To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many full-time non-manual staff of the House who are not officers of the House receive salaries of (a) more than £40,000, (b) £30,000 to £40,000, (c) £25,000 to £30,000, (d) £20,000 to £25,000 and (e) under £20,000 per year. (148656)

As at 1 April 2007, the number of full-time non-manual staff at the pay levels requested were as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding has been allocated for the planning of road improvements along the A21 in the 2007-08 financial year. (149316)

The Highways Agency plans to spend approximately £1.6 million during 2007-08 on planning three proposed major road improvements on the A21—Tonbridge bypass to Pembury Dualling, Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst improvements and improvements to the A21 Baldslow junction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 28 March 2007, Official Report, column 1517W, on the A69: Greenhead, whether the A69 Greenhead diversion scheme contract obliged the Northumberland county council engineer to obtain prior approval from officials of her Department before certifying for payment ICE contract clause 60(6) interest. (148579)

The contract did not oblige the engineer to obtain prior approval from the Department for Transport before he made a certificate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 28 March 2007, Official Report, column 1517W, on the A69: Greenhead, whether her Department authorised the Northumberland county council engineer to certify for payment £103,974.92 clause 60(6) interest in connection with the A69 Greenhead diversion scheme. (148580)

There was no legal requirement on the engineer to seek prior approval from the department before he made a certificate. If the engineer had nonetheless done so, the contract would not have obliged him to take any notice of the department’s response.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will review the findings of the Aviation White Paper on fuel efficiency per seat. (149370)

“The Future of Air Transport” White Paper, 2003, referred to the fuel efficiency gains that could be achieved arising from fleet replacement and technology improvements.

The Department for Transport carbon dioxide forecasts and underlying assumptions are published in “Aviation and Global Warming”, 2004. This can be found at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/whitepapers/air/docs/aviationandglobalwarmingreport

“The Future of Air Transport Progress Report”, published in December 2006, committed us to producing revised emissions forecasts in 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bus journeys were made in Gravesham in each year since 1997; and how many passenger kilometres such journeys represented in each year. (149310)

The Department collects statistics on bus passenger patronage through an Annual Survey of Public Service Vehicle operators, complemented by quarterly surveys of the largest operators. The statistics are not collected at a level of detail to provide information for Gravesham.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Department spent on (a) management consultants and (b) other external consultants and advisers in each year since 2000; and which of these consultants undertook work for the Department with a total contractual value in excess of £10 million over this period. (146329)

The Department was formed in May 2002. Details of expenditure by the Department on consultants from 2002-03 to 2006-07 are shown as follows:

Identifying which consultants undertook work for the Department with a total contractual value in excess of £10 million could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2007, Official Report, columns 1283-4W, on Government shareholding, what the nature and status is of the special shares held by her Department in (a) Eurostar (UK) Ltd, (b) London and Continental Railways Ltd, (c) Union Railways (North) Ltd and (d) Inter-Capital and Regional Rail Ltd. (148947)

The Government hold non-balance sheet special shares in all four companies. None of the shareholdings confers voting rights but they do provide Ministers with certain rights sufficient to safeguard the business and ensure continuity of the project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will initiate a review of the quality of the service offered by First Great Western. (149369)

The Department for Transport monitors punctuality, reliability and service quality of all franchises on a monthly basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) deaths there have been and (b) serious injuries have been sustained in accidents involving a vehicle registered in another EU country in each year since 2000, broken down by country; and in how many cases in each year the European registered vehicle was exceeding the speed limit. (149171)

The information on the country of registration of vehicles involved in reported personal injury road accidents is not recorded. However since 2005, the Department has collected information on whether vehicles involved in accidents are foreign registered.

In 2005, there were 59 fatalities and 348 seriously injured casualties resulting from accidents involving foreign registered vehicles. Of these, there were two fatalities and four seriously injured casualties resulted from accidents in which the foreign registered vehicles had ‘exceeding the speed limit’ as a contributory factor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment her Department has made of accessibility at rail stations in (a) Leeds and (b) West Yorkshire; what plans she has to improve accessibility at those stations; and what estimate she has made of the cost of doing so. (149237)

The Department does not hold information on the level of accessibility at stations in Leeds or across West Yorkshire. Station accessibility is assessed by train operating companies and collated by the Association of Train Operating Companies. The information is published at www.nationalrail.co.uk

To improve access at stations, we have allocated £370 million Access for All funding up to 2015. Stations have been included in the programme based on footfall, weighted against the incidence of disability locally (using information contained in the 2001 census). Huddersfield, Keighley and Shipley have been selected for inclusion in the programme up to 2011. These will be provided with a step—free route into the station and to, and between, each platform. It is too early to give an accurate estimate of the likely cost of these works.

Other inaccessible stations in Leeds and West Yorkshire will be considered for inclusion in the next tranche of stations to be announced later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvements have been planned for the Brighton to London Victoria train line in 2007-08. (149317)

The then Secretary of State for Transport my right hon. Friend the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire, South (Mr. Douglas Alexander) announced on 4 April 2007, the results of the recent consultation on the implementation of the Brighton Main Line (BML) Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS).The key decision is that, at the busiest times of day, the Gatwick Express will run beyond Gatwick to Brighton, doubling the number of express trains between Brighton and London Victoria in the high peak. This service change will take place in December 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many instances of train surfing were reported in each of the last five years, broken down by railway network. (149729)

This information is not held by the Department for Transport but by the British Transport police who can be contacted at: British Transport Police, 25 Camden Road, London NW1 9LN, email: general.enquiries@btp.pnn.police.uk

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many suicides have taken place in HM Prison Armley in each year since 1987. (148651)

The information requested is contained in the following table and associated notes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many and what proportion of verdicts returned by coroner’s inquests (a) in England and Wales and (b) in each coroner’s region were (i) death by accident or misadventure, (ii) death from natural causes, (iii) suicide, (iv) open verdicts, (v) death from industrial diseases, (vi) death from dependent abuse of drugs, (vii) death from non-dependent abuse of drugs, (viii) homicide and (ix) all other in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement; (148597)

Due to the comprehensive data, the information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many post-mortem examinations were carried out (a) in England and Wales and (b) in each coroner’s region in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. (148600)

The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House, as per the answer I gave the hon. Member on 10 July 2007, Official Report, column 1462W, on post-mortem examinations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many assaults on prison officers or other HMP staff there have been in each of the last 10 years. (148673)

Assault information is recorded at establishment level where it should be categorised into one of four categories “Prisoner on Prisoner”, “Prisoner on Officer”, “Prisoner on Other” and “Other”. The recorded incidents of assaults on prison officers are not completely exclusive to officers, establishment recording sometimes includes assaults on other prison staff in this category.

Information from incidents which have been categorised as “Prisoner on Officer” and “Prisoner on Other” is provided in the following table. This may be over-inclusive and contain some assaults on visitors and official visitors.

Reliable data for 1997-99 are not centrally available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many assaults on staff there have been at young offender institutions in each of the last 10 years. (148674)

Information from incidents which have been categorised as ‘Prisoner on Officer’ and ‘Prisoner on Other’ is provided in the following table.

This may be over-inclusive and contain some assaults on visitors and official visitors. The information is restricted to YOI institutions—it does not include assault data from mixed function establishments—and therefore precludes data from establishments also holding older prisoners as well as all female assault incidents.

Reasonably reliable data for 1997-99 are not centrally available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

10. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to create regional budget allocations. (149017)

In July 2005, the Government published 10-year indicative regional finding allocations for English regions outside London amounting to approximately £4 billion per annum, and covering economic development, transport and housing in July 2005.

The Government are conducting a Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration, which is exploring options for expanding the scope of regional funding allocations.

11. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the NHS hospital building and equipment budget; and if he will make a statement. (149018)

I have regular conversations with ministerial colleagues but, as was convention under previous Governments, I will not disclose the specific details of such discussions. However, I can confirm

NHS capital expenditure has grown by over 10 per cent. per year in real terms since 1997-98

We have already replaced almost a third of the acute and general NHS estate since 1997

By 2010, 111 new major hospital schemes will be open (worth £8.5 billion)

12. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made towards meeting the Government’s targets on debt relief; and if he will make a statement. (149021)

Treasury shares a PSA target for the 2005-08 period to ensure that 90 per cent. of the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) countries that had reached Decision Point by end 2005 receive irrevocable debt relief by end 2008. Of the 28 countries concerned, 22 have now completed the HIPC process and we expect to meet our PSA target.

The UK remains committed to the full implementation and financing of the HIPC Initiative to ensure maximum debt relief for the world’s poorest countries.

13. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely effect on the area of the relocation of HM Revenue and Customs office in Central Ayrshire constituency. (149022)

HM Revenue and Customs has more office space than it needs and will be reviewing all its accommodation, including that in central Ayrshire, to match it to future business needs and create significant savings. Its review process includes internal and external consultation on all its proposals, and an assessment of the impact of any office closure on local communities as well as on staff and customers. All Enquiry Centres will be kept in their current localities.

14. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the economic impact of expenditure on improving skills in the past three years. (149023)

The Government have increased investment in real terms in the Further Education sector by 48 per cent. and in Higher Education Institutions by 20 per cent. between 1997 and 2006. This has supported improvements in the UK’s skills base at all levels.

As Lord Leitch set out in his independent report on the UK’s long-term skills needs, the increasing skills profile of the UK work force overtime has contributed to economic growth.

Lord Leitch also concluded that a skilled work force is increasingly critical if the UK is to continue to grow and meet global challenges.

15. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the trend in real disposable household incomes over the last 12 months. (149024)

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant) on the Floor of the House earlier today.

16. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the economic impact of expenditure on schools in the last 10 years. (149025)

Per pupil expenditure in England has risen from under £2,500 in 1997 to £5,550 today. This has supported a sustained increase in attainment—with 350,000 more children achieving five good GCSEs since 1997.

As Lord Leitch set out in his report on the UK’s long-term skills needs, the increasing skills profile of the UK work force over time has contributed to economic growth.

Lord Leitch also concluded that a skilled work force is increasingly critical if the UK is to continue to grow and meet global challenges.

17. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals for a public service agreement on early intervention with parents and children. (149026)

The performance management framework in the CSR07 period will include a set of cross-cutting public service agreements (PSAs) which will articulate Government’s highest-priority outcomes for the spending period. These will sit alongside a set of strategic objectives for each Department. Both sets will be published at the comprehensive spending review.

The Government are committed to delivering services for families which focus on prevention and early intervention, as set out in the “Every child matters” programme and most recently confirmed in the children and young people’s policy review “Aiming high for children: supporting families” (March 2007), published jointly by the Treasury and the then DfES.

18. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce financial impact statements alongside the publication of new taxation proposals. (149027)

The estimated financial impacts to the Exchequer of any announced tax changes are shown in table B4 of the pre-Budget report or table A1 of the Budget.

All measures are rigorously assessed and where appropriate we publish Impact Assessments alongside the Finance Bill. Separate financial impact statements are therefore unnecessary. Cabinet Office’s launch of the new Impact Assessment process in May demonstrates Government’s continued commitment to the transparency of its policy analysis.

19. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the rules relating to capital gains tax on second homes. (149028)

The Government keep all aspects of the tax system—including the rules relating to capital gains tax and second homes—under review.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people paid capital gains tax in each year since 1996-97. (148563)

Estimates of the number of payers of capital gains tax in each year from 1996-97 are available in National Statistics table 14.1 on the HM Revenue and Customs website at:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/capital_gains/menu.htm

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions his Department has had with the Ministry of Defence on the future of the Defence Export Services Organisation. (149321)

Treasury Ministers and officials discuss a wide range of issues with organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such meetings.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the likely change in the number of people who will claim tax credits as a result of the abolition of the 10 pence starting rate of income tax in the financial year 2008-09; and if he will make a statement; (149012)

I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the answer my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Members for Bournemouth, West (Sir John Butterfill), for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) and for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) on the Floor of the House earlier today.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average time taken to process tax rebates on mileage allowances was in each region in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. (148930)

HM Revenue and Customs does not keep a record of the information requested.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Northern Ireland were taken to court for recovery of overpayment of tax credits in each of the last three years. (148987)

HM Revenue and Custom’s policy is to attempt to make personal contact in all cases before legal proceedings are considered including at least one visit to the last known address of the claimant. HM Revenue and Customs has taken some 1,200 cases to court, as a last resort to secure payment, in Northern Ireland for recovery of tax credit overpayments in year 2006-07. The information requested is not available for earlier years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of levels of tax credit customer service in Northern Ireland (a) before and (b) after the removal of the Tax Credit Customer Service Unit; and if he will consider re-establishing the unit. (148994)

Customer service for tax credits is dealt with by a central team enabling HM Revenue and Customs to treat all customers fairly and consistently. The information requested is not available in the format requested but HMRC conduct a satisfaction survey of its customers who telephone the tax credits helplines. In 2006-07 87 per cent. of respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the overall service they received from the helpline.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the estimated cost is of the establishment of the new Business Council for Britain. (147885)

A firm estimate of the cost of operating the Business Council for Britain will only be possible following further discussion with its Chair and members regarding the Council’s working methods. However, Members will not be paid for their work on the Council and costs will be kept to the minimum consistent with the Council’s efficient and effective operation. The cost of supporting the Council, including the operation of its secretariat, will be met from within the Department’s agreed budget for the new Comprehensive Spending Review period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has to encourage closer working between business and universities. (148464)

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) will now lead on encouraging links between business and universities. They will build on the successful links established through the Higher Education Innovation Fund and the Technology Programmes while within the Department of Trade and Industry. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform will liaise closely with DIUS to ensure that business can take full advantage of UK science, research and innovation so that it can compete successfully in the global economy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many free-to-use cash machines have been located in the poorest 10 per cent. of wards in the UK. (148888)

I have been asked to reply.

As of December 2006, over 5,700 free ATMs were located in the poorest 10 per cent. of wards in the UK, equivalent to around 17 per cent. of all free ATMs in the UK. On 13 December 2006, the working group on ATMs set up at the instigation of the Treasury found that while most low-income areas are relatively well served by free ATMs, there were a small but significant number of areas without convenient access to free cash withdrawals. The group concluded that around 600 new free ATMs could effectively meet access gaps in these areas.

As announced by my predecessor on 19 June, excellent progress is being made towards this goal of providing over 600 additional free ATMs in low-income areas across the UK, and 56, or 34 per cent. of the 167 new free ATMs already issuing cash to the public are located in the poorest 10 per cent. of the low-income areas identified by the working group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the total cost has been of the change from the Department of Trade and Industry to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, broken down by (a) relocation expenses, (b) rebranding expenses on (i) signs, (ii) stationery and (iii) departmental publications and (c) other expenses. (147811)

No relocation expenses have been incurred to date.

No expenditure has yet been incurred on rebranding of signs and stationery. To date the Department has incurred costs of £2,677 on the production of rebranded departmental publications.

Costs of £10,564 have been incurred for graphic design services. Costs of £2,500 have been incurred on updating the Department’s publications orderline website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on what date a new sign for his building was commissioned. (147813)

The Department commissioned temporary signage on 27 June 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the value of (a) UK investment in Taiwan and (b) Taiwan’s investment in the UK was in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. (148363)

The following table shows data for net foreign international investment positions at the end of each year.

Corresponding data for portfolio investment and other investment is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps his Department is taking to enable consultees to respond to consultations electronically. (148466)

The Department follows guidance contained in the government-wide Code of Practice on Consultation.

BERR consultation documents are made accessible electronically by placing them on the department’s website in a single place. The department’s consultations include an email address to which consultees can respond electronically.

Some consultations have gone further and introduced innovative ways of enabling responses. A recent example is the current consultation on the future of nuclear power where an interactive website has been set up to allow the submission of consultation responses online.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many flights to overseas destinations were taken by (a) employees of, (b) board members of and (c) individuals sponsored by the regional development agencies (RDAs) in the last three calendar years, broken down by RDA; and what the total cost was of such flights. (148416)

[holding answer 10 July 2007]: The information requested is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps he plans to take to reduce the UK’s trade deficit with the European Union. (147787)

[holding answer 5 July 2007]: The key to the UK's competitiveness is improving our productivity rather than just our trade balance in itself.

The Government’s approach to raising productivity centres on maintaining macro-economic stability so as to provide firms and individuals with the certainty needed to invest in the future, as well as implementing micro-economic reforms to remove barriers that prevent markets from functioning efficiently.

The Government have identified five drivers of productivity—investment, innovation, skills, enterprise, and competition—and a wide-ranging programme of reforms have been initiated to boost productivity in these areas.

Similarly, at the EU level, the UK has been driving the productivity agenda—negotiating to remove barriers to trade, which would make it easier for UK businesses to trade across the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Police Service of Northern Ireland has received (a) full details and (b) summaries of allegations of child sexual abuse by priests from the Roman Catholic Church. (148549)

I have been advised by the PSNI that they have received information regarding a number of allegations of historic sexual abuse allegedly committed by priests from the Roman Catholic Church.

This information was handed to PSNI by solicitors acting on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic Church has co-operated fully with PSNI supplying all relevant information which has been required or requested.

An investigation file is currently with the Public Prosecution Service for consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are in place to communicate crime prevention advice to the public in Northern Ireland. (148062)

There is a wide range of measures in place to communicate crime prevention advice, both at regional and local levels. The Community Safety Unit of the Northern Ireland Office provides advice, as well as financial support, and works in partnership with other statutory and voluntary organisations to tackle many crime prevention issues. These include domestic burglary, car crime, hate crime, business crime, crimes against older people, antisocial behaviour, illicit drugs, domestic violence and sexual violence. Advice is provided through a variety of mediums including television and radio campaigns, project staff, leaflets, face to face advice and websites.

At a local level, Community Safety Partnerships are located in every district council area throughout Northern Ireland. Each partnership has a published action plan which specifies the crime issues to be addressed in that particular area. They offer advice through local road shows, seminars, community newsletters and targeted leaflets.

PSNI communicates crime prevention advice to the public in many ways. Radio advertisements, posters and billboards are used both by the PSNI and in partnership with the Northern Ireland Office Community Safety Unit. There have also recently been publicity campaigns giving advice on domestic burglary, crimes against older persons and property marking.

PSNI have also made presentations at public meetings on a variety of topics. For example, in Londonderry during May 2007, a presentation was given to more than 70 business owners on preventing Tiger Kidnaps. Likewise, the PSNI participate in a number of groups such as the National Security Inspectorate, the Tobacco and Alcohol group (to give anti-robbery advice for high value loads), Retailers Against Crime In Northern Ireland (dealing with all aspects of crime against the retail community) and Northern Ireland Bankers Association (cash in transit robberies, kidnap or robbery of bank staff and counterfeit currency).

PSNI also recently staged a theft from a vehicle, which was filmed for local television news, to highlight ways to secure against the theft of Satellite Navigation Systems.

In addition, PSNI Crime Prevention Officers frequently attend public events such as the recent Young at Heart exhibition at the Kings Hall (for older persons) and the Seagate Young Innovators exhibition at the Odyssey (for school children). They also hand out advice leaflets (both Home Office and locally produced material) at many public events, from local Farming Shows to the North West 200 motorcycle race event.

Crime prevention advice is provided to children as part of the Citizenship and Safety Education Programme (CASE) in schools and they can also get advice from the website owned by PSNI Community Safety Branch.

PSNI Crime Prevention Officers are available to attend homes and businesses on request to give specific advice.

PSNI Crime Prevention Branch purchases and gives away a variety of security products. In 2007-08 to date this has included 9,000 personal attack alarms for nursing and health care staff and 10,000 Ultra Violet property marking pens as well as various promotional items to guide the public to websites giving advice on various crime issues.

PSNI also promote the ACPO Secured by Design Scheme, both by involvement with architects, town planners and local council Planning and Building Control Departments and by advertising in trade journals and local magazines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in his Department have been (a) disciplined and (b) dismissed for (i) inappropriate use of the internet while at work and (ii) using work telephones to access premium rate telephone numbers in the last 12 months. (149187)

Within the Northern Ireland Office, one member of staff has been disciplined within the last 12 months and one member of staff is currently being served with disciplinary proceedings in relation to inappropriate use of the internet while at work.

No staff have been dismissed for inappropriate use of the internet while at work within the last 12 months.

No staff have been disciplined or dismissed for using work telephones to access premium rate numbers in the last 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 6 June 2007, Official Report, column 515W, on Departments: official hospitality, from which external customers the sum of £184,000 was recouped in 2006-07; and for what reason the amount recouped increased by £95,000 from the previous year. (146804)

The previous answer referred to of 6 June 2007, Official Report, column 515W, inadvertently stated that £184,000 was recouped from external customers. In fact, this money was recouped from both external and internal customers. In 2005-06, £80,000 was recouped from external customers and £9,000 from internal customers. (In 2006-07, £149,000 was recouped from external customers and £35,000 from internal customers).

In addition to its own use, the NIO permits a wide range of organisations to use the facilities at Hillsborough Castle for a variety of events. These organisations include; other NI Government Departments, the Prison Service, the Police Service, the armed services, and a variety of charitable organisations—all of whom are charged for the services they receive.

The Department also charges external and internal customers for services they receive at Stormont house.

The number of events and the cost of putting on those events will determine the amount recouped from customers. These two factors will have contributed to the rise in recoupment between 2005-06 and 2006-07.

A detailed list of the individual events and their costs could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to combat illegal drug use in Northern Ireland. (148060)

Illegal drug use in Northern Ireland is being addressed on a number of fronts. The New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs (2006-11) provided an overarching strategy. In parallel, PSNI and other law enforcement agencies in Northern Ireland are delivering significant results at an operational level. Last year, in addition to seizing over £22 million of drugs, the number of arrests for drug offences rose by almost 20 per cent. from 1,419 to 1,726.

Through the Organised Task Force, the PSNI work closely with HMRC and SOCA on an international and national basis to tackle the menace of drugs. In addition, the Assets Recovery Agency have successfully frozen assets believed to have been obtained through profit from drug dealing. Excellent cross border relations exist on this issue with An Garda Siochana.

Tackling drug misuse continues to be a priority. The Criminal Justice Directorate of the Northern Ireland Office and the NI Prison Service fund a range of statutory and voluntary sector organisations to deliver drug treatment services to offenders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what recent measures have been put in place to protect police officers from assault; (148056)

The safety of police officers is a primary consideration for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Measures to protect police officers from assault form part of the ongoing development of equipment and tactics undertaken by the PSN1 in consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Home Office.

Operational officers receive personal safety training on a regular basis, the content of which reflects their role and this training is reviewed in line with both local and national trends. Recent developments include training in the skills required for single officer patrolling.

Officer personal safety training includes tactics in the early resolution of conflict through effective verbal communication, the use of unarmed skills, batons, incapacitant spray and handcuffs, all of which assist in improving officer safety when policing violent or potentially violent situations.

Officers are issued with dual-purpose body armour, commonly referred to as stab vests, and a training package, designed to protect officers from an attacker in possession of an edged weapon, is being delivered to operational officers throughout the PSNI.

The PSNI have provided the following data relating to the number of such offences where the victim is a member of the Police Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to improve the facilities in prisons for prisoners with mental health problems. (148063)

The nature of mental disorder experienced by prisoners varies considerably from mild anxiety to severe psychiatric disorders. As in the community, prisoners are encouraged to take as much control as possible over their own care and in the main, prisoners will remain in normal location and be treated and supported by healthcare professionals including psychiatrists and mental health trained nurses. Prisoners who are diagnosed with a severe psychiatric disorder will be transferred to hospital under the provisions of the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986.

A small number of in-patient places are available within the healthcare unit in Maghaberry Prison for those who require assessment, stabilisation or who are awaiting transfer to hospital. A small residential unit has recently been opened in Maghaberry for prisoners with complex needs, including personality disorders. Furthermore, consideration is being given to the possibility of developing a therapeutic unit for prisoners with addiction problems.

It is planned that the lead responsibility for the provision of healthcare services to prisoners will transfer to the health service in October 2007. The provision of mental health services has been recognised as a priority issue and if the new arrangements identify the need for improvements to facilities for prisoners with mental health disorders, where possible, steps will be taken to introduce the improvements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what resources his Department has made available for the education of women on how to protect themselves from rape. (148061)

The Northern Ireland Office is playing a supporting role in an initiative led by the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to combat sexual violence. The Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety is leading the prevention and support aspect of the initiative, which involves measures to better enable women to protect themselves from rape.

In addition PSNI is also committed to adopting a pro-active multi-agency approach to tackling sexual violence, and to making resources available wherever possible. PSNI is currently working in partnership with Women’s Aid, Northern Ireland to enhance the education of women in how to protect themselves from sexual assault.

It has long been recognised that serious sexual offences are often part of domestic violence, either against a current or previous intimate partner. Police officers attend various Women’s Aid, Community-based advocacy and outreach services providing practical advice and support to those present regarding personal safety.

Also, given the number of licensed premises across Northern Ireland, particularly in city centres, and with alcohol misuse contributing at times to incidents of sexual assault, various initiatives such as the ‘Get Home Safe’ campaign, the issuing of personal alarms in certain areas, and the ongoing advice provided by PSNI Crime Prevention Officers have all contributed to educating women in relation to their personal safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the (a) Armed Forces, (b) Army, (c) Royal Navy and (d) RAF (i) were deployed on operations in 1997 and (ii) are deployed on operations currently. (148236)

Comparable figures are not available for 1997.

The percentage of Personnel deployed on Operations by Service as at 1 May 2007 is in the following table.

Strength figures used in the above calculations are as at 1 May 2007 (Naval Service and RAF) and 1 March 2007 (Army) and comprise Trained UK Regular Forces only.

Deployment figures are as at 11 May 2007 (Op Banner) and 30 April 2007 (all other Operations) and comprise all UK Service Personnel in theatre (Regulars and Reserves). All deployment figures exclude Special Forces.

Theatres included comprise of Telic, Herrick, Banner, Oculus, GCT & UN Operations in Cyprus, Nepal, Georgia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sudan and Sierra Leone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what topics were discussed at the meeting between Mike Turner, the Chief Executive of BAE Systems, and Lord Drayson, the Defence Procurement Minister, on 26 June; at what time this meeting (a) started and (b) ended; who requested the meeting; and if he will make a statement. (148376)

Lord Drayson chaired a meeting of the National Defence Industries Council on 26 June at which the Chief Executive of BAE Systems was present. The meeting started at 10 am and was concluded at 12 noon. The National Defence Industries Council meets regularly bringing together Ministers, senior officials and representatives from the defence industry. They discuss a range of topics of mutual interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of sick leave taken by staff in his Department was stress-related in each of the last three years. (145971)

The table shows the percentage of sick leave that was stress related taken by staff in his Department for each of the last three years.

We require our managers to assess the risk of stress, using the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standards and best practice guidance. To better assess the risks we have recently worked with HSE and our trades’ unions to pilot the HSE stress management package in several areas in the Department. Guidance for MOD on using the package will be rolled out during the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many awards of compensation were paid for damage to property caused by explosions at Shoeburyness to residents living in (a) Maldon District, (b) Chelmsford Borough, (c) Rochford District, (d) Colchester Borough, (e) Tendring District, (f) Southend on Sea, (g) Castlepoint District and (h) Kent in each year since 1995; (148151)

Records on compensation are routinely destroyed after six years and information is only available from 2001. However, it is known that there have been no payments made since November 2004.

Available information for the period 2001-04 has to be collated from a number of sources within the Ministry of Defence. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as that information is available and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel are on the waiting list for a redress of their veterans disability entitlements. (148344)

Under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme there are two options available for armed forces personnel who are dissatisfied with the decision made on their claim.

They can ask Service Personnel and Veterans Agency to look at the decision again—this is called reconsideration. As at 30 June 2007 there were 48 cases awaiting completion of which 27 were from serving armed forces personnel.

They can appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, which is independent of the MOD. As at 30 June 2007 there were 43 cases awaiting appeal hearings of which 20 were from serving armed forces personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the possible obligations the Government have to nuclear test veterans under the EU Directive Euratom 96/29. (148288)

[holding answer 9 July 2007]: A resolution of the EU Parliament of 10 May 2007 called on member states to apply European Council Directive 96/29/Euratom on safety standards relating to ionising radiation. It is not legally binding, and the clearly stated position of this Government is that Euratom has no application to UK defence activities.

The UK Government, none the less, recognise their obligations to veterans of the UK nuclear tests. In particular, they have since 1983 commissioned three reports from the independent National Radiological Protection Board on possible adverse health effects of participation in these tests. These found no general effect on participants’ expectation of life nor on risk of developing most cancers, though there was a small increase in risk of some leukaemias. The outcome of these studies is reflected in the MOD’s handling of claims under the War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the approved complement is of Ministry of Defence police at Colchester Garrison; and what plans he has to change this complement. (146280)

The approved complement of Ministry of Defence police (MDP) at Colchester Garrison is:

1 x Inspector

5 x Sergeants

16 x Constables

These figures do not include Criminal Investigation Department Officers who are not part of the MDP complement at Colchester Garrison and not funded by Land Command. They are based in Colchester for administrative convenience and are responsible for investigating crime on defence estates in East Anglia.

The Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency (MDPGA) has recently conducted a complementing review to validate HQ Land Command proposals to rebalance Ministry of Defence police assets across its defence estate. Once Land Command and the MDPGA have agreed the way ahead the local community, Trade Unions and staff associations will be consulted. Once this process is completed I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated ongoing in-service costs are of the Trident replacement over its 30 year life span how much is accounted for by (a) facilities and revenue costs at Aldermaston, (b) new missiles required to carry the warheads, (c) Military Defence Police (MDP) costs for guarding (i) Aldermaston, (ii) Burghfield and (iii) Coulport and (d) MDP costs for escorting the convoys; and if he will make a statement. (147835)

As paragraph 5-14 of the White Paper: ‘The Future of the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Deterrent’ (column 6994) makes clear, in-service costs of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, including the costs of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), will on average be around five to six per cent., of the defence budget once the proposed fleet of replacement SSBNs comes into service. Further information on the costs of replacing the Trident D5 missile and the costs of the AWE are included in paragraphs 5-11 and 5-13 of the White Paper respectively. The future costs of the Ministry of Defence Police for guarding Aldermaston, Burghfield and Coulport and for escorting nuclear convoys, which are included in the in-service cost mentioned above, are expected to be similar to today however, it is too early to provide a precise estimate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what incentives he has considered to encourage staff in his Department to use public transport. (148798)

The main incentives that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport offers are interest free loans to purchase season tickets for road/rail transport and purchase of bicycles for travel to work.

Use of public transport is encouraged by Departmental policies, including providing links to major travel and rail operators on our intranet site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what occasions (a) he or his predecessor, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) representatives of his Department met the Football Association to discuss an English bid for the 2018 World Cup (i) before the feasibility study by the Treasury and his Department into holding the World Cup in England began, (ii) while the study was in progress; and what such meetings have taken place since the study was completed. (148964)

Bidding to host a future World Cup is not a decision for Government but for the relevant football authorities. Ministers and representatives of this Department have not met with the Football Association (FA) to discuss an English bid for the 2018 World Cup. However, representatives of HM Treasury, this Department and the FA met on a number of occasions during the feasibility study to consult and discuss emerging issues. Since publication of the report my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn) in his capacity as the Prime Minister's World Cup ambassador, has met the FA on a number of occasions to discuss circumstances relating to a potential FA bid for the World Cup.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what restrictions are to be put in place to prevent advertisements promoting gambling-related activities during children’s television viewing hours. (148536)

The Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) has published a new code for gambling advertisers which puts in place strict controls to prohibit gambling advertising during or around children’s programmes or programmes commissioned for, principally directed at or likely to appeal particularly to audiences below the age of 18. The new rules will be regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and come into effect on 1 September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications the Heritage Lottery Fund has received for projects that are run by (a) not-for-profit organisations and (b) all other organisations in each year since 1997. (148585)

The number of applications received by the Heritage Lottery Fund that are run by not-for-profit and all other organisations per annum since 1997 are detailed in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many grants have been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund to projects that are run by (a) not-for-profit organisations and (b) all other organisations in each year since 1997. (148586)

The number of grants awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund that are run by not-for-profit, and all other organisations per annum since 1997 are detailed in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what verification process is used for projects that make applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund to assess the accuracy of (a) business plans and (b) budgets before awarding funding to a project; and if he will make a statement. (148587)

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) assesses business plans against key elements specified in its published guidance. These include relevance of the project to the aims of the applicant organisation, an analysis of the market for the project, financial appraisal, management structure, assessment of risks to the project and systems for monitoring and evaluating the project.

Project budgets and financial information are assessed by a variety of measures including: the accuracy of cost breakdowns; the identification of eligible costs; calculation and identification of fees, contingencies, inflation and VAT; eligibility and accuracy of identified sunk costs and voluntary contributions; partnership and other funding secured; and the ability of the applicant to meet any funding shortfalls.

The level of detail required for business plans and budgets in applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund depends on the size of grant applied for.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the level of priority that the Heritage Lottery Fund gives to funding of private sector projects. (148588)

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) trustees determine priorities subject to the broad policy directions set by Government. HLF policy is to award grants to private owners where public benefit outweighs private gain.

The Commons Select Committee in its report ‘Protecting and Preserving Our Heritage’ supported this approach.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria the Heritage Lottery Fund uses to assess the viability of projects that have already received (a) public funding, (b) private funding and (c) Heritage Lottery Fund funding when considering applications for additional funding; and if he will make a statement. (148590)

Heritage Lottery Fund assesses requests for additional funding (grant increases) by appraising the additional sum requested against the following criteria:

evidence that the costs relate to unforeseen and unforeseeable extra works;

that the costs faced are genuinely outside the grantee's control;

that the approved purposes of the project remain materially the same;

that the project still represents value for money; and

that the additional costs can not be met from other sources.

This assessment process is applied to all applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which providers will deliver support and advice to recently parted parents on making private arrangements for child maintenance; and if he will make a statement. (146689)

It is not yet possible to identify who will provide the information and support service as the commissioning process has not yet started.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to bring forward provisions to strengthen the legal rights of people with (a) rheumatoid arthritis and (b) other chronic health conditions in the workplace. (147836)

We have no plans to extend the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as we have already fulfilled our commitment to put in place a comprehensive set of enforceable civil rights for disabled people. In particular, we extended and improved the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 from 1 October 2004 to bring all small employers and previously excluded occupations, except service in the armed forces, within the scope of employment provisions of the Act.

For a disabled person to benefit from the protection provided by the Disability Discrimination Act, they must meet the Act's definition of a disabled person. In general, the Act defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out day-to-day activities. Someone with rheumatoid arthritis or a chronic health condition is protected by the Act if their condition meets this definition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of his Department's progress in improving the adequacy of medical reports following recommendations made by the Committee of Public Accounts in its 27th Report of Session 2001-02. (147816)

Considerable progress has been made since the Public Accounts Committee's report. The current contractor for medical services is ATOS Healthcare, and the contract for the provision of medical services now includes revised targets to help improve the quality of the medical reports as well as speed of response.

Training for the doctors involved has been improved and quality assurance arrangements have been enhanced. An IT system for the provision of evidence-based reports has been implemented. Sub-standard reports are returned to the contractor for rework. In addition, changes have now been made to legislation to allow for health care professionals, not just doctors, to carry out medical examinations, produce reports and to give advice across the range of disability benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of public companies with underfunded company pension schemes. (149011)

Estimating the number of public companies with underfunded defined benefit company pension schemes is complicated by several factors. Identification of the sponsoring company is not straightforward since many schemes will be directly connected to a subsidiary or holding company. In addition not only are valuations (and therefore deficits) calculated in different ways, they are not calculated frequently. Changes in the economic climate such as those we are seeing at the moment also alter the funding situation of schemes to a large degree.

In December 2006, the Pensions Regulator and the Pension Protection Fund produced aggregate funding figures based on a group of defined benefit schemes in their joint publication ‘The Purple Book’. While these figures do not cover every defined benefit scheme they are representative. This detailed publication can be found in the House of Commons Library and on the Pensions Regulator's website at:

customersupport@pensionsregular.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average proportion of (a) expected and (b) core pension being received is for people who have begun to receive their full-entitled payments under the Financial Assistance Scheme; and if he will make a statement. (148601)

As at 6 July 2007, 247 people are receiving annual payments which top up the actual pension paid through an annuity from their pension scheme to at least 80 per cent. of their expected core pension subject to a cap of £12,000 per annum. A further 1,079 people are receiving initial payments at 60 per cent. of their expected core pension, which subject to Royal Assent of the current Pensions Bill will be increased to 80 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of people eligible for initial payments, and whose pension scheme trustees have applied for initial payments, received such payments in each month since the scheme began operating; and if he will make a statement. (148248)

As at 29 June 2007, the Financial Assistance Scheme Operational Unit (FASOU) has assessed all eligible members for whom the scheme trustees have provided acceptable data and has paid all members who have confirmed their personal details.

The following table reflects the cumulative number of members in receipt of Initial and Annual Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) payments from December 2005 until June 2007. The FASOU does not hold the requested information regarding the number of members in receipt of an initial payment as a proportion of those eligible for initial payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people over the age of 65 years have died while their pension scheme has been going through (a) the qualification process for the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) and (b) the qualification process to receive initial payments under the FAS; and if he will make a statement. (148249)

The Financial Assistance Scheme Operational Unit (FASOU) does not hold this information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what analysis has been undertaken of the impact on future means-tested benefit entitlement for people on low incomes who save through his Department’s personal account pension initiative. (146551)

The Department for Work and Pensions has undertaken extensive analysis on the impact of the proposed pension reforms on future entitlement to means-tested benefits and the interaction of these benefits with personal accounts. Such analysis has been presented in Projections of Pension Credit Entitlement, Financial Incentives to Save and the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Pensions Bill.

Note:

These publications are available on the DWP website at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/pensionsreform

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his most recent estimate is of the number of children in lower-income working families using formal childcare. (149234)

The 2004-05 Childcare Survey showed that there were 614,000 children in lower income working families using formal childcare¹.

By 2008, the Department aims to increase the number of children in lower-income working families using formal childcare by 120,000 children from the 2004-05 baseline. This forms part of the PSA target to

‘Safeguard children and young people, improve their life outcomes and general well-being, and break cycles of deprivation’

and will contribute to achieving this target by helping to reduce the proportion of children living in households where no one is working.

The figures showing progress towards this target will be available in September 2007 when the results of the 2007 Childcare Survey will be published.

¹ Childcare and Early Years Provision: A Study of Parents' Use, Views and Experiences, Research Report 723; DfES. Bryson, C., Kazimirski, A. and Southwood, H. (2006). This report is available at:

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR723.pdf

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of young children (a) in each Sure Start Local Programme area and (b) in England lived in households in which no-one was working in the latest period for which figures are available. (149236)

Research published in June 2007 ‘Changes in the Characteristics of Sure Start Local Programme Areas between 2000-01 and 2004-05’¹ showed that, over the study period, there was a greater reduction in the SSLP areas compared to England in: (i) the percentage of children under four years living in workless households; (ii) the percentage in households in receipt of Job Seeker's Allowance; (iii) the percentage in households in receipt of income support; and (iv) the overall percentage of working age adults receiving income support.

The average proportion of children under four living in workless households in SSLP areas dipped just below 40 per cent. in 2004-05, having started out at 45 per cent. in 2000-01. One third were living in a household in receipt of income support in 2004-05, down from 39 per cent. These levels were still higher than the average rates for England as a whole (22 per cent. of children under four living in workless households and 18 per cent. in households receiving income support) but did show significant improvement.

¹ Changes in the Characteristics of Sure Start Local Programme Areas between 2000-01 and 2004-05, June 2007. NESS Report 21; DfES HMSO Barnes, J (2007)

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will make a statement on his Department's plans to improve financial literacy in schools. (149121)

It is important that all young people have access to good personal finance education, so that they leave school with the skills and confidence to manage their money well.

The recent HM Treasury strategy ‘Financial Capability: the Government's long-term approach’ set out a series of actions to improve financial capability in schools. This includes introducing a new, dedicated programme of study entitled ‘Economic Well Being’ as part of a revised curriculum for Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education; publishing updated guidance for schools on the teaching of personal finance education; providing more support for teachers, by developing an extension module on financial capability within the PSHE continuous professional development programme; and developing curriculum materials to support the introduction of additional Child Trust Fund payments to seven-year-olds in 2009.

In addition, from 2010 we are introducing functional mathematics to the maths GCSE, which means that all pupils who achieve a grade C or above will have mastered the basics. We are also making £60 million funding available to secondary schools each year between 2005-06 and 2010-11 to provide a new focus on enterprise activity for pupils at key stage 4. Enterprise education helps young people to be creative and innovative and to take and manage risks with determination and drive, and is closely linked to financial capability in the school curriculum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will make a statement on the future of the Learning and Skills Council. (149136)

I have been asked to reply.

The machinery of government changes announced last week are designed to sharpen the Government’s focus on the new and very different challenges that Britain will face in the years ahead. Great strides have been made in all aspects of education and skills over the past few years. But the significant challenges posed by the future demand new approaches.

To provide strong strategic leadership for the 14-19 phase overall planning responsibilities for that phase will transfer to the Department for Children, Schools and Families as will all funding for 14-19 learners with the exception of that for apprenticeships. Subject to consultation on the details and timing, to ensure there is no disruption to schools, colleges and training providers and the introduction of new diplomas, and the need to pass the necessary legislation, funding for school sixth forms, sixth form colleges and the contribution of FE colleges to the 14-19 phase will transfer from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to local authorities’ ring-fenced education budgets.

To implement these changes for 14-19 policy and funding, we will need new legislation. As noted above, there will be consultation on the details and timing of the changes. In the short term, the LSC therefore remains responsible in law for the allocation of funds to all forms of post-16 education and training outside of higher education. The LSC has demonstrated in recent years a powerful focus on delivery and an excellent record in the management of public funds. In the interests of learners, schools and colleges, continuing that high performance will remain essential as we work through to the new organisational arrangements. The LSC will have a central role to play in managing the transition successfully.

The new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) will lead work to deliver the Government’s long-term vision to make Britain one of the best places in the world for science, research and innovation. It will also lead work to ensure that the nation has the skilled workforce it needs to compete in the global economy. In relation to post-19 education and training, we will consider, and consult on, the best way of delivering all of those functions and services that are necessary to support the FE sector and to achieve our skills ambitions. That will build on and sustain the progress made with the LSC over recent years in developing a demand-led approach that meets the needs of employers and learners, particularly through the successful Train to Gain programme.

In taking forward these changes, we will work closely with the LSC and other national partners along with schools, colleges and training providers, to ensure the changes are well managed and sustain institutional autonomy. We will take the opportunity to review how the funding and accountability framework can best support initiative and high performance both at institutional level and across the FE sector as a whole.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools in Bournemouth are under special measures; and how long this has been the case in each instance. (148545)

There is currently one school in the Bournemouth local authority that requires special measures. This is Townsend Primary and Nursery School which has been in this Ofsted category since November 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the projected cost of all previous and proposed student loan sales to the public purse over their lifetime with respect to (a) interest subsidies and (b) the difference in cost between purchasing the loans by third parties and the face value of the loans. (147267)

I have been asked to reply.

We are at the early stages of implementing the Budget announcement to sell income-contingent student loans. Further details will be announced in due course. Meanwhile we are confident that the Government will obtain good value for money, as it is obliged to do by rules of Government accounting.

In 1998, the Government received £1 billion for the sale of student loans with a face value of £1.02 billion. In 1999, the Government received £1 billion for the sale of student loans with a face value of £1.03 billion. These are figures for the UK as a whole, as loans administration had not then been devolved.

Over the lifetime of the loans, the total gross payments of interest and other subsidies to the debt owners, in respect of loans made to English and Welsh domiciled students, is estimated at £635 million in 1998/99 net present value (NPV) terms. After deducting the interest subsidy costs, which the Government would still have incurred if the loans had not been sold, the estimated net lifetime costs of the sale for interest and other subsidies are £125 million in 1998/99 NPV terms. This assumes the current relevant Treasury discount rate of 3.5 per cent.

The discount rate at the time of the sales was 6.0 per cent. Using this rate would have resulted in future cash flows having lesser value, which would have made the sales more attractive to the Government. The estimated total gross payments of interest and other subsidies would have been £545 million, with a net estimated lifetime saving of £130 million. The actual final cost/saving will depend on the performance of the sold loans over their remaining life.

Note:

All figures are quoted in respect of England and Wales unless otherwise stated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) 16, (b) 17 and (c) 18-year-olds were not in education employment or training, broken down by (i) parliamentary constituency, (ii) local education authority and (iii) region in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. (147034)

The Department's estimate of the number and proportion of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) cannot be disaggregated to regional or local authority level. However, we can give an indication of the number of 16, 17 and 18-year-olds NEET from data provided by Connexions services, and this is given in the following table.

Data provided by Connexions services are used to set and monitor local authority NEET targets. However, it should be noted that figures are calculated on a different basis from that used in the Department's estimates, and therefore do not give the same totals.

Information cannot be broken down by parliamentary constituency, nor is it available at local authority level and age before 2005.