To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission whether the House authorities have requested the return of the disc containing personal financial information of hon. Members from the Daily Telegraph. (300229)

In the absence of a police investigation the House authorities are not in a position to confirm whether or not there is such a disc, or who may have such a disc in their possession. I refer the hon. Member to Mr. Speaker's statement of 11 May 2009 referring to steps the House authorities have taken to remind publishers of the serious security implications if personal data that might expose Members and others to risks to their safety were to be published.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if the House of Commons Commission will advise hon. Members on changing their bank details following the disclosure of hon. Members' personal financial information. (300238)

All Members were advised, by letter, on 13 May that they should consider taking action. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the letter.

To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission whether the Electoral Commission has provided guidance to electoral registration officers in local authorities on the storage of electoral records. (300736)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it issues guidance to all electoral registration officers, which highlights the importance of ensuring that electoral records containing personal data are stored securely.

In particular the Commission's guidance recommends that electoral registration officers should seek guidance from the appointing authority's Data Protection Officer and IT department on appropriate procedures to mitigate risks to the security of electoral data.

The Commission further informs me that the Ministry of Justice has published guidance on common standards for the storage of electors' details on the electoral register.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what proportion of staff of his Department, its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies work flexibly or part-time; and what his Department’s policy is on making jobs available on a job-share or flexible basis. (301336)

Currently there are 50 (10.3 per cent.) out of a total of 481 staff working part-time in DCMS. However, all staff are actively encouraged to work alternative working patterns, including flexible working, compressed hours, and working from home. These are mainly arranged at local line management level and the Department does not hold comprehensive data centrally about the percentages of staff involved. The Department’s policy is that all posts are considered suitable for part-time employees or job-share unless there is a clear business case outlining why this should not be the case.

The Royal Parks Agency currently has seven (7 per cent.) out of 100 staff working part-time. Application forms ask for applicants to state their preferred working patterns including whether they wish to be considered for a job share.

We do not hold information centrally about our non-departmental bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and (h) fruit procured by his Department that was produced in the UK in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (300182)

The proportion of food procured by the Department during 2008-09 which was produced in the UK was as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the (a) cost and (b) purpose was of legal (i) representation and (ii) advice sought by his Department and its agencies in each year since May 1997. (300334)

The overall legal costs incurred by the Department and its Agency, The Royal Parks, from 2005-06 to 2008-09 are set out in the table.

Information relating to prior years can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Legal advice is provided by the Treasury Solicitor’s Department and, where required, by counsel and private sector legal firms. The purpose of the advice is to support the whole range of the Department’s activities, including policy making, the drafting of statutory instruments and the preparation of Bills.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of providing official cars for the use of (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the last 12 months. (301184)

The cost of providing official cars for the use of Ministers in 2008-09 was £276,668. No departmental official was provided with an official car.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what date he last travelled by train in the course of his official duties. (301195)

I travelled by train to Nottingham on 20 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of jobs advertised by his Department in the last 12 months were online only applications; and what provision his Department makes for those wishing to apply for jobs in his Department who do not have access to the internet. (301547)

95 per cent. (or 113 out of 119) of the recruitments that took place between November 2008 and November 2009 were advertised on the internet only. These were recruitments that were open to existing civil servants only. Posts open external to the civil service are often advertised in the press as well. As yet no provisions are in place to advertise internal Civil service recruitments in a non-electronic format, however, paper-only applications are accepted by the Department and information on current vacancies is available and readily given to any individual who contacts the Department inquiring about current opportunities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether his Department provides guidance on whether hon. Members and district councillors are included in the definition of ‘interested parties’ or ‘responsible authorities’ in section 13 of the Licensing Act 2003 and in the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005. (301073)

The Licensing Act 2003 (the 2003 Act) and associated guidance issued by the Secretary of State and by my Department sets out the individuals or bodies that are interested parties and responsible authorities under the 2003 Act. Members of Parliament and district councillors are not responsible authorities under the 2003 Act and, currently, are interested parties only if they live, or operate a business, in the vicinity of the premises. In addition, if requested to do so, they can make representations on behalf of a resident or a business who themselves is an interested party under the 2003 Act.

In recognition of the important role that local authorities play in co-ordinating efforts to manage local alcohol related problems, the Policing and Crime Act 2009 includes a provision which, when in force, will make local councillors interested parties under the 2003 Act and therefore able to make representations on licence applications and seek licence reviews in their own right as councillors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many allegations of victimisation for whistleblowing have been made to his Department by its staff since 6 June 2006. (301499)

The Wales Office has had no occurrence of whistleblowing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of providing official cars for the use of (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the last 12 months. (301179)

I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Paul Clark) on 16 July 2009, Official Report, column 80WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what contracts his Department has with private hire taxi companies; and what expenditure his Department has incurred against each such contract in each of the last three years. (300836)

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much funding is required for cadet instructors to resume training; (301439)

We fully recognise the contribution that the cadets make to the long-term future of the Army and to society in general. But tough choices have to be made. Our focus is on Afghanistan and the cadets do not contribute directly to that main effort. We have therefore taken the very difficult decision to reduce the amount of money available to the Army Cadet Force for the remainder of the year. This means that instructors will receive no further payments for weekend Cadet training, although we will continue to meet enabling costs such as travel where we can. We will also continue to provide training courses at the Cadet Training Centre and at Brigade level for adult instructors, as it is essential that we maintain that core of skill and expertise. Instructors are not paid for evening training activity, so this is continuing as normal. The reduction in activity is saving a total of £4 million. By the end of 2009-10 Army cadet instructors will have received some £13 million from the Army budget.

We acknowledge the huge level of commitment and enthusiasm within the Army Cadet Force, and among the volunteer adult instructors in particular.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many deductions of earnings requests each of the armed forces received from the Child Support Agency and the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission in the last three years for which figures are available; how many requests were (a) complied with and (b) not complied with by each service; and under what circumstances a service will not comply with a deduction of earnings request. (300694)

Data are not held in a format which would identify a breakdown of the number of deductions from earnings requests. However, the total numbers received across the services since January 2007 to date are provided in the following table:

Deductions from earnings requests are complied with in all but exceptional circumstances. If an individual was not in receipt of pay, for example because they were absent without leave, this would prohibit compliance. In instances where a non-resident parent cannot be contacted because they are committed to operational duties, the CSA would be informed accordingly, and asked to resubmit the request in six months.

Under armed forces legislation, it is not always possible for the full amount of a deductions from earnings request to be taken from a serviceperson's salary. Under the Minimum Drawing Rate regulations, no individual can have more than 50 per cent. of their net pay deducted in respect of certain items, including deduction of earnings requests. Individuals will, nonetheless, remain liable for the amounts as ordered. Such arrears must either be cleared via private arrangements, or by continued monthly deductions from salary at the end of the period of liability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of progress towards his Department's recruitment targets for the armed forces in the (a) short and (b) medium term; and how many personnel have been recruited into the armed forces from non-Commonwealth countries in each of the last three years. (300387)

Recruiting targets are determined annually based on current and forecast outflow rates and liability, and recruitment to all three services continues to improve. Targeted national, regional and local level recruiting campaigns coupled with the current economic climate are factors contributing to increased interest.

Shortages in some key trades remain a concern. This is being addressed through retention incentives, increased recruiting, and by restructuring the services to improve effectiveness.

Manning Balance is defined in the MOD's public service agreement as between -2 per cent. and +1 per cent. of the requirement. The Army has moved into Manning Balance and the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are both forecast to move into Manning Balance during 2010.

With the exception of the citizens of the Republic of Ireland and Nepalese citizens recruited into the Royal Gurkha Rifles we do not recruit outside of the Commonwealth.

Gurkha intake was fixed at 230 personnel over the previous three financial years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09.

The following table provides the number of other personnel recruited into the UK Regular Forces who register a non-Commonwealth nationality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential effectiveness of pyrolysis waste disposal systems generating heat and electricity whilst troops are on operations; and how wet and dry waste is disposed of during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. (300501)

The use of pyrolysis waste disposal systems on operations to generate heat and electricity may not be viable, due to the low electrical power output such systems can generate and the difficulty in utilising heat energy in hot desert environments. MOD is however, committed to investigating this and is conducting a study into the quantity and type of waste produced in theatre, which will enable the Department to determine the best energy from waste solution.

Currently dry waste in theatre is sorted and plastics and metals are recycled by local companies. The rest is incinerated in theatre. MOD is in the process of supplying Membrane Biological Reactors in order to treat sewage and it is investigating the re-use of grey water from showers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armoured vehicles of each type were classified as (a) in service, (b) fit for purpose and (c) not in service on the latest date for which figures are available. (301595)

The numbers of armoured vehicles of each type classified as ‘in service', ‘fit for purpose' and ‘out of service' are provided in the following table.

Significant quantities of Mastiff, Vector, Bulldog and Snatch are currently in the process of withdrawal to the UK following the cessation of operations in Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 12 November 2009, Official Report, columns 702-3W, on Defence Estates: sales, how much of the total receipts accrued in 2007-08 have been allocated for the purposes of improving armed forces accommodation. (301481)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 November 2009, Official Report, column 222W to the hon. Member for Westbury (Dr. Murrison).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assets of his Department are planned to be sold in each year from 2009-10 to 2013-14; what the (a) description and (b) book value of each such asset is; what the expected revenue from each such sale is; and if he will make a statement. (300198)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) keeps its estate under constant review to meet present and planned future requirements, with a view to disposing of surplus assets as quickly as possible. A list of the sites comprising the present and potential future programme is available in the Library of the House.

Details of all MOD holdings over £1 million, including sites in disposal, together with their latest asset valuations can be found in Chapter Seven of the National Asset Register, on HM Treasury's website:

www.hm-treasury.gov.uk

Details of all property below £1 million in value could be provided only with disproportionate cost.

Receipts from individual sales depend on market conditions at the time of sale and other factors. Where pre-sale valuations have been obtained, then release ahead of the sale could, in any case, influence the market and they are thus regarded as commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much had been spent on the submarine dismantling project on the latest date for which figures are available. (301596)

Up to and including 31 March 2009, the latest date for which figures are available, spending on the Submarine Dismantling Project had been £3.15 million, excluding staff costs.

At this time the project was still known as the ISOLUS (Interim Storage of Laid-Up Submarines) project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the Territorial Army budget for financial year 2010-11. (300539)

[holding answer 23 November 2009]: The Army budget for 2010-11 will be published in the Defence Estimates in spring 2010 following approval in the House of Commons. However, this will not separately identify individual cost areas within the total budget; the ethos is of one Army—Regular and Territorial. The financial systems do not allow costs such as stock, ammunition and rations to be separately identified from those incurred by Regular units.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of providing official cars for the use of (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the last 12-months. (301175)

I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Paul Clark), on 16 July 2009, Official Report, column 80WS.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff of each grade work at each location on services which his Department has contracted out; what the (a) contractors and (b) services provided are in each case; what the length of each contract is; and what union recognition agreements are in place with each contractor. (301601)

The Department for International Development (DFID) has contracts with third party suppliers for a number of services which are carried out on DFID premises. Information on the name of contractors and the services provided is available on the DFID website at:

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Working-with-DFID/Procurement/Contracts-let/

It is not possible to provide the number of staff broken down by civil service grades. Union recognition agreements are a matter between our suppliers and their employees.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department has provided to each south and central American country in each year since 2006. (300353)

Information on the Department for International Development's (DFID) aid to all developing countries is available in the publication Statistics on International Development, which is available in the Library or online at:

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-DFID/Finance-and-Performance/Aid-Statistics/Statistics-on-International-Development-2009/

Details of funding in south and central America can be found at:

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Documents/publications/sid%202009/Table%2014.2%20America.xls

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps have been taken to provide information for the public on the allocation of funds from the public purse to overseas aid projects. (300663)

The Department for International Development (DFID) has published summary information on each of its overseas aid projects via its website since August 2009. We are working on arrangements and a time table for publishing further details of our projects. In doing so, we need to balance our commitment to transparency with the need to protect sensitive information, and the cost and practicality of publishing information in a usable format.

In October 2009 DFID also published “Statistics on International Development” which contains summary data tables on the destination and purpose of all UK official expenditure on international development in each of the last five years. A copy is available in the Library as well as at:

www.dfid.gov.uk

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the time taken between the commitment and delivery of funds was in respect of each pledge made by his Department in each of the last five years. (301474)

This information cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports he has received of sexual and gender-based violence against Tamil women in the camps of northern Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. (301087)

It is very difficult to verify reports or allegations of sexual and gender-based violence in the camps in Sri Lanka. This is because access for humanitarian agencies, particularly those who work on protection activities, has been extremely restricted. We continue to press the Government of Sri Lanka to allow humanitarian agencies access to the camps to assess allegations of abuses such as sexual and gender-based violence.

The UK Government have consistently advocated for the treatment of all internally displaced persons (IDPs) held in camps in Sri Lanka to be in accordance with international standards.

The most effective way to ensure the safety of women displaced by the conflict is to restore freedom of movement to the IDP population so vulnerable people can be reunited with their families and communities.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how many (a) Ministers and (b) civil servants from the Government Equalities Office will be attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in an official capacity. (300915)

None,

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what expenditure the Government Equalities Office incurred on hotel accommodation in 2008-09. (301389)

In 2008-09 the Government Equalities Office spent £8,234 on hotel accommodation.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in the Government Equalities Office was in the last 12 months. (301392)

The Government Equalities Office does not provide Government cars to special advisers and therefore there has been no expenditure for this service.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how many staff in the Government Equalities Office received bonus payments in 2008-09; what proportion of the total workforce they represented; what the total amount of bonuses paid was; what the largest single payment was; and if she will make a statement. (300568)

In 2008-09 the Government Equalities Office awarded 19 bonuses to its staff at a total cost of £28,400. The 19 staff represented 19 per cent. of the total work force. The highest individual bonus awarded was £10,500.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what training sessions were attended by (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in the Government Equality Office at public expense in each of the last three years. (301368)

Since its creation on the 12 October 2007 the Government Equalities Office has not funded any training sessions for its Ministers or special advisers.

To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how many and what proportion of staff of the Government Equalities Office work flexibly or part-time; and what her Office's policy is on making jobs available on a job-share or flexible basis. (301342)

The Government Equalities Office (GEO) operates a flexible working policy which is available to all staff and this is offered on all job vacancies. We currently have six staff who work part-time and this equates to 5.5 per cent. of our work force.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what estimate he has made of the costs (a) to date and (b) by the end of the 2009-10 financial year of preparing the A5-M1 link. (300620)

[holding answer 23 November 2009]: The total cost at the end of October 2009 of preparing the A5-M1 Link scheme is £11.8 million. The estimated total costs by the end of the 2009-10 financial year is £12.8 million.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what steps his Department is taking to reduce the incidence of alcohol-related violent, anti-social behaviour on buses in (a) Milton Keynes and (b) the South East. (300274)

The Department for Transport has not directly undertaken any specific initiatives in relation to Milton Keynes or to the South East.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the (a) average and (b) highest non-consolidated performance related payment was in cash terms for senior civil servants in his Department in each of the last five years. (300509)

[holding answer 23 November 2009]: The (a) average and (b) highest non-consolidated performance related payment in cash terms for senior civil servants in the Department for Transport in each of the last five years is set out in the following table:

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport with reference to the answer of 2 November 2009, Official Report, column 632W, on departmental pay, when the next equal pay review for each bargaining unit will be held. (301151)

The table shows when each of the Department for Transport’s bargaining units will be carrying out its next equal pay review.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport on what date he last travelled by train in the course of his official duties. (301200)

On Friday 20 November 2009.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what steps his Department is taking to encourage the use of electric vehicles in Milton Keynes. (300544)

The Government have allocated over £400 million to deliver policies aiming to place the UK at the global forefront of ultra-low carbon vehicle development, demonstration, manufacture and use. These policies would all be applicable to encouraging the use of electric vehicles in Milton Keynes.

Some measures are available nationally, such as £230 million to provide consumer support worth in the region of £2,000 to £5,000 per car to be used between 2011 and 2014.

Other measures have a regional focus. For example on 19 November, the Government launched the Plugged-in Places infrastructure framework, providing up to £30 million to support the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in around three to six lead cities and regions across the UK. The aim of this scheme is for consortia to come forward with plans for roll outs of the electric vehicle infrastructure in their region.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when the draft Air Accident Investigation Branch report on the Etap field helicopter incident will be with the statutory recipients; and when he expects to publish the final version. (301114)

The accident occurred on 18 February 2009 and is the subject of an inspector’s investigation. The Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 1996 state that a report on an investigation should be made public in the shortest time possible (and if possible, within 12 months of the date of the accident or serious incident).

The subject investigation is complex in nature and requires significant consultation with Eurocopter, the helicopter manufacturer. This has introduced some delays to the investigation process. While it is difficult to predict the future time scale for concluding the outstanding technical issues it is hoped that the draft report will be ready for distribution to the statutory recipients by March 2010. Publication of the final report typically occurs three months after representations have been received and considered but it dependent on the issues raised by those consulted.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport with reference to the answer of 5 November 2009, Official Report, column 1103W, on the Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation: finance, how much his Department and its agencies have spent on (a) pilots, (b) design studies, (c) development, (d) consultants and (e) equipment relating to the Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation in each of the last 10 years. (301472)

The table sets out payments made directly to ITSO Ltd. (and its predecessor, the Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation) in the last 10 years, broken down into development and consultancy. Please note the membership fees are included in the development figures.

No funding for pilot schemes has been paid directly to ITSO Ltd. However, the Department for Transport has made payments to public authorities to support pilots and in some cases the transition of legacy schemes to ITSO compliance.

The Department has not fund design studies for ITSO.

The Department has not directly funded equipment purchase for ITSO Ltd. However, some public authority schemes will have used DFT funding to purchase equipment for their schemes, for example smartcard readers.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport (1) whether the chief executive of the Highways Agency plans to visit residents of the parts of Walsall borough affected by works on the M6 when he visits the sites in the borough where work is being undertaken; (300244)

[holding answer 23 November 2009]: The chief executive of the Highways Agency has agreed to visit the site of the Managed Motorways work on the M6. I have asked the chief executive to notify my hon. Friend when details are finalised.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will make it his policy to oppose any proposals from the European Commission which would require existing vehicles to use daytime running lights. (300575)

We have argued successfully against mandatory European rules on the use of dipped headlamps during daylight hours by existing vehicles (except when required by conditions, eg fog) and are not aware of any new proposals along these lines.

Special, dedicated, low-wattage daytime running lamps will be required by early 2011 for all new types of passenger car/light van and by summer 2012 for all other new types. We are not aware of any proposal to retro-fit such lamps to existing vehicles.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the level of violence and abusive behaviour on public transport in (a) Milton Keynes and (b) the South East. (300275)

The Department for Transport (DFT) does not routinely assess regional public transport crime or antisocial behaviour data.

The British Transport police collect crime data for crime committed at rail stations and on trains, as well as London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Glasgow Subway, Croydon Tramlink and the Midland Metro tram system.

Crime committed at bus stations and on buses may be collected by the bus operator, local authority, Passenger Transport Executive and/or local police. These data are not collated or assessed at a national level by DFT.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what account his Department takes of local authorities’ growth point status when determining the level of funding for new railway infrastructure. (300317)

Local authorities are best placed to determine the transport requirements arising from any growth point in their area. They can fund railway infrastructure through the Community Infrastructure Fund and prioritising the use of Regional Funding Allocation for investment in such an area. The Department for Transport also takes account of population and employment growth when determining future capacity requirements of the railway funded through the High Level Output Specification.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what his policy is on the (a) promotion and (b) facilitation by his Department of the reopening of closed railway (i) lines and (ii) stations. (301246)

It is for local authorities and regions to determine whether or not a re-opened railway or a new station is the best way to meet local or regional transport needs. They can fund a scheme from the regional funding allocation if it is a priority and demonstrates value for money. The Department for Transport is prepared to work with promoters of new lines, services and stations to help and advise them on how their objectives can be achieved and to facilitate their implementation through changes to franchises.

Where investment requires the provision of new or enhanced services, the policy is that a subsidy required should be funded by the promoter for at least the first three years. Following that period, if the service is successful and demonstrates value for money, subject to funds being made available, the Government would consider funding it thereafter as part of the national rail network.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department has spent on (a) consultancy fees and (b) other aspects of the Intercity Express programme to date. (301245)

From 2005 to October 2009, the Department for Transport has spent £21 million on the Intercity Express Programme. This resource has included financial, procurement, programme management, technical, legal, industry, business case and other specialist advice required to ensure the successful delivery of a project of the scale of the Intercity Express Programme. This figure should be considered in the context of the Intercity Express Programme contract value of £7.5 billion.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many of the 1,300 extra carriages referred to in the Government’s Rail White Paper of July 2007 have been ordered; and on which lines they will be operating. (300346)

[holding answer 23 November 2009]: As I set out in my answer of 14 October 2009, Official Report, columns 895-96W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Heywood and Middleton (Jim Dobbin), so far there have been 543 new rail carriages ordered by the following train operators:

On 23 July, the Government announced a major new electrification programme which radically affects the requirements for train rolling stock over the next decade. In particular, there will be far less need for diesel trains and a greater requirement for electric trains. The Department for Transport will publish a new rolling stock plan in the autumn, setting out a revised strategy.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when he expects to issue the rolling stock statement which the Secretary of State indicated in July would be published in the autumn of this year; and whether this statement will cover both the Intercity Express programme and the 1,300 extra carriages referred to in the Government’s Rail White Paper of July 2007. (300348)

[holding answer 23 November 2009]: As set out in my answer to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) of 26 October 2009, Official Report, columns 12-13W, on 23 July the Government announced the electrification of the Great Western Main Line between London and Swansea, and the line between Liverpool and Manchester via Newton-le-Willows. This electrification programme radically affects the requirements for rolling stock over the next decade. We will publish an updated rolling stock plan, taking account of these changes and setting out a revised strategy in the autumn.

This will happen in due course and will set out the Government’s strategy in relation to rolling stock provision.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) of 26 October 2009, Official Report, column 12W, on rolling stock: procurement, by what date he expects to publish the updated rolling stock plan. (301048)

As set out in my answer to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) of 26 October 2009, Official Report, columns 12-13W, on 23 July the Government announced the electrification of the Great Western Main Line between London and Swansea, and the line between Liverpool and Manchester via Newton-le-Willows. This electrification programme radically affects the requirements for rolling stock over the next decade. We will publish an updated rolling stock plan, taking account of these changes and setting out a revised strategy in the autumn.

This will happen in due course.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 12 November 2009, Official Report, column 639W, on Thameslink: Rolling Stock, when he expects to (a) announce the preferred bidder and (b) place the final order for the Thameslink rolling stock programme. (300312)

The identification of a preferred bidder prior to final award will depend on the progress of the evaluation and negotiations with the remaining bidders. As set in out in my answer of 12 November 2009, Official Report, column 639W, the Department for Transport is currently planning to award the order around autumn 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Homes and Communities Agency has spent on its National Consultancy Unit since the establishment of that unit. (300450)

Since the National Consultancy Unit's establishment in 1 April 2004, staff costs (salaries) are estimated as £10,062,940.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how much the Homes and Communities Agency has spent on providing (a) signage and (b) security for the site at (i) St Clements Hospital, London and (ii) Castle College Northside, Sheffied; (300451)

St Clements Hospital, London was purchased for £7 million on 11 June 2008. Since purchasing St. Clement's Hospital, the Homes and Communities Agency has spent:

£255,323 on security up to and including 31 October 2009; and

£504 on safety and warning signage.

Castle College Northside, Sheffield was purchased for £5 million on 16 July 2008.

The Homes and Communities Agency has not spent anything on signage or security on Castle College as the college are occupying the site until 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to make a decision on the future of the pilot Rent to HomeBuy scheme. (300456)

Rent to HomeBuy is proving successful in supporting first time buyers and providers of affordable housing, and will continue for the remainder of the 2008-11 National Affordable Housing Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Christmas parties his Department plans to host in 2009; what has been budgeted for each such reception; what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables, (h) fruit and (i) alcohol to be served at each such function which is produced in the UK; and if he will make a statement. (300879)

The Department does not fund staff Christmas parties and in respect of any other functions this question could be answered only at disproportionate cost.

A second report on the proportion of domestically produced food used by Government Departments and also supplied to hospitals and prisons under contracts negotiated by NHS Supply Chain and HM Prison Service was published in November 2008, covering the year from 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008. This report and the first one covering the previous year can be found at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/policy/publicsectorfood/awareness.htm

The report gives details of the proportion of individual meat, fruit and vegetable categories purchased.

Although it is too early to show a trend, the report indicates that the amount of domestically produced food consumed by Government Departments in England is increasing. The proportion of domestically produced food procured by Communities has gone up from 59 per cent. in 2006-07 to 65 per cent. in 2007-08. We expect to publish a third report at the end of 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much (a) his Department, (b) the Homes and Communities Agency, (c) the Homes and Communities Agency Academy and (d) the Tenant Services Authority expects to spend on Christmas parties in 2009. (300448)

In relation to Christmas parties, the Department has interpreted this to mean internal, departmental Christmas parties. On this basis, the (a) Department can confirm that no official funds are planned to be spent on Christmas parties in 2009.

The Homes and Communities Agency (b), the Homes and Communities Agency Academy (c) and the Tenant Services Authority (d) can also confirm that there are no plans to spend official funds on Christmas parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) Ministers and (b) civil servants from his Department will be attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in an official capacity. (300887)

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what (a) drinks receptions, (b) seminars and (c) conferences have been hosted by (i) his Department, (ii) the Tenants Services Authority, (iii) the Homes and Communities Agency and (iv) the Homes and Communities Agency Academy in each of the last 12 months. (300444)

The Department does not hold this information centrally and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Information in respect of the Tenant Services Agency, the Homes and Communities Agency and the Homes and Communities Agency Academy has been deposited in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what (a) bonuses and (b) incentives have been paid to (i) consultants and (ii) contractors engaged by his Department in each of the last three years. (300643)

The Department has not paid any (a) bonuses and (b) incentives to (i) consultants and (ii) contractors in the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what (a) bonuses and (b) incentives have been paid to (i) consultants and (ii) contractors engaged by executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible in each of the last three years. (300644)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many allegations of victimisation for whistleblowing have been made to his Department by its staff since 6 June 2006. (301563)

There have been no allegations of victimisation for whistleblowing made to the Department for Communities and Local Government since 6 June 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of providing official cars for the use of (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the last 12 months. (301181)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 22 October 2009, Official Report, column 1642W, to the hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening).

Figures could be broken down by (a) Ministers and (b) officials only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what date he last travelled by train in the course of his official duties. (301192)

Friday, 20 November 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what weight of paper his Department has recycled in each of the last five years. (300774)

The weight of paper recycled by the Department for Communities and Local Government in the last five years is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what contracts his Department has with private hire taxi companies; and what expenditure his Department has incurred against each such contract in each of the last three years. (300833)

The Department has spent the following amounts through formal and informal contracts with taxi companies over the last three fiscal years.

Staff will also pay taxi fares themselves in the course of official business and claim the costs back through the T&S system, figures from this show the following expenditure over the last three years:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and (h) fruit procured by his Department that was produced in the UK in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (300188)

A second report on the proportion of domestically produced food used by Government Departments and also supplied to hospitals and prisons under contracts negotiated by NHS Supply Chain and HM Prison Service was published in November 2008, covering the year from 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008. This report and the first one covering the previous year can be found at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/policy/publicsectorfood/awareness.htm

The report gives details of the proportion of individual meat, fruit and vegetable categories purchased.

Although it is too early to show a trend, the report indicates that the amount of domestically produced food consumed by Government Departments in England is increasing. The proportion of domestically produced food procured by Communities has gone up from 59 per cent. in 2006-07 to 65 per cent. in 2007-08. We expect to publish a third report at the end of 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what (a) shareholdings and (b) subsidiaries the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) owns; what the purpose of ownership of each stake is; what the HCA's shareholding represents as a percentage of the overall shares; and what recent estimate he has made of the monetary value of each stake. (300441)

A list of the Homes and Communities Agency's associates and subsidiaries and its proportionate shareholding is disclosed in its Financial Statements for 2008-09, as laid in the House (pages 81 and 82).

The main reasons for holding these investments is to further the business of the agency in pursuit of its strategic objectives.

The carrying values of the agency's investments in the Financial Statements are assessed each year. This assessment is scrutinised by the National Audit Office as part of their annual audit work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Homes and Communities Agency and its predecessor spent on (a) Places of Change, (b) the Thames Gateway and (c) growth funding in each of the last three years. (300442)

Information on spending on Places of Change, the Thames Gateway and growth was published in the Homes and Communities Agency's Annual Report and Financial Statement for 2008-09, and in the financial statements of its predecessor bodies: the Housing Corporation, English Partnerships and the Department for Communities and Local Government for preceding years, as lodged in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has spent on staff costs related to the HCA Academy. (300443)

I refer the hon. Member to the Homes and Communities Agency's 2008-9 Annual Report which includes information about the HCA Academy's staff costs.

A copy of the Annual report and Accounts can be found in the Library of the House. They can also be found at the following web link.

http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/public/documents/annual-report-2009.pdf

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer of 5 November 2009, Official Report, column 1124W, on the Homes and Communities Agency: consultants, how much the Homes and Communities Academy spent on (a) the National and Regional Delivery Structure project, (b) the Brownfield Skills project, (c) the Endorsement Framework project, (d) the Benchmark and Toolkit project, (e) the Practical Knowledge to Support delivery project and (f) the programme staff costs project; and how much of each sum was spent on consultancy costs. (300515)

The HCA Academy's project and consultancy spend on the projects listed above are as follows:

The spend on programme staff costs include staff salaries, expenses and costs for staff seconded in from other organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what role the Homes and Communities Agency has had in the delivery of (a) the Mortgage Rescue scheme and (b) the National Clearing House. (300594)

Since the Mortgage Rescue scheme's inception, the HCA has worked with the Government to ensure support is available for the most vulnerable households to avoid repossession and remain in their home by taking a lead role in working with and monitoring the performance of those RSLs delivering the scheme.

In May 2008, the Government announced a plan to take advantage of market opportunities to bring private sector developer stock into the affordable housing sector by earmarking £200 million of funding through the Housing Corporation (the Homes and Communities Agency's predecessor) National Affordable Housing programme (NAHP) budget for the purchase of homes from house builders.

To help facilitate the scheme, the Corporation set up the National Clearing House to streamline initial assessment of national packages of at least 250 units from private sector house builders. The Housing Corporation's Investment partners, mainly Registered Social Landlords, wishing to buy smaller numbers of units from developers could bid for funding directly to the Corporation in the normal way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what target was set for the Homes and Communities Agency in relation to private sector investment in its property and regeneration programme in 2008-09; and what such target has been set for 2009-10. (300595)

I refer the hon. Member to the 2009-2011 Homes and Communities Agency Corporate plan, which is available at:

http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/publications

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Homes and Communities Agency has spent (a) in total and (b) on each housing association (i) shared ownership product and (ii) try before you buy home scheme in the latest year for which figures are available. (300602)

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby South on 21 May 2009, Official Report, column 1540-42W.

Allocations by housing associations are published on the Homes and Communities Agency website. Details of historic allocations can be found on the Housing Corporation website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average per household entitlement to the proceeds of future sales of properties owned by the Homes and Communities Agency is under each HomeBuy scheme. (300612)

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) does not own any of the current HomeBuy properties, but holds a second charge on HomeBuy Direct and First Time Buyers Initiative properties. No estimate is made as to the average entitlement per household for these as actual entitlement to proceeds of future sales is dependent on when the properties are sold and the price achieved at the point of sale. The HCA and developer/provider of the properties are entitled to a share of sales proceeds in proportion to the percentage of equity loan provided while the household is entitled to the remainder.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for how much the Homes and Communities Agency's land at the Gateway site in Harlow was (a) purchased and (b) sold. (300613)

The Harlow Gateway housing site was not purchased by the Homes and Communities Agency, as the freehold was transferred to the agency from a predecessor body. The HCA secured a receipt of £33.5 million for the land.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Homes and Communities Agency has spent under each budget category in exhibiting a show garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. (300616)

The Homes and Communities Agency provided £150,000 capital funding under the Places of Change programme towards the 'Key Garden' at the Chelsea Flower Show 2009. The garden was developed by over 200 homeless people from 25 homelessness services and prisons nationwide, in partnership with the Eden Project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the monetary value of the entitlements of the Homes and Communities Agency and its predecessor to future sale proceeds resulting from the sale of homes under (a) HomeBuy Direct, (b) OwnHome, (c) Open Market HomeBuy, (d) MyChoice HomeBuy, (e) New Build HomeBuy and (f) Social HomeBuy in each of the last three years. (300897)

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is entitled to a share of sales proceeds when homes bought through HomeBuy Direct are sold by the purchaser. The scheme became operational in February 2009. No estimate has been made of the monetary value of the HCA's entitlements to future sales proceeds as it is dependent on when full or partial redemption of the equity loans are made and what the value of the loans are at the point of redemption.

Grant invested in OwnHome, MyChoice HomeBuy (Open Market HomeBuy products), New Build HomeBuy and Social HomeBuy properties, through registered social landlords (who own the properties) is credited to the Recycled Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) for provision of new social lets or other low cost homes when the properties are sold whole or through shared ownership terms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many private finance initiative credits the Homes and Communities Agency and its predecessor allocated in each of the last three years. (300899)

It is convention to record PFI credits in the financial year in which contracts are signed. Since the creation of the Homes and Communities Agency, PFI credits for housing projects have continued to be issued by this Department.

Housing PFI credits issued in each of the last financial years have been:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Homes and Communities Agency secured in private sector contributions to its property and regeneration programme in 2008-09. (300902)

I refer the hon. Member to the Homes and Communities Agency’s 2008-09 Annual Report and Accounts, which are available at:

http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/publications

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what target was set for the Homes and Communities Agency in respect of low cost homes ownership starts in 2008-09; and what target has been set for 2009-10. (300903)

Details of the targets for low cost home ownership starts in 2008-09 are set out in the Housing Corporation Annual Report and Accounts 2008-09, and the target for 2009-10 is set out in the Homes and Communities Agency Corporate Plan 2009-10— 2010-11, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what dates the Homes and Communities Agency Rural Housing Group has met since 1 December 2008; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of each meeting. (300905)

Since 1 December 2008, the Homes and Communities Agency Rural Housing Advisory Group have met on 30 January, 13 May and 11 September 2009. The minutes of the meetings are available on the Homes and Communities website at:

http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/the-rural-housing-advisory-group

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Homes and Communities Agency has spent on the Future Communities website; and how many (a) unique visitors and (b) page impressions have been recorded by the site since its creation. (300907)

The Homes and Communities Agency has spent nothing on the Future Communities Website which is run by the Young Foundation. The Department does not hold information relating to parts (a) and (b) of this question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many sites listed as (a) Grade I and (b) Grade II the Homes and Communities Agency and its predecessor have redeveloped in each of the last three years; and how many homes have been built on such sites. (300909)

The process of listing does not apply to sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff the Homes and Communities Agency has had on secondment since its establishment; from which organisations the employees were seconded; and what the cost of each secondment has been. (301597)