asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will give itemised details for the most recent year for which figures are available of each application refused by the UN-Iraq Sanctions Committee under the Oil for Food Programme or under other humanitarian programmes. [HL1366]

I refer the noble Viscount to my Written Answer on 16 March 2000, Offical Report, WA 229.Detailed figures on all applications to the United Nations Oil for Food Programme, giving the number of applications and the status of the applications, can be found on the United Nations website at

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which member states of the European Union have signed the new Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and which member states have not done so. [HL1465]

The following member states of the European Union have signed the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden. Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom have not done so.In 1997–98 the Government undertook a review of our obligations under international human rights instruments. The right of individual petition under various UN instruments was looked at very carefully. The outcome of the review was announced in another place by my right honourable friend the Home Secretary on 3 March 1999.The review concluded that for the present accession to such Optional Protocols would have an adverse effect on work in hand to prepare for and implement the Human Rights Act.The UK's position with regard to these protocols will be looked at again once the Human Rights Act has bedded in.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are their reasons for having failed to sign the new Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. [HL1466]

Following a thorough review of our obligations under international human rights treaties completed in March 1999, the Government concluded that accession to Optional Protocols calling for the right of individual petition would adversely affect the major work under way in preparing for and implementing the Human Rights Act.The UK's position with regard to these protocols will be looked at again once the Human Rights Act has bedded in.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 22 February (

Neither. The Embassy's flagstaff is being moved from its position on the roof and re-positioned over the main entrance. The diplomatic flag (Union flag with FCO crest) is flying on every working day during office hours. Our two other missions in Brussels are not Embassies. However, the UK Permanent Representation to the EU will continue to fly the flag daily in the lobby of their offices until a new external flagstaff is installed. The UK Delegation to NATO is located within the NATO HQ building. The Union flag flies outside the NATO HQ building daily.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What reports have been made by consultants and auditors about financial mismanagement and irregularities at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and what action the United Kingdom is taking, as a major contributor, to ensure that management controls and auditing of UNHCR spending are improved. [HL1140]

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is audited annually by a team of independent auditors whose reports are made public and discussed by UNHCR's Executive Committee of which the UK is a member. UNHCR is required to take action on any areas of financial mismanagement identified by the auditors. The UK National Audit Office has been elected by the UN to audit UNHCR in 2001.The Department for International Development (DfID) places additional financial controls on its own funding for UNHCR, monitoring expenditure through regular financial and narrative reports and field visits by our experts. Any concerns we have about financial management are discussed at bilateral meetings with UNHCR and, if necessary, at the Executive and Standing Committees of UNHCR. DfID has made it clear that UK funding for UNHCR is conditional on increased transparency and accountability in the organisation. We therefore welcome UNHCR's adoption of a unified budget and its closer dialogue with donors on financial and policy issues.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether effective co-operation and co-ordination are taking place between the Department for International Development and appropriate non-governmental organisations to ensure maximum short, medium and long-term responses to the disaster in Mozambique; and whether consultations will take place between government and these non-governmental organisations on the most effective arrangements for responding to similar emergencies in future and in order to determine the international action, including monitoring, which the United Kingdom should advocate in relevant international institutions. [HL1421]

Co-operation and co-ordination between the Department for International Development and Mozambican and UK non-governmental organisations was in place prior to the disaster as part of the UK Government's longer term development assistance programme in Mozambique. These mechanisms have been enhanced during the disaster through formal meetings (this is a standard procedure adopted in the department in any emergency situation) in London and Maputo between DfID and NGO staff. A representative from the Disasters Emergency Committee participated in a recent DfID assessment mission to Mozambique.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements they are putting in place to ensure, within the priority of the Department for International Development for long-term development and elimination of poverty, interdepartmental co-operation for rapid and effective response on the scale necessary to humanitarian disasters and emergencies like that in Mozambique whatever and whenever they occur. [HL1419]

Humanitarian emergencies, whether caused by conflict or natural and man-made disasters, cause great suffering and loss of life and can destroy development advances and set back the prospects of progress for years to come. Providing assistance during times of instability and then assisting people to re-establish their lives is an essential humanitarian need and is a precondition for achieving the International Development Targets.Inter-departmental arrangements are already in place for rapid and effective responses to overseas disasters. These are co-ordinated by the Department for International Development, which has established call-down arrangements with other government departments. These include the Home Office, with which we have an arrangement for the deployment of UK Fire Service Search and Rescue Teams and the Ministry of Defence, from which we are able to request, where appropriate, the deployment and utilisation of military assets. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our diplomatic posts overseas provide useful early information in case of sudden disasters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they have taken to thank the aircrew and ground support staff who made possible the relief work in the Mozambique disaster before the global response began to be effectively mobilised. [HL1420]

Public recognition in Mozambique and worldwide has been given for the outstanding efforts of all who have been involved in all the humanitarian response to the disaster in Mozambique. Departmental Ministers have made clear to their staff the Government's pride in the contribution they have made.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements they are now putting in place, on an inter-departmental basis, to ensure effective monitoring of potential humanitarian emergencies before they develop into an avoidable scale of disaster, so that an adequate response can be made bilaterally and the United Kingdom can assist in mobilising an adequate response multilaterally. [HL1423]

The Department for International Development has established global surveillance systems for the monitoring of potential and actual disasters. Internally, DfID is able to use information collected by its regional offices and also centrally through networks established with United Nations and other operational agencies in the field.In addition to in-house capacity, we have a recognised system of information sharing with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Our Embassies, High Commissions and other diplomatic offices also assist us with monitoring of potential crises. The combination of early warning systems in place, together with our extensive capacity to respond, means that DfID's multilateral and bilateral response to disasters is recognised as one of the most rapid and effective in the world.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have had consultations with the non-governmental organisations which have recently decided to withdraw from humanitarian work in southern Sudan; if so, what were the reasons for that withdrawal; what the consequences will be; and what action they will take bilaterally and multilaterally to address the situation. [HL1424]

We have been in constant touch with the non-governmental organisations that have been forced to withdraw from southern Sudan. They were asked to leave because they were not prepared to sign an agreement put forward by the SPLA which they see as compromising the principles of neutrality and impartiality that underpin the accepted international rules governing humanitarian operations. The expulsion of the humanitarian staff concerned will cause a significant reduction in the provision of assistance to the people living in areas controlled by the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). We have made our concerns very clear to the SPLA. We have urged the United Nations to play a leadership role in finding a solution. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for International Development hopes to discuss this with Tom Vraalsen, the UN Secretary General's Special Humanitarian Representative, later this week in London.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the humanitarian and development priorities of European Union aid to North and South Sudan; and what political conditionality is being applied. [HL1452]

The European Commission's humanitarian assistance is provided to meet urgent needs where they arise, as long as there is a secure environment in which to deliver assistance and there is unhindered access for aid agencies. The EC recently suspended its programme in Sudan People's Liberation Army-controlled areas of southern Sudan because of the SPLA expulsion of many NGOs which are the EC's implementing partners. The EC is not at present providing development assistance to Sudan.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will consider the setting up of a Special Task Force composed of the various elements required to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to areas of disaster and emergency. [HL1463]

We do not believe that the setting up of a special task force for humanitarian emergencies is necessary or desirable, as this would duplicate mechanisms already in place internationally through the United Nations and nationally through the Department for International Development.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will raise in the United Nations the desirability of securing agreement among member nations for the establishment of an international response force to provide speedy humanitarian responses to urgent needs and natural disasters. [HL1464]

We do not believe that the setting up of a separate United Nations disaster response force is necessary. The United Nations already has the capability to deploy at very short notice UN disaster assessment and co-ordination teams into countries immediately following an occurrence or early warning of a disaster. These teams, made up of experienced emergency managers from around the world, work in support of UN organisations in the affected country and when requested by the national government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 25 January (

It is estimated that around £550 million was attributable to goods imported from the United States of America.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a statement has been made under the Human Rights Act 1998 in connection with the Consolidated Fund Bill. [HL1617]

I have made a statement under section 19(1)(a) of the Human Rights Act 1998 that, in my view, the provisions of the Consolidated Fund Bill are compatible with the convention rights.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the report of the review of policing arrangements for the state visit of the President of China will be published. [HL1618]

The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis published the report on 17 March and a copy has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have any official representation on the International Law Enforcement Telecommunications Seminar. [HL1483]

The International Law Enforcement Telecommunications Seminar (ILETS) is an informal gathering of law enforcement agencies and security services from countries that operate a legislative framework and appropriate safeguards for the lawful interception of communications. It is not a formal organisation or intergovernmental body.The purpose of the seminar is to provide a forum where developments, issues, problems and possible solutions in the area of lawful telecommunications interception can be considered. These issues are looked at within the framework of the national laws of the country of the agencies attending.Co-operation within ILETS is primarily of interest to the United Kingdom's law enforcement agencies and the Security Service. However, Home Office officials have attended recent annual seminars to give presentations on developments in United Kingdom and international law in the field of interception of communications.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 19 May 1999 (

The Government believe that the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 2000 are compatible with the right to respect for private life guaranteed by Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.Article 8 has application to many different areas. If the noble Lord has particular reasons to take a contrary view, I would, of course, be happy to consider them.Copies of correspondence between Home Office officials and the Data Protection Registrar about the Representation of the People Bill have been made available to Lord Campbell of Alloway.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their practice regarding the disclosure to Parliament of the reasons upon which Ministers' statements of compatibility are made under Section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998. [HL1490]

The Government believe that a Minister in charge of a Bill should be ready to address convention related issues during proceedings, but the Minister must retain the discretion to decide how to do so in the context of the debate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will update their 1995 publication

The Home Office is currently developing a programme of research and evaluation on immigration and asylum. This is expected to include survey research on the characteristics and attitudes of asylum-seekers, as well as evaluation of the new asylum support arrangements. It is likely that the new research will provide new information on many of the issues covered in the 1995 publication The Settlement of Refugees in Britain.In addition, the Government believe the time has come to take a fresh look at the position of recognised refugees so that action can be taken to enable them to integrate and take advantage of the opportunities available to them. It is for this reason that they issued the consultation paper on the

asked Her Majesty's Government:What responses they have had to their consultation document

The consultation paper on the Integration of Recognised Refugees in the United Kingdom was circulated to 83 organisations outside the Home Office, including 48 non-governmental organisations. There have been 51 responses so far to the paper. Key issues highlighted include housing, employment and English language provision. We are considering further the proposals for improvement in the co-ordination of refugee integration in the light of the responses received.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proposals they have to mark, as opposed to celebrate, the bi-centenary of the Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland which created the United Kingdom; and whether the administrations of Scotland and Wales have been consulted. [HL1410]

None. The devolved administrations have been consulted along with other government departments.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to publish the Cabinet Office review of the organisation of public sector ombudsmen in England [HL1431]

Publication of the report on the review of public sector ombudsmen in England is planned for the end of March.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish in the Official Report a table stating which government departments have used Electoral Reform Ballot Services in each of the past six years and what was the cost in each case. [HL1093]

Information in the form requested is not held centrally by departments and could only be obtained at significant cost. However, I have asked my officials, as far as practically possible, to collect the information for the period 1998–99 and 1 April to 31 December 1999. I will write to the noble Lord with the information as soon as possible and will place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the findings of the Mental Health Act Commission on the treatment of black and ethnic minority patients. [HL1514]

The Commission published its report, The Second National Visit—Improving Care for Detained Patients from Black and Ethnic Minority Communities, on 7 March 2000. We welcome this report, which provides detailed information about the care of black and ethnic minority detained patients and which will help to inform the implementation of the Mental Health National Service Framework.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much of this year's portion of the additional £700 million allocated for mental health services has gone to adult mental health services; and on which specific areas it has been spent; and [HL1304]How much of the additional £700 million allocated for mental health services has been allocated to implementing the new National Service Framework; how much has been allocated for the current year; and whether the amount allocated to the implementation of National Service Frameworks is ring-fenced. [HL1305]

In 1999–2000, additional funding of £127.7 million has been allocated to support implementation of the mental health strategy set out in Modernising Mental Health Services, published in December 1998, and to prepare for implementation of the Mental Health National Service Framework from April 2000. The money is allocated as follows:£40 million to the National Health Service for adult mental health services for 24-hour staffed care; assertive outreach; 24 hour access; antipsychotic drugs; additional secure places; Beacons and region-wide development activity;£38 million through the mental health grant to local authorities for adult mental health services for approved social workers; rehabilitation and support services; training of front-line social care staff; developing of needs-based planning, mental health strategies and joint investment planning; and the appointment of a senior manager for mental health;£15 million Strategic Assistance Fund for mentally disordered offenders;£4 million Mental Health Partnership Fund to support innovative service strategies around broader mental health policy initiatives;£12 million support for education and training for doctors and nurses;£1.7 million for health promotion; and£17 million estimated expenditure on drug treatments;Allocations to health authorities are through unified allocations and bidding processes. Allocations to local authorities are hypothecated through the Mental Health Grant.Money allocated for implementation of the Mental Health National Service Framework across health and social care will be identified through joint investment plans and will be robustly scrutinised through performance management systems to ensure full utilisation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why they are advising patients who are on treatment for depression and also taking a St John's Wort preparation to stop taking St John's Wort, rather than to stop taking either St John's Wort or their prescribed medication in view of the Deputy Chief Medical Officer's advice that "St John's Wort when taken alone … causes no harm" and in view of the patients' freedom of choice. [HL1511]

Depression is a serious condition, which can be fatal if treatment is ineffective. Medicines licensed for the treatment of depression have been shown to be safe and effective and have met standards to ensure reproducible quality. It is not advisable for patients to stop their prescribed medication without seeing their doctor. There have been no successful licence applications for St John's Wort in the United Kingdom.Along with a number of other European Union member states, the United Kingdom licensing authority has issued advice in the light of new evidence on interactions between prescribed medicines and St John's Wort. The objective is to ensure that prescribed medicines of proven benefit are safely used. In general when a substance or product interacts with a licensed medicine, the regulatory advice is directed at that particular product.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to ban smoking in areas where food for the general public is prepared and consumed commercially. [HL1451]

Current food hygiene legislation prohibits smoking in food preparation areas in commercial food businesses.There are no plans to introduce specific legislation to impose a ban on customers smoking in the public areas of commercial food businesses on the grounds of food safety. However, in recent years there has been a strong move towards the provision of no smoking areas and smoking bans in many food businesses to reflect changes in customer attitudes and acceptance of smoking arrangements in public places. The licensed hospitality industry has developed its own Public Places Charter to improve facilities for non-smokers in pubs, bars and restaurants. The Government have strongly supported this initiative.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they intend to tackle the problem of access to National Health Service dentistry where there is no "phone and go" centre. [HL1476]

The Government are aware of problems in accessing National Health Service dentistry, which are most acute in the south and west of England. By the end of the year there will be around 40 "phone and go" dental access centres relieving the most acute problems of access to NHS dentistry. Further steps are being taken to address problems of access. Personal dental services pilots allow for flexible and innovative approaches to the provision of dental services. There are currently 38 pilots in operation. The Investing in Dentistry initiative is still bearing fruit. The initiative saw a £10 million investment in NHS dentistry and secured promises of 900,000 new NHS patient registrations. The Government intend to publish further plans to modernise NHS dentistry and improve access across the country.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many teachers have received industrial injury benefit due to anxiety or depression caused by bullying. [HL1473]

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.Stress-related disorders are not a prescribed disease for the purposes of industrial injuries disablement benefit. Industrial injuries disablement benefit can only be paid in relation to mental disorders where an industrial accident has been identified as the cause of the disablement.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Figures—Accident Assessments Current at April 1998 by Mental and Behavioural Disorder
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit	At 4 April 1998
All accidents	217,000
Mental and behavioural disorders	700

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many dwellings owned by government departments and other public agencies were vacant during the years 1997, 1998 and 1999 respectively. [HL956]

The information is given in the table below:

	1 April 1997	1 April 1998	1 April 1999
	Number	Number	Number
Government departments and other public sector	19,280	19,119	19,965
—of which
MOD	13,142	13,225	13,568
Housing Action Trusts	2,550	2,710	3,383
DETR	690	692	480
Home Office	268	217	259

As the majority of government department stock is owned by the Ministry of Defence, DETR (Highways Agency) and Home Office these figures are shown separately. Figures for housing action trusts are also shown. The remainder consists mainly of vacant stock owned or controlled by NHS trusts, provincial police forces, Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer by Baroness Hayman on 28 April 1998 (H.L. Deb., cols. 150–51) and the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman on 3 June 1998 (

The Building Research Establishment monitoring team has noted a substantial reduction in termite activity at the affected sites and there is no evidence of the colony having spread beyond the two properties originally infested. Routine monitoring at the two properties and surrounding area conducted in the first week of March recorded only a single residual isolated colony at one of the properties. I am therefore cautiously optimistic of the eventual outcome of the eradication programme deployed at Saunton.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which specific scientific papers led the Prime Minister to say that there is cause for legitimate public concern about genetically modified food. [HL1283]

The Government recognise the public's desire for reassurance and a precautionary approach on the environmental, ethical and health aspects of genetic modification technology. That is why our view has been, and continues to be, that we should proceed cautiously and ensure that we have robust regulatory regimes in place based on sound science. The recent OECD conference, hosted by the UK in Edinburgh, provided a forum for a range of scientific views on these issues to be debated.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to bring further areas into the badger culling trial recommended by Professor Sir John Krebs to address questions about the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle. [HL1583]

The next two sets of badger culling trial areas have now been identified. One will be located in Staffordshire/Derbyshire, and the other in Devon/Somerset. These are the seventh and eighth areas to be enrolled in the trial, and we expect to announce the remaining areas later this year. The Government are committed to a wide-ranging research and control strategy to find a science-based solution to TB in cattle. The badger culling trial is an important element of that strategy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the Flood Defence Emergency Reponse Project, established by the Environment Agency. [HL1584]

The Flood Defence Emergency Response (FDER) Project was established by the Environment Agency as part of its response to the Easter 1998 floods. Membership of the project team comprised representatives of the Environment Agency, Local Government Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association and the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities, represented by British Waterways.The project's general remit was to review existing local arrangements for responding to and exercising major flooding emergencies; to make recommendations for improvement; and to define the roles of the organisations involved.We have seen the FDER Project report and the project team is to be congratulated on its positive contribution in helping to bring about improvements to the arrangements for flood emergency response. It is important that its recommendations are implemented at local level by the organisations involved in emergency response. We are not, however, persuaded that it is appropriate to establish a standing national joint strategic flood group in the terms described.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect the latest volume of

Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1999 was published on 16 March 2000 and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.