To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the operation of miners' compensation schemes in Wales. [59252]

I Chair regular meetings of the Wales Monitoring Group, which meets to discuss progress and the operation of the miners compensation schemes in Wales. The group last met on 6 February 2006. We are continuing to make good progress in settling claims and to date, over £570 million has been paid to former Welsh miners and their families.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of financial irregularities have been recorded in his Department in each of the last five financial years; and if he will make a statement. [57546]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many jobs in his Department have been relocated to Wales since 2001. [57669]

None. The Wales Office is a small Department (which is part of the wider Department for Constitutional Affairs). Staff are split between offices in Cardiff and London. Approximately 30 percent. of Wales Office staff are based in Cardiff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which minister in his Department has responsibility for issues relating to world heritage sites. [59103]

Lead responsibility for policy on world heritage sites rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport works closely with relevant Government Departments on all issues affecting world heritage sites. Within the Wales Office, I have responsibility for issues concerning world heritage sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the value of UK development aid to (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq was in each of the last four years, broken down by sector. [54761]

Since April 2002, DFID's assistance to Iraq, in cash terms to date, has been as follows (in millions):

£ million

DFID's current programme in southern Iraq includes:

£40 million for infrastructure to deliver improved power and water services

£20.5 million to build the institutional capacity of the four southern governorates and to support private sector development

£7.4 million for a team of technical specialists to advise local councils, the military and other donors on infrastructure reconstruction

£6.7 million to strengthen independent radio and TV broadcasting

£16 million for emergency infrastructure, working closely with UK military

In central Iraq, we have allocated:

£13 million to assist the Iraqi Government on economic reform issues

£13.25 million to build the capacity of key central government offices, including the Prime Minister's office, to manage government business effectively

£5 million Civil Society Fund to support the development of legitimate and representative Iraqi NGOs

£7.5 million Political Participation Fund, to encourage poor and marginalized sections of Iraqi society to engage in the political process

£2.3 million to support the justice sector

We also work through the international system, as a member of the donor core group, and as a contributor to the United Nations and World Bank Trust Funds for Iraq (£70 million contributed in 2004). DFID is working with the Iraqi Government, multilaterals, and other donors to achieve a more coordinated and Iraqi-led reconstruction and development effort.

The following table shows total bilateral development aid provided to Afghanistan by the UK Government broken down by sector in each of the last four years (in millions):

£ million

⁽¹⁾ Actual

⁽²⁾ Forecast

Further details of both programmes will be found on our website at www.dfid.gov.uk

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much foreign aid was given to Congo Brazzaville in (a) 2002, (b) 2003, (c) 2004 and (d) 2005. [52083]

The Development Assistance Committee (DAC) donors¹ have given Congo Brazzaville the following levels of aid (net official development assistance):

1 The DAC donors are: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

The aid flows for the calendar year 2005 have not been published yet. The figures comprise both bilateral aid given directly by DAC donors and multilateral contributions (given through institutions such as the World Bank, the United Nations and the African Development Bank).

The UK's bilateral aid to Congo Brazzaville was £210,000 in 2002, £2.43 million in 2003 and £2.66 million in 2004. About 80 per cent. of this aid was for debt relief in 2003 and 2004. Funds were also provided for the prevention of sleeping sickness and, in 2003, for the control of an Ebola haemorrhagic fever outbreak.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of his Department's total budget for 2005–06 expressed (a) in cash and (b) as a proportion of total spending will be spent on democracy-building in the developing world. [53217]

DFID tracks expenditure on programmes which include governance amongst the objectives. This is a broad category covering different aspects of state building and the building blocks for democracy. It includes for example support to improve poor people's participation in the decision making process with government, and building capacity in government to improve its accountability to citizens. DFID's bilateral expenditure on programmes which include governance amongst the objectives is £224 million to date (15 February 2005) in 2005–06 or 12.5 per cent. of total spending of £1.8 billion. The figure includes £12 million to date (15 February 2005), or 0.7 per cent. of total spending of £1.8 billion, on programmes supporting elections and electoral processes. Forecasts for the entire financial year are however, not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken by his Department to assist victims of violence and human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with particular reference to victims of sexual violence. [52203]

The continuing high levels of sexual violence and human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reflect the prevailing culture of impunity in the DRC. The UK is working with the international community to deal with the causes and symptoms of this.

We are supporting humanitarian agencies to provide medical assistance to victims of sexual violence, particularly in the Eastern DRC. We have recently started to fund the Norwegian non-governmental organisation (NGO) Christian Relief Network to set up and run a wing in Panzi hospital, South Kivu, treating women suffering from fistula—which is one of the most serious and devastating consequences of sexual violence. Their programme includes psychological support for patients as well as medical treatment. We are also supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross, who have recently launched a gender based violence pilot programme in the East. The UK will be spending approximately £27 million this financial year on humanitarian and health service delivery projects in the DRC through the UN and NGOs. Many of these provide assistance to victims of sexual violence and we remain ready to support other appropriate and effective interventions in this area.

It is also vital to tackle the underlying causes of sexual violence and other abuses of human rights. One of the ways to end the cycle of human rights violations in the DRC is to end the conflict in the country and the whole Great Lakes region. Conflict reduction is the major focus of the UK's engagement in the DRC. We have consistently pushed the Congolese transitional government for faster progress in a number of areas that are critical for making the democratic process a success and avoiding a return to conflict, notably preparations for elections, security sector reform, disarming militias and ending corruption.

The UK has also been working with the DRC authorities and non-governmental organisations to try and start reforming the Congolese justice sector and restoring the rule of law, to reduce the culture of impunity that allows sexual violence to happen and those responsible to go unpunished. At a local level in the East we are also support NGOs who are promoting dialogue and peacebuilding work between communities previously in conflict.

Ill-disciplined and underpaid members of the Congolese armed forces (FARDC-Forces Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo) also create insecurity for local communities. The UK and international partners presented a dossier to President Kabila on 23 January this year cataloguing the most serious abuses carried out by FARDC soldiers, urging that the soldiers concerned be brought to justice.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much (a) funding and (b) technical support his Department has provided to each multilateral agency that it supported in each of the last three years. [55921]

The following table details the funding DFID has provided to each multilateral agency we have supported in the last three years:

DFID expenditure on multilateral contributions

⁽³⁾ This includes only contributions to the FAO which are counted as aid.

⁽⁴⁾ This includes only contributions to UNESCO which are counted as aid.

⁽⁵⁾ This is the regular programme of food aid. It does not include emergency food aid which is classified as bilateral humanitarian expenditure.

⁽⁶⁾ In addition to these core contributions, DFID also channels some bilateral expenditure through UN agencies. The total amount spent through UN organisations is estimated to be in the region of £300 million annually.

Note:

Memo—contributions from DFID funds which are not reportable to DAC and so excluded from within the table:

Food and Agricultural Organisation: (£000)

2002–03—5889

2003–04—6076

2004–05—6603

UNESCO: (£000)

2002–03—9974

2003–04—8594

2004–05—8141

Source:

Statistics on International Development 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of levels of corruption in Nigeria; and what steps are being taken by his Department to promote and support good governance there. [52202]

As for other countries, DFID's assessment of corruption and governance in Nigeria draws on a range of analysis, including that by the World Bank and by national and international non-governmental organisations. DFID's own Drivers of Change analysis, undertaken in 2004, highlighted Nigeria's history of systematic mismanagement of oil revenues as one of the main constraints to poverty reduction in Nigeria. In 2005, DFID and other development partners supported a national benchmarking of State governments, which measured a range of governance indicators, including what each State has done to address corruption. DFID is currently working with the World Bank to undertake a review of public financial management at Federal and State level, using the internationally agreed Public Expenditure Financial Accountability (PEFA) benchmarks.

Improved governance is one of the three pillars of Nigeria's poverty reduction strategy, the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS). As part of its support to NEEDS, DFID is providing technical support for reforms in public financial management and service delivery systems at both Federal and State level. At the Federal level, DFID supports reforms which are being implemented by a team of Ministers put in place by President Obasanjo following the 2003 elections. Discernible progress has been made on economic reform and on fighting corruption. At State level, DFID is focusing its support on a group of states that have shown, particularly through the benchmarking exercise noted earlier, that they are committed to better governance and transparency.

DFID is also supporting reforms in the police and justice sector, along with support for measures to improve the electoral process in 2003 and 2007. DFID will shortly launch a new programme of assistance to enhance the capacity of the National Assembly.

Nigeria is leading the world in taking forward the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to promote transparency in the use of oil revenue. Complementing the support which DFID has provided for the EITI globally, DFID in Nigeria has provided specific technical and financial support to a unit in the Finance Ministry responsible for coordinating audits of oil and gas revenue.

DFID and the FCO are jointly providing technical support to the work of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of a number of high profile corruption cases in recent months. EFCC investigations have led to the early retirement and subsequent imprisonment of the Inspector General of Police, the removal of the Education Minister and the resignation of the Senate President. Most recently, EFCC provided evidence that led to the impeachment of the former Governor of Bayelsa State, after he jumped bail on money laundering charges in the UK. The former Governor is now being prosecuted in Nigeria.

The UK's support to EFCC is designed to complement a much larger programme of support from the EC.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much is expected to be saved as a result of meeting the civil service work force reductions targets for his Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review; and whether these savings count towards the agreed efficiency target for his Department set out in the review. [52800]

The savings that are expected as a result of DFID's headcount reductions, as set out in the 2004 Spending Review, will be part of DFID's overall Administration Cost efficiency gain which will amount to £20 million by the end of 2007–08 in 2007–08 prices.

The civil service reductions in headcount are expected to account for at least £5 million of this efficiency gain, although precise figures for these savings cannot yet be provided because the grades and locations of posts that are to be discontinued have not yet been finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the performance standards are for (a) the British Airports Authority plc and (b) other airport operators in relation to continued operations during adverse weather conditions; and if he will make a statement. [60245]

There are no service performance standards for airport operators in relation to the continuance of operations during adverse weather conditions. The paramount consideration is to maintain a high standard of safety in all weather conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1538W, on cargo transfers, who decides whether ship-to-ship transfers of oil and other chemicals may or may not take place (a) in harbour authority areas and (b) elsewhere in UK territorial waters. [60507]

In harbour authority areas, it is for the harbour authority to decide whether ship-to-ship transfers may take place—provided that the harbour authority has an oil spill contingency plan, approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which covers such activities. Elsewhere in UK territorial waters, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has non-statutory arrangements and procedures under which ship owners and operators are expected to notify the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of the intention to carry out a ship-to-ship transfer, and to carry out such transfers according to best practice. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency monitors the conduct of such ship-to-ship transfers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of commuters who travel into the Greater London Authority area for work purposes. [60407]

The 2005 London Travel Report states that the number of workers in Greater London who reside outside that area totalled 706,000 in 2004. The report can be found on Transport for London's website at httD://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/pdfdocs/ltr/london-travel-report-2005.pdf.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many councils have indicated that their proportion of the £350 million grant will be insufficient to fund the bus concessionary fare scheme in their area. [57345]

The general consensus is that the extra £350 million for 2006–07 will be sufficient in aggregate to fund the additional cost to local authorities.

Since the consultation on the distribution of the new formula for distributing the £350 million closed on 10 October 2005, 18 local authorities from among a total of 292 travel concession authorities, have made representations to the Department, or the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, about the funding for concessionary fares.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities have reported a shortfall in their funding for free bus travel for pensioners; and what steps each has taken to make up the shortfall. [57540]

holding answer 10 March 2006

The general consensus is that the extra £350 million for 2006–07 will be sufficient in aggregate to fund the extra cost to local authorities.

Since the consultation on the distribution of the new formula for distributing the £350 million closed on 10 October 2005, the following 18 local authorities from amongst a total of 292 travel concession authorities, have made representations to the Department, or the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, about the funding for concessionary fares:

Carlisle; Castle Morpeth; Chorley; Eden; Fareham; Gloucester; Guildford; Mid Suffolk; Pendle; Preston; Salisbury; Southampton; South Oxfordshire; Tewkesbury; Three Rivers; Trafford/Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority; Torbay; and Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority.

It is for local authorities to deicide on their overall funding priorities based on their judgement of local need and circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that airlines comply with their obligations to passengers on delayed and cancelled flights under Regulation (EC) 261/2004 and related European Court of Justice rulings; and if he will make a statement. [60250]

Council Regulation 261/2004 entered into force on 17 February 2005. Member states are responsible for designating an appropriate body responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Regulation as regards flights departing from airports within their territories.

In the UK, the Air Transport Users Council (AUC) initially manages passenger complaints under this legislation and may, in appropriate cases, intervene on a passenger's behalf to secure a satisfactory resolution if the Regulation has not been properly applied. The Regulation creates directly applicable rights, so where this is not possible a passenger is able to pursue an individual claim for compensation through the Small Claims Court.

Where the AUC identifies evidence of systematic or repeated non-compliance with the provisions of the Regulation, it may refer the matter to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the UK's designated enforcement body for this legislation, to consider appropriate action. The CAA has the power to commence criminal proceedings against any airline within its jurisdiction that consistently ignores the requirements of the Regulation. The penalty, on conviction, is a fine of up to £5,000 for each offence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact on the (a) cost and (b) sales of trucks of the introduction of digital tachographs; and if he will make a statement. [60150]

The introduction of digital tachographs is not expected to have a significant impact on the initial purchase cost of new heavy goods vehicles. The short-term impact on heavy goods vehicle sales will depend on whether or not operators defer new purchases until their employees are trained to use the new technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency gives to organisations other than the police which can access its information on car registrations and owners on appropriate use of the information. [56959]

Information on the DVLA vehicle register is released to those legally entitled to receive it. DVLA has an obligation under various statutes to release information to local authorities and government bodies. The use of the information released under these provisions is prescribed in the legislation. Use of information outside of these provisions will be referred to the Information Commissioner as appropriate.

A review of the regulations governing the release of data is currently under way. I refer the hon. Member to my written statement of 2 December 2005, Official Report, columns 50–51WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to review the European Union Fuel Quality Directive; what timetable he envisages for such a review; and if he will make a statement. [60145]

The European Commission is currently reviewing the European Fuels Directive, 98/70/EC, as amended. Stakeholders have been asked to submit comments, and these are published on-line at http://forum.europa.eu.int/Public/irc/env/fuel_quality/home

The Government are encouraging the European Commission to amend the relevant fuel quality standards so as to allow higher percentages of biofuel to be blended into regular petrol and diesel. The Commission has confirmed in its recent Biofuels Strategy (available at http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/biomass/biofuel/com2006_34 _en.pdf) that it will review the current standards during 2006, with a view to increasing the 5 per cent. biofuel inclusion limit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport where the Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service (MAVIS) is located; what acreage of land it occupies; what the terms of the current lease are; what the possibility of renewing the lease is; how many people (a) are employed by the service on a permanent basis and (b) were trained in each of the last five years; what the maximum number of trainees under training was at one time in the last 12 months; how many vehicles are employed by the service; what the breakdown of training between mileage driven on the MAVIS site and mileage driven on public roads is; what sites have been identified as a possible future location for MAVIS; what consultations have taken place with (i) local authorities and (ii) other local representative bodies on a future location for MAVIS; and if he will make a statement. [60059]

holding answer 20 March 2006

The Department for Transport's mobility centre, the Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service (MAVIS) holds a lease of part of O" Wing at the Crowthorne Business Estate at Crowthorne in Berkshire at an open market rent which expires on 30 March 2011. The lease is protected under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 which gives, in some circumstances, the right to extend the lease. A track agreement with a different lessor is held by MAVIS nearby to the O" Wing property.

Ten staff are currently employed at the MAVIS with one vacancy due to be filled shortly. The MAVIS as an organisation does not train disabled drivers but assesses older and disabled drivers and passengers. Over the last five years it has carried out on average 507 driving and passenger assessments per year. The MAVIS currently has 30 vehicles, the majority adapted for the assessment of drivers with disabilities, but we do not record separately the number of miles driven on the highway compared to those driven on the Small Road System.

We are investigating whether it is possible to remain at the Crowthorne site and considering alternative sites for the MAVIS. This work is still continuing but alternative sites .that have been considered so far include sites in Lee-on-Solent, Winchester, Arborfield, Salisbury and Winfrith.

We have not held any discussions with local authorities or local representative bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors underlay the decision not to include guaranteed work levels in Network Rail's regional contractors' agreements; what estimate he has made of the relative value-for-money for each regional contract; and if he will make a statement. [60082]

Network Rail are a private company and as such these commercial matters are a matter for it alone and Ministers have no locus. Network Rail have agreed to write to the hon. Member directly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely impact of Commission Decision 2006/66/EC., OJ L37 of 8 February 2006, on (a) UK noise limits for (i) pass-by freight, (ii) stationary freight, (iii) locomotives, (iv) multiple units, (v) trailers, (vi) other stock, (vii) driver's cab limits and (b) existing and planned (A) track and (B) rolling stock; what UK derogations and exceptions apply; what the estimated total cost is of required adaption; what time period is permitted; and if he will make a statement. [59803]

This decision brings in limits for externally emitted noise from trains. These have no equivalent in existing UK legislation. It also brings in short time limits for loud noise in the driver's cab which will apply as well as the longer term exposure limits set in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.

New rolling stock has to comply after a transitional period of two years. The design of new UK freight rolling stock is such that it is already likely to be compliant. The UK has negotiated permanent specific cases for locomotives and diesel multiple units to allow for the constraints that the limited UK loading gauge presents to fitting onboard noise shields, but there may be a small increase for cab soundproofing in the cost of new locomotives. For refurbished rolling stock it is only necessary to demonstrate that noise has not been increased. There is no impact on track.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to review the Package Travel, Package Holidays, Package Tour Regulations Act 1992. [60220]

I have been asked to reply.

The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/3288) implement the Package Travel Directive (90/314/EEC). The European Commission is currently in the early stages of a review of eight consumer-facing directives, including the Package Travel Directive. In preparation for this, officials have met with the main stakeholders with an interest in this market to discuss how the directive might be amended and certain aspects of the current implementing regulations. We are also engaging stakeholders through an informal on-line exercise to hear their views on this directive, the other seven directives and a piece of academic research into the implementation of them in the UK. This is available on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/ecreview.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the work of the Parking and Travel Appeals Service. [60146]

holding answer 21 March 2006

PATAS provides the independent adjudication service for deciding disputed parking and bus lane penalties charged by London borough councils and Transport for London (TfL) and congestion charging penalties issued by TfL.

PATAS has a team of Adjudicators who decide the appeals and can direct London Borough Councils and TfL to cancel Penalty Charge Notices. The adjudicators are independent solicitors or barristers of at least five years standing and their decisions are binding on both parties. They are appointed by the Association of London Government's Transport and Environment Committee ALGTEC who are also responsible for paying their salaries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he takes to monitor the number of parking tickets issued illegally by each local authority; if he will take steps to reduce the number; and if he will make a statement. [60148]

It is for local authorities to ensure that Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are issued in accordance with primary legislation, Regulations, local Traffic Regulation Orders and on-street signage. A Local Authority Circular 1/95 Guidance on Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Outside London" has been issued to guide them in these duties. Records are not kept centrally of the number of unlawful PCNs issued but it is likely that an appeal against such a PCN would be allowed by the parking adjudicators and local authorities pay close attention to the results of appeals. It is also likely that the local government ombudsman would accept an invitation to investigate a local authority that persistently issued PCNs that were not in accordance with the national and local regulatory framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many train services have been (a) cancelled and (b) partially cancelled in each year since 1985; and how many scheduled train services there have been in each year since 1985. [54959]

Information for franchised passenger train services is only available for cancellations, and only from 1997–98 as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the briefing notes for meetings held with hon. Members on 6 February and 16 March on the SS Montgomery; and if he will make a statement. [60157]

There were no briefing papers as an oral presentation only was made at the meeting on 6 February. The meeting on 16 March was postponed.

The wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery has been the subject of regular surveys since 1965 to ascertain its condition and to consider the options for its future management. The most recent survey was in September 2005—the results of that survey are still being analysed. We are currently updating the risk assessment work and have commissioned further studies. These will be reported on in spring 2006. No decisions on the future management of the wreck will be made until all the relevant information is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Department has taken (a) to prevent terrorist attacks on UK ports and harbours and (b) to screen cargo arriving at UK ports and harbours for hazardous materials that could be used in a terrorist attack. [59539]

It is not our policy to comment in detail on, or provide information relating to, the specific techniques employed to counter terrorist attacks, for very good security reasons.

On 1 July 2004, The Department for Transport fully implemented EC Regulation 725/2004 on enhancing Ship and Port Facility Security. It aims to prevent acts of terrorism which threaten the security of passengers and crews and the safety of ships. The regulation provides for a comprehensive system of physical and procedural security measures at about 550 UK Port Facilities. These are aimed in part at deterring and preventing the threat of terrorism, including the use of hazardous materials in such attacks, in our ports and harbours.

Screening of cargo arriving in the UK through ports and harbours is undertaken by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. Also a programme to screen cargo arriving in the UK for radioactive material that could be used in a terrorist attack, known as Project Cyclamen, has been mounted by the Home Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors underlay the decision to reduce the hourly service from Cardiff to Portsmouth by 70 seats per train. [59477]

Currently some trains that operate on this route are three-car some are two-car. The third vehicles were added to some trains to compensate for peak crowding around Bristol and between Bristol and Cardiff. Improvements in the December 2006 service specification around Bristol, by terminating fewer trains at Bristol Temple Meads station and increasing the number of calls at Filton Abbey Wood, should help to relieve this overcrowding.

The capacity of trains on a given route is for a train operator to specify. First Greater Western (FGW), who will operate the service from December 2006, recently consulted on this timetable. The results of the consultation are being analysed and FGW, in conjunction with DfT, will decide whether to amend the timetable or train capacity in response to the consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons it is proposed to reduce the Cardiff to Portsmouth line service over the section between Westbury and Southampton by five trains a day in each direction from December 2006. [59484]

The primary service between Westbury and Southampton will remain hourly. Added into this pattern are a number of additional services; it is these which are proposed to be reduced on value for money grounds. First Greater Western (FGW), who will operate the service from December 2006, recently consulted on this timetable. The results of the consultation are being analysed and FGW, in conjunction with DfT, will decide whether to amend the timetable in response to the consultation.

The level of service provided between Southampton and Salisbury is also being reviewed as part of the new South Western Franchise. An option to offer a second train an hour between Southampton and Salisbury (via Chandlers Ford) is being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue has been collected in tariffs on (a) imports of (i) cars and (ii) lorries and (b) in total vehicle imports in each year since 1997. [54949]

I have been asked to reply.

The information is not available to this level of detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to prevent the use of mail collection only postal addresses for the registration of motor vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [60269]

There are no current plans to introduce legislation to prevent the use of mail collection postal addresses. To do so would have a detrimental effect on businesses such as fleet companies who register large volumes of vehicles with a PO Box address or other mail collection postal address.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motor vehicles are registered at 25 Duke Street, Chelmsford; and if he will make a statement. [60270]

The number of vehicles registered at a specific address constitutes personal data and as such cannot be released to anyone not legally entitled to receive it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 on the operation of railway services; and if he will make a statement. [59935]

holding answer 21 March 2006

This is an operational matter for Network Rail, as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 applies directly to the infrastructure provider, principally through its maintenance, enhancement and renewal activities and in its capacity as a major landowner. In general, the requirements of the Act do not impact upon the operation of trains.

Network Rail comply with the requirements in terms of protection to species and areas, for example by gaining consent as required, and work with English Nature to assist them meet their target of reinstating Sites of Special Scientific Interest to favourable status.

To ask the Solicitor-General what guidance he has issued to the Crown Prosecution Service on the length of time that should elapse before a case is brought against a suspect. [60651]

There is no specific CPS guidance on the length of time that should elapse before a case is brought against a suspect. However, the Crown Prosecution Service works closely with the police and other agencies to ensure that cases are handled expediently and are brought before a court when all the available evidence is available to support the case.

The Crown Prosecution Service has specific guidelines on timeliness which apply to persistent young offenders whereby cases should be finalised at court within 71 days of arrest.

Additionally, cases which involve the custody of defendants are subject to time limits as specified in Section 22 of the Prosecution of Offenders Act 1985. This is to ensure that cases are progressed expeditiously through the court process and to avoid the need for defendants to remain in custody for excessive periods of time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any of the 20,878 semiautomatic pistols exported to Iraq referred to in the Second Quarterly Report on Strategic Export Controls 2004 had previously been subject to the refusal of an export licence application by an EU member state as defined by the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. [59749]

holding answer 20 March 2006

The Council of the European Union 'User's Guide to the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports' stipulates that information on the central Denial Notification database is classified 'Restricted' and will be treated as such by all Member States. I am therefore able neither to confirm nor deny whether an EU Member State had previously refused the export to Iraq of any of the 20,878 semi-automatic pistols referred to in the Second Quarterly Report on Strategic Export Controls 2004.

I would however make clear that the UK takes its commitments to the EU Code of Conduct very seriously.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken to ensure that agencies allocated contracts by regional development agencies for Business Links brokerage models conform to the terms of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 in respect of their (a) recruitment, (b) subcontracting, (c) board membership and (d) customer service. [59502]

Responsibility for such contracts now lie with the Regional Development Agency in each region and I have asked the chief executive each Agency to provide me with information about the steps taken to ensure that Business Links brokerage models conform to the terms of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 in terms of recruitment, subcontracting, board membership and customer service. Once the information is to hand I shall write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government plans to take to promote the inclusion of carbon capture and storage technology as a means of yielding carbon credits. [60633]

The UK took the initiative in the EU last year with the aim of having Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) qualify for carbon credits under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. We established an ad hoc working group made up of interested EU member countries plus Norway to oversee the production of a report investigating the monitoring and verification guidelines necessary for CCS to qualify for Carbon Credits. This report can be found on the DTI website at:

http://www.dti.govAik/energy/coal/cfft/cct/pub/pdfs/r277.pdf.

This report was presented to the European Commission last Autumn and they have now established a Working Group under the European Climate Change Programme, which includes UK representation, to develop policy recommendations for CCS in the EU ETS. In addition, the UK is working with other countries in the UNFCCC to ensure that CCS projects in developing countries are eligible for carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons grants under the Clear Skies programme are not available between 5 March and the closure of the scheme on 31 March; and what steps the Government has taken to inform applicants that grants would no longer be made available from 5 March. [59479]

Under Clear Skies grants finished before the 31 March because all available funds had been allocated to the Programme.

Notice was given on the Programme website about the proposed closure date and time frames for submitting applications.

The new Low Carbon Buildings Programme will supersede Clear Skies in April this year, which will continue to make grants available for the installation of renewable technologies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the UK's energy supply was derived from coal-fired power stations in each of the last 10 years. [60632]

The proportion of electricity supplied from coal in the United Kingdom in each of the last ten years is shown in the table. The table also shows the proportion of primary inland consumption of energy that was used in coal fired power stations.

Percentage

⁽⁷⁾ The 2005 data are provisional

Source:

Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 2005

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what dates meetings have taken place between his Department and representatives of Asda, including Asda's parent company Wal-Mart, in the last 12 months; and if he will list the participants. [59942]

Because of the very wide range of goods and outlets involved, the retail sector is affected by more regulations than any other sector. Consequently major retailers will have regular contact with many departments and may also be involved in working and consultative groups. To list every meeting would involve disproportionate cost, so the following information relates to key meetings only. Data privacy legislation make it inappropriate listing participants.

Between 16 March 2005 and 16 March 2006 meetings between DTI and Asda/Wal-Mart took place on:

25 March 2005

5 April 2005

29 April 2005

22 June 2005

22 July 2005

4 August 2005

2 September 2005

16 February 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from businesses and industry on the European Commission's proposal to establish a European Institute for Technology. [58972]

My right hon. Friend has received representations from the Confederation of British Industry. These support the Commission's objectives of improving links between universities and businesses to exploit research better, but they question whether the Commission has proposed the most effective mechanism to achieve these objectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes are planned to the (a) distribution and (b) amount of European Structural Funds in the UK. [60115]

The amounts of EU Structural Funds to be received by the UK over the next Financial Perspective (2007–2013) were set out in my written statement to Parliament of 20 December 2005 on the agreement achieved in the European Council on 15 to 16 December. The agreement (and that statement) also included specific allocations for regions covered by the Convergence Objective and by phasing-in provisions under the Competitiveness and Employment Objective, namely Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, West Wales and the Valleys, Merseyside and South Yorkshire, and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. We are currently consulting on a draft National Strategic Reference Framework, which will establish key priorities for Structural Fund spending in the UK. As part of the consultation, we are also inviting comments on how to allocate the remaining funds available under the Competitiveness Objective.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with (a) the National Environment Research Council and (b) the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology on their decision to withdraw funding support for the Freshwater Biological Association Library and the Kritsch Collection. [60366]

holding answer 21 March 2006

The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) is wholly owned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has had no discussions with either(a) NERC or (b) CEH on the Freshwater Biological Association Library and the Kritsch Collection. NERC is responsible for determining the details of how funding is allocated to specific activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the British companies that the Government have helped win contracts in Iraq since the current conflict began. [59478]

The Department does not hold a comprehensive list of all the companies that it has helped secure business in Iraq. However, I will send to the hon. Member a list of UK companies that are known to us to be operating in Iraq and which have given us permission to pass on their names. Many others have asked us not to pass on this information because of commercial confidentiality or security concerns for their staff and operations in Iraq. A number of the companies on the list will have received assistance from UK Trade and Investment.

This information will also be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which 10 areas of employment he estimates to be most short of workers. [59810]

The National Employer Skills Survey (NESS), produced by the Learning and Skills Council, is based on interviews with 27,000 employers and is the most reliable source on worker shortages.

Figures on total job vacancies by occupation can give a misleading picture—for employers within some occupations can fill their vacancies relatively easily. It is the vacancies which employers find hard to fill which reflect a shortage of workers. NESS figures on 'hard to fill vacancies' therefore give the clearest indication of occupations facing a shortage of workers.

The most recent data are for 2004 and show that the occupations with the most 'hard to fill' job vacancies as a percentage of employment were as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when (a) household grant allocations and (b) large scale community and commercial grant allocations under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme will begin. [60060]

holding answer 20 March 2006

Grants for householders and small-scale community projects will be available when the programme is launched in April. Grants for larger projects will be available once EU State Aids approval has been granted. The Commission has been provided with additional information at their request and we are awaiting their decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken to overcome the absence of a lead-in time prior to the launch of the Low Carbons Building Programme on 1 April; and what assessment he has made of the effect of the amount of lead-in time available on the amount of business generated for registered installers of the technology. [59480]

The new programme will be launched in April, industry and key stakeholders have been aware of this for over 6 months.

There should be a limited effect on business for installers as the PV Programme is still accepting grants. Given the time it takes to process applications it is likely the new programme will be up and running by the time grant offers have been given and therefore there will be no gap in business for installers. It should also be noted that there are still a number of outstanding grant installations yet to be completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support his Department is providing for the UK Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak experiment at Culham; and if he will make a statement. [59269]

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) took over responsibility for the funding of the UK fusion programme in April 2003.

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) receives funding for the UK's own national research programme which includes the development of the UK's own fusion device, the Mega-Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST), and for the UK's contributions to the operation of the Joint European Torus (JET).

UKAEA spends about £7 million per annum on the development of MAST which includes a 20 per cent. contribution from the EURATOM Framework Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Natural Environment Research Council since 13 March 2006. [60062]

holding answer 20 March 2006

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) announced on 13 March 2006 that it will proceed with its proposals for the restructuring of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), with various modifications reflecting issues raised by stakeholders' input to the recent public consultation. CEH is a wholly owned research centre of NERC, and decisions on its future are the responsibility of NERC. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has had no discussions with NERC since 13 March on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers he has to examine decisions taken by the Natural Environment Research Council. [60065]

holding answer 20 March 2006

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is one of eight UK Research Councils, established under Royal Charter. It is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry. The Science and Technology Act 1965 gives a power to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to provide sums of money to NERC and to give directions in respect of such sums, but in accordance with longstanding Haldane principles, Research Council decisions on the funding of specific scientific research are taken independently of Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the capacity of the building industry to meet the demands of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's programme of work between the present time and 2012, with particular reference to large-scale public sector building programmes competing for manpower. [56895]

holding answer 20 March 2006

This is a matter for the Nuclear decommissioning Authority (NDA). Prior to advent of the NDA in April 2005, the nuclear industry's assessment of its construction skill requirement was made on a site by site basis. The NDA will identify the long term skills requirements for its overall clean up programme in the context of it Strategic plan. In addition, the NDA will tap into the sector skills agreements currently being developed by Cogent (the skills council for the nuclear industry) who for their part have already started a dialogue with organisations such as the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to ensure that provision is made for the UK as a whole.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the review of the operating hours of six nuclear power stations to be completed; and when he expects to receive applications to agree extensions. [59758]

It would be for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to make any proposals for a lifetime extension of any of their four remaining operational Magnox stations. We have received no such proposals and are unlikely to do so given that the Magnox technology is really very old and there is little, if any, scope for such extensions.

We understand British Energy has taken no decisions about extending the lives of any of its nuclear power stations beyond those dates already announced. Any decisions to seek extensions would be a matter for the company who would need to evaluate the safety, technical and economic cases, within the overall regulatory framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what total efficiency savings were achieved by the Office of Fair Trading in 2004–05; and whether these count towards current efficiency savings targets. [52813]

The Office of Fair Trading did not quantify efficiency savings during 2004–05. Efficiency savings achieved by the Office of Fair Trading in 2004–05 do not count towards current efficiency savings targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the efficiency savings targets for the Office of Fair Trading are to be cashable; and under what budget headings these cashable efficiency savings will be re-spent. [52819]

The Office of Fair Trading has set for itself the following cashable efficiency saving targets:

These cashable efficiency savings will be redirected to meet the increased targets and reform of the consumer credit system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the target level of employment, expressed as full-time equivalents, is in the Office of Fair Trading by April 2008. [52837]

Following the Chancellor's pre-budget statement on the enhanced future role of the OFT, the OFT are unable to provide a prediction, of a figure for the target level of employment by April 2008, at this time. The OFT expect to be able to do so before the end of December 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander), of 14 February 2006, Official Report, column 1866W, on post offices, if he will list the factors that the Department expects to affect the future size of the post office network. [59916]

Factors affecting the future size of the post office network will include: customer usage levels; the success and uptake of new products; the ability to attract new sub-postmasters to take on branches that come onto the market; the potential sustainability of the new ways of service delivery being piloted by Post Office Limited; the level of any support which may be available after 2008; and the outcome of discussions between the Department for Work and Pensions and Post Office Limited on what accounts, other than the Post Office card account, will be available after 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requests he has made to (a) the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, (b) the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management and (c) Nirex for assessments of the quantity, type and capacity of facilities to handle additional radioactive waste created by new nuclear reactors built and operated in the United Kingdom. [56894]

holding answer 20 March 2006

No requests have been made regarding specific numbers of facilities. We currently await CoRWM's recommendations.

As part of its work towards making recommendations to Government on the best option or combination of options for long-term management of higher activity wastes, CoRWM has already considered some new build scenarios, drawing technical information from industry sources. The results of this work were published in the CoRWM Inventory in July 2005. CoRWM have confirmed that waste from a new build programme could be technically accommodated within any of the options they have short-listed for long-term waste management.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many households installed solar panels in each year between 2000 and 2005. [58733]

Under the Photovoltaics Demonstration Programme, which has been running since 2002, the following numbers of households have stalled solar panels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the amount of grant funding to be allocated to solar photovoltaic technologies in 2006–07 from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. [60362]

holding answer 21 March 2006

The new programme is technology neutral, there is no specific allocation to any technology. We will be looking to ensure all technologies are supported, but this will also depend on projects that come forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total amount of grant funding spent under the Solar photovoltaic Major Demonstration Programme was in 2004–05. [60368]

holding answer 21 March 2006

£5.99 million has been spent on both Stream 1 and 2 grants to date for the financial year 2004–05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further plans he has to regulate unsolicited telephone sales calls. [60517]

Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, consumers are offered protection from unsolicited telephone sales calls through the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) scheme. This has proved to be an effective deterrent with 11.2 million registrations to date. No one is allowed to make an unsolicited telephone sales call to a subscriber who has either previously notified the caller that they do not wish to receive such calls or has been registered with the TPS scheme for at least 28 days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many wave power research and development projects have been financially supported by his Department over the last three years; and at what total cost. [60221]

Over the last three financial years a total of 13 wave energy projects have been supported under the DTI's Technology Programme. The expenditure in each year is given as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department has taken to realise total annual efficiency gains of at least £4.3 billion by 2007–08. [60624]

The Department is reporting steps taken to achieve our efficiency target of £4.3 billion through existing Departmental reporting processes. We reported most recently in the Department's 2005 Autumn Performance Report and will report further progress and steps taken in the 2006 Departmental Report that we expect to publish in May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department is taking to improve and expand business education in universities in the North East. [60009]

The Department works mainly through the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to deliver business education provision via higher education institutions in England. The following are just some examples of the steps my Department is taking to support business education in universities in the North East.

Preparing students for business through business education.

Professional and other business services1 was identified as a priority at level 4 in the North East skills action plan, so HEFCE were keen to ensure this subject area received additional student numbers (ASNs) from the managed growth allocation last year. They were identified as one of HEFCE's priorities in the selection process, and in the end they allocated 388 full-time equivalents (25 percent.of the total North East allocation) to business related subjects.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the North East are committed to business and management, not least because leadership has been identified as a key contributor to the economic future of the region. For example, the University of Northumbria is in the midst of expanding its business school in the centre of Newcastle. The school (together with law and design) will be moved into new high profile, high spec premises as part of a strategy to ensure these three key schools gain synergies from closer working through co-location. There are other campus developments across the region that may not directly improve the infrastructure of business studies, but will improve the facilities for business to interact with the university.

More generally, HEFCE have encouraged institutions to think about getting students ready for business through their HEROBC and HEIF funding. Over the years these funding streams have provided placements, developed employability skills, encouraged graduate entrepreneurship, facilitated spin offs, established incubator space and created real links between business and students. Between August 2006 and July 2008, over £9.4 million will go into the North East in HEIF III funding through the core institutional allocations.

Reaching out to business through business education

This is slightly different, as business is the end user. HEFCE have targeted investment in this area through HEROBC and HEIF. The HE business and community interaction survey (http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2005/05_46/) provides a good breakdown of where the funding has been used in the past, for example to increase the amount of continuing professional development (CPD) and short courses run businesses.

The North East Higher Skills Network (NEHSN)—the region-wide Lifelong Learning Network— will also impact on this in the future as it will aim to increase the skills levels of those at work in the North East in three key employment sectors (manufacturing, health and business). The region successfully bid for £5.5 million last year to establish the NEHSN, and we hope to see activity take over the next year. The network will encourage progression for employees from vocational backgrounds and provide information, advice and guidance on how their careers could be enhanced through further study. It will also create links with employers and Sectors Skills Councils (SSCs) to ensure qualifications are fit for purpose and meet the needs of business. We expect the network to look at ways of accrediting work based learning and also interact with Train to Gain, Business Links and other regional business service providers.

Through previous HEIF rounds, a number of specific employer related initiatives have been established. There is a region wide New Technology Institute that is now funded by the RDA, but which came from a HEFCE funded imitative from 2001. Knowledge House has received several years of funding through HEIF competitions and is a gateway for business as well as research consultancy. More recently two Centres for Knowledge Exchange in the region have been funded.

Sunderland (Global Automotive Technology Exchange —GATE) was established to identify emerging technologies in the automotive sector and develop exploitation routes for the benefit of UK manufacturing industry, involves transferring existing technology from the UK HEI partners to industry, developing technology with industrial partners and promoting these via the GATE partnership. GATE has been successful in supporting joint R and D projects and encouraging academics to become more proactive in seeking out and servicing the requirements in industry (significant rise in the numbers of academics and students engaging in technology transfer). Teesside—Digital Knowledge Exchange (DKE) has helped to develop advanced services in digital media. It has helped Teesside to create a core team of experienced developers, researchers and business people able to respond rapidly to the needs of digital sector. The team also acts as a focus for further activity drawing on additional help from external research teams, academics, graduates, students and partner bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people have graduated from university with a chemistry degree in each year since 1996. [59661]

holding answer 17 March 2006

The latest available information on graduate numbers is given in the following table. Latest figures published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for the years since 2004/05 show that entrants to chemistry courses are increasing: students entering full-time chemistry degree courses in autumn 2005 increased by 12.5 per cent. (compared to an overall rise for all subjects of 8.4 per cent.), and early figures for autumn 2006 entry show that applications for chemistry are up by 5.6 per cent. (compared to an overall fall in applications of 2.8 per cent.).

Graduates in chemistry from UK HE institutions⁽⁸⁾

⁽⁸⁾ Covers all graduates (UK domiciled and overseas).

⁽⁹⁾ Figures from 1994/95 to 1999/2000 exclude qualifications obtained from students studying on dormant modes of study. Figures for 2000/01 onwards include these students.

⁽¹⁰⁾ Figures for 2001/02 and earlier are based upon the major subject of the qualification. For 2002/03 onwards, figures by subject are apportioned between the subjects studied. This means that the figures for 2002/03 and later are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Note:

Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

Source:

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the inclusion of Post-Graduate Certificate in Education students within the university fees regime will operate; and if she will make a statement. [60538]

From 2006 universities and colleges will be able to charge new students tuition fees which can vary between £0 and £3,000. This will replace the current flat rate fixed fee which is currently set at £1,175. The new higher variable fee applies to all students starting teacher training courses in 2006, including those starting a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) course. Universities charging the maximum fee will be required to offer bursaries to the poorest students. Students are not required to pay the fees up front and like all other new students, PGCE students are able to apply for a loan for the cost of the fees. The loans are repayable once a student has finished their course and is earning £15,000 or more.

Training bursaries for PGCE students have been increased for 2006/06, with £9,000 available for those training in a priority subject. Eligible low income PGCE students also receive a new maintenance grant of at least £1,200 and up to £2,700, depending upon an income assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 12 October 2005, Official Report, column 528W, on school performance measurements, if she will make a statement on recent progress of the piloting of the inclusion of a contextualised value-added measure in the achievement and attainment tables. [59652]

The secondary school achievement and attainment tables contextual value added (CVA) pilot is currently being evaluated. The pilot tables, showing CVA measures for the 430 schools that volunteered to take part in the pilot, were published on 19 January 2006. An evaluation questionnaire was made available on the Department's website and officials have held a series of evaluation conferences with pilot schools and local authorities. I hope to be in a position to announce the outcome of the pilot and the content of the 2006 tables next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether her Department maintains a record of the teacher recruitment incentives available to newly qualified teachers in respect of payment of student debt. [60539]

The Repayment of Teachers' Loans (RTL) scheme repays the student loans of eligible teachers of priority subjects who have been accepted onto the scheme. Newly qualified teachers were accepted onto the scheme between 2002 and 30 June 2005 when it was closed to new applicants, except those who were unable to obtain employment before 30 June 2005 because they were pregnant or had recently given birth. The scheme is administered by the Student Loans Company (SLC) which holds records of individual cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 595W, on student debt/loans, if she will break down the total figure given for estimated student loans that will be written off into the categories to which she refers. [59867]

Of the £2.47 billion (face value) loans issued to students in FY 2004–05, we estimate that over the lifetime of those loans we will write off some £50 million due to the death or permanent disability of borrowers and some £74 million for borrowers whose income does not reach the statutory repayment threshold.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of whether there have been delays to the award of qualifications arising from the industrial action taken by university lecturers; and if she will make a statement. [59816]

We have made no such assessment. It is a matter for higher education institutions (HEIs), as autonomous bodies, to consider how best they can minimise the adverse effects of the current dispute. HEIs are responsible for determining their own academic and administrative affairs, including deciding what to pay their own staff. Pay and conditions of service are subject to negotiations between employers, their staff and their representative trade union bodies. The Government plays no part in this.

The Government would encourage both employers and unions to reach a speedy resolution in relation to the current dispute, to ensure minimal further disruption to students.

To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to his oral answer of 9 March 2006, Official Report, column 959, how many of the 1,500 nurses, 670 doctors and 250 consultants are serving the constituents of the hon. Member for Wellingborough. [58967]

The information requested is not collected in that form. My oral answer of 9 March 2006, Official Report, column 959, covered nurses, doctors and consultants serving his constituents" from the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland strategic health authority.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what measures are being taken to offset carbon emissions from the House of Commons estate. [60477]

Rather than offset, the concentration of effort has been on more efficient energy use. Some good progress has been made. For example new more efficient boilers were installed on the Estate in 2004 and currently feasibility work is under way to assess methods to increase the level of renewable energy used across the Estate. The Carbon Trust has been working in partnership with the Parliamentary Estates Directorate (PED) to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, help reduce energy consumption and develop a corporate strategy for the management of carbon dioxide. The PED will shortly be discussing a new partnership with the Carbon Trust to start in April 2006. The Commission expects to review progress in this area and consider how far carbon offset is desirable or possible before the summer recess.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Parliamentary Information and Communication Technology Service. [60596]

The Parliamentary ICT service (PICT) came into existence on 1 January 2006, bringing together IT functions that had previously been managed separately. It is therefore too early to make an overall assessment of its performance. The Director of PICT is always ready to discuss areas of particular concern with individual hon. Members.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the status of airfields as previously developed land under the revised Planning Policy Statement 3. [59107]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Southport on 20 March 2006, Official Report, column 67W.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many disciplinary actions against civil servants employed in his Department (a) were commenced and (b) resulted in a sanction being applied in each of the last five years. [43497]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was established following the Machinery of Government changes in May 2002.

The ODPM's staff handbook sets out formal procedures for dealing with disciplinary actions involving staff. Disciplinary action can result from 'misconduct' which is broken down into three categories:

Minor misconduct—behaviour that is unacceptable and of sufficient concern that it cannot be dealt with informally, but not serious enough to fall into either of the two other categories;

Serious misconduct—behaviour which by its very nature damages the relationship between the individual and their employer; and

Gross misconduct—behaviour which by its very nature so damages the relationship it would normally be incompatible with continued employment.

Information on the number of disciplinary cases is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what was the average cost of a false alarm attended by the fire and rescue service (FRS) in each FRS area in the last year for which figures are available. [55765]

The latest estimate of the average cost of a false alarm attended by the fire and rescue service is £1,970. The cost of false fire alarms is estimated by calculating the proportion of fire service call-outs that are not related to an incident, and assuming that the proportion of total expenditure by the fire and rescue service on call-outs is attributable to false alarms. This is likely to be an overestimate, as less time and resource is generally used during false alarms than in tackling genuine incidents. Calculations produce a national average figure, but the methodology does not allow us to produce estimates for individual FRS areas.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) restaurants, (b) hotels and (c) guest houses will no longer receive rural rate relief as a result of the Licensing Act 2003 (Consequential Amendment) (Non-Domestic Rating) (Public Houses in England) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/591); what the average value of the rate relief was in each category in the latest period for which figures are available; what assessment of the impact of the change on each category of business has been made; and if he will make a statement. [59841]

Local authorities are not required to provide data on the number or breakdown of recipients of rural village shop rate relief, of which relief for public houses is one category. Mandatory and discretional rural village shop rate relief as a whole is estimated to amount to £8.2 million in 2005–05 across all billing authority areas. The Licensing Act 2003 (Consequential Amendment) (Non-Domestic Rating) (Public Houses in England) Order 2006 replaces the definition of public house" in the Non-Domestic Rating (Public Houses and Petrol Filling Stations)(England) Order 2001. The Licensing Act 2003 replaced the type of licence on which the 2001 definition was based with new arrangements that do not exactly correspond to the previous arrangements, but did not make the necessary consequential amendment.