asked Her Majesty's Government:

What percentage of the local population of common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins in United Kingdom waters was killed as bycatch in the past five years.[HL6387]

There is no complete abundance estimate of common dolphin populations in the Atlantic near the UK,but advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) suggests that approximately 500,000 common dolphins inhabitthis area.

The number of animals that die as bycatch every year is unknown, as it is not feasible to monitor all fishing operations. Bycatch has been monitored in the bass pair trawl fishery. An average of 180 dolphins per year were bycaught in the bass pair trawl fishery between the 2000-01 and 2004-05 winter seasons. Estimates for each year are provided below.

Bycatch is known to occur in gillnet fisheries in the Channel and western approaches, but there are no recent estimates of the numbers involved. The most recent estimate dates from the early 1990s, when around 200 common dolphins were being bycaught in the English and Irish gillnet fishery for hake.

The known level of bycatch of common dolphins in the two fisheries mentioned above is about 0.076 per cent of the population per year.

There has been no bycatch of bottlenose dolphins observed in over 7,000 fishing operations monitored in Defra-funded research programmes since 1996. Local populations of bottlenose dolphins number about 130 in both Cardigan Bay and the Moray Firth. My understanding is that only two bottlenose dolphins have been recovered from beaches around the Moray Firth (in 1993 and 1999) and one from Cardigan Bay (in 1996), under the Defra-funded cetacean strandings scheme, which were subsequently found to have died in fishing-related accidents.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 2 May (WA 48), and having regard to Section 71 of the Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended), whether the appointment quota for British citizenship applications at the British consulate general in Hong Kong applies to any applicant or only to those of Indian/Nepalese race or ethnicity.[HL6762]

The appointment quota for British citizenship applications at our consulate general in Hong Kong applies only to those of Indian/Nepalese race or ethnicity who are applying under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether a person applying for British citizenship otherwise than under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 is required to make an appointment if he wishes to apply at the British consulate in Hong Kong.[HL6765]

A person applying for British citizenship otherwise than under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 is not required to make an appointment if he wishes to apply at our consulate general in Hong Kong.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will put forward proposals to reduce the rate of taxation on biodiesel to promote the use of this alternative fuel.[HL6713]

The Government are committed to supporting biofuels as part of a long-term strategy to promote low-carbon transport. The Budget announced the extension of the 20 pence per litre duty differential for biofuels until 2008-09 and set out a range of announcements about the renewable transport fuel obligation, which will begin in 2008-09 and will ensure that biofuels comprise5 per cent of the road fuels market by 2010-11. Furthermore, we are awaiting state aid clearance to introduce an enhanced capital allowance (ECA) for the cleanest biofuels production plant, to support innovation and to help to develop the lowest-carbon biofuels production methods.

The Chancellor decides taxation policy considering all relevant economic, social and environmental factors. Any changes are announced in the context of his Budget Statement.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have made to the European Commission following an inspection visit by the European Union Food and Veterinary Office last year which found that most of the deficiencies found in Brazil in 2003 have still not been rectified.[HL6783]

In January 2006, following the inspection visit, the Commission proposed changes to the list of third-country-approved residue plans, including the removal of Brazil in respect of honey and wild game. This was adopted unanimously by all member states at the meeting of the scientific committee on animal health and veterinary measures relating to public health (SCoFCAH) on 24 January 2006. Imports of honey and wild game have not been permitted from Brazil since 17 March 2006, the application date of the implementing Commission decision.

The UK representatives at the European Commission's meeting of SCoFCAH on 4 and 5 July expressed concern at the situation in Brazil. The Commission made it clear that it is taking the issue seriously and assessing whether Brazil can provide sufficient guarantees that the quality of its produce meets European standards. The UK Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Given that there are no European Union approved pig production plants in Brazil, how much Brazilian pig meat has been imported to the European Union.[HL6784]

The table below shows imports of pig meat from Brazil into the EU in 2003 and 2004. There was no trade in 2005.

Imports of pork are not permitted from Brazil under animal/public health requirements, and were not permitted in 2003 or 2004. While Brazil is recorded as the country of dispatch for these imports into the EU, the products may have a different country of origin (records for this are not available). It should also be noted that overseas trade data are subject to a degree of statistical error. The overall level of errors is low, but these errors have a much greater proportional effect on countries with small values or volumes of trade. Therefore, care is needed when interpreting the data.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the statement by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 4 July (Official Report, col. 133) that the evaluation of the Government’s sale of gold reserves must be “in the long term”, whetherthey will define what they mean by “long term”.[HL6803]

At the end of the Bretton Woods system, gold prices rose over a 10-year period from $35 per ounce in 1970 to $850 per ounce in 1980. The gold price then declined, at one point dropping more than $200 per ounce over five trading days, reaching a low of around $253 per ounce 19 years later. The volatility and the duration of fluctuations in the gold price make it inappropriate to measure gains or losses over the short period since the end of the gold sales programme in 2002.

asked the Leader of the House:

Why it is necessary to inform Her Majesty the Queen of the name of the Lord Speaker.[HL6732]

This is required by Standing Order 18A(5), agreed by the House on 3 May 2006, which provides that,

“The result of the election shall be subject to the approval of Her Majesty the Queen”.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Triesman on 23 May (WA 94), when they will publish the report by Ms Fiona Lindsley, the former Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance, the final text of which was submitted to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 23 January; and what procedures they will introduce to minimise delays in the publication of documents resulting from ministerial changes.[HL6719]

Ms Lindsley's report is currently with my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary for further consideration and will be laid before Parliament before the Summer Recess. In the future, the independent monitor will produce reports every six months, rather than annually. These will be published promptly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the priority countries for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Global Opportunities Fund.[HL6414]

In 2005-06, there were six programmes within the Global Opportunities Fund (GOF), each with their own priority countries. These are listed below.

Counter-terrorism (CT)

For reasons of confidentiality, we are unable tolist the priority countries for the CT programme. However, our work is focused in the following regions: Middle East and north Africa, the east and Horn of Africa, south Asia and south-east Asia. We have 25 priority countries across these regions.

In 2006-07, the GOF has expanded to 10 programmes with the addition of the Afghanistan counter-narcotics programme, the overseas territories programme, the drugs and crime programme and the migration programme. Priority countries, regions and territories have changed slightly since 2005-06. These are listed below.

Counter-terrorism

Work is focused in the following regions: the Middle East and north Africa, east and Horn of Africa, south Asia and south-east Asia. There are25 priority countries across these regions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the investigation into alleged discrimination against Protestant employees in InterTradeIreland will be completed; and whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the report of the investigation.[HL6537]

Both sponsor departments and the InterTradeIreland board are working to complete the investigations quickly. However, it is not yet possible to indicate when the inquiry will be completed. The two departments and the board will wish to consider the findings of the inquiry before deciding the question of publication.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make representations to the Government of Israel on the subject of the recent attack on the power station in Gaza; and whether they will ask them to replace the destroyed transformers.[HL6679]

On 22 June, our ambassador in Tel Aviv raised our concerns about the current situation in Gaza with the foreign policy adviser of Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. On 29 June, the defence attaché in Tel Aviv raised our concerns about the worsening situation in Gaza, including the loss of power and water supplies, with the Israeli Defence Force. We will continue to monitor the situation at the power station, including the transformers, closely. The Israeli Cabinet met on2 July and agreed to connect Gaza to the Israeli electricity grid.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make representations to the Government of Israel concerning the destruction of historic vineyards and agricultural land in the area of the Cremisan monasteries near Bethlehem to make way for the security wall.[HL6708]

We continue to have serious concerns about the routeing of the barrier and the destruction of land to build the barrier, including around Bethlehem. We fully recognise Israel's right to self-defence. But the barrier's route should be on or behind the green line and not on occupied territory. Construction of the barrier on Palestinian land is illegal. We have not made any specific representations about the destruction of vineyards and agricultural land near Bethlehem. On 23 May, the Attorney-General discussed the routeing of the barrier with Israeli Chief Justice Barak and Israeli Justice Minister Ramon. We will continue to raise our concerns with the Israeli Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Adonis on 14 June (WA 25), whether they have received representations from local authorities on the planning of post-16 education provision and delays in receiving funding from regional and local learning and skills councils. [HL6501]

The department has received no such representations. In addition to bringing forward the publication of the grant letter to the Learning and Skills Council, we published last October Priorities for Success, which set out our funding strategy for the next two years. The purpose of this document was to begin the 2006-07 funding allocations process with a clear and concise message on the principles that would underpin this process. The strategy made it clear that higher participation among young people must have the highest priority, alongside helping disadvantaged adults gain basic and level 2 skills for employability.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What will be the effect on waiting times for people needing a hearing aid of the decision to exclude audiology from the 18-week waiting time target for treatment.[HL6741]

Audiology and adult hearing services in particular are mainly accessed directly by primary care and are therefore predominantly outside the scope of the 18-week pathway, which focuses on changing traditional hospital consultant pathways. A separate national action plan is being developed on improving access to adult hearing services. We have not speculated what effect exclusion from the 18-week pathway will have on waiting times for people needing a hearing aid.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the Department of Health will publish its promised action plan for audiology services; and what they plan to do to bring current waiting times for these services down.[HL6742]

The Department of Health is continuing its work with stakeholders to develop the national action plan for adult hearing services, and we aim to announce the publication of the action plan in the near future.

A number of initiatives have been introduced through the modernising hearing aid services programme to increase capacity to deliver audiology services in England. These are the national framework contract (public/private partnership) to bring in additional independent sector capacity, the development of a new degree to help to address the shortage of audiologists, and the introduction of Hearing Direct, which provides follow-up care and advice for some hearing aid users.

From April 2005, the 164 National Health Service audiology departments have been able to routinely assess for and fit digital hearing aids. It is for primary care trusts to ensure that their local population benefits from the modernised services.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many hip replacements per 100,000 of population were carried out in 2005 in (a) England; (b) Wales; (c) Scotland; and (d) Northern Ireland.[HL6777]

The data requested for Wales and Scotland are a matter for the devolved Administrations. During 2004-05, there were approximately 139 hip replacements per 100,000 of population carried out in National Health Service hospitals in Northern Ireland. The data available for England, which relate to the financial year 2004-05, are shown in the table.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the impact on general practitioner training of postgraduate medical deaneries cutting training budgets.[HL6587]

Education and training budgets are allocated to strategic health authorities (SHAs) for use according to their own local priorities and SHAs have not yet finalised their plans for 2006-07. The Department of Health will collect information on levels of investment later in the year, but it is for the SHAs and their associated deaneries to determine the appropriate level of funding for general practitioner training within the resources available, taking account of workforce need. The resources available to medical deaneries for education and training have risen substantially in recent years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has commissioned an investigation into the company Novatech; ifso, on what grounds; and when the investigation commenced.[HL6510]

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment appointed company inspectors in the case of Novatech Ltd on 12 January 2006 as a result of complaints received by it.

The department is required under the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 to appoint company inspectors when appropriate where a complaint is received from the public, or members or officers of the company, or any body or person connected with the company. The department's function in this area is to protect the public and to regulate the marketplace.

As with all such inquiries, the inspector's terms of reference are to look into the substance of a complaint and any other matters that they may encounter during their investigation. No further comment can be made until the investigation is concluded.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the total cost of establishing and administering the financial administration scheme to date; what are the total payments made; and to how many beneficiaries.[HL6301]

The total cost for the financial years 2004-05 and 2005-06 was £5.79 million. Of this,£4.4 million reflects the one-off costs of designing and setting up the scheme. As at 23 June 2006, a total of £347,887.97 had been paid to 113 beneficiaries.

As part of the Government's White Paper Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system, published on 25 May, we announced our intention to extend eligibility to the financial assistance scheme to members of qualifying pension schemes who were within 15 years of their scheme's normal retirement age on 14 August 2004. We have also announced that we will review the administration of the scheme to ensure that all eligible people receive payments as quickly as possible. This review will report by the Summer Recess.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many foreign nationals currently serving prison sentences were (a) recommended for deportation by the courts for deportation; and (b) are now liable to deportation under the new policy announced by the Prime Minister on 3 May (Official Report, House of Commons, cols. 958-63).[HL5949]

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary and his predecessor have provided regular updates on all aspects of our policy onthe deportation of foreign national prisoners. In particular, I refer the noble Lord to the most recent Written Ministerial Statement, made on 23 May 2006 (col. WS 41), in which the Home Secretary sets out his analysis of the department and the eight priority areas set out for management action to rectify these, and required organisational improvements. We shall update the House with our progress on these points shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish the weekly report on the foreign national prisoner population which was initiated from 1 April.[HL5952]

Home Office statistical information on foreign national prisoners is published on a quarterly and annual basis.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will place in the Library of the House the Home Office circular to police forces of December 2004 which set out broad criteria by which cases for consideration for deportation of foreign prisoners should be referred to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.[HL5997]

The document referred to has already been published on the department’s website and is available from the following address: www.knowledgenetwork.gov.uk/HO/circular.nsf/79755433dd36a66980256d4f004d1514/aa1edee7adce9fae80256f490035522d?OpenDocument.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much has been spent on the restoration of Roughan Bawn in County Tyrone; who has access to it; and on what basis.[HL6685]

First, I wish to clarify that the site is normally referred to as “Roughan Castle”, rather than “Roughan Bawn”, since no bawn-type enclosure walls are left standing above ground level.

Between February and June 2005, the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) spent approximately £10,700 conserving the fabric of the early 17th-century castle.

Potentially anybody has access to the site in line with the 1989 deed of guardianship, which placed it in state care. Article 20 of the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 provides for public access to monuments under ownership or guardianship of the department. As a state-care monument, Roughan Castle has a perimeter-marking metal fence with a pedestrian gate and two information panels. There is a public right-of-way access lane and a hard standing parking area to the north of the castle. There are no fixed opening or closing hours.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many Protestant pupils at Saints and Scholars Primary School in Armagh City will transfer to secondary education at the beginning of the next school year; and how many of these Protestant pupils have selected the Armagh Secondary Integrated College as their first choice.[HL6753]

Fifteen Protestant pupils at Saints and Scholars Integrated Primary School in Armagh City will transfer to secondary education at the beginning of the next school year. Nine of these Protestant pupils selected Armagh Integrated College as their first choice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the decisions taken on Somalia at the African Union summit in Banjul, Gambia.[HL6720]

The Banjul African Union (AU) summit issued a declaration in support of the transitional federal Government and called for the lifting of the UN arms embargo on Somalia to allow a peace support operation to deploy. We welcome AU support for the transitional federal Government. It will be for the UN Security Council to judge whether and when the conditions are right to lift the arms embargo.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How the international Somali contact group adds value to the efforts already being made by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the United Nations towards peace and stability in Somalia; how they will seek to ensure that common objectives are pursued in these fora; and whether they will promote agreement among all concerned states on the development and territorial integrity of Somaliland.[HL6721]

We welcome the formation of the international contact group on Somalia. It provides a forum to co-ordinate international efforts to help to restore peace, security and good governance to Somalia and to deliver clear and coherent messages to the Somali parties. We want to see a stable and successful Somaliland. The contact group has not yet had a substantive discussion of the situation there, however.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s peace support mission to Somalia, in view of the opposition by the Somali Supreme Islamic Courts Council.[HL6722]

We welcome the efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to promote peace and security in Somalia. Any IGAD peace support operation would require a peace to keep and the strategic consent of the key Somali parties.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information they have received on whether the Somali Supreme Islamic Courts Council has agreed that the transitional federal charter forms the basis for its further discussion with the leaders of the transitional federal institutions in Khartoum on 15 July.[HL6723]

At a meeting in Khartoum on22 June, the representatives of the transitional federal institutions and the Islamic Courts Union agreed to recognise each other, to a ceasefire and to pursue further talks on 15 July. The Islamic Courts Union’s position on the transitional charter remains unclear.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In deciding to treat the Somali transitional federal institutions as the lawful Government of Somalia, how they apply the principle of General Assembly Resolution 2625 (XXV) (Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations) that a sovereign state must be possessed of a government representing the whole people belonging to the territory, considering that the Somali transitional federal institutions exercise jurisdiction only over a small area in and around Baidoa.[HL6724]

The transitional federal institutions are the only internationally recognised entity in Somalia. The transitional charter envisages that they will give way to an elected government after five years. We continue to work with our international partners to support the transitional federal institutions in establishing an inclusive and representative government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the role of the certification inspector in Northern Ireland.[HL6686]

There is no certification inspector in Northern Ireland. There is, however, a certification officer who is responsible for:

maintaining a list of trade unions and employers' associations;

receiving and scrutinising annual returns from trade unions and employers’ associations;

determining complaints concerning trade union elections, certain other ballots and breaches of trade union rules;

ensuring observance of statutory requirements governing mergers between trade unions and between employers’ associations;

overseeing the political funds and the finances of trade unions and employers associations; and

certifying the independence of trade unions.

More detailed information on the role of the certification officer and the relevant legislation canbe found on the certification officer’s website at www.nicertoffice.com/contents2005.htm.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much it will cost to dispose of the chemicals used to clean fuel discovered in a large trailer on Tullyhappy Road outside Newry.[HL6338]

The cost to Newry and Mourne District Council to employ specialist contractors to complete this work was £6,454.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the total consumption of waterin cubic metres, including a breakdown of consumption per occupant, in the headquarters of the Environment Agency in each of the past 10 years.[HL6225]

Figures for the total consumption of water and consumption per occupant in cubic metres during 1996-2006 for the Environment Agency headquarters in Bristol are shown below:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in answering questions about water consumption, they will express figures in gallons per person rather than in cubic metres.[HL6772]

Ofwat provides the Government with water consumption figures for England and Wales via the annual report on security of supply, leakageand the efficient use of water. Household water consumption is expressed in litres per head per day.

The 2004-05 report can be accessed on the Ofwat website at www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/leakage_04-05.pdf/$FILE/leakage_04-05.pdf.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Where the proceeds of fines imposed for non-performance by Ofwat on a water management company go.[HL6780]

The proceeds of any fines imposed by Ofwat for non-performance by water companies go to Her Majesty's Treasury.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what date each water company supplying water into domestic households complied with Section 62 of the Water Act 2003 (water resource management plans).[HL6781]

The statutory requirement under Section 62 of the Water Act 2003 for water companies to prepare and maintain water resource management plans will commence in April 2007. A consultation on the proposed water resources management plans regulations, which support the overall process for the development of plans set out in the Water Act 2003, was held between 31 January 2006 and 25 April 2006.