Written answers

Tuesday, 6 November 2001

  • Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

    • Gibraltar

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements have been put in place for the people of Gibraltar to participate in elections to the European Parliament.

    • Gibraltar

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has made to the motion passed by the Gibraltar House of Assembly requesting Her Majesty's Government to seek a...

      Gibraltar

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when further talks will be held with the Spanish Government over the future of Gibraltar.

      Gibraltar

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the talks in July under the Brussels process with Spanish officials regarding Gibraltar; what the...

      Gibraltar

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of statements from the Spanish Government relating to responsibility for the payment of increases in...

      Gibraltar

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has asked the European Commission to initiate legal proceedings against the Government of Spain on the grounds of its...

      Gibraltar

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the European Commission and other relevant European Union institutions to ensure that...

      Afghanistan

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the policy papers which he has produced relating to the objectives of the (a) action in Afghanistan and (b)...

      Drugs Trade

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries are working with the UK Government to combat the trade in illegal drugs.

      Burma

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Burma regarding the continued imprisonment of Min Ko Naing (also known as...

      Belize

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 484W, on Belize, if High Commission staff arranged calls to the...

      Commonwealth Conference

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to attend a Commonwealth Conference; and what issues he expects to be on the agenda.

      Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will answer the letter from the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight, dated 8 October 2001, to the Secretary of State for...

  • Education and Skills

    • Individual Learning Accounts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many individual learning accounts have been taken up by residents of the Isle of Wight in each year since their inception, and...

    • Individual Learning Accounts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information is collected on the (a) size, (b) capitalisation, (c) corporate status, (d) qualifications of staff and (e) range of...

      Individual Learning Accounts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are being taken to guarantee the quality of (a) the learning providers and (b) the courses on offer, through the individual...

      Individual Learning Accounts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information is collected on the (a) age, (b) gender, (c) employment record, (d) academic/ vocational attainment, (e) social class and...

      Faith Schools

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what approaches have been made to her Department by groups wishing to (a) establish new faith schools and (b) bring independent faith...

  • Defence

    • Personal Radios

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the performance and size specifications are of (a) the Thales Defence Systems Bowman personal radio and (b) the CDC Systems personal radio system,...

    • Armed Forces (Special Payments)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the payments made to British armed forces service men and women who are engaged in theatres of operation; what assessments he...

      Chinook ZD576

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many members of the maintenance team responsible for servicing RAF Chinook ZD576 at Aldergrove on 1 and 2 June 1994 had completed a full...

      Ballistic Missiles

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what arms control measures he proposes to take to tackle the potential threat from ballistic missiles; and if he will make a statement; (2) what...

      Military Personnel (Overseas)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK military personnel are serving overseas, broken down by (a) unit and (b) country in which they are serving.

      Italy (A400M)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what Italy's financial contribution was to the A400M consortium; (2) what recent discussions he has had with the Italian Defence Minister about...

      Water Supplies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with DEFRA and the water companies about the protection of water supplies from chemical and biological attack.

      Overseas Accommodation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what improvements are being made to overseas accommodation for armed forces personnel and their families.

      Gibraltar (Accommodation)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what improvements are being made to accommodation for armed forces personnel and their families in Gibraltar.

      Territorial Army

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria he uses to determine whether Territorial Army units are fit for role.

      Territorial Army

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what standards Territorial Army service personnel must meet in order to obtain the annual bounty.

      Armed Forces Memorial

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations with ex-servicemen's organisations have taken place about the site and form of the memorial to members of the armed forces killed in...

      Afghanistan

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on confining military action against terrorism to targets in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

  • International Development

    • Poverty

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made in the Government's target to reduce the number of people worldwide living in extreme poverty by 2015.

    • Afghanistan

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what action she plans to take in order for the volume of food aid reaching Afghanistan to increase substantially; (2) what...

      Afghanistan

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on international plans to deliver food aid to refugees in Afghanistan this winter.

  • Transport, Local Government and the Regions

    • Working Time Directive

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the working time directive proposals to increase night-time working...

    • Parking Revenue (London)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list income and expenditure under the parking places revenue accounts of each local authority in London...

      Stingray

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which areas of Scotland will be covered by the Stingray system.

      Manchester Airport Eastern Link Road

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when construction will begin of the Manchester Airport eastern link road (western section).

      Railtrack

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on conditions under which the new Railtrack company will be able to draw down the...

      Railtrack

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his estimate is of (a) the gross assets to be transferred to the new Railtrack company and (b) the debt to be...

      Railtrack

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will make a statement on the amount of Government money available for (a) Railtrack in administration and (b)...

      Railtrack

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions his Department held with the Treasury regarding the financial situation at Railtrack and his plans...

      Railtrack

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which officials were involved in planning the press announcement by his Department of the Railtrack administration.

      Railtrack

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what criteria he will use to assess proposals put to him by the administrators to resolve the future of...

      Railtrack

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications of the decision to place Railtrack into administration for (a) all...

      Birmingham Northern Relief Road

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place the procurement documents relating to the Birmingham Northern Relief Road in the Library; and if he...

      Road Safety (Motorcyclists)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to encourage and promote road safety for motorcyclists; and if he will make a statement.

      Port of London Authority

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what application he has received from the Port of London Authority under section 14 of the Harbours Act 1964...

      Bull Bars

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent work has been undertaken to assess the effects of bull bars on pedestrians in vehicle accidents.

      GoVia

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what amendments to GoVia's proposals for the new South Central franchise have been put forward since Railtrack went...

      Bus Passengers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will undertake a review of the regulations on the permitted number of standing passengers on local buses.

      Bus Passengers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will take steps to amend the Public Service Vehicle (Carrying Capacity) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 in order...

      Bus Passengers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the legislative basis is of the three for two rule in the carrying of pupils under 14 years on scheduled bus...

      Bus Passengers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment the Health and Safety Executive has made of passenger overcrowding on buses transporting pupils to school.

      Motorway Speed Limits

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on congestion of the variable speed limit system in operation on the M25...

      Regional Chambers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the total budget for each regional chamber in England by region for (a) the last financial year and (b) this...

      Regional Chambers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of funding for regional chambers in England came from central Government for (a) last year and (b)...

      Unitary Development Plan

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in respect of the unitary development plan process (a) what review he has undertaken of the process since 1989, (b)...

      Local Government Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which local authorities have applied to be considered for trial schemes for (a) congestion taxes and (b) work parking...

      Local Government Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what additional central Government funding each local authority will receive for taking part in trial schemes for (a)...

      Railway Stations (Disabled Access)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what responsibility (a) Railtrack and (b) Virgin Rail have for the provision of disabled access at Lockerbie railway...

      West Coast Main Line

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects the completion of Phase II of the upgrade of the west coast main line; and when he expects trains...

      Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will reply to the letters of 10 July and 21 August from the hon. Member for Doncaster, North regarding...

      Education Funding (Worcestershire)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will meet (a) hon. Members for Worcestershire, (b) representatives of the Worcestershire Education Authority...

      Council Tax

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will revise the regulations governing the council tax benefits limitation scheme.

      Parking Restrictions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance he gives local authorities on the use of parking restrictions relating to (a) HGVs and (b) lighter...

      Concessionary Fares

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if his Department's discussions with coach operators over concessionary pensioners' fares are intended to cover...

      Concessionary Fares

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will extend eligibility for concessionary pensioners fares to inter-authority journeys.

      Passenger Information

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those means of public transport for which he does not collect passenger information.

      Public Transport Subsidies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what (a) fuel tax rebates and (b) other subsidies are available to operators of buses, trains, taxis, passenger...

      Model Code of Conduct

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will lay before Parliament the model code of conduct for members of relevant authorities under the Local...

      Ferry Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the cost of subsidies to the Woolwich ferry was in the last year in which they were paid; and what resources...

      Ferry Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason he does not collect information on the number of passenger journeys by ferry.

      East Coast Main Line

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on how many occasions in (a) 2001 (b) 2000 and (c) 1999 services on the east coast main line have been disrupted...

  • Environment Food and Rural Affairs

    • Flood Protection

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provision she plans to make to (a) the Environment Agency and (b) East Riding of Yorkshire Council to protect properties...

    • Ocean Management

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will bring forward proposals to introduce an eco-system approach to the management of the oceans around the UK.

      Departmental Assets

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what stocks of (a) antiques, (b) paintings and (c) fine wines are held by her Department; if she will list such assets sold...

      Foot and Mouth

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the contribution of hunt staff to the control of foot and mouth disease; and if she will make...

      Foot and Mouth

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions she intends to impose on the sourcing of animals for restocking farms after foot and mouth has been eliminated.

      Foot and Mouth

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many confirmed foot and mouth cases occurred in 2001 in each of the borough council areas of Cheshire.

      Foot and Mouth

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms included in the foot and mouth cull but not recognised as infected premises have had laboratory tests...

      Agrimonetary Compensation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to apply for all available agrimonetary compensation in the 2001–02 financial year; and...

      Agrimonetary Compensation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much EU agrimonetary compensation is available to be applied for on behalf of UK arable farmers.

      Farm Funding

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will allow English farmers to access England Rural Development Programme funding on the same basis as Welsh farmers.

      Environmentally Sensitive Area Status

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to accord Environmentally Sensitive Area status to all national parks and areas of outstanding...

      Business Links

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase the funding for Business Link schemes for three-day consultancy for farmers; and if she will...

      Stewardship Schemes

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to encourage a broader availability of stewardship schemes under the modulation and environmental...

      Tuberculosis

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will increase veterinary resources in the south-west to help against the spreading of TB; and if she will make a statement.

      Rendering Capacity

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase rendering capacity; and if she will make a statement.

      Flooding (Upton-upon-Severn)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will fund the provision of a pontoon bridge at Upton-upon-Severn which can be put in place in the event of flooding.

      British Horticulture (Greenhouse Fuels)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will compensate British horticulture businesses for subsidies granted by Spain for greenhouse fuels; and what measures...

      Fodder and Grazing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she received from the Arthur Rank Foundation and industry bodies about the price and availability of (a)...

      Groundwater

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement in respect of the requirement on manufacturing industries to prevent the release of hazardous...

      Groundwater

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to protect groundwater resources from known sources of contamination.

      Litter Offences

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many on-the- spot fines were levied for litter offences in England in (a) 1997 and (b) the last year for which figures...

      Sheep Meat

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will calculate (a) the number of sweet lambs awaiting entry into the national supply chain and (b) the amount of sweet...

      Apples

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been the average crop harvested of Bramley apples in (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) England...

      Draft Guidance (Parishes)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish draft guidance on quality parishes.

      Ebola Virus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to stop ebola from entering the United Kingdom.

      Bioterrorism

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what checks will be made on grain imports to prevent terrorists from polluting them with disease-bearing spores.

  • Treasury

    • Customs and Excise

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value, net of withdrawals and reductions, of the (a) penalties and (b) interest charged by HM Customs and Excise in respect of Insurance...

    • Customs and Excise

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the targets for detection of revenue set for each anti-smuggling team in HM Customs and Excise in (a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000,...

      Customs and Excise

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff are employed, and at what grades, by the National Investigation Service within HM Customs and Excise.

      Customs and Excise

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees of HM Customs and Excise are the subject of criminal investigations by the police; and how many of these relate to frauds on duty.

      Customs and Excise

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the sum of revenue detected by each anti- smuggling team within HM Customs and Excise in (a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01...

      Customs and Excise

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what ways the powers and responsibilities of HM Customs and Excise have been affected by the Terrorism Act 2000.

      Customs and Excise

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many notifications of businesses no longer trading were received by HM Customs and Excise following the annual reminder mailshots in (a) 1997, (b) 1998,...

      Barnett Formula

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under the application of the multiplier to each area of comparable expenditure under the Barnett formula, which spending areas contributed to a reduction in...

      Euro

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on euro preparations.

      Euro

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the current level of Treasury research into whether the United Kingdom has passed the five economic tests for...

      European Central Bank

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the accountability to EU member states of the European Central Bank.

      Landfill Tax Credit Scheme

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what options he is considering for the (a) reform and (b) abolition of the Landfill Tax Credit scheme; (2) if he will amend the Landfill Tax...

      Airline Industry

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will bring forward taxation measures to provide emergency support to the airline industry following the terrorist attacks of 11 September; (2)...

      Working Hours

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 204W, on excessive hours, if he will state the methodology by which his answer was reached.

      Railtrack

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guarantees the Treasury is offering to Railtrack plc in administration to enable it to borrow from the market.

      Public-Private Partnerships

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what advice he has received since 7 October concerning additional risk premia that PPP partners might seek; (2) what representations he has received...

      Vat

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of criminal VAT fraud were reported in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02 to date; how many prosecutions were...

      Vat

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value was of criminal VAT evasion prevented by HM Customs and Excise in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02 to date.

      Vat

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many traders were dealt with by the VAT large payers unit in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01; how many...

      Vat

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the total value of VAT repayment returns in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01; (2) what the...

      Vat

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of (a) court fines and costs and (b) confiscation and compensation orders following the completion of prosecutions in VAT criminal cases...

      Vat

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value of VAT civil evasion prevented by HM Customs and Excise was in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01.

      Vat

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many and what proportion of applications for VAT registration during (a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01, and (d)...

      Vat

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many VAT fraud cases were investigated under the civil penalty procedure in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01...

      Vat

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses were sent the annual reminder mailshot with VAT returns in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001.

      Vat

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value, net of withdrawals and reductions, of the (a) default surcharge, (b) penalties and (c) interest charged by HM Customs and Excise in...

  • Wales

    • NHS (Wales) Bill

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will publish the draft NHS (Wales) Bill.

  • Trade and Industry

    • Ozone Depleting Substances

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated cost to British businesses is of the Ozone Depleting Substances Regulation 2000/2037.

    • Ozone Depleting Substances

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effects of the ozone depleting substances Regulation 2000/2037 on the design and manufacture of fridges...

      Small Business Service/Business Link

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking (a) to ensure effective co-operation and (b) to avoid duplication between the work of the Small Business Service and...

      End-of-life Vehicles Directive

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated cost to British businesses is of the end-of-life vehicles directive.

      Small Businesses

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of UK registered businesses employ fewer than (a) 100, (b) 50, (c) 20, (d) 10 and (e) five people.

      Economic Development

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the potential of the environmental industries to generate economic development.

      Nuclear Sites (Security)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to install anti-aircraft batteries at Sellafield and other nuclear plants; and what discussions she has had with her French...

      Nuclear Sites (Security)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor), 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 7W, on nuclear...

      Nuclear Sites (Security)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the personnel who comprise her Department's Office for Civil Nuclear Security, along with the qualifications they have for...

      European Coal and Steel Treaty

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her policy on the proposals of the European Commission to allow state aid to the coal industry to continue...

      European Coal and Steel Treaty

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her policy towards the renewal of the European Coal and Steel Treaty.

      Manufacturing Industry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received regarding the impact of new regulations on British manufacturing in the last 12 months.

      Manufacturing Industry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the factors responsible for the changes in competitiveness of British manufacturing in the last three years.

      Electricity Trading Arrangements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the operation of the New Electricity Trading Arrangements.

      Electricity Trading Arrangements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the impact of the new Electricity Trading Arrangements on the generation of electricity by wind power.

      Coal

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she has security of supply concerns about coal production; and if she will make a statement.

      Coal

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what risk assessment she has made about the potential for disruption to coal supply to the UK.

      Coal

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to promote the capping of EU state aid to the UK coal industry at 2001 levels.

      Coal

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to promote amendments to reduce EU state aid to the UK coal industry on a year-by-year basis.

      Nuclear Power (Finland)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with the Government of Finland about nuclear power generation.

      Screening Centre (Wrexham)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) medical examinations by doctors and (b) screening tests by nurses were carried out at Healthcall's screening centre at Grosvenor...

      Miners' Compensation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many compensation claims made by miners suffering from vibration white finger and mining-related lung diseases are still waiting to be...

      Miners' Compensation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many compensation payments to sick miners and their dependants for (a) vibration white finger and (b) respiratory diseases have been made...

      Miners' Compensation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) claims were received in respect of respiratory disease, (b) interim and expedited awards were made in respect of respiratory...

      Miners' Compensation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims her Department has received in respect of respiratory disease; in respect of how many claims spirometry has been completed; in...

      Pylons

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will review the Government's policy on the future construction of pylons in this country on the basis of international research...

      Underground Gas Storage

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government policy is on the construction of underground gas storage facilities.

      Tyre Manufacturing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to safeguard the future of the tyre manufacturing industry in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

      Work and Parents Taskforce

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to publish the findings of the Work and Parents Taskforce.

      Opec

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on OPEC's oil reserves.

      Plutonium

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantities of plutonium have been (a) sold and (b) loaned to the European Commission, on behalf of the European Communities, by the...

      Wind Farms

      Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if legislation is required to allow offshore wind farms to be built in British waters more than 12 miles from the coastline;...

      Wind Farms

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will hold a public inquiry into the Cefn Croer wind farm proposals.

      Gas Prices

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what means she will measure the effectiveness of her strategy to address high gas prices; and over what timescale.

      Oil Companies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will review the advice given by his Department to British companies involved in oil extraction in Southern Sudan; and if she will make...

      Oil Companies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the British companies which are involved in oil and gas pipelines between the Caspian and Europe.

      Oil Companies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the British oil industry companies which operate in (a) Tajikistan, (b) Turkmenistan, (c) Uzbekistan, (d) Kyrgstan and (e)...

      Employment Directive

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government are committed to implementing Article 13 of the EC Employment Directive by 2 December 2003; and what plans the Government...

  • Culture Media and Sport

    • Chess

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to recognise chess as a sport.

    • National Stadium

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the money from Sport England for the Wembley stadium project will be repaid.

      National Stadium

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 816W, on the national stadium, if she will give details of the...

      Palliative Care (Children)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money from the new opportunities fund was devoted to palliative care for children in each of the last three years.

  • Scotland

    • Small Business Sector

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she last met the Scottish Executive's Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning to discuss the prospects for the Scottish small business sector.

    • Performance and Innovation Unit

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scotland Office has made a submission to the PIU energy review.

      Personal Care (Elderly People)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding transferring attendance allowance resources to the Scottish...

      Boundary Commission

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she last met officials from the boundary commission for Scotland.

      Railtrack

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions as to the consequences for rail travel in...

      Scottish Parliament

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans the Government have to adjust the number of Members of the Scottish Parliament.

      Tourism

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister about her visits abroad to promote tourism in Scotland.

      Employment Trends

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on employment trends in Scotland since September.

      Barnett Formula

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she last discussed the future of the Barnett formula with Treasury Ministers.

      Barnett Formula

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has held with the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on the operation of the Barnett formula.

      Army Installations

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she last met the Secretary of State for Defence to discuss the future of Army installations in Scotland.

      Ferry Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans she has to issue tender documents for the ferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle.

      Nuclear Reactors

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action she has taken to ascertain public opinion on the possible siting of new nuclear reactors in Scotland.

      Rural Employment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she next expects to meet representatives of the Scottish Executive to discuss rural employment.

      Terrorism

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action she has taken since 11 September relating to security against terrorist attacks.

      Business Support

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent action she has taken to support business operations in Scotland.

      Airport Security

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action the Government are taking to improve security at Scottish airports.

  • Home Department

    • Energy Efficiency Week

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his office took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week.

    • Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason his review of section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 is not yet complete; and when he will announce the...

      Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the review of the working of ethical review processes in establishments designated under the Animals (Scientific...

      Cannabis

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests were made for possession of cannabis; and how many prosecutions followed, in each police force in England, in each of the...

      Asylum Seekers

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been relocated from the Isle of Thanet under the Government's dispersal programme.

      Asylum Seekers

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the case for increasing the length of time given to asylum seekers to complete statement of evidence...

      Asylum Seekers

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many (a) asylum applications and (b) asylum applications rejected on the grounds of non-compliance there have been in each month of...

      Asylum Seekers

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Government began requiring asylum seekers to be fingerprinted.

      Asylum Seekers

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken was from first application to initial decision in asylum cases in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

      Asylum Seekers

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases were waiting to be processed by the Appeals Tribunal in each month of the last three years, indicating the (a) monthly and (b)...

      Afghanistan

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals to prevent the re-entry into the United Kingdom of those leaving the country to fight against British and...

      Passport Agency

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the new information technology systems at the Passport Agency are fully rolled out; what has been the estimated total cost of the new...

      Passport Agency

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Passport Agency has conducted a feasibility study into a national identity card system; what it cost; and if he will make a statement.

      Passport Application Fees

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change (a) the fees charged for processing passport applications and (b) the charging structure for passport...

      Drugs Education Programmes

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effects of (a) Operation Charlie and (b) other anti-legal and illegal drugs education programmes in...

      Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to answer the letter to him dated 14 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mrs. M McDonagh.

      Ministerial Meetings (EU)

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates of the European Union meetings attended by Ministers in his Department from 1 January onwards, indicating what...

      National Experience Corps

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for members of the National Experience Corps to contribute to the delivery of sport in schools.

      Immigration and Nationality Directorate

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to review information technology systems, with specific reference to the Asylum and Immigration Directorate.

      Yarls Wood Immigration Detention Centre

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 October 2001, Official Report, column 615W, on Yarls Wood immigration detention centre (1) how many detainees...

      Bribery

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for the (a) offer and (b) taking of bribes have been brought under (i) the Prevention of Corruption Acts and (ii)...

      Charities (Voluntary Registration)

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the review of the criteria for the voluntary registration of charities.

      Terrorist Attacks

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional measures have been taken to guard Britain's (a) oil rigs and (b) nuclear power stations from terrorist attack, following the...

  • Work and Pensions

    • Attendance Allowance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to introduce (a) a shorter attendance allowance claim form and (b) an attendance allowance freephone claim line; and what...

    • Minimum Income Guarantee

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to increase take-up of minimum income guarantee among attendance allowance and disability living allowance (a) claimants and...

      Minimum Income Guarantee

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) percentage of minimum income guarantee (i) claimants, (ii) eligible non-recipients...

      Foreign Nationals (Benefits)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what state benefits foreign nationals are entitled to when given exceptional leave to remain in the UK.

      Invalidity Care Allowance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimates he has made of the number of carers in work during term time who do not qualify for invalidity care allowance for looking after...

      Benefit Fraud

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many suspected cases of (a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit fraud there were in the financial year 2000–01; how many of...

      Benefit Fraud

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been successfully prosecuted for benefit fraud in the last year for which figures are available, broken down into those...

      Benefit Fraud

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent in the development and maintenance of the "Targeting Fraud" website to date.

      Benefit Fraud

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action he is taking to investigate the allegations of benefit fraud committed by a person whose name has been communicated to him; and if...

      Jobseeker's Allowance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average processing time is for repeat benefit claims for (a) jobseeker's allowance and (b) income support.

      Benefits (Northampton)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which of the specific directions issued to Northampton borough council on 21 August 2000 concerning the delivery and accuracy of housing...

      Disability Benefits

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average waiting time for clearing new claims was over the last 12 months in each disability benefit centre.

      Disability Discrimination Act

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on (a) the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended and (b) the level of compliance...

      Independent Living Fund

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the findings of his review of the independent living fund.

      Incapacity Benefit

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, (1) pursuant to his answer of 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 684W, on incapacity benefit, how many incapacity reviews were undertaken...

      Stakeholder Pensions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the total advertising costs for promoting the stakeholder pension scheme.

      Fibromyalgia Syndrome

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has to improve the knowledge of doctors representing the Benefits Agency regarding the condition known as...

      Benefit Recovery (Accident Victims)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much benefit was recovered from accident victims by way of recoupment from damages awards in each of the last four years.

      Income Support

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents have claimed income support in each quarter since August 1996, broken down by lone parents with (a) at least one child...

      State Pension

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners had a reduction in their state retirement benefit as a result of a stay in hospital; by what amount the state retirement...

      State Pension

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with Age Concern about the equalisation of state pensions; and if he will make a statement.

      Residential Care

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate for each local authority how many residents in (a) nursing homes and under 65-years-old, (b) nursing homes and over...

      Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to amend the industrial injuries disablement benefit qualifications to include those unable to work through conditions caused...

      Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for industrial injuries disablement benefit have been refused each year since 1995 as a result of the applicant's...

      "Removing the Barriers"

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how his Department ensured that the report "Removing the Barriers" published by the Local Government Association, was taken into account during...

  • Prime Minister

    • International Anti-terrorist Coalition

      To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the political, diplomatic, financial and commercial commitments that have been given on behalf of Her Majesty's Government to the Governments of other...

    • House of Lords

      To ask the Prime Minister what further plans he has to reform the basis of membership of the House of Lords.

      Conflict (Northern Ireland)

      To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the necessity of a visible demonstration that the conflict is over in Northern Ireland.

      Afghanistan

      To ask the Prime Minister which Muslim leaders in the United Kingdom have expressed support for the coalition's military action against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

  • House of Commons

    • Modernisation

      To ask the President of the Council what plans he has for wider consultation of the public on modernisation of the House.

    • Legislative Scrutiny

      To ask the President of the Council what plans he has to make proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons to improve the scrutiny of legislation.

      Grand Committees

      To ask the President of the Council if he will bring forward proposals to improve the legislative function of Grand Committees.

      Information Technology

      To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what proposals he has for using IT to improve access to the business of the House to the public.

      Information Technology

      To ask the President of the Council if he will make proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons on further ways in which information technology might aid the work...

      Computer Contract

      To ask the President of the Council if he will make a statement on the operation of the new computer contract for hon. Members.

      Peerages

      To ask the President of the Council when the House of Lords Appointments Commission is to hold its next roadshows to encourage people to apply for peerages.

  • Lord Chancellor

    • Judicial Appointments

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will establish a judicial appointments commission.

    • Lay Magistrates

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the work to develop a national strategy for the recruitment of lay magistrates.

      Lay Magistrates

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many chairmen of lay magistrates are in post; and how many of them are (a) from the ethnic minority communities, (b) under 45...

      Auld Report

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what changes he expects in the role of magistrates in response to the Auld proposals.

      Courthouse (Colchester)

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the establishment of a new courthouse in Colchester.

      Tribunals (Access)

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what research she has planned in respect of the effect of the award of costs on access to tribunals.

      Westminster Coroner

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations she has received concerning the performance of the Westminster coroner.

      Employment Tribunals

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister on the future role of the community legal service fund in employment tribunals.

      Social Exclusion

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what part the new community legal service partnerships play in reducing social exclusion.

      Magistrates Courts (Ceredigion)

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on his response to Ceredigion county council's proposals for magistrates courts in the county.

      Jurors

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if jurors have the option of being escorted in and out of court (a) by separate entrances and (b) at different times from the rest...

      Jurors

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is done to prevent threatening behaviour from the families of convicted defendants toward jurors (a) in and (b) outside court.

      District Judges

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many district judges (magistrates' courts) are in post, broken down by the ethnic minority communities; and how many of them...

  • Deputy Prime Minister

    • Non-departmental Public Bodies

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many executive NDPBs there have been in existence each year from 1978; and what the total expenditure by these bodies was in each year in (a) real and (b)...

    • Regional Co-ordination Unit

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what was the budget of the regional co-ordination unit (a) last year and (b) this year; and what the projected figure is for next year.

      Energy Efficiency Week

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action his Department took in recognition of energy efficiency week.

      Equitable Life

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will refer to the parliamentary ombudsman the cases of those civil servants who took out additional voluntary contribution policies with the Equitable Life...

      Equitable Life

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many civil servants took out new additional voluntary contributions policies with the Equitable Life Assurance Society in 1999 and 2000 under the civil...

      Departmental Publications

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many publications were issued by his Department in each of the last four years.

      Departmental Assets

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what stocks of (a) antiques, (b) paintings and (c) fine wines are held by his Department; if he will list such assets sold over the last three years together with...

  • Health

    • Departmental Buildings

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the total annual running costs for buildings used, owned or rented by his Department for each nation and region of the United Kingdom,...

    • Meningitis

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent steps he has taken to reduce the incidence of meningitis B; and what further steps he plans to take in the next 12 months.

      Meningitis

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to deal with changes in the incidence of meningitis in the last four years.

      Groundwater Protection

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the EC directives relating to groundwater protection and indicate in each case how compliance is (a) monitored and (b) enforced.

      Infant Mortality Rate (Worcester)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the infant mortality rate in Worcester was in each year since 1992.

      Power Lines

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made since April of international research on the health effect of living close to overhead transmission lines; and what review he...

      Power Lines

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a Government inquiry into the health effects of power frequency electric and magnetic fields.

      Power Lines

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health risks of a (a) cancer and (b) non-cancer nature and other health consequences of electro-magnetic fields...

      Power Lines

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make an assessment of the possible links between childhood leukaemia and magnetic field exposures above 0.4 mircotesla.

      Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will reconsider his decision to accept the early resignation of Mr. Harold Musgrove from the chairmanship of the Worcestershire Acute...

      Haemophiliac Patients

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision by NHS trusts of recombinant clotting factors to haemophiliac patients.

      Treatment Overseas

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on (a) the outstanding legal questions relating to the treatment of NHS patients abroad, (b) when he anticipates those legal...

      Orthopaedic Waiting Lists

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on (a) orthopaedic waiting lists in Leeds and (b) what action will be taken to reduce these in the short term.

      Bed Blocking

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of acute beds are blocked in each acute national health service hospital trust.

      NICE (Compulsory Guidance)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on providing funding to health authorities to meet the cost of implementing compulsory guidance issued by the National Institute for...

      NHS Dentistry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists there were in the Northamptonshire constituencies in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001.

      NHS Dentistry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists were taking on new patients on 1 September.

      NHS Dentistry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the provision of dentistry and the number of dentists in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) Boston and Skegness.

      NHS Dentistry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many salaried dentists are employed (a) by the national health service and (b) by the personal dental service.

      NHS Dentistry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the gross fee is paid for (a) an MOD amalgam and (b) a root canal filling on the lower first molar to an independent contractor dentist in the...

      NHS Dentistry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people, and what proportion of the population, had no access to an NHS dentist in May of each year since 1997.

      NHS Dentistry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date he expects to be able to provide universal access to an NHS dentist.

      Child Abuse

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will request local authorities to provide statistics on the abuse of disabled children as a subset of the annual figures collected...

      Child Protection Register (Disabled Children)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local authorities (a) have fulfilled their obligations to provide a register of disabled children and (b) are able to provide information on the...

      Drinking Water

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what priority he gives to multi-barrier approaches to protect drinking water quality; and if he will make a statement in respect of hazard assessment...

      Zyban

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines have been given to health authorities for the prescribing of the anti-smoking drug Zyban; and which health authorities allow GPs to...

      General Practitioners

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of general practitioners in the national health service in England and Wales in each of the last four years.

      General Practitioners

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the definition of excessive as applied to GP list sizes; what measures he plans to take to ensure that areas which...

      General Practitioners

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the number of general practitioner vacancies in each (a) health authority and (b) primary care trust in the last two years.

      General Practitioners

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of general practitioners due to retire in each of the next five years.

      Waiting Lists (Buckinghamshire)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were on the waiting list in Buckinghamshire for hospital treatment in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

      NHS Plus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his proposals for NHS Plus with particular reference to (a) income generation, (b) avoiding unfair competition with private...

      Social Services (London)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received that local authority social services provision (a) as a whole and (b) other than those which have been specifically...

      Health Authorities (Efficiency)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimates he has made of variations in the efficiency of health services across different health authorities; and if he will make a statement.

      Staff Retention

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the retention of staff working in the professions allied to medicine.

      Nurses

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of nursing vacancies were filled by nurses trained (a) in the UK, (b) in the remainder of the EU and (c) elsewhere in each of the past...

      Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Derbyshire, dated 11 August, forwarded to him by the Department of Education and Skills on...

      Heroin Addicts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many heroin addicts are receiving their heroin from the NHS; and what percentage that represents of the estimated total of heroin addicts.

      Health Campaigns

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Government campaigns in the past 15 years in reducing the consumption of (a) alcohol and (b) tobacco.

      Lymphoedema

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of treatment for lymphoedema is available (a) nationally, (b) within the West Midlands and (c) in Walsall.

      Nuclear Accidents (Iodine)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what stocks of iodine doses are held against the possibility of nuclear accidents.

      Partnership Grant

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been paid to local authorities in 2001–02 under the partnership grant; and how much is allocated for 2002–03.

      National Care Standards Commission

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accountants there are in the planned establishment for the inspection function of the National Care Standards Commission; and how many have been...

      Clinical Negligence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many claims for clinical negligence against the NHS which went to trial were successful; and of these how many were (a) legal aid cases and (b)...

      Clinical Negligence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost was to the NHS of clinical negligence cases in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and in each year what was...

      Clinical Negligence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his latest estimate is of the annual cost to the NHS of a no-fault compensation scheme for clinical negligence.

      Clinical Negligence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many claims for clinical negligence were made against the NHS in each of the last five years, for which figures are available.

      Doctor Suicides

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the suicide rate was among NHS doctors in the latest 12 month period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

      Avon Health Authority

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the proportion of the administrative budget of Avon health authority that will be transferred to (a) primary care trusts, (b) the...

      Beta Interferon

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the mechanism by which patients will be able to participate in the extended clinical trials of the beta interferon drug.

      Overseas Doctors

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what disciplinary regimes overseas doctor applicants to the NHS will be subject to while employed in the UK.

      Prescription Charges

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reassess the list of conditions exempt from prescription charges.

      Mental Health Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many 24-hour mental health staff beds are in operation.

      Mental Health Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many assertive outreach mental health teams are in operation.

      Children's Homes

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were being looked after in children's homes in each year since 1997.

      NHS National Plan

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the sponsors of the NHS national plan consultation leaflet and the public consultation to inform the NHS national plan.

      Logos

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of developing the new logo for the Commission for Health Improvement.

      Prescription Pricing Authority

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the gross expenditure of the Prescription Pricing Authority was in relation to the monitoring of prescriptions in the last 12 months.

      Chiropodists

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on behalf of independent private sector chiropodists and podiatrists in respect of the draft Health Professions...

      Chiropodists

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to amend the draft Health Professions Council Order to provide for independent private sector chiropodists and podiatrists to be...

      Chiropodists

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his assessment is of the level of expertise of chiropodists and podiatrists trained by the SMAE Institute.

      Cancer Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's target is, under the National Cancer Plan, for the number of CT scanners per thousand of the population.

      Cancer Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the criteria employed in determining which (a) hospitals and (b) cancer centres will receive help from the Cancer Capital...

      Adoption

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were placed for adoption in each year since 1998 broken down by local authority as a percentage of the number (a) in care and (b) of the...

  • House of Lords

    • Land Registry: Disaster Recovery Plans

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What consideration they gave in drafting the provisions of the Land Registration Bill to provide for sufficient safeguards to protect ordinary citizens' ability to...

    • Barry Room: Ventilation

      asked the Chairman of Committees: How many complete changes of air per hour are effected by the ventilation equipment in the Barry Room.

      International Humanitarian Law

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What arrangements are being made to publicise the United Kingdom's policies on international humanitarian law, with particular reference to the International...

      British Airlines: Temporary Insurance Scheme

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will extend their period as insurers of last resort to British airlines from 30 to a maximum of 180 days without additional costs to the airlines.

      Passport Numbers

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will start to keep a record of the passport numbers of all passengers entering the United Kingdom from overseas and, if not, why not.

      Public Order and Community Cohesion

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When they expect to pursue a programme of action to achieve reconciliation and social interaction between the different cultural and faith communities in those...

      Charities: Registration

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their decision on the review of the criteria for the voluntary registration of charities.

      Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate: Ethical Review Processes

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When will they publish the review of the working of ethical review processes in establishments designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

      EU/Israel Association Agreement: Article 2

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will call on the European Community to activate Article 2 of the Euro/Israel Association Agreement which states that the upholding of human rights is...

      Incapacity Benefit and Personal Capability Assessments

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will list all of the variables held on the incapacity benefit payment system and the dates on which the next personal capability assessment is due for...

      Teacher Training: Mentoring

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the statement by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 22 October (Official Report, column 907) that "we are working with universities and their further...

      Business Links Programme: Costs

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the total cost of the business links programme established in the wake of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, indicating separately the cost of aid given directly...

      Business Recovery Fund

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they propose to review the criteria which regional developments agencies use in operating the Business Recovery Fund.

      Quality Parish and Town Councils

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans it has for publishing draft guidance on quality parishes, as promised in the Rural White Paper.

What is this?

The parliamentary question is a great way for MPs and Peers to discover information which the government may not wish to reveal. Ministers reply via written answers, a list of which gets published daily.

We let you vote on whether or not the answer given is adequate.

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