The 2005-06 annual report and accounts for the Veterinary Laboratories Agency will be laid before Parliament today.

Copies will be available in the Libraries of both Houses.

I am pleased to say that Lord Carlile of Berriew QC has completed the report on the operation of the Act, which will be laid before the House today.

I am grateful to Lord Carlile for his detailed report and I have considered his recommendations fully. Following consultation within my Department and with other relevant Departments and agencies I am pleased to place my response to Lord Carlile’s recommendations in the House Library today.

I have today published the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel combined corporate plan (2004-05) and business plan (2006-07). The corporate plan sets out the long-term strategic goals for the panel over the three-year period and the business plan sets out the panel’s key objectives and performance targets for the coming year.

Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

I have today published two papers on welfare reform.

In January, the Government published their Command Paper: “A New Deal for Welfare: Empowering People to Work”. We have conducted a large number of consultation engagements and have received over 600 separate responses from the public. The report I am publishing today provides a summary of the views that have been expressed. I am grateful to all who have contributed, and our response shows how the policies have developed as a result of the consultation process.

The Work and Pensions Select Committee published its report “Incapacity Benefits and Pathways to Work” in May this year. I am publishing today the Government’s response to the conclusions and recommendations of that report. I am grateful to the Committee for their work and analysis, which has been an important contribution to the ongoing development of our proposals on “Incapacity Benefits and Pathways to Work”, as set out in the consultation response.

Our proposals will make a significant contribution to our reforms of the welfare state, balancing rights and responsibilities, providing work for those who can and support for those who cannot.

Copies of both documents have been placed in the Library and copies are available for hon. Members from the Vote Office.