To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the running costs of the Government Communications Network were in each year since its establishment; and what the forecasted expenditure is for 2005–06. [53811]

The Government Communication Network (GCN) was established in 2005 and is a professional network to which everyone who works in communication in Government can belong. Therefore it has no running costs.

I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 201W, which gives details of the running costs for the Government communication group which supports the GCN.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

(1) what his Department's policy is on the procurement of Fair Trade produce for consumption on its premises; [54078]

(2) how much and what proportion of his Department's catering budget was spent on Fair Trade produce in the last period for which figures are available; [54079]

(3) how much and what proportion of his Department's catering budget for (a) Cabinet meetings and (b) Cabinet committees was spent on Fair Trade produce in the last period for which figures are available. [54080]

It is Cabinet Office policy to purchase on the basis of value for money. We encourage our contracted catering providers to purchase Fair Trade products where commercially practicable and viable. Spending on Fair Trade produce is not separately identified. The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, column 666W, on Government communications, if he will list the Departments to which the Permanent Secretary, Government Communications has given advice since his appointment; if he will place in the Library documents the Permanent Secretary has issued to Government Departments since his appointment; and what (a) speeches and (b) presentations he has given since his appointment. [52348]

The role of the Permanent Secretary, Government Communication is to modernise Government communication by ensuring that it responds to the opportunities and challenges of the modern media environment (including new ways of reaching and engaging the public), while upholding the highest standards of propriety.

There are three main work streams: strategic communication and marketing; cross departmental co-ordination and professional development and standards.

As part of this remit the Permanent Secretary gives advice to Departments as and when needed. Information relating to internal advice is not disclosed as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion and advice.

Documents, speeches and presentations have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, column 666W, on Government communications, what the recruitment processes were for the posts of the (a) No. 10 director of communications and (b) special adviser without executive powers and official spokesman; and if he will make a statement. [52721]

Civil servants are recruited on merit through fair and open competition in accordance with the recruitment rules of the civil service commissioners. Special advisers are exempt from this process in accordance with the Civil Service Order in Council.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the official duties of the Minister without Portfolio for each day in January 2006. [52744]

The official duties of the Minister without Portfolio include the formulation and development of Government policy and attending meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. He attends Cabinet and contributes to decisions taken by Cabinet and its sub-committees.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the voting rights of hon. Members representing constituencies outside England on matters relating exclusively to England. [53925]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Windsor earlier today.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when she plans to introduce victims' special advocates. [53926]

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when she expects the pilot schemes for victims' special advocates to begin. [53931]

The Government will pilot the victims' advocates scheme in London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester and Winchester from April this year. Under the scheme relatives of murder and manslaughter victims will have the opportunity to make an oral statement in court on the effect of the crime.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps are being taken to reduce fraud in postal voting in elections. [53927]

The Government will today introduce into the House of Commons regulations to prevent postal vote fraud. These regulations will be implemented in time for the May 2006 local elections. In addition, the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Electoral Commission have issued new guidance for police forces on the prevention and detection of electoral fraud.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what organisation she intends to select to regulate claims handlers. [53928]

The Compensation Bill provides a power to designate or set up a Regulator to ensure we have maximum flexibility to safeguard consumer interests. It also allows the Secretary of State to regulate directly if necessary.

My noble Friend Baroness Ashton of Upholland will be announcing further details on the Government's proposed approach at Report Stage in the House of Lords.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when she expects to bring forward proposals for a Joint Committee to examine the powers and procedures of the House of Lords. [53929]

Our plans include clarifying the powers of the House of Lords to entrench the primacy of this House. We are committed to establishing a Joint Committee of the two Houses to consider and codify the powers of the House of Lords and I trust we shall be able to proceed with the establishment of the Joint Committee as soon as possible.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what estimate she has made of the likely change in the number of people registered to vote in England between the 2005 general election and the 2006 local elections. [53932]

According to the Office for National Statistics (based upon figures compiled the preceding 1 December) the number of people registered to vote in England at the 2005 general election was 37,043,600 while the number registered to vote at the 2006 local elections will be 37,655,524.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of levels of electoral registration in Gateshead, East and Washington, West. [54155]

Between 2001–03 there was a sustained decline in the number of voters registered. In my hon. Friend's constituency the figures were as follows for the period 1 December 2001 to 1 December 2005:

This contrasts with the national figures for the 2005 canvass of electors which were published by the Office for National Statistics on 23 February and reveal that for the second successive year there has been an increase in the number of electors registered in the UK as a whole and England in particular.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much has been spent in each year since 1997 by the Department on salaries paid to civil servants. [41586]

The amount spent by the Department on salaries paid to civil servants in each year since 1998 is shown in the following table.

The expenditure for 1997 is not readily available as the Department had not yet started preparing formal resource accounts. In terms of providing the expenditure on a cash basis, this would involve a disproportionate amount of effort as the resource accounts are prepared on an accruals basis.

Notes:

1. The salaries data was extracted from the Resource Accounts for the years 1998–99 to 2004–05 while the budget data came from the Department Report for 2003–04 and 2004–05.

2. The budget figures have been adjusted for machinery of government changes back to 1998–99.

3. The budget total includes voted resource DEL and judicial salaries paid from the Consolidated Fund.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what research her Department has undertaken into the likely impact of the Legal Services Commission's decision to withdraw specialist funding from third party charities and organisations on the provision of support and advice services to the general public; and if she will make a statement. [50313]

Research undertaken by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) which underpins their consultation paper "Making legal rights a reality" points to an increasing demand for front line advice for the most needy.

Specialist support contracts give advice to providers, not directly to clients. The decision to withdraw funding for specialist support services will mean that £2.3 million will be redirected to fund about 9,000 opportunities for people to get direct legal advice in the next financial year. This will increase access to legal aid services for vulnerable people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answers to the hon. Member for North East Cambridgeshire of 8 February 2006, Official Report, columns 1294–96W, on casinos, if she will list the local authorities which have made representations in support of the number of regional casinos permitted by the Gambling Act 2005. [54625]

We have no record that any local authority has made representations in support of the Gambling Act 2005 permitting one regional casino.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the locations of bids submitted to the Casino Advisory Panel for (a) (i) small, (ii) large and (iii) regional casino licences and (b) combinations thereof. [54628]

The closing date for formal proposals to the Casino Advisory Panel is 31 March 2006. By 27 February 2006, no proposals had been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel are in Helmand; and what their mission is. [50353]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the mission statement is for British troops sent to Afghanistan. [54286]

I refer the hon. Members to the Statement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 26 January 2006, Official Report, columns 1530–49. We have started the initial deployments in support of some 3,300 who will deploy to Southern Afghanistan over the coming months. The numbers will steadily increase until they are fully operational in July this year.

For reasons of operational security, details of the specific numbers and locations of United Kingdom troops during the early stages of deployment is being withheld.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much ammunition is being stored by UK forces; and how much has been supplied from overseas companies. [53371]

Information on the nature of ammunition held in storage is classified and as such is withheld as disclosure would not be in the national interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the UK's anti-structures munition to enter service; and what measures he has put in place to guarantee security of supply. [54408]

My statement of 6 February announced the award of a contract for the demonstration and manufacture of the anti-structures munition (ASM). I wish to clarify that the £40 million it refers to is the value of the entire project. ASM is planned to enter service by the end of 2010. We have addressed security of supply by contracting for a lifetime buy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to increase investment in complex weapons systems. [54426]

Investment plans for complex weapons systems are detailed in the Defence Industrial Strategy (section B7, paragraph 26) a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former members of the armed forces have been designated as homeless in (a) Bedfordshire, (b) the East of England and (c) the UK in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [49145]

I have been asked to reply.

Information about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation in England is collected in respect of households, rather than persons, and distinguishes the number accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in a priority need category. Following extensions to these categories in July 2002, persons vulnerable as a result of having served in Her Majesty's regular armed forces have a priority need for accommodation, and the number accepted where this was the determining factor are separately identified. Information reported by local authorities in Bedfordshire, the East of England and England in each year or part year since 2002 is presented in the table.

These figures will not necessarily represent all cases of homelessness involving ex-forces personnel, as some may be concealed within other main priority need categories—such as households with dependent children, or an expectant mother.

For corresponding information in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland I refer the hon. Member to the Secretaries of States for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Statutory Homelessness: Local authority acceptances where the main category of priority need was reported as "Vulnerability as a result of having served in HM Forces"⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾ Households accepted by the local authority as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need and therefore owed a main homelessness duty.

Source:

ODPM P1E homelessness returns (quarterly)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the number of ex-servicemen who are homeless. [49457]

I have been asked to reply.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening) on 27 February 2006 (question 49184), and to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 27 February 2006 (question 49775).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it was his Department's policy following the cessation of major hostilities in Iraq to encourage members of the Badr Corps and Badr Organisation to join the Iraqi security forces. [51619]

holding answer 14 February 2006

Following the end of the conflict in Iraq, the Coalition Provisional Authority sought to re-integrate militia members into civil society. This process included members of the Badr Organisation, formerly known as the Badr Corps, among others.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with United States officials about the withdrawal of coalition troops from Iraq. [53744]

We hold regular discussions with our coalition partners, including the United States, about our progress in Iraq. We have made it clear during these discussions, as I have also made clear to the House, that any United Kingdom handover will be conditions-based and will not be driven by arbitrary timetables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what assessment his Department has made of the likely implications for the UK of the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review by the US Department of Defense; [54384]

(2) what assessment he has made of the effect of the provisions in the Department of Defense's 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review to overhaul "export control activities" and "providing advanced military technologies to foreign allies and partners" on technology transfer from the US to the UK; and what consultations he has had with his US counterparts on the matter. [54388]

We welcome the United States' early consultation and engagement with the United Kingdom during the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) process. We are particularly pleased with the emphasis the QDR gives to working with allies and partners to resolve international security issues and the recognition that Defence is only one part of a range of responses. Given this increased emphasis on continuing to work closely and effectively with allies, the overall impact on UK Defence Policy as set out in the Defence White Paper (Cm6041-I) is limited.

We also welcome the emphasis that the QDR places on the need to overhaul US export control regulations and the focus on technology sharing. Discussions with Department of Defense Officials and other representatives of the US Government are ongoing with the principal aim of achieving enhanced interoperability of UK and US armed forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations his Department has received from the United States regarding missile defence in each of the last three years. [54372]

Officials work closely with the US on joint technology programmes and to further our understanding of the US ballistic missile defence system. Representations to and from the US relating to information exchange and other matters therefore arise on a daily basis and are too numerous to list.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution his Department is making in the establishment of a NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre. [54389]

The UK, as host nation, plans to provide three personnel for the Intelligence Fusion Centre, which will be located at RAF Molesworth. RAF Molesworth is currently made available to the United States Visiting Force under the terms of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, 1951.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with (a) officials and (b) commanders of UK forces on the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal. [53368]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has had no discussions with either officials or commanders of UK forces about the Pingat Jasa Malaysia, which is a commemorative medal instituted by the Malaysian Government for service between August 1957 and August 1966.

On behalf of the Government, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is responsible for administering the policy relating to the acceptance and wear of non-British awards by British citizens.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the plans are for rebuilding the Up Harbour Ammunitioning Facility in Portsmouth Harbour. [53501]

Options are currently being assessed for rebuilding the Upper Harbour Ammunitioning Facility in Portsmouth, so that it will be capable of supporting the Type 45 destroyer and other classes of ships up to 10,000 tonnes. On current plans this facility will be in place for loading ammunition on the first Type 45 destroyer, HMS Daring, in October 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will post on his website copies of the documents listed at paragraph 26 page 317 of the QinetiQ offer document. [54283]

Copies of the documents listed at paragraph 26 page 317 of the QinetiQ IPO Prospectus were made available for anyone who wished to view them prior to closure of the IPO at the offices of QinetiQ's lawyers as detailed in the Prospectus. Further information about these documents is a matter for the company and questions should be referred to the Chief Executive at the following address:

Graham Love

Chief Executive

QinetiQ Limited

Cody Technology Park

Building Al

Ively Road

Farnborough

Hampshire GU14 OLX

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft from the Royal Air Force's air-to-air refuelling fleet are unserviceable. [54409]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 818W to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox). The position for the Tristar and VC 10 fleet is unchanged.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the agreed efficiency target for his Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review is to be cashable; and under what budget headings these cashable efficiency savings will be re-spent. [52828]

More than three quarters of the planned savings are to be cashable. All these savings will be re-invested in the department's budget, in line with the Defence priorities set out in Future Capabilities Command Paper, published in July 2004, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the forecast cost of the Type 45 Destroyer programme was as at 31 March of financial years 2000–01 to 2004–05, broken down by (a) indirect resource departmental expenditure limit (DEL), (b) direct resource DEL and (c) capital DEL. [54420]

The forecast cost of the Type 45 Destroyer programme as at the end of financial years 2002 to 2005, are as reported in the respective Major Projects Report (MPR) 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. The breakdown into indirect resource expenditure (I-RDEL), direct resource expenditure (R-DEL) and capital expenditure (CDEL) is as follows:

£ million

For the financial year ending 31 March 2001, only the total forecast cost of £5,250 million is available. MPR2002 was the first National Audit Office report of forecast Type 45 expenditure post main gate approval. At MPR 2002, the RDEL was overstated and I-RDEL was omitted. Both of these errors were corrected in MPR2003. From MPR2004 onwards, the I-RDEL figure was adjusted in agreement with the National Audit Office to take into account the Treasury change to the rate of interest on capital from 6 per cent. to 3.5 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the licensing and distribution of United Kingdom Hydrographic Office products. [53044]

The licensing and distribution of United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) products are carried out by a variety of means.

Many companies, under licence from the Ministry of Defence, publish material that has come from MOD material. This material will usually have an acknowledgement to the Crown, to the MOD or to the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO). It is protected by Crown copyright and the copyright of the publisher.

The UKHO's licensing policy has been accredited by Office of Public Sector Information's Information Fair Trader Scheme (IFTS). IFTS accreditation provides external validation of an organisation's information trading activity. It reassures users that an accredited organisation's processes and policies are compliant and consistent with Government policy on information trading and that they meet the needs of existing or potential customers. The UKHO chief executive has made a personal commitment to make sure that the UKHO trades fairly in information.

The UKHO strictly follows a system of open trading that meets the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations (including competition law and the recent Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations), and of UK Government policy. The aim is to, in principle, meet the needs of anyone who applies for a licence to re-use information for any purpose. Any exceptions are published on the website.

Further information on this can be found at www.ukho.gov.uk in the Products and Services and Copyright Licensing sections.

The distribution of UKHO products is effected through a worldwide network of accredited distributors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the price of United Kingdom Hydrographic Office products is (a) determined and (b) regulated. [53045]

UKHO product prices are determined by balancing economic factors, operational costs and efficiencies, underlying inflation and market forces. HM Treasury guidelines are also followed. Aside from the application of HM Treasury guidelines, pricing policy is subject to the same regulatory regime applicable to undertakings in general.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance his Department has given the UK Hydrographic Office regarding the commercial and competitive impact of the purchase of SevenCs on competition in the marine data sector. [53046]

The UKHO is the competent agency within the MOD to assess these issues. Guidance from wider MOD was therefore not sought.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's policy regarding competition between the UK Hydrographic Office and companies it licenses to distribute its marine data. [53047]

The UKHO's licensing policy has been accredited by the Office of Public Sector Information's Information Fair Trader Scheme (IFTS). IFTS accreditation provides external validation of an organisation's information trading activity. It reassures users that an accredited organisation's processes and policies are compliant and consistent with Government policy on information trading and that they meet the needs of existing or potential customers. The chief executive of the UKHO has made a personal commitment to make sure we trade fairly in information.

Further information can be found on the website www.ukho.gov.uk by following the link to Copyright Licensing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2006, Official Report, column 514W, on SevenCs, what assessment was made of the digital navigation product market prior to the acquisition of SevenCs by the UK Hydrographic Office. [53117]

The UKHO continually monitors the digital navigation product market and keeps abreast of its state and developments within it. It was not necessary to undertake any special assessment prior to the acquisition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2006, Official Report, column 514W, on SevenCs, how the UK Hydrographic Office's acquisition of SevenCs will safeguard an open system which does not tie end-users to a particular brand of data. [53251]

The UKHO can, by owning SevenCs, ensure that SevenCs' software systems remain open to non-proprietary data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2006, Official Report, column 514W, on SevenCs, what assessment he has made of the UK Hydrographic Office's responsibilities under the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea to safeguard an open system. [53252]

The UK's obligation under the Convention is to make available data that meet the Convention's carriage requirements, so enabling the mariner to comply with the regulations applicable to UK waters and to UK-flagged shipping. This is best achieved where open systems exist.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2006, Official Report, column 513W, on SevenCs, what assessment (a) was made of the barriers to an invigorated market in the development of digital navigation products prior to the acquisition of SevenCs by the UKHO and (b) has been made of the effect of the acquisition of SevenCs on the development of digital navigation products; and if he will make a statement. [53278]

Prior to acquisition no barriers to such a market were perceived.

The transfer of ownership of SevenCs has had little or no effect to date on UKHO product development. I cannot comment on development of products by other organizations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase the development of technologies involved in (a) locating fissile material and (b) tracking weapons of mass destruction. [54349]

The Ministry of Defence is engaged in a number of research activities which address the detection, identification and tracking of all aspects of weapons of mass destruction development and delivery. Many of these programmes are cross-government and/or international in nature and continue to draw on the full breadth of technologies presently available or under development, combined with the capabilities of world-leading laboratories with whom we routinely collaborate.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the annual cost of the Firefighters' Pensions Scheme was in each of the last five financial years. [49706]

holding answer 13 February 2006

Estimates for the annual cost of the Firefighters' Pensions Scheme, the number of firefighters receiving a firefighters pension and the number of serving firefighters in England for each of the last five financial years have been tabled as follows.

⁽²⁾ The number of serving firefighters does not include retained, non-uniformed or fire control staff, who are not entitled to membership of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme. Figures for 2004–05 are provisional.

Source:

Subjective Analysis Returns (SAR) submitted by local authorities to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Fire and Rescue Service Statistics publications, ODPM Fire and Rescue annual returns.

The SAR is a sample survey and collects information from 121 authorities in England. The data have been grossed up to provide estimates for England as a whole.

Comparisons across years may not be valid due to changes in responsibilities and the method of reporting the information. In particular, the financial data for 2000–01 to 2002–03 are presented on a non-financial reporting standard 17 (FRS 17) basis while the data for 2003–04 and 2004–05 are presented on a FRS 17 basis. Hence, figures for different years may not be directly comparable.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the consultation on changes to Planning Policy Guidance 25 relating to flood prevention and protection. [53854]

On 5 December 2005 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published for consultation the draft new PPS25 which clarifies and strengthens planning policy on development and flood risk. The consultation also includes proposals to make the Environment Agency a statutory consultee for non-householder planning applications in flood risk areas, and for a "Flooding Direction" to provide greater scrutiny for major developments proposed in them against the Agency's advice. The consultation closes on 28 February 2006.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate his Department has made of the number of homeless people who are former personnel of the emergency services. [49960]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening) on 27 February 2006 (question 49184), and to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 27 February 2006 (question 49775).

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) homeless people and (b) people in temporary accommodation there are in each London borough. [52301]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening) on 23 February 2006 (question 50331).

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps his Department is taking to ensure that part L of the Building Regulations encourages the greater use of renewable energy systems in the built environment. [54059]

Part L of the Building Regulations sets levels for energy performance in ways that offer designers the flexibility to choose solutions that best meet their needs, are cost-effective and practical, and enable innovation. Without prescribing solutions this enables builders to take up the benefits of renewable energy systems.

In September 2005, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced further improvements to these energy efficiency requirements that will come into effect in April 2006 and will encourage greater take-up of renewable and other low and zero carbon systems.

To help designers, ODPM is publishing a Low and Zero Carbon Guide alongside the part L changes to highlight the contribution that these technologies can make to overall energy performance.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria his Department applies to applications for the siting of wind turbines in (a) national parks and (b) areas of outstanding natural beauty. [53715]

The Government's national policies for planning for renewable energy are set out in Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy (PPS22). PPS22 states that in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and other nationally designated sites, planning permission for renewable energy projects should only be granted where it can be demonstrated that the objectives of designation of the area will not be compromised by the development, and any significant adverse effect on the qualities for which the area has been designated are clearly outweighed by the environmental, social and economic benefits. Planning authorities should have regard to this guidance when they prepare their criteria-based local development document policies and take it into account when determining planning applications.

Further good practice advice for local authorities on the development control issues which these planning applications raise is set out in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Companion Guide to PPS22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class size was in (a) Bath and (b) North East Somerset in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in the latest period for which figures are available. [54366]

The requested information has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what services the media evaluation firm Metrica has provided to her Department in the past two years; and at what cost. [48570]

In the past two years Metrica has provided the Department with media evaluation of communications campaigns on Adult Basic Skills, Aimhigher, Aimhigher Student Finance, Beat Bullying, Education Maintenance Allowances and Foundation Degrees; of a partnership with Mersey TV; and of the White Paper "Higher Standards, Better Schools for All" It has also provided media evaluation of the National Teenage Pregnancy campaign as part of a contract with a public relations agency. The total cost of these projects in financial years 2004/05 and 2005/06 (to date) was £58.972.74, excluding VAT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she last met her counterparts from other EU states; and what was discussed. [51010]

The last meeting of EU Education Ministers was held on 15 November 2005 in Brussels and was chaired by the Secretary of State. I refer my hon. Friend to the Written Ministerial Statement given to the House on 21 November 2005, Official Report, columns 101–02WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils received free school meals in each school in Boston and Skegness constituency in the latest period for which figures are available. [53856]

The table shows information on free school meals taken as well as pupils known to be eligible for free schools meals.

Two sets of figures relating to the number and proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals are given here. The first includes all pupils in the school, regardless of their age. The second includes full time pupils aged up to (and including) 15 and part time pupils aged five to 15 (inclusive). This second coverage is as used in the Pupil Achievement Tracker and Ofsted's PANDA reports and provides consistent school level comparisons.

Maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools and pupil referral units: School meal arrangements—as at January 2005—Boston and Skegness parliamentary constituency

n/a = not applicable

⁽³⁾ Includes pupils with sole and dual registration of all ages.

⁽⁴⁾ Number of pupils who took a free school meal on the day of the census in January.

⁽⁵⁾ 1 or 2 pupils, or a rate based on 1 or 2 pupils.

⁽⁶⁾ Includes pupils with sole and dual registration who are full-time and aged 0 to 15 (inclusive) and those who are part-time and aged 5 to 15 (inclusive).

Source:

Annual Schools Census

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether her Department's (a) officials and (b) Ministers held discussions directly with the West Sussex (i) education director and (ii) cabinet members about the employment of an unsuitable teacher. [45934]

Officials will often discuss cases with local authorities. This may sometimes include direct discussions with education directors. There have been recent direct discussions between the Department and West Sussex Director of Children's Services. There have been no discussions with cabinet members.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which 10 universities incurred the (a) greatest and (b) least cost to the state per graduating student in the latest period for which figures are available. [39919]

Figures showing funding on higher education per full-time equivalent student were published in the Departmental for Education and Skills Departmental Report 2005 in June 2005, but comparable figures for individual higher education institutions are not calculated by the Department. The derivation of robust and meaningful figures for each institution would involve complex analysis of the data sources, which could be completed only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of bovine tuberculosis in UK cattle in the last 10 years were attributed to infection from cattle originating from Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [53018]

This information is not held centrally. However, cattle imported from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are tuberculin tested 60 days after import.

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

(1) how many staff were employed in her Department's tuberculosis field teams in each of the last three years; and how many she expects to be so employed by the end of 2006; [53014]

(2) what role she plans for her Department's tuberculosis field teams in any future badger cull arising from the current consultation; and if she will make a statement. [53015]

The following table shows the number of staff employed by Defra's Wildlife Unit on 1 January of each year.

Staff are working to conclude the final surveying element of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT), which has been running for the last seven years.

Decisions about the future of the unit will be taken after the current consultation on a badger culling policy has ended. The cost benefit analysis which supports our consultation shows that state operated culling could lead to higher costs and slower delivery compared with other options. So our intention is to redeploy or release workers who have carried out cage trapping at the end of the RBCT. Remaining staff, who could be used to support any future culling policy, will be retained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fixed penalty notices for dog fouling have been given by each local authority in each year since their introduction, listed in descending order. [45655]

Data are available for the number of fixed penalty notices issued for dog fouling offences by English local authorities from April 1997 through to March 2005. The table containing this data will be made available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of people employed in the farming industry in (a) Tamworth constituency, (b) Staffordshire and (c) the West Midlands. [53449]

The total number of people working on agricultural and horticultural holdings in June 2004 are as follows:

Notes:

1. Total employees includes full and part time regular workers, salaried managers and casual workers.

2. Total labour force included all employees plus farmers, partners, directors and their spouses if working on the holding.

3. The county of Staffordshire comprises of Staffordshire CC and Stoke- on-Trent.

Source:

June Agricultural Survey

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what publicly-funded assistance is available to a farmer wishing to convert to organic production. [49982]

Aid for farmers who wish to convert their land to organic production is available under Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS). This is the organic strand of Environmental Stewardship (ES) and is a "whole farm scheme" open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically and who are not receiving aid under the Organic Aid Scheme (OAS) or the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) which are now closed to new applicants.

Acceptance into the scheme is guaranteed providing an applicant meets all of its requirements, including ensuring that their organic land is registered with an Organic Inspection Body (OIB) before applying and that it remains continuously registered with an OIB for the five-year duration of the agreement.

Participants in the scheme are paid a flat rate of £60 per hectare per year for all their OELS eligible land. In addition, land undergoing conversion to organic is eligible for conversion aid top-up payments of:

£600 per hectare per year for the first three years of an OELS agreement for areas defined as top fruit orchards.

£175 per hectare per year for the first two years of an OELS agreement for areas defined as improved land.

OELS is administered by the Rural Development Service (RDS). Farmers can contact their local RDS office for advice on applying.

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

(1) on what occasions in the last 30 years the livestock industry has been required to pay for the compulsory testing of animals under the Notifiable Diseases Orders; and if she will make a statement; [53016]

(2) what the legal basis is for requiring the costs of compulsory notifiable disease testing to be met by the owners of livestock not intended for export; and if she will make a statement. [53017]

Government have generally provided the funding for control and eradication of notifiable diseases, and the framework through the State Veterinary Service.

Cost sharing on animal health issues between Government and industry is a key part of the Government's Animal Health and Welfare Strategy however. For example, from 27 March 2006, herd owners will be expected to cover the costs of their local veterinary inspector's time to carry out pre- or post-movement tests in certain circumstances for tuberculosis in cattle. The Government will continue to fund the provision of tuberculin and all routine surveillance testing at a cost of over £40 million per annum.

Pre-movement tests are a private transaction between a farmer and their Local Veterinary Inspector. Since the fee for the tests does not come to Defra, there is no charge involved that requires statutory authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the use of illegal snares; and if she will make a statement on the recent incident at Cramlington, Northumberland. [53648]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 24 January 2006, Official Report, column 1960W, on the assessment of the use of illegal snares.

Regarding the Cramlington incident, the Government condemn the illegal and/or misuse of snares. However, we do not comment on individual cases. It is for the police to consider if any offence has taken place and to decide if any prosecution should follow.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the relationship between Cabinda and (a) Angola and (b) Democratic Republic of Congo. [53861]

Cabinda is a province of Angola located in an enclave north of the Congo river and bordered to the South and East by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Cabinda has a Provincial Government which has the same structure as that of other Angolan provinces. The Governor of Cabinda is appointed by the central Government in Luanda.

The Government of the DRC has full diplomatic relations with the Angolan Government in Luanda, which governs the whole Angolan territory including Cabinda.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between the Government and Angola regarding the security situation in the province of Cabinda. [53862]

A representative of the British embassy in Luanda visited Cabinda in early February 2006. While there, he discussed a range of issues, including the security situation, with the Provincial Government and with representatives of various civil society and political groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will accompany the Queen on her forthcoming tour of the Baltic states. [52082]

It is my intention to do so, though with the Queen's consent, I may have to attend the European Council which may coincide with the end of her visit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with United States officials about (a) sanctions and (b) other measures against Iran for breaches of its international obligations in respect of its nuclear programme. [54210]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are in frequent contact with their counterparts in the US and other countries concerning Iran's nuclear programme. These discussions have covered possible future steps, including the various options that would be open to the United Nations Security Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with United States officials in 2005 on (a) support for a conditional security assurance to Iran and (b) the security assurance offered to Iran by France, Germany and the UK, acting as the E3, in August 2005. [54211]

During 2005, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary was in close touch with a wide range of international partners about Iran's nuclear programme, including the United States.

In August 2005, the UK, France and Germany presented to Iran proposals for a possible long-term agreement. These stated, inter alia, that, within the context of an overall agreement and Iran's fulfilment of its obligations under the non proliferation treaty, the United Kingdom and France would be prepared to reaffirm to Iran the unilateral security assurances given on 6 April 1995, and referred to in United Nations Security Council Resolution 984 (1995). The US expressed its broad support for the proposals. Iran rejected them without discussion or serious consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Sudanese People's Liberation Army to start withdrawing from the East of Sudan. [517955]

Under the terms of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA), with the exception of joint integrated units, all Northern forces must be redeployed out of the South and all Southern forces redeployed out of the North. This process is ongoing.

The southern Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) was due to withdraw from Eastern Sudan—which is considered part of Northern Sudan under the CPA—by 9 January 2006. The Joint Defence Board (JDB), which is made up of representatives of both the North and South, agreed that the SPLA redeployment should be postponed by one month. This redeployment has not yet happened and discussions between the parties on the timescale for SPLA withdrawal continue. Whilst we continue to press the parties to fully implement the CPA, we support them in maintaining dialogue through the appropriate channels, such as the JDB, to resolve any difficulties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's latest estimate is of the number of Zimbabwean refugees to have fled to (a) Mozambique, (b) South Africa, (c) Botswana and (d) Zambia in the last 12 months. [49311]

It is impossible to estimate accurately the number of Zimbabweans who have fled from the political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe to neighbouring countries. Very few apply for refugee status. Most try to formalise their stay with work permits, or are prepared to remain as illegal immigrants. However, we believe the number of Zimbabweans living in the Southern African region, but outside of Zimbabwe, to be approximately two to three million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Prime Minister's answer of 18 January 2006, Official Report, column 842, whether her statement on waiting list and waiting times reductions applies to (a) audiology tests and (b) the fitting of hearing aids in hospitals. [45319]

The Prime Minister was referring to reductions in waiting lists and times for in-patient and day case treatment. The vast majority of audiology patients are seen in out-patients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the 18-week waiting requirements will apply to audiology departments for the referral, assessment and fitting of digital hearing aids. [49240]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she plans to take to reach her 18-week target in 2008 for the fitting of the new digital hearing aids. [52024]

We are considering the results of a recent listening exercise on the principles and definitions to govern the scope of the 18-week pathway. In the light of comments received, we will publish conclusions in the spring. To go further on audiology at this stage would pre-empt those conclusions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health

(1) what the net NHS funding contribution for (a) general dentist services and (b) personal dentist service dentistry has been in each year since 1997–98; [31907]

(2) what total (a) gross and (b) net expenditure on (i) personal and (ii) general dental services has been in each year since 1997–98 expressed in (A) real and (B) nominal terms. [53083]

The tables show gross and net expenditure on general dental services (GDS) and gross expenditure on personal dental services (PDS) pilots. Expenditure on GDS since 1998–99 has been affected by the progressive movement of services into PDS pilots. Charge income from PDS pilots is not separately identified in national health service accounts up to 2004–05, so it is not possible to provide data for net PDS expenditure based on NHS accounts. Based on estimates obtained from Dental Practice Board payments data, we estimate that PDS expenditure in 2004–05 net of patient charge income was around £240 million.

Expenditure on the general dental service, England -- £ million

⁽⁷⁾ Expenditure data for 1997–98 to 1999–2000 is based on cash data in appropriation accounts. Data from 2000–01 onwards is based on the relevant resource accounts data from health authorities (HAs) and primary care trusts (PCTs). This is to reflect the change in Department of Health Accountancy practices.

⁽⁸⁾ Revalued to 2004–05 prices using the gross domestic product (GDP) deflator index (December 2005).

⁽⁹⁾ Net expenditure represents the cost of the service after taking account of dental charge income collected from patients.

Gross expenditure on personal dental service pilots, England -- £ million

⁽¹⁰⁾ Expenditure data is based on the relevant resource accounts data from HAs and PCTs.

⁽¹¹⁾ NHS accounts data up to 2004–05 does not separately identify all elements of PDS gross expenditure. See note 3 for 2004–05 data.

⁽¹²⁾ An estimate of gross PDS expenditure based on payments data obtained from Dental Practice Board.

⁽¹³⁾ Revalued to 2004–05 prices using the GDP deflator index (December 2005).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders were issued in the London borough of Havering in 2005; and how many of them were breached. [53238]

The number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued at all courts, as notified to the Home Office from 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2005 (latest available), in which prohibitions have been imposed in the London borough of Havering is 10.

ASBO breach data are currently available from 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2003 for ASBOs issued since 1 June 2000. These data are available at criminal justice system area level only.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many child curfew orders have been issued in the Peterborough city council local authority area since 2001. [52325]