To ask the Leader of the House what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues about the response time and accuracy of answers to written parliamentary questions. (93596)

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to him on 10 July 2006, Official Report, column 1560W and to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 19 July 2006, Official Report, column 427W.

I continue to have individual contacts on these issues with ministerial colleagues from time to time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of collateral damage from operations in Afghanistan on the propensity of the population to assist the Taliban and other insurgents. (92674)

All instances of collateral damage are a source of profound regret and British forces take all available measures to avoid causing such damage. We know that the Taliban take no such measures when they indiscriminately target civilians with suicide bombs or improvised explosive devices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the consequences are for the Department's overall budget of failing to meet targets for efficiency savings. (92619)

The Department is on course to achieve its efficiency target for the current Spending Review period. The MOD uses the savings generated from these efficiencies for reinvestment in key Defence priorities; any failure to deliver efficiencies would, in the first instance, result in pressure on the Department's budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the planning assumption is for average monthly flight simulator training hours for the UK Joint Strike Fighter pilots. (93338)

Joint Strike Fighter simulators are still in the development phase. The UK's current planning assumption is approximately 10 hours of simulation flight time per pilot per month which includes mission rehearsal and flight currency training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the planning assumption is for average monthly flight training hours for the UK Joint Strike Fighter pilots. (93342)

The current planning assumption is that UK pilots flying Joint Strike Fighter may need up to 18.5 hours per pilot per month, to retain their competencies to fly and operate the weapon system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations were received by his Department concerning the vulnerability of the fuel tanks of Hercules aircraft prior to January 2005, with particular reference to (a) 47 Squadron in 2002 and (b) the period before and after the Falkland's war; and if he will make a statement. (92693)

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission with what regularity air filters in those parts of the main building with air conditioning are (a) inspected and cleaned and (b) replaced. (94469)

Air conditioning filters are inspected on a monthly basis. The majority of the filters are disposable and are not usually cleaned but replaced as soon as they become dirty. If the filters do not become dirty, they are changed on an annual basis.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many complaints have been made by hon. Members and their staff concerning Dell supplied printers since the new IT contract came into force; how many printers have been replaced; what the cost has been of replacement printers and parts for Dell supplied equipment; and under what warranty terms these goods are supplied to the House. (94144)

As of 30 September 2006 there were 1,424 Dell printers across the Parliamentary Estate, constituency offices and other locations.

Figures taken from helpdesk records show that from 1 May 2005 to 15 September 2006 a total of 910 calls were received on all printers, including the Dell printers. Of these 263 could not be solved by PICT Service Desk and were passed on to Dell for engineering visits. In the early part of the contract a number of the calls logged with Dell were for printers not correctly set up but since the setup was by Dell engineers these were accepted as valid warranty calls.

Included in the numbers above will be some repeat calls or visits for the same problem. Call categories range from advice on how to use the equipment, incorrect setup (which can usually be solved either on the phone or by a PICT engineer in Westminster), to mechanical failure which result in a warranty call being made to Dell.

A replacement is only undertaken as a last resort and was for less than 15 printers. There have been some cases where PICT have taken a decision to replace a printer and then get the repair done in Westminster to minimise the inconvenience experienced by Members or their staff. The printers are supplied under a hardware warranty for four years with a next business day response. Parliament will have incurred no costs for any repairs or replacements except where the fault has been shown to have been caused by misuse, accidental damage or has been wrongly diagnosed as a hardware fault resulting in unnecessary warranty call being made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the output of coal fired stations in the UK was in 2005; (94508)

Table 5.6 of the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 2006, a copy of which is in the Libraries of the House, shows that 134,918 GWh of electricity was generated from coal in the UK in 2005. The Digest is also available on the DTI Energy website at:

www.dti.gov.uk/energy/statistics/publications/dukes/29812.html

Biomass co-fired with fossil fuels accounted for 830.7 thousand tonnes of oil equivalent in 2005, whereas coal burned in power stations was 32,617 thousand tonnes of oil equivalent. Allowing for the fact that coal fired power stations also use some oil for lighting up purposes, and that some co-firing takes place in oil fired power stations, biomass accounted for around 2 per cent. of the total fuel burned in coal fired power stations. The biomass used was from a variety of sources including sawdust, wood pellets, waste derived fuels, short rotation coppice, olive cake and pellets, tall oil, palm kernel expeller, palm oil and oil tallow. Statistics for these individual sources and for individual power stations are not available because they would disclose information provided by individual generators in confidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the statutory basis is for maintenance of strategic stocks of (a) petroleum products, (b) natural gas and (c) coal; (92232)

[pursuant to the reply, 9 October 2006, Official Report, c. 569-70W]: The figure for UK held oil stocks of 11.2 million tonnes reported in the last paragraph should be “13.5 million tones”.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding his Department (a) provides and (b) has allocated for future years for the Marine Energy Accelerator Renewable Energy Project. (94630)

Since 1999 in excess of £25 million has been committed to support research and development of emerging wave and tidal energy technologies through the DTI’s Technology Programme (formerly the DTI New and Renewable Energy Programme).

In addition, £50 million has been allocated to a Marine Renewables Deployment Fund to assist the continued development of these technologies.

The Carbon Trust’s recently announced £3.5 million Marine Energy Accelerator Programme (www.carbon trust.co.uk/technology/technologyaccelerator/mea) is not receiving direct funding support from the DTI. The Carbon Trust’s annual funding is in excess of £105 million in grants from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and Invest Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the final collection times are from Royal Mail post boxes in Cornwall; and what they were on (a) 1 October 2003, (b) 1 October 2004 and (c) 1 October 2005. (94439)

This is an operational matter for which Royal Mail has direct responsibility. I have, therefore, asked Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, to reply direct to the hon. Member on the issues he has raised over collection times.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken by his Department to promote the status of women in Afghanistan. (92944)

DFID's programme promotes the status of women in Afghanistan in a number of ways.

DFID provided significant support to the election process in 2005 and has worked with the Government to strengthen the role of women in the democratic process. The parliamentary and provincial elections had a strong turn out (43 per cent.) of women voters. Currently, a quarter of the MPs in the Afghan Parliament are women.

DFID's support to the Government's national programmes includes support to enhancing the role of women at community level. For example, the national solidarity programme ensures that women are engaged in determining community development priorities through the formation of community development councils. We also support the Micro-finance Investment Support Facility of Afghanistan (MISFA), currently per cent. of MISFA's beneficiaries are women.

Through our Civil Society Challenge Fund (CSCF), we provide £500,000 to Womankind Worldwide for their Women's Empowerment Programme. This initiative aims to empower individual women, women's organisations and wider civil society with the skills and knowledge to claim and exercise their human rights and actively participate in political and civil affairs.

The Government of Afghanistan is currently working with donors to define its strategy for development over for the next five years (the Afghan National Development Strategy). In that process, gender equality is being addressed as a key theme. The UK is actively working to ensure gender equality issues are fully integrated.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken by his Department to promote alternatives to poppy production in Afghanistan. (92952)

In financial year 2005-06, DFID spent nearly £50 million developing alternative livelihoods in Afghanistan. This is a tenfold increase on the amount spent in 2003-04. A proportion of this funding is specifically targeted on improving agricultural opportunities for Afghan farmers. This includes research to help identify, test and implement new crops and technologies.

In addition to developing agricultural opportunities, DFID is supporting non-farm options to ensure sustainable alternative incomes for those who make their living from opium poppy. We are also pursuing innovative ways for farmers to make a living, including apricot drying, honey bee keeping, tailoring and weaving and the introduction of fruit tree nurseries and greenhouses for vegetable production.

DFID is contributing to the Government of Afghanistan’s National Solidarity Programme (NSP) and National Rural Access Programme (NRAP), both of which have rolled out to all provinces in Afghanistan. NSP has created 17,033 community development councils and financed 17,109 community led projects. NRAP is constructing 855km of rural roads. The multi-donor Microfinance Investment Support Facility for Afghanistan (MISFA), which DFID also supports, is working in 20 provinces and has disbursed US $81 million in small loans to 197,278 clients.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with the Chinese Government on (a) sustainable development, (b) corporate and social responsibility and (c) poverty reduction in Africa. (93076)

The discussions we have had with the Chinese Government are as follows:

(a) Sustainable Development. The overall DFID programme in China aims to support sustainable development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in three areas: health (TB and HIV and AIDS), basic education, and water supply and sanitation. In addition, DFID actively participates, both in terms of staff time and financial resources, in the UK-China Sustainable Development Dialogue. This is led by DEFRA. The four themes agreed with the Chinese for the next two years are natural resource management (especially forests, water and soils), sustainable consumption and production, capacity building for sustainable development and sustainable urban communities. DFID China is particularly involved in the first three, with all the themes involving collaboration and technical exchanges between different ministries in the UK and China, and a range of small projects involving government, non-government organisations and the private sector.

(b) Corporate and social responsibility. Within the sustainable consumption and production part of the dialogue, DEFRA and DFID China have designed a package to enhance the capability for emergency chemicals management in China by demonstrating UK best practice and providing capacity building support to key players in the delivery of improved chemicals management.

(c) We have had an ongoing dialogue over the last two years with the Chinese on Africa. China provided a representative on the Prime Minister’s Commission for Africa. Most recently, my Permanent Secretary visited Beijing on 19 September for meetings on Africa with the Ministries of Commerce, Foreign Affairs and the Communist Party.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that aid and debt cancellation programmes deliver the appropriate outcomes when his Department reviews its staffing. (92775)

The overall outcomes DFID is seeking to achieve are set out in its Public Service Agreement 2005-08; i.e. eliminate world poverty through the achievement of the Millennium development goals in the countries we work in and with partners within the international system. We aim to implement this through our corporate planning process so that we use our resources both financial and human in the most effective way possible. Each director produces delivery plans which sets out specific plans to achieve and monitor our progress during the year. We also have country assistance plans which set out how we will engage in the countries with which we work. The choice of aid instrument and the impact of debt cancellation programmes are important factors in our planning.

Human Resources within DFID remain our greatest asset and it is vital that we ensure that our staff are deployed effectively around the world. This is done through our strategic work force planning process. This sets out how we will attract and retain staff, how we will train and develop them and the skills needed to help us deliver our goals. It is through this planning process that we ensure we have the right staff in the right place with the right skills. We will identify gaps in our current staffing profile and take action to close those gaps.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of progress with mine clearing operations in Angola. (92885)

After four decades of conflict, Angola is one of the most mined countries in the world. The Department for International Development has been a long-standing supporter of mine clearing operations in Angola. We have provided a total of £1.483 million for mine clearance activities in the country since 2003, and are planning an additional commitment of £825,000 in 2006-07. Around 10 international agencies are presently involved in de-mining in Angola, together with government partners.

A Landmine Impact Survey is currently under way. It is due to be completed at the end of 2006. Two international agencies involved in this survey, HALO Trust and Mines Advisory Group, are receiving funding from DFID. The Landmine Impact Survey will provide a more comprehensive picture of the presence and impact of landmines in Angola than has been available in the past. This will enable better planning and prioritisation of mine action, as well as monitoring on progress of clearance. Emerging findings are already being used to help the central and provincial government in these areas.

DFID will assess future support for landmines in Angola against the outcomes of the survey, once it has been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact of climate change on the potential for achieving sustainable development and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa. (92956)

Current climatic variability is already hampering the reduction of poverty and sustained economic growth in Africa. DFID has made a commitment in the new White Paper on International Development to help developing countries adapt to climate change. Much of the available information is at regional level. But more effort is needed to help Africa assess what climate change means for national development. We are funding a number of activities in this regard.

This year, DFID commissioned a mapping of where greatest climate vulnerability and poverty overlap across Africa (available on-line at:

http://www.research4development.info/PDF/Outputs/climchangepovinafrica.pdf).

A major new research fund on Climate Change Adaptation in Africa will help build climate change knowledge and research skill that can be incorporated into planning in Africa.

DFID is in the process of implementing several country programme assessments of climate risk. The first of these in Africa will be in Kenya.

In line with commitments made at the G8 summit in Gleneagles, DFID is also working to improve the availability and use of climate risk information in Africa through the Climate for Development in Africa programme. This will strengthen the Global Climate Observation System. In addition, DFID is contributing £20 million over three years through the United Nations to help countries develop national adaptation strategies.

DFID also commissioned a review of climate change impacts in Africa as a contribution to an independent review on the economics of climate change led by Sir Nick Stern at the Treasury.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations he has made to other national governments to provide additional aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo. (93974)

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has long been one of world’s neglected crises. In February I wrote to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, in support of the UN’s ambitious 2006 Humanitarian Action Plan for the DRC, which aims to address better the enormous unmet needs across the country. In this letter I called on other national governments to increase their humanitarian aid to the DRC in the same way that the UK has done. The UK has committed £60 million to the Action Plan over two years.

I visited DRC in September to meet the two presidential candidates in the run up to the second round of elections. I used this visit to call again on other donor countries to increase their support to DRC, in support of a similar plea from Jan Egeland, the UN’s Humanitarian Co-ordinator.

DFID and FCO staff make regular representations in DRC, in national capitals and in the institutions of the EU for more, better and longer term development assistance to the DRC. As well as more development assistance to DRC, we need it to be better and more effective. The UK is leading efforts in DRC to improve donor working and impact. For example, in the transport sector we have used our planned support to reach agreement among all major donors on integrating critical maintenance elements into all future roads programmes. We are also trying to find ways of rapidly expanding access to basic social services in the future. These are practical ways to show how we can scale up impact in DRC and give donor partners the confidence to increase their support. We are also working with bilateral and multilateral partners to develop more co-ordinated and coherent strategies for post elections assistance to DRC.

The UK’s programme of development assistance has increased rapidly in recent years, from £5.6 million in 2001-02 to an available package of £62 million this financial year. We plan to continue increasing this, so long as the peace process remains on track.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on taxis in the last 12 months. (93112)

Taxi spend for the 12 month period October 2005 to September 2006 was £526,068.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total foreign aid budget was in each of the last 30 years in real terms. (93794)

The total UK gross expenditure on aid in each of the last 30 years in real terms is set out in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid programmes are in place to assist the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. (93701)

The UK does not have a bilateral programme in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Aid provided by the European Commission was about £9.6 million in 2005. The UK’s attributed share is 17 per cent. The UK share therefore amounts to about £1.6 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps have been taken by his Department to assist victims of land mines in Africa. (93523)

DFID contributes substantial funding across the world to clear landmines. In Africa DFID is spending more than £5 million from 2004-05 to 2006-07 in the six most heavily affected countries: Angola, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Somaliland, Sudan and Uganda.

DFID is also helping victims of landmines through its wider programmes in health and welfare. For example in the financial year 2005-06 we provided £17.5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross, some of which has been used to support mines survivors. We also provide indirect funding for victims through our support to mine action projects undertaken by non-government organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of Lesotho's level of debt. (93159)

In June 2005, the International Monetary Fund conducted a Debt Sustainability Analysis and concluded that Lesotho’s debt levels were sustainable. This means that Lesotho does not classify as a Heavily indebted poor country (HIPC). However, the UK is committed to ensuring debt relief for all IDA-only low income countries that can use the resources effectively for poverty reduction.

DFID is currently providing assistance to the Government of Lesotho to strengthen its financial management systems. Once the country’s public expenditure management systems are sufficiently robust to meet the entry criteria, the UK will begin paying 10 per cent. of Lesotho’s debt service payments to the World Bank and the African Development Bank under our Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative MDRI.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza; and if he will make a statement. (93204)

The situation in the Palestinian Territories remains very difficult. Continued Israeli military operations in Gaza, internal violence between Palestinian factions and the strike by Palestinian Authority employees have all contributed to a worsening situation. DFID is keeping close track of the humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).

With technical assistance provided by DFID, UN OCHA is producing a Monthly Humanitarian Monitor report. The most recent report indicates that overall poverty rates have risen marginally, a number of essential drugs are out of stock and that deaths and injuries from violence are continuing. In the West Bank poverty now stands at 66 per cent., up from 62 per cent. in June 2005. In Gaza the poverty rate is 79 per cent., up from 77 per cent. a year ago. Among families that depend on salaries and payments from the Palestinian Authority (PA) poverty has risen more steeply (46 per cent. now, up from 33 per cent. in June 2005). 14 per cent. and 22 per cent. of essential drugs are out of stock in Gaza and the West Bank respectively. 77 Palestinians were killed and 266 injured in the West Bank and Gaza during August due to Israeli military operations. 12 Palestinians were killed and 55 injured in intra-Palestinian violence. The Monthly Humanitarian Monitor is available at http://www.ochaopt.org.

OCHA has reported that 75 per cent. of medical staff and 90 per cent. of teachers are on strike. In the West Bank only critical medical cases are being received at governmental hospitals and health clinics. Most public schools have not re-opened for the new school year.

DFID has made up to £12 million available to meet Palestinian basic needs through the Temporary International Mechanism. £9 million has been allocated to specific programmes to provide (i) essential medicines and health supplies; (ii) operations, maintenance and repair costs for water, sanitation and electricity services; and (iii) income for the poorest Palestinian Government workers, including teachers, who have suffered a severe loss in income over recent months. DFID has also provided £15 million to support Palestinian refugees in the region, though the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funds have been disbursed through the Temporary International Mechanism to deliver aid to the Palestinians. (93205)

The European Commission has confirmed that €37.4 million have so far been disbursed through the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM). Since the TIM was established 97,000 Palestinians have received direct allowances. These allowances have supported health care workers, teachers and the most vulnerable citizens in Palestinian society. Over 2.4 million litres of fuel have been provided for emergency generators at water pumping stations, waste water facilities, hospitals and health centres in Gaza. This has enabled essential services to continue after damage to Gaza’s only power station in an Israeli airstrike.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what work has been done to meet the UK's aim of strengthening the role of the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership in supporting the Middle East peace process; (94251)

The Government consider that the role played by the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP) in promoting sustainable private sector development is an important part of supporting the middle east peace process. During the UK presidency last year, two projects were approved by FEMIP for the west bank and Gaza Strip. These were €10 million in risk capital for credit guarantees and a €45 million loan for electricity upgrading. However, as with many donor-funded projects in the west bank and Gaza this year, FEMIP has been unable to implement these projects. This is because the Hamas government has so far not met internationally agreed principles for renouncing violence, recognising Israel, and accepting previous agreements and obligations.

A review of FEMIP is due to take place by the end of 2006. This will set out options for the future of FEMIP, including on how to strengthen its effectiveness in achieving social and economic objectives. The report has not yet been finalised. The UK will work to ensure that future FEMIP operations in Euromed countries are consistent with and supportive of the peace process.

The European Community has provided funding to pay the fuel costs of Gaza power station this year. This continued until the power station was put out of service in an Israeli missile attack in June. My Department is providing £3 million through the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM) for operation, maintenance and repair work to keep water, sanitation and electricity services running in west bank and Gaza Strip. The European Community has allocated €15 million through the TIM to pay for fuel for emergency generators. These are ensuring that health, water and sanitation services can continue in Gaza after the Israeli missile attack on the power station.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on progress made since the announcement of increased European support for economic regeneration in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in November 2005 during the UK Presidency of the EU. (94254)

Following the Agreement on Movement and Access in November 2005, the EU agreed to undertake an on-site Third Party monitoring role at the Rafah (Gaza-Egypt) crossing. The Border Facilitation Mission has been in place since 27 November. However, the Agreement on Movement and Access has not been fully implemented by Israel or by the Palestinian government. We hope that Israel will act on its commitments in the Movement and Access agreement and that the Palestinian government will facilitate this by committing to non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap.

Additionally, at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, the G8 agreed to support the Quartet Special Envoy for Disengagement, James Wolfensohn, in his intention to stimulate a global financial contribution of up to $3 billion per year over the coming three years. The intention was that a pledging conference could take place in spring 2006, provided that progress had been made on political and economic issues. However this has not happened. Following the formation of a Hamas Government, the UK, European Community and other donors have suspended direct aid to the Hamas government until it complies with the principles set out by the Quartet. The commitments made at Gleneagles remain should the political situation change.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been allocated to each of the uses to which the £30 million provided by the UK to the Palestinians in 2006 has been put. (94257)

For the UK financial year 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 DFID has allocated its £30 million budget to the following:

£15 million for Palestinian refugees through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency;

£12 million for Palestinian basic needs through an EU led Temporary International Mechanism. This is providing social allowances, supplies and operating costs to maintain essential services; and

£3 million in technical assistance to:

Help Palestinian negotiators make progress towards a negotiated, two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;

Build capacity in the Office of the President;

Build capacity in civil society to analyse and monitor the performance of the of Palestinian Authority;

Support private sector development; and

Build Palestinian anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist finance capacity.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what role the UK has played in capacity building in the Occupied Territories since January; and what further action is planned. (94256)

DFID’s support for capacity building in the occupied Palestinian territory has been adjusted so that no assistance is provided to the Hamas Government. This is because the Hamas Government has failed to meet internationally-agreed criteria on renouncing violence, recognising Israel and accepting previous agreements, including the Roadmap.

DFID support in 2006 is aimed at:

Strengthening the capacity of the Office of the President;

Supporting civil society organisations involved in supporting and monitoring governance reform.

Helping Palestinian negotiators prepare for final status negotiations and manage relations with Israel.

Other projects with the Ministry of Planning and the Civil Police were completed before the Hamas Government took office.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the merit of establishing a pan-African trading zone. (92955)

The African Union (AU) seeks to achieve African economic integration using regional economic communities (RECs) as building blocks. DFID supports the AU’s approach to regional economic integration by providing support both to pan-African institutions (AU and the New Economic Partnership for African Development) as well as to RECs in Southern, West and East Africa. Any major new initiative such as the establishment of a pan-African trading zone would need to be developed and assessed on its merits by Africa, through the AU.

The Commission for Africa (CfA) also recognised that increasing pan-African trade would be good for African growth and poverty reduction. That is why DFID is working towards this objective in a number of ways. For example, the Chancellor and I have announced that we expect UK spending on Aid for Trade, including economic infrastructure, to increase to $750 million by 2010.

We are also continuing to work hard towards a successful and ambitious outcome to the Doha Round of world trade talks that would bring maximum benefits for Africa.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact of conflict in Senegal upon the potential development of (a) Senegal and (b) the Gambia. (93522)

We are concerned about the continuing conflict in the Casamance province of Senegal, which has been affected by violence and instability for the past 24 years. Whilst DFID has not carried out its own assessment of the developmental impact of this conflict, it is clear that those living there have suffered greatly, development has been undermined, and there have been significant repercussions for the neighbouring countries of Guinea-Bissau and the Gambia.

During the current outbreak of violence, which began in August, international aid agencies estimate that around 10,000 people have been internally displaced by the fighting, while a further 5,000 have crossed into the Gambia. Many of these people are now receiving humanitarian assistance, although it is proving difficult to deliver relief to those still trapped by the fighting. We are in close contact with agencies on the ground and remain ready to provide support if the situation deteriorates further.

The UK supports long-term peace building efforts in the region through the interdepartmental African Conflict Prevention Pool. We are considering support, this year, to Concern Universal’s long running programme in Casamance and the Gambia, which is focused on mitigating the negative social and economic effects of the conflict through cross-border networking, conflict resolution, peace building and infrastructure rehabilitation.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken by his Department to promote the transition to peace and stability in Somalia. (92950)

The Government’s principal objective is the return to the family of nations of a peaceful, democratic, and economically viable Somalia. DFID is one of the largest bilateral donors to Somalia, and one of our principal objectives is to deliver assistance that supports a just and viable outcome of the current political transition. With other donors, DFID provides support to the Transitional Federal Institutions, to enable them to begin functioning, effectively and engage in national reconciliation. DFID has also part-funded and contributed to the Somali/UN/International Community’s development of a reconstruction and development plan which will be the basis for stabilisation and socio-economic recovery.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with Unicef about tackling the use of child soldiers in Darfur. (92940)

DFID officials in Sudan are in touch with UNICEF over the issue of child soldiers in Darfur. UNICEF monitor the recruitment and use of child soldiers in Darfur, and have tried to reach agreement on their release and reintegration with both signatory and non-signatory groups to the Darfur Peace Agreement. However, the current situation on the ground, and the factionalisation of militia has frustrated this. UNICEF are planning to roll out an awareness raising campaign on this issue within Darfur soon and are developing partnerships with agencies that can support their return to their families and reintegration into civilian life. DFID will continue to engage with UNICEF over this issue, and assess how we might support this work.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the number of people who are out of reach of aid agencies operating in Darfur. (93074)

The World Food Programme estimates that 224,000 registered beneficiaries could not be accessed during September. The majority of these people are in the northern part of North Darfur and have been cut off due to current fighting.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the number of people who are in need of support from aid agencies in Darfur. (93075)

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) estimates that 3.6 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance in Darfur. Of this number, 3.1 million are beneficiaries of the World Food Programme (WFP). 1.9 million are displaced, living either in camps or in informal gatherings.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the need for investment in infrastructure in Africa in order to facilitate trade. (92933)

Africa’s infrastructure deficit and poor condition of existing infrastructure significantly hampers Africa’s ability to trade both regionally within Africa and beyond. Good infrastructure reduces transportation costs and delays in moving goods. Recent research shows that in one third of all African countries, transportation costs account for more than 25 per cent. of the total value of exports—and in Uganda they exceed 70 per cent. A 10 per cent. reduction in transport costs can increase trade by 25 per cent.

Trade-related infrastructure includes rural and international roads, railways, ports and airports, telecommunications, energy and water. Well managed small towns also serve as a vital link between local, national and international markets. Enormous investment is needed to extend and improve Africa’s infrastructure base. The Commission for Africa Report estimates that countries need to spend around 5 per cent. of GDP on infrastructure investment and a further 4 per cent. on operation and maintenance. This means a requirement for an additional $10 billion/year by 2010—a doubling of existing expenditure.

DFID played a leading role in launching the Africa Infrastructure Consortium in October 2005. Working closely with African partners, the Infrastructure Consortium’s role is to address both national and regional constraints to infrastructure development and broker financing for infrastructure projects that strengthen regional integration, economic growth and development.

Last month, the Chancellor and I announced that we expect UK spending on Aid for Trade, including economic infrastructure, to increase to $750 million by 2010. A major proportion of this will flow to Africa, including funding for transport, energy, ports and communications.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what criteria the Government have set for the World Bank to secure the £50 million funding which is being withheld. (92384)

The UK funds the International Development Association (IDA), the arm of the World Bank Group that provides grants and concessional loans to the poorest countries. The latest UK contribution was to the fourteenth replenishment of IDA (IDA 14). The agreements governing this funding are set out in the IDA Resolution No. 209 (“Additions to Resources: Fourteenth Replenishment”) which was adopted by the Governors of the World Bank in April 2005. Parliamentary approval for the UK contribution was given under The International Development Association (Fourteenth Replenishment) Order 2006 [Statutory Instrument 2006 No 1071], which came into force in March 2006.

The UK has committed £1.43 billion to IDA 14, and this is payable over the three year period July 2005 to June 2008. I made £100 million of this contribution dependent on the Bank working more effectively with other donors and on reforming the way it attaches conditions to its assistance. These conditions are set out in the IDA Resolution: Schedules to Attachment 1. The £100 million was due to be paid in two equal tranches of £50 million. Following its fulfilment of the conditions for the first tranche, we paid £50 million to the World Bank in July 2006. Payment of the second tranche of £50 million, which is due in April 2007, is subject to fulfilment of the following conditions (set out in Schedule B):

Review by the Executive Directors of the Association of (i) a monitoring framework for harmonisation including a series of key indicators drawing on the results of the DAC High Level Forum (HFL-2) and (ii) baselines established by the Association for such indicators; and adoption by the Association of such monitoring framework.

Determination by the Executive Directors of the Association that satisfactory progress has been made against the baselines established for such harmonisation indicators.

Determination by the Executive Directors of the Association that satisfactory progress has been made in implementing the recommendations in the 2005 Review of World Bank Conditionally.

I told the Bank last month that I would not agree to the £50 million being paid until I had seen the evidence that it was making serious efforts to implement the recommendations of the conditionally review. The recommendations centred on the Bank observing five good practice principles when it agrees the conditions attached to its assistance. The first of these principles is ownership, and the review reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment not to impose policies, including privatisation and trade liberalisation, on developing countries. In July 2006, the Bank produced a report on what it had done to implement the good practice principles. The report contained some good examples of where the Bank had sought to apply the principles, but there was not enough information to reach a judgment on how consistently and effectively they had been applied. I emphasised to President Wolfowitz at the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF in Singapore last month the importance I place on the Bank ensuring these principles are consistently implemented in all its programmes, and that I expected a more detailed report. President Wolfowitz agreed to produce another more detailed report by the end of November.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what discussions he has had with the government of Zimbabwe about assistance for those affected by Operation Murambatsvina; (93645)

The UK, along with other donors, has repeatedly expressed serious concern about Operation Murambatsvina, through which the government of Zimbabwe displaced some 700,000 of its own people from their homes and/or livelihoods, as reported by UN Special Envoy Anna Tibaijuka following her visit to Zimbabwe last year. The government of Zimbabwe has consistently denied the extent of the humanitarian tragedy that resulted from those actions, and has shown no interest in discussing housing issues with donors. In addition to Operation Murambatsvina the UN estimate that some 800,000 people have lost homes and/or livelihoods as a consequence as the consequence of the fast track land reform process. No substantial progress can be made on housing without the government of Zimbabwe rethinking its policies on land ownership.

Some UN and other international agencies and non-governmental organisations have managed to gain access to many of the victims. We have provided over £1.8 million to date to support the work of these organisations. There is a substantial ongoing need for assistance to vulnerable and mobile populations from Operation Murambatsvina and other causes such as former farm workers from commercial farms. DFID recently committed a further £5 million to the International Organisation for Migration and £1.1 million to NGOs to support their work in Zimbabwe addressing the needs of mobile and vulnerable populations, including the provision of temporary shelters.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality if she will bring forward proposals to provide safe houses for women who have been trafficked into this country for the purpose of sexual exploitation and who are willing to testify against the traffickers. (95291)

We are sympathetic to the needs of victims of trafficking and since March 2003 have been funding the POPPY scheme to provide a protective environment in which adult female victims who have been trafficked into prostitution in the UK can receive care and support whilst deciding whether to assist the authorities. Women are provided with initial unconditional support for four weeks, with longer term support provided in return for co-operation with the authorities. To date, over 100 women have been supported whilst they recover from their ordeal and prepare to return safely to their communities.

This year the Home Office has entered into a two-year, £2.4 million funding agreement with Eaves Housing for Women to: continue the existing crisis provision service at the POPPY project for up to twenty-five women; provide 10 additional regional “step-down” places to help women live semi-independently with less intensive support; introduce the first ever specialist national outreach service in the UK for victims trafficked into sexual exploitation; and develop a resource/information pack for victims, service providers and law enforcement agency staff. Whilst capacity on the Government funded POPPY project has been as issue in the past, there are currently spaces available.

In addition, the UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC), which was launched on 3 October 2006, intends to continue to provide the victim centred approach delivered by Operation Pentameter. The UKHTC have appointed a victims co-ordinator whose role will include developing partnerships with other local support services and possible accommodation providers.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister where the gifts he received from Mr. Philip Anschutz in July 2005 are stored; and what his estimate is of the cost to public funds of the storage. (90713)

[holding answer 11 September 2006]: The Government publish an annual list of gifts received by Ministers valued at more than £140, including details of which gifts were retained by Ministers, are held by the Department or have been disposed of. Information relating to 2005-06 was published on Monday 24 July and copies are available in the Library for the reference of Members. Gifts retained by the Department are stored within the Department.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether (a) he and (b) others in his Office have met representatives of Tablighi Jammaat during the last three years; and if he will make a statement. (94348)

For information relating to the period prior to Friday 5 May 2006, I refer the hon. Member to the answer to be given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Neither I nor officials have had any meetings since then.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what percentage of poor air quality days were recorded in urban areas in each of the last 20 years. (93767)

The average number of days of moderate or higher pollution at urban and rural monitoring sites in the UK is shown in the following table. Data prior to 1987 are not available. There is no clear basis on which to attribute a percentage of pollution days to urban areas. However, it should be noted that the majority of the population live and work in such areas so they are where the majority of human exposure takes place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to introduce proposals to amend the legislation governing the welfare of animals grazing on open land; and if he will make a statement. (93538)

Legislation exists to protect the welfare of animals.

Under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 it is an offence to ill-treat or cause unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animal. It is also an offence under the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960 to abandon any domestic or captive animal in circumstances that are likely to cause it unnecessary suffering.

The Animal Welfare Bill, currently before Parliament, will reduce animal suffering by placing on those who own or are responsible for animals, a duty to ensure their welfare. This duty of care will help animal welfare agencies, such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and local authorities, to take action when an animal is being treated contrary to its welfare needs, even if it is not immediately suffering.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of beaches in England and Wales met the EU (a) higher and (b) mandatory standard in each of the last 20 years. (93769)

The percentage of identified bathing waters in England and Wales that met the EU higher and mandatory standards in the period between 1990 and 2005 are shown in the following table. 2005 is the last year for which data are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much compensation was paid to dairy farmers for the destruction of TB infected cattle in each year since 2001-02; and if he will make a statement. (94239)

The table shows the total amount of compensation paid to farmers in Great Britain for cattle slaughtered as a result of TB control measures for the financial years 2001-02 to 2005-06. We do not hold information on compensation paid specifically to dairy farmers.

Compensation includes payments for disease infected animals which are compulsorily slaughtered and haulage costs. They also take into account ‘salvage’ receipts received by the Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will ensure that existing chicken farms are required to meet the same health and safety standards as new ones. (91977)

The same health and safety standards apply to all chicken farms regardless of how long they have been established. Operators of all farms are expected to fulfill their legal duties to themselves, their employees and others who may be affected by the work activity, so far as is reasonably practicable, in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and relevant statutory provisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of drinking water met EU drinking water standards in each of the last 20 years. (93832)

The original EU drinking water standards were implemented in England and Wales towards the end of 1989. Compliance is measured by results of tests on samples from consumers' taps. Compliance figures for each year from 1992 to 2003 are in the following table.

New EU drinking water standards came into force with effect from the end of 2003. Compliance with the new standards in England and Wales was 99.94 per cent. in 2004 and 99.96 per cent. in 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were in fuel poverty in each year since 2001. (93778)

Fuel poverty is a devolved matter. In England, the English House Condition survey is used to determine the level of fuel poverty. Survey results have a two year lag, thus the latest figures available are for 2004.

Since 2004, the fuel price increases that have occurred are likely to mean that a further households in England will have been drawn into fuel poverty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of recent changes to Natural England's budget on its ability to meet its biodiversity conservation obligations. (91538)

Defra has had to review the budgets for its entire family in the light of pressures arising during the course of the year. For 2006-07 Natural England has provided me with an assessment of the likely impact of the cuts. Ministers specifically asked that the impact of the cuts on the Government's Public Service Agreement targets for Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and on Biodiversity Action Plans, be minimised. I will shortly be announcing Natural England's budget for the coming year and I will again emphasise the importance of continuing to make progress on our biodiversity commitments.

(1) To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice he has given, and on what dates, to local authorities on the eradication of ragwort in their areas; what financial assistance is available to them for this purpose; and if he will make a statement; (92879)

The Department's policy is to control common ragwort and other injurious weeds, where there is a threat to animal welfare or agricultural activities. It is not Defra policy to eradicate ragwort entirely, as we recognise it forms an important habitat and food source for many insects. It is the responsibility of all land managers, including local authorities, to control the spread of weeds from land under their control. There is no specific financial assistance available from Defra for this task.

On 25 May, I wrote to the Highways Agency, Network Rail and the Local Government Association reminding them of the need to control injurious weeds on their land where there is a risk to horses and other livestock.

The Code of Practice on how to prevent the spread of Ragwort was published in July 2004 and has been made widely available to public and private land managers. It provides comprehensive guidance on how to develop a strategic and more cost-effective approach to weed control. It is intended for use by all landowners and occupiers, but is particularly relevant for large-scale organisations managing significant land areas, including local authorities and public bodies.

It gives advice on identification of common ragwort, risk assessment and priorities for ragwort control, control methods their suitability and efficacy, environmental considerations, and health and safety issues.

To complement the Code of Practice, in September 2005 Defra also published guidance on disposal options for Common Ragwort. This includes information and advice on rotting down, composting, incineration, controlled burning, and landfill.

Copies of the Code of Practice and the guidance on disposal are available from Defra Publications (telephone: 08459 55 6000) and are on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/horses/topics/ragwort.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provision exists for a general right of way in coastal areas; and if he will make a statement. (94146)

People have access to the beach around much of the coast, but this access is uncertain and it is often not based on clear legal rights. There is much less access to the coastal land behind the beach, to sand dunes and cliff tops and marshes, which also provide that great sense of freedom and well-being that coastal land can bring. There is no clear route all the way around the coast.

We are looking at possible options for extending access to coastal areas, to really benefit people and allow them to get out and enjoy our wonderful coastline, while taking full account of nature conservation issues. Natural England is currently undertaking fact finding and investigating options and will make recommendations by the end of December. We will then issue a consultation paper in early 2007 setting out the facts, a range of options and the costs and benefits associated with each.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms exist for the monitoring of contractors engaged to install insulation and heating equipment under the warmfront programme. (93700)

The Warm Front scheme manager, Eaga Partnership, vets all installers to ensure they demonstrate technical competence, possess relevant qualifications and display financial probity.

Eaga has introduced vendor-rating systems that all installers are assessed against. The vendor rating for each installer determines the level of work they will receive in future. Those installers who fail to meet the relevant criteria and standards are immediately removed from the Warm Front programme.

DEFRA also has a contract with independent quality assurance assessors who monitor quality issues on an ongoing basis and regularly report to the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the speed at which water companies have implemented their investment plans efficiently after price limits were set in 2004; and if he will make a statement. (93978)

Ofwat is the economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales. In December 2004 it set price limits for the period 2005-10. In setting these price limits, Ofwat assumed that the industry would spend £18.3 billion (in today's prices) over the period 2005-10 on its capital investment programme.

Although companies have generally delivered the environmental outputs that were expected for 2005-06, levels of investment across the full range of companies' activities have fallen short of Ofwat's assumptions. Their total capital investment for 2005-06 was £3.4 billion, compared with the £4.3billion that Ofwat expected. Ofwat's detailed 2005-06 report, ‘Financial performance and expenditure of the water companies in England and Wales’, has been placed in the Library of the House.

The regulators will continue to monitor how the companies' perform, focusing on making sure that full investment programmes are delivered for the period up to 2010.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) what provisions exist for protecting burial places, including preventing building on the grave area, falling outside the jurisdiction of the Church of England; and who is responsible for monitoring such measures; (93993)

It is an offence without authority to disturb buried human remains, including any disturbance as a result of building works. Specific measures in relation to burial grounds in certain circumstances are contained in the Town and Country Planning (Churches, Places of Religious Worship and Burial Grounds) Regulations 1950, and in relation to disused burial grounds in the Disused Burial Grounds Acts of 1884 and 1981. Certain other local and private Acts may contain similar provisions in relation to specific sites. Any proposal to change the use of a burial ground would be a matter for local planning authorities, involving public consultation.

Guidance on the application of the relevant legislation is provided in response to inquiries. In addition, the Department’s “Guide for Burial Ground Managers”, published in April and available on the Department’s web site, contains a brief outline of the law on burial and exhumation.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what status privately-owned closed circuit television systems have in relation to data protection; and what rights individuals filmed on public footpaths have to ask (a) to see and (b) to destroy video tape of themselves. (94795)

The Data Protection Act 1998 covers all processing of personal data by automatic means, including those close circuit television (CCTV) systems in public places, or on premises where members of the public may have access, where it is possible for the operator to identify distinct individuals from the film footage. The Act does not apply to CCTV filming purely within a private house/garden, but where the camera's field of operation extends beyond the private property, individuals caught on the film—where it is possible for the operator to distinctly identify them from the footage—have a right of access to the film under s7 of the Act. There is no automatic right to insist on destruction of the film, but individuals have a right, under s10 of the Act, to object to any processing likely to cause damage or distress where such damage or distress is, or would be, unwarranted and this could involve destruction, in appropriate circumstances.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether dates of birth will be used to verify remote electronic voting following the implementation of the Electoral Administration Act 2006. (94690)

With any new method for voting it is vital that the systems used be made as secure as possible and my Department is committed to ensuring that any new remote methods be at least as secure as traditional channels.

The verification process is one of the elements we would wish to test in piloting of electronic voting. This could involve dates of birth or other appropriate credentials for use in verification. The credentials used would depend on the content of individual pilots proposed by local authorities.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) what redress is available for those who have experienced (a) delays and (b) poor service in the processing of exhumation licence applications; (93991)

Complaints and requests for redress in respect of our handling of exhumation licence applications are dealt with in accordance with the departmental complaints procedures, the details of which are available from the departmental website.

Three such complaints have been received in recent years.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) how many applications for exhumation licences by the Prison Service there were in respect of bodies buried in prison grounds in the last period for which figures are available; (93992)

One application, in respect of five bodies, has been received from the Prison Service in the last five years.

The number of exhumation licences issued under the Burial Act 1857 for which records are available are set out in the following table.

The number of applications refused over these years could not be obtained without disproportionate cost, but is thought to be very small. Applications normally fall to be refused where they do not meet the normal requirements for relevant consents.

The Department’s records consist of the application form, a copy of any licence issued, and any relevant correspondence. The documents will contain details of the applicant, the reasons for the application and any conditions attached to the Licence. Requests for the inspection of such records and the disclosure of the reasons for the refusal of an exhumation would need to be made in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 1998.

Complete applications will normally be processed within 20 working days of receipt. In cases of urgency, licences may be issued on the same day. Where further information is required or where the application raises sensitive or complex issues, the process can take longer. Information on the time taken to process applications in individual cases could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. No letters of claim are known to have been received in connection with any cases of alleged delay.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what policies and procedures were followed on receipt of an application for an exhumation licence in (a) 2006, (b) 1996, (c) 1986 and (d) 1976; and when such policies and procedures were last reviewed. (94000)

Government policy has for many years been to consider applications sympathetically where made for private, personal, reasons and where consent has been obtained from the burial ground operator, the owner of the burial rights to the grave, if any, and the next of kin of the deceased person. Applications are liable to be refused where the relevant consents have not been obtained, where the next of kin cannot agree, or where it would not be in the public interest for the application to be approved.

Practice and procedures are kept under regular review.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the recipient of an exhumation licence is named in the licence. (94065)

No. Exhumation licences merely disapply the penalties which would be incurred if removal took place without a licence. They are therefore issued in the name of the deceased person or otherwise in a way which identifies the remains which may be lawfully exhumed.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) what staff complement was allocated to processing exhumation licences in each of the last 10 years; (94067)

Exhumation applications are processed each year by approximately three quarters of one full time equivalent official. All those involved in processing such applications are made aware of the need to treat applications sensitively, and development opportunities are taken to reinforce this approach. All staff undergo diversity training and senior officers are briefed on relevant human rights issues.

Authority to deal with uncontentious applications has been delegated to officials under the “Carltona” principle, but sensitive or complex cases are liable to be referred to Ministers for decision.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much was spent on renaming the Commission for Judicial Appointments the Judicial Appointments Commission. (93813)

The Commission for Judicial Appointments was not renamed. The Judicial Appointments Commission is a separate body set up on 3 April 2006 to select candidates for judicial appointments under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. The Commission for Judicial Appointments, which closed down on 31 March 2006, had a different role in that it conducted audits of judicial appointment competitions and considered complaints about the procedures followed in making judicial appointments.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many district judges (criminal) there are; and how many there were in 1997. (94155)

There are 141 district judges (magistrates courts) currently and the equivalent figure for the same time in 1997 was 89.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost of the subsidy for court dress for judges was in each of the last three years; how much of that subsidy was for wigs; what the allowance for court dress given to each rank of judge is; whether the allowances are taxable; and if she will make a statement. (94261)

According to the available information, total expenditure on court working dress for all judges over the last three years was as follows:

Information as to that part of the expenditure attributable to wigs is not held.

The current allowance for judges working dress, payable on appointment, is as follows:

The allowances are not taxable. The Department also meets the costs of new or replacement items of court working dress for certain other judicial office holders within specified limits.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 9 October to question ref 91956, on legal aid, what the value is of (a) legal aid certificates revoked and (b) cases closed in circumstances which require the client to repay costs to the Legal Services Commission; and what proportion of each has been repaid. (93557)

[holding answer 16 October 2006]: For civil matters, (a) The Legal Services Commission estimate that the total cost of all those 7,685 cases, where the legal aid certificate was revoked, to be in the region of £11.1 million. It is not possible to say at this stage what proportion of the sum due will be repaid because; (i) the total liability has not yet been quantified; (ii) not all of the applicants have yet received confirmation of the total amount due, and (iii) the recovery action is still proceeding in many cases.

(b) In cases closed in circumstances which require the client to repay costs to the Legal Services Commission, the value of that work £63.5 million. The total benefit to the clients represented in these was over £950 million. It is not possible to say what proportion of the £63.5 million has been recovered yet as costs may not be recovered until many years after the case has closed.

For criminal matters, the amount owed to the Criminal Defence Service by defendants, following Recovery of Defence Cost Orders issued by the courts during 2005-06, was £2.1 million. By the end of that year, the Legal Services Commission had recovered £0.9 million.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many magistrates courts there are; and how many there were in 1997. (94156)

There are currently 334 magistrates courts in England and Wales. There were 435 magistrates courts in 1997.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when she expects the inquest into the death of Lieutenant Marc Lawrence RN to commence. (94796)

The inquest will be listed for hearing by Sir Richard Curtis, one of the Assistant Deputy Coroners the Oxfordshire coroner has specially appointed to conduct the Iraq related inquests. No date has yet been set for the inquest into the death of Lieutenant Lawrence or the deaths of Lieutenant Wilson, Lieutenant West, Lieutenant Green, Lieutenant Williams and Lieutenant King who also lost their lives in the same incident.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what discussions she has had with her ministerial colleagues in the Home Office on the treatment of people trafficked into the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation. (94364)

I have had discussions with ministerial colleagues in the Home Office on the treatment of people trafficked into the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation in the course of meetings of the inter-ministerial group on sexual offences of which I am a member.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance is issued to magistrates on appropriate sentencing of persistent and prolific offenders. (94724)

[holding answer 17 October 2006]: I have been asked to reply.

The principles that the court must follow when determining the seriousness of an offence are set out in statute. The court must consider the offender’s culpability in committing the offence and any harm which the offence caused, was intended to cause or might forseeably have caused. Any previous convictions, where they are recent and relevant, should be regarded as an aggravating factor which should increase the severity of the sentence. The Sentencing Guidelines Council published a guideline on “Overarching Principles: Seriousness” in December 2004, which is binding on all courts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people were on apprenticeships in each of the last 30 years. (93900)

The following table shows the average number of apprentices in training in England over the whole year back to 1996-97.

It is not possible to give figures for the last 30 years since the form apprenticeships have taken have changed meaning any time-series would not be consistent. Britain has a long tradition of apprenticeship, however from the mid 1960’s numbers fell from 243,700 in 1966 almost dying out completing during the 1980’s with only 53,000 participating by 1990. The current apprenticeship programme was launched in 1994 to address skill deficiencies at intermediate level, aimed both to expand and update existing apprenticeship schemes whilst promoting structured training in those occupations, industries and sectors with no tradition of offering apprenticeships. The table above gives numbers since this current format of apprenticeships (Level 2) and advanced apprenticeships (Level 3) was introduced and became fully operational.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to increase pastoral and other support for young carers at school; and if he will make a statement. (93225)

Schools are already required to promote the education and welfare of all their pupils, and should take all pupils’ individual circumstances into account. The purpose of the “Every Child Matters” agenda is to ensure that all children, regardless of their circumstances, should be given the opportunity to achieve their potential. We are currently looking at ways in which we can assist teachers further in carrying out that role for pupils who are carers, by improving the availability to them of information relevant to dealing with the issues which these young people face.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether local child protection registers will coexist with the new children’s information sharing index. (92794)

[holding answer 11 October 2006]: The Department for Education and Skills plans to replace the requirement on English local authorities to hold a separate child protection register with a requirement that local authorities can record within their electronic recording systems for children’s social care whether a child has a child protection plan. These systems will replicate all the information currently held on child protection registers. This arrangement is due to be implemented in April 2008 but a final date will not be set until we are confident that all local authorities have secure systems in place to hold these records. This means that this separate arrangement to record that a child has a child protection plan will coexist with and be separate from the information sharing index.

The information sharing index will be a tool enabling practitioners delivering services to children to identify and contact one another easily and quickly, so they can share relevant information about children who need services. It will contain only basic information on all children in England (such as name, date of birth, address, education setting), and a facility for practitioners to indicate that they wish to be contacted in relation to a child because they have information to share, are currently taking action, or have undertaken an assessment. The index will not hold assessment or case information nor any indication that the child is on a child protection register.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many child care places there were in each of the last 20 years. (93671)

The available information on child care places is shown in tables 1 and 2.

Local authorities were responsible for the registration and inspection of children’s day care facilities until these responsibilities were transferred to Ofsted in September 2001. Therefore the figures for child care places for 2003-06 are not directly comparable with the day care figures for 1987-2001. The figures for 2003-06 were derived from the Ofsted database of registered child care providers. The figures for 1987-2001 were derived from the Children’s Day Care Facilities Survey, which was discontinued in 2001. There are no figures for 2002 because the period from September 2001 to March 2003 was designated as a transitional period where Ofsted, as a by-product of its inspections, validated the actual number of individuals and organisations that were providing child care.

With the introduction of the National Day Care Standards and the transfer of responsibilities for registration and inspection of child care providers from local authority social service departments to Ofsted in September 2001, child care places were classified according to the type of day care provided: full day care, sessional day care, childminder, out of school day care or crèche day care. Ofsted have produced figures based on this classification on a quarterly basis from March 2003. Their latest figures were published on 27 July 2006 in their report “Registered Childcare Providers and Places, 30 June 2006”, which is available on their website, www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications.

Up until March 2001, child care providers were classified according to the type of provider: day nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools, childminders, out of school clubs and holiday schemes. Figures based on this classification were published in a series of statistical bulletins, which are available from the Department’s website, www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will reply to the letter of 27 June 2006 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Dr. S. Ala-ud-Din. (92058)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State replied to the right hon. Member’s letter on 31 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much his Department has spent on organising and hosting conferences in the last 12 months. (93102)

The Department organises a significant number of events for different target audiences and purposes each year, ranging from small scale workshops to introduce practitioners to new procedures or initiatives, to larger scale events to promote policy initiatives or share good practice.

Records of events organised or sponsored by the Department are not held centrally and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of (a) staff and (b) new staff employed since April 2005 in (i) his Department and (ii) each of the agencies for which he has responsibility is recorded as disabled. (92184)

The latest published information on disability status is available via the Cabinet Office website at:

http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/publications/xls/report_2005/table_p.xls

Historic published data on the disabled status of civil servants are available from the Cabinet Office website at:

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

The number of new staff employed since April 2005 in my Department who have declared a disability is less than five, and therefore the proportion is unavailable.

Declaration of a disability is voluntary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total expenditure on children with dyslexia in Somerset was in each of the last five years. (93574)

The Department does not collect the information in the way it has been requested. However, the following table gives a breakdown of budgeted net expenditure on the provision of education for children with special educational needs in Somerset since 2002-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action he has taken to prevent the setting up of bogus language colleges to enable false applications to be granted for entry into the UK. (83088)

I have been asked to reply.

Home Office strategies include use of the Register of Education and Training Providers owned by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), introduction of the Student Task Force to coordinate intelligence and visits to suspect institutions and changes to the Immigration Rules to prevent students remaining in the UK for long periods on low level short courses or using the student route to remain in the UK after their leave in another temporary capacity has expired.

The DfES Register is a register of education and training providers and any education provider assessed as non-bona fide for the purposes of the rules is removed from the DfES Register. An overseas student will not be granted leave to enter or remain in the UK unless the education provider is included on the DfES Register.

Where the Student Task Force identifies a college that does not meet the bona fide requirements for the purposes of the Immigration Rules it requests the DfES to remove that college from its Register.

In the future, the introduction of the points-based system for managing migration into the UK will make the student route more robust by putting sponsorship and compliance at the heart of our processes. Under the PBS, a new register of education sponsors, building on the DfES Register, will apply more stringent requirements to educational institutions such as the responsibility to report non-attendance and non-enrolment and to cooperate with compliance visits. We will also require all private institutions to be accredited by an independent body to ensure that only legitimate institutions providing quality education enter on the new register. The Home Office and DfES are currently working on which bodies will be suitable for these purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made with the Higher Education Funding Council for England review of teaching (a) funding and (b) support for institutions with a large number of part-time students. (94201)