To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what estimate he has made of volumes of tallow disposals following the planned introduction of banding in the renewables obligation in 2009; (159036)

[holding answer 18 October 2007]: No estimates have been made by DEFRA of any changes to tallow disposals following the planned introduction of banding in the renewables obligation in 2009.

Data on the total volume of tallow disposed of in landfill are not held by DEFRA or the Environment Agency. However, the various regulatory restrictions, and the high value of tallow for further uses, for example in the oleochemicals industry, means that its disposal to landfill is likely to be rare.

No estimates have been made by DEFRA of the likely costs to industry of converting tallow into biodiesel.

DEFRA has not commissioned any evaluation of the sustainability impact of converting tallow into biodiesel.

The Government announced on 21 June 2007 that they aim to reward biofuels under the renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) in accordance with the carbon savings they offer from 2010, provided that this is compatible with World Trade Organisation rules and EU technical standards requirements. This must also be consistent with the policy framework being developed by the European Commission as part of the review of the biofuels directive, and subject to consultation on the potential environmental and economic impacts of such a scheme.

The Government also announced that from 2011, they aim to reward biofuels under the RTFO only if the feedstocks from which they are produced meet appropriate sustainability standards, again subject to the provisos set out above. The RTFO draft Order provides for an ‘Administrator' of the scheme, which will be a new non-departmental public body. It will have the power to require information from suppliers about the biofuel supplied and feedstocks used. The Government will ask the Administrator to report regularly on the impact on other sectors, and will consider carefully, in the light of these reports, whether any corrective action is necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what volume of tallow has been disposed of in landfill over the last three years; and what arrangements for the disposal of tallow will be made following the planned introduction of the renewable transport fuel obligation in 2008. (158710)

[holding answer 16 October 2007]: Data on the total volume of tallow disposed of in landfill are not held by DEFRA or the Environment Agency.

Under the Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) 1774/2002 (ABPR), tallow can only be landfilled if the animal by-products from which it has been derived have undergone the relevant level of processing (rendering).

Regulatory restrictions and the high value of tallow for further uses mean that its disposal in landfill is likely to be rare.

The disposal of tallow must comply with the relevant regulatory requirements, including the ABPR, waste management legislation and, where appropriate, the waste incineration directive. No other arrangements for the recovery or disposal of tallow are planned by my Department to coincide with the renewable transport fuel obligation’s requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to co-ordinate efforts across Government to reduce the Government's carbon footprint. (159758)

DEFRA provides the secretariat for the cross-departmental sustainable procurement and operations board which has been set up to drive delivery of the sustainable procurement and operations targets on the Government estate. These targets include action on carbon reduction and energy efficiency.

DEFRA funds the Carbon Trust to provide advice on carbon management and financial support, through Salix Finance, including advice to Departments. Both organisations are expected to benefit under the Environmental Transformation Fund.

DEFRA leads an ‘Act on CO₂’ communications campaign across Government Departments to encourage individuals to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, both at work and at home.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will list the research, including opinion research and polling, which his Department has (a) undertaken in-house and (b) commissioned from external sources in relation to charging for the collection of household rubbish. (158097)

(a) No research has been undertaken in-house.

(b) DEFRA commissioned the following research:

The 2007 Survey of Public Attitudes and Behaviours toward the Environment, undertaken by the British Market Research Bureau, which included a section on “attitudes to recycling” and sought views on whether individuals would “favour a system that rewarded them if they recycled everything they could and penalised them if they didn’t”. Fifty-two per cent. of residents were in favour of this statement, with 24 per cent. disagreeing or strongly disagreeing.

In addition, Eunomia Research and Consulting Ltd produced a report for DEFRA on the project ‘Modelling the Impact of Household Charging for Waste in England.’

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he has taken to encourage the recycling of plastic; and if he will make a statement. (159145)

Recycling is strongly promoted by a range of Government policies. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is working to maximise the amount and quality of recyclate used in UK manufacturing operations.

The demand for recycled plastic is very strong, from both UK manufacturers and overseas markets. The UK currently recycles or recovers approximately 19 per cent. of all plastic consumed, and this is set to increase to over 25 per cent. by 2010. WRAP has a number of projects over the next two years which aim to switch manufacturing processes from virgin to recycled materials, including a target to support the recycling of an additional 16 kilo tonnes of plastic bottles—an increase of 30 per cent. from current levels. The use of recycled content in packaging is expanding rapidly, partly due to WRAP’s work to stimulate this market.

The Waste Strategy for England 2007, which we published in May, focuses action on key waste materials for greater scope for improving environmental and economic outcomes, one of which is plastic. The strategy recognises that recycling plastics shows significant potential for carbon and energy savings through displacing virgin materials. Actions set out in the strategy include developing proposals (subject to further analysis) for higher packaging recycling targets beyond the 2008 EC packaging directive targets, and supporting WRAP in its work to increase recycling of plastics and the recycled content of certain plastic containers.

We have set demanding targets, both nationally and locally, for household waste recycling and composting and the Waste Strategy 2007 sets even higher national targets, to reach at least 40 per cent. by 2010, 45 per cent. by 2015 and 50 per cent. by 2020. These targets are not material-specific, but we expect the range of materials collected by local authorities, including plastics, to increase further as targets become more demanding and as collection and treatment capacity increases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether there is surplus capacity to recycle plastic waste in the UK. (159187)

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has carried out some work on the plastic processing capacity/supply relationship. The indication is that the UK, along with most of Europe, does have some excess capacity to process plastic waste. The exceptions are plastic bottles, and to some extent waste electrical and electronic equipment plastics, where growth in collection has supported a substantial growth in reprocessing capacity.

However, this is a complex area, and much of the existing capacity is too old, too small or targeting the wrong end products. Many plants are therefore investing in new capacity or updating and consolidating existing plants, some with support from WRAP. WRAP has a number of projects designed to maximise the amount and quality of recyclate, including plastic, used in UK manufacturing operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government’s policy is on the protection of chelonians, with particular reference to turtles. (159245)

Marine turtles are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 and the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2007 which came into force in August of this year. These pieces of legislation establish a strict system of protection for marine turtles in the UK, including prohibitions in respect of the deliberate capture, injuring, killing or disturbance, as well as the sale or exchange, of these species.

The UK also plays a prominent role in various international agreements and conventions such as the convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES) and the convention on migratory species (CMS), both of which include measures to protect endangered chelonians (including marine turtles, tortoises and terrapins). The illegal trade in CITES species is one of the top UK wildlife crime priorities for 2007-08, with a particular focus on five species, including tortoises, that are threatened by illegal trade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is (a) taking and (b) planning to take to prevent British holidaymakers from participating in the illegal wildlife trade. (159250)

Since 2000 DEFRA, in partnership with WWF-UK, has been running a 'Souvenir Alert' campaign to help tackle the problem of holidaymakers unknowingly bringing back illegal wildlife souvenirs. The campaign advises travellers to be careful when buying souvenirs made from endangered wildlife, so that they do not contribute to the devastating effect of illegal and unsustainable trade. It warns that bringing home souvenirs containing products derived from animals or plants protected by the convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES) may require a permit or may even be prohibited.

DEFRA takes its responsibilities under CITES seriously and continues to look for opportunities to raise awareness of CITES controls to ensure effective implementation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many drugs tests on (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) RAF personnel produced positive results in each quarter since January 2006, broken down by the (i) class of drugs and (ii) regiment concerned. (158359)

The following tables show the results of drug tests in the armed forces since January 2006, broken down by quarter, class of drug and service. A breakdown by regiment could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel in the (a) RAF, (b) Army, (c) Navy, (d) Marines and (e) Reserves have been (i) overpaid and (ii) underpaid under the joint personnel administration system since March 2006. (158363)

The joint personnel administration (JPA) system was rolled out to the Royal Air Force (RAF) in March 2006, the Royal Navy (RN) in October 2006 and the Army in April 2007.

Information for the Royal Marines is contained in the RN information. The information on Reserves is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

The RN and RAF figures for 2006 are as follows:

From January 2007, JPA system errors are no longer recorded separately by service and figures are therefore not available for the Army. The combined figures for 2007 are as follows:

These figures are the total over and underpayments. It should be noted that the majority of the 51,917 underpayments recorded in August relate to a single error which took a charity contribution from each RN/RM account of £3. The error has been corrected and the money will be re-credited to pay accounts in October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate (a) the cost of making service in the armed forces prior to 1975 of less than 22 years duration pensionable and (b) the consequential costs elsewhere in the public sector of making service in the armed forces prior to 1975 of less than 22 years duration pensionable. (158652)

It is not practical to make an accurate estimate of the cost of making pension awards to those service personnel who served less than 22 years reckonable service prior to 1975.

The consequential cost of providing pensions for pre-1975 service on a retrospective basis across the public sector would be prohibitive—exceeding billions of pounds.

There remains no realistic prospect that this or any Government could afford to address these public-sector pension legacy issues. Further details were set out in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Member for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, then Minister for the Armed Forces, in the Adjournment Debate on 31 January 2007, Official Report, columns 338-40, which clearly set out the legislative and policy background to this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving and former RAF personnel payments have been missed since 1 January 2007 under Joint Personnel Administration; how many complaints have been received from members of the armed forces about Joint Personnel Administration; and how many complaints are still outstanding. (158766)

[holding answer 16 October 2007]: The total number of serving and former Royal Air Force personnel payments that have been missed since 1 January could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, across the three services between 1 January 2007 and 30 September 2007 there have been 55,305 underpayments (which may be considered missed payments) and 683 pension payments which were not enabled within the target of five working days of discharge.

The majority of the 55,305 underpayments relate to a single error that occurred in August which took a charity contribution from each Royal Navy and Royal Marine account of £3. The error has been corrected and the money will be re-credited to pay accounts in the October pay run.

Between 1 January 2007 and 30 September 2007, 1,053 complaints had been received from armed forces personnel via the centralised JPA complaints process about incorrect payments and other apparent problems with pay or the handling of queries. Of these, 47 remain outstanding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British Army personnel tested positive after compulsory drug testing using urine samples for (a) cocaine only, (b) ecstasy only, (c) cannabis only and (d) any drug in (i) 2003 and (ii) 2006, broken down by the day of the week on which the sample was obtained. (157335)

The following table illustrates positive drug tests for each drug and combination of drugs for the years 2003 and 2006. Details of the day of the week on which each positive sample was obtained could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the rate of recruitment to the Army was in each of the last five years, broken down by sector. (157165)

The following tables show the rates of gains to trained strength of the UK Regular Army by Arm/Service during the financial years 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 and for the period 1 April 2006 to 28 February 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Greenwich Hospital, Middleton Estate at Belford, Northumberland, is being marketed in separate lots; what information is being provided to farm and cottage tenants about the progress of the sale; and if he will make a statement. (159113)

Greenwich Hospital’s Middleton Estate was offered for sale in autumn 2006 either as a whole or as six separate lots. In May 2007 the hospital accepted a bid for the whole estate from a consortium which included the three existing tenant farmers. The lead buyer has recently withdrawn but the hospital is currently progressing the sale of the farms to the tenant farmers.

Through its managing agents, the hospital periodically informs all tenants of relevant progress and will continue to do so. All potential buyers are fully aware of the terms of all other existing estate tenancies (around 40) and will be bound to purchase subject to the terms and conditions of these tenancies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serious hand injuries have occurred to soldiers in (a) Iran and (b) Afghanistan over the last 12 months. (157439)

[holding answer 18 October 2007]: This answer presumes that the question was meant to refer to Iraq, rather than Iran.

Taking a serious hand injury to mean an amputation, open fracture, degloving (removal from the bone of the surrounding muscle and skin structure), or major laceration of artery or vein, our records show that since 1 October 2006 there have been 15 cases in Iraq and seven cases in Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many members of the Merchant Marine have been awarded a war pension due to injuries or illness suffered in the Pacific area during nuclear tests; (157827)

The rules of the Mercantile Marine scheme are currently contained in the War Pensions (Mercantile Marine) Scheme 1964. The scheme dates from the second world war and was intended to reflect the additional dangers of war over and above those normally found on board ship. The scheme therefore provides for awards to be made to members of the mercantile marine only in respect of “war injuries” (injuries caused by enemy action or in combating such action) and “war risk injuries” (injuries resulting from conditions on ship which would not be normal in peace time, such as measures to avoid or prevent enemy action). The scheme does not cover injuries or illnesses arising in peace time.

Owing to the historical nature of the scheme, information on the total number of war pensions is not held. However I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 17 October, Official Report, column 1125W, for the number of those currently in receipt of a pension.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of land at HM Naval Base Portsmouth is allocated to (a) museums and heritage purposes, (b) Vosper Thornycroft Shipbuilders and (c) operational Royal Navy requirements; and if he will make a statement. (159021)

The total area of land at HM Naval Base Portsmouth is some 383 acres. The proportion of land allocated at the naval base for museum and heritage purposes is 3.6 per cent. (13.87 acres); for VT Group Shipbuilders it is 8.5 per cent. (32.65 acres); and for operational purposes it is 87 per cent. (335.5 acres). In addition, 0.3 per cent. (0.98 acres) of land is allocated to BAE Systems. The figure for land required to support operational requirements includes two ship basins, the Royal Marines School of Music, and sports facilities required to prepare Royal Navy personnel for operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the option for a further 400 Panther command and liaison vehicles will be taken up. (157078)

We have no current plans to procure further Panther vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 26 July 2007, Official Report, column 1250W, on Navy: drug seizures, what the circumstances and outcome of each drug seizure made by the Royal Navy in 2006-07 was; and to which law enforcement agency the contraband was turned over in each case. (156247)

The following table sets out the details of each drug seizure in which the Royal Navy was involved, for the financial year 2006-07. All the drug seizures detailed in the table involved cocaine. It is difficult to put an accurate value on the amount of illegal drugs seized or destroyed in these operations. The price of illegal drugs varies greatly depending on supply and demand, as well as the purity of the drugs themselves when they reach the UK market. Therefore quoted MOD figures for the “street value” of successful seizures are always estimates. It should be noted that it is likely that not all the cocaine seized would have reached the UK market.

In my answer to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 26 June 2007, Official Report, column 670W, about drug seizures, it has been identified that the data are incorrect for 2005-06 and 2006-07. The correct tonnage should read 17 and 14 respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to moving the headquarters of 1 Assault Group Royal Marines from Poole to Devonport; and if he will make a statement. (159045)

[holding answer 18 October 2007]: As part of the overall FLEET Transformation programme, operational control of 1 Assault Group Royal Marines was transferred on 18 October from the Devonport Flotilla to Flag Officer Sea Training based in Devonport. It is planned for the headquarters element of the assault group (approximately 15 personnel) to relocate from Poole to Devonport in the first half of next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many non-UK Commonwealth citizens are serving with the Royal Regiment of Scotland. (158702)

The information is as follows:

The figures above are trained regular officers and soldiers only.

Figures include non-British Commonwealth citizens posted to the Royal Regiment of Scotland and exclude Royal Regiment of Scotland non-British Commonwealth citizens posted away from the unit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of social tenants were in (a) full-time and (b) part-time employment in (i) 1997 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available. (157449)

On the basis of figures derived from the Survey of English Housing, it is estimated that, in 1997-98, 23 per cent. of social tenants who were the main householder were in full-time employment and 7 per cent. were in part-time employment.

The latest estimates, for 2005-06, are that 22 per cent. of social tenants were in full-time employment and 9 per cent. in part-time employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how many public-sector homes in (a) England and (b) each Government office region in England were empty in April 2007; (157561)

The number of local authority and registered social landlord vacant dwellings in each region at 1 April 2006, the latest date for which figures are available, is below.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what applications she has made to the European Union for funding in relation to 2007 UK flood damage; what assessment she has made of applications by other European states for equivalent funding; and what funding she has secured from the European Union for such purposes. (156276)

An application for support from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) in respect of the June and July flooding in England, Wales and Northern Ireland was lodged with the European Commission on 20 August. It is for the Commission to decide what level of support to offer, and the application is currently being discussed with it.

Applications by other member states to the EUSF have resulted in offers of support ranging approximately between 2.5 per cent. and 5 per cent. of the damage suffered. The UK current estimate for total damage is over €4 billion. Of the total number of applications received by the European Commission since 2002, 23 have been accepted by the Commission and 17 rejected, with a further two withdrawn and decisions pending on five other applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many of the homes being built in English Partnerships’ eco-village in Bristol will be zero-carbon. (157560)

The homes at the eco-village at Hanham Hall, Bristol are to be developed under the Carbon Challenge. The Carbon Challenge is a competition being delivered by English Partnerships on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government and is aimed at accelerating the house building industry's response to climate change. Hanham Hall is owned by English Partnerships and is the first Carbon Challenge site to be developed. All the homes will be required to meet Level 6, which is the highest level, of the Code for Sustainable Homes. The energy standard for code level 6 requires net zero carbon emissions for each new home. This means that, over the course of a year, the amount of energy taken from the grid to facilitate the running of the home will be less than or equal to the amount of energy returned using renewable technologies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many units of social housing were available in (a) the Cheadle constituency and (b) Stockport local authority in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006. (157954)

Information specific to the Cheadle constituency is not held centrally, but the numbers of social rent dwellings in Stockport that are owned or managed by local authorities and registered social landlords (RSLs) are tabulated as follows:

RSL stock includes supported/older people self contained units and bed spaces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations her Department has received calling for buffer zones between domestic dwellings and opencast mines; and if she will make a statement. (157659)

I am aware of two representations to the Department which called for buffer zones between domestic dwellings and opencast mines.

The Government have no plans to introduce a planning policy recommending uniform buffer zones around opencast mining sites in England. It considers that the interests of the occupants of neighbouring properties, and the environment, are better served by the present practice of considering the specific impacts of individual mining schemes in the light of all the local relevant circumstances, as part of the preparation of an environmental impact assessment for an application for planning permission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans her Department has to make additional retrospective payments to councils under the local authority business growth incentives scheme following the successful judicial review proceedings brought against it. (157694)

On 6 September, the Department wrote to all eligible local authorities with details of additional payments made as a result of the recent judicial review proceedings. A further explanation can be found at http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/labgi/addpayexp.pdf and individual authority grant awards can be found at http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/labgi/dtmncode20.pdf.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the timetable is for (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation in relation to the proposed local government restructuring and establishment of unitary local government. (157665)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait) on 15 October 2007, Official Report, column 862W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will review the operation of the Mobile Homes Act 1983 as amended in 2006; and if she will make a statement. (160109)

The Government accepted the majority of the recommendations made by the park homes working party in 2000. Since then, Government have been taking forward a significant programme of work to implement those recommendations. Those relating to the Implied Terms in Schedule 1 of the Mobile Homes Act 1983 came into force on 1 October 2006. The remaining recommendations are currently being taken forward and will be completed when parliamentary time allows. As the programme of work is ongoing and has been in force only for a year, we believe it is too early to decide when a review of the effectiveness of its implementation should be carried out.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance has been produced for public authorities on procurement and public-sector equality duties. (155702)

I have been asked to reply

Each of the previous equality Commissions, the Commission for Racial Equality, the Disability Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission produced guidance on procurement and the race, disability and gender public-sector equality duties respectively. The Office of Government Commerce has also produced a guidance note on social issues in purchasing which provides information on public procurement and the public-sector equality duties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps the Government have taken to encourage landlords of student accommodation to sign up to the tenancy deposit protection Scheme; and what further plans she has to encourage such landlords to sign up to the scheme. (160203)

The Department has a publicity and awareness campaign for the tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme specifically aimed at students. The campaign was developed in close association with large student accommodation providers and the National Union of Students. TDP has been promoted to students on campuses, in student bars and in public areas, and supported by advertising via ATM machines and on student accommodation websites.

Direct marketing to students at 30 universities in England and Wales started in September 2007, led by students themselves. This encompasses distributing leaflets and posters, information on student blogging websites, web forums and direct information to letting agents offering student accommodation. It is intended that this activity will raise awareness with newly arrived students. This activity is ongoing and will be prominently repeated in January 2008, the peak time when students start searching for private rented property for the autumn term. Such awareness will equip students to know when to tackle their landlords if they believe they have failed to protect their deposits.

National and regional landlord organisations, as well as landlord forums and accreditation schemes run by local authorities, have an active role to play in ensuring that the message is disseminated to landlords. Reputable letting agents are aware of the new requirements and are responsible for ensuring that their landlord clients comply with the legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her strategy is for helping unemployed homeless people and people living in unsettled accommodation, including hostels, into employment and independent living. (157406)

The Government recognise that training and employment are a key route out of homelessness. Our homelessness strategy “Sustainable Communities: Settled Homes; Changing Lives” (2005) includes a programme of work across Government to tackle the wider causes and symptoms of homelessness, including improving access to benefits, training and employment.

The Department for Communities and Local Government is working closely with DWP, Jobcentre Plus, local authorities, the voluntary and community sector, and the private sector on a number of initiatives, including

The Hostels Capital Improvement Programme is providing funding of over £90 million for 178 projects in 62 local authority areas to improve the physical condition of hostels and day centres and transform their services to put activity, training, work, education and social enterprise at the heart of their ethos.

Through the Invest to Save Budget, the Government are supporting the Transitional Spaces Project led by Off the Streets and Into Work project, which plans to work with hostel residents to build their skills and gain sustainable employment.

Government are supporting the Working Future pilot, which is testing the impact of reduced rents and increased access to employment services on work incentives for families with dependent children in private sector leased temporary accommodation in East London.

The Department also continues to support a number of organisations, including Business Action on Homelessness and the Construction Youth Trust, working to support people who have experienced homelessness into work.

Ongoing work with DWP includes reforming the housing benefit subsidy regime to reflect the true costs of temporary accommodation, and supporting DWP's ongoing improvements to housing benefit administration.

The Government are committed to ensuring that the most vulnerable adults are offered the chance to get back on a path to a more successful life, by increasing the proportion of socially excluded adults in settled accommodation and in employment, education or training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what percentage of employees in (a) his Department and (b) each (i) executive agency and (ii) non-departmental public body funded by his Department are above state retirement age. (158940)

My Department does not have executive agencies or non-departmental public bodies.

Data on the number and percentage of employees above state retirement age for my Department are not available from published sources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many citizens’ juries have been arranged by his Department since June 2007; which organisations were commissioned to conduct each citizens’ jury; and what the estimated cost is of each exercise; (159500)

The Wales Office has not conducted any citizens’ juries between 1997 and the present, nor are any currently being arranged.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of his Department’s public service agreement targets (a) take and (b) do not take account of rural proofing. (159635)

The Wales Office does not have public service agreement targets. My Department’s objectives, performance targets and indicators can be found in its annual report.

The 2007 Report (CM7110) can be obtained from the Library of the House or can be viewed on our website at

http://www.walesoffice.gov.uk/2007/AnnualReport2007.pdf

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the responses received by the Wales Office to the Government’s consultation on their legislative programme. (160296)

The Leader of the House of Commons has already committed to publishing a summary of all consultation responses and she will do so at the start of the next session.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what (a) aid and (b) advice is provided to British citizens who are called upon to act as witnesses in foreign courts; and when such support was last reviewed; (158885)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) plays no direct role in arrangements for British nationals acting as witnesses in court cases abroad and therefore does not hold information on the level of expenses involved. For the same reason, I am unable to make an estimate of the number of British nationals involved in court cases abroad in each of the last five years.

When requested, the FCO and consular staff overseas will provide consular assistance in line with the practice set out in our publication “Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide”, including general information on legal and police procedures in the country concerned and lists of local English-speaking lawyers and interpreters. Copies of “Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide” are available in the Library of the House. Guidance for consular officials was fully reviewed in May 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by (a) the UK Government and (b) the EU to engage with the Association of South East Asian Nations Governments on the situation in Burma. (159115)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have been in regular contact with Ministers from Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to explain our position and urge them to remain firm in their support for regional and international action on Burma. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised Burma with his counterparts from Singapore and Thailand in New York on 26 September. I have raised the issue with Ministers and senior officials from Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, raised Burma with the Indonesian Foreign Minister in New York at the UN General Assembly and I held further talks with the Singapore Foreign Minister in Singapore on 22 October.

ASEAN issued a strongly worded statement on Burma on 27 September, in which it expressed its revulsion at the actions of the regime and calling on them to stop using violence against demonstrators.

EU Heads of Mission have carried out demarches in ASEAN member states, calling on them to use their diplomatic influence to encourage the Burmese regime to end the repression of demonstrators and free all political prisoners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the recent death under interrogation of a pro-democracy activist in Burma; and what representations he has made to the Burmese authorities. (159301)

We are aware of reports of the death in custody of Win Shwe.

We have repeatedly condemned the Burmese Government’s violent suppression of the recent peaceful demonstrations and the treatment of pro-democracy activists across Burma.

On 15 October, the Council of the European Union released a statement which called for a thorough and impartial investigation of the deaths of demonstrators and other human rights violations in Burma. We, and partners, are urging the Burmese authorities to admit the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights to Burma forthwith and co-operate fully with him.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the situation in Burma; (158655)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made a written ministerial statement on 8 October 2007, Official Report, columns 12-15WS, on the situation in Burma. We placed an updated compilation of reports on the situation in Burma on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website on 15 October.

On 2 October, the Human Rights Council (HRC) passed a resolution sponsored by the EU, with the strong support of the UK, which expressed deep concern about the situation in Burma. In our statement to the HRC, we drew attention to the regime’s violations, including restrictions on the freedom of speech and association, and the suffering of Burma’s ethnic communities.

The UK co-sponsored the presidential statement unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council on 11 October. This was the first formal action ever taken by the Security Council on Burma. The statement called upon the Government of Burma to take all necessary measures to address the human rights that are the concern of its people.

On 15 October, the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council, at which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary represented the UK, called for a thorough and impartial investigation of the deaths of demonstrators and other continuing violations of human rights. It also called upon the Burmese regime to co-operate fully with the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro. In response to the Burmese Government’s failure to exercise restraint in their treatment of the demonstrators, the Council of the EU agreed to implement stronger restrictive measures against the regime. The strengthened measures include a ban on the import of metals, minerals, timber and semi-precious stones and a ban on investment in these sectors. These measures are designed to target the interests of the Generals, rather than to harm the people of Burma.

Our ambassador in Rangoon has also highlighted our concerns in his meetings with the Burmese Government on an ongoing basis, most recently on 25 September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a deadline has been set for reconciliation talks between the Burmese regime and opposition party politicians; and what the status is of these talks. (159864)

[holding answer 22 October 2007]: The UN Secretary-General’s envoy to Burma, Professor Gambari, is promoting a process of national reconciliation in Burma which should include the civil opposition, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the minority ethnic groups and the military junta.

We hope that Professor Gambari will shortly return to Burma to take forward this process. No date has been set for meetings, but we want the reconciliation process to begin as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on a UN arms embargo against Burma; and when this subject will next be raised at the UN Security Council. (159114)

In his statement of 15 October, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said we will begin discussions with our partners about proposals for a UN arms embargo. We are taking this forward at official level.

No date has yet been agreed for further discussions in the UN Security Council, but we expect the Security Council to discuss Burma again when Professor Gambari, the UN Secretary-General’s envoy, returns from the region.

An EU arms embargo is already in place. In response to the Burmese Government’s failure to exercise restraint in their treatment of the demonstrations, on 15 October EU Foreign Ministers agreed to implement stronger restrictive measures against that regime. The EU is prepared to review, amend or reinforce these measures in the light of developments on the ground.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the effectiveness of the new package of EU sanctions announced in the EU Council Conclusions on Burma/Myanmar on 15 October will be (a) monitored, (b) assessed and (c) reviewed; and if he will make a statement. (159867)

[holding answer 22 October 2007]: The EU monitors and evaluates sanctions through its range of geographical and thematic working groups. For Burma, the relevant working group is the Committee for Asia (known as COASI). Formal legal reviews of EU sanctions are also undertaken by the Foreign Relations Counsellors Working Party (known as RELEX).

We will be working closely with all our European partners to ensure that this new package of EU sanctions will be properly monitored, assessed and reviewed, which includes addressing any risk that goods might be diverted or re-exported to Burma. The EU is prepared to review, amend or reinforce measures in the light of developments on the ground.

We are discussing a range of broader measures with our EU colleagues that target sources of revenue for the regime, but do not hurt the civilian population. We do not exclude introducing a total ban on future investment if the regime does not make concessions on dialogue.

Whether the EU measures against the Burmese regime are strengthened or relaxed in future will depend on the regime’s willingness to allow a real political transition to begin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the EU plans to take to promote UN engagement with Burma; what form such engagement is likely to take; and if he will make a statement. (159865)

[holding answer 22 October 2007]: EU Foreign Ministers meeting at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 October condemned the brutal crackdown on demonstrators in Burma and strongly supported the actions by the UN, in particular the good offices mission of UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari. The Foreign Ministers also announced the imposition of additional measures and sanctions targeting the regime.

The EU will continue to support UN engagement with Burma. The EU has regular and close contacts at all levels with the Association of South East Asian Nations and other partners through which it will underline the importance of lending full regional support to the UN and to Mr. Gambari. The EU also stands ready to review, amend or reinforce these measures, in the light of developments on the ground and the results of the good offices mission of the UN, thereby increasing Mr. Gambari’s leverage with the Burmese regime. The EU will also continue to provide support for humanitarian assistance inside Burma.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions has he had with the Governments of (a) the Democratic Republic of the Congo and (b) Rwanda on how to deal with the militia under the control of General Nkundu. (159326)

My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, met a delegation of advisers to President Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in London on 13 September and spoke with President Kabila at the UN on 26 September. On both occasions he urged the Congolese Government to continue to look for a political solution to the problems affecting the east of the country and not to take a military approach against General Nkunda.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, together with my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for International Development, met President Kagame of Rwanda on 3 October. President Kagame had another meeting with my noble Friend the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown and my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for International Development, Baroness Vadera, on the same day. President Kagame agreed that integrating General Nkunda’s troops into the Congolese armed forces was a necessary step towards peace. At both meetings the Government of Rwanda were urged to deliver on the commitments made in an agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 3 September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people were employed by his Department on 1 January in each of the last five years; and how many of these staff were (a) permanent employees, (b) temporary staff and (c) contractors. (158315)

Figures for Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff numbers are published in the Civil Service Annual Statistics reports from the Cabinet Office according to a central counting convention. The figure for the full-time equivalent staff numbers for 2007 is not yet available. The numbers of full time equivalent, UK based staff (ie excluding staff employed locally at posts) for each of the previous five years and including the FCO’s agencies, Wilton Park and FCO Services, were as follows:

The figure provided for 2006 is as at 30 September that year. Earlier figures are for 1 April in the relevant year. The numbers for contract and temporary staff employed are not held centrally and it would incur disproportionate cost to collate this information. The growth in staff numbers in 2006 was primarily due to increases in visa and consular work. Funding for staff in these areas is derived from the fees charged for these services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy changes his Department has implemented since 27 June 2007. (159299)

Foreign policy is fast-moving and constantly evolving. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has implemented a number of new and changed policies since 27 June 2007 and we have kept Parliament fully informed.

These policy initiatives cover a wide range of issues and countries including Burma, Zimbabwe, Russia, Darfur/Chad, Iraq and Afghanistan among others. Details, including statements, speeches, announcements and blogs can be found on the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk and its associated links.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the appointment of a European envoy for Zimbabwe to be agreed by the EU; and if he will make a statement. (157388)

The situation in Zimbabwe is of concern to all EU countries. At the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 October, Foreign Ministers discussed the role of an EU envoy. The Presidency, in consultation with the Secretary-General of the Council of the EU, is charged with responsibility for taking the issue forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role his Department is playing in recruiting more pro-conservation countries to join the International Whaling Commission. (159513)

[holding answer 19 October 2007]: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Embassies and High Commissions in the relevant capitals discuss whaling with their counterparts at every appropriate opportunity. In particular, conservation-minded countries are encouraged to join the International Whaling Commission and play an active part in protecting whales. This ensures that these countries are in no doubt as to the importance that the UK attaches to whale conservation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role his Department is playing in establishing the countries being approached by Japan to join the International Whaling Commission. (160024)

[holding answer 22 October 2007]: UK diplomatic missions in the relevant capitals are briefed and engage in discussion with their counterparts on whaling at every appropriate opportunity. Posts are aware of the need to watch for indicators that countries may join the International Whaling Commission and adopt a pro-whaling stance. Countries are lobbied and are in no doubt as to the importance that the UK attaches to whale conservation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role his Department is playing in discussions about whaling with countries that vote with Japan at the International Whaling Commission but have no vested interest in whaling. (160025)

[holding answer 22 October 2007]: UK diplomatic posts in all the relevant capitals are briefed and engage in discussion with their counterparts on whaling at every appropriate opportunity. The UK, together with its like-minded allies, lobbies the Governments of the countries that vote with Japan at the International Whaling Commission to ensure that they are in no doubt as to the importance we attach to whale conservation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials of diplomatic rank who were responsible for or privy to (a) the decision to dispose of Glencairn, County Dublin, (b) its subsequent lease back to his Department and (c) the purchase of Marlay Grange, Dublin have since 2000 (i) been raised to the peerage, (ii) received Knighthoods or the rank of Dame and (iii) been recipients of any other honours from the Queen. (159052)

[holding answer 22 October 2007]: The decisions referred to were taken by Ministers after advice from officials. Many officials would have been privy to the decisions at that time and it is not possible to identify them all without incurring disproportionate cost.

Honours are awarded to officials for exceptional public service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many hectares comprised the Glencairn House and estate prior to its disposal; how many hectares have subsequently been leased back; what the rental cost is for each year of Glencairn’s lease back to his Department; and if he will make a statement; (159053)

[holding answer 22 October 2007]: I refer my hon. Friend to the report on the Rationalisation of the Glencairn Estate, Dublin produced by the Comptroller and Auditor General to the House of Commons which gives full details of the sale of Glencairn and purchase of Marlay Grange. The report is available at:

http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/03-04/03041088.pdf.

The Glencairn House and estate comprised 14.2 hectares and was sold for IR £27 million (£24 million) in 1999. The Ambassador remains in occupation of the house and its immediate curtilage. No land has been leased back since the sale, nor is any rent paid for the occupation of Glencairn House. Under terms agreed with the purchaser, the agreed portion of the sale price relating to Glencairn House and its immediate grounds of 2.87 hectares (IR £4 million, £3.5million approximately at today’s rate of exchange) will only be payable when the Foreign and Commonwealth Office gives vacant possession. Total fees (legal and agents’) relating to the sale amounted to about £170,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when his Department became aware that Marlay Grange, Dublin had an asbestos problem; why the asbestos was not revealed in the survey commissioned prior to its purchase; and if he will make a statement; (159054)

[holding answer 22 October 2007]: I refer my hon. Friend to the report on the Rationalisation of the Glencairn Estate, Dublin produced by the Comptroller and Auditor General to the House of Commons which gives full details of the sale of Glencairn and purchase of Marlay Grange. The report is available at

http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/03-04/03041088.pdf.

Marlay Grange was purchased for IR £8 million in 2000 (£6.258 million). An initial survey of the property, carried out in October 1999, showed that a comprehensive refurbishment would be required. However, this was not an invasive survey as the owners were still living in the property and would not permit one. The extent of asbestos only became known after the property was purchased, when the full survey was carried out in preparation for refurbishment.

Up until mid-2004, we had spent £700,000 on works to Marlay Grange, which included asbestos removal, fees and security works. No refurbishment works have been carried out. Since mid-2004 we have incurred security and minor maintenance costs of £507,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the new peacekeeping force to be deployed in full in Darfur. (158762)

The full deployment of the mission will depend on how quickly the force can be generated and the necessary infrastructure and support put in place. This is being carried out by the UN’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

The Government are pressing for the full mission to deploy as quickly as possible, as my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, stated when he met UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon and African Union (AU) Chairperson Alpha Konaré at high level meetings in New York on 21 September.

UN Security Council Resolution 1769 mandates the new AU-UN Mission in Darfur to assume authority from the current AU Mission in Sudan no later than 31 December, with a view to achieving full operational capability and force strength as soon as possible thereafter. We will continue to press all sides to meet this timetable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards finding a settlement in relation to the situation in Darfur. (158763)

The meeting led by the African Union (AU) and UN in Arusha on 3-6 August, attended by most rebel leaders, was an important step forward in the political process. Rebels expressed their commitment to participate fully in negotiations under AU-UN leadership, presented a common platform on key issues and urged the AU-UN to continue consultations with Darfurian civil society.

The Darfur peace talks are due to begin in Libya on 27 October. We support the AU-UN Joint Mediation Support Team who will lead negotiations. They have developed a mediation and communication plan which should help to ensure effective civil society participation. We urge all parties, rebels and the Government of Sudan to engage fully in these talks and to be prepared to negotiate. Only a political process can provide a sustainable solution to the crisis in Darfur.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the situation inside Zimbabwe; what steps the UK is taking to provide assistance to the people of that country; and if he will make a statement. (158841)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary regularly receives updates on the situation in Zimbabwe through our embassy in Harare, and met a member of the Movement for Democratic Change earlier this month to discuss the situation in person. Other Ministers and senior officials are in contact with members of the non-governmental organisation and civil society community and with the Zimbabwe diaspora in the region and more widely. The UK continues to provide up to £40 million in humanitarian aid keeping ordinary Zimbabweans alive. In conjunction with EU partners, we continue to apply targeted measures against President Mugabe and 130 of his elite. We ensure that the UN remains seized of the crisis and we continue to provide support for all those working for democratic change in Zimbabwe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what meetings Ministers in his Department had with Royal Mail to discuss disability access to Crown post offices before 19 April; and what such discussions they have had since that date. (153003)

I raised the issue as part of a wide- ranging discussion of Post Office-related matters with the Managing Director of Post Office Ltd when we met on 29 August.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many regional development agencies outside London share foreign offices with the London Development Agency; and in what locations. (158121)

The London Development Agency has only one foreign office, in Beijing, and this is not shared with any other RDAs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the (a) total budget and (b) estimated administration costs are of each regional development agency in England in 2007-08. (158117)

The Regional Development Agencies’ grant in aid and their administration budgets for 2007-08 are set out in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether coalminers required to remain working in collieries during the Second World War will be deemed eligible for a Bevin Boy badge from his Department. (160458)

The purpose of the Bevin Boys Veterans Badge is to recognise those who were selected or volunteered as part of the Bevin Boys scheme. Although miners who were already employed in the pits and were exempt—along with railway and dockworkers, farmers, agricultural workers, schoolteachers and doctors, from conscription under the 1938 Schedule of Reserved Occupations—also made a similar contribution to the war effort they were not part of this process and are therefore not eligible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prosecutions there were for selling alcohol to children and young people under the age of 18 in (a) England and Wales and (b) each police force area in each year between 1997 and 2004; and if she will make a statement; (158857)

The information requested on prosecutions for selling alcohol to persons under 18 years are provided in table 1.

In addition to prosecutions, the offence of sale of alcohol to a person under 18 can attract a penalty notice for disorder (PND). The offence was added to the PND scheme on 1 November 2004, and information on the number issued with outcomes including the number resulting in an unpaid fine is provided in the attached table.

Unless contested by the offender or cancelled, an unpaid PND fine is registered at the courts at an added 50 per cent. value and the offender is then pursued through the courts for payment. Data on the number of fine registered PNDs are also provided in table 2.