To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of economic growth in Shropshire in 2004–05; and if he will make a statement. [55132]

The ONS has not yet published economic growth figures for local authorities for 2004–05. However, the latest figures show the West Midlands was the second fastest growing region in the UK between 2003–04 after the North East, and that between 1997 and 2003 the Shropshire economy has grown by 37 per cent. Unemployment levels are also close to record lows, and the employment rate well above the national average of 74.3 per cent.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the economic effects of the welfare to work policies. [55133]

Since 1998, the new deal has helped over 1.6 million people into work, including 630,000 young people, 250,000 unemployed adults, and 500,000 lone parents. New deal for disabled people and pathways to work have now helped over 120,000 incapacity benefit claimants into work. Independent research has shown the effectiveness of welfare to work policies, with the new deal for young people alone having estimated benefits to the economy of up to £500 million a year, and each additional job achieved through new deal for lone parents resulting in an economic gain to society of £4,400.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to achieve full employment in the three northern regions. [55134]

The Government's measure to achieve full employment in the three northern regions are built on a platform of macro-economic stability, continued investment in the new deal, investment in skills and training, and policies to make work pay. These policies have led to near record levels of employment in those regions.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on the economy of the change in unemployment since 1997. [55135]

In 1997, unemployment was over 2 million. Since then employment has risen by more than 2.3 million and unemployment has fallen by over half a million. Unemployment is now close to record lows last seen in the 1970s and it has also fallen in every region and country in the UK.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to increase pensioner household incomes. [55137]

This Government believe that a fair society guarantees security in old age and ensures that all pensioners can share in rising national prosperity and continue to play an active part in society.

Government measure have increased pensioner income directly through the basic state pension, pension credit, winter fuel payments and through additional age-related payments to help pensioners with council tax and other living expenses. The incomes of pensioner households have also been improved indirectly through reductions in the cost of public services such as free local area bus travel, prescriptions and eye tests for those over 65, and free TV licences for those over the age of 75.

Personal tax and benefit changes mean that the average pensioner household will be £26 a week better off in 2006–07. The poorest 10 per cent. of pensioners will be £42 a week better off in 2006–07 than they would have been under the 1997 system.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Department for Transport on the review of the tonnage tax. [55138]

The Chancellor of the Exchequer does from time-to-time hold meetings with the Secretary of State for Transport to discuss a range of subjects.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on levels of overpayment of tax credits. [55140]

The Government receive a number of representations on tax credits, including the level of overpayments. The pre-Budget report included a package of measures to make the tax credits system work better for families, providing more certainty over their tax credits award, while maintaining flexibility to respond to falls in income and changes in circumstances. These changes should contribute towards a reduction in the level of overpayments.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the cost to public funds of errors in the tax credit system. [42174]

Costs to public funds arising from errors in the tax credit system are included in HMRC's accounts, and losses and write-offs are specifically disclosed. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Department's latest published accounts, available at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/annual_reps.htm and, in particular, part two of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on those accounts.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Northern Ireland have been awarded tax credits who had income of (a) £10,000 to £19,999, (b) £20,000 to £29,999, (c) £30,000 to £39,999 and (d) £40,000 to £50,000. [54152]

Final income data are currently available only for 2003–04. Table 2.9 of Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised awards. 2003–04" shows the average, taken over 2003–04, of the number of in-work families in each band of income used to calculate tax credit entitlement and with positive finalised 2003–04 awards. This document can be found at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-annual-0304.pdf. The figures for Northern Ireland appear in the following table:

Thousand

Note:

Figures are based on a sample of cases, and subject to sampling uncertainty. Some families were not required to report their 2003–04 incomes unless it could make a difference to the value of their award. Others failed to report these incomes. All families not reporting 2003–04 incomes appear in the table according to their 2001–02 incomes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on progress on the implementation of the Gershon review of public sector efficiency. [55141]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate earlier today.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims were made for child benefit after the death of (a) a child and (b) a newly born child in the last year for which figures are available. [54561]

In 2005, about 3,300 child benefit claims were reduced or stopped following the death of a child. No figures are readily available of which such claims were received after the death, or which such children were newly born.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to encourage greater take-up of Child Trust Fund vouchers by those parents who have not done so to date. [55004]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on the floor of the House earlier today to the hon. Member for Livingston.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made on 100 per cent. bilateral and 100 per cent. multilateral debt relief for the poorest countries. [53201]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with international Finance Ministers on tackling world debt. [52663]

At the G8 meeting in Moscow Finance Ministers called for full implementation of commitments made on the multilateral debt relief initiative, aid effectiveness, and increasing resources for development. They supported the decision by the IMF Board to implement 100 per cent. debt relief for 19 countries and encouraged the World Bank and African Development Bank to finalize urgently all necessary steps for implementation.

Russia also announced that it will be providing 100 per cent. debt relief to the heavily indebted poor countries. With this step forward the G8 are now all providing additional debt cancellation on the bilateral debts of HIPCs.

The UK has also proposed going further than the existing list of HIPC countries to extend relief to all low-income countries that can use the debt service savings effectively for poverty reduction. The UK is paying 10 per cent. of the share of the debt interest payments of the eligible non- HIPC countries.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of tax income came from green taxes in (a) 1997 and (b) 2005. [55139]

The information requested on the green taxes (landfill tax, Climate Change Levy and Aggregates Levy) is given in the following table.

⁽¹⁾ Landfill tax, climate change levy and aggregates levy cash receipts

Source:

HM Revenue and Customs

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the income per head in the Peterborough constituency was in each of the last five years. [54913]

Information on the mean and median of total income by constituency can be found in table 3.15 Total Income by Parliamentary Constituency" on the HM Revenue and Customs internet website. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#315.

The information is available only for 2002–03 and 2003–04.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many residents in the Peterborough constituency paid inheritance tax in each of the last five years. [54912]

Figures for estates paying inheritance tax are not available at local levels.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken to ensure that the Register for Births, Marriages and Deaths will not suffer from inaccuracies as a result of the Office for National Statistics' decision to move it to India. [54796]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 2 March 2006

As Registrar General, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the steps taken to ensure that the Register for Births, Marriage and Deaths will not suffer from inaccuracies as a result of work being undertaken in India. (54796)

The Office for National Statistics has entered a contract with Siemens Business Services to digitise records for birth, marriage and death information held by the Registrar General for purposes of producing certified copies of the entry on request.

The records that are going to be digitised are copies of the birth, marriage and death records held by the Registrar General for England and Wales at the General Register Office. The original records, which are the entries in registers held locally around the country at register offices, are not being sent to India.

Information in civil registration records is accessible by any person within the legal frame work that governs the issue of certified copies of entries in birth, marriage and death registers (certificates). Digitisation of these records will not change the position. Access will continue to only be via certificates.

The Registrar General is sent a certified copy of all entries made in registers of live-births, still-births, marriages and deaths. These form the central archive of civil registration records in England and Wales and for many years have been microfilmed by the Registrar General for the purposes of producing certificates on request. A digital image will be created in the UK from these microfilmed records. These images will be encrypted to ensure they cannot be accessed illegally and sent electronically to India.

Some fields will be data-captured by operators based in India, fully supported by sophisticated computer techniques including character recognition software and look up tables of English and Welsh names and place names.

There will be strict security and audit controls built into the process including physical security of data and vetting of staff. Once these fields and images have been subjected to rigorous data quality and validation checks, the images and data will be returned to the UK for further validation and quality assurance before acceptance testing is undertaken by General Register Office staff based in Southport. Once the General Register Office has accepted the digitised records, all images and data records held on off-shore computers will be deleted. The size of the contract to carry out the digitisation of these records required the Registrar General to follow rules governing public procurement in the European Union and therefore advertise for tenders via the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). We have ensured that an open and competitive tender was carried out where the short-listed suppliers were selected after a transparent and thorough evaluation. The OJEU process does not allow for the General Register Office to restrict contract work to be carried out only in the UK.

The General Register Office will continue to issue certificates and therefore staff will continue to be employed to carry out this work. The digitisation of civil registration records will enable certificates to be supplied more efficiently and provide improved services for customers.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the most recent population figures provided by the Office for National Statistics for West Lancashire. [52777]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question about what assessment of the accuracy of the most recent population figures provided by the Office for National Statistics has been made for West Lancashire. (52777)

Population estimates are calculated using an internationally respected methodology. Further information can be found in the detailed methodology guide Making a population estimate in England and Wales'. This is published here: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product,asp?vlnk=575

It is becoming increasingly difficult to estimate the size of the population because of changes in society, which include increased mobility and different living arrangements. The decennial Census provides a benchmark against which national and sub-national population estimates can be assessed. Substantial work has been done on the difference between mid-year population estimates and the 2001 Census. This work is summarised in the final report of the 2004 Local Authority Population Studies, which can be found here: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/LAStudy_FullReport.pdf

These studies confirmed that the 2001 Census had worked well in most areas, including West Lancashire, but there were a few cases where the adjustment for under-enumeration was not able to adjust sufficiently for exceptional circumstances. This work, together with revised international migration estimates, accounted for a large proportion of the initial 1.1 million difference between mid year estimates and the Census; reducing the difference to a little over 0.2 million

In addition, extensive annual quality assurance is undertaken in order to ensure the accuracy of the annual mid-year estimates. Quality assurance starts with detailed checking of the source data used in the components of change (birth, deaths, etc.). Procedures are then in place to ensure that these data sources are correctly processed when deriving the estimates. The calculated national and sub-national estimates, for all 376 local authorities in England and Wales, are then subject to a further set of quality assurance procedures before they are published. These procedures include reviews of sex ratios and age profiles, comparisons of change over time, and comparisons of fertility and mortality rates. Substantial effort has already been undertaken, in recent years, to improve the quality assurance of population estimates.

ONS is also now investing substantially in a project to Improve Migration and Population Statistics (IMPS). (More information on this project can be found at: www-statistics.gov.uk/IMPS). The key aims of this project are to reduce the size of the difference between the 2011 Census results and the mid-year estimates and to better understand any difference that does remain. As part of this project, we are developing a data comparator tool to enable us to compare the annual mid-year estimates against a range of administrative sources. This work is ongoing and the results will inform our understanding of the accuracy of the mid-year population estimates. The tool was trialled in the mid-2004 population estimates, which were published in August 2005.

Another strand of the IMPS project is a review of the quality assurance procedures that are currently in place for population estimates. One of the aims of this review is to assess what improvements can be made to existing procedures, and determine whether additional quality assurance is required.

ONS also produces population projections for each local authority area. The methodology used in the production of the subnational population projections is an established and recognised methodology. Subnational population projections undergo extensive quality assurance before publication. In addition, local authorities and health authorities are consulted on the first year of migration assumptions used as the baseline trend for migration.

Population estimates and projections are supplied to the QDPM, I understand that ODPM make checks to ensure that the data as provided by the ONS have been correctly entered into their calculations for allocating Formula Grant to local authorities. Otherwise, they do not make any assessment of accuracy of the data supplied, as this responsibility lies with the ONS.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate total public sector pension liabilities on the basis of discount rates of (a) inflation plus 3.5 per cent., (b) inflation plus 2.8 per cent., (c) the yield on AA-rated corporate bonds and (d) the yield on long-term government debt. [48202]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates the unfunded public service pension liability to have been at 31 March 2005. [48345]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the aggregate net present value of public sector pension liabilities is, using a discount rate equivalent to the current yield on long-dated indexed linked Government debt at 31 January 2006; and what the estimated value of funds accumulated under funded schemes was at 31 January 2006. [50777]

I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave on the Floor of the House earlier today to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Dunne).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the taxation yield from (a) small and medium sized businesses, (b) large businesses and (c) business taxes in total in each year since 1997. [54737]

Figures for corporation tax payable by companies are provided in Table T11.3 of HM Revenue and Customs Statistics, published on the internet. The latest table includes information for each tax year between 1997–98 and 2003–04 (see link): http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/11_3_oct05.pdf.

A breakdown between small and medium sized and large businesses is not available; however, the table does provide a breakdown of profits chargeable to corporation tax at the main rate and at the small companies' rate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers there were in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland in each year since 1992–93. [54643]

The estimated number of income taxpayers by country can be found on National Statistics table 2.2 'Number of income taxpayers, by country' on HM Revenue and Customs' website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_tax/table2–2.xls.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Milton Keynes paid (a) income tax and (b) the top rate of income tax in each of the last eight years. [54669]

Information on the number of taxpayers by unitary authority and by constituency can be found in tables 3.14 Total income by borough and district or unitary authority" and 3.15 Total Income by Parliamentary Constituency" on the HM Revenue and Customs internet website. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#315.

Information on the number of taxpayers by unitary authority is available for the years 1999–2000 to 2003–04 while similar information by constituency is available for the years 2002–03 and 2003–04 only.

A breakdown by tax bands is not available because the sample sizes for marginal rates at these levels of geography are very small and demonstrate a large variability year on year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2006, Official Report, column 1398W, on the Valuation Office Agency, how many full-time equivalent staff (a) are employed by the agency and (b) were employed in each year since 1997–98. [54555]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) on 11 November 2005, Official Report, column 777W. As at 1 February 2006 the Valuation Office Agency employed 4,918 staff.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency has access to data held within the National Land and Property Gazetteer. [54556]

Yes.

To ask the Prime Minister whether any (a) employee of his office, (b) person engaged by his office as a consultant and (c) paid adviser is a member of the House of Lords; and if he will make a statement. [52745]

For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) on 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 51W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway crime incidents were reported to the British Transport Police in the Swansea area in 2004–05; and if he will make a statement. [53112]

There were 402 notifiable and 435 non-notifiable offences recorded by the British Transport Police (BTP) within the area covered by BTP's Swansea police station during the financial year 2004–05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of railway track have been replaced in each of the past 20 years; what the average age was of the replaced track; and what proportion of the rail network the replacement track represented. [52656]

This is an operational matter for Network Rail and I have asked them to reply directly to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1467W, on violence against passengers, how many victims of (a) wounding, (b) robbery, (c) harassment, (d) common assault, (e) sexual offences and (f) murder were recorded by the British Transport Police in each year since 1998–99. [48270]

The information is as follows:

The Home Office introduced a National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) that all police forces across England and Wales were required to adopt from 1 April 2002. The NCRS had the effect of increasing the number of recorded crimes by an average of 22 per cent. in all forces in England and Wales. BTP adopted this standard on 1 April 2002. The principle of NCRS is that if, on the balance of probability, a crime has been committed it is recorded as a crime. The standard has made crime recording more victim-focused.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many private meetings Ministers in her Department have had with the National Farmers Union in the last three years; and what the date was of each such meetings. [55271]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Ministers in this Department meet external stakeholders, including the NFU, regularly as business warrants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to encourage the water companies to reduce leakage in the water infrastructure. [54429]

Water companies are under a duty to develop and maintain an efficient and economical system of water supply. Since 1996 Ofwat has assessed water company performance against leakage targets that balance the needs of customers and the environment. This approach has resulted in a reduction in leakage of around 29 per cent. since its peak in 1994–95. Most water companies are now at their economic level of leakage which is the level of leakage at which it would cost more to make further reductions than to produce water from another source.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what official business she undertook on her new year visit to Tunisia. [55246]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with which voluntary organisations her Department has a formal national Compact agreement. [50270]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Paul Goggins) on 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 107W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many child care places have closed in each year since 1980, broken down by type. [50797]

holding answer 15 February 2006

We are unable to provide figures for annual closures of childcare places for the period prior to 1998, and cannot provide details of closures of places with child minders for years prior to 2001.

The numbers of places closing each year from 1998 onwards are as shown in the following table:

The net increase in the stock of each of these types of child care between 1999/2000 and 2004/05 is 253,775 full daycare places, 215,439 out of school places and 11,163 child minder places.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects the remit of the Children's Information Services to be extended to provide information for parents of children up to of age 19 years. [53573]

Clause 12 of the Childcare Bill, currently before Parliament, would place an extended duty on English local authorities to provide information on services, facilities or publications which may be of benefit to parents, prospective parents, children and young persons in their area. Children and young persons include all persons up to their 20th birthday. The Bill builds on the current duty in section 118A of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, as amended by section 149 of the 2002 Education Act, to provide information on the provision of child care and related services. Authorities fulfil the duty by running children's information services (CISs). Many CISs are already making good progress in extending their services. We will encourage local authorities to move towards ensuring their information services provide the facilities envisaged in the Bill, so that, subject to parliamentary approval, the full service is ready when the duty comes into force, which is planned for April 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the draft guidance on information sharing for all practitioners who work with children, young people and families. [53579]

Consultation on the draft cross-Government information sharing guidance for practitioners working with children, young people and families ran from 23 August to 15 November 2005. A total of 257 responses was received from a wide range of statutory and voluntary bodies and professional and representative organisations. We also consulted with children and young people themselves. We are now refining the guidance in the light of comments we have received and intend to publish the revised guidance in the spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made in introducing a new accountability system for (a) funding, (b) planning, (c) monitoring, (d) audit and (e) inspection arrangements for (i) colleges and (ii) other educational providers in the lifelong learning sector. [53536]

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has a statutory responsibility to plan and fund high quality education and training to deliver Government's priorities and targets for post-16 learning and skills. The LSC's agenda for change" published in August 2005 set out proposals for a programme of radical transformation in response to the challenge of developing an effective, efficient and dynamic learning and skills sector. Their proposals, including those for simplifying funding and streamlining data collection and monitoring, have been well received by colleges and other providers in the sector. We have made significant progress by reducing the audit burden on colleges through abolishing the detailed end-year funding claim and reconciliation for most institutions. In addition, the inspectorates introduced a lighter touch inspection regime last year which will further reduce bureaucracy for providers. Building on Success for All" and responding to the challenges set out by Sir Andrew Foster in Realising the Potential" the Government will soon be publishing their own proposals for reforming the sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the implementation of the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services. [53576]

The National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services is a key element for delivering the Government's Every Child Matters agenda. It will help to deliver the five outcomes: being healthy and staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic well being. The NSF is a 10-year programme and by 2014 we expect health, social care and education services to have met the standards set out in it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she has taken to improve procurement in the children, young people and families sector; and what savings have been made as a consequence. [53417]

This Government are committed to improving efficiency and value for money in education and has taken a number of steps to achieve this in the children young people and families sector, including:

Identifying best practice in children's services commissioning

Working in partnership with Regional Centres of Excellence on areas of joint interest

Developing interactive guidance on best practice in procurement.

We will be measuring efficiency gains from a range of specific initiatives which contribute to our Gershon efficiency target, including those in the children, young people and families sector. These are set out in our Efficiency Technical Note at www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/docs/DfES%20Efficiency%20Technical%20Note.doc. In most cases, the gains are recyclable at the frontline into other activities rather than being clawed back by the Department. The Department is reporting progress towards our overall efficiency target through existing departmental reporting processes. We reported progress towards our target in the Department's Autumn Performance Report and will report further progress in the Departmental Annual Report which we expect to publish in April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many undergraduate students declared themselves bankrupt in London in 2005. [54707]

48 borrowers with publicly owned student loans, whose awarding local authority is in London, have so far informed the Student Loans Company that they became bankrupt in calendar year 2005. There may be delays between borrowers becoming bankrupt and notifying the Student Loans Company, therefore this figure could increase in future.

Figures separately identifying borrowers who took out loans as undergraduates from those who took out loans to fund postgraduate initial teacher training courses, are not available.

The Higher Education Act 2004 included provisions to prevent student loans being written off on discharge from bankruptcy. However bankrupt borrowers continue to benefit from the same non-commercial loan terms as other borrowers, with subsidised interest rates and no obligation to repay if their annual income is below £15,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of changes in the Foundation Stage Profile results for Sure Start Local Programme areas in the last three years. [52393]

At the end of each school year (beginning in 2003) my Department collects the Foundation Stage Profile results from each of the 150 English local authorities. Using postcode data we identify the results of those children living in Sure Start Local Programme Areas.

Overall national summary data for FSP was first published in 2003 as 'Experimental Statistics' and in 2004 as 'National Statistics'. However, a background of ongoing improvements to teacher assessment and moderation make it very difficult to draw meaningful statistical judgements about the progress made in Sure Start areas in the last three years. The dataset for 2005 is not strictly comparable with the results in earlier years. My Department considers that the 2005 figures represent the most robust baseline against which progress in Sure Start areas can be effectively monitored. The figures for 2005 are shown in the tables.

Percentage of children achieving each scale score in the 13 assessment scales of the Foundation Stage Profile in all areas in England, 2005⁽²⁾

Percentage of children achieving each scale score in the 13 assessment scale of the Foundation Stage Profile in Sure Start areas in England, 2005⁽²⁾

⁽²⁾ Aggregation of LEA level results.

⁽³⁾ The number of points achieved does not necessarily represent a straight progression through the scale. For example, 11 per cent. of children in all areas achieved 6 points in PSE: DA. This does not mean that they have necessarily achieved all the points from 1–6 as it is possible they could have achieved, for example, point 7 but not point 3.

⁽⁴⁾ A scale score of 0 indicates where it has not been possible to record an assessment.

⁽⁵⁾ A scale score of 1–3 indicates working towards the Early Learning Goals.

⁽⁶⁾ A scale score of 4–7 indicates working within the Early Learning Goals.

⁽⁷⁾ A scale score of 8–9 indicates achieving all of, or working beyond the Early Learning Goals.

⁽⁸⁾ A scale score of 6 or more indicates working securely within the Early Learning Goals.

Key:

PSE: DA—Personal, social and emotional development: Dispositions and attitudes

PSE: SD—Personal, social and emotional development: Social development

PSE: ED—Personal, social and emotional development: Emotional development

CLL: LCT—Communication, language and literacy: Language for communication and thinking

CLL: LSL—Communication, language and literacy: Linking sounds and letters

CLL: R—Communication, language and literacy: Reading

CLL: W—Communication, language and literacy: Writing

MAT: NLC—Mathematical development: Numbers as labels for counting

MAT: C—Mathematical development: Calculating

MAT: SSM—Mathematical development: Shape, space and measures

KUW—Knowledge and understanding of the world

PD—Physical development

CD—Creative development

Source:

FSP aggregate dataset

Our assessment of the available results shows that national movements in attainment over the last three years have also been reflected in Sure Start areas. There does however continue to be a gap in achievement between areas of disadvantage and the national average and this is why £538 million has been made available for capital investment and £487 million for revenue investment in children's centres services, focussing on the most deprived areas.

The final figures on the Foundation Stage Profile in England were published in Statistical First Release 03/2006 Foundation Stage Profile 2005: National Results (Final)" on February 16, a copy of which is available on my Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the management costs imposed by local authorities for the administration of Sure Start. [54083]

From April 2006 revenue funding for Sure Start local programmes will be paid through local authorities as part of the General Sure Start Grant instead of to the individual local programmes as at present. These new arrangements will allow authorities to make savings on administration costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of university places in England have been taken up by pupils from each (a) socioeconomic class and (b) income decile in each year since 1978–79. [41444]

The available figures on the social background of students obtaining places on full-time undergraduate courses in the UK are shown in the following tables; information on the family income of these students is not held centrally. The figures are limited to students who applied to full-time undergraduate courses via the various application organisations, and they do not therefore cover part-time students nor those full-time students who apply directly to higher education institutions.

Since 1994, figures have been published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). In previous years, figures were published separately by the Universities Central Council on Admissions (UCCA), which covered applicants to universities funded by the Universities Funding Council (UGC), and the Polytechnics Central Admissions System (PCAS), which covered the polytechnics and higher education colleges. UCAS, UCCA and PCAS all published figures for institutions in the UK, and PCAS did not collect details of social background prior to 1991.

Accepted applicants to universities in the UK by social class

⁽⁹⁾ Proportions are based on students who provided details of their background, and exclude non-respondents. Between 1980 and 1982, the social class distribution was based on a 10 per cent. sample of students; in later years all students were required to provide the data. Up until 1984 social class was collected only for students with A levels.

Source:

Universities Central Council on Admissions (UCCA).

Accepted applicants to polytechnic and HE colleges in the UK by social class⁽¹⁰⁾

⁽¹⁰⁾ PCAS did not collect social class data prior to 1991.

⁽¹¹⁾ Proportions are based on students who provided details of their background, and exclude non-respondents.

Source:

Polytechnics Central Admission System (PCAS).

Accepted applicants to higher education institutions in the UK by social class

⁽¹²⁾ Proportions are based on students who provided details of their background, and exclude non-respondents.

Source:

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Accepted applicants to higher education institutions in the UK by socio-economic group

⁽¹³⁾ Proportions are based on students who provided details of their background, and exclude non-respondents.

⁽¹⁴⁾ The socio-economic classification was introduced in 2002–03 to replace the social class categories. The socio-economic groupings are not directly comparable to social classes.

Source:

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes) of 2 February 2006, Official Report, columns 690–91W, on university students, what percentage of students from socio-economic classes four to seven there were in each higher education institution in the north east in 2003–04. [54627]

Information for higher education institutions is published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in the annual publication Performance Indicators in Higher Education". The latest available figures on the percentage of young full-time first degree entrants from National Statistics—Socio Economic Classes (NS-SEC) 4, 5, 6 and 7 are shown in the table.

Percentage of young full-time first degree entrants from National Statistics—Socio Economic Classes 4–7 at HE institutions in the north east 2003/04

⁽¹⁵⁾ 4: small employers and own account workers;

5: lower supervisory and technical occupations;

6: semi-routine occupations;

7: routine occupations.

Source:

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) 'Performance Indicators in HE'

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills with which voluntary organisations the Department has a formal national Compact agreement. [50264]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office on 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 107W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the costs of the Arbuthnott Commission Report were; and if he will make a statement. [53724]

The full costs of the Arbuthnott Commission are expected to be in the region of £245,000 but cannot be established until all final invoices have been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the membership of the Arbuthnott Commission; and what remuneration was paid to each member for serving on the Commission. [53725]

Membership of the Arbuthnott Commission is set out in their report, a copy of which was sent to all hon. Members with a Scottish constituency. No member of the Arbuthnott Commission received remuneration, however, they were entitled to claim for relevant travel and expenses associated with their work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with Scottish Executive Ministers on the Arbuthnott Commission Report; and if he will make a statement. [53726]

My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with Scottish Executive Ministers on a range of matters. The Report makes 24 recommendations, some of which are for the Government, some for the Scottish Executive and others for the Electoral Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the erection of new electricity pylons in Scotland as it affects (a) energy and (b) planning policy is a (i) reserved and (ii) devolved matter. [56155]

Installation of a high-voltage transmission line requires consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989. In Scotland functions under s.37 were executively devolved in 1999 and are exercised by Ministers of the Scottish Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he had with the Department of Trade and Industry on consumer protection measures to protect the public in Scotland from solvent abuse. [54178]

My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet ministerial colleagues to discuss a wide range of issues. The UK Government as well as the Scottish Executive are committed to tackling the continuing problem of solvent abuse and increasing awareness of the problem.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make Commonwealth Day a national holiday. [55940]

The Government receives a variety of suggestions for new or different bank holidays. However, it is not possible to please everyone as to who or what should be celebrated. Unlike Northern Ireland, where St Patrick's Day is a bank holiday, bank and public holidays in Great Britain do not, by tradition, commemorate particular individuals, events, or institutions, other than those associated with Christmas and Easter. The present pattern of bank holidays is well established and accepted, and we have no current plans to change the arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the recent statement of objections by the Office of Fair Trading on exchange of information by public schools on fees charged. [55397]

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is the United Kingdom's independent competition regulator. It has a duty to investigate and address anti-competitive conduct and enforce competition law. It has investigated the exchange of information between independent schools about the fees they charge. On 27 February 2005, the OFT issued a statement that they have agreed in principle to accept a proposal from the Independent Schools Council Steering Group for an ex-gratia payment from the schools concerned to be made which would bring the investigation to an end.

This is a matter for the Office of Fair Trading. The Government has no substantive role in individual cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry with which voluntary organisations the Department has a formal national Compact agreement. [50269]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 107W by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 19 December 2006, Official Report, column 2324W, on full pint legislation, when he expects to publish proposals for consolidating and simplifying the weights and measures provisions relating to food. [54788]

The timing of the consultation on a new Order, consolidating and simplifying the weights and measures provisions relating to food, remains dependent on the progress of discussions in the European Council and Parliament of the Commission's proposals on specified quantities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2006, Official Report, column 1079W, on Apache helicopters, what original date was set for the provision of a full complement of (a) Apache helicopters, (b) fully trained pilots and (c) fully trained engineers; what the current target date is in each case; and if he will make a statement. [51883]

The original contract delivery date for the final Apache helicopter was January 2004. This was changed to April 2004 to incorporate System Enhancements into those aircraft remaining to be delivered and achieved. The Retrofit Programme for those aircraft already delivered in the earlier part of the contract was originally due to be completed in June 2005, but is now due to complete in March 2006.

The planned date for the provision of a full complement of Apache pilots was July 2006. The Army Air Corps is halfway through the conversion programme of pilots to the Apache helicopter and the full establishment is now expected to be reached in 2010. However, we expect all three Apache Regiments to be combat ready, with sufficient pilots in each Regiment, by December 2008. This level of manning will enable each Regiment to deploy on operations.

The planned date for full manning of Apache helicopter engineers is July 2007 and we expect this date to be met.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to minimise the number of his Department's vehicles entering the London congestion charge zone. [54886]

Departmental policy requires that all travel is arranged in the most cost-effective manner. The congestion charge is only one of the factors that would be taken into account when deciding the most economical mode of transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has paid for vehicles entering the London congestion charge zone in each year since it was introduced; and how much of that sum is accounted for by (a) military vehicles, (b) white fleet and (c) privately-owned vehicles. [54887]

Military vehicles are exempt from congestion charges. 'White Fleet' (administrative vehicles) and privately-owned vehicles used for MOD business journeys are liable for congestion charges, but records of congestion charge payments made by the Department are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of defence contracts were awarded to BAE Systems in (a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04 and (c) 2004–05; what the value was in each case; and how many were won through competitive tenders. [54098]

Based on data derived centrally from the Defence Bills Agency database, the following table details by value the proportion of contracts, and those won in competition, awarded directly to BAE Systems and their subsidiaries. The database represents the vast bulk of payments to the Ministry of Defence contractors but excludes local imprest accounts, contracts placed on behalf of other Government Departments, collaborative contracts placed through European Government Agencies and those awarded by MOD's trading fund agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value was of receipts from (a) royalties, (b) compensation and insurance receipts and (c) sales of licences that were (i) appropriated in aid of his Department and (ii) surrendered to the Consolidated Fund in each financial year since 1997–98. [53667]

The majority of receipts from royalties and sales of licences are managed by the Ministry of Defence's Intellectual Property Rights Group, and arise from the use of crown copyright, patents and trade marks and database rights. Receipts for the period 1997–98 to 2004–05 are detailed in the table:

It is possible that other receipts arising from royalties and sales of licences have been received within other areas of the Department; however, this information is not readily identifiable and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Receipts from compensation and insurance claims are collated through the Ministry of Defence's Directorate of Safety and Claims which has published Annual Reports for the years requested, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

All receipts were appropriated in aid of the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) whether the armed forces use electric shock collars to train their dogs; [52385]

(2) what training methods each of the armed forces uses to train dogs; and what training devices each employs. [52386]

Dog training within the Armed Forces is conducted at the Defence Animal Centre. Training is supervised and conducted in progressive stages, and the dogs are trained wearing either a plain leather collar or a high visibility harness with a rope or leather lead. Training is reward-based, including verbal praise, physical play or a combination of the two. No devices (such as electric shock collars) are used in the evaluation, training or retraining of Service dogs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the Government authorised Odyssey Marine Exploration to undertake salvage work on the wreck of HMS Sussex. [53452]

Odyssey Marine Exploration independently located the site and requested a licence to undertake an archaeological excavation with a view to recovering the cargo. A multi-departmental Project Board concluded that there was a danger of the site being subject to illicit salvage. Having considered Odyssey's competence in deep ocean archaeological excavation the Board concluded that it was preferable to manage the project in co-operation with the finder, ensuring that the site was excavated responsibly and to the fullest possible extent in accordance with good archaeological practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were awarded a war pension in each of the past five years, broken down by the type of injury and illness for which they were awarded. [53658]

holding answer 27 February 2006

The information is not held in the format requested.

However, we can provide the number of cases where an ongoing war pension was awarded in each of the past five years for the twelve month period 1 October to the following 30 September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what joint training exercises have been conducted between the Royal Air Force, Army and Royal Marines with their equivalent counterparts in the armed forces of Pakistan since January 2002; and in what type of terrain these exercises were conducted. [55111]

Since January 2002 exercise opportunities with Pakistani armed forces have been limited. The Army and Royal Air Force have had no interaction. Royal Navy units operating in the Indian Ocean do have regular contact, both for operations and training. The Joint Warfare Staff in the Permanent Joint Headquarters conducted an Overseas Joint Operations Planning Course in the Pakistani Joint Services HQ in Islamabad over the period 6 to 10 February 2006. It was attended by 47 officers from all three armed services. The course did not include a field phase.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) officers and (b) crew are carried on each Leaf class tanker. [55540]

The complement for each of the four Leaf class tankers is set out in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Leaf class tankers are available; and at what notice in each case. [55541]

All four Leaf class tankers are available for tasking by Fleet and all are at a high readiness state.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK citizens under 45 years of age have undertaken basic military training. [53268]

Data regarding the number of UK citizens under 45 years of age who have under taken basic military training, are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department have made of the use of unmanned surface vehicles in mine clearance. [54375]

During war fighting operations minefields are breached rather than cleared, to maintain our tempo and freedom of manoeuvre. On non-war fighting operations comprehensive mine clearance is generally undertaken by humanitarian organisations, rather than the armed forces. Unmanned surface vehicles have some utility in such mine clearance, and humanitarian deminers use unmanned flails as part of the process. However this is still followed up with hand clearance for complete assurance that the area is clear.

Within our armed forces, Royal Engineer Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams use the Redfire remotely controlled vehicle to deal with mines that have strayed out of minefields in the Falklands. Our future armoured minefield breaching vehicle, Trojan, and the Terrier engineer vehicle also have a capability to be fitted for remote operation during minefield breaching operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of documents (a) DCI 305/4, (b) the GPS Office charter and (c) DIN 2005DIN08–013 relating to global positioning satellite systems. [54378]

The DCI and DIN requested are being withheld because their release would be likely to prejudice the security of our armed forces. The GPS Office Charter contains information which, if released, may compromise international relations. This is being reviewed and I will write to the hon. Member when the review has been completed.