To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking in relation to contaminated air events on commercial aircraft. [41983]

The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology report dated November 2000 (paragraph 4.41) found concerns about contaminated air events to be unsubstantiated. Nevertheless, we have requested an evidence review of documentation submitted by BALPA on this matter by the independent Committee on Toxicity; and this is in hand.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 10 January 2006, Official Report, column 495W, what the timetable for the decision-making process on the introduction of hard shoulder running is; and what the schedule is for rolling out the programme. [42975]

There is little I can add to my previous answer.

Controlled use of the hard shoulder during peak periods of traffic congestion is due to be implemented on the M42 in the West Midlands by March 2007 as part of the Highways Agency's Active Traffic Management pilot. In order to establish fully the effectiveness of these measures, the project will be monitored over a three-year period. Initial conclusions from operation of the scheme will be reviewed in 2008, but in the meantime it would be premature to develop a programme for the wider use of further hard shoulder running.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the peak flow of traffic at the southern roundabout of junction 6 on the M3. [43112]

A traffic count was carried out at junction 6 of the M3 on 27 September 2005. The results of the peak period vehicle count was as follows:

The survey was undertaken as part of a study to investigate and identify possible improvements in relation to congestion and safety issues at M3 junction 6.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost was of conducting the stage (a) one and (b) two consultation on night flight restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports; and if he will make a statement. [44545]

Preparation and publication of the stage one consultation paper cost approximately £12,500 and stage two approximately £11,000. These figures do not include departmental staff costs and overheads and do not include the cost of Civil Aviation Authority staff who prepared the noise contours and other technical data.

In addition, to increase awareness of the consultation exercise among the local community, advertisements were taken out in local newspapers explaining where the consultation paper could be obtained. This cost approximately £6,500 (stage one) and £4,000 (stage two).

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what checks are carried out on workers subcontracted to carry out work on school premises, including cleaners and maintenance workers. [43523]

My statement, and the accompanying report, of 19 January set out clearly the Government's analysis of, and response to, issues concerning child protection and List 99, together with the action we are currently taking.

The Safeguarding Children: Safer Recruitment and Selection in Education Settings guidance issued in June 2005 states that:

"Local authorities, schools, and Further Education institutions should ensure that the terms of any contract they let that requires the contractor to employ staff to work with, or provide services for, children for whom the LA, school or FE institution is responsible also requires the contractor to adopt and implement the measures described in this guidance. They should also monitor the contractor's compliance."

Among other things the measures described include pre appointment checks of List 99 and CRB disclosures—copy at www.teachernet.gov.uk/childprotection

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether her Department has given permission for an individual whose name appears on (a) the sex offenders register, (b) List 99 and (c) the Protection of Children Act List to work in (i) the provision of child care in all settings from birth to entry to school and (ii) the provision of youth services in each of the last four years. [43768]

The Department does not give permission for people to work in specific settings. Employment decisions are a matter for individual employers. Any individual who appears on List 99 or the POCA List (other than provisionally) on the grounds of unsuitability to work with children is barred from working in a "regulated position" within the meaning of section 36 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 which includes, for example, a position whose normal duties include caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people on the register of sex offenders have been permitted to work in schools and have subsequently committed a sexual offence. [43772]

holding answer 19 January 2006

My statement and accompanying report explain the work under way to establish how many people on the list of registered sex offenders are currently employed in schools. We are carrying out follow up work with local Multi Agency Protection Panels, which include the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which offences lead to an automatic ban from working in schools. [43770]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what duty is placed on local authorities to report to her Department incidents of individuals with a record of sex offending working with children. [44473]

My statement, and the accompanying report, of 19 January set out clearly the Government's analysis of, and response to, issues concerning child protection and List 99, together with the action we are currently taking.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions her Department has had with the Home Office about making Criminal Records Bureau searches more effective in respect of school staff. [43928]

The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) searches several different databases before issuing a disclosure. We are not aware of any instances where the CRB has failed to perform a fully effective search of its databases. My Department is involved in discussions with the Home Office about further improving the information flows for the purpose of establishing the new vetting and barring scheme arising from Sir Michael Bichard's report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Government have a list of all home tutors working in England. [44284]

The Government do not maintain a list of all home tutors working in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether her Department plans to review the regulation of home tutors within the education system; and if she will make a statement. [44546]

Individuals working as self-employed home tutors are not able to independently obtain a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure as the application must be signed by a person who is entitled to ask an exempted question in relation to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

The Department strongly advises parents to check the background of home tutors by requesting references and checking a tutor's registration with the relevant General Teaching Council. Parents are also advised to make appropriate arrangements for a child who is receiving home tuition, for example having an adult present.

The Department is fully aware that parents have limited access to information. The new scheme to be implemented as part of the Bichard Inquiry recommendations is giving consideration to how parents can access information on people they wish to employ as home tutors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills by whom the case of Keith Hudson was referred to her Department for a List 99 determination. [43407]

The case of Keith Hudson was referred by More House School, Farnham, Surrey.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to which Ministers power to decide List 99 determinations has been devolved since 1997. [43655]

It is Departmental policy not to identify anyone below the Secretary of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many cases heard by the Care Standards Tribunal in each year since it was established relate to List 99. [43657]

The number of cases heard by the Care Standards Tribunal in each year since it was established that relate to List 99 are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people included on List 99 have been given permission to teach in an establishment which does not admit (a) male pupils and (b) female pupils. [43658]

It is not possible to provide this information in the format requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions have been held between her Department and the Home Office on List 99 in the past 12 months; and whether discussions were initiated by her Department. [43845]

My Department has an ongoing dialogue with both the Home Office and the Criminal Records Bureau, to improve safeguarding. Recently this dialogue, along with discussions between the CRB and others of its stakeholders, has led to improvements including: an interim Police Local Cross Checking (i-PLX) system pending implementation of the full system; revised guidance; consolidation of CRB's two websites into one; and an electronic application route. Other discussions have focused on improving the information flows for the purpose of establishing the new vetting and barring scheme arising from Sir Michael Bichard's report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which offences require her to determine whether a person should be included on List 99. [43660]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills

(1) what action she has taken to ensure that schools (a) employing and (b) considering employing people who are on (i) List 99 and (ii) the Sex Offenders Register are made aware of their status; [43924]

(2) what criteria she uses when deciding whether to give someone on List 99 permission to work with children. [43925]

My statement, and the accompanying report, of 19 January set out clearly the Government's analysis of, and response to, issues concerning child protection and List 99, together with the action we are currently taking.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what schools have employed people on List 99 in the last five years. [43927]

There are 210 people on List 99 with restrictions, so they are able to teach children provided they observe the terms of their restriction. Schools will be aware of those restricted as a result of their List 99 checks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what date the case of Paul Reeve was referred to her Department for a List 99 determination; and on what date it was decided. [43394]

The case of Paul Reeve was referred to this Department on 23 October 2003 and determined on 5 May 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills by whom the case of Paul Reeve was referred to her Department for a List 99 determination. [43395]

Norfolk Constabulary referred the case of Paul Reeve to this Department on 23 October 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which official (a) advised and (b) signed the letter in relation to the decision on the List 99 determination in the case of Paul Reeve. [43396]

This decision, as with all such cases, was a decision taken in the name of the Secretary of State. The Department does not disclose the names of officials who advise the Secretary of State or who sign letters to individuals on her behalf.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the individuals and organisations consulted in helping her reach a decision in the case of the Paul Reeve List 99 determination. [43397]

The organisations consulted in reaching a decision were:

National Identification Service, New Scotland Yard

Norfolk Constabulary

Norfolk County Council

The Department does not release the names of individuals who supply information or evidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the (a) head teacher and (b) governing body of the Hewett School in Norwich knew that Paul Reeve (i) had received a caution for accessing a paedophile website and (ii) was on the Sex Offenders Register before his appointment. [43398]

We understand that the head teacher of Hewett School in Norwich knew that Paul Reeve had received a caution in respect of an offence under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1978 and was on the Sex Offenders Register before his appointment. We do not know whether the governing body was aware of these circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what date Paul Reeve was interviewed at her Department in connection with the decision of his List 99 determination and who conducted the interview. [43399]

Mr. Reeve was interviewed on 25 January 2005 by Departmental officials and on 18 February by a consultant forensic psychiatrist. The identity of officials and the doctor conducting the interview in these cases is not disclosed by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what are the 10 subject areas which received the most funding for postgraduate research in each of the last five years. [43080]

I have been asked to reply.

The Department provides funds to the Research Councils to support postgraduate training in the UK. Figures are shown for each Research Council as follows. The cost of producing figures providing a breakdown of individual subject areas would incur disproportionate costs.

Research Council spend on postgraduate training (£ million, non-indexed)

⁽¹⁾ AHRC became a Research Council on 1 April 2005. The figures presented are from the predecessor body AHRB (which received its funding from the UK Funding Councils not OST). Figures are not available for 2001/01.

⁽²⁾ CCLRC does not directly fund any PhD or Masters students. CCLRC does fund training for postgraduates through Research Network, facility development grants and CCLRC facility access provision (figures are an approximation). Figures are not available for 2001/02 or 2000/01.

⁽³⁾ This figure includes all MRC personal career awards (spend on Masters and Doctoral studentships, clinical and non-clinical fellowships, research readerships and professorships plus other funds for postgraduate training e.g. Roberts skills training).

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people on the list of registered sex offenders have been employed in schools in each year since 1997. [41416]

holding answer 12 January 2006

My statement and accompanying report explain the work under way to establish how many people on the list of registered sex offenders are currently employed in schools. We are carrying out follow up work with local Multi-Agency Protection Panels, which include the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people on the register of sexual offenders have been allowed to work in schools under each successive Secretary of State since 1997. [42558]

My statement and accompanying report explain the work under way to establish how many people on the list of registered sex offenders are currently employed in schools. We are carrying out follow-up work with local Multi-Agency Protection Panels, which include the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people who (a) are working for and (b) have worked for her Department in the Leeds Metropolitan area in the last 10 years (i) are on and (ii) have been on the sex offenders register. [43931]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people have been employed in schools on a (a) temporary, (b) permanent and (c) contracted basis in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency who are, or have at any time in the past, been on the Sex Offenders Register in each year since 1997. [44267]

My statement and the accompanying report explain the work under way to establish how many people on the list of registered sex offenders are currently employed in schools in England and Wales.

It is not the Government's policy to reveal publicly information that may lead to the identification and whereabouts of any individual on the Sex Offenders Register. Identifying individuals in this way does not enhance child protection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list people working in schools in Chipping Barnet who are on the Sex Offenders Register, broken down by school. [44500]

My statement and the accompanying report explain the work under way to establish how many people on the list of registered sex offenders are currently employed in schools in England and Wales. We are carrying out follow-up work with local Multi Agency Protection Panels, which include the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what checks are carried out on workers sub-contracted to carry out work on school premises in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency. [44257]

We do not collect information about the precise arrangements for checking sub-contractors in Westmorland and Lonsdale.

Safeguarding Children: Safer Recruitment and Selection in Education Settings guidance issued in June 2005 states that:

"Local authorities, schools, and further education institutions should ensure that the terms of any contract they let that requires the contractor to employ staff to work with, or provide services for, children for whom the LA, school or FE institution is responsible also requires the contractor to adopt and implement the measures described in this guidance. They should also monitor the contractor's compliance."

Among other things the measures described include pre-appointment checks of List 99 and CRB disclosures—copy at www.teachernet.gov.uk/childprotection

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what background checks (a) community schools, (b) voluntary-aided schools, (c) foundation schools, (d) city technology colleges and (e) academies are (i) legally required and (ii) recommended to make when recruiting teaching staff. [44544]

My statement, and the accompanying report, of 19 January set out clearly the Government's analysis of, and response to, issues concerning child protection and List 99, together with the action we are currently taking.

My Department's guidance on safer recruitment, published in June 2005, aims to assist all schools, further education institutions and local education authorities to review and, where appropriate, modify their practice and procedures to strengthen safeguards for children, by helping to deter and prevent abuse.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the (a) head teacher and (b) governing body of Hebburn Comprehensive School on Tyneside knew that before his appointment William Gibson had a conviction for indecently assaulting a girl of 15 years of age and a conviction for fraud, forgery and theft. [43402]

We understand that the head teacher at St. Joseph's school in Hebburn was not aware of Mr. Gibson's convictions when he started work as a supply teacher, but that a subsequent Criminal Records Bureau check provided information about all his convictions, which led to Mr. Gibson leaving the school. We do not know whether the governing body was aware of Mr. Gibson's convictions before his appointment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which (a) Minister and (b) official (i) advised and (ii) signed the letter in relation to the decision on the List 99 determination in the case of William Gibson. [43404]

This decision, as with all such cases, was a decision taken in the name of the Secretary of State. In such cases, the Department does not disclose the identity of any Minister involved or the names of officials who advise the Secretary of State or who sign letters to individuals on her behalf.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the premises occupied by his Department is fitted with audible fire alarms. [42868]

All rooms/areas occupied by the Wales Office are fitted with audible fire alarms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the next council tax revaluation in Wales will take place. [42592]

The timing of council tax revaluation's in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly to determine, subject to the requirements of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether (a) aerial and (b) satellite photography was used as part of the council tax revaluation in Wales. [42957]

Neither aerial nor satellite photography were used by the Valuation Office Agency in conducting the revaluation exercise in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the items valued at over £100 that have been reported as stolen from Welsh Office buildings in the past 12 months. [43443]

The Wales Office have had no items stolen in the past 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on bottled water in 2004–05. [40322]

In financial year 2004–05, the Wales Office spent £35.19 on bottled water for meetings or receptions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the agreement at the European Council on 17 December 2005 on the EU financial perspective 2007–13 on the economic regeneration of the South East Welsh Valleys. [41539]

As part of the agreement reached by member states on the EU budget for 2007–13, the West Wales and the Valleys region will remain eligible for full Objective One funding (re-branded "Convergence" for the period 2007–13). It is expected that West Wales and the Valleys will receive funding similar in size to the current Objective One programme.

The South East Welsh Valleys therefore stand to gain significantly from this new deal, which will build on the economic regeneration in the area currently under way.

The Welsh Assembly Government are responsible for distributing the funding to different programmes and monitoring and evaluating them. Work is already well under way to prepare the new round of programmes, which are due to commence in January 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on development of passenger train links between Cardiff and Ebbw Vale. [41534]

My right hon. Friend discusses transport matters in Wales regularly with the Secretary of State for Transport. The Welsh Assembly Government is providing almost £28 million for the Ebbw Valley railway project to accommodate passenger services between Ebbw Vale, Cardiff and Newport. I understand that an hourly service from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff will start in 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make representations within Government in support of a direct rail link between London and Shrewsbury. [41558]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport is examining the possibility of direct rail passenger services linking Shrewsbury with London, as part of the 2008 timetable changes being delivered with completion of the West Coast Route Modernisation Project. This proposal is dependent upon the business case and is being considered in conjunction with the railway industry, local authorities and other interested bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Transport and (b) the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Economic Development and Transport on the economic and environmental benefits of increasing the railway network in (i) Wales and (ii) Blaenau Gwent. [39756]

I have regular discussions with both ministerial and Assembly Government colleagues about matters affecting transport in Wales. In June of last year, rail passenger services returned to the Vale of Glamorgan line for the first time in over 40 years.

The new Arriva Trains Wales timetable launched in December offers further service improvements. Passengers will benefit from an additional 950 services a week across the network; a 28 per cent. increase in Sunday services; more seats on peak-time trains and new two-hourly direct services from Holyhead to Cardiff and from Milford Haven to Manchester.

The Assembly Government is providing almost £28 million for the Ebbw Valley railway project to accommodate passenger services between Ebbw Vale, Cardiff and Newport. I understand that an hourly service from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff will start in 2007 and that the Newport service is likely to begin in 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many invoices rendered to the Wales Office have failed to be paid within 30 days. [40729]

During financial year 2004–05, 98 per cent. of all Wales Office invoices were paid within 30 days, 19 invoices, or 2 per cent. were not paid within the 30 days.

Full breakdown of statistical information can be found in Wales Office Annual Report 2005 Cm6545. Copies are posted on the Wales Office website: www.walesoffice.gov.uk

Payment data for current financial year 2005–06 will be available in spring 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with (a) the National Assembly for Wales and (b) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the effects of offshore wind farm construction on porpoises. [40812]

Offshore wind farms play a vital role in meeting our renewable energy targets and tackling the threat of climate change. I therefore have regular discussions with my counterparts at the Assembly and DEFRA about offshore wind and other technologies. Wales is set to continue its role as a centre of excellence in the construction of wind farms.

I am aware that the Countryside Council for Wales, the Government's statutory advisor on nature conservation and countryside matters, has been working with Offshore Windfarm Developers to ensure that the best option for a high standard of protection to all marine mammals is in place during construction.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) babies and (b) stillborn babies were reported as having birth abnormalities in each year since 1995. [40793]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 20 January 2006

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many(a) babies and (b) stillborn babies were reported as having birth abnormalities in each year since 1995. (40793)

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for maintaining the National Congenital Anomaly System (NCAS) notifications in England and Wales. These notifications are provided by NHS Trusts on a voluntary basis either directly to ONS on form SD56 or via local congenital anomaly registers that exchange data with ONS.

The scheme was introduced to monitor short term changes in notification levels. These registers cover only 42 percent of births in England and the number of registers joining the system increases every year. As a result increasing numbers notified are not necessarily an indication of an increased trend in abnormalities.

Figures for live and stillborn babies with congenital abnormalities that were reported to NCAS from 1995 to 2004 are given in the attached table.

Number of (a) live and (b) stillborn babies with a congenital anomaly notified to the National Congenital Anomaly System, England and Wales 1995–2004

⁽⁴⁾ Includes cases where information was not available to NCAS on whether the baby was live or still born.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people eligible for the child trust fund have applied for and taken up the fund in each month since the scheme was introduced. [44333]

Child trust fund statistics are produced quarterly. The latest set were published on 30 November 2005 at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child_trust_funds/child-trust-funds.htm. The next set will be published in February 2006.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Paymaster General will reply to the faxed letter of 6 December 2005 from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire. [44144]

I hope to be in a position to reply to the hon. Member shortly.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of Tamworth residents were in (a) the top 10 per cent. and (b) the bottom 10 per cent. of income earners in (i) 1994 and (ii) 2004. [43473]

The information requested is not available at constituency level.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that there is equal tax treatment for (a) UK-resident building subcontractors and (b) those working in the UK who are resident in other EU countries. [44197]

Any subcontractor working in the construction industry in the United Kingdom, whether a resident here or not, needs to register under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). Without a CIS tax certificate or registration card the subcontractor cannot be paid.

The United Kingdom charges income tax on the profits of all trades carried on by UK residents whether wholly or partly in the United Kingdom. So that where a subcontractor is resident in the UK the profits of their trade whether carried on in the UK or abroad will be charged to income tax in the UK.

Where a subcontractor is not resident in the UK but carries on a trade either wholly in the UK or partly in the UK and partly elsewhere, the profits from the trade carried on in the UK will be charged to income tax in the UK. This is subject to any relief provided by a relevant double taxation agreement between the United Kingdom and the country of residence of the subcontractor. Such an agreement will in most cases ensure that just one country has taxing rights over the relevant trade income so avoiding economic double taxation of the income.

Where a subcontractor is trading in the UK through a non-resident company, that company will be liable to UK corporation tax on all profits that are attributable to its permanent establishment (i.e. a fixed place of business or an agency) in the UK. Again this is subject to any relief from UK tax provided by a relevant double taxation agreement. If the company does not have a permanent establishment in the UK it will not be within the charge to corporation tax.

For income tax there is therefore under existing UK law equal tax treatment between a UK resident and a resident of another EU member state in respect of the profits of a trade carried on in the United Kingdom and chargeable to tax here.

For corporation tax the requirement that the non-resident company has a permanent establishment in the UK before it becomes chargeable is not present for UK resident companies. This mirrors the restriction in double taxation agreements through which UK companies get reciprocal relief in other EU states.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) how much has been collected in each of the past five years in employer national insurance contributions for (a) males and (b) females over the state retirement age; and what additional revenue in each category would have been collected if employee contributions were also payable; [42658]

(2) what estimate he has made of the extra revenue from national insurance contributions that will accrue annually on account of the progressive raising of the state retirement age to 65 years for females. [43058]

Information on the amount of secondary contributions paid for males and females in work and above state retirement age for the past five years is not available except at a disproportionate cost.

Similarly, the amount of extra revenue from national insurance contributions that will accrue annually on account of raising the pension age on a phased basis between 2010 and 2020 for females to 65 years is not available except at a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax relief was received by persons in the top tax bracket in the last year for which figures are available. [44511]

Information on the amount of all tax reliefs received by higher rate taxpayers is not available, except at a disproportionate cost.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many paid directors there are in each branch of the Thames Gateway organisation; and what the total employment cost of each has been to date. [42914]

I have been asked to reply.

Until 13 January, the senior staff of the Thames Gateway Directorate comprised one director (grade SCS 1A) and two divisional managers (grade SCSI). A further director has now been appointed on secondment reflecting increasing workload in preparation for the London Olympics. The total administrative costs of the Directorate are expected to be £2,474,000 in the current financial year, which includes the rental of the Thames Gateway office in Docklands.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the levels of long-term (a) adult and (b) youth unemployment were in Westmorland and Lonsdale in each year since 1997. [44294]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 20 January 2006

As National Statistician, I have asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment. (44294)

The Office for National Statistics (OHS) compiles statistics of unemployment for local areas from the annual local area Labour Force Survey following International Labour Organisation definitions.

However, for the Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency sample numbers are insufficient to provide estimates of the levels of long-term adult and youth unemployment.

ONS also compiles statistics for local areas of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). The attached table shows the annual average number of JSA claimants claiming for over 12 months and those aged 18 to 24 claiming for over 12 months, resident in the Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency since 1997.

JSA claimants, claiming for over 12 months, resident in the Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency

⁽⁵⁾ Computerised claims only.

Note:

Data rounded to nearest 5 for disclosure control.

Source:

Jobcentre Plus administrative system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) what staffing reductions have occurred in the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council funded institutes in each of the last five years; and what assessment he has made of the effect of the reductions on the scientific skills base; [41362]

(2) what plans he has under the Shared Service Policy to merge Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council funded institutes; and if he will make a statement. [41363]

The BBSRC received an increased level of funding from the Science Budget following the 2004 Spending Review. Its initial allocation was £336.186 million in 2005–06, £371.644 million in 2006–07 and £381.829 million in 2007–08. An increased proportion of BBSRC's total budget over this period will support research in Higher Education Institutions. In the period 2000 to 2003 (the latest date statistics are available) the total number of staff employed in Biological Sciences in Higher Education Institutions increased by approximately 500 from 6,900 to 7,400.

The following table gives details of the net reduction in the number of posts in BBSRC Institutes in each of the past five years.

BBSRC has sought to ensure that past staff reductions do not have a material effect on the overall skills base in the UK. In the case of land based research, BBSRC is in active discussion with relevant Government Departments about the impact of staffing reductions.

BBSRC has no current plans to merge institutes but is considering the establishment of an Edinburgh BioScience Research Centre (EBRC) which would include researchers from the Roslin Institute and some from the Institute for Animal Health (those currently based in the Edinburgh Neuropathogenisis Unit). The EBRC would also involve closer collaboration with other research organisations in the area.

A number of BBSRC institutes are reviewing their administrative services to identify efficiency savings, including through the sharing of services between institutes, so as to enable additional funding to go into scientific research.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assist small and medium-sized enterprises with the costs of compliance with the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive; and if he will make a statement. [42005]

I have been asked to reply.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 11 January 2006, to my hon. Friend, the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell).Official Report, column 724W

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations the National Environment Research Council made to the Government concerning additional funding for the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in the past two years; what amounts were requested; and whether they were granted. [42553]

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) indicated, during the allocation process following the Spending Review 2004, that providing the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) with a sustainable future was a high priority and that it intended to examine options to achieve this. NERC's original allocation from the Department was £359.4 million and £367.2 million for the financial years 2006–07 and 2007–08 respectively. The Department has indicated subsequently that it would be willing to increase NERC's allocation by £2.7 million and £11.5 million in these years so as to support the delivery of its core programmes in the event that the restructuring of CEH goes ahead.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) letters, (b) emails and (c) telephone calls (i) the Government, (ii) the Natural Environment Research Council and (iii) the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology received regarding the proposed closure of sites in the last two years; and how many in each case concerned Monks Wood in Cambridgeshire. [42554]

Following the December 2005 announcement by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to consult the public and staff on its proposed changes to the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), the number of communications received by 16 January 2006 is as follows:

⁽⁶⁾ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

⁽⁷⁾ Specifically relating, or referring, to Monks Wood.

⁽⁸⁾ Figures may contain duplications as some letters and e-mails have been copied to more than one recipient, and some individuals have written more than one letter or e-mail.

⁽⁹⁾ CEH received 20 calls but these were passed on to NERC and are therefore included in the NERC figure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many cars are (a) owned and (b) leased by her Department; what models the cars are; what type of petrol each model requires; and what the fuel efficiency is of each model. [41351]

The information is as follows.

(a) DCMS does not own any cars,

(b) DCMS lease five cars from the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA). For vehicles provided to Government Departments by the GCDA my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport has asked the Chief Executive of the GCDA to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households in Ribble Valley are in receipt of a free television licence. [43147]

TV Licensing, who administer free television licences for people aged 75 or over as agents for the BBC, are not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, the number of households with at least one person aged 75 or over claiming the winter fuel payment in the Ribble Valley constituency in 2004–05 was 6,010, according to Department for Work and Pensions records.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings her Department's Green Minister has attended in the last 12 months in an official capacity; and if she will list the meetings at which her Department has been represented in the last 12 months on the delivery of sustainable development across government which have been co-ordinated by the Ministerial Sub-Committee of Green Ministers. [44255]

Following the general election in May, the Cabinet Sub-Committee of Green Ministers (ENV(G)) was replaced by the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Sustainable Development in Government (EE(SD)) whose members are departmental Sustainable Development Ministers. It is established practice not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees or any activities co-ordinated by them. My right hon. Friend Baroness Morris of Yardley (Estelle Morris) represented the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on ENV(G) committee until May 2005. After that date I was appointed to represent DCMS on EE(SD). I attended an informal breakfast seminar organised by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs last July in that capacity. Since then I have had a bi-lateral meeting in the same capacity with the Minister for Energy and Environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he intends to bring forward legislation to amend the law so that the adult dependency benefit can be claimed by married women. [41952]

Married women in receipt of state pension are in certain limited cases entitled to an adult dependency increase.

We have no plans currently to widen the scope of the rules for entitlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the oral answer of 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 12, on ASW Sheerness (pension scheme), what the basis is of the estimate of 15,000 pensioners qualifying for assistance under the Financial Assistance Scheme. [44271]

Based on the limited data we have been able to obtain from affected pension schemes, this is our best estimate of the number of members of eligible schemes likely to be within three years of scheme pension age in May 2004 and have less than 80 per cent. of their core pension rights covered by the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions have been brought by the Child Support Agency under section 14A of the 1991 Act in each year since 31 January 2001; how many convictions have been obtained in relation to those prosecutions; and what the average fine imposed by the courts was for such offences in each year. [31208]

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 January 2006

In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.

You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions have been brought by the Child Support Agency under section 14A of the 1991 Act in each year since 31 January 2001 to date; how many convictions have been obtained in relation to those prosecutions; and what the averaged fine imposed by the courts was for such offences in each year.

I have provided the relevant information in the attached table.

I hope you find this response helpful.

Numbers of prosecutions and convictions under Section 14A -- £

Notes:

1. The average fines have been calculated using the total fines imposed divided by the number of convictions (excluding the conditional and absolute discharges).

2. The maximum fine that can be imposed upon a person found guilty of an offence under Sections 14A(2) and 14A(3) of the Child Support Act 1991 is £1,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what responsibilities of his Department have been transferred to HM Treasury since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [41335]

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was established in June 2001. The Tax Credits Act 2002 transferred to HM Treasury responsibility for policy relating to child benefit and guardian's allowance, with the setting of the levels of those benefits and the rules of entitlement and this transfer took place on 1 April 2003. The Secretary of State's remaining functions relating to child benefit and guardian's allowance were transferred at the same time to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue. Additionally family credit, disability working allowance and certain payments for children in other benefits have been superseded by tax credits, administered by HMRC as a consequence of the Tax Credits Acts of 1999 and 2002.

The Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 effected the transfer of the Contributions Agency and national insurance contributions policy from what is now the Department for Work and Pensions to the Inland Revenue now HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) from 1 April 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of housing benefit was in each of the past three years for which records are available. [44049]

The information is in the table.

£

Notes:

1. Figures are for Great Britain.

2. Final figures for 2004–05 are not yet available and are subject to change.

Source:

Subsidy claims data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of staff in his Department have received training on the general and specific duties of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, broken down by (a) ethnicity and (b) grade. [3557]

All staff are required to undertake training on the provisions of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 awareness is also part of the induction package for all new employees.

Race relations training has been delivered in a variety of ways throughout the Department, for example through trainer-led events in classrooms, team workshops, roadshows and the DWP Diversity Toolkit which is an e-learning and development tool with modules covering all areas of equality.

We do not currently have a system to monitor all the training undertaken and we are therefore unable to specify how many and what percentage of staff have received training. We are in the process of developing a new resource management system, due for implementation during 2006. One of the features of the new system will enable us to address our need to monitor and will collect data on training applications, broken down by ethnicity, age, gender, disability and grade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will break down the Department for Rural Development's Roads Service Budget for 2006–07 by main budget heading. [44059]

The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.

Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 19 January 2006

You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a parliamentary question regarding the break down of the Department for Rural Development's Roads Service Budget for 2006–07 by main budget heading. I have been asked to reply as these issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, an agency within the Department for Regional Development.

The following table gives the analysis of the Roads Service budget for 2006–07.

Budget 2006–07 -- £ million

It should be noted however, that these amounts are subject to amendment as a result of the in-year budget monitoring rounds, which form part of the public expenditure process.

I hope this information is helpful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cars are (a) owned and (b) leased by his Department; what models the cars are; what type of petrol each model requires; and what the fuel efficiency is of each model. [41349]

The information requested is as follows:

(a) Four owned:

(b) 16 leased:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government have taken during its G8 and EU presidencies to tackle coercive abortion; and if he will make a statement. [41762]

Our presidencies of the G8 and the EU delivered significant results for development and for increasing assistance for health. We did not focus on tackling coercive abortion. Our policies and work on reproductive health, and our support to organisations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and International Planned Parenthood Foundation (IPPF), are about promoting choice and challenging coercive abortion. UK officials have raised the issue bilaterally in appropriate circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the annual expenditure on vehicles by (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body, (ii) executive agency and (iii) other public body for which he is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) each of the English regions and (D) Northern Ireland was in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2005–06. [40000]

For details of expenditure on Ministerial vehicles provided to the Department by the Government Car and Despatch Agency I refer the hon. Member to the letter of 20 December 2005 from the Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker). Copies of this letter are available in the Library.

One other vehicle is leased by DFID in London, for which the costs (including the driver) are as follows:

⁽¹⁰⁾ estimated

Information on expenditure on vehicles overseas is not held centrally and cannot be obtained without incurring a disproportionate cost.

There are no non-departmental public bodies (NDPB)s or agencies for which DFID is responsible. Our one other public body, CDC Group PLC, based in London, incurred no expenditure on vehicles over this period.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was spent by his Department on refreshments in each year since 1997. [41245]

The amounts spent by DFID on refreshments (including working lunches, and refreshments at meetings) is as follows:

Expenditure is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in "Government Accounting".

In 2003–04, DFID introduced new procedures to draw together administration costs, including those entertainment costs which had previously been recorded on country programme budgets. These changes have improved transparency and management of administration costs, but mean that figures from 2003–04 now include entertainment costs that were previously funded by country programmes and as a result are not comparable with earlier years.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many (a) laptops and (b) mobile phones his Department bought in each year since 1997; and what the cost of each category of equipment was in each year. [41266]

The numbers and cost of laptops and UK mobile phones purchased by DFID in each financial year since 1997 was as follows:

The cost of laptops, and the number and cost of mobile phones, in the year before 1999 could not be obtained without incurring a disproportionate cost.

Mobile phones are purchased locally at each DFID office. The figures in the table show the number of mobile phones on the UK contracts. The numbers at each overseas office cannot be provided without incurring a disproportionate cost.

DFID has made a substantial investment in laptop computers and mobile phones in the last three years as part of a structured move to new ways of working. Over half of DFID's staff now use a laptop instead of a desktop computer. This enables staff to work while travelling, and from DFID offices and other locations away from their normal base.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has spent on IT systems in each year since 1997; what the purpose of each system is; what the outturn against planned expenditure of each system was; and what the (a) planned and (b) actual date of completion was of each system. [41325]

DFID has let three major IT contracts since 1997.

The Human Resources (HR) system had a projected supplier cost at tender of £1.18 million and was due to be implemented in 30 months. The first four modules were implemented in 36 months at a total supplier cost of £1.22 million. The HR system project was superseded by an HR Transformation project which aims to radically change the way HR services are delivered and improve people management. The HR Transformation project is primarily a business change project but includes the remaining modules of the HR system project and a number of small IT components. This project is currently on track to deliver to time and budget.

The Quest Electronic Document and Record Management system had a projected supplier base cost at tender of £8.98 million and was due to be implemented in 24 months. The Quest project is currently on track to deliver in 27 months. The projected total supplier cost is £10.76 million. This includes a number of additional cost options available under the original contract.

The Aries Finance, Procurement and Reporting System, had a projected base supplier cost at tender of £11 million and is due to be implemented in 36 months. A number of additional cost options are available under the contract. The Aries project is currently on track to deliver to time and budget.

DFID has also let a number of small IT related contracts. However, our central records do not distinguish IT contracts, so provision of details for these contracts would incur disproportionate costs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment the Civil Contingency Secretariat has made of the responses to the Buncefield Depot fire; and if he will make a statement. [42411]

The Health and Safety Executive is leading the investigation into the cause of the accident and the implications for operations at similar sites elsewhere. The Civil Contingencies Secretariat has been in close contact with other Government Departments, and through the Government Office for the East of England with local responders—both during the response and the ongoing recovery phase—to ensure wider issues with applicability to national disaster response arrangements are captured. The results of this work will feed into the on-going process for assessing issues arising from major emergencies and exercises so that lessons are identified, addressed and applied in the future.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many (a) laptops and (b) mobile phones his Department bought in each year since 1997; and what the cost of each category of equipment was in each year. [41271]

Statistics on the quantities and costs of laptops and mobile phones bought in each year since 1997 are available only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department has spent on IT systems in each year since 1997; what the purpose of each system is; what the outturn against planned expenditure of each system was; and what the outturn time for implementation against planned time was. [41312]

The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much has been spent in each year since 1997 by his Department on salaries paid to civil servants. [41578]

The table shows Cabinet Office expenditure on civil servants' salaries each year since 1997–98 to 2004–05.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people on renewable public appointments since 1997 did not have their contract renewed. [44199]

Precise figures are not available for the number of people whose appointments have not been renewed. Statistics on the number of new appointments and re-appointments to public bodies within the Commissioner for Public Appointments' remit are published in her annual report. Summary details of appointments made each year since 1997 are shown in the table. During this time, the number of bodies within the Commissioner's remit has changed and explanations are given where this has had a significant impact on the figures.

1 October 1998, the Commissioner's remit was extended to advisory bodies, public corporations, nationalised industries and the utility regulators.⁽¹¹⁾ On

⁽¹²⁾ Increase in appointments largely due to new primary care trusts.

⁽¹³⁾ Increase in appointments largely due to new primary care trusts and new strategic health authorities.

Source:

Commissioner for Public Appointments Annual Reports

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people claiming asylum have requested that their case be referred to judicial review in each of the last eight years; and what proportion of those cases were found in favour of the asylum seeker in each year. [42796]

Information on applications for judicial review and outcomes is published in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long Tirth Singh Malhi (reference number S835998) has been waiting for the outcome of his application for leave to remain in the United Kingdom; what the reasons are for the length of wait; and when he expects a decision to be made. [43339]

Mr. Tirth Singh Malhi has been waiting for the outcome of his application for leave to remain in the United Kingdom for approximately three years and ten months. The reason for this length of wait is administrative error. The immigration and nationality directorate wrote to Mr. Tirth Singh Malhi's solicitors on 17 January 2006 and refused his application. However, Mr. Tirth Singh Malhi has been granted a right of appeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the subcontractors instructed by GSL UK Ltd. on the project to build an accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester. [43505]

Carillion is the subcontractor named in the contract between immigration and nationality directorate (IND) and GSL (UK) Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the nationalities are of the non-British subjects of control orders. [41339]

I cannot comment on individual cases.

There are anonymity orders in place protecting the identity of the individuals subject to control orders. The anonymity orders do not in themselves prevent disclosure of nationality, but in certain cases this may allow their identity to be determined. The Home Secretary has therefore made the decision not to reveal the nationalities of foreign nationals who have been made the subject of control orders.