asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many development projects they have supported through the New Partnership for Africa's Development in the past three years; and in which countries.[HL1453]

The UK has been a strong supporter of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NePAD) since its creation in 2001. The principles and objectives it embodies (such as African leadership and commitment to good governance and human rights) are critical to achieving poverty reduction and sustainable development in Africa. These are core themes for all DfID's work in Africa.

In addition to its advocacy role, the NePAD secretariat has also initiated a number of regional programmes. DfID has provided £500,000 towards the work of the secretariat, as well as supporting some specific programmes. This includes £6 million to the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) to increase agricultural productivity; $30 million to the Investment Climate Facility to make Africa a better place to do business; and $20 million to the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa to support project preparation and co-ordination. DfID is a major funder of the Africa Peer Review Mechanism to promote good governance, initiated by NePAD, and has contributed around £2.7 million to date (including to support the process in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique and Uganda). DfID has also provided £325,000 to support the African Union/NePAD Consolidated Plan of Action on Science and Technology.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in light of recent analysis showing air pollution figures higher than expected, existing air pollution control procedures, which are governed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe rules on long-range transboundary air pollution and the national emissions ceiling directive, are adequate.[HL1339]

The UK remains committed to meeting its air pollution reduction obligations as specified under the protocols of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP), and the National Emission Ceilings Directive 2001/81/EC (NECD). Recent analysis of the UK's progress shows that we are on track to meet our current commitments.

We continue to review our performance on improving air quality, and have recently publicly consulted on our updated national air quality strategy. We will also support and contribute to forthcoming international negotiations on the review of the UNECE protocols and the NECD.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the current airport and runway expansion plans for main London airports, and the forecast rise in aviation emissions by 2020, is consistent with the latest European Union plans to reduce the pollution effects of airways. [HL1531]

The Department for Transport's recent publication, The Future of Air Transport Progress Report, made it clear that the Government continue to support a sustainable long-term strategy for the development of air travel. The progress report explained our strong support for including aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme as a key element of our approach.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many (a) wild-caught; (b) captive bred; and (c) ranched reptiles were imported into the United Kingdom in 2006 from (i) within, and (ii) outside the European Union.[HL1428]

The information requested is set out in the table below:

Imports of reptiles are not recorded as “wild caught”, “captive bred” or “ranched”.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many (a) wild-caught; (b) captive bred; and (c) ranched reptiles were imported into the European Union in 2005.[HL1429]

The information requested is set out in the table below:

Imports of reptiles are not recorded as “wild caught”, “captive bred” or “ranched”.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

With reference to the following species of avian raptors—(a) red kite; (b) white tailed eagle; (c) common buzzard; (d) goshawk; (e) golden eagle; (f) lanner; (g) merlin; (h) peregrine; and (i) Harris hawk, how many of each species have been released under licence in the past 25 years; to whom the licences were issued; whether the parties who released the birds and the organisation that bred them were under licence; and whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was the only department authorised to issue licences for these species. [HL1373]

Licences would not be required for the release of red kite, common buzzard, goshawk, golden eagle, merlin and peregrine falcon as they are species that are ordinarily resident in Great Britain. The release of white tailed eagle, Harris hawk and lanner falcon would be an offence under Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 unless licensed. The white tailed eagle is native to Great Britain while the other two species are not.

Until 30 September 2006, the licensing responsibility in England was shared between Defra (and its predecessor departments) and English Nature. Since 1 October 2006 this responsibility has been shared between Defra and Natural England.

Available information indicates that no licences have been issued for the release of captive bred specimens of white tailed eagle, Harris hawk and lanner falcon into the wild in England.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

With reference to the following species of avian raptors—(a) red kite; (b) white tailed eagle; (c) common buzzard; (d) goshawk; (e) golden eagle; (f) lanner; (g) merlin; (h) peregrine; and (i) Harris hawk, how many importations of each species have taken place and from what country of origin; whether quarantine conditions were enforced and controlled by the State Veterinary Service; and whether Defra officials were kept informed during each stage of the importation process. [HL1374]

Defra and State Veterinary Service (SVS) officials are informed when importers of avian raptors apply for licences, and Defra officials are informed when importers apply for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permits.

Copies of any special import licences issued are sent to the Animal Health Divisional Office which covers the area where a bird will become resident. This will alert the local divisional veterinary managers of the bird's arrival and specify the necessary checks on quarantine that will need to be made, as well as any additional tests that may need to be carried out.

Birds for commercial import from other member states of the European Union do not have to go to quarantine. If birds are sent to quarantine then the SVS attends frequently to supervise and enforce rules. An SVS officer visits at least three times: at the beginning, during and at the end of the quarantine period.

The following statistics for importations recorded by year between 1998 to the present are taken from our own recording system. 1998 has been chosen as the start date as it is the first full year after the introduction of European Community Regulation 338/97 which implements CITES, and which came into force in June of 1997.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much public money is invested in the captive breeding and release into the wild of the following species of bird—(a) red kite; (b) white tailed eagle; (c) common buzzard; (d) goshawk; (e) golden eagle; (f) lanner; (g) merlin; (h) peregrine; and (i) Harris hawk. [HL1375]

Natural England advises that a small amount of public money was spent on developing a captive breeding programme for red kites in 1989. The exact sum is not known, and the attempt to breed these birds in captivity was unsuccessful so no captive bred specimens were released into the wild. No programme for breeding any of the other species has been undertaken using public money by Defra, Natural England or their predecessors.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many (a) wild-caught; (b) captive bred; and (c) ranched birds were imported into the European Union in 2005.[HL1427]

The information requested is set out in the table below:

Imports of birds are not recorded as “wild-caught”, “captive bred” or “ranched”. There is no requirement to do so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

With reference to the releases of the following species of avian raptors—(a) red kite; (b) white tailed eagle; (c) common buzzard; (d) goshawk; (e) golden eagle; (f) lanner; (g) merlin; (h) peregrine; and (i) Harris hawk, whether there was consultation, both with the landowner of the release point, and other land managers in the area ; and [HL1430]

Whether responsibilities for release programmes were sub-contracted to non-governmental organisations in respect of the following species of avian raptors—(a) red kite; (b) white tailed eagle; (c) common buzzard; (d) goshawk; (e) golden eagle; (f) lanner; (g) merlin; (h) peregrine; and (i) Harris hawk; and, if so, which non-governmental organisations; and [HL1431]

With reference to the licensing of the following species of artificially bred raptors—(a) red kite; (b) white tailed eagle; (c) common buzzard; (d) goshawk; (e) golden eagle; (f) lanner; (g) merlin; (h) peregrine; and (i) Harris hawk, whether surveys are conducted to establish that adequate supplies of prey or wild food are available; under what authorised conditions artificial feeding is allowed; and for how long after release; and [HL1432]

With reference to the licensing of the following species of artificially bred raptors—(a) red kite; (b) white tailed eagle; (c) common buzzard; (d) goshawk; (e) golden eagle; (f) lanner; (g) merlin; (h) peregrine; and (i) Harris hawk, whether vulnerable prey species are taken into account during the preparation of an environmental impact assessment.[HL1433]

Releases of red kites as part of the Natural England (formerly English Nature)—RSPB Reintroduction Programme (1989 to present) have been carried out in accordance with the internationally agreed IUCN (World Conservation Union) guidelines. These include a requirement to consult local landowners, as well as other interested individuals and organisations, before birds are released.

Licences would not be required for the release of the red kite, common buzzard, goshawk, golden eagle, merlin, and peregrine falcon, as they are species which are ordinarily resident in Great Britain. Releases of some of the species listed (for example, the goshawk) have been carried out by individuals or private organisations. My department has no records about consultation with local landowners in these cases.

The release of the white tailed eagle (also native to Great Britain), Harris hawk and lanner falcon would require a licence. To release these species without a licence would be an offence under Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The department has no records of licences having been issued in England for the release of artificially-bred specimens of the white tailed eagle, Harris hawk and lanner falcon. Associated impacts of any such releases would be considered, as appropriate, as part of the licensing decision process.

Non-governmental organisations are at liberty to propose, conduct and participate in release programmes. For example, the red kite reintroduction programme is a joint RSPB and Natural England endeavour. Natural England, as the licensing authority, would need to be satisfied that it was proper to license any such releases.

Any conditions imposed on a licence, including any conditions relating to artificial feeding, would be specific to that licence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many (a) wild-caught; (b) captive bred; and (c) ranched birds were imported into the United Kingdom in 2006 from (i) within, and (ii) outside the European Union.[HL1426]

The information requested is set out in the table below:

The birds imported from countries outside the EU were for conservation purposes.

Imports of birds are not recorded as “wild-caught”, “captive bred” or “ranched”. There is no requirement to do so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

For each year since January 2000 and for each of the Armed Forces, what has been the proportion of United Kingdom-grown fresh food purchased for consumption by United Kingdom-based personnel in the following categories (a) meat; (b) poultry; (c) dairy products; and (d) vegetables. [HL1262]

The MoD's new food supply contract commenced in October 2006. The transition between contractors means that information on the country of origin of different foods prior to this date could not be obtained without disproportionate effort.

The food supply contractor procures approximately 1,200 different products for the UK Armed Forces. The percentage of UK-produced goods changes regularly as a result of seasonality, value for money incentives, changes to the product specification and supplier. The country of origin of some products is indeterminate because they are manufactured using a number of ingredients, and other products, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, are sourced seasonally from a variety of countries. We can, however, state that under the new food supply contract, 44 per cent of pork (excluding gammon and bacon products), beef and lamb (by value) has been procured from British farms.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps have been taken to develop further and increase the tri-service working of service special investigation branches; and [HL1268]

What measures they have introduced to ensure that the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch is properly notified by other agencies and police forces of relevant information; and [HL1269]

What steps the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch has taken to establish protocols with all jurisdictions with which it has interfaces, including foreign jurisdictions, to ensure appropriate sharing of investigative and criminal justice DNA samples and fingerprints; and [HL1270]

What consideration the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch has given to accrediting officers engaged in forensic tasks to the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners; and [HL1271]

What steps the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch has taken to develop a forensic science delivery plan for the next five years; and [HL1272]

What progress the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch has made in developing guidance on information sharing with the police national computer; and [HL1273]

Whether the Royal Military Police has considered introducing a system of specialist advisers or direct recruitment into the Special Investigation Branch; and [HL1297]

What were the outcomes of the most recent defence training review for military police officer training; and [HL1298]

When a review of the assessment criteria for the vocational phase of the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch level 3 investigators course is expected to take place; and [HL1299]

What steps the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch (SIB) has taken to implement a major crime case review policy; and whether the SIB has taken steps in liaison with the Association of Chief Police Officers Homicide Working Group; and [HL1300]

What progress the Office of the Provost Marshal (Army) has made in developing an internal communication strategy to increase knowledge and awareness of the benefits of the national intelligence model; and [HL1301]

Whether they have considered introducing statutory instruments to allow service police access to the investigative benefits provided by the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; and [HL1302]

What review the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch has undertaken of capturing and submitting criminal justice DNA and fingerprint samples; and [HL1367]

What consideration has been given to providing support services for Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch staff; and what reviews have been undertaken to assess the need for more structured support services for those staff deployed in high-risk areas; and [HL1368]

Whether the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch has reviewed the frequency of structured refresher training provided during peacetime home duties for crime scene investigations; and [HL1369]

Why the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch does not have full primacy over investigations in Iraq and Afghanistan; and [HL1370]

What additional resources the Ministry of Defence is providing to meet the increases in investigative activity by the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch (SIB) anticipated in the report of HM Inspectors of Constabulary into the SIB; and [HL1371]

What system of performance measurements the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch (SIB) currently uses; and whether they intend to develop further such systems; and [HL1372]

Whether the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch intends to collect statistical data on the rate of conversion of investigations to convictions and to use this information as a performance measure; and [HL1455]

What liaison arrangements are now in place between the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch (SIB) and the Association of Chief Police Officers Homicide Working Group to identify exchange opportunities for less experienced SIB senior investigation officers; and [HL1456]

What consideration they have given to making the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch subject to the national witness arrangements set out by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005; and [HL1457]

What use the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch currently makes of the Home Office Large Major Inquiry System major incident room; and whether there are any plans to use the system in all suitable major crime investigations; and [HL1458]

What steps the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch and the Office of the Provost Marshal (Army) have taken to (a) formally adopt the national intelligence model; and (b) develop a comprehensive strategic assessment to understand the nature and extent of serious and organised crime involving military personnel or affecting military deployments; and [HL1459]

What progress the Office of the Provost Marshal (Army) has made in establishing a fully planned and resourced implementation programme for the adoption of the national intelligence model; and what liaison the Ministry of Defence has had with the National Centre for Police Excellence in this regard.[HL1460]

These questions all relate to a formal inspection of the Royal Military Police (Special Investigation Branch) (RMP(SIB)) conducted in March 2006 at the MoD's request by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). This was the first time that any part of the service police had been subjected to such a rigorous and in-depth independent examination, applying national bench-marking for police investigations. HMIC identified a number of areas where it felt that improvements could be made and these questions are linked to the report's recommendations. This important work is ongoing, including an assessment of resource implications. The report also identified several opportunities for developing tri-service working and we intend to examine how the lessons learnt can be implemented across the RN and RAF SIBs.

HMIC is due to receive a progress report from Provost Marshal (Army) on 1 April 2007. A copy of this report will be placed in the Library of the House. Pending the release of this progress report, I am withholding information as it relates to the formulation of government policy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they will inform housing benefit offices how much extra funding they are being allocated to implement the national rollout of local housing allowance. [HL1281]

Local authorities will receive funding towards the cost of implementing the national rollout of the local housing allowance. We intend to inform authorities of their individual allocation in summer 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What percentage and numbers of those on incapacity benefit who are not in receipt of middle or higher disability living allowance (a) are currently receiving care of 20 hours per week or more; and (b) will be receiving 20 hours per week or more in 2025. [HL1381]

The information is not available in the format requested. For the available information, I refer the noble Baroness to the reply I gave her on 17 January 2007, Official Report, cols. WA 152-54.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people received incapacity benefit in each local authority ward in the city of Manchester since its introduction.[HL1424]

The information is not available in the format requested. Ward level data are not available prior to November 1999. The available information is in the table.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress the Department for International Development has made in helping developing countries take advantage of the Global Climate Observation System for climate change observation and analysis.[HL1337]

DfID has committed £5 million over five years, from 2006-07, to the Global Climate Observation System (GCOS) initiative to help Africa improve the use of climate information in development planning and disaster risk management. The initiative is divided into three phases. The first phase (2006-07 to 2008-09) will identify the key climate information needs to support achieving the millennium development goals. The second phase (2009-10 to 2011-12) will scale up good practice and the final phase (2012-13 to 2014-15) will focus on large-scale implementation to build climate resilience in Africa.

The programme will be launched at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa later in January. Work will then begin on preparing a detailed plan and full implementation will begin in the last quarter of 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have completed their consultation on the revised guidance to be given to local authorities on the operation of the blue badge (disabled parking) scheme; and [HL1377]

Whether they intend to publish updated guidance to local authorities on the operation of the blue badge (disabled parking) scheme; and, if so, when; and [HL1378]

Whether they intend to publish an updated edition of the explanatory booklet on the operation of the blue badge (disabled parking) scheme; and, if so, when; and [HL1379]

Whether they have considered extending the blue badge (disabled parking) scheme to provide parking benefits for a limited period to those who are temporarily but seriously disabled. [HL1380]

Following a review of the blue badge scheme, the Department for Transport has accepted a recommendation made by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), the department's statutory advisers on the transport needs of disabled people, that the scheme should be extended to people with temporary mobility impairments which severely affect their walking ability and are likely to do so for at least 12 months.

This change requires amendment regulations which we are currently finalising, along with new guidance to local authorities and a revised explanatory leaflet on the scheme. We intend consulting on this regulatory package shortly and implementing/issuing them as soon as possible thereafter.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the average time it now takes for citizens to (a) see their general practitioner (GP); (b) see a consultant, on referral by the GP, by way of the “choose and book” system; (c) obtain an appointment for a diagnostic procedure, for example, an MRI scan, a CT scan or a blood test, on referral by a consultant; (d) obtain a follow-up appointment with the consultant to discuss the results of the diagnostic procedure; and (e) enter hospital for the appropriate surgery or treatment. [HL739]

Data on the average time it takes to see a general practitioner are not available centrally. However, monthly data from primary care trusts do indicate that almost everyone is now able to see a general practitioner within 48 hours. The Healthcare Commission's annual report for 2006 suggests that 88 per cent of patients confirm this.

The median waiting time for a first outpatient appointment at the end of October was 5.9 weeks. Specific data on waiting times to see a consultant when referred via choose and book are not available centrally.

The October data show that the median waiting time for the 15 key diagnostic tests was 5.2 weeks. The data do not differentiate between types of referrer.

Information on follow-up appointments is not available centrally.

The median inpatient waiting time at the end of October was 6.9 weeks.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will create a technical co-operation fund to transfer United Kingdom expertise, experience and best practice to Papua New Guinea to address the HIV/AIDS crisis. [HL1376]

DfID has no programme in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and no plans to establish a technical co-operation fund to transfer UK expertise, experience and best practice to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in PNG. The largest donor to the HIV/AIDS sector in PNG is the Australian development agency, AUSAID. DfID is working closely with AUSAID on major programmes to address HIV/AIDS in a number of other countries in south-east Asia. These include the Three Diseases Fund in Burma, in which poverty and conflict issues have similarities to those found in PNG. Through this joint working, DfID is seeking to transfer some of the UK's expertise in tackling HIV/AIDS in extremely poor countries to AUSAID to apply to its programmes in the region.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they acknowledge some responsibility for ensuring the safety and future well-being of Iraqis who have worked for or helped British forces and international and voluntary organisations in Iraq; and, if so, what action they are planning. [HL1210]

For current Iraqi employees we acknowledge and fulfil our responsibilities for safety by providing regular security briefings. Operational circumstances permitting, we may also vary working locations and hours and provide temporary accommodation within military camps. Once individuals leave our employ, however, we are unable to offer any further assistance. We cannot comment on measures offered by other organisations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether Natural England has established green infrastructures in all of England's growth areas.[HL1462]

Yes. Natural England is helping local authorities and regeneration bodies to prepare green infrastructure strategies in partnership with other key stakeholders in all four of the Government's growth areas.

Natural England is also working with partners to promote the preparation of green infrastructure strategies in the Government's recently announced growth points.

Once completed strategies have been prepared in each case, Natural England will encourage work to embed them within local development frameworks and will work in partnership with developers, house builders and others to support their effective delivery.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether Natural England established agreed processes for all major Natural England products and services.[HL1463]

Natural England has operational processes in place to support all the products and services it is currently delivering. As part of its effort to improve the service it provides, it is reviewing all its business processes, with a view to establishing a single integrated business model for Natural England.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many persons are currently employed in the Rural Payments Agency; of these, how many are employed in monitoring and checking the cross-compliance provisions of the good agricultural and environmental condition; and what minimum agricultural qualification is required by those who inspect farms for this purpose. [HL1518]

The total number of staff currently employed by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is 3,174.

More than 200 inspectors are trained in all aspects of cross-compliance inspections currently carried out by RPA^*.

The majority of RPA inspectors have a formal agricultural or related qualification ranging from national certificate/NVQ 3 to postgraduate level and/or a strong farming background. Others have become inspectors after gaining relevant skills and experience elsewhere in Defra/RPA. All inspectors undertake a rigorous internal training programme including mapping and measuring, arable and livestock skills, the requirements of each statutory management requirement falling within RPA's remit and the full range of GAECs. Training is conducted both on and off farm, with input from Defra/external experts as appropriate.

The Environment Agency is responsible for carrying out inspections in relation to SMRs 2, 3 and 4 (groundwater, sewage sludge and nitrate vulnerable zones); and the State Veterinary Service for inspections conducted under SMR 10 (restrictions on the use of substances having hormonal or thyrostatic action and beta-agonists in farm animals); a13-15 (control of animal disease and 16-18 (animal welfare).

^*RPA inspectors carry out inspections in relation to SMRs 1—wild birds; 5—habitats; 6, 7 8 and 8a—livestock identification; 9—restrictions on the use of plant protection products ; 11—food and feed law and 12—prevention and control of TSEs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people volunteer their time to help conserve and enhance the natural environment.[HL1461]

The work being done by volunteers for the natural environment is hugely valuable and much appreciated.

Volunteering England's 1997 National Survey of Volunteering showed that 48 per cent of the adult population are involved in formal volunteering work (that is, through an organisation). Of this number, 5 per cent did so to conserve and enhance the natural environment. These figures are based on the main purpose of the group or organisation through which the person volunteers. The latest version of this survey—the National Survey of Volunteering and Charitable Giving—is due later this year.

An objective in the England Biodiversity Strategy is to increase time spent and number of people volunteering for biodiversity conservation. The indicator for this shows positive progress; for example, the number of Wildlife Trust volunteers has increased by 28 per cent from 21,600 to 27,700 over the five years to 2005.

In addition, Natural England is also working to increase the ability of individuals to take action for the natural environment. Nearly 2,000 volunteers work with Natural England on its national nature reserves and sites of special scientific interest. In 2005-06 the value of this work was assessed at £1.8 million. Natural England has a target to increase volunteer involvement by 5 per cent.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the replies by Lord Davies of Oldham on 15 January (Official Report, cols. 429-30) on the reduction in the budget to British Waterways, whether they have any plans to unlock selectively some of the value reportedly tied up in the non-performing assets of related land adjacent to waterways; and whether any such money released could be used to compensate for the reduction in the budget of British Waterways in order to sustain their contribution to the British tourist industry. [HL1361]

British Waterways has powers under the Transport Acts 1962 and 1968 to undertake waterside regeneration and property development in the vicinity of its waterways. It has a strong track record of achievement and innovation in delivering both urban and rural regeneration through its involvement in property investment and development.

Its 1,700 properties are currently valued at £520 million and generated income of £63.2 million last year. British Waterways keeps its operational and investment property portfolio under regular review to ensure that it continues to provide a long-term income stream for the future maintenance and improvement of its waterways. This in turn provides social, economic and amenity benefits and contributes to the British tourist industry.