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Questions for Oral or Written Answer
beginning on Thursday 3 July 2008
(the 'Questions Book')
Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Thursday 3 July 2008
This paper contains only Written Questions for answer on Thursday 3 July 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 Thursday 3 July of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order Paper. For Written and Oral Questions for answer after Thursday 3 July see Part 2 of this paper.
Questions to the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 1
| Lorely Burt (Solihull): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what sources of advice and financial support are available to family businesses. | | (216500) | 2
| Lorely Burt (Solihull): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what plans he has to reduce the regulatory burdens on family businesses. | | (216501) | 3
| Lorely Burt (Solihull): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what assessment he has made of the contribution of family businesses to the economy. | | (216502) | 4
| Lorely Burt (Solihull): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, whether he plans to extend the Enterprise Investment Scheme to allow all relatives to be eligible for tax relief on the purchase of new shares in smaller high-risk companies. | | (216503) | 5
N | Mr Geoffrey Cox (Torridge & West Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what consideration he has given to the provisions of section 62 of the Environment Act 1995 in respect of the withdrawal of postal services from settlements in national parks; and if he will make a statement. | | (215710) | 6
N | Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath & Crayford): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what his plans are for the post office network in Greater London; and if he will make a statement. | | (215947) | 7
N | Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what estimate he has made of (a) the number of semiconductor companies based in the UK and (b) the number of people employed in the semiconductor industry. | | (216148) | 8
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what the highest 10 payments made by his Department in settlement of personal injury claims brought against it were over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of those cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by the Department; and what the nature of the incident was in each case. | | (216680) | 9
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, how many days of sick leave were taken by his Department's employees in each year since 1997. | | (216691) | 10
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what the 10 highest payments made by his Department were under property compensation cases brought against it over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of the cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by his Department; and what the nature of each incident was. | | (216708) | 11
| Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, how many employment tribunal cases were brought successfully by (a) (i) mothers and (ii) fathers in each year since 2003 and (b) carers in 2007 against refusal of requests for flexible working; and what the average amount of compensation awarded was in each case. | | (216487) | 12
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, which post offices in each parliamentary constituency were originally proposed for closure under the network change programme but have since been decided will not be closed; and what the reason for keeping each open is. | | (216515) | 13
| Tom Levitt (High Peak): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what recent assessment he has made of the national demand for fluorspar of UK origin; and if he will make a statement. | | (216737) | Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer 14
| Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the publication of the HM Revenue and Customs Workforce Change proposals on 11th June, what the estimated accommodation cost savings are for (a) HM Revenue and Customs Cherry Grove Haverfordwest and (b) HM Revenue and Customs Pembroke Dock per annum. | | (216619) | 15
| Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many PAYE records have not been clerically reviewed for (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05 and (c) 2005-06. | | (216620) | 16
| Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his estimate is of (a) the average tax overpayment and (b) the average tax underpayment for each PAYE account following clerical review in the latest period for which figures are available. | | (216621) | 17
| Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many HM Revenue and Customs posts at Civil Service Grade 6 and above are vacant. | | (216622) | 18
| Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many posts at Grade 6 and above there were in (a) Inland Revenue and (b) HM Customs and Excise before their amalgamation into HM Revenue and Customs; and how many posts at Grade 6 and above there are in HM Revenue and Customs. | | (216623) | 19
| Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department had with (a) Welsh Assembly Government officials and (b) officials of other Departments officials on the proposed closure of HM Revenue and Customs offices at (i) Cherry Grove Haverfordwest and (ii) Pembroke Dock. | | (216624) | 20
| Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue from oil movements was paid to HM Revenue and Customs by (a) Chevron Pembroke Refinery, (b) Murco/Total Fina EG Refinery, Milford Haven and (c) Sem Logistics Petro Plus/Milford Haven in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2006-07 and (iii) 2005-06. | | (216625) | 21
N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of receipts from duty paid on diesel by the rail industry in 2007-08. | | (216410) | 22
N | Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield, Attercliffe): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the additional yield of an income tax rate of (a) 50 per cent. on taxable incomes exceeding £250,000 per annum and (b) 45 per cent. on taxable incomes exceeding £250,000 per annum. | | (216411) | 23
| Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many families received child tax credit in (a) England, (b) each region and (c) each London local authority area in (i) 2003 and (ii) 2008. | | (216664) | 24
| Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many families have taken up childcare vouchers in each year since the scheme's inception. | | (216665) | 25
N | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the likely change in the projected revenue receipts announced in Budget 2008 from (a) value added tax, (b) stamp duty and (c) corporation tax for (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. | | (216150) | 26
N | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Oral Statement of 13th May 2008, Official Report, columns 1201-02, on income tax, if he will break down the 1.1 million people affected by the removal of the 10p tax rate, who were not fully compensated by the measures announced in the statement by (a) age, (b) income decile, (c) region and (d) full- or part-time employment; and if he will make a statement. | | (216151) | 27
| Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what target HM Revenue and Customs has set for the time taken to respond to public enquiries; and what its success rate in reaching the target was in the last period for which figures are available. | | (216713) | 28
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to assist vulnerable adults with rising household bills. | | (215683) | 29
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps he has taken to assist low income families with financial burdens. | | (215684) | 30
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the highest 10 payments made by his Department in settlement of personal injury claims brought against it were over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of those cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by the Department; and what the nature of the incident was in each case. | | (216688) | 31
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many days of sick leave were taken by his Department's employees in each year since 1997. | | (216700) | 32
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the 10 highest payments made by his Department were under property compensation cases brought against it over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of the cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by his Department; and what the nature of each incident was. | | (216703) | 33
| Mr Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt (a) received from and (b) returned to the National Lottery Distribution Fund in each year since 1997. | | (216524) | 34
| Dr John Pugh (Southport): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what projected savings HM Revenue and Customs plan to obtain through the sale of buildings over the next three years. | | (216719) | 35
| Dr John Pugh (Southport): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what savings HM Revenue and Customs has made in the last three years through the sale of its buildings. | | (216750) | 36
| Dr John Pugh (Southport): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to prevent or inhibit the use of British Overseas Territories in tax avoidance by UK-based (i) companies and (ii) individuals. | | (216751) | 37
| Dr John Pugh (Southport): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what savings HM Revenue and Customs has made in the last three years through the termination of leases on buildings it formerly leased. | | (216752) | 38
| Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many cases have been passed from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) call centres to HMRC offices in Scotland which are currently earmarked for closure in each of the last five years. | | (216801) | 39
| Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average length of service for staff employed by HM Revenue and Customs and its predecessor organisations is at each of its locations in Scotland. | | (216802) | 40
| Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the running costs were for each HM Revenue and Customs office in Scotland in each of the last five years. | | (216803) | 41
| Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the staff turnover rate was at each HM Revenue and Customs office in Scotland in each of the last five years. | | (216804) | 42
| Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the staff absentee rate was at each HM Revenue and Customs office in Scotland in each of the last five years. | | (216805) | 43
| Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much was received on average in (a) working tax credits and (b) child tax credits by claimant families with a child (i) claiming and (ii) not claiming disability living allowance in the most recent period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. | | (216548) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 44
| Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what grants were made to Westminster City Council by his Department in each year since 2000-01. | | (216475) | 45
| Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how much was allocated per capita in each London local authority area by Sport England in each year since 2003. | | (216476) | 46
| Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what assessment he has made of levels of sporting participation by children in inner London; and if he will make a statement. | | (216477) | 47
| Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, which schools in each London local authority area provide the full care extended school offer; what the pupil population is of each; and what this represents as a proportion of the local education authority pupil population in each case. | | (216542) | 48
| Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what the average class size in each secondary academy school is. | | (216662) | 49
| Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how much was awarded for personalised learning and pupil support (a) in England and (b) to each local education authority (LEA) in 2007-08, expressed (i) as a cash sum and (ii) per head of the LEA-supported pupil population. | | (216743) | 50
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what recent steps the Government has taken to encourage schools to gain Fair Trade status. | | (215520) | 51
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what recent steps the Government has taken to promote the use of organic produce in school meals. | | (215521) | 52
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what recent steps the Government has taken to increase school pupils' awareness of the principles of healthy eating during school time. | | (215522) | 53
| Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many mainstream maintained secondary schools entered one or more pupils for a GCSE in (a) biology, (b) chemistry and (c) physics in the latest year for which figures are available. | | (216498) | 54
| Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis & Littlehampton): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many mainstream maintained secondary schools offer three separate sciences at GCSE level. | | (216499) | 55
| Sandra Gidley (Romsey): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, pursuant to the Answer of 12th June 2008, Official Report, columns 453-4W, on playing fields: Hampshire, what the status was of the playing fields at Thornden School, Chandler's Ford in (a) 1999 and (b) 2002. | | (216569) | 56
| Michael Gove (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many pupils in maintained schools in England were entered for (a) the IGCSE, (b) the International Baccalaureate and (c) the Cambridge Pre-U examination in the last period for which figures are available. | | (216630) | 57
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what EU Youth in Action programmes are in operation in England. | | (216649) | 58
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what the highest 10 payments made by his Department in settlement of personal injury claims brought against it were over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of those cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by the Department; and what the nature of the incident was in each case. | | (216676) | 59
| Stephen Hesford (Wirral West): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on alcohol dependency problems in different generations of one family; and what assessment he has made of means of reducing the likelihood of children of alcohol abusers themselves becoming alcohol abusers. | | (216491) | 60
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what targets have been set for the effectiveness of the new diplomas in each year since 2005; what the targets are now; and if he will make a statement. | | (216506) | 61
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how much his Department (a) spent on diplomas in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07 and (iii) 2007-08 and (b) plans to spend on diplomas in (A) 2008-09, (B) 2009-10, (C) 2010-11 and (D) 2011-12, broken down by (1) development costs, (2) preparation costs, (3) direct and indirect delivery costs, (4) workforce development costs and (5) transport costs; and if he will make a statement. | | (216507) | 62
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what his latest estimate is of the number of places there will be on diploma courses in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; how many students he expects to be studying for diplomas in each of those years; and if he will make a statement. | | (216510) | 63
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many staff in his Department are working on the development and introduction of diplomas; and if he will make a statement. | | (216511) | 64
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how much funding per student will be made available for each student taking a (a) diploma, (b) GCSE, (c) A-level and (d) BTEC course in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. | | (216512) | 65
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how much his Department spent on (a) holding and (b) organising the national conference for independent schools to discuss the new diplomas. | | (216608) | 66
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, which independent schools sent representatives to the national conference to discuss the new diplomas. | | (216609) | 67
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how much his Department spent on (a) holding and (b) organising the seminar for independent schools which have expressed an interest in offering diploma courses. | | (216610) | 68
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, which independent schools have expressed an interest in offering diploma courses. | | (216611) | 69
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many independent schools have been approved for diploma delivery in September 2009; and if he will make a statement. | | (216612) | 70
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what plans he has to allow independent schools to offer diplomas outside consortia with other schools and colleges; and if he will make a statement. | | (216613) | 71
| Mr David Laws (Yeovil): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, when he plans to decide on the extension of the single level tests to all schools; and if he will make a statement. | | (216631) | 72
| Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what proportion of teenage mothers aged under 18 years were in (a) paid employment and (b) full-time education in each year since 1997. | | (216555) | 73
| Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many teenage mothers attended schools at which more than 50 per cent. of the pupils were entitled to free school meals in the last period for which figures are available. | | (216667) | 74
| Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many and what percentage of teenage mothers were entitled to free school meals in each year since 1997. | | (216669) | 75
| Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many girls in their last year of compulsory schooling who were mothers did not sit any GCSE examination in each year for which figures are available. | | (216672) | 76
| Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what percentage of expenditure from the Children's Fund has been incurred by community and voluntary groups in (a) the London Borough of Enfield, (b) Greater London and (c) England and Wales in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. | | (216557) | 77
| Dr John Pugh (Southport): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, which local authorities are participating in the Building Schools for the Future programme; and how many schools in each participating authority are scheduled for (a) refurbishment and (b) replacement. | | (216735) | 78
| Dr John Pugh (Southport): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how much funding has been committed to the Building Schools for the Future programme; and how much in private finance initiative credit has been committed. | | (216736) | 79
| Dr John Pugh (Southport): To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, what guidance he has issued on the consultations to take place before a local authority bids for Building Schools for the Future funds. | | (216749) | Questions to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 80
N | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what estimate the Office for National Statistics has made of changes in the average retail price of (a) bread, (b) butter, (c) milk, (d) eggs and (e) flour, since June 2007; and if he will make a statement. | | (216149) | 81
| Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what the gross value-added (GVA) figure per head for each NUTS 2 region in the North East is; what proportion of UK GVA each represents; and what each figure was in (a) 2006 and (b) 2005. | | (216744) | 82
| Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many people were in employment in the North East in each quarter since January 2003, calculated with reference to the December 2007 changes in methodology, broken down by (a) employees, (b) self-employed, (c) the armed forces and (d) trainees. | | (216745) | 83
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many days of sick leave were taken by employees of the Prime Minister's Office in each year since 1997. | | (216701) | 84
| Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what percentage of births were to teenage mothers in each of the last 10 years, broken down by primary care trust area. | | (216554) | 85
| Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many teenagers gave birth in each constituency in each of the last 10 years. | | (216556) | 86
| Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what the rate of infant mortality was of children born to teenage mothers in (a) the five most deprived areas in England and (b) England in each year since 1997. | | (216668) | 87
| Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what the conception rate for women under 18 years living in (a) wards with a benefit claim rate of 25 per cent. or above and (b) wards in the 10 local authority districts with the lowest employment rates which have benefit claim rates between 20 and 25 per cent. was in each year since 1997. | | (216670) | 88
| Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what the conception rate for persons aged (a) under 14, (b) between 14 and 16 and (c) between 17 and 18 years per thousand women was in each year since 1997. | | (216671) | 89
| Tim Loughton (East Worthing & Shoreham): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what estimate he has made of (a) the percentage of children living in one parent families, (b) the number of live births per thousand teenage women and (c) the percentage of children born outside marriage in the last 10 years for which figures are available, broken down by (i) social class, (ii) income, (iii) race and (iv) geographic location. | | (216783) | 90
N | Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many staff the Joint Intelligence Committee has; and what the (a) job description and (b) pay band of each is. | | (214874) | 91
N | Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what assessment he has made of the effects of fuel prices on the cost of living; and if he will make a statement. | | (215965) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 92
| Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the extent of over-crowding in the registered social landlord sector in (a) England and (b) London; and if she will make a statement. | | (216480) | 93
| Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many applications for medical priority points were made in each London local authority in each of the last five years; and how many households were awarded medical priority in each year. | | (216481) | 94
| Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much was allocated to each London local authority through the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive scheme in each year since its inception. | | (216663) | 95
| Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many households lacking (a) one bedroom and (b) two or more bedrooms were registered for a housing transfer in each London local authority in 2007-08. | | (216666) | 96
| Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park & Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many households in (a) local authority, (b) registered social landlord and (c) private accommodation have been assessed by local authority environmental health officers using the Housing Health and Safety Ratings System since its inception; and how many were found to have a Category 1 hazard. | | (216711) | 97
N | Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's YouGov Poll on eco-towns, how many people were questioned; how those questioned were selected; where those questioned lived; what questions they were asked; and from which socio-economic groups they were drawn. | | (216196) | 98
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the highest 10 payments made by her Department in settlement of personal injury claims brought against it were over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of those cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by the Department; and what the nature of the incident was in each case. | | (216677) | 99
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the 10 highest payments made by her Department were under property compensation cases brought against it over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of the cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by her Department; and what the nature of each incident was. | | (216709) | 100
| Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Building Disaster Group; what reports the group has produced in the last 12 months; what projects it has managed in that time; and if she will make a statement. | | (216508) | 101
| Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what processes are in place to measure the effectiveness of regional management boards in respect of regionalisation of fire control centres; and if she will make a statement. | | (216509) | 102
| Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the cost of each fire and rescue service regional management board was in financial year (a) 2004-05, (b) 2005-06, (c) 2006-07 and (d) 2007-08; and if she will make a statement. | | (216560) | 103
| Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if she will provide a breakdown of the expenditure to date in respect of local transport projects identified for funding under the auspices of the Community Infrastructure Fund in the Thames Gateway area by main budget area; and if she will make a statement. | | (216798) | 104
| Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if she will make a statement on progress made towards the zero waste construction target in the Thames Gateway area. | | (216799) | 105
| Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what progress has been made in establishing a Green Homes Service in the Thames Gateway area; and if she will make a statement. | | (216800) | 106
| Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if she will provide a breakdown by main budget heading of expenditure under the auspices of the Thames Gateway Parklands programme in the current financial year (a) by project and (b) by local authority area; and if she will make a statement. | | (216806) | 107
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what advice she has given local authorities on the design specifications of car parking ticket machines, with particular reference to the provision of change. | | (216581) | 108
| Sarah Teather (Brent East): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much revenue has been accrued in car park charges in each local authority in each of the last five years. | | (216582) | 109
| Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the availability of affordable housing in the Peak District National Park Authority area; and if she will make a statement. | | (216564) | 110
| Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to encourage increased provision of affordable housing in the Peak District National Park Authority area; and if she will make a statement. | | (216565) | 111
| Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on (a) the availability of affordable housing in the Peak District National Park Authority area and (b) future funding for the provision of rural housing enablers; and if she will make a statement. | | (216566) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 112
| Sandra Gidley (Romsey): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many (a) public and (b) mobile libraries there were in (i) Hampshire, (ii) the Test Valley and (iii) Southampton in each of the last 15 years. | | (216543) | 113
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what EU grant aid may be provided for development of computer games in the UK with an EU cultural element; and what the qualifying criteria are for such grant aid. | | (216653) | 114
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the highest 10 payments made by his Department in settlement of personal injury claims brought against it were over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of those cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by the Department; and what the nature of the incident was in each case. | | (216675) | 115
| Stephen Hesford (Wirral West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many library closures have taken place since 1997; what the reasons have been for those closures; and how much is planned to be spent on library services in 2008-09. | | (216490) | 116
| Mr Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 17th June 2008, Official Report, columns 856-8W, on departmental non-departmental public bodies, if he will publish each of the funding agreements so far agreed with his Department's non-departmental public bodies. | | (216505) | 117
| Mr Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish each of his Department's directorates' most recent business plans. | | (216520) | 118
| Mr Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations he has made at EU level on harmonisation in digital radio technology. | | (216521) | 119
| Mr Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what evidence was submitted to his Department to inform the Digital Working Group interim report published in June 2008. | | (216522) | 120
| Mr Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many freedom of information requests his Department received in each of the last three years; and in how many the information requested was (a) given within 20 working days, (b) given after more than 20 working days, (c) given in part within 20 working days, (d) given in part after more than 20 working days and (e) refused. | | (216523) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence 121
N | Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the latest total manning figures are for (a) the Territorial Army, (b) the Royal Naval Reserve, (c) the Royal Marines Reserves and (d) the Royal Auxiliary Air Force; and how many personnel from each category have been mobilised in total for Operations (i) Herrick and (ii) Telic. | | (214782) | 122
N | Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many part-time reserve air crew there are in (a) the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, (b) Air Experience Flights, (c) University Air Squadron Institutions and (d) the Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch. | | (214783) | 123
| Mr Douglas Carswell (Harwich): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons his Department procured the Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicle; what consideration was given to procuring off-the-shelf alternatives; and if he will make a statement. | | (216514) | 124
| Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel were referred to the Priory Clinic in each year since 2004. | | (216494) | 125
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which UK (a) military units and (b) vessels have taken part in EU military operations. | | (216656) | 126
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the highest 10 payments made by his Department in settlement of personal injury claims brought against it were over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of those cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by the Department; and what the nature of the incident was in each case. | | (216684) | 127
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many days of sick leave were taken by his Department's employees in each year since 1997. | | (216696) | 128
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the 10 highest payments made by his Department were under property compensation cases brought against it over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of the cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by his Department; and what the nature of each incident was. | | (216705) | 129
| Mr Adam Holloway (Gravesham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many M-WMIKS vehicles are in Afghanistan. | | (216517) | 130
| Mr Adam Holloway (Gravesham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many M-WMIKS vehicles were ordered in (a) 2007 and (b) 2008; and how many of these (i) have been delivered to Afghanistan and (ii) will be ready for delivery within (A) three months and (B) six months. | | (216518) | 131
| Mr Adam Holloway (Gravesham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what operational purposes Snatch vehicles are being used in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. | | (216519) | 132
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what control his Department has over who the ultimate owners are of armoured personnel carriers being sold by his Department to Witham Specialist Vehicles Ltd. | | (216482) | 133
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons his Department is selling armoured personnel carriers. | | (216483) | 134
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Saxon armoured personnel carriers are deployed on operations in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan. | | (216484) | 135
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many decommissioned armoured personnel carriers have been sold abroad in each year since 2006. | | (216485) | 136
| Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury & Atcham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Saxon armoured personnel carriers have been sold by his Department to Witham Specialist Vehicles Ltd. | | (216486) | 137
N | Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on plans to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armistice in November 2008; and what events are proposed. | | (216036) | 138
N | Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 30th June 2008, which military airfield with a runway and infrastructure able to accommodate a Boeing 747 is closest to London. | | (216190) | 139
| Ann Winterton (Congleton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Mi-17 helicopters were in use in the armed forces at the latest date for which figures are available. | | (216658) | 140
| Ann Winterton (Congleton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the length of roads (a) repaired and (b) constructed by the armed forces directly or under their direction in Helmand province in the last two years. | | (216659) | 141
| Ann Winterton (Congleton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was spent on purchases of locally produced Afghan food by the armed forces and Government agencies in Afghanistan in the financial years (a) 2005-06, (b) 2006-07 and (c) 2007-08. | | (216660) | 142
| Ann Winterton (Congleton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of expenditure on food for the armed forces and Government agencies in Afghanistan was spent on locally-produced Afghan food in each of the last three years for which figures are available. | | (216661) | 143
| Ann Winterton (Congleton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was spent on food for (a) the armed forces and (b) Government agencies in Afghanistan in each of the last three years for which figures are available. | | (216712) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 144
| Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many animals of each species of primate were imported to the UK to be sold as pets in each of the last 10 years, broken down by country of origin; and what steps are taken to monitor the whereabouts of such animals. | | (216727) | 145
| Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many primates were bred in the UK to be sold as pets in each of the last 10 years. | | (216728) | 146
| Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many primates are kept as pets in England. | | (216729) | 147
| Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when codes for primate-keeping under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 will be published; and when they will be brought into force. | | (216730) | 148
| Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what interim measures are being taken to safeguard the welfare of primate pets prior to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 codes coming into force. | | (216731) | 149
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills on the sharing of funding for animal health and welfare research between departments; and if he will make a statement. | | (216558) | 150
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to discuss water metering arrangements with water companies. | | (216784) | 151
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to encourage farmers to grow fruit and vegetables not traditionally grown in the UK. | | (216787) | 152
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of foreign workers participating in the seasonal farm workers scheme in each of the last three years; and what estimate he has made of the number in 2008. | | (216788) | 153
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to reduce food waste by (a) producers, (b) wholesalers, (c) processors, (d) retailers and (e) consumers. | | (216789) | 154
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support his Department is giving to the 5-a-day campaign for consumption of fruit and vegetables. | | (216790) | 155
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what advice his Department provides to British farmers to assist them in supplying fruit and vegetables to the public sector. | | (216791) | 156
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what evaluation of the Year of Food and Farming his Department plans to undertake. | | (216792) | 157
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will hold discussions with water companies to encourage them to introduce a regime of lower charges for occupants of small flats who are unable to install water meters. | | (216793) | 158
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make a statement on the recent agreement by the EU to introduce a positive list of pesticides; and how many pesticides he expects will be prohibited in the UK as a result of this decision. | | (216794) | 159
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the highest 10 payments made by his Department in settlement of personal injury claims brought against it were over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of those cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by the Department; and what the nature of the incident was in each case. | | (216682) | 160
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many days of sick leave were taken by his Department's employees in each year since 1997. | | (216693) | 161
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the 10 highest payments made by his Department were under property compensation cases brought against it over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of the cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by his Department; and what the nature of each incident was. | | (216707) | 162
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had on the compliance of the Japanese government with the regulations of the International Whaling Commission (IWC); and what recent representations he has made to it on its observance of IWC regulations. | | (216782) | 163
| Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1st July 2008, Official Report, column 776W, on flood control: planning, what his definition is of inappropriate development in flood risk areas; in what circumstances development in flood risk areas would be required; and where a development is to be constructed so it is resilient to flooding, which body determines the resilience of the structure and the productrs used. | | (216797) | 164
| Mr Elliot Morley (Scunthorpe): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress the Forestry Commission for England has made in developing a policy for the restoration of priority biodiversity habitats from woods and forests; and if he will make a statement. | | (216633) | 165
| Mr Elliot Morley (Scunthorpe): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential for re-creation of (a) lowland dry acid grassland, (b) lowland raised bog and (c) lowland heathland on land owned or managed by (i) the Forestry Commission for England and (ii) other departments or agencies. | | (216634) | 166
| Mr Elliot Morley (Scunthorpe): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what areas of (a) lowland dry acid grassland, (b) lowland raised bog and (c) lowland heathland have been (i) restored or (b) re-created in England since the publication of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan; and what the targets under the England Biodiversity Strategy are for the restoration and expansion of these habitats by 2015. | | (216635) | 167
| Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much has been spent on flood prevention measures in each county in England in each year since 2005. | | (216516) | 168
| Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the cost of the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme was in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. | | (216488) | 169
| Bill Wiggin (Leominster): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to monitor and control the red squirrel population under the Bern Convention. | | (216689) | 170
| Bill Wiggin (Leominster): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration he has made of the merits of extending the period in which warfarin may be used for the control of grey squirrels beyond autumn and winter. | | (216690) | 171
| Mr David Willetts (Havant): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to reply to Question 206802, tabled by the hon. Member for Havant on 25th May 2008, on apprenticeships in his Department. | | (216604) | 172
| Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government on (a) increasing the availability of affordable housing in the Peak District National Park Authority area and (b) future funding for the provision of rural housing enablers; and if he will make a statement. | | (216567) | 173
| Sir Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much he has allocated to rural housing enablers for 2009-10. | | (216568) | Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 174
N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which individuals who are not UK citizens were awarded honours in the period 1st April 2007 to 31st March 2008; and what the (a) date of announcement, (b) honour in question and (c) reason for the award was in each case. | | (216409) | 175
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps the Government has taken to assist developing countries to improve their national security. | | (216042) | 176
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to discourage other states from practising torture. | | (216045) | 177
N | Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government takes to protect British citizens from becoming victims of torture. | | (216046) | 178
| Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take further to restrict the supply of arms to Sudan; and what discussions he is having to this effect at the UN. | | (216553) | 179
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department has on the number of occasions on which a decision of the European Court of Justice has referred to provisions of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. | | (216641) | 180
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the highest 10 payments made by his Department in settlement of personal injury claims brought against it were over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of those cases were (a) contested and (b) uncontested by the Department; and what the nature of the incident was in each case. | | (216687) | 181
| Mr John Hayes (South Holland & The Deepings): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many days of sick leave were taken by his Department's employees in each year since 1997. | | (216699) | 182
| Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much funding his Department has provided to the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in the last three years; and how many days of training for parliamentarians from developing countries the Foundation has delivered in that period. | | (216780) | 183
| Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22nd January 2008, Official Report, column 1850W, on Burma: arms trade, how many times criterion 7 of the Consolidated EU and National Export and Licensing Criteria has been breached in respect of Burma since October 2007; and if he will list the instances. | | (216714) | 184
| Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government supports the proposal for the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into the use of rape as a war crime in eastern Congo. | | (216723) | 185
| Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22nd January 2008, Official Report, column 1850W, on Burma: arms trade, what further UN action the Government has proposed relating to the regime in Burma in light of the undemocratic nature of the referendum on the constitution in May. | |
