asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the assumed benefit take-up rate in the public expenditure plans for (a) child benefit; (b) pension credit; (c) working tax credit; (d) council tax benefit; and (e) housing benefit. [HL4703]

Forecasts of expenditure on tax credits and child benefit are based on caseload rather than take-up forecasts.

Forecasts of pension credit expenditure are based on forecast increases in the pension credit caseload, driven primarily by growth in the estimated entitled population.

Forecasts of housing benefit and council tax benefit expenditure are based on forecast changes in housing benefit caseload and average awards. The caseload forecasts are driven primarily by changes in the estimated recipient populations for other benefits to which entitlement to housing benefits is related. There are no direct assumptions made for changes in the take-up of housing benefits. If necessary, off-model caseload adjustments are used to reflect the impact on take-up of future policy changes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What recent assessment they have made of the security and political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [HL4760]

We are concerned by the lack of political progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). BiH's politicians need to reach agreement on police reform and achieve full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague so that BiH can sign its stabilisation and association agreement with the EU. Constitutional reform will also be necessary if BiH is to deliver effective governance for its citizens and carry out the reforms that the EU accession process will require. Over the past year, we regret that BiH's political leaders have not made more sustained efforts to work together constructively to move BiH closer towards the EU and NATO. We regularly express our concerns about the lack of political progress bilaterally, through the EU and in conjunction with the Office of the High Representative/EU Special Representative (EUSR). We welcome the recent appointment of Miroslav Lajcak as High Representative and EUSR.

The security situation in BiH has been stable for some time. Our concern over the current political situation does not give rise to concern over the security situation. Indeed, on the basis of clear military advice from the operation commander we, along with EU partners, decided to reduce the numbers of troops deployed in BiH from around 6,500 to around 2,500 earlier this year. This process is now complete. We continue to provide capacity- building assistance on security, policing and rule of law.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the independence, sovereignty and unity of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and whether they are making representations in bilateral or multilateral fora in this regard. [HL4761]

The UK recognised Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) as an independent state in 1992. BiH's constitutional arrangements and internal boundaries are those set out in the Dayton Accords which were concluded in Paris on 14 December 1995.

We remain firm in our support for the Dayton Accords: they are the basis of the peace and stability that BiH now enjoys. We regularly make this clear, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora. If the people of BiH wish to revisit their constitutional arrangements, this must be through a consensual process in accordance with constitutional procedures.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Under what circumstances, prior to 26 November 2006, it was possible to hold Nepalese nationality and British nationality simultaneously; what was the response of the Nepalese authorities when asked on 22 November 2006 whether this was possible under Nepalese laws; and what is the basis for the Government's presumption that a person who was issued with a Nepalese citizenship certificate, without having previously renounced his existing British citizenship, can hold both British and Nepalese nationality concurrently. [HL4616]

We are not in a position to comment on another country's nationality laws. Under British nationality law, a British national is able to hold other nationalities concurrently with their British nationality. When an individual provides evidence that they have been recognised as a national of another country, this does not affect their entitlement to British nationality. Therefore, if an individual holds British overseas citizen status and a Nepalese certificate of citizenship, we have to assume that the individual is a dual national until the Nepalese authorities tell us otherwise.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there is now, or has ever been, a Central Intelligence Agency detention centre at Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory; and whether any terrorist suspects have been taken to Diego Garcia on rendition flights. [HL4833]

The US authorities have repeatedly given us assurances that no terrorist suspects have been, or are being, held on Diego Garcia, or at any time have passed in transit through Diego Garcia or its territorial waters or airspace.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What forecasts they are able to make of gas-based generation of electricity by the years 2010 and 2020; and what percentage of United Kingdom households they expect to be heated by gas in these years.[HL4493]

This Government do not make forecasts of future electricity supply. However, the most recent projections of energy and carbon emissions⁽¹⁾, including energy White Paper proposals, suggest that the proportion of gas used in electricity generation in the UK is projected to supply 35 per cent to 38 per cent by 2010 and between 44 per cent to 59 per cent by 2020. This range reflects the uncertainty, expressed in the energy White Paper⁽²⁾, on policy delivery. With respect to UK households heated by gas, the assumption built into the domestic sector gas demand is approximately 80 per cent of homes in 2010 and 2020. The majority of these homes will have gas central heating and a small proportion will not.

(1) Ref: http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file39580.pdf

(2) Ref: http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file39387.pdf

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will consider additional measures by way of a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs promotional effort to persuade companies and other owners of large flat-roof premises to construct energy-saving roof gardens. [HL4791]

The Government are committed to moving towards more sustainable low-carbon non-residential buildings which are more energy efficient, and we will continue to raise building standards to help achieve this. A key element of maximising the energy efficiency of buildings is ensuring that they are suitably insulated. Raising building standards will act as a further driver for improving insulation and green roofs offer one possible solution for delivering better insulated buildings.

Green roofs can also be a form of source control for attenuating the run-off of surface water (ie comprising one element of SUDS (sustainable drainage systems)). Defra is promoting the use of all forms of SUDS while acknowledging that not all forms are appropriate in all circumstances and that there are currently some obstacles to their wider uptake. The most significant obstacle is that of the adoption of some drainage (conveyance) elements of public SUDS systems. Defra is intending to consult on options for the adoption and the long-term funding of maintenance of these systems later this year.

Green roofs will generally not fall into this category and will normally be the responsibility of individual building owners. Defra, along with other government departments, has been promoting green roofs and other elements of source control (such as porous paving) as part of wider sustainable construction and will continue their active promotion.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the significant provisions of the draft constitution for Europe that they do not now expect to be included in the proposed European Union reform treaty based on the mandate of the current inter-governmental conference. [HL4769]

The treaty establishing a constitution for Europe, on which the Government proposed a referendum, is now defunct. The mandate for a reform treaty agreed by the European Council states clearly:

“The constitutional concept, which consisted in repealing all existing Treaties and replacing them by a single text called ‘Constitution’, is abandoned”.

As my right honourable friend the then Prime Minister (Tony Blair) set out in his Statement in another place on 25 June, the reform treaty will differ fundamentally from the constitutional treaty in both form and substance. Among other things, we have ensured that there is nothing in the mandate for the reform treaty which will require us to change our existing labour and social legislation. Our common law system and our police and judicial processes will be protected. Our independent foreign and defence policy will be maintained. Our tax and social security system will be protected.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many times since the general election of 1997 they have used their veto in the Council of Ministers to block a regulation or directive which must be decided by unanimity. [HL4671]

A measure that a member state has indicated it will veto is not normally put to a vote in the Council. The information requested by the noble Lord is therefore not available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many directives or regulations since the general election of 1997 determined by (a) qualified majority voting, and (b) unanimity have gone onto the European statute book. [HL4672]

The information as requested by the noble Lord is not held centrally by the Government. To collate this would incur disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many times, in the European Council of Ministers since the general election of 1997, a regulation or directive which must be decided by unanimity and which they supported has been blocked by another member state using its veto. [HL4675]

A measure that a member state has indicated it will veto is not normally put to a vote in the Council. The information requested by the noble Lord is therefore not available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there is any conflict between the aims announced in their Green Paper, The Governance of Britain (Cm 7170), and the United Kingdom's continued membership of the European Union, bearing in mind the quantity of British law which now originates in Brussels. [HL4749]

The Government's Green Paper, The Governance of Britain, is the first step in a national debate on further constitutional reform. It sets out the ways in which we can reinvigorate our democracy and make both the Executive and Parliament more accountable to the people.

These proposals do not present any conflict with the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the main features of the announced flood defence spending increase, including the full profile and timetable involved; and whether this announcement will form part of the Comprehensive Spending Review. [HL4752]

No final decisions have been taken on the allocation of the £200 million increased spending in 2010-11. Following the Comprehensive Spending Review settlement, expected by the autumn, and a subsequent departmental allocations exercise, a separate prioritisation process will determine funding for individual flood risk management projects.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which Members of the House of Lords held government appointments on 10 July; what these appointments were; and what remuneration was paid in connection with each appointment. [HL4805]

For information about ministerial appointments and salaries, I refer the noble Lord to my Answer to Lord Forsyth on 12 July 2007 (Official Report, col. WA 243).

Departments are also in the process of publishing information about appointees to non-departmental public bodies, task forces and other ad hoc advisory groups.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the number of recorded cases over the past 10 years of asbestosis and related diseases caused to those who have installed asbestos cement roof sheeting. [HL4782]

Information on the number of recorded cases of asbestosis caused by the installation of asbestos cement roofing is not collected.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the average amount which National Health Service general dental services contractors have been asked to repay to their primary care trust (PCT), given (a) as a total, and (b) for each PCT. [HL4796]

Providers of National Health Service dental services have contracts with primary care trusts (PCTs) that set out the agreed annual contract sum and the corresponding level of services to be provided over the course of the year. These annual service levels are expressed mainly in units of dental activity, which measure courses of treatment according to their relative complexity. Dental providers who under-deliver by up to 4 per cent may carry this forward and make up the activity in the following year. Where a provider has delivered less than 96 per cent of the agreed annual service level, it is at the PCT's discretion whether the undelivered activity is carried forward to the following year or an appropriate proportion of the annual contract sum is refunded to the PCT. This is a matter for PCTs to decide locally in the light of individual circumstances, and their decisions are not collected or held centrally.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment has been made of the impact of the new general dental services contract upon the salaried primary dental care service. [HL4797]

The new general dental services contract does not in itself apply to salaried primary dental care services. However, the accompanying move to local commissioning of dental services provides a significant new opportunity for primary care trusts (PCTs) to develop more integrated services—across the spectrum of general dental services, salaried primary dental care services and hospital services—that meet the needs of all patients including those with a need for special care.

The inclusion of salaried primary care dentists in PCTs' dental performers lists from July 2006 should further benefit patients through the introduction of common performance standards across primary care.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment has been made of the impact of patient charge revenue shortfalls upon primary care trusts' ability to commission National Health Service dentistry to meet local needs. [HL4798]

In making net financial allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) for National Health Service dental services, it is only possible to make indicative assumptions about the levels of income that will be raised from patient charges in each PCT area. The actual level of charge income will depend on a range of local factors, including the type of dental services commissioned and the relative proportion of treatments given to charge-paying patients and those exempt from charges.

Where the level of patient charge income is below the indicative amount assumed in a PCT's allocation, this does not affect the level of services agreed under existing contracts. The new dental contracts that took effect from April 2006 set out the annual contract value and the corresponding level of services to be provided over the course of each year. PCTs cannot reduce these agreed contract values or service levels because patient charge income is below expected levels.

It is for PCTs to assess local needs for NHS dental services in their area and to develop commissioning plans that reflect these local needs, taking account of the overall resources available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps are being taken to ensure that provision of National Health Service dental services is maintained following the end of ring-fencing in 2009. [HL4800]

The Government are fully committed to supporting the National Health Service in developing dental services for the longer term. The 2006 reforms established, for the first time, a statutory duty on primary care trusts (PCTs) to provide or commission dental services to reflect local needs. The proposal to move resources for dentistry into PCTs' main health budgets from 2009-10 is designed to reinforce further the importance of developing dental services, based on the same principles that underpin commissioning of other NHS services, including public and patient involvement and professional engagement.

The department is supporting a wide-ranging programme to help PCTs develop dental services both now and in the longer term, including supporting PCTs in assessing local needs and developing commissioning strategies, building on additional investment of some £400 million in the last three years and a further £100 million programme of capital investment, spread over 2006-07 and 2007-08, in premises and equipment. To support continued growth in the NHS dental workforce, the department has also invested in a 25 per cent expansion in undergraduate dental education, with the first students from this expanded programme due to graduate and begin their NHS vocational training in 2009.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps are being taken to assist the resolution of the 396 general dental services contracts that were still in dispute at 31 March 2007. [HL4801]

Primary care trusts and local providers of National Health Service dental services are responsible for seeking to resolve any disputed elements of NHS contracts. If the parties cannot reach a local resolution, the dispute can be referred to the NHS Litigation Authority. The NHS primary care contracting team offers and provides support and advice on dispute resolution to those commissioners who request it.

Eighty-seven per cent of all those contracts originally signed in dispute have so far been resolved. Well over 99 per cent of the disputes so far resolved have ended in the dentist deciding to stay with the NHS.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What guidance they offer to primary care trusts in applying the index of orthodontic treatment need. [HL4840]

Guidance to primary care trusts on National Health Service orthodontic assessments and the index of orthodontic treatment need is set out in Strategic Commissioning of Primary Care Orthodontic Services, which is available at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4139176

Copies of this document have been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the use of drugs to prevent osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women; and [HL4836]

What discussions they have had with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence regarding the development of guidance on the use of drugs to prevent osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women. [HL4837]

We have had no discussions with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) regarding the development of guidance on the use of drugs to prevent osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women.

We have made no assessment of this draft guidance from NICE.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions have taken place over the past six months with the Government of the United States about breaches by United Kingdom companies of United Nations sanctions legislation in relation to Iraq. [HL4835]

In the past six months, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has been in regular contact with US counterparts about reported breaches by UK companies of UN sanctions in relation to Iraq. It would not be appropriate to go into the details of these discussions while the SFO is carrying out its investigations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What contributions they made to President Ahtisaari's report on Kosovo's future status; and what assessment they have made of his comprehensive proposal for the Kosovo status settlement. [HL4762]

The UK has been fully engaged in the UN status process for Kosovo. As part of the Contact Group (France, Germany, Italy, Russia, UK and US), we worked closely with UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari during the 15 months of intensive negotiations he held between Belgrade and Pristina.

The UK fully supports the UN Special Envoy. His proposals, which provide for independence for Kosovo, supervised by the international community, hold out the prospect of a better future for all the peoples of Kosovo and for enhanced stability in the region. They are well judged and represent compromises for both sides. They contain generous and far-reaching guarantees protecting the rights of Kosovo's Serb and other non-Albanian communities. These would be monitored and upheld by the international community through its continued presence in Kosovo.

The Special Envoy's proposals would finally give Kosovo clarity over its future, enabling the Balkan region to draw a line under the conflicts of the recent past and look forward to a future with a European and Euro-Atlantic perspective.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made in the United Nations Security Council in considering a draft resolution to determine Kosovo's final status. [HL4763]

Intensive negotiations are ongoing in the UN Security Council in New York. We are working closely with our Security Council partners to find a way forward which would allow implementation of UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari's proposals on Kosovo's status. This is a sensitive issue for some Security Council members. We are working hard to address those sensitivities, patiently but persistently.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they plan to raise the subject of possible European Union sponsorship of the Live Earth initiatives of Mr Al Gore and others at a forthcoming meeting of European Union Ministers. [HL4747]

Events such as Live Earth are a useful tool for raising global awareness of a global problem, and for inspiring action. Her Majesty's Government have no current plans to raise the subject of EU sponsorship for the Live Earth initiatives at a forthcoming meeting of European Union Ministers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

With which local authorities in England they have held discussions about setting up an elected executive model of governance (a) before the introduction of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill in the House of Commons; and (b) since the introduction of the Bill. [HL4619]

Both during the preparation of the local government White Paper and since the introduction of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill, we have discussed governance arrangements, including on occasion elected executives, with a number of local authorities. They included Stockton-on-Tees, which raised the issue with the Government following a resolution of that council in December 2005 that it should do so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What recent assessment they have made of the benefits of (a) regional government, and (b) city regions for the regional economy of the north-west. [HL4705]

In the Sub National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration, the Government have been assessing ways of strengthening the economic drivers in regions and cities and at local level, as well as the optimal geographical levels for governance and decision-making across all the English regions, including the north-west. This includes examining the governance arrangements at the regional and city regional levels.

The review, published on 17 July, examined the roles and responsibilities of different organisations at different spatial levels—including at the regional and city regional levels. Some of the changes will require primary legislation and therefore it is anticipated that reforms will be implemented over the next three years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What legislative competences (a) have been transferred to the National Assembly for Wales; and (b) would be transferred to the Assembly were legislation currently before Parliament enacted in its current form, within each policy area since the Government of Wales Act 1998; and what legislative competencies within each policy area remain at Westminster. [HL4757]

Schedule 5 to the Government of Wales Act 2006 outlines the legislative competence of the National Assembly for Wales. Schedule 5 was populated in field 5 education and training and field 9 health and health services as a result of the National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Conversion of the Framework Power) Order 2007.

There are provisions in the further education Bill and the local government Bill, currently before Parliament, which will further enhance the legislative competence of the National Assembly. All other competences remain with Westminster.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the arborological and environmental results to date in the development of the National Forest; and whether they will consider further similar projects outside the present Midlands site with a higher woodland cover coefficient. [HL4788]

Annual monitoring of the National Forest's progress is undertaken through the National Forest Company's (NFC) corporate plan and annual report. Headline achievements since the National Forest Company began work in 1995 include:

over 7 million trees planted with woodland cover increased from 6 per cent to 17.5 per cent (5,875 hectares (ha)); 85 per cent of the trees planted are broad leaves;

1,140 ha of existing woodlands have been brought back into management;

in addition to areas planted with trees, a further 1,300 ha of habitats have been created or brought back into management;

82 kilometres (km) of new hedgerows have been planted and 91 km of existing hedges have been brought back into management;

two sites have been surveyed, between 1998 and 2006, for woodland birds and an increase has been found in woodland and woodland-edge species including song thrush, linnet, bullfinch, starling, willow and grasshopper warblers, green woodpecker, redpoll and dunnock. Survey work will continue in the future. The surveys were undertaken by the Leicestershire Ecological Records Centre;

other biodiversity action plan species have seen an increase, including the return of otters to the rivers Trent and Mease; 194 field ponds managed/created to attract ruddy darter dragonfly; 103 new black poplar planting sites; and 102 new sites planted with bluebells; and

80 per cent of all new woodlands created have some form of public access and a further 8 per cent of sites have access planned.

Later this month, the NFC will be launching a comprehensive report setting out how the National Forest is contributing to sustainable development.

The Government are not currently considering establishing a similar project elsewhere in the country, but the lessons learnt from the National Forest have informed the new Strategy for England's Trees, Woods and Forests.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have held recent discussion with the voluntary sector on the potential impact of diverting National Lottery funds presently flowing to charities, community groups and social enterprises to support the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. [HL4684]

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has sought the views of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), the Voluntary Arts Network (VAN), Heritage Link and the Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR), as part of the formal consultation on the draft statutory instrument enabling the diversion of funds to the Olympic budget. The consultation will end on 25 August.

On 15 March, the then Secretary of State (Tessa Jowell) announced an additional contribution to the Olympic Games of £675 million over the four years 2009 to 2012 alongside a sharing arrangement by which lottery good causes will benefit from the profits of land sales after the Games. £425 million will come from the Big Lottery Fund and the remaining £250 million will be split between other good causes. In addition, non-Olympic good causes may lose about 5 per cent of their income as a result of sales diversion from the new Games during the eight years from 2005 to 2013.

At the time of the announcement, the then Minister for Sport (Richard Caborn) met a number of representatives of the voluntary sector and this issue has been discussed at other meetings with Ministers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will help Tom Cole of Sudbury, Suffolk, a multiple international medal-winning Down's syndrome swimmer, to have his case for participating in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games reviewed; and, if so, what the outcome has been. [HL4756]

The decision on the participation of athletes with an intellectual disability in the Paralympic Games resides with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). We understand that the IPC will review the eligibility criteria for athletes with learning disabilities after the 2008 Games in Beijing.

The Government are not, therefore, in a position to review individual cases. However, they are sympathetic to the case of people with learning disabilities participating in the Games, and have expressed this view in writing to the IPC, encouraging it to establish a rigorous and robust eligibility system as a matter of priority.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What would be the cost of abolishing the frozen pensions regulations for citizens who have retired abroad and who have reached the age of (a) 70, (b) 75, and (c) 80. [HL4676]

The latest estimates for abolishing the frozen pension regulations for citizens who have retired abroad are in the table. They relate to the estimated additional cost that would be incurred in 2007-08 were frozen pensions to be uprated to their unfrozen level but without paying arrears.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

By how much the increase in the National Insurance Fund exceeded the prospective cost of abolishing the frozen pensions regulations for citizens who have retired abroad, in each of the past 10 years for which estimates are available. [HL4677]

The information is not available in the format requested.

Our latest estimate is that the first year cost of unfreezing overseas pensions is around £440 million without paying arrears. The latest National Insurance Fund surplus was estimated at £34.26 billion for the tax year 2005-06 by the Government Actuary's Department. The latest National Insurance Fund surplus therefore exceeds the estimated cost of unfreezing overseas pension by £33.82 billion. However, the surplus in the fund is taken into account by the Government in determining their spending priorities. Any unplanned increase in pension payment will therefore need to be funded through taxation.

Sources: Internal estimates using the latest (September 2006) retirement pension administrative data, 5 per cent sample; and the National Insurance Fund accounts: 2005-06.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have received from (a) Governments, and (b) individuals regarding the frozen pensions regulations for citizens who have retired abroad. [HL4678]

In the recent past, my department has had three meetings with Australian Ministers and officials at which the issue of not uprating the UK state pension to persons living in Australia was raised. From time to time, we receive correspondence from MPs and individuals about the issue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have studied the report on assassinations and disappearances in the Philippines produced by Judge S Melo; and whether they will make representations to the Government of the Philippines on its findings. [HL4849]

We continue to be concerned about extra-judicial killings in the Philippines and have raised the issue with the Philippine Government on a number of occasions. We have seen Judge Melo's report and welcome the steps announced by President Arroyo in response to recommendations made in the report and are waiting to see how these measures are implemented. We also welcomed the visit by Philip Alston, UN special rapporteur on extra-judicial killings, to the Philippines in February and will encourage the Philippine Government to follow both his initial recommendations and those in his final report when it is published. President Arroyo has requested technical assistance from the EU to support the Philippine Government's efforts to address extra-judicial killings. The EU sent a needs assessment mission to the Philippines in June to identify what areas of technical assistance might be required. The UK supported the mission by providing a UK expert in witness protection and prosecutorial systems.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the British embassy in Manila or the European Union collected details about killings of political, religious and social activists in the Philippines during the last three years; if so, what is their estimate of the number of deaths and woundings; and whether their analysis gives any indication that persons profiting from gambling and sexual services have encouraged extra-judicial killing. [HL4850]

Neither our embassy in Manila nor the EU has the resources to make a detailed analysis of these killings. However, we share the view expressed by UN special rapporteur Philip Alston that the number is much too high. As he also made clear, the problem of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines does not just affect left-wing activists. Political violence associated with the recent national elections led to the deaths of politicians from all parties, as well as supporters, innocent bystanders and election officials. Other groups who have been targeted include journalists, lawyers and judges, while in some towns there are allegations of vigilante death squads targeting criminals. Many of the killings are attributed to private actors, with motives allegedly including land and business disputes, political rivalry and the protection of criminal interests.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 26 June (WA 140-1) regarding staff associations which receive grant in aid from the Home Office, whether the staff associations mentioned levy a contribution on members or whether they are fully financed from public funds. [HL4765]

We are aware that some of the diversity staff support associations in receipt of Home Office grant-in-aid funding receive finance through membership fees and also through other sources, including training and consultancy work, sale of merchandise, donations and social events. These associations are not fully funded through public funds.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 26 June (WA 140-1), whether, since the National Black Police Association offers support to minority groups whose skin pigmentation is other than black, they have considered a change of name to one which does not refer to colour so as to reflect the wider purpose of the association. [HL4766]

The Home Office is unaware of any proposal to change the name of the association at this time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 26 June (WA 140-1), whether the review of the diversity support staff associations will take full account of the Government's policy to promote integration and, if necessary, recommend withdrawal of financial support to those associations which fail to do so. [HL4767]

Each of the diversity staff support associations works towards a common goal of establishing a culturally diverse police service that is representative of, and meets the needs of, the communities it serves. The terms of reference are currently being developed for the review and, in order to ensure that the review is fair to all associations concerned, it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage or pre-empt the outcome of this review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures they have undertaken in recent years to enforce United Kingdom ambient air-quality limit values so as to ensure compliance with the parameters in European Union Directives 96/62/EC, 99/30, 00/69, 02/3 and 04/107. [HL4792]

We expect the limit values to be met in the majority of locations within the allotted timescale through existing national measures already in place or planned to come into effect. We are currently updating our national air-quality strategy, which considers additional policy measures that may be needed to help us achieve national and European air-quality standards. The new strategy will be published this summer.

In the UK, compliance problems are not widespread—they generally apply at highly localised hotspots (such as street corners, which are greatly influenced by traffic). In 2006, most people (around 99.9 per cent of the population) were already breathing air that complied with the limit values. In those areas where improvements in air-quality can be made, local authorities are required to designate air-quality management areas under Section 83 of the Environment Act 1995 where air-quality objectives are not being, or are unlikely to be, met. Around 200 local authorities have designated air-quality management areas to date.

Council Directive 96/62/EC on ambient air-quality assessment and management places a statutory obligation on the Government to produce a plan which explains action that we will take to bring areas of exceedence back into compliance. A copy of the latest plan is available on the Defra website.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to compensate customers for lost post which does not reach its destination. [HL4657]

Issues concerning lost and damaged mail and its appropriate compensation are a matter for Postcomm, the independent regulator for the postal services sector.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will revise the current procedure where customers whose mail is lost receive compensation only if it reaches its destination, and do not receive compensation if it does not reach its destination. [HL4658]

Issues concerning lost and damaged mail and its appropriate compensation are a matter for Postcomm, the independent regulator for the postal services sector.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What requirements they put in the contracts of privately managed prisons in England and Wales to meet the requirements under race equality legislation. [HL4707]

The contracts require adherence to all statutory legislation which includes the requirement to comply with race equality legislation. This applies to both agents and subcontractors of the providers.

Providers, therefore, are required to ensure they comply with all statutory legislation in place at the time of contract award and any applicable legislative changes, including those relating to race equality and diversity that are subsequently enacted.

HM Prison Service introduced its protocol (PSO 2800) for managing race equality in September 2006. This order was written by the public sector service for the public sector and there was no expectation on its part that this would apply to the contracted sector.

In January 2007, the NOMS wrote to operational directors of the contractor companies to state that the mandatory instructions set out in the revised PSO 2800 would also apply to contracted prisons.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 4 July (WA 181), how many stations in the new East Midland franchise will not have either booking facilities which are available to passengers or ticket vending machines that work in place by 11 November 2007; and what timetable has been agreed for these facilities to be available in future. [HL4809]

On 11 November 2007, there will be 87 stations operated by the new East Midlands franchise. Eleven will have booking offices and ticket vending machines and another 14 will have booking offices. Sixty-two stations will have no ticket issuing facilities. However, 90 per cent of all tickets issued for journeys beginning at stations in the East Midlands franchise begin at stations already having booking facilities.

There will be 45 additional machines within two years of the start date, 20 further installations within three years, and eight more by the end of the franchise.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they give any guidance as to the level of fare rises above inflation which will be allowed during the franchise period when assessing franchise bids. [HL4810]

No.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware of any assessment made by the European Commission of road deaths among those aged under 25 years; what were the results of any such assessment; and what action they are taking to reduce the percentage of people under 25 killed on the roads. [HL4853]

The European Road Safety Observatory website (www.erso.eu) provides a recent report on novice drivers aged 18 to 24 years which proposed countermeasures to reduce their high casualty rate. The Government's road safety strategy, reviewed earlier this year, sets out what is needed to make Britain's roads safer, including for those aged under 25 years. That includes a proposal to reform fundamentally the way people learn to drive consistent with the vocational frameworks now being established across the education system and in industry. There will be a consultation on that later this year.

The new child road safety strategy 2007, published in February, sets out an action plan of measures to help reduce casualties to children under 16 between now and 2010—including some that are new and some that are continuing or developing existing measures; for example, more local safety schemes and greater promotion of safer road use by everyone under the THINK! banner.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many (a) route kilometres, and (b) lane kilometres were added to the trunk road network in Great Britain for each year between 1990 and 2006; and at what cost. [HL4815]

The table below shows scheme length (route kilometres) and additional lane kilometres added to the trunk road network since 1997. The Highways Agency does not hold relevant data prior to 1997.

The Highways Agency is currently considering scheme outturn costs for 2006-07 and is unable to provide cost per lane km figures until these have been verified.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many (a) route kilometres, and (b) lane kilometres were added to the non-trunk road network in Great Britain for each year between 1990 and 2006; and at what cost. [HL4816]

Data on road schemes and adoption of roads by local authorities are not collected centrally. Annual figures on kilometres added and associated costs are therefore not available.

However, the Department for Transport does make annual estimates of total road lengths and these are split into trunk and non-trunk groupings. The statistical series on road lengths was last published in Section 4 of Road Traffic Statistics: 2005. A copy of this report, published in July 2006, was placed in the House Library and it is also available at: www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/roadstraffic/traffic/rtstatistics/roadtrafficstatistics 2005int5419

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many grade-separated junctions were added to the road network in Great Britain for each year between 1990 and 2006; and at what cost. [HL4817]

Annual figures on the number and cost of grade-separated junctions added to the trunk and non-trunk road network are not collected centrally and are therefore not available.

However, the Department for Transport does make annual estimates of total road lengths and these are split into trunk and non-trunk groupings. The statistical series on road lengths was last published in Section 4 of Road Traffic Statistics: 2005. A copy of this report, published in July 2006, was placed in the House Library and it is also available at: www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/roadstraffic/traffic/rtstatistics/roadtrafficstatistics 2005int5419

Details of Highways Agency schemes, including junction improvements, can be found on the Highways Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will revise the current procedure where in a given year compensation to individuals for lost mail is not paid once the Royal Mail has reached its own annual target for such payments. [HL4821]

This is a matter for the postal regulator, Postcomm, and interested parties should make representations to it.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the impact which the availability of nicotine replacement therapy products in vending machines has on efforts to stop smoking; and [HL4822]

What steps they are taking to increase the availability of nicotine replacement therapy products for people trying to stop smoking; and [HL4823]

How they plan to increase access to nicotine replacement therapy products beyond pharmacies; and [HL4824]

What barriers exist to gaining access to nicotine replacement therapy products; and what assessment has been made of access to nicotine replacement therapy products through vending machines. [HL4825]

We have been committed to widening the take-up and accessibility of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) since the Choosing Health White Paper in 2004.

The department has made sustained efforts to identify and remove barriers to access to nicotine replacement therapies for smokers wishing to quit.

To this end, the department has worked with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and the pharmaceutical industry and has revised the licensing rules on the use of NRT. This means that young people from 12 to 18 years of age, pregnant women, people with heart, kidney or liver disease and diabetics are now instructed that they can now use NRT and get it free on prescription from the National Health Service in line with the rest of the smoking population.

Restrictions on long-term use of NRT or in combination with smoking while trying to quit have also been relaxed.

The majority of NRT products are available from non-pharmacy outlets and work is in progress that may increase this number.

Although the best option is to quit smoking abruptly, if this is not possible, smokers may use some NRT products to cut down before stopping smoking altogether. In addition, some NRT products are also available to manage cravings in situations where smoking should be avoided such as:

where second-hand smoke may damage others, especially children, eg in enclosed spaces such as private vehicles or in the home;

before surgery; and

on a flight or during hospital stay.

We expect the take-up of NRT to rise significantly following 1 July when the “smoke-free” law took effect in England, as it did in Scotland when “smoke-free” was introduced there last year.

In addition, HM Treasury has reduced the VAT on NRT products from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent for a period of one year from 1 July 2007 to encourage great use of this proven aid to successfully stopping smoking.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they plan to extend the reduced rate of VAT on nicotine replacement therapy products for longer than one year. [HL4826]

The Government keep all taxes under review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to ensure that all urban streets with pavements in United Kingdom cities have planted trees. [HL4790]

There are no plans to ensure that all urban streets with pavements have planted trees. The planting and maintenance of trees is a matter for each local and highway authority to consider in the light of local circumstances and taking account of the needs of the local environment. Local authorities are encouraged to produce tree strategies to promote the management and enhancement of the trees in their area.