To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the costs were of having the former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the right hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn), as an additional Cabinet Member between 8 September 2004 and 6 May 2005. [60587]

I refer the hon. Member to the Cabinet Office annual report and resource accounts 2004–05, a copy of which is available in the Library and on the Cabinet Office website at:

www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/publications/reports/annualreport/resourceaccounts0405.pdf

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what discussions he has had with farm tenants about proposals for gas storage in and around Duchy lands. [59688]

Neither I nor the Duchy of Lancaster office have had any discussions or requests for discussions with farm tenants about proposals for gas storage in and around Duchy lands.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio whether a civil servant (a) attended on the Minister without Portfolio on the occasion when he signed statements for the Lords Appointments Committee from hospital and (b) carried such documents to or from the hospital. [60953]

During my stay in hospital I continued to receive and work on ministerial boxes. The boxes contained various items of correspondence addressed to me at the Cabinet Office including the certificates from the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2006, Official Report, column 1646W, on engagements, if he will list the public events the former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster attended during the period. [59638]

During his period in office, the former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made regional visits to Monmouth, Northampton, Manchester and Birmingham; contributed to seminars on Active Citizenship, The Opportunity Society, Equality Diversity and Choice, Social Mobility and Personalisation in Public Services; and attended the Guardian Public Service Awards, the ACEVO Surer Funding Report Launch and the Duchy of Lancaster Christmas Carol Service.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

(1) what recent discussions he has had with Health Ministers on progress with the implementation of the NHS choose and book system; [60162]

(2) what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the frequency with which the UK worldheritage.org.uk website is used. [60164]

The Government's strategy for the use of technology to improve public services is set out in Transformational Government: Enabled by Technology (CM6683).

I regularly discuss these issues with ministerial colleagues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 6 June 2005 to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws), Official Report, column 302W, on Downing Street (refurbishment), when he expects final decisions to be taken on upgrading the Cabinet Office estate; and who is responsible for taking such decisions. [59636]

Officials continue to develop design and procurement options for the refurbishment of the heritage Cabinet Office estate. Any decision will be subject to acceptance of a strong business case, both internally within the Cabinet Office and by Her Majesty's Treasury.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the KPMG contract for London 2012 Olympics has cost her Department to date. [60763]

To date, the Department has paid £422,162 to KPMG for work on the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. This figure is higher than the original cost estimate, which reflects an extension of KPMG's work to provide ongoing analysis of the various elements of the costs of the 2012 Olympic Games.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what contributions from the public purse have been spent on the participation at the Commonwealth Games of those representing (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [59526]

Sport in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including Commonwealth Games teams is a devolved matter. However, with regard to the funding provided to athletes from Northern Ireland competing in the Commonwealth Games, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office, on 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 317W.

Funding to our elite and aspiring athletes to help them train and compete at international sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games, is provided through the World Class Programmes administered by UK Sport and Sport England, as well as the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS).

The World Class Programme administered by UK Sport supports UK governing bodies and includes athletes from all parts of the UK. It targets funding at the UK's top athletes—both able bodied and disabled—to help them achieve consistent success in international competition and ultimately to bring home medals, usually in major competitions at European, World and Olympic/Paralympic level.

Sport England's World Class Programme is for English athletes primarily within English governing bodies and aims to assist the development of talented athletes with the potential to win medals, or equivalent, in significant future international competitions.

TASS funding is primarily used to support UK athletes aged between 18 and 25 studying in English educational institutions.

The total world class programme investment from 2002 until March 2006 in the 116 sports comprising the Commonwealth Games is in the region of £36 million by UK Sport and £70 million by Sport England. TASS investment across over 40 sports (including Commonwealth Games sports) during this period totals £7 million.

Additionally Sport England has invested £1.5 million in five sports (basketball, bowls, shooting, table tennis and weightlifting) specifically to support their preparation and attendance at the Games. Furthermore, Sport England has invested £1.8 million into this Commonwealth Games cycle through the Commonwealth Games Council for England which will have helped the preparation and attendance of athletes and officials in Melbourne.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what (a) representations she has received from and (b) discussions she and Ministers in her Department have held with companies owned by Fininvest. [59074]

DCMS Ministers have not received representations nor had discussions with companies owned by Fininvest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of problem gamblers in Coventry, South. [60433]

The current estimate is that 0.6 per cent. of the adult population of Great Britain are problem gamblers. This figure is drawn from the most recent authoritative research: Kerry Sproston, Bob Erens and Jim Orford (2000): Gambling Behaviour in Britain: Results from the British Gambling Prevalence Study" (National Centre for Social Research, June 2000). This research was conducted using a sample of addresses selected at random. As such, it is not possible to provide results on a geographical basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the intergovernmental accords she has signed with the Italian Government. [59073]

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has entered into one accord with the Italian Government; a memorandum of understanding on digital switchover in 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on the simplification of the system for the listing of buildings; and what resources have been allocated to the listing process for (a) 2005–06 and (b) 2007–08. [60701]

A number of changes have recently been introduced to the listed building system. Since April 2005:

English Heritage has taken over the administration of the listed building system from DCMS;

DCMS and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have issued a public consultation on new listing criteria. Responses to that consultation are now being analysed;

For each new listing, English Heritage has introduced a new 'summary of significance' that sets out the reason for listing, and a map that shows the extent of the listing;

English Heritage now notifies owners and local authorities on applications to list buildings;

English Heritage has begun to design an information pack for owners to be introduced during 2006–07.

These changes are intended to simplify and streamline the system and make the listing process more open and understandable.

As part of its modernisation programme, English Heritage restructured its staff dealing with listing, scheduling and registration into a new Heritage Protection Department in 2005. In 2005–06 there were 56 full time staff in the Heritage Protection Department on a budget of £2.3 million. Within DCMS a team of 9.5 staff work on administration of listed building applications.

Resources for listing in 2007–08 will be determined in the light of further changes to the listing process and levels of applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding streams her Department plans to finance in 2006–07 to tackle social exclusion. [56087]

Virtually every aspect of my Department's work is focussed on maximising participation in all areas of cultural and sporting activity. Particular efforts are devoted to reaching out to people who are socially excluded or for whatever reason may not feel they can participate. This ambition is underpinned by our PSA targets by which we monitor progress.

These targets drive cultural and sports programmes which play a key role in tackling the risks and causes of social exclusion including unemployment, poor educational attainment, poor physical and mental health and crime. For example, 80 per cent. of the £151 million funding for Creative Partnerships is delivered in Neighbourhood Renewal Areas. Next year, over £10 million will be allocated towards funding 3,000 Community Sports Coaches, many of whom work directly with young people to tackle social exclusion. Through the Respect Action Plan, my Department will provide £1 million over three years to develop and expand the Sports Champion mentoring programme through which world class athletes inspire and motivate disaffected young people. I have also directed national lottery distributors to take account of the scope for reducing economic and social deprivation in designing the arts, sports and heritage grant programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment her Department has made of the risk to the UK of avian influenza. [58341]

holding answer 16 March 2006

Highly pathogenic H5N1 has been confirmed in several EU Member States, including cases involving wild ducks and domestic turkeys near Lyon in France. These cases increase the likelihood that H5N1 may be found in the UK.

Precautionary measures are in place and we are keeping the risk under constant review in consultation with independent ornithological and meteorological experts and other stakeholders. We will not hesitate to introduce tighter controls if a change in the risk assessment justifies such action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons those who report or hand in badgers for the Road Traffic Accident Survey may not be told the result of those tests that are undertaken to determine whether the animal was a vector for bovine tuberculosis. [60403]

The Seven Counties Road Traffic Accident Survey finished at the end of 2005. A major reason that results were not provided was to avoid the possibility that a positive badger might be assumed to be associated with a herd breakdown and lead to the illegal killing of badgers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research projects her Department and its predecessor has commissioned since 1997; and what are the names of the organisations contracted to carry out each piece of work. [60577]

A full response to this question could be made only at disproportionate cost. Defra and its predecessor Departments have substantial research programmes. Defra currently spends around £160 million annually on research and at any one time has in the order of 1,500 ongoing projects with a large number of contractors.

However, Defra proactively publishes large amounts of data on its R and D projects through its website (http://www2.defra.gov.uk/research/project_data/Default.asp). This includes information on live" projects and those completed over recent years. It is also possible to access separate information on research contractors used through this site.

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

(1) what estimate she has made of the number of farmers who are able to obtain up-to-date best practice information from her Department and other websites via the internet; [60053]

(2) if she will provide financial incentives to farmers to invest in internet access as part of their business planning. [60029]

The best available estimate of the proportion of farmers with access to the internet in England is approximately two-thirds. However, this is based on information from the 2003 Agricultural Census, and the position is likely to have improved further since then. These farmers will be able to access a range of guidance from Defra and other departments via the Internet.

Defra aims to stimulate the take-up and effective use of ICT by all rural businesses. And we support the Community Broadband Network, for example, which provides mentoring and support to help communities access and make use of broadband services.

Financial help to farmers to support internet access is currently available through Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme. Further assistance may also be available from the Regional Development Agencies and local Business Link support services.

Farmers may soon be able to offset the cost of internet access under the Whole Farm Approach (WFA). This will lighten the regulatory burden that they face. The WFA will cut the time spent by an average farmer filling in forms. Further financial savings will come from more efficient inspections and the provision of advice.

However, the department continues to use a range of advice channels to communicate best practice and other guidance to farming businesses, including booklets or leaflets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to expand the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 to cover other areas of responsibility; and what discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on this issue. [60469]

The Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 covers the supply of labour to undertake agricultural work and, processing and packing of agricultural, fish and shellfish products. It also covers the supply and use of workers to gather shellfish. We have no plans to extend the scope of the Act at this time and there has been no discussion with ministerial colleagues on this.

Regulations that will allow the Gangmasters Licensing Authority to commence processing licence applications were laid before the House on 13 March. These come into effect on 6 April with regulations for shellfish gathering due by October. The Government have also announced its intention to conduct a post implementation review, a year after licensing comes into effect, to ensure the burdens on business are proportionate to the risks involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will meet bodies that represent farmers to discourage resumption of the export of live calves for rearing as veal on the continent; and if she will make a statement. [60137]

The Department is in regular contact, on a range of issues, with bodies that represent farmers.

The Government would prefer a trade in meat to the long distance transport of live animals to slaughter, whether in the UK or across borders, and would like to see a lower limit for maximum journey times. However, once the current ban has been lifted, it will under EU law be the right of anyone wishing to do so to export live cattle provided they adhere to the rules on health and welfare. These rules will be vigorously enforced and officials are ensuring that those expressing an interest in exporting calves are aware of them.

Veal crates are banned in the EU from the end of this year and their use has already largely been phased out. Several EU countries have, like the UK, already banned veal crates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what factors lay behind her decision to reduce payments made under the environmentally sensitive areas scheme for sheep grazing. [59863]

The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Scheme was introduced in 1987 to offer incentives to encourage farmers to adopt agricultural practices which would safeguard and enhance parts of the country of particularly high landscape, wildlife or historic value. The scheme has now closed to new applicants but there are still thousands of ongoing live agreements in place.

We have not reviewed ESA payment rates for existing agreement holders since 1999–2000 and there are no proposals to do so.

If the hon. Member would like to write to me I am happy to consider his points in more detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to minimise the creation of waste; and if she will make a statement. [59895]

In line with the Government's commitment to sustainable development, the Government's policy on waste minimisation seeks to break the link between economic growth and the amount of waste produced and to drive the management of waste up the waste hierarchy of reduction, re-use, recycling and composting, and energy recovery.

The Government's main driver for achieving waste minimisation is the waste implementation programme (WIP). The waste and resources action programme (WRAP) leads on delivering this work.

WRAP'S waste minimisation programme aims to reduce the growth of household waste from 3 percent to 2 percent by the end of the 2005–6 financial year. So far in the 2005–6 financial year, the programme has received around £20 million of funding for three initiatives:

the Home Composting scheme, which promotes home composting.

WRAP'S target is to divert 400,000 tonnes of waste from landfill by the end of April 2006;

the real nappy programme, which promotes the use of re-usable nappies; and the retailer initiative, through which WRAP is working with retailers to reduce the amount of-waste from supermarkets. A related Innovation Fund provides funding for research and development into waste minimisation.

The retailer initiative will be important for delivering the Courtauld Commitment on minimising packaging and food waste from the thirteen top UK grocery retailers. Environment Secretary launched the agreement between WRAP and the retailers in July 2005. Next year, an additional element of WRAP'S work will be communications with consumers, with the aim of reducing household food waste.

The Government's business resource efficiency and waste (BREW) programme funds resource efficiency and waste minimisation programmes.

Various BREW delivery bodies are charged with returning £284 million, from additional landfill tax receipts, to business over three years. These include:

Envirowise, which provides resource efficiency advice and funds waste minimisation clubs;

the market transformation programme, which helps improve the resource efficiency of products and product information for consumers;

the national industrial symbiosis programme (NISP), which helps minimise waste by linking businesses that produce and use waste; and

the DTI technology programme, which facilitates research and development into resource efficiency, including in the area of waste management.

The Government's food industry sustainability strategy, which will be published shortly, challenges the food manufacturing industry to reduce the quantity of waste that it produces by between 15 and 20 percent. by 2010.

Through its research and data programmes, the Government are investing in developing a sound evidence base on waste minimisation practices and opportunities. So far in the 2005–6 financial year, DEFRA has committed over £2 million to waste minimisation related research and development projects under its waste research and resources programme. Although research so far has largely centred on household waste prevention the programme is also funding some minimisation projects related to commercial and industrial waste (including a £225,000 project, Understanding and Predicting Construction Waste").

DEFRA is currently reviewing its waste strategy, which it published in 2000. On 14 February DEFRA published a consultation document on the review, which proposed a greater focus on waste prevention and resource efficiency to further decouple waste creation from economic growth. DEFRA's work to establish evidence bases on sustainable consumption and production and waste, including research and review work on the flows of resources through the economy, are important linked programmes in underpinning this strategic priority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department plans to continue to provide financial support to the Waste and Resources Programme after the end of March for its programme to encourage and promote the use of real nappies. [59330]

WRAP has only sought funding to enable it to withdraw from this activity, by meeting existing commitments. That is what we shall be providing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2006, Official Report, column 11W, on wild bird imports, what her policy is on making permanent the EU's temporary ban on the import of all wild birds. [60566]

The Government currently have an open mind on this issue and is seeking views from interested parties on the issues surrounding such a ban, particularly in relation to animal health and welfare, conservation, livelihoods and illegal trade.

The European Commission has been asked to look at this issue and has commissioned the European Food Safety Authority to prepare an opinion on the animal health and welfare aspects of the trade in wild birds. This is due to report in October 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the terms of reference are of her Department's internal review of the extension of the ban on the wild bird trade; and on what date she expects that review to report to Ministers. [60152]

The EU ban on imports of captive wild birds from third countries is due to expire on 31 May 2006.

We are awaiting proposals from the European Commission on whether to extend the ban, or to lift it (in full or in part), taking into account the ongoing disease situation worldwide. UK experts will examine these proposals, consider the associated disease risks, and prepare our position accordingly.

We will also be taking into account the recommendations made in the independent review of avian quarantine which was published on 15 December 2005. We will publish the Government response to this report shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Minister in her Department has responsibility for issues relating to world heritage sites. [59100]

Lead responsibility for policy on World Heritage Sites rests with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The Department for Culture, Media and Sports works closely with relevant Government Departments on all issues affecting World Heritage Sites. Within Defra, I am the Minister for Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity, with responsibility for issues concerning World Heritage sites which fall within this Department's policy remit.

The only World Heritage site for the natural environment is for the Jurassic Coast within my constituency of South Dorset. Decisions relating to this site would therefore by made by another Defra minister.

To ask the Leader of the House on how many occasions in the last two years a division has been recorded in a standing committee on delegated legislation. [60755]

The information for the last two completed sessions and the current session is given in the following table:

Number

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 860W, on benefit payments provision, how much debt owed to the Department has been recovered by private sector partners under the Enforcement Initiative. [51395]

The Enforcement Initiative was set up in April 2004 to utilise the services of the private sector to assist the Department's debt collection activities.

Up to and including 31 January 2006 the initiative has recovered an overall total of £22.22 million. Of this £11.54 million has been collected directly by the private sector: this is made up of £4.70 million in corporate debt recovery and £6.84 million in benefit debt recovery.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the proportion of parents with care on income support and income-based jobseeker's allowance who are receiving maintenance for their children. [41435]

The information requested can be found in table 13 of the CSA's Quarterly Summary Statistics (QSS) document, a copy of which is available in the House Library.

For convenience, the relevant table is reproduced as follows.

QSS table 13: percentage of parents with care on income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based) in receipt of maintenance

Notes:

1. The above includes those old-scheme cases with a full maintenance assessment, and those new-scheme cases with either a full maintenance calculation, or a default maintenance decision. Old-scheme cases with a punitive interim maintenance assessment are excluded from this analysis in line with the Agency's target definition, as are new-scheme cases being processed clerically.

2. The Child Support Agency's PSA target was to double the proportion of parents with care on income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance who receive maintenance for their children to 60 per cent. by March 2006". This target has been rolled forward under SR2004 and increased to 65 per cent. by March 2008.

3. A parent with care is deemed to be on income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based) if they or their partner are in receipt of either benefit.

4. Old-scheme data from the old computer system (CSCS) are matched with administrative data from the benefits system to obtain the current benefit status of the parent with care. Those parents with care who are not themselves on benefit, but whose partner is, are excluded from this analysis due to lack of available data. It is not possible to match old and new scheme data from the new IT system (CS2) with administrative data from the benefits system, so this information is recorded as that held on the CSA system.

5. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent.

6. Robust data from the new IT system (CS2) covering the period March 2003—March 2004 is not currently available, and is under development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the accuracy rate of Child Support Agency assessments since 1 January 2004; and if he will make a statement. [41406]

Although accuracy is not as high as we would want there are some signs of improvement. The Agency's Operational Improvement Plan outlines how changes in processes will drive up accuracy standards.

Accuracy levels can be found in table 17 of the CSA's Quarterly Summary Statistics (QSS) document, a copy of which is available in the House Library.

For convenience, the relevant table is reproduced as follows.

CSA table 17: accuracy of maintenance calculations and assessments

Notes:

1. The Agency target for accuracy in 2005–06 is that by 31 March 2006 accuracy on the last decision made for all maintenance calculations (new scheme) and assessments (old scheme) checked in the year to be correct to the nearest penny in at least 90 per cent. of new scheme cases and 82 per cent. of old scheme cases.

2. Measurement of Agency performance against this target is based on checks carried out on a sample of cases that grows cumulatively throughout the year, and is designed to provide an optimal level of precision for the estimate of Agency accuracy at any financial year end.

3. While it is possible to derive year to date performance at any point within the reporting period in order to provide an indicative guide as to current (cumulative) performance, comparisons between individual months (particularly towards the beginning of the reporting period) are subject to sampling variation, meaning that any time series may not be wholly reflective of actual trends in performance. For this reason, figures have been provided for financial years for the period April 2003 to March 2005, and year to date for the current reporting year.

4. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent.

5. The figures included in this table do not themselves have national statistics status, but are included in this publication in order to give a fuller picture of CSA performance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff (a) were employed by the Child Support Agency in each month since December 2003 and (b) are expected to be so employed in each month to March 2006, expressed in terms of (i) actual staff numbers and (iii) full-time equivalent staff; and if he will make a statement. [45031]

holding answer 25 January 2006

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Stephen Geraghty dated, 23 March 2006

You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff(a) were employed by the Child Support Agency in each month since December 2003 and (b) are expected to be so employed in each month to March 2006 expressed in terms of (i) actual staff numbers and (ii) full-time equivalent staff; and if he will make a statement."

The table below contains all the information available on the number of actual staff and full/whole time equivalent staff in post in the months requested. The figures for all months up to and including November 2005 are actual figures sourced from the Department's shared payroll system. The figures include fixed-term appointments and temporary staff, but not Northern Ireland staff (who are part of the Northern Ireland Civil Service).

The Secretary of State announced on the 9th February the new Operational Improvement Plan for the Agency. The staffing for the Agency for future years will be agreed in due course.

I hope this is helpful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) letters from hon. Members, (b) letters from members of the public and (c) parliamentary questions from (i) hon. Members and (ii) Lords were dealt with by his Department in each year since 1995 in respect of the percentage his Department took (A) more than one month and (B) more than three months to provide a substantive answer; and if he will make a statement. [37414]

The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 from the Department of Social Security and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment, including the Employment Service. This response includes information for the 2001–02 parliamentary session onwards.

The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. The report for 2004 was published on 6 April 2005 (column 137–40ws). Reports for previous years are available in the Library of the House. Information on letters from members of the public to the Department's Ministers is available in the Department's departmental report, which is published annually and can be found in the Library of the House. Information about letters from hon. Members and members of the public to officials in the Department is not collected centrally and could only be collected at disproportionate cost to the Department.

Information about Lords parliamentary questions is not available in this format and could only be collected at disproportionate cost to the Department. Information about Commons parliamentary questions is set out in the following table.

Per cent

Note:

The 2005–06 figures are for the period up to 31 December 2005. Twenty working days is used as an equivalent to one month and sixty working days is used as an equivalent to three months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average amount of council tax benefit is in payment to those aged over 60. [60765]

As at August 2005, the average weekly amount of council tax benefit in payment to those aged 60 and over in Great Britain was £13.61.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average award of council tax benefit was in each local authority area in the latest period for which figures are available. [60766]

The information has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many letters his Department sent to clients as part of its debt management activity in each quarter since Q2 2001. [52498]

This information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2006, Official Report, column 596W, on departmental assets, what estimate he has made of the cost of providing the information requested. [49868]

The determination of a disproportionate cost" response is made when the costs incurred in preparing the answer exceeds the stated £600 cost threshold. The costs that will be incurred to answer of 1 February 2006, Official Report, column 596W on departmental assets were significantly above this threshold.

We were unable to provide the information requested as the details are not currently held centrally or in the format requested. To collate the required data would involve requesting information from approximately 1,700 departmental sites and a clerical correlation of the information. We estimate the cost to be approximately £16,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average length of time was between an unrecovered overpayment being identified and a letter being sent to the debtor in each quarter since 2001. [52500]

This information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department recovered from erroneous payments but has been unable to allocate to a specific debt case in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [52507]

We are not able to provide the figures requested. If the Department is unable to allocate receipts, it cannot specifically identify them as relating to debt repayments. All reasonable, practical and cost effective steps are taken to allocate receipts. If this is not successful, the money is surrendered to HM Treasury as Consolidated Fund Extra Receipts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department has a model to predict the distributional outcomes of changes to pension policy; and if he will make a statement. [59840]

The Department uses a number of models to assess the distributional impact of changes to pension policy. These include models which calculate changes in pension outcomes for illustrative individuals, and more complex models which simulate the effects on a representative sample of pensioners. All such models provide an illustration of potential distributional effects under a particular set of assumptions, rather than a prediction of outcomes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Staffordshire and (b) Tamworth constituency use the Post Office Card Account to receive benefits and pensions. [58079]

The information is not available in the format requested.

Information showing the number of DWP benefit and pension payment accounts paid by direct payment into a Post Office card account for each parliamentary constituency has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what definition the Department uses of a small firm. [59280]

There is no single definition of a small firm with terms such as small firm" and SME" (Small and Medium sized Enterprise) being used interchangeably. However, two of the most common definitions are those provided by the European Union and the Companies Act 1985. The Department uses the European Union definition consisting of headcount, turnover or balance sheet total.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in implementing the conclusions of the A47 Norwich to Peterborough multi-modal study which reported in 2003. [59629]

Our response to the study in July 2003 asked the Highways Agency to monitor traffic flows and performance of the A47 and to implement small scale safety and management measures as part of its route management strategy. They were also asked to consider the case for smaller scale bypasses to the villages of Middleton and East Winch and to review the case later in the decade for upgrades between A1 and Sutton and between North Tuddenham and Easton. The Department recently received advice from the region on priorities for transport investment. We are currently considering this advice and expect to make announcements, including announcements relevant to the A47 corridor, later in the spring.

We also provided Norfolk county council with funding, through the local transport plan programme of £1.395 million in December 2003 for a package of measures including the refurbishment of King's Lynn bus station and improved integration with the railway station; creation of a high-quality multi-modal interchange facility at Thetford railway station; improved bus stop infrastructure in Downham Market and pedestrian and cycling signing in market towns.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to tackle congestion on the (a) A47 and (b) A11 in Norfolk. [59623]

The Highways Agency recently completed a congestion study report on the A47 between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth. The aim of the study was to identify where congestion occurs, is likely to occur in the future and to propose suitable remedial measures. A similar congestion study will be carried out next year on the A11, subject to funding.

In line with the recently published public service agreement (PSA) target, the agency is now working to improve journey time reliability by preventing and clearing incidents efficiently, providing improved information to road users and through better planning of roadworks. This is in addition to completing road improvements, such as the A11 Attleborough Bypass.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Kick Start programme in helping to establish new sustainable bus services; and whether he plans to set up further bidding rounds. [60705]

Kickstart projects awarded funding in 2003 in the initial pilot phase of the scheme are making good progress. Local authorities and operators are now taking forward the 43 projects awarded funding in November last year. We, jointly with the Scottish Executive, have recently commissioned consultants to carry out an evaluation of the Kickstart programme. The results of this will be available early next year. No decisions have yet been taken on future Kickstart competitions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much bus subsidy has been provided in the Greater London area in each of the last 10 years. [60178]

The following tables outline bus subsidy awarded in London between 1994–95 to 2004–05:

Bus subsidy in London (not adjusted for inflation)

⁽¹⁾ From administrative returns to ODPM.

⁽²⁾ Includes depreciation and renewal grant.

⁽³⁾ London data reflect changes at the time of preparation for the privatisation of LBL's buses.

⁽⁴⁾ From 1994–95 this was funded by L.T. From 2000–01 TFL took strategic control of London's bus network.

⁽⁵⁾ Operating loss of London Buses Ltd., as stated in their management accounts.

⁽⁶⁾ The congestion charge in central London raised funds which have not been set against expenditure in the table.

⁽⁷⁾ Concessionary fare reimbursement is a subsidy to the passenger rather than the operator.

⁽⁸⁾ Concessionary fare schemes for children became available in some areas from 26 October 1986. Free travel for those under 16 in London from September 2005.

⁽⁹⁾ Bus Service Operators Grant replaced Fuel Duty Rebate. It is paid by DFT directly to bus operators.

Source:

Local authority returns to ODPM (Revenue Out-turn RO2).

Bus subsidy in London (real terms)

⁽¹⁰⁾ From administrative returns to ODPM.

⁽¹¹⁾ Includes depreciation and renewal grant.

⁽¹²⁾ London data reflect changes at the time of preparation for the privatisation of LBL's buses.

⁽¹³⁾ From 1994–95 this was funded by L.T. From 2000–01 TFL took strategic control of London's bus network.

⁽¹⁴⁾ Operating loss of London Buses Ltd., as stated in their management accounts.

⁽¹⁵⁾ The congestion charge in central London raised funds which have not been set against expenditure.

⁽¹⁶⁾ Concessionary fare reimbursement is a subsidy to the passenger rather than the operator.

⁽¹⁷⁾ Concessionary fare schemes for children became available in some areas from 26 October 1986. Free travel for those under 16 in London from September 2005.

⁽¹⁸⁾ Bus Service Operators Grant replaced Fuel Duty Rebate. It is paid by DFT directly to bus operators.

Source:

Local authority returns to ODPM (Revenue Out-turn RO2).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether local authorities are required to spend the funding allocation for the concessionary travel scheme entirely on the provision of transport. [60830]

The funding for concessionary fares is unhypothecated; therefore the funding for concessionary fares is not separately identified. It is for local authorities to decide on their overall funding priorities based on their judgment of local need and circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the East Coast Main Line franchise's performance indicators were met by the train operator in (a) the 12 months prior to the new franchise being awarded in March 2005 and (b) the 12 months after the awarding of the franchise. [60373]

GNER met all its franchise obligations in the 12 months prior to the commencement of its new franchise. Three franchise commitments were carried over into the new franchise agreement at the request of the Department for Transport. Since the commencement of the new franchise agreement, GNER has met all its obligations to date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of GNER's timetabled train services were cancelled in (a) the 12 months prior to the new franchise being awarded and (b) the 12 months after the awarding of the franchise. [60374]

The number of GNER's timetabled train services cancelled in the 12 months prior to the commencement of the new franchise (29 May 2004 to 30 April 2005 was 974 cancellations.

The number of GNER's timetabled train services cancelled in the 10 months since the start of the new franchise (28 May 2005 to 4 February 2006 is 393 cancellations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to report on the outcome of the consultation in respect of foreign registered aircraft based in the UK. [61120]

We have received a large response to this consultation and are currently working on a summary of these responses. We hope to have this document finalised shortly. Once this is done the document will be published on the Department's website and a copy will be sent to all those who responded to the consultation. This document will give an analysis of the responses received and explain how these have informed the Department's views.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on revisions to The Highway Code; and who is being consulted thereon. [60080]

A periodical review of The Highway Code is currently taking place. Consultation on the proposed changes to the Code began on the 15 February and will conclude on the 10 May, with a view to publishing the revised Code during spring 2007. Significant proposed changes to the Code are set out in the DSA's consultation letter dated 15 February. All proposed changes are highlighted in the draft revised Code. DSA's letter, draft revised Code and list of organisations sent the consultation package can be found on the following website www.dsa.gov.uk/highwaycode/where anyone can suggest amendments to the Code.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has given the Driving Standards Agency on changes to the provisions relating to cyclists in the consultation on amendments to The Highway Code; and if he will make a statement. [60252]

The Driving Standards Agency is taking forward the revision of The Highway Code, under Section 38 of The Road Traffic Act 1988. The consultation draft of the Highway Code, including the provisions relating to cyclists, represents the initial view of the Department for Transport, including the Driving Standards Agency, as a basis for public consultation. Much of it is similar to the previous version, with suggested changes to bring it up to date with current circumstances. We will carefully consider the responses to the public consultation before taking any final decisions on the Code's revised content.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has given the Driving Standards Agency on framing the planned consultation on the revision of The Highway Code. [60253]

The framework for revising The Highway Code is set out in Section 38 of The Road Traffic Act 1988. The consultation is also being done in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents there were on the M20 starting at Trottiscliffe Road Bridge at junction 3 down to the on and off slips at junction 5 in 2005, broken down by (a) fatal, (b) serious and (c) slight. [59158]

In 2005 there have been 37 accidents on the M20 starting at Trottiscliffe Road Bridge at Junction 3 down to the on and off slips at Junction 5. The table shows the number of accidents broken down by degree of seriousness of personal injury.

Number of accidents: from Trottiscliffe Road Bridge to Junction 5 before on/off slips

⁽¹⁹⁾ provisional data

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents involving (a) buses and (b) trains were recorded in (i) each English region, (ii) the Tees Valley and (iii) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in the last period for which figures are available. [59927]

The number of personal injury road accidents involving one or more buses in each English region, the Tees Valley and Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in 2004 (the latest year for which figures are available) are shown in the table.

⁽²⁰⁾ Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Darlington unitary authorities.

⁽²¹⁾ The accidents in the table are those that occurred within the 2004 boundary for the constituency.

Information on accidents involving trains are published in the Health and Safety Executive's annual report on railway safety (http://www.hse.gov.uk/railways/annualreport04/index.htm), which is also available from the House of Commons Library. While most of the information is only available at a national (Great Britain) level, limited information (including fatal incidents) is available at county level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he received from (a) Transport for London, (b) regional transport boards and (c) passenger action groups about proposals to extend the Mayor of London's rail powers beyond the London boundary before his Department's consultation launch in March 2006. [60408]

Ministers and officials have engaged with a range of key stakeholders in developing the consultation proposals, including Transport for London and Regional Transport Boards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) incidents of and (b) prosecutions for (i) vandalism and (ii) trespass on (A) railway lines and (B) underground lines in London by (1) adults and (2) juveniles there were in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [60563]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 10 October 2005, Official Report, column 101W given to the hon. Member for Brent, East (Sarah Teather).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department requires local public consultation as part of the Regional Transport Prioritisation process. [60222]

In launching the Regional Funding Allocations process last year we were looking to obtain a clear view of what each region saw as the priorities for spending in their region across the interrelated fields of housing, transport and economic development. In doing this we recognised there could be different factors at play in different regions, and so did not prescribe the exact approach which regions should follow in preparing their advice. However, guidance issued to the regions last July made clear that advice should, as far as possible, represent wide agreement across each region on what the region's priorities were and that it would be more credible to Government if it was the product of a wide consensus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic accidents involving deer were reported in 2004–05; and how many such accidents resulted in serious injury or fatality to drivers and passengers. [60461]

The Department does not collect information on personal injury road traffic accidents involving deer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to disseminate best practice in providing innovative rural transport services. [60703]

The Department's Rural Bus Challenge scheme has provided funding for the development of many innovative projects which have successfully demonstrated the potential of new approaches to meeting rural transport needs.

We have also published the following good practice guides relevant to rural transport:

Good Practice Guide on Flexible Transport Services (July 2002)

Good Practice Guide on the Delivery of Transport in Rural Areas (Oct 2003)

Intermode—Innovations in Demand Responsive Transport (in conjunction with Greater Manchester PTE) ( June 2004)

Good Practice Guide—Integrated Transport Measures in National Parks (Aug 2005)

All these documents are available on the Department's website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what support his Department (a) has given in the 2005–06 financial year and (b) plans to give in the 2006–07 financial year for rural transport services. [60704]

The Government are committed to improving public transport in rural areas. Local and central Government provides funding of £1.7 billion annually to support bus services, including those in rural areas.

We have allocated grant to local authorities specifically for the support of rural bus services mainly in the form of Rural Bus Subsidy Grant (RBSG). In 2005–06 RBSG totalled £53 million. This will rise to £54.3 million in 2006–07.

Last year we announced 'Kickstart' support, totalling £20 million, for 43 projects involving new and improved bus services which will become viable through growth in passenger numbers after an initial period of pump-priming from Government funds. 11 of these schemes will serve areas which are mainly rural in character.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) civil and (b) state aircraft landing at UK airports are required to submit a completed general aviation report to (i) HM Revenue and Customs, (ii) UK police and (iii) Home Office immigration authorities. [59298]

I have been asked to reply.

(a) Scheduled civil aircraft are not required to complete a general aviation report form. Non-scheduled civil aircraft are required to complete a combined general aviation report form to HMRC who then forward it to the local Police special branch and Home Office immigration authorities.

(b) State aircraft arriving at UK designated airports are not required to complete a general aviation report form.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will invalidate the registration of motor vehicles at 25 Duke Street, Chelmsford. [60268]

holding answer 22 March 2006

I cannot comment on individual cases. The law does not allow a vehicle to be deregistered.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list correspondence between his Department and the Department of Health on the funding for the proposed bowel cancer screening programme; and if he will place the correspondence in the Library. [60831]

Treasury Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Department of Health on a range of expenditure issues. No correspondence focussed specifically on the subject of funding for the proposed bowel cancer screening programme has been found.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the electoral registration rates were in the period (a) before and (b) after 13 March 2006 in each ward in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, grouped according to constituency and region and listed in descending order. [60916]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 23 March 2006

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the electoral registration rates were in the period(a) before and (b) after 13th March in each ward in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, grouped according to constituency and region and listed in descending order. (60916)

Ward level population estimates are needed to compare the number of registered electors and the estimated population in each ward. The latest available population estimates at ward level for England and Wales are for 30 June 2002 and for Northern Ireland the latest available ward level population data are from the 2001 Census (29 April 2001).

A comparison, using these data, has been provided previously. I refer you to the answer given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in the Official Report dated 20th December 2005, Column 2809W (Wales) and in the Official Report dated 19th January 2006, Column 1490 (England and Northern Ireland).

No information is available for either electorate counts or ward level population estimates for any date following 13 March 2006.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to increase energy efficiency within his Department; and if he will make a statement. [60343]

I refer to my answer to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 31 October 2005, Official Report, column 733W. Additional measures taken since then include the upgrading and installation of improved controls of the air handling units in the building, and a planned change from night to daytime cleaning, which will further reduce lighting usage.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people in London who had a mobile phone in each year since 2004–05; and if he will make a statement. [60564]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 23 March 2006

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the number of people in London who had a mobile phone in each year since 2004–05. (60564)

This data is not available. Up to and including 2005 we asked whether mobile phones were used by anyone in the household. So, if like most households, several people have mobiles, we'd only count it as one household with a mobile phone(s). Information relating to the use of Information and Communication Technologies by households and individuals are collected through the ICT access module of the ONS' Omnibus survey. The module is run three times within the first quarter of each year.

From January we have reworded the question to target individuals, but the results are not yet available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mortality rate was for (a) chronic lung disease, (b) all forms of cancer and (c) coronary heart disease in Carlisle in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2004; and what the (A) neo-natal and (B) perinatal mortality rate was in Carlisle in these years. [60327]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 23 March 2006

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning what the(a) mortality rate for (i) chronic lung disease, (ii) coronary heart disease and (iii) all forms of cancer, (b) neonatal mortality rate and (c) perinatal mortality rate was in Carlisle in (A) 1997 and (B) the last year for which figures are available.

The latest year for which figures are available is 2004. These are provided in the table. The table also shows figures for 1997, adjusted to take account of revisions to the International Classification of Diseases, where appropriate.

Death rates from chronic lung disease, malignant cancers and coronary heart disease and neonatal and perinatal death rates for Carlisle local authority, 1997 and 2004.^{(22) (23) (24) (25) (26) (27)}

⁽²²⁾ Rates per 100,000 population standardised to the European Standard Population.

⁽²³⁾ The causes of death for 2004 were defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10):

Chronic lung disease (Chronic lower respiratory disease)—ICD-10 J40-J47.

Cancer (malignant neoplasms)—/CD-70 COO-C97.

Coronary heart disease—ICD-10120–125.

Deaths were selected using the original underlying cause.

The causes of death for 1997 were defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9). The codes used are listed:

Chronic lung disease (Chronic lower respiratory disease)—ICD-9 490–494, 496.

Cancer (malignant neoplasms)—ICD-9 140–208.

Coronary heart disease-ICD-9 410–414.

The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in England and Wales in 2001 means that data for chronic lung disease and cancer are not completely comparable with data for years before this date. The effect of the change in classification in 2001 on deaths from these causes is described in a report published in May 2002:

Office for National Statistics. Results of the ICD-10 bridge coding study, England and Wales, 1999. Health Statistics Quarterly 14 (2002), 75–83.

For chronic lung disease (chronic lower respiratory disease) and cancer (malignant neoplasms) the introduction of ICD-10 caused an increase of 3.2 per cent. and 2.3per cent. respectively in the number of deaths coded to these conditions in England and Wales. Deaths in 1997 from these causes have been adjusted to provide rates which are comparable with those for 2004.

⁽²⁴⁾ Deaths under four weeks per 1,000 live births.

⁽²⁵⁾ Deaths under one week plus stillbirths per 1,000 total live and stillbirths.

⁽²⁶⁾ Usual residents of Hyndburn local authority. Deaths were assigned to this area using the November 2005 All Fields Postcode Directory.

⁽²⁷⁾ Deaths registered in each calendar year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Office for National Statistics has made of the number of home workers; and how the number has changed since 1997. [60103]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 23 March 2006

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about home workers.

The attached table gives the number of people in employment who were home workers, for the three months ending November each year from 1997 to 2005.

Estimates are taken from the Office for National Statistics's Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.

Number of people working from homeUnited Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted⁽²⁸⁾

⁽²⁸⁾ Home workers are people who work mainly in their own home, or in different places using home as a base, in their main job.

⁽²⁹⁾ Excludes those who did not answer the homeworking questions.

Source:

ONS, Labour Force Survey

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income was raised from tax on (a) recycled paper and (b) virgin pulp in the last period for which figures are available. [60224]

This information is not available. HM Revenue and Customs does not collect data at this level of detail on international trade or on VAT from individual goods and services.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made by HM Revenue and Customs of the likely impact of closure of its Basingstoke office on residents and local businesses in Basingstoke; and whether the Department has completed an equality impact assessment of the closure. [58932]

HMRC carries out a detailed social, economic and service delivery impact assessment as part of the process of looking at individual locations which may be subject to reorganisation. This assessment includes the effect on staff and the provision of services for customers.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue the stamp duty on stock transactions raised in each year since its introduction. [60346]

Receipts from stamp taxes on share transactions for 1999–2000 to 2004–05 are available on the HM Revenue and Customs website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/stamp_duty/l5_1_sep05.xls.

Receipts for previous years, where the information is available, can be obtained from the publication Inland Revenue Statistics", which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistics the Government collect on the distribution of earned income excluding tax credits. [60616]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 23 March 2006

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning what statistics the Government collect on the distribution of earned income, excluding tax credits. (60616)

The main source of earnings statistics is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). This is an employer-based annual survey which is used to produce income broken down by age, gender, and workplace characteristics.

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a quarterly survey of households which allows the production of income statistics broken down by personal characteristics such as ethnicity and disability.

The Family Resources Survey is a household survey collected by the DWP recording information on gross and net pay, fringe benefits, and sources of income.

In addition, the Monthly Wages and Salaries Survey is an employer-based survey used to calculate short term earnings indices (for example the Average Earnings Index) indicating changes in mean earnings. The statistics are available from http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nscl.asp?ID=8242.

Other surveys do contain earnings questions, but these are not the main focus of the survey and are not generally used in the production of National Statistics.

HMRC publishes statistics on earned income distributions, for income taxpayers only, which is available on their website; http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#36.

The HMRC earned income information is based upon the Survey of Personal Incomes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many photographs of domestic properties in England the Valuation Office Agency stores digitally. [56213]

The total number of domestic properties in England, as the total number of properties is currently around 22 million.

The Valuation Office Agency holds photographs linked to 2.5 per cent. of domestic properties in England.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the pay scheme documentation, including incentive schemes, which is in operation for Valuation Office Agency staff. [60100]

Copies of the documentation regarding the Valuation Office Agency's pay structure and incentive scheme have been placed in the Library as requested.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality, if she will make a statement on the gender pay gap. [60693]

The Government are determined to take action to address the causes of the gender pay gap highlighted by the Women and Work Commission in their report published last month and will issue an action plan within six months.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality, what assessment she has made of the impact on work-life balance of liberalising Sunday trading hours. [60695]

We are currently asking for views on all aspects of the impact of further liberalisation of Sunday trading hours.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality, what recent assessment she has made of the gender balance in the membership of the Houses of Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [60697]

The numbers of women MPs continues to increase—nearly 20 per cent. of MPs are now women compared with 9 per cent. before 1997. There are now 134 female peers in the House of Lords (18.5 per cent.). The UK is ranked 14th within the EU and internationally, 50th in the Inter-Parliamentary Union table of women's political representation. In the Devolved Administrations we are doing particularly well—50 per cent. of the Welsh MPs are women and 40 per cent. of Scottish MPs are women. Positive measures such as those included in the Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act are necessary as there are more than 500 male MPs in the House of Commons now, but in the course of the history of the House, there have only ever been 291 women MPs.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality, what steps the Government are taking to address violence in the home; and if she will make a statement. [60698]

Building on the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, our updated national delivery plan, due to be launched on 28 March, is a comprehensive response to domestic violence. It aims to reduce the prevalence of domestic violence, ensure victims are adequately protected and increase the rate of reporting and successful prosecutions. The Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence, on which I sit, will oversee implementation.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality if she will discuss with the Home Secretary the possibility of the courts being provided with the power to include restraining orders in the sentencing of perpetrators of domestic violence. [60377]

I sit on the Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence which is chaired by my noble friend Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC: the Home Office Minister of State for the Criminal Justice System and the lead Minister for domestic violence. This group provides the mechanism for performance managing the national delivery plan for domestic violence which includes the implementation of the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004.

The Act has been rolling out in stages since March 2005. Providing courts with the power to include restraining orders in the sentencing of perpetrators is not yet implemented. The timing of the implementation of this measure is currently being negotiated between the Home Office and the Department of Constitutional Affairs.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what assessment she has made of the merits of providing girls with advice on the way in which their career choices may impact their future pay and progression. [60382]

Government recognise that the career choices made by girls at school could affect their earnings potential. The Women and Work Commission report that two-thirds of young women would have considered a wider range of career options had they known of the different pay rates.

The 14–19 Education and Skills White Paper sets out an agenda that offers all young people wider choice of what and where to learn, and sets out clear objectives for information, advice and guidance that includes young people understanding the options open to them and their potential implications.

One of the areas the Women and Work Commission looked at was the careers information and guidance available to girls at school. The Government are determined to take action to address all causes of the pay gap highlighted in the Women and Work Commission report and will issue an action plan within six months.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what assessment she has made of the role that improved career advice for girls could play in closing the pay gap. [60383]

We recognise that good quality careers advice is essential in allowing girls to make informed decisions regarding their career choices. The Women and Work Commission's final report highlights that, three years after graduating, women earn 15 per cent. less than their male counterparts.

The Government are committed, through initiatives such as the 'Computer Club for Girls', to encouraging girls to consider all types of career options available to them. Such initiatives work to reduce occupational segregation—a main factor influencing the gender pay gap.

The Women and Work Commission presented their final report to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 27 February. One of the areas they looked at was careers information, advice and guidance for girls. The Government are determined to take action to address all causes of the pay gap highlighted in the Women and Work Commission report and will issue an action plan within six months.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what measures the Government are taking to encourage businesses to provide more high-quality, high-paid flexible and part-time work at all levels, with particular reference to senior staff. [60378]

The Government introduced, through the Employment Act 2002, a statutory duty on employers to consider seriously requests for flexible working from parents with children under six or disabled children under 18. The Government also published the Work and Families Bill in October 2005, which extends the right to request flexible working to carers of adults.

The Government encourage all types of flexible working across the work force by providing detailed guidance that promotes the benefits and shares best practice. The Business Link service is a crucial part of the Government's campaign to promote enterprise and to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business. Business Link provides practical support and advice for employers and its website provides information about the benefits of, and different types of flexible working, including job-sharing and part-time working.

The Acas online advice leaflet 'Flexible working' and their guide 'Changing patterns of work' aims to help employers and employees agree flexible working arrangements that provide benefits to both individuals and their organisations.

The Women and Work Commission have looked at and made recommendations on the availability of quality part-time work including that at senior levels. The Government are determined to take action to address all causes of the pay gap highlighted in the women and work commission report and will issue an action plan within six months.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what recent discussions she has had with trade unions about the role they can play in promoting flexible working. [60380]