To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Standing Committee for Implementation of the Directive on Marketing of Biocidal Products is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [68558]

I have been asked to reply.No date has yet been fixed for the next meeting of the Standing Committee on Biocidal Products but we expect it to be held in Spring 2003. The UK representation at such meetings would depend on the subject(s) under consideration, and would normally consist of officials from the Health and Safety Executive. However, the legislation implementing the Biocidal Products Directive in Great Britain specifies the competent authorities in or as regards Scotland as the Secretary of State and the Scottish Ministers, acting jointly, and so my officials consult the Scottish Executive on agenda items in which it might have an interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what export licence renewals have been held up for (a) India and (b) Pakistan in the last two months. [63346]

Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) generally allow shipments of specified items, to a specified consignee, up to the quantity specified in the licence, within a specified period. The Export Control Organisation does not renew SIELs.Applications for renewal of Open Individual Export Licences are being processed as quickly as possible consistent with the Government's determination to manage the transfer of all goods and technology controlled for strategic reasons in a responsible manner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what licences have been granted for equipment on the military and dual-use lists to (a) Georgia, (b) Uzbekistan, (c) Kyrgyzstan, (d) Tajikistan, (e) Turkey, (f) the Philippines, (g) Kenya, (h) Ethiopia, (i) Djibouti, (j) Bahrain, (k) Oman, (l) Jordan, (m) Yemen, (n) India, (o) Pakistan and (p) Israel in each month from January 2001 to September 2001, including military list and dual-use ratings; and if she will make a statement. [65096]

[holding answer 8 July 2002]: The number of Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) covering items on the military and dual use lists, issued where the end users are in Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, the Philippines, Kenya, Ethiopia,

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations her Department has received concerning the acquisition by India of Hawk aircrew training simulators. [65445]

The Department of Trade and Industry's Export Control Organisation has received various representations regarding the export of arms and other items controlled for strategic reasons to India from a number of different sources, including Members of Parliament, exporters and the general public.It is not possible to establish the extent of representations received concerning the acquisition by India of Hawk aircrew training simulators as the information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list those countries which have during the last 12 months imported defence equipment from another country which incorporates equipment exported from the UK to that other country following the granting of an export licence by her Department. [69111]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: End use monitoring is undertaken by the FCO, not the DTI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what system is in place to ensure that priority is given to applications for export licences in respect of goods which are urgently required by customers and where delay in making a decision will result in the cancellation of the order. [68050]

The Government process all export licence applications as quickly as possible consistent with our determination to manage the transfer of all goods and technology controlled for strategic reasons in a responsible

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many members of her Department have been employed in its regulatory impact unit in the past five years; and if she will make a statement. [65979]

From July 1997 to April 1999 the unit comprised two members of staff. This was increased to three members of staff in May 1999. There are currently six members of staff in the better regulation team which now incorporates the regulatory impact unit.It is the job of departmental regulatory impact units to establish and promote the principles of good regulation in their departments. The staff in each unit work closely with the officials responsible for developing policies within their department and the regulatory impact unit within the Cabinet Office. They focus on those regulations that impact on business, charities and the voluntary sector.Following the recent review of the DTI, the regulatory challenge function within the Department has been strengthened. The former regulatory impact unit has been enhanced to support a more robust challenge function and offer broader advice to policy makers, including on considering alternatives to regulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she has taken, in the last 12 months, to reduce the regulatory burdens on small businesses; and if she will make a statement. [66824]

The Government has put in place a number of measures to reduce the burden of regulations on small businesses, including:

Introducing in October 2001 that employers with four or fewer employees will be exempt from the requirements to provide access to stakeholder pensions and deduct pension contributions.

An estimated 900,000 SMEs benefiting from measures announced in Budget 2002, including 485,000 businesses whose corporation tax bill has been cut or abolished, and 700,000 small businesses who will be able to benefit from our flat rate VAT scheme.

The Small Business Service has produced clear guidance on a number of complex regulations.

The Business Link website is now attracting 80,000 users per month—and businesses can register to receive alerts about regulations automatically.

Ensuring that the view of small business influenced Patrick Carter's review of payroll administration, a copy of which is in the Libraries of the House. In February we published the regulatory Reform Action Plan—setting out over 250 proposals for better regulation and reform.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government will take to replace the loss of revenue in urban post offices arising from moves towards automated credit transfer in pensions and benefits. [68828]

The Government are committed to the future of the post office network. As agreed following the Performance and Innovation Unit report "Counter Revolution: Modernising the Post Office Network", the Government are supporting an urban restructuring programme intended to provide improved facilities which meet customers' needs and expectations and are in the right location for the local community.Banking will be a central part of post offices' strategy to move forward. Universal banking services, together with Post Office Limited's plans for an expansion of network banking—the provision of counter services for ordinary current accounts—should lead to substantial increases in the range and volume of banking at post offices, tapping into a very much larger customer base than benefit recipients alone. This should benefit subpostmasters both directly and through increased footfall, providing a major income stream offsetting the loss over time of the benefit book related revenue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the impact the Universal Bank will have on the number of post offices in urban areas. [68829]

Banking services should help ensure a viable future for many urban post offices which might otherwise struggle to keep and attract customers as banking will be a central part of post offices' strategy to move forward. Universal banking services, together with Post Office Limited's plans for an expansion of network banking—the provision of counter services for ordinary current accounts—should lead to substantial increases in the range and volume of banking at post offices, tapping into a very much larger customer base than benefit recipients alone. This should benefit subpostmasters both directly and through increased footfall, providing a major income stream offsetting the loss over time of the benefit book related revenue.The current value to Consignia of business from the Department of Work and Pensions is some £400 million a year. The migration of benefit payment to ACT is scheduled to begin in 2003. How that migration affects the revenue of subpostmasters will depend on a number of factors, not least how benefit recipients and other post office customers respond to change.Universal banking services are due to be introduced in 2003 when migration of benefit payments by ACT is scheduled to begin. When that happens and whatever account people chose to have their benefits paid into, the Government are committed to ensuring that those who wish to do so will be able to continue to get their benefits in cash at post offices in full without charge.In many urban areas, there are too many post offices in very close proximity to each other for them all to be viable, regardless of the migration to ACT. That is why the Performance and Innovation Unit recommended a programme of modernisation and restructuring designed to ensure that urban sub post offices can operate as viable businesses for their owners and offer improved services from the right locations to serve their communities. The Government are providing up to £210 million of financial support for Post Office Limited's urban reinvention programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many investigations of complaints have been carried out under the Trading Schemes Act 1996. [70006]

The Trading Schemes Act 1996 does not contain powers of investigation. It extends certain provisions of Part XI of the Fair Trading Act 1973 which deals with pyramid selling and similar trading schemes. Schemes may be investigated under section 29 of the Fair Trading Act 1973 which is also used for other types of investigation. There have been 13 investigations under section 29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information she collates about the concentration of ownership in (a) regional morning and (b) regional evening newspapers; and if she will make a statement. [70135]

Applications for consent to a newspaper transfer under the Fair Trading Act 1973 address the effect the transaction would have on concentration of ownership in the relevant markets. In addition, the Department has access to the Joint Industry Committee for Regional Press Research (JICREG) and Newspaper Society databases, which provide information on local and regional newspaper circulation.Competition Commission reports on newspaper transfers also address the issue of consolidation in the regional newspaper industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of households in the Huntingdon constituency have access to broadband lines. [70558]

Broadband services by one or more of ADSL, cable and wireless are available to around 66 per cent. of the population. Satellite broadband is available throughout the country.A map showing geographical availability of broadband services can be found in the UK Online Annual Report [http://www.-envoy.gov.uk/ukonline/champions/anrepmenu.htm].

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the report by Professor Higgs commissioned by the Government on corporate governance issues will be published. [70557]

Derek Higgs has said that he intends to publish his report around the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what checks are carried out to ensure that foreign workers engaged (a) in contracts at UK power stations and (b) on ferry services with the United Kingdom are not being exploited while employed within the United Kingdom to the disadvantage of British workers. [70623]

Under section 1(2) of the National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA) 1998 a person qualifies for the national minimum wage if he works or ordinarily works in the United Kingdom under his contract. The United Kingdom includes UK territorial waters.The minimum wage applies to all workers in all of the United Kingdom's power stations regardless of nationality. Similarly national minimum wage applies to all ferry service workers working within territorial waters. For mariners in general the right to receive at least the national minimum is extended to include any individual employed on a UK registered ship unless the employment is wholly outside the United Kingdom or the worker is not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.It is the role of the Inland Revenue to enforce the National Minimum Wage. They do that by responding to all complaints made about employers suspected of not paying the minimum wage and by visiting a sample of employers about whom no complaints have been made to check that all employers meet their obligations under National Minimum Wage Law. Checks are not made on the basis of worker nationality.If any worker is being underpaid, or if anyone has knowledge of a company underpaying of the National Minimum Wage, they can ring the Inland Revenue Helpline number (0845 6000 678) to report the fact. Callers can remain anonymous.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether EU companies which obtain major contracts within the United Kingdom are required to pay their employees the minimum wage while working here. [70622]

Under section 1(2) of the National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA) 1998 a person qualifies for the national minimum wage if he works or ordinarily works in the United Kingdom under his contract.We would therefore expect all EU employees working in the United Kingdom to qualify for the minimum wage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her assessment is of the impact of the Employment Relations Act 1999. [70885]

We believe that the Employment Relations Act 1999 is having a generally positive impact on employment relations. However, in line with our previous commitments, on 11 July 2002 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced a review of the detailed operation of the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will announce her decision on Basell Polyolefins Ltd.'s proposal to build a combined heat and power gas-fired power station at the Basell Polyolefins works at Carrington. [71999]

I have today given consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Basel] Polyolefins UK Ltd. to build a 65 megawatt gas-fired combined heat and power station at the Carrington works at Urmston, Manchester. Planning permission for the station was granted subject to 38 conditions agreed with Trafford Metropolitan borough council.Combined heat and power plants are designed to produce both electricity and usable heat. They have environmental benefits due to their high levels of energy efficiency.The decision demonstrates the Government's continuing commitment to promote CHP, wherever practicable, and our commitment to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases to fulfil the promises we gave at Kyoto.Copies of the Press Notice and decision letter are being placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will announce her decision on Cleveland Potash Ltd.'s proposal to build a combined heat and power gas-fired power station at the Boulby mine works at Saltburn, Cleveland. [71803]

I have today given clearance under section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 to Cleveland Potash Ltd. to build a 22.4 megawatt gas-fired combined heat and power station at the Boulby mine works.Combined heat and power plants are designed to produce both electricity and usable heat. They have environmental benefits due to their high levels of energy efficiency.The decision demonstrates the Government's continuing commitment to promote CHP, wherever practicable, and our commitment to reducing emissions of carbon to fulfil the promises we gave at Kyoto.Copies of the press notice and decision letter are being placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with the trustees of the Miners' Pension Fund with regard to the Government's share of the fund surplus. [68418]

The Department is having ongoing discussions with the trustees of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme and the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme to review the arrangements for the Government's guarantee of members' basic pension benefits as I announced on 17 January. The review will consider how best to ensure that there continues to be an equitable sharing of risks and rewards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of bills were paid on time by Government Departments and their agencies during the financial year 2000–01. [71802]

The overall payment performance of Government is 95.86 per cent. Figures for the financial year 2000–01 show that there has been a slight decrease in overall performance this year. However, there has been an improvement in the payment performance of a number of Departments and agencies with 60 per cent. achieving the average and 20 per cent. paying 99 per cent. or more of their invoices on time.Government Departments and their agencies are required to monitor their payment performance and to publish the results in their departmental or annual reports. The table lists, by Department, the proportion of bills paid within 30 days, or other agreed credit period, of receipt of a valid invoice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 16 January 2002, Official Report, column 323W, on petroleum licensing, what decisions she has made on licence awards in the 20th Offshore Licensing Round. [72019]

I have decided to award 25 production licences to licence groups made up of 33 different companies. They include six companies acquiring their first offshore licences as well as more familiar names, and range from the super-giants to small new niche players.It is encouraging that so many companies see further opportunities for investment and development in the North sea's core areas, even after nearly 40 years of

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what impact the decision by Consignia to impose a charge to businesses to deliver letters before 9 am will have on the Universal Service Obligation. [70366]

[holding answer 17 July 2002]: Consignia has not decided to impose a charge of £20 per week to businesses for deliveries before 9 am. The company is currently running pilots of their new Tailored Delivery Service in 14 delivery offices across the country. Under the pilot, customers who receive 20 or more letters on a regular basis will get a delivery before 9 am. Other customers will receive their mail between 9 am and lunchtime. A new, additional service will allow customers who do not receive 20 or more items to choose to pay for a delivery before 9 am. The service will be trialled at £5, £10 and just over £14 per week for the pilots but the Chairman of Consignia has said that the final proposed price will be part of the evaluation of the pilots in consultation with the regulator, the Postal Services Commission (Postcomm), and the consumer body, Postwatch.Under the terms of the licence issued to it by the Postal Services Commission (Postcomm), Consignia is required to provide a universal postal service. The licence sets out services which are to be provided by Consignia in meeting a universal postal service. This includes a requirement to make at least one delivery of mail every working day to all addresses in the UK except in circumstances that Postcomm considers exceptional. It is for Postcomm to decide whether the new Tailored Delivery Service meets this requirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her plans are for (a) implementing the European directive on information and consultation of employees and (b) the review of employment status. [69675]

The Government are today publishing a paper setting out our vision for the future of the UK labour market, one based on the objectives of full employment, diversity and choice, and high productivity. The Government are also publishing a complementary analysis of European labour markets. Modernisation of our employment relations framework is a central feature of delivering this vision.I am also publishing discussion documents on information and consultation and employment status in relation to statutory employment rights and have placed copies in the Vote Office and the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to modify the public procurement policy so public bodies have to buy local fresh food; what recent representations she has had on this subject; and if she will make a statement. [69016]

[holding answer 10 July 2002]: I have been asked to reply.The Government's public procurement policy requires all purchases of goods and services to be based on value for money, having due regard to propriety and regularity. Value for money is defined as "the optimum combination of whole life cost and quality (or fitness for purpose) to meet the customer's requirement". Public bodies are also required to comply with the EC Treaty, the EC procurement directives and the UK Regulations that implement them. These are designed to ensure that public procurement is fair, transparent and not used to discriminate by setting up barriers to free trade. Member States reached political agreement on a revised public procurement directive at the Internal Market Council on 21 May. This revised directive maintains the principles set out above.This policy and legal framework for public procurement not only secures value for money for the taxpayer but also helps to improve the competitiveness of, and opportunities for, our suppliers. It does not, however, permit public sector buyers to restrict their purchases to specific locations or suppliers.However, it is permitted to specify requirements that might provide the opportunity for local suppliers to make use of their proximity to customers. For example, a requirement for frequent delivery of fresh food would be acceptable provided it was reasonable and not contrived to create an artificial barrier to free trade. In principle a foreign supplier is not denied an opportunity to compete on equal terms by, for example, setting up an operation in Britain. Public bodies can also ensure that their contract specifications do not discriminate against local suppliers. For example, requiring the supply of mangetout throughout the year would necessitate purchases from overseas and deny local suppliers an opportunity to compete. To avoid such difficulties for local suppliers the buying authority can require seasonal vegetables instead.Issues relating to public procurement policy have also been raised by several respondents, including the organic sector, to the Department's Sustainable Food and Farming Working Together consultation paper. These are also under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people in Angola she estimates are threatened by starvation; and if she will make a statement. [70671]

The United Nations estimates that some half a million people are facing starvation in Angola, and that more than a million others are completely dependent on food aid for their survival. Thousands are reported to have died of hunger over the last few months and many more are dying every day.My Department is deeply concerned about the situation and is providing direct assistance to the humanitarian agencies responding to the emergency. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely—a DFID assessment team is visiting Angola this weekend to supplement our information about the situation and help us to respond quickly to further support needs. We are also playing an active part to ensure that the international donor community and the Government of Angola together respond effectively to the urgent humanitarian needs of the Angolan people.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much bilateral aid has been given to Angola over the last 12 months; for what purposes the aid was directed; and if she will make a statement. [70672]

Over the last 12 months DFID has contributed £1.7 million to the 2002 United Nations appeal for Angola to ensure that critical humanitarian needs are met and to assist in the reception areas for ex-UNITA fighters. We have also committed some £2 million to the ICRC and MSF, who are at the forefront of the humanitarian response.In addition, DFID's development programme to Angola has spent some £2 million pounds over the last 12 months on the Luanda Urban Poverty Programme, which aims to provide the urban poor with improved access to basic services and economic livelihoods. We have also assisted the Government of Angola to consider the case for the World bank to put in place an effective demobilisation and reintegration programme for ex-UNITA fighters.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with EU partners on Strek Plots in East Kalimantan; and if she will make a statement. [70790]

The research undertaken on Strek Plots is of critical importance for the sustainable management and exploitation of Indonesia's forest resources. The plots are under immediate threat from illegal logging. A secondary threat from mining operations is currently the subject of amicable, but unconcluded, negotiations.DFID is working with the Government of Indonesia to promote a sustainable timber industry, which protects the interests of poor people who are dependent upon forest resources for their livelihoods. We co-ordinate this work closely with other donors supporting the Government's efforts to reform the forestry sector. This includes the European Union with whom we are in regular contact.The UK Government have recently concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Indonesia that commits us to working together to combat illegal logging. This will help secure the future of the Strek Plots. My officials are currently working with their Indonesian counterparts to finalise an action plan to

implement the memorandum. Details were given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 27 June 2002,

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if she will list the CDC Capital Partners' offices in the United States; and what the locations of those offices are; [67389](2) if she will list

CDC has offices in the United States in Miami (Latin America regional office), Houston (for GlobeleQ power fund) and Vienna, Virginia (India representative office). In the last three years, in addition to the three offices in the United States, CDC has opened in Beijing, Lagos, Mexico City, Cairo and Singapore.CDC has offices in 10 non-Commonwealth countries. They are: Bolivia (1997), the People's Republic of China (2000), Costa Rica (1978), Cote d'Ivoire (1987), Cuba (1997), Egypt (2000), Indonesia (1971), Mexico (2000), Thailand (1971) and the United States (all three US offices opened in 2000).

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the (a) target, (b) current and (c) projected rate of return on CDC Capital Partners' investments is, by sector, in (i) sub-Saharan Africa, (ii) South Asia, (iii) Latin America, (iv) Asia-Pacific and (v) China. [67349]

CDC will seek to make a rate of return on an individual investment commensurate with the associated risk involved. This will vary across sectors and geographies. Information about the target, current and projected rate of returns for individual investment is commercially sensitive.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on CDC Capital Partners' scheme for assessing the environmental impact of its investments. [67366]

Each new deal investigated by CDC is given a risk rating for health and safety, environmental and social issues. A formal environmental impact assessment is carried out by independent consultants, and an environmental management plan is put in place, where there is perceived to be a high risk of the investment potentially having a significant environmental impact (as may be the case with mining, cement manufacture, and projects involving large construction sites). Otherwise the deal team will review the possible environment impact of investments as part of its due diligence exercise and, if any specific areas of concern are identified, external appropriate consultants may be brought in to advise on these specific issues. CDC reviews any environmental concerns arising from existing investments via a formal investment valuation review every six months and through its Business Principles Unit.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what meetings she had with CDC Capital Partners' executives in April; what was discussed; and if she will make a statement. [67350]

I had meetings in April with the chairman, chief executive and finance director of CDC about the annual results in 2001 and the progress of the Public/Private Partnership.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what CDC Capital Partners' stock options are held by (a) each executive director, (b) each non-executive director, (c) each office director and (d) other mid-level executives. [67385]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development by how much CDC Capital Partners' net debt increased in 2002; to whom the debt is liable; and at what interest rate in each case. [67345]

At the start of the year CDC Group plc had net cash of £207 million and loans due to the Department of International Development (DFID) of £755 million, producing a net debt figure of £548 million. At 30 June 2002, the net cash was approximately £225 million and loans due to DFID remained at £755 million. The loans due to DFID are interest free.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will describe CDC Capital Partners' criteria for assessing human rights conditions in the countries in which it invests. [67363]

CDC has developed a framework for assessing the human rights conditions in the countries in which it invests. This is informed by reference to international, governmental and NGO sources. CDC does not make investments in countries which are subject to UN sanctions. Specific issues may also be highlighted during due diligence into possible investments. The decision on whether to make a particular investment in a certain country will also be determined in part by whether acceptable labour practices will be able to be pursued and the investment will result in a positive benefit for the wider community.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the years of CDC Capital Partners service of (a) the chairman, (b) the Chief Executive, (c) each member of the Board of Directors and (d) each member of the Management Committee. [67405]

Information about the background and length of service of Directors and other members of the Management Committee was published in CDC Group plc's annual report for 2001. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what CDC Capital Partners' criteria are for sustainability by (a) sector and (b) country; and what steps are followed to (i) approve and (ii) reject investments. [67343]

Sustainability in the context of private sector investment combines a judgment about both an investee company's commercial viability and about social and environmental responsibility, so that the investment is not at the expense of people and the environment. This applies across investments in all sectors and countries. In the power sector, renewable energy sources are not always an option but CDC's strong preference is for cleaner fuels and every plant is committed to operating to international environmental standards.All potential investments are subject to a social and environmental review, whether internally or by external consultants. I refer the hon. Member to the reply to Question 67366 at columns 449–50W. Any social or environmental concerns are fully investigated and any necessary action plans put in place before the investment is made.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what representations her Department has received regarding CDC Capital Partners' investments in African smallholders since 1997; [67368](2) what representations have been made to her Department regarding the effectiveness of CDC Capital Partners' website; [67354](3) what representations her Department has received regarding CDC Capital Partners' procedures for measuring the

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if she will list the rate of return on each CDC Capital Partners' investment, broken down by sector, since 1997; [67352](2) if she will list the rate of return on each CDC Capital Partners' investment, by country, since 1997. [67346]

This information is commercially sensitive.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects to complete the privatisation of CDC Capital Partners. [67407]

In the current market conditions, the Government do not believe that it will he possible to sell a majority of CDC's shares in the near future at a price that represents good value for the development assistance programme. We are therefore exploring alternative ways to achieve the objective of the public-private partnership, to mobilise increased investment for the benefit of poorer developing countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) CDC Capital Partners' senior executives regarding the future tax position of CDC Capital Partners. [67347]

Extensive discussions took place in 1998 and early 1999 about the future tax position of CDC. Provisions for the future tax treatment of CDC were set out in Schedule 3 of the Commonwealth Development Corporation Act 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many higher education institutions in England submitted successful bids under the Special Educational Needs Training and Development Fund 2002–03; and if she will make a statement. [71686]

The Special Educational Needs Training and Development Fund 2002–03 was established to provide one-off pump priming support to aid the creation of new, or extended, in-service training and development opportunities for teachers and other staff, both in mainstream and special schools, to help improve and reinforce skills in the area of special educational needs and disabilities. Under the fund, higher education institutions were invited to submit competitive bids, in the range of £50,000–100,000. There was a good response, with 41 individual bids received from 34 institutions. Within the £1 million available for allocation we have approved 16 bids from the following institutions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of ILA learning provider claims have been met since the closure of the Individual Learning Account programme. [70446]

At the end of June 95 per cent. of Individual Learning Account learning provider claims had been paid since the closure on 23 November 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what loss of public funds has been identified, and what frauds have been uncovered, in the work of learning providers using individual learning accounts. [70444]

The loss to public funds will not be identified until investigations are complete. From the start of the programme to date £16.8 million has been withheld from 267 learning providers, subject to validation checking.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of how many ILA learners have had to leave their courses because of the closure of individual learning accounts. [70448]

We do not have information on the number of individual learning account holders who were in training at the point of closure of the ILA programme on 23 November 2001 and who subsequently may have been required to leave their courses.

To ask the President of the Council what plans he has to make changes to his Department's website. [69870]

I am today re-launching my Department's website www.privycouncil.gov.uk.The website has been redesigned by XM London to better reflect my responsibilities as Leader of the House of Commons and also to give a better overview of the work of the Privy Council Office.New additions to the website include:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the empty residential properties in each London borough in the ownership of his Department and its agencies, giving (a) the type of accommodation, (b) how long each property has been vacant and (c) what the intended future use is of the property. [69496]

The Department currently owns no empty residential properties in any of the London boroughs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to increase the number of lanes on the M4 from London to Reading. [69165]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The capacity of the M4 motorway is currently being considered by the Thames Valley Multi Modal Study, which is expected to report in November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) public resource expenditure, (b) private resource expenditure and (c) private investment is provided under the 10-Year Plan for road maintenance by (i) local authorities and (ii) the Highways Agency, (A) at today's prices and (B) at outturn prices. [70651]

Planned public resource expenditure on road maintenance over the period of the 10-Year Plan for Transport amounts to: £19.2 billion at today's (ie 2001–02) prices and £21.5 billion at outturn prices for local authorities; and £2.5 billion at today's prices and £2.8 billion at outturn prices for the Highways Agency.There is no planned private resource expenditure on road maintenance in the 10-Year Plan. There is no planned private investment on road maintenance on local roads.All of the Highways Agency's new build private finance schemes include a provision for maintenance in the contract. However it is not possible to identify separately a figure for this maintenance work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what work has been conducted by and for his Department and predecessor Department to update the findings of the report entitled "Road Safety Strategy: Current problems and future options"; and if he will make a statement. [70659]

"Road Safety Strategy: Current problems and future options", published in October 1997, was a forerunner to the Government's current strategy document "Tomorrow's roads—safer for everyone", published in March 2000. Quarterly progress reports on implementing the new strategy are published on the Department's website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place a copy of the Roads 2/92 Circular in the Library. [70648]

Circular Roads 2–92 is already available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) discussions, (b) correspondence and (c) representations his Department has had with (i) the European Commission, (ii) the Council of Transport Ministers and (iii) Members of the European Parliament regarding the February 2002 draft EU Public Service Requirement Regulation; and if he will make a statement. [70649]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 3 July 2002, Official Report, column 359W.Additionally, officials from my Department have attended a number of council working groups where the Commission's proposals have been discussed and they have liaised with the Commission officials who have responsibility for the draft regulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place copies of the progress reports relating to the July 2000 European Commission Proposal for Regulation of Public Service Requirements (a) produced and (b) received by his Department in the Library. [70650]

My Department has neither produced nor received written progress reports on the Commission's proposal. The progress reports that I referred to in my reply to the hon. Member of 3 July 2002, Official Report, column 359W, were given orally by the Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the role is of the division in his Department responsible for European and international business; if he will list the responsibilities of the posts within the division; and if he will make a statement. [70654]

Within the Department for Transport, the Europe and International Division (EID) leads on European and international issues. EID is responsible for providing advice on the impact of EU affairs on DfT's policies as a whole; planning, preparation and support for the Minister for Transport at EU Transport Council; policy on EU horizontal or cross-cutting issues; and is a focal point for cross-cutting international issues.EID comprises a divisional manager and three branch heads responsible for particular areas. The head of Europe and International Branch, supported by five staff, provides advice and guidance to DfT on EU and international issues and developments, including EU enlargement; co-ordinates briefing and arrangements for ministerial committees, EU contacts, bilateral initiatives and visitors from overseas; and develops and promotes European awareness and expertise among DfT officials who deal with EU issues.The head of Transport Council Branch, supported by six staff, co-ordinates the UK position and briefing on EU Transport Council business; co-ordinates UK parliamentary scrutiny of EC transport legislation; monitors the transposition of EC transport directives; co-ordinates the response to infraction proceedings; co-ordinates transport briefing for UK MEPs and co-ordinates the Department's interest in the European Conference of Ministers of Transport and the Inland Transport Committee of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what occasions since 7 June 2001 he has asked the chief executives of the (a) Highways Agency, (b) DVLA, (c) DSA, (d) Maritime and Coastguard Agency, (e) Vehicle Certification Agency and (f) Vehicle Inspectorate to write to an hon. Member in response to a parliamentary question; under what guidance such decisions are made; and if he will make a statement. [70645]

Where a written parliamentary question is about a matter assigned to an agency under the terms of its Framework Document, the responsible Minister normally asks the chief executive to provide the substantive reply to the hon. Member. This has been the practice for many years. Since 7 June 2001, about 90 parliamentary questions (less than 1 per cent. of the total) have been answered by a chief executive letter. The letters are published in the Official Report, in accordance with the guidance issued by the Cabinet Office in 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will answer the questions from the hon. Member for Maidenhead of 1 July 2002, concerning park and ride schemes and 2 July 2002, concerning Network Rail. [71492]

The question concerning park and ride schemes was answered on 16 July 2002, Official Report, column 142W and the question concerning Network Rail on 17 July 2002, Official Report, column 327W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list new (a) Government funded and (b) other agency funded trunk road and bypass schemes which have been given approval and the expected start date in each case. [70612]

The following lists all the schemes in the Government's targeted programme of improvements and when construction is planned to start. The actual date for the start of works for those schemes not already under construction is subject to the satisfactory completion of any remaining statutory procedures and the availability of funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of the 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 981W, on London Bridge railway station, if he will define the intended output given in his 10-year plan for additional capacity at London Bridge, at paragraph 6.72, page 71; and if he will make a statement. [70559]

Railtrack's proposals for the Thameslink 2000 project include scope to raise the number of services calling at London Bridge to eighteen an hour in each direction, with the operation of 12-car trains.I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of 11 July 2002,

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answers of 11 June 2002, Official Report, column 1134W and of 10 June 2002 to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban), Official Report, column 759W, on Swanwick, what statutory restrictions on the disclosure of information obtained by HSE in pursuance of its powers apply in relation to the HSE report on IT systems in operation at Swanwick. [70732]

The statutory restrictions on the disclosure of information obtained by HSE in pursuance of its powers are set out in Section 28 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. These restrictions apply in relation to HSE's report on the IT systems in operation at Swanwick.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 2 July 2002, Official Report, column 220W, on road widening, what the total cost of the schemes referred to is; and what the cost of each scheme is. [70733]

The total cost of the schemes listed in the answer to the question of 2 July 2002, Official Report, column 220W is £809 million. The latest available cost of the individual schemes is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money his Department spent on each television advertising campaign in the last 12 months. [70384]

The amount spent by the then DTLR on TV advertising for each of its campaigns in the last financial year was as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the effects on the public of GNER's decision to award sole rights to operate at Peterborough station to Taxibank; [70851](2) what plans he has to review legislation on access to transport termini by taxicabs. [70850]

It is for GNER to ensure that its agreement with Taxibank meets the needs of its passengers. Access to taxi ranks at GNER's stations is a matter for that company. Exclusive contracts can bring significant benefits for passengers, including ensuring that taxis are always available at off-peak times and that certain standards of service are met. The Government are currently considering what taxi and private hire vehicle measures might be reformed through a regulatory reform order.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster), of 2 July 2002, Official Report, column 208W. which stations have been accredited under the secure stations scheme in each of the last three years. [71157]

I have placed in the Libraries of the House a list of stations which have been accredited under the Secure Stations Scheme in each of the last three full years. Also listed are stations, which have been accredited this year to June 2002.There are 149 stations accredited so far, which cover approximately one third of passenger journeys on the overground.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passenger kilometres were travelled on (a) strategic rail routes, (b) London and the South East,(c) regional networks, (d) intercity lines and (e) all routes, in each of the past three years. [71060]

This information is set out in 'National Rail Trends,' published quarterly by the Strategic Rail Authority, most recently on 6 June. Copies are held in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the total local bus mileage was operated by tendered bus services in each of the last five years. [71049]

Information on the proportion of bus mileage operated through tendered services, comprising services run under contract to Transport for London, and socially necessary services subsidised by local authorities outside London, is shown in the following table. The commercial (deregulated) local bus mileage proportion is also shown. Outside London, the tendered services column includes some local authority contracts negotiated under "de minimis" rules with individual operators, although most are provided following competitive tendering.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will explain the statement, on page 20, paragraph 48 of the 10-year plan background analysis, that improvements in journey times are expected to have almost a one for one impact on demand for the services concerned. [71054]

The statement reflects standard railway industry modelling assumptions that changes in journey time have a demand elasticity of around unity. Therefore, on average, a one per cent. change in journey time is expected to result in a change in demand of approximately one per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what rail customer satisfaction statistics he has collated for each quarter of each of the last four years, relating to (a) overall satisfaction, (b) punctuality satisfaction, (c) reliability satisfaction, (d) frequency of trains satisfaction, (e) value for money satisfaction, (f) station quality satisfaction and (g) train information provision satisfaction. [71156]

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has conducted a twice yearly national on-train passenger satisfaction survey since Autumn 1999. Results are reported at national and individual Train Operating Company level and are published in the SRA's 'On Track' publication in June and December each year. The most recent results were published on 6 June 2002.The latest publication and earlier editions are already available in the Libraries of the House and can also be found on the SRA's web site: "www.sra.gov.uk".

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of recent trends in the costs of contracts for tendered bus services. [71050]

My Department commissioned last year a three-year research project into trends in tendered bus services including tender prices. Recent interim findings indicate rises in real terms in prices of around 20 per cent., as compared with the last time (typically two or three years ago) when the contracts surveyed were offered. This is in line with the findings of the annual survey conducted by the Association of Transport Co-ordination Officers. There are however significant variations within this overall figure. Our research will be published in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish proposals for the setting up of an independent rail accident investigation body; and if he will make a statement. [71750]

We have today published our proposals for the establishment of an independent rail accident investigation branch. Copies of the document are in the Libraries of the House. The consultation exercise will run for 12 weeks from today. The responses will help us to ensure that the right provisions are written into the draft primary legislation that we shall in due course put before Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what facilities in the supply of illegal fuel are estimated to exist in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK; and if he will make a statement. [62940]

I have been asked to reply.There are no estimates available for the number of illicit fuel laundering plants in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of fuel in the UK fuel market is illegally produced; and what targets have been set for reducing this market share. [62941]

I have been asked to reply.Latest estimates of the size of the non-UK paid oils market were set out in "Tackling Indirect Tax Fraud", published alongside the 2001 pre-Budget report. Budget 2002 set out a comprehensive strategy to tackle all aspects of the problem of oils fraud, without which the illicit share of the UK diesel market would have risen by 8 per cent. to 2004–05.This strategy will reduce that market share to 2 per cent. and save around £550 million against the pre-Budget revenue by 2004–05.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are benefiting from the (a) working family tax credit and (b) children's tax credit in the Mitcham and Morden constituency. [68409]

At February this year 1,697 families in the Mitcham and Morden constituency were benefiting from the working families tax credit.It is estimated that 475,000 families in the London area are eligible for children's tax credit. I regret information is not available at constituency level.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of his Department's measures to tackle child poverty in Worcester. [68411]

All 12,000 families with children in Worcester will have benefited from the increases in child benefit since 1997; increases of 25 per cent. in real terms for the first child. Around 90 per cent. of families will be eligible for the child tax credit, which together with child benefit, for those earning £50,000 or less, will deliver a minimum of £26.50 and up to £54.25 a week in support for the first child from April 2003.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to amend inheritance tax. [68412]

My right hon. Friend's plans for this year are reflected in the Finance Bill.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the threshold of inheritance tax to recognise the increased proportion of most personal estates represented by the family home. [70832]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer reviews the threshold every year, and has increased it this year by more than required by statutory indexation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on planned public sector housing investment levels for the next three years. [68413]

By 2005–06, investment in housing will have more than doubled in real terms from the levels we inherited in 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures the Government are taking to improve productivity in British industry. [68415]

The Government have set out a comprehensive strategy for raising productivity across the economy. The Government's approach centres around maintaining macroeconomic stability to allow businesses and individuals to invest for the future and implementing microeconomic reforms to address the barriers that prevent markets from functioning efficiently. The Government's reforms target five key areas that can affect the rate of productivity growth—competition, enterprise and innovation, skills, investment and the productivity of public services.Budget 2002 and the 2002 Spending Review take forward a wide range of measures to address historic weaknesses in each of these areas.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the rates of VAT applicable to charitable organisations. [68416]

While charities already benefit from a range of special VAT reliefs, we remain alive to opportunities to modernise and update the VAT system for charities.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on what targets he has set for health outputs from the Spending Review. [68417]

Targets for health outputs were published in the new Department of Health Public Service Agreement on Monday 15 July.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on his proposed international debt arbitration procedure for the resolution of current and future sovereign debt crises. [68419]

The Government have been at the forefront in calling for a more effective mechanism for sovereign debt restructuring to be established, to ensure that the burden of adjustment during a crisis is not placed unfairly on the poor and most vulnerable. At the Spring Meetings of the IMFC and G7, the international community agreed to take forward work to develop a new approach to sovereign debt restructuring, to facilitate greater private sector involvement and to improve the framework for crisis resolution. The IMF is currently assessing the various options that may be available for achieving this and the G7 is implementing an Action Plan, which was agreed at the Spring Meeting, towards this objective. The Government welcomes these efforts and continues to take an active role in the developments.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to meet G8 Finance Ministers to discuss the reduction of poverty in developing countries. [68421]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) earlier today.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made through World bank/IMF action in tackling global poverty. [68430]

Tackling global poverty is central to the activities of the World bank and the IMF, and both institutions are committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.Macroeconomic stability is a pre-condition of poverty reduction, and the IMF plays a lead role in creating the conditions for stability and growth in the global economy, and the prevention and resolution of financial crisis. In recent years the World bank and the IMF have adopted a new country-led approach to poverty reduction, where developing countries prepare Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers in consultation with civil society. As part of this, the UK is seeking to ensure that the institutions collaborate to include poverty and social impact assessments of the policy choices available to developing country authorities.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress made by the G7/G8 countries in respect of tackling debt in the developing world. [68431]

The UK continues to be at the forefront of the international debate on debt relief issues, and continues to press for the rapid and full implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. We were pleased to have achieved the recent announcement of an extra US$1 billion for the HIPC initiative at the G8 summit in Kananaskis and the agreement of leaders to take action to secure the participation of all creditors, to complete the financing of the initiative and to address the issue of debt sustainability at completion point.Full details of the commitments on HIPC agreed to at the summit can be found in the document, "Statement by G7 Leaders: Delivering on the Promise of the Enhanced HIPC Initiative", which is available at http://www.g8.gc.ca

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect a 1 per cent. change in the growth forecast for the United Kingdom economy for 2002–03 would have on public sector capital investment. [68423]

A change in the growth forecast for 2002–03 would have no direct effect on public sector capital investment. The majority of capital expenditure is covered by departmental expenditure limits (DEL). Firm limits for DEL for 2002–03 were set in the 2000 Spending Review.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the assessment he has made of the effects of his policies on pensions funds. [68424]

The Government have introduced reforms that have delivered and will continue to deliver a stable economic environment based on low levels of inflation and sustainable growth. This environment is designed to benefit all investors, including pension providers, because it supports longer-term investment and planning.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what economic instruments he has to moderate the rise in house prices, with specific reference to the south-east of England. [68425]

The Government are designing planning, housing and transport reforms to promote economic growth in every region and balanced growth across the UK.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England on the level of house prices. [68422]

The Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England have regular discussions on a range of economic issues.