asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the reductions in the budget for the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative from £10 million to around £8.6 million in 2006-07 and from £15 million to £13.2 million in 2007-08 are both part of the £200 million the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recently announced. [HL1263]

Yes. These reductions have been made following the review of financial allocations conducted during the summer of 2006 to address cost pressures of approximately £200 million. This review was comprehensive in nature and has ensured that Defra’s funding across both years is placed where it can have the greatest impact.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made an assessment of the article by the chief executive of the Addiction Recovery Foundation, “Treatment effectiveness: alcohol services”, in the journal Addiction Today, which found that commissioners were preventing access to empty beds for residential alcohol treatment; and whether the national treatment agency will publish a response to the critique in this article of the agency's review of the effectiveness of treatment for alcohol problems.[HL1400]

Some providers of residential treatment services have reported a downturn in referrals into their services from local commissioners during 2006-07. Department of Health and national treatment agency investigations into this have not confirmed widespread disinvestment from commissioners in residential treatment services.

The review of effectiveness of treatment for alcohol problems was published in November 2006 by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (the NTA). Its authors are three distinguished UK academics: Dr Duncan Raistrick, who runs the Leeds Addiction Unit and is a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists; Nick Heather, Emeritus Professor of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies at Northumbria University; and Christine Godfrey, Professor of Health Economics and Health Sciences at the University of York. It is for the authors of the review to decide whether to respond to any part of the article they feel is inaccurate, should Addiction Today allow this.

In commissioning and publishing this review the NTA has sought to make available the evidence base on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alcohol interventions and treatment. The ultimate aim is to ensure that people affected by alcohol problems have access to evidence-based cost-effective help and treatment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations the Ministry of Defence has received from the Royal British Legion on its response to the department's Armed Forces and Reserve Forces compensation schemes evaluation report; what reply is being sent; and whether they will take any action.[HL1445]

The Royal British Legion has been fully involved in the consultation which was conducted as a part of the evaluation of the first year of operation of the Armed Forces compensation scheme. The consultation included completion of a questionnaire, involvement in a one-to-one discussion with officials and taking part in a workshop when the issues raised by stakeholders were shared. The draft evaluation report was issued for comment on 24 November 2006 with a deadline for responses of 15 January 2007. Officials are working on finalising the report in the light of comments received on the draft, including those submitted by the Royal British Legion on 12 January 2007 to which officials will reply. The finalised report will be made public shortly which addresses the issues raised as a result of the first year of the scheme’s operation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 19 December 2006, on what dates and with what ex-service organisations they consulted in respect of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme) (Rights of Appeal) Amendment Regulations 2006; in what detail those ex-service organisations were consulted; and whether they were informed at any stage of the president of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal's reservations. [HL1134]

Ex-service organisations were informed of the policy intention not to allow appeal rights to temporary awards during a meeting of the central advisory committee chaired by the Veterans Minister on 7 December 2005. The following ex-service organisations were represented at that meeting: the Royal British Legion, the Royal British Legion Scotland, the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association, Combat Stress, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, and the War Widows Association.

These ex-service organisations, together with the Forces Pension Society and the Royal Air Forces Association, were consulted over the draft regulations in writing on 14 June 2006 in the same terms and in the same detail as the letters sent to the three presidents of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals (PAT) on 9 June 2006. A copy of the letter to the president of the PAT for England and Wales was placed in the Library of the House following my Written Answer on 6 December 2006, (Official Report, col. WA 140).

The ex-service organisations were not informed of the reservations of the president of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals for England and Wales, given the nature of the president's comments. The Royal British Legion has clarified with the MoD its understanding of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme) (Rights of Appeal) Amendment Regulations 2006, and was satisfied with the MoD's position.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Secretary of State for International Development was consulted on the decision to end the Serious Fraud Office's investigation into BAE Systems; if he was consulted, what was his recommendation; and, if he was not consulted, what were the reasons for not doing so. [HL1516]

The Secretary of State for International Development was not consulted on the decision to end the Serious Fraud Office's investigation into BAE Systems.

His role as Minister leading on the fight against international corruption does not include being involved in decisions on individual law enforcement matters; and nor should it. This is properly a matter for the relevant investigatory and/or prosecuting authorities—the SFO in this case.

As the Attorney-General explained, he obtained the views of the Prime Minister and the Foreign and Defence Secretaries as to the public interest considerations raised by this investigation and conveyed them to the director of the SFO. The Secretary of State for International Development would not expect to be consulted on such national and international security implications.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What guidance the staff of the Department for International Development have received following the recent decision to suspend the Serious Fraud Office investigation into the Al Yamamah project; and what advice the department is providing in response to inquiries from developing countries. [HL1524]

No specific advice has been issued to DfID staff on this issue. No inquires have been received from developing countries relating to the project.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consideration was given to the position of residents of Northern Ireland who travel to Great Britain by air before the increase in air passenger duty was announced; and whether they will reconsider this increase in tax in so far as it relates to flights between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.[HL1470]

The decision to increase rates was taken after careful consideration of all relevant environmental, social and economic factors. The Government have no plans to reconsider the increase with regard to flights between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why they imposed the air passenger duty tax increase retrospectively in respect of air travel already purchased; and what steps they are taking to support travel organisations that may be in financial difficulty as a result.[HL1471]

The announcement made in the 6 December 2006 Pre-Budget Report applies to the carriage of a passenger on an aircraft which begins on or after 1 February 2007. Air carriers (ie, scheduled airlines and other air transport operators) are responsible for ensuring they pay the correct amount of duty to HM Revenue and Customs. How, or whether, they choose to pass that cost on to their customers is a matter for them.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have identified any risk to the health of the travelling public from exposure to traces of tricresyl phosphate or its isomers, known to be found on the walls of United Kingdom jet aircraft; and what scientific studies have been conducted to support this conclusion. [HL1390]

A major review of evidence, presented by the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) and others, is currently under way by the independent Committee on Toxicity (CoT). Links to the discussion papers and notes of the CoT meetings held on 11 July and 5 December 2006 are below. www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/cotnonfood/index.htm and www.food.gov.uk/science/ouradvisors/toxicity/cotmeets/cot2006/cotmetdec06/.

The CoT hopes to be in a position to report its findings in late spring and the Government are on record that they will be guided by its conclusions and recommendations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people were in receipt of pensioner credit in each local authority ward in the city of Manchester since its introduction.[HL1425]

The Answer is set out in the table below.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether winter fuel payments are made to United Kingdom pensioners who live overseas; if so, how many such payments were made in the most recent year for which figures are available; and whether they have made an assessment of the appropriateness of winter fuel payments to those pensioners who live in countries without cold winter weather. [HL1517]

European Community law provides that, in certain circumstances, some benefits acquired in one member state must be paid to people who live outside that state but within the European economic area. The Government agreed with the European Commission that winter fuel payments would be made to eligible former UK residents living elsewhere in the European economic area or Switzerland only if they qualified for a winter fuel payment before leaving the UK. We must treat all those states equally and may not therefore make payments only in countries within the European economic area with cold winter weather. Last winter 2005-06 we made 39,870 payments to people living in the European economic area or Switzerland

Source: Winter Fuel Payment Planning and Implementation Team

Notes: Figures rounded to the nearest 10.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the latest measurements from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Earth System Research Laboratory of the increase of mean carbon dioxide atmospheric concentration at a globally distributed network of marine surface sites; whether, in the light of this information, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration can be stabilised at 550 parts per million; and what additional measures they will propose at the European Union and United Nations to deal with carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. [HL1537]

The latest measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration show a slightly increasing trend, which will feed through into increased climate forcing and global temperature rise.

The increases in atmospheric CO₂ in 2005 and 2006 were high but not exceptional. In 2005 CO₂ concentration rose by 2.0 parts per million (± 0.2 ppm) and in 2006 by 2.1 (± 0.2 ppm). These increases were lower than those seen in 2003, at 2.5 ± 0.2 ppm). Between 1958 and 2000 such large annual rises were rare, with only three occurrences in the record.

It is not yet clear whether the above average annual increase in 2005 and 2006 were primarily due to manmade or natural factors. Possible causes include hot dry summers in Europe and drought in Amazonia, with consequent widespread forest fires. It is too early to be confident that the recent trend towards increasing CO₂ concentration will continue, though it is considered likely.

Recent analyses, including the Stern review on the economics of climate change, show that, with strong international action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, stabilisation of atmospheric concentrations at 550 ppm is still achievable. The UK has continued to keep climate change high on its international agenda in 2006. During 2007, the UK will work across all fronts, including the EU, G8 and UN, to inject greater urgency and momentum into the process of driving down global emissions. In addition I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 23 January, Official Report, col. WA 215.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What research and analysis has been conducted on the reliability of the self-destruct mechanisms incorporated in (a) M85 submunitions; (b) BLU-108B/B submunitions/P31 combined effects EFP warheads; (c) submunitions of the 155mm Bonus projectile; (d) MJ1 and MJ2 submunitions of the BK-90/DWS 39 air-delivered cluster munition; and (e) any other submunitions incorporating a self-destruct mechanism during test conditions and combat operations; and what methodology was used to assess the reliability of the self-destruct mechanism.[HL1450]

All munitions undergo rigorous and comprehensive testing both before they are brought into service and once they are part of the UK's stockpile, to ensure there is no degradation in safety or performance.

The M85 submunition is usually tested by live firings on a controlled range. This offers the opportunity to recover any unexploded devices for further inspection, including noting the correct operation of the self-destruct mechanism. The data are analysed to determine the continued effectiveness and safety of the weapon system and, in partnership with the prime contractor, BAES Land Systems Munitions, to establish whether any improvements can be made.

The supply of the 155mm ballistic sensor munition (BSFM) is still subject to tender evaluation, a part of which is the compliance against self-destruct requirements. This will be further assessed during sub-system testing and live firings during the demonstration and manufacture phases, to verify the overall performance before the BSFM enters service.

BLU-108B, MJ1 and MJ2 submunitions are not incorporated into any weapons that are in service with UK Armed Forces. There are no other weapons in the inventory incorporating submunitions with a self-destruct mechanism.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

At what level the United Kingdom will be represented at the conference on cluster munitions in Norway in February; and which government departments will be represented.[HL1451]

The Norwegian invitation to the UK invited senior officials to the Oslo meeting. The UK delegation will be led at ambassadorial level, with the MoD and DfID in support.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In relation to the 2005 single farm payments, how many farmers have received no payments to date; and whether they are able to give any indication when these matters will be resolved. [HL1606]

The Rural Payments Agency has estimated there are 194 single payment scheme claims in respect of 2005 that have not received any payment to date. Seventy of these cases are pending the resolution of issues such as probate. The remainder of these 2005 claims are potentially eligible to be paid and are currently being processed. These claims are being paid as soon as possible, but it is not possible to put a timeframe on when they will all be completed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What categorises a single farm payment as complex; how many of the outstanding claims are due to Rural Payments Agency management systems queries; and how many of these claims are being reworked. [HL1607]

The Rural Payments Agency has estimated that there are 194 single payment scheme claims in respect of 2005 that have not received any payment to date. Seventy of these cases are pending the resolution of complex issues such as probate. The RPA is also checking approximately 20,000 2005 cases, which include those involving queries raised by farmers to establish whether the correct entitlement is held and payment has been made.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many dual claims cases from the 2005 single farm payment scheme are outstanding. [HL1608]

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has completed the validation of 2005 single payment scheme claims that generated dual claim tasks, the aim of the validation being to determine the correct claimant of the land in question and therefore the beneficiary of the subsidy. However, in some cases it has not proved possible to resolve disputes between the various parties. In these cases the claims of all such parties have been penalised accordingly. This has resulted in further correspondence being submitted to the RPA which is currently being considered. Some claimants may choose to use the appeals procedure to challenge the penalties applied as a result of a dual claim.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will commission a study on the potential savings of money and carbon dioxide emissions which could be achieved by using water from the River Thames as a heat source for heat pumps to serve public buildings adjacent to the river. [HL1540]

The department does not plan to commission such a study. However, we are aware of the costs and benefits of heat pumps and include them when considering the potential contribution of carbon-reducing technologies, eg for the energy efficiency commitment, or the proposed energy performance commitment. The River Thames and other large rivers are recognised as useful heat sources for heat pumps for both public and private buildings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 8 January (WA 32), what representations they have received and what research they have commissioned on illnesses believed to be linked to service in the 1990-91 Gulf conflict that have manifested themselves in serving personnel only in recent years; and whether any such illnesses have manifested themselves in the past two years. [HL1333]

We are not aware, from representations or scrutiny of the UK or international research literature, of any new illnesses or conditions linked to the 1990-91 Gulf conflict and emerging only in recent or, specifically, the past two years.

The Medical Research Council provides independent expert advice on our Gulf veterans’ illness research programme and members of the scientific community are encouraged to submit suitable study proposals. To date no research has been recommended or commissioned nor study proposals received on such illnesses. The principal focus for research aimed at assisting Gulf veterans is now to identify suitable rehabilitative therapies for those veterans with persistent symptoms.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their policy on the availability of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry bone density scanning facilities within the National Health Service to women over 60. [HL1522]

Bone health, including the development of strategies to prevent osteoporotic fractures, is a key priority of the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People. The NSF recommends that where individuals are identified as being at high risk of developing osteoporosis, investigations such as dual energy x-ray absorptiometer (DXA) scans should be carried out.

Arrangements for the delivery of the standards of care outlined in the NSF are a matter for local determination. However, the Government are taking steps to increase NHS capacity in DXA scanning to improve access and reduce waiting times. In 2005-06, £3 million was allocated from a centrally held revenue budget for purchasing additional scans from the independent sector. Capital provision of £17 million has been made available in 2006-07 and 2007-08 for investment in new DXA scanning equipment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What costs were involved in the current Ipsos MORI Hospital Choice general practitioner survey; and why the completed forms are returned via first-class mail when the consultation deadline is 6 April. [HL1570]

The Hospital Choice survey is part of the General Practitioner Patient Survey (GPPS). It is expected that, overall, the GPPS will cost no more than £11 million to £12 million. The total cost of the Hospital Choice element of the survey will depend upon the number of responses received by Ipsos MORI from patients but is likely to be in the order of £2.5 million.

The Hospital Choice survey will be handed out to patients referred between 16 January and 31 March 2007. First-class return postage is used as it has been shown to increase the response rate for such surveys. The higher the response rate, the more accurate the survey results will be for each practice.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

What steps are being taken to extend the provision of captioning facilities within the Chamber of the House of Lords in order to assist Members and visitors with hearing difficulties. [HL1666]

Following a request from a Member, one Palantype machine has been installed in the Chamber. There are no plans to install additional machines as no further requests have been received. Members can access an enhanced sound feed in the Chamber by plugging an earphone into equipment installed in the benches. Earphones are available from the Doorkeepers. A hearing aid induction loop is also available in the Chamber for use by both Members and visitors.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organisation for Migration, UNICEF and the Governments of Jordan and Syria to ensure temporary protection and eventual resettlement for Iraqi civilians, Palestinians and Kurds, now in both states, having fled from violence and persecution in Iraq; and [HL1209]

What financial or physical help they are providing to organisations caring for Iraq's refugees in Jordan and Syria. [HL1525]

We are concerned at the increasing numbers of people displaced by violence in Iraq. DfID has recently announced a £4 million contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to continue to provide emergency assistance, including water, medical supplies and rehabilitation of health infrastructure to vulnerable people including internally displaced people (IDPs) in Iraq. This brings our total humanitarian contribution for Iraq to over £120 million since 2003, including £85 million for the UN's 2003 humanitarian appeal and £36 million to the International Red Cross. Additionally, DfID provided £70 million to the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI).

We are also considering UNHCR's appeal to help refugees in neighbouring countries and keeping in close touch with our international partners (including those you mention) to ensure agencies are adequately resourced and equipped to respond to needs. Above all the first priority of the Iraqi Government must be to end the violence that is causing this situation, with the support of the international community and the region.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the gross value added of each county in England. [HL1496]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter to Lord Hanningfield from the National Statistician, dated May 2006.

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on gross value added (GVA) for the UK counties. (HL 1496)

The Office for National Statistics publishes regional GVA using official statistical geographies known as nomenclature of units for territorial statistics (NUTS)¹. The NUTS classification does not fully correspond to counties of the United Kingdom.

For NUTS 1 level statistics the latest year available is 2005. For NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 it is 2004. Copies of the publication tables showing regional GVA at NUTS levels 1, 2 and 3 have been placed in the House Library. The full range of regional GVA data is available on the National Statistics website at www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=14650.

¹ The nomenclature of units for territorial statistics (NUTS) provides a single uniform breakdown for the production of regional statistics for the European Union. There are three levels of NUTS in the UK. These are:

NUTS 1: Government Office Regions and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

NUTS 2: 37 areas—individual and groups of counties and unitary authorities.

NUTS 3: 133 areas—generally groups of unitary authorities or districts, also known as local areas.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much each primary care trust in the East of England region currently owes its respective local authority. [HL1138]

This information is not available centrally. The department will attempt to incorporate this information into future years’ versions of the personal social services return made by social service authorities to the department, so that the information can then become available.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Warner on 8 January (WA 32-33), what will be the actual cost of the redundancy programme for which they project a further £250 million will be released to front-line services; what is the proposed timetable for this redundancy programme; how many jobs will be lost as a result of this programme; and whether this cost and this revenue benefit are both included in the current projected deficit for the current financial year. [HL1163]

The strategic health authority and primary care trust reorganisation is expected to release £250 million to front-line services. The cost and number of redundancies is being assessed by primary care trusts (PCTs) and strategic health authorities (SHAs). Their redundancy programme is likely to last until June 2007. Costs and benefits arising from the SHA and PCT reorganisation in the current financial year will be included by organisations in their forecast out-turn for 2006-07.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What arrangements they will provide for payments to private finance initiative (PFI) contractors in those cases in which assets provided within a PFI scheme cease to be used for their intended purpose.[HL1417]

In the event of a change in asset use without any consequential effects for actual asset provision or service requirements from the PFI contractor, unitary charge payments will continue to be paid as set out originally between the public authority and the PFI contractor. In other cases the public authority retains the right to change its requirements from the PFI contractor as a consequence of significant changes to the public service it is providing from the PFI scheme. This could result in a contract variation or in exceptional circumstances mean that the authority needs to terminate the contract through the authority voluntary termination (AVT) provisions in the standard PFI contract.

HM Treasury's standardisation of PFI contracts (SoPC) guidance sets out further approaches to be considered for payment arrangements in such circumstances. This guidance is available on the HMT PPP website at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/documents/public_private_partnerships/key_documents/ppp_keydocs_index.cfm.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much has been paid to consultants Mott Macdonald in connection with the intercity express programme (HST2); and what other financial commitments have been entered into on this project. [HL1549]

The amount paid to Mott MacDonald for programme management and business case work in connection with the intercity express project is £1.43 million. An additional £2.32 million is committed towards ensuring this task is completed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 15 January (HL Deb, col. 436) stating that First Great Western has met the Government's performance criteria to date, what performance criteria he was referring to. [HL1547]

In his reply on 15 January, Lord Davies of Oldham was referring to the franchise agreement contractual benchmarks for cancellations and for delay minutes attributable to the train operator itself.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the health implications of the Dartford crossing on those communities living close by; whether they have carried out any research into these implications; and, if so, with what results. [HL1551]

The Government’s air quality strategy sets targets or objectives for a range of pollutants in order to protect human health. The targets for all the pollutants, with the exception of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, are expected to be achieved in Dartford.

Under the Environment Act 1995, local authorities are required to assess air quality to determine whether the air quality strategy objectives are likely to be achieved. Where local air quality objectives are likely to be exceeded, the local authority is required to declare an air quality management area (AQMA) and to develop an action plan to improve results, in association with stakeholders such as the Highways Agency (HA). In 2001 Dartford Borough Council introduced an AQMA for a 250 metre-wide corridor along the A282 from Junction 1a to 300 metres south of Junction 1b. The HA is committed to working with local authorities to try to achieve the air quality strategy objectives and EU limit values, and Dartford's AQMA is one of those prioritised for action in the HA business plan.

In 2004 lower speed limits were set over a 1,260-metre stretch approaching the northbound plaza, which will reduce emissions due to greater vehicle operating efficiency at the lower speed. The HA is not aware of any work having been carried out on the health impact of pollution in the Dartford area.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much of the (a) daily, and (b) annual income of the Dartford crossing is generated by users who live in Essex or Kent; and what are these figures expressed as a proportion of each total. [HL1552]

There is no breakdown of income available in the form requested.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether temperatures in the vicinity of the Dartford crossing are on average warmer than other areas in Essex or Kent due to the operation of the crossing. [HL1553]

The information requested is not available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many additional tonnes of carbon dioxide are produced each year as a result of the tollbooth operation on the Dartford crossing due to the disruption in the flow of vehicle traffic. [HL1554]

The toll plazas perform an essential safety role at the Dartford crossing, as they control the number and speed of vehicles through the tunnels and around the bridge. The Highways Agency considers that because of the limited overall capacity of the crossing itself, a free flow of traffic would increase the probability of accidents, leading to more delays overall.

If the toll plazas were removed, some other method of controlling traffic flows to achieve an optimal outcome would be needed. We therefore consider it unlikely that the toll plazas generate significant additional disruption to traffic, or significant additional emissions, compared to a theoretical crossing with no toll plazas.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the average time taken to enter, cross and exit (a) the bridge section, and (b) the tunnel section of the Dartford crossing at peak and at non-peak times. [HL1555]

The table below sets out the times to cover the 3.2-kilometre crossing.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many delays experienced in the past year on the Dartford crossing have been greater than (a) five minutes; (b) 10 minutes; (c) 20 minutes; (d) 30 minutes; (e) 45 minutes; (f) 60 minutes; and (g) 120 minutes. [HL1556]

Information is not available in the form requested. The Highways Agency keeps a database from which it is possible to compare average journey times with free flow journey time, measured for each hour between 06:00 and 20:00 each day.

The information below, which has not yet been fully validated, is for the period from 1 December 2005 to 30 November 2006. It relates to the 3.2 kilometres of the crossing only and does not include delays on the approaches.

Northbound, there were 627 hours in which delays of over five minutes were recorded. Of those, there were 170 hours in which the delay exceeded 10 minutes and four hours in which the delay exceeded 20 minutes. There were two hours where northbound delays exceeded 30 minutes. Southbound there were 585 hours in which delays of over five minutes were recorded. Of those, there were 64 hours in which the delay exceeded 10 minutes and six hours where the delay exceeded 20 minutes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many pedometers were distributed in schools in 2006 under the Youth Sport Trust scheme; and what was the cost per pedometer.[HL1397]

We distributed 9,000 pedometers to schools through the Schools on the Move project, and each pedometer cost £3.42 excluding VAT. The scheme was launched in October 2005, with the allocation of the pedometers to all schools at that time. The project ran until April 2006. No pedometers were distributed in 2006.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Aldine House unit local authority secure children's home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November; and [HL1031]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at the Atkinson unit local authority secure children's home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November; and [HL1032]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Aycliffe local authority secure children’s home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November 2006; and [HL1100]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Barton Moss local authority secure children’s home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November 2006; and [HL1101]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Clayfields local authority secure children’s home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November 2006; and [HL1102]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Dyson Hall local authority secure children’s home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November 2006; and [HL1103]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Hillside local authority secure children’s home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November 2006; and [HL1104]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Kesteven House local authority secure children’s home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November 2006; and [HL1105]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Vinney Green local authority secure children’s home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November 2006; and [HL1170]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Swanwick Lodge local authority secure children’s home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November 2006; and [HL1171]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Sutton Place local authority secure children’s home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November 2006; and [HL1172]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Red Bank local authority secure children’s home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November 2006; and [HL1173]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Orchard Lodge local authority secure children’s home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November 2006; and [HL1174]

On how many occasions strip-searching involving physical restraint occurred at Kyloe House local authority secure children’s home in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November 2006. [HL1175]

As the noble Lord will be aware following my recent replies to earlier Parliamentary Questions, information about the number of incidents of physical restraint in a number of secure children's homes has been reported to the Youth Justice Board since February 2006. However, information on restraints where a strip-search was involved is not collected centrally.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord McKenzie of Luton on 19 December 2006 (WA 308) and the remarks by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 13 December (HL Deb, col. 1519), whether the decision of the Government to comment on the actions of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions special adviser Jo Moore constituted the discussion of an individual case. [HL1258]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave him on 17 January (Official Report, col. WA 167). The case of the former special adviser in question is a matter of public record.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many of the 11 initiatives they awarded with a value in excess of £20 million to be undertaken by the Youth Sport Trust during the three years 2003-04 to 2005-06 were subject to competitive tendering under the joint Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Department for Education and Skills programme; whether independent value-for-money studies have been undertaken; if so, by whom; at what cost; and when they took place.[HL1399]

The Youth Sport Trust carries out a range of work related to PE and school sport for young people on behalf of the Departments for Education and Skills and for Culture, Media and Sport. Grant is paid under conditions set out in a financial memorandum. None of these work programmes for which grant is paid to the Youth Sport Trust has a value in excess of £20 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made an assessment of the likely impact which a rise in sales of diesel and electric-petrol hybrid vehicles would have on levels of carbon emissions and pollution in the United Kingdom. [HL1534]

The impact on emissions of carbon dioxide and local air pollutants of a rise in diesel and hybrid vehicle sales would depend on the vehicle models purchased and assumptions about the nature of vehicles that would have been purchased instead. The Government have not carried out an assessment of this kind.

However, in general terms, a hybrid vehicle emits lower levels of carbon dioxide and local air pollutants (eg, oxides of nitrogen, particulates) than an equivalent non-hybrid vehicle. A diesel vehicle emits lower levels of carbon dioxide but higher levels of local air pollutants than an equivalent petrol vehicle.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How an “end-of-life vehicle” is defined in United Kingdom legislation or law derived from the European Union end-of-life vehicle directive. [HL1639]

The End-of-Life Vehicles Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/2635) and the End-of-Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/263) both take their definitions from the end-of-life vehicles directive (2000/53/EC), which defines an end-of-life vehicle as a vehicle which is waste within the meaning of Article 1(a) of the waste directive (75/442/EEC), where,

“‘waste’ shall mean any substance or object … which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard”.