asked Her Majesty's Government:Following the endorsement by European Union Foreign Ministers of the involvement of President Ahtisaari of Finland in the diplomatic track on 19 May, what role it is intended that he should play in the brokering and implementation of a peace agreement in relation to the roles of the United Nations Secretary-General's special advisers, Carl Bildt and Mr. Kukan of Slovakia, and that of the Russian peace envoy, Viktor Chernomyrdin. [HL2632]

EU Special Envoy President Ahtisaari of Finland played a key role in the diplomatic track which has now led to the withdrawal of Belgrade's forces from Kosovo. Following a series of meetings in late May/early June with President Yeltsin's Special Envoy Viktor Chernomrydin and US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, President Ahtisaari and Mr. Chernomyrdin visited Belgrade on 2 June to present President Milosevic with a text elaborating the general principles for a Kosovo settlement agreed by G8 Foreign Ministers in Bonn on 6 May. President Milosevic informed them on 3 June that the Serb Parliament and the Federal Yugoslav Government had accepted the text.The main role envisaged for the UN Secretary-General's envoys Carl Bildt and Eduard Kukan was to look at the longer term, including regional aspects of the implementation of a Kosovo settlement. UNSCR 1244 of 10 June authorised the Secretary-General to establish an international civil presence in Kosovo to provide an interim administration for Kosovo. The UK is currently providing all possible support to the early establishment of this mission.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is their intention that Kosovo should be restored as a Moslem or as a multicultural society. [HL3048]

Our goal is for Kosovo to be a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the British and other KFOR forces are prepared to use force to disarm the Kosovo Liberation Army. [HL3176]

Mr. Hashim Thaqi, as Commander in Chief of the KLA, signed on 21 June, an undertaking on behalf of the KLA, to demilitarise. The KLA has agreed to comply with the Undertaking and with the directions of the KFOR Commander. Any KLA forces failing to do so will be, as the Undertaking makes clear, liable to military action as deemed appropriate by the Commander of KFOR.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is now the legal status of NATO forces in Kosovo, in view of the United Nations Security Council having determined in its resolution that the effective international civil and security presences, including KFOR, are there under United Nations auspices and that no specific role was designated for NATO. [HL3175]

The legal status of NATO forces in Kosovo derives from UNSCR 1244, adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which authorised member states and relevant international organisations to establish an international security presence with substantial NATO participation and under unified command and control, and the Military Technical Agreement which NATO military authorities agreed with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 9 June.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their view of the GUUAM Alliance reputedly signed in Washington in late April between Georgia, the Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova and the United States; whether this alliance has been registered at the United Nations; and, if so, for what purposes. [HL3162]

Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova formed the GUAM group in late 1996. In April 1999 Uzbekistan announced its intention to join, making it the GUUAM group. The United States is not a member of the group. It is an informal grouping for co-operation on security and economic issues, rather than an alliance, and has not been registered at the United Nations. Her Majesty's Government support the principle of regional co-operation, but have not taken a formal view on the GUUAM, which is a matter for the countries concerned.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 7 May (

There are 31 Chapters in the acquis communautaire. The Austrian Presidency opened seven chapters (listed in WA 116). The German Presidency opened eight further chapters (Free Movement of Goods, Company Law, Competition Policy, Fisheries, Statistics, Consumer and Health Protection, Customs Union and External Relations). The Finnish Presidency has indicated that it plans to open a further eight chapters (Free Movement of Services, Free Movement of Capital, Transport, Taxation, EMU, Social Policy and Employment, Energy and Environment) between July and December 1999. The EU is committed to opening the remaining eight chapters (Free Movement of People, Agriculture, Regional Policy, JHA, Financial Control, Financial and Budgetary Provisions, Institutions, and finally others) as early as possible next year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What expenditure and how much time is being expended by officials of the Meat Hygiene Service on its integration into the Food Standards Agency; and whether the meat industry should be contributing to the set-up costs of the Agency by this means when the rest of the food industry is now being relieved of charges. [HL3112]

Two additional short term appointments have been made to the administration staff at MHS headquarters in York. They are responsible to the MHS Chief Executive for taking forward the programme of work that is being identified to achieve the successful transfer of the MHS into the Food Standards Agency. The costs of these staff are being met by the Government and are not a charge on the industry.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What studies they have carried out to assess the effect of increasing the transport distance between slaughterhouses and farms on the depletion of post-mortem glycogen levels in cattle; and whether those effects have any significant influence on the terminal pH levels in the deep muscle of finished carcasses and the microbiological quality of those carcasses. [HL3028]

A recent MAFF-funded review of the scientific literature pertinent to the road transport of cattle found that the major influence of transport on lean meat quality is through the depletion of muscle glycogen stores by physical activity and physical stress. If glycogen levels are reduced, the decrease in pH, which occurs after slaughter, is also reduced. As a result, the resistance of the meat to microbial action, and thus its keeping quality, are also reduced. The review also found that journey time is generally more important than the distance covered.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether veterinary surgeons are given any specific training to enable them to assess the content and adequacy of slaughterhouse training schemes and their execution during the course for conversion to Official Veterinary Surgeons; and what criteria are used in the assessment of these schemes. [HL2963]

The legislation specifies that occupiers of licensed premises should arrange or establish in consultation with Official Veterinary Surgeons (OVSs), a programme to train their staff in the hygiene requirements specific to those operations carried out at their premises.No specific training in assessing the content and adequacy of slaughterhouse training schemes is given to OVSs as part of the OVS course. However, in order to pass the course, veterinary surgeons have to demonstrate that they have a thorough understanding of the hygiene requirements specified within the Operations Manual. This knowledge puts them in good stead to assist occupiers of licensed premises in establishing appropriate training programmes for their staff.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action is expected of Meat Hygiene Technicians when they find Specified Risk Material (SRM) attached to a bovine carcass to which an official health mark has been applied; and what measures are in place to ensure that the expected action is in fact carried out. [HL2965]

They would be expected to report the incident to the Official Veterinary Surgeon so that an investigation and appropriate action could be undertaken.All Specified Risk Material (SRM) controls are subject to intensive audit to ensure full compliance.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What studies they have carried out on the effect of frequent handwashing on the skin of slaughtermen's hands in terms of its effect on (a) resident microflora and (b) transient microflora; what effect excessive handwashing may have on the inherent antimicrobial properties of the skin; and whether any such studies have guided the requirements for handwashing imposed by Official Veterinary Surgeons for slaughtermen engaged in meat production. [HL3010]

No such studies have been carried out. The requirements for slaughtermen to keep as clean as may be reasonably possible by thorough and frequent washing are set out in Schedule 7 of the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995, as amended.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many bovines were found to have tuberculosis lesions at

The number of cattle found to have lesions, following routine inspection at slaughterhouses, which were subsequently confirmed by laboratory culture test as bovine tuberculosis during each of the calendar years from 1995 to 1998 is listed in the following table. This information is not available on a financial year basis.TB confirmed following:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will require all meat and meat products imported into the United Kingdom to be labelled with the country of origin, including products which have been processed or repackaged in the United Kingdom; and, if not, why not. [HL3226]

Food labelling rules only require country of origin labelling where it is needed to avoid misleading consumers. Since these rules are harmonised throughout the European Community any additional requirements for country of origin labelling for meat or meat products could only be introduced at European level. Retailers may, of course, provide country of origin information on a voluntary basis, provided what they give, is true and not likely to mislead the consumer.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether photocopying and fax facilities are available to parties, and their legal representatives, appearing before, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; and, if not, whether they will consider making them available, if necessary upon payment of a reasonable charge. [HL3240]

The need to make photocopying facilities available to parties and their legal representatives appearing before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council should be very limited since under the rules applicable to appeals and references the parties must prepare in advance the necessary copies of the papers required. Where during a hearing a need arises for a document to be copied immediately for the use of the Committee, the Registrar may at his discretion allow the facilities of the Registry to be used. The Registrar will also grant all reasonable requests by persons attending for a hearing to use the Registry's telephone and fax facilities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the position regarding the giving of advice by the First Minister to Her Majesty the Queen on the exercise of Her functions in connection with the implementation of the Scotland Act 1998. [HL3388]

In a number of situations advice is, by convention, given by a Minister of the Crown to Her Majesty in respect of the exercise of Her functions. The majority of Her Majesty's functions in respect of which she receives advice from a Minister of the Crown in this way relate to the making of appointments and the use of the Royal prerogative.As a consequence of the new constitutional arrangements under the Scotland Act 1998, it is proposed that in some of those situations the First Minister instead of a Minister of the Crown will give advice, by convention, to Her Majesty after 1 July in respect of Her functions. No formal order is required to give effect to these transfers, which will be carried out by administrative arrangement. In this context "Her Majesty's functions" refer to Her statutory functions and cases where Her Majesty acts under Her prerogative or common law powers. It concerns only those functions of Her Majesty which she exercises personally and not those which are exercised on Her behalf by a Minister of the Crown. It deals only with circumstances in which a Minister of the Crown provides advice to Her Majesty by convention and it does not deal with circumstances in which a Minister of the Crown exercises a statutory function of advising Her Majesty. Where appropriate, provision has been made in the Scotland Act or in subordinate legislation under the Scotland Act to transfer these statutory advice-giving functions from the Minister of the Crown to the First Minister.In cases where Her Majesty exercises a function which is exercisable within devolved competence for the purposes of the Scotland Act 1998 and she is, by convention, advised by a Minister of the Crown about the exercise of that function, then after 1 July She will be advised by the First Minister instead of by a Minister of the Crown.For example, Her Majesty exercises the Royal prerogative of mercy and appoints regius professors of the ancient Scottish universities in this way. A list of further examples of circumstances in which Her Majesty will in future be advised by the First Minister instead of by the Secretary of State in relation to the exercise of Her functions which relate in whole or in part to a devolved matter has been placed in the Library.There are some matters in respect of which the Prime Minister gives advice to Her Majesty on the exercise of Her functions and on which it would be appropriate for the Prime Minister to consult or to take advice from the First Minister. These matters include recommendations of Scottish candidates for honours and dignities, which are a reserved matter, and advice on the appointment of Lord Lieutenants in Scotland, the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and members of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and the Forestry Commission. There are also matters where a Minister of the Crown gives advice to Her Majesty and where it also would be appropriate for the First Minister to be consulted by or to give advice to that Minister of the Crown.The Scotland Act 1998 confers upon the First Minister various functions of advising Her Majesty either directly or through the Prime Minister. This includes seeking Her Majesty's approval for the appointment of Scottish Ministers and recommending to Her Majesty persons for appointment as the Scottish Law Officers. Section 95 of the Act sets out in detail the arrangements for the First Minister to nominate persons for appointment as Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice Clerk to the Prime Minister, who in turn makes recommendations on those appointments to Her Majesty. It also provides for the First Minister to recommend to Her Majesty the appointment of other judges.In a number of other situations Her Majesty is advised in relation to the exercise of Her functions by the Privy Council rather than by a Minister of the Crown. The Privy Council deals with various items of Scottish business, both prerogative business and statutory matters, such as the grant of Royal Charters and Privy Council appointments. A paper has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses that briefly describes the circumstances in which the First Minister will from 1 July contribute to Privy Council business in the same manner as the Secretary of State for Scotland has done.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proposals they have for new regulations relating to vehicle number plates. [HL3433]

We expect to publish draft regulations relating to the display of vehicle number plates in the near future. We will consult widely on the proposals before any new regulations are made.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the statement by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution on 16 February that new machinery is needed so that genetically modified organism (GMO) decisions will take account of wider considerations and that every official decision about GMOs must be accompanied by an explanation of the reasons for it. [HL2903]

The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's statement of 16 February was that body's response to the Government's review of the framework for overseeing developments in biotechnology. On 21 May 1999 the Government published the Advisory and Regulatory Framework for Biotechnology: Report from the Government's Review and announced that two new strategic commissions would be established to take a broader, long-term view of developments in biotechnology. The Human Genetics Commission will advise on applications of biotechnology in healthcare, and the impact of human genetics on people's lives; and the Agricultural and Environment Biotechnology Commission will cover the use of biotechnology in agriculture and its environmental effects.The Government's report stated that all committees involved in biotechnology should adopt principles on transparency, timeliness and exchange of information. The Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, Second Edition 1997, requires that the facts and analysis behind major policy decisions be made available proactively. Such information is normally made available when policies and decisions are announced.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the G8 countries have discussed the implications of increased climate change for the world economy. [HL3167]

The G8 countries have discussed the implications of climate change on a number of occasions. In particular, the G8 Environment Ministers considered climate change when they met at Leeds Castle in April 1998, during the UK Presidency. A number of issues with major economic implications were discussed, including: the importance of domestic action; co-operation on the development of rules on the Kyoto mechanisms and compliance; provision of financial assistance and technology transfer to developing countries; climate change in relation to World Bank and other international financial institutions' policies; and the engagement of developing countries. The importance of tackling climate change was further endorsed at the G8 Environment Ministers' meeting at Schwerin earlier this year and, more recently, at the G8 Heads Summit in Cologne.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the Urban Task Force Report will be published. [HL3333]

Copies of the Report and the Executive Summary have been placed in the Printed Paper Office and the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements will be made to ensure that the right to roam does not enable children to gain access to swim in lakes, ponds and rivers without supervision; and whether such activity will involve private owners in bearing public liability. [HL3160]

The Government's proposed new statutory right of access will apply only to open countryside and be limited to access on foot. The statutory right will not alter the primary responsibility of parents and others for the safety of children in their care. The right will be subject to restrictions, such as those set out in Schedule II to the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Those restrictions currently prohibit swimming on access land where an authorised notice has been exhibited to that effect. We will be looking at how these restrictions might be updated to reflect present day requirements. We are considering questions of occupiers' liability as part of our package of measures to improve access to the countryside.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have plans to introduce a programme similar to the one reviewed in the Harvard Business School working paper,

Professor Lerner's paper indicates that firms participating in the SBIR scheme have grown faster than other equivalent US firms. The UK already gives help to SMEs undertaking innovative research and development projects through the SMART scheme, which makes awards on a competitive basis to firms with fewer than 50 employees.SMART is, however, a discretionary grant scheme, whereas SBIR is a legally enforced government procurement scheme. We will continue to consider alternative ways in which small firms can be helped to benefit from undertaking innovative research and development projects.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the Internal Market Council held in Luxembourg on 21 June. [HL3389]

I represented the UK at the Internal Market Council in Luxembourg on 21 June.The Commission introduced an open debate on the future direction of the single market. There was a general agreement on the need to define strategic objectives against which the development of the single market could be monitored and on the priority areas for action (including public procurement, electronic commerce and mutual recognition). The Scoreboard was confirmed as a tool for monitoring progress; the latest version showed that the deficit in the transposition of directives was being reduced.The Commission reported on the progress of SLIM IV (Simpler Legislation in the Internal Market), the review of the SLIM initiative and the prospects for SLIM V. The Netherlands introduced a joint paper from the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK and there was agreement from other member states that there was a need for improvements to help realise the potential of SLIM.The Council reached political agreement on the Orphan Drugs Regulation (which provides incentives for the development of drugs for the treatment of rare diseases) and Customs 2000, and agreed Conclusions on Tourism and Employment. With the exception of a Spanish Gibraltar-related reservation on the designation of competent authorities, there was unanimous political agreement on the substance of the Takeovers Directive, which included the text that the Government had sought dealing with the issue of litigation. There was no agreement on the new chocolate directive, despite a qualified majority in favour of the Presidency's compromise, because of Commission objections to the proposed comitology provisions.The Commission introduced Communications on the Environment and the Internal Market and on Mutual Recognition. There was a brief debate on international exhaustion of trademark rights following a Commission presentation. The Council took note of progress reports on Standardisation; the Copyright and related rights in the information society Directive; the Electronic Commerce Directive; and the Commission's oral report on Counterfeiting and Piracy. The Council took note of a progress report on the reform of Customs Transit Systems and adopted a Resolution. The Commission announced the imminent publication of an amended proposal on Community Design.Ministers discussed the Artists' Resale Right Directive. The Council agreed to give more time to discussions in order to find a solution to the remaining difficulties some member states have with the proposed directive.

asked Her Majesty's Government:(a) What are the levels of central funding per sixth form student for Greenhead College, Huddersfield, and for school sixth forms in Kirklees local education authority; and (b) whether they have any plans to eliminate any funding discrimination against students at sixth form colleges in general. [HL3245]

Greenhead College in Huddersfield is funded by the Further Education Funding Council, and provision for 16–19 year olds is currently allocated at an average of £2,630 annually per full time equivalent student. The element of funding that is passed down to schools through the Average Weighted Pupil Unit by Kirklees Local Education Authority is currently £2,674 for each school sixth former.Today the Government issued a White Paper,

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much depleted uranium they estimate has been deposited on Kosovo during the NATO action; and what steps are being taken to prevent its harming (a) NATO ground forces; (b) the inhabitants of Kosovo; and (c) returning refugees. [HL2999]

The UK did not use depleted uranium, DU, ammunition during the Kosovo air campaign. The United States is the only member of the Alliance to have confirmed that it used DU ammunition. I am not in a position to estimate the amount used.British troops have been given appropriate guidance on dealing with any potential hazards from DU based munitions that they might encounter in Kosovo. As a precaution, this guidance includes advice to wear respiratory protection and gloves when contact with vehicles damaged by DU ammunition is unavoidable. British forces in theatre have been issued with the appropriate range of clothing and equipment. Other NATO nations are likewise responsible for providing guidance to their own troops.KFOR troops are working hard to ensure that any immediate dangers to the population posed by military hazards are reduced as far as possible. KFOR troops also stand ready to provide advice on any hazards to international organisations, NGOs and the local population as necessary.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether people in Kosovo and Serbia who may come in contact with the depleted uranium used by NATO forces are to be provided with the same respiratory protection and gloves as are being provided by the Ministry of Defence to United Kingdom forces (Written Answer by George Robertson MP on 16 June (HC Deb.,

Her Majesty's Government have provided equipment only for members of HM Forces.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many operational sorties have been carried out by United Kingdom aircraft during the Kosovo crisis. [HL3161]

NATO Secretary General Solana announced the termination of the NATO air campaign on 20 June. By that date UK aircraft had flown 1,659 operational sorties.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect the BOWMAN army communication system to enter service; and what is their present estimate of the total cost of the programme. [HL3075]

On current plans, BOWMAN is due to enter service in March 2002, with a total programme cost of about £2.8 billion.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Strategic Defence Review of July 1998 committed Britain to a nuclear weapons policy of 48 nuclear weapons on each Trident submarine, as reported in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament parliamentary briefing paper of 1 June; and if not, what is the correct figure per submarine; and [HL3128]Whether the Strategic Defence Review of July 1998 committed Britain to a 50 per cent. cut in the number of its nuclear warheads, as reported in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament parliamentary briefing paper of 1 June; and if not, what is the correct percentage cut; and [HL3129]Whether the Strategic Defence Review of July 1998 committed Britain to an operational stockpile of 200 nuclear warheads, as reported in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament parliamentary briefing paper of 1 June; and if not, what is the size of the stockpile; and [HL3130]Whether the Strategic Defence Review of July 1998 included a commitment to replace or upgrade the Trident warhead, as reported in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament parliamentary briefing paper of 1 June; and [HL3131]Whether the Strategic Defence Review of July 1998 included a refusal to reduce the number of Britain's nuclear weapons or to negotiate such reductions until the nuclear weapons of the United States and Russia have been greatly reduced in number, as stated in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament parliamentary briefing paper of 1 June. [HL3132]

I refer the noble Lord to Chapter 4, and particularly paragraphs 64, 67 and 70, of the White Paper The Strategic Defence Review (Cm 3999) and also to the Strategic Defence Review's Supporting Essay Five, particularly paragraphs 5, 9, 10 and 14. Copies are available in the Library of the House. The content of the briefing paper to which the noble Lord refers is not a matter for Her Majesty's Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Strategic Defence Review of July 1998 included the retention of (a) the option to use nuclear weapons first; and (b) the option to use nuclear weapons in a sub-strategic role as a warning shot across the bows of a potential aggressor, as stated in the CND parliamentary briefing paper of 1 June.[HL3133]

In conducting the Strategic Defence Review, the Government concluded that a policy of No First Use of nuclear weapons would be incompatible with our and NATO's doctrine of deterrence, and that it would not further nuclear disarmament. The Strategic Defence Review confirmed that, in addition to its strategic deterrent role, Trident would also perform the sub-strategic nuclear role formerly assigned to RAF Tornado aircraft. A sub-strategic element is an essential component of a nuclear deterrent policy. In extreme circumstances of self defence, a capability for the more limited use of nuclear weapons would allow us to signal to an aggressor that he has miscalculated our resolve, without using the full destructive power that Trident offers. The content of the briefing paper to which the noble Lord refers is not a matter for Her Majesty's Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, alongside the lists of military personnel, equipment and installations that were attacked and/or destroyed during the air war against Serbia which they have already published, they will publish, or otherwise make available, lists of the non-military targets attacked and destroyed (distinguishing between those intentionally hit and those not). [HL,2989]

NATO targeted only militarily-related objectives during the recent air campaign against Serbia. There were, however, a few occasions during the campaign when the wrong sites were hit and damaged, and civilian deaths were a regrettable consequence. NATO has been open and honest about these tragic accidents, details of which are already in the public domain.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was their reaction to the news of 7 June of Russian concern about NATO's military plans for Kosovo, which had been articulated without Russian participation. [HL3070]

NATO and Her Majesty's Government have consistently sought Russian participation in the international peacekeeping force in Kosovo and welcome the recently negotiated agreement on Russian participation in KFOR. NATO and Russia have worked together successfully in the past in Bosnia, and we look forward to further co-operation in Kosovo.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much of the discussion about Russia's role in Kosovo is being conducted bilaterally between the United States and Russia and how much between the participants in the Kosovo operation collectively and Russia. [HL3071]

The arrangements for Russian participation approved by the North Atlantic Council on 21 June were negotiated between Russian and US representatives in Helsinki. NATO officials were present. These negotiations were preceded by a wide range of discussions about Russia's role in KFOR, both among NATO members and between individual member states and Russia. In addition, discussions took place in theatre between the Commander KFOR and the Commander of the Russian force at Pristina airfield over the arrangements governing the integration of the force. Subsequent consultations between NATO and Russia. on Kosovo will be carried out through the Permanent Joint Council. Copies of the agreement on Russia's participation in KFOR will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by Lord Gilbert on 14 June (

NATO operations in Yugoslavia have been based on collective decisions taken by the North Atlantic Council. SACEUR is responsible for the selection of targets within the authority delegated to him by the Council. Arrangements exist within NATO to ensure that decisions on targeting are consistent and that advice on international law bearing upon such decisions is available and that nations have an opportunity to contribute information relevant to target selection.