To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the number of pupils enrolled in unregistered private schools in Africa. [58039]

We are not in a position to make valid estimates about the numbers of pupils enrolled in un-registered private schools in Africa. Partner Governments do not have statistics about such establishments because they do not feature in national data collection.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development

(1) what assessment he has made of the extent to which drought in Africa is caused by climate change; [57456]

(2) what assessment he has made of steps which can be taken to reduce the effects of drought in Africa. [57453]

DFID attaches great importance to helping developing countries adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. DFID is a leading supporter of international and national efforts to assess and reduce the impact of climate change efforts to eradicate poverty.

Work to assess the potential impact of climate change on the incidence and intensity of droughts in Africa is in its early stages. We are helping African planners develop their national climate change adaptation strategies through three means:(a) provision of funds through the United Nations to help Africa adapt, including £10 million over three years (2005–06 to 2007–88) to the United Nations Climate Change Convention's Special Climate Change Fund; (b) helping to improve African climate monitoring networks and develop African regional climate centres through the G8 Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) initiative and (c) DFID's climate change research strategy.

During 2005, the UK also led the G8 to commit to improving the way we manage climate risk when providing development assistance. The UK aims to have climate risk management procedures for overseas aid in place by 2008, in line with the Commission for Africa recommendation. We are working with the World Bank and other donors to progress this.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his estimate is of the number of people in Africa affected by drought in each of the last five years. [57457]

We do not have precise figures for the last five years as these records are not held centrally, but estimate that around 30 million people experience food shortages every year in Africa. In many cases these shortages are associated with drought.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has received on aid for Sudanese refugees in Chad; and if he will make a statement. [57730]

DFID is in regular contact with the UN and humanitarian agencies providing assistance to the Sudanese refugees in Eastern Chad, we will continue to closely monitor the humanitarian situation.

The UK provided a total of £5 million for humanitarian support in Eastern Chad and, in line with the reduced request in the UN appeal, will provide £4 million in 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department is providing to displaced people in Colombia; and if he will make a statement. [58040]

DFID provides assistance to displaced people in Colombia through its 18 per cent. contribution to the European Commission's development assistance programme. The EC's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) made a commitment of €8.6 million to Colombia in 2003 through its Global Plan 2003, for Internally Displaced People and people affected by internal conflict in Colombia. The ECHO committed a further €8 million of humanitarian assistance for 2004 and €12 million in 2005. Additionally the EC is providing €105 million over the period 2001–06 to support alternative development, good governance and human rights projects in Colombia.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the running costs were of his Department's offices in (a) Pretoria, (b) Brasilia, (c) Bangkok, (d) Montserrat, (e) Paris and (f) Rome in 2004–05. [58243]

The running costs of DFID's offices in Pretoria, Brasilia, Bangkok, Montserrat, Paris and Rome in 2004–05 were as follows:

£000

Running costs include (but are not limited to) staff pay and other personnel overheads, office accommodation rental and maintenance, staff training, post, telecommunications and travel costs. DFID's office in Pretoria is the base for DFID Southern Africa and its budget includes running costs for Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland. DFID's office in Bangkok is the base for DFID South East Asia which covers Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, East Timor and Burma, as well as Thailand. However, in this case expenditure only includes running costs for the Bangkok office.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the availability of anti-retrovirals and other treatment for those with HIV/AIDS in the Dominican Republic, with particular reference to Dominicans of Haitian descent. [57925]

The 2002 census in the Dominican Republic records that only 80,000 people identified themselves as being born outside of the country. However, Amnesty International estimates that there are between 700,000 and 800,000 people of Haitian descent in the Dominican Republic, out of a total population of 8.56 million. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimate that the prevalence of HIV infection is below 2 per cent. nationally but this figure is up to 5 per cent. in the bateyes (local communities) living near sugar plantations, where a significant proportion of immigrants of Haitian descent live.

While the Presidential AIDS Council (COPRESIDA) made significant progress towards universal access to prevention, treatment and care in the last three years, and has a policy of universal provision of anti-retroviral treatment (ARV), there is no specific policy of providing ARVs to non-nationals. The total number of people living with HIV and AIDS, who require ARV treatment, is not known. At January 2006, some 2,700 patients were receiving ARVs, likely to be substantially less than 50 per cent. of those in need of treatment.

Amnesty International is planning to issue a report on HIV and human rights in the Dominican Republic in May. It is expected to find that the treatment, care and prevention services for HIV and AIDS in the bateyes, where many Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent live, is very limited.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development

(1) how his Department is working with local communities in Latin America on the (a) aims, (b) design, (c) implementation and (d) evaluation of development projects; [58031]

(2) what steps his Department is taking to strengthen civil society in Latin America through co-operation with local communities. [58032]

The Department for International Development (DFID) supports local communities in Latin America through its work with the International Finance Institutions (IFI), particularly the World Bank and the Inter American Development Bank (IADB), and through direct support to non-governmental organisations (NGO)s. The range of community involvement in IFI supported and civil society programmes is illustrated by the following examples.

Through engagement with the IADB and the World Bank, DFID is supporting greater involvement of civil society and local communities in IFI programmes and processes, such as consultations around development and evaluation of IFI country strategies. In Brazil, the UK is helping local communities give their own assessment of the impact of the Federal Government's conditional cash transfer programme, the Bolsa Familia. This programme provides a monthly cash benefit to a current total of 8.7 million poor families across the country, which is conditional on children attending school and immunisation programmes. The UK is also contributing to a programme to enhance the capacity of indigenous people's organisations throughout Amazonia. Indigenous leaders meet regularly, receive training together, and consider how to promote their entitlements to services and to strengthen social cohesion in Amazon communities.

DFID supports the IADB to promote community participation in the design and implementation of its programmes in Central America. For example, support was recently provided to local communities in the remote cross-border area between Honduras (El Paraiso) and Nicaragua (Nueva Segovia) to strengthen cross-border development plans.

With civil society in Brazil, the UK is working with local communities to raise awareness of how institutional racism can be a barrier to poor people in the Afro-Brazilian population receiving the public services to which they are entitled. This work has been implemented through new partnerships between municipal authorities and civil society organisations in two states in the poor North East of Brazil, Pernambuco and Bahia, through the Programme to Combat Institutionalised Racism.

In the Andes region, DFID is working to strengthen awareness among civil society and community groups of their right to information about policy processes and to engage with policy makers, both within Government and donors. In Peru, DFID's rights-based approach to development put working with local communities central to its purpose. The substantial partnership between Oxfam and DFID through the Derechos, Inclusion y Desarrollo (Rights, Inclusion and Development) programme has taken DFID's support on these issues right down to the community level.

In Nicaragua, DFID contributes to the multi-donor civil society fund in Nicaragua administered by the local in-country offices of Oxfam Great Britain and Trocaire. This fund is designed to provide direct grants to local grassroots civil society to help them build governance from the bottom up and engage in development planning processes as well as social auditing of Government development programmes. DFID has supported the IADB to strengthen civil society through co-operation with local communities.

DFID also provides direct support to civil society in Latin America through Partnership Programme Arrangements with six international NGOs and through the Civil Society Challenge Fund. Many of the activities supported through these channels would involve local communities.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how his Department sets development strategies to target (a) poverty and (b) inequality in Latin America. [58033]

Latin America has high levels of persistent and severe poverty and inequality. According to 2004 national poverty line data collected by the United Nations, 42.9 per cent. of the population of Latin America live in poverty and 18.6 per cent. live in extreme poverty. The levels of extreme poverty are higher among indigenous and afro-descendant people.

DFID's strategy for Middle Income Countries (MIC) provides the framework for how DFID works to reduce poverty and inequality in Latin America. DFID's main financial contributions to Latin America are through direct contributions to the multilateral institutions (the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, the European Commission and the United Nations). As recommended by the MICs Strategy, DFID uses its bilateral programme (£11 million in 2005–06 and £12 million in 2006–07) for Latin America to maximise the effectiveness of our multilateral contribution by working to enhance the overall impact of the international system in the region. DFID's assistance to Latin America from 2004–07 is set out in the Regional Assistance Plan, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

DFID is working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the World Bank to strengthen their focus and impact on poverty, inequality and exclusion. DFID assistance to the IADB and the World Bank aims to strengthen the access of poor and excluded people to local and national markets, to the benefits of international trade, and to accountable and more responsive public systems. A recent example of support to the IADB was in the development of an indigenous people's strategy, which sets out how the World Bank should assess the impact of new programmes and loans on indigenous people.

DFID is working to improve the ability of Governments to develop and monitor poverty reduction strategies and the extent to which donor assistance is consistent with these strategies by promoting and exchanging regional lesson learning. DFID is also facilitating lesson sharing on global policy issues including trade, HIV and AIDS and global environmental issues.

DFID also is providing over £10 million in 2005–06 to British non-governmental organisations (NGO)s in the region by funding projects through its Civil Society Challenge Fund and through its Partnership Programme Agreements with six international NGOs.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development

(1) what assessment he has made of the role of microfinance in the development of poor Latin American communities; and if he will make a statement; [58029]

(2) what proportion of his Department's budget to support microfinance projects went to Latin America in the last period for which figures are available; [58030]

(3) what microfinance organisations his Department supports in Latin America; [58034]

(4) which 20 non-governmental organisations working in Latin America received the highest amount of grant from his Department for microfinance or microcredit projects in each year since 1997. [58036]

Lack of access to affordable credit is a persistent constraint to livelihoods of the poor in Latin America. For both formal and informal small scale enterprises, which are the main employers of the poor in urban and rural areas, limited forms of formal collateral exclude them from access to borrowing from the formal financial sector. Microfinance institutions have an important role to play in meeting this gap for small enterprises and producers. However, microfinance institutions can also have high transaction and operation costs and frequently rely on external, often donor, financing.

Many donors, including the International Financial Institutions, are working on instruments that will guarantee loans to the poor, as well institutional models that will enable larger financial institutions to extend financial services to poorer communities and small enterprises. In the meantime, microfinance institutions continue to play a crucial role in meeting the demands of the poor for financial services tailored to their particular needs.

If microfinance remains reliant on donor grants, it will always be limited and not reach the scale possible through involvement of the private sector. By combining the strengths of microfinance non-governmental organisations (NGO)s (microfinance expertise, community presence, commitment to serving very poor people) and those of banks (financial resources, information technology, payment systems), massive increases can be made in providing microfinance to the poor. The experience of ICICI Bank in India, the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and Bancosol in Bolivia clearly demonstrate this. ProFund Internacional (ProFund), based in Costa Rica, targets the small and microenterprises (SMEs) of Latin America and the Caribbean. Major shareholders of ProFund include the InterAmerican Development Bank, IFC/The World Bank Group and CDC.

Globally, DFID has supported microfinance and financial sector projects in 25 countries. In Latin America, DFID is working closely with partner governments to improve the institutional framework within which microfinance institutions operate. DFID's Regional Assistance Plan for Latin America aims to improve the impact of International Finance Institutions (particularly the World Bank and Inter American Development Bank (IADB) on poverty and inequality. This includes working with the IADB and the World Bank to strengthen the access of poor and excluded people to local and national markets, including access to micro-credit. In Nicaragua, DFID is providing $150,000 to an International Finance Corporation initiative to support the microfinance industry to develop new products and lending models specifically targeted at the small enterprise sector. In Bolivia, DFID is in dialogue with the new Government on the institutional structure for microfinance, informed by an analysis of models for credit services to poor rural producers.

Microfinance has often tended to be a component of wider DFID projects. For example, the United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) Alternative Development project in the Lower Huallaga Valley, Peru (completed in 2004), which worked with farmers to increase their incomes from alternative livelihoods and avoid a reactivation of the illegal cultivation of coca. A similar project in San Martin region of Peru included microfinance and supported small-scale production, agro-processing and environmental education to improve incomes and employment of poor producers.

DFID's fund allocations are determined by country and region rather than by sector. The overall budget for microfinance and the proportion allocated for Latin America is therefore not readily available.

DFID has Partnership Programme Arrangements (PPAs) with six international NGOs for their programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean. While these PPAs cover a wide range of work, it is expected that the following would include microfinance elements; CARE, CAFOD, Christian Aid and Oxfam.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what process microfinance organisations must complete in order to be eligible for support from his Department. [58035]

DFID provides support to financial sector development, primarily through its country-based aid programmes.

DFID works in partnership with Governments, civil society and with the private sector to implement countries' growth and poverty reduction strategies. DFID agrees Country Assistance Plans (CAPs) that set out in detail country-level programmes, based on our partners' priorities.

Microfinance is widely recognised as useful in contributing to reducing poverty and reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs). Where support is being given to microfinance organisations, DFID may set up umbrella programmes" for the financial sector, usually in partnership with other donors and international financial institutions. DFID has supported such microfinance and financial sector programmes in 25 countries.

Microfinance organisations can access DFID support if their request for funding meets the requirements of these programmes.

At a central or regional level, DFID is supporting programmes such as, the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), a consortium of 33 public and private development agencies working together to expand access to financial services, including microfinance services. Another example is MicroSave, which promotes the development of savings and other more client-responsive financial services among microfinance institutions.

For further details, microfinance organisations should approach the local DFID office. Contact details are on DFID internet site on www.dfid.gov.uk

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what resources were allocated to Malawi to combat HIV/AIDS amongst (a) children and (b) adults in each of the last five years. [58196]

DFID committed £4.5 million through the Malawi National AIDS Commission and £100 million through the Malawi Ministry of Health for its Essential Health Package which includes the treatment of AIDS patients and the related Emergency Human Resource Programme. The latter programme is designed to increase the numbers and skills of health professionals so that anti-retroviral treatment can be rolled without undermining progress to other health targets. DFID is also financing prevention and mitigation programmes in education and in prisons.

It is not possible to apportion spend between adults and children. Total DFID expenditure on combating HIV and AIDS through the National AIDS Commission, the Ministries of Health and Education and other projects has been:

In addition, we estimate that 5 per cent. of DFID's budget support has been spent on HIV and AIDS by the Government of Malawi. This HIV and AIDS expenditure was as follows:

Malawi also benefits from DFID support for the Global Fund and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total amount of UK aid to Malawi was in each of the last 10 years in real terms. [58199]

The following table includes details of the total amount of UK aid to Malawi in real terms:

UK aid to Malawi -- Real prices as at 2004: £ million

Note:

2003 is latest year available for imputed multilateral shares.

Source:

OECD DAC online database and SRSG Imputed Multilateral Shares. Date: 13 March 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the date was of the last official visit by him or his predecessor to Malawi. [58223]

I last visited Malawi as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in October 2001. My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, made an official visit to Malawi in October 2005, accompanied by my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton), the Minister of State for health services. They examined progress with the implementation of HIV and AIDS programmes, the Essential Health Package and the associated Emergency Human Resources Programmes to which DFID has committed £100 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will increase UK aid to Mauritania. [58156]

The Department for International Development does not have a bilateral development programme in Mauritania. Our support is mainly through multilateral channels, such as European Commission and World Bank programmes, of which the UK share amounted to £9.2 million in 2003 (latest available figure). Our bilateral aid in 2004 was £280,000 which was mainly for humanitarian assistance. We have no plans to increase our assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid was given to Mauritania in (a) 1980 and (b) 2004. [58159]

The United Kingdom has provided the following amounts of aid to Mauritania; £40,000 in 1980 and £280,000 in 2004.

DFID also provides significant support through multilateral channels, such as the European Commission and World Bank programmes, of which the UK's share amounted to £4 million in 1982 (earliest year for which figures are available) and £9.2 million in 2003 (latest available year for figures).

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the implications of the Palestinian elections on international aid for Palestinian development. [58561]

I refer my hon. Friend for West Lancashire to the oral response that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) on 1 March 2006, Official Report, column 247.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost of his private office was in the last year for which figures are available. [55730]

It is difficult to separate out completely the running costs of my private office from the total expenditure of DFID's Top Management Group, which includes the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the Permanent Secretary, the directors general and their staff.

For the financial year 2004–05, the best estimate of my private office running cost expenditure is £1,079,254. This includes salaries for myself and staff (including the parliamentary and correspondence units and special advisers), travel and subsistence, training, subscriptions, post and telecommunications, and other office services.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress his Department has made towards achieving Target 4 of the Public Service Agreement Objectives and Targets for 2003 to 2006. [57015]

There has been some slippage on progress towards Target 4 of DFID's Public Service Agreement Objectives and Targets for 2003 to 2006. Progress with the current round of trade negotiations is the main influence on this target, and this depends on the actions of the EU and others within the World Trade Organisation (WTO). After the failure of the Cancun WTO Ministerial in September 2003, there was no likelihood of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) being completed by 1 January 2005. Thus the original target, which was always challenging, was unachievable. However, the WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in December 2005 delivered enough progress to keep the prospect of concluding the DDA in 2006 alive. The Government are therefore pressing for an outcome to these trade talks which delivers real gains for developing countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in (a) Darfur and (b) Southern Sudan. [55328]

The information is as follows:

Darfur

Across the whole of Darfur, there are 1.8 million internally displaced people and 3.4 million dependent on humanitarian assistance. The priority is to provide assistance and protection for them, and to find a political solution that will allow people to return home and rebuild their lives.

Although the massive humanitarian response in Darfur has had a positive impact on malnutrition and mortality rates, the region remains highly dependant on food aid. This year there is expected to be above average food production, but the ability of Darfur to bring in the harvest depends on security which remains extremely fragile in many areas. Even with a good harvest, an estimated three million people in Darfur will still require food aid.

Instability, fighting and banditry in South and West Darfur, particularly along the border zone with Chad, is severely hampering humanitarian agencies operating in those areas. Violence and attacks on humanitarian agencies' staff and assets has lead to a reduction in presence, and total withdrawals in some areas, by both the UN and NGOs, leaving many vulnerable people with a greatly reduced level of assistance. Until a political settlement is reached to end the fighting and re-impose the rule of law, the civilian population of Darfur will continue to bear the heaviest burden.

The UK is the second largest bilateral humanitarian donor in Darfur (after the US), providing over £96 million since September 2003. These funds have meant that hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people have been provided with shelter, food, water and basic health care. The UK is also actively supporting the peace talks in Abuja, Nigeria, in the search for a sustainable political settlement.

South Sudan

The humanitarian situation remains fragile. Pockets of instability, noticeably in the Upper Nile, Eastern and Western Equatoria have resulted in continued internal displacement. A recent cholera outbreak in and around Yei and Juba underlines the threat of disease and the imminent rainy season will only serve to increase the difficulties faced by vulnerable people, and the humanitarian agencies ability to assist them.

While this year's harvest is predicted to be good, there will continue to be areas of high vulnerability due to insecurity and poor market access. Malnutrition levels in many areas are commensurate with, and in some cases worse than, those found in Darfur.

To date, the large number of returns of refugees and internally displaced people predicted by the UN has still not taken place. Although there is still potential for significant movement in the run-up to the rainy season, this is considered unlikely. To support the returns process, the UK is providing early and significant contributions to the UN 2006 Work plan, from which the UN humanitarian co-ordinator has already allocated over $40 million to the South.

In addition to funding vital non-governmental organisations (NGOs) humanitarian programmes in the South, the UK is providing financial support to an emergency response fund for the South to deal with emergencies, such as the cholera outbreak. For longer term recovery and development, the UK is establishing the £10 million service delivery fund which will act as a bridge to the Multi-Donor Trust Fund while it develops projects for funding to meet longer term development needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the recent outbreak of cholera in Sudan; and what steps his Department is taking to prevent the disease spreading. [58041]

DFID have been closely monitoring the cholera outbreak in Southern Sudan since it began late January. The outbreak started in Yei town in Southern Sudan and subsequently spread to Juba and a dozen other towns further East and North. To date (12 March) 212 people have died from the disease from a case load of 6,744. The recent outbreak and its subsequent rapid spread to neighbouring towns underlines the threat of disease while the imminent onset of the rainy season will serve to increase the difficulties faced by vulnerable people.

DFID has been active in supporting the co-ordination of response efforts in the South and in monitoring the situation. The emergency preparedness and response unit managed by the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) together with the World Food Organisation (WHO) have been at the forefront of co-ordinating the response to the outbreak. DFID has been working closely with OCHA providing technical advice, support and funding.

Through the Emergency Response Fund (ERF) of UNOCHA, DFID has provided over $350,000 to eight UN agencies and non-governmental organisations assisting with the response to the cholera outbreak. An additional $750,000 of DFID funds remains with the ERF for continued assistance to agencies if the disease spreads further.

In addition to support for such chronic and rapid onset emergencies, the UK is providing early and significant contributions to the UN 2006 Work plan, from which the UN humanitarian co-ordinator has already allocated over $40 million to the South including an allocation of US $500,000 to the Emergency Response Fund. The UN humanitarian co-ordinator additionally holds an emergency reserve of $10 million (to which DFID was a significant contributor) which could be accessed to scale up the response to the outbreak should the need arise.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to his Oral Answer of 6 March 2006, Official Report, column 605, on overseas voters, whether he has received any further information from the Electoral Commission on the number of (a) parliamentary constituencies with no registered overseas voters and (b) such voters registered in Ribble Valley constituency. [58896]

In my answer in the House on 6 March, I stated that there were 45 parliamentary constituencies with no registered overseas voters, and that there were four such voters registered in the Ribble Valley constituency. These figures, based on registers as at 1 December 2005, had been given to me by the Electoral Commission. I have now been informed by the Commission that these figures are incorrect, and that there were only 14 parliamentary constituencies with no registered overseas voters and that there were 45 such voters registered in the Ribble Valley constituency. The Commission has advised me that this mistake arose from a misinterpretation on its part of the relevant ONS data. I regret having given the House incorrect information and welcome this opportunity to correct the record.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the merits of conducting an employability and capability assessment immediately an initial claim for employment and support allowance is made. [52711]

In the Green Paper; A new deal for welfare: empowering people to work"; we have proposed that the assessment phase should last three months. During this time we will assess both a claimant's eligibility for benefit and capability for work. Assessing an individual at a relatively early stage of their claim allows us to intervene early to maximise their chances of returning to work. However, many people will be on employment and support allowance for very short periods of time and so carrying out assessments too early in a claim could lead to nugatory assessments taking place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many hours a week Sir David Henshaw will spend as the chair of the Child Support Agency Operational Improvement Plan. [56391]

Sir David Henshaw has not been asked to be the chair of the Child Support Agency Operational Improvement Plan. Delivery of the content of the plan is a matter for the agency chief executive, Stephen Geraghty.

However as announced on 9 February by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Sir David has been asked to lead the work to redesign the child support system. The full terms of reference for this work are in the Library and on the Department for Work and Pensions website at www.dwp.gov.uk/childsupport

Sir David has been asked to deliver his findings to the Secretary of State by summer recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 233W, on child support, how many times the Child Support Agency has used the discretionary power under section 41A of the Child Support Act 1991 to issue penalty payments in each year since 2001. [56880]

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to my right hon. Friend with the information requested.

Letter from Hilary Reynolds

In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. As the Chief Executive is currently on leave, I am responding on his behalf.

You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 27th February 2006 Official Report column 233W on child support if he will give details of the number of times the Child Support Agency has used the discretionary power under section 41A of the Child Support Act 1991 to issue penalty payments in each year since 2001.

The Agency does not currently collect volumes of the number of penalty payments either requested from non-resident parents or paid under Section 41A of the Child Support Act 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to reduce the effect on pensioners of increases in the cost of gas and electricity. [50439]

The Department for Work and Pensions already assists pensioners meet the costs of gas and electricity bills through the winter fuel payment.

The winter fuel payment is a significant contribution towards fuel costs. The payment has risen above the level of inflation, from £20 in winter 1997–98 to £200 from winter 2000–01 and to £300 for those aged 80 or over from winter 2003–04.

New processes have also been developed between The Pension Service and the Home Heat Helpline", a private sector run and funded fuel poverty helpline launched in October 2005, which help to maximise the take-up of benefits, help from the utilities companies and warm front grants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's work of the decision by the Legal Services Commission to withdraw funding for specialised support and advice in relevant areas. [54722]

Specialist support services are part of the Legal Services Commission's (LSC) special projects budget that was reviewed in the summer 2005. The LSC concluded that as specialist support services provide advice in civil categories of law to other legal advisers and not directly to clients, this did not represent the most cost-effective approach to meet the increasing need for front-line advice. The LSC has therefore decided not to continue funding for specialist support from July 2006.

The LSC's decision to withdraw funding for specialist support services will refocus resources within the existing civil legal aid budget in England and Wales. It is not intended to increase or decrease costs overall. It will mean that £2.3 million will be redirected to fund direct legal advice in the next financial year, thereby increasing access to legal services for vulnerable people.

The LSC invited all the practitioners and specialist advice services funded under the current system to discuss how they can advise clients and consumers directly, rather than through a second-tier system.

The Department for Work and Pensions is working with the LSC and the Department for Trade and Industry, as part of a national agenda to tackle rising levels of debt, to pilot a number of innovative new advice services to help people facing financial exclusion, following a £6 million grant from the Treasury's Financial Inclusion Fund.

In terms of advice on benefits and pensions matters, there is already wide expertise and knowledge within the advice sector, and the Department for Work and Pensions, which already has excellent relationships with key national advice providers, will continue to provide for advisers comprehensive information about its legislation and procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what impact the introduction of work focused interviews has had on the numbers of lone parents entering employment. [48299]

Information is not available on the numbers entering employment as a direct and sole result of the introduction of lone parent Work Focused Interviews, however, research has demonstrated that these interviews have increased participation in new deal for lone parents by approximately 15 per cent. The success of new deal for lone parents has been a major contributing factor to the increase in lone parent employment in every region, the reduction in the number of children in workless households and the reduction in child poverty, and, so far, it has helped more than 423,000 lone parents into work

Research has also shown that the introduction of Work Focused Interviews (WFIs) for lone parents with ongoing claims has increased the proportion of people leaving income support by between one and two percentage points.

Relevant reports on outcomes from lone parent interventions are: Department for Work and Pensions Research Report W237 'Evaluation of Lone Parent Work Focused Interviews Eligibility: Administrative Data Analysis' Genevieve Knight and Steve Lissenburgh, Policy Studies Institute. November 2005, and Department for Work and Pensions Research Report W159 'Evaluation of Lone Parent Meetings: Interim findings from administrative data analysis' Genevieve Knight and Michael White, Policy Studies Institute, May 2003; and DWP Research Report W315 'Lone Parent Work Focused Interviews and Review Meetings: Administrative data analyses and qualitative evidence' which provides longer term analysis of the impact of Work Focused Interviews on the number of lone parents leaving income support. All of these reports are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women who paid a full stamp and additional class 3 voluntary contributions for a period when they were unable to work are now receiving a full pension as a result. [56940]

The information is not available. Class 3 contributions have only been recorded separately since 1975 and since then it has only been possible to readily distinguish full tax years in which only Class 3 contributions have been paid. However, around 17 per cent. of female pensioners receive a full basic state pension based on their own national insurance record of contributions paid while working, by voluntary contributions and credits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the Government have commissioned research since 1998 into the effect of the new deal on job search activity among 18 to 24-year-olds. [54971]

The new deal for young people has been successful in helping nearly 650,000 young people into work and has helped to virtually eradicate long-term youth unemployment. A number of independent research reports on new deal for young people, commissioned by this Department, have looked at the impact of the programme on the job search activity of programme participants.

A report by Social and Community Planning Research¹ found that participants on new deal for young people greatly appreciated the support they received from their new deal personal advisers, which included: help with looking for vacancies; assistance with contacting employers; referral to other appropriate agencies and discussions about long-term career plans.

The new deal for young people national survey^{2 3} which reports on interviews with over 6,000 programme participants, includes a considerable amount of information on the job search activity of people who have taken part in the programme. A high proportion of respondents reported discussing methods of job search and their responsibilities as jobseekers with their new deal personal adviser.

Research from the National Institute for Economic and Social Research⁴ published in 2000, reported positively about the impact of new deal for young people. Increased youth employment was in part attributed to a programme that provided job search assistance and support, together with intensive full time new deal options including the full time education and training option and the employment option.

The reports referred to are listed as follows and are available in the Library.

¹ New Deal for Young Unemployed People: The Gateway", SCPR, Employment Service Report 8, December 1998.

² New Deal for Young People: National Survey of Participants: Stage 1", Alex Bryson et al, Employment Service Report 44, March 2000.

³ New Deal for Young People: National Survey of Participants: Stage 2", Dorothe Bonjour et al, Employment Service Report 67, March 2001.

⁴ New Deal for Young People: Implications for Employment and the Public Finances", Rebecca Riley and Garry Young, Employment Service Report 62, 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Oxford, East constituency receive pension credit; and how many have received it in each year since its inception. [58270]

The number of people in receipt of pension credit in the parliamentary constituency of Oxford, East November 2003-August 2005 is as follows:

Thousand

Notes:

1. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands.

2. Pension credit (PC) replaced minimum income guarantee (MIG) on 6 October 2003.Existing MIG recipients were automatically converted onto pension credit on that date (assuming they still met the eligibility criteria).

3. Parliamentary constituency are assigned by matching postcodes against the ONS postcode directory.

4. Beneficiaries figures include those who are aged 60 or under.

5. Household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either on behalf of themselves only or on behalf of a household. This number is equal to the number of households in receipt of pension credit. The number of individual beneficiaries is the claimants plus their partners.

Source:

Information Directorate: 100 per cent. Work and Pension Longitudinal Study (WPLS). From 27 October 2005 the preferred data source for pension credit time series figures supplied by the Information Directorate is the Work and Pension Longitudinal Study (WPLS).

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

(1) how many new mobile lending library services have been opened in each of the last 10 years; [58379]

(2) how many mobile public lending libraries have closed in each of the last 10 years. [58380]

The number of mobile libraries in England in each of the last 10 years was as follows:

Mobile libraries in England

Source:

Public Library Statistics 2004–05 Actuals, published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and LISU Annual Library Statistics 2005 (derived from CIPFA Actuals figures 1995–96 to 2003–04).

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

(1) how many new public lending libraries have been opened in each of the last 10 years; [58381]

(2) how many public lending libraries have closed in each of the last 10 years. [58382]

The number of static public libraries in England in each of the last 10 years was as follows.

Static libraries in England⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾ By hours open per week.

Source:

Public Library Statistics 2004–05 Actuals, published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and LISU Annual Library Statistics 2005 (derived from CIPFA Actuals figures 1995–96 to 2003–04).

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what length of time local authority-owned sports grounds must remain unused before they can be disposed of without (a) the permission of and (b) consultation with (i) the Secretary of State and (ii) Sport England. [58480]

Local authorities are not required either to seek the permission of or consult the Secretary of State over the disposal or development of sports grounds.

Sport England is a statutory consultee on all planning applications affecting playing fields, land used as playing fields, or land allocated for use as playing fields in a current development plan. This includes being consulted on applications affecting any land that has been used as a playing field in the last five years and any replacement of a grass pitch with a synthetic surface.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many local authorities have publicly available lists of sports fields; and how many local authorities have published a playing fields strategy. [58481]

The number of local authorities who draw up and publish lists of sports fields and playing fields strategies is not collated centrally.

However, the Active Places database lists publicly available sports facilities across the whole of England, including sports fields.

Furthermore, the relevant planning guidance—planning policy guidance note 17: planning for open space, sport and recreation—requires that all local authorities should carry out assessments of needs and audits of open space and sports and recreational facilities, including playing fields, from which to develop effective strategies and appropriate policies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria a playing field must meet before it can be considered for disposal under the statutory consultation process. [58482]

The relevant planning guidance—planning policy guidance note 17: planning for open space, sport and recreation—requires that existing sports land, including playing fields, should not be disposed of or built on unless an assessment has been undertaken which clearly shows the land to be surplus to requirements. It is expected that open space, sports and recreational facilities that are of a high quality or of particular value to a local community should be given protection by local authorities through appropriate policies.

Where such an assessment has not been undertaken, PPG17 requires that planning permission for any development be refused, unless it meets one of the following criteria:

(i) it is ancillary to the use of the site as a playing field and does not adversely affect the quantity or quality of pitches and their use;

(ii) it only affects land which is incapable of forming a playing pitch;

(iii) the playing field that would be lost as a result of the proposed development would be replaced by another of equivalent or better quantity or quality and in a suitable location;

(iv) it is for an outdoor or indoor sports facility of sufficient benefit to the development of sport to outweigh the loss of the playing field.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether playing fields under 1 hectare are subject to compulsory consultation guidelines before being considered for disposal. [58483]

Any development on playing fields measuring 0.4 hectares or over is subject to compulsory consultation with Sport England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government is taking to combat the illegal selling of concert tickets on internet auction sites. [58668]

I am aware of the problems which can arise from secondary ticketing and of the problems caused by ticket touting generally. I recognise also of course the potential distress to fans and consumers and the wider economic damage it causes. We are therefore working with other Government Departments and stakeholders to determine the best action to take.

As an early step we recently hosted a ticket-touting summit with representatives from the entertainment, cultural and sporting industries to consider a way forward. Subsequently my officials are currently working with other Government Departments, the Office of Fair Trading and the relevant industries to analyse the root causes of the problem and the likely options for action, and they will be reporting their findings back to me in due course.

Among other things a DCMS-led working group will examine the adequacy of existing consumer legislation and how it could be better enforced, in addition to identifying any gaps and loopholes that might need further action.

Our aim in taking this forward must be to find solutions that protects fans and ensures that our creative, cultural and sporting industries are able to realise legitimate revenue streams. Any proposed solutions must also be both achievable and enforceable. In particular, we shall be looking at the scope for achieving greater clarity and transparency about the sale/resale of ticket sales over the Internet and other channels. And we will also seek to promote greater industry collaboration especially in the area of best practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether it is his policy that the Provisional IRA must disband before Sinn Fein can join a restored Northern Ireland Executive. [57312]

The Government are committed to an end to paramilitary and criminal activity, from whatever source that comes. The restoration of the Assembly remains a priority for Government on that basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of the involvement of paramilitary groups in serious organised crime; and if he will make a statement. [57314]

The eighth report of the Independent Monitoring Commission, published on 1 February 2006, provided a clear assessment of the activities of all paramilitary groups up to the end of November. The latest report, published on 8 March, stated that PIRA no longer pose a paramilitary threat.

The Government, through the Organised Crime Task Force, is relentlessly pursuing organised criminals in Northern Ireland, regardless of whether they are linked to paramilitary groups or not. Good progress is being made—last year 28 top level organised crime gangs in NI were disrupted or dismantled as a result of law enforcement activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of post-primary education in Northern Ireland. [57315]

The Government are introducing a number of reforms including a revised curriculum, an Entitlement Framework to widen access to academic and vocational courses for all pupils, and new admissions arrangements which will replace academic selection at age 11 by a system based on informed parental choice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what educational research the proposed framework entitlement for post-primary pupils in Northern Ireland is based. [58676]

The Post-Primary Review Working Group (Costello Group) considered the range of courses available in post-primary schools and found that the educational provision and choice available to pupils varied greatly, across Northern Ireland. To enable all post-primary pupils to reach their full potential and to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for life and work in the 21st century, the group considered it important to establish a framework of educational entitlement for every pupil.

The group recommended that the minimum entitlement at key stage 4 and post-16 should be set at a level that is capable of being provided in a locality, ensuring that all pupils have choice from a wide range of courses including a blend of academic and vocational courses.

The Strategic Advisory Group established to provide advice to the Department on the implementation of the Costello recommendations, examined the current range of educational provision at key stage 4 and post-16 and endorsed the minimum requirements set for the Entitlement Framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Department of Education will announce a new school build for Ballyrobert primary school. [58054]

An economic appraisal for this school was submitted to the Department of Education by the North-Eastern Education and Library Board in December 2005 and is currently under consideration. I cannot say at this time when the scheme may be in a position to proceed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of the quality of bathing water at each of Northern Ireland's designated beaches. [57675]

The Environment and Heritage Service, an agency within the Department of Environment, is responsible for monitoring bathing waters in Northern Ireland to ensure compliance with the mandatory standards of the EC Bathing Waters Directive.

In 2005, 15 of the 16 identified bathing waters in Northern Ireland met the mandatory standards of the EC Bathing Water compared to 14 in 2004. Newcastle was the only identified bathing water not to meet the mandatory standard in 2005.

An additional 11 sites are monitored and in 2005, 100 per cent. compliance was achieved compared to 73 per cent. in 2004.

The Bathing Water Directive also contains a more stringent guideline standard. 11 of the 16 identified sites met the tighter standards in 2005 compared to nine sites in 2004. In both 2004 and 2005, seven of the additional sites complied with the guideline standard.

The two main factors contributing to non compliance are considered to be inadequate sewerage infrastructure and sewage treatment and increased agricultural runoff during periods of heavy rainfall.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

(1) when new CCTV projects will be provided in the Antrim borough council area; [58055]

(2) when funding will be made available for new CCTV projects in the Newtownabbey borough council area to assist in tackling crime. [58056]

At the present time, the Northern Ireland Office is holding a competition, the purpose of which is to extend the coverage of CCTV systems in town centres across Northern Ireland. The closing date for applications is 14 April and I understand that bids may be made by town centres in both council areas. However as this is a competition, there can be no guarantee towns in either council area will succeed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

(1) whether it is compulsory for secondary schools in Northern Ireland to teach pupils at Key Stage 3 from the NICCEA curriculum; [58491]

(2) whether secondary schools in Northern Ireland may teach pupils at Key Stage 3 based on the National Curriculum developed in England. [58492]

All grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland must follow the statutory Northern Ireland Curriculum at each Key Stage. The statutory curriculum is not, however, meant to take up all of the teaching time available and it is a matter for schools to decide what additional material they wish to cover. This can include material based on the National Curriculum in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many successful prosecutions there have been for drug trafficking in each (a) county and (b) constituency in Northern Ireland in each of the last 30 years. [55556]

Data covering the calendar years 1993–2003 have been provided. Data beyond 2003 are currently not available and data prior to 1993 are not compatible with new software.

Due to a lack of reliable post coded prosecution and conviction data, statistics by county and constituency are not readily available, therefore, alternative geographical breakdowns have been used.

In place of county, the seven court divisions (based on where a case was heard) have been provided, figures for which are included in Table 1.

For constituency, the figures provided are based on the 12 police divisions for the years 1993–1999 and police district command units for 2000–2003 (Tables 2 and 3). Due to a change in the prosecutions data source in 2000, Tables 2 and 3 differ in terms of the method of collation used—in Table 2 figures relate to the police division to which an offence was reported, while figures within Table 3 relate to the police district command unit in which an offender's address falls.

Table 1: Convictions for drug-trafficking by court division 1993–2003⁽²⁾

⁽²⁾ Figures based on the court division in which an offence was tried.

Table 2: Convictions for drug-trafficking by police division 1993–99⁽³⁾

⁽³⁾ Figures based on the police division to which the offence was reported.

Note:

Divisional Headquarters are included within brackets.

Table 3: Convictions for drug-trafficking by district command unit 2000–03

Notes:

1. Figures are based on the police district command unit in which an offender's address falls.

2. Police district command units became operational in April 2001. However, calendar year 2000 data are also disaggregated by DCU, rather than police division.

3. Missing data relate to those for which district command unit information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what mechanisms are in place to ensure that early invoice payment discounts are secured by each Department in Northern Ireland. [58279]

The Permanent Secretary, in his/her role as Accounting Officer of a Department, is responsible for securing value for money for all departmental expenditure. Guidance requires that payments take account of the 'Better Payment Practice Code' and also covers advance payments which may be sought in return for a price discount. Purchasing guidelines requires Departments to consider discounts as one element of the total cost of the purchase of goods or services. This is facilitated by arrangements which make use of specialist purchasing expertise. Experience suggests, however, that early invoice payment discounts are rarely offered, as standard contract terms tend to be used requiring that invoices are paid within 30 days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent per (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupil in real terms at today's prices in each local education authority in Northern Ireland in each of the last 30 years. [55560]

The information is not available in the format or over the time period requested. However, education spending for 2006–07 has increased by 6.8 per cent. over 2005–06 to a record of £1,846 million, at a time when pupil numbers are falling. Since 1997 investment in education has increased by over 60 per cent., evidence of this Government's commitment to this key Northern Ireland service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to make a range of energy options available to all rural areas in Northern Ireland. [58115]

The £59 million environment and renewable energy fund announced in February by the Secretary of State will increase the range of energy options available to all geographical locations in Northern Ireland. In particular the fund will support the installation of solar, photovoltaic, biomass, wind and geothermal technologies in at least 4,600 households as well as in industry and the government estate. Rural areas will be supported to develop energy crops for the provision of heat and energy from waste projects will make use of agricultural and industrial wastes to provide heat and power in rural locations.

In addition fuel diversity has been further enhanced by the North-West gas pipeline, which will bring gas to rural towns and the completion of the South-North pipeline by the end of 2006 which will increase the availability of gas to rural consumers. In total 28,000 consumers could have gas as a fuel option within the next 10 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many foreign nationals are employed in each local authority area in Northern Ireland. [58122]

It is not possible to provide robust estimates of the number of foreign nationals employed in each local authority area. However, for information, the Autumn 2005 Labour Force Survey estimated that there were 10,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland that reported their nationality as non UK or non Irish.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) salmon and (b) sea trout returned to each river of the Foyle system in each month of each year since 2000. [57343]

The information will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the difference is in average pay between men and women in Northern Ireland; and what measures are being taken to reduce the difference. [57974]

The median hourly earnings excluding overtime for females employed on a full-time basis at April 2005 in Northern Ireland was estimated to be £9.29 compared to £9.70 for males. Female hourly earnings at April 2005 were almost 96 per cent. of males, an improvement in the position at April 2004 when they were 94 per cent. of male hourly earnings.

The Women and Work Commission Report Shaping a Fairer Future", published on 27 February 2006, proposed a wealth of practical ideas on how to close the gender pay gap and opportunities gap. The 40 recommendations are founded on a thorough analysis of all available evidence across the UK including Northern Ireland. The Government are determined to take action to address all causes of the pay gap highlighted in the report. There will be a UK wide implementation project team which will work with Government departments including those in Northern Ireland on how to take the recommendations forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the pay gap between men and women in Northern Ireland. [57629]

The median hourly earnings, excluding overtime, for females employed on a full-time basis at April 2005 in Northern Ireland was estimated to be £9.29 compared to £9.70 for males. Female hourly earnings at April 2005 were almost 96 per cent. of males, an improvement in the position at April 2004 when they were 94 per cent. of male hourly earnings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the reasons are for the time taken to publish the final strategy following the November 2004 release of the consultation document Promoting Social Inclusion: Addressing the Causes and Effects of Homelessness; and when he expects the strategy to be published. [57080]

The Promoting Social Inclusion Working Group on homelessness published its draft policy and strategy document on 4 November 2004 for comments by 4 February 2005, although the consultation period was extended in order to facilitate a number of organisations. A total of 48 responses were received, many of which raised new issues and potential actions that needed to be discussed with a range of relevant organisations. Draft action plans have now been prepared and the Department is in the process of consulting with organisations in the wider public and voluntary sectors to agree actions which can be taken forward. I hope this process can be completed in the near future, which will allow publication of the final report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were prosecuted for illegal dumping in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [57745]

The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) of the Department of the Environment acquired the responsibility for the prosecution of such offences in December 2002. EHS does not hold figures on prosecutions prior to 2003. Since then, its investigations of illegal dumping have led to the following successful prosecutions: four in 2003, 24 in 2004, 57 in 2005 and 18 to date in 2006. A further 126 cases have been submitted to the Public Prosecution Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the ninth report of the Independent International Monitoring Commission (HC 969) was not made available to hon. Members until 14:30 on 8 March. [58186]

The ninth report of the Independent Monitoring Commission was laid before Parliament at 11.00 am on 8 March and was made available in the Libraries of the House. However, the Northern Ireland Office regrets that the embargo was not lifted with the Vote Office until later that afternoon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

(1) if he will list the (a) meetings, (b) discussions and (c) correspondence between representatives of Invest NI and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding potential inward investment into Northern Ireland in each year since 2000; [57060]

(2) what plans Invest NI has to lead a trade delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; [57061]

(3) what assistance Invest NI is giving to local companies in helping to develop trade links with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; [57062]

(4) what plans he has to meet the ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discuss potential economic links to Northern Ireland. [57063]

There have been no meetings, discussions or correspondence between representatives of Invest NI and Saudi Arabia regarding potential inward investment into Northern Ireland in any year from 2000. Invest NI has, however, a long term commitment to helping its clients develop business in the Gulf States. Invest NI only recently organised a trade mission to the Gulf States of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates from 23 February to 6 March 2006 on which 10 local companies were represented. Four of the companies on the mission visited Saudi Arabia from 24 to 27 February.

Invest NI assisted the companies with travel and accommodation costs as well as advisory support with market research and arranging business meetings. The companies also received assistance from the various British embassies while in the markets.

Invest NI regularly takes trade missions to the Gulf States but no dates have yet been determined for any further visit to Saudi Arabia. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has no plans to meet the ambassador of Saudi Arabia in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many inward investment visits Invest NI expects to be made to East Londonderry constituency during 2006. [57679]

Invest NI cannot predict, with any certainty, the number of future inward investment visits to the East Londonderry constituency.

Invest NI does not determine locations for visits for a potential investor; this decision is taken by the investor. However, Invest NI works closely with the company when preparing a draft visit programme to ensure that the locations to be visited meet their requirements and also provide the best opportunity for Invest NI to sell the Northern Ireland proposition in, what is, a very competitive global marketplace.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many trade missions have been undertaken by Invest NI accompanied by South Antrim business personnel. [58118]

During the period 1 April 2002 to 28 February 2006, Invest NI undertook 88 trade missions which included 159 representatives of businesses located in the South Antrim constituency area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to ensure that landfill tax changes are revenue neutral to businesses in Northern Ireland. [56398]

In the course of the 2004 Spending Review, Northern Ireland received Barnett consequentials for 2006–07 and 2007–08 of £4 million and £7 million respectively, arising from allocations to DEFRA and local government financed by increases in the standard rate of landfill tax.

As is the case with any and all such consequentials arising from allocations to Whitehall spending programmes, the amounts are not hypothecated to similar services here, but are subject to allocation in the context of local needs and priorities.

The recently published research report by the Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland (ERINI), entitled Measurement and Benchmarking of Competitiveness—The Cost of Doing Business in Northern Ireland concludes that, on balance, business costs in NI are relatively competitive when compared to GB and the ROI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hazardous waste landfill sites are available for use in Northern Ireland. [58407]

There are currently no hazardous waste landfill sites in Northern Ireland. However there is a non-hazardous waste landfill site located in Lisbane, Tandragee (Co. Armagh) which has a separate, dedicated cell for the acceptance of asbestos waste only.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many manufacturing jobs have been (a) created and (b) lost in the last 12 months in each of the 18 Northern Ireland constituencies. [58114]

Information on the number of jobs created and lost is not available.

However, figures from the Census of Employment can be used to estimate the net change in employee jobs between censuses and the most up to date figures relate to September 2003. The number of jobs in manufacturing at September 2001 and September 2003 and the change over this two year period for each parliamentary constituency area is shown in table 1.

The number of redundancies confirmed to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in the manufacturing sector in each constituency over the last 12 months is shown in table 2.

Table 1: Number of employee jobs in the Manufacturing sector in each parliamentary constituency area in Northern Ireland in September 2001 and September 2003 and the change over the two-year period

Source:

Census of Employment, DETI

Table 2: Number of confirmed redundancies in the manufacturing sector in each parliamentary constituency area in Northern Ireland over the period 11 March 2005 to 10 March 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department is taking to monitor the effectiveness of the Message in a Bottle Scheme. [57285]

The first Message in a Bottle Scheme in Northern Ireland was launched in Antrim on 2 December 2005. The promoters of the scheme are currently considering how its impact could be monitored and evaluated. However, similar schemes operational in GB have demonstrated positive benefits particularly to the most vulnerable within communities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average waiting time was at MOT centres in each of the testing centres in Northern Ireland during January. [57968]

The following table shows the average waiting time for MOT inspection at each test centre in Northern Ireland in January 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to bring MOT testing in Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. [57626]

The Government have no plans at present to bring MOT testing in NI into line with the rest of the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will allow vehicle testing centres to carry out minor repairs on site. [57627]

The Government have no plans to allow the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency to carry out minor repairs on site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland are serving on three or more non-departmental public bodies. [58071]

Sixteen people in Northern Ireland are currently serving on three or more non-departmental public bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the latest Northern Ireland New Earning Survey was carried out; and when the next one is scheduled. [57971]

The New Earnings Survey (NES) was replaced by the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) in October 2004.

The latest ASHE was carried out in April 2005, and results for Northern Ireland were published on the DETI website on 10 November 2005. The next ASHE will be carried out in April 2006 and results are scheduled for publication in October 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what cross-referencing was carried out to the most recent Northern Ireland New Earnings Survey to ensure its accuracy. [58063]

The New Earnings Survey was replaced by the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) in October 2004 in line with recommendations made in the National Statistics Quality Review of Distribution of Earnings Statistics (DOER). Improvements include extending the coverage of the sample to include employees in businesses outside of the PAYE system and calibrating the survey responses to totals from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) by occupation, gender, region and age.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the role of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education in the future governance of education in Northern Ireland. [57313]

As part of the Review of Public Administration, responsibility for front-line support and related functions currently performed by NICIE will transfer to the new Education and Skills body.

NICIE will be represented on the new Education Advisory Forum which will be established to provide advice to the Department.

We will be working closely with NICIE to ensure the interests of the integrated sector are fully addressed under the new arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of planning application refusals have been overturned by the Planning Appeals Commission in each local authority area in Northern Ireland in the last five years. [58131]

The following table shows the percentage of refusals overturned by the Planning Appeals Commission as a percentage of the total number of refusal decisions issued by the Planning Service, in each council area, between 2001 and 2005.

Refusals overturned on appeal between 2001 and 2005

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the organisations and individuals who supported the Seven Councils option during the recent Review of Public Administration consultation process. [58125]

The Review of Public Administration consultation process attracted 1206 responses. Of the 113 responses which indicated a preference for one of the options in the RPA further consultation document the seven council model was supported by 62 per cent. of respondents. Details of the organisations and individuals are listed as follows.

Organisations and individuals who supported the seven council model

Nexus

National Society For The Protection of Cruelty to Children

Royal Society For The Protection of Birds

Woodland Trust

Citizens Advice Bureau

Rural Community Network (NI)

Women's Resource And Development Agency

Women's Support Network

Help The Aged

Youthnet

NI Youth Forum

NCH Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Council For Voluntary Action

Joint Government/Voluntary And Community Sector

Northern Ireland Environmental Link

The Community Foundation Ffr Northern Ireland

NIPPA—The Early Years Organisation

Simon Community

Volunteer Development Agency

Royal National Institute for the Deaf

Youth Action NI

Public Health Alliance

Irish National Teachers' Organisation

Upper Bann Institute

Comhairle Na Gaelscolaiochta

North Down and Ards Institute of Further And Higher Education

NI Affairs Committee—Faculty of Public Health

Institute of Public Health

The Estates Managers Group

Royal Hospital

Eastern Health And Social Services Board

Armagh Observatory

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

Arts Council of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Museums Council

Invest NI

General Consumer Council

NI Tourist Board

North West Public Sector Review Group

Tidy Northern Ireland

Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland

Friends of The Earth

Ulster Wildlife Trust

Ulster Architectural Heritage Society

Ulster Society For The Protection Of The Countryside