As at 31 March 2005, before functions and staff began to transfer to successor organisations, the Strategic Rail Authority employed 404 staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many statutory instruments introduced by his Department had to be (a) withdrawn, (b) amended by a further statutory instrument and (c) reprinted because of defective drafting in each session since 1997; and what steps he (1) is taking and (2) plans to take to prevent this. [34257]

The Department for Transport was formed in May 2002 since then no statutory instrument produced by it has been withdrawn or reprinted on account of defective drafting.

The Department's records reveal that in that period 16 statutory instruments have been amended by a further instrument in order to correct defective drafting in an earlier instrument. This number breaks down by parliamentary Session as follows:

During this period the Department produced over 520 general statutory instruments.

The Department endeavours to keep the number of defective instruments to a minimum through the provision of training for officials involved in this work and a system involving checking by two lawyers in addition to the principal drafter. The present arrangements are being reviewed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what payments have been made to Newcastle city council and its partners for the Quayside Transit System, broken down by year. [34378]

The Department has paid Newcastle city council a total of £7.211 million for the Quayside Public Transport Scheme, broken down by financial year as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when rail passenger partnership funding for the reopening of the Newcastle-Blyth-Ashington freight line to passenger traffic will be made available. [34379]

The Rail Passenger Partnership fund was suspended by the Strategic Rail Authority in January 2003. No new projects have been funded since that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions since 2001 US-registered aircraft tail number (a) N44982, formerly N8068V and N379P and (b) N313P has landed in the United Kingdom; and at which airports. [33246]

The Department for Transport has no record of these aircraft landing at UK airports, which indicates that if these aircraft landed in the UK they were either not involved in civil commercial transport or that they were stopping for technical purposes, for example, to refuel. As such they would not require the Secretary of State for Transport's permission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicle accidents where drivers of airport transport had exceeded the driving time limit set down in the UK domestic drivers' hours rules have been recorded in the last three years. [35429]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons the salary of the chief executive of the Vehicle Certification Agency differs from that of his predecessor. [35827]

The current chief executive of the Vehicle Certification Agency (VGA) was recruited through fair and open competition and was appointed in post from 19 April 2004 on a three-year fixed-term contract.

The advertised salary at the time reflected the competitive market conditions relevant for the skills and experience the agency was looking for when the post was advertised. The competition field was strong and the most suitable candidate was appointed as chief executive based on competency skills and experience identified by the selection panel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Guildford of 15 November 2005, Official Report, column 1151W, on violence against passengers, how many victims of violence were recorded by British Transport Police in each police force area in England and Wales in each year since 1998–99. [31835]

The number of victims of violence recorded by the British Transport Police (BTP) in each year in each police force area in England and Wales since 1999–2000 is given in the following table. The data for 1998–99 data is unavailable by police force area.