To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many items of correspondence on the subject of flags his Department has received from members of the public in the last 12 months. [322609]

Margaret Hodge:

Between 15 March 2009 and 15 March 2010, the Department received 83 items of correspondence in which the subject of flags was the primary issue.

Rosindell has a bit of a thing for flags.

In 2008 he tried to introduce a bill that “provides a formal definition of the composition of the Union Flag, stipulates that it is the official flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and includes a schedule containing a description of the flag and how it should be flown”.

And in 2003 Ben Bradshaw made this observation:

“The hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Rosindell) is always flying the flag. I think that he made his name during the general election campaign: did he not have a dog with a Union jack coat?“

The final set up costs of the UK Supreme Court were £1.3m below the estimate, according to this Commons written answer.

The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor (Mr. Jack Straw): The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom came into being on 1 October 2009 and was delivered on time and within budget by the Ministry of Justice. I promised to keep the House informed of the final costs of the Supreme Court Implementation Programme, and I am therefore pleased to announce that the implementation costs of £57.6 million are £1.3 million below the estimated set-up figure of £58.9 million that was announced in Parliament on 3 July 2008.

This figure is made up of £33.7 million for capital construction using a lease and leaseback arrangement over 30 years, £19.4 million of other set-up costs (including library costs, visitor facilities programme team costs, furniture, IT services) and £1.5 million for additional repairs to Middlesex Guildhall. In addition the figure also includes the £3.0 million cost of the external security works, in line with the Whitehall Streetscape Programme, which was not included in the previously announced estimated figure of £58.9m.

The establishment of the Supreme Court represents a major milestone in the Government’s constitutional reform agenda. It has given greater clarity to our constitutional arrangements, achieving a clear and physical separation of the judiciary from the legislature and the executive and improving the visibility of and accessibility to the highest court in the UK.

Dr. Murrison:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many compulsory drug tests for each substance were failed in each of the armed services since 2001. [320772]

Mr. Kevan Jones [holding answer 5 March 2010]: The misuse of drugs is incompatible with the demands of service life and can pose a significant threat to operational effectiveness.

The following table provides information on the numbers of compulsory drug tests and positive results by drug type.

10 Mar 2010 : Column 340W

From today’s questions in the Commons to Gary Streeter, the Tory MP who answers questions for the Electoral Commission, on the use of Facebook to engage first time voters.

Mr. Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): What estimate the Electoral Commission has made of the number of people under 25 years old who are not registered to vote.    [321505]

Mr. Gary Streeter (South-West Devon): The Electoral Commission informs me that it published its most recent national estimate for under-registration in England and Wales in 2005. This found that 16 per cent. of eligible 18 to 24-year-olds were not registered. However, recent research published by the commission found that in a small number of case study areas approximately 56 per cent. of those under 25 years old were missing from the registers. The commission plans further research on that issue.

Mr. Hollobone: Does my hon. Friend share my serious concern and alarm, given that the implication of those shocking statistics is that hundreds of young people in Kettering, thousands of young people throughout Northamptonshire and tens of thousands of young people throughout our country will not be able to take part in voting for a change of Government at the next general election because they are not on the electoral register?

Mr. Streeter: My hon. Friend is absolutely right about that, and the Electoral Commission informs me that it is planning a campaign, which will take place before the next general election, with a range of activities targeted at young people. The campaign will include online advertising on sites that the group uses, such as Facebook, along with advertising on television and radio and in magazines. Registration is an urgent matter, and my hon. Friend is right to draw the House’s attention to it.

Sir Peter Soulsby (Leicester, South) (Lab): I welcome the measures that the hon. Gentleman has just mentioned, but does he agree that registering people to vote is far too important to be done on the cheap, and that there is no substitute in many parts of the country and with many target groups for knocking on doors, finding out who lives there and making sure that they are registered to vote?

Mr. Streeter: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right, and that is the responsibility of electoral returning officers throughout the country. The Electoral Commission is introducing better and clearer guidelines for them on the activity that it expects. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to say that we must find those young people and make sure that they are put on the electoral register so that they are at least given the opportunity to vote come polling day.

Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): One very worrying thing about young people not voting is that they are the people on whom the decisions will have the longest-term effect. When I go into schools I find that enthusiasm for politics is great among the younger age group, so will the Electoral Commission consider conducting research on whether a reduction in the voting age to 16 might engage people in the political system while they are at school and before they get lost?

Mr. Streeter: It is an interesting point, but I am afraid that at the most recent general election only 37 per cent. of those aged 18 to 25 could be bothered to vote, and until that percentage increases the case for 16-year-olds being given the right to vote has not been made.

Susan Kramer:

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what consideration he has given to the development of the former Eurostar platforms at Waterloo station for purposes other than for domestic passenger transport. [321399]

Chris Mole: It has always been the Department for Transport’s intention to bring the former Eurostar platforms at Waterloo back into use for domestic passenger services.

There are no plans for any other permanent use; although a series of theatrical performances are being staged during summer and autumn 2010 for the benefit of the Railway Children charity before the platforms are brought back into use for domestic services.

The Olympics minister has revealed how many staff accompanied her to Vancouver for the Winter Games.

Jeremy Hunt:

To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many staff of the Government Olympic Executive attended the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver; and whether she attended. [318779]

Tessa Jowell: Four members of the Government Olympic Executive have attended the 2010 Winter Olympics. It is planned that a further four officials will attend the Paralympics. They are participating in the observer programmes which run throughout the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

I attended the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games from 10 to 18 February, with my private secretary, a press officer and a special adviser. This provided an invaluable opportunity to study at first-hand Vancouver’s experience in staging an Olympic Games and to learn lessons for London 2012.

In another written answer the prime minister was asked the same question:

Mr. Hunt:

To ask the Prime Minister how many staff of his Office attended the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. [318778]

The Prime Minister: None.

Some intriguing names of training exercises are revealed in this recent written answer:

Dr. Fox:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training exercises originally planned for 2010 have been cancelled; and what the reasons are for each cancellation. [312661]

Defence minister Bill Rammell:

Success in Afghanistan is our main effort, and will remain our principal commitment for as long as it takes. Our approach at this time must be-and is-Afghanistan first. All exercises that better prepare our forces for operations in Afghanistan will continue but those exercises that are considered not to directly support our effort have been examined critically and, where appropriate, cancelled.

The following table advises those exercises that have been cancelled.

Exercise

Jordan Express

Malaysian Express

Steppe Eagle

Cossack Steppe

French Connection

Tricolour

Asterix

Winged Star

Glow Worm/Rattlesnake

Gobi Dust

African Thorn

Oman Express

Bald Eagle

Chartered Flight

Citadel

Crown Eagle

Destier/Aurige

Devils Hat

Devils Horizon

First Eagle

First Rock

Guibert

Horizon

Kleiber

Gaulish

Longboat Warrior

Larksong Foxtrot

Marble Tor

Medoc

Modulex

Pathfinder

Pony Express

Ponte Vecchio/Tower Bridge

Readiness Challenge

Silver Eagle

Steam Drive

Top Kitten

Tunuk Warrior

Wet Gap

Work Sheet

Roman Eagle

Turtle Truss

Lion Sun 1

Lion Sun 2

Lion Star 1

Lion Star 2

Iron Ram/Ferro Ariete

Bass Rock

Anatolian Eagle 10

Green flag West 10-9

Torpedo Focus 10-3

Pitch Black

Bold Avenger 10

Exercise Blue Flag was cancelled by the host nation.

Exercise Rimpac 10 was cancelled due to the unavailability of an airframe which has been diverted to support operations.

Mr. Maude:

To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 28 January 2010, Official Report, column 1070W, on official residences, on what date the squatters who occupied the property at the beginning of December 2009 left the ministerial residence of South Eaton Place; whether the police or courts were used to secure occupation; and what steps have been taken to secure the property in future. [318301]

Angela E. Smith: I have been asked to reply.

Following a court order the persons illegally occupying South Eaton Place vacated it on 13 December 2009. The property is for sale.

A “Norfolk girl who might be said to have made good” spoke for the first time in the Commons on Wednesday.

27-year-old Chloe Smith, victor of July’s by-election in Norwich North, is the Baby of the House, or youngest MP.

Ms Smith took her seat in the Commons on Monday after swearing the oath at the despatch box. She was warmly greeted by MPs and Speaker John Bercow.

She lost no time in making her maiden speech, and her seven-minute, highly traditional oration won high praise from her new colleagues.

Shadow minister John Hayes declared it “an excellent maiden” speech from “a bright star with a bright future”.

The by-election was called after Labour MP Ian Gibson resigned.

He was unhappy that the party had banned him from standing as a candidate at the next general election because of his expenses claims.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Dr Gibson claimed almost £80,000 in four years for mortgage interest and bills on a London flat which was the main home of his daughter.

He was called before a Labour party disciplinary hearing and barred from standing, despite protests from his constituents.

On a swing of 16.5% from Labour to the Tories Ms Smith won the by-election with majority of 7,348 and 39.5 per cent of the vote.

Labour’s Chris Ostrowski, who caught swine flu in the last days of the campaign, got 18 per cent.

Ms Smith stuck to the traditions of a Commons maiden speech on Wednesday by praising her predecessor, waxing lyrical about the delights of her constituency and avoiding controversy or overt partisanship.

She began by thanking Deputy Speaker Sylvia Heal “for the opportunity to take part in this Opposition day debate” on higher education.

“As this is my first speech, I want to pay tribute to Dr. Ian Gibson, the previous Member for Norwich, North,” she said.

“He was a dedicated constituency Member whose tradition of independence and plain speaking I hope to emulate.

“He was known locally for his work on science, as I understand he was here in the House, and for sticking up for the people.

“Although I do not enter this place as a scientist, I certainly intend to stick up for all my constituents.”

Ms Smith then spoke at length about her constituency.

“We are known for industries such as chocolate, mustard, wool, shoes, financial services and now modern technologies, including biotechnology and engineering,” she told MPs.

“We have a high proportion of small and medium-sized firms, and I applaud all those in Norwich who choose to take a risk and build their own businesses.”

She moved on to setting out her priorities as an MP.

“I look forward to working over the next nine months on NHS facilities, transport, housing and more. I am already working on behalf of those constituents who face problems with social housing,” she said.

“My predecessor talked eloquently about Norwich’s housing during his maiden speech in 1997, but the problems have not diminished since then.

“It is a personal priority for me to focus on the improvement of the stock and service for local council tenants.”

Turning to the topic of debate, she rounded off by condemning the building crisis in higher education caused by the Learning and Skills Council.

“Many of my constituents are already losing out in the chaos, and we may all lose further if the college cannot recoup the £3 million already sunk into plans encouraged by this Government.”

The praise for Ms Smith’s speech was lavish.

Labour MP Dari Taylor was characteristically fulsome.

“I warmly welcome her to the House, as do all hon. Members.

“It was a pleasure to listen to her speech, which was young, enthusiastic and knowledgeable—characteristics and qualities that are warmly welcome here.

“It is my belief that she will represent her constituents with care and professionalism. I congratulate her, and I am delighted that she is taking her seat.”

Ms Smith’s Tory colleague Rob Wilson told her “she can be very proud of herself, and I am certain her predecessor would have looked on and nodded in approval. I am sure she will be his equal in every respect in fighting for the interests of her constituents in this House.”

Winding up the debate Kevin Brennan, Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs, praised her “great clarity and passion about her constituency”.

“I particularly thank her for the praise that she gave to her predecessor, Dr. Ian Gibson, who is a close friend of mine and was an excellent Member of the House.

“She said that she wanted to emulate his independence in the House.

“I hope she has informed her Whips Office of that, as I am not sure her Whips will so heartily praise her if she does so.”