Order Book Part 1

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Session 1999-2000
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Wednesday 19 January 2000

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 19 January of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.

Notes:
* Indicates a Question for Oral Answer.
+ Indicates a Question not included in the random selection process but accepted because the quota for that day had not been filled.
[N] Indicates a Question for Written Answer on a named day, i.e. the Member has indicated under S.O. No. 22(4) the day on which he wishes the Question to be answered.
[R] Indicates that a relevant interest has been declared.

WEDNESDAY 19th JANUARY

1
N   Mr Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many tonnes of beef have been imported into the UK in each year since 1990 from (a) Argentina, (b) Uruguay, (c) Paraguay, (d) Brazil, (e) USA and (f) Canada.

(105652)

2
N   Mr Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what checks are currently carried out on beef products imported from South and North America to establish if they contain hormone growth promoters; and if he will make a statement.

(105653)

3
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105305)

4
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the financial checks which are made on companies competing for over 30 months scheme contracts.

(105293)

5
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the operational and cost consequences for farmers and the livestock trade in the North West of the decision by the Intervention Board to withdraw the Nottingham processing company from the over 30 months scheme.

(105297)

6
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement setting out the reasons why the Interventions Board terminated its contract with the Nottingham processing company for the over 30 months scheme.

(105299)

7
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement setting out the criteria employed by the Intervention Board in determining the selection of slaughterhouses to carry out the requirements of the over 30 months scheme.

(105292)

8
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what the outcome was of the Intervention Board's most recent enquiries into the financial standing of Holbeck Holdings of Kilmarnock.

(105294)

9
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement setting out the (a) policy and (b) economic reasons for paying a slaughter premium for cull cows.

(105298)

10
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what responsibility his Department has for enforcement of food safety pending the establishment of the Food Standards Agency.

(106066)

11
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which local authorities in England are serving British beef on their school menus.

(106038)

12
   Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the average subsidy paid to each British farmer in the last year for which figures are available.

(105991)

13
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105303)

14
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what (a) public and (b) Lottery funds were used in connection with the Millennium River of Fire; and if he will make a statement.

(105904)

15
   Mr Christopher Fraser (Mid Dorset and North Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement on transport arrangements for the Dome celebrations on New Year's Eve 1999.

(105980)

16
   Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what arrangements he has made for public consultation regarding his Department's review of digital television subtitling targets.

(105985)

17
   Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the timescale is for his Department's review of digital television subtitling targets; and when he expects the review to be completed.

(105984)

18
   Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if his Department's review of television subtitling targets will include analogue television.

(105987)

19
   Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish the findings of his Department's review of digital television subtitling targets when it is completed.

(105986)

20
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105306)

21
   Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he will reply to the letter from the honourable Member for Falkirk West, dated 17th December 1999, referring to an unanswered letter from the Trident Ploughshares campaign, dated 31st August 1999.

(105908)

22
   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proposals are currently being considered by his Department to help to sustain and develop the viability of rural and urban sub post offices.

(105906)

23
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Special Investigation Bureau investigators are currently employed and at what locations; and by how many he will expand the service following the enactment of the Armed Forces Discipline Bill.

(105649)

24
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he or his officials have held with the German Government about the deployment of additional troops from (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Briatin to British garrisons in Germany.

(105647)

25
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list by (a) service, (b) rank or grade and (c) location of workplace the numbers of qualified lawyers working for his Department.

(105651)

26
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the locations of courts martial centres.

(105650)

27
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what safeguards have been offered to ensure that the UK maintains control over the sale of Meteor missiles as part of the package with Eurofighter Typhoons to third countries.

(105648)

28
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the fees his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies collect; how much has been raised or it is anticipated will be raised from each of these fees from 1989-90 to 2004-05; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure.

(105997)

29
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105308)

30
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what recent guidance he has issued to further education colleges on the use of agency staff; and what plans he has to evaluate the impact of the use of agency staff on (a) the quality, reliability and professional development of staff and (b) on student retention and achievement.

(104848)

31
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his Answer of 11th January to the honourable Member for Rotherham, Official Report, columns 148-52, concerning local education authority administrative costs, if he will publish on a cost per pupil basis the expenditure on administration for each local education authority listed.

(105300)

32
   Dr Stephen Ladyman (South Thanet):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the findings of the 1998-99 annual report of the Special Educational Needs Tribunal on cases involving autism.

(105914)

33
   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the impact of planned OFSTED inspections of childminders on the provision of childminding services.

(105988)

34
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is the procedure which must be followed by local education authorities before closing special needs schools; who makes the final decision in such instances; and if he will make a statement.

(105577)

35
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105312)

36
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what studies his Department has undertaken of the numbers of cases at international airports over the last 10 years when civil airline accidents on take-off or departure have resulted in ground fatalities.

(105981)

37
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he intends to make a decision on the mixed oxide fuel plant in advance of the publication of the Green Paper on the management of radioactive waste; and if he will make a statement.

(105573)

38
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what are the Government's objectives in the forthcoming negotiations on the Biosafety Protocol in Montreal; and if he will make a statement.

(105574)

39
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what arrangements have been put in place to ensure that operation of the London Underground under a public-private partnership is subject to the provisions of the Customer Charter respecting compensation for delays experienced by passengers.

(106071)

40
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, to what extent a full service has been provided on the Jubilee Line extension since its opening.

(106072)

41
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the applications he has received in connection with the Rail Passenger Partnership from Merseyside.

(105890)

42
   Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list those local authorities where the amount of green belt land exceeds (a) 90 per cent. and (b) 75 per cent. of the total land area of the local authorities.

(105907)

43
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the fees his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies collect; how much has been raised or it is anticipated will be raised from each of these fees from 1989-90 to 2004-05; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure.

(106002)

44
   Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which overseas distribution systems his Department is reviewing as part of its review of local government grant distribution systems; and when changes in the grant system will be introduced.

(105917)

45
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what training staff in his Department have received on the implications of the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales on their work in giving advice in response to inquiries.

(106069)

46
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will discuss with the Franchising Director a requirement that in the next round of railway franchises for services between (a) Holyhead and Crewe and (b) Cardiff and Crewe, companies are required to tender on the basis of at least two through-train services between Holyhead and Cardiff each day.

[R] (105888)

47
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105309)

48
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the implications of a company becoming the subject of a company voluntary arrangement under the Insolvency Act for that company's ability to compete for public contracts.

(105296)

49
   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the impact of the working families tax credit on the income of a couple, both earning the minimum wage, and with two children under 11 years, where one parent works full-time and the other (a) full-time and (b) 16 hours per week.

(106100)

50
   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the impact of the working families tax credit on the income of a couple, both earning the minimum wage, with two children under 11 years, where one parent works full-time and the other works (a) full-time and (b) 16 hours per week if the income were divided equally and the credit calculated on each half.

(106101)

51
   Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the impact of the working families tax credit on the income of a single parent, with two children under the age of 11 years, earning the minimum wage and working (a) full-time and (b) 16 hours per week.

(106099)

52
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the fees his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies collect; how much has been raised or it is anticipated will be raised from each of these fees from 1989-90 to 2004-05; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure.

(106001)

53
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to ensure that students required to undertake a fourth year at law school after taking their first degree will continue to be eligible for vocational training relief after September 2000.

(106044)

54
   John Austin (Erith and Thamesmead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Argentinian government regarding access by the Stanley-registered schooner 'Golden Fleece' to the port of Ushuaia; and if he will make a statement.

(106077)

55
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105302)

56
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received concerning the Vishwa Hindu Parishad Organisation's attack on a Christian meeting in India; and if he will make a statement.

(105576)

57
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what is his policy on extending the arms embargo on Indonesia; and if he will make a statement.

(105578)

58
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the fees his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies collect; how much has been raised or it is anticipated will be raised from each of these fees from 1989-90 to 2004-05; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure.

(106000)

59
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105313)

60
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has for further action to restrain the use of anonymised data extracted from prescription forms; and if he will make a statement on the ownership of the data contained in prescription forms.

(106061)

61
   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to regulate the independent foster care home sector in respect of (a) quality of care provided and (b) charges to local authorities.

(105911)

62
   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the independent foster care home sector with regard to quality of care and cost to local authorities.

(105912)

63
   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the levels of charges made for the provision of foster care by (a) the independent foster care home sector and (b) local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

(105910)

64
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hospitals have notified his Department of problems relating to pseudomonas in each of the last five years.

(105883)

65
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance he gives hospitals on pseudomonas; and if he will make a statement.

(105885)

66
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have died as a result of pseudomonas contracted (a) in NHS hospitals and (b) elsewhere in each of the last five years.

(105884)

67
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many cases of pseudomonas have reported to his Department in each of the last five years in each health authority in England and Wales.

(105882)

68
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance he has issued to health authorities and hospital trusts on combating pseudomonas on NHS premises.

(105886)

69
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many press releases were issued by his Department in each year since 1995.

(105915)

70
   Dr Stephen Ladyman (South Thanet):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the findings of the 1998-99 Annual Report of the Special Educational Needs Tribunal on cases involving autism.

(105913)

71
   Mr Eric Pickles (Brentwood and Ongar):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 11th January, Official Report, column 143W, how much of the new money for support of health authorities dealing with meningococcal Group C was a transfer of money from under-used resources in the BCG vaccination programme.

(105902)

72
   Mr Eric Pickles (Brentwood and Ongar):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 11th January, Official Report, column 143W, how the resources allocated to the BCG vaccination programme are being used.

(105903)

73
   Mr Ian Stewart (Eccles):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the second stage of the meningitis C vaccination programme for one to five year olds will commence.

(105892)

74
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many 24 hour accident and emergency departments there were in the West Midlands region on (a) 31st December 1970 and (b) 31st December 1999.

(105989)

75
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of the total NHS budget in the current financial year is accounted for by (a) administration, (b) the purchase of drugs, (c) remuneration of medically-qualified staff and (d) research into improved techniques and treatments; and what the percentages were in 1970.

(105995)

76
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the total budget of the NHS in the current financial year, expressed in pounds per head of the population; and what the corresponding figures are for (a) the Netherlands, (b) Belgium, (c) France and (d) Germany.

(105990)

77
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the fees his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies collect; how much has been raised or it is anticipated will be raised from each of these fees from 1989-90 to 2004-05; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure.

(105998)

78
   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne and Sheppey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the NHS's prescribing policies in relation to Aricept of (a) West Kent Health Authority, (b) Thames Gateway NHS Trust and (c) general practitioners in the Sittingbourne and Sheppey constituency.

(106050)

79
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105301)

80
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with respect to the draft of the Data Protection (Crown Appointments) Order 1999, for what reasons it is proposed to make personal data about the Provost of Eton, the Poet Laureate and the Astronomer Royal subject to an exemption.

(106060)

81
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the phrase, any imposition of a similar nature, used in his Answer of 8th April 1998, Official Report, column 262, has the same meaning as in paragraph 10.5(f) of the White Paper on Interception of Communications in the United Kingdom (Cm 4368).

(106059)

82
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with respect to the draft of the Data Protection (Processing of Sensitive Personal Data) Order 1999, for what reasons each exemption is necessary; if he will provide examples illustrating the distinction between public interest and substantial public interest wherever the latter term is used in the Order; what discussions he had on paragraph 5 of the Order with those authorities responsible for advising the Government on matters relating to genetics; and if he has notified the European Commission of the effect of the Order.

(106058)

83
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will grant an amnesty to Mr Ronnie Biggs on grounds of the state of his health to enable him to return to the UK; and if he will make a statement.

(106073)

84
   Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will instruct the Immigration Control Department Management Unit at the Whitgift Centre, Croydon, to reply immediately to the letter about Mrs Sardj Goswami of Oadby, Leicestershire, dated 23rd October 1999, from the honourable Member for Harborough to Moira Bing.

(105982)

85
   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what reports he has received on the effect of changes in national insurance contributions on police staffing levels in England in 2000-01.

(105891)

86
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what investigations he has carried out into (a) the quality of accommodation and (b) the value for money offered by accommodation for refugees in the United Kingdom.

(105575)

87
   Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the total cost to public funds of asylum seekers awaiting determination of their case in each of the last five years.

(105993)

88
   Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average waiting time for asylum seekers between arrival in the United Kingdom and determination of their case, in each of the last five years.

(105994)

89
   Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers are awaiting determination of their case; and how many were awaiting determination at the end of each of the last five years.

(105992)

90
   Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in each of the last five years, how many applications for settlement were (a) made, (b) decided on and (c) outstanding at the year end; and what was the average time taken to process an application in each year.

(106047)

91
   Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in each of the last five years, how many applications for naturalisation were (a) made, (b) decided on and (c) outstanding at the year end; and what was the average time taken to process an application in each year.

(106046)

92
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the fees his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies collect; how much has been raised or it is anticipated will be raised from each of these fees from 1989-90 to 2004-05; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure.

(105999)

93
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the impact of (a) WTO rules and (b) multinational pharmaceutical companies' policies on patents in relation to development work on combating HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

(105905)

94
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in each year since 1991 how many (a) Parliamentary Counsel, (b) senior draftsmen and (c) other draftsmen have been engaged at the Law Commission on consolidation work.

(105646)

95
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what progress has been made in the consolidation of the three Service Discipline Acts commenced in July 1991; and when he expects the work to be completed.

(105645)

96
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what written material on the Human Rights Act 1998 has been prepared for judges; and if he will place copies in the Library.

(103830)

97
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what the budget is for judicial training in Northern Ireland on the Human Rights Act 1998.

(103829)

98
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for what reason the police did not contact the Committee on the Administration of Justice seeking originals of threats for forensic examination until some days after Mrs Rosemary Nelson was killed

(103821)

99
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for what reason the figures for compensation paid by the Police Authority indicated at the foot of claims against the Chief Constable were omitted from this year's Annual Report; and if he will instruct the Police Authority to provide this information to all recipients of their annual report.

(103822)

100
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will estimate the (a) cost of compensation and (b) legal costs incurred as a result of claims against the Chief Constable, including the costs of the Crown Solicitor's Office, in each year from 1985 to date.

(103823)

101
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps have been taken by the Northern Ireland Office to prepare for the implementation of the Human Rights Act 1998 in Northern Ireland; and what specific training opportunities have been organised.

(103824)

102
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for what reasons the Northern Ireland Office is not participating in the Government's Human Rights Task Force.

(103825)

103
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what written guidance on the Human Rights Act 1998 has been prepared by the Northern Ireland Office; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

(103826)

104
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which individual in the Northern Ireland Office has been tasked with responsibility for implementing the Human Rights Act 1998.

(103827)

105
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he has received the review of the working of the Parades Commission; and if he will place a copy of the review in the Library.

(103828)

106
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what training (a) has been undertaken and (b) is planned for the future, relating to the Human Rights Act 1998 for (i) the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and (ii) the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

(103831)

107
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what written material on the Human Rights Act 1998 has been provided to (a) the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and (b) the Northern Ireland Civil Service; and if he will place copies in the Library.

(103832)

108
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what arrangements have been made to prepare non-departmental public bodies for the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998.

(103833)

109
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what arrangements have been made to review policy and practice within departments in order to ensure full compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998; and what arrangements have been made to do this in (a) the Northern Ireland Office and (b) the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

(103834)

110
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what additional resources have been made available to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for consultation on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

(103835)

111
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what positions, rank and postings were held by the Chief Constable of the RUC in each of the years 1988 and 1989.

(105654)

112
   Mr William Ross (East Londonderry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many legally-held (a) handguns of over .22 calibre and (b) rifles of over .22 calibre have been stolen from private individuals, excluding police and prison officers, in Northern Ireland, and how many such weapons were stolen from members of (i) the armed forces, (ii) the police and police reserves and (iii) prison officers, in each of the last 10 years.

(106064)

113
   Mr William Ross (East Londonderry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many crimes were committed in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years in which legally-held (a) shotguns, (b) .22 rifles, (c) .22 handguns, (d) fullbore handguns and (e) fullbore rifles were used by (i) their legal owners and (ii) others.

(106065)

114
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will list the fees his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies collect; how much has been raised or it is anticipated will be raised from each of these fees from 1989-90 to 2004-05; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure.

(105996)

115
   Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will institute an inquiry into the reported remark by a civil servant to an Evening Standard employee concerning the consequences of the health correspondent continuing particular investigations; and if there are official guidelines concerning the acceptability of such remarks.

(106037)

116
   Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Prime Minister, if those dealing with the media in (a) his Office and (b) other ministerial offices, (i) ever, (ii) routinely and (iii) always record conversations with journalists; and for what period (1) unofficial and (2) official recordings are preserved.

(106036)

117
   Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make it his policy to answer questions on the different Government charges and taxes on students at universities throughout the United Kingdom.

(105979)

118
N   Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the names of those who attended the inaugural meeting of the British-Irish Council, together with the names of their parliaments or assemblies; when and where the Council will next meet; and if he will make a statement.

(105572)

119
N   Sir Peter Tapsell (Louth and Horncastle):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday, 19th January.

(105232)

120
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Prime Minister, how many people have been recruited to the Civil Service since 1st May 1997; and how many have left the Civil Service since that date.

(105975)

121
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105310)

122
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105311)

123
   Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when he will reply to the letter of 22nd September 1999 from the honourable Member for Harborough to the honourable Member for Wallasey on behalf of the estate of Mr A. J. H. Boulter of Wigston, Leicestershire.

(105983)

124
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what representations he has received concerning the Government's plans to switch payments from benefits and pension books to bank transfers and the impact of this change on local post offices; and if he will make a statement.

(106041)

125
   Laura Moffatt (Crawley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what benefit arrangements exist for retired people awaiting assessment of retirement pension.

(105909)

126
   Laura Moffatt (Crawley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will make a statement on the timescale for the assessment and payment of pension on retirement.

(105936)

127
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what recent arrangements he has put in place to advertise the winter fuel payments for the elderly; and what percentage of those entitled to the payment have received it in the last three months.

(106045)

128
N   Mr Tony Worthington (Clydebank and Milngavie):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what proposals he has to improve the diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases, especially in areas with a high prevalence of such disease.

(104827)

129
N   Mr Tony Worthington (Clydebank and Milngavie):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will ask the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council to consider whether lung cancer should be classified as a prescribed industrial disease in cases where significant asbestos-related work history is combined with unprotected exposure to asbestos dust.

(104778)

130
N   Mr Tony Worthington (Clydebank and Milngavie):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what advice he has received from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on the relationship between lung cancer and significant asbestos exposure in the absence of asbestosis.

(104779)

131
N   Mr Tony Worthington (Clydebank and Milngavie):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what reports he has received on the reliability and sensitivity of CT scans and Chest X-rays in indicating the presence of asbestos-related disease.

(104826)

132
N   Mr Tony Worthington (Clydebank and Milngavie):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what support his Department offers to victims of (a) pneumoconiosis and (b) an asbestos-related disease.

(104828)

133
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105307)

134
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list those properties held by his Department and agencies responsible to him which are (a) wholly and (b) mainly unoccupied at present, giving locations and when they became so unoccupied in each case.

(105304)

135
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will quantify the impact of a minimum wage increase to (a) £4, (b) £4.50 and (c) £5 per hour on (i) employment, (ii) price levels and (iii) government expenditure.

(105916)

136
   Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list by (a) type of equipment and (b) date of export the (i) military aircraft, (ii) light tanks and (iii) armoured vehicles which have been exported from the United Kingdom to Indonesia (a) from January 1998 to 16th September 1999 and (b) from 17th September 1999 to date.

(105889)

137
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the date is of the most recent documents received by Companies House concerning the financial standing of Holbeck Holdings of Kilmarnock.

(105295)

138
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many post offices and sub post offices there were in England in May 1997, 1998 and 1999; and what the projected figure is for 2000.

(106042)

139
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the impact that switching payments from benefits and pensions books to bank transfers will have on local post offices and sub-post offices.

(106076)

140
   Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what action has been taken since May 1997 by each of the research councils to improve participation, retention and progression in science of (a) women and (b) members of the ethnic minorities.

(106052)

141
   Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the extent to which the objectives set out in the report of the Committee on Women in Science and Technology, The Rising Tide, have been met.

(106051)

142
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if the payment of compensation to ex-coalminers and their widows in respect of emphysema and chronic bronchitis includes an element of compensation for pain and suffering; and if he will make a statement.

(106074)

143
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what training staff in his Department have received on the implications of the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales on their work in giving advice in response to inquiries.

(106070)

144
   Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will discuss with the First Secretary proposals for the introduction of social deprivation factors into the funding of the NHS in Wales.

(105887)

145
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the (a) European Commission and (b) UK representative office in Brussels on spending on the Objective One programme in 2000 and the criteria for Wales taking up its full entitlement of such funding; and if he will make a statement.

(106062)

146
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list (a) the number of staff and (b) their grades in the Wales Office in London.

(106068)

147
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what is the budget for his Department, including the budget for the National Assembly, in the financial years 2000-01 and 2001-02; and what was the outturn spending in (a) 1998-99 and (b) 1999-2000.

(106063)

148
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the official engagements of the Under Secretary in the Wales Office for the period 10th to 23rd January.

(106067)

149
N   Mr Alan W. Williams (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he has discussed with Treasury Ministers the introduction of the working families tax credit in Wales.

(103497)

150
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many teachers are in the salary bands (a) less than £10,000, (b) £10,000 to £12,500, (c) £12,500 to £15,000, (d) £15,000 to £17,500, (e) £17,500 to £20,000, (f) £20,000 to £22,500, (g) £22,500 to £25,000, (h) £25,000 to £30,000, (i) £30,000 to £35,000, (j) £35,000 to £40,000, (k) £40,000 to £45,000, (l) £45,000 to £50,000, (m) £50,000 to £55,000, (n) £55,000 to £60,000 and (o) more than £60,000.

[Transferred] (106048)

151
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many employees in the police are in the salary bands (a) less than £10,000, (b) £10,000 to £12,500, (c) £12,500 to £15,000, (d) £15,000 to £17,500, (e) £17,500 to £20,000, (f) £20,000 to £22,500, (g) £22,500 to £25,000, (h) £25,000 to £30,000, (i) £30,000 to £35,000, (j) £35,000 to £40,000, (k) £40,000 to £45,000, (l) £45,000 to £50,000, (m) £50,000 to £55,000, (n) £55,000 to £60,000 and (o) more than £60,000.

[Transferred] (106049)

152
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many employees in the NHS are in the salary bands (a) less than £10,000, (b) £10,000 to £12,500, (c) £12,500 to £15,000, (d) £15,000 to £17,500, (e) £17,500 to £20,000, (f) £20,000 to £22,500, (g) £22,500 to £25,000, (h) £25,000 to £30,000, (i) £30,000 to £35,000, (j) £35,000 to £40,000, (k) £40,000 to £45,000, (l) £45,000 to £50,000, (m) £50,000 to £55,000, (n) £55,000 to £60,000 and (o) more than £60,000.

[Transferred] (106003)