To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the average duration of bankruptcy restrictions orders has been. (196220)

Bankruptcies can result in either a bankruptcy restrictions order (BRO) or a bankruptcy restrictions undertaking (BRU). A BRU has the same effect in law as a BRO but does not involve a court hearing. The period of a BRU is slightly discounted to take account of early settlement of the matter, hence the lower duration average in respect of BRUs as opposed to BROs.

In the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 the average duration of BROs was 5.25 years and of BRUs was 5.81 years.

In the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 the average duration of BROs was 6.33 years and of BRUs was 5.09 years.

In the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 the average duration of BROs was 5.71 years and of BRUs was 4.67 years.

In the period 1 April 2007 to 17 March 2008 the average duration of BROs was 5.78 years and of BRUs was 4.37 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many bankruptcies have been declared by the official receivers to be the result of dishonest, reckless or otherwise culpable behaviour under the bankruptcy restrictions orders process contained in the Enterprise Act 2002. (196222)

When the Secretary of State considers that a bankrupt has been guilty of dishonest, reckless or culpable behaviour he may seek to obtain a bankruptcy restrictions order (BRO) or bankruptcy restrictions undertaking (BRU).

In the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 there were four BROs and 16 BRUs.

In the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 there were 190 BROs and 653 BRUs.

In the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 there were 264 BROs and 1,603 BRUs.

In the period 1 April 2007 to 18 March 2008 there were 171 BROs and 1,598 BRUs.

This amounts to a total of 4,499 bankrupts subject to bankruptcy restrictions since the Enterprise Act came into force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations his Department has made to the European Commission on the prompt and efficient payment of transitional funds allocated to Caribbean sugar protocol countries as part of the measures accompanying the reform of the EU sugar regime. (192476)

In November 2007 the Secretary of State for International Development wrote to the European Commissioner for Development expressing concern about delays in disbursement of funds allocated under the measures accompanying reform of the sugar regime. He also stressed the importance of making timely predictable disbursement of funds under multi-annual programmes. On 7 March officials from DFID met Koos Richelle (Director-General for European Aid) in Brussels, and they will also be raising this issue. We will continue to monitor the timing and effectiveness of disbursements under the accompanying measures for sugar protocol countries and make representations to the Commission for improvement when needed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations his Department has made to the European Commission to ensure that transitional funding promised to Caribbean signatory countries of the sugar protocol as part of the accompanying measures to the reform of the EU sugar regime will be disbursed according to the timetable set out in the Multi-Annual Indicative programme (2007-10). (192477)

In November 2007 the Secretary of State for International Development wrote to the European Commissioner for Development expressing concern about delays in disbursement of allocated funds under the measures accompanying reform of the sugar regime. He also stressed the importance of making timely predictable disbursement of funds under multi-annual programmes. On 7 March officials from DFID met Koos Richelle (Director-General for European Aid) in Brussels and they will also be raising this issue.

As part of the Multi-Annual Indicative programme under the accompanying measures for sugar protocol (AMSP), the Commission agrees an annual action plan (AAP) with member states. The 2007 action plan was approved in October 2007 and funds are now being disbursed. We expect the 2008 action plan to be presented to member states for approval in September 2008. DFID-Caribbean is working closely with the Commission Delegation in the region to ensure that all disbursed funds are spent effectively.

We will continue to monitor the timing and effectiveness of disbursements under the AMSP and make representations to the Commission for improvement when needed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much the European Commission disbursed under the Multi-Annual Indicative programme (2007-10) for Caribbean signatory countries of the sugar protocol as part of the accompanying measures to the reform of the EU sugar regime in the period 1 January 2007 to 1 January 2008; and if he will make representations to the European Commission on the disbursement before 31 March 2008 of the remaining funds allocated for 2007 to Caribbean signatory countries. (192478)

Disbursement of funds to countries benefiting from support under the measures accompanying the reform of the EU sugar regime are governed by two multi-annual programmes (2007-10 and 2011-13). Each year the Commission agrees an annual action plan (AAP) with member states which identifies levels of support and how funding in that year will be spent. The 2007 AAP was approved in October 2007. According to the latest information received from the Commission, no funds were disbursed between 1 January 2007 and 1 January 2008. However, disbursement of funds has now begun.

In November 2007 the Secretary of State for International Development wrote to the European Commissioner for Development expressing concern about delays in disbursement of allocated funds under the accompanying measures to reform of the sugar regime. He also stressed the importance of making timely predictable disbursement of funds under multi-annual programmes. On the 7 of March officials from DFID met Koos Richelle (Director-General for European Aid) in Brussels and they will also be raising this issue. We will of course continue to monitor the timing and effectiveness of disbursements under the sugar protocol and make representations to the Commission for improvement when needed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the (a) nature and (b) value was of all contracts, consultancies and other services placed with (i) Deloitte and Touche, (ii) Ernst and Young, (iii) KPMG, (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers and (v) PA Consulting in each year since 2004-05 by his Department, its predecessor Department and its agencies. (179034)

Central records indicate that the following amounts have been paid in total by BERR, and its predecessor DTI, to each of the companies in the following financial years:

I have asked the chief executives of the executive agencies to respond directly to the hon. Member.

Further information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many of his Department's (a) computers and (b) laptops have been stolen in 2007; and what the value of those items was. (168593)

The information is as follows:

(a) No computers have been stolen during 2007 to date.

(b) A total of eight BERR laptops have been stolen in 2007 based on our records to end of October. Their total value is £8,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many (a) mobile telephones, (b) personal digital assistants and (c) laptop computers issued to staff in his Department or its predecessor were reported (i) lost, (ii) missing and (iii) stolen in each year since 2001. (184348)

A breakdown of the lost, stolen or missing items is provided in the following table for each of the years requested. It should be noted that some of the laptops and mobile telephones listed may have been personal items belonging to members of staff, which have been lost or stolen in the office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether any of his Department’s special advisers have outside also work for organisations outside his Department. (178489)

The Department’s special advisers do not have any appointments outside their departmental roles.

Special advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the “Model Contract for Special Advisers”. Copies of the “Model Contract” are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department and its agencies spent on staff working on (a) marketing and (b) branding in the last 12-month period for which figures are available. (167313)

BERR's strategic marketing team has overall responsibility for departmental marketing and branding. Based on figures for November 2007, the paybill for this team over 12 months would be approximately £670,000. A more detailed breakdown could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Insolvency Service estimates its costs for staff working on marketing and branding in the last 12 months to be £5,000.

Companies House estimates that in the last 12 months it has spent £700,635 on staff working on marketing and £32,000 on branding.

UK Trade and Investment’s pay costs for strategic marketing by its marketing group were approximately £590,000 for the period December 2006 to November 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many awards have been received by former miners or their widows under the Coal Industry Pneumoconiosis Scheme 1974 since 2004; and how many of them have also received an award under the Pneumoconiosis Etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979. (196956)

Since 27 March 2004, when the British Coal Corporation was wound up, 3,021 awards have been made to former miners or their widows under the Coal Industry Pneumoconiosis Scheme.

In the same period 397 payments have been made to these claimants under the 1979 Act administered by the Department for Work and Pensions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he will reply to the letter dated 7 September 2007 from the hon. Member for Dundee, East, regarding a constituent, Mr. Lee Sexton, of Dundee. (196875)

The hon. Member’s letter was answered on 12 November 2007. I have arranged for a copy of the letter to be sent to his office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what proportion of the recent increase in the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's current costs is related to dealing with the problems associated with high level waste management, as identified by the nuclear installations inspectorate in its June 2007 Quarterly Report on Sellafield. (193570)

In response to concerns raised by the nuclear installations inspectorate, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) requested the Site Licence Company to review the high-level waste management strategy. This review has resulted in additional scope of work valued in the region of £334 million. These additional costs were included in the £72.7 billion future cost estimates reported in the NDA annual report and accounts 2006-07 (page 103) and formed part of the £8 billion increase on the previous estimate of £64.8 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the value is of the contract his Department has signed with UBS AG Bank for advice on the commercial and financial aspects of new nuclear power plants; when the contract was signed; and what its duration is. (196208)

UBS AG has been appointed to advise the Government on the realisation of their policy on new nuclear build, and started work in early March 2008. The terms of the appointment are confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the security implications of developing new nuclear facilities in the United Kingdom, with reference to paragraph 4.89 of the National Security Strategy of the United Kingdom, Cm 7291. (196827)

Paragraphs 2.83 to 2.109 of our White Paper on Nuclear Power set out the assessment we have made and our reasons for concluding that the UK has an effective regulatory framework that ensures that safety, security, health and proliferation risks are minimised and sensibly managed by industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether vulnerabilities of (a) nuclear installations and (b) nuclear materials in transit were evaluated in drawing up the new National Security Strategy. (196830)

Our evaluation of these vulnerabilities, set out in paragraphs 2.83 to 2.115 of our White Paper on Nuclear Power, was taken into account in the preparation of the National Security Strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 21 February 2008, Official Report, column 840W, on Overseas trade: Finance, how many overseas offices each agency maintains; and in which countries. (196156)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Prisk) on 20 March 2008, Official Report, column 1290W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the cost to Post Office Ltd is of operating the Crown post offices on the Parliamentary Estate. (196627)

This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director of POL, to reply directly to the hon. Member.

Copies of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the European Union on subsidising post offices to minimise closures; and if he will make a statement. (190497)

The European Commission has given state aid clearance for the Government’s funding package for the post office network. This includes subsidy payments to support the non-commercial part of the network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what account Post Office Ltd will take of the cost of individual sub-postmasters’ contracts in deciding whether a post office should be closed. (193863)

This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, managing director of POL, to reply to the hon. Member.

Copies of this letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what process will be followed by Post Office Ltd and his Department in determining a final list of post offices for closure. (193895)

Final decisions on post office closures rest with Post Office Ltd. However, there is a four stage review process in place for Post Office Ltd and Postwatch to reach an agreed way forward by a bilateral review of individual closures. The review process is instigated by Postwatch if it appears that the company has not given due consideration to material evidence received during the public consultation in coming to its decision or where evidence emerges from consultation that the proposal for the branch does not meet the Government’s policy requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps he is taking to ensure that Post Office Ltd investigates alternative courses of action, including renegotiation of contracts with sub-postmasters, in relation to post offices earmarked for closure. (193898)

This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director of POL, to reply directly to the hon. Member.

Copies of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps he is taking to ensure that Post Office Ltd will take account of planned housing development in areas where post offices are earmarked for closure; and if he will make a statement. (193899)

This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, managing director of POL, to reply directly to the hon. Member.

Copies of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Post Office Ltd’s economic model in identifying post offices for (a) potential and (b) final closure. (193902)

Following the national consultation on the future of the post office network, the Government have set a framework of access criteria and other factors to be considered by Post Office Ltd in developing its proposals for post office closures at area plan level and subsequently reaching final decisions on them. Postwatch acts as the consumer voice in this area and it assesses whether, for an individual branch, Post Office Ltd has not given due consideration to material evidence received during the public consultation in coming to its decision, or evidence has emerged from the consultation that the proposal for the branch does not meet the Government’s policy requirements. In these circumstances, Postwatch can trigger a review process to enable it and Post Office Ltd to reach an agreed way forward on the relevant branch.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether he plans to alter the (a) status and (b) remit of Postcomm. (194218)

Under the Postal Services Act 2000, Parliament established Postcomm as the independent regulator for postal services. Postcomm’s primary statutory duty is to ensure provision of a universal postal service. Subject to this, Postcomm will exercise its functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to further the interests of users of postal services, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition between postal operators.

The Government have commissioned Richard Hooper to lead an independent review of the postal services sector and how best to maintain the universal service. We will give careful consideration to all the panel’s recommendations when it reports later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what Government funding streams are available to regional development agencies; and if he will make a statement. (188970)

The main sources of Government funding in 2007-08 for the nine English Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are listed as follows.

Single Programme Budget

Since April 2002, the RDAs have been financed through a Single Programme budget (the “Single Pot”). Money from the six contributing Departments (BERR, CLG, IUS, EFRA, CMS and UKTI) is pooled into one single budget. The funding, once allocated, is available to the RDAs in order to achieve the regional priorities identified in their regional economic strategies and the challenging targets set by them in their Corporate Plans. In 2007-08, the Single Pot allocated funding of £2.3 billion to the nine English RDAs.

European Regional Development Fund

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) was set up in 1975 to stimulate economic development in less prosperous regions of the European Union (EU). As EU membership has grown, ERDF has developed into a major instrument for helping to redress regional imbalances. Between 2007 and 2013, England will benefit from an investment of a further €3.2 billion (approximately £2.5 billion) of ERDF. The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) manages ERDF in England and provides programme funding directly to the RDAs.

Rural Development Programme for England

The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is a 7-year (2007-2013) EU programme that aims to safeguard and enhance the rural environment, improve the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sectors and foster competitive and sustainable rural businesses and thriving rural communities.

The overall budget for the programme is approximately £3.9 billion. Some £600 million of this will be made available for socio-economic schemes aimed at making agriculture and forestry more competitive and sustainable, enhancing opportunity and the quality of life in rural areas, and diversifying the rural economy. This part of the RDPE is being delivered primarily by the RDAs.

Business Resource Efficiency and Waste Programme (BREW)

In line with the landfill tax back to business commitment, the Spending Review 2004 (SR2004) announced that the additional revenues will be used to fund programmes to support business in improving its resource efficiency, including waste minimisation and diversion from landfill. The RDAs have been given the responsibility of co-ordinating the programme at regional level. In 2007-08, DEFRA has provided funding of £10.9m through the Single Pot to the RDAs in respect of their programme.

Northern Way Growth Fund

The Northern Way is collaboration, formed in 2004, between the three Northern RDAs of England (North West RDA, Yorkshire Forward and One NorthEast). Its aim was to work together to improve the sustainable economic development of the North towards the level of more prosperous regions in the UK. In 2007-08, CLG provided funding of £25.8 million to the RDAs, this being the remaining contribution from Government toward the £100 million Northern Way Growth Fund. BERR is now the lead Government Department for the Northern Way Growth Fund.

Social Enterprise Business Support

In the Social Enterprise Action Plan the Office of the Third Sector announced it would provide £5.9 million to RDAs to improve Business Link’s capacity to broker business support for social enterprises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department received from the transfer of funds from the England and Wales fossil fuel levy for the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources in (a) 2004-05, (b) 2005-06, (c) 2006-07 and (d) 2007-08. (196212)

[holding answer 25 March 2008]: The Department has received no transfer of funds from the England and Wales fossil fuel levy for these purposes. However, the Sustainable Energy Act 2003 provides a power for the Secretary of State to direct Ofgem to pay into the Consolidated Fund up to £60 million from funds paid to Ofgem and arising from the auctioning of renewable obligation certificates and electricity generated under non-fossil fuel obligation contracts. There is also a corresponding duty on the Secretary of State to spend a matching sum to promote the use of energy from renewable sources.

£60 million was transferred to the Consolidated Fund in 2004-05 and formed part of the £500 million which Government have announced they would spend from 2002 on R and D and capital grants for emerging renewable and low carbon technologies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps the Government have taken to protect consumers from aggressive selling techniques. (195731)

[holding answer 25 March 2008]: The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 will prohibit traders from engaging in unfair commercial practices, including aggressive selling techniques, towards consumers. A practice is considered aggressive if, through the use of harassment, coercion or undue influence, the average consumer’s freedom of choice or conduct is significantly impaired, and this causes or is likely to cause him to take a different purchasing decision.

The Regulations contain an illustrative list of factors to help determine whether a commercial practice uses harassment, coercion or undue influence.

Draft Regulations, which implement the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (2005/29/EC), were laid before Parliament on 3 March. If approved in debate they will come into force on 26 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many plasma television screens have been purchased by his Department, its predecessor and its agencies, and at what cost, in the last 24 months. (191097)

Over the past 24 months, my Department and its agencies have purchased one plasma television screen at a cost of £4,497.24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children sought asylum in the UK in each of the last 10 years. (195959)

I have been asked to reply.

Information on asylum applications from principal applicants (since 2001) and dependants (since 2002) is available by age at time of application from the annual Statistical Bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Information prior to these dates is not available. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Any children, under the age of 18, recorded as being principal asylum applicants may not necessarily be unaccompanied; they could for example be living with a relative who, in turn, may or may not have status in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the purpose of the Counterpoint Childhood Wellbeing research paper was; how much it cost; and what account will be taken of it during his Department’s policy formulation process. (196928)

The Department commissioned Counterpoint (UK) Limited to undertake research into Childhood Wellbeing in order to increase our understanding of parents’ and children’s perceptions of wellbeing and happiness, the factors that are significant to them, and their main sources of anxiety and of confidence. This work followed extensive public debate about the state of childhood today and provided insights into the attitudes of parents and children themselves, including their views on appropriate roles for Government, councils, schools and families in creating the right conditions for happy childhoods. The research cost £80,840 (including VAT). The outcomes have informed the Children’s Plan, published in December 2007, and particularly the proposals for a new focus on improved opportunities for outdoor play. We will continue to draw on the research as we develop policies for implementing the Children’s Plan to create better futures for children and families.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many people received education maintenance allowance in (a) South Tyneside and (b) England in each year since its inception. (195342)

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) operates the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and holds information about payments made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC’s chief executive, has written to the hon. Member for Jarrow with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2008, Official Report, columns 1159-60W, on pupil exclusions, how many of the individuals recorded under the column (a) number of fixed period exclusions, had previously been awarded a fixed period exclusion (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five times and (b) number of permanent exclusions, had previously been excluded for a fixed period. (197026)

[holding answer 26 March 2008]: The requested information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Summary findings on permanent and fixed period exclusions during the 2005/06 school year were published in a Statistical First Release on 26 June at

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000733/index.shtml

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of schools in each (a) primary care trust and (b) constituency have the services of a qualified school nurse in line with the 2004 National Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services; what steps he is taking to ensure that all schools have such services; and when he expects all schools to have the services of a qualified school nurse. (196173)

[holding answer 25 March 2008]: I have been asked to reply.

Information is not collected centrally on how many and what proportion of schools in each primary care trust (PCT) and constituency have the services of a qualified school nurse.

It is for PCTs in partnership with local authorities, strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, and to commission services accordingly. This process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community including the provision of school nursing services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools in (a) St Albans, (b) Hertfordshire and (c) England offered swimming lessons to pupils in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (196194)

Swimming activities and water safety are a compulsory element of the National Curriculum for physical education in primary schools. Swimming lessons should be provided for all pupils as part of this. Schools can choose swimming activities and water safety as a programme of study in secondary schools.

The annual PE and School Sport Survey was introduced in 2003/04 and collects data relating to participation in PE and school sport from schools in a School Sport Partnership. The proportion of primary, secondary and special schools that offered swimming during the academic year over the last four years is as follows:

Further analysis could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many alcohol licences have been revoked on the grounds of sale of alcohol to children since the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. (196410)

This information is not held centrally.

Statistical bulletins on licences to sell alcohol include the number of licences revoked, but do not indicate the reason for revocation. Licences may be revoked on review for one or more reasons relating to the four licensing objectives, including sales of alcohol to children.

The first DCMS Statistical Bulletin on Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003, was published on 8 November 2007. This shows that, between April 2006 and March 2007, there were 695 reviews which resulted in 92 licences being revoked and 91 being suspended (based upon a 85 per cent. response rate from licensing authorities).

There were also 37 personal licences suspended or declared forfeit by the courts in 2006-07 (80 per cent. response rate). The loss of personal licence could relate to conviction for any one of a number of relevant offences, including the sale of alcohol to children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes from the Emerging Technologies Group’s meetings. (195785)

[holding answer 20 March 2008]: I am arranging for copies of the minutes from the Emerging Technologies Group’s meetings to be placed in the House Libraries, with the commercially sensitive information removed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to ensure that advice about the Digital Switchover Help Scheme is given at an early stage of the conversion from analogue to digital television transmission in Swansea. (194690)

Digital UK is already actively raising awareness about digital switchover in Wales, through advertising and publicity, which lets people know there will be a help scheme for eligible people nearer the time of switchover.

Specific regional help scheme advertising and publicity is planned for the period of eligibility, from about eight months before switchover, and will include advertising, local press articles, public awareness events and targeted communications for local third sector organisations for eligible people.

Using DWP data and data provided by local authorities, the help scheme will write to every eligible person directly at least twice in the run-up to switchover, to invite them to take up the help offered through the scheme. Information about eligibility and what help is available through the scheme is also accessible on the Digital UK website and from its national helpline, and will shortly also be available from the switchover help scheme website and helpline which are being launched at the beginning of April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many blind and partially sighted people were helped as part of the digital changeover in Cumbria. (195719)

The BBC is responsible for operating the digital switchover help scheme. The help scheme is given access to data on people who are registered as blind and partially sighted from local authorities so as to be able to contact them directly. The help scheme also commissioned the West Cumbria Society for the Blind to contact its members to ensure their awareness of the help scheme.

Respondents who take up the help scheme are not required to inform the scheme of the reason they are eligible or the nature of their disability, unless they wish to do so to aid it in delivering the service.

I am therefore not able to supply the number of blind and partially sighted people who took up the help scheme in Cumbria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether his Department contributes (a) funding and (b) personnel to (i) the European Broadcasting Union and (ii) the Eurovision Song Contest; and if he will make a statement. (196095)

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport contributes no funding or personnel to the European Broadcasting Union or the Eurovision Song Contest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his Department’s role in conserving the Grade II listed building known as the State Cinema in Grays, Essex is; and if he will make a statement. (196312)

[holding answer 26 March 2008]: The role of my Department is to designate buildings of special architectural or historic interest by listing. Decisions about changes which affect their special interest are for the local planning authority, in consultation with English Heritage.

This building, which is listed at grade II*, is included in the Buildings at Risk register maintained by English Heritage. English Heritage monitors its condition and had, in recent years, met its owners who were considering converting this former cinema to a new use. English Heritage has also been approached by the Cinema Theatre Association, which is interested in the possibility of reviving its use as a venue for performance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support his Department and its agencies give to competitive cheerleading. (196193)

Increasing inter and intra-school sporting opportunities is a key component of the National PE and Sport Strategy for Young People, which is delivered jointly by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Since January 2008, the UK Cheerleading Association (UKCA) has been working in partnership with British Gymnastics to transfer their activities and become a new discipline of British Gymnastics.

The UKCA is working with a number of School Sports Partnerships across the UK to develop cheerleading and ‘street cheer’ within school sport and dance. Together with other national governing bodies, the UKCA is helping to deliver the Government’s PE and school sport strategy nationally, both by encouraging sustained participation and by providing leadership opportunities in schools and FE facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost of the public lending right was in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what it is projected to be in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement. (196154)

The public lending right (PLR) uses grant in aid funding from the DCMS to make compensatory payments to authors for the financial impact of free book loans provided through the public library system.

Provision for the running costs of the organisation is included within this grant in aid settlement, and is allocated by the PLR before the remaining sum is distributed annually to authors.

Over the next three years, the DCMS is committed to generating value for money (VFM) savings by delivering efficiencies in partnership with its sponsored bodies: the PLR has therefore agreed to deliver a 3 per cent. reduction in its administration costs in each of the years 2008-11, ensuring that the maximum possible percentage of the public funding received by the PLR is used to provide valuable financial support to authors.

Costs to the Exchequer, in the form of total grant in aid allocated per annum; PLR administration spending for the period 1998-2008; and administration spending limits agreed with the PLR for the next three years are set out in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what initiatives his Department has to promote Yorkshire to international visitors. (196720)

[holding answer 25 March 2008]: My Department has provided VisitBritain with funding of £49.9 million in 2007-08 to promote Britain as a whole as an attractive place to visit. Destinations and attractions in Yorkshire are included within VisitBritain’s themed campaigns and are also featured on VisitBritain’s websites, which contain detailed destination guides.

The Department’s funding agreement with VisitBritain requires them to achieve a specified proportion of additional expenditure by inbound visitors outside London. For 2005-06, the target was 55 per cent., and VisitBritain achieved 61 per cent. For 2006-07, the target was 54 per cent. and VisitBritain achieved 57 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the return on investment of spending by (a) VisitBritain and (b) VisitEngland in (i) 2005-06 and (ii) 2006-07. (195038)

[holding answer 18 March 2008]: VisitBritain's method of calculating the return on its marketing investments was considered and approved by the National Audit Office in 2004. Since then, VisitBritain has moved increasingly from print-based promotion of the tourist industry to electronic marketing. This meant that new ways of measuring the return on investment were necessary, as the old methodology had begun to produce unrealistic results by 2005-06. With the agreement of DCMS, VisitBritain brought in new methodology for the start of 2006-07.

VisitBritain's performance against its Funding Agreement targets was as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by whom each soldier killed during the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment/2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment’s recent operational tour in Helmand Province was replaced in the order of battle. (175622)

I will write to the hon. Member.

Substantive answer from Bob Ainsworth to Patrick Mercer:

I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 7 January 2008, Official Report, column 20W, about replacements for soldiers killed during the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment/2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment’s recent operational tour in Helmand Province.

As you are aware, I set out the Army’s policy on battle casualty replacement in my answer to you on 7 January 2008, Official Report, column 50W.

Officials have spent some time examining your request and exploring potential ways of providing the information you seek, including discussions with the Unit. Unfortunately, however, this has proved impossible. Unlike in previous conflicts, our policy is not to identify individual replacements. Units are not, therefore, required to identify those individuals who replace colleagues who are injured or killed. Rapid replacement in theatre would in any event make this extremely difficult to track.

I am placing a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received on the incident involving the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan police in Lashkar Gah on 20th March 2008, which is being investigated by Royal Military Police. (197113)

[holding answer 26 March 2008]: I have received an initial report regarding this incident, which is currently subject to investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further while the investigation is continuing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of security scenario planning in which the proposed aircraft carriers were deemed to be an essential part of the UK's response; and if he will make a statement. (195435)

Future Carrier, as an integral part of the Carrier Strike capability, contributes to a number of planning scenarios, the details of which I am withholding as their release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the defence of the United Kingdom. The 2004 “Future Capabilities” White Paper noted that aircraft carriers contribute to medium-scale intervention and large-scale operations, though they are a very flexible platform which also provides wider utility.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Treaty of Lisbon affects the UK’s capacity to take unilateral military action. (196349)

No. The provisions on the Common Security and Defence Policy in the Lisbon Treaty do not change the fundamental nature of the Common Foreign and Security Policy under the current Treaty on European Union (TEU). As under the TEU, individual member states will not be constrained from conducting their own foreign policy, including a decision to undertake unilateral military action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK personnel are deployed on operations, broken down by location. (196616)

The following table shows the number of UK service personnel deployed on operations by location at 10 March 2008. The number of personnel in theatre will naturally fluctuate on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including leave (rest and recuperation), temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces and other factors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many instances of mail lost in transit between military personnel and their families were recorded in each month of 2007. (196610)

The number of claims for compensation paid by the MOD for non-delivered and damaged mail for each month of 2007 was as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will bring forward proposals for a scheme to enable members of HM Armed Forces to travel free on public transport when wearing uniform. (195978)

It would be inappropriate for the MOD to make any specific recommendations regarding free use of public transport for military personnel, as this is a matter for individual public transport providers.

However, the Government are currently examining the wider issue of the provision of services to our armed forces personnel under the Service Personnel Command Paper and the nation’s relationship with the armed forces under the National Recognition study carried out by my hon. Friend the Member for Grantham and Stamford’s (Mr. Davies).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) helicopters, (b) vehicles and (c) fixed-wing aircraft were lost under enemy fire in each year since 2003, broken down by model. (195379)

[holding answer 19 March 2008]: One Lynx helicopter was lost to enemy fire in Iraq in 2006.

A total of three Hercules aircraft have been lost, one in Iraq in 2005, one in Afghanistan in 2006 and the third in Iraq in 2007.

One Harrier aircraft was lost in Afghanistan in 2005.

I am withholding detailed information regarding the numbers and types of land vehicles lost to enemy fire as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, security or effectiveness of the armed forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) where the initial request came from to supply additional Supercat M-WMIK vehicles; when that request became an order; and what function these future vehicles will perform; (195628)

The Mobility Weapon Mount Installation Kit (M-WMIK) was identified as a solution in spring 2007, to meet a request from commanders in Afghanistan for an enhanced WMIK vehicle to complement the Land Rover based WMIK fleet. The M-WMIK will provide mobility for battle group support weapons and offers high levels of agility coupled with considerable firepower. The initial contract was signed in July 2007.

I am not aware of increased costs; this is the first time we have procured the M-WMIK vehicle. Some specialist users possess vehicles based on the same Supacat chassis, but the costs of these were broadly similar.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent modifications have been made to the main armament of the Challenger II tank for training purposes. (196607)

There have been no recent modifications to the main armament of Challenger 2 (CR2). In June 2006, however, we brought into service a new Live Fire Crew Training System to provide realistic CR2 crew training using a removable barrel insert and smaller calibre rounds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the required strength of army officers is in each of the categories (a) 1/(D), (b) 1, (c) 2, (d) 3, (e) 4, (f) 5 and (g) 6 to 9. (195629)

The categories referred to are the NATO categorisations used to identify equivalent ranks across the armed forces. The current permanent liability (required strength) for Regular Army officers, for each category is split between direct entry officers, i.e. those who join the Army as officers, and late entry officers, who are promoted from the non-commissioned ranks:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make arrangements to enable the making of peaceful protests at Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment; and if he will make a statement. (195371)

The MOD recognises the democratic right of individuals to participate in lawful and peaceful protest activities. Such activities have taken place at AWE for many years, and there are well-rehearsed plans in place to ensure minimum disruption and to allow peaceful protests to occur. Safety and security at AWE are paramount. Any protester action that could compromise these will always be dealt with appropriately. There were demonstrations at AWE as recently as 24 March and Thames Valley Police subsequently congratulated the organisers for organising an effective and peaceful demonstration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many urgent operational requirements are under consideration; and what estimate he has made of the total value of such requirements. (191552)

Some 800 UORs have been approved to date; a further 120 are under consideration. To date, the value of UORs approved for Iraq and Afghanistan is in excess of £3.5 billion. The costings for UORs that have not yet been approved are not mature enough to provide an accurate estimate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are planned for liaison between his Department and the office of the high representative of the Union for foreign affairs and security policy. (196358)

If the Lisbon Treaty is ratified by all EU member states, the Ministry of Defence will liaise with the office of the high representative of the Union for foreign affairs and security policy through our permanent and military representation to the European Union, as we currently do with the office of the high representative for the common foreign and security policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what burden-sharing arrangements are planned for civilian and military assets for EU defence under the Lisbon Treaty. (196350)

Under the Lisbon Treaty, both civilian and military assets for European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) operations would continue to be supplied by EU member states on a voluntary basis, as they are under the current Treaty on European Union.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 March 2008, Official Report, column 1171W, regarding the funding of ESDP operations under the Lisbon Treaty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the financial value of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines equipment which remains in the possession of the Iranian authorities. (196599)

The financial value of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines equipment which remains in the possession of the Iranian authorities from the two incidents in 2004 and 2007 is approximately £500,000 in each case. This corrects the previous replacement costs I provided on 26 April 2007, Official Report, column 1253W, for the hon. Members for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) and for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) which included the estimated replacement coast of only one Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces were withdrawn from Iraq in each year since 2003, broken down by (a) sex, (b) age and (c) service; what plans he has to increase members withdrawn in each of the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement. (190878)

During major combat operations in March-April 2003, there were some 46,000 UK military personnel committed to Operation TELIC (including those stationed outside Iraq in support of the operation). Subsequently, the number of UK military posts in Iraq decreased to 18,000 by May 2003. Year on year troop reductions beyond that point are set out in the following table:

There are currently around 4,200 UK military personnel in Iraq, of whom around 4,000 are based in southern Iraq. The actual number of UK military personnel in theatre varies significantly from day to day for a variety of reasons, including leave (rest and recuperation), temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, visits, the roulement of forces and other factors.

Accurate information on the total number of personnel broken down by sex, age and service is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Work continues on the details of our future plans in consultation with our coalition partners and the Government of Iraq. For this reason, we are unable to provide a month-by-month projection for each of the next 12 months. Our plans will, of course, be guided by the advice of our military commanders and are subject to conditions on the ground.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people serving in the British forces in Iraq hold (a) British citizenship and (b) citizenship of countries other than Great Britain; and how many personnel there are of each nationality in the latter. (197103)

Data on the number and citizenship of service personnel serving in Iraq are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the role is of formed units in the reserve forces; and if he will make a statement. (196787)

Reserves in formed units, such as Territorial Army (TA) Battalions and Regiments, and Royal Auxilliary Air Force Squadrons, are in most cases maintained to provide a framework which parallels their Regular equivalent, as over the years this has been shown as the most effective and robust method of providing a framework, upon which reservist capability can be recruited, grown, nurtured and trained.

In the case of the TA, it is the basis from which capability can be deployed on operations. Where possible, the Army tries to deploy TA personnel in 'cohorts', groups drawn from units listed on the commitments forecast. However, the current operational requirement dictates that TA capability is deployed variously as individual reinforcements, as formed sub-units and only in some exceptional cases—particularly field hospitals—as formed units. For a large-scale operation a greater proportion of the TA would be deployed as formed sub-units and units, although the latter would still be the exception.

For the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Squadrons are established for peacetime training purposes only. For the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Marine Reserve, there are no units formed for operational deployment; they are administrative groupings only. Individuals, within them would deploy as reinforcements to other units.

On 19 March 2008, the Secretary of State announced a review of our Reserve Forces. This will examine how the Reserve can be optimised to meet current and projected defence requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to commission a fifth Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship to provide the maximum sea-lift capability recommended in his Department’s 1998 operational analysis; and if he will make a statement. (195570)

The modernisation of the Royal Navy’s amphibious fleet was completed in 2007 with the introduction into service of RFA Lyme Bay, the fourth of the Bay class Landing Ships Dock (Auxiliary). We have no plans to procure a fifth vessel of this class.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Broxbourne, of 18 February 2008, Official Report, column 119W, on ministerial policy advisers (1) if he will provide figures for special advisers separately from the figures in the Annual Report of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments on Crown servants; (191050)

Under the “Rules on the Acceptance of Outside Appointments by Crown Servants”, the independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments advises on the approval of applications from the most senior civil servants, including special advisers of equivalent standing. Once a new appointment has been taken up or announced, the Committee publishes information on the application and the advice it gave on it.

Since May 2005, the Advisory Committee has published such information about the appointments of two Special Advisers: Jonathan Powell and Elizabeth Lloyd.

Applications from civil servants, including special advisers, below these levels are dealt with by their employing Departments.

Departments provide collated data annually for publication in the statistical tables of the Advisory Committee’s annual reports on the total number of applications they have received, including those subsequently referred to the Committee. These figures show the numbers that were approved unconditionally or approved subject to a condition.

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments does not intend to collect or publish any additional data on applications under the Rules.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what criteria are used by the Electoral Commission in deciding whether to refer to the police late declarations of donations to regulated donees. (195364)

The Electoral Commission informs me that, in deciding whether to refer to the police the late reporting of donations by regulated donees, it takes into account, in the first instance, the sufficiency of the evidence and, if that threshold is met, whether it is in the public interest to refer the matter, having due regard to the proportionality of the case.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what the reasons were for the referral by the Electoral Commission of the right hon. Member for Neath to the police for late declaration of donations. (195365)

The Electoral Commission informs me that this matter is the subject of an ongoing police investigation. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment on it.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what steps have been taken by the Electoral Commission in response to late declarations of donations by (a) the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam and (b) the hon. Member for Henley. (195366)

The Electoral Commission informs me that, in line with its usual procedures, it has checked these donations for permissibility and has published the details on its website. It has also written to the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Clegg) and the hon. Member for Henley (Mr. Johnson) regarding their failure to report these donations on time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans the Government have to place a levy on the purchase of farm plastic. (195663)

The Government have no plans to introduce a levy on farm plastics. However, we intend to consult on proposals to deliver a statutory producer responsibility scheme for the collection of non-packaging farm plastics in late spring 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will request the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to ensure that all bodies which submit scientific data to the panel publish their data correction methodologies; and if he will make a statement. (196786)

The preparation of all IPCC reports and publications follows strict procedures (available on the IPCC website), and reviews by Governments and experts are essential elements of the preparation of IPCC reports, commenting on the accuracy and completeness of the content and the overall balance of the drafts. Differing views for which there is significant scientific or technical support are clearly reflected in final IPCC documents.

The IPCC does not commission research or undertake data analysis but reviews peer-reviewed scientific literature. As such, the process of ensuring data analysis and correction techniques are robust and available to the scientific community is not the responsibility of the IPCC but that of the research community itself and the editors of the scientific journals that ultimately publish the body of research that informs the IPCC reviews.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what contracts there are between his Department and Eaga; (194361)

DEFRA currently holds one contract with Eaga plc, which is to perform the duties of Scheme Manager for the Warm Front Scheme.

Between 1 June 2005 and 13 March 2008 the number of complaints received by Warm Front was 7,614 from a total of 600,000 households.

2,870 of these complaints were upheld. This represents 0.48 per cent. of all households assisted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage owners of existing housing stock to improve their energy performance rating. (196386)

DEFRA is taking action to reduce emissions from housing through a number of initiatives such as Warm Front, the Energy Efficiency Commitment (the next phase of which will be called Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), the ActOnCO₂ carbon calculator, and the Energy Saving Trust’s Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme for Homes and its newly announced Green Homes Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken by his Department to provide for compensation to inshore fishermen whose fishing grounds are affected by the construction of offshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement. (196234)

Compensation is a commercial matter and not for Government intervention. Wind farm developers engage directly with local fishing associations to agree a fair compensation package when their proposed developments are likely to have an impact on local fishermen.

Before any construction can commence, however, wind farm developers have to obtain a range of licences and consents. These include a licence under the Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) from the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA).

The MFA will assess the impact of the proposed development on local fishing grounds before deciding whether to issue a FEPA licence. If a licence is granted, it will include a range of conditions to protect the marine environment, including fisheries. Some of these will be site specific. However, all licences stipulate that a suitably qualified fisheries liaison officer be appointed to maintain effective communications between fishermen, the licence holder and contractors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the quantity of ozone-depleting substances in building; and what amount of ozone-depleting emissions has come from this source since 2000. (195933)

The UK does not hold any reliable figures for the quantity of ozone-depleting substances found in insulating foams which are used in the building sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to implement EC Regulation 2037/2000 as it applies to the disposal of ozone-depleting substances found in foam in buildings. (195934)

DEFRA has had recent discussions with industry experts about the scope for greater recovery and destruction of ozone-depleting substances found in building foams. Recovery of ozone-depleting substances from building foams is one of the issues being considered as part of a wider review by the European Commission of EC Regulation 2037/2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2007, Official Report, column 1278W, which marine protected areas were not included in the list of areas provided but counted within the total of 180 sites reported in the Government’s response to the Science and Technology Committee report Investigating the Oceans HC (2006-07) 470. (196218)

The information supplied to the Science and Technology Committee on around 180 marine protected areas differs from that given in the answer of 5 December 2007, Official Report, column 1278W, because of ambiguity in the definition of what constitutes a ‘marine’ site.

Habitats are considered to be ‘marine’ if they are covered (continuously or intermittently) by the sea. However, terrestrial sites can also be considered to have marine elements and interpretation of this criterion may lead to differences in reported figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2008, Official Report, column 1130W, on tree preservation orders: Guildford, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter of comfort produced by his Department in relation to disposal of the Epsom Road site. (196075)

In my answer of 25 February 2008, Official Report, column 1130W, no mention was made of a comfort letter in respect of Tree Preservation Orders. However, if following the identification by the council of those trees from the joint survey considered worthy of protection, the Department considers such a letter necessary for the interim preservation of trees pending the sale, I see no reason not to publish said letter in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice who (a) funds and (b) runs community-based options for substance misuse as alternatives to custody sentences. (196533)

Combined funding from the Department of Health, Home Office and Ministry of Justice known as the pooled treatment budget (PTB) for drug treatment services is allocated annually to drug action team partnerships (DATs). Funding from PTB allocations is supplemented by mainstream funding from the national health service.

The Ministry of Justice contribution (£22 million in the current financial year) pays for the treatment and testing required to deliver the drug rehabilitation requirement (DRR) which is the main delivery route for drug interventions within community sentences and is one of 12 requirements available as part of a community order. The overall sentence is supervised and delivered by the national probation service. The treatment is commissioned locally in partnership with the drug action teams (DATs) and is delivered by a range of voluntary and public-sector treatment providers. The national probation service also delivers accredited cognitive behavioural programmes for substance misusers.

Drug action teams receive additional funding—some £110 million in 2008-09—from the Home Office to support delivery of the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP). DIP works with drug-misusing offenders to move them out of crime and into treatment. While the programme is not a formal alternative to custody its emphasis is on working with offenders, particularly in the community, from their earliest point of contact with the criminal justice system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what minimum level of training is required for security staff in courts; and if he will make a statement. (196528)

Security in courts is provided by designated court security officers, appointed by the Lord Chancellor who devolves this power to the Chief Executive of Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS).

The training requirements for court security officers is set out in the Court Security Officers (Designation) Regulations 2005 which were made by the Lord Chancellor exercising the powers conferred on him by section 51 of the Courts Act 2003.

Under these regulations, before a person is designated as a court security officer, he must provide evidence that he has completed training courses in the following:

(a) the duties and powers of a court security officer;

(b) risk assessment;

(c) safe working practices;

(d) managing stress when dealing with threatening situations; and

(e) techniques for restraining a person and removing them from the building.

In addition, security staff in courts are required to follow the guidance provided in the security policy document of Her Majesty's Courts Service: Safe and Secure. This sets out the minimum standards for security in courts according to the function of the separate areas within each building.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much has been spent by his Department in 2007-08 on (a) consultants and (b) agency staff. (191951)

Expenditure with external consultants since the Ministry of Justice was established on 9 May 2007 is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, from April 2007 until September 2007, the former Department for Constitutional Affairs and those bodies that were formerly part of the Home Office and are now part of the Ministry of Justice spent £5.5 million on external consultants.

The use of agency staff is devolved to separate business areas within the Ministry of Justice. The following table provides a breakdown of the most current figures held by organisation:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether confidential or personal information has been compromised through the loss of property from his Department since 1997. (193448)

Except in exceptional cases, when it is in the public interest, it has been the policy of successive Governments not to comment on breaches of security. However, following the publication of the Data Handling Procedures in Government: Interim Progress Report on 17 December 2007, Official Report, column 98WS, all Departments will cover information assurance issues in their annual reports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many vacant properties his Department owns; how many of these have been vacant for longer than (a) three months, (b) six months and (c) 12 months; and what the value of each property is. (196290)

The Ministry owns one property that has been vacant for longer than three months, three that have been vacant for longer than six months and four that have been vacant for longer than 12 months. The estimated value of each property is set out as follows.

All the properties are non-residential and are vacant awaiting sale. They are owned by Her Majesty’s Court Service.

In addition, the Prison Service owns residential properties. The number of vacancies varies but it is estimated to be between 25 and 30 at any one time and they are disposed of as soon as is practicable. Details of vacancies are not held centrally. Each individual prison establishment would need to be contacted to establish the exact number of vacancies, which would be at disproportionate cost to the Ministry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2008, Official Report, columns 1203-4W, on departmental ICT, when he expects to publish the detailed and assured delivery plans. (196152)

An announcement on the delivery plan for Prison NOMIS project is expected by the end of April following the conclusion of commercial negotiations which are currently under way. Delivery plans for the other NOMIS programme constituent projects will follow after commercial negotiations specific to them are complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what percentage of staff in his Department were making additional voluntary contributions to their pensions in each of the last two years. (193560)