To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on improving the energy efficiency of households; and if she will make a statement. [63740]

I and my ministerial colleagues have had a number of discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and his ministerial team on the energy efficiency of households and other related issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the oral answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of 9 March 2006, Official Report, column 941, on single farm payments, when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary became aware that it would not be possible to make the bulk of payments by the end of March. [63741]

I and fellow Ministers were made aware of this on 14 March, which as the hon. Member will be aware led to the removal of the RPA Chief Executive on the 16 March and the appointment of Mark Addison as Acting Chief Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her plans for meeting the target for carbon dioxide reduction by 2010. [63742]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's UK carbon dioxide targets. [63746]

The Government published the 2006 climate change programme on 28 March. The policies and measures in the programme are expected to reduce UK carbon dioxide emissions by 15 to 18 per cent. by 2010 compared with 1990 levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the climate change review. [63737]

A new climate change programme was published on 28 March. It will advance progress to tackle climate change domestically and to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the provision of flood defences for Lewes. [63744]

Following the floods in 2000, the Environment Agency has completed a flood risk management strategy for the Sussex Ouse and £1.8 million has been spent on reducing flood risk in the Mailing area of Lewes. The Environment Agency Regional Flood Defence Committee is planning further works between the Phoenix Causeway and Cliffe Bridge and in the Cliffe cell.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the security of flood prevention in and around the Thames Estuary. [63747]

London and the Thames Estuary have one of the best tidal defence systems in the world, which provides a high standard of protection from flooding.

The Environment Agency is currently developing a major flood risk management strategy—Thames Estuary 2100—to look at how we can manage flood risk to London over the next 100 years, taking into account future predicted impacts of climate change.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage greater water efficiency in the home. [63748]

We have established the new Water Saving Group with key water stakeholders, which has agreed and is making progress on a comprehensive action plan; we are going to consult in summer on regulatory changes to secure improved water efficiency in new housing; and all stakeholders are seeking to educate customers to act responsibly in the use of water.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department plans to improve water efficiency in housing growth areas. [63743]

We announced on 28 March that we will consult on proposals to mandate minimum standards of water efficiency in new housing, which will include new housing development in the four growth areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average farmgate price for milk was in 2005 and 1997. [63749]

The average farmgate price for milk delivered in 1997 was 21.96 pence per litre, while in 2005, it was 18.46 pence per litre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the performance of local councils in meeting their recycling and waste targets. [63750]

Levels of recycling by local authorities have improved dramatically from the appalling record under the previous Conservative Government. In 1997 only 8 per cent. of household waste was recycled. This year we expect local authorities will achieve the target we set them of 25 per cent.—a more than trebling of recycling since Labour come to power.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average level of farm income was in (a) 1997 and (b) 2005. [63751]

UK Total Income from Farming per full-time person equivalent was £12,500 in 2005 compared to £14,600 in 1997 (when expressed in real terms at 2005 prices).

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

(1) how many licensed CFC recovery sites are still operational in the UK; and how many of these achieve greater than 300g of CFC recovery per domestic refrigerator or freezer; [63850]

(2) what the average CFC recovery level was per domestic refrigerator or freezer for each year since 2002. [63851]

holding answer 18 April 2006

A number of facilities hold Waste Management Licences for the treatment of waste refrigerators. Not all licensed facilities are operational. Typically, there are a dozen specialist facilities recovering CFCs from domestic refrigerators. Some facilities also treat panels from commercial refrigeration equipment.

Operators of fridge treatment plants are not required to report CFC recovery on a grammes per fridge basis. CFC recovery data for 2005 is currently being assessed and collated and will be available to report to the European Commission by the reporting deadline of 30 June this year.

A detailed audit of fridge treatment facilities in 2004 concluded that the quantity of controlled substances recovered from the refrigerant and blowing agent equated to approximately 236g per fridge/freezer treated in England and Wales during 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the UK's position in European CFC recovery league tables. [63852]

holding answer 18 April 2006

Recovery of CFCs/HCFCs (chlorofluorocarbons/hydrochlorofluorocarbons) in the UK in 2004 (the last year for which figures are available) represented some 25 per cent. of the total CFC/HCFCs estimated to have been recovered in the EU. The UK figure also includes CFC/HCFCs recovered from imported waste refrigerators from elsewhere in the EU.

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

(1) how many tonnes of the CFCs recovered by the UK's licensed facilities have been (a) destroyed and (b) processed to render them harmless to the environment in each year since 2002; [63845]

(2) what amount of CFC was recovered from domestic and commercial appliances in each of the last 10 years; and what estimate she has made for 2006; [63846]

(3) how many tonnes of CFC were recovered in 2005; what estimate she has made of the amount which will be recovered in 2006; and if she will make a statement; [63848]

(4) what plans she has to address falling levels of CFC recovery in the UK. [63849]

holding answer 18 April 2006

The following information is available on the recovery of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) from all equipment:

The requirement to recover CFCs and other ozone depleting substances from domestic refrigerators did not come into force until 2002. Recovery levels were not reported or collated for any previous year. CFC recovery data for 2005 is currently being assessed and collated. This will be available in time to meet the European Commission's reporting deadline of 30 June.

It is not possible to know in advance the levels of CFC recovery from domestic or commercial refrigeration equipment in 2006. The amount available for recovery will be influenced by the number of fridges and freezers presented for treatment, the proportion that contained CFCs when manufactured, and the proportion of CFCs lost in use, storage or transit. Recovery figures for 2006 will be reported during 2007.

CFCs recovered at fridge treatment plants are converted/destroyed on site or sent to specialist facilities for destruction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance her Department has issued on the recovery of controlled substances in refrigerators and freezers; what assessment she has made of the impact of the guidance on CFC recovery rates in the UK; and if she will make a statement. [63847]

The Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency "Guidance on the Recovery and Disposal of Controlled Substances Contained in Refrigerators and Freezers" was published in 2002. The Agencies intend to review this guidance when the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive is implemented.

The publication of guidance is only one factor which may influence the amount of CFCs recovered in the UK. Other major factors include the number of fridges and freezers presented for treatment, the proportion that contained CFCs when manufactured, and the proportion of CFCs that are lost in use, storage or transit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received on the cultivation of genetically modified foods; and if she will make a statement. [63624]

Over recent weeks Defra has received representations on various issues to do with GM crops. These include the coexistence of GM and non-GM crops, the ongoing WTO case on GMOs, and the use of Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURTs).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of whether the development of the Scout Moor windfarm will meet the provisions of the Commons Bill in respect of the protection of and public access to common land. [63419]

These applications are made under section 147 of the Inclosure Act 1845. Consideration is given under these provision to the effect of the exchange on the general public's legal right of access over the land. The future provisions in the Commons Bill are not relevant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the operation of section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991. [64215]

Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991, allows water companies to ban or restrict the use of hosepipes to water private gardens or wash private motor cars. Powers can be used if a company believes there is a serious risk to the amount of water available for distribution to customers.

A water company imposing a ban or restriction has to give public notice before it comes into force, including details of when it will take effect. Anyone who contravenes a ban or restriction could be fined.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action has been taken to reduce leakage rates from water pipes in (a) Southend, (b) Essex, (c) the Three Valleys water area and (d) Hertfordshire. [64214]

Water companies are under a duty to develop and maintain efficient and economical water supply systems. Ofwat assesses their performance against leakage targets and reports progress each year.

The areas that you asked about are covered by three different water companies. In 2004–05, Essex and Suffolk Water, which cover areas(a) and (b) met their leakage target and operated below their Economic Level of Leakage (ELL), which is the level of leakage at which it would cost more to make further reductions than to produce water from another source. Three Valleys Water, which covers area (c) and part of area (d) , met their leakage target and operated at their ELL. Thames Water, which covers part of area (d) , reduced its overall leakage for the first time since 1999–2000, but failed its leakage target of 905 Megalitres/day by 10 Megalitres/day (1.1 per cent.).

It is the responsibility of Ofwat to set and enforce leakage targets. If necessary, Ofwat now has powers to fine companies for leakage failures.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer

(1) when he will reply to the letter dated 14 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Julie Reid; [62435]

(2) when he expects to answer the letter of 14 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mrs. C Hayes. [63930]

The Paymaster General will reply to the right hon. Member very shortly.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reasons underlay the decision by his Department not to adjust the estimated profile of repayments, when the revenue expected from the QinetiQ loan, as referred to in the National Audit Office Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006, pages five and six, was not received in 2004–05. [63627]

The estimated profile of repayments on the Aquila Chertsey Loan Note was based on routine data supplied to HM Treasury. For the pre-Budget report 2005 this reflected the slippage out of 2004–05. HMT did not adjust the later years of the profile until MOD were able to confirm the repayments in 2005–06. This was done for Budget 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many local authorities have included targets for cycling in their local transport plans; and what the targets are for each such authority. [63658]

The final second round Local Transport Plans, covering the years 2006–11, were received by the Department on 31 March and the process of assessment has only just commenced. Once this process has been completed, I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the income from user-charges for the Dartford crossing has been in each of the last five years; and how the surplus after operating costs have been deducted was spent. [64191]

Prior to 1 April 2002 the concessionaire operating the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing retained all toll income.

Gross toll income received at the crossing for the year to 31 March 2003 amounted to £69.34 million. Under the provisions of the legislation applying to toll income at that time (the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988) all revenue had to be used for the operation and maintenance of the crossing.

Under the provisions of the Transport Act 2000 a road user-charging scheme has been in operation at the crossing since 1 April 2003. The gross income received is as follows:

⁽¹⁾ Includes rental income and/or interest received.

The accounts for the period from 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 are being prepared and will be published in due course.

Under the Transport Act 2000, during the 10 year period which started when the scheme came into force, net proceeds may only be used for the purpose of directly or indirectly facilitating the achievement of any policies or proposals relating to transport. All net revenue from the charging scheme therefore accrues to the Department for Transport to support overall expenditure on transport projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of (a) the number of accidents and (b) the congestion caused by vehicles queuing to pass through the toll booths at the Dartford Crossing. [64192]

The agents managing the day-to-day operations of the crossing review injury accident data obtained from the police, every six months and submit a report to the Highways Agency. From this report accident cluster sites are identified and studies commissioned to identify possible mitigating actions.

The layout of the toll plaza is not designed for free flow conditions, and the toll plazas perform an important safety role in controlling the volume of traffic and speed of vehicles both through the tunnels and away from the bridge.

The level of congestion at and around the Dartford Crossing is included in the baseline assessment of the Department for Transport's PSA reliability target.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations his Department has received on the First Great Western Trains December 2006 proposed timetable; and how many related to the proposed termination of the 1515 London Paddington to Swansea service at Cardiff. [60811]

The Department has received approximately 600 representations on the First Greater Western's proposed timetable for December 2006. One was related to the proposed termination of the 15.15 Paddington to Swansea service at Cardiff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what proportion of (a) staff and (b) new staff employed in his Department in each of the last three years for which data are available were registered as disabled. [61388]

The Wales Office has a small number of staff with disabilities. For privacy reason the numbers are confidential, in line with guidance issued by the Cabinet Office which states that Departments are not required to provide figures on the number of disabled staff where it is less than five in the department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales

(1) how many grievance procedures have been initiated in his Department in each of the last three years; [63558]

(2) how many complaints of (a) bullying and (b) sexual harassment have been investigated in his Department in each of the last three years; and how many complaints have been upheld. [63559]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support her Department is providing for cricket in 2006–07; and if she will make a statement. [64522]

The Government, through Sport England, continue to provide financial support to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to assist in the delivery of both the professional and amateur game.

Cricket is one of Sport England's 10 priority sports and they will be investing £8.5 million during 2006–07. Around £4 million will be provided directly to the ECB to support a number of initiatives including the ECB's four year strategic plan, PE School Sport and Club Links (PESSCL) strategy, Step Into Sport volunteer programme, UK Coaching Certificate programme and the hire of English Institute of Sport facilities. The remaining funding will be provided direct to the sport through schemes such as the Community Club Development Programme, Chance to Shine Programme, County Sports Partnership Funding and Community Funding, and through the National Sports Foundation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with football (a) authorities and (b) clubs on tackling homophobia. [64619]

There has been no ministerial discussion with either the football authorities or clubs on tackling homophobia in football.

The Government believe that there is no place for homophobia in football or in wider society and we fully support the campaign being led by the Football Association against homophobic abuse in football in England.

Through their "Football For All" programme, the FA is publicly committed to making football inclusive and open to all and to eradicate homophobia in the sport through education, effective reporting structures and communication and awareness training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding the Olympic Trust Fund will receive from (a) the Exchequer, (b) the National Lottery and (c) private sources; and if she will make a statement. [62943]

The Government and the Lottery distributors have initially made £35 million available to establish the trust. We will be looking, over time, to attract significant funding from the private sector to support the trust's projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she plans to make of the provision of national health service dentistry in areas where large numbers of dentists have not signed the new NHS dental contract; and if she will make a statement. [63567]

As of 1 April, primary care trusts (PCTs) have devolved responsibility and funding for the commissioning of primary dental services. This means that, if a dentist ceases to provide national health service dentistry, the resources will remain with the PCT to be re-invested in local dental services.

The dental reforms will give PCTs greater flexibility to develop services in ways that reflect the needs of their local populations.

The national implementation group that has been established to monitor the impact of the reforms will be able to review the experience of PCTs in re-commissioning services where it is necessary to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding was allocated to Dorset and Somerset strategic health authority in each year since 2001. [64305]

The information in the following tables shows the funding allocation for health authorities and primary care trusts (PCTs) since 2001. From 2003, funding allocation was made to individual PCTs.

Revenue allocations to HAs in Dorset and Somerset strategic health authority 2001–02 and 2002–03 -- £000

Revenue allocations to PCTs in Dorset and Somerset SHA from 2003–04 to 2007–08 -- £000

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) general practitioners and (b) NHS dentists there were per head of population in (i) England and (ii) Taunton constituency in each year since 1997. [64308]

Population data at constituency level is not available. The numbers of general medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) and dentists per 100,000 population have been provided for England and Taunton Deane Primary Care Trust (PCT) are shown as follows.

General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) per 100,000 population in England and the specified organisations, 1997–2004⁽²⁾

⁽²⁾ General Medical Practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes contracted general practitioners, GMS others and PMS others. Prior to September 2004 this group included GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.

Source:

The Information Centre for Health and Social Care General and Personal Medical Services Statistics Office for National Statistics 2001 Population Census

General dental services and personal dental services: Number of dentists per 100,000 population in England and the specified organisations as at 30 September 1997–2005

⁽³⁾ Official 2005 population data are not yet available. 2005 data have therefore been estimated using Office for National Statistics 2004 mid-year population estimates based on the 2001 census as these are the latest available.

⁽⁴⁾ Estimate.

Source:

The Information Centre for Health and Social Care General and Personal Medical Services Statistics Office for National Statistics 2001 Population Census

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the range of fees charged by the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board. [62566]

The information requested is shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 27 March 2006, Official Report, column 805W on sexual and reproductive health, how many officials provide the secretariat for the advisory group; what the grade is of each is, and what the cost was to her Department in each year since 2003–04. [64206]

The secretariat for the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV is shared between vice chairs of the group, with support from the Department as required, mainly in facilitation of the quarterly meetings of the group.

The cost of the support from the Department is less that £15,000 per annum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect of the closure of Citizens Advice Bureaux on local communities. [63275]

The Department is not responsible for local Citizens Advice Bureaux each of which is an independent charity. The DTI provide £23.6 million in grant aid to Citizens Advice in 2005–06. The DTI has made no assessment of the effect of the closure of Citizens Advice Bureaux on local communities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to address the additional charges levied on domestic energy customers using pre-payment meters; and if he will make a statement. [64229]

The charges applied to pre-payment meters reflect the additional costs of the meter itself and the infrastructure required to support it. Any enforced reduction in the charges applied to pre-payment meters would have to be cross-subsidised by other customers, including pensioners and the fuel poor, the majority of whom do not use pre-payment meters. Pre-payment tariffs of individual suppliers vary, and, where customers prefer to retain a pre-payment meter, they may be able to reduce their expenditure by switching supplier.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of social programmes aimed at alleviating fuel poverty offered by the six major domestic energy supply companies; [63600]

(2) what role he expects the six major domestic energy supply companies to play in tackling fuel poverty, beyond their energy Efficiency Commitment Priority Group obligations; and if he will make a statement; [63601]

(3) what criteria are used by an energy supply company to class a tariff as a social tariff. [63602]

Each of the major domestic energy suppliers offer a number of programmes that assist vulnerable customers in various ways. The actual definition of a social tariff varies from company to company but is generally a lower price tariff directed towards a subset of vulnerable customers. It is for suppliers, not the Government, to design and set such tariffs.

Although information from individual suppliers about take-up of particular schemes is commercially confidential, an annex to the Government's UK Fuel Poverty Strategy Fourth Annual Progress Report, to be published later this year, will include information about the overall impacts of company schemes in 2004 and 2005. This will include information about actions companies have taken in 2004 and 2005 beyond their Energy Efficiency Priority Group obligations.

We continue to encourage energy companies to consider their most vulnerable consumers when considering price or service changes. I therefore welcome the trust funds and social tariffs announced, but continue to urge energy companies to do more.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much the cost of heating fuel has changed in each year since 1997. [64422]

holding answer 18 April 2006

Percentages real terms year-on-year price changes for those fuels used in the domestic sector are shown in the following table.

Year-on-year percentage price changes since 1997 -- Fuel

Source:

Retail Price Index, Office for National Statistics

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions the Department has had with the Treasury on the abolition of Home Computing Initiative tax relief. [62453]

holding answer 30 March 2006

My Department has had a number of discussions with the Treasury on Budget issues relevant to DTI, including the Home Computing Initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid to (a) Beresfords, (b) UDM, (c) Vendside, (d) Wake Smith and (e) AMS Law for noise-induced hearing loss claims in each year since 2000; and what the average payment was in each case. [64452]

holding answer 19 April 2006

The costs payments made are set out in the table:

⁽⁵⁾ 2006 figures reflect the position up to 16 April 2006

⁽⁶⁾ The Union of Democratic Mineworkers register claims on behalf of their members. Vendside operate a claims handling company on behalf of the UDM and as such administration of claims is processed via Vendside Limited

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claimants have been paid for noise-induced hearing loss in (a) Bassetlaw and (b) Nottinghamshire since 1999. [64453]

holding answer 19 April 2006

The number of claimants paid for noise-induced hearing loss since 1999 is 1,389 in Bassetlaw and 11,163 in Nottinghamshire¹ .

¹ Nottinghamshire covers the constituencies of Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Broxtowe, Gedling, Mansfield, Newark, Nottingham East, Nottingham North, Nottingham South, Rushcliffe and Sherwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what agreements on costs have been reached for noise-induced hearing loss claims with (a) Beresfords, (b) Wake Smith, (c) AMS Law, (d) UDM and (e) Vendside; and when each agreement (i) began and (ii) will end. [64454]

holding answer 19 April 2006

The Department's agreement on costs for noise-induced hearing loss claims with Beresfords was reached in December 2000 and ended in March 2002. The current agreement with the UDM was reached in May 2003, is ongoing, and covers claims originating with the Union but submitted by either their claims handling company, Vendside, or the solicitors AMS Law. We do not have an agreement with Wake Smith.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with representatives of gas and electricity supply companies on improving the information on social tariffs provided to customers. [64379]

DTI officials and I have regular contact with all of the major energy supply companies and their trade organisation, the Energy Retail Association, on a wide range of issues, including the introduction of social tariffs by energy companies. With DTI's encouragement, the energy suppliers established the Home Heat helpline, which, among other things, provides customers with advice on the most appropriate tariff, including information on social tariffs. It is for individual suppliers to determine how best to market their tariffs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many letters the Information Commissioner's Office has sent to date to (a) companies that have had in excess of 50 complaints made against them under telephone preference service regulations and (b) to companies breaching telephone preference service regulations. [62238]

The Information Commissioner is responsible for administering the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. Regulation 21 of these regulations relates to unsolicited direct marketing telephone calls. It should be note that complaints received by his office about breaches of Regulation 21 concern calls made to Telephone Preference Service (TPS) registered numbers and also organisation not to make marketing calls to that number.

Due to the nature of the casework management system used by the Information Commissioner's Office he is unable to identify companies about which more than 40 complaints have been received about alleged breaches of Regulation 21 and is therefore unable to identify how many letters have been sent to companies about which more than 50 such complaints have been received.

To date, the Information Commissioner has written to organisations in 1,754 cases regarding an alleged breach of Regulation 21.

So far the Information Commissioner has been able to deal with complaints relating to alleged breaches of Regulation 21 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, through informal resolution with the organisations concerned. Information Commissioner has not needed to initiate formal enforcement action against any organisation for breaching Regulation 21. As most cases have been resolved at any early stage of their proceedings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints about telephone cold calling were made against (a) the Labour party, (b) the Conservative party, (c) the Scottish National party and (d) the Green party since the introduction of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) 2003; and on how many occasions the Information Commissioner has initiated formal action in response to these complaints. [61652]

The Information Commissioner is responsible for administering the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. Regulation 21 of these regulations relates to unsolicited direct marketing telephone calls. It should be noted that complaints received by his office about breaches of Regulation 21 concern not just calls made to Telephone Preference Service (TPS) registered numbers but also calls made to numbers where the subscriber has directly asked the calling organisation not to make marketing calls to that number. Also, Regulation 19 relates to the use of unsolicited direct marketing automated telephone calls.

The number of complaints about telephone cold calling made against the parties since the introduction of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) in 2003 is as follows:

⁽⁷⁾ In 2005 the Information Commissioner issued one enforcement notice under Regulation 19 against the Conservative party.

⁽⁸⁾ In 2005 the Information Commissioner issued one enforcement notice under Regulation 19 against the Scottish National party.

Note:

The term 'Upheld' also includes cases where the Information Commissioner decided that enforcement action was not appropriate even though there may have been some breach of the regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) against how many UK companies more than 50 complaints have been made under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003; [61653]

(2) on how many occasions the Information Commissioner has taken against firms in breach of telephone preference service rules; and whether the Information Commissioner has taken action against firms about which he has received more than 50 complaints. [61654]

The Information Commissioner is responsible for administering the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. Regulation 21 of these regulations relates to unsolicited direct marketing telephone calls. It should be note that complaints received by his office about breaches of Regulation 21 concern calls made to Telephone Preference Service (TPS) registered numbers and also organisation not to make marketing calls to that number.

Due to the nature of the casework management system used by the Information Commissioner's Office he is unable to identify companies about which more than 40 complaints have been received about alleged breaches of Regulation 21 and is therefore unable to identify how many letters have been sent to companies about which more than 50 such complaints have been received.

To date, the Information Commissioner has written to organisations in 1,754 cases regarding an alleged breach of Regulation 21.

So far the Information Commissioner has been able to deal with complaints relating to alleged breaches of Regulation 21 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, through informal resolution with the organisations concerned. Information Commissioner has not needed to initiate formal enforcement action against any organisation for breaching Regulation 21. As most cases have been resolved at any early stage of their proceedings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many miners' claims for (a) vibration white finger and (b) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been pursued by solicitors through common law since 1999. [64439]

Since 1999, 178 vibration white finger and 25 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claims have been pursued through common law.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average waiting time was for a case to go to court martial in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy (c) Royal Air Force in 2005. [57472]

pursuant to the reply, 13 March 2006, Official Report, c. 1945W

The following notes should have appeared after the list.

Notes:

1. Royal Navy figure shows the average delay between charge and appearing at court martial and the year in which court martial was convened. 2. Army figure shows the average delay between the date of the offence and appearing at court martial and the year in which the court martial was convened. 3. Royal Air Force figure shows the average delay between the point that the case papers are received by the Court Administration Unit (which administers arrangements for the court martial) to the trial date and appearing at court martial) and the cases that commenced in 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Government Departments which sent officials on courses run by the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre in 2004–05. [63393]

The Defence Intelligence and Security Centre provides training primarily for the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence. In 2004–05, the following Government Departments sent officials on courses run by the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre:

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many US personnel are based at the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre. [63455]

There are two US personnel based at the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the terms were of the loan agreed with Qinetiq, referred to in the National Audit Office Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006, pages five and six. [63628]

The detailed terms of the loan are contained in the Aquila/Chertsey loan note, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House. Qinetiq's payments to the Ministry of Defence were staged in line with the sale receipts received. The loan has now been repaid in full.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the 'specific properties' were on which the Qinetiq loan referred to on page five of the National Audit Office Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006 was secured. [63677]

The properties were the sites at Aquila (Bromley) and Chertsey. Further details can be found in the Aquila/Chertsey Loan Note, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the loan taken out by Qinetiq referred to in pages 5 and 6 of the National Audit Office Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006 was first made public. [63678]

The loan note was first made public during the Defence Select Committee evidence session of 21 January 2003 on the Qinetiq PPP, (para. 91 of the Defence Committee Minutes of Evidence of 21 January 2003 refers), as the note was to form part of the consideration for the sale of Qinetiq to Carlyle in February 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what penalties were incurred by Qinetiq for failure to pay the 2004–05 repayments on the loan referred to on pages 5 and 6 of the National Audit Office's Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006; [62398]

(2) what the timetable is for Qinetiq's repayment of the remaining £46 million of the loan referred to on page seven of the National Audit Office Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006; [63626]

(3) for what reasons Qinetiq did not meet the expected timetable of repayments in 2004 for the loan note secured on the sale of 'specific properties', referred to on pages five and six of the National Audit Office Audit of Assumptions for Budget 2006. [63676]

holding answer 30 March 2006

There were no penalties, and no fixed term for the repayment of the loan referred to in the National Audit Office's Audit. This was the Aquila/Chertsey Loan Note, between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Qinetiq, which formed part of the receipt from the initial sale of a minority equity interest in Qinetiq to Carlyle in 2003. The loan note was secured against the sale of Qinetiq property at Aquila (Bromley) and Chertsey. No firm schedule of repayments could be laid down as the income from the sale was conditional on the achievement of various stages of planning permission, and so the Budget assumptions were based on estimates of time scales for this planning permission. These original estimates were not achieved, and hence payments to be made by Qinetiq to the MOD slipped.

The loan note has been repaid in stages with the bulk of the money, some £43.5 million being paid in September 2005, and the final outstanding amount, some £2.5 million being paid at the end of March 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the bid by Macedonia to join NATO; and if he will make a statement. [64488]

I have been asked to reply.

The UK welcomes Macedonia's bid to join NATO. Macedonia is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace and has a Membership Action Plan. We look forward to her eventual membership. But, as for all applicants, Macedonia must first meet the membership criteria in full. Good progress is being made in defence reform, although further work is needed. Political conditionality is also important. This includes full implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, and reform of the economy and the judiciary. The proper conduct of parliamentary elections later this year will be an important element in meeting the political conditionality requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total amount of waste produced by nuclear submarines and their reactors has been over the last 30 years. [63780]

No central records are held on the total amount of waste produced by nuclear submarines and their reactors over the last 30 years. However, records held by individual sites in the UK involved in the nuclear submarine programme show that since 1988, the earliest date for which records are available, 3,344 m³ of Low Level Radioactive Waste (before treatment and super-compaction) and 114 m ³ of Intermediate Radioactive Waste has been produced.

The "United Kingdom Radioactive Waste Inventory" to which the Ministry of Defence contributes provides periodic snapshots on all radioactive waste stocks, including levels of waste, location and whether the waste is held in temporary or permanent storage. The inventory has previously been published to show snapshots of waste stocks in 1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989, 1991, 1994, 1998 and 2001, and a copy of the most recent inventory, for 2004, is available on Nirex's website at http://www.nirex.co.uk/foi/ukinvent/.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total amount of waste produced from nuclear warheads that have been decommissioned has been over the last 30 years. [63781]

The amount of waste arising specifically from the decommissioning of nuclear warheads is not recorded separately from waste arising from other phases of the programme. The information requested cannot therefore be provided.

Records of radioactive wastes for the totality of the nuclear warhead programme are published periodically by NIREX in the Nuclear Waste Inventory sponsored by DEFRA. The latest issue is dated 19 January 2006 and is available at http://www.nirex.co.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to question 61540, on pension rights, what employment status members of the reserve forces are classed as having. [64084]

Members of the reserve forces are part of the armed forces of the Crown and the power to maintain them is found in section 1 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996. That Act provides a number of different forms of service which reservists may undertake. The conditions of service which reservists serve under reflect the form of service undertaken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to advise relatives of deceased armed services personnel to seek independent legal advice before signing pensions contracts; and if he will make a statement. [64040]

Dependants of deceased service personnel do not have to sign a pension contract to receive death benefits from the armed forces pension schemes. The benefits are paid in accordance with the terms of the appropriate pension scheme. The only requirement is for the dependant to confirm they are an eligible beneficiary and to sign a claim form to that effect. The Ministry of Defence already advises in its explanatory armed forces pension booklets that, if individuals require financial or legal advice regarding pension matters, they should seek independent advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects Astute class submarines (a) HMS Ambush and (b) HMS Artful to come into service. [64245]

HMS Ambush is expected to enter service in 2010, and HMS Artful in 2012.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what renewable energy projects his Department is supporting in developing countries. [62475]

DFID is committed to increasing access to reliable and affordable energy as an essential catalyst for reducing poverty and increasing economic growth in developing countries. We agree that renewable energy has an increasingly important role to play in helping developing countries make progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.

DFID is working with international networks such as the Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP) and the EU energy initiative (EUEI) to promote access to affordable energy services, drawing on the full menu of technology options, including renewable energy.

DFID has supported the creation of a new €220 million EU energy facility, which will invite calls for proposals later this year. This grant fund aims to improve access to reliable and affordable energy, especially in Africa, and is encouraging viable renewable energy proposals.

We are also encouraging the World Bank and other development partners to give renewable energy greater attention as part of their efforts to improve access to energy.

The World Bank is scaling up its financial support for renewable energy and energy efficiency and announced in December 2005, a rise to $299 million for the year to June 2005, compared to an average of $209 million per annum over the previous three years. These figures exclude large hydropower projects and exceed the commitment they made in 2004 to increase their renewable energy and energy efficiency investments by 20 per cent. per annum over the next five years. We very much welcome this increased investment by the World Bank on clean energy.

DFID has provided around £3.4 million for renewable energy research projects in the last eight years. This was spent on the development and promotion of renewable energy, especially for rural communities. It has included a wide range of technologies such as wind, small hydropower, solar and biomass.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution the UK is making towards the efforts to destroy landmines in Sri Lanka. [63116]

The United Kingdom is a major contributor to mine action in Sri Lanka. We have provided £1 million through the United Nations to support demining and mine awareness in conflict affected areas. A further £669,766 has been committed to two non governmental organisations (NGOs), the Mine Action Group and the HALO Trust, for mine action between 2004 and 2007.

The programmes, together with those from the wider international community, have been successful. Deaths from mines have been largely eliminated, although there are still a small number of casualties each year, especially in the far north of Sri Lanka. Nevertheless the Government estimate that some 700,000 to 1,000,000 mines remain to be cleared.

Given the dependence upon mines in militarily significant areas, it will be many more years before Sri Lanka will be landmine free, and before the Government will feel able to sign the Ottawa Treaty. The Government of Sri Lanka is planning to create within the Sri Lankan army, a national capability to pursue mine action work after 2008. DFID will review progress during 2007 and, in the light of this, consider further support.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many complimentary tickets his Department has received for games taking place at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany. [63911]

None.

To ask the Leader of the House under what circumstances Ministers are permitted to release material to media outlets in advance of a statement being made to Parliament, when the House is sitting. [63155]

Paragraph 7.1 of the Ministerial Code makes it clear that

"When Parliament is in session, the most important announcements of Government policy should be made, in the first instance, in Parliament."

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) average, (b) highest and (c) lowest payment made to individuals under the Financial Assistance Scheme has been; what the equivalent figures are for recipients living in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [64133]

The Financial Assistance Scheme will provide a qualifying member with assistance that will top up their scheme pension to a level broadly equivalent to 80 per cent. of their expected pension. Payments are subject to a de minimis level and a cap. Initial payments, when made, provide a top up to 60 per cent. of expected pension.

The following monthly payments have been made, before deduction of income tax.

The equivalent figures for recipients living in Wales are

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the (a) public, (b) private and (c) voluntary sector organisations which have contracts with Jobcentre Plus. [61415]

The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Lesley Strathie

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking if he will list the(a) public (b) private and (c) voluntary sector organisations which have contracts with Jobcentre Plus. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

Information on contracts awarded prior to September 2005 is not broken down in the way in which you have requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, I am able to provide a list of organisations to which Jobcentre Plus has awarded contracts since September 2005, broken down by legal status, and this is set out in the attached table.

I hope this is helpful.

Table of contracts let since September 2005 to organisations listed by legal status

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether it is the policy of the Pension Service to refuse to accept telephone call claims for pension credit from citizens advice bureaux' advisers on behalf of clients. [64503]

The Pension Service welcomes calls from Citizens Advice Bureaux and any third parties acting on behalf of our customers. Third party callers are expected to confirm their client's security identity and their authority to speak on the client's behalf. Once this has been confirmed, the application is taken as normal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the police handling of the Colin Worton case. [63445]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has reviewed Mr. Worton's case and taken account of the assessment made by the trial judge and the Police Ombudsman and has concluded that there is no evidence of serious default by the police. The Secretary of State has written to Mr. Worton advising him of the decision in his case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 1 March 2006, Official Report, column 778W, on illegal drugs, how many of those convicted for drug-related offences served custodial sentences. [59610]

The table provides the number of those convicted of drug-related offences who were sentenced to immediate custody from 2000 to 2003. Sentence data beyond 2003 are currently not available.

Source:

The Northern Ireland Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will commission an independent review into the management and operation of IntertradeIreland. [58936]

I am aware of recent anonymous allegations about the financial management and other matters in IntertradeIreland. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, in conjunction with the Southern co-sponsor Department and the Board of IntertradeIreland, has already initiated urgent inquiries into the issues raised in the letter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Saville Report will be published. [64300]

The independent Bloody Sunday Inquiry has informed me that they are now engaged in compiling their final report. Due to the vast amount of evidence that must be considered this is a very time consuming process and it is difficult at this stage to be precise about when the report will be presented to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.