Written answers

Tuesday, 24 July 2007

  • House of Commons Commission

    • Recruitment

      To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will make a statement on senior staff appointments in the House.

    • Tebbit Review

      To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what progress has been made on the Tebbit Review of Management and Services of the House.

  • Scotland

    • Departments: Legislation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what legislative provisions introduced by his Department since 1997 have been (a) repealed and (b) not brought into force.

    • Elections

      To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date the request was received from the Electoral Commission Inquiry to bring forward legislation to allow it to access the ballot papers from...

  • Solicitor-General

    • Legal Costs

      To ask the Solicitor-General who the 10 highest paid barristers were in respect of fees paid by (a) the Treasury Solicitors and (b) the Crown Prosecution Service in each of the last three...

  • International Development

    • Departments: Legislation

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what legislative provisions introduced by his Department since 1997 (1) have not yet been brought into force; (2) have been repealed.

    • Departments: Official Visits

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was spent on overnight accommodation by civil servants within his Department's areas of responsibilities in the last 12 months.

      Departments: Visits Abroad

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many overseas visits were made by (a) officials and (b) Ministers within his responsibility, and at what cost, in each year since...

      Developing Countries: Water

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support he has given to governments in developing countries to provide (a) training for water and sanitation workers and...

      Republic of Congo: Debts

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the Republic of Congo's (Brazzaville) compliance with its commitments under the Heavily Indebted Poor...

      Sierra Leone: Palliative Care

      To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial support his Department has provided for palliative care in Sierra Leone in the last three years; what support is planned...

  • Transport

    • Accidents: Yorkshire and Humberside

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) fatal and (b) serious travel-related accidents there were in (i) the City of York and (ii) Yorkshire and the Humber in each year since 1992.

    • Automatic Number Plate Recognition

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance has been given to local authorities on the installation and use of automatic number plate recognition systems.

      Aviation: Security

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the adequacy of security measures at UK airfields from which private aircraft and pilots operate.

      Bicycles: Parking

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cycle parking spaces were installed by each highway authority in England in each of the last five years.

      Birmingham New Street Station

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport further to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield of 17 July 2007, Official Report, columns 146-47, on Birmingham New Street,...

      Blue Badge Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when she expects to announce the results of her Department's review of eligibility for the Blue Badge parking scheme; (2) for what reasons...

      Bus Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bus services have been (a) withdrawn and (b) added to service (i) in total and (ii) in each traffic area region in each year since 2004-05.

      Bus Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the percentage change in bus usage in (a) England, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber, (c) the City of York and (d) London has been since 1997.

      Bus Services: East Sussex

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent by her Department on bus subsidy in East Sussex in the last 12 months, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

      Departments: East Sussex

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding her Department allocated to projects in (a) Eastbourne and (b) East Sussex in each of the last 10 years.

      Departments: Land

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what disposals her Department made of land in Hampshire in each year since 1997; and whether she required any of the land to be used for social housing.

      Departments: Legislation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Bills introduced by her Department in the last five years contained sunset clauses; and what plans she has for the future use of such clauses.

      Motor Vehicles: Insurance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will estimate the average cost of car insurance to the individual.

      Motor Vehicles: Safety Measures

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress she has made in discussions with her EU counterparts on the Government's policy that motorists in the UK should not be required to use...

      Motor Vehicles: York

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles in York pay reduced vehicle excise duty (VED) because they have smaller engines; and how many are exempt from VED because they are...

      Railways: Poole

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans she has to increase capacity on commuter trains between Poole and London, measured by (a) new carriages and (b) passenger numbers; and...

      Road Traffic Control: Ambulance Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment her Department has made of the impact of speed humps on ambulances; and if she will make a statement.

      Rolling Stock: Leasing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost was to the public purse of the high speed trains fleet recently leased to SNCF; how long the period of the lease is; and what...

      Shipping: Radioactive Materials

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether radioactive materials may legally be transported (a) on passenger ferries and (b) through the channel tunnel.

      Transport: Lancashire

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated cost was of the next best option (western route) which Lancashire County Council submitted in her Department as their major business...

      Transport: York

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much Government grant the City of York received for transport schemes in each year since the unitary authority was established.

      Travel: Surveys

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average (a) number and (b) distance of trips as calculated by the National Travel Survey was by (i) car driver, (ii) car passenger, (iii)...

      Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been paid by the Department in consultancy fees to Deloitte and Touche in respect of its study into the possible outsourcing of elements...

  • Defence

    • Arborfield Garrison

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department plans to seek planning permission for more housing development at Arborfield Garrison prior to disposal of surplus property and land.

    • Arborfield Garrison

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what area of land at Arborfield Garrison he expects to become surplus to his Department's requirements by 2012; and how much of that area is designated...

      Armed Forces: Casualties

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many casualty admissions there have been to (a) Selly Oak, (b) Ramstein and (c) other Ministry of Defence medical facilities from (i) Operation...

      Armed Forces: Housing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many faulty (a) gas and (b) electrical appliances in accommodation maintained by Modern Housing Solutions were repaired or replaced in each year...

      Armed Forces: Private Education

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on providing education in independent schools for the children of (a) officers and (b) other ranks of the armed forces in the last...

      Armed Forces: Temporary Accommodation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost was of placing service families in hotels in each year since 2005.

      Defence Export Services Organisation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Defence Export Services Organisation.

      Departments: Air Conditioning

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent by his Department and its agencies on the hire of mobile air conditioning units in each of the last five years.

      Departments: Crime

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criminal offences have been created by primary legislation sponsored by his Department since October 2006.

      Departments: Legislation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what legislative provisions introduced by his Department since 1997 have not yet been brought into force.

      Departments: Manpower

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff at the Main Building, Whitehall funded by the public purse in his Department are classified as people without posts.

      Departments: Visits Abroad

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many overseas visits were made by (a) officials and (b) Ministers within his responsibility, and at what cost, in each year since 1997.

      Ex-servicemen: Pay

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average time period between discharge and payment of gratuity was for persons leaving each service in each year since 1997.

      Modern Housing Solutions: Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the results of all customer satisfaction surveys carried out for his Department by Modern Housing Solutions since 2005.

  • Home Department

    • Anti-Semitism

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legal provisions are in place to prevent (a) the preaching of hatred and (b) incitement to commit criminal acts against the Jewish...

    • Anti-Semitism

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance she has (a) given and (b) plans to give to the Jewish community in England and Wales to protect it against attacks and...

      Antisocial Behaviour: East Sussex

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the levels of perception of antisocial behaviour in (a) Eastbourne and (b) East Sussex.

      Asylum: Poole

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers resident in Poole have been waiting for three months or longer for initial decisions to be made.

      Asylum: Poole

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have arrived in Poole in the last five years.

      Asylum: York

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applicants she estimates are living in York.

      BAE Systems: Saudi Arabia

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests she and her Department have received from the United States Administration for co-operation in the US Department of Justice's...

      Crime: North Yorkshire

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) violent crimes and (b) crimes were recorded in (i) North Yorkshire and (ii) City of York in each of the last 10 years.

      Crimes of Violence: Southampton

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce the incidence of violent crime in Southampton.

      Departments: Postal Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what volume of correspondence her Department sent (a) by Royal Mail and (b) by other commercial delivery services in each of the last five...

      Driving Under Influence: Great Yarmouth

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many instances of drink driving there were in Great Yarmouth in each of the last 10 years, broken down by (a) age and (b) sex.

      Drugs: Crime

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of crimes committed have been identified as having drug and alcohol abuse as a (a) primary and (b) contributory factor,...

      Entry Clearances: Waiting Lists

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average waiting time was for (a) visa and (b) leave to remain applications in each year since 1997.

      Firearms: Crime

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people under the age of 21 have been charged with firearms offences in each of the last five years.

      Foreign Workers: Health Professions

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what data were used to make statements in the Race Equality Impact Assessment on the changes in immigration rules for postgraduate doctors...

      Identity Cards

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the identity cards pilot scheme is expected to report; and if she will make a statement.

      Identity Cards: Travelling People

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the implications of the introduction of identity cards for Gypsy and Traveller communities.

      Immigration: Bulgaria

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate her Department has made of the number of (a) Romanians and (b) Bulgarians (i) available to fill the agricultural labour...

      Offensive Weapons: East Sussex

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) injured and (b) killed as a result of knife crime offences in (i) Eastbourne and (ii) East Sussex in each year...

      Passports: Fraud

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which consultants were employed by the (a) Identity and Passport Service and (b) her Department to examine and give advice on passport...

      Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions her Department has had with operators of the seasonal agricultural workers scheme on the future of the scheme; and if she...

      Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the ability of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme to fill the requirement for agricultural labour in 2008.

      Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme quota will be set for 2008.

      Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken following the meeting with the National Farmers Union about the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme on 2 May 2007.

      Technology: Safety

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the implications for (a) public safety and (b) the (i) safety and (ii) privacy of individuals of use of...

  • Environment Food and Rural Affairs

    • Carbon Emissions: Imports

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will commission research to quantify the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated by imports to the UK of...

    • Environment Protection: York City Council

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) purpose and (b) value was of each special grant awarded to City of York council for environmental purposes in...

      Exhaust Emissions: Delivery Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of internet and catalogue shopping home deliveries on levels of carbon dioxide...

      Fisheries: Migrant Workers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the percentage of Cornish fishing crews which are migrant workers.

      Flood Control

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will review the adequacy of the budgets for flood defences; and if he will make a statement.

      Floods: Housing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes have been (a) built, (b) built on flood plains, (c) built in areas of significant flood risk and (d) built...

      Floods: Warnings

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the take up is of the automatic flood warning system in (a) North Yorkshire, (b) South Yorkshire, (c) East Yorkshire...

      Floods: Warnings

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to review the flood warning system.

      Fly Tipping: East of England

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 25 June 2007, Official Report, column 82W, on flytipping: East of England, how many incidents of...

      Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Yorkshire and Humberside

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the change in greenhouse gas emissions has been in percentage terms in (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and (b) City of...

      Land Drainage

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Environment Agency spent on drainage on each local authority area in each of the last three years.

      Land Use: Flood Control

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to give greater weight in the higher level scheme to land management measures that would reduce the...

      Radioactive Materials: Storage

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency's choice of sites for storing nuclear waste.

      Rights of Way

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it the policy of the Government to exclude built-up areas in towns and villages from the extinguishment...

      Rights of Way: Yorkshire and Humberside

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what parts of (a) York and (b) north Yorkshire have been opened to the public under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act...

      Sewers: East Sussex

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many miles of sewers there are in (a) Eastbourne and (b) East Sussex; and what percentage are over 100 years old.

      Wood: Recycling

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the reasons for the level of recycling of timber; and what steps he is taking to increase the...

  • Culture Media and Sport

    • Arts Council of England: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much grant in aid he plans to allocate Arts Council England in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

    • Arts: National Lottery

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was allocated from the National Lottery to (a) the Heritage Lottery Fund and (b) UK Arts Lottery Distributors in each...

      Betting: Regulation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to receive the conclusions of his Department's working group on regulation and administration of on-course betting.

      Digital Switchover Help Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether those eligible for the targeted assistance scheme in relation to digital switchover are entitled to a digital box with the...

      National Joint Pitch Council

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether his Department's working group on regulation and administration of on-course betting has identified those administrative...

      National Lottery: Wales

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect of the diversion of Lottery funding for the London Olympics on future Lottery funding in Wales.

      Sports: Children

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he plans to take to increase sporting participation among children nationally as part of the legacy of the 2012 Games.

      Sports: National Lottery

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Lottery funding was provided to (a) athletics, (b) swimming and (c) rowing in each year since 1998.

      Sports: Yorkshire and Humberside

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government spent on sport in (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and (b) City of York in each year since 1997.

  • Communities and Local Government

    • Buildings: Energy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to encourage the refurbishment of existing buildings to increase energy efficiency.

    • Business: Renewable Energy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many business premises in England have (a) small-scale wind turbines and (b) solar panels, according to Valuation Office...

      Communities England: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding has been allocated to Communities England for (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10.

      Council Housing: East Sussex

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many units of council housing there are in (a) Eastbourne and (b) East Sussex.

      Council Housing: East Sussex

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many dwellings were (a) constructed for private sale, (b) built by housing associations and (c) built by local...

      Council Housing: Waiting Lists

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average waiting time was for social housing rented properties with (a) one bedroom (b) two bedrooms, (c) three...

      Council Housing: Waiting Lists

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what percentage of the households on the housing waiting list in each local authority area in England at the start of 2006-07...

      Departments: Contracts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how her Department monitors contracts issued by public bodies reporting to her Department, with particular reference to the...

      Departments: Crime

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criminal offences have been created by primary legislation sponsored by her Department since October 2006.

      Departments: Disciplinary Proceedings

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people in her Department have been (a) disciplined and (b) dismissed for (i) inappropriate use of the internet while...

      Departments: Legislation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what legislative provisions introduced by her Department and its predecessors since 1997 have not yet been brought into force.

      Departments: Legislation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what legislative provisions introduced by her Department and its predecessor since 1997 have been repealed.

      Departments: Official Visits

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on overnight accommodation by civil servants within her Department's areas of responsibilities in the last 12...

      Departments: Private Finance Initiative

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on private finance initiative projects for which her Department has responsibility in each of the last 10...

      Departments: Racial Harassment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which her Department is responsible have been (a) investigated and...

      Departments: Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which Public Service Agreement targets have been (a) met and (b) not met by her Department.

      Disadvantaged: East Riding

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what programmes her Department is sponsoring in the East Riding of Yorkshire area to promote social inclusion.

      Empty Property

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) buy-to-let properties and (b) empty buy-to-let properties there are in each local authority area.

      Floods: Expenditure

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost was of the clear up operation to each affected local authority following recent flooding.

      Homelessness: Ex-servicemen

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many former UK armed forces service personnel in (a) Leeds, (b) West Yorkshire and (c) England are estimated to be homeless.

      Housing: Building Regulations

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether building regulations apply to the construction of porches outside a domestic dwelling.

      Housing: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much housing funding was provided by the Government in each county of England in each year since 1997.

      Housing: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much and what proportion of English housing funding was provided to (a) Cornwall and (b) the South West in each year since...

      Housing: Hampshire

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people in (a) Romsey, (b) Southampton and (c) Hampshire are on waiting lists for social housing; and how many units...

      Housing: Low Incomes

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to increase the availability of affordable housing in (a) Windsor and (b) the South East of England.

      Housing: Low Incomes

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many affordable homes were built in West Sussex in each year since 1997.

      Housing: Single People

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of new households which will be single person households in the next 12...

      Housing: South Eastern Region

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many new dwellings were constructed in the South East Government office region or equivalent area in each year since 1979.

      Housing: Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if the Government will set a target date for improving the standard assessment procedure (SAP) rating of the two million...

      Landlord and Tenant: Rents

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what studies have been undertaken by her Department on the levels of rent paid by private sector tenants and their security of...

      Local Authorities: Newspaper Press

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for which purposes local authorities are required to place notices in local newspapers.

      Local Government: Grants

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will list the central grant payment to local authorities in each year since 1997.

      Members: Official Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she expects to reply to question 148411 tabled by the hon. Member for Isle of Wight on 4 July 2007 on tree preservation orders.

      Ordnance Survey Act 1841: Fines

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many fines were levied for breaching the Ordnance Survey Act 1841, in relation to preventing a representative of Ordnance...

      Planning

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how a single-issue revision to a planning policy may be initiated; on which occasions such a revision has been initiated in the...

      Planning Permission: Appeals

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government within what period of time from a planning appeal being received the Planning Inspectorate is obliged to set a start date for...

      Planning Permission: Cornwall

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning applications that have limited weeks per year occupancy as an incorporated feature have been approved in...

      Property Development: East Sussex

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what percentage of (a) parkland and (b) greenfield land has been developed in (i) Eastbourne and (ii) East Sussex in the last...

      Second Homes: Rural Areas

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effect of second homes and holiday lets on the social cohesion of small rural communities.

      Sewers: Repairs and Maintenance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the Government provides funding to local authorities in England specifically for the maintenance of drains.

      Social Sector Working Party on Housing: Meetings

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what she next expects the Social Sector Working Party on housing to meet.

      Travelling People: Caravan Sites

      To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Travellers in England were recorded as occupying unauthorised encampments in each year since 1997.

  • Prime Minister

    • Departments: Recruitment

      To ask the Prime Minister how much his Office paid in fees to recruitment agencies for (a) temporary and (b) permanent staff in each year since 1997.

    • Departments: Written Questions

      To ask the Prime Minister if he will make an assessment of conformity of Answers he has given to written parliamentary questions with Cabinet Office guidance on the matter; and if he will make a...

  • Minister for Women

    • Pensions: Family Credit

      To ask the Minister for Women and Equality pursuant to the answer of 2 July 2007, Official Report, column 945W, on pensions: family credit, how many current recipients of state-earnings-related...

  • Northern Ireland

    • Departments: Flint Bishop Solicitors

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have made payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors since 1997.

    • Police: Inquiries

      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the Police Service Northern Ireland officer-time has been spent on historical inquiries in the last two years; and if he will...

  • Health

    • Junior Doctors

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of junior doctors who have not been successful in securing a training post for 1 August.

    • NHS Reconfiguration

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the progress of the reconfiguration of NHS institutions.

      Minor Injury Units

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future role of minor injury units.

      Primary Care Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to improve access to primary care services; and if he will make a statement.

      Polyclinics

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the role of polyclinics in the NHS.

      BCG Vaccination

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of availability of the BCG vaccination; and if he will make a statement.

      Maternity Units

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on maintaining the number of maternity units in England; and if he will make a statement.

      Waiting Times

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Health Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government on waiting times for Welsh patients treated by the National...

      Epilepsy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage primary care trusts to improve epilepsy services and in particular promote awareness of the risk of sudden deaths.

      NHS Finance: Coventry

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of trends in funding levels to Coventry NHS trusts since 1992.

      Peripheral Arterial Disease

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to address mortality and morbidity caused by peripheral arterial disease in England.

      Social Care

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to bring forward proposals on the future funding of social care.

      Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many alcohol related deaths there have been amongst teenagers in the last (a) 12 months and (b) five years in (i) Hampshire and (ii) England.

      Alcoholic Drinks: Young People

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors.

      Baby Care Units

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies born in England in each of the last five years required neonatal care in a specialist unit.

      Camping Sites: Sanitation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to ensure that the use of land in Parliament Square as a campsite complies with Section 269 of the Public Health Act 1936; and if...

      Cancer: Medical Treatments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment within the NHS.

      Cancer: Medical Treatments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospitals provide photodynamic therapy cancer treatments.

      Contraception: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS was of emergency hormonal contraception in each of the last 10 years.

      Dental Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the (a) adult and (b) child population of (i) Selby and York Primary Care Trust area, (ii) North Yorkshire Primary Care Trust area,...

      Dental Services: Gloucestershire

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of NHS dental services in Gloucestershire.

      Doctors: Vacancies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital doctor vacancies there are, broken down by grade and specialty, in each (a) deanery and (b) trust.

      Drinks: Nutrition

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the (a) calorific content and (b) hydrating properties of (i) orange juice, (ii) water, (iii) low-calorie carbonated drinks and (iv)...

      Genito-Urinary Medicine: Closures

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community sexual health clinics closed in each of the last five years.

      Health Professions: Registration

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Health Professions Council takes to ensure protected titles are not used by those not entitled to use them.

      Health Services: Autism

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the amount spent on (a) Asperger's adult services and (b) autism services in Norfolk in each of the last five years.

      Health Services: Community Care

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether the NHS has responsibility under the Continuing Care Guidance to provide (a) chiropody, (b) physiotherapy, (c) speech and language...

      Health Services: Tourism

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of holidaymakers resident in (a) Hampshire and (b) England requiring treatment when they returned to the UK in...

      Home Care Services: Oxygen

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost to the NHS is of providing (a) routine and (b) emergency domiciliary oxygen supplies in each health trust.

      Hospitals: Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals are carrying out consultations on (a) bed closures and (b) service reductions.

      Human Papilloma Virus: Vaccination

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will take steps to ensure that the Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination considers the benefits of the Australian model for...

      Influenza: Vaccination

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to conduct a public debate on vaccine prioritisation in the event of an influenza pandemic, as recommended by the Joint Committee on...

      Kidney Patients: Portsmouth

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement the National Service Framework for Renal Services in Portsmouth.

      Malaria

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many British nationals have (a) been diagnosed with and (b) died of malaria in each year since 2001.

      Midwives: Employment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the merits of providing all midwives, qualifying from universities in England with a guarantee of one year's paid employment as a...

      Midwives: Training

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the merits of providing for six month preceptorship training for graduate midwives funded by primary care trusts; and if he will make a...

      MRSA: Disease Control

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 9 July 2007, Official Report, column 1314W, on MRSA: disease control, if he will place in the Library a copy of the reports...

      Nurses: Pay

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implementation of the nurses' pay award 2007.

      Nurses: Training

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to (a) provide and (b) increase take-up of (i) training and (ii) education for existing school nurses in each of the last 10...

      Vaccines: Sleeping Contracts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 2 October 2006, Official Report, column 2531W, on Vaccines (Sleeping Contracts), when negotiations are required to be completed...

  • Duchy of Lancaster

    • Admiralty House

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what government property within Admiralty House has been (a) used and (b) not used for official purposes since 27 June.

    • Departments: Employment Agencies

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much the Cabinet Office paid in fees to recruitment agencies for (a) temporary and (b) permanent staff in each year since 1997.

      Departments: Flint Bishop Solicitors

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have made payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors since 1997.

      Departments: ICT

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what his Department's budget has been for the Government Communication Network in each year since its inception.

      Departments: Manpower

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people are employed in the Cabinet Office in (a) headcount and (b) full-time equivalent.

      Departments: Official Cars

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which former Ministers (a) occupied ministerial residences and (b) had access to ministerial cars and chauffeurs at 18 July 2007.

      Former Ministers: Redundancy Pay

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the total potential amount is of severance payments for those eligible who left office upon the change of Prime Minister, broken down by (a)...

      Legal Costs

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who the 10 highest paid barristers were in respect of fees paid by a) the Treasury Solicitor and b) the Crown Prosecution Service in each of the...

      Ministers: Pay

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what procedures are required to enable Ministers who wish to take a reduced or no ministerial salary to do so.

      Olympic Games: Greater London

      To ask the Minister for the Olympics if she will hold a London 2012: Your Games, Your Say question and answer session in Poole.

      Public Administration Select Committee: Government Responses

      To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to provide the Government's response to the (a) First, (b) Fourth, (c) Fifth, (d) Sixth and (e) Seventh Reports of Session...

  • Justice

    • Antisocial Behaviour: Poole

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many incidents of antisocial behaviour involving mini-motorbikes or other off-road vehicles were reported in Poole in each of the last five years;...

    • Antisocial Behaviour: Poole

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many penalty notices for disorder have been given in Poole in the last five years.

      Driving Offences: Measurement

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) drivers and (b) companies were prosecuted in each of the last five years for infringement of weight restrictions on roads.

      Driving Under Influence: Sentencing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convictions for drink-driving resulted in custodial sentences in (a) 2005 and (b) 2006, broken down by police authority.

      Fixed Penalties: Yorkshire and Humberside

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many fixed penalty notices were issued by West Yorkshire Police in (a) 2005 and (b) 2006; how many of those notices have been paid; how many have...

      Police Cautions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) cautions, (b) on-the-spot fines and (c) formal warnings were issued by each police force in each of the last 10 years, for which figures...

      Prison Service: Convictions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison service employees were convicted of offences in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available, broken down by (a) offence,...

      Prisoners: Foreigners

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many inmates of prisons in England and Wales were foreign nationals in each of the last five years.

      Prisoners: Rehabilitation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in each prison in Wales are registered as having a drug or alcohol problem; and how many are engaged in a rehabilitation course.

      Prisoners: Rehabilitation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will publish the report on the 12 step drug rehabilitation programme in Swansea prison which led to its closure.

      Prisoners: Rehabilitation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what (a) drug and (b) alcohol rehabilitation courses are available at each prison in England and Wales.

      Prisoners: Scotland

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many prisoners of Scottish origin are serving sentences in prisons in England and Wales, broken down by prison establishment; (2) how many...

      Young Offenders: Restraint Techniques

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many inmates of young offender institutions received injuries requiring an overnight stay in hospital following restraint by prison officers in each...

      Young Offenders: Smoking

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether juveniles held in (a) secure training centres and (b) secure children's homes are allowed to smoke cigarettes.

  • Treasury

    • Average Earnings: Cornwall

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average wage in Cornwall was at the latest date for which figures are available.

    • Capital Gains Tax

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will (a) update the estimates given for the cost of capital gains tax business paper relief in 2001-02 and 2002-03 in his Tax Ready Reckoner November...

      Carbon Emissions: Pollution Control

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what cumulative cuts in carbon emissions measures outlined in the Budget were (a) predicted to be delivered and (b) delivered in each year since 1997.

      Civil Servants: Poole

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil service posts he expects to be moved to Poole in the next five years.

      Civil Service: Norfolk

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs have been moved into (a) Great Yarmouth and (b) Norfolk as a result of the Lyons review.

      Climate Change Levy

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the climate change levy in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

      Council of Economic Advisers

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who the members are of the Council of Economic Advisers.

      Council Tax: Valuation

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) of 21 June 2007, Official Report, column 2138W, on council tax: valuation, which...

      Customs Officers: Complaints

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints were made against the behaviour of Customs officers during searches at British ports in each year since 1997.

      Departments: Agencies

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Department paid in fees to recruitment agencies for (a) temporary and (b) permanent staff in each year since 1997.

      Departments: Flint Bishop Solicitors

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have made payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors since 1997.

      Departments: Legislation

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Bills introduced by his Department in the last five years contained sunset clauses; and what plans he has for the future use of such clauses.

      Departments: Sexual Harassment

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Rayleigh (Mr. Francois) of 12 June 2007, Official Report, column 938W, on Departments: sexual harassment,...

      Employment: East Sussex

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) Eastbourne and (b) East Sussex residents were in employment in (i) April 1997 and (ii) the most recent period for which figures are available.

      Employment: Parents

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the employment rate is of non-resident parents where the parent with care is a lone parent receiving (a) income support and (b) working tax credit.

      Employment: York

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were (a) employed (i) full-time and (ii) part-time and (b) unemployed in (A) City of York constituency, (B) City of York Council area,...

      Forfeiture: Motor Vehicles

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cars were impounded by Customs officers in each year since 1997, broken down by reason for impounding.

      Forfeiture: Motor Vehicles

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many successful appeals there were against the impounding of vehicles by Customs officers in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

      Futurebuilders Fund

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which projects dealing with children's (a) physical and (b) mental health have received Futurebuilders funding; and how much was received by each.

      HM Revenue and Customs: Great Yarmouth

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many HM Revenue and Customs staff employed in Havenbridge House Great Yarmouth (a) are female and (b) work flexitime.

      HM Revenue and Customs: Manpower

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff HM Revenue and Customs employs; and how many more posts are planned to be lost to meet the targets set in the Gershon Review.

      HM Revenue and Customs: Manpower

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how HM Revenue and Customs staff are encouraged to respond to consultations arising from the Gershon Review.

      Housing

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many domestic properties in England have greenhouses according to Valuation Office Agency records.

      Housing: Prices

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion the average national income was of the average house price in (a) Cornwall and (b) England at the most recent date for which figures are...

      Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the net difference in income tax revenue collected since 1997 if the top rate of income tax had been uprated in line with earnings.

      Infectious Diseases: Death

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths where the death certificate refers to healthcare-acquired infections there were in (a) hospital and (b) care homes in (i) Eastbourne and...

      Local Government Finance Funding Changes Independent Inquiry

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether representatives of his Department made any written submission or representation to the Lyons Inquiry on local government; (2) whether (a) HM...

      Married People: Separation

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many married couples have separated but are still married; and if he will make a statement.

      Pensions

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the potential impact of extending the possibility of exchanging private pension rights for a cash sum of a value greater than 25 per cent....

      Personal Income: York

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average wage for (a) full-time and (b) part-time (i) male and (ii) female employees is; and what the average household income for working age...

      Police Informers: Pay

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value was of rewards paid to informers by HM Revenue and Customs in each year since 1997.

      Private Finance Initiative

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much his Department has spent on legal advice for the private finance initiative credit guarantee finance pilots; (2) what assessment he has made...

      Public Expenditure

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the reasons are for the timing of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007; and if he will make a statement.

      Taxation: Disclosure of Information

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department first exchanged tax information in bulk about a class of taxpayers with another country; what sort of information has been exchanged in...

      Taxation: Domicil

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the cost to date has been of the review into non-domicile taxation, broken down into (a) staff costs, (b) administration costs, (c) office...

      Taxation: Domicil

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many investigations were undertaken into the income and assets held overseas by non-domiciled UK taxpayers in each of the last five years for which...

      Teenage Pregnancy

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many teenage pregnancies there were in each of the last 10 years, broken down by (a) age and (b) local authority.

      Terrorism: Finance

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many organisations found to have terrorist links have had their assets frozen; how much funding was frozen in total; how much such funding was returned...

      Unemployment

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the number of economically inactive people who want a job; (2) what estimate he has made of the number of non-UK...

      Unemployment: Young People

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people aged 24 years or under were considered to be economically inactive in (a) Eastbourne and (b) East Sussex in each of the last 10 years.

      Valuation Office Agency

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings the Valuation Office Agency has had with the Australian Valuation Office in the last five years.

      Valuation Office Agency

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which divisions of the Valuation Office Agency the secondees from the (a) Australian Valuation Office and (b) Hong Kong Valuation Office were working within.

      Valuation Office Agency

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 15 June 2007, Official Report, column 1424W, on the Valuation Office Agency, if he...

      Valuation Office Agency

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answers to the hon. Member for Meriden of 26 January 2007, Official Report, column 2134W, and 15 June 2007, Official Report, column 1422W,...

      Valuation Office Agency

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 15 June 2007, Official Report, column 1424W to the hon. Member for Meriden, on the Valuation Office Agency, which organisation...

      Valuation Office Agency

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answers to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 26 January 2007, Official Report, column 2134W, and 18 June 2007, Official...

      Valuation Office Agency: HM Revenue and Customs

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what access the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has to data held by HM Revenue and Customs to assist the VOA in its statutory functions.

      Valuation Office Agency: Hong Kong

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 20 June 2007, Official Report, column 1888W, on the Valuation Office Agency: Hong Kong, whether...

      Valuation Office Agency: Optical Equipment

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many telescopic viewers the Valuation Office Agency has purchased in the last 36 months; and at what cost.

      Valuation Office Agency: Optical Equipment

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what use the Valuation Office Agency is making of Ordnance Survey's pictometry oblique imagery.

      Valuation Office Agency: Digital Versatile Disks

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which DVDs have been produced by the Valuation Office Agency in the last 36 months; how many copies of such DVDs were produced; and what the cost was to the...

      Valuation Office Agency: Expenditure

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenditure the Valuation Office Agency has undertaken on (a) its import system and (b) infrastructure electronic billing authority reports since...

      Valuation Office Agency: ICT

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many local authorities submit information to the Valuation Office Agency via electronic billing authority reports.

      Valuation Office Agency: Training

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 25 June 2007, Official Report, column 400W, on Valuation Office:...

      Valuation Office Agency: Visits Abroad

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) pursuant to the answer of 25 June 2007, Official Report, column 400W to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar, on Valuation Office: visits abroad,...

      Valuation Office Agency: Non-domestic Rates

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency plans to collate value significant codes for the purposes of valuations of non-domestic dwelling for business rates.

      Welfare Tax Credits

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) couples and (b) couples with household incomes of over £50,000 are claiming tax credits, broken down by region.

  • Work and Pensions

    • Antisocial Behaviour: Housing Benefit

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the timetable is for pilot schemes in respect of the withdrawal of housing benefit as a sanction against households evicted for antisocial...

    • Child Support Agency: Fees and Charges

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons the Child Support Agency ceased its policy of charging a fee for use of its services in 1995; and if he will make a statement.

      Children: Maintenance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what amount of Child Support Agency arrears has been collected directly from non-resident parents' assets in each year since 1996-97; and if he...

      Children: Maintenance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the capacity of the private and voluntary sectors to provide low cost and free advice to separating parents on...

      Counselling: Separation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to introduce further advice and counselling services for separating couples with children.

      Departments: Agencies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the Department paid in fees to recruitment agencies for (a) temporary and (b) permanent staff in each year since 1997.

      Departments: Visits Abroad

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many overseas visits were made by (a) officials and (b) Ministers within his responsibility, and at what cost, in each year since 1997.

      Disabled: Children

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps have been taken to promote inter-departmental working to help disabled children and their families following the former Prime...

      Employment Schemes

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many job applicants have undertaken a 15 day work trial since the inception of the trial programme; and how many of these have resulted in...

      Financial Assistance Scheme: Peterborough

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents of Peterborough constituency have been in receipt of funds under the Financial Assistance Scheme; and if he will make a...

      Housing Benefit

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the introduction of the local housing allowance; and what assessment he has made of the impact of its...

      Incapacity Benefit

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of incapacity benefit claimants had been in receipt of incapacity benefit for five years or more in each year...

      Incapacity Benefit: Mentally Ill

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of people claiming incapacity benefit did so due to mental and behavioural disorders in each year since 1997.

      Jobseeker's Allowance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have received jobseeker's allowance in the last 12 months.

      Jobseeker's Allowance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of those claiming jobseeker's allowance in each year since 1997 had partners.

      Members: Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to the letter to his predecessor dated 29 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Muzzamal...

      Members: Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will answer the letter to his predecessor of 31 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Stephen Chetwyn.

      National Insurance: Fraud

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff in his Department and its agencies work on national insurance number fraud.

      Pensions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in (a) Eastbourne, (b) East Sussex, (c) England and (d) the UK are (i) eligible for and (ii) receive pension credits.

      Pensions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the rates of basic state pension payable to (a) single pensioners and (b) couples were in (i) 1996-97 and (ii) 2006-07; and what the...

      Pensions: York

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average value of state pensions, benefits and other payments was to (a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples in York in...

      Pensions: York

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people (a) in the City of York local authority area and (b) City of York constituency receive (i) basic state pension and (ii)...

      Social Security Benefits

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support his Department provides for people signed off incapacity benefit and awaiting jobseeker's allowance.

      Social Security Benefits: EC Nationals

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many EU citizens in the UK claiming (a) jobseeker's allowance and (b) incapacity benefit have been in receipt of these benefits for more...

      Social Security Benefits: York

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in City of York constituency were in receipt of each benefit administered by his Department (a) at the latest date for which...

      Unemployment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the numbers of people both looking for work and available for work who are not claiming either unemployment or...

  • Children, Schools and Families

    • Adoption

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) how many children in each local authority in England were (a) considered and (b) successfully placed for adoption in (i)...

    • Adoption: Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children were adopted in each local authority in England in each of the last three years; and what the target increases...

      Classroom Assistants

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) how much has been allocated for the employment of teaching assistants in each year since 2000; and what funding has been...

      Classroom Assistants

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what formal training is required for a person to obtain a post as a classroom assistant specifically working with special...

      Classroom Assistants: Pay

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average salary is of a teaching assistant.

      Departments: Contracts

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which of his Department's contracts have been rewritten since 27 June; and what estimate he has made of the resulting cost.

      Departments: Private Finance Initiative

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the annual value of private finance initiative projects within his responsibility was in each of the last five years, broken...

      Digital Versatile Disks

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department has spent on the Y Touring Group's DVD production, "Every Breath"; and how many DVDs are being produced.

      Education and Skills Bill

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether his Department will be the lead Department on the forthcoming Education and Skills Bill; and if he will make a statement.

      Family Courts: Counselling

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) what steps his Department is taking to encourage mediation in family disputes in (a) publicly funded cases, (b) privately...

      Health Education: Sex

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families at what pupil age schools begin teaching sex education in each local education authority.

      Primary Education

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many primary schools in each local education authority have voluntarily introduced classes in foreign languages, music or art.

      Primary Education

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government have taken to promote the teaching of foreign languages, music or art at primary school level.

      Pupils: Per Capita Costs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the average capital cost per pupil of (a) an academy and (b) a local education authority controlled...

      Reading: Teaching Methods

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools in each local education authority taught synthetic phonics in each of the last five years.

      Schools

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools in each local education authority have (a) expanded their capacity in each of the last 10 years and (b) are in...

      Schools: Chelmsford

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2007, Official Report, column 119W, on schools: Chelmsford, for what reasons he did not provide...

      Schools: Closures

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools closed in each of the last 10 years; and what the case for closure was in each case.

      Schools: Construction

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many new (a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) academies were built in each of the last five years (i) with...

      Schools: Fire Extinguishers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance is given by his Department on the fitting of sprinklers in schools.

      Schools: Fires

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many fires there were in schools in each of the last five years.

      Schools: First Aid

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) what steps the Government are taking to encourage the teaching of first aid to students and members of school staff; (2)...

      Schools: Private Finance Initiative

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many private finance initiative funded schools closed prematurely in each of the last five years; and what the cost was to the...

      Schools: Private Finance Initiative

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools have been funded via the private finance initiative in the last five years, broken down by local education...

      Schools: Private Finance Initiative

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of all school building projects was financed through (a) private finance initiative funding and (b) capital...

      Schools: Private Finance Initiative

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many of the schools procured under private finance initiative since 1997 are now conventional capital projects using design...

      Special Educational Needs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many statements of special educational needs were issued in each year since 1994-95, broken down by local authority; and what...

      Young People: Antisocial Behaviour Orders

      To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children and young people (1) were sent to a penal establishment for breaching their antisocial behaviour order in each...

  • Innovation, Universities and Skills

    • Adult Education: Learning Disability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps he plans to take to ensure that adults with a learning disability have access to learning opportunities to acquire...

    • Apprentices: East Sussex

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many apprenticeship places there are for 16 and 17 year olds in (a) Eastbourne and (b) East Sussex; and what plans he...

      Apprentices: East Sussex

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many apprenticeship schemes are operating in the Poole area.

      Apprentices: Gravesham

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many apprenticeship schemes are operating in the Gravesham area.

      Apprentices: York

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many apprenticeships there were in York in 2005-06.

      Degrees: Ethnic Groups

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many and what percentage of students from (a) Asian Bangladeshi, (b) Asian Chinese, (c) Asian Indian, (d) Asian...

      Higher Education: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of universities with a (a) financial deficit, (b) diminishing budget...

      Higher Education: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what discussions his Department and its predecessor have held with university representatives or vice-chancellors on raising...

      Higher Education: NHS

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how premises on which leases had been taken for the NHS University were disposed of.

      Nanotechnology

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what Government-funded research and development support has been given to the development of UK nanotechnology companies.

      Student Wastage

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the non-completion rate was of students who took (a) A-levels, (b) other academic level 3 qualifications and (c)...

      Student Wastage: Age

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the non-completion rate was of students who entered higher education between the ages of (a) 18 and 20, (b) 21 and 25,...

      Student Wastage: Gender

      To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (1) what estimate he has made of the non-completion rate of (a) male and (b) female students, broken down by number of...

  • Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

    • Angola: Democracy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the attitude of the Government of Angola towards (a) a free press, (b) unbiased...

    • Departments: Air Conditioning

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by his Department and its agencies on the hire of mobile air conditioning units in each of the last five years.

      Departments: Flint Bishop

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have made payment to Flint Bishop Solicitors since 1997.

      Departments: Legislation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legislative provisions introduced by his Department since 1997 have not yet been brought into force.

      Departments: Legislation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legislative provisions introduced by his Department since 1997 have been repealed.

      Departments: Private Education

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on providing education in independent schools for the children of employees of his Department (a) who are...

      Departments: Visits Abroad

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many overseas visits were made by (a) officials and (b) Ministers within his responsibility, and at what cost, in each...

      Entry Clearances: Health Professions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many medical students from non-EEA countries applied for visas to complete training in the UK in each of the last five...

      EU Reform: Treaties

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which areas he expects qualified majority voting to replace unanimity under the new European Constitutional Treaty.

      European Council

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a document containing proposals relating to the decisions taken at the European Council on 21 and 22 June, referred to...

      European Council

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2007, Official Report, column 251W, on the European Council, when the Presidency Conclusions...

      Iraq: Oil

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has consulted major UK oil companies on contracts for them in Iraq.

      Iraq: Oil

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when officials from his Department first received a copy of the draft Iraqi oil law.

      Iraq: Peace-keeping Operations

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Iraq Commission's report on the future of British policy in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

      Italy: Diplomatic Service

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to (a) the answer of 16 April 2007, Official Report, column 37W, on Italy: diplomatic service, and (b) evidence...

      Russia: Sanctions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to inform the House when he (a) relaxes and (b) varies any of the sanctions against Russia to which he...

      Sudan: Sanctions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the current UK and EU sanctions against Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

      Taiwan: Nuclear Power

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of Taiwan on its plan to expand its civil nuclear energy programme.

      Tibet: Passports

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK recognised the validity of Tibetan passports for travel to the UK before the Chinese invasion of Tibet.

      Uganda: Politics and Government

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he made of the transition to multi-party democracy in Uganda; what reports he has received that the old...

      UK Membership of EC: Ethnic Groups

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what campaigns her Department has commissioned to raise awareness of the effect of membership of the European Union for the...

  • Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

    • Departments: Equality

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what response his Department has made to the Commission for Racial Equality's assessment of its Race Equality Scheme;...

    • Departments: Equality

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) what action his Department has taken to mainstream the impact assessment and consultation arrangements set out...

      Energy Supply: Meters

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) what consideration will be made in the forthcoming consultation on smart meters of the potential introduction of...

      Energy Supply: Meters

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how the roll-out of smart meters in the UK is planned to be funded.

      Energy Supply: Russia

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the net value of traded energy stocks was between Russia and the UK in the latest year for which figures are...

      Energy Supply: Russia

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what percentage of energy used in the UK is imported from Russia; and what types of energy are imported from that country.

      Industrial Diseases: Compensation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much has been refunded by firms of solicitors who abused the terms of payment in respect of the Miners'...

      Industrial Disputes: Arbitration

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate his Department has made of the cost to (a) the Government, (b) businesses and (c) employees of making...

      Industrial Disputes: Arbitration

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations his Department has received from trade unions on mediation in employment disputes.

      Industrial Disputes: Arbitration

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether his Department holds figures on the proportion of employees which work for the same company following the...

      Industrial Disputes: Small Businesses

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment his Department has made of the costs and benefits of compulsory mediation in employment disputes...

      Post Office Card Account

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many adults without access to a bank account have a Post Office Card Account.

      Regional Development Agencies: Flint Bishop

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether each regional development agency has made payments to Flint Bishop solicitors since 1997.

      Severn Barrage

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether primary legislation will be required to implement any proposal to build a Severn tidal barrage.

  • House of Lords

    • Airports: Sale of Liquids

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment they have made of whether liquids packaged in units of more than one litre sold at a United Kingdom airport duty-free location have been produced,...

    • Armed Forces: Coroners' Inquests

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 13 June (WA 259-60), how many meetings the inquest cell has held to review the Ministry of Defence's processes for...

      Army: Tour Intervals

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 26 June (WA 123), what plans have been made to ensure that the operational tour interval for Army battalions...

      Common Agricultural Policy: Single Farm Payment

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Following the introduction of the 2005 single farm payment scheme, whether they have made or are planning any redundancies within the Department for Environment,...

      Compensation: Flagrant Injustice

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have proposals to restore the Secretary of State for Justice's powers, previously held by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to award...

      Cyprus: British Troops

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the accommodation at the Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia now used by British forces forming part of the United Nations force is safe to be used according to...

      Energy: Carbon Dioxide

      asked Her Majesty's Government: In view of the financial support which the Carbon Trust receives from the Government, what representations they are making to the trust to encourage it to advance...

      Energy: Renewables

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have proposals to provide a substantial cash award to companies that introduce wind turbine, solar panels and other linked technologies to achieve...

      Hedges

      asked Her Majesty's Government: What assessment has been made of the workings of the regulations concerning tall hedges.

      Railways: Procurement

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether their procurement of railway services or equipment complies with the Official Journal of the European Union requirements in circumstances where the lead...

      Roads: Motorway Gantries

      asked Her Majesty's Government: When the motorway gantry traffic information system messages were last evaluated for accuracy and timeliness.

      Traffic Commissioners

      asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they propose to respond to the annual report of the Traffic Commissioners 2005-06.

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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