To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the most recent US Farm Bill when enacted on British farming exports. (208915)

The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (“the Act”) represents a missed opportunity during a time of high commodity prices to reduce the levels of trade distorting domestic support given to US agriculture. The impact of domestic support payments on global agricultural markets is difficult to disaggregate at the country by country level and we have not conducted detailed analysis of the impact of changes in the Act on British farming exports. The Act makes relatively minor changes to the commodity title in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (i.e. the last US Farm Bill).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding his Department has provided to young farmers' organisations for the provision of skills and development in each of the last three years; and what plans he has to provide such funding in the next three years. (209362)

DEFRA has provided £51,500 to the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs for each of the last three financial years covering the period 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07, a total of £154,500 over three years. The National Federation for Young Farmers Clubs have used this funding for a range of developmental activities for their members, aged 10 to 26 years, including skills training and competitive activities .

Funding of £51,500 for the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs has been committed for the period 2007-08. No further commitments of funding have been made at this time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many animal by-product plants were approved in each of the last three years. (210045)

The following table shows the number of animal by-product plants approved in the last two financial years:

Animal Health (AH) have an approval period of two years, then plants are re-approved. As a result no figures are available for more than two years ago, as those plants will either have been re-approved or are no longer operating. The AH re-approval overwrites the original dates, making it impossible to distinguish between new and re-approved plants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to respond to the Fourth Report of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Session 2007-08, HC 130-I, on badgers and cattle TB; and what the reasons are for the time taken to respond. (210295)

[holding answer 11 June 2008]: We have no date for a response to the Committee’s Report at this time. There is a great deal of complex evidence to consider in relation to bovine TB and badger culling and we have been determined to get the views of all the interested parties over recent months. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State explained in his letter to the Chair of the EFRA Committee on 28 April, it will take time to produce a response that deals thoroughly with the Committee’s recommendations. The matter is receiving our full attention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether dog-owners will be consulted on coastal access provisions in the Draft Marine Bill; and whether he plans to increase access to the coast to people with dogs under the Bill. (210182)

We have held discussions with the Kennel Club about the coastal access provisions in the draft Marine Bill which aim to improve public access to the English coast for walkers and for those who may be accompanied by a dog.

We have no plans to specifically consult dog owners but anyone wishing to comment on the draft Bill may do so by writing to the Marine Bill Team, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Area 2C, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR, or e-mail:

MarineBillConsultation@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

The closing date for responses is 26 June 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research evidence was reviewed by his Department on the use of electric shock training devices for dogs prior to commissioning further research. (209150)

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 18 Mar 2008, Official Report, column 945W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make an assessment of the animal welfare consequences of the use of electric shock (a) collars, (b) mats and (c) leads in training dogs. (209515)

My Department is aware of a number of scientific studies on these devices, but considers that to date those studies published are not sufficiently robust. Further research into these types of collars is a priority. An Open Competition Call was published in DEFRA's annual research requirements document in August 2005 inviting bids for research on the effect of both electronic and non-electronic training aids on the welfare of dogs. A single proposal was received in response to the call but it did not satisfactorily meet the advertised requirement and it was rejected.

In July 2006, DEFRA circulated a revised call for research in the form of a limited tender call. The call invited proposals for studies to assess the effect of specific electronic pet training aids (excluding electric fences) on the welfare of dogs. The call encouraged an epidemiological approach, based on observation of collars already in use. One proposal was received in response to the call and a study commissioned which is due to complete in 2010.

DEFRA has also asked the Companion Animal Welfare Council, advisory body to Government on companion animal welfare matters, to undertake an independent study of available evidence on the use of these electronic training aids to help inform policy and complement the DEFRA funded study.

The study will not cover electric mats and leads. We are not aware that these devices are used to any significant extent. If they do cause a dog to suffer unnecessarily then it would be possible to bring a prosecution under the Animal welfare act 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his Department’s research into electric shock collars will be completed; what the cost of the research is; and when he expects to decide on whether to ban electric shock collars. (210180)

The study to assess the effect of electronic training aids on the welfare of dogs commenced in 2007, and it is expected to be completed in 2010 at a cost of £469,000. Details of the research project are available on the DEFRA website. We will not be making any decision on whether to ban electronic training aids until we have considered the results of the completed research project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had on the future of the Institute for Animal Health at Compton; and if he will make a statement. (209835)

[holding answer 9 June 2008]: DEFRA’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer was a member of the independent review panel, chaired by professor Sir John Beringer, to advise the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) on the future in terms of funding, governance and risk management at the Institute for Animal Health (IAH).

Among other things, the panel recommended that the BBSRC Council should consider the future of IAH Compton in the context of work to develop a new centre at Pirbright. DEFRA is currently in discussion with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the BBSRC about the future of the Pirbright centre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many convictions there were for non-compliance with requirements on cleansing and disinfecting livestock vehicles in each of the last five years. (210043)

Over the last five years, the numbers of successful prosecutions resulting from non-compliance with cleansing and disinfecting requirements for all vehicles, including road, air and sea, are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to find alternative sources of funding for the provision of border controls designed to stop the importation of illegal meat following the reduction of his Department's funding. (209747)

Anti-smuggling controls on all products of animal origin at the Great Britain border except at border inspection posts are operated by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and resourced directly from their budgets. The reduction in DEFRA's funding will not impact on this.

Funding continues to be available for DEFRA to help increase public awareness of the rules and regulations that are in place to restrict personal food imports.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland (DARDNI) retains responsibility for anti-smuggling controls in Northern Ireland.

All commercial imports of meat from outside the EU must be checked on entry to ensure that they comply with the import requirements. The costs of these checks must be recovered from the importer under EU law. If a consignment does not comply with the EU rules, it must be re-exported or destroyed and additional costs incurred during this process are also recovered from the importer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many representations he has received about quarrying on Longstone Edge in Derbyshire; and if he will take steps to end quarrying in the area covered by the 1952 planning permission. (210468)

[holding answer 12 June 2008]: Since the beginning of 2007 we have received over 70 representations from fellow Members of Parliament and stakeholder organisations and also over 70 representations directly from members of the public about the quarrying on Longstone Edge in Derbyshire.

We are taking a close interest in this case and are in regular contact with the National Park Authority to try and find a long-term solution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many live animals were seized on entry to the UK in the most recent year for which figures are available; and how many of them were (a) destroyed, (b) repatriated, (c) placed in the care of Government agencies and (d) placed in the care of charities. (210129)

[holding answer 10 June 2008]: There are no central records for the seizure of animals in recent years, although figures may be kept by the appropriate local authority.

Staff from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) seize live animals only in connection with Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora. Data on animals seized under the Regulation are set out in HMRC’s Annual Reports. In 2006-07 there were 39 seizures, comprising 1,229 separate animals.

Animals are only destroyed on the basis of expert advice from qualified veterinarians, who also carry out the necessary euthanasia. Most animals that are seized will be placed into the care of zoos, registered keepers/breeders, breeding programmes, or registered societies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons and on what basis charities taking over care of animals seized on entry to the UK are required to pay fees to take possession of the animals; and if he will make a statement. (210130)

[holding answer 10 June 2008]: Costs may be involved if animals require quarantine. If an owner is not available, the relevant local authority is responsible for paying for an initial two week period. However, rabies susceptible animals have to go into quarantine for a six month period, and these costs must be met or the animals will be destroyed or returned to the exporting country. If there is no owner or importer to claim responsibility for the animals, and charities wish to save the animals from being euthanized—it is the responsibility of those charities to meet the costs of the quarantine period. This is a decision made by the charities, and they would not receive compensation for this from public funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether charities taking over care of animals seized on entry to the UK are compensated from public funds for the cost of that care. (210131)

[holding answer 10 June 2008]: Charities are not paid compensation from public funds for care of seized animals on entry to the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many UK residents live within a 50 db Leq contour around an airport; (209265)

The Secretary of State publishes annual aircraft noise contour maps and reports (which include population statistics) for the three London airports (Heathrow Gatwick and Stansted) which are designated under section 80 for the purposes of section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 for noise control purposes.

These follow the standard UK practice of producing aircraft noise contours for the average summer's day (Leq 16 hour, 7.00 am to 11.00 pm) where ‘summer’ is the 92-day period from 16 June to 15 September.

Aircraft noise contour reports for 2007 in respect of Heathrow Gatwick and Stansted are to be published shortly. The number of people falling within the 57dBA Leq contour is 251,900, 4,800 and 2,500 respectively.

The Secretary of State is not responsible for the production of aircraft noise contour maps/reports at non-designated airports. The publication of such material is a matter for local decision.

The reports and maps for Heathrow Gatwick and Stansted are available on the Department's website at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/nec/

Additionally, population statistics are summarised for these airports and for some of the non designated airports in table 3.10 of Transport Statistics Great Britain 2007—this table can be found on the Department's website at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/energyenvironment/.

Although 54dBA Leq aircraft noise contours are sometimes produced as a sensitivity analysis, aircraft modelling below such levels is generally considered to be unlikely to generate accurate and reliable results. However we do intend—under the auspices of the Department's Aircraft Noise Monitoring Advisory Committee—to review the issues and practical difficulties of noise monitoring at lower levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken at EU level to phase out aircraft which do not meet disability access standards on routes operated wholly within the EU. (208247)

There are no plans to phase out aircraft which do not meet disability access standards.

A new EC Regulation gives rights to disabled passengers travelling by air. The Department for Transport is currently consulting on its revised Code of Practice ‘Access to air travel for Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility’ which provides guidance to the aviation industry on how to comply with its obligations under the Regulation. Although not covered by the Regulation, this guidance also includes material on accessible aircraft design.

We aim to publish this Code when the EC Regulation comes fully into force from 26 July 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government is taking to encourage and enable local authorities to offer flexible alternatives to the national concessionary bus pass. (208893)

The Government are responsible for the statutory minimum off-peak bus travel concession that all Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs) are required to provide. The Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 preserves the flexibility of TCAs to enhance their schemes locally at their own expense. For example, TCAs may choose to offer their residents vouchers or tokens for local use in taxis, give concessionary bus travel beyond the statutory times, or extend concessionary travel to other modes. Any decision to offer these discretionary elements is a matter for individual TCAs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 April 2008, to the hon. Member for East Yorkshire, Official Report, column 1894W, on cars: research, how much expenditure her Department has incurred in testing vehicle emissions for the purposes of national emissions inventory modelling in the last three years; and by whom such testing has been conducted. (209252)

Expenditure by the Department on emission factor testing and analysis for the purpose of the national atmospheric emissions inventory model in the last three financial years (2005-6, 2006-7 and 2007-8) amounted to some £279,860. This work was carried out by Shell Global Solutions (UK), Tickford Powertrain Test Limited and AEA Technology PLC. Copies of the resulting reports may be found on the Department's website at

www.dft.gov.uk/pqr/roads/roads/environment/research/cqvcf

or by navigating from the Department's home page (www.dft.gov.uk) to DfT home > Policy, guidance and research > Roads and vehicles > Environmental issues > Research > Cleaner and Quieter Vehicles and Cleaner Fuels.

A small amount of emissions factor testing work has also been carried out in the course of the Department's annual enforcement programme of checks on manufacturers' production.

In addition, some £110,000 of expenditure was incurred on research into improved methodologies for emissions modelling.

This was undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars in (a) Southampton and (b) Hampshire have been registered in bands F and G since (i) 1 March 2001 and (ii) 23 March 2006. (211400)

The numbers of licensed cars registered in Southampton and Hampshire at the end of 2007 with carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to the present Band F (186 to 225 g/km) and Band G (over 225 g/km) were as follows:

Cars with carbon dioxide emissions greater than 225 g/km are taxed in Band F if they were first registered between 1 March 2001 and 23 March 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2008, Official Report, column 7W, on departmental data protection, what the appropriate level of vetting is for individuals contracted by her Department to supply specialist data and IT audit resources. (209280)

All staff, consultants and contractors must complete, prior to taking up their posts, the HMG baseline standard checks to positively establish identity and obtain background information on the subject by taking up references. The checks are regarded as providing sufficient assurance as to reliability and integrity for an individual to have access to UK material marked Restricted and Confidential, and occasional access to Secret material. Satisfactory completion of the baseline standard procedures is also required before an individual is issued with a permanent pass for departmental buildings and before an individual is given access to any of the Department's IT systems.

In addition to the baseline standard, individuals who require access to the Department's sensitive IT systems or processes, including for IT audit purposes, may in some circumstances require Security Check (SC) clearance. Any such requirements for SC clearance, for IT audit or any other purposes are determined on a case by case basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pages have been deleted from her Department’s website in each of the last 12 months, broken down by subject matter. (209032)

For the period 1 June 2007 to 31 May 2008, the Department removed 537 web pages from its website. Typical page removals include expiry of advertised job vacancies; replacement pages with up-to-date versions of the content; and removal of guidance and content perceived to be out-of-date.

The following table breaks down content removed by subject matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 20 March 2008, Official Report, column 1393W, on transport: policy, what research documents and consultation on the effects of her Department's policies on different groups in society her Department has sponsored; which of these were conducted by (a) her Department and (b) external organisations; and what fees her Department paid in respect of each such project in each year since 1998. (209255)

The information requested, which is readily available from 2007, is listed in the following table. Further information dating back to 1998 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many journeys have been made to (a) Paris, (b) Lille and (c) Brussels on official business by staff in her Department in the last three years. (209257)

The Department for Transport (central) and five of its agencies do not record details of journeys by destination, and could provide the information only at disproportionate cost.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency recorded 0 journeys to Paris, two to Lille and seven to Brussels over the last three years. The vehicle Certification Agency recorded seven journeys to Paris, two to Lille, and 13 to Brussels in 2007-08, but could provide information for earlier years only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what proportion of its staff her Department has provided vocational training in the last three years. (209430)

The proportion of Department for Transport staff who have been provided with vocational training in the last three years is as

follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government have taken to reduce the levels of drink-driving. (209947)

[holding answer 12 June 2008]: The Government aim to reduce drinking and driving through a combination of effective law enforcement, maintaining a tough penalties regime and continuing to invest in high-profile national publicity campaigns.

Police enforcement has been enhanced in recent years by enabling blood specimens to be taken from unconscious, hospitalised drink-drive suspects. The police have also been given powers to carry out evidential roadside breathtesting, subject to type approval of appropriate devices.

The Road Safety Act 2006 contains a number of other measures designed to deter drink-driving and reduce reoffending. These include enabling powers to require serious, including repeat, offenders to retake the driving test at the end of their disqualification; to improve the operation of the drink-drive rehabilitation scheme; to close loopholes in the law relating to high risk offenders; and to create a statutory alcohol ignition interlock programme.

We have recently launched the THINK! Summer 2008 drink-drive publicity campaign, which is running in parallel with the police's enforcement campaign throughout June. This is a multi-media campaign which builds on the Moment of Doubt commercial launched last year emphasising the serious personal consequences of a drink-drive conviction. The new campaign focuses on the 11-year driving licence endorsement for most drink-drive offences.

We remain committed to public consultation on further measures for tackling drink-driving, including ways of making police enforcement easier, and are aiming to publish a consultation document within the next few months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Eurostar tickets were paid for by her Department in each of the last three years; and what her Department's expenditure on such tickets was in each year. (209258)

The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the division of responsibilities is between her Department and BAA on security at Heathrow Terminal 5. (209054)

The Department is responsible for the National Aviation Security Programme which sets out mandatory measures and associated guidance for the UK aviation industry. Implementation of the relevant measures is the responsibility of airport operators and airlines. We work closely with industry to ensure that these measures are delivered, and have worked particularly intensively with BAA at Heathrow both prior to and since the opening of T5.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance her Department issues to rail franchise holders on their duty to co-operate with other franchise holders seeking to fulfil the terms of their franchise. (210925)

In principle, franchisees are solely responsible for the delivery of contracted rail services, as these do not depend on co-operation with other franchisees. However, train operators have reliability and punctuality targets in their franchise contracts and are required to work with other operators and Network Rail to drive up performance on shared routes. There are also contractual requirements to work with other operators where necessary, for instance on timetable development, in the event of disruption, or with station improvement work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 20 March 2008 to the hon. Member for City of York, Official Report, column 1391-2W, on roads: accidents, on how many occasions the information provided by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to the police and courts has subsequently been found to be incorrect. (209263)

It is not possible to provide these figures as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not hold this information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what mechanisms are in place to ensure road safety is upheld when road maintenance is taking place. (209946)

[holding answer 12 June 2008]: The Department for Transport recognises that during road maintenance and street works it is important to protect adequately both road workers and road users. To enable highway authorities, statutory utilities and contractors to maintain safety there is comprehensive, national guidance on how to design and operate temporary traffic management in Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual. This guidance is developed by the Highways Agency in association with industry and other stakeholders such as the Health and Safety Executive. Additional guidance, mainly for workers undertaking urban utilities work is also included in "Safety at Street Works and Road Works: a Code of Practice". Both documents are published on the Department's website at www.dft.gov.uk.

These documents recognise that the principle of maintaining adequate safety requires workers to be protected with cones, barriers and safety zones. However, as cones and barriers can pose a risk to road users speed limits are often imposed to reduce that risk, with enforcement measures where practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2008, Official Report, column 700W, on schools: cycling, which 36 local authorities have received funding from her Department under the Bikeability programme. (209273)

35 local authorities were offered cycle training grants in 2007-08, plus a grant to Transport for London. 34 authorities outside London took up the grant, with one later deciding they were unable to deliver the additional training. The 34 authorities outside London were:

Bath and North East Somerset council

Bedfordshire county council

Birmingham city council

Blackburn with Darwen borough council

Buckinghamshire county council

Coventry city council

Cumbria county council

Dudley Metropolitan borough council

Durham county council

Gateshead council

Hertfordshire county council

Kirklees metropolitan council

Leicester city council

Luton borough council

Manchester city council

Merseyside LTP Partnership

North East Lincolnshire council

Northampton county council

Oldham metropolitan borough council

Redcar and Cleveland borough council

Rotherham metropolitan borough council

Sheffield city council

Somerset county council

South Gloucestershire council

Staffordshire county council

Stockport metropolitan borough council

Stockton on Tees borough council

Stoke-on-Trent city council

Surrey county council

Tameside metropolitan borough council

Warrington borough council

Wigan council

Wiltshire county council

Wolverhampton city council

In March this year we announced that 69 local authorities would receive cycle training grant in 2008-09. These are:

Bath and NE Somerset council

Barnsley metropolitan borough council

Bedfordshire county council

Birmingham city council

Blackburn and Darwen council

Blackpool borough council

Bolton metropolitan borough council

Bradford city council

Brighton and Hove city council

Buckinghamshire county council

Bristol city council

Bury metropolitan borough council

Coventry city council

Cumbria county council

Devon county council

Doncaster metropolitan borough council

Dudley metropolitan borough council

Durham city council

Essex county council

Gateshead metropolitan borough council

Hampshire county council

Hartlepool borough council

Hertfordshire CC

Kent county council

Kirklees metropolitan borough council

Lancashire county council

Leicester city council

Luton borough council

Manchester city council

Medway district council

Merseyside LTP Partnership

Middlesbrough borough council

Northamptonshire county council

North Somerset district council

North Tyneside council

Nottingham city council

Nottinghamshire county council

Northumberland county council

Oldham metropolitan borough council

Oxfordshire county council

Redcar and Cleveland metropolitan borough council

Rochdale metropolitan borough council

Rotherham metropolitan borough council

Rutland borough council

Salford city council

Sheffield city council

Shropshire county council

Slough borough council

Solihull city council

Somerset county council

Southend borough council

South Tyneside council

South Gloucester council

Staffordshire county council

Stockport metropolitan borough council

Stockton on Tees metropolitan borough council MBC

Stoke city council

Surrey county council

Tameside metropolitan borough council

Telford and Wrekin council

Thurrock council borough council

Torbay borough council

Warrington borough council

West Berkshire DC

Wigan metropolitan borough council

Warwickshire county council

Wiltshire county council

Worcestershire county council

Wolverhampton metropolitan borough council

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department plans to re-evaluate its transport appraisals using the current guide price for oil of $120 per barrel. (208923)

The Department does not plan to re-evaluate appraisals on the basis of the current guide price for oil. Transport improvements have long-term impacts many years into the future and current oil prices will necessarily only provide some of the evidence. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) analyses both current oil prices and factors determining long-term trends in the price of oil. The Department for Transport provides promoters with fuel price forecasts based on BERR forecasts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the baseline number of (a) trains and (b) buses accessible to people with disabilities is against which the 2008 to 2011 public service agreement 15 will be monitored; and if she will make a statement. (208361)

[holding answer 4 June 2008]: At 1 January 2008, the number of rail vehicles compliant with the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations was 4,700 (which is 31 per cent. of all rail vehicles) including approx 4,600 heavy rail trains (42 per cent. of that group). The Department for Transport records the number of accessible rail vehicles as they enter service.

Data on the number of accessible buses are collected for the annual Public Transport Statistics Bulletin for Great Britain. There was an increase in the percentage of low floor buses up from 50 per cent. in 2005-06 to 58 per cent. in 2006-07. We have met the voluntary target agreed with the bus industry which is that 50 per cent. of buses should be low floor by 2010. All full size buses must comply with the Public Vehicle Accessibility Regulations, which include a requirement for low floor, wheelchair accessible buses, by 2017.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many people were declared bankrupt in each London borough in each year since 1997. (210275)

The following table shows the number of bankruptcies in each London borough between 2000 and 2007 derived from postcodes provided by bankrupt individuals; figures for earlier years are not available on this basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps he is taking to increase the number and improve the retention of jobs in the East of England; and if he will make a statement. (209093)

As part of the Government’s wider strategy on job creation and retention in the East of England, the Regional Development Agency, EEDA is charged with developing a strategic vision for the region. EEDA is currently completing a review of the region’s economic strategy (RES) and this will provide the basis for co-ordinated action to bring about sustainable improvements in the region’s economic performance and meet its aspirations to increase the overall employment rate to 80 per cent. by 2031.

To support the delivery of this ambition, EEDA has developed a number of programmes which contribute to the achievement of higher employment levels by:

Encouraging new business growth and improving the survivability of small and medium sized businesses by providing business support services through Business Link and the Manufacturing Advisory Service. EEDA is planning to boost the level of specialist business support services available in the coming year with the introduction of new services delivering specialist ICT, design and innovation advice.

Providing a range of specialist support activities to attract mobile foreign direct investment to the region through EEDA’s sister organisation, East of England International and to provide export advice to companies looking to compete in overseas markets.

Providing financial help in the form of grants and loans to support SME growth throughout the East of England.

Improving the employability of individuals unable to participate in the region’s economy and increasing the number of employment opportunities available through EEDA’s Economic Participation programme.

Supporting the development of the region’s science base by investing in the development of high quality science parks and enterprise hubs.

The Chancellor’s pre Budget report in 2007 also enabled RDAs to take lead responsibility for co-ordinating and managing the response to industrial crises or natural disasters which have the potential to create substantial economic shocks and impact severely on business.

EEDA’s work will ensure the continued and improved prosperity of the East of England including increasing the number of jobs, managing the changing structure of jobs (a greater proportion of jobs requiring more skilled labour), and retaining the number of jobs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which post office branches in east Devon made a loss in each of the last five years. (209930)

This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, managing director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member. Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on locating lottery ticket machines in post offices. (209809)

The provision of lottery terminals in post offices is a commercial matter for Post Office Ltd and Camelot.

Lottery terminals are the property of Camelot, and as part of its licence it is bound to review all potential sites and to operate a fair policy on the roll-out and allocation of terminals, ensuring that a strict selection criteria is adhered to, and that one retailer is not unduly favoured over another.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many mothers receive childcare allowances in (a) Leeds Metropolitan District and (b) Leeds West constituency. (209213)

I have been asked to reply.

The most recent estimates of the average number of families benefiting from the child care element of working tax credit, by local authority and constituency, based on final family circumstances and incomes, are published in the HMRC publication “Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics. Finalised Awards 2006-07. Geographical analyses”. This publication is available on the HMRC website at:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the cost of training the children's workforce in line with the recommendations set out in the Sector Skills agreement issued by the Children's Workforce Development Council in December 2007. (211199)

No estimate has yet been made of the training costs arising from the recommendations in CWDC's Sector Skills Agreement Gap Analysis Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the reasons were for his Department’s performance against each public service agreement target set in 2004 which it did not meet, as referred to in the Departmental Annual Report 2008. (211169)

The Department published its Departmental Report on 19 May 2008 which included latest assessments against Spending Review 2004 PSA targets. Two target elements were reported as not met:

PSA target 6 (element 1)—By 2006 85 per cent. of 11-year-olds achieve level 4 or above, with this level of performance sustained until 2008.

PSA target 7 (element 1)—By 2007 85 per cent. of 14-year-olds achieve level 5 or above in English, mathematics and ICT (80 per cent. in science) nationally, with this level of performance sustained to 2008.

PSA target 6 (element 1) was first reported as not met in the Autumn Performance Report 2006 (CM 6992) which also included the following information on performance:

Provisional 2005/06 results of Key Stage 2 tests show that 79 per cent. of 11-year-olds achieved level 4 or above in English (no change over 2004/05) and 76 per cent. achieved level 4 or above in mathematics (an increase of one percentage point over 2004/05).

Although primary standards are now at their highest ever level, the headline Key Stage 2 targets have not been met.

Compared to 1996/97, about 95,000 more 11-year-olds are now achieving the target level for their age in English and 83,000 more are doing so in mathematics. The 2005/06 results showed the largest increase in children achieving above the target level 4 in English since 2000.

Since 1996/97, the increase in standards and in the quality of teaching and learning in schools has been dramatic and sustained. Ofsted have stated that teaching in primary schools has never been better and describes the current generation of newly-qualified teachers as the best trained ever.

PSA target 7 (element 1) was first reported as not met in the Autumn Performance Report 2007 (CM 7279) which also included the following information on performance:

The 2006/07 provisional results of the National Curriculum Key Stage 3 tests show that 74 per cent. of 14-year-olds achieved level 5 or above in English, 76 per cent. achieved level 5 or above in mathematics, and 73 per cent. achieved level 5 or above in science. This represents an increase of three percentage points from the target’s 2003/04 baseline in English, three percentage points from the target’s 2003/04 baseline in mathematics, and seven percentage points from the target’s 2003/04 baseline in science.

Recent slow progress has meant the 2007 target has not been met. However, there has been some progress in 2006/07 with provisional results showing improvement in attainment in English, science and IT.

The 2006/07 results mean that 95,000 additional pupils reached the expected level in English compared to 1997, with 95,000 more reaching the expected level in mathematics and 75,000 in science.

To build on these results, the Making Good Progress pilot which started in September 2007 will help all children to progress well at school, giving the brightest pupils an opportunity to reach their full potential, and ensuring that those at risk of falling behind are identified and supported in their learning. A new secondary curriculum will be introduced from next year, which will give teachers more flexibility and provide additional time to help children who are at risk of falling behind to master the basics, as well as offering more stretching opportunities for those who excel.

Tools, guidance and training on Assessing Pupil Progress have now been rolled out for reading, writing and mathematics; speaking and listening and science will follow over the next year. The effective tracking of pupil progress is the most common feature of successful schools, and these materials will support schools in doing that. Through the National Strategies, targeted intervention materials for pupils who fall behind is also continuing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) private and voluntary independent and (b) maintained day nurseries there were in each year since 1997. (211168)

The Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey collects information on the ownership of child care provision. The estimated number and proportion of full day care providers by type of ownership, from 2001, is shown in the following table. Data for previous years are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the number of new appliance chassis which will be procured for use by Fire and Rescue Services in 2008-09; and if she will make a statement. (210589)

Firebuy Ltd., the body responsible for establishing contracts for FRS national procurement, monitors the use of these arrangements. A framework contract for pumping appliances was let by Firebuy in April 2007. 77 orders were made from this contract in 2007-08 of which 47 are due for delivery during 2008-09. To date in 2008-09 a further 86 pumping appliances have been ordered from this contract, plus orders for 15 specialist appliances through other Firebuy framework contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the number of Fire and Rescue Services which have opted out of the Integrated Clothing Project element of the FireBuy scheme for 2008-09; and if she will make a statement. (210588)

The contract for the Integrated Clothing Project has recently been signed between Firebuy Ltd. and Bristol Uniforms. We expect that a large number of fire and rescue authorities will use the contract when their current arrangements end. We know that some fire and rescue authorities are likely to seek agreement from CLG to go outside national arrangements for operational or other reasons. Firebuy will work with FRAs, where necessary, to assist them with the procurement process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to raise stakeholder and public awareness of home information packs over the next two years. (200333)

Along with the industry, we will continue to raise stakeholder and public awareness of Home Information Packs (HIPs) in the medium term, including through direct contact with key stakeholders, the HIPs website and other marketing activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to evaluate the (a) effectiveness and (b) public understanding of the revised home information pack scheme; and if she will make a statement. (201924)

The Government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of Home Information Packs (HIPs). Along with the industry, we will continue to raise stakeholder and public awareness of HIPs in the medium term, including through direct contact with key stakeholders, the HIPs website and other marketing activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether she plans to make the home condition report a mandatory component of the home information pack in the event that the industry does not secure its inclusion by voluntary means. (207395)

The home condition report remains a valuable element of the home information pack. The Government will continue to work with stakeholders to make a success of the voluntary uptake of the HCR. The mandatory option has not been ruled out should this voluntary approach not work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average length of time to process a (a) Home2own, (b) Homebuy and (c) first time buyer’s initiative application was in the last 12 months. (201571)

We do not hold data centrally on the average length of time it takes to process a Home2own, HomeBuy and First-Time Buyer’s Initiative application in the last 12 months. This can be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

HomeBuy Agents who administer the HomeBuy scheme and the First-Time Buyer’s Initiative are required to send applicants confirmation of their eligibility status within eight working days of initial receipt of a fully completed application form.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many applications there were to (a) Home2own, (b) Homebuy and (c) the First-time Buyers initiative in each year since each was established. (201651)

[holding answer 25 April 2008]: We do not hold data centrally on the number of applications that have been received by Home2own, HomeBuy and First-Time Buyer's initiative, since each scheme was established. This can be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what central Government grant financing to (a) Hyndburn Borough Council and (b) Rossendale Borough Council was in each year from 2002-03 to 2008-09. (210062)

The central Government grant financing to Hyndburn borough council and Rossendale borough council from 2002-03 to 2008-09 is shown in the following table.

Central Government grant financing is defined here as the sum of Formula grant (Revenue Support Grant and redistributed non-domestic rates) and Specific grants inside Aggregate External Finance (AEF), ie revenue grants paid for a council’s core services.

Figures exclude grants outside AEF (ie where funding is not for an authority’s core services, but is passed to a third party, for example, rent allowances and rebates), capital grants, funding for the local authority’s housing management responsibilities and those grant programmes (such as European funding) where an authority is simply one of the recipients of funding paid towards an area.

Comparisons across years may not be valid owing to changing local authority responsibilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the budget for the implementation of the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration is. (210616)

There is no separate budget for the implementation of the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration. Full details of the Department's expenditure in 2007-08 can be found in Annex B to its 2008 Annual Report: ‘Community, Opportunity, Prosperity’ (Cm 3794).

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent on implementing the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (a) in total and (b) for (i) staffing costs, (ii) administrative costs, (iii) communication costs and (iv) the costs of public consultation. (210617)

Given the wide-ranging nature of the proposals contained in the review, much of the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The consultation document ‘Prosperous Places: Taking Forward the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration’ includes an impact assessment of the potential cost of the proposed local authority economic assessment duty, and further assessments will be carried out of the impact of the legislation the Government intend to bring forward.

The costs of public consultation incurred to date have been:

These costs have been shared between this Department and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on (a) written consultations, (b) consultation roadshows and (c) stakeholder focus groups in each of the last three years. (205840)

The information requested is as follows:

(a) The expenditure on written consultations in each of the last three years is as follows:

2005-06

The 1954 Hague convention on the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict and its two protocols of 1954 and 1999

The BBC Charter Review Green Paper—A strong BBC, independent of Government

Consultation paper on a cultural test for British Films

National lottery shares 2009 consultation

Review of the Marine Historic Environment Working Groups

Total cost: £38,610

2006-07

Welcome Legacy: A Tourism Strategy for the 2012 Games—a consultation

Understanding the Future: Priorities for England's Museums

Heritage Protection for the 21st Century—White Paper

Review of the Marine Historic Environment Working Groups

Total cost: £54,579

2007-08

All consultations web-based

Cost: £ zero spend

(b) No consultation roadshows have been held in the last three years.

(c) The spend on stakeholder focus groups in each of the last three years is as follows:

2005-06

BBC Charter Review: Focus on the BBC Trust and the enforcement and collection of the licence fee

Attitudes towards allocation of lottery funds to arts and film, heritage and sport

Heritage Protection Review seminars

Total cost: £94,279

2006-07

Cost : £ zero spend

2007-08

Cost: £ zero spend

2007-08

Cost: £ zero spend

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Piranha V vehicles have been built and subjected to mine explosion tests of the type to which US candidates for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected programme have been exposed; and if he will publish the results. (208678)

The FRES Utility Vehicle protection requirements include those based upon latest Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and mine explosion threat assessments. The down selection of Piranha 5 as the provisionally preferred design for the FRES Utility Vehicle included an assessment of the current design and the ability to develop the design to meet the FRES protection requirements. Subject to Piranha 5 being confirmed as the preferred design, further work will be undertaken during the demonstration phase to confirm that Piranha 5 protection capabilities will meet the FRES requirement. This will include actual IED and mine explosion tests. None of the results of these assessments will be published as their disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces and commercial interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of (a) CRVT, (b) Saxon, (c) Warrior and (d) Challenger vehicles are (i) in service, (ii) fit for purpose and (iii) out of service. (209573)

The information requested is set out in the following table.

‘In service’ has been defined as the total number in the vehicle fleet. ‘Fit for purpose’ has been defined as those that are available for use. This includes vehicles awaiting minor repairs and those currently in transit to operational theatres. ‘Out of service’ has been defined as those vehicles within the total fleet that are currently unavailable, including vehicles undergoing major repair, planned re-fit or awaiting a decision on disposal. This category includes vehicles destroyed on operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the interoperability of the Future Rapid Effects System and the equivalent capabilities of other European countries. (210169)

The MOD has provisionally selected Piranha as the preferred FRES Utility Vehicle design. Our assessment is that Piranha 5 has the potential to meet the programme's interoperability requirements. This includes the requirement to be interoperable with NATO and other allies.

In the future, selection of designs to meet the requirements of the other vehicle families will similarly take account of interoperability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the most recent planned in-service date for the Future Rapid Effects System is. (210170)

In common with all defence equipment programmes, the in-service dates for the Future Rapid Effect System family of armoured vehicles will be fixed at the main investment decisions. It is our policy not to release or discuss in-service dates ahead of the main investment decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what discussions have taken place with General Dynamics on where the Future Rapid Effects System will be assembled; (210171)

Where FRES vehicles will be assembled has been the subject of discussions with all the companies participating in the initial wave of competitions to select the Utility Vehicle (UV) Design, the UV Integrator and the System of Systems Integrator. The specific provision in the FRES Acquisition Strategy covering vehicle manufacture also featured in the documentation issued to the companies involved.

There have been no further discussions with General Dynamics on where vehicles will be assembled since the announcement on 8 May 2008 that Piranha 5 had been selected as the provisionally preferred UV Design.

No specific requirements have been placed on General Dynamics to use the UK supply-chain of small and medium enterprises in the Future Rapid Effect System programme. Promoting the use of UK-based small and medium enterprises where they add value to the programme is, however, clearly desirable.

The assessment of when a demonstration vehicle would be available was an area of focus during the Utility Vehicle trials in 2007, as was specifying a platform weight for the Future Rapid Effect System. Our assessment is continuing and these areas will remain a focus during the forthcoming programme of risk reduction work that will address a number of commercial, programme and technical issues.

Only when the MOD is satisfied on all the issues being addressed during the programme of risk reduction work, including when a demonstration vehicle will be available and a platform weight specified, will General Dynamics achieve preferred bidder status and these decisions will be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is a requirement of the Future Rapid Effects System programme that it should be able to be transported in an aircraft. (210175)

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on the Future Rapid Effects System programme. (210176)

Expenditure to 31 March 2008 on the Future Rapid Effect System since the launch of the assessment phase in 2004 is £130 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice he received from the military on methods of disposing of cluster munitions before taking the decision to sign the Dublin Convention. (210665)

Ministers did not receive military advice on methods of disposing of munitions prior to the Dublin Conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of disposing of the UK's cluster munitions. (210695)

We are in the process of implementing the provisions of the adopted convention on the UK's cluster munitions and assessing their likely disposal costs. As soon as they become known I will inform the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's expenditure on external consultancy was in 2007-08. (210711)

The MOD's external assistance expenditure figures for 2007-08 are currently being compiled.

It is planned that they will be placed in the Library of the House before summer recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2008, Official Report, column 795W, on Departmental databases, if he will list (a) the companies and (b) the categories of personal information involved. (199949)

The Ministry of Defence, including its agencies, has contracted the following US-based companies to provide services involving the use, storage, processing or analysis of databases of personal information held by the Government on UK citizens, in each case the type of personal information is indicated, both in general terms and by Data Protection Act category.

My answer of 1 April 2008 referred only to the first of these service providers. Since then an in-depth exercise to carry out a review of the Department’s holdings of personal data has been completed and a further three service providers (SuperLetter.Com, Galileo and Carlson Wagonlit Travel) have been confirmed.

The Department, including its agencies, has contracted with a number of UK based subsidiaries of USA registered service providers over the last five years. All those whose details are known centrally following the recent review exercise are listed as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date Sea Dart missiles were removed from (a) HMS Exeter and (b) HMS Southampton. (210668)

HMS Exeter had her Sea Dart missiles offloaded in July 2007 and HMS Southampton’s were removed January 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what operations (a) HMS Exeter and (b) HMS Southampton have taken part in over the last six months. (210669)

During the last six months HMS Exeter has been deployed on a NATO led Operation Active Endeavour in the Eastern Mediterranean. HMS Southampton has not taken part in any operations in the last six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many days (a) HMS Exeter and (b) HMS Southampton were (i) out to sea and (ii) undergoing maintenance in the last six months. (210670)

Between 10 December 2007 and 10 June 2008 HMS Exeter was out at sea for 53 days and undergoing maintenance for 20 days. HMS Southampton was out at sea for 34 days and undergoing maintenance for 46 days. The remainder of their time was spent alongside on port visits, leave, trials and work up periods.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects Sea Dart missiles to be returned to (a) HMS Southampton and (b) HMS Exeter. (210672)

I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. HMS Exeter and HMS Southampton continue to be armed with weapon system capabilities required to meet their tasking.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the operational purposes of the Royal Navy’s Sea Dart missiles are. (210671)

Sea Dart is a medium range air defence missile. The principal operational purpose of missile is to engage and destroy attacking enemy aircraft or missiles. The secondary operational purpose is toengage and destroy enemy ships.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of the Royal Navy's monthly Sitrep for each month since January 2008. (210662)

The naval monthly sitreps (Situation Reports) are designed for internal circulation to naval requirement managers, giving a range of statistics about strengths, inflows and outflows of Naval staff by various dimensions such as specialisation and rank.

The numbers in the reports are not fully rounded, with numbers under 10 being unrounded. Because this might allow personally identifying information to be revealed, only fully rounded versions can be placed on the Library.

A fully rounded version of the main Sitrep for December 2007 is available in the Library of the House. I shall place a copy of the fully rounded version of the latest edition (May 2008) in the Library of the House, however, previous editions could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of QinetiQ’s consultations on Nimrod were over the last three years. (209727)

The cost of work relating to Nimrod aircraft carried out by QinetiQ over the last three financial years was £26.1 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average time taken for the decommissioning of nuclear submarines is. (209578)

The submarine decommissioning process is defined as starting when a vessel leaves service with the Royal Navy and concludes when the disposal process is complete, including both the transfer of radioactive waste into long-term storage at a National Waste Management Facility and the disposal of the hull.

No UK nuclear submarine has completed this process as all 14 ex-Royal Navy nuclear submarines are currently in afloat storage at either HM Naval Base Devonport or Rosyth Dockyard. It is not therefore possible to provide an average figure for the time taken for submarine decommissioning.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safety checks are in place to monitor current submarines in decommission. (209579)

Submarines that are being decommissioned are subject to regular safety checks as laid down in their respective safety cases; these are controlled in accordance with the safety management arrangements of the sites at which they are stored. These arrangements are approved by the relevant nuclear regulators. Checks include a weekly watertight integrity check and radiological surveys conducted at a periodicity ranging from a month to a year.

Safety checks form part of a broader maintenance regime which includes yearly scheduled maintenance and docking every 10 to 15 years to allow a complete survey and re-preservation package to ensure further safe afloat storage until final disposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated value of his Department’s wine stores is. (209581)

It is not MOD policy to hold stores of wine. Small amounts that are purchased from public funds, as required, for specific functions as part of official entertainment are not accounted for centrally, and their total value could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

MOD’s own regulations on the provision of official entertainment are contained in JSP 462 (Financial Management Policy Manual), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.