Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 2002 - 03
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Tuesday 4 March 2003

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Tuesday 4 March 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.

TUESDAY 4th MARCH

1   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100948)

2
N   Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Government websites comply with W3C standards.

(100693)

3
N   Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Government plans to launch the Online Nation campaign.

(100695)

4
N   Mr Greg Knight (East Yorkshire): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Government websites have a PCIS rating.

(100696)

5
N   Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the value of manufacturing export from companies within the Dumfries and Galloway region in the last 10 years.

(100160)

6
N   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the Taliban assets in the UK which (a) are frozen and (b) were frozen in October 2001; when assets were frozen of the Afghan National Credit and Finance and the National Trading Company of Afghanistan; and what was the value of frozen assets.

(100617)

7
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 16th December 2002, Official Report, column 597W, if he will place in the Library the information held by the Office of National Statistics concerning the retrospective classification of trust ports as public corporations.

(100702)

8
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if trust ports classified as public corporations are required to remit an annual dividend to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

(100699)

9   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 24th February, Official Report, column 178W, on data access powers, how many applications for access to communications data there have been by (a) the Inland Revenue and (b) Customs and Excise, broken down by each piece of legislation (i) in the last year and (ii) since the enactment of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

(101022)

10
N   Tony Cunningham (Workington): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to stop mortgage lenders charging fees when customers switch their home insurance.

(100742)

11   Martin Linton (Battersea): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the amounts from the windfall tax spent on (a) each of the New Deal programmes for helping people into work, (b) the New Deal for Schools and (c) other items of expenditure; and if he will estimate what proportion of the windfall tax remains unspent.

(100899)

12   Mr David Marshall (Glasgow, Shettleston): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the cost to employees of the insurance premium tax; and if he will make a statement.

(100855)

13
N   Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her Department's plans are to protect and promote (a) the Gaelic language and (b) the Welsh language, with specific regard to broadcasting; and if she will make a statement.

(100622)

14
N   Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on promoting television programmes for the deaf; and how much money the Government gave to support television programmes for (a) deaf people and (b) people with a disability in each year since 1997.

(100623)

15   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the amount per head in National Lottery grants was in each (a) constituency and (b) county in the UK, in the last year for which figures are available.

(100963)

16   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what policy her Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100935)

17   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100949)

18
N   Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he received the recommendations of the Sub Committee of the Honours and Decorations Committee, on the issue of a medal for UK servicemen who were in Egypt between 1951 and 1954; whether he will accept the recommendations of this Sub-Committee; and if he will make a statement.

(100249)

19
N   Hugh Robertson (Faversham & Mid Kent): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in what circumstances unmarried service personnel deployed to the Gulf receive longer separated service allowance.

(100624)

20
N   Hugh Robertson (Faversham & Mid Kent): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which categories of service personnel are eligible for longer separated service allowance; and under what circumstances it is awarded.

(100625)

21   Bob Spink (Castle Point): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the water and food rations for armed service personnel operating in the Gulf region.

(100861)

22   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the six per cent. real terms increase in the local government grant settlement equates to in cash terms; how much has been distributed to local authorities in cash terms under the settlement; and if he will make a statement on the purposes for which the difference between the two sums will be used.

(101020)

23   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100936)

24
N   Richard Ottaway (Croydon South): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what steps he is taking to reduce the numbers of spoilt ballot papers at the 2004 elections for the Greater London Authority.

(100034)

25
N   Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list for each local authority the percentage increase in (a) aggregate external finance and (b) council tax from (i) 1997-98 to 2002-03 and (ii) 2002-03 to 2003-04.

(100573)

26
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what his Department's policy is towards the Specialist Schools (Selection by Aptitude) Bill.

(100818)

27
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate he has made of (a) the number and (b) the percentage of undergraduate students at UK universities who had been recipients of assisted places in independent schools.

(100574)

28   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what guidelines he has published for the use of teaching assistants to take whole classes without the presence of a qualified teacher; and if he will make a statement.

(100965)

29   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his statement of 7th February, Official Report, column 29WS, which London boroughs qualify for grant funding to meet the cost of the 2003 teachers' pay settlement; and how much money that grant is in each case.

(100900)

30   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100950)

31   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the maximum student loan available for a medical student doing a six year course will be after the introduction of the measures outlined in the Government's White Paper; and what the maximum tuition fees are which such a student will be required to pay.

(100933)

32
N   Mrs Helen Clark (Peterborough): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the additional funding for capital projects and studies for flood and coastal defence in 2003-04, announced on 12th February will be spent on (a) inland wet washland storage and (b) managed realignment on the coast.

(100618)

33   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the fine imposed by the European Commission on her Department for administrative errors.

(100961)

34   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what policy her Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100937)

35   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many game licences were issued for the 2001-02 season; how much it cost to administer the game licence regime in 2001-02; and how much revenue was received.

(100960)

36   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will support the 18 applications for marketing consents for GM crops and foods under consideration by the European Commission.

(100867)

37   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how the Food Standards Agency's GM public debate will contribute to the Government's GM public debate.

(100862)

38   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what control the GM Debate Steering Board will have over the Food Standards Agency's GM public debate.

(100866)

39   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of two separate GM public debates running concurrently; and if she will make a statement.

(100865)

40   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consultations with Government the Food Standards Agency undertook before embarking on the GM public debate.

(100864)

41   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the public debate on genetically modified organisms will be concluded.

(100868)

42
N   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what additional resources have been available to local authorities to enable them to police the disposal of animal by-products material in each of the last five years.

(100814)

43
N   Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received regarding the civil war in Sudan, with specific reference to the bombing campaign of the Sudanese Government in Southern Sudan; and if he will place a copy of these reports in the Library.

(100737)

44
N   Mr Colin Challen (Morley & Rothwell): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what evidence there is to support his statement,Official Report, 26th February, column 270, that the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441 authorises the use of force against Iraq.

(100819)

45   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what visits are being undertaken by ministers to non-permanent member countries on the UN Security Council; what visits have been undertaken in the last month; what issues of (a) aid and (b) trade are and have been on the agenda; what offers are and have been made to those countries by the UK Government which are favourable to them, with the financial value of each such offer; whether the communication of a favourable arrangement has been made to any of these countries on behalf of another nation; and if he will make a statement.

(100994)

46   Valerie Davey (Bristol West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will press European Union partners to introduce a censure resolution on human rights abuses in Iran at the next session of the UN Human Rights Commission.

(100942)

47   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100951)

48   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking in support of the implementation of UN General Assembly Resolution 57/232 of December 2002.

(100931)

49   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green & Bow): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representation he has made to the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda to ensure the effectiveness of the Ituri Pacification Commission; and if he will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

(101027)

50   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green & Bow): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports his Department has received regarding the arrest of the Rwandan journalist Ismail Mbonigaba; and if he will make a statement.

(101026)

51   Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green & Bow): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of progress towards the ratification of the all inclusive agreement signed in December 2002 between the participants of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue; and if he will make a statement.

(101047)

52   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the legal authority for the detention of UK citizens at Guantanamo Bay.

(100890)

53   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the financial arrangements are for the use of Diego Garcia by the United States; and what payments have been received in each year since 1997.

(100893)

54   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the dates on which agreements have been reached with the United States authorities regarding the requirements for the construction of facilities on the British Indian Ocean Territories; and how many separate agreements have been made concerning (a) development of specific areas and (b) technical requirements.

(100885)

55   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK personnel are stationed at HMS Mauritius; and at what annual cost in the last five years.

(100892)

56   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what has been the cost in each year since 1997 of training military personnel from the security forces of Mauritius; and how many persons have been trained each year.

(100891)

57   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the islands in the British Indian Ocean Territories that have buildings and facilities used or set aside for future use by the United States or UK for defence purposes.

(100894)

58   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many hours in each month since their initial detention each of the UK citizens held at Guantanamo Bay has undergone interrogation.

(100888)

59   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what consultation has taken place with the United States concerning the use of construction labourers on Diego Garcia since 1997; and how many workers from Mauritius and the Seychelles have been employed on such construction projects.

(100887)

60   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps have been taken to ensure that, in the event of UK involvement in military conflict in Iraq, prisoners and persons detained will be protected by the 1949 Geneva Convention and accommodated in facilities that meet appropriate UN standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners.

(100889)

61   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many joint financing arrangements, at what estimated budgetary cost, have been made since 1997 with the United States for (a) site preparation, (b) construction, (c) maintenance and (d) operation of facilities on British Indian Ocean Territories.

(100886)

62   Mr David Marshall (Glasgow, Shettleston): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the range of salary scales for Her Majesty's ambassadors and high commissioners.

(100857)

63   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on his plans to increase the funding spent on research into (a) the treatment and (b) the causes of muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement.

(100968)

64   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on Government policy with respect to muscular dystrophy.

(100969)

65   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the amount of Government funding in 2002-03 for research into (a) the treatment and (b) the causes of muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement.

(100966)

66   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his estimate is of the number of (a) children and (b) young adults with muscular dystrophy in each of the last 10 years.

(100967)

67   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many students are undertaking training to become a midwife (a) by direct training and (b) post-registration at (i) diploma and (ii) degree level; what proportion of students (A) completed and (B) did not complete their studies in the last three years; which institutions offer midwifery courses; and what the sources are of the information used to answer this question.

(100983)

68
N   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) professions ancillary to medicine, (d) nursing auxiliaries and (e) hospital porters, cleaners and cooks were employed in the NHS (i) in each health authority area in the North East in 1996 and (ii) in each PCT area in the North East at the most recent date for which figures are available.

(100561)

69
N   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) doctors in training, (b) nurses in training, (c) medical students and (d) nursing students there were in (i) each health authority area in the North East in 1996 and (ii) in each PCT area in the North East at the most recent date for which figures are available.

(100562)

70   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the statement of 12th February, Official Report, column 51WS, on Haemophilia (Recombined Clotting Factors), how much will be allocated to (a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire.

(100956)

71
N   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many Ambulance Trusts have submitted statistics to the Government about the length of time spent waiting at accident and emergency departments; and if he will publish those.

(100159)

72   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS hospitals operate a no smoking policy; and what steps the Government is taking to reduce smoking on all NHS sites.

(100946)

73   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the report commissioned by the Department to assess the capacity of the supplier market in relation to the National Programme will be published.

(100932)

74   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100938)

75   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how he intends to ensure that foundation trust board of governors will represent the full range of members' interests.

(100850)

76   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which organisations, not currently part of the NHS, will be eligible to apply for NHS foundation trust status.

(100846)

77   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether NHS trusts' applications for NHS Foundation trust status will be made publicly available.

(100844)

78   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list for (a) England, (b) each NHS region and (c) each strategic health authority the proportion of patient occupied floor area not compliant with (i) statutory health and safety regulations and (ii) statutory fire safety regulations in each of the last six years.

(100854)

79   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will set out the requirements to be included in the licences of foundation hospitals.

(100848)

80   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how he intends to ensure that foundation trusts use their freedoms to give staff unlimited pay bonuses in a way which does not undermine other providers in the local health economy.

(100851)

81   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the bed occupancy rates for (a) all beds, (b) general and acute beds, (c) acute beds, (d) mental health beds, (e) learning disability beds and (f) maternity beds in (i) 1979 and (ii) each year since 1990.

(100852)

82   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what powers a board of governors will have in relation to the management of foundation hospitals.

(100847)

83   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will place in the Library a copy of the details of the preliminary application process for foundation trusts, as sent to potential applicants for foundation status.

(100845)

84   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, in what ways foundation trusts will be freed from detailed performance management, as stated in paragraph 1.12 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts; and if this refers also to three star trusts without foundation status.

(100849)

85   Mr Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North & Leith): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which government department or agency holds (a) reports of the Blood Transfusion Service Working Group on ALT testing, (b) minutes of meetings of regional transfusion directors, (c) minutes of meetings of the governing body of the (i) National Blood Transfusion Service and (ii) Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, (d) minutes of meetings of the (i) National Directorate of the National Blood Transfusion Service and (ii) its National Management Committee, (e) minutes of meetings of the UK Advisory Committee on Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, (f) minutes of meetings of the Advisory Committee on the Virological Safety of Blood and (g) minutes of meetings of the National Blood Transfusion Service and Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service Liaison committees, (h) minutes of meetings of Blood Transfusion Service consultants, (i) minutes of meetings of regional health authorities, (j) minutes of meetings of the governing body of the North London Blood Transfusion Centre and (k) minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors of the National Blood Authority, for the period from 1st January 1970 to 31st December 1991 inclusive; and which of these records are available for public inspection.

(100940)

86
N   Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much the NHS has spent on alcohol rehabilitation services in each of the past three years; what form these services take; and how these services will be funded and expanded to take account of the removal of exemptions in the Mental Health Act 1983.

(100821)

87
N   Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of people who would be subject to compulsory treatment, whether resident or non-resident, under the proposals contained in the Draft Mental Health Bill, who are currently exempt under the Mental Health Act 1983.

(100820)

88
N   Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether consideration of the responses to the Draft Mental Health Bill consultation has been completed; and when a re-drafted bill will be presented to the House.

(100826)

89
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance he has issued to trusts and PCTs on deadlines for paying suppliers.

(100694)

90
N   Mr Edward O'Hara (Knowsley South): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to revise the notes for guidance on continuing care in the light of the case of R v North and East Devon Health Authority ex parte Pamela Coughlan.

(100815)

91   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, if he will define the needs of the intelligent customer function of the Criminal Records Bureau.

(101029)

92   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will publish the report of the Carter Inquiry, with extracts that are deemed commercially confidential removed.

(100901)

93   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, what estimate he has made of the number of basic disclosures that will not be issued following indefinite postponement of basic disclosures.

(101017)

94   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, how the reduction in the numbers of bodies registered with the Criminal Records Bureau will enable voluntary and community organisations more easily to access disclosures.

(101035)

95   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, what implications the increased requirement for bodies registered with the Criminal Records Bureau to verify applicant's identity will have for their public liability insurance.

(101033)

96   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, what estimate he has made of (a) lost revenue and (b) profit to the CRB following indefinite postponement of basic disclosures.

(101036)

97   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, when he expects the independent executive agency to be created within the Home Office; how many additional staff will be needed; and at what additional cost.

(101019)

98   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, what additional resources he has given to Capita for each (a) standard disclosure and (b) enhanced disclosure following the indefinite postponement of basic disclosures.

(101016)

99   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, under what circumstances individuals' fingerprints will be retained by the CRB; how long after they are taken will they be destroyed; and if he will make a statement.

(101018)

100   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, what steps he is taking to determine whether current systems in the CRB would be able to deal with the doubling in demand of criminal record checks.

(101028)

101   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, how the Criminal Records Bureau will meet the lost revenue resulting from the postponed introduction of basic disclosures.

(101032)

102   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, what estimate he has made of the likely increase in insurance premium increase on registered bodies following recommendation 2 of the Carter Inquiry.

(101030)

103   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, what the contractual consequences are for his Department with Capita of recommendation 7 of the Carter Inquiry.

(101037)

104   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 29th January, Official Report, columns 911-13W, on Criminal Records Bureau (checks), what assessment he has made of the research into the likely level of demand for Criminal Records Bureau checks undertaken by (a) the Home Office and (b) CRB.

(101025)

105   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, how many representations his Department received in the consultation exercise with registered bodies and employers from January to June 2001 on the use of paper based application systems; and if he will place copies of these in the Library.

(101031)

106   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Statement of 27th February, Official Report, columns 32-36WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, how many voluntary organisations the Independent Review Team into the Criminal Records Bureau consulted as part of their inquiry.

(101034)

107
N   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) uniformed officers and (b) civilian staff there were in each police authority area in the North East region (i) in 1996 and (ii) on the most recent date for which figures are available; and if he will express this figure as a ratio per head of population.

(100566)

108   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of (a) the amount of cannabis supplied and (b) the number of cannabis users in (i) the Ribble Valley and Fulwood, (ii) Lancashire, (iii) the North West of England, (iv) Wales and (v) England in each of the last six years.

(100962)

109
N   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many 10-17 year olds in the last two years for which data are available were sentenced by (a) magistrates' court (b) a youth court and (c) a Crown court to (i) a secure training order, (ii) a young offender institution and (iii) a local authority secure unit.

(100741)

110   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100952)

111   Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made in trialling the vicious and sex offenders register.

(100834)

112   Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans are in place for Iraqi asylum seekers already in the UK should war be declared on Iraq.

(100835)

113
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many officers have resigned voluntarily from each police force in each year since 1998-99.

(100738)

114
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many net transfers there were in each police force in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000, (c) 2000-01 and (d) 2001-02.

(100739)

115
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) transfers in, (b) transfers out and (c) net transfers for (i) 2002-03 to date and (ii) the full year 2002-03 for each police force.

(100740)

116   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the work Clearsprings Management undertakes for the National Asylum Support Service.

(100842)

117   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason Clearsprings Management requires a confidentiality agreement from landlords; and if he will make a statement.

(100853)

118   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the impact which military attacks on (a) roads, (b) railways, (c) bridges and (d) sea ports would have on delivery of humanitarian relief in Iraq.

(100883)

119   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate she has made of the number of civilian deaths which occurred (a) directly and (b) indirectly as a result of military action in Afghanistan since 11th September 2001.

(101023)

120   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps are being taken to avert food shortages in Burundi.

(100972)

121   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance her Department has given to the Government of Burkina Faso since the outbreak of meningitis.

(100917)

122   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the United Nations Statement of 20th February regarding the potential for terrorist acitivity in Southern Afghanistan in the event of military action in Iraq; and what impact the statement will have on her Department's humanitarian programme in Afghanistan.

(100920)

123   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the latest projected levels of food production in Malawi.

(100974)

124   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with the Government of Malawi regarding its decision to sell 50,000 tonnes of stored maize; and if she will make a statement.

(100919)

125   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what changes her Department will make to its humanitarian aid programme in Zimbabwe as a result of the announcement of the Famine Early Warning Systems Network that food aid will be required for another 12 months.

(100973)

126   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to address the humanitarian situation in the Southern Blue Nile region of Southern Sudan.

(100970)

127   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the levels of malaria in Burundi.

(100971)

128   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the impact which military attacks on electricity stations would have on the humanitarian situation in Iraq.

(100884)

129   John Barrett (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what impact she estimates the national crop survey conducted by the World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organisation findings will have on the levels of aid provided by her Department in Swaziland.

(100918)

130   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what policy her Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100939)

131   Patsy Calton (Cheadle): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what complaints procedure is in place in the event of the Public Guardianship Office breaching its charter.

(100930)

132   Patsy Calton (Cheadle): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what steps are being taken to monitor the quality of judicial decisions, with particular reference to those of the Court of Protection.

(100929)

133   Mr William Cash (Stone): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how much was spent by the Department on (a) special advisers and (b) external contracts in each year since 1997; if she will name the advisers and contractors; and if she will place copies of the relevant contracts in the Library.

(100843)

134   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what policy the Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100953)

135   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what categories of benches there are at Chorley magistrates court.

(100841)

136   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many court rooms are available in Chorley.

(100837)

137   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many (a) adults and (b) juveniles were tried at Chorley magistrates court in each of the last three years.

(100839)

138   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what the wage rates were for court rooms in Chorley in each of the last three years.

(100838)

139   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what criteria are used when determining the (a) closure and (b) retention of magistrates courts; and what the process and timescale is.

(100836)

140   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many magistrates operate on the bench at Chorley.

(100840)

141   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100921)

142
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much producing his Department's latest annual report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge.

(100817)

143   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the average amount of money per week awarded to those who have been assessed for contributions towards nursing care has been since October 2002.

(100873)

144   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the reasons were for the delay in producing a strategy to implement the recommendations of the Disability Rights Task Force in Northern Ireland; and when the strategy will be published.

(101007)

145   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people in nursing homes have been assessed for contributions towards their nursing care since October 2002.

(100871)

146   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which government department in Northern Ireland will be responsible for preparing proposals to remove the transport exemption from the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and when the consultation process will begin.

(101010)

147   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when Part R of the Northern Ireland Building Regulations will be revised.

(101004)

148   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what additional resources will be made available to the Equality Commission to enable it to fulfil its duties in respect of the changes in disability discrimination legislation planned over the next three years.

(101009)

149   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people are awaiting assessment for a contribution towards nursing care; and when the assessments are expected to be complete.

(100872)

150   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the average period of time has been from an assessment for nursing care contributions taking place until receipt of the first payment by the patient.

(100874)

151   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the average length of time spent with a patient by medical staff has been when carrying out an assessment for a contribution to nursing care.

(100875)

152   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to bring forward primary legislation to amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and revise the definition of disability in line with the recommendations of the Disability Rights Task Force.

(101006)

153   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for what reason the PSI working group developing the strategy to implement the recommendation of the Disability Rights Task Force in Northern Ireland contains no representatives of disability groups.

(101008)

154   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when the outcome of the consultation on proposals for a special educational needs and disability bill will be published; and when the legislation will be enacted.

(101005)

155   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when broadband telecommunications access will be made available throughout Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

(100876)

156   Mr David Trimble (Upper Bann): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the effect changes to the common funding formula, and in particular changes to threshold funds, will have on funds available for teachers' salaries.

(100977)

157   Mr David Trimble (Upper Bann): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools he estimates will receive (i) more and (ii) less funding under the new common funding formula.

(100975)

158   Mr David Trimble (Upper Bann): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools with regard to changes to the common funding formula, with particular reference to threshold funds.

(100976)

159   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the President of the Council, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100922)

160
N   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere): To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 26th February to the honourable Member for Epsom and Ewell, Official Report, column 257, what steps he is taking to ensure that university admissions are based on merit.

(100575)

161
N   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list his diary engagements for 26th February from 1.30 pm to 7.00 pm.

(100698)

162   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Prime Minister, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100923)

163
N   Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans her Department has to protect and promote the Gaelic language, with specific regard to broadcasting; and if she will make a statement.

(100620)

164
N   Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much money the Government is giving to support the Gaelic language in Scotland in the areas of (a) education and (b) cultural organisations in 2002-03.

(100621)

165
N   Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many Gaelic speakers there are in Scotland; and what proportion this is of the Scottish population.

(100619)

166   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what policy her Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100924)

167
N   Norman Lamb (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much producing her Department's latest annual report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge.

(100816)

168   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Solicitor General, what policy her Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100934)

169
N   Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many firms in Dumfries and Galloway made use of the small firms loan guarantee scheme in 2001-03; and what the total value of those loans was.

(100161)

170   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when she plans to bring in regulations to control the supply and use of fireworks in accordance with the powers laid down within the Fireworks Bill; and what plans she has to ensure that local environmental health officers have the necessary powers, funding and guidance to enforce regulations introduced in accordance with the Fireworks Bill.

(101011)

171   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what age limit she plans to set to prohibit the sale of fireworks to young persons; and what plans she has to limit the supply, purchase, possession and use of fireworks to certain (a) times of the year and (b) times of the day.

(101013)

172   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to restrict the sale and use of very noisy fireworks; and at what decibel level the restriction will be set.

(101014)

173   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what guidance will be given to environmental health officers in order for them to assess whether distress, as set out in clause 2 of the Fireworks Bill, has occurred.

(101012)

174   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what policy her Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100925)

175   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list the steps that her Department takes to monitor the quality of accounts published by public limited companies.

(100905)

176   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the honourable Member for Great Grimsby's correspondence with her, if she will commission an independent inquiry into the liquidation of J S Bass Group of companies.

(100910)

177   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will appoint inspectors to investigate the accounting errors at RBG Resources.

(100955)

178   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to ban auditing firms from selling off-balance sheet financing schemes to their audit clients.

(100978)

179   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will require UK companies to disclose reasons for setting up operation in offshore financial centres whose laws do not require them to publish audited accounts.

(100911)

180   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what requirements are imposed by the Companies Act 1985 for disclosure of transfer pricing policies by companies.

(100913)

181   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to give audit committees of companies full access to the working papers of their auditors.

(100912)

182   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to give incoming auditors a right of access to the outgoing auditor's working papers.

(100979)

183   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will require the Auditing Practices Board to hold public hearings before setting any auditing standard.

(100906)

184   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when DTI inspectors were appointed to investigate the affairs of Resort Hotels; when the report was published; what the report cost; and what regulatory action was taken against auditors.

(100981)

185   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what proposals she has to require companies to publish the details of tax avoidance schemes operated by them within their annual accounts.

(100908)

186   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what proposals she has for raising the audit threshold for small and medium-sized companies.

(100907)

187   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when her Department's inspectors were appointed to investigate the affairs of Polly Peck; when the report was published; what the report cost; and what regulatory action was taken against auditors.

(100982)

188   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many professional accountants there are in each member state of the European Union.

(100902)

189   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will appoint inspectors to investigate accounting irregularities acknowledged by Cable and Wireless.

(100954)

190   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will give the Financial Services Authority an unrestrained right of access to the working papers of auditors.

(100980)

191   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to restrict the number of quoted companies which a single audit firm can audit at the same time.

(100903)

192   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to require the auditors of public limited companies to file copies of the audit tender with a designated regulator.

(100914)

193   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will list the auditors of the public bodies sponsored by her Department.

(100904)

194   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to propose legislation that will require companies to disclose financial donations in kind to political parties.

(100909)

195   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to require auditors to owe a duty of care to individuals who are shareholders at the date of the audit report.

(100916)

196   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many (a) individuals and (b) firms are licensed by recognised professional bodies to carry on their business as insolvency practitioners.

(100915)

197
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his Answer of 16th December 2002, Official Report, column 644W, on trust ports, what progress has been made on discussions with the Office for National Statistics; and if he will make a statement.

(100701)

198
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, why there is no reference to the trust ports classified as public corporations in the Resource Accounts 2001-02 of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions; and if he will make a statement.

(100703)

199
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the financial reporting arrangements are for trust ports now classified as public corporations.

(100700)

200   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the benchmarks relating to average performance on the London Underground are; how they were arrived at; if he will make a statement on their significance; at what level in relation to those benchmarks the infrastructure companies in the London Underground PPP can operate without incurring a penalty; and if he will make a statement.

(101003)

201   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what arrangements are being planned for compensation of Central Line passengers; who will qualify; how much money he estimates is involved; and if he will make a statement.

(101001)

202   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the starting date is for full operation of the contract with Tube Lines and each of the two contracts with Metronet as part of the London Underground PPP; and if he will make a statement.

(100998)

203   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how London Underground has informed Central Line passengers of their entitlement to claim refund of fares for the period of the line's closure; when such information was first displayed; and where it is displayed; and if he will make a statement.

(100999)

204   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the estimated date is for the handover of responsibility for the London Underground to Transport for London; and if he will make a statement.

(100996)

205   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) train failures, (b) signals/points failures and (c) track failures there were on each London Underground line (a) in 2001-02 and (b) in 2002-03.

(100995)

206   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, under franchise agreements, how many passengers the underground train operating companies have agreed to carry on each of their route groups; how many passengers in each group would constitute overcrowding; and if he will make a statement.

(101000)

207   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how the figures at the commencement of the London Underground PPP contracts for the measurement of (a) bonuses and abatements and (b) passenger compensation will be determined for (i) lost customer hours and (ii) attributable delays; what the initial standards will be; and if he will make a statement.

(101002)

208   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from the London Underground PPP, Consortia, and their component companies, for new legislation to restrain the Mayor of London and Transport for London in their operations; how he has responded; and if he will make a statement.

(100997)

209   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his Answer of 4th February, Official Report, column 140W, on London Underground, what the information provided to him by London Underground was relating to (a) the standard of maintenance and safety of the London Underground track and (b) the standard of the rolling stock used; when he expects to receive the reports of the inquiries of (i) the Health and Safety Executive and (ii) London Underground; and if he will make a statement.

(101021)

210   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on the insurance policy relevant to the recent accident at Chancery Lane on the Central Line; what it covers; how much he estimates the claim by London Underground will amount to; and if he will make a statement.

(101024)

211   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100926)

212   Martin Linton (Battersea): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department and its predecessors spent on transport in London in each of the last five years; and what plans he has to finance new London transport schemes in 2003 to 2008.

(100895)

213   Martin Linton (Battersea): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the completion date for (a) Crossrail 1 and (b) Crossrail 2; and if he will make a statement.

(100898)

214   Martin Linton (Battersea): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he next plans to meet the Strategic Rail Authority to discuss the SRA Plan 2003, with particular reference to the proposals for the extension of London Underground's East London Line.

(100896)

215   Martin Linton (Battersea): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the London Congestion Scheme on overcrowding on suburban rail routes into London.

(100897)

216   Bob Spink (Castle Point): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will meet a delegation from Essex and Kent on Saturday 5th April to discuss issues surrounding options for an airport in the Thames region.

(100858)

217   Bob Spink (Castle Point): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how he estimates the demand forecast in the February 2003 South East and East of England Regional Air Services document for Packages 20 and 21 in Annex D would be affected by Packages 6 and 9 in Annex D on the basis of availability of capacity in (a) 2011 and (b) 2024; and how Packages 6 and 9 would affect the Internal Rate of Return and Net Present Value of Packages 20 and 21.

(100859)

218   Bob Spink (Castle Point): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how he estimates the Internal Rate of Return and Net Benefit assessed for Packages 20 and 21 in Annex D of the February 2003 South East and East of England Regional Air Services (SERAS) document would be affected by a requirement that a developer should bear (a) 15 per cent., (b) 25 per cent. and (c) 30 per cent. of the surface access cost associated with those packages as assessed at SERAS Stages 2 and 3.

(100860)

219   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100927)

220
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people draw their pensions through post offices using casual agents.

(100563)

221
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to provide an alternative method to people to drawing their pension in person, when they suffer from sudden illness, from April.

(100564)

222
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he will take to advertise the benefit of the post office card accounts to those recipients of (a) war pensions and (b) child benefit who have already been contacted about changes in the method of benefits payments, prior to the start-up of the post office card account.

(100565)

223
N   Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department will report on the investigation it has been making into the rise in employer liability insurance.

(100697)

224   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a statement on the introduction of an Approved Code of Practice for smoking in the workplace.

(100947)

225   Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace.

(100928)

226   Mr David Marshall (Glasgow, Shettleston): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will uprate the pensions paid to UK pensioners living in all Commonwealth countries; and if he will make a statement.

(100877)

227
N   Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make a statement on progress of the Light Rapid Transit project for Fareham-Gosport-Portsmouth.

[Question Unstarred] (100187)

228
N   Mr Michael Weir (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received in support of a requirement to stain low risk animal by-products prior to disposal.

[Transferred] (100813)

229   Mr David Marshall (Glasgow, Shettleston): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to ensure that main contractors working for government authorities ensure that their specialist and sub-contractors have in place employers liability compulsory insurance; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (100856)

230   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what progress she has made in reviewing the division of surpluses on miners' pension funds.

[Transferred] (100869)

231   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the value of the Government's share of surpluses on miners' pension funds was in each year from 1994.

[Transferred] (100870)

232   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much the Food Standards Agency are spending on the GM public debate.

[Transferred] (100863)

233   Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether BNFL remains contracted to build two nuclear reactors for North Korea; and if she will make a statement.

[Transferred] (100984)