|
Questions for Oral or Written Answer
beginning on Monday 3 November 2003
(the 'Questions Book')
Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Monday 3 November 2003
This paper contains only Written Questions for answer on
Monday 3 November of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.
For other Written Questions for answer on
Monday 3 November of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order Paper.
For Written and Oral Questions for answer after
Monday 3 November see Part 2 of this paper.
Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office
1
N
|
Norman Baker
(Lewes):
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his Answer of 27th October, Official Report, column 55W, on official cars, what accountability mechanism applies to the Leader of the Opposition. |
|
(136253)
|
2
N
|
Malcolm Bruce
(Gordon):
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will list the contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel in each year since 1997, stating in each case (a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(135902)
|
3
|
Brian White
(North East Milton Keynes):
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what statutory investigatory powers the Department has; which ones will be superseded by use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and what plans he has for removing these legacy powers. |
|
(136127)
|
Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
4
|
Mr David Amess
(Southend West):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the recent increase in fuel duty. |
|
(136265)
|
5
|
John Barrett
(Edinburgh West):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 22nd October, Official Report, column 620W, on tax credits, what plans he has to make estimates of take-up of (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit broken down by (i) region, (ii) local authority and (iii) parliamentary constituency. |
|
(136358)
|
6
|
John Barrett
(Edinburgh West):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to increase air passenger duty. |
|
(136399)
|
7
|
John Barrett
(Edinburgh West):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to end the tax exemption status of aviation fuel. |
|
(136400)
|
8
|
Mr John Battle
(Leeds West):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount of third world debt which the IMF and World Bank is prepared to cancel; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136061)
|
9
|
Mr John Battle
(Leeds West):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many illegal fireworks have been seized on entry to the UK at the port of Hull in the last 12 months for which figures are available. |
|
(136356)
|
10
|
Hugh Bayley
(York, City of):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the annual per capita GDP for York unitary authority area was in each year since 1995. |
|
(135948)
|
11
|
Hugh Bayley
(York, City of):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses have been registered for VAT in the York unitary authority area in each year since 1995. |
|
(135949)
|
12
|
Hugh Bayley
(York, City of):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people living in York have received each tax credit in each year since each was introduced. |
|
(135950)
|
13
N
|
Mr Crispin Blunt
(Reigate):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 13th February, to the honourable Member for Chesham and Amersham, Official Report, column 861W, on gold sales, what the precise proceeds were in US dollars of the sale of 395 tonnes of gold; and what the proceeds would have been at the afternoon fix on 31st October 2003. |
|
(135350)
|
14
|
Mr Alistair Carmichael
(Orkney & Shetland):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much income the Crown Estate has received from rents paid for (a) marinas and (b) piers in each year since 1997. |
|
(136459)
|
15
|
Mr Alistair Carmichael
(Orkney & Shetland):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue the Crown Estate has collected from charges levied on cables crossing its land in each year since 1997; and how much the Crown Estate has charged per kilometre of cable laid (a) on the seabed and (b) over ground in each year since 1997. |
|
(136460)
|
16
|
Mr Alistair Carmichael
(Orkney & Shetland):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 27th October, Official Report, column 38W, on Crown Estate Income, how much income has been received by the Crown Estate from rents paid for cables which connect (a) Orkney, (b) Shetland and (c) other Scottish Islands to the UK mainland for each financial year since 1997; and what estimate the Government has made of the impact on UK businesses of charges levied by the Crown Estate for cables that use the seabed. |
|
(136496)
|
17
|
Mr Tom Clarke
(Coatbridge & Chryston):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the (a) London Stock Exchange and (b) Financial Services Authority on the alternative investment market becoming an unregulated market. |
|
(136078)
|
18
|
Mr Tom Clarke
(Coatbridge & Chryston):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what research he has carried out on the way in which an unregulated Alternative Investment Market would affect companies and investors. |
|
(136079)
|
19
|
Mr Tom Clarke
(Coatbridge & Chryston):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the European Commission about the Alternative Investment Market becoming an unregulated market. |
|
(136080)
|
20
|
Sue Doughty
(Guildford):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what source of paper is used for banknotes; and what measures have been taken to ensure that all timber used in this paper comes from (a) legal and (b) sustainable sources. |
|
(136015)
|
21
|
Mr David Drew
(Stroud):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average waiting time for an NHS tax credit exemptions certificate was in the last year for which figures are available. |
|
(136486)
|
22
|
Mr David Drew
(Stroud):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the procedure is for the Inland Revenue to provide details to the exemptions office of those people who are eligible for an NHS tax credit exemptions certificate. |
|
(136487)
|
23
|
Mr David Drew
(Stroud):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people were eligible for an NHS tax credit exemptions certificate in the last year for which figures are available; and how many are still waiting to receive certificates. |
|
(136488)
|
24
|
Mr Barry Gardiner
(Brent North):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 17th September, Official Report, column 863W, on changing jobs, whether similar schemes exist for those making the transition between poorly paid jobs. |
|
(136168)
|
25
|
Mr Barry Gardiner
(Brent North):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions the Treasury has had with the Financial Services Authority about including the need for financial stress testing for consumers applying for mortgages. |
|
(136285)
|
26
|
Mr James Gray
(North Wiltshire):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 14th October, Official Report, column 141W, who has been the Board member responsible for Project ASPIRE since the planning first commenced; when the intention to engage in a market making exercise in support of Project ASPIRE was first committed to by Inland Revenue; when the potential suppliers who took part in the market making exercise were first selected by Inland Revenue for that purpose; and what action Inland Revenue subsequently took after 12th April 2000 to the end of July 2001 to ensure that maximum value for public money expended upon Project ASPIRE was obtained. |
|
(136562)
|
27
|
Mr James Gray
(North Wiltshire):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answers of 15th October, Official Report, column 280W, and 14th July, Official Report, column 133W, whether firearms include shotguns for licensing purposes; of the firearms controlled by HM Customs at Farnborough Airport in 1999 how many were not presented with a valid firearms licence or British visitor firearms licence by the individuals declaring them to customs officers on the date of entry to the UK; and how many firearms were prohibited within the meaning of the Firearms Acts. |
|
(136563)
|
28
|
Mr James Gray
(North Wiltshire):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answers of 14th October, Official Report, column 141W, and 8th September, Official Report, column 103W, on the Inland Revenue, whether Commissioners of Inland Revenue were given objectives relating to Project ASPIRE or its antecedents which attracted performance-related pay in 1999-2000 to 2002-03. |
|
(136564)
|
29
|
Mr James Gray
(North Wiltshire):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answers of 15th October, Official Report, column 280W, and 14th October, Official Report, column 139W, what the destination offices were in 2000-01 of Inland Revenue officers posted from the Business Tax Group, within International Division, broken down by (a) Business Tax Group Deputy Director's Office, (b) Policy Team and (c) Advisory/Casework Team. |
|
(136565)
|
30
|
Mr James Gray
(North Wiltshire):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answers of 15th October, Official Report, column 141W, and 14th October, Official Report, column 139W, what the average marginal cost incurred by the Inland Revenue was in dealing with each of the potential suppliers invited by them to participate in the market making exercise in support of Project ASPIRE until 10th May 2002; what activities gave rise to these marginal costs; and what costs were associated with meetings with individual suppliers. |
|
(136566)
|
31
|
Mr Mike Hancock
(Portsmouth South):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much, as a percentage of GDP, has been spent on (a) health, (b) education and (c) defence in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) each other member of the EU in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
|
|
(136521)
|
32
|
Lady Hermon
(North Down):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will restore tax incentives for pensioners taking out private health insurance; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136228)
|
33
|
Simon Hughes
(North Southwark & Bermondsey):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage of national income accrued to the (a) top and (b) bottom (i) 10 per cent. and (ii) 20 per cent. of the income distribution for each year since 1979 in London. |
|
(136525)
|
34
|
Mr Brian Jenkins
(Tamworth):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the Exchequer proceeds were in the last financial year of charging value-added tax on cycle helmets. |
|
(136427)
|
35
|
Mr Brian Jenkins
(Tamworth):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have taken up basic bank accounts in the UK; and what percentage this represents of all UK personal bank accounts. |
|
(136444)
|
36
|
Sir Archy Kirkwood
(Roxburgh & Berwickshire):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many complaints he has received about (a) child tax and (b) working tax credit; how much compensation has been paid for errors; and what the (i) range and (ii) average amount of compensation paid is. |
|
(135933)
|
37
|
Norman Lamb
(North Norfolk):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many nil awards have been made in respect of applications for (a) child and (b) working tax credit. |
|
(136149)
|
38
|
Norman Lamb
(North Norfolk):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the estimated annual cost is of administering (a) child and (b) working tax credit. |
|
(136150)
|
39
|
Norman Lamb
(North Norfolk):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many compensation awards have been made by the Inland Revenue in respect of complaints about (a) child and (b) working tax credit. |
|
(136151)
|
40
|
Norman Lamb
(North Norfolk):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many complaints seeking compensation have been received in respect of (a) child and (b) working tax credit. |
|
(136152)
|
41
|
Norman Lamb
(North Norfolk):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of those who did not receive national insurance contributions deficiency notices have received letters notifying them of the contributions needed to secure full entitlement. |
|
(136154)
|
42
|
Lembit Öpik
(Montgomeryshire):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage of national income accrued to the (a) top and (b) bottom (i) 10 per cent. and (ii) 20 per cent. of the income distribution in Wales in each year since 1979. |
|
(136485)
|
43
|
Mr Barry Sheerman
(Huddersfield):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to increase the resources available for the expansion of the housing market renewal initiatives, with particular reference to initiatives in West Yorkshire. |
|
(136413)
|
44
|
Dr Phyllis Starkey
(Milton Keynes South West):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the comparative death rates from lung cancer were in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other EU member states and EU accession states in the last year for which figures are available.
|
|
(136049)
|
45
|
John Thurso
(Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many recipients of tax credits in Scotland have been (a) overpaid and (b) issued with demands for lump sum repayments. |
|
(135934)
|
46
|
Brian White
(North East Milton Keynes):
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what statutory investigatory powers the Department has; which ones will be superseded by use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and what plans he has for removing these legacy powers. |
|
(136116)
|
Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs
47
|
Mr Barry Gardiner
(Brent North):
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what requirements there are that changes in Government regulations and orders should be made publicly available before they come into force. |
|
(136171)
|
48
|
Brian White
(North East Milton Keynes):
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what statutory investigatory powers the Department has; which ones will be superseded by use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and what plans he has for removing these legacy powers. |
|
(136128)
|
49
|
Sir Nicholas Winterton
(Macclesfield):
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 22nd October, Official Report, column 631, on divorced parents, if he will collect separate figures for the numbers of (a) fathers and (b) mothers granted leave to remove their children from the United Kingdom. |
|
(136098)
|
50
|
Sir Nicholas Winterton
(Macclesfield):
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 22nd October, Official Report, column 631, on divorced parents, if he will commission research on the impact upon children of one divorced parent being given leave to remove their children from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136099)
|
51
|
Sir Nicholas Winterton
(Macclesfield):
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 22nd October, Official Report, column 631, on divorced parents, if he will estimate the percentage of cases in which divorced mothers are successful in obtaining leave to remove their children from the United Kingdom.
|
|
(136100)
|
52
|
Sir Nicholas Winterton
(Macclesfield):
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 22nd October, Official Report, column 630, on divorced parents, if he will (a) commission research into the number of divorced fathers who maintain effective contact with their children and (b) take steps to monitor the welfare of children, when the children's mother is granted leave to remove them from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136101)
|
Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
53
N
|
Mr Clive Betts
(Sheffield, Attercliffe):
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the efficacy of drug-testing procedures in sports, with particular reference to football. |
|
(135086)
|
54
N
|
John Mann
(Bassetlaw):
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to recommend the classification of additional anabolic steroids. |
|
(135527)
|
55
|
Andrew Rosindell
(Romford):
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many foreign visitors she estimates visited Romford in 2002-03. |
|
(136474)
|
56
|
Brian White
(North East Milton Keynes):
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what statutory investigatory powers the Department has; which ones will be superseded by use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and what plans she has for removing these legacy powers. |
|
(136129)
|
Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence
57
|
Mr Wayne David
(Caerphilly):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to change the admission rules for the RAF for individuals with anterior cruciate ligament damage, in relation to posts which do not require an active military role. |
|
(136033)
|
58
|
Mr David Drew
(Stroud):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the latest advice to RAF pilots undertaking low-flying training in the Gloucester and Severn Valley area. |
|
(136013)
|
59
|
Mr David Drew
(Stroud):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether there was a low-flying field training exercise in October in the Severn Valley area. |
|
(136014)
|
60
|
Mr Barry Gardiner
(Brent North):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the military equipment including (a) a description of the equipment, (b) the quantity and (c) the intended recipient gifted by the Government to other countries since September 2002; and which of those gifts were funded from the Global Conflict Prevention Fund. |
|
(136284)
|
61
|
Mr Barry Gardiner
(Brent North):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to support arms fairs. |
|
(136295)
|
62
|
Mr Mike Hancock
(Portsmouth South):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the first statutory inspection of the Ministry of Defence Police by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabularies, under the Police Reform Act 2002, will take place; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136392)
|
63
|
Mr Mike Hancock
(Portsmouth South):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many female members of the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force received early discharges on medical grounds in each of the last five years; how many complained of sexual harassment or assault; what (i) pension and (ii) benefit they received on discharge; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136514)
|
64
|
Mr Mike Hancock
(Portsmouth South):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the expected commissioning date is of HMS Trafalgar; where the nuclear reactor power range tests will be carried out prior to commissioning; and if he will make a statement.
|
|
(136519)
|
65
|
Mr Mike Hancock
(Portsmouth South):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much money has been spent upgrading and building accommodation for the junior ranks of the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in each of the last three years; what is to be provided in the forward programme; and if he will make a statement.
|
|
(136520)
|
66
|
Mr Mike Hancock
(Portsmouth South):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many civil servants in his Department are seconded to other (a) governments, (b) organisations and (c) companies; to which; for how long; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136522)
|
67
|
Mr Brian Jenkins
(Tamworth):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many packets have been sent to armed forces personnel stationed in the Gulf free of charge since the scheme was launched. |
|
(136398)
|
68
|
Mr Brian Jenkins
(Tamworth):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the lessons the Department has drawn from the recent Iraq conflict regarding (a) logistics, (b) equipment and (c) food provision for armed forces personnel. |
|
(136443)
|
69
|
Lynne Jones
(Birmingham, Selly Oak):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Portsmouth South of 16th October, Official Report, column 322W, what the mechanisms are for checking that UK military units are not implicated in human rights violations, internal repression or collusion with paramilitary organisations. |
|
(136306)
|
70
|
Mr David Marshall
(Glasgow Shettleston):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many defence-related jobs there are in each constituency in Scotland. |
|
(136188)
|
71
|
Lembit Öpik
(Montgomeryshire):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what measures his Department has taken to implement each of the recommendations contained in Surrey Police's inquiry into the deaths at Deepcut Barracks; what the timeframe for implementation is; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(135937)
|
72
|
Angus Robertson
(Moray):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many equipment (a) maintenance, (b) repair and (c) refit projects were (i) planned for and (ii) undertaken in each month of the current year in each of the branches of the armed forces in (A) England, (B) Wales, (C) Northern Ireland and (D) each of the bases in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136236)
|
73
|
Angus Robertson
(Moray):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was spent at each of the military bases in Scotland in each month in 2003 on equipment (a) maintenance, (b) repair and (c) refit; what percentage this represents of each base's maintenance and repair budget; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136237)
|
74
|
Angus Robertson
(Moray):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the highest value deals of military exports from the UK were that were concluded and delivered in 2003; what the (a) manufacturer, (b) name of the export company, (c) official buyer and (d) equipment involved was in each case; whether any of the deals included offset arrangements; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136307)
|
75
|
Angus Robertson
(Moray):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions (a) he, (b) ministers in his Department and (c) other representatives of the Government have had with representatives of the government of Kazakhstan concerning the (i) storage, (ii) disposal and (iii) security of ex-Soviet (A) biological and (B) chemical weapons located in Kazakhstan; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136308)
|
76
N
|
Sir Teddy Taylor
(Rochford & Southend East):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the future of the new range in Shoeburyness. |
|
(134094)
|
77
|
Brian White
(North East Milton Keynes):
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what statutory investigatory powers the Department has; which ones will be superseded by use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and what plans he has for removing these legacy powers. |
|
(136130)
|
Questions to the Deputy Prime Minister
78
|
Virginia Bottomley
(South West Surrey):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what representations he has received on third generation mobile telephone masts from the Churt Mast Action Group. |
|
(136233)
|
79
|
Mr Nicholas Brown
(Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what discussions he has had with Newcastle Gateshead Pathfinder dealing with the under-occupancy in designated local government wards in Newcastle and Gateshead; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136024)
|
80
|
Mrs Anne Campbell
(Cambridge):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the sources of funding are for street wardens in Cambridgeshire; and how much funding is being received from each source in 2003-04. |
|
(136384)
|
81
|
Jeremy Corbyn
(Islington North):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what expenditure there has been on the preparation for the sale of the Tollington Estate in Islington by the North British Housing Association and its subsidiaries; and how much of this was funded by (a) local authority, (b) housing corporation and (c) re-generation funds. |
|
(136507)
|
82
|
Jeremy Corbyn
(Islington North):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what discussions he has had with the London Borough of Islington concerning (a) its arms length management organisation application, (b) the cost of its preparation and (c) the views of the borough's tenants on this policy. |
|
(136508)
|
83
|
Mr Jonathan Djanogly
(Huntingdon):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what in-service death benefits are payable to members of the Fire Services. |
|
(136196)
|
84
N
|
Mr Frank Dobson
(Holborn & St Pancras):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the impact on public finances of money invested in housing refurbishment by (a) an arms length management organisation and (b) a council housing department. |
|
(135909)
|
85
|
Mr David Drew
(Stroud):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what arrangements are in place to ensure that there is sufficient expertise on rural housing on regional housing boards. |
|
(136038)
|
86
|
Mr David Drew
(Stroud):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list the membership of each regional housing board, indicating which members have responsibility for rural housing. |
|
(136039)
|
87
|
Mr David Drew
(Stroud):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether the requirement that local authorities consultation material issued as part of large scale voluntary transfer is checked by the Department extends to information issued by (a) individual (i) councillors, (ii) tenants, (iii) tenant groups and (b) the selected stock transfer organisation. |
|
(136040)
|
88
|
Mr David Drew
(Stroud):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the reasons are for requiring local authorities to have all materials checked as part of the consultation process for large scale voluntary transfer. |
|
(136041)
|
89
|
Mr David Drew
(Stroud):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the material his Department has checked from (a) Stroud District Council and (b) other parties involved in the large scale voluntary transfer process. |
|
(136042)
|
90
|
Mr David Drew
(Stroud):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will publish the advice his Department has given to Stroud District Council on their communication with tenants regarding the procedures for large scale voluntary transfer. |
|
(136142)
|
91
|
Mr Barry Gardiner
(Brent North):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what role credit unions play in alleviating poverty in communities; and what role they (a) have and (b) will have in the future as part of New Deal for Communities. |
|
(136289)
|
92
|
Mr Brian Jenkins
(Tamworth):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what action he is taking to reduce the number of rough sleepers over the winter. |
|
(136439)
|
93
|
Mr Brian Jenkins
(Tamworth):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what action he is taking to tackle the problem of children living in substandard housing conditions as part of the target to eliminate child poverty. |
|
(136446)
|
94
N
|
Mr David Lidington
(Aylesbury):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to issue new planning policy guidance on onshore wind farms. |
|
(136194)
|
95
|
Mr Gordon Prentice
(Pendle):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how much public money he estimates will be spent by both sides of the campaign on the forthcoming regional assembly referendums. |
|
(136076)
|
96
N
|
Mr Laurence Robertson
(Tewkesbury):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to reform the Tenancy Deposit Scheme to provide for the fast return of deposits to tenants by landlords; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(135588)
|
97
|
Mr Barry Sheerman
(Huddersfield):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what plans he has to provide resources for housing market renewal in West Yorkshire. |
|
(136412)
|
98
N
|
Mrs Caroline Spelman
(Meriden):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement about the progress of the Government's domestic violence helpline. |
|
(136314)
|
99
|
Brian White
(North East Milton Keynes):
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what statutory investigatory powers his Department has; which ones will be superseded by use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and what plans he has for removing these legacy powers. |
|
(136118)
|
Questions to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills
100
N
|
Vera Baird
(Redcar):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of the performance of (a) specialist schools and (b) specialist schools in Redcar and Cleveland borough, in achieving 5A* to C grades at GCSE compared to the national average; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(135903)
|
101
|
Hugh Bayley
(York, City of):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many medical students there were in each year since 1992; and how many medical students are attending Hull York Medical School in its initial year.
|
|
(136055)
|
102
|
Mr Tim Boswell
(Daventry):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what research he has commissioned on the principal alternative models for (a) university finance and (b) student funding. |
|
(136454)
|
103
|
Mr Tim Boswell
(Daventry):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what research he has collated into the relative cost-effectiveness of public expenditure on (a) improving basic skills, (b) achieving level 2 qualifications, (c) achieving level 3 qualifications and (d) achieving level 4 qualifications. |
|
(136455)
|
104
|
Mr Tim Boswell
(Daventry):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the evidential basis is for the statement in the Higher Education White paper that 80 per cent. of future jobs will require education to level 4. |
|
(136456)
|
105
|
Mr Tim Boswell
(Daventry):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the findings of research conducted for his Department by Machin, Vignoles and Galindo-Rueda on the relationship between institutional productivity and skills attainments at various levels. |
|
(136457)
|
106
|
Mr Tim Boswell
(Daventry):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what research he has conducted into the differential in the qualifications required for future jobs between (a) newly-created jobs and (b) replacement jobs; and what estimate he has made of the number of jobs in each category. |
|
(136458)
|
107
|
Mr Nicholas Brown
(Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what programmes are sponsored by his Department to ensure that (a) higher educational courses and (b) vocational training are responsive to forecast demand in the labour market. |
|
(136031)
|
108
|
Mr Nicholas Brown
(Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many of the vocational training programmes recognised by his Department are structured in such a way that it is possible by undertaking additional further courses of study to obtain a degree level qualification. |
|
(136032)
|
109
|
Ms Karen Buck
(Regent's Park & Kensington North):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of pupils are eligible for free school dinners in each constituency, listed in descending order. |
|
(136282)
|
110
|
Mr Jim Cousins
(Newcastle upon Tyne Central):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what plans he has to change the income assessments for eligibility for full or partial remission of tuition fees. |
|
(136541)
|
111
|
David Davis
(Haltemprice & Howden):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) primary and (b) secondary teacher vacancies there were in the East Riding of Yorkshire on 31st October of each year since 1997. |
|
(136058)
|
112
|
David Davis
(Haltemprice & Howden):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the average class sizes of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Haltemprice and Howden for the current academic year. |
|
(136060)
|
113
|
David Davis
(Haltemprice & Howden):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what percentage of children in (a) the Haltemprice and Howden constituency, (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (c) England remained in education after the completion of their GCSEs in each year since 1997. |
|
(136468)
|
114
|
David Davis
(Haltemprice & Howden):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the pay rates are for (a) primary school teachers, (b) secondary school teachers and (c) teaching assistants in the East Riding of Yorkshire in 2003-04. |
|
(136471)
|
115
|
Michael Fabricant
(Lichfield):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much the target transitional grant for Staffordshire Local Education Authority will be in the next two years; and what arrangements have been made for the provision of the grant. |
|
(136166)
|
116
|
Michael Fabricant
(Lichfield):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the average (a) primary and (b) secondary formula spending share per pupil will be in each local education authority in England and Wales for (i) 2004-05 and (ii) subsequent years. |
|
(136167)
|
117
N
|
Mrs Cheryl Gillan
(Chesham & Amersham):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of the implications of access to field work in schools for the promotion of environmental awareness; and whether the provision for field work within the national curriculum will ensure that enough employees with adequate skills are available to bodies who carry out environmental impact assessments. |
|
(135904)
|
118
N
|
Mrs Cheryl Gillan
(Chesham & Amersham):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of whether the encouragement of fieldwork as a teaching method is adequately supported by teacher training courses. |
|
(135905)
|
119
N
|
Mrs Cheryl Gillan
(Chesham & Amersham):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of the Growing Schools Initiative as a sufficient alternative to a formal requirement for out of classroom activity for the (a) science GCSE and (b) biology A-level curricula. |
|
(135906)
|
120
N
|
Mrs Cheryl Gillan
(Chesham & Amersham):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether his Green Action Plan for Education will specify the need for out of class room activity as part of the national curriculum for appropriate subjects. |
|
(135907)
|
121
|
Mr Mike Hancock
(Portsmouth South):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment he has made of the (a) need for and (b) costs of enabling children's services in refuges to meet the national standards for under eights day care; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136394)
|
122
|
Mr Mike Hancock
(Portsmouth South):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make it his policy to insert into the Green Paper on Children at Risk a requirement for risk assessment in contact cases involving domestic violence or child abuse; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136396)
|
123
|
Mr Mike Hancock
(Portsmouth South):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what assessment was made of the risk to children and young people in domestic violence situations in drawing up the Green Paper on Children at Risk; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136397)
|
124
|
Mr Lindsay Hoyle
(Chorley):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what measures he will take with local authorities to ensure that all children under the age of 11 receive free school milk. |
|
(136069)
|
125
|
Mr Lindsay Hoyle
(Chorley):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what measures he will take to encourage education authorities to use the EU subsidy for provision of school milk. |
|
(136070)
|
126
|
Mr Lindsay Hoyle
(Chorley):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what financial support he will give to (a) education authorities and (b) schools to provide free school milk for all those aged 11 and under. |
|
(136071)
|
127
|
Mr Lindsay Hoyle
(Chorley):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what discussions he has had with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding (a) the provision of free school milk and (b) the provison of free school milk to all those aged 11 and under. |
|
(136102)
|
128
|
Mr Brian Jenkins
(Tamworth):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what guidance he has issued to local education authorities on their responsibility to pursue action against an individual who carries out a violent attack on a member of their staff. |
|
(136416)
|
129
|
Mr Brian Jenkins
(Tamworth):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many UK teachers have reported a violent attack upon their person by pupils in each of the last 10 years. |
|
(136429)
|
130
|
Mr Brian Jenkins
(Tamworth):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what action the Government is taking to reduce the level of violent attacks upon teachers. |
|
(136430)
|
131
|
Mr Brian Jenkins
(Tamworth):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the additional financial support offered to trainee teachers since 1997. |
|
(136432)
|
132
|
Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger
(Bridgwater):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what checks are carried out into private companies who run children's homes.
|
|
(136545)
|
133
|
Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger
(Bridgwater):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what role social services departments have in setting up children's homes.
|
|
(136546)
|
134
|
Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger
(Bridgwater):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what consultation in the local area is required to be carried out for a proposed children's home for three or fewer children.
|
|
(136547)
|
135
|
Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger
(Bridgwater):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children were in privately-run children's homes in Somerset in the last year for which figures are available.
|
|
(136548)
|
136
|
Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger
(Bridgwater):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many inspectors of homes which care for children were carried out in Somerset in (a) 2001-02 and (b) 2002-03. |
|
(136550)
|
137
|
Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger
(Bridgwater):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, where homes in Somerset which are used to have children in care are located. |
|
(136551)
|
138
|
Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger
(Bridgwater):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the private companies which look after children in care in Somerset. |
|
(136553)
|
139
|
Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger
(Bridgwater):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children are in care in Somerset; and which counties they come from. |
|
(136554)
|
140
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of children in Bath and North East Somerset in (a) 1996-97 and (b) 2002-03 gained level 4 or above in their Key Stage Two tests in (i) English and (ii) mathematics. |
|
(136315)
|
141
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many 14 year-olds in Bath and North East Somerset were eligible to sit Key Stage Three tests in 2002-03. |
|
(136316)
|
142
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of children in Bath and North East Somerset in (a) 1996-97 and (b) 2002-03 gained level 5 or above in their Key Stage Three tests in (i) English and (ii) mathematics. |
|
(136317)
|
143
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how much money Bath and North East Somerset received in total capital funds from central government in (a) 1996-97 and (b) 2003-04; and if he will list the main components of that spending. |
|
(136318)
|
144
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will list the schools in Bath and North East Somerset which have benefited significantly from the Government's capital initiatives since 1997. |
|
(136319)
|
145
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will estimate how many support staff were employed by schools in Bath and North East Somerset in (a) 1997 and (b) 2003. |
|
(136333)
|
146
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many full-time equivalent teachers there were in Bath and North East Somerset in (a) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) 2003. |
|
(136334)
|
147
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the pupil-computer ratio was in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Bath and North East Somerset in (a) 1997 and (b) 2003. |
|
(136335)
|
148
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many computers there were in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Bath and North East Somerset in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2003. |
|
(136336)
|
149
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many (a) three-year-olds and (b) four-year-olds were in receipt of free nursery education in Bath and North East Somerset in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2003; and if he will estimate what proportion of the local three-year-old population these figures represent. |
|
(136337)
|
150
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children in Bath and North East Somerset are benefiting from the Sure Start programme. |
|
(136338)
|
151
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many pupils each year, between 1996-97 and 2002-03, gained (a) Key Stage 5 A-Cs, (b) Key Stage 2 level 4 and (c) Key Stage 3 level 5. |
|
(136339)
|
152
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of 15-year-olds in Bath and North East Somerset in 2002-03 entered for GCSE or equivalent examinations. |
|
(136340)
|
153
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of 15-year-olds in Bath and North East Somerset in (a) 1996-97 and (b) 1997-98 achieved (a) five or more A*-C GCSE grades and (b) one or more GCSE passes. |
|
(136341)
|
154
|
Dan Norris
(Wansdyke):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children in Bath and North East Somerset in 2002-03 were eligible to sit key stage two tests. |
|
(136342)
|
155
|
Mr Gordon Prentice
(Pendle):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what steps he is taking to promote a greater ethnic mix in schools in multi-ethnic areas; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136074)
|
156
|
Mr Gordon Prentice
(Pendle):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many institutions in the United Kingdom provide training for those wishing to qualify as imams; how many places each offered in 2002-03; and if he will make a statement. |
|
(136103)
|
157
|
Andrew Rosindell
(Romford):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the level of secondary school truancy was in (a) the constituency of Romford and (b) each other London borough in 2002-03. |
|
(136472)
|
158
|
Andrew Rosindell
(Romford):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the literacy level is in (a) the constituency of Romford and (b) other population centres in Essex. |
|
(136476)
|
159
|
Dr Jenny Tonge
(Richmond Park):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what proportion of children at day nurseries sponsored by SureStart are (a) paying full fees for care and (b) receiving financial help, broken down by education authority. |
|
(136205)
|
160
|
Dr Jenny Tonge
(Richmond Park):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many children are attending SureStart day nurseries. |
|
(136206)
|
161
|
Dr Jenny Tonge
(Richmond Park):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what advice he gives to education authorities concerning the content and quality of school meals. |
|
(136207)
|
162
|
Dr Jenny Tonge
(Richmond Park):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many schools in the UK provide breakfast clubs, broken down by education authority. |
|
(136208)
|
163
|
Dr Jenny Tonge
(Richmond Park):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the costs have been of setting up the National Healthy School Award. |
|
(136209)
|
164
|
Dr Jenny Tonge
(Richmond Park):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many schools have signed up to the Healthy Schools programme; and how many of those schools have been accredited with the National Healthy School Standards, broken down by local education authority. |
|
(136210)
|
165
|
Brian White
(North East Milton Keynes):
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what statutory investigatory powers the Department has; which ones will be superseded by use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and what plans he has for removing these legacy powers. |
|
(136124)
|
Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
166
|
Virginia Bottomley
(South West Surrey):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to introduce first time sewerage schemes in rural areas. |
|
(136279)
|
167
|
Virginia Bottomley
(South West Surrey):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received from Hambledon and Wormley residents concerning recent statements by Southern Water on first time sewerage schemes. |
|
(136280)
|
168
|
Mr Nicholas Brown
(Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which United Kingdom power stations have been granted derogation from the Large Combustion Plant Directive. |
|
(136025)
|
169
|
Mr Nicholas Brown
(Newcastle upon Tyne East & Wallsend):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to implement the Large Combustion Plant Directive in the North East region. |
|
(136026)
|
170
N
|
Mr David Chaytor
(Bury North):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects to receive the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's Annual Report. |
|
(134074)
|
171
|
Mr Wayne David
(Caerphilly):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had about the possible siting of a new nuclear waste facility.
|
|
(136048)
|
172
|
Sue Doughty
(Guildford):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the issues discussed in the meeting of the EU Environment Council on 27th October. |
|
(136016)
|
173
|
Mr David Drew
(Stroud):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the implications for the UK of their proposals to eradicate bovine TB. |
|
(136093)
|
174
N
|
Andrew George
(St Ives):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research has been (a) commissioned and (b) published about the biochemical implications of introducing genes coding for enzymes under the control of host gene regulation systems; and what the implications are of this in respect of the host GM plant. |
|
(136169)
|
175
N
|
Andrew George
(St Ives):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research has been (a) commissioned and (b) published about the (i) behaviour and (ii) fate in the environment of toxins used in the production of GM insect resistant crops. |
|
(136190)
|
176
N
|
Andrew George
(St Ives):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with representatives from (a) the Meat and Livestock Commission, (b) local authorities and (c) the livestock industry about the (i) extent and (ii) impact of livestock market closures. |
|
(136192)
|
177
|
Andrew George
(St Ives):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list those livestock auction markets which (a) operated in 1997 and (b) operate. |
|
(136193)
|
178
|
Andrew George
(St Ives):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what studies she has received of (a) policy on and (b) the cost of meat import controls from areas of high disease risk in (i) other EU member states and (ii) other countries. |
|
(136219)
|
179
|
Andrew George
(St Ives):
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions her Depa | |
