Q&A WRITTEN REPLIES

END OF AN EYESORE: A competition to redesign the site of Whitehall's most reviled building was announced by John Gummer, Secretary of State for the Environment. His department's tower-block headquarters at Marsham Street, Westminster, is to be demolished. Mr Gummer said: "The dreadful towers of the DoE's headquarters have set a poor example to the nation. We now have a welcome opportunity to put right past mistakes." Designers and architects will be invited to enter.

nBUSINESS TODAY - Commons: Not sitting. Lords: Criminal Procedures (Scotland) Bill, Second Reading. Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Bill, Second Reading. Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Bill, Second Reading. Criminal Procedures (Consequential Provisions) (Scotland) Bill, Second Reading. Disability Discrimination Bill, Report.