Written answers

Wednesday, 16 July 2003

  • Treasury

    • Asbestos

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 10 June 2003, Official Report, column 745W, on asbestos, if he will list the buildings which have been identified as containing...

    • British Overseas Territories

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what responsibilities his Department undertakes in connection with British overseas territories.

      Environmental Taxes

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the revenue received by the Government from taxes paid by different modes of transport that are designed to have an environmental impact (a)...

      Euro

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what steps he will be taking before December to campaign for British membership of the euro; (2) what steps he will be taking before December to...

      Household Debt

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the average (a) household debt per annum and (b) household monthly income in each year since 1997.

      Income Tax

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies his Department is undertaking on the possible effects of an increase in income tax.

      Income Tax

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 26 June 2003, Official Report, column 933W, on income tax, what factors underlay his conclusion that the information could be...

      Pension Schemes

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the statistics on the Inland Revenue regarding approved pension schemes, available at: http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/pensions/p...

      Unemployment (Wandsworth)

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effect of his policies on unemployment levels within the London borough of Wandsworth during the last 12 months.

  • Transport

    • Vehicle Excise Duty Evasion

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the proportion of drivers who avoid paying car tax.

    • Armed Aircraft Marshals

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether armed marshals are being deployed on British aircraft; and what information is being given to the captain of the aircraft.

      Birmingham Airport

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the implications of postponing the widening of the M42 on Government proposals for a second runway at Birmingham Airport.

      Birmingham Airport

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many air passengers used (a) UK airports and (b) Birmingham International Airport in (i) August and (ii) September in each year from 2000 to 2002.

      Birmingham Airport

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the numbers of passengers using (a) UK airports and (b) Birmingham International Airport in (i) August and (ii) September...

      British Overseas Territories

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what responsibilities his Department undertakes in connection with British Overseas Territories.

      European Roads Project

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Department's involvement in the Managing Speeds of Traffic on European Roads project.

      London Underground

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the performance statistics are for each London Underground line for the last year, broken down by London Underground's monthly units, for (a)...

      Road Speeds

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 14 July, Official Report, column 27W; if he will place in the Library the assessment his Department has made of the...

      National Air Traffic Services Ltd.

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent meetings he has had with airline companies to discuss the performance of the National Air Traffic Services.

      Vehicle Emissions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what pollutants, broken down by volume, are emitted by (a) an average 2003 saloon car with a petrol engine travelling with average fuel consumption,...

      Highway Maintenance (Ragwort)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contractual arrangements exist for the clearing of ragwort from highway land along the A36 (T) and the A303 (T) in the Salisbury constituency; and...

      Road Haulage Companies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many foreign road haulage companies have been prosecuted for failure to comply with (a) traffic and (b) road worthiness regulations in the UK in...

      Road Safety Strategy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) timetable and (b) scope are of the Government's review of the Road Safety Strategy; and who will be conducting the review.

      School Buses

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many school buses have been brought into service since 1997.

  • Environment Food and Rural Affairs

    • Civil Servants

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many new entrants to the Civil Service were employed in her Department in each of the last five years; and how many in...

    • Departmental Policies (Pendle)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what policies (a) initiated and (b) managed by her Department since 2001 have had an impact on Pendle; and if she will make a...

      Drinking Water

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on drinking water quality in England since 1993.

      Equine Welfare

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent meetings she has held with the British Horse Society on equine welfare.

      EU Committees

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list (a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU committee on the conservation,...

      EU Committees

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU committee for the adaptation to technical...

      EU Committees

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list (a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU committee on the conservation of natural...

      Fallen Stock

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures will be put in place for removing fallen stock from farms.

      Fallen Stock

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many responses to the questionnaire on the proposed National Fallen Stock Disposal Scheme were (a) in favour and (b)...

      Agricultural Subsidies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's policy is on the issue of farm subsidies within the world trade negotiations in Mexico.

      Hunting with Dogs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the police over the implementation of a possible ban on hunting with dogs.

      Information Technology

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what major IT projects with a value in excess of £10,000 she authorised expenditure on in each of the last three...

      Landfill

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she will take to ensure that the provisions of the Landfill Directive to ban the disposal of whole tyres in...

      Milk

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with supermarkets on the price of milk paid to dairy farmers.

      Power Stations

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the load factor was in each year from 1999, of each power station without flue gas desulphurisation equipment fitted;...

      Private Sewers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what steps the Government are taking to address the maintenance problems faced by the owners of existing private...

      Radioactive Waste

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress in establishing a committee on Radioactive Waste Management.

      Rural Enterprise Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Rural Enterprise Scheme grants have been approved by the South West Regional Appraisal Panel of the Rural...

      Rural Enterprise Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how farmers applying for assistance from the Rural Enterprise Scheme in the south-west region may obtain details of the South...

      Rural Enterprise Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the criteria are for receiving funding from the Rural Enterprise Scheme; and what budget has been allocated to the...

      Waste Management

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what meetings she has had with representatives of the waste management industry to discuss private finance initiative for...

      Water Industry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how long it took to plan and provide a new reservoir in the UK, on average, over the last 30 years.

      Water Industry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of total water leakage in England is caused by Thames Water.

  • Wales

    • Tourism

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many members of the public visited (a) Cardiff Castle and (b) Caerphilly Castle in 2001–02.

    • Civil Servants

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many new entrants to the civil service were employed in his Department in each of the last five years; and how many in each year were aged 50 or over.

      Departmental Staff

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) special advisers, (b) press officers, (c) civil servants, (d) advisers to civil servants and (e) permanent staff were working for the Wales...

      Energy Efficiency

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what targets his Department has for improving energy efficiency; and how he intends to achieve these targets.

      Energy Efficiency

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement, in relation to his Department, on (a) the amount of energy consumed, (b) spending on (i) energy and (ii) energy efficiency...

      Euro

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he received the Treasury documents relating to the five economic tests and the 18 background studies; what discussions he has held with ministerial...

      European Constitution

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the legislative competencies covered by the draft European...

      Gwydwr House (Disabled Access)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations his Department has received from disabled people about plans for a new access to Gwydwr House.

      IT Contracts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many outsourced IT contracts have been signed by his Department in each year since 1997; how much each of these contracts is worth; with whom they are...

      Mobile Phones

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the cost was to his Department of mobile phones supplied to ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

      Official Spelling

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy that official (a) correspondence, (b) reports and (c) documentation from his office uses the English spelling of words where...

      Partnership Agreement

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he plans to conclude a partnership agreement with the trade unions representing the staff in his Department.

      Steel Industry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on the future of the steel industry in Wales.

      Written Ministerial Statements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Wales Office since 29 October 2002.

  • Prime Minister

    • Access to Government Information

      To ask the Prime Minister whether he was consulted over the decision by the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor and the Minister for the Cabinet Office and...

    • Defence and Overseas Policy Committee

      To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to provide the number of occasions the Cabinet Defence and Overseas Policy Committee met between 9 September 2002 and 18 March 2003.

      Israel

      To ask the Prime Minister whether he raised the continued imprisonment of Mordecai Vanunu during his meeting with his Israeli counterpart during his visit to London in July.

      Israel

      To ask the Prime Minister what matters in respect of Israeli possession of nuclear weapons he raised with his Israeli counterpart during his visit this month.

      JIC Access(Director of Communications and Strategy)

      To ask the Prime Minister to what level of clearance Mr. Alastair Campbell has been vetted for access to Joint Intelligence Committee material.

      Lord Levy

      To ask the Prime Minister when Lord Levy has met Bill Burns, the Assistant Secretary of State in the United States State Department, while acting as his envoy; and where each of these meetings...

      Ministerial Meetings

      To ask the Prime Minister what recent meetings he has held jointly with the First Minister of the Scottish Parliament and the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales; and if he will...

      Mobile Phones

      To ask the Prime Minister what the cost was to his Department of mobile phones supplied to Ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

      Overseas Visits

      To ask the Prime Minister if he will list (a) Government expenditure on ministerial overseas visits for the financial years 1996–97 to 2002–03 and (b) all visits overseas undertaken...

      Special Advisers

      To ask the Prime Minister what the cost of the paybill for special advisers was in 2002–03; and how many special advisers there are in each pay band, broken down by Department.

  • International Development

    • Afghanistan

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the Government's assessment is of the progress made in Afghanistan on civil service reform; what assistance his...

    • Departmental Staff

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many staff of his Department were redeployed out of London and the South East in the last five years.

      European Constitution

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what discussions she has had with (a) colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) counterparts in the European...

      Iraq

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assistance the Department is giving to the World Food Programme's work in Basra.

      Iraq

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assistance the Department has given to the re-establishment of (a) the electrical power system, (b) the legal system,...

      Iraq

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development which NGOs have approached the Department wishing to provide assistance for (a) the restructuring of Iraq and (b)...

      Mobile Phones

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the cost was to his Department of mobile phones supplied to Ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

      Family Planning/Reproductive Health

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what percentage of Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) funding was spent on family planning and reproductive health in the last year...

      Sustainable Development/Poverty Reduction

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what impact integrated frameworks have had on (a) sustainable development and (b) poverty reduction in the developing...

      Written Ministerial Statements

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002.

  • Culture Media and Sport

    • BBC Parliament

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her answer of 5 November 2002, Official Report, column 194W, when the BBC will convert its quarter-screen service for the...

    • Community Fund (Havering)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the latest awards granted by the Community Fund to projects in the London borough of Havering.

      Consultation Documents

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the consultation documents issued by her Department in each of the last four years; what the cost was of producing each...

      Departmental Policies (Pendle)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what policies (a) initiated and (b) managed by her Department since 2001 have had an impact on Pendle; and if she will make a statement.

      Iraq

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support her Department gives to post-war reconstruction of Iraq.

      Lottery Distribution

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the fair share initiative in terms of its capacity to distribute National Lottery funds equitably.

      Olympic Bid

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment has been made of the potential impact of hosting the Olympic Games on (a) the development of and (b) investment in grass...

      Olympic Bid

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the environmental costs and benefits of the London bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.

      Olympic Bid

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what systems will be put in place by the Government to ensure that environmental considerations are fully incorporated into the design...

      Sports Funding

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much (a) World Class Performance, (b) World Class Potential and (c) World Class Start funding has been distributed by (i) UK Sport,...

  • Education and Skills

    • Area Cost Adjustment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the impact of the Area Cost Adjustment on education funding.

    • Asset Management Plan Survey

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will publish the results of the 2003 Asset Management Plan Survey.

      Science Teachers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the proposed National and Regional Centres for Excellence in Science Teaching will be required to provide in service training...

      Vulnerable Children

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance is issued to (a) local education authorities and (b) schools on supporting children from homeless families in priority need.

      Citizenship

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the standards for citizenship are in respect of (a) assessment, (b) instruction, (c) pupil attainment and (d) academic content;...

      Class Sizes

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children aged (a) five, (b) six and (c) seven were in class sizes of over 30 in each year since 1996–97 to 2002–03.

      Class Sizes

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class sizes were in (a) primary and (b) middle schools in Leicestershire Local Education Authority since 1991–92.

      Deprivation Indices

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the index of deprivation is in each local education authority.

      Education (Leicestershire)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils there have been in Leicestershire local education authority area in each year since 1996–97.

      Education (Leicestershire)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the (a) percentage and (b) actual cash increase in education funding for Leicestershire county council for each year since...

      School Exclusions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 622W, on excluded pupils, if he will publish the responses of local education...

      School Exclusions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training in each year since 1997 were (a) excluded from...

      Higher Education

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the higher education participation rate was in each region of England in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2002.

      Learning and Skills Council

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much the National Learning and Skills Council (a) has spent, and (b) is planning to spend, on public affairs consultancy and advice on...

      Learning and Skills Council

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how much the national Learning and Skills Council (a) has spent and (b) plans to spend on public affairs consultancy and advice on (i)...

      Local Education Authority Budgets

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which local education authorities did not passport 100 per cent. of their education allocation this financial year; and if he will make a...

      Mobile Phones

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost was to his Department of mobile phones supplied to Ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

      Research Funding

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the criteria are for research departments in England to receive recurrent funding in 2003/04.

      Research Funding

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which units of assessment are receiving capability funding from the Higher Education Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated...

      School Buildings

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the estimated cost is of making school buildings in England and Wales compliant with (a) fire safety and (b) health and safety regulations.

      School Funding (North-East Lincolnshire)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total central government funding for schools in North East Lincolnshire was in each year since 1995.

      School Funding (North-East Lincolnshire)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding was made available for schools by the North East Lincolnshire council in each year since 1995.

      School Funding (North-East Lincolnshire)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what (a) government and (b) local government funding (i) was available in 2002–03 and (ii) is available in 2003–04 to schools in...

      School Governance Degree

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make it his policy to fund the persons completing the pilot Masters degree in school governance at Greenwich university.

      Ofsted Reports (Staff Morale)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact on staff morale and teacher retention of an Ofsted report that places a school in special...

      Sex Education

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action he is taking to improve school-based sex education for boys.

      Staff Redeployment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has for redeployment of members of his Department out of London and the south-east.

      Staffing Survey

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 632W, on the 2003 staffing survey, whether his Department is using the (a)...

      Student Performance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information he collates on the relative performance at undergraduate level of students (a) with GCE A-level qualifications, (b) with...

      Teacher Qualifications

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether, under the Education (Specified Work and Registration) (England) Regulations 2003, people without a formal teacher qualification can...

      Teacher Recruitment and Retention

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what special (a) measures and (b) funding are available for the retention and recruitment of teaching staff; and to which areas of Essex...

      School Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received from governing bodies about the role of governors in the Time for Standards initiative.

  • Deputy Prime Minister

    • Rogue Landlords

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps his Department is taking to ensure that tenants and the public are protected from rogue landlords.

    • Neighbourhood Renewal

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress on neighbourhood renewal.

      Electoral Pilots

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if will make a statement on local electoral pilots.

      Regional Assemblies

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what responsibilities for transport regional assemblies will have.

      Construction Projects

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on recent construction undertaken (a) at ports, (b) at airports and (c) on railway land under the provisions of the General...

      Regeneration

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the work of the South East of England Development Agency on regeneration; and if he will make a statement.

      Homes (Modern Construction)

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action his Department is taking to promote building of new homes using modern methods of construction.

      London Project

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his plans are to take forward his London project.

      Affordable Housing

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to revise Circular 6/98, with particular reference to (a) the definition of affordable housing and (b) the site size thresholds which trigger...

      Arson

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much Government funding the UK forum of Arson Investigators received in each of the last five years.

      Compulsory Purchase Orders

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many dwellings in the UK have been subject to compulsory purchase orders in each of the last five years.

      Consultants

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost of consultants used by his Department was in financial year 2002–03.

      Correspondence

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much correspondence was received by (a) Ministers in his Department and (b) chief executives of agencies from hon. Members in 2002; what the target times for...

      Departmental Staff

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of regional variations in staff turnover in his Department.

      Energy Efficiency

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures he is planning to improve the energy efficiency standards of new build to achieve the 10 MtC emissions reduction per annum by 2010 as indicated in...

      Fire

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many fires in homes have occurred in each year since 1997.

      Fire

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) of 30 June 2003, Official Report, column 33, whether there will be a reduction in the...

      Fire

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes to career prospects in the fire service, in terms of (a) opportunities, (b) training and (c) promotion he estimates will arise from the changes...

      Fire

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many hoax calls were made to the Fire Service in England and Wales in each year since 1997.

      Fire

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many retained firefighters have been recruited in each year since 1997.

      Fires

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many malicious car fires were started by individuals under the age of 18 in each year since 1997.

      Homelessness

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) the avarage waiting time and (b) the longest waiting time for homeless families in priority need before being placed in permanent accommodation was in...

      Housing (Wandsworth)

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many dwellings have been completed in the London Borough of Wandsworth in each of the last three years that were (a) for private residential use and (b) for...

      Housing Revenue Account

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 3 July 2003, Official Report, column 461W, on housing revenue account, whether housing revenue account money may be used to fund the...

      National Tenancy Deposit Scheme

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his written ministerial statement of 16 June 2003, Official Report, column 3WS, what assessment he made of the option using the interest generated on...

      National Tenancy Deposit Scheme

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of disputed cases that would ultimately require adjudication under a national tenancy deposit scheme.

      National Tenancy Deposit Scheme

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place copies of the public responses to Tenancy Money: probity and protection in the Library.

      National Tenancy Deposit Scheme

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his written ministerial statement of 16 June 2003, Official Report, column 3WS, which paragraph in Tenancy Money: probity and protection indicated...

      National Tenancy Deposit Scheme

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his written ministerial statement of 16 June 2003, Official Report, column 3WS, what estimated percentage of disputed cases going to adjudication he...

      National Tenancy Deposit Scheme

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate the annual adjudication costs of the custodial option for a national tenancy deposit scheme if only 2.5 per cent. of disputed cases require...

      Housing (North-East Lincolnshire)

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was allowed to north east Lincolnshire for housing in the SSA for each year from 1995; and how much was spent on it by the local authority.

      Correspondence

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on how many occasions since May 2002 Ministers in his Department have passed (a) hon. Members' letters and (b) hon. Members' questions to agencies for response;...

      Small Retailers (Deprived Areas)

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on programmes under the Small Retailers in Deprived Areas initiative funded by the Government Office for the North West.

      Social Housing

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 20 March, Official Report, column 937W, on social housing grant, what estimate he has made of the number of social housing schemes...

      Sport

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) assessment he has made of and (b) research he has commissioned into the potential impact of sport on regeneration; and if he will make a statement.

      Local Government Finance

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much the average Standard Spending Assessment was per head of population in (a) England, (b) the South West, (c) Dorset and (d) Poole in each year since 1997;...

      Telecommunications Masts

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many planning applications have been made to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department.

  • Trade and Industry

    • Fair Trade

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what EU policy is on removing (a) tariff and (b) non-tariff barriers to trade between the EU and the developing world.

    • Administration/Receivership Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans she has to review (a) the way that companies are charged for administration and receivership services and (b) the ways in...

      Fuel Poverty

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government will take to ensure that every home has access to affordable heating.

      BAE Systems

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with the management of BAe Systems concerning a possible takeover bid by a foreign company.

      Biotechnology

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her Answer of 26 June 2003, Official Report, column 922W, on biotechnology, how much her Department spent in (a) sponsorships, (b)...

      Broadband

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sums have been paid to (a) NTL and (b) BT to assist in the rollout of broadband services; when such payments were made; and if she will...

      Broadband

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she intends to publish the recent report by Analysis on the UK's progress on the take-up of broadband across the G7 countries.

      Coal Industry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of when coal will disappear as a plausible energy source owing to emission constraints.

      Company Directors

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 569W, on company directors, how many adverse reports in each year were referred...

      Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Totnes of 19 May concerning the Early Day Motion calling for a ban on trade in cat...

      Energy Efficiency

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings have been held between her Department and the Treasury since the publication of the Energy White Paper in February to...

      Energy Imports

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the UK's energy she estimates will be imported in 2023.

      European Union Contracts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with her counterparts in the EU concerning reform of the system for advertising EU public sector contracts for...

      European Union Directives

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of the additional cost to businesses arising from the need, under the Government's implementation of the...

      European Union Directives

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of the expected quantity of age discrimination claims against employers from employees per year as a...

      Executive Remuneration

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the publications produced by her Department in each year since 1997 which have made reference to executive remuneration.

      Independent Insurance Company

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports she has received from the administrators concerning the conduct of the directors of Independent Insurance Company; and what...

      Insolvency Service

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licensed insolvency practitioners are employed by the Insolvency Service.

      Internal Dispute Resolution Procedures

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employees are estimated by her Department to lack adequate internal dispute resolution procedures; what proportion of these are small...

      Internal Dispute Resolution Procedures

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has had from small and medium-sized enterprises concerning requirements expected to come into force in 2004 to compel...

      Mail Order Companies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what restrictions there are on mail order companies debiting customers' credit cards where they are unable to give a date when the goods will...

      Nuclear Industry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government has to support research and development in the nuclear industry.

      Pension Fund Deficits

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on government liability for deficits in the pension funds of (a) Rolls Royce and (b) BAE Systems.

      Post Offices

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices in Leicester she has visited since 2001; and how many of those subsequently closed.

      Public Appointments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the appointees to the (a) National Consumer Council, (b) Hearing Aid Council, (c) Gas Consumer Council, (d) Post Office Users...

      Renewable Energy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what target she has set for the percentage of renewable energy use by (a) 2010 and (b) 2020.

      Richard Roberts Ltd.

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when in October 2002 officials of the Department of Trade and Industry's Insolvency Department met the CEO of Richard Roberts Ltd. to discuss...

      Trading Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Stop Now Orders have been issued since June 2000; and if she will make a statement.

      Trading Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints have been received alleging unfair contract terms under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 in each...

      Trading Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many undertakings she has received from businesses to desist from unfair trading; how many subsequent breaches of these undertakings...

      Supermarkets

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment her Department has made of the effects of below-cost selling by supermarkets; (2) what assessment her Department has...

      Supermarkets

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will take steps to replace the supermarket Code of Practice with a statutory requirement for suppliers to offer the same...

      Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the companies and organisations that have made representations to her about the effect of the implementation of the Waste...

      Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect of the implementation of the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive on the printer ink...

      World Trade Organisation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she will take to ensure that at the next World Trade Organisation meeting the issues to which developing countries give priority...

      Written Ministerial Statements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002.

  • Minister for Women

    • National Women's Conference (Iraq)

      To ask the Minister for Women if she will make a statement on the national women's conference in Iraq on 9 July.

    • Armed Services

      To ask the Minister for Women what recent discussions she has had with the Minister for the armed forces with regard to the recruitment of women into the armed services.

  • Northern Ireland

    • Common Agricultural Policy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the impact on Northern Ireland's agricultural industry of the outcome of the mid-term review of the Common...

    • Drugs Use (Education)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding has been allocated to educate young people in (a) North Belfast and (b) Northern Ireland against the dangers of drug use in each...

      Energy Industry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the long term contracts for Ballylumford power station and the Moyle interconnector have been refinanced; and what discussions he has...

      Energy Industry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will refinance the Ballylumford power station and the Moyle interconnector within the Northern Ireland energy industry.

      Energy Industry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action the Government have taken to minimise the cost to Northern Ireland electricity customers of energy industry debt; what the...

      Higher Education

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what aspects of the Higher Education White Paper will be extended to Northern Ireland; and what the timetable is for the implementation of its...

      Post-primary Education

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of post-primary education in Northern Ireland.

  • Home Department

    • Terrorism Act (Passenger Information)

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps the Government have taken to achieve international co-ordination of the passenger information required at ports of entry...

    • Antisocial Behaviour Orders

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the average time taken between an application for an antisocial behaviour order and its subsequent court...

      Asylum Seekers

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long on average it took the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to process applications for (a) asylum, (b) indefinite leave to...

      Civil Defence

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to ensure that the emergency services are prepared to deal with a terrorist attack in the UK.

      Immigration

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will change the immigration rules to allow those with leave to remain of more than one year to submit family re-union applications.

      Mr. Nadhmi Auchi

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 19 May, Official Report, column 645W, on Mr. Nadhmi Auchi, (1) how many representations were received; who made...

      National Asylum Support Service

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the findings of the independent review into the National Asylum Support Service announced on 7 March.

      Work Permits

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the occupations were for which in-country work permits were issued in 2002, broken down by (a) number, (b) percentage share of the...

  • Scotland

    • Consultation Documents

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the consultation documents issued by the Scotland Office in each of the last four years; what the cost was of producing each of these;...

    • Departmental Costs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost was to his Department for (a) ministerial cars and drivers, (b) taxis, (c) train travel, (d) the use of helicopters, (e) airline tickets...

      Mobile Phones

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost was to his Department of mobile phones supplied to ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

      Partnership Agreements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether she plans to conclude a partnership agreement with the trade unions representing the staff in her Department.

      Private Office Costs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the running costs have been of Ministers' private offices in his Department in each year since 1997.

      Security

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many documents are held by her Department that are subject to security classification, broken down by category of classification.

      Staff Numbers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff were employed by her Department in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03.

      Travel Costs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost was of travel by train by staff in her Department in 2002.

      Written Ministerial Statements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Scotland Office since 29 October 2002.

  • Advocate-General

    • Document Classification

      To ask the Advocate-General how many documents are held by her Department that are subject to security classification, broken down by category of classification.

    • Information Technology

      To ask the Advocate-General (1) what new IT projects with a value in excess of £10,000 the Department has authorised in the last three financial years; (2) how much the Department spent...

      Staff Numbers

      To ask the Advocate-General how many staff were employed by her Department in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03.

      Staff Travel

      To ask the Advocate-General what the cost was of travel by train by staff in her Department in 2002.

  • Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

    • Abdullah Rehmani

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to locate the file of Mr. Abdullah Rehmani, the husband of Mrs. Baluch of Leicester, a constituent, and make a...

    • Ambassadors for British Business

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ambassadors for British Business he has appointed since 2001.

      British Nationals (Military Trials)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of (a) the evidence, (b) the sources of the evidence and (c) the charges which the US military...

      Burma

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Burma on the situation in Karen; and if he will make a statement.

      Burma

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the value of imports of gems and precious stones from Burma was in the past two financial years; and which companies...

      Burma

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further measures have recently been discussed by the EU in response to the recent crackdown in Burma.

      British Detainees (Guantanamo Bay)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much access time to (a) family members, (b) legal representatives, (c) religious representatives and (d) British Red Cross...

      British Detainees (Guantanamo Bay)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times Foreign Office officials have visited each British detainee at Camp Delta; and how long each meeting lasted.

      British Detainees (Guantanamo Bay)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances British detainees held at Guantanamo Bay would be returned to the UK.

      British Detainees (Guantanamo Bay)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions are being taken to determine the future of British citizens detained at Guantanamo Bay.

      British Detainees (Guantanamo Bay)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his Answer of 8 July, ref.122612, on the welfare of British citizens in Guantanamo Bay, what the individual health...

      Channel Islands

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent communication he has had with the governments of (a) Guernsey and (b) Jersey; (2) when he next plans to visit...

      Convention on the Future of Europe

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the reference within the draft constitution prepared by the Convention on the Future of Europe to the European Union...

      Darmesh and Rashik Jamiet

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he received the papers relating to Darmesh (date of birth 27 February 1973) and Rashik (8 December 1977) Jamiet from Mumbai...

      Departmental Staff

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for redeployment of members of his Department out of London and the south-east.

      European Constitution

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the inclusion of the EURATOM treaty in the draft EU constitution.

      European Constitution

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for the representation of British interests overseas of the appointment of an...

      Independent Monitor

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons have applied for the post of Independent Monitor.

      Organ Trafficking

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with European colleagues regarding organ trafficking (a) across Europe and (b) on a global...

      Departmental Policies (Pendle)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policies (a) initiated and (b) managed by his Department since 2001 have had an impact on Pendle; and if he will make a...

      Public Diplomacy Team

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the size is of his public diplomacy team.

      Zimbabwe (Elias Mudzuri)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has made representations to the Government of Zimbabwe about the recent arrest of Elias Mudzuri; what...

  • Defence

    • Service Accommodation (Council Tax)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedure is in place to assist those service personnel who are paying both contributions in lieu of council tax and full council tax on a private...

    • Deepcut Barracks

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the extent of the supply and use of illicit drugs at Deepcut barracks over the last five years; how many personnel were...

      Defence Medical Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 14 April 2003, Official Report, column 567W, what the cost of the Defence Medical Services was in each year from 1995–96,...

      Defence Medical Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the pay differential is between doctors serving in Band three in the NHS and doctors serving in Band three posts in the DMS; and if he will make a...

      International Festival of the Sea

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy warships will be taking part in the International Festival of the Sea this year.

      Iraq

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long fresh troops sent to Iraq will have for acclimatisation in Iraq before being committed to operational duties; and what period is recommended in...

      Iraq

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases of (a) dehydration and (b) heat exhaustion there have been among UK armed forces in Iraq since the start of the recent conflict; and...

      Iraq

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reservists are deployed in Iraq and Kuwait.

      Iraq

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British soldiers lost their lives during the recent conflict in Iraq.

      Iraq

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the Iraqi prisoners of war captured by British forces have been (a) designated unlawful combatants and (b) transferred to other facilities...

      War Detainees

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the detainees held at (a) Guantanamo, (b) Bagram Airbase and (c) Diego Garcia were originally captured by British forces; and if he will make...

      Mobile Phones

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was to his Department of mobile phones supplied to Ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

      Porton Down

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 4 June 2003, Official Report, column 451W, on Porton Down, if he will provide information on specific breeds from the Defence...

      Service Deployments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the (a) Army, (b) RAF and (c) Naval Service is (i) preparing for, (ii) recovering from and (iii) deployed on operations.

      Service Personnel (Alcohol Expenditure)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent investigation he has made of alcohol consumption levels in the armed forces; and what alcohol education measures are being taken.

      Suez Medal

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations have been made to his Department by veterans of the Suez campaign regarding eligibility for a Suez Medal Clasp.

      Territorial Army

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the Territorial Army remains available for mobilisation; how many TA soldiers this represents; and what proportion of the Territorial...

      Written Ministerial Statements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002.

  • Health

    • Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on the conclusions of the 1994 House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics on the legalisation of assisted...

    • Aston Hall Hospital

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what capital resources will be made available to ensure that the reprovisioning of Aston Hall hospital proceeds.

      Boarding Schools

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints have been received about boarding provision at (a) Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference and Incorporated Association of...

      Cancer Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made to appoint more cancer nurse specialists.

      Cancer Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much blood transfusions for cancer patients cost the NHS in each of the last five years; and what the main costs were; (2) how many cancer...

      Delayed Discharge

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are waiting in hospitals in (a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire for placements in care homes.

      Delayed Discharge

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with local authority social services departments regarding the funding of care homes.

      Delayed Discharge

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has issued to care home proprietors faced with (a) the need to appoint staff to meet statutory requirements and (b) delays in processing...

      Charges Policy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government policy is on charges for health services.

      Children's Hospices

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of children's hospices (a) within and (b) outside the NHS.

      Commission for Patient andPublic Involvement in Health

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham of 3 July 2003, Official Report, columns 477–78W, what arrangements are in...

      Criminal Records Checks

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of delays in handling checks by the Criminal Records Bureau on the NHS.

      Deep Vein Thrombosis

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department gives to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis in children.

      Dentists

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are taken to recoup the value of NHS-funded equipment from those dentists who choose to go private.

      Dentists

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS registered dentists are working within the London borough of Wandsworth.

      Eating Disorders

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the new specialist services set up to treat patients with anorexia as a result of the report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists on...

      Eating Disorders

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many deaths there were of patients suffering from anorexia, broken down by age, in each year since 1997; (2) what the average cost was of...

      Eating Disorders

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health where specialist services treating patients with anorexia are based.

      Emergency Planning

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the capacity of primary care trusts to undertake their emergency planning roles.

      Emergency Planning

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with plans for a poster campaign advising what to do in the event of a chemical or biological attack; and if he will make a...

      Endometriosis

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the incidence of endometriosis was in the Thames Valley Health Authority in the last year for which figures are available.

      Epilepsy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of misdiagnoses of epilepsy in England over the last three years.

      Food Safety

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Food Standards Agency's strategy for ensuring food safety through the testing of food...

      Food Supplements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implications of the Food Supplements Directive for the availability of food supplements.

      Foundation Hospitals

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what way foundation hospitals in England will be accountable to their patients from Wales.

      General Practitioners

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners there are per head of population in England.

      General Practitioners

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies for general practitioners there are in the London borough of Wandsworth.

      Homeless People

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of homeless people are registered with general practitioners.

      Infant Infection

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about measures being taken to reduce the risk of babies being infected by Group B streptococcus; and if he will make a statement.

      Infectious Patients

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 24 June 2003, Official Report, column 721W, on infectious patients, if he will publish the results of the risk assessments...

      IT Procurement

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the Shires Acute and Community Hospital EPR Procurement Programme was terminated.

      IT Procurement

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on IT procurement policy for the NHS; (2) if he will make a statement on IT procurement policy in (a) the south-west...

      Knee and Hip Replacements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 1 July 2003, Official Report, column 232W, on knee and hip joints, what auditing procedures are in place for charges made to NHS...

      Midwives

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average age of midwives was in each year since 1990.

      MRI Scanners

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the recommended minimum number of radiographers is to each MRI scanner.

      Neurology Nurse Specialists

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the need for neurology nurse specialists in the hospital trust areas covering Portsmouth; what the current staffing...

      NHS Professionals

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many agency staff of all grades NHS Professionals has employed to carry out its central functions and administration in each month; and at what...

      NHS Services (Gloucestershire)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the results of the NHS GP survey in Gloucestershire.

      NHS Staff Absence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the absence rates in the NHS were in days per employee per year in (a) England and (b) each region in each year since 1997.

      Nursing Homes (Wandsworth)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) private and (b) public residential nursing homes are registered in the London borough of Wandsworth.

      Obesity

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of treating obesity related health problems in the last five years.

      Overseas Patients

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health with which countries the UK has reciprocal arrangements for free medical treatment.

      Overseas Recruitment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to recruit trained (a) doctors and (b) nurses from the Indian sub-continent to Britain.

      Overseas Recruitment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of the NHS recruitment seminars held in May and June in (a) Austria, (b) Germany and (c) Italy; and how many applications have been...

      Plastic Surgery

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what regulations apply to doctors who carry out plastic surgery procedures; and if he will make a statement.

      Primary Care Trusts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many appointees to primary care trust boards have met the disability criteria.

      Purley Hospital

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 19 June 2003, Official Report, column 174–75W, on Purley Hospital, what his definition of the Croydon South locality is;...

      Salt

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned on the savings to the NHS which might follow from a reduction in the average adult intake of salt to no more than six...

      Smoking

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the proportion of children and teenagers who smoke.

      Strategic Health Authority Debt

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the level of indebtedness of each strategic health authority was in the last year for which figures are available; what assistance the Government is...

      Tooth Decay

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 2 July 2003, Official Report, column 355W, on tooth decay, to what extent Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust have achieved (a)...

      Waiting Lists

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been removed from NHS waiting lists in each of the past three years.

      Xenotransplantation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the review commissioned by UKXIRA from Professor Sheila McLean into xenotransplantation; and if he will make a statement.

      Xenotransplantation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on xenotransplantation.

  • Cabinet Office

    • Asbestos

      To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2003, Official Report, column 155W, on asbestos, if he will list the buildings which have been identified as...

    • Written Ministerial Statements

      To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Office since 29 October 2002.

  • Work and Pensions

    • Benefits Payments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the oral answer from the Minister for Work, of 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 738, if he will list the (a) objectives...

    • Benefits/Tax Credits

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the total United Kingdom benefit and tax credit expenditure which forms the last line of Table 1: Benefit and Tax Credit...

      Child Support Agency

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the policy of the Child Support Agency is in respect of making applications for reciprocal enforcement of maintenance orders against...

      Child Support Agency

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his oral answer of 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 733, when he plans to make a further report on the performance of the Child...

      Disability Living Allowance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much money was claimed in disability living allowance in Scotland in 2002–03, broken down by local authority.

      Entitlement Card

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions his Department has had with the Home Office about (a) the possible introduction of an entitlement card scheme, (b) the...

      EU Committees

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many officials in the Department serve on EU committees or working parties.

      Benefit Fraud

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will estimate the savings his Department has made from the investigation of fraud in each of the last six years; (2) if he will...

      Benefit Fraud

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many calls have been made to the national benefit fraud hotline in each of the last six years; and how many have resulted in successful...

      Benefit Fraud

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of administering the (a) national benefit fraud hotline and (b) report-a-cheat-online claim form in each of the last six years.

      Benefit Fraud

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of benefit fraud have been detected in each of the last six years; and how many resulted in successful prosecution.

      Benefit Fraud

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 4 July 2003, Official Report, columns 522–23W, on fraud (Scotland), by what means his Department tracks trends...

      Homelessness

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what benefits are available to homeless families in priority need.

      Jobseeker's Allowance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much money was claimed in jobseeker's allowance in Scotland in 2002–03, broken down by local authority.

      Pension Credit Hotline

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) when information is being provided about the pension credit hotline to people who are likely to be eligible for the pension credit; (2)...

      Pension Payments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how the Government will pay pensions after current pension books expire to pensioners who currently use their pension book to collect their...

      Pensioner Income

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what forecasts his Department has made of average pensioner income levels over the next five years.

      Pensions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when and how people whose retirement pensions are paid monthly into their bank accounts have been informed of the availability of weekly payment.

      Pensions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 23 June 2003, Official Report, column 630W on pensions, what plans he has to update the figures quoted by the right...

      Pensions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioner households there are in each region of Great Britain.

      Policy Simulation Model

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the use of the policy simulation model by his Department; and if he will place its specifications in the Library.

      Public Service Agreements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Department has taken to publicise its Public Service Agreement targets; and at what cost to public funds.

      SchlumbergerSema

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the levels of performance against the key performance targets in respect of SchlumbergerSema in (a) March, (b) April and (c)...

      Social Fund

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his plans are to reform the Social Fund.

      Stakeholder Pensions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his Answer of 8 July 2003, Official Report, column 764–65W, on stakeholder schemes, how many companies the Occupational...

      Sustainable Development

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what remit relating to sustainable development is required by his Department's (a) executive agencies, (b) advisory non-departmental bodies,...

      Telecommunications Masts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many planning applications have been made to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department.

  • Leader of the House

    • Legislative Programme

      To ask the Leader of the House if he will publish the list of Departments who have bid for Bills in the new session.

  • Constitutional Affairs

    • Unmarried Couples (Legal Rights)

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to extend property, benefit and pension rights to the bereaved partner in an unmarried co-habiting...

    • Unmarried Couples (Legal Rights)

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent representations he has received on extending legal rights to unmarried couples.

      Unmarried Couples (Legal Rights)

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) what plans he has to extend legal rights to unmarried couples; (2) what action he is taking to give property and...

      Civil Injuries Compensation

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to extend eligibility for civil injuries compensation to the bereaved partner in an unmarried...

      Civil Injuries Compensation

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what action he is taking to extend eligibility for civil injuries compensation to the children of parents in an unmarried...

      Entitlement Card

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Home Office about the (a) possible introduction of an entitlement card...

      Joint Guarantors

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will amend the Data Protection Act 1998 to make provision for individuals to be able to make informed decisions about the financial soundness of...

      Legal Aid

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to conduct an investigation into abuse of the legal aid system.

      Private Offices

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what have been the running costs of Ministers' private offices in his Department and its predecessor in each year since 1997.

      Queen's Counsel

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what process was in place to decide who was offered silk prior to the review of the system announced earlier this year;...

      Solicitors

      To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to prevent solicitors canvassing for business in public areas.

  • House of Lords

    • The Attorney-General: Review of Constitutional Powers

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the powers of the Attorney-General will be included in the review of constitutional powers.

    • The Lord Chancellor: Ecclesiastical Patronage

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What arrangements they propose to make concerning the Lord Chancellor's patronage of Church of England benefices when the office of Lord Chancellor no longer exists.

      The Lord Chancellor: Duties

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What are all the duties of the Lord Chancellor other than his parliamentary and government duties.

      The Lord Chancellor: Transfer of Functions

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Which, defining each, of the Lord Chancellor's functions relative to the administration of justice and in particular criminal justice do they propose to transfer...

      Judicial Appointments: Diversity

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether it is their view that an increase in the number of black, Asian and female persons and persons of different sexual orientation would improve the overall...

      Special Advisers

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the cost of the paybill for special advisers in 2003–03, what are the pay bands for 2003–04 and how many special advisers are in each pay band,...

      Ministerial Overseas Visits

      asked Her Majesty's Government: (a) What was their expenditure on ministerial overseas visits for the financial years 1996–97 to 2002–03 and (b) what visits overseas were taken by...

      Crown Prosecution Service: Deaths in Custody

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When the Attorney-General intends to publish a Report following his review of the role and practices of the Crown Prosecution Service in cases arising from a death...

      Serious Fraud Office: Annual Report

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When the director of the Serious Fraud Office will publish his annual report.

      National Asylum Support Service

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When they plan to publish the independent review of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).

      Iraq: Suspected Vehicles

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether either of the two vehicles suspected of involvement in the production of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was purchased or obtained from the United...

      Armed Forces: Suicide

      asked Her Majesty's Government: How many deaths by suicide were recorded among members of the Armed Forces since January 2003, and for each year for the past five years.

      Iraq: Interpreters

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will ensure in Iraq that British forces searching private or religious premises are always accompanied by an interpreter.

      Iraq: People Captured by British Forces

      asked Her Majesty's Government: How many people, other than prisoners of war, have been captured by British forces in Iraq and are still being held by them.

      RAF Fylingdales: Early Warning Radar System

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 12 June (WA 62), whether the details of the upgrade are confidential between the United States and the United...

      Sponsored Reserves

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What arrangements exist betwen SERCo Aerospace and the RAF for the provision of sponsored reserves.

      Armed Forces: Initial Training

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment has been made of the review of initial training in the Armed Forces.

      Iraq: Multinational Division

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What progress has been made in establishing a multinational division in Iraq.

      Gulf War Veterans: Mortality Figures

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the latest figures for deaths of 1990–91 UK Gulf War veterans.

      Local Authority Funding

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When there will be public consultation on the current review of the balance of funding for English local authorities.

      Consanguinity

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the average degrees of consanguinity between brother and half-sister, and that between blood uncle and niece, are identical.

      Food Supplements

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What recent representations they have received from the National Association of Health Stores in relation to the provisions of the Food Supplements Directive and...

      Food Supplements

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment they have made of the impact upon consumer choice and the United Kingdom food supplements industry of the possible setting by the European Union of...

      Health Professions Council

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will enable new United Kingdom graduates who have been unable to register with the Health Professions Council while the register has been closed from...

      Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities

      asked Her Majesty's Government: How many adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities there are in the United Kingdom; and How many adults with profound and multiple learning...

      Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990: Section 3A

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will enforce the law if attempts are made to use the eggs of aborted unborn babies in fertility treatments.

      Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, Manchester

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What support they are giving to the Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre in Manchester; and whether they have any plans to increase their support.

      Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, Manchester

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will arrange a ministerial visit to the Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre in view of its role in cancer treatment and the investigation of brain disorders.

      NHS Direct: Digital Television Service

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What consultations have taken place with primary care trusts, voluntary-aided organisations and charities, following the closure of the bidding on the contract for...

      Alcohol Advertising

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will accept the advice of the British Medical Association to ban the advertising of alcohol.

      Euthanasia

      asked Her Majesty's Government: How they reconcile their opposition to the legalisation of euthanasia with their decision to adopt a neutral position on the Patient (Assisted Dying) Bill.

      Medical Devices: Fire Safety

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will ensure that consumer goods that comply with the European Union directive on medical devices are also subject to the Furniture and Furnishings...

      Medical Devices Agency: Annual Report

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will publish the 2002–03 annual report and accounts of the Medical Devices Agency.

      CJD Surveillance Unit: Annual Report

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When they expect the 11th annual report of the national Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease surveillance unit will be published.

      Clinical Trials Directive

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the timetable for transposing the Clinical Trials Directive (2001/20/EC) into United Kingdom law.

      NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency: Annual Report

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will publish the National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency's annual report and accounts for 2002–03.

      NHS Estates Executive Agency: Annual Report

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will publish the annual report and accounts 2002–03 for the NHS Estates Executive Agency.

      Forward Look 2003

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will publish the 2003 edition of the Forward Looks of Government-funded science, engineering and technology.

      High Court Writ Enforcement

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans they have to publish a consultation paper about the operation of High Court writ enforcement.

      Pensions and Benefits: Collection at Post Offices

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether people, particularly pensioners, who wish to collect their pensions or other benefits in cash from their local post office will continue to be able to do so.

      Licensing Act 2003: Section 4

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will collect and publish statistics of the number of licensed premises and their aggregate capacity, the number of offences of violence against the...

      National Lottery

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether broadcasting regulation takes account of the special status of the National Lottery.

      Agricultural Commodities: EU Exports to Moldova

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What agricultural commodities have been exported by the European Union to the Republic of Moldova in each of the last three years with the benefit of subsidy under...

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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