To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what bilateral aid his Department is giving to tackle leprosy; and if he will make a statement. [61833]

DFID provides targeted project support to tackle leprosy through the Leprosy Mission in India and the Leprosy Relief Association in Brazil. This funding supports community based efforts to improve access to care, reduce stigma and rehabilitate those affected. DFID commitment to these projects for 2005–6 is £196,453. Similar projects with other non-government organisations have recently ended in Brazil and Nepal. Overall DFID commitment from 2002 to 2008 is £1,152,453.

Global elimination of leprosy also requires integrating leprosy services into general health services and building the ability of general health workers to treat leprosy. DFID provides substantial support to strengthen health services in developing countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development How much his Department has given in aid to Mongolia in each of the last three years. [61834]

The UK bilateral programme in 2002–03, 2003–04 and 2004–05 was £395,000, £267,000 and £231,000 respectively. The attributed UK share of EC expenditure from 2001 to 2003 was £400,000, £200,000 and £200,000 respectively.

Bilateral expenditure in 2005–06 was £200,000. This was accounted for entirely by the Small Grants Scheme. During 2005–06, it was agreed that responsibility for this scheme globally would be transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The formal DFID bilateral programme in Mongolia is therefore coming to an end.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development What recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank. [61835]

The humanitarian situation in the West Bank is currently relatively stable. Conditions in the Gaza Strip have worsened recently due to the closure of the main crossing at Kami. During the week of 20 March 2006 in the Gaza Strip there were severe shortages of essential foodstuffs.

Following the Palestinian elections, the political situation in the Palestinian territories is uncertain. Assistance to the next government will be judged against the Quartet principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel, and commitment to the peace process. However, programmes aimed at meeting Palestinians' basic needs will continue, including assistance for Palestinian refugees, which in 2005–06 amounted to £15 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in establishing a world fund to provide rapid aid and relief at times of major disasters. [61836]

The United Nations' Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) was launched on 9 March 2006. This consists of a $50 million loan facility and a rant facility with an eventual target of up to $450 million. $255 million has been pledged by 38 donors so far. The UK is the largest single donor at $70 million (£40 million).

The first disbursement from the CERF of $950,000 has been made to protect Internally Displaced People in Cote D'lvoire. A disbursement for famine relief in the Horn of Africa is expected soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa; and if he will make a statement. [61837]

Growth in agricultural productivity has been disappointing in sub-Saharan Africa. According to the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), agricultural output barely kept pace with population between 1961 and 2001, increasing from 40 to 116 million tonnes.

DFID believe that agriculture should be at the heart of efforts to reduce poverty. In December 2005, DFID launched a policy paper entitled 'Growth and poverty reduction: the role of agriculture', which sets out our priorities for action. Copies of this document have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development If he will make a statement on donor response to the famine in the Horn of Africa. [61838]

DFID has been the second largest bilateral donor, after the US, to the current relief effort in the Horn of Africa with a contribution so far of £35.9 million. The European Union is also making a major contribution. Other leading donors include Norway and Sweden. So far the overall donor response has fallen short of levels of funding requested by the UN. We will be reviewing our own funding next week when the UN issues an updated and revised appeal. We hope that other donors will follow our lead.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what activity his Department participated in to mark this year's World Water Day. [61839]

DFID and DEFRA participated in the World Water Forum in Mexico, which focused on achieving the MDGs through local actions. Themes discussed included the impact of climate change, corruption in the water sector, the right to water and the advantages of Sector Wide Approaches. I highlighted the importance of better coordination of UN Agencies working with water, with UN-Water as the mechanism for achieving this.

In the UK, DFID supported an awareness event in Bristol involving pupils from Teyfant Community School. Information such as a World Water Day Factsheet, was made available on our website for the general public, and an exhibition on 'drawing water' was held in DFID buildings, following the UNESCO theme for the day of 'Water and Culture'.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many official holidays staff at the Department's offices in (a) Bangladesh and (b) Pakistan receive per annum. [61578]

In line with all DFID overseas offices, staff in Bangladesh and Pakistan receive 14 official holidays per annum. For 2006, they are as follows:

Bangladesh

Pakistan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have held with directors and senior executives of (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries since 1 January 2004; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have provided input (1) in writing and (2) in person to policy discussions in his Department since 1 January 2004. [61072]

Neither myself nor my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development have held meetings or had written communication with directors or senior executives of Capita Group or its subsidiaries since 1 January 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support his Department is providing for programmes to reduce the number of child soldiers. [61760]

The UK strongly supports UN Security Council Resolution 1612, condemning the use of child soldiers and backing Kofi Annan's action plan to reduce their number. DFID supports programmes in this area, in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), both from DFID resources and from Her Majesty's Government Global and African Conflict Prevention Pools.

For example, in the last year DFID has provided:

(a) Ongoing support to NGO network monitoring and reporting on children affected by armed conflict across the world, both as child soldiers and as non-combatants.

(b) Support to UNICEF HQ to build capacity and improve country programmes addressing children affected by armed conflict.

(c) Across Central Africa: support to the Multi-Country Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme, a World Bank initiative funded by 11 donors including the UK, addressing the challenges of demobilisation and reintegration of members of national armies and armed groups in the greater Great Lakes region (covering Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC_, Burundi, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo and Uganda).

(d) In Uganda: support to war affected children and youth (including former child soldiers) in the northern areas through a variety of regional and international organisations.

(e) In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): support to UNICEF in a disarmament, demobilisation and re-integration (DDR) programme for children associated with armed groups.

(f) In Sudan: support to UNICEF in child soldier DDR and the return, reunification and reintegration of vulnerable children; support to a Preparatory Support Programme for DDR in Sudan, which will include a major focus on children associated with fighting forces.

(g) In Liberia: support to UNICEF for a programme on Education and Reintegration for Children Associated with the Fighting Forces, plus support to a broad-based Liberia Disarmament, Demobilisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme, which will include child soldiers.

(h) In Rwanda: support to Save the Children in studying how to improve conditions for girl soldiers undergoing DDR.

(i) In Sri Lanka: support to the UNICEF Children Affected by Armed Conflict programme and a complimentary Save the Children programme. UNICEF and Save the Children are working together to help prevent recruitment of child soldiers, to encourage forces to release children to their families and to reintegrate former Child soldiers into the community.

(j) As the recruitment of child soldiers depends heavily on the availability of small arms and light weapons, being light and easy to use, DFID also works closely with the FCO and MoD to reduce the number of small arms and light weapons in circulation, particularly in Africa.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the future programme of the Commission for Africa. [62123]

The Commission for Africa (CFA) ceased to exist after it launched its report in March 2005, although its website (www.commissionforafrica.org) has been established as a permanent resource for those interested in development and Africa.

The Commission's report set the tone for the unprecedented international attention that Africa received during 2005, not least the G8 summit. At Gleneagles, G8 leaders took up many of the Commission's recommendations and agreed a detailed set of commitments to tackle poverty covering areas including peace and security, good governance, human development and growth. To mark the first anniversary of the launch of the CFA report on 11 March 2006, the Government published a detailed report on the UK's contribution to taking forward the Commission's recommendations and to ensuring that the G8 deliver on their Gleneagles' commitments. This report, entitled Implementation of the Commission for Africa recommendations and G8 Gleneagles' commitments on poverty": The UK's contribution', was deposited in the Libraries of the House on 9 March, and was also sent to all Members of Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many and what proportion of (a) staff and (b) new staff employed in (i) his Department and (ii) each of the agencies for which he has responsibility, were registered as disabled in each of the last three years for which data are available. [61383]

The numbers of staff and new staff in DFID who have declared a disability in each of the last three years is as follows:

Number of staff declaring a disability as at 1 April in each year

Number of new staff declaring a disability in each financial year

The Cabinet Office also collects and publishes data from all departments on the numbers of staff who have declared a disability. The latest available information, for April 2004, is available in the Libraries of the House and on the Civil Service website at the following addresses:

http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/publications/xls/disability apr04

4novQ4.xls

for data relating to 1 April 2004, and

http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/archive/index.asp

for previous reporting periods.

The figures published in these returns are rounded, and do not include data on the number of staff and new staff in DFID who have declared a disability.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effect of the Government of Lesotho's achievement of international debt repayment on funding of internal health and education programmes. [60919]

In June 2005, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conducted a debt sustainability analysis (DSA) and concluded that Lesotho's debt levels were sustainable. This means it does not classify as a heavily indebted poor country (HIPC). Its annual interest payments on international debt in the financial year 2005–06 were 86.7 million Maloti roughly £8.2 million. Expenditure on health in that year was 390.3 million Maloti (approximately £37.2 million) and education 1128.6 million Maloti (approximately £107.5).

Interest payments on international debt were 1.8 per cent. of total Government expenditure, spending on health was 8.2 per cent. of Government expenditure and spending on education was 26.3 per cent. of Government expenditure.

The cancellation of Lesotho's international debt would not therefore, have significantly changed Lesotho's ability to fund health and education programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will take steps to cancel the debt owed to the UK by the Government of Lesotho. [61130]

The UK cancelled all eligible bilateral aid loans to Lesotho in 1979 under the Retrospective Terms Adjustment programme. Only one loan remains outstanding to the UK, with £329,000 due as the UK's share of a loan made with other, then European Economic Countries (EEC) member states through the World Bank. The UK is in the process of agreeing debt relief treatment on this loan with the other creditors.

Lesotho does not have any outstanding debt to CDC (formerly the Commonwealth Development Corporation), but does have £1.66 million of outstanding debts to the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD). These cannot be cancelled by the ECGD outside of an international agreement by the Paris Club of Government creditors without full compensation to the ECGD by DFID. This would involve re-allocation of DFID's budget at the expense of other poor countries.

Lesotho is not a heavily indebted poor country (HIPC), and so is not eligible for the exceptional debt relief offered under the HIPC initiative. However, the UK is committed to ensuring debt relief for all low-income countries that can use the resources effectively for poverty reduction. DFID is currently providing assistance to the Government of Lesotho to strengthen its financial management systems. Once the country's public expenditure management systems are sufficiently robust to meet the entry criteria, the UK will begin paying 10 per cent. of Lesotho's debt service payments to the World Bank and African Development Bank under our multilateral debt relief initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much (a) bilateral and (b) multilateral aid and assistance the UK Government have provided for the current drought and famine in Somalia; and if he will make a statement. [61690]

DFID has provided the following bilateral aid:

£3.5 million to the World Food Programme's Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (£1 million in December 2005 and £2.5 million in February 2006);

£500,000 has been contributed to UNICEF's drought response;

£1 million to OCHA's Humanitarian Response Fund (HRF), a flexible mechanism to improve the speed and appropriateness of emergency relief, NGOs can apply to the HRF for rapid funding of smaller emergency projects;

£1.5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross's (ICRC) humanitarian programmes in Somalia; and

£500,000 (approximately) being emergency medical and nutritional work of existing programmes in the drought affected areas.

On multilateral aid—most of the funding provided through UN agencies is earmarked to specific activities and is therefore included in the bilateral assistance above. The UK share of the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) expenditure is 17.25 per cent. Current ECHO expenditure in Somalia in response to the drought is €1,358,233. The UK share is therefore €237,689, or £164,020.96. The UK also contributes to other multilateral organisations, some of which may have contributed in response to the drought—for example the African Development bank has said it will provide $500,000 to the World Food Programme (WFP) for its operations in Somalia. However as these agencies will not report expenditure incurred in 2006 until the end of 2007, it is not possible to calculate an imputed UK share at this stage.

The UN issued a revised appeal for Somalia on 21 March for humanitarian operations for 1.7 million people that the UN judges are in need of urgent assistance. Of these it is estimated that 915,000 are experiencing a humanitarian emergency in the drought affected parts of southern and central Somalia. The revised appeal raises the amount requested for humanitarian operations from $174 million to $327 million; just over half of this is for food aid. Current contributions and commitments amount to $95.3 million. The UK is the second largest bilateral donor after the US.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for which multilateral institutions working in Somalia the Government provides funding. [61691]

The majority of DFID funding is provided to three multilateral institutions, the UN system, the World Bank, and through the UK's contribution to the EC, which includes the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO). Support to the UN includes to the UN Development Programme (UNDP) for its Rule of Law Programme, the World Food Programme, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and UN International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for drought related activities, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) programme, UN-HABITAT for urban development work and to the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for education work.

With the World Bank, DFID is for example, supporting the joint needs assessment work they are co-leading with the UNDP to prepare a five-year reconstruction and development programme and a Community Development Programme. We also provide core funding to the African Development Bank that is providing support to the drought in the Horn of Africa.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Somalia for the purposes of taking decisions on aid. [61692]

The political and security situation in much of south and central Somalia makes the provision of aid very difficult. Our assessments are led by the impact of:

competition for food, pasture and water that are made scarce by drought;

political conflict in the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs);

conflict for relief supplies and the contracts to provide them; and

inter-clan/faction conflict such as that in Mogadishu.

To minimise the risks, DFID works closely with other donors to support UN-led activity. Somaliland and Puntland are better governed and more secure, making delivery of assistance easier.

However, the establishment of the Transitional Federal Institutions provides the best opportunity for bringing lasting peace and governance to Somalia. The recent convening of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP) in Baidoa, is a positive step forward after almost a year of political division. Parliament is the only institution which can give legitimacy to the transitional process and, as the most inclusive body of the TFIs, it needs to begin to operate. The parliamentary session in Baidoa marks the start of the resumption of the process of restoring central governance to Somalia. The international community agrees that supporting it is a priority, and we, with other donors, are providing funds for this.

The recent outbreak of heavy fighting in Mogadishu threatens the wider reconciliation process. I hope that those involved will stop the conflict and reach a settlement. Such fighting, together with the drought, currently worst affecting the south, demonstrates again why Somalia so badly needs a new government to bring stabilityA; and restore human rights and dignity to the people. DFID has responded to the drought with contributions totalling £7 million since December 2005; and our wider programme to help rebuild Somalia's destroyed social and governance sectors, and those in Somaliland, continues. This includes support to the restoration of public safety and security in Somalia, focusing on the re-establishment of policing, with £600,000 this year through the United Nations Development Programme. We also support the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in developing the National Security and Stabilisation Plan requested by the UN Security Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his assessment is of the extent to which political instability in Somalia has contributed to the current humanitarian situation. [61693]

The immediate cause of the current crisis in Somalia is an unusually severe drought. However, Somalia has been without a recognised central Government since 1992, and has seen repeated political conflict. This has certainly contributed to the severity of the current crisis.

An effective central authority could:

target resources to the worst affected communities;

help ensure the provision of basic services; and

could contribute to the safety and security of relief operations.

A government could also play a key role in co-ordinating development efforts in the country to reduce the impact of natural disasters.

The UK is helping to end the political instability by assisting with the establishment of the transitional federal institutions. The Transitional Parliament is currently meeting in Baidoa. Although there are considerable risks, as demonstrated by the continuing fighting in the capital Mogadishu, we believe this is the best opportunity yet for moving Somalia forward.

To ask the Solicitor-General how much of the agreed efficiency target for the Law Officers' Departments set out in the 2004 Spending Review is to be cashable; and under what budget headings these cashable efficiency savings will be re-spent. [52829]

The table shows how much of the respective efficiency targets for the Law Officers' Departments is cashable.

⁽¹⁾ Includes the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

⁽²⁾ Of which £0.6 million relates to a reduction in capital expenditure which will not be re-spent.

The Law Officers' Departments will re-invest the cashable savings in the following activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department plans to introduce limits on maximum allowable peak aircraft noise levels. [60787]

The Secretary of State uses his powers under section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 to set departure noise limits on aircraft taking off from the designated airports, Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. At other airports noise management is the responsibility of the airport operator and in many cases, local planning conditions or other local agreements apply.

All civil aircraft operating in the UK must comply with relevant international noise certification requirements. The certification procedure requires determination of EPNL (Effective Perceived Noise Level) at three reference points; approach, lateral (sideline) and flyover and sets appropriate maxima. The requirements are incorporated into UK legislation by Statutory Instruments, such as The Air Navigation (Environmental Standards) Order 2002, SI 2002 No.798.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of local authorities that will be providing funding for the bus fare concessionary scheme of (i) up to £9,999, (ii) £10,000 to £19,999, (iii) £20,000 to £29,999, (iv) £30,000 to £39,999, (v) £40,000 to £49,999, (vi) £50,000 to £74,999, (vii) £75,000 to £99,999, (viii) £100,000 to £149,999, (ix) £150,000 to £199,999, (x) £200,000 to £299,999 and (xi) £300,000 and above. [61687]

None. The Government are providing local authorities an extra £350 million for 2006–07 through the formula grant system. The general consensus is that this will be sufficient in aggregate to fund the additional cost. It is up to each authority to reach agreement with their local operator on the level of reimbursement for carrying concessionary passengers taking account of local network conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the (a) technical, (b) logistical and (c) economic implications in areas where the concessionary travel scheme has been extended to allow cross-boundary travel. [61249]

None. We are introducing a national scheme in April 2008 which will allow older and disabled people free off-peak bus travel anywhere in England. In the interim, we are keen for local authorities to work together to provide cross-boundary or countywide schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities in North West England have entered into reciprocal agreements to allow pensioners free travel across district and county borders. [62203]

All schemes must meet the statutory minimum entitlement by 1 April 2006. The Department does not yet have full details of the discretionary enhancements that will be offered by local authorities. We will carry out a comprehensive survey of concessionary fares schemes later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities in Lancashire have not entered into reciprocal agreements to allow pensioners free travel across Lancashire. [61550]

All schemes must meet the statutory minimum entitlement by 1 April 2006. The Department does not yet have full details of the discretionary enhancements that will be offered by local authorities. We will carry out a comprehensive survey of concessionary fares schemes later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been paid by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to Jodie Kidd for the recent advertising campaign on paying road tax via the internet. [61737]

The contract with Ms Kidd is a matter that is confidential between both parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many kilometres of lanes have been added to the Highways Agency network in each year since 1997; and what the cost per kilometre was in (a) cash and (b) real terms. [62181]

holding answer 28 March 2006

The following table lists additional lane kilometres to the Highways Agency network, provided by publicly funded major schemes in each year since 1997, against their cost per kilometre in cash and real terms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the subsidence between junctions 6 and7 of the M18 will be eliminated from the road surface. [61809]

Following a recent study of the subsidence and cracking of the carriageway between Junctions 6 and 7 of the M18, a scheme is being developed to address this in the 2007–2008 financial year; subject to the availability of funding. In the meantime, the Highways Agency will continue to monitor and maintain the motorway in a safe condition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the timetable is for the draw down of funding for planned improvements to the M4 motorway in Reading West constituency. [49833]

A scheme for improvements on and around Junction 11 of the M4, promoted jointly by Reading borough council and Wokingham borough council, has been provisionally approved for Local Transport Plan funding. We have received advice from the South East Regional Transport Board on its priorities for funding major transport schemes within its indicative allocation. The Board has given a high priority to this scheme, and recommends it receives funding for construction from 2008–09 onwards. We are currently considering this advice, and expect to set out decisions on the way forward later in the spring.

The Highways Agency is also studying potential measures to improve traffic flows and journey time reliability on the M4, including the section that passes through the Reading West constituency. Any improvement works that emerge from those studies will be considered for entry into the Targeted Programme of Improvements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the likely cost of policing and enforcing the proposed car-share lane on the M62. [61762]

The West Yorkshire police have confirmed that they see the monitoring and enforcement of the high occupancy vehicle lane on the M62 as an extension of their existing role of policing the motorway network, and that they do not envisage additional costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many UK ports have an oil spill contingency plan; and how many of those plans were updated in the last five years. [60275]

holding answer 27 March 2006

Currently there are 176 port and harbour oil spill contingency plans in the UK. It should be noted that in some circumstances an individual plan may be for more than one port or harbour. 63 of these plans have been updated in the last 5 years in order to obtain re-approval under the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) Regulations 1998.

Each OPRC oil spill contingency plan should be fully reviewed within five years of its submission to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). It must then be approved by the MCA so as to be valid for up to a further five years. Where any major change occurs which could effect the validity or effectiveness of a contingency plan a new plan must also be submitted for approval.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on work being conducted by EC Harris for the Highways Agency to study inflation costs and predict future figures and costs for targeted programme improvement schemes; when he expects this work to conclude; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the final report. [61745]

EC Harris have provided an initial report on inflation in highway prices in September 2005, together with an update of the inflation figures quoted in that report in January 2006. Copies of the reports have been placed in the Library. EC Harris have been asked to provide further updates at quarterly intervals. In addition; the agency has asked other industry sources for advice on inflation pressures. Once analysed, the agency will take a view on what inflationary allowances should be allowed in their cost estimates. This work will be kept under regular review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much red diesel has been used at airports in each of the last five years (a) in total and (b) broken down by airport. [61744]

The Department does not hold this information. It may be available from the airports themselves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorway and trunk road building projects there were between 1988 and 1997; and what the total cost was in (a) cash and (b) real terms. [62183]

holding answer 28 March 2006

There were 280 major improvement schemes completed between April 1987 and December 1996. The total main works tender cost of these schemes was approximately £5.1 billion, which at today's prices using the RCTPI (Road Construction Tender Price Index) in the latest financial quarter available for 2005, is £8.6 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake) of 19 December 2005, Official Report, columns 2318–2319W on road improvement costs, whether the figures for the most recent estimate or final cost of each scheme represents the amounts paid to the scheme contractors in each case; and whether the Highways Agency is liable for additional costs in each case. [61749]

The latest agreed budget costs for projects, in the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements, represent the current approved estimate of the full outturn cost. The budget cost estimates include an element for construction, alongside other costs, which will be paid in due course to the scheme contractor. Those estimates are routinely reviewed and may be subject to change as schemes progress.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors are preventing hard shoulder running being introduced on the M42 before March 2007. [61555]

The Highways Agency will commence hard shoulder running on the M42 at the earliest opportunity and is on schedule to deliver by March 2007.

Hard shoulder running is one of the later phases of operation in the M42 Active Traffic Management Pilot and is dependent upon the introduction of new equipment, procedures, trained operators and an assessment it is safe to do. Time is also required for monitoring of preceding phases. This monitoring will be used to verify the pilot's safety plan and help evaluate effectiveness of a number of new technologies and different traffic management measures on tackling congestion.

Introducing these changes in phases also gives drivers the opportunity to become accustomed to the signs and signals and safely use the scheme prior to introducing the use of the hard shoulder.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the South East England Regional Assembly's recommendations on regional transport priorities. [62576]

The advice from the South East region on regional funding allocations-including recommendations on regional transport priorities-was sent to the Government in January. The advice can be found on the Department's website at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_localtrans/documents/page/dft_localtrans_611223.hcsp

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to promote the use of taxi-buses. [61726]

holding answer 27 March 2006

Section 12 of the Transport Act 1985 allows a taxi owner to apply to the Traffic Commissioner for a bus operator licence. The taxi owner can then register a route with the Traffic Commissioner and provide a local bus service, interspersed with periods of conventional taxi operation.

The Department has published and distributed a guide to Flexible Transport Services" which sets out the benefits of taxi-bus services and other flexible services. It includes advice on setting up a taxi-bus service. A copy is on the Department's website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) how many (a) hackney carriage and (b) private hire drivers have been (i) stopped and (ii) suspended in each year since 1997 (A) in total and (B) broken down by local authority area; [61746]

(2) how many (a) hackney carriage and (b) private hire vehicles have been found to be defective since 1997; and how many in each case were impounded in each year since 1997 (i) in total and (ii) broken down by local authority area. [61747]

This information is not collected centrally. Local licensing authorities (district/borough councils or unitary authorities) carry out the taxi and private hire vehicle licensing function and are responsible for enforcement in their respective areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Government's policy is on the use of part-time traffic light signals. [61674]

holding answer 27 March 2006

Current advice on part-time traffic light signals is that they are chiefly applicable to roundabouts during peak traffic flow periods, to prevent queues from building back on another road, often a motorway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average (a) number and (b) distance of trips as calculated by the National Travel Survey was by (i) car driver, (ii) car passenger, (iii) bus, (iv) walking and (v) other modes of transport for the purposes of (A) commuting, (B) business, (C) education, (D) escort education, (E) shopping and (F) other reasons, broken down by (1) sex and (2) those (v) under 17 years, (w) 17 to 29 years, (x) 30 to 49 years, (y) 50 to 59 years and (z) over 60 years in the latest two-year period for which survey results are available. [61748]

The information for 2003–04 has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to take steps (a) to ban unregistered mini-motorcycles from public roads and (b) to provide safe areas for their off-road use. [62021]

It is already illegal to use unregistered mini-motorcycles on public roads. Enforcement is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police.

I understand that the provision of safe off-road areas for these bikes is being considered by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Department for Trade and Industry, together with motorcycling organisations. Some off-road facilities already exist. Further, DEFRA has just issued a circular giving guidance on the use of mechanically propelled vehicles on rights of way and off-road in the countryside.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the regulatory impact assessment on the introduction of mode S transponders for visual flight rules operations. [61121]

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has drafted a partial Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). Subject to clearance from the Prime Minister's Panel for Regulatory Accountability, the CAA expects to release the partial RIA for public consultation in spring this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department is taking through its Paris office to facilitate the release of the consignment of shoes for the Bacup Shoe Company of Rossendale, which has been impounded by French customs [62069]

holding answer 28 March 2006

The British Consulate-General in Lille has established that the French judicial authorities intend to carry out a full investigation into this consignment. I have written to my hon. Friend and will place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the EU Commission on exempting electronically motored pipe organs from the EU Directives on restrictions on hazardous substances and waste electrical and electronic equipment. [61880]

holding answer 28 March 2006

The Department of Trade and Industry continues to work closely with the European Commission on the RoHS and WEEE Directives.

The repair and refurbishment of existing pipe organs (both now and in the future) will not be affected; neither will pipe organs that are not reliant on electricity to function. A total exemption for the manufacture of new pipe organs from the substances restrictions of the RoHS Directive would require a formal application by the industry to the European Commission (under Article 5.1 b). The Department has offered to work with the industry to help them develop such a case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) what representations the UK Government made regarding pipe organs in relation to the EU Directive on Restrictions on Hazardous Substances; and what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the Directive on pipe organs; [60989]

(2) whether a regulatory impact assessment was conducted in relation to the effect of the EU Directive on Restrictions on Hazardous Substances on (a) organ makers, (b) organ users and (c) churches; and if he will make a statement. [61099]

The repair and refurbishment of existing Pipe organs (both now and in the future) will not be affected by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive; neither will pipe organs that are not reliant on electricity to function.

A total exemption for the manufacture of new pipe organs from the substances restrictions of the RoHS Directive would require a formal application to the European Commission under Article 5.1(b). The Department has offered to work with the industry to help them develop such a case.

A Full Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on the RoHS Directive was published in September 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the (a) repair and (b) building of new lead organ pipes is included as a prohibited activity under the Directive 2002/95/EC due to be enforced from 1 July 2006. [61043]

holding answer 27 March 2006

No. The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive applies restrictions on the presence of such substances in end products or equipment. It does not place any restrictions on the repair or manufacture of component parts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to seek exemption for lead organ pipes from the proposed EU directive which would prevent their use. [61624]

holding answer 27 March 2006

The repair and refurbishment of existing pipe organs (both now and in the future) will not be affected by the restriction of hazardous substances directive; neither will pipe organs that are not reliant on electricity to function.

A total exemption for the manufacture of new pipe organs from the substances restrictions of the RoHS directive would require a formal application to the European Commission making a case under article 5.1b. The Department has offered to work with the industry to help them develop such a case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) how many EU member states have exempted organ pipes under EU Directives 2002 95/EC and 2002 96/EC; [61023]

(2) what exemptions are being considered under EU Directives (a) 2002 95/EC and (b) 2002 96/EC; [61027]

(3) when exemptions under the EU Directives (a) 2002 95/EC and (b) 2002 96/EC will be announced. [61029]

No EU member state has exempted pipe organs from the scope of either Directive. There are over 50 exemption requests for specific applications of the restricted substances from the requirements of the RoHS Directive currently under consideration. Details of these are available on the European Commission's website http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/weee_index.htm. We are dependent on the Commission's timetable for decisions on these.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Church Commissioners and (b) organ pipe manufacturers on EU Directives 2002 95/EC and 2002 96/EC. [61024]

None, but my officials have had discussions with representatives from the pipe organ industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed in the manufacture, installation and maintenance of organ pipes in the UK. [61025]

Industry estimates for the number of people employed in the sector in the UK are around 300 to 400 people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) what estimate he has made of the number of organs in (a) chapels, (b) churches, (c) cathedrals, (d) cinemas, (e) town halls and (f) places of public entertainment which will be affected by EU directives (i) 2002 95/EC and (ii) 2002 96/EC; [61026]

(2) whether the (a) manufacture, (b) installation and (c) replacement of organ pipes will be exempted under EU directives (i) 2002 95/EC and (ii) 2002 96/EC. [61028]

The repair and refurbishment of existing pipe organs (both now and in the future) will not be affected; neither will pipe organs that are not reliant on electricity to function.

A total exemption for the manufacture of new pipe organs from the substances restrictions of the RoHS directive would require a formal application to the European Commission (under article 5.1b). The Department has offered to work with the industry to help them develop such a case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what matters in respect of nuclear reprocessing are on the agenda for the meeting of G8 energy ministers in Moscow on 16 March; and if he will (a) place in the Library and (b) post on his Department's website the papers distributed for the Moscow meeting. [59159]

holding answer 28 March 2006

There were no matters in respect of nuclear reprocessing on the agenda of the meeting of the G8 energy ministers in Moscow on 16 March. The meeting concentrated on discussing issues relating to global energy security, promoting efficient markets and enhancing sustainability.

There were no papers distributed to participants of the meeting. The Chair's summary of the meeting can be found at http://www.minprom.gov.ru/G8/eng/news/10

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) Ministers, (b) regional development agencies and (c) trade delegations fromthe UK have visited India in each of the last three years. [59884]

The following Table sets out the number of visits to India by Ministers, RDAs and the number of outward trade missions from the UK for the period 2003–05. In addition to the visits listed, HRH Prince Charles visited India in 2003, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister visited India in 2005.

The figure for the number of visits made by RDAs includes all of those visits of which we are aware. However, we do not hold a comprehensive list of visits by RDAs, as they are not obliged to supply this information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the budget will be for domestic installations under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme in (a) 2006–07, (b) 2007–08 and (c) 2008–09; and on what date the Low Carbon Buildings Programme will be launched. [61676]

holding answer 28 March 2006

Under the original £30 million budget allocation and following an informal consultation with industry the amounts that will be available for domestic household installations are:

£3 million

£2.5 million

£l million.

On 23 March The Budget 2006 announced an additional £50 million for the Programme. The Department will be considering urgently with Treasury colleagues how this money should be allocated.

The new Programme will be launched on 3 April 2006. Information will be available at:

www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) what the original Natural Environment Research Council capital budget was for the Environment Centre built at Lancaster university; and whether this changed during its construction; [60030]

(2) what the original budget for the Natural Environment Research Council's share of the annual running costs for the Lancaster Environment Centre was; and what its share has been in each year since its opening; [60031]

(3) what the capital value is of the Natural Environment Research Council Merlewood site; and whether there are plans for it to be sold; [60032]

(4) what the running costs for the Merlewood Centre for Ecology and Hydrology site were in each of the last three years; [60033]

(5) what estimate he has made of the cost of operating the Merlewood Centre for Ecology and Hydrology site over the next five years. [60034]

The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) is wholly owned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC's science budget allocation has doubled since 1997 to £334 million for this year. Following consultation on proposals to put CEH on a sustainable scientific and financial footing for the future, NERC Council announced on 13 March that it will proceed with the restructuring with various modifications reflecting issues raised in stakeholders' input.

I have asked the chief executive of NERC to write to the hon. Member about his specific requests for information on budgets and costs related to Lancaster Environment Centre and Merlewood.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the current complement of staff at the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) have a first degree or further qualification in (a) nuclear physics and (b) nuclear engineering; and what qualifications the OCNS (i) Director and (ii) Deputy Director holds. [52429]

The current complement of staff at the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) is 42, including the administrative and security vetting teams. None of them holds first degrees or further qualifications in nuclear physics or nuclear engineering. The release of the information requested in respect of the qualifications of the Director and Deputy Director of OCNS would or would be likely to contravene the first Data Protection Principle.

As a security organisation, OCNS requires its staff to have a wide range of knowledge and expertise in all areas of security, including physical, information and personnel security. Knowledge of nuclear physics and nuclear engineering is desirable, but not essential. Where such knowledge is necessary, the advice of the relevant agencies is sought, in particular from the Nuclear Industries Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive, with whom OCNS maintain a close working relationship at all levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department held with other departments regarding the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 28 November 2005 of the decision not to proceed with a mandatory requirement for operating and financial reviews. [60909]

Discussions took place between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Chancellor in order to determine the best way forward and there was agreement by relevant departments on the decision announced by the Chancellor on 28 November 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices and sub post offices there were in Haltemprice and Howden constituency in each year between 1997 and 2006. [62146]

This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd (POL). Alan Cook, the Managing Director, has been asked to reply direct to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the accounts of the Crown Post Office in Marvina Drive, Ellesmere Port for the last five years. [61724]

This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. Alan Cook, the Managing Director has been asked to reply directly to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the timetable for full liberalisation of the postal market. [61584]

holding answer 28 March 2006

The timetable for market liberalisation is a matter for Postcomm the postal regulator. Their decision was to fully open the UK postal market in January 2006. Further information can be found on their website http://www.psc.gov.uk/

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry with which other European Union member states he has discussed the liberalisation of postal markets across the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [61585]

holding answer 28 March 2006

DTI Ministers and their officials maintain ongoing dialogue with both the institutions of the European Union and the other member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria will be used to assess the suitability of local authority applications for direct consultancy support in the next two financial years. [60707]

The focus of this year's programme of DCS is specialist support in waste planning; strategy; procurement; and waste composition analysis.

Support for projects will be based on the following criteria:

Evidence of need

Whether the authority facing performance issues that would benefit from direct support and whether they can demonstrate the added value of such support.

Impact of support

Whether the project assist the authority in overcoming the particular barriers and deliver demonstrable change. Evidence for this would be percentage increase in BVPIs or tonnage diversion from landfill.

Local authority commitment

Whether the authority is providing some matching resources. Defra is keen to derive the maximum value from support funding, but it is essential that authorities identify they have the resources to project manage a proposal.

Working together

This year it is a requirement that county and all its constituent district councils submit proposals as one. Defra is keen to support projects that encourage joint working. Defra will hope to disseminate any project results to a wider audience and supported authorities will be encouraged to positively promote their solutions to neighbouring authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authorities have applied for direct consultancy support in (a) 2006–07 and (b) 2007–08; and what the type of authority is in each case. [60711]

The initial deadline for applications to the Direct Consultancy Support Programme is 31 March for projects that need to get off the ground immediately, and the final deadline for projects in 2006–07 is October 31 2006. Some of these proposals may extend into both the 2006–07 and 2007–08 financial years.

At present we have received 11 (as yet unprocessed) proposals but given that it is usual for applications to arrive towards the end of the application window this is not of concern. Six proposals are led by Unitaries, four by Waste Disposal Authorities (on behalf of their county) and one by a Waste Collection Authority (on behalf of the rest of its county).

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

(1) when she expects the product Fungaflor to be approved for sale in the United Kingdom; [60708]

(2) what discussions she has had with the Pesticide Safety Directorate in the last 12 months on the sale of the product Fungaflor in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [60709]

The Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) withdrew the UK national approval for Fungaflor (containing the active substance imazalil) in December 2002, with two years allowed for use up of stocks already in the supply chain. This was in accordance with the requirements of an EC directive concerning the inclusion of imazalil on Annex I of Directive 91/414/EEC.

An application for approval of a new Fungaflor product in accordance with the requirements of Directive 91/414/EEC was subsequently made. However, this application did not contain sufficient information to allow PSD to complete a risk assessment demonstrating an acceptable risk to humans and the environment and it was therefore refused. No further applications have been made.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has had no discussions with PSD in the last 12 months on the sale of the product Fungaflor in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's latest estimate is of the total amount of landfill capacity available in England. [61563]

In 1999, the Environment Agency published Strategic Waste Management Assessment Reports covering the nine planning regions of England. These indicated that an estimated remaining capacity of all licensed landfill sites in excess of 27 billion cubic metres.

The Environment Agency is currently assessing void capacity of landfills in England at 2004–05. Their findings will be published later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of used mobile telephones were recycled in the last year for which figures are available. [61102]

This Department does not collect recycling or reused information on mobile phones.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many organpipes have been disposed of on landfill sites since 2002. [61030]

No data are available on the information requested. However, I would expect recyclable organ pipes would be sent to scrap metal facilities rather than to landfill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what total amount of waste was recycled in England in 2005; and what percentage this was of the total waste generated during the period. [61301]

The latest available data for England estimate that 80 million tonnes of waste was either recycled or reused in 2002–03. This amounts to 43 per cent. of total waste produced by households, commerce and industry (including construction and demolition). Other sector waste including waste from mines and quarries, sewage sludge, dredged materials and agriculture have been excluded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many recycling points there are per 1,000 population in (a) the constituency of Lancaster and Wyre, (b) Lancashire and (c) England. [61325]

Requested figures, based on the 2003–04 Defra Municipal Waste Management Survey and 2003 mid-year population estimates are as follows:

⁽³⁾ Lancashire includes the two postal Lancashire Unitary authorities of Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool.

Notes:

Recycling points are civic amenity and recycling sites within the area.

Data at constituency level are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to prevent endocrine disrupting chemicals from entering the river system. [59684]

There are a range of chemicals that may have endocrine disrupting effects, and these can come from a variety of sources. Many chemicals considered to be endocrine disrupters (EDCs) have been subject to bans or other regulations for some time, such as the pesticide dieldrin. Measures have already been taken on antifouling paints based on tributyltin (TBT) compounds that were found to cause endocrine disrupting effects in some marine organisms.

More generally, where particular chemicals have been strongly implicated as EDCs, the UK has proposed that these should be subject to a full risk assessment under European Regulations, so that where risks are identified European-wide measures are taken to control them. Endocrine disrupting chemicals will also be considered for authorisation under the new REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) regulations.

My Department has also invested in research and development to improve our understanding of the risks to the environment of endocrine disrupting chemicals from other sources. In addition, an Endocrine Disruptor Demonstration Programme is soon to commence aimed at testing the effectiveness of various measures to remove EDCs from the effluent of sewage treatment works and informing future regulatory decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what studies her Department has commissioned into the effects on fish of endocrine disrupting chemicals. [59685]

My Department has commissioned extensive research to improve our understanding of the possible effects on fish caused by exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals.

For the freshwater environment, we have made a considerable contribution to collaborative investigations into the potential impacts of sewage effluents on two common lowland fish species, roach and gudgeon. A further study, part of the EDIT (Endocrine Disruption in Invertebrates and Top Predators) Programme, costing around 0.5million in total, has been conducted on the top predator, pike. A new collaborative research programme (EDCAT-Endocrine Disruption in Catchments) has recently been commissioned to look into possible impacts of endocrine disrupting sewage discharges on roach and sticklebacks at the population level; EDCAT will cost around £1.4 million in its initial phase alone.

We have established specific programmes of research on endocrine disruption in the marine environment, including the £1.5 million EDMAR (Endocrine Disruption in the Marine Environment) Programme, which conducted studies on flounder, goby, blenny and migratory trout and salmon. Additional research has focused on cod.

Work is now being conducted to develop an understanding of the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals upon sensitive stages in the development of fish and to establish international test protocols for screening new chemicals for endocrine disrupting effects using the stickleback. The latter forms part of the Endocrine Disruption in Aquatic Ecosystems (EDAQ) Programme, costing over £1 million.

Two studies on fish also form part of the core projects of the UK-Japan research collaboration agreement on endocrine disruption in aquatic systems.

Further information on completed Defra endocrine disruption research projects is available from the Defra website at:

http://www2.defra.gov.uk/research/project_data/Default.asp

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 2 March 2006, Official Report, columns 868–9W, on Apache helicopters, what were the reasons for the four-year delay in reaching the full complement of trained Apache helicopter pilots. [57065]

The fact that the full complement of Apache Attack Helicopter (AH) pilots will not be achieved by the target date of July 2006 is due to a combination of factors. The main reason was a shortfall of qualified helicopter instructors (QHIs). This has been an enduring issue that has had a marked impact on the quantity of pilots being trained for front line operational units. The original assumption (based on our experience of Lynx and Gazelle training, and advice from subject matter experts) was that a single instructor could train two AH students. However, once training began it became apparent that this assumption was unworkable and the training effort had to be switched in order to generate more instructors. This effectively reduced the pilot delivery rate to the field army. The plan to generate more instructors was further undermined when six QHIs elected to leave the Army shortly after the expiry of their four year time bar. Given that it takes up to 11 months to train an AH instructor, as opposed to six months to convert a pilot, the output of AH qualified pilots has remained lower than planned. Other factors, such as aircraft availability and weather, have exacerbated the situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of members of the armed forces pension scheme joined the scheme (a) before the age of (i) 20, (ii) 25, (iii) 30, (iv) 35, (v) 40 and (vi) 45 and (b) when they were over 45 years. [61395]

Service personnel do not actually elect to join the Armed Forces Pension Scheme; membership is automatic for all from age 18, for non-commissioned ranks, and age 21, for officers, or upon joining the service, whichever is the later.

Eligible widows/widowers of service personnel receive benefits under the scheme from the day following the date of death. Eligible children of deceased service personnel normally receive benefits until age 17, or until full-time education has ceased.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel from the 2003 invasion of Iraq on Operation Telic have since developed symptoms similar to those experienced by personnel from Operation Granby. [44225]

Information on all the illnesses reported by service personnel who have served on Operation Telic is not held centrally. Although the medical records of individuals who have left the services are held by each service at individual central locations, the records of personnel who are still serving are normally held at their unit medical centre.

As a result of the lessons learned during the 1990–91 Gulf conflict, the MOD put in place a large scale and longer-term epidemiological research plan to monitor the physical and psychological health of personnel who served in Operation Telic. If any unusual patterns of illness are found, they will be addressed as soon as possible. This research is being undertaken by King's College, London and is subject to independent oversight. The results are expected to be published this summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone) of 2 March 2006, Official Report, column 873W, on the nuclear deterrent, when he expects the preparatory work on possible options for the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent to be completed; how many personnel are involved; and at what annual cost. [61840]

It is too early to say how long it might take to complete the preparatory work in advance of decisions on the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent. It remains the case that decisions are likely to be taken in the course of the current Parliament but, as I said during Defence Questions on 23 January 2006, Official Report, column 1153, I am unlikely to receive papers on this for some time.

As I said during Defence Questions on 14 November 2005, Official Report, column 692, there are five people within my Department working full time on policy relating to the future of the UK deterrent. A number of other personnel are working part or full time on other aspects of this issue, but it is not possible to give a precise figure for the number of people involved in the process.

On costs, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave previously to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 14 June 2006, Official Report, columns 333–34.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that those functions of his Department and its associated public bodies which he plans to privatise are not undertaken by companies based in countries whose interests conflict with those of the UK. [61723]

Proposals to vary the future ownership arrangements for any part of the Ministry of Defence, or associated bodies, are fully assessed against wider national and foreign policy interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will issue the SA80 assault rifle to C130 crews for self-defence purposes; and if he will make a statement. [61142]

Royal Air Force Air Transport and Air Refuelling Squadrons have the flexibility to decide which weapons their crews should carry. RAF C130 aircrew operating in the most hostile environments have been carrying the SA80 weapon for many years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what are the terms of the holiday time and pay of Territorial Army personnel on (a) a three month operational deployment and (b) a six month deployment; [61031]

(2) what the average pay is for Territorial Army (a) privates, (b) NCOs and (c) officers on deployment. [61033]

Members of the Territorial Army are paid the same daily rate of pay as regular soldiers throughout their period of mobilisation, according to their rank, trade and length of service. Any difference between the pay of reservists while mobilized and their normal Civilian earnings is paid by the Ministry of Defence up to a limit of £200,000 per annum. Reservists can also claim for additional expenses they incur as a result of being mobilised—for example additional costs of childcare or care of a dependant relative.

The information requested relating to the average pay for Territorial Army(a) privates, (b) NCOs and (c) officers on deployment is not held centrally and can only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

Following three months of mobilised service in an operational theatre, an individual will be entitled to 19 days leave (eight days annual leave and 11 days Post Operational Tour Leave (POTL)). Following six months of mobilised service in an operational theatre, an individual will be entitled to 36 days leave (15 days annual leave and 21 days POTL).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the new terms and conditions of service for the Territorial Army. [61035]

Terms of service for Territorial Army officers will be amended with effect from 1 April to allow for a common retirement age of 60, thus standardising previously disparate practice and removing the need for officers below the age of 60 to apply each year for an extension to service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) how many (a) Territorial Army recruits have been enlisted and (b) Territorial Army personnel have qualified to become deployable in each of the last five years, excluding the Officer Training Corps; [61037]

(2) how many Territorial Army (TA) recruits have been enlisted in each of the last six months; and how many TA personnel have left. [61036]

Figures on the number of recruits are only available for the past two years. 5,710 recruits enlisted into the Territorial Army in 2004 and 6,430 in 2005. The number of recruits who have qualified to be deployable is not held centrally but the trained strength in each of the past five years is shown in the following table. All trained personnel may be deployed providing they are medically fit and have not been deployed within the timescales outlined in the Reserve Forces Act 1996.

The number of personnel enlisted and leaving in each of the past six months is shown in the following table:

Note:

These figures exclude Full Time Reserve Service, Non Regular Permanent Staff and Officer Training Corps. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, and numbers ending in 5 to the nearest 20 to avoid systematic bias. The inflow figures include all inflow except personnel returning from mobilization. The outflow figures include all outflow except those who are mobilizing. Recruit is deemed to be anybody joining the strength of the TA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many residents of Northern Ireland are serving in the Territorial Army. [62100]

As at 28 February 2006 the strength of the Territorial Army (TA) in Northern Ireland was 1,560, including the Queen's University Officer Training Corps (QUOTC) which is a Type B TA unit. The strength excluding the QUOTC was 1,339.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Territorial Army barracks in Chorley. [62217]

I am pleased to observe that, as a result of Territorial Army (TA) Rebalancing, there will be an increased TA presence at the TA Centre in Chorley. The current medical detachment will become C Medical Squadron of 5 General Support Medical Regiment, increasing by up to 110 personnel. Additionally, a new detachment of 55 Military Intelligence Company of 5 Military Intelligence Battalion will be established there resulting in a further increase of about 18 personnel. It is currently planned that these changes will be fully implemented by late 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2006 to question 59698, on veterans, if he will place in the Library the minutes of the (a) Veterans' Executive Steering Group meeting on (i) 11 October 2005 and (ii) 17 January 2006 and (b) the Veterans' Forum on 6 December 2005. [61492]

holding answer 27 March 2006

I have arranged for copies of the minutes of these meetings to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2006, Official Report, column 201W, on the 2012 Olympics, what analysis has been undertaken of (a) the nature of the contamination and (b) the (i) type and (ii) concentrations of pollutants; what involvement local authorities have had under Part IIA of the 1990 Environment Protection Act 1985; and what soil guideline values have been used. [61510]

Site investigations are currently being carried out to characterise the nature of the ground conditions and the level of contamination. These investigations will be carried out in accordance with current industry best practice to identify the exact type and concentrations. The investigations are following the principles set out in the Intrusive Investigation Method Statement approved by the London boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest, the Environment Agency and British Waterways. I am arranging to have copies of the statement placed in the Libraries of the House.

The London Development Agency has been informed by the London boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest that there are no part IIA designated contaminated sites within the Olympic Park boundary. The boroughs have been consulted throughout the preparation of the environmental impact assessment, during the site investigation phase and will continue to be consulted throughout the development of the remediation and validation works.

Generic site specific soil target values have been generated and are detailed in a Global Remediation Strategy which has been reviewed and approved by the same regulators noted above. Once the site investigation is complete, detailed remediation strategies, including generation of site specific clean up targets, will be prepared and agreed with the regulators as appropriate prior to implementation and validation. All of the sites to be remediated will be subject to detailed planning applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the decontamination process to contaminated land on the London 2012 Olympic Site will (a) delay building work and (b) increase the costs; and if she will make a statement. [61779]

A time allowance for land remediation has been built into the overall project timetable, as has a budget to cover such work. There is no reason at present to expect the cost of such work to exceed the budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of the applications for casino licences under the Gambling Act 1968 in the last 10 years were made under a D2 leisure planning re-classification. [61547]

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for East Devon (Mr. Swire) on 20 March 2006, Official Report, columns 14–15W, on gambling, if she will break down the number of applications by location. [61548]

Further to the answer to the hon. Member for East Devon (Mr. Swire) 20 March 2006, Official Report, columns 14–15W, the table sets out the locations of the applications for certificates of consent in respect of new casinos and substituted, extended or altered premises that were received by the Gambling Commission from 1997–98 until the present.

Two minor adjustments have been made to the figures given in the previous answer. The Gambling Commission has revised downwards the figure for applications for certificates of consent for new casinos in 2000–01 from 7 to 6. The total number of applications for new casinos in 2004–05 was 23, not 25, and the number of applications for substitute, extended or altered premises in 2004–05 was 6, not 4.