asked Her Majesty's Government:

What precautions they are taking against the possible spread of bluetongue cattle disease to Britain. [HL3172]

The following precautionary measures are being taken in the effort to keep bluetongue disease out of the UK:

all imports of susceptible animals from restricted areas in European Union (EU) member states affected by bluetongue are currently banned;

all susceptible animals from continental bluetongue virus (BTV)-free EU member states or zones (not including Ireland) are post-import tested for bluetongue (imports back to May 2006 were tested, and have all tested negative);

daily meteorological surveillance is undertaken to assess the risk of wind-borne spread of vectors from countries affected by the BTV8 strain to the UK;

in partnership with the farming industry, we are encouraging vigilance and early reporting of disease among farmers and veterinary practitioners (bluetongue is a notifiable disease and suspicion of disease must be reported); and

Defra is raising awareness of the disease through dissemination of information leaflets to farmers and vets, through adverts in appropriate publications, and publicity campaigns at livestock markets et cetera.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Competition Commission will investigate whether supermarkets use a single agent to bid for them jointly at United Kingdom livestock markets. [HL3393]

The Competition Commission can choose to look at any parts of the grocery supply chain that it believes has an effect on competition between retailers as part of its current inquiry into the UK grocery market. It is, therefore, a matter for the Competition Commission to decide whether the use of agents in livestock markets forms part of the inquiry. The Competition Commission welcomes submissions and evidence of any issues relating to livestock markets that might inform its work.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the context of their five a day programme to encourage consumption of fruit and vegetables and on encouraging physical activity, they will consider placing greater emphasis on the provision of allotments. [HL3475]

We know that public interest in allotments has undergone a recent revival in line with current thinking on healthy eating, organic food and physical activity. This has created a greater demand for allotments in some areas, which is critical to protecting them from a change of use in the future as a consequence of disuse or dereliction.

The Government give local authorities the flexibility and freedom to determine what is most appropriate for their local area. Planning Policy Guidance Note 17: Planning for open space, sport and recreation (July 2002) requires local authorities to make provision for all types of open space, including allotments, in line with established community needs.

The Government have provided funding and support for the revival of urban green spaces, including allotments and community gardens, through our Living Spaces programme, our growth areas fund, and our support for the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, Groundwork, and BTCV.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are taking any measures to protect the natterjack toad on the north-west coast of England. [HL3389]

The natterjack toad is fully protected in UK law under Schedule 5 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and Schedule 2 to the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. It is also protected in European law under Appendix 2 of the Bern Convention.

On the north-west coast of England, the natterjack toad's key habitats receive additional protection as special areas of conservation (SACs). For example, Morecambe Bay and the Sefton Coast, Ainsdale Sand Dunes and Cabin Hill National Nature Reserves are specifically owned and managed by Natural England to protect the natterjack toad and its sand dune habitats. The Sefton Coast Partnership is currently developing a new nature conservation strategy and biodiversity delivery plan for the whole Sefton Coast: this also reflects the need to conserve natterjack toad populations. There are strict tests for any development which could have adverse impacts on SAC habitats, and Natural England must be consulted in all cases.

Almost all the natterjack toad populations in Cumbria are found within sites of special scientific interest designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and this affords a further degree of protection.

The Wealth of Wildlife project was launched on 21 April 2007 as the flagship project of the Cumbria Biodiversity Partnership. Over £860,000 has been provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Rural Regeneration Cumbria and the landfill tax to deliver over three years a range of conservation objectives for rare and threatened species and habitats, including the natterjack toad. The natterjack toad is one of four biodiversity action plan species included in a joint project between Natural England and the Herpetological Conservation Trust.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in cases of hearing aid tribunals for ex-servicemen whose hearing was damaged during service with the Armed Forces, they have routinely referred to later National Health Service test records when considering the suitability of their first compensation decision, or when assessing a request for review. [HL3305]

National Health Service audiometry records are not routinely used in deciding no-fault compensation claims. Depending on individual circumstances they may be helpful in diagnosis or for assessment if they date from around service termination. No-fault compensation is paid for personal injury and illness causally related to service. Claims are governed by the relevant law and case facts and the MoD is committed to evidence-based policy and decision making. Current generally accepted scientific understanding is that permanent hearing loss due to noise exposure does not improve or worsen on removal from the noise. In addition, when hearing loss due to age or other causes is superimposed on an existing noise-induced loss the overall loss is not more than additive. As a result, under the MoD's compensation schemes, only hearing loss measured at or around service release is included when assessing claims. To include later loss, such as hearing loss due to ageing or other sources of noise, would be to compensate for something which was not due to service.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 28 March (WA 269–70), what steps they are taking to ensure that any future changes in the mental health services provided to veterans of Operation TELIC, and other deployments, will result in an improved level of service; and [HL3189]

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 28 March (WA 269–70), what plans they have for the future provision of mental health services to veterans of Operation TELIC and other deployments in all parts of the United Kingdom; and [HL3190]

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 28 March (WA 269–70), what steps they will take to ensure that their plans for the future provision of mental health services to veterans of Operation TELIC and other deployments living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively, do not result in a reduction in public funding of the organisation Combat Stress. [HL3191]

As part of the government commitment to good mental health and well-being for Armed Forces personnel and veterans, officials from the MoD, the UK health departments and Combat Stress, advised by national clinical experts, have been working to develop a new community-based model of mental health services for veterans, designed to provide health professionals with access to expert understanding of veterans’ mental health problems and appropriate treatment options. Since 1948, successive Governments have held that the NHS should be the main provider of health care for veterans. Based on NHS practice and procedures, the new service would deliver culturally sensitive, evidence-based interventions through a network of public, private and charitable providers; an aim of the new model would be to integrate Combat Stress into NHS commissioning arrangements. We are looking to pilot the model at sites across the UK, with the first to be launched shortly. Discussions are well advanced in selection and setting-up of sites which we expect to be located in a range of trusts across the UK. The pilots would run for two years, after which there would be an independent evaluation of effectiveness, including value for money. An important part of the initiative is that the pilots should provide planning data on the likely demands for a nationwide veterans' service.

With regard to public funding of Combat Stress, war pensions funding would continue to be provided to qualifying war pensioners for residential care at the society's homes. Officials are currently in discussion with the society on fee levels for 2007-08 and we expect to announce increases shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether a full parcel service is now operated by the British Forces Post Office to locations situated in and around the Gulf. [HL3229]

Wherever possible, the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) provides a subsidised surface parcels service to personnel serving overseas in conjunction with Parcelforce, which can normally accept items up to 30 kilograms in weight, or 1 kilogramme if they are to be delivered to HM ships by air.

BFPO does not operate a parcels service to locations in and around the Gulf, as this would have the potential to overwhelm the supply system supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. BFPO does, however, operate a subsidised airmail letter and small packet service, up to a maximum of 2 kilograms in weight, principally to forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the operational welfare package.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was selected to represent Northern Ireland in the Smithsonian Institution exhibition in 2007; after what process this selection was made; who made the selection; and what is the estimated cost of taking part in the event. [HL3235]

The Smithsonian has invited 146 individuals representing crafts; sports; occupational traditions; traditional music and performing arts; culinary traditions; history and heritage. The names of the participants and the traditions they represent may be found on the website www.rediscoverni.com. The Smithsonian Institution made the selection based on detailed research over 18 months guided by a NI-based curatorial group representing over 35 different cultural and arts organisations from the public and voluntary sector. The total cost of mounting the NI exhibit on the Mall is expected to be £1,252,998, of which NI contributes approximately £789,000. There is no cost to the participants in taking part.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportion of the population of the United Kingdom lives in coastal areas liable to flooding from the sea. [HL3167]

Some 4.54 per cent of the population of England and Wales lives in coastal areas liable to flood from the sea¹.

¹ Population of England and Wales in 2006 = 53.7million. Source: Office for National Statistics population estimates.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the current status of the Paths of Discovery Scheme; and whether this scheme is going to be closed; and [HL3357]

What has been the cost to date of the Paths of Discovery Scheme introduced by the Countryside Agency. [HL3358]

The Discovering Lost Ways project was set up to carry out research of historic documents to look for rights of way not recorded on the definitive map. This should enable those with good evidence to be formally registered before the cut-off date of 2026. Work on the demonstration phase of the Discovering Lost Ways project is progressing, with research in Cheshire nearing completion and work in Shropshire well advanced.

Based on the results of this early work, Natural England will be working with others to fundamentally review the approach and identify the most cost-effective approach to getting valuable routes on the ground. The cost to date for this project's activity is approximately £2.7million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the cost of delivering access since the implementation of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. [HL3356]

The National Audit Office's 2006 report, The right of access to open countryside, indicated the total cost of implementing the right of access under Part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to be £69 million from 1999 to March 2006.

In 2006-07, National Park authorities were allocated £2.875 million to implement open access, and the Planning Inspectorate funded £4,000 to deal with restriction appeals. An additional £4.64 million has been spent by Natural England towards open access, including £372,000 which was allocated to the Access Management Grant Scheme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What guidance, if any, has been given to the judiciary in Northern Ireland over the last five years concerning sentencing policy. [HL3352]

The sentencing framework, that is the statutory range of sentences available to a judge in connection with particular offences, is a matter for the legislature. The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal delivers guideline judgments on sentencing practice and procedure in Northern Ireland. These sentencing guideline cases encourage consistency in sentencing throughout the courts of Northern Ireland and support sentencers in their decision making. In addition, the Judicial Studies Board of Northern Ireland publishes significant decided cases on its website (www.jsbni.com).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many non-geographic telephone numbers are in use by the Department for Constitutional Affairs and its agencies; what services can be accessed by calling each of them; and what revenue has been received from them between September 2004 and September 2006. [HL3304]

My department has 12 0500 numbers, seven 0800 numbers; 53 0845 numbers, 43 0870 numbers and one 0900 number, that are in use for the public. In addition there are a further 481 0870 numbers that are used internally on its Goldfax system. The department does not keep a central record of all the services that can be accessed through each of the numbers. That information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The revenue received from the 0900 number, which is used for the bankruptcy and company court search line, between April 2005 (when the line came into operation) and September 2006, was £59,373.43.

The department's central recruitment unit uses 41 0870 numbers for its recruitment campaigns. The revenue received between September 2004 and September 2006 was £7,847.74. HM Land Registry operates a number of 0870 numbers for land registry services and the revenue from these was £426,990.15 for the period September 2004 to September 2006.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the total number of deaths in the United Kingdom resulting from drug abuse in the last five years. [HL3428]

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

Letter from Colin Mowl, Director of Macroeconomics and Labour Market, to Lord Steinberg, dated 2 May 2007.

The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking what is the total number of deaths in the United Kingdom resulting from drug abuse in the last five years. I am replying in her absence. (HL3428)

The most recent year for which figures are available is 2005. The table below shows the number of deaths for which the underlying cause was drug poisoning, where any drug controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act were mentioned on the death certificate in the United Kingdom for the years 2001 to 2005. They do not include deaths which may be indirectly related to drug use, such as blood-borne viral infections or transport accidents.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to extend current legislation against age discrimination in order to protect those working as volunteers in charities and voluntary associations. [HL3381]

We have no plans to change our current approach. The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 implement the age strand of the European Employment Directive. Unpaid voluntary work does not fall within the scope of the directive. The age regulations cover people working under the direction of another in return for remuneration. Practical work experience is covered as it constitutes vocational training. This follows the common definition of employment under existing legislation on race, gender and disability. We are committed to maintaining consistency in approach and definition across existing as well as new areas of equality legislation wherever practicable.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why a pre-financing figure of €28 billion was not recorded as an asset in the European Commission's 2004 annual accounts; and [HL3366]

Whether they came to a conclusion on the accuracy of the €28 billion pre-financing figure given in the 2004 annual accounts of the European Commission, bearing in mind the absence of a double-entry book-keeping system; and, if so, what was that conclusion; and [HL3367]

Whether the European Commission's pre-financing figures in their 2004 annual accounts were collected by means of spreadsheets submitted by the directorates, based on their conversations with beneficiaries and intermediaries; if so, which body checked the resultant figures; and whether they were reconciled by the European Commission with their own accounting records; and [HL3368]

What is their response to the view of Mr Brian Gray, the European Union's chief accounting officer, as expressed in the Sunday Telegraph of 4 February, that a figure of €28 billion was excluded from the European Commission's 2004 annual accounts because it did not represent cash. [HL3369]

According to the explanation provided in the Final Annual Accounts of the European Communities 2004, pre-financing amounts for operational purposes are included in the year's expenditure and do not appear as assets in the balance sheet. Pre-financing amounts which had not been received by the final beneficiary at 31 December 2004 and which are included in the year's budget expenditure are entered as short-term assets on the balance sheet under “Sundry debtors”. This amounted to €4,140 million at 31 December 2004.

Following a modernisation of the accounts of the European Communities in 2005 and the change to an accruals accounting system, (as outlined by Mr Brian Gray, the Commission Chief Accountant, in his letter to the Sunday Telegraph of 4 February), an asset entitled pre-financing is now recognised on the balance sheet and represents the advances paid to beneficiaries. In the 2005 accounts, the restated amounts of long and short-term pre-financing are given as €21,285 million (as at 31 December 2004) and €6,728 million (as at 31 December 2004) respectively—totalling some €28 billion.

In accordance with European Council Regulations on Structural Funds, the Cohesion Fund and the European Fisheries Fund, national authorities provide the Commission with forecasts of requests for payment for current and the following years. These forecasts may be provided in spreadsheets and should include payments concerning pre-financing. It is for the Commission to decide how it compiles, checks and presents the annual accounts, which are then analysed and reported on by the European Court of Auditors.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the remarks by the Attorney-General on 19 March (GC 131–32), what is their policy and practice on seeking the Law Officers' advice before making a statement of compatibility under Section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998. [HL3282]

The circumstances in which it will normally be appropriate to consult the Law Officers are set out in paragraph 6.22 of the Ministerial Code.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessments have been completed; whether they will identify those which have not included the needs of travelling show people; and how the needs of this latter community are to be covered by the regional spatial strategies. [HL3459]

Information collected in March showed that accommodation needs assessments for Gypsies and Travellers were underway, or had been completed, in 90 per cent of local authorities. We do not hold information centrally on whether these assessments have included the needs of travelling showpeople.

Consultation on revised planning guidance for travelling showpeople has recently ended. We are analysing the responses to this consultation, and will be publishing a final version in due course. The issues raised by the noble Lord on regional spatial strategies will be among those considered in this process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 16 April (WA 15-16), why, when Jersey and Guernsey are not part of the European Union and United Kingdom consumers can obtain food supplements and herbal remedies via the internet, they exerted pressure on those territories to conform with European Union obligations concerning the composition, presentation and marketing of such products. [HL3430]

Jersey and Guernsey are not members of the European Union, but have a relationship with the EU provided by Protocol 3 of the UK's treaty of accession to the European Community. This relationship provides for free movement of goods and trade between the islands and member states and directives apply to the Channel Islands where the principal purpose of the directive is to remove obstacles to the free movement of goods. The UK view is that both the Medicines Directive and the Food Supplements Directive apply because they are concerned with removing barriers to the free movement of goods by regulating content, sale and labelling.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What powers are available to postal and advertising authorities to prevent the marketing to United Kingdom mainland consumers of unlicensed medicinal products by companies based in the Channel Islands. [HL2316]

Advertisements issued from within the Channel Islands are the responsibility of the relevant authorities within those islands. There are no powers in the Postal Services Act 2000 to control direct mail advertising from the Channel Islands. In those cases where such advertising is identified, the matter should be drawn to the attention of the Advertising Standards Authority (online www.asa.org.uk/asa/>; or by writing to the Advertising Standards Authority, Mid City Place, 71 High Holborn, London WC1V 6QT, or phoning 020 7492 2222). The ASA will pursue the matter with the appropriate agencies.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What promotional work they are undertaking to publicise the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2; and, in particular, how they are bringing the scheme to the attention of housing associations, local government and the Ministry of Defence. [HL3455]

The Department of Trade and Industry has ensured that relevant officials across government, including in the Ministry of Defence, are fully aware of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2. This has been achieved, in particular, through communication through the Office of Government Commerce's regular meetings of procurement representatives from different departments. We have also informed Regional Development Agencies and the Local Government Association about the existence of the programme. We have also directly contacted the National Housing Federation, a representative body for housing associations in England, and the Development Trusts Association, a representative body of community regeneration organisations across the UK.

The programme manager, BRE, has created a website with relevant information and links, distributed flyers at relevant events, released information to networks of contacts focused on carbon and energy efficiency within local authorities, health services, higher education and the government estate and included information about the programme in relevant publications and press releases. Framework suppliers have also been encouraged to undertake their own promotional work of the programme in the course of their usual business.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 it is acceptable, in order for the end user to receive a grant, for that end user to place an order directly with an installer rather than a framework supplier, as long as the installer uses the equipment of an approved framework supplier. [HL3456]

Customers applying to receive a grant for a microgeneration technology installation under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 must place orders through and enter a contract with a framework supplier. The framework supplier may then subcontract the fulfilment of that order to an installer.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How long on average it takes to approve grant applications under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2. [HL3457]

Grant applications received up to 27 April 2007 under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 have taken an average of five working days to process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many applications have been received under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 since its inception. [HL3458]

At 27 April 2007, 51applications had been received under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the remit provided to the chair of the Bill of Rights Forum is confined to producing agreed recommendations to inform the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's advice to the Government on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights, to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland. [HL3311]

The Bill of Rights Forum’s terms of reference are to produce agreed recommendations to inform the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission’s advice to Government on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights, to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, drawing as appropriate on international human rights instruments and experience. These additional rights to reflect the principles of mutual respect for the identity and ethos of both communities and parity of esteem, and—taken together with the ECHR—to constitute a Bill Rights for Northern Ireland.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish in the Official Report the names, ages and, where appropriate, the regiments of all military and civilian British nationals who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since 28 May 2006. [HL3242]

The MoD is committed to openly publishing statistics on the number of service casualties on operations. Information on military personnel casualties and fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan is published on the MoD website (www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets).

Casualty data on the MoD website are updated on a two-weekly basis, two weeks in arrears, with the fatality data updated following incidents in line with the next of kin informing process.

Between 28 May 2006 and 24 April 2007 the following British service personnel died (from any cause) in Iraq:

No civilian UK government officials died in Iraq in this period. UK consular records show that 17 British civilians died (from any cause) in Iraq in this period. This figure cannot be considered definitive as records include only those cases where consular assistance has been sought. The figure does not include British dual nationals or unrepresented foreign nationals. For reasons of confidentiality we are unable to release specific details of these consular cases.

Between 28 May 2006 (inclusive) and midday 23 April 2007 the following British service personnel died in Afghanistan:

No civilian UK government officials died in Afghanistan in this period. UK consular records show that no British civilians died (from any cause) in Afghanistan in this period. This figure cannot be considered definitive as records include only those cases where consular assistance has been sought. The figure does not include British dual nationals or unrepresented foreign nationals.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 April (WA 75) concerning the budget for the Northern Ireland Events Company, what consultation took place before the 2007-08 budget was set; who took part in the consultation; when the consultation took place; and whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the consultation documentation. [HL3411]

The Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) budget is set in the Government's Priorities and Budgets process. There was no Priorities and Budget process for the 2007-08 financial year. Therefore there was no consultation before the 2007-08 NIEC budget was set. However, there was a Budget and Priorities process in 2005, in which the NIEC budget for 2006-07 and indicative budget for 2007-08 was set.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have reached a decision not to site the Northern Ireland Record Office in either the old Crumlin Road Jail or the Court House; and, if so, when the decision was taken and for what reason. [HL3413]

Yes. A decision not to site the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) in the Crumlin Road gaol was taken in November 2005 for technical and cost reasons. Subsequent to this, in March 2007, a decision was taken by Maria Eagle MP, Minister for the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, not to site the new accommodation for PRONI on the Crumlin Road gaol site as it did not meet the critical business needs and urgent timeline for PRONI's accommodation. The Crumlin Road courthouse was not considered on its own as a site for PRONI. In the 1990s it had been considered in combination with the gaol as a possible location for PRONI but this did not proceed beyond preliminary investigations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 April (WA 58) concerning parity of esteem for both communities in Northern Ireland, whether the comparative levels of funding of the Ulster Scots community and the Irish Community reflect parity of esteem. [HL3409]

All applications for government funding are assessed on their merits against the relevant criteria for the specific programme, project or initiative under which they are made. This process ensures equal consideration is given in each case regardless of the community or group seeking the support. The Government are therefore confident that funding decisions reflect parity of esteem for all communities in Northern Ireland.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What (a) is the judicial experience, and (b) are the legal qualifications of the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman. [HL2528]

I refer the noble Lord to my previous Written Answers on 6 February (WA 130) and on 21 February (WA 264) in response to similar Questions raised by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass.

I would again confirm that the information provided by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland regarding previous experience and qualifications on application for her appointment is personal information to the applicant. It would not be appropriate to release such personal information to a third party.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the historical enquiries team of the Police Service of Northern Ireland is creating a separate collusion investigation unit; what is the purpose of the unit; what is the unit's estimated annual cost; and whether units will be established for other murder categories. [HL3310]

The Historic Enquiries Team (HET) has the responsibility to look at all of the deaths relating to the Troubles in Northern Ireland, between 1968 and 1998. This amounts to 3,268 deaths in 2,516 incidents.

To deal with some cases where “collusion” is alleged without delaying work on the majority of cases a small four-person team overseen by the deputy director of HET has been established. This team has been set up because it is believed to be the most efficient way of handling these cases.

The team was established in January 2006 and to date has expenditure of approximately £50,000. This represents approximately 1 per cent of the overall annual spend of HET.

There are no plans to develop units for other murder categories.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How the Rates Collection Agency calculated the domestic rates transition relief in Northern Ireland for 2007; and how information on the relief was communicated to the public. [HL3313]

Transitional relief for 2007 was assessed by comparing what the rates would have been under the previous rental (NAV) system against the bill calculated under the new capital value system. The 2007 NAV calculation was based on a notional poundage figure, comprising what the regional and district rates would have been had the NAV system remained in place. Transitional relief was automatically applied to those bills where the increase between the notional bill and the actual bill under the new system was more than 33 per cent.

An announcement was made on 3 July 2006 by the Minister of State, the right honourable David Hanson, that there would be a transitional relief scheme and on how it would be assessed. In addition this was communicated to the public by way of a leaflet enclosed with each rate bill.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action the Rates Collection Agency took to increase the capacity of the domestic rates help line; and whether the action taken was sufficient. [HL3314]

In preparation for the issue of the new rate bills the agency substantially increased the number of staff available to answer calls, linked into a new call-handling system, and increased the number of telephone lines available.

The agency answered over 27,000 calls during the week commencing 16 April 2007; and, taking into account the other areas of the business which needed to be covered by staff, I am satisfied that this action was sufficient.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the information contained in the leaflet sent to ratepayers in Northern Ireland about the domestic rates transition relief was accurate. [HL3315]

The leaflet sent to ratepayers had an inaccuracy in the section referring to transitional relief. The words “would have” were omitted in error from the following sentence:

“if your rate bill has increased by more than 33 per cent above the amount you would have paid in rates for this property under the old NAV system, transitional relief will be provided automatically over a three year period".

The agency has apologised to ratepayers for the error but it has also confirmed that the rate bill calculation is correct where transitional relief applies.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many times since 6 May 2006 the Secretary of State for Scotland has met the First Minister of Scotland; and what was the date and location of each meeting. [HL2864]

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and the First Minister have met on numerous occasions and also speak regularly by telephone. Meetings that have also involved officials from the Scotland Office and/or Scottish Executive have taken place on 11 May 2006 at Holyrood and 14 December 2006 in Whitehall.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which villages, towns or cities within the United Kingdom the Secretary of State for Scotland has visited since 1 October 2006; and when each visit took place. [HL2865]

In addition to official visits in London, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has visited the following towns and cities in his official capacity since 1 October 2006.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much funding was provided by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in the financial year 2006-07 to fund activities related to (a) Association Football; (b) Rugby Union; and (c) the Gaelic Athletic Association. [HL3234]

The Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI) is responsible for the development of sport in NI including the distribution of funding to individual sports. In 2006-07 the SCNI provided exchequer funding to Association Football, Rugby Union and the Gaelic Athletic Association as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 April (WA 80) on funding for sport in Northern Ireland, what were the reasons for the differences in the sums received by Rally Ireland, the Circuit of Ireland and the North West 200. [HL3373]

Payments to the Circuit of Ireland and the North West 200 for 2005 were made by the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) based on assessment of applications to its Major Events Fund by the event organisers.

From 2006, support for established annual flagship sporting events in Northern Ireland, such as the Circuit of Ireland and the North West 200, has been made under the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) Business Support Scheme. This scheme, jointly funded by IFI and public funding from NIEC and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), has the purpose of assisting leading sporting and cultural events within Northern Ireland to become sustainable. The awards under this scheme to the Circuit of Ireland and to the North West 200 were based on assessment of the applications made by the event organisers against the criteria for funding set out under the scheme.

Rally Ireland is not an established annual event, but rather an innovative series of events in a successful bid to secure a new major global sporting event, the World Rally Championship. Payments to Rally Ireland have been made on the basis of need established in approved business cases.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the potential benefit to Northern Ireland was considered in calculating funding to be provided for Rally Ireland, the Circuit of Ireland and the North West 200; and, if so, how it was calculated in each case. [HL3412]

The potential benefit to Northern Ireland was a factor considered in calculating funding provided to Rally Ireland, the Circuit of Ireland and the North West 200. For Rally Ireland, the potential benefit to Northern Ireland was demonstrated in approved business cases. Prior to 2006, the potential benefit to Northern Ireland from the Circuit of Ireland and the North West 200 was assessed as part of the application process for funding from the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) Major Events Fund. From 2006, the potential benefit to Northern Ireland from the Circuit of Ireland and the North West 200 has been assessed as part of the application process for funding from the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) Business Development Scheme administered by NIEC.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 April (WA 83) concerning a national stadium for Northern Ireland, what are their requirements for the project; and whether these requirements have been applied to other projects. [HL3395]

The Government's key requirements for a shared future multi-sports stadium are that it will be operationally viable; meet the needs of Association Football, Rugby Football and Gaelic Games, and be situated in a location acceptable to all three sports bodies. These requirements are specific to this project.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 April (WA 76) concerning the St Andrews Agreement, whether a new decision was taken about 50:50 recruitment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. [HL3400]

I refer the noble Lord to my Written Answer on 18 April (WA 76). No new decision has been taken about 50:50 recruitment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 April (WA 84) concerning Tourism Ireland, why 80 promotional events had Irish dancing associated with them while the company had only five events associated with Scottish dancing; and whether parity of esteem for both communities was achieved on this occasion. [HL3410]

Tourism Ireland's marketing activities are tailored to individual geographical markets and use a range of cultural themes to convey the message. In America, where certain audiences have an appreciation of Ulster-Scots cultural links, the company may use Scottish dancing as part of its promotional activities. In other markets where there is limited knowledge of Ulster-Scots the company uses other themes which are more easily recognised as being part of the culture of the island of Ireland. The goal of any marketing campaign is to reach as wide an audience as possible by using themes which resonate with the potential visitor.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In the last year, who has received rail and water freight grants made by the Department for Transport; and what was the amount of each grant. [HL3434]

The table below outlines the offers of grant made by the department since 1 April 2006. These represent the maximum value of grant available.

These grants were made through four grant schemes: Company Neutral Revenue Support (CNRS) and Track Access Grant (TAG), which have now both been replaced by the Rail Environmental Benefit Procurement Scheme (REPS), and Freight Facilities Grant (FFG).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 April (WA 86), whether there was any requirement for knowledge of the Ulster-Scots Language in the recruitment of the current chief executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency. [HL3372]

No. The chief executive post was advertised in October 2002 and the essential criteria included an ability to promote the Ulster-Scots language and its development and a knowledge of Ulster-Scots history, heritage and culture.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 April (WA 85-6) concerning the budget for the Ulster-Scots Agency, whether the need for equality and parity of esteem is a consideration in the development of the indicative budget. [HL3397]

I have nothing further to add to the Answers I gave to the Noble Lord on 18 April 2007 (Official Report col. 681W) and 26 March 2007 (Official Report cols. WA251 and WA252) .

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 April (WA 86) concerning the job application for the Ulster-Scots Agency, under what authority the agency is required to agree all job advertisements with the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. [HL3408]

As directed in the financial memorandum of the North/South Language Body the chief executives shall ensure that the body is staffed in accordance with the staffing principles of North/South Implementation Bodies. The staffing complement must be agreed by both the sponsoring and finance departments. The chief executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency will advise the sponsor departments regarding job advertisements when appropriate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the total amount of landfill tax credit currently held by environmental bodies; and what percentage of this has been held for more than two years. [HL3421]

Since 1996, the total value of landfill tax credits given to environmental bodies in the Landfill Communities Fund is £876 million, of which £175 million is currently held by these bodies, including £68 million (under 8 per cent of the total credits given out) which has been held for more than two years. HMRC is working with LCF stakeholders to ensure that the fund offers value for money and continues to deliver beneficial projects to local communities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 April (WA 87) concerning the disbandment of the Northern Ireland Water Council, whether extra funding is being provided to the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland to allow the council to act as a consumer representative. [HL3396]

Chapter III of Part III of the Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006 confers functions on the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland in relation to consumer matters on water and sewerage services. Condition N, paragraph 2(7) of the licence appointing the statutory water and sewerage undertaker provides for the appointee to pay fees to meet the approved expenditure necessary for the council to undertake its new responsibilities. In 2006/07 the Department for Regional Development provided the council with £470,000 to meet preparatory costs for its new role. The annual budget of the Water Council was £10,000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What costs were associated with the decision to cancel the sending out of water charge notices in Northern Ireland; and who bore that cost. [HL3447]

The Secretary of State's decision to defer charges until 8 May resulted in around £8 million of revenue forgone from charges. This is being met by government subsidy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 April (WA 88), who was involved in the organisational review steering group that approved a scoring mechanism for tenders from consultants; and whether they will place a copy of the mechanism in the Library of the House. [HL3374]

The steering group for the organisational review of Waterways comprised the chief executive and the four directors. Arrangements have been made to place a copy of the relevant evaluation sheet in the Library of the House.