To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many regulations originating from the EU have been implemented by the Department over each of the last five years. [120860]

The Cabinet Office has been partially responsible for the implementation of one EU Directive in the past five years. The Women and Equality Unit, formerly part of Cabinet Office, implemented the Burden of Proof Directive (EC Directive 097/80/EC). However, the relevant statutory instrument, which came into force on 12 October 2001, was laid before Parliament by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Minister for Women, who has overall responsibility for women and equality issues.Directive 97/80/EC has effect in relation to the UK by virtue of Council Directive 98/52/EC, and is implemented in the UK through the Sex Discrimination (Indirect Discrimination and Burden of Proof) Regulations 2001. Its aim is to ensure that any measures implementing the principle of equal treatment are made more effective, thereby providing victims of sex discrimination with effective access to justice. The Directive also defines the concept of indirect discrimination.EC Regulations are, in general, directly applicable in the member states, without the need for further incorporation into national law. However, some Regulations require UK measures to make them workable and enforceable.The total number of EC, ECSC and Euratom Regulations made over each of the last five years is estimated to be:

	Number
1998	2,852
1999	2,802
2000	2,882
2001	2,600
2002 (up to and including November)	2,125

It should be noted that many of these are small or technical Regulations to amend, implement or indeed repeal existing measures.It would incur disproportionate cost to identify which Government Department was responsible for each of these Regulations. The Cabinet Office rarely has lead responsibility for EC Regulations.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) non-departmental public bodies, (b) Government agencies and (c) other public sector bodies were receiving funding from the Government in 1997; and how many are doing so in the current financial year. [124955]

Information on non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), including the amount of Government funding each receives, has been published annually in the Cabinet Office "Public Bodies" publication. Data for the 1,128 NDPBs in operation across the UK as at 1 April 1997 are published in "Public Bodies 1997". The latest available data are available in "Public Bodies 2002". Copies of these publications are held in the House Libraries.All Executive Agencies are Government funded, with the exception of Trading Funds, which are established using Government funds, but which become self-financing through their commercial activities. The June 1997 List of Ministerial Responsibilities shows 137 Executive Agencies and 87 are shown in the October 2002 List. These publications are held in the House Libraries.Information on other bodies funded by Government is not collected centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the basis for his assessment that it was prejudicial to the safety of the state to allow the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration to investigate whether Cabinet Ministers have ever had any conflict between their private interests and their public duties. [125679]

The Government have made clear that they believe personal information provided by Ministers to their civil servants should be treated in complete confidence. The decision to issue a notice in this case was taken because the Government concluded that the release of certain personal, private information would not be in the public interest.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission whether the Electoral Commission is examining the case for changing the method of ordering candidates' names on ballot papers at elections. [125423]

Yes. In its report, "Ballot Paper Design", published last month, the Commission indicated its concern that alphabetical discrimination could exist in multi-seat elections, while acknowledging that the information available at present was inconclusive.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what action the Department is taking to boost humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan. [124618]

DFID allocated £44 million to support humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan last year. For the financial year 2003–04 we have allocated at least £5 million. This will be focused on aid to returning refugees and internally displaced persons and vulnerable, particularly women-beaded, households. These are the largest groups in continued need of humanitarian assistance.The humanitarian situation has improved over the last 12 months with good rainfall over the winter and early spring. This has ameliorated the effects of the persistent drought.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development when the Department will publish its joint strategy paper on the African Great Lakes region. [124937]

DFID intends to make publicly available in the next few weeks a short summary document on its overall strategy for the Great Lakes region. The individual strategies for Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda will be available at around the same time.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what research he has commissioned into (a) the annual cost and (b) the numbers involved, if widows who married officers after they had retired from the Service were included in the Colonial Widows and Orphans Pension Schemes. [125227]

No research has been commissioned into the annual cost or the numbers involved. Such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The accuracy of DFID's records on contributors to the various Colonial Widows and Orphans Pensions Schemes is entirely dependent on the individuals concerned, keeping us informed of any changes in their marital status. Our records are, therefore, not necessarily up to date in respect of marriages which took place after the contributor's retirement.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if the Department will take steps to ensure that aid channelled through the EU that has until now been spent in the 10 EU accession states will from 2004 to 2006 be spent instead in (a) sub-Saharan Africa and (b) south Asia on (i) development and (ii) water, sanitation and hygiene improvements towards the Millennium Development Goals. [124441]

From 2004, the Pre-Accession budget will continue to provide funding for Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. Unallocated funds within the budget are being retained to handle any possible additional funding requirements for any new candidates up to 2006.In 2004, Cyprus and Malta will join the Union and Turkey will move from the External Relations to the Pre-Accession budget. This will free up £150 million annually in the External Relations budget for new commitments.Earmarking a sensible margin to support Iraq's reconstruction and the Middle East Peace Plan are a UK priority for the 2004 budget. The UK is also pressing for increased commitments to low income countries in Asia, particularly Afghanistan and support for the Global Health Fund, which would both help increase the European Commission's development budget poverty focus.Assistance for sub-Saharan Africa is provided primarily through the European Development Fund (EDF), a separate off-budget fund replenished directly by member states contributions. Finds cannot be transferred between the EC budget and the EDF. Programmes under the EDF are based on the priorities of recipient countries and include water, sanitation and health programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list (a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU committee on co-financing operations with European non-governmental development organisations in fields of interest to developing countries, (b) the number of times and the dates on which it has met since January 2002, (c) the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, (d) the decisions it has made since January 2002 and (e) the means used to communicate the decisions to the house. [110536]

The EC NGO co-financing committee does not have a fixed membership, but consists of delegates drawn from each of the 15 European Union member states. Since 17 April 2003, delegates from the 10 EU accession states have also been invited to attend most EU committees, including the NGO co-financing committee, as participating observers. The UK is usually represented on the EC NGO co-financing committee by one or two members of staff from the Information and Civil Society Department of DFID.The committee has met three times since January 2002, on 19 September 2002, 21 January 2003 and 3 June 2003.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what measures the Department is taking to promote human rights in (a) Cuba and (b) Afghanistan. [124368]

We do not have a bilateral government-to-government aid programme to Cuba nor do we have plans to develop one. As a member of the EU we support the EU Common Position on Cuba which requires the Government of Cuba to enhance democracy and safeguard human rights as a precondition for establishment of a formal framework agreement. This Common Position is now under review as part of a range of measures that the EU has implemented in response to the recent deterioration in human rights.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what aid has been given to agencies to provide support and assistance to victims of human trafficking for sexual reasons; what discussions she has had with (a) European and (b) other counterparts on the issue; and if he will make a statement. [124848]

The trafficking of people is part of a wider set of issues related to the migration of poor people to better their lives, and to their vulnerability to national and international smugglers and traffickers. Trafficking is an international problem requiring coordinated action. DFID's role is to work to eliminate the poverty and social injustice that can lead to such abuse. Through our programmes to promote sustainable development and end poverty, DFID is helping to reduce the circumstances that give rise to this appalling trade, and which make women and children especially vulnerable. With other Government Departments, we are supporting the efforts of Governments and international agencies to strengthen social protection and justice in line with the international treaty framework covering these issues.For example, in south-east Asia, we are supporting the International Labour Organisation's work to reduce the trafficking of women, many of whom would enter the sex industry, in Laos, Thailand, China (Yunnan), Cambodia and Vietnam. It involves a number of activities to raise awareness and prevent the trade. In the Balkans we recently supported the International Organisation for Migration in training the various agencies dealing with the victims of trafficking, including police, social workers and the legal profession, in order to create and disseminate models of good practice.I have had to date no discussions with my counterparts on this specific issue.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the provision of humanitarian aid in Iraq. [124429]

DFID has so far committed £154 million in the current crisis—including £35 million announced on 26 June in response to the United Nations Revised Humanitarian Appeal for Iraq of 23 June. Most of this finance is channelled through organisations such as United Nations agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and NGOs, which have the capacity and expertise to mount operations quickly and effectively on the ground. A further £56 million is available to meet additional needs as they emerge.On 3 July I placed in the Library of the House details of this funding, and the work that has been undertaken so far.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what proportion of the population in each district of Iraq is (a) homeless, (b) living in temporary accommodation and (c) living on food rationing. [124633]

Reliable statistics for homeless people and those living in temporary accommodation in Iraq are not available. It is estimated that, before the recent conflict, between 600,000 and 800,000 people were displaced in the north of Iraq, mainly from Kirkuk and Mosul, by the Saddam regime's Arabisation policies and inter-ethnic fighting; and between 100,000 and 300,000 Shia people were displaced in the south following the Gulf War and state-sponsored drainage of the marshes. Assessments are being made of displacement that has resulted from the recent conflict. These include Arab families who were living in homes now being reclaimed by returning Kurds; and a number of families rendered destitute by war damage and looting.The Iraqi Ministry of Trade's Public Distribution System for food aid, which was re-launched on 1 June 2003, aims to distribute food rations to the entire Iraqi population of 27 million people. The World Food Programme estimates that the June ration reached about 95 per cent. of intended recipients.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what percentage of the population in each district in Iraq have (a) access to clean water in their homes and (b) full time electricity. [124634]

Reliable statistics are not available by district in Iraq. Maintaining both clean water and electricity supplies has been a high priority for the coalition since the end of the recent conflict.In 2000, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF estimated that 48 per cent. of people in rural areas and 96 per cent. of people in urban areas had access to clean drinking water. The International Committee of the Red Cross has worked well with other humanitarian organisations, the UK military and local authorities to repair water facilities and provide water by alternative means while supplies have been disrupted, primarily by looting, after the recent conflict. The situation in many parts of the country, including Basra, Kirkuk and Mosul is now improving. Baghdad is now receiving 70 to 90 per cent. of its pre-war water supplies.Electricity installations did not sustain significant damage during the recent war, but power supplies are very variable as a result of previous lack of maintenance and subsequent looting and sabotage. Generation capacity is estimated at 50 to 60 per cent. of the country's needs.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the cost was to his Department of media and voice training for ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123119]

My department does not hold these costs centrally. However, in the last six financial years DFID is aware of spending on media and voice training only for officials as follows:

	£
2002–03		793
2001–02		0
2000–01		588
1999–2000		250
1998–99		0
1997–98		0

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the Department's assessment of the effectiveness of the principle of regional cumulation of goods in promoting (a) economic co-operation and (b) trade integration in the Middle East. [124172]

EU and Mediterranean partner trade ministers meeting in Palermo on 7 July 2003 agreed to extend the system of pan-European cumulation of origin to the Mediterranean partners (Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey). Cumulation of origin means goods can be processed using inputs from any source within the Euro-Mediterranean area, and take advantage of the system of preferential tariffs, which currently exists between Europe and the Mediterranean partners. As such, it should help to foster economic integration between Mediterranean partners and with Europe, enable goods to be produced more efficiently through sourcing the cheapest inputs, and encourage economies of scale. A subsequent assessment of the effectiveness of this agreement will eventually be possible.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development which countries will be attending the Cancun Ministerial Meeting this September; and if he will make a statement. [124523]

We expect most, if not all, of the 146 members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to attend the 5th Ministerial meeting in Cancun in September. We recognise, however, that the ability and resources of some developing country members to participate meaningfully in WTO negotiations can be limited. As a result, the Government have offered £40,000 to a WTO Trust Fund to enable Ministers and officials from the least developed countries to attend the meeting in Cancun.More generally, the Government have committed to spending £45 million by 2004 on trade related capacity building. Activities funded include improving developing countries' ability to negotiate favourable deals in the WTO talks trade negotiations, helping them interpret trade agreements, and supporting them in taking advantage of new international trading opportunities.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development pursuant to the answer of 4 June 2003, Official Report, column 432W, if he will list the countries whose poverty reduction strategy papers now include sanitation, water supply and hygiene as a result of pressure from her Department. [124442]

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) are intended to be country-driven and owned, based on broad participation in their design, implementation and monitoring. PRSPs provide a focus for joint donor efforts, and so it is not possible allocate particular elements of countries' PRSPs to the actions of any one donor. DFID participates in formal and informal donor networks around PRSPs, has co-funded World bank-led workshops and has been active on PRSP preparation committees and working groups.DFID's strong commitment to achieving debt relief and poverty reduction in the world's poorest countries means that we are working actively with their Governments to support production of PRSPs. We are also supporting the consultative process that the PRSP requires, to ensure the strategy is built on broad-based consensus in which the poor have a voice. The majority of DFID country offices support the national PRSP process by promoting official or Government participation. We also give direct support to civil society to strengthen the impact of public action on poverty, and to encourage progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. DFID has worked with the World bank on the Poverty Reduction Strategy Sourcebook. This is a guide to assist countries in the development of poverty reduction strategies and includes advice on issues such as health, education, infrastructure, water and sanitation, macroeconomic policy, gender and the environment.DFID also supports major multi-lateral initiatives, such as the Water and Sanitation Program, that work to support national Governments and civil society in national PRSP processes. Research undertaken by the Water and Sanitation Program of Full and Interim PRSPs in Sub-Saharan Africa has found that treatment of water and sanitation is not comprehensive and often inconsistent. In particular, sanitation and solid waste management received inadequate attention. Also, despite the significant continuing work on sector reforms (e.g. decentralisation, rural and urban water and sanitation), their incorporation in the country PRSP initiatives requires considerable strengthening. The Uganda PRS was a notable exception having good coverage of water and sanitation issues, and serves as an illustration of good practice.DFID has also commissioned a research and advocacy project in sub-Saharan Africa that is being undertaken by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and WaterAid. The project is investigating how resources allocated 10 water supply and sanitation in PRSPs in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar and Uganda) are converting into actual expenditure on water and sanitation, and will make recommendations to improve the poverty reducing, impact of this work. This will be completed in 2004 and is an important opportunity to support the building of sustainable improvements in local capacity in a way that is consistent with nationally owned poverty reduction strategies.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assistance the Department has given to Romania in each year since 1997. [124478]

The UK provides assistance to Romania through its' contribution to European Commission aid programmes and through a bi-lateral aid programme focused on Public Administration Reform, Social Policy Reform, Child Welfare Reform and Regional Development.Details of assistance are shown in the following table.

Assistance to Romania in each year from 1997
			£ million
	UK Bi-lateral	EC aid	Of which: UK share
1997	5.71	76.54	14.54
1998	4.14	104.19	19.90
1999	3.74	150.63	26.74
2000	3.44	174.51	34.31
2001	5.39	345.12	65.23
2002	5.80	165.07	32.02

Europe and Central Asia Dept. 8 July 2003.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian needs in Eastern Uganda as a consequence of the security situation. [125254]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) on 4 July 2003, Official Report, column 512W.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if the Government will make it their policy to support France's call for a moratorium on export subsidies during the current round of World Trade Organisation negotiations. [124318]

The UK has supported the French Africa initiative to the G8, which recognises the damaging effects of agricultural subsidies on African economies. Discussions around the French initiative during the recent G8 summit at Evian were also important to reiterate the importance of finding solutions to the commodities' problem and to improve the way in which preferential access into developed countries' markets operates for the benefit of developing countries.In the WTO, the UK is committed to reaching agreements on long-term agricultural trade rules, which are fair and non-discriminatory. These multilateral rules should aim to create the stable conditions necessary for the private sector to make long-term investment in developing countries' agriculture. In this context, the draft agricultural trade framework agreement (put forward by Stuart Harbinson) proposes that developed countries phase out all export subsidies within 10 years.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what proposals her Department has for providing greater opportunities for poor countries competing for access to heavily protected markets in the developed world. [124319]

The Government believe that the current round of trade negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will provide the best opportunity for improving developing country access to protected agricultural and non-agricultural markets in the developed world. Along with commitments to improve market access, the negotiations also aim to tackle developed countries' high levels of trade-distorting domestic support and use of export subsidies, which harm developing countries.At the fifth Ministerial meeting of the WTO in Cancun this September, Ministers will assess progress towards achieving the 'development' agenda set out in Doha in November 2001. This includes an assessment of the merits of already tabled proposals on market access. Specifically, the EU is pushing for an overall average tariff reduction of 36 per cent. in the agriculture negotiations, and a reduction of tariffs on nonagricultural goods to a maximum of 15 per cent. The EU is also pushing for all developed countries to fulfil their commitment to grant duty and quota free access for all products excluding arms originating in least developed countries.To ensure that trade rules benefit all individual developing countries, any new rules will have to consider the particular needs of countries in terms of development, food security and poverty reduction. For example, the current draft of WTO agricultural trade rules includes a number of special and differential provisions for developing countries, such as lower (subsidy and tariff) reduction commitments and longer implementation periods. Some provisions also aim to protect developing countries' food security by naming "special products" which would be subject to less market opening.The UK is a strong advocate of trade reform and a supporter of special and differential rules for developing countries. The recently agreed package of CAP reform is important in delinking subsidies from production which will help reduce the unfair competition against third parties, particularly developing countries.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if she will make a statement on the consultations held between her Department and campaigners for fair trade before the fifth World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Cancun. [124320]

As part of its continuing dialogue and consultation with UK non-governmental organisation and campaigners working on trade and development issues, DFID held its biannual open day to discuss these issues on 26 June 2003 and I spent an hour with campaigners to listen to their concerns about the expansion of the WTO negotiating agenda to include new issues such as investment. I also answered questions on the Government's position on various trade issues in the run up to Cancun. In addition to these formal consultations, DFID officials are in regular contact with campaigners to discuss the details of current policies and proposals.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if the Government will press its partners in the developed world to commit to quota and tariff-free access to European and US markets for all imports from low-income countries in Africa. [124321]

The UK was one of the strongest advocates of the EU Everything But Arms (EBA) initiative, which allows duty and quota-free access into the EU for imports from Least Developed Countries.The UK is also very active within the G8 in finding ways to implement the Africa Action Plan, which include commitments to improve all existing preferential schemes, so as to ensure that these effectively benefit the targeted countries.In the WTO, the UK supports the Commission's proposal that 50 per cent of imports from developing countries into the developed countries should be duty free—including those from African low-income countries.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what proposals the Government has to revive negotiations over the implementation of the Doha Agreements to improve the access to markets for developing countries. [124322]

The Government are working for faster progress in the Doha round, especially on the issues that matter most to developing countries: agriculture, Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and public health, and special and differential treatment. For example, we are in dialogue with the US and the pharmaceutical companies in order to find a way forwards on TRIPS and public health.The agreed package of reforms to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy is an important step towards making global trade in agriculture fairer for developing countries. In the context of the WTO negotiations, now that the EU has moved on agriculture, others must be prepared to follow suit. We hope that the CAP deal will inject new momentum into the Doha round.The Government are committed to doing what we can to ensure the Cancun Ministerial delivers real benefits to developing countries and helps keep the round to the 1 January 2005 deadline for negotiations to be concluded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much funding Advantage West Midlands gave to projects in North Staffordshire in 2002–03; and what the (a) internal spending and (b) fundraising targets were for 2002–03. [122616]

AWM funding to projects in North Staffs in 2002–03 was £19 million.It is not possible to provide the fund raising targets for these projects. The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the expenditure on information technology by the Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary has been in each of the last five years. [124943]

The information is as follows:

	£
1998–99		40,266
1999–2000		119,255
2000–01		147,701
2001–02		595,927
2002–03		456,493

Due to the UKAEAC being a part of UKAEA all the IT services infrastructure is managed within the parent organisation's expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place a copy of the latest information technology strategy document for the Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary in the Library. [124944]

The document referred to is classified Restricted and contains information which could potentially be of use to terrorists. It therefore cannot be made publicly available "under exemption 1(a) information whose disclosure would harm the conduct of international relations or affairs; of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information."

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what security considerations underpinned the decision to withhold from publication the full safety analysis conducted by BNFL of its building B30 at Sellafield. [124836]

It is not Government policy to disclose information relating to civil nuclear facilities which could potentially be of use to terrorist "under Exemption 1(a) information whose disclosure would harm national security—of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information." A version of the report which did not include such sensitive information was placed in the Libraries of the House in June this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the oral answer of the Minister for Energy, E-Comrnerce and Postal Services, of 3 July 2003, Official Report, columns 527-28, in which areas schools with wireless broadband access have become hubs for the local community; what external sources of finance were used; and if she will make a statement. [124354]

[holding answer 8 July 2003]: Through the Alston Cybermoor project in East Cumbria, 600 homes are served by their local school connections, and a number of schools act as hubs in Co. Durham providing onbound access to both community, L. A. and business users. The Cumbria and Lancashire Education Online have also helped the small rural communities of Hawkhead and Coniston. The Buckfastleigh project is using a mixture of fixed-line and wireless connections. Jeff Joseph Sale Moor Technology College, Cheshire, has established an open-to-all wireless broadband access point located in a council house in the centre of a local estate. The wireless network is intended to give broadband access from anywhere in the college and up to 5km in to the local community.Other areas are looking into the possibility of becoming hubs, e.g. Kent LEA. Pilots in Surrey and Isle of White are in the development stage.All school wireless connections are government funded (Department for Education and Skills, and the DTI through the Regional Development Agencies), with non-school users only being charged for their share of the costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new entrants to the Civil Service were employed in her Department in each of the last five years; and how many in each year were aged 50 or over. [119818]

The figures for my Department, based on headcount for the number of permanent staff, are as follows:

	Over age 50		Under age 50		Total
1997–98	49		389		438
1998–99	66		502		558
1999–2000	47		585		632
2000–01	110		666		776

	Over age 50		Under age 50		Total
2001–02	112		843		955
Grand total	384		2,985		3,359

These are the overall figures for the Department, including its Agencies and include permanent staff transfers into the DTI from:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average cost of an employer's compulsory liability insurance claim was in each year since 1998. [119393]

I have been asked to reply.The Department published a first stage report on employers' liability insurance that looked at the issue on 3 June. Copies are in the Library.One of the key external stakeholders representing the insurance industry was the Association of British Insurers (ABI). They have calculated the average cost of Employers' Liability claims using historical patterns to estimate the settlement cost or claims which are currently outstanding. Their estimates are as follows:

Estimated cost of outstanding claims
	£
1998	11,900
1999	13,100
2000	12,700
2001	16,000
2002	16,200

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department has taken to publicise good practice in inclusive design and (b) provide data, guidelines and case studies relating to inclusive design to those involved in the design and production of (i) digital television products, (ii) digital radio products and (iii) telecommunications products. [111166]

The Department is committed to encouraging good design and this is done principally through our involvement in standards work. The placing of accessibility features in standards ensures that all products of that type include them. We actively participate in drafting key standards. A major conference was held earlier this year by the European Standards Bodies in conjunction with the Commission to promote inclusive design.A task listed in the Action Plan of the Digital Television Project, jointly led by DTI and DCMS, is to "address human factors issues including access for disabled people". The DTI commissioned a scoping report from Loughborough University in 2002 and has commissioned follow-up work with Scientific Generics Limited including a report on inclusive design which is due in Q3, 2003. On 10 July 2003, DTI hosted an Intellect seminar on Digital Terrestrial Television Product Usability which was attended by a number of key manufacturers of television receivers."Usability for All" was the main theme of the seminar.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions her Department has had with manufacturers of digital radios on improving the accessibility of this equipment for visually impaired people. [111168]

DTI officials have regular discussions with manufacturers of radio receivers on the development of digital radio technology, applications and markers. Although UK sales of digital radio receivers have increased in recent months, the market is still at a very early stage. We expect to see a greater range of receivers on offer over the coming months, including those with larger clearer screens, which will make digital radio programmes more accessible to all, including visually impaired people. Options being considered by manufacturers for the figure include digital radios with audio guides which read alound what is currently displayed as text.Access to digital radio services is not limited to the current range of digital radio receivers. Many digital radio services can also be accessed by digital television receivers and computers, providing a greater range of options for the visually impaired and others.As noted in my reply to my hon. Friend's Question No. 111167, OFCOM will have powers to act to further the interests of consumers on such issues as ease of accessibility.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the provision of electricity from coal fired power stations displacing power from plants that are more environmentally friendly: and what efforts are being made to encourage the use of electricity from environmentally friendly plants in the future. [123282]

[holding answer 8 July 2003]: The choice of which generating plant to use to meet their contracts with electricity suppliers is a commercial matter for the electricity generating companies.Electricity generators face limits imposed by the environment Agency on a variety of emissions with environmental impacts. Examples of emissions limited by the Agency in this way include sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, emissions of which are generally higher from coal plant than from other types of generation.Coal fired generation also produces higher levels of carbon dioxide emissions than most other forms of generation. The Agency does not set limits for emissions of carbon dioxide from power stations. However, a trading scheme for carbon dioxide emissions is due to be launched by the European Union in January 2005. This scheme will cover all fossil fuelled power stations and will give generators direct financial incentives to reduce carbon emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she is taking to reduce the procedural requirements involved in bidding for EU public sector contracts. [125298]

The UK has taken an active part in the negotiations on the European Commission proposals to simplify, clarify and modernise the existing public procurement directives. The proposals have just completed their second reading by the European Parliament. Once adopted, the new public procurement directives will provide an up-to-date framework within which efficient and non-discriminatory procurement can take place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 3 June 2003, Official Report, column 329W, on the Everything but Arms agreement, if she will assess the impact of the Everything but Arms agreement on trade exports to the United Kingdom by non-least developed countries in sub-Saharan Africa. [124219]

Comparing figures for calendar year 2000 with the year to March 2003 shows trade exports to the United Kingdom by non-least developed countries (non-LDCs1) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) increased by 27 per cent. to £5.15 billion. Over the same period, the total value of exports to the United Kingdom from least developed countries (LDCs) in SSA increased by 82 per cent. though still at a relatively low level of £265 million. We hope to see these figures grow further as their economies adjust to the greater export opportunities offered by EBA, which came into effect in March 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the projects supported by her Department's Innovation Budget involving technical textiles. [121944]

My Department has supported the following individual technical textile projects under the Innovation Budget:

• Innovative non-woven rail foundation materials that will help to drain rainwater and stabilise the rail track-bed.
• Durability of geosynthetics to investigate the durability of geotextiles used in road construction.
• Flexible fire barriers that are light and strong to replace traditional construction materials.
• Conductive materials including `qwerty' keypad for use as pressure sensors.
• Electrically conductive fabrics for use in the "wearable computer"
• Technical textile bandages which provide a measured pressure to help treat leg
• Venous ulcer patients and to prevent deep vein thrombosis in long flight passengers
• Technical textile-based limb protectors and ballistic helmets, to provide lighter and stronger equipment for the armed forces and police
• Double cloth technology—to develop the capabilities of double cloth weaving for use in various fibres
• Fire resistant polypropylene yarns for use in cheap carpets and furnishing fabrics used in public spaces
• Hybrid laminates from adhesive thermo-bonding Universal insulation system to provide an improved balance in performance clothing between comfort and protection from heat
• Laser seaming of performance textiles to provide cloth seams of predictable and consistent strength
• Impact-resistant non-wovens for use as motorcycle protective clothing and body armour
• Fire resistant fabrics based on rare animal fibres that combine high performance with luxury finish for example in aircraft and yachts
• Designing advanced fibre ropes, e.g. for mooring oilrigs in very deep waters
• Technical textile CAD, develop and implement a Computer Aided
• Engineering (CAE) system in the technical textiles sector Textile-reinforced composites
• Warp/weft-knitted fabrics with metal wire content, for electromagnetic shielding that can fit around bodies
• Novel lap joint for non-wovens, which ensures the join is as strong as the rest of the material
• Long-staple yarn for technical textile applications, combining the best properties ty' natural and man-made fibres in high-strength materials
• 3D seamless flatbed knitting with various applications e.g. in healthcare: seamless 'whole body bandages for burns victims and other skin treatments
• 3D nonwovens—A project that will allow manufacturers to predict more closely the porosity and weight of a finished product such as a dust filter
• Technical Textile Project Co-ordinator, to help companies find partners and funding for R and D
• National Advisor on Technical Textiles to the industry-led Textile and Clothing Strategy Group
• Technical textile database, in order to help suppliers and manufacturers in the industry find partners for commerce and R and D.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost was to her Department of media and voice training for Ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123138]

There has been no cost to the Department for media and voice training for Ministers since 1997.For DTI officials, the majority of the Department's training budget is allocated to individual Directorates. Each Directorate has responsibility for managing, monitoring and evaluating at training events in line with the Departmental business and training plans. Disproportionate costs would be incurred to collate the data centrally for the purposes of answering this question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost was to her Department of mobile phones supplied to Ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123144]

Responsibility for the provision of mobile telephones for official purposes and for payment of the associated call charges was dev Dived to individual directorates, agencies and NDPBs at the end of March 1993. Since August 1997, the DTI has increasingly made use of the central Mobile Telecommunications contract managed by the Office for Government Commerce. This contract provides a call-off arrangement for DTI users at advantageous prices ensuring that the Department obtains good value for money. Due to the devolved responsibility for mobile telephone management the only information that can be provided at non-disproportionate cost is expenditure with DTI's main suppliers of mobile telephony.The figures available are:

	£
1998		90,881
1999		263,123
2000		226,695
2001		342,964
2002		342,881

Figures are not available for 1997 due to a change in the Department's Accounting System over that period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many lost items of post there have been (a) so far in 2003 and (b) in each of the last five years. [125196]

This is an operational matter for Royal Mail Group plc, I have therefore asked the Chief Executive of Royal Mail to reply direct to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect on the level of subsidy payable to post offices if the number of Post Office card accounts opened exceeds the Government's estimates; and if she will make a statement. [125271]

Government financial support for the Post Office network is not affected by any particular number of Post Office card accounts. Universal banking went live in post offices on 1 April 2003 as scheduled. There is an effect on payments to the Post Office through its contracts with government departments, but the Post Office is now providing electronic access to a wide range of bank accounts and is looking to extend these further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices have closed in Leicester since 1997; what research has been done by her Department into the closure of post offices in Leicester; and what representations she has received from honourable Members concerning the closure of post offices in Leicester. [125272]

Decisions on post office closures are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd and I have asked the Chief Executive to respond directly to the hon. Member about closures in Leicester. In addition to representations from the hon. Member for Leicester East., my hon. Friend has received one representation from Leicester city council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the biomass fuel burnt under subsidy as an energy resource in the last 12 months came from (a) new sources of material, (b) material that would otherwise go to waste and (c) raw materials that can serve a useful purpose in industry; what the expected figures are for (i) 2005 and (ii) 2010; and if she will make a statement. [125164]

In 2002 the following amounts of biomass fuel were used in the UK. Biomass used for electricity generation may be eligible for support under the Renewables Obligation or the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation and Climate Change Levy exemption.

Thousand tonnes of oil equivalent
	Electricity generation	Heating purposes1
Wood waste	—	266
Wood	—	204
Poultry litter, meat and bone, straw, farm waste and short rotation coppice	283	72

Thousand tonnes of oil equivalent
	Electricity generation	Heating purposes1
Municipal solid waste, general industrial waste and hospital waste	672	91
1 No payments are made under the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation, the Renewables Obligation or the Renewables (Scotland) Obligation for the burning of biomass fuels for the provision of heat.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 5 June 2003, Official Report, column 298, on renewable energy, if she will to meet the Director of the Wood Panel Industries Federation to discuss the impact on the industry of subsidised biomass fuel. [125280]

As the Minister for Energy I am in discussion with the Chairman of the Trade and Industry Select Committee about a meeting with a deputation of MPs and representatives of the Wood Panel Industries Federation to discuss the impact of the Government's renewable energy policy on UK wood-based panel manufacturing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultation she has had with (a) the owners of the Occidental Jetty on Canvey Island and (b) others on future uses of that jetty in connection with the production of energy from wind. [123415]

None, although my officials are aware of local press speculation on this subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the assistance given by the Department in respect of redundancies at the Selby coal complex; and what the redundancy terms are. [125238]

On 16 July 2002 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced the Government's intention to pay £10 million to UK Coal plc to support redundancy payments arising from the announced closure of the Selby coal mine complex in North Yorkshire by spring 2004, with the loss of approximately 2,000 jobs. The Government is providing this support as aid to cover exceptional costs under Article 7(2) and 7(3) of the Council Regulation on State aid to the coal industry. The European Commission gave formal approval to the state aid on 27 May 2003. A first instalment of £1.8 million was paid to UK Coal in June. The assistance will allow UK Coal to extend pre-privatisation redundancy terms to affected employees until March 2005.The Government have also set up a regeneration programme for the local area, implementing the agreed recommendations of the report by Lord Haskins, Chairman of the Selby Coalfield Task Force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in establishing a one-stop shop for the allocation of public funds grants and advice for small businesses. [124435]

As a result of feedback from key stakeholders, DTI has reviewed the support it offers to business. A simple more effective set of business support products is being put in place. A new web-based 'Business Support Directory' also provides information to customers and intermediaries on all of the current business support schemes and new business support products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 9 April 2003, Official Report, column 268W, on street works, what the agenda was for the discussions with telecom operators; what representations were made to her Department; what decisions were made; and if she will make a statement. [109560]

The discussions covered a number of regulatory issues of concern to the operators, including the impact of the proposed changes to streetworks legislation on the development of broadband. It was agreed that any new streetworks legislation should have regard not only to increased cost and disruption to the transport system, but also to the compliance cost on telecoms operators and their customers, and in particular its potential to distort or restrict competition in the telecoms market. The regulatory impact assessment required for any new legislative proposals will need to address these issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her Department has produced a policy statement on inclusive design in relation to consumer equipment in the (a) telecommunications and (b) broadcasting sectors; and if she will make a statement. [111167]

The powers and duties of OFCOM under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and the current Communications B-11 will enable it to act decisively to further the interests of consumers and the community as a whole. I am sure that the benefits of inclusive design will be one area that OFCOM will be keen to encourage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what research has been undertaken on the possible distortion of the wood supply market in the UK as a result of the Renewables Obligation; and if she will make a statement; [125113](2) what measures she is taking to discourage the burning of wood products used in industry as a raw material as a subsidised biomass fuel for energy production. [125116]

The Forestry Commission, working with others, are currently undertaking a Woodfuel Resource Study, which will quantify the resource from traditional forests, sawmill co-product, arboricultural arisings and short rotation coppice. Defra and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) have funded studies on the quantity and location of recovered wood.As a result of market pressures, the forestry industry has been investigating alternative end uses for its products. The forest industry regards energy generation using wood as an important new market to explore.I am aware that generators are also investigating the possibilities presented through the use of non-wood materials as a source of biomass for use in co-firing. At present, large co-firers are testing the feasibility of using wood as well as imported olive cake and palm oil husks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are being taken to promote the use of wood wastes with no commercial value as a biomass fuel. [125114]

The Government are providing support for the use of wood waste as a biomass fuel in a number of ways, as outlined in reply on 24 June 2003, Official Report, column 683W and 26 June 2003, Official Report, column 927W. This will help to deliver the Government's policy objectives on national energy production. The support schemes do not apply to other uses of wood waste.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research she undertook prior to the introduction of the Renewables Obligation into its impact on the wood panel industry. [125170]

We carried out three full consultations on the Renewables Obligation before its introduction on 1 April 2002. The first consultation paper, "New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the UK for the 21st Century", was issued in March 1999 and was accompanied by Supporting Analysis produced by ETSU. The report presented an up to date status report on new and renewable energy and flagged up issues concerning forestry wastes and also the socio-economic implications of renewables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the wood panel industry regarding the impact on their supplies of basic raw material of electricity generators using wood residues as a green fuel. [125171]

My officials are facilitating work between representatives of the UK wood industry and co-firing power stations to explore the opportunities offered by co-firing under the Obligation for UK Forestry, and, in particular, the potential for using by-products from existing wood industries. Working groups continue to meet.It is hoped that this initiative, if successful, will have the dual benefit of reducing imports and making more biomass available for a larger market in the UK, thereby helping to stabilise prices.We understand from the forestry industry that it can meet demand from power generators from existing surplus forestry material.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents there have been in each of the last five years of objects falling from commercial airlines over the UK; and how many falling objects have caused (a) personal injury and (b) damage to buildings in each year. [125341]

During the 5-year period from 1 January 1998 until 31 December 2002 there were 309 reports to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of objects falling from commercial airlines. A breakdown for each of the years is shown in the following table:

	Minor personal injury	Third party building damage	Total objects
1998	1	21	54
1999	0	32	66
2000	1	36	68
2001	1	19	59
2002	0	27	62

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost was of the consultation exercise on airports policy. [123863]

Since July last year to date, "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom" consultation is estimated to have cost around £4,200,000, inclusive of VAT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received about airport expansion. [125479]

The national consultation ended on 30 June. We estimate that at least 300,000 responses have been received from across the UK. This includes formal responses, questionnaires, petitions and other representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many local bus passengers there were in each year since 1998–99 in (a) London, (b) English metropolitan areas, (c) English shire counties and (d) England. [125343]

Information on the number of local bus passenger journeys in each year since 1998–99 in each of the areas of England is published by the Department in Table 10 of "A Bulletin of Public Transport Statistics GB, 2002 edition". The publication is available in the Libraries of the House and on the Department's website at www.transtat.gov.uk/tables/ 2002/pts/pts.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the public subsidy is for 2003–04 to local bus services for (a) London, (b) English metropolitan areas, (c) English shire counties and (d) England, separately identifying the (i) concessionary fare subsidy and (ii) fuel duty rebate. [125345]

Local transport authorities make their own decisions on the amount to be spent on supporting local bus services and subsidising concessionary fares. No forecasts of the totals expected for the current year are available. However, the figures for 2001–02, the last year for which information is currently available, were:

Public transport support for local bus services1
£ million
London	193
English met areas	122
English shires	138
Total England	453
1 Includes administration costs and expenditure met from the Department's grant schemes

Concessionary fares reimbursement (for local buses)
	£ million
London	122
English met areas	194
English shires	131
Total England	447

Expenditure by my Department in the current financial. year on payments to bus operators in England of Bus Service Operators Grant (formerly called fuel duty rebate) is forecast to total £335 million, of which about £75 million is expected to be to London operators. No estimates are available of the split of this expenditure outside London between operators in metropolitan areas and shire counties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the financial assistance given by the Government to local authorities for the implementation within their areas of concessionary bus fares. [125500]

In England about £450 million per year is spent by local authorities on concessionary travel by bus. That expenditure, along with other costs falling on local authorities, is covered by the contribution that the Government makes to local authorities through the annual grant settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of passengers carried by a bus in general public service was in the last year for which figures are available. [125746]

The average number of passengers carried by a local bus in England was nine in 2001–02, the latest year for which a figure is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of passengers travelling at any one time on a bendy-bus was in the last year for which figures are available. [125747]

The average number of passengers travelling at any one time on a bendy-bus in London is 24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of people travelling in a car on public roads was in the last year for which figures are available. [125751]

The National Travel Survey shows that in the three years 1999–2001 the average car occupancy was 1.6 people per car on public roads.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the performance of the Driving Standards Agency booking hotline for practical driving tests; how many telephone calls have been received on average per day by the Driving Standards Agency booking hotline for practical driving tests; how 'many staff are employed to handle calls to the Driving Standards Agency booking hotline for practical driving tests; and what the average waiting time has been for allocation of (a) a driving theory test and (b) a practical driving test by the Driving Standards Agency. [125290]

The Driving Standards Agency has a single national telephone number for booking theory and practical driving tests. Over three quarters of those who call the number reach a call centre agent, and 93 per cent. of those who get through speak with an agent within 20 seconds.During 2002–2003, some 13,730 calls a day were made to the Driving Standards Agency's national practical test booking telephone line. The Agency currently employs some 220 call centre agents to handle calls for practical test bookings.During 2002–2003, 99 per cent. of theory test candidates got an appointment at their preferred test centre within two weeks of their preferred date. During the same period, the national average waiting time for a practical driving test was 7.8 weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what revisions he proposes to make to maritime safety procedures off the West Coast of Scotland, with particular reference to the sinking of the Jumbo on 29 June. [125258]

We await publication of the report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch into this incident and will consider carefully any recommendations for improving maritime safety procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 8 July 2003, ref 123834, if he will place in the Library the assessment his Department has made of the road safety implications of increasing motorway speed limits. [125186]

The assessment carried out in 2001 into the possible effects of raising the motorway speed limit was an internal review of the available evidence. In its evidence to the Transport Select Committee on Road Traffic Speed, the Department gave both oral and written evidence to support its conclusion that the current motorway speed limit should be retained. The Select Committee's Report refers to this information together with other evidence. These documents are already available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the environmental implications of increasing motorway speed limits to 80 mph. [125187]

The assessment carried out in 2001 showed that any increase in the motorway speed limit would result in an increase in both emissions and noise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) investigations and (b) inquiries he will conduct into the incident at Charlton, Worcestershire on Monday 7 July involving a mini-bus and First Great Western train; and if he will make a statement. [125052]

There is an on-going British Transport Police (BTP) investigation into the accident at the Pools user worked level crossing, at Charlton in Worcestershire on 7 July involving a minibus and a First Great Western high-speed train. The Health and Safety Executive is providing technical support to the BTP-led investigation.Network Rail is carrying out a full internal investigation into the cause of the accident, to ensure that any lessons are learned to minimise the risks associated with this type of level crossing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact the decision to cut funding for rail freight schemes will have on the environment. [125511]

Suspension of the freight grant schemes was a short-term budgetary decision. The Strategic Rail Authority plan to reopen the Freight Facility and Track Access Grant schemes in the autumn for spend from April 2004, subject to available funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new safety standards have been put in place following the Hatfield rail disaster. [124486]

Following the Hatfield derailment, Network Rail (then Railtrack), the infrastructure controller, made two significant changes to the way railway maintenance safety standards are managed on the railways. The first specified more detailed and prescriptive requirements for the inspection and rectification of rails exhibiting rolling contact fatigue. The second involved the implementation of more stringent requirements for general track inspections to enable better monitoring of rail condition.Network Rail is fundamentally changing the way it manages rail maintenance. Its New Maintenance Programme ensures that Network Rail decides what work is completed and when. Network Rail is also taking direct control of three maintenance contract areas. This will give Network Rail clearer control of the works being completed and will help provide a safer, more reliable and efficient railway infrastructure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the percentage of train passengers who travel to and from stations by (a) car and (b) taxi. [125748]

The National Travel Survey shows that, in the three years 1999–2001, where surface rail was the main mode of transport, a car was used for 30 per cent. of trips to travel to and from the station. A further 6 per cent. of trips involved the use of a taxi or minicab.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has (a) to refurbish railway stations and (b) to replace track from Liverpool Street to Romford. [125374]

Network Rail are responsible for the maintenance and renewal of all railway infrastructure, including track. They have a continuing programme of track maintenance and renewal between London Liverpool Street and Romford. Stations are being repainted along this section of line by the train operator. Further work on stations is being discussed in the negotiations for the letting of the Greater Anglia rail franchise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the countries which have (a) agreed, (b) failed to agree and (c) not responded to his predecessor's statement of 10 June 1998 on multilateral agreements on 3rd and 4th freedoms at regional airports. [125342]

Officials wrote to our bilateral aviation partners in June 1998 proposing to lift all capacity restrictions on services between UK airports, other than London Heathrow and London Gatwick, and points in the other country by airlines of both sides.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the effect of providing lighting on the whole of the motorway system on the number of recorded accidents. [125344]

No estimate has been made of the effect of lighting the whole of the motorway network. Research has shown that where motorway lighting is provided the number of reported accidents can be reduced by about 8 per cent. and can result in a reduction of night-time personal injury accidents by as much as 30 per cent.Lighting is generally only provided where there are particular problems and where the economic assessments show the cost of installation and operation of lighting is exceeded by the benefits of reduced nighttime accidents. At present, approximately 30 per cent. of motorways are lit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many trunk road projects are proposed; [125512](2) if he will make a statement on the progress with improving the road system. [125513]

My Department is only responsible for road projects in England outside London. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State's, statement to this House on 9 July made clear our commitment to improving the nation's roads and other forms of transport, in both the immediate and the longer terms.The Government's Target Programme of Improvements currently contains '72 major trunk road improvement proposals tackling congestion, providing safety benefits and relieving communities of traffic. Since June last year, 12 other major trunk road schemes have been opened. A number of other major trunk road improvements have been proposed, mainly through the multi-modal study process. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's announcement covered 11 of these studies. The Highways Agency have been asked to do further development work on over 30 road proposals, includingactive traffic management and other technology related improvements on various parts of the motorway and trunk road network. Similar work is also being carried out on other projects following our responses to eight other multi-modal studies within the last two years.Since December 2000, over 60 major road schemes, often bringing safety and quality of life benefits, have been proposed by local authorities and received provisional or full approval by the Government to proceed. We are expecting around 20 further such proposals to be submitted as part of this year's Local Transport Settlement process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the backlog of road maintenance is in England; [125514](2) what estimate he has made of the total cost of the local road maintenance backlog. [125710]

There is not a backlog of maintenance on motorways and trunk roads in England.On local roads the maintenance backlogs were estimated in 2000 as £2 billion on carriageways and footways, £750 million on bridges and other structures, and £1billion on street lighting. Since then the Department, through the Roads Liaison Group, has been developing better inventory systems and condition indicators that will allow more accurate and up to date estimates to be made of backlogs.The Government is committed in the 10 Year Plan for Transport to tackling all the backlogs in local road maintenance by 2010 and is providing £31 billion of funding over the Plan's period for this purpose.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to release a consultation paper on street works legislation. [126022]

We have held a series of consultations in recent years as part of revisions to the secondary legislation governing utility street works under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. Most recently, consultation ended on 27 June on a revised version of the "Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Highway Works".Officials in my department have also held a series of consultative meetings recently with representatives of utility companies and local authorities about possible changes to the legislative framework governing utility works which might be included in a forthcoming Traffic Management Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many extra trains will be able to run carrying passengers on the West Coast main line following the upgrade. [125752]

The West Coast Main Line Strategy, published by the Strategic Rail Authority in June 2003, provides for an 80 per cent. increase in the route's capacity for long distance passenger trains

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the anticipated rate of profit or loss on the West Coast mainline upgrade investment is. [125759]

The West Coast Main Line Strategy, published by the Strategic Rail Authority in June 2003, estimates the passenger and freight benefits of the upgrade investment to be more than twice the costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to promote increased participation in athletics in schools and sports clubs in England [125324]

Athletics is benefiting from the Government's investment of over £8 million on building new, and strengthen existing, links between schools and sports clubs. This investment will build on the existing physical education and sport opportunities available to all young people in schools and increase opportunities for participation in national governing body affiliated, or otherwise accredited, clubs offering high quality sporting experiences.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the proportion of homes in (a) the North West of England, (b) Cumbria and (c) South Lakeland which are unable to receive the Freeview service; and if she will make a statement. [119255]

The information is not available in the form requested. The Independent Television Commission has produced a UK digital terrestrial television (DTT) coverage update including a coverage map. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The broadcasters have established databases which give coverage predictions by postcode for DTT across the UK. These can be consulted via the websites: www.dtg.org.uk; www.freeview.co.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the total cost to her Department of the implementation of the EnglandNet project. [124770]

The total cost of the EnglandNet project is as follows:

£
	2001–02	2002–03	2003–04	Total
DCMS grant-in-aid funding via ETC/ Visit Britain	769,000	265,000	852,000	1,886,000
Capital Modernisation Fund	50,000	550,000	0	600,000
Invest to Save Fund	0	1,328,000	2,077,000	3,405,000
Total all funding	819,000	2,143,000	2,929,000	5,891,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the Government have to legislate on the gambling industry; and when she plans to publish a White Paper on this matter. [125028]

The White Paper, "A safe bet for success" (Cm 5397). was published in March 2002.We will bring forward legislation on the gambling industry as soon as Parliamentary time permits. We also intend that Parliament should have an opportunity to give our proposals pre-legislative scrutiny, and plan to publish draft clauses to that end.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what major IT projects with a value in excess of £10,000 she authorised expenditure on in each of the last three financial years. [125715]

Decisions on authorisation of expenditure are taken by the appropriate project or programme board. The word "authorised" has been interpreted to mean having an approved business case.The major IT projects which this Department took forward in each of the last three financial years are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the Department spent on IT (a) licences, (b) maintenance, (c) software and (d) hardware in the last financial year. [125733]

DC MS spent £284,885 on software, which includes the costs of any licences, £146,174 on maintenance and £223,116 on hardware in the last financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many lottery awards there were to organisations in the Poole constituency in each year since 1997; and what the average number of awards per constituency was in each year. [125036]

The number of lottery awards made in Poole, and as a constituency average across the UK, is shown in the table.

Year	Poole	Constituency average across UK
1997	12	22
1998	10	13
1999	21	31
2000	20	36
2001	21	31
2002	23	39
2003	8	15

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the major sporting events hosted by the UK and funded by UK Sport in each year since 1996–97 to the provisional programme for 2003–04. [125560]

The following event; were hosted by the UK and funded by UK Sport in each year since 1996–97 along with the provisional programme for 2003–04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her answer of 12 May 2003, Official Report, column 31W, on the Millennium Commission, which of the major projects have received money from local authorities; how much was spent on each of the projects; when the money was spent by the local authorities on those projects; and if she will make a statement. [125989]

I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chair of the Millennium Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how the revisions to the National Lottery system will affect the distribution of funds to seaside resorts. [124764]

The changes to the lottery announced on 3 July 2003 include proposals to make it easier to apply for funding, to involve the public in how lottery money is spent and to make sure it's spent wisely. This should encourage people to play the lottery which, in turn, will provide revenue for the good causes and benefit all areas. Since the introduction of the 1998 Lottery Act and changes to policy directions, distributors have increasingly focussed on areas of social and economic deprivation including seaside resorts. The National Lottery has funded, and continues to fund, numerous projects which bring widespread benefits to many seaside communities across the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with the Department for Education on protecting school playing fields. [124880]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State discussed school playing fields issues with her right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on 24 June 2003.In addition, DCMS officials and those from the Department for Education and Skills have had regular discussions on playing field matters.These discussions have informed the Government's strategy for protecting school playing fields.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with (a) ministerial colleagues in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and (b) the Local Government Association about the provision of sporting facilities run by local authorities; and if she will make a statement. [125259]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State discussed the provision of local authority sporting facilities with representatives from the Local Government Association (LGA) on 11 June.A number of recommendations to improve delivery of sport by local government were put forward in Game Plan, the Government's strategy for delivering sport and physical activity objectives. This Department is committed to working with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the LGA towards achieving these objectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance is available to develop areas of sustainable tourism; and if she will make a statement. [124753]

Sustainable tourism is relevant to all tourism areas, including coastal resorts, historic and modern cities, rural areas and man-made visitor attractions. We set out the policy framework necessary to achieve progress in the Tomorrow's Tourism strategy. To implement sustainable tourism requires action by a wide range of partners, including Government Departments and their agencies, Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), local authorities, the tourism industry and organisations with environmental, conservation or social exclusion remits. Actions initiated by DCMS include giving VisitBritain a remit to market England to encourage domestic tourism and the `Fitness for Purpose' initiative to provide customers with a firmer assurance that hotels, and the restaurants within them, are fit for trading. RDAs are promoting sustainable tourism as part of their enhanced role in the strategic leadership of tourism, which links with their statutory remit for sustainable development. Local authorities can help promote sustainable tourism through spatial planning and approaches to visitor management and Business Links provide practical guidance to tourism businesses on matters such as energy efficiency and reducing waste. Everyone has something to contribute towards achieving sustainable tourism in every part of the country and it is in everyone's interest to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Access All Areas programme is being promoted in all tourist areas [124762]

Access All Areas is a nation-wide award scheme run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Launched in May 2003, the scheme runs until September, and aims to recognise and congratulate small businesses and organisations, of all types, which offer accessible and innovative services for disabled people. Through DWP's efforts the scheme has been promoted by VisitBritain, both on its web site and in an e-mail newsletter sent to 200,000 tourism businesses, and by the Tourism Skills Network, who advertised the award on its web site. DCMS sponsors VisitBritain as the lead body for tourism, and has communicated Access All Areas to those responsible for accessible tourism in England's regional tourist boards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what type of marketing procedures have been used to promote VisitBritain to local communities [124765]

VisitBritain uses a range of corporate communication tools to inform local tourism communities about its activities, including e-mail, a dedicated trade website, press releases, a quarterly corporate newsletter, press and trade-dedicated information leaflets and brochures. It also provides regional tourist boards, and other destination marketing organizations, with feature articles for use in their own communications.VisitBritain's representatives regularly meet tourism businesses at regional events and hold trade surgeries throughout the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much she estimates will be spent by her Department on funding the e-commerce impact assessment c n the UK tourism sector. [124771]

The e-commerce impact assessment on the tourism industry was commissioned and managed jointly by this Department and UK Online for Business. This study was one of a series assessing the impact of e-commerce on more than 50 key sectors, all of which were funded by UK Online for Business. The costs for this study, including consultancy, printing, dissemination and publicity were approximately £68,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans her Department has to introduce an indicator for disability access friendly services within the tourism sector [124767]

The Tourism For All National Accessibility Standard was agreed in 1993 as a mechanism for assessing the accessibility of tourist accommodation, both serviced and self-catering, and to help operators promote these facilities. It was reviewed, expanded and relaunched as the National Accessible Scheme in 2002.