To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effect of council tax increases on pensioners. [63762]

The Government recognise the concerns of many pensioners about council tax. So does Sir Michael Lyons's Independent Inquiry into Local Government which will recommend at the end of the year how best to reform the council tax system. We look forward to receiving his findings.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the change has been in the average Band D council tax since 1997–98. [63766]

The average Band D area council tax in England has risen from £688 in 1997–98 to £1,268 in 2006–07; an increase of £580 or 84.3 per cent.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his plans for community councils. [63764]

Government will be setting out a range of proposals for parish and town councils in the forthcoming local government White Paper.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister

(1) if he will introduce a national quality control system under Part L of the building regulations; [60570]

(2) what steps he is taking to ensure compliance with Part L of the building regulations; [60571]

(3) if he will introduce measures to improve training for building control officers in the (a) public and (b) private sector on Part L of the building regulations. [60572]

Local authorities and approved inspectors have a general duty under the Building Act to check that persons carrying out building work comply with the Building Regulations. Building Control Performance Standards set out recommended standards and guidance for the performance of building control that all Building Control Bodies should adopt. Beyond this there are no plans to introduce an additional national quality control system under Part L of the Building Regulations.

The Government continues to work with Building Control Bodies to see how enforcement with the new tougher energy performance standards that come into effect on 6 April 2006 can be cost effectively improved.

This includes regulations to improve compliance by simplifying the process for calculating energy performance, requiring air pressure testing and establishing new competent person self-certification schemes.

We also have under way the largest ever training and dissemination programme for new building regulations. This programme of seminars, regional road shows and workshops targeted at building control surveyors in both the public and private sectors started in September 2005 and will include an e-learning pack for every building control surveyor.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the building targets set for each local authority under the (a) Regional Planning Guidance and (b) Spatial Strategy for each Government Office region. [62316]

There are no general building targets. However, house building targets for each local authority are set out in regional spatial strategies (formerly Regional Planning Guidance). They are assessed by the respective Regional Planning Body, both on an annual basis by monitoring actual completion rates against the respective target and, less frequently, through the review of regional spatial strategy policies.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent assessment he has made of coastal erosion around (a) the Southend West constituency and (b) Essex; and if he will make a statement. [64022]

I have been asked to reply.

Defra has overall policy responsibility for coastal erosion risk in England and grant aids individual local authority improvement projects to reduce this risk but does not build defences, nor direct the authorities on which specific projects to undertake.

Erosion risk will vary around the coastline depending on local conditions and defences in place. Defra has encouraged the relevant authorities to produce Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) which provide large-scale assessments of the risks associated with coastal processes and present long term policy frameworks to manage these risks in a sustainable manner. In 2001 Defra funded a national study of information on long term coastal processes and evolution over the next century (Futurecoast). This is designed to be used by coastal authorities to inform their current revisions of SMPs. The Office of Science and Technology's Foresight Future Flooding report, published in 2004, used Futurecoast and other information to consider possible rates of coastal erosion for the whole country under different scenarios over the next 80 years.

Management of coastal erosion risk and associated monitoring in specific locations is the responsibility of the relevant local authority in each area. Defra has not carried out any specific assessment in the areas identified.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many contracts are let by his Department to voluntary sector organisations; how many of those are let on an annual basis; and how many of those had received finalised contracts for 2006–07 by 31 March. [63205]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold this information centrally and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what help will be given to estate agents to implement home information packs. [63784]

Individual estate agents, as with other advisers to the public on home buying and selling, should consider what action they need to take to remain competitive in the new market environment which will follow from the introduction of home information packs on 1 June 2007. These are commercial decisions, and the Government do not envisage providing financial help to the industry.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what trials have been carried out in the last three years to see how home information packs will be implemented. [63786]

I refer to my statement of 7 April 2006 which gives details of a dry-run prior to introducing home information packs on 1 June 2007. HIP providers are currently marketing the packs, and to date 45 organisations in England and Wales have provided 2,500 packs on a voluntary basis. This number will grow significantly during stage 2 of the dry-run from October 2006 when packs will be marketed with home condition reports produced by certified inspectors.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what meetings his Department has had with (a) estate agents, (b) mortgage lenders, (c) the Law Society and (d) other stakeholders concerning home information packs. [63789]

The Department has regular meetings with all the key stakeholders in the home buying and selling industry. The principal forum for discussion with the representative bodies, including the National Association of Estate Agents, the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Law Society, is the Central Stakeholder Group which generally meets every month.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much rental income was received by each local authority from their council house stock in each year since 1997; how much of this rental income each year was (a) kept for use by the local authority in their housing revenue account and (b) transferred from local authority control for other purposes; and what percentage the amount transferred away from local authority control represents as a percentage of the amount remaining in the housing revenue account in each case. [56381]

holding answer 7 March 2006

A table showing available data has been placed in the House Library.

Rent forms part of the HRA, along with various allowances for expenditure (management, maintenance, major repairs allowance, debt charges etc). Some authorities are in deficit and we are providing net subsidy of around £200 million in 2005–06, with similar amounts forecast for future years.

Where an authority has an assumed surplus (negative subsidy) transfers are made to the ODPM according to calculations and assumptions made independently of the actual rents an authority charges. These transfers are recycled through the subsidy system and paid to authorities with an assumed deficit. None of the transfers are used for 'other purposes'.

Prior to 2004–05, net subsidy entitlement was calculated differently. Housing element requirements were calculated similarly to the current HRA subsidy, but then added to the rent rebate element which was then accounted for in the HRA. Where the housing element was a negative amount, it was deducted from the rent rebate subsidy entitlement, and any net subsidy requirement was met by the Exchequer.

In some cases, where surpluses remained after the two subsidy streams had been reconciled, the balance would be transferred to that authority's own general fund and lost to housing. No data were routinely collected to show the amounts transferred.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the earliest retirement age possible under the Local Government Pension Scheme is for a worker in good health; and what the average retirement age of a member of the scheme was in the last period for which figures are available. [60197]

As with all occupational pension schemes approved by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the earliest age for release of a pension in the Local Government Pension scheme is 50. No figures are held centrally.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many mortgage repossessions there were in each year between 2003 and 2006. [63394]

Information on mortgage possessions is only available for the United Kingdom as a whole and is collected by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. The figures in the table include properties that are surrendered voluntarily.

Source:

Council of Mortgage Lenders

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister

(1) what funding will be allocated in housing units built or procured in each Government office region through the National Affordable Housing Scheme in 2006–07 and 2007–08, broken down by (a) mixed funding social rented housing, (b) temporary social rented housing, (c) homebuy general market purchase, (d) homebuy general new build, (e) mixed funded general low-cost ownership for sale, (f) miscellaneous works to registered social landlord (RSL) stock, (g) improvement to rented RSL stock, (h) works-only rehabilitation of rented RSL stock, (i) works-only rehabilitation of RSL stock for sale, (j) intermediate rented accommodation for key workers, (k) homebuy market purchase for key workers, (l) homebuy new build for key workers, (m) the London challenge teacher market purchase homebuy, (n) mixed funded sale for key workers and (o) starter home initiative; [63361]

(2) how many affordable housing units will be built or procured through the National Affordable Housing Programme in each Government office region in 2006–08; and how many will be accounted for by (a) mixed funded social rented housing, (b) temporary social rented housing, (c) homebuy general market purchase, (d) homebuy general new build, (e) mixed funded general low-cost ownership for sale, (f) miscellaneous works to registered social landlord (RSL) stock, (g) reimprovement to rented RSL stock, (h) works-only rehabilitation of rented RSL stock, (i) works-only rehabilitation of RSL stock for sale, (j) intermediate rented accommodation for key workers, (k) homebuy market purchase for key workers, (l) homebuy new build for key workers, (m) the London challenge teacher market purchase homebuy, (n) mixed funded sale for key workers and (o) starter home initiative. [63413]

The Housing Corporation's regional offices will be publishing initial allocation statements by mid-April. In May, they intend to publish their final allocation statements which will contain the aforementioned requested information. Both the initial allocation statement and the final allocation statement for each region will be available on the Housing Corporation's website www.housingcorp.gov.uk

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of change of use planning applications made in each of the last five years (a) in total and (b) for premises that were previously categorised as in (i) domestic and (ii) business use. [62279]

The total number of decisions on change of use planning applications for each of the last five years is given in the following table. Data are not collected about the nature of the previous use.

Thousand

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2006, Official Report, column 1956W, on planning (schools), how many planning appeals the Planning Inspectorate considered in the most recent year for which figures are available in relation to planning applications made by schools. [62208]

The Planning Inspectorate decided 21 appeals made by schools during the period 1 January to 31 December 2005 of which 14 were allowed and seven were dismissed.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average response time is for fire engines to get to an emergency call-out in (a) England and (b) Taunton constituency. [64069]

The available information covers attendance at primary fires only. 2004 is the latest year for which finalised data are published.

(a) The average response time to primary fires attended by fire and rescue services in the UK in 2004 was 6.8 minutes. This is measured from time of first call to the fire and rescue service to time of arrival at the scene.

(b) Data are not available at constituency level. The average response time to primary fires attended by Somerset fire and rescue service in 2004 was 9.2 minutes.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will visit Wellingborough to discuss local housing development and infrastructure. [63879]

holding answer 18 April 2006

Wellingborough plays an important part in the growth proposals for North Northamptonshire. We are kept regularly updated on development of the plans to take these forward and I chair the regular Milton Keynes and South Midlands Inter Regional Board. In addition, officials are closely involved with the borough council and other partners in bringing forward housing, growth and other agendas. There have already been a number of ministerial visits to North Northamptonshire and more are planned. Ministers from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are more than happy to discuss housing development and infrastructure provision in Wellingborough during future visits to Northamptonshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much business her Department has placed with (a) Capita Group plc and (b) its subsidiaries in each of the last five years; what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries by her Department; for which current tenders issued by her Department (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries have been invited to bid; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have seconded staff (1) temporarily and (2) on a longer-term basis to (X) her Department and (Y) any of its agencies. [61079]

From information held centrally, the core-Department has dealt with seven Capita Group plc subsidiaries over the financial years 2001–02 to 2005–06 (April 2005 to December 2005) inclusive. The value of these contracts is as follows:

The core Department does not hold information centrally of what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries by the Department and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Similarly, the core Department does not hold information centrally of which current tenders issued by the Department that Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries have been invited to bid against. From information held centrally, the core Department is unaware of any staff from Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries being seconded either temporarily or on a longer term basis to the core Department.

The core Department does not hold information centrally identifying contracts and contractual expenditure with Capita Group and its subsidiaries by each of its non-departmental public bodies, executive agencies, independent statutory bodies and organisations and bodies financially sponsored by the core Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the value of contracts held by her Department with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries was in the last three financial years. [61468]

From information held centrally, the core Department has dealt with a total of seven Capita Group plc subsidiaries over the financial years 2001–02 to 2005–06 (April 2005 to December 2005) inclusive. The figures are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tenders (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries have submitted to her Department in each of the last three years; and how many tenders were successful. [61469]

The information requested is not held centrally by the core Department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many contracts her Department holds with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries which still have a potential duration of five years or more. [61470]

From information held centrally, no contracts between the core Department and Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries have a potential duration of five years or more.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what factors led her to conclude that the announcement on 28 March 2006 on the UK Climate Change Programme 2006 was best made through a written rather than an oral statement to the House. [63257]

The written statement made by the Secretary of State on the day provided a full account of the review process and the scope of the new Climate Change Programme. A copy of the Programme was placed in the Library. This approach was thought to provide the House with full and speedy information about the Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of (a) production and (b) distribution of the latest edition of her Department's Farming Link publication; and how many copies were produced. [63259]

The cost of producing the March edition of Farmer's Link was £70,505. It was circulated to 170,000 recipients, including all farmers and growers.

This means that the March edition—which included 31 different news items and articles—cost around 41 pence per copy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Government will take steps to provide insurance to householders and businesses which are repeatedly flooded where insurance indemnities exclude cover. [63773]

There are no plans for the Government to provide flood insurance cover. As I explained in my answer to the hon. Member on 16 March 2006, Official Report, column 2397W, this remains broadly available to households in areas at risk of flooding in accordance with the Association of British Insurers' Statement of Principles. In some cases property-owners in areas of higher flood risk can take additional measures to enable them to obtain insurance, for example by investing in individual protection products to reduce potential damage to their property. The Environment Agency provides advice on these.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department has issued to other Government Departments on the reduction of energy consumption in offices; and whether advice has been issued on the setting of average room temperature for offices. [63607]

Defra has not issued any advice to other Departments on reduction of energy consumption in offices, or on the setting of average room temperatures for offices. The onus lies with each Department to decide how best they can make energy and carbon savings, against cross Government targets set out in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government estate. Practical advice on energy saving is available to Departments through the Carbon Trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has adopted an ambient room temperature for its offices. [63610]

During early 2006, Defra has been running the 'BIG SWITCH' energy efficiency campaign in its' offices, with the focus on eliminating waste and reducing carbon emissions. One element of the campaign has involved closer monitoring and control of ambient temperatures in our buildings. This has been informed by guidance issued by the Carbon Trust, who advise that for every 1oC of over-heating, fuel consumption increases by 8 to 10 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many acres were given over to the growing of oilseed rape in England in the last five years. [63370]

The information is as follows:

Hectares

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to carry out further research into the possible link between cancer and pesticides use. [63336]

The Government undertake a programme of research into pesticides and the potential human health effects of exposure to them. As part of this programme, we have commissioned a specific analysis of existing epidemiological research on cohorts of workers in pesticides manufacturing plants regarding possible links to prostate cancer.

Both the Department of Health's Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COG) and the Advisory Committee on Pesticides monitor the relevant scientific literature for emergency issues. The research programme is reviewed in the light of advice from these committees.

The Government are also currently considering its response to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) report on 'Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders'. The Government may commission new research as a result of this although no decisions have yet been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complimentary tickets her Department has received for games taking place at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany. [63898]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many foreign students have travelled to England for university education in each of the last 10 years. [62986]

The latest available figures are given in the table. The figures in part reflect the success of the Prime Minister's initiative to increase the number of non-EU overseas students who come to study in the UK. Between 1996/97 and 2002/03 non-EU overseas students increased by 56,000.

Students from overseas studying at English higher education institutions 1994/95 to 2004/05⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾ Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5, so components may not sum to totals. Figures are based on a snapshot count of students at 1 December in each academic year. The figures include incoming and exchange students who study part, as opposed to all, of their course at an English HEI.

Source:

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people in Coventry, South went on to higher education in (a) 2004 and (b) 2005; and what proportion went to university. [62687]

The latest available figures on participation in higher education by constituency were published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England in January 2005 in "Young Participation in England", which is available from their website at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2005/05_03/ This report shows participation rates for young people who enter higher education aged 18 or 19, disaggregated by constituency, for the years 1997 to 2000. It does not distinguish between those who entered universities and those who entered other higher education institutions. The figures for Coventry South, and the comparable figure for England, are shown in the table. HEFCE have not produced figures beyond 2000.

Young Participation Rate (YPR (A)) in higher education

⁽²⁾ Participation rates for constituencies are reported to the nearest whole number.

Source:

Higher Education Funding Council for England.

The total numbers of entrants from Coventry, South for each year since 2001/02 are given in the table:

Entrants to undergraduate courses from Coventry South

Source:

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5.

The Department uses the Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR) to assess progress on increasing first-time participation of English students aged 18–30 in higher education towards 50 per cent.: the latest provisional figure for 2004/05 is 42 per cent. The HEIPR is not calculated at constituency level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of people in Beverley and Holderness went on to higher education in (a) 2004 and (b) 2005; what proportion went to university; and if she will make a statement. [63511]

The latest available figures on participation in higher education by constituency were published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England in January 2005 in "Young Participation in England", which is available from their website at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2005/05_03/. This report shows participation rates for young people who enter higher education aged 18 or 19, disaggregated by constituency, for the years 1997 to 2000. It does not distinguish between those who entered universities and those who entered other higher education institutions. The figures for Beverley and Holderness, and the comparable figure for England, are shown in the table. HEFCE have not produced figures beyond 2000.

Young participation rate (YPR (A)) in higher education

⁽³⁾ Participation rates for constituencies are reported to the nearest whole number.

Source:

Higher Education Funding Council for England.

The total numbers of entrants from Beverley and Holderness for each year since 2001/02 are given in the table:

Entrants to undergraduate courses from Beverley and Holderness

Note:

Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5, so components may not sum to totals.

Source:

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

The Department uses the Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR) to assess progress on increasing first-time participation of English students aged 18–30 in higher education towards 50 per cent.: the latest provisional figure for 2004/05 is 42 per cent. The HEIPR is not calculated at constituency level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) public speeches and (b) official visits she has made since 5 May 2005; and how many letters she sent in this period. [55712]

Between 5 May 2005 and 2 March 2006, I have made 49 public speeches, been on 49 official visits and replied to 2,014 letters.

All official speeches and visits are conducted in accordance with the ministerial code.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many English students have travelled outside the UK for university education in each of the last 10 years. [62987]

The latest available information is given in the table. Comparable figures for students who study the whole of their course overseas are not held centrally.

Undergraduates from England studying part of their course overseas

⁽⁴⁾ The figures up to 2001/02 include students on exchange schemes which involve studying abroad for the whole of the year; students studying abroad for part of the year, or studying abroad on non-exchange schemes are excluded. Figures for 2002/03 and later years include all students on study years abroad for all or part of the year, except those on industrial placements.

Note:

Figures are based on a snapshot count of students at 1 December in each academic year.

Source:

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will investigate the sale of the Rawtenstall campus site by Accrington and Rossendale college; and whether she is satisfied the college has achieved best value as required by the Learning and Skills Council. [63782]

The capital disposal receipt generated from the sale of Accrington and Rossendale College's Rawtenstall site was less than 5 per cent. of the college's annual turnover.

Under the terms of the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) financial memorandum with the college, this sale, as a result of its value, did not require LSC consent. It is therefore the responsibility of the college and its corporation to ensure that it has achieved best value when disposing of its Rawtenstall campus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many recorded incidents of antisocial behaviour took place in universities in (a) Havering, (b) Greater London and (c) England in each of the last 10 years. [62983]

Information on the incidence of antisocial behaviour at higher education institutions is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what services are provided by children's centres; and if she will make a statement. [63991]

Sure Start Children's Centres deliver a range of integrated services to children under five and their families including health and family support services and advice and support for the unemployed through effective links with Jobcentre Plus. Those children's centres located in the 30 per cent. most disadvantaged areas must also provide integrated early learning and daycare.

At 31 March 2006 there were 836 Sure Start Children's Centres. All are located in the 30 per cent. most disadvantaged areas bringing integrated services to around 657,000 children under five and their families. We have exceeded our target agreed in the 2002 Spending Review which was to enable 650,000 children to access children's centre services by that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total expenditure on (a) Sure Start and (b) Children's Centres was in each year since 2001–02; what expenditure is planned in each category in each year to 2008–09; and if she will make a statement. [63986]

Details of actual and planned expenditure on Sure Start, childcare and nursery education to 2007–08 are published in Table 12.2 of the Department for Education and Skills' Departmental Report (Cm 6522). To reflect the increasing integration of services for young children and families, from 2003–04 funding for childcare and nursery education was merged into Sure Start funding:

£ million

⁽⁵⁾ From 2003–04, all funding to deliver the free nursery education entitlement was incorporated into what is now called the Early Years element of the of the Dedicated Schools' Grant (formerly known as the under 5 sub-block for the Education Formula Spending Share).

⁽⁶⁾ Outturn in DfES Resource Accounts 2004–05 (HC 686)

Within the Sure Start budget, increasing amounts of money have been allocated to local authorities to help establish our network of Children's Centres, delivering a wide range of early learning, childcare, health and family support. The delivery of 1st phase Children's Centres began in 2003–04 with £1.9 million revenue and £2.2 million capital being spent by local authorities on Children's Centres in that year. For the period 2004–06, the memorandum of grant letter to all local authorities allocated £111 million revenue and £315 million capital over the two year period to continue the delivery of phase 1 Children's Centres. In addition to this funding, we allocated £313 million capital to Sure Start local programmes (SSLP) in 2004–06 and we expect that this budget would have been largely used to facilitate the evolution for all SSLPs to become Children's Centres.

For 2006–08, we have streamlined the majority of funding streams within the General Sure Start Grant (GSSG) to give local authorities more flexibility in facilitating local childcare markets and developing early years and childcare services to deliver the Ten Year Childcare Strategy. The GSSG main revenue and capital allocations are £596 million and £421 million in 2006/07 and £664 million and £392 million in 2007/08. The GSSG allocations are for local authorities to fund children centres and provide support for extended schools and sustainable early years and childcare provision to meet parental demand for childcare in their local areas. Local authorities have the freedom to decide how much they wish to spend on each area based on the knowledge of their local market.

Allocations from 2008 onwards will only be announced in the comprehensive spending Review 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what monitoring of the effectiveness of Sure Start is being undertaken; and if she will make a statement. [64001]

There is a comprehensive national level evaluation of Sure Start local programmes in place which began in January 2001, which will run until 2008. It examines the implementation, cost-effectiveness and impact of Sure Start on children, families and communities, in the short, medium and long-term. Fifteen reports have been published to date which have been instrumental in understanding what is effective for young children and families, and in designing and rolling out Sure Start children's centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in the (a) primary and (b) secondary sector will lose their designation as training schools in 2007. [63673]

From 2005, participation in the training schools programme is open to schools that successfully redesignate and meet the high performing specialist schools criteria.

Seven secondary schools which redesignated in 2005 did not meet the criteria and have been told that their funding will cease when their current contract comes to an end in 2007. A further tranche of secondary schools will redesignate in 2006 and we do not yet know how many of these will meet the necessary criteria.

Those training schools that are not yet specialist have been told that they should aim to become specialist schools before their contract expires.

We are considering with the Training and Development Agency (TDA) how to retain in the system the expertise built up by existing training schools.

Primary schools will no longer be able to apply directly for training school status, but the TDA are currently considering the development of a primary initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the effect of university lecturers' industrial action on (a) university graduations and (b) university students in 2005–06. [64381]

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

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations the Department has received from (a) individual students and (b) student bodies relating to the industrial action taken by university lecturers; and if she will make a statement. [64382]

The Department has received correspondence about university staff pay and the current dispute from students. However, as universities are autonomous, they are responsible for determining their own academic and administrative affairs, including deciding what to pay their own staff. Pay and conditions of service are subject to negotiations between employers, their staff and their representative trade union bodies. The Government play no part in this.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2006, Official Report, column 622W, on coercive abortion, when he next proposes to raise the issue of coercive abortion with the government of China; and if he will make a statement. [64203]

While the UK Government do not question China's right or need to implement family planning policies, we are concerned about reports of enforced sterilisation and abortion. We believe that China's family planning policies should be based on the principle of consent, and not coercion, as set out by the International Conference on Population and Development.

In February 2006, the EU raised with the Chinese Government, the case of Chen Guangcheng, a lawyer who highlighted reports of enforced sterilization and abortion in Linyi City, Shandong Province. We will continue to raise our concerns about reports of enforced sterilization and abortion in China, where appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to the Ethiopian Government on the need to release prisoners currently held without charge. [63633]

I have been asked to reply.

We have consistently urged the Ethiopian Government either to charge or to release detainees. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development have both made clear to Prime Minister Meles the need for a prompt, fair and open judicial process for those currently detained.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial aid has been given to Ethiopia in each of the last three years; and what funding is proposed for 2006–07. [63634]

Total DFID aid to Ethiopia from the UK amounted to £43.3 million in 2003–04 and £62.56 million in 2004–05. We expect to spend approximately £61.73 million in 2005–06 and our planning figure for 2006–07 is £90 million subject to the developments of a new more accountable method of providing funds in the light of our concerns about political developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the progress of the UK's support for the Peace and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka strategy. [63115]

The British Government supports peace building and reconciliation in Sri Lanka through a variety of programmes and activities. Its peace building and Reconciliation Strategy aims to describe the activities needed to establish the conditions necessary to sustain peace in Sri Lanka. It supports and complements the Norwegian facilitation between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Strategy is agreed across the three Government Departments involved in the Global Conflict Prevention Pool and informs decisions on dispersing funds from that pool in Sri Lanka.

Our programme includes support for UNICEF, OXFAM and Save the Children Fund, we are working to improve the access and quality of basic health and education services for communities in conflict affected districts. The goal is to ensure that these services are provided equitably across Sri Lanka, thus addressing one long held grievance, and to help return communities to normal peacetime conditions. Under these programmes 75,000 emergency education kits have been provided to schools in the North and East, student drop-out rates have reduced by 50 per cent. and over 1,800 child soldiers have been returned to their families. Psychosocial care is provided to these and other children affected by the conflict. Measles, Polio and DPT (Diphtheria-polio-tetanus immunisation) vaccination has been provided for all children in conflict affected areas and vitamin supplements to 90 per cent. of children. Some 88 per cent. of pregnant and lactating women now receive ante-natal care and nutrition supplements.

To establish a more secure environment in the North and East, support for de-mining and mine awareness is provided through the United Nations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This has helped encourage some 500,000 conflict displaced people to return to their homes. Their return has been supported with grants of material and tools to rebuild homes and restart their livelihoods.

We are also working with NGOs and civil society groups to reduce tensions within communities and to promote their resolution without resort to violence, including the implementation of an early warning mechanism to mitigate and prevent conflict in the east of Sri Lanka. To help these communities enjoy a more secure environment within which to pursue their livelihoods, we are working with the police and the security services to improve their awareness of human rights and adherence to international humanitarian law. Under the strategy, we also assist the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission to provide increased access to justice for disadvantaged groups. Through the Asia Foundation, we are helping to strengthen legal institutions and processes at a local and national level by improving language skills for court staff, improving paralegal and advocacy skills for community based organisations and funding research into discrimination. This programme also includes support for public interest litigation relating to the protection of civil rights including for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

We also provide support for peace building and reconciliation through our diplomatic engagement. The Government of Sri Lanka have expressed gratitude for Britain's constructive contribution in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with the World Food Programme on aid for those in (a) eastern Chad and (b) Sudan. [57731]

DFID is in regular contact with the World Food Programme (WFP) in Sudan and Chad, and monitors the food needs of the affected populations closely.

For Chad, in 2005, the UK contributed £2 million to the WFP for their activities providing food assistance to Sudanese refugees in Eastern Chad. We will provide a further £1.25 million in 2006. For Sudan, where the scale of need is substantially greater, the UK contributed £11.2 million to the WFP in 2005, and we will continue our support in 2006 through the Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF). The UK will contribute £40 million to this pioneering multi-donor fund which is administered by the UN and will ensure the top humanitarian priorities across Sudan are funded. In the initial CHF allocation of £106 million, the WFP has received nearly $27 million for its activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has (a) made to and (b) received from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the proposed expansion of the Craig Goch reservoir in the Elan valley; what discussions he has had on the matter with the Welsh Assembly; and what representations he has received. [63686]

None. Any proposal to expand the Craig Goch reservoir would be subject to the approval of the National Assembly for Wales. However, neither the Welsh Assembly Government nor the Environment Agency are aware of any such plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many television sets are in operation in the Department (a) in total, (b) in Ministers' private offices and (c) in each building in the Department; and how many television licences are held by the Department. [62806]

In total there are 11 TVs in operation at The Wales Office. Three of these are in the Ministers' private offices. There are nine in the London office and one in the Cardiff Office. There are two TV Licences held by The Wales Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to increase energy efficiency within his Department; and if he will make a statement. [60334]

As part of the machinery of Government changes in June 2003 the Wales Office became a separate entity within the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) The Wales Office is fully covered by the commitments outlined in the DCA's Sustainable Development Policy, which is on the DCA website:

http://www.dca.gov.uk/dept/sustaindev/sustaindev.htm

Locally the Wales Office has reinforced the need for all staff to be energy efficient by ensuring senior managers remind their teams, reissuing staff instructions to turn off all electrical equipment when not in use and deploying posters and publicity material from the Carbon Trust near electrical equipment and light switches.

We have contacted the Carbon Trust which has agreed to carry out an energy audit of the office. We have provided the Carbon Trust with all relevant materials needed and await a date from it for a visit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his Department's employer contribution rates to the Principal Civil Service pension scheme are; what assumed rate of return underlies those contribution rates; and what the contribution rate would be if the assumed rate of return was in line with current redemption yield on index-linked gilts. [61906]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) on 29 March 2006, Official Report, column 1030.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many complimentary tickets his Department has received for games taking place at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany. [63905]

None. I will not be attending the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what his estimate is of the number of (a) Shia, (b) Kurdish and (c) Sunni non-state militia in Iraq; [61844]

(2) what assessment he has made of the infiltration of national and local Iraqi security forces by sectarian militias. [61847]

There are a variety of estimates of the size of the various Iraqi militias. But both these, and the extent of their influence, are difficult to assess with any accuracy. Ethnic, religious and tribal loyalties are widespread within Iraqi society and part of the reform and democratisation process of Iraqi institutions is the removal from office of those individuals whose loyalties are fundamentally not to the state. The capability of the Iraqi interior and defence ministries, and of the Iraqi Security Forces, will be important factors in assessing the conditions that will enable the transfer of responsibility for security to the Iraqi civilian authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what estimate he has made of the number of British service personnel requiring medical treatment following active service in Iraq who have been advised to attend NHS hospital accident and emergency departments for treatment; and if he will make a statement; [63665]

(2) what estimate he has made of the number of British servicemen and servicewomen who have paid for private medical treatment following injuries incurred during active service in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [63666]

It is not the policy of the Ministry of Defence to advise service personnel requiring medical treatment following active service in Iraq to attend NHS hospital A and E departments for treatment. The Defence Medical Services (DMS) manages the medical treatment pathways for all members of the UK armed forces, both regulars and mobilised reservists, who require medical treatment as a result of active service and makes all the necessary arrangements to ensure that it is delivered. There are of course other occasions where service personnel resident in the United Kingdom will present to A and E departments for emergency treatment of injuries and illnesses; service personnel are entitled to NHS care, including emergency care, and this is set out in the Department of Health's Establishing the Responsible Commissioner document.

The DMS has a number of referral options depending upon the nature of the medical treatment required. For example, the DMS refers service personnel with complex musculoskeletal or neurological needs requiring hospital care to one of the six Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs) embedded within NHS trusts or to non-MDHU NHS facilities if the location and availability of clinical service is more socially convenient and clinically appropriate for the patient than MDHU care. Service personnel with moderate/minor musculoskeletal injuries who have been assessed and have a working diagnosis and a planned care pathway are referred to one of our 12 Regional Rehabilitation Units, while those with more complex rehabilitation needs are referred to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Headley Court.

I am aware of a very small number of cases where the system has not delivered the standards of care that we always endeavour to provide for military patients. The MOD takes all allegations of poor medical care very seriously, and will investigate any complaint that individual service personnel or ex-service personnel raise with us.

It is not possible to provide an estimate of the number of British servicemen and servicewomen who have paid for private medical treatment following injuries incurred during active service in Iraq, as such information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The armed forces do sometimes refer personnel for private care when this is considered appropriate. In such circumstances, the costs are borne by the Department. Whichever course of action is taken, it is with a view to ensuring that military patients are assessed and treated in a timely fashion and receive the optimal high quality treatment and rehabilitation to deliver the best possible outcome, including an early return to operational fitness when this is clinically possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units in the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Air Force, (c) Army and (d) Department are involved primarily in activities related to military intelligence; and how many (i) military and (ii) civilian personnel serve in each such unit. [63085]

Other than for the Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS) and the Intelligence Corps, the information requested is not held centrally. The DIS employs some 4,700 staff and of those 2,800 are military and 1,900 civilian. The military element includes personnel from all three services. Intelligence Corps figures were published in 30 January 2006, . However, a number of Intelligence Corps personnel are posted to the DIS.Hansard on Official Report, column 32W

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of converting Astute class submarines to accommodate Trident II D5 (A) missiles. [64247]

Work has been undertaken to keep options open in considering platforms to carry the Trident D5 missile in the longer term pending future decisions on any replacement for Trident. However, while decisions on any replacement for the Trident system are likely to be required in the current Parliament, they are still some way off. Initial preparatory work is being undertaken by officials on possible options for the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent. However, Ministers have not yet begun to consider the position on this issue in any detail and it is therefore too early to speculate, among other things, on the range of options that might be available and their potential costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with Ofcom on 2G switch off in the telecommunications market. [63993]

There have been no such discussions to date, with Ministers or DTI officials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what penalties there are for contractors breaking the statutory requirements of the Business Links service. [63107]

There are no specific statutory instruments under which the Business Link services are provided. Business Link must comply with all statutory requirements set out in relevant Acts of Parliament.

In addition, organisations delivering Business Link services receive funding from the regional development agencies on a contractual basis. The terms of these contracts provides the regional development agencies with the right of suspension or clawback of funding.

The Business Link contract, originally agreed between the DTI and Business Link providers, has been managed by the regional development agencies since April 2005, and contains provisions for termination and breach.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his statement during the debate on 14 March 2006, Official Report, column 1303, on gas supply and demand, what the source was of the statement that Germany's wholesale gas prices have increased by 80 per cent. [62677]

The sources of the statement are publicly available IMF data on Russian-German border prices over 2005 and Royal Bank of Scotland exchange rate data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his statements during the debate on 14 March 2006, Official Report, column 1303, on 16 February 2006, Official Report, column 1551 and on 12 January 2006, Official Report, column 486, on gas supply, how he calculated the figures regarding the costs of energy to British and German industry. [62678]

The statement on 12 January,

"Our liberalised markets mean that the cost of industrial gas is also competitive. In the past 14 years, the cost of energy to British industry has been around £8 billion less than the cost to German industry"

referred to the difference in cost were UK industry to have paid German prices for the gas they consumed over the period 1990 to 2004. The statistics for the prices to UK and German industries were taken from the IEA publication 'Energy Prices and Taxes' and Ofgem estimates, while the consumption of UK industry was taken from the IEA publication 'Energy Statistics of OECD countries'. A similar exercise undertaken by Ofgem came to the same figure.

The statement on 16 February,

"over the past 10 years British companies have paid £9 billion less for their energy than German companies, for instance, but there is an issue here that we need to tackle"

referred to the difference in cost were UK industry to have paid German prices for the gas and electricity they consumed over the period 1995 to 2004. The statistics for the prices to UK and German industries were taken from the IEA publication 'Energy Prices and Taxes', while the consumption of UK industry was taken from the IEA publication 'Energy Statistics of OECD countries'.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) annual running costs and (b) total costs to date have been incurred by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship. [63810]

holding answer 18 April 2006

The Department of Trade and Industry Small Business Service and The Department for Education and Skills jointly fund the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE). The NCGE is awarded a combined grant of £700,000 per year to fund its activities. The NCGE has just completed its second year and has received a total of £1,400,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he (a) is taking and (b) plans to take to support the UK based photovoltaic industry to compete in the international photovoltaics market; and if he will make a statement. [63580]

The Department has supported photovoltaics since 2000 through the £31 million major photovoltaic demonstration programme which ended in March 2006 and £10 million on field trials which are still to report. Photovoltaics will continue to receive support, along with other microgeneration technologies, through the new £80 million low carbon buildings programme over the next three years. In addition, the Government have just launched their microgeneration strategy which will seek to tackle non-grant barriers hindering development of sustainable markets for these technologies. This will include working with industry to develop a route map for each microgeneration technology. These measures will help the photovoltaic industry to continue to develop in the UK, building a platform for business to take decisions on international developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether change in legislation is being considered regarding the number of unsolicited nuisance telephone calls made to members of the public after an application has been processed to the Telephone Preference Service to ensure no such calls are made. [63051]

holding answer 18 April 2006

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what process was used to grant the contract to manage the telephone preference service registers to the Direct Marketing Association (DMA); and if he will place in the Library correspondence between his Department and the DMA on the matter. [62269]

The matter raised is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom). Ofcom is the independent regulatory for the communications sector, deriving its main powers and duties directly from statute rather than by delegation from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, and accountable to Parliament in its own right. The Chief Executive of Ofcom has pointed out that under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 ("the Regulations") Ofcom is required to maintain registers of the numbers allocated to subscribers who have notified Ofcom that they do not for the time being wish to receive unsolicited communications for direct marketing purposes by means of telephone (Telephone Preference Service) or fax (Fax Preference Service). Ofcom is permitted by the Regulations to make arrangements for the provision of the registers to be discharged by some other person.

Ofcom undertook a full, competitive and open tender process prior to the award of the contract to Telephone Preference Service Limited (TPSL). The invitation to tender can be accessed at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/jobs/contracts_tenders/mngd_fax_tgel_reg/.

The invitation to tender includes: the aims and objectives for the registers; services and tender retirements; and minimum criteria for evaluation of tenders. I am informed by Ofcom that eight companies expressed an interest in tendering for the new contract, although three tenders were actually received by Ofcom. Having evaluated the tender and interviewed the bidders, Ofcom decided to award the new contract to TPSL, the existing provider of the registers.

Accordingly, my officials have asked the Chief Executive Officer of Ofcom to reply to the hon. Member and to send me a copy of his response. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will also be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of women entrepreneurs in the North East. [63283]

Greater levels of entrepreneurship are essential if we are to succeed by increasing economic growth, and female entrepreneurship can, make a crucial contribution in this growth. Because there are unique issues attaching to female entrepreneurship the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has established the National Women's Enterprise task force, in association with women's business support organisation Prowess. The task force will champion women's enterprise issues across Government.

Both directly and through regional development agency ONE NorthEast the Government supports a range of initiatives which are achieving increases in the numbers of entrepreneurs in the North East of England. Support provide through the Business Link network in the region, ongoing restructuring and simplification Government business support, and the £26.4 million to be shared by Easington, Derwentside, Wear Valley, Sedgefield and South Tyneside under the local enterprise growth initiative (LEGI) will all contribute to the encouragement of new business start-ups in the region.

While many initiatives are aimed at all potential entrepreneurs, there are some which seek to increase opportunities, enhance levels of business skills and raise entrepreneurial aspirations specifically among the female population.

For example:

ONE North East in association with regional partners in the public and private sectors has drawn up the North East of England enterprise strategy. The strategy draws together the priorities for developing enterprise in the region and outlines and actions, timescales and responsibilities for their delivery with the aim of encouraging the region's entrepreneurs to create, develop and grow their enterprises. Recognising the importance of encouraging female entrepreneurs, a North East Women's enterprise action plan is currently being developed.

ONE NorthEast backs the Women into the Network, which has already achieved success in encouraging an enhanced culture of entrepreneurship in the region by assisting the integration of aspiring women entrepreneurs into existing business networks.

The Government announced this month that ONE NorthEast will receive £80,000 to establish a pilot Women's Enterprise unit, which will assess measures needed to accelerate rates of women's entrepreneurship in the North East of England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which services that the BBC proposes to offer will be subject to (a) a market impact assessment and (b) the public value test. [62815]

The BBC's new Charter and Agreement will require the BBC Trust to subject all new services and significant changes to existing services to a public value test. Every public value test will include a market impact assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will meet the elected officials of the British Sub-Aqua Club. [63636]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no current plans to meet the elected officials of the British Sub-Aqua Club.

Officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the chairman of the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites have recently met elected officials of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), among other diving organisations. Officials have been in regular correspondence with BSAC and are forming good working relationships over a variety of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to increase the number of households able to receive Freeview television in (a) South Swindon and (b) England. [64036]

Digital Switchover will enable digital terrestrial coverage to match the current 98.5 per cent. analogue level. Switchover for the HTV West region and the Central region will happen in the first half of 2010 and the first half of 2011 respectively.

The Government have confirmed the regional timetable for the switchover to digital television and announced details of a support scheme to help the most vulnerable households to make the switch.

Digital UK, an independent, not-for-profit company, will co-ordinate the implementation of digital switchover and ensure that consumers have timely and accurate information about the switch.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what dates she met the Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee; who represented the committee; and whether they were (a) elected or (b) appointed. [63635]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not recently met the Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee (JNAPC).

I met Robert Yorke, the chair of the JNAPC, on 2 November 2005.

Robert Yorke was elected as chairman of the JNAPC by the committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much business his Department has placed with (a) Capita Group plc and (b) its subsidiaries in each of the last five years; what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries by his Department; for which current tenders issued by his Department (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries have been invited to bid; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have seconded staff (1) temporarily and (2) on a longer-term basis to (X) his Department and (Y) any of its agencies. [61077]

In each of the last five financial years the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has placed the following levels of business with Capita Group plc.

In 2005–06 the FCO placed £44,000 of business with Veredus, a subsidiary of Capita Group plc.

The total value of outstanding contracts with Capita Group plc is £321,116.

The FCO has no current tenders ongoing which involve Capita Group plc or its subsidiaries.

Neither the FCO nor its Executive Agency, Wilton Park, have seconded staff from Capita Group plc or its subsidiaries either temporarily or on a longer-term basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the value of contracts held by his Department with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries was in the last three financial years. [61435]

The value of contracts held by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with Capita plc in the last three financial years is:

The value of contracts held with Veredus, a subsidiary of Capita plc, over the last three financial years is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy when placing material in the Library in response to a parliamentary question to supply a copy of the material to the hon. Member who tabled the question; and if he will make a statement. [64210]

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his evidence to the Public Administration Committee of 29 March 2006, HC 689-v, on publication of political memoirs, why and how he will arrange to dismiss an official or an adviser who keeps a daily diary; whether an official or an adviser may keep a journal; when that policy was first made; and when it was first made public. [63685]

The Diplomatic Service Regulations do not prohibit the keeping of diaries by officials, and no official or adviser would be dismissed for doing so. My evidence to the Committee made clear that I do not object to the keeping of diaries in principle, only to their publication in disregard of the Regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is his Department's policy that the principle of self-determination can be (a) limited and (b) constrained by treaty. [63613]

holding answer 18 April 2006

The Government supports the right or principle of self-determination reflecting the wishes of the people concerned. It should be exercised in accordance with the other principles and rights in the UN Charter and with other treaty obligations. This has been and continues to be the position of successive British Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the longest length of time is that a child who is being detained for immigration purposes has been held. [58857]

Information on the longest length of time that a child who is being detained solely under Immigration Act Powers is unavailable. Published statistics on immigration and asylum issues are available on the Home Office's Research Development and Statistics website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to answer the letter of 23 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, about Mrs. Eva Wilson. [63933]

I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 10 April 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were released on the Home Detention Curfew scheme in 2004–05 for (a) less than one month, (b) one to two months, (c) two to three months, (d) three to four months and (e) over four months in each year since the scheme was introduced. [59140]

Information on the number and percentage of prisoners released on Home Detention Curfew (HDC) by time to be spent on curfew, from 1999 to 2005, is given in the following tables.

HDC releases with information on time to be served on HDC

Notes:

1. The table does not include those with no valid centrally held information on time to be spent on tag.

2. These statistics are based on information recorded on the central Prison Service IT system on 1 April 2006.

3. Further updates and amendments may be made to records on this system in future resulting in revised figures.

4. Two changes were made to the scheme in 2002: the introduction of the Presumptive HDC scheme in May for prisoners serving between three months and under 12 months, and the increase of the maximum curfew period to 90 days on 16 December. On 14 July 2003 the maximum curfew period was increased to four and a half months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Identity Cards Register will commence operation. [63895]

No date has yet been determined for the commencement of the National Identity Register. This will depend on the progress of the procurement exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licence applications had been processed by the Security Industry Authority by 1 March. [62303]

The total number of fully processed licence applications by the Security Industry Authority at 1 March 2006 was 79,974.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complimentary tickets his Department has received for games taking place at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany. [63909]

The Home Office has not received any complimentary tickets for World Cup matches taking place in Germany this summer. The Home Secretary may attend matches, and may be accompanied by officials. However, no decisions have been made at this time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Coventry, South did not have access to a bank account on 31 December (a) 2005 and (b) 1997. [63423]