asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made in standardising rules of engagement among coalition partners in Afghanistan. [HL4227]

All NATO forces operate under agreed rules of engagement (ROE) but will have their own national ROEs that may contain specific caveats or restrictions on their actions. It is UK policy not to go into detail on our ROEs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Ministry of Defence has appointed, intends to appoint, or will consider appointing a senior officer with overall responsibility, as his primary duty, for the efficiency of airbridges to and from operational theatres and to co-ordinate the activities of stakeholders from the Ministry of Defence, permanent joint headquarters, front-line command and defence supply chain operations and movements involved in the airbridges. [HL4185]

The Assistant Chief of Defence Staff Logistics (Operations) has responsibility for oversight of the operational airbridges.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for the Department for Constitutional Affairs, Ms Harriet Harman, on 29 March (Official Report, 121–30WS), how many inquests into the deaths of members of the Armed Forces which occurred after 15 May 2006 remain outstanding; and what additional resources, if any, have been provided to assist coroners to deal with these inquests. [HL4186]

I would refer the noble Lord to the further Written Statement published today, which includes the information requested as regards inquests into deaths of members of the Armed Forces on operations and exercises overseas.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Adam Ingram, on 14 May (Official Report, col. 381), when they expect outstanding inquests into the deaths of members of the Armed Forces in operations prior to 1 January 2006 to be completed. [HL4187]

Four inquests into military deaths before 1 January 2006 are outstanding in the Oxfordshire coroner's jurisdiction. The latest of these inquests is expected to begin on 29 October 2007.

In addition, the High Court has ordered a fresh inquest into the death of Private Jason Smith. The location and date for the new inquest are yet to be established. A pre-inquest review concerning 10 deaths in a Hercules crash in January 2005 is expected to be held in July 2007 in the Swindon and Wiltshire jurisdiction. It is expected that, following this, the coroner will set the date and timeframe for the inquests.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many inquests into the deaths of members of the Armed Forces have been transferred to the next of kin's local coroner to date. [HL4188]

Between late December 2006 and 31 March 2007, 16 inquests of members of the Armed Forces on operations overseas whose bodies were repatriated via RAF Brize Norton were transferred by the Oxfordshire coroner to the next of kin's local coroner. On 1 April 2007, RAF Lyneham in the Swindon and Wiltshire coroner's jurisdiction became the location for military repatriations. Between 1 April 2007 and 11 June 2007, 11 inquests had been transferred or proposed for transfer by the Swindon and Wiltshire coroner to the next of kin's coroner.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why Home Office nationality caseworkers now require solely British nationals who ceased to be Indian citizens as set out in Section 65 of Chapter 14 Annex H of the Nationality Instructions to obtain letters confirming that they are not citizens of India, when the instructions already contain information that is sufficient to determine an applicant's eligibility for British nationality where this depends on his possession of Indian citizenship, and when written advice on this point was obtained from the Government of India in January 2006. [HL4307]

I refer the noble Lord to my previous Answer to him on 26 October 2005 (Official Report, col. WA 186). There is no legal requirement for applicants to produce letters confirming non-possession of other citizenships in support of their applications for British citizenship. For the reasons he now mentions, decisions on applications made by persons of Indian origin can normally be made without the need for such letters.

Where, however, an applicant has presented a passport or other official document indicating possession of another citizenship at the relevant date, it will be appropriate to ask him or her to obtain further clarification of status from the issuing authority.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 21 May (WA 83) and 4 June (WA 152–3 and WA 171–4), how many prison officers have been arrested and convicted of corruption or other offences in each of the past four years in connection with their duties as prison officers at HM Prison Foston Hall; and [HL4239]

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 21 May (WA 83) and 4 June (WA 152–3 and WA 171–4), how many prison officers have been arrested and convicted of corruption or other offences in each of the past four years in connection with their duties as prison officers at HM Prison Gartree; and [HL4240]

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 21 May (WA 83) and 4 June (WA 152–3 and WA 171–4), how many prison officers have been arrested and convicted of corruption or other offences in each of the past four years in connection with their duties as prison officers at HM Prison Leicester; and [HL4241]

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 21 May (WA 83) and 4 June (WA 152–3 and WA 171–4), how many prison officers have been arrested and convicted of corruption or other offences in each of the past four years in connection with their duties as prison officers at HM Prison Lincoln. [HL4242]

No prison officers from HM Prisons Foston Hall, Gartree, Leicester or Lincoln have been convicted of offences in connection with their duties in the past four years. I indicated in a previous Answer that the Prison Service does not routinely record this kind of information. However, I have asked the Prison Service to collate the information to cover all the prison establishments in England and Wales for each of the past four years. Once collated, I will write to the noble Earl.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 21 May (WA 83) and 4 June (WA 152–3 and WA 171–4), how many prison officers have been arrested and convicted of corruption or other offences in each of the last four years in connection with their duties as prison officers at HM Prison Lowdham Grange. [HL4243]

The NOMS contract with the operator of HMP Lowdham Grange sets out the data required from it and this does not include the information relating to the Question asked. The NOMS is, however, conducting a review of data required from contractors with a view to extending the information made available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 6 June (WA 195), for each of the years 2001 to 2005 inclusive, how many prosecutions or convictions for corruption (or related offences) involved prison officers. [HL4244]

The court proceedings database, which supplied the statistics for my Answer on 6 June (WA 195), does not divide the figures by occupation. I therefore refer the noble Earl to my Answer on 21 May (Official Report, col. WA 83).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Statement by Lord Truscott on 23 May on the Energy White Paper, whether they will introduce measures to require lower wattage bulbs to be fitted in office buildings and street lights in order to reduce energy consumption. [HL4008]

The energy White Paper announced that the Government would work with retailers and manufacturers to phase out energy-inefficient light bulbs by 2011.

In addition, the Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive places an obligation on member states to fulfil an exemplary role within the public sector to help meet the overall directive target of 9 per cent energy savings by 2017. The Government are currently considering options for implementing this directive, which needs to be transposed by 17 May 2008.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why it was thought right to award the contract for the decommissioning of all 10 Magnox nuclear sites, with 22 reactors, to a single company, Energy Solutions of Salt Lake City, Utah; what is the estimated number of years for which this contract will run; and whether there will be opportunities for other decommissioning providers to bid for the later stages of this work. [HL4228]

In buying Reactor Sites Management Company Ltd from BNFL, after a competitive and rigorous process of pre-qualification against a testing set of criteria, Energy Solutions has also acquired the remainder of the subsidiary's contract with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to operate and clean up the 10 Magnox sites. The contracts were signed by Magnox Electric Ltd and are one year in duration with an option to extend. We believe the sale to be in the best interests of the business, its staff and its customer—the NDA.

As stated in the NDA's strategy, the Magnox sites will be split into two regions (north and south) and competed for. The competition for the southern region is already under way; the one for the northern region will commence in 2010. Other decommissioning providers will indeed be able to bid in these competitions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the decision to award the contract for the decommissioning of all 10 Magnox nuclear sites, with 22 reactors, was approved by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, by the Department of Trade and Industry, and by the relevant regulators; and, if so, how such approval was given and publicised. [HL4229]

The contracts with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to operate and clean up the 10 Magnox sites remain with the Reactor Sites Management Company Ltd through its subsidiary Magnox Electric Ltd. BNFL reached agreement on 6 June to sell the business to Energy Solutions, complete with these contracts with one year's duration with an option to extend. As stated in the NDA's strategy, the Magnox sites will be competed for in two bundles (northern region and southern region). The competition for the southern region is already under way; the one for the northern region will commence in 2010.

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced BNFL's intentions to sell the business in a Statement to the House on 24 October 2006 (Official Report, col. WS85). The sale was undertaken through a competitive process in full discussion with the DTI, as well as with the NDA and the regulators. The DTI approved the sale, as required in BNFL's articles of association, while the NDA is expected formally to approve the change of ownership before the sale is completed later this month.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Statement by Lord Truscott on 23 May on the energy White Paper, whether they will introduce measures to restrict the times when office building and street lighting may be switched on in order to reduce energy consumption. [HL4006]

The Government have no plans to restrict the amount of energy consumed, but announced in the energy White Paper that they would work with a range of interested parties to consider how they can improve the wider sustainability of our existing building stock. The Government are also working to identify other measures that will reduce the carbon emissions of existing non-domestic buildings by raising awareness of the ways to improve energy efficiency and by encouraging the take-up of energy efficiency measures in workplaces.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Statement by Lord Truscott on 23 May on the Energy White Paper, whether they will introduce measures to require unnecessary office building and street lighting to be turned off in order to reduce energy consumption. [HL4007]

The Government have no plans at present to introduce specific measures on office lighting or street lighting. The Government also announced in the energy White Paper that in respect of business premises in England and Wales, they will consult on the requirement to display energy performance certificates alongside other means of encouraging energy efficiency.

Provision of street lighting on local roads in England is a matter for individual local highway authorities. Street lights already use energy-efficient lighting. Most is provided by gas discharge light sources. These produce higher light intensities than domestic light sources and are also more efficient in terms of their light output for electrical power consumed.

On the government estate, each department has agreed to meet sustainable operation targets in terms of energy efficiency and carbon emissions. Departments are responsible for determining how they can best be achieved within their offices. Departments are required to work with the Carbon Trust to identify energy savings and to purchase electrical equipment which includes requirements on power consumption in sleep-mode and energy efficient light bulbs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What correspondence they have received in the past year from the chairman of the Select Committee on the European Union; what were the dates of the correspondence and the ministerial replies, excluding holding replies; how many weeks passed between receipt of each letter and the issuing of the ministerial reply; and which department was responsible in each case. [HL4316]

The Government correspond extensively with the committee on EU matters. The Government take their scrutiny obligations seriously and will always aim to reply to letters from the chairman promptly to enable the committee to carry out its scrutiny responsibilities effectively before Ministers are required to take decisions in the Council of Ministers. The Government note that the committee publishes a progress of scrutiny report fortnightly when the House is sitting, which provides a record of all occasions on which the chairman writes to Ministers and the Government’s replies. They also note that the committee publishes a compendium report from time to time, reproducing all the correspondence between the chairman and Ministers. The committee’s most recent report (45th report, 2005-06, HL243) covering correspondence between March 2005 and January 2006 recorded that there were 367 issues on which there were exchanges of correspondence, with many being the subject of more than a single exchange.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What specific inputs they intend to present to the European Union Commission for the Citizens Agenda single market review launched on 10 May. [HL4097]

The Government have been actively involved in the single market review. They produced a paper outlining the UK’s vision for the future of the single market, which has been sent to the Commission. The document is called The Single Market: A Vision for the 21st Century and is available on the DTI’s website: www.dti.gov.uk/files/file37083.pdf.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether a government department may refuse to disclose information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on the grounds that it would exceed the cost limit, when the relevant information has already been obtained in excess of the cost limit but the department wishes to cite the cost limit exemption. [HL4204]

Yes. Where a public authority estimates that the cost of complying with a request would exceed the appropriate limit, as set out in the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004, the public authority may refuse to answer the request under Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Estimates of whether a request will exceed the appropriate limit need to be carried out on a case-by-case basis, but where the public authority has already obtained and compiled the relevant information, it is unlikely that the appropriate limit will be exceeded and the request refused on cost grounds.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 22 May (WA 90–1), why the focus for their stem cell funding is on potential clinical efficacy; and why no funding bias has been made towards work developing adult stem cells. [HL4129]

The Medical Research Council (MRC) supports a wide range of research on stem cells. Research on embryonic, foetal and adult stem cells is essential to move the field forward; discoveries in one area will inform others and accelerate progress.

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) supports a wide range of basic (non-medical) research for both adult and embryonic stem cells in model organisms (eg: worm, fly, frog, bird, and mouse) and humans. Both the MRC and the BBSRC allocate funding in response mode following peer review on the basis of scientific quality and potential impact.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To what extent the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names in southern California is controlled by the United States Department of Commerce, apart from normal operating contract administration up to 2012. [HL3823]

The United States Department of Commerce has a joint project agreement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that sets the framework for the transition of the internet domain name and addressing system to the private sector. This agreement is published on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration website: www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/agreements/jpa/ICANNJPA_09292006.htm.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Statement by the Minister for Local Environment, Marine and Animal Welfare on 23 May (Official Report, 78WS), why the target for the issue of Food and Environmental Protection Act licences is 65 per cent in 12 weeks, 80 per cent in 15 weeks, leaving 20 per cent taking four months or longer. [HL4193]

The Marine and Fisheries Agency deals with around 400 applications each year, ranging from proposals for small-scale construction works, such as yacht club jetties and the disposal of dredgings from marinas, through to major port and offshore wind-farm projects.

The performance targets for determining applications reflect both the scale and sensitivities of projects and the likely timeframes for resolving potential conflicts with other uses of the sea. They also reflect the likely timeframes for negotiating appropriate mitigation or compensation where works may adversely impact the marine environment and designated conservation areas.

In the majority of cases, applications that do not raise concerns regarding interference with the activities of others, or which do not present a threat to the environment, can be processed within a period of 12 weeks. Others highlight areas of concern that call for negotiation with the applicant and their advisers to resolve or mitigate matters identified by the assessment process or during consultation. This extends the time necessary to reach a decision. For example, London Array—the world’s largest offshore wind farm—licensed in December 2006, raised a number of issues, particularly navigational safety and protection of birds.

A significant proportion, particularly the large-scale schemes, may raise issues which take considerably longer to decide. This could arise where the project presents a risk to a designated Natura 2000 site. In such cases, the project may be permitted only where it can be demonstrated that there is no alternative and must proceed for reasons of imperative overriding public interest, subject to agreement over suitable compensation. Schemes may also trigger the need for the project to be considered at a local or public inquiry (normally triggered by other consent regimes, such as a planning application or application for a harbour empowerment order) that may extend considerably the time necessary to reach a determination. A recent example is the harbour development at Immingham, where the licensing process was extended by an inquiry instigated under the Harbours Act.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Regarding the North-South Implementation Body for European Union Programmes in Northern Ireland, established by the United Kingdom and the Government of Ireland, whether the exchange of letters between the two Governments of 25 July 2006 concerning the functions of the implementation body has governed the actions of that body since that date. [HL4213]

The exchange of letters of 25 July 2006 concerned the interpretation of the term “community initiatives” in the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. The exchange confirmed the understanding of the British and Irish Governments that it was the intention of the two Governments that the term “community initiatives” would include any successors to, equivalents of, or substitutes for such initiatives.

The exchange of letters was intended to secure the ability of the Special EU Programmes Body to continue carrying out its existing functions as set out in the North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, unaffected by the change in EU terminology relating to that funding stream for the 2007 to 2013 funding period.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have assessed the claim by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in the Police Service Gazette of April 2007 that she discussed with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the security service their concerns about compromise of methodology and offered to withdraw the terminology used in a section of her Operation Ballast report, which referred to sensitive security techniques, but that the offer was not taken up; and, if so, what action they have taken as a result of that assessment. [HL4084]

The Government do not comment on matters relating to national security. The statement made by the Police Ombudsman in the Police Service Gazette is a matter for her.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the timetable for regional announcements of post office closures; and, in particular, when announcements will be made for north-west England and Yorkshire. [HL4346]

On 17 May, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State announced the Government's response to public consultation on the post office network.

Now that the Government have announced their decisions, it will be for Post Office Ltd strategically to develop the network in around 50 local area plans. The company will shortly finalise and make public its timetable to show when it expects to produce proposals for changes in each area.

Following input from sub-postmasters, Postwatch and local authorities, these plans will include closure proposals and other service changes which will then be put to local consultations ahead of final decisions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 24 May (WA 139), when the guidelines that outline how vocational drivers can manage their reserve service will be published. [HL4149]

Formal internal MoD instructions were issued in April 2007. In addition, on 10 April 2007, the Support for Britain's Reservists and Employers (SaBRE) campaign published a fact-sheet and guidance on its website at www.sabre.mod.uk.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the present value of the boarding school allowance; and what categories of public officials are entitled to receive it. [HL4202]

The allowance previously known as boarding school allowance was renamed continuity of education allowance (CEA) at the start of the school autumn term 2005. The allowance is available to all regular service personnel who are accompanied by their family on frequent assignments at both home and overseas. When claiming CEA, a service person must fully accept that this accompanied service is the overriding principle for any entitlement to CEA.

There are different rates of CEA for the junior and senior stages of a child’s education if a child boards at the school or is a day pupil, and to recognise if a child has a special educational need (SEN). All claimants must pay a minimum of 10 per cent parental contribution to their child’s school fees. The current maximum rates of CEA per term are as follows:

The most up-to-date figures available for the cost of CEA are for the academic year 2005-06, where the cost to the MoD was £93.6 million (before tax and NIC).

Eligible MoD civil servants can only claim schooling allowance(s) when stationed overseas. This allowance is for children attending fee-paying schools overseas or at independent schools in the UK. There is no central record for the costs of the allowance paid overseas, as these are reimbursed by local budgets and details could only be provided at disproportionate cost. All claimants must pay a minimum 10 per cent parental contribution to their child's school fees.

The current maximum rates of schooling allowance per term are as follows:

The annual cost for UK schooling for 2005-06 was £1.1 million (before tax and NIC).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to take up the recent European Union offer of matched funding to raise the quality of fruit and vegetables on school menus. [HL4191]

At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 12 June, it was agreed to defer a decision on the introduction of an EU school fruit scheme pending a Commission impact assessment of the benefits, practicability and administrative costs involved.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much the Department for Work and Pensions and each of its agencies has spent on translation services in each of the past five years.[HL4295]

The information is not available in the format requested.

Since December 2005, the Department for Work and Pensions has used suppliers on the ethnic translation services framework to translate forms, leaflets, reports and letters. However, the International Pension Centre currently has a separate supply arrangement, but is looking to change to using suppliers on the ethnic translation services framework.

In 2006-07, the department spent around £267,500 on translation services. Information is not available for previous years, other than at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 4 June (WA 178), what account they have taken of the energy usage of the production of newspaper supplements, free newspapers and magazines and their collection for recycling and reconstitution; and [HL4319]

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 4 June (WA 178), whether they will open discussions with newspaper proprietors to introduce a charge for newspaper supplements in order to reduce the weight and volume of domestic refuse. [HL4320]

The Government do not hold information on the energy usage of the production of newspaper supplements, free newspapers and magazines and their collection for recycling and reconstitution.

There are no plans to open discussions with newspaper proprietors to introduce a charge for newspaper supplements. The Government are focusing instead on minimising waste, improving recycling rates and the recycled content of such media by entering into voluntary agreements with the newspaper, periodical-publishing and direct-marketing industries. These agreements are intended to lessen the sector's contribution to carbon emissions and waste.

In the Waste Strategy for England 2007, the Government committed themselves to establishing an agreement with the paper industry on challenging targets to reduce paper waste and increase paper recycling. This will incorporate and develop the existing agreements with newspapers, magazines and direct mail, but also extend to other paper sectors, including office papers, free newspapers, catalogues and directories.