Written answers

Wednesday, 8 June 2005

  • Prime Minister

    • EU Constitution

      To ask the Prime Minister if he will undertake to hold a referendum in the UK on UK accession to the treaty establishing a constitution for the European Union if the French vote no in their...

  • Transport

    • New Cars (Emissions)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average emission of a new car, in grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre, has been in each year since 1985.

    • UK Presidency (EU)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what communication activities are planned in relation to the policy areas covered by his Department during the UK presidency of the EU; and what budget...

      Public Transport

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passenger miles were travelled on (a) buses and (b) lightrail in each transport authority in England in each year since 1996.

  • Deputy Prime Minister

    • Affordable Housing

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the provision of key worker housing and affordable homes.

    • Affordable Housing

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his plans to increase availability of affordable homes in Greater London.

      Affordable Housing

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the merits of turning unused space over shops into flats.

      Affordable Housing

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many social homes have achieved the decent homes standard; and whether he expects the Government to meet their target of ensuring that all homes meet the...

      Affordable Housing

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much from (a) Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme funding and (b) Challenge Fund sources was spent on (i) mixed funding social rented housing,...

      Affordable Housing

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many affordable housing units built or procured through (a) the Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme and (b) the Challenge Fund were classified...

      Affordable Housing

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on Government plans to build 21,000 homes on green belt around Bournemouth.

      Affordable Housing

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many affordable housing units built or procured through the Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme and Challenge Fund were (a) mixed funded social...

      Council Tax

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will abandon plans for council tax rebanding in England.

      Council Tax

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to reform the council tax system.

      Green Belt

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what green belt designations (a) are being and (b) have been reviewed by the Regional Chambers, since their establishment.

      Local Authority Housing Stock

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many registered social landlords have taken over council housing; if he will list those which (a) have been put under supervision by the Housing Corporation,...

      Local Strategic Partnerships

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what studies the Department has commissioned of the workings of local strategic partnerships.

      Public Toilets

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many public toilets there were on a given date in each year between 1990 and 2004, broken down by Government Office Region.

      Sustainable Communities

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the Royal Institute of British Architects' proposals for Better Neighbourhoods—Designing for Sustainability; and if he will...

      Travellers

      To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list planning permissions for Traveller sites that were refused by the local planning authority but were granted on appeal by the Secretary of State in...

  • Environment Food and Rural Affairs

    • Common Agricultural Policy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the performance of the Rural Payments Agency in dealing with the common agricultural policy...

    • EU Committees

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the (i) Committee for the implementation...

      EU Committees

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the (i) Committee for the approximation...

      EU Committees

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the (i) Committee for the implementation...

      EU Committees

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the (i) Committee for the adaptation to...

      Milk Price

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average price paid by consumers for a litre of milk has been in each year since 1980.

  • Treasury

    • Immigration

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people who immigrated into the UK in each year between 1990 and 2004.

    • Manufacturing (London)

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in manufacturing industry in (a) Brent East and (b) each London borough in each year since 1997.

      Live8 Concert (VAT)

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the VAT liability of the proposed staging of the Live8 concert in Hyde Park; and if he will make a statement.

      Private Finance Initiative

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the private finance initiative and public private partnership projects the Treasury is undertaking; and what the status is of each.

  • Trade and Industry

    • EU Legislation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what EU legislation was implemented by (a) the Employment Relations Bill 1999, (b) the Working Time Regulations 1999, (c) the Fire Precautions...

    • EU Legislation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what EU legislation was implemented by (a) the Industrial Training Levy (Construction Board) Order 2002, (b) the Employment Act 2002, (c) the...

      Miners' Compensation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the accuracy of analyses prepared for his Department of the number of deceased mineworkers' damages claims for...

      Overseas Business Practices

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government take to ensure that overseas operations by companies registered in the UK do not harm underprivileged people...

      Sellafield

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is being taken to (a) contain the radioactive leakage at the Sellafield site and (b) protect (i) the workers at the site and (ii)...

      Sellafield

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the discovery on 19 April 2005 at the Sellafield site of the 20 tonne leakage of radioactive uranium and plutonium.

      Travel Industry Regulations

      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has held with (a) the Association of British Travel Agents, (b) the Federation of Tour Operators and (c) the Association...

  • Home Department

    • Crime and Disorder Act

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to apply section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to all statutory agencies.

    • Identity Cards

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to (a) develop the launch of the national identity register of instructions to issue identity cards and (b) review the...

  • Defence

    • Armed Forces' Fighting Strength

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the fighting strength of the (a) British Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force has been in each year since 1992.

    • Gulf War Syndrome

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims in respect of Gulf War related illness have been (a) rejected and (b) accepted by the Veterans Agency office in Blackpool; and how many...

      HMS Turbulent

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the destination of HMS Turbulent following departure from Devonport was on 16 January 2004.

      Joint Strike Fighter

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the deployment of the Joint Strike fighter aircraft in the RAF.

      Life-expired Ordnance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the destruction of life-expired ordnance at Shoeburyness by QinetiQ will not detonate explosives...

      Low-flying Aircraft (Wye Valley)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low flying aircraft were used in the Wye Valley between Hay-on-Wye and Builth Wells from 27 May to 2 June.

      Military Exercise (English Channel)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) UK and (b) other nations' vessels were involved in the Thursday war military exercise in the English Channel on 15 January 2004.

      Nuclear Weapons (Lakenheath)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK nuclear weapons are available for use by the Government; and how many US tactical nuclear weapons there are at RAF Lakenheath.

      Panther Vehicle

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the difference is between the UK specification for the Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle and the version commissioned by the Italian Army.

      Panther Vehicle

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) design, (b) manufacture and (c) licence costs are of the Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle to (i) Iveco and (ii) other non-UK contractors.

      Prince Andrew

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions HRH Prince Andrew has used his Department's vehicles, vessels and planes for private use in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004; and at what cost.

      Project Connaught

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department on Project Connaught; and how much was spent on the Aspire Consortium's involvement.

      Royal Irish Regiment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Class 2 Royal Irish Regiment warrant officers (a) applied for and (b) took part in promotion boards in each of the past five years, broken down...

      UK Presidency (EU)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communication activities are planned in relation to the policy areas covered by his Department during the UK Presidency of the EU; and what budget...

  • Culture Media and Sport

    • Licensing Act

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if she will put back the second appointed day of the Licensing Act 2003 by at least eight months; (2) if the Government will put...

    • Licensing Act

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what consultations her Department has undertaken with (a) the licensed trade and (b) local authorities since 7 February regarding...

      Private Finance Projects

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the private finance initiative and public private partnership projects her Department is undertaking; and what the...

      Tote

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations her Department has made to the EU Commission on the sale of the Tote.

  • Constitutional Affairs

    • Legal Aid

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will take steps to ensure that the quality of (a) civil aid service and (b) criminal aid service available to local...

    • Local Government Elections

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) what the estimated cost was to public funds of administering the local elections in 2005; (2) what estimate the...

      Travellers

      To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the provision of legal advice services to Travellers funded by the Department.

  • Health

    • Chiropody

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which primary care trusts have introduced simple and routine chiropody services through measures other than by a registered podiatrist or...

    • Commission for Social Care Inspection

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes there have been to fees charged by the Commission for Social Care Inspection since 1997; what representations she has received on charges;...

      Continuing Care

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her estimate is of the cost in England of providing (a) free personal care and (b) free long-term care in each year until 2015.

      General Practitioners

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many single-handed general practitioners practices there were in England in each year since 1997.

      GP Appointments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact of the 48 hour access targets for general practitioners on availability of pre-booked routine appointments;...

      High Dependency Care

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of the overall national budget for NHS hospitals the total annual cost for patients in intensive care and patients in high...

      High Dependency Care

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many high dependency beds there were in England and Wales in the most recent year for which there are records; (2) how many intensive care beds...

      Infertility Treatment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have benefited from infertility treatment in (a) Brent and (b) each primary care trust in England in each year since 1997.

      Mental Health Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how she plans to provide further investment in specialist old age mental health services in accordance with section 2.2.8 of Better Health in Old Age,...

      NHS (IT Programme)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for the development of the IT programme in the national health service; and when she expects it to be completed.

      Perinatal Mortality

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she plans to establish targets for primary care trusts on improvements in perinatal mortality.

  • International Development

    • Brazil

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the needs of indigenous peoples in Brazil are not compromised by the destruction of...

    • Brazil

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the level of HIV/AIDS in Brazil.

      Brazil

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to minimise loss of tropical rainforest in Brazil.

      Departmental costs

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the costs of the administration of his Department's offices overseas in the last year for which figures...

      EU (Trade)

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many developing countries trade with the EU.

      India

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with the Indian Government regarding AIDS in India; and if he will make a statement.

      UK Presidency (EU)

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what communication activities are planned in relation to the policy areas covered by his Department during the UK Presidency of the EU;...

      Zimbabwe

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the World Food Programme ahead of the visit to Zimbabwe by its Director.

      Zimbabwe

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what criteria need to be met by the Government of Zimbabwe before the Government will accept a request for assistance with food aid to...

  • Northern Ireland

    • Common Agricultural Policy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the 250 largest payments made through the Common Agricultural Policy to farms or enterprises in Northern Ireland for...

    • Dementia

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what specific training is provided to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals in treating and caring for those with dementia.

      Forestry Division

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) terms of reference and (b) work programme of the Forestry Division in Northern Ireland are.

      Forestry Division

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the budget for forest parks in Northern Ireland is in 2005–06, broken down by main budget head; and what staffing costs are estimated...

      Gun Crime

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland of all the recorded gun crime in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years, how many offences were carried out using (a) legally and (b)...

      Gun Crime

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) injuries and (b) fatalities associated with air guns have occurred in each district police command area in each year since their...

      Incapacity Benefit

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average length of time taken to process appeals against a decision of non-entitlement to incapacity benefit was in the last year for...

      Pensioner Bonus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the £200 bonus to pensioners to assist with payment of the council tax will be made available to pensioners in Northern Ireland to...

      Pre-school Education Advisory Group

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Pre-School Education Advisory Group places were allocated to (a) Killeeshill playgroup, (b) Gallally playgroup, (c) An Tearmann...

      Royal Ulster Constabulary

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people (a) retired from and (b) were medically retired from the then Royal Ulster Constabulary in 2001; what the (i) average age and...

  • Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

    • Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will answer the letter to him dated 3 March 2005 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs....

    • Egypt

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from his Department's officials on changes to the constitution in Egypt requiring potential...

      Sudan

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent killing of internally-displaced people in the Soba Aradi camp in Khartoum; and what...

      Zimbabwe

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe concerning the recent arrests of street traders in (a)...

      Zimbabwe

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe on land reform in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

  • Work and Pensions

    • Disability Benefits

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many drug addicts in Bassetlaw are receiving incapacity benefit.

    • Disability Benefits

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people who have made claims for incapacity benefit are receiving credits towards their pension entitlement and not cash; and if he...

      Disability Benefits

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people had been claiming incapacity or invalidity benefit for (a) up to one year, (b) one to two years, (c) two to three years, (d)...

      Financial Assistance Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many representations he has received regarding the eligibility of pension schemes which were wound up after May 2004 and before April 2005...

      Local Housing Allowance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average rent was in each of the local reference rent localities within the local housing allowance pilot areas in each month in the...

      Local Housing Allowance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average length of time taken to process housing benefit applications in the local housing allowance pilot areas has been; and if he...

      Mobility Cars

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether publicly-funded mobility cars may be provided for people over the age of 65 years; and if he will make a statement.

      Pensions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people (a) started claiming the state retirement pension, (b) were refused full state pension entitlement because they claimed the...

      Pensions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will bring forward further measures to restore pensions lost through scheme wind-ups.

      Pensioners Living Abroad

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will set up a review of the policy of paying state pensions to UK citizens living abroad in some countries and not to others; and if he...

      Pensioner Poverty

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners were living in (a) absolute and (b) relative poverty in each year since 1979–80; and if he will make a statement.

  • Education and Skills

    • Child Care

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Government have to involve private and voluntary sector day nurseries in (a) children's centres and (b) extended schools.

    • Deaf Pupils

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what research she has commissioned on the effects of matching teaching methods to the degree of deafness on the academic achievements...

      Extended Schools

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will require extended schools to make facilities available to supplementary schools in their community free of charge upon request;...

      Looked-after Children

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support her Department will provide to local authorities to support them in their duty under the Children Act 2004 to promote the...

      Mobile Phones (Children)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance has been issued by her Department to schools in relation to mobile phone use by children.

      Psychopathic Tendencies (Children)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research her Department has conducted into children with early psychopathic tendencies and their predisposition to antisocial behaviour.

      Registered Foster Carers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made in identifying and resolving collection difficulties to enable the Government to work towards the collection of...

      Schools (Hertfordshire)

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she will take to assist parents who fail to get their children into any of their chosen schools in Hertfordshire; and if she...

      Sue Blackwell

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether she has met Sue Blackwell of Birmingham university in an official capacity.

      Sure Start

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding her Department is providing for the National SureStart Month 2005.

  • House of Lords

    • Iraq: Civilian Casualties

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What are latest figures on Iraqi casualties provided by the Iraq Ministry of Health.

    • Middle East: British Casualties

      asked Her Majesty's Government: How many British citizens have been killed in military, terrorist or similar incidents in the countries of the Middle East since 1995.

      EU: UK Presidency

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, given the forthcoming United Kingdom presidency of the European Union, the Portuguese Government have submitted proposals to the United Kingdom; and, if...

      Indigenous Peoples

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the United Nations' continuing role in promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous people is part of customary international law; and whether they...

      Pakistan: Human Rights

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will ask the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate the circumstances in which a peaceful demonstration led by the chair of...

      EU: Northern Dimension

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When, during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Union, they anticipate that the first ministerial meeting under the Second Action Plan of the Northern...

      EU: Northern Dimension

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they support the extension of the Northern Dimension Action Plan beyond 2006.

      EU: Northern Dimension

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What communications have been received from the European Commission, or have been tabled at formal or informal meetings of Ministers or officials, regarding the...

      EU: Information Campaign

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have asked the European Commission to suspend those aspects of its information campaign which promote conferences aimed at detailing grants available...

      EU: Human Rights

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When the human rights subcommittees with Mediterranean partner countries which have functioning association agreements will meet in 2005; and what will be the...

      Iraq: Minority Groups

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What representations they will make to ensure that the new constitution of Iraq provides specific references to the protection of minority groups such as the...

      Iraq: Minority Groups

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will assess human rights violations experienced in Iraq by minority groups such as the Sabian Mandaeans and Iraqi Christians.

      Uzbekistan

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will consider withdrawing the British Ambassador from Uzbekistan immediately.

      Kazakhstan

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will make representations to the government of Kazakhstan about the need for greater democracy.

      Economic Partnership Agreements

      asked Her Majesty's Government: How they intend to promote the planned new economic partnership agreements between the European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to ensure fair trade.

      Arms Exports

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are satisfied with the progress being made in the concept of an European Union-wide framework of export licences for sale to third world countries of...

      Gibraltar

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When they will discuss relations between the United Kingdom and Spain on matters affecting Gibraltar; and what principal agenda items they intend to raise.

      NATO: Future Role

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether NATO has a future role beyond the present activities in Afghanistan.

      Israel and Palestine

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they intend to take in the Quartet framework to prevent the final outcome of negotiations between Israel and Palestine from offering only a partial...

      European Neighbourhood Policy

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Which of the action plans, under the European Neighbourhood Policy, have so far been adopted with relevant neighbour states; when they expect the plan for Moldova...

      Lord Birt

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Lord Birt, the Prime Minister's strategy adviser, has accepted accommodation at any overseas British residence, embassy or commission since his...

      Israel and Palestine: Land Requisition Orders

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether six villages around Bethlehem are the subject of a new military annexation order by the government of Israel; and whether these villages are to be linked...

      European External Action Service

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What communications have been (a) received from the European Commission or the Council Secretariat or (b) tabled at formal or informal meetings of Ministers or...

      European Parliament: Cost of Multiple Sites

      asked Her Majesty's Government: For each of the past three years, what is the estimate of the annual cost to the European Union budget of moving the European Parliament to Strasbourg.

      North Korea

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What measures they are taking to ensure that (a) the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has access to North Koreans in China so that the UNHCR can...

      North Korea

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What measures they are taking to ensure that the United Nations Special Rapporteur on North Korea is invited to visit North Korea this year so that he can monitor...

      North Korea

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have made an estimate of the number of North Koreans who have been forcibly returned from China and other neighbouring countries to North Korea in the...

      Niger

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What representations they have made in relation to the arrest on 28 April and subsequent imprisonment in Niger of two human rights activists from the organisation...

      Chechen Republic

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, during his forthcoming meeting with President Putin, the Prime Minister will discuss ways in which the United Kingdom and the European Union can assist in...

      Chechen Republic

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What arrangements they are making to mobilise humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for the people of the Chechen Republic; and whether they will ensure that...

      Chechen Republic

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether commitment to human rights remains pivotal to their political, economic and social policies towards (a) resolving the Chechen conflict; and (b)...

      Chechen Republic

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What priority they will give during their forthcoming presidency of the European Union to co-ordinated action by member states to help to resolve the political,...

      Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and Children

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their response to the concerns expressed by UNICEF regarding the effectiveness of the Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and Children's...

      Sudan: Abduction and Slavery Prohibition

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they support calls for the prohibition of abduction and slavery to be addressed directly in the new constitution of Sudan so that prosecutions can be...

      People Trafficking

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the United Kingdom is the only member of the European Union which has not signed up to the European Union Council directive on the residence permit issued...

      Piracy

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What action they are taking to assist the control and reduction of piracy, both within Asian international waters and in the territorial waters of Malaysia and...

      Gaza: Israeli Withdrawal

      asked Her Majesty's Government: In the light of Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, what contribution they are making to improve export facilities for Palestinian farmers and exporters in Gaza.

      Postal Voting

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will consider holding a review of the fees paid to local authorities for the administration of elections in view of large increases in the numbers of...

      Postal Voting

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will consider extending the timetable for receipt of applications for postal and proxy votes and for their despatch to provide more time for security...

      Postal Voting

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What estimate they have made of the extra costs to local authorities of administering the elections on 5 May caused by large increase in the numbers of electors...

      Parliamentary Elections: Declaration Errors

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What are the procedures for correcting election results when the figures are wrongly announced at the count even though the correct candidate is declared elected.

      Council of Europe: Efficiency of Justice

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their response to the Council of Europe study on the Efficiency of Justice.

      Criminal Legal Aid

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether their policies on criminal legal aid take account of the financial situation of many small solicitors' firms, especially those which continue to act as...

      Sewage: River Thames

      asked Her Majesty's Government: With regard to raw sewage discharges into the Thames, whether the condition of water in the Thames breaches the European Union Urban Waste Water Directive; and...

      Committee on Radioactive Waste Management

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What was the outcome of the inquiry into the suspension of Dr Keith Baverstock from membership of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management.

      Single Farm Payment Scheme: Motor Sports

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Single Farm Payment Scheme will have any effect on the number of sites that can be used for legal off-road motoring events; and Under the Single Farm...

      Scrapie

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the report in Farmers Weekly on 23 March, on what authority the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the devolved administrations are...

      Defra: Domestic Horticulture

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What proportion of flowers, plants, fruits, vegetables and salads incorporated on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stand at the 2005 Chelsea...

      Horse Manure

      asked Her Majesty's Government: How many cases of pollution from horse manure have been reported over the past three years.

      Oil Storage Tanks

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have records of the number of installations of oil storage tanks for (a) domestic use, and (b) commercial use, in the United Kingdom.

      Oil Storage Tanks

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Health and Safety Executive has records of pollution incidents caused by leaking, as opposed to spilling, from (a) non-domestic heating oil storage...

      Defence: Anglo-French Co-operation

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are satisfied with Anglo-French co-operation on defence matters; and whether the St Malo agreement will meet future needs.

      North/South Implementation Bodies

      asked Her Majesty's Government: How Unionist input into decisions of North/ South implementation bodies is achieved.

      Northern Ireland: Victims and Survivors Forum

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What progress they have made in setting up a Northern Ireland forum for victims and survivors of the Troubles, as envisaged in the document Continued...

      Northern Ireland: Vacant School Properties

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What vacant school properties each of the education and library boards in Northern Ireland were aware of in the first half of 2004.

      Northern Ireland: Decaux

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the Northern Ireland Office has any contracts with the poster company Decaux; if so, how much it spent with that company in each of the past five years;...

      North/South Ministerial Council Secretariat

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the projected cost for the North/South Ministerial Council Secretariat for 2006; and how this cost compares with 2005.

      North/South Ministerial Council Secretariat

      asked Her Majesty's Government: How much the North/South Ministerial Council Secretariat spent on travel and entertainment in each year since 2000.

      Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answers by the Lord President on 7 February (WA 77), 24 March (WA 49) and 7 April (WA 135) and the resultant correspondence from the Police...

      Northern Ireland: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

      asked Her Majesty's Government: How many children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in each of the Northern Ireland health trusts in each year from 2000–01 to 2004–05.

      Northern Ireland: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

      asked Her Majesty's Government: How many children who have been referred for suspected autism spectrum disorder assessment during each year from 2000–01 to 2004–05 are still awaiting...

      Police Service of Northern Ireland

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the current strength of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

      Northern Ireland: Strangford Lough

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What action has been taken by the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland or any other agency against those who ploughed up a bird sanctuary in...

      Northern Ireland: Stormont Estate

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have plans to sell the Stormont estate.

      Northern Ireland: Irish Hares

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they are taking to provide permanent protection for Irish hares in Northern Ireland.

      Dermatological Appointments

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are taking action to reduce the waiting times for consulting dermatologist appointments; and, if so, what is that action. [HL166.] Question number...

      Television Advertising: Online Poker

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they consider that the present television advertising campaigns for online poker games are legal.

      Road Traffic Accidents

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans they have to collect data indicating the percentage of people killed or injured in road traffic accidents involving passenger vehicles in the United...

      Business Appointment Rules

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When they expect to receive Sir Patrick Brown's report of his review of the business appointment rules, which was announced by the Prime Minister in July 2004; and...

      Prime Minister: Downing Street Gymnasium

      asked Her Majesty's Government: (a) when the Prime Minister's gymnasium was built at No. 10 Downing Street; (b) what was the cost of the building works; (c) what was the cost of the equipment...

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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