asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make a financial commitment to the non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers from the Lowland Regiments of the newly formed Royal Regiment of Scotland for the provision of mess kit.[HL7007]

There are no special financial arrangements for the commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) of the Royal Regiment of Scotland in regard to the provision of mess kit. All commissioned officers are, however, provided with an initial outfit allowance to cover the cost of mess dress, and an annual tax credit to cover maintenance and replacement. NCOs are not obliged to wear mess dress, but where they choose to purchase it they do so at their own expense.

All officers in the newly formed Royal Regiment of Scotland have been given five years to replace their current privately purchased uniform, including mess kit. During this period uniforms (including NCOs mess kit) will run concurrently.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many unsuccessful asylum applicants who cannot return to their home country are currently receiving hard case support under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.[HL6834]

At the end of March 2006 there were 5,435 failed asylum seekers in receipt of Section 4 support. The number of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 is published on a quarterly and annual basis. The next publication covering the second quarter of 2006 will be published on 22 August 2006, and will be available on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What happened to the 37 per cent of those asylum seekers who were refused the support they applied for under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.[HL6835]

The information requested is not currently available as there are no central records kept on the movements of people whose applications for Section 4 support have been refused.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they will make as a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation regarding the destruction by the Azerbaijan authorities of the Armenian cemetery at Julfa and other Armenian monuments in the territory of Nakhichevan.[HL6870]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given to the noble Baroness, Lady Cox, by my noble friend Lady Royall of Blaisdon on 20 July (Official Report, cols. 1405-08).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the National Audit Office's remit over the BBC World Service affects the service's editorial independence.[HL6702]

The National Audit Office's remit over the BBC World Service does not affect the service's editorial independence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make reference to the erroneous refusals of British citizenship applications from solely British nationals in Hong Kong and the steps taken to remedy this in the next six-monthly report to Parliament on Hong Kong.[HL6902]

The decisions made by the Home Office that some applicants did not meet the “solely British” criteria of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 were not erroneous. They were correct on the Indian interpretation of Indian nationality law at the time the decisions were made.

The six-monthly report to Parliament on Hong Kong for January to July 2006 will assess the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong over that period. We will not be referring to this issue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Triesman on 14 July (WA 146), whether an application form is considered to be completed in full only if every supporting document requested on the form and guidance notes is provided with the application; or whether consular officers can exercise discretion in these matters; and, if such discretion is permitted, in what circumstances it is exercised.[HL7061]

It has been agreed with the Nationality Directorate of the Home Office that our consular staff overseas should check all British nationality applications to ensure that all the relevant boxes are completed and that the declaration is signed and dated, as this validates the application. All applications must be sent to the Nationality Directorate within two months of receipt, regardless of whether the applicant has provided all the necessary documents. The missing documents can be forwarded at a later date, but reference to the missing documents should be included in the covering letter that consular staff provide and forward to the Nationality Directorate with the application.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service has to recruit additional front-line staff for (a) private law, and (b) public law work; and [HL6951]

Whether the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service is currently experiencing any delay in the allocation of (a) private law, and (b) public law cases.[HL6952]

These are matters for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS). Anthony Douglas, the chief executive, has written to the noble Baroness with this information and a copy of his reply has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many names have been added to List 99 by each local education authority in England in the past five years.[HL6895]

Local education authorities do not add names to List 99. Decisions on whether to place individuals on List 99 are made by the Secretary of State acting on advice from Sir Roger Singleton, who chairs a panel of independent experts. For certain serious offences against children barring is automatic. Referrals are received from a number of different sources including the police, local education authorities, schools and social services.

Some 1,679 individuals have been placed on List 99 in the past five years (18 July 2001 to 17 July 2006). It is not possible to break this down by local education authority due to the way the statistics are currently recorded.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What additional resources will be made available to implement the Children and Adoption Act 2006.[HL6953]

The Government are currently considering a timescale for commencement of the Children and Adoption Act 2006. Allocation of resources to implement the Act will be considered as part of that process, which I expect to be concluded by the autumn.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will instigate research into the reported statistical link between children who grow up in stable, two-parent families and favourable outcomes at school and in later life.[HL6967]

The department is funding a range of studies including the Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) study, the Millennium Cohort Study and the Sure Start National Evaluation which examine issues of family structure and educational outcomes.

Existing research suggests that while stable, two-parent families tend to be associated with favourable outcomes for children, factors such as work status, income, and family conflict and disharmony, are likely to be more influential than family structure alone.

The House of Commons Education and Skills Committee took oral evidence on this topic from four expert witnesses on 12 July 2006. The witnesses agreed that family structure was a relatively unimportant factor in predicting children's outcomes compared with other factors such as poverty. The uncorrected evidence can be found at the following link: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmeduski/uc1398-i/uc139802.htm.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many sections of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 have (a) been repealed; (b) been amended; and (c) not been brought into force.[HL6882]

The information requested will be placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment has been made of the use of street drugs, including cannabis, acting as triggers of schizophrenia and temporary psychotic symptoms; and what information is made available to primary care trusts and schools warning that cannabis may be one of the factors causing schizophrenia when used in late childhood and early teens.[HL6960]

The Department of Health monitors all the key research in cannabis misuse and has a range of expert advisers to inform policy. We are currently commissioning an academic “expert topic review” of research on cannabis and mental health, with the aim that its findings will inform mental health promotion regarding cannabis, and will help us to ensure that our advice to mental health patients, their families and professionals continues to be comprehensive and up-to-date.

The Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) report on cannabis, Further consideration of the classification of cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (2005) reviews the evidence on the mental health effects of cannabis. The report states that ACMD remains of the view that cannabis is harmful and its consumption can lead to a wide range of physical and psychological hazards. Nevertheless, it does not recommend that the classification of cannabis products should be changed on the basis of the results of recent research into the effects on the development of mental illness. Although cannabis is unquestionably harmful, its harmfulness does not equate to that of class B substances at the level either of the individual or of society. The department also published independent advice on the health harms, including mental health harms, of a range of substances in its guidance in September 2003, Dangerousness of Drugs—A Guide to the Risks and Harms associated with Substance Misuse.

In 2004 the Government produced guidance to schools on all matters relating to drug education. This has recently been updated to specifically highlight the dangers that cannabis use can lead to a wide range of physical and psychological problems. In addition, the key stage 3 drug education pack, due to be published imminently, also highlights the possible links, both in the pupil and teacher versions.

The department has developed three new leaflets for the Government communications campaign FRANK (www.talktofrank.com) on cannabis: for young people, for heavy users and for parents. All give information on the possible side effects of cannabis use.

The department has specifically made information available to primary care trusts about the regular and early use of cannabis possibly causing an increase in an individual's risk of developing “psychotic symptoms” including schizophrenia.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any undertakings have been given to the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning the siting of nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom.[HL7068]

Any new nuclear power stations would be proposed, developed, constructed and operated by the private sector. The responsibility for identifying and acquiring specific sites and securing the necessary consents will lie with the developer. Government have committed to undertaking a strategic siting assessment that will help developers to identify the most suitable sites.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Over the past 12 months, which judgments by the European Court of Human Rights were made against the United Kingdom; which of these cases were not appealed; and what were the reasons for not appealing in each case.[HL6748]

In the past 12 months, judgments finding a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights have been made by a Chamber of the Court against the United Kingdom in the following cases: P.M.; B. and L.; Shannon; Yetkinsekerci; J.A. Pye (Oxford) Ltd.; Yassar Hussein; Grant; and Elahi.

Under the convention there is no right of appeal. However, under Article 43 any party may in exceptional cases request that a case be referred to the Grand Chamber of the Court. The Grand Chamber will accept the request if the case raises a serious issue affecting the interpretation or application of the convention or its protocols, or a serious issue of general importance.

The case of J.A. Pye (Oxford) Ltd has been referred to the Grand Chamber at the request of the Government. In the cases of Grant and Elahi, the time limit for requesting a referral has not yet expired. In the other cases no request was made by the Government, as it was not felt that they came within the criteria set out in Article 43, and/or it was not expected that the Grand Chamber would come to a different conclusion from the Chamber.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, by virtue of Section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998, the powers conferred upon the Secretary of State by the Extradition Act 2003 must be exercised in a way that is compatible with the convention rights.[HL7028]

The Secretary of State, as a public authority, is bound by provisions of Section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and is forbidden from acting in a way that is incompatible with convention rights.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the average waiting time for security clearance for those who have applied to work in the forensic explosives laboratory; and whether they have proposals to speed up clearance for those who have waited for three months or longer.[HL7019]

For the year ending 30 June 2006, the Defence Vetting Agency (DVA) awarded a total of 34 developed vetting (DV) clearances and 306 security check (SC) clearances for personnel employed and waiting to be employed at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Fort Halstead. These took an average of 74.6 days and an average of 61.7 days from receipt of application to clearance being awarded for DV and SC respectively. These figures apply to personnel at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Fort Halstead in general; it is not possible for the DVA to supply figures for personnel in the forensic explosives laboratory without disproportionate effort. Within the vetting process, any outstanding checks are hastened at regular intervals. There is also the provision for sponsors to flag cases as priority at the outset, which will ensure priority handling throughout.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have studied the joint statement issued by the 100 leaders of the world's main religious faiths who met in St Petersburg; and whether they will advocate this approach to global issues to the other G8 members.[HL6873]

The Government's approach to global issues is set out in the White Paper Active Diplomacy for a Changing World published in March 2006, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. The joint statement of the religious leaders who met in Moscow on 3 and 4 July contains many elements that are consistent with that approach and with the objectives we have pursued in our work with partners in the G8 process. We welcome the contribution which religious groups and their leaders can make to address the major international challenges in today's world.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10 July (WA 89), how many assistants currently support special advisers to Ministers in the Department for Education and Skills; and what is the nature of their services.[HL6968]

Four members of staff are primarily employed to provide support of a non-political nature in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10 July (WA 89), how many assistants currently support special advisers to Ministers in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and what is the nature of their services.[HL6969]

Three officials contribute to the administrative support of the two special advisers. This support is of a non-political nature in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10 July (WA 89), how many assistants currently support special advisers to Ministers in the Cabinet Office; and what is the nature of their services.[HL6970]

One member of staff supports the special advisers in the Cabinet Office, providing administrative support of a non-political nature in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10 July (WA 89), how many assistants currently support special advisers to Ministers in the Department for Trade and Industry; and what is the nature of their services.[HL7014]

Special advisers in the DTI are supported by two members of staff. These staff are employed to provide support of a non-political nature in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10 July (WA 89), how many assistants currently support special advisers to Ministers in the Treasury Solicitor's Department; and what is the nature of their services.[HL7029]

The Treasury Solicitor's Department has no special advisers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10 July (WA 89), how many assistants currently support special advisers to Ministers in the Office of Fair Trading; and what is the nature of their services.[HL7031]

The Office of Fair Trading does not employ special advisers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10 July (WA 89), how many assistants currently support special advisers to Ministers in the Office for Standards in Education; and what is the nature of their services.[HL7077]

Since Ofsted is a non-ministerial government department, there are no special advisers within the inspectorate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the answer by the Lord Triesman on 11 July (Official Report, col. 583), on what date they made it clear to the Government of the United States that Guantanamo Bay should be closed.[HL6935]

We have long made it clear that we regard the circumstances under which detainees are held at the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay as unacceptable. The US Government are well aware of our views through our regular discussions on detainee-related issues.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What procedures Gulf War veterans must comply with to have the umbrella term Gulf War syndrome applied to recognised medical conditions for which they are already receiving an award and which are attributable to service during the 1990-91 Gulf War.[HL6888]

If a veteranhas recognised medical conditions accepted as attributable to or aggravated by service in connection with the 1990-91 Gulf War, they should write to the Veterans’ Agency requesting a review of whether the application of the umbrella term Gulf War syndrome would be appropriate. Thereafter a claim form may be required depending on the circumstances of the case.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What legal remedy is available to counter reinterpretation and tampering by public officials in handling decisions of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal such as that in the case of Gulf War veteran Mark McGreevy, as documented in the tribunal president's letter to the Ministry of Defence of 5 April.[HL6843]

The Ministry of Defence did not attempt to reinterpret or tamper with the decision by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal in the case of Mr McGreevy. The department acted in good faith and with the intention of giving effect to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal's decision. The response by the department of 5 June to the president of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal’s letter of 5 April explained the way in which Gulf War syndrome has been applied in Mr McGreevy's case as an umbrella term. A copy of the Ministry of Defence letter has been placed in the Library.

An individual who feels that the Ministry of Defence has failed to implement a tribunal decision may have a remedy in judicial review.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

What arrangements will be made to ensure that the House of Lords adopts policies on smoking consistent with the Health Act 2006.[HL7121]

Part 1 of the Health Act 2006 does not apply to either House of Parliament, but it has been the long-held position that on matters such as public health and safety this House gives effect to general legislation as if it applied to the House.

In the next Session, proposals will be put to the Administration and Works Committee for bringing the House fully in line with Part 1 of the Health Act 2006. The committee will then make a set of recommendations to the House before the provisions of that part of the Act come into force

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to commemorate the military personnel and police who died in (a) the 1916 Easter rebellion in Ireland; (b) the 1919-21 war of independence in Ireland; and (c) the 1921-22 civil disturbances in Northern Ireland.[HL6541]

We have no plans to do so.

The national service of remembrance at the Cenotaph is an expression of remembrance and a commemoration of all those killed and injured in service of their country, and all those who mourn them.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the proposed register of pupils in the National Academy for Gifted Youth will be held in electronic form; who will have access to the information held on it; and, if it is to be held electronically, when a procurement process will begin for the information technology required to support it.[HL7074]

The national register will include all pupils identified as gifted and talented by their primary and secondary schools, including those 11 to 19 year-olds who are within the top 5 per cent by ability and so eligible for membership of the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY). The national register will be computerised. It will draw together material in NAGTY's existing database and in the national pupil database. We have asked NAGTY to undertake the management of the national register and we anticipate that it will be developed under existing contracts. Schools will be the main users of the national register. We anticipate access for parents and pupils to their own data, as well as access to relevant aggregated data for school improvement partners, local authorities and higher education institutions, in a manner consistent with the data protection legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What oversight role the chairman of the NHS Appointments Commission has when the suitability of a National Health Service chairman to continue in post is assessed when a chairman's circumstances have substantially changed since his appointment; and [HL6988]

How they determine whether a relationship between a national health service chair and chief executive officer has become too close or “cosy” as described in the NHS Appointments Commissioner’s publication, Governing the NHS—a Guide for NHS Boards; and what remedies are available to address the situation.[HL6989]

The NHS Appointments Commission has the power, delegated to it by the Secretary of State for Health, to terminate the appointment of chairs and non-executive members of NHS boards, under circumstances prescribed in regulations. This includes provisions for the termination of an appointment if someone has become disqualified from appointment during their tenure of office or if it is not in the best interests of the NHS for them to remain in post.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many health trusts in England were in deficit at the end of the financial year 2005-06; and, of these, how many were foundation trusts.[HL6911]

The 2005-06 provisional outturn figures for the National Health Service show that a total of 68 NHS trusts, excluding NHS foundation trusts, incurred a deficit.

Monitor has responsibility for overseeing the financial performance of NHS foundation trusts. The latest 2005-06 provisional outturn figures from Monitor show that a total of 11 NHS foundation trusts incurred a deficit.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether National Health Service trusts and organisations in England have been reminded of the NHS Standards of Business Conduct, following the June 2005 Audit Commission report into the contracting arrangements of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, with Talquin Limited, which found that the NHS standards had been broken; and [HL6943]

Whether a National Health Service trust in England, which has seconded a member of staff to another trust or other NHS organisation in Wales is obliged to inform the receiving trust or organisation of an ongoing Audit Commission investigation relating to the seconded member of staff; and [HL6944]

What powers they have to intervene if a National Health Service trust board does not take action over a clear breach of the NHS Code of Accountability by an executive director; and [HL6945]

What information the Department of Health received during the Audit Commission investigation in 2005 at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital into contracting arrangements with Talquin Limited; and when any such information was received; and [HL6946]

Whether a Minister was briefed during the Audit Commission investigation in 2004-05 at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital into contracting arrangements with Talquin Limited regarding this investigation; and [HL6947]

Whether it is normal procedure for the Department of Health to request the secondment of a National Health Service trust chief executive connected with an Audit Commission investigation.[HL6948]

The report referred to in these questions was a specific review undertaken at the trust's request by the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust’s appointed external auditor. The NHS West Midlands strategic health authority (SHA) reports that there were no recommendations requiring action by the Department of Health.

Employment matters are the responsibility of the relevant local NHS organisations, particularly with regard to appropriate references for the individual concerned. However, the NHS West Midlands SHA confirms that the “receiving” NHS organisation was made aware of the circumstances of the individual concerned.

The Department of Health can be asked for a view by a current or prospective employer about the appropriateness of a chief executive under investigation taking on another NHS role. The department's advice takes account of the nature of the concern and any recommendations forthcoming from an audit inquiry of an NHS Management Code of Conduct investigation.

The department would want assurances that due process has been followed in any investigation and that all the relevant information has been made available to a prospective employer. Decisions about offering chief executives in this type of situation a secondment opportunity rests with the prospective employer.

According to departmental records no information was received by either Ministers or the department with regard to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust and its contracting arrangements with Talquin Limited.

In the event of a primary care trust (PCT) or NHS trust not performing one or more of its functions adequately, or if there are significant failings in the way it is being run, then the Secretary of State may make an intervention order under Sections 84A and 84B of the National Health Service Act 1977. The Secretary of State also has powers under Section 17 of that Act to direct an NHS trust or PCT about the exercise of its functions whether as a sanction or otherwise. There are further powers under Sections 97C, 97D and 99 to direct an NHS trust or PCT in respect of its financial functions.

The Secretary of State has delegated her appointment functions for chairs and non-executive board members to the NHS Appointments Commission. The appointments may be terminated where it is not in the interests of the NHS, or it is not conducive to the good management of the NHS trust or PCT, for the individual to continue to serve. However, termination is only made after due process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to increase the number of specialists in sexual and reproductive health working in the National Health Service.[HL6774]

Sexual and reproductive health services are provided in a range of settings including genito-urinary medicine clinics, community contraceptive services and general practice. The Department of Health has led and supported initiatives which support training and development of the workforce and multidisciplinary working. Workforce planning for these services is a matter for local determination.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will investigate the causes of the suspension and dismissal of a senior member of staff at the sickle cell anaemia unit of St Thomas's Hospital; and why these causes have not been communicated to him after several months.[HL6995]

This is a matter involving an individual member of staff who I understand is fully aware of the position and is in contact with the trust. It would be inappropriate for the trust to communicate details to any third party without their explicit consent. The trust's internal procedures are continuing and it would not be appropriate for me to comment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How grants from the transitional fund, which were used to fund an extra £100,000 to the West Belfast Nationalist Festival this year, are being equality tested.[HL6997]

The Community Festivals Fund is being piloted and the policy is the subject of a consultation exercise that will conclude on 30 September 2006. An equality impact assessment is being undertaken as part of this exercise.

Individual grants are not specifically equality tested.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which organisations have been refused the full amount of funding requested from the first allocation of festival funding operated by the Northern Ireland Events Company.[HL6999]

A list of the organisations that were offered less than the full amount of funding requested from the first allocation of festival funding, including those that were rejected in full, are as follows:

Successful Applications

Armagh Festival of Traditional and Folk Song

Ballymacarrett Community and Cultural Engagement Project

South Lough Neagh Regeneration Association

Gilford District LOL Number 13

Cairncastle LOL 692 Cultural and Community Group

Carlingford Lough International Currach Championships

Bangor District Educational and Historical Society

Coleraine District LOL Number 2 Festival Committee

South Tyrone Empowerment Programme (STEP)

Crumlin Community Festival Group

Fiddlers Green Music and Arts Festival

Fern Community Relations Programme

Glasgowbury Music Group

Greater Shankill Community Festival

Lady of the Lake Festival Committee

Lurgan District LOL No 6

National Country Sports Fair

O'Neill Summer School

Magheragall District LOL No 9

Randalstown Arches Association

Richhill, Hamiltonsbawn and District Golden Jubilee Committee

Sandy Row Residents' Association

Northern Ireland Sheep Shearers' Association

Summer Madness NI Limited

Tyrone Orange Vision 2000

Unsuccessful Applications

North West Rural Development

Comahaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann

Dundonald Cultural Society

TG Marketing

Dollingstown Ulster Scots Cultural and Heritage Society

Delorean Owners Association

Youth Action Northern Ireland

Ulster American Folk Park

Culbann Clay Pigeon Club

Larne Alive Committee

Longstone Community Association

Country Lifestyle Exhibitions

Wilson Archer, Megalife Ministries

Merville May Day Festival Committee

Artstart

Shorts Junior Soccer Section

Switch Ventures

Ulster-Scots Agency

Magherafelt and District Motorclub

Mid Ulster Vintage Vehicles Club

Only one applicant, Carrickfergus District LOL Number 19, was awarded the full amount requested.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 12 July (Official Report, WA 126) concerning funding for community festivals, what is meant by “this funding will be processed by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure”; who will pay the funding; from what source the funding will be paid; and how much is available from that source.[HL7000]

This means that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure will be responsible for the administration and payment of these funds.

Up to £145,400 will be available to three community festivals in the current year from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure under transitional funding arrangements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what dates in 2006 the Secretary of State for Health has met Sir Gulam Noon; where each meeting took place; and what topics were discussed.[HL7027]

The Secretary of State for Health has not met Sir Gulam Noon in 2006 to date in her ministerial capacity.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland were on duty in the south Armagh area on each day in the week commencing 19 June.[HL6660]

The deployment of police officers is an operational matter for the chief constable. During the week commencing 19 June 2006 the police strength in Newry and Mourne district was as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much has been paid in grants to Rally Ireland for 2005 and 2006; from what source; after what process; and whether they will place allthe documentation in the Library of the House.[HL6826]

As of 10 July 2006 Rally Ireland has received Exchequer funding of £321,099.21 for its 2005 event and £200,886.92 for its 2006 event.

This funding has been issued through the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) in accordance with its procedures on the payment of grant claims as follows:

The applicant can present grant claims as soon as a contract is signed and they have incurred expenditure, subject to it satisfying all conditions of offer. Each claim is accompanied by an auditor's certificate, bank statement evidencing expenditure and copies of invoices relevant to the claim and quotes/tenders if applicable. This is assessed by NIEC for accuracy and against conditions of offer and if everything is in order a payment is released.

Much of the documentation regarding the payment of grant by NIEC to Rally Ireland, and indeed any other body being funded, is commercially sensitive and as such is prohibited from disclosure in line with relevant information access legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, since May 2005, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met with Ronan Morgan, promoter of Rally Ireland; if so, when; and where they met.[HL6847]

Since May 2005 my right honourable friend has met Ronan Morgan on a number of occasions as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Secretary of State for Wales.

As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland he met Mr Morgan at the launch of the World Rally Championship bid on 4 July 2005 at Parliament Buildings and at the Rally Ireland events in October 2005 and March 2006. Mr Morgan was also part of a delegation which met the Secretary of State in Stormont Castle on 25 October 2005.

As Secretary of State for Wales, my right honourable friend attended a charity dinner at which Mr Morgan was in attendance as guest of someone else. He also attended the Wales Rally GB in September 2005, when Ronan Morgan was still working as event director of that event, and is likely to have met him there.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether hospitality was involved in meetings between the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Ronan Morgan, promoter of Rally Ireland; and, if so, who paid for it.[HL6891]

Hospitality was involved in my right honourable friend’s meetings with Ronan Morgan at the October 2005 and March 2006 Rally Ireland pilot events. This hospitality was paid for by the event promoters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much has been spent on (a) upgrading, and (b) maintaining St Joseph's High School in Plumbridge, County Tyrone.[HL6661]

The Western Education and Library Board has advised that the cost of maintenance of St Joseph's High School incurred by the board and the school from its local management of schools (LMS) budget for the financial years 2000-01 to 2005-06 is as follows:

During the same period the Department of Education, under the specialist accommodation programme, approved the refurbishment of the ICT and business studies accommodation at the school at a cost of £46,000.

The school did not apply to the department for any capital works projects to upgrade the school during the period 2000 to date.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many school places in Northern Ireland were unfilled on the most recent date for which figures are available; whether they will provide a breakdown of the total showing primary, secondary and other schools separately; and how many of the unfilled places were at (a) Roman Catholic schools; (b) Protestant schools; (c) integrated schools; and (d) other schools.[HL6837]

In the 2005-06 school year there were an estimated 53,050 surplus places in schools in Northern Ireland: 34,390 in primary schools and 18,660 in post-primary schools.

The breakdown of this information by school sector and type is as follows.

Controlled schools in Northern Ireland are generally attended by pupils from a Protestant community background. Maintained schools are attended generally by pupils from a Roman Catholic background.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made an assessment of the number of shopping trolleys and similar items of retail equipment in the stretch of the Connswater river that runs through the Connswater shopping centre in Belfast, and in the other designated parts of that river maintained by the Rivers Agency, downstream from the confluence loop at Beersbridge Road to the bridge at the Sydenham bypass; and whether they have any plans to remove the items.[HL6745]

The Connswater river in the vicinity of the Connswater shopping centre is a designated watercourse which is maintained by the Rivers Agency as necessary to ensure free flow.

While no precise assessment has been made of trolleys in the river, I can confirm that it is subject to annual inspection and maintenance or more frequently in response to complaints about accumulation of debris.

Any dumped items, including shopping trolleys, which are likely to obstruct flows are routinely removed by the agency. Maintenance was last undertaken in March 2006 and further inspection, with any necessary maintenance, is planned for August.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made this year with the implementation of the north-south comprehensive peace agreement in Sudan; how many United Kingdom personnel are engaged in this process; and how many of these are already working in the south.[HL6957]

Progress is being made. The Government of National Unity are settling in. On the security side, institutions critical to maintaining the ceasefire are operating effectively. There has also been rapid force redeployment by the Sudanese armed forces from the south and they are ahead of the withdrawal timetable. The Sudanese People's Liberation Army's withdrawal from the east is complete. On the economic side, at least US $700 million to $800 million of oil revenues have been transferred to the south since last year. Rural roads have been upgraded, basic services are being delivered and the Government of Southern Sudan's partners are working hard to build capacity. The first joint National Congress Party and Sudan People's Liberation Movement conference to discuss implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) was held at the end of May.

There is still much to do before the many provisions of the CPA are fully implemented. In particular, Abyei continues to be without a civil administration while the parties decide how to proceed with the recommendations of the Abyei Boundaries Commission. The north/south boundary has yet to be set, which is critical to determining the south's oil wealth and the redeployment of the two sides' armed forces. In addition, the National Petroleum Commission is not yet fully operational, making it difficult to verify whether the south is receiving in full the oil revenue it is entitled to. These revenues are essential to funding sustainable development in the south, where tangible change on the ground is occurring only very slowly.

Ensuring the implementation of the CPA is a major priority for the UK. We have substantial development and humanitarian programmes. At the 2005 Oslo donor conference, we pledged over £300 million for the following three years for humanitarian and development assistance, and are on track with disbursing our support. Our ambassador in Khartoum is an active member of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission, the body tasked with monitoring the CPA's implementation, and the chairman of its Security Working Group. We are also working hard to ensure that the CPA remains high on the international community's agenda. Its implementation was an important focus of last month's UK-led United Nations Security Council visit to Sudan. They visited Juba on 8 June and witnessed at first hand both the progress made and the challenges facing the Government of Southern Sudan.

There are three British Government staff based in southern Sudan. Another eight Department for International Development-contracted consultants work on CPA issues, one of whom is based in the south. Many other British Government staff divide their time between issues relating to the CPA, Darfur and other issues, but give a considerable proportion of their time to the first. These include our ambassador in Khartoum and his deputy, the rest of the political and defence sections in our embassy in Khartoum (10 UK-based and one locally engaged staff), the whole of DfID Khartoum (12 UK-based and nine locally engaged staff), and all the members of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)/DfID Sudan Unit (nine staff). A further eight advisory staff in DfID and the FCO work part time on CPA issues. There are many UK nationals who are employed by the UN and non-governmental organisations working on such matters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to reform the Northern Ireland Tourist Board; what process is being used to do so; and what is the expected timescale.[HL6893]

There are no plans to reform the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. However, the review of public administration will result in some local tourism product development functions being transferred from NITB to the new councils. In addition the Northern Ireland Events Company will merge with NITB. Overall these changes will strengthen the Northern Ireland Tourist Board's role as the strategic leader in tourism; it will allow for the better co-ordination of promotional activities around major events; and it will provide councils with a key role in improving the visitor experience at a local level.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Andrews on 28 June (WA 158) concerning ethnicity, whether they recognise the Ulster-Scots community as “a segment of the population distinguished from others by a combination of shared customs, beliefs, traditions and characteristics, derived from a common or presumed common past, sufficient to give them an historically determined social identity in their own eyes and in the eyes of others”. [HL6688]

It is not for the Government to decide whether the guidance in Mandla v Dowell Lee [1983] 2 AC 548 HL applies to any group of people. That is a matter for the courts.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their further programme of research into water fluoridation, following the recommendations of the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination in 2000 and the Medical Research Council in 2002, was suspended pending the outcome of the review by the National Research Council of the United States National Academy of Sciences into the toxicological, epidemiological and clinical evidence on fluoride; and [HL7083]

What is their policy for research into water fluoridation following the report in March 2006 by the United States National Research Council, Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's Standards, which highlighted possible adverse effects on health in finding the current maximum contaminant level to be too high.[HL7084]

The Department of Health wanted to consider the findings of this major American research project before commissioning further research. The report's main recommendation, that the Environmental Protection Agency's recommended maximum fluoride concentration for drinking water of 4 milligrams per litre should be lowered, is not directly relevant to the United Kingdom where, under the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000, concentrations must not exceed 1.5 milligrams per litre. We will, however, be taking the National Research Council's other recommendations into account in the development of our own research programme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much water in total and per occupant in cubic metres was consumed in the headquarters of the Home Office in each of the past 10 years.[HL7042]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 3 July (WA 26).