Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 2002 - 03
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Wednesday 22 January 2003

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 22 January 2003, 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 22nd JANUARY

1   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many empty homes his Department had five years ago, by region; if he will establish an empty homes strategy within his Department; and if he will set a target for reduction in empty homes.

(92922)

2
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what powers he has to ensure that local authority income from the sales of schools and community buildings is invested in the community on specific projects.

(92341)

3
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what discussions he has held with the Housing Corporation concerning the funding of new developments through housing cooperatives; and if he will make a statement.

(92342)

4
N   Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what discussions he has held with the Housing Corporation on the provision of adequate funding for the rehabilitation of street properties.

(92343)

5   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many appeals he has received from mobile phone companies to erect transmission masts in the East Riding of Yorkshire in the last 12 months; and how many appeals were upheld.

(92907)

6   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he expects to make a decision on the planning issues concerning the proposed extension of Brent Cross shopping centre; and if he will make a statement.

(93072)

7   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he received the planning application for Thameslink 2000; what associated applications have been submitted, and on what dates; what progress has been made in relation to the (a) planning and (b) associated applications; when he expects to make a decision; and if he will make a statement.

(93073)

8   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the annual housing investment that will be needed to ensure that his target for decent homes is met.

(93098)

9   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what capital resources for housing investment have been allocated at 2002-03 prices to Birmingham City Council in each year since 1990-91.

(93097)

10   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the budget is for the Homebuy scheme for (a) the current financial year and (b) 2003-04; and what his forecast is for spend as a percentage of budget by 31st March.

(92785)

11
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to review the revenue supply grant settlement for South Somerset District Council for 2003-04; and if he will make a statement.

(92296)

12   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what reasons underlie the delay in awarding firefighters with their Golden Jubilee medals; and if he will make a statement.

(92841)

13   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the uses were of the change in spending in the Spring Supplementary Estimates 2001-02, Cm5354, section 1, subsection xix under sub head A1; and if he will make a statement.

(92794)

14   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93041)

15   Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip - Northwood): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will introduce measures to prevent the speculative purchase of agricultural land in designated green belt, its sub-division into building plots and sale on the basis of an anticipated relaxation of planning controls.

(92832)

16   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much Lottery money Haltemprice & Howden received in 2002; and what the average amount of Lottery money awarded to constituencies was in 2002.

(92913)

17
N   Nick Harvey (North Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to implement the findings from the focus groups research run by her Department since June 2001; and what recent discussions and representations she has had with stakeholders and industry to deliver policies arising from those findings.

(92719)

18   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many pensioners have claimed free television licences in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire in each year since 1997.

(93080)

19   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many cases of computer misuse there were in her Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93052)

20
N   Mr Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many working days have been lost in her Department and due to illness in each year since 1997-98.

(92718)

21   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many empty homes his Department (a) had five years ago and (b) has now, by region; if he will establish an empty homes strategy within his Department; and if he will set a target for reduction in empty homes.

(92616)

22   Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether British troops are being asked to sign disclaimer forms prior to receiving injections as part of preparations for possible deployment to the Gulf.

(92871)

23   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) professional and (b) voluntary personnel there are in the Sea Cadet Corps.

(92968)

24   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) target and (b) actual figures have been for recruitment into (a) the Royal Naval Reserve and (b) the Royal Marines Reserve in each of the past five years.

(92965)

25   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the specialist (a) anti-aircraft, (b) anti-ship and (c) anti-submarine capabilities of each class of (i) frigate and (ii) destroyer (A) being built and (B) already deployed by the Royal Navy.

(92900)

26   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the role and structure of the Universities' Royal Naval Units.

(92959)

27   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) target and (b) actual recruitment figures have been for Fleet Air Arm (i) pilots and (ii) other personnel in each of the past five years.

(92963)

28   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) professional and (b) voluntary personnel are in the Royal Naval Reserve.

(92970)

29   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Royal Navy resources are allocated to duties in respect of Northern Ireland.

(92972)

30   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what modifications his Department has made to (a) Royal Naval and (b) Royal Marines tactical doctrine since 11th September 2001.

(92901)

31   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the (a) Royal Naval and (b) Royal Marines shore establishments which have been (i) taken out of and (ii) brought into service since May 1997.

(92960)

32   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) male and (b) female personnel there have been in (i) the Royal Navy and (ii) the Royal Marines in each year since 1997, broken down into (A) officers and (B) other ranks.

(92973)

33   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the role and structure of the Sea Cadet Corps.

(92967)

34   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on multi-national training programmes with allied forces for (a) the Royal Navy and (b) the Royal Marines.

(92971)

35   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Royal Navy resources are allocated to training former Eastern Bloc countries' armed forces.

(92897)

36   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what provision his Department has made to fill the capability gap which will result from the withdrawal of the sea harriers.

(92899)

37   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Royal Navy resources are allocated to combating (a) piracy and (b) drug-trafficking; and in which theatres.

(92896)

38   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the Royal naval vessels (a) scrapped, (b) sold, together with revenue received and (c) downgraded to reserve status in each of the past five years.

(92961)

39   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on educational opportunities for (a) officers and (b) other ranks in (i) the Royal Navy and (ii) the Royal Marines.

(92975)

40   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the changed roles of (a) the RNR and (b) the RMR since 11th September 2001.

(92966)

41   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Royal Navy resources are allocated to meet commitments in (a) the Balkans, (b) Cyprus and (c) Sierra Leone.

(92893)

42   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) target and (b) actual recruitment figures have been for the Royal Marines in each of the past five years.

(92964)

43   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Afro-Caribbean and (b) Asian ethnic minority personnel there have been in (i) the Royal Navy and (ii) the Royal Marines in each year since 1997, broken down into (A) officers and (B) other ranks.

(92974)

44   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the Royal Naval vessels which have entered service in each of the past five years.

(92962)

45   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the main current deployments of the Royal Marines.

(92895)

46   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the role and structure of the Royal Naval Reserve.

(92969)

47   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on (a) the current and (b) the future projected roles of the Royal Navy's (i) Merlin, (ii) Sea King and (iii) Lynx helicopters.

(92898)

48   Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his (a) current and (b) expected warship orders are for the Royal Navy by 2015; and what their scheduled completion dates are.

(92894)

49   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many soldiers from what regiments have been (a) killed and (b) injured at the Sennybridge Range in each year since 1990; what safety recommendations were made by the Special Investigation Branch and HSE on each occasion; and what steps he has taken to ensure these were acted upon.

(92783)

50   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with (a) France and (b) Germany on (i) co-operation in military action against Iraq and (ii) a European Union military force against Iraq.

(92926)

51   Mr Simon Thomas (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the impact of the UK's ratification of the Statute of the International Criminal Court on UK forces' scope for action in the event of any military intervention in Iraq.

(92891)

52   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many reservists working in the NHS have been called up to serve in Iraq; and whether the hospital trusts concerned have been informed.

(93031)

53   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many reservists are working in the NHS (a) as doctors, (b) as nurses, (c) as paramedics and (d) in professions allied to medicine.

(93029)

54   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93050)

55   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many shortage subject bursaries has been awarded to new further education lecturers; and what changes he plans in the scheme for these bursaries.

(92762)

56   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the ratio between students and lecturers in the further education sector was in each of the last three years expressed in terms of full-time equivalents for both students and lecturers; and what ratio is projected for the next two years.

(92831)

57   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many empty homes his Department (a) had five years ago and (b) has now, by region; if he will establish an empty homes strategy within his Department; and if he will set a target for reduction in empty homes.

(92923)

58   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) applications and (b) available places there were for schools in the East Riding for (i) the next academic year (ii) the current academic year and (iii) the last three academic years.

(92914)

59   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the Government's targets are for nursery school places for each local education authority; and how many local education authorities have met this target.

(92850)

60   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the class sizes of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Haltemprice and Howden for the current academic year.

(92852)

61   Dr Stephen Ladyman (South Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what training Ofsted inspectors have received in respect of duties imposed on schools by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001.

(92995)

62   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many teachers were employed in schools in (a) Shropshire and (b) Shrewsbury and Atcham in each year since 1997.

(93019)

63   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list building improvement projects and their value in each school in Shrewsbury and Atcham in each year since 2001.

(93082)

64   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many and what percentage of Torbay Unitary Authority primary school pupils have gained selective secondary school places in the last three years for which figures are available.

(92932)

65   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many selective place secondary school pupils from outside the Torbay Unitary Authority attended (a) Churston, (b) Torquay Boys' and (c) Torquay Girls' Grammar Schools in each of the last three years; what percentage of the school roll this represented; and how many pupils and what percentage of the selective stream entry came from outside the Torbay Unitary Authority attending Westlands School in each of the last three years.

(92933)

66   Bob Spink (Castle Point): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what action he is taking to increase the provision of technical craft skills training for (a) plumbing, (b) mechanics, (c) construction and (d) joinery.

(92780)

67   Bob Spink (Castle Point): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make it his policy to ensure that technical craft skills for trades are available to young people in South East Essex.

(92781)

68   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93044)

69   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate & Knaresborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether his Department has released free school meals figures for individual secondary schools to organisations for research purposes within the last 12 months.

(92833)

70   David Wright (Telford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the development of the literacy and numeracy strategies.[R]

(92988)

71   Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth & Camborne): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the incidence of bovine TB in cattle in Cornwall.

(92826)

72   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action the Government intends to take to discourage the resumption of commercial whaling by Iceland; and if she will make a statement.

(93067)

73   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action the Government will take to discourage the killing of dolphins and porpoises by Japan this year; and if she will make a statement.

(93068)

74   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she intends to take to persuade Norway to desist from catching whales; and if she will make a statement.

(93069)

75   Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action the Government is taking to ensure that no commercial whale hunting will resume within EU waters; if the Government will take steps to ensure that EU waters are made a whale sanctuary; and if she will make a statement.

(93070)

76
N   Mr A.J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to promote the recycling of plastic bottles.

(89808)

77
N   Mr David Cameron (Witney): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received about the proposed EU directive requiring all equids to have passports; and if he will make a statement.

(91829)

78   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many empty homes her Department (a) had five years ago and (b) has now, by region; if she will establish an empty homes strategy within her Department; and if she will set a target for reduction in empty homes.

(92919)

79
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the amount of fallen stock in terms of (a) weight and (b) species in the UK in each of the last twelve months.

(92167)

80
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the average cost was for rendering fallen stock in the last year for which figures are available.

(92168)

81
N   Andrew George (St Ives): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many working days have been lost in her Department and its predecessors due to illness in each year since 1997-98.

(92717)

82   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Association of British Insurers about problems experienced by householders in the KT postcode areas in obtaining flood insurance since 3rd January.

(93001)

83   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which (a) agencies and (b) authorities are responsible for (i) flood prevention, (ii) flood management and (iii) remedial action in respect of the village of Pitton in Wiltshire; what their functions are; and if she will make a statement.

(92758)

84   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Environment Agency will reply to the letter from Mr Ron Hanas to the Chief Executive, of 11th November 2002 on BNFL; and what action the Agency has taken.

(92951)

85   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will reply to the letter of Mr Ron Hanas dated 11th November 2002, concerning environmental legislation and regulations by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd; and what action she proposes to take.

(92952)

86   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Sites of Special Scientific Interest there were in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire for each year since 1997.

(93075)

87   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much the mailshot on the Horticulture Research International, dated 20th January cost, broken down into (a) postage, (b) publication and (c) envelopes.

(93018)

88   Patrick Mercer (Newark): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what measures are in place to prevent the flooding of properties along the Trent in Nottinghamshire; and what financial provision has been made for flood defence in Nottinghamshire in 2003-04.

(92858)

89   Patrick Mercer (Newark): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total estimated financial cost of flood damage in Nottinghamshire was for 2002-03

(92856)

90   Mr Gwyn Prosser (Dover): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many live sheep were exported from Dover to continental Europe on (a) 10th January and (b) 14th January on the Omega Livestock; when and where health certification was carried out in respect of the sheep; how many of the sheep were rejected as unfit for the intended journey (i) during inspection for health certification purposes and (ii) at Dover docks, and to where those sheep were taken; and what the address was of the final destination given on the route plan for each of the consignments.

(92978)

91   Mr Gwyn Prosser (Dover): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many live sheep were exported from Dover to continental Europe on 10th January 2003 on the ALDA K; when and where health certification was carried out in respect of the sheep; how many of the sheep were rejected as unfit for the intended journey (a) during inspection for health certification purposes and (b) at Dover docks, and to where those sheep were taken; and what the address was of the final destination given on the route plan for each of the consignments.

(92977)

92   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the International Fund for Animal Welfare regarding hunting; and if she will make a statement.

(92998)

93   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the cost of (a) setting up and (b) running the Environment Agency website, What's in Your Back Yard? is; how many users on average it has attracted per month; and if she will make a statement.

(92796)

94   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many cases of computer misuse there were in her Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93040)

95
N   Mr Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much fallen stock by (a) species, (b) region and (c) month was rendered in each year since 1997.

(92166)

96   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what provision he has made for financing an attack on Iraq.

(92976)

97   Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East & Mexborough): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average length of time is which it takes for a new applicant to receive working families tax credit; and how much back-dating of working families tax credit is allowable.

(92892)

98   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to issue a report on the new approach to investigations of company accounts.

(92816)

99   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to hold an overall review of the Private Finance Initiative process.

(92770)

100   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what the levels of UK corporate profitability were in each year since 1996.

(92819)

101   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to publish the 14 supporting studies on euro convergence before his Department's assessment of the five tests for entry to EMU.

(92818)

102   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what safeguards are in place to prevent misuse of the Inland Revenue computer database of individuals' tax records.

(92772)

103   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what reforms (a) he has made and (b) he intends to make to the procurement process of the Private Finance Initiative.

(92773)

104   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the state of manufacturing industry in the UK.

(92767)

105   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to investigate the misuse of the Inland Revenue computer database of individuals' tax records.

(92820)

106   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on whether the Pre-Budget Report predictions of fixed investment growth will be fulfilled.

(92817)

107   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of measures in place to deter breaches of accounting standards and laws by British businesses.

(92827)

108   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many days were lost to industrial action in the UK in each month since January 1991 up to the most recent date for which information is available.

(92766)

109   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what safeguards are in place to prevent breaches of the Data Protection Act 1998 by Inland Revenue staff.

(92774)

110   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to give the Financial Services Authority responsibility for investigating the accounts of companies suspected of breaching accounting standards and laws.

(92815)

111   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he (a) has had and (b) intends to have with his European counterparts concerning harmonisation of VAT and corporation tax levels as a result of Franco-German agreement concerning the future of the European Union.

(92768)

112   Mr Peter Kilfoyle (Liverpool, Walton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the policy of HM Customs to withhold from the media details of seizures, arrests, and subsequent charges.

(92997)

113   Mr Peter Kilfoyle (Liverpool, Walton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what gun and other ordnance seizures were made by HM Customs in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002, identifying (i) the weaponry seized, (ii) where it was seized, (iii) where the weaponry was hidden and (iv) subsequent arrests and charges; and what estimate he has made of the number of seizures where the weaponry was destined for organised crime gangs.

(93006)

114   Mr Peter Kilfoyle (Liverpool, Walton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many gun seizures there were at British ports by HM Customs between April 2002 and November 2002; how many arrests were made; and how many people were charged in connection with these seizures.

(92979)

115
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if his Department has completed the preliminary technical work relating to the five economic tests of the euro; and if he will make a statement.

(92080)

116
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the studies commissioned on the five economic tests for the euro, stating in each case whether each (a) has been completed, (b) is underway and (c) has yet to be started; and if he will make a statement.

(92081)

117   Mr John Lyons (Strathkelvin & Bearsden): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid in bonus payments to civil sevants in 2001-02 related to performance in his Department.

(92950)

118   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the the impact of exchange rates on small businesses in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2002.

(93010)

119   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedures are in place to ensure that revenue underspend by other government departments are (a) recognised by HM Treasury and (b) factored into decision making in future spending reviews.

(92980)

120   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 14th January, Official Report, column 514W, on home insurance, if he will publish the guidelines set out for the Financial Services Authority for their consultation on home insurance.

(93035)

121   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the growth rate of the London Stock Exchange in comparison to the other major stock exchanges of the world in the last three years.

(92984)

122   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how effective the Office of Government Commerce has been at reducing costs for HM Government.

(92982)

123   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 16th December 2002, Official Report, column 169W on Partnerships UK, what percentage of Partnerships UK is owned by HM Treasury.

(93027)

124   Mr George Osborne (Tatton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees of the Inland Revenue have been (a) subject to disciplinary action for computer misuse and (b) prosecuted for computer misuse in 2002.

(92946)

125   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual cost to businesses of new tax rises announced in the last Budget.

(92835)

126   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the principal components of the changes in the budget of HM Treasury from 2002-03 to 2005-06; and if he will make a statement.

(92791)

127   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the amounts of the capital modernisation fund allocated for financial years (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05 and (c) 2005-06; and if he will make a statement.

(92792)

128   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue yield of a 49 per cent. income tax rate on (a) taxable income and (b) gross incomes exceeding £100,000 per annum; if he will estimate in each case the (i) income tax and (ii) capital gains tax yield; and if he will make a statement.

(92775)

129   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 16th January, Official Report, column 748W, on cigarettes, what proportion of travellers who previously purchased at the indicative level were expected to increase their purchases to the new indicative level; and if he will make a statement.

(92797)

130   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will place in the Library evaluation reports on advertising campaigns conducted in each of the last five financial years by (a) National Savings and (b) the Office for National Statistics.

(92830)

131   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 16th January, Official Report, column 748W, on cigarettes, what assumptions he made regarding affordability and profitability of trips; and if he will make a statement.

(92777)

132   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 16th December 2002, Official Report, column 596W, on the Royal Mint, for what reasons the review is commercially confidential; and if he will make a statement.

(92825)

133   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of families where the principal earner has a gross income above the higher rate threshold and the gross household income is below £58,175.

(93061)

134   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of families entitled to the children's tax credit where the recipient has a gross income of between £34,515 and £42,450 and the gross household income is between £50,000 and £58,175.

(93060)

135   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93051)

136   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of families entitled to the children's tax credit where the recipient has a gross income of less than £34,515 and the gross household income exceeds £50,000.

(93058)

137   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of families entitled to the children's tax credit where the recipient has a gross income of less than £42,450 and the gross household income exceeds £58,175.

(93057)

138   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of families entitled to the children's tax credit where the recipient has a gross income of less than £34,515 and the gross household income exceeds £58,175.

(93059)

139
N   Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when (a) he and (b) ministers and officials in his Department first told the England Cricket Board that in the Government's view it would be better if the England cricket team should not go to Zimbabwe.

(92681)

140
N   Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what dates and in what form, in addition to the oral statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in Westminster Hall on 17th December 2002, Official Report, column 191WH (a) he and (b) ministers in his Department have publicly expressed the Government's view that it would be best if the England cricket team should not go to Zimbabwe.

(92682)

141   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many empty homes his Department (a) had five years ago and (b) has now, by region; if he will establish an empty homes strategy within his Department; and if he will set a target for reduction in empty homes.

(92920)

142   Mr Alan Duncan (Rutland & Melton): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the complement was of diplomatic staff in each of the Arabic-speaking capitals in the Middle East in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement.

(92934)

143   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many applications for a visa to visit family members in the UK were (a) received, (b) determined and (c) refused by entry clearance posts, in (i) 2000, (ii) 2001 and (iii) 2002.

(93093)

144   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports his Department has received on radioactive contamination of floodwaters in Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan and the risks of such contamination within Afghanistan.

(93095)

145   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many applications for a visa to visit family members in the UK were (a) received, (b) determined and (c) refused by those entry clearance posts that provide monthly statistical information in each month since 1st October 2000.

(93092)

146   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent progress has been made in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

(93013)

147   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Texan authorities regarding the pending execution of Mr John 'Jack' Elliott; and if he will make a statement.

(92788)

148   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Leader of the Government of the Cayman Islands and (b) the Cayman Islands Financial Reporting Unit on money laundering.

(92842)

149   Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the role the British Government is playing in the negotiations to unify the island of Cyprus.

(92958)

150   Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the effect Cyprus' accession to the EU will have on the status of the British sovereign bases on the island.

(92993)

151   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the interim government of Afghanistan on human rights.

(92854)

152   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93053)

153   Hugh Bayley (City of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list for each NHS acute trust and each NHS primary care trust for the latest year for which figures are available (a) the national reference cost index (Market Forces Factor adjusted), (b) the increase or decrease in funding which the trust would require if its costs were the national average and (c) the trust's surplus or deficit that year.

(93081)

154   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many transitional care beds have been created in each of the last three years in (a) each Trust and (b) England.

(92991)

155   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the delayed discharge figures; and what audit mechanisms are in place to ensure the figures are accurately collected and collated.

(92992)

156   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what definitions he uses of (a) continuing care and (b) nursing care in a person's own home; and if he will make a statement.

(92989)

157   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will set out his definition of transitional care beds.

(92990)

158
N   Patsy Calton (Cheadle): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what work is being done to ensure that stroke patients receive rapid assessment and appropriate treatment.

(92362)

159   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many empty homes his Department (a) had five years ago and (b) has now, by region; if he will establish an empty homes strategy within his Department; and if he will set a target for reduction in empty homes.

(92915)

160   Tony Cunningham (Workington): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the proposed fee increases from the Department of Health to be administered by local authorities for the provision of community care.

(92872)

161   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people waited over 12 months for an operation in Hull and the East Riding in the last year for which figures are available.

(92906)

162   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list (a) the number of patients and (b) the length of waiting time for smear test results in Hull and the East Riding in the past 12 months.

(92847)

163   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting times and the number of people waiting were for referral to (a) cancer and (b) heart specialists in the Hull and East Riding in the last 12 months.

(92845)

164   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many fully operational ambulances were stationed at each of the ambulance stations in the East Riding of Yorkshire in each year since 1997.

(92904)

165   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of patients were seen by a doctor or consultant within one hour of their arrival at accident and emergency departments in Hull and the East Riding in each of the last three years.

(92910)

166   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people waited 13 weeks or more for an out-patient appointment in Hull and the East Riding in each of the last three quarters for which figures are available.

(92912)

167   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average out-patient waiting times were for (a) Hull Royal Infirmary and (b) Castle Hill Hospital in the last quarter for which figures are available.

(92911)

168   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of fracture patients aged over 50 received an osteoporosis risk assessment in (a) Hull and the East Riding and (b) England and Wales, in the last two quarters for which figures are available.

(92909)

169   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many operations were cancelled for non-clinical reasons in Hull and the East Riding in each year since 1997; what percentage of operations were cancelled as a proportion of admissions in each year; and what is the national average for the number of operations cancelled for non-clinical reasons.

(92848)

170   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the extent to which the new National Health Service funding formula for Primary Care Trusts is governed by rural factors.

(92902)

171   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients admitted to accident and emergency departments in Hull and East Riding waited more than 12 hours before being treated in each of the last two quarters for which figures are available.

(92903)

172   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list by postcode area in Haltemprice and Howden the response times for ambulances reacting to (a) Category A and (b) Category B calls, excluding the response times of first responder vehicles, in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

(92905)

173   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many DXA scans were completed in Hull and the East Riding in 2002.

(92908)

174   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people are waiting for examinations for (a) cancer and (b) heart defects in Hull and the East Riding; and what the waiting times were in the past 12 months.

(92844)

175   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were on in-patient waiting lists for (a) Hull Royal Infirmary and (b) Castle Hill Hospital in the last month for which figures are available.

(92851)

176   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients were re-admitted to hospital as emergency cases after being discharged in Hull and the East Riding in 2002; and what the national average was for such readmissions in 2002.

(92849)

177   David Davis (Haltemprice & Howden): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients waited longer than eight weeks after being referred to a (a) cancer and (b) heart specialist by their GP in Hull and the East Riding in the past 12 months.

(92846)

178   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost was of outstanding maintenance work necessary to achieve estatecode condition B in the NHS in 2001-02, broken down into (a) fire safety and (b) health and safety costs in (i) England and (ii) each NHS region.

(92790)

179   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what he estimates his Department's total income from charges will be in (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05 and (c) 2005-06.

(92789)

180
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will publish a definition of what constitutes a specialist stroke unit; which acute hospitals (a) have such a unit and (b) are without such a unit; and which hospitals have plans approved and fully funded to open such a unit before the end of 2004.

(91822)

181   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people experienced bone fractures whilst being cared for in NHS hospitals in each of the last five years; and how many of the injured persons died whilst still in hospital.

(93100)

182   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on the distribution of delayed discharge funding, with particular reference to those local authorities who are affected by the ceiling on grant increase for services spending.

(93099)

183   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assumptions were made in the service and financial framework for the Worcestershire health economy for 2002-03 in terms of (a) anticipated additional allocations from the Department of Health during the financial year and (b) the uplift for GP prescribing budgets; if these assumptions were in line with the external advice available to those preparing the framework; and who approved the final service and financial framework.

(93007)

184   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the recent levels of delayed discharges in (a) North Yorkshire and (b) England.

(93015)

185   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting time for an appointment was for the dental access centre in Shrewsbury in each month since its inception.

(93024)

186   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients were registered with an NHS dentist in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire in each year since 1997.

(93022)

187   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients were waiting for treatment at the dental access centre in Shrewsbury in each month since it opened.

(93025)

188   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many places there were in (a) nursing and (b) residential homes for pensioners in each year since 1997 in (i) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (ii) Shropshire.

(93085)

189   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the budget overspend was in each year since 1997 in each Shropshire's NHS trust.

(93021)

190   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many free eye tests to pensioners there were in each year since 1997 in (a) Shropshire and (b) Shrewsbury & Atcham.

(93020)

191   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent guidelines he has issued to general practitioners on accepting asylum seekers; and what assessment he has made of the effect on existing patients.

(92843)

192   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hospital trusts will be affected by the call up of reservists to serve in Iraq; and if he will list them.

(93030)

193   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93042)

194
N   Mr David Cameron (Witney): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether vouchers for infant formula milk are provided for asylum seekers with young children; and if he will make a statement.

(91828)

195   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many empty homes his Department (a) had five years ago and (b) has now, by region; if he will establish an empty homes strategy within his Department; and if he will set a target for reduction in empty homes.

(92934)

196   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will exclude Silverlands at Chertsey, Surrey from consideration for accommodation for asylum seekers.

(92999)

197   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he plans to publish the final report of the inter-departmental review of family visitor appeals.

(93094)

198   Mr Jon Owen Jones (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Afghan nationals claiming asylum in Britain have stated that they fought with the Taliban; and how many of these asylum claims have been accepted.

(92983)

199   Mr Jon Owen Jones (Cardiff Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Afghan nationals sought asylum in Britain in the last five years for which data is available; how many were (a) accepted and (b) rejected in each year; and how many were returned to (i) Afghanistan and (ii) third countries.

(92981)

200   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost of Operation Antler, led by Wiltshire constabulary has been; and if he will make a statement.

(92757)

201
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the policy of his Department is on the maximum permitted increase in the police precept for each English local authority in 2003-04; what the policy of the Government is on the use of capping powers in respect of the police precept; and if he will make a statement.

(92083)

202
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the level of the police precept in each English police authority, based on (a) Band D Council Tax and (b) other measures for which comparative information is available, in each year from 1990-91 to 2002-03; and if he will make a statement.

(92082)

203
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the number of police officers in (a) England and Wales, (b) Avon and Somerset and (c) East Somerset district in each year from 1980-81 to 2003-04; and if he will make a statement.

(92084)

204   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the numbers of police officers in North Yorkshire in (a) 2001-02, (b) 2002-03 and (c) 2003-04.

(92824)

205   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers in North Yorkshire he estimates are paid out of police grants, with particular reference to rural funding for police officers.

(92823)

206   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on policing in North Yorkshire, with particular reference to how many officers he forecasts in the authority for years (a) 2004, (b) 2005 and (c) 2006.

(93011)

207   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to increase the amount of rural funding for police officers for the years (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05 and (c) 2005-06.

(92822)

208   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers in North Yorkshire are paid from police grants paid by Government; and what specific provision was made in the police pay formula for additional funds to be made available to North Yorkshire to pay the increase.

(92821)

209   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to use (a) hotels, (b) hostels and (c) country homes in Shropshire as induction centres to house asylum seekers.

(93017)

210   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time taken to fast-track young offenders through the courts in Shropshire was in each year since 1997.

(93083)

211   Mr George Osborne (Tatton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) full time police officers and (b) special constables have been on duty in (i) Cheshire Constabulary and (ii) Macclesfield police division in each of the last 10 years.

(92949)

212
N   Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had with the police about means of controlling nuisance by juvenile riders of off-road motor bikes; and if he will make a statement.

(92079)

213   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures he has introduced in order to improve the effectiveness of vetting asylum seekers for terrorist links.

(92840)

214   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers from Algeria have been denied asylum in the UK in the last 12 months; and what percentage have been deported.

(92839)

215   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers have been denied asylum in the UK in the last 12 months; and what percentage have been deported.

(92838)

216   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance he gives to the police about the publication of the names of persons arrested but not charged with criminal offences.

(93033)

217   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in what counties a search is being conducted by his Department or its agencies for (a) accommodation centres and (b) induction centres for asylum seekers; how many premises have been identified as suitable for such purposes; how many offers have been made; how many contracts have been exchanged; how many contracts have been completed of the purchase of such properties; and if he will list the last.

(93091)

218   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications under the Regulation of Overstayers scheme have been (a) received and (b) approved in each year since its inception; and for migrants from which countries.

(93088)

219   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps are taken to verify (a) the identity and (b) criminal record of applicants under the Regulation of Overstayers scheme.

(93089)

220   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93046)

221   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many demand forms for European printed papers were issued in 2002; and how many documents or papers were included in them, broken down by types or category of the papers listed.

(92925)

222   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of food shortages in Mauritania; and if she will make a statement.

(92761)

223   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much emergency aid her Department is giving to the World Food Programme's Emergency Operation Appeal for the Western Sahel; and if she will make a statement.

(92802)

224   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of (a) the level of malnutrition and (b) the number of deaths due to malnutrition in the last year in Mauritania.

(92760)

225   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent reports she has received on female education in Afghanistan; what assessment her Department has made of the level of female education in Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement.

(92759)

226   Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her policy is on 100 per cent. cancellation of low-income country multilateral debts.

(92985)

227   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent progress has been made towards the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

(93012)

228   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when she plans to support further debt relief to Malawi.

(93023)

229   Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much of her Department's budget for Ethiopia will be dispersed by (a) direct budget support and (b) NGOs (i) as a proportion of her Department's assistance to Ethiopia and (ii) by value.

(92861)

230   Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of levels of political and ethnic violence in Ethiopia.

(92866)

231   Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with her colleagues in (a) the US, (b) the EU and (c) the UN, regarding humanitarian contingency planning for humanitarian aid to Iraq in the event of war with Iraq.

(92868)

232   Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of (a) the freedom of the press and (b) the independence of the judiciary in Ethiopia.

(92865)

233   Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with (a) Jordan, (b) Syria, (c) Turkey, (d) Iran, (e) Kuwait and (f) Saudi Arabia regarding their policy towards accepting refugees from Iraq.

(92870)

234   Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of Ethiopia's total debt burden will be relieved if Ethiopia completes the HIPC Initiative; and when she expects Ethiopia to complete the HIPC Initiative.

(92867)

235   Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with the Defence Secretary regarding co-ordination of the military and humanitarian strategy in Iraq in the event of war.

(92869)

236   Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with the Defence Secretary regarding safeguards on military aid to Ethiopia.

(92862)

237   Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of human rights violations by (a) the Ethiopian Government and (b) the Ethiopian military.

(92864)

238   Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when her Department intends to move to direct budget support for Ethiopia.

(92860)

239   Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of Ethiopia's debt burden on poverty levels in Ethiopia.

(92863)

240   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the outcome was of the December meeting of donors in Oslo to discuss aid to Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement.

(92853)

241   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many cases of computer misuse there were in her Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93045)

242   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what checks are undertaken by the Legal Services Commission on the competence of solicitors who claim to specialize in (a) divorce, (b) probate, (c) asylum, (d) family law, (e) property and (f) medical negligence.

(93090)

243   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many cases of computer misuse there were in her Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93043)

244   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if (a) the Ulster Unionist Party, (b) the SDLP and (c) Sinn Fein accepted the joint proposals put forward by the British and Irish Governments on 1st August 2001 following discussions at Weston Park.

(92859)

245   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made by MAGNI in providing a museum of sea and sky at Titanic Quarter.

(92945)

246   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much the preferred developer will be paid for the Hub Arts Centre; and how the Government will ensure value for money.

(92928)

247   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps are being taken to secure the future running of the annual motorcycle road races at the North West 200 at Portrush and the Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod.

(92931)

248   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on the proposals for the Hub Arts Centre in the Cathedral Quarter; what partnerships are envisaged to deliver the proposals; what the cost of delivery is; and what the completion date is.

(92938)

249   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made in implementing the soccer strategy, with particular reference to obtaining agreement between the IFA and IFL on the section relating to governance.

(92885)

250   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made with the proposal to permit motorcycle road racing clubs responsible for the North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix to access the Health and Safety funds created for sporting stadia in order to finance essential safety work at their respective circuits.

(92940)

251   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps are required to take forward the MAGNI proposal for a museum of sea and sky at Titanic Quarter.

(92935)

252   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to issue guidance on the frequency of air tests in buildings containing asbestos where construction or repair work is being undertaken; and if he will make a statement.

(92942)

253   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made by the Ulster Scots Agency to appoint a chief executive; and when the successful candidate will be announced.

(92937)

254   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the Ulster Covenant records will be available online by March 2003; and if he will make a statement.

(92936)

255   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made in providing further funds for circuit safety work at the North West 200 circuit and the Ulster Grand Prix Motorcycle circuits; and what discussions have taken place to identify (a) a schedule and (b) the cost of safety works at North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix circuits.

(92939)

256   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if the sum of £8 million set aside by the Northern Ireland Executive in its budget proposals to finance the soccer strategy proposals is available to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for this purpose.

(92886)

257   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans the Northern Ireland Events Company has to offer support to the North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix for 2003; and if he will make a statement.

(92941)

258   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much Laganside Corporation proposes to offer as its contribution to the overall cost of the Hub Arts Centre.

(92930)

259   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether since suspension of the Assembly, the Northern Ireland Office has adhered to the financial proposals made by the Northern Ireland Executive in its agreed budget proposals in respect of those areas under the responsibility of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

(92887)

260   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether a preferred developer has been appointed for the Hub Arts Centre in the Cathedral Quarter; and what process is followed for making such an appointment.

(92929)

261   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if it is his policy that no change should be made to planning policy for the Down District Council area pending the outcome of the public inquiry into the Ards/Down Area Plan and consideration of submissions thereto.

(92778)

262   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he will establish a fully high pressure chamber for deep sea divers at a local hospital in Northern Ireland.

(92786)

263   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he will consult the public on the creation of a new offence of commencing development without the benefit of planning permission.

(92782)

264   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many PSNI officers are under investigation in the Operation Ore inquiry; and if they have been suspended from duty pending the outcome of the investigations.

(92784)

265   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93037)

266   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Prime Minister, what proposals he has for the development of a common European Union approach on the Iraq issue, in respect of (a) removing the threat of weapons of mass destruction, (b) regime change and (c) use of military force.

(92927)

267
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his Answer of 18th December, Official Report, column 811W, on referendums if he will make a statement on the Government's criteria for determining on which subjects it is appropriate for referendums to be held.

(92655)

268   Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East): To ask the Prime Minister, when his e-mail address will be established for members of the public to contact him online.

(92987)

269   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Prime Minister, how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Office in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93038)

270   Mr James Plaskitt (Warwick & Leamington): To ask the Solicitor General, when the Director of Public Prosecutions will publish her policy on the criteria which she applies when exercising her discretion under section 2(4) of the Suicide Act 1961.

(92779)

271   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Solicitor General, what criteria she uses to decide whether to proceed with a prosecution of a police officer for bribery in cases involving release of information to the press.

(93034)

272   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many businesses there are in (a) the North East Region and (b) Surrey; and what estimates she has made of the total income of Business Links in (i) the North East Region and (ii) Surrey in 2002-03

(92834)

273   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many empty homes her Department (a) had five years ago and (b) has now, by region; if she will establish an empty homes strategy within her Department; and if she will set a target for reduction in empty homes.

(92918)

274   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will discuss with the management of the Post Office its (a) complaints handling arrangements, (b) response times and (c) response to complaints concerning the Royal Mail from honourable Members; and if she will make a statement.

(93071)

275   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many (a) trades unions and (b) individuals have been (i) charged with offences resulting from industrial action and (ii) convicted of offences resulting from industrial action in each year since 1973.

(92763)

276   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions she has had with (a) representatives of British industry and (b) trades union representatives concerning (i) the number of days lost to industrial disputes over the last 12 months and (ii) the state of manufacturing industry in the UK.

(92765)

277   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether her Department monitors the regulations designed to ensure that private buyers receive the same level of discounts on new car purchases as fleet buyers; and what research she has undertaken as to whether the regulations are ensuring that private car buyers do not subsidise fleet buyers.

(92756)

278   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what recent study she has made of new car prices in (a) the UK and (b) other EU countries.

(92814)

279
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much the Task Force on Tackling Over-Indebtedness cost (a) to establish and (b) to run in each year since its establishment.

(92713)

280
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many DTI employees are engaged in work for the Task Force on Tackling Over-Indebtedness.

(92730)

281
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her Answer of 16th January, Official Report, column 79W, on the Consumer Credit Act 1974, which of the issues raised in the original question are covered by the consultations listed in her Answer.

(92716)

282
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many times the Task Force on Tackling Over-Indebtedness has met since its establishment.

(92714)

283
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions the Task Force on Tackling Over-Indebtedness are involved in.

(92715)

284   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations she has received from sub-post office masters about recent raids on local post offices in North Yorkshire.

(93009)

285   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations she has received concerning security for local post offices against armed hold-ups in rural sub-post offices; and if she will make a statement.

(93008)

286   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many workers in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire have benefited from the national minimum wage in each year since 1997.

(93076)

287   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many (a) urban and (b) rural post offices closed in (i) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (ii) Shropshire in each year since 1997.

(93074)

288   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what financial support is available to rural post offices in Shrewsbury and Atcham.

(93016)

289   Ms Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what (a) advice and (b) financial support her Department gives to small businesses which are transferred to new owners.

(92986)

290   Mr Denis Murphy (Wansbeck): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many grants for job creation her Department awarded in (a) South East Northumberland and (b) Wansbeck in 2002; and what the value was in each case.

(93026)

291   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what arrangements she is making to assist elderly pensioners suffering from macular degeneration to withdraw their pensions in cash using a keyboard and PIN once the new procedures are implemented.

(92776)

292   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list the principal elements of planned (a) current and (b) capital expenditure for financial year 2002-03 on (i) post office and telecommunications, (ii) nuclear liabilities, (iii) aerospace, (iv) departmental capital and other minor programmes and (v) capital investment in energy as listed in tables 2 and 3 of her annual report for 2002-03 to 2003-04. Cm5416; and if she will make a statement.

(92793)

293   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when she expects to introduce secondary legislation under the Export Control Act 2002.

(93032)

294   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many cases of computer misuse there were in her Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93039)

295   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many empty homes his Department (a) had five years ago and (b) have now, by region; if he will establish an empty homes strategy within his Department; and if he will set a target for reduction in empty homes.

(92917)

296   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many (a) people (b) children under 15 and (c) cyclists were killed on Britains roads in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

(93096)

297   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will review the decision by the Highways Agency regarding traffic calming at the junction between the A49 and the Condover turning.

(93078)

298   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what accidents have occurred in the last 10 years at or near the junction between the A49 and the Condover turning.

(93079)

299   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many (a) new, (b) improved and (c) withdrawn bus services there were in (i) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (ii) Shropshire in each year since 1997.

(93086)

300   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list the (a) punctuality, (b) reliability and (c) number of complaints for rail services running to and from Shrewsbury in each year since 1997.

(93084)

301   Mr George Osborne (Tatton): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what targets the Government has for increasing (a) rail freight and (b) rail passenger use; and when he expects the targets to be met.

(92947)

302   Mr George Osborne (Tatton): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what targets the Government has for reducing traffic (a) pollution and (b) congestion; and when he expects the targets to be met.

(92948)

303   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Mayor of London and (b) the Metropolitan Police regarding the impact of congestion charging on traffic police; and if he will make a statement.

(92836)

304   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what role he had in approving the regulations under the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 written by the Greater London Authority; and if he will make a statement.

(92855)

305   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93036)

306   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93048)

307   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many empty homes his Department (a) had five years ago and (b) has now, by region; if he will establish an empty homes strategy within his Department; and if he will set a target for reduction in empty homes.

(92921)

308   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many companies offered occupational pension schemes on (a) 1st May 1997 and (b) 1st May 2002.

(93002)

309   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average pension income was in each year since 1997.

(93077)

310   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many persons have claimed the minimum income guarantee in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire in each year since 1997.

(92087)

311   Matthew Taylor (Truro & St Austell): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many recipients of higher level disability living allowance there are in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

(92795)

312   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many child benefit claims have been received in (a) total and (b) via the electronic claim process since the launch of the child benefit electronic claim form; and how many claims proved to be successful.

(93054)

313   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of proposals in the Pensions Green Paper on the rate of closure of final salary schemes.

(93055)

314   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the changes to the priority order for winding up occupational pensions proposed in his Pensions Green Paper will apply retrospectively.

(93056)

315   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93047)

316   Mr Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton): To ask the Cabinet Office, how many (a) full time and (b) part time staff have (i) left and (ii) been recruited to the (A) Office of the Health Service Ombudsman, (B) Office of the Legal Service Ombudsman and (C) Office of the Financial Ombudsman Service in each year since 1990.

(92787)

317   Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Cabinet Office, how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action.

(93049)

318   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Minister for Women, what action she has taken to encourage FTSE One Hundred companies to include more women on their main Boards of Directors.

(93014)

319   Mr Simon Thomas (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what evaluation she has made of the impact of suspension of the UN Oil for Food programme on civilians' food needs in Iraq.

[Transferred] (92888)

320   Mr Simon Thomas (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations she has made to the US Government regarding the protection of food supplies in the event of military intervention in Iraq.

[Transferred] (92890)

321   Mr Simon Thomas (Ceredigion): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the ability of the UN Oil for Food programme to continue in the event of military action in Iraq.

[Transferred] (92889)

322   Patrick Mercer (Newark): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to introduce an extra tax for property owners whose dwellings are threatened by persistent flooding.

[Transferred] (92857)

323   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with business representatives concerning the provision of final salary pension schemes.

[Transferred] (92828)

324   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the findings of the Audit Commission report, PFI in Schools.

[Transferred] (92769)

325   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of the merits of funding the building of schools through the Private Finance Initiative.

[Transferred] (92771)

326   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of closing a final salary pension scheme upon a firm's financial risk.

[Transferred] (92829)

327   Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13th January, Official Report, column 403W, on HMS Nottingham, which Department of State is paying for the cost of transportation of HMS Nottingham on a heavy lift ship.

[Transferred] (93028)

328   Andrew Rosindell (Romford): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what recent discussions he has had with airport authorities regarding security at British airports.

[Transferred] (92837)

329   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the total value of National Lottery ticket sales in Northern Ireland has been since its inception; and what analysis has been undertaken as to the social class of those buying tickets.

[Transferred] (92944)

330   Lady Hermon (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the amount raised through the National Lottery for good causes in Northern Ireland; and if she will list those good causes.

[Transferred] (92943)

331   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel & South Downs): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many days were lost to industrial action by firefighters in each of the last 12 months.

[Transferred] (92764)

332   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the competition implications of discrimination against applicants for household insurance on the basis of postcodes as a proxy for flood risk.

[Transferred] (93000)