asked the Chairman of Committees:

What was the cost of (a) the work that took place to the main road outside the Palace of Westminster (Abingdon Street/New Palace Yard) during the Summer Recess, and (b) the arrangements made in this area for the State Opening of Parliament. [HL168]

The main road outside the Palace was closed during the Summer Recess to enable Westminster City Council to undertake essential repairs to the road surface. The House Committee took the decision in June that this scheduled road closure should be used as an opportunity to move the Corus barriers further from the Palace as envisaged under phase 2 of the Corus security programme. Further work was undertaken during the five days immediately after State Opening to replace the temporary installation with the final barriers.

The cost of the surface repair work was met by Westminster City Council. The road layout works and provision of components for the Corus barriers were undertaken by the parliamentary estate at a cost of £835,395. Further costs may arise due to additional requirements such as extra signage. The arrangements made in the area for the State Opening of Parliament, including the removal and reinstatement of the barriers, cost £70,100.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What contribution the British presence in Afghanistan is making to the hearts and minds campaign in those provinces where the strength and influence of the Taliban are known to be increasing. [HL45]

Hearts and minds are at the core of the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, and providing a tangible improvement to the lives of ordinary Afghans is crucial to the success of the mission. The UK presence in Afghanistan makes a vital contribution by bringing together military and civilian experts to help to create the local security environment necessary for economic progress and by helping to fund and promote sustainable development. Overall, the security situation in Afghanistan is stable, although it is fragile in places, and there remains a threat from suicide attacks and local ambushes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many high-dependency hospital beds are occupied by service personnel from current deployments; and how the figure has varied in each of the past 18 months. [HL33]

The readily available data cover admissions to NHS hospital beds occupied by service personnel recovering from injuries sustained on military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. High-dependency beds are typically used for cardiological, neurological and burns critical care.

As at 5 November, there were no high-dependency NHS hospital beds occupied by service personnel recovering from injuries sustained in Afghanistan or Iraq. Over the past 18 months, admissions to such beds have never exceeded 10 in a single month. Where patient numbers are low, in order to preserve patient confidentiality we do not confirm numbers below five. On a quarterly basis, the figures over the period were as follows:

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Further to the replies by Lord Drayson on 19 June (Official Report, cols. 87-88) and 11 October (Official Report, cols. 341-43), what steps they have taken to ensure that the mistaken decision to cut the late Mr TE Walker’s war pension shortly before his death by 60 per cent is not paralleled in the treatment of other veterans of the conflict now receiving war-related pensions. [HL158]

The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency strives to ensure that all decisions made are in accordance with the rules of the scheme and in accordance with the evidence. Any cases where a reduction in assessment is proposed is now subject to further check to confirm that the new decision is in line with the rules and evidence before the reduction is implemented.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What measures they are taking to ensure full extraterritorial control on arms brokering and trafficking, including monitoring of end use and the activities of subsidiary companies. [HL88]

My right honourable friend the Prime Minister announced in his Lord Mayor’s banquet speech on 12 November 2007 the Government’s willingness to extend export laws to control brokering and trafficking of small arms and potentially other weapons.

This announcement follows a review of the current export control legislation launched on 18 June 2007. The review included a public consultation that specifically sought the views of respondents on a range of change options, including in relation to the trade (trafficking and brokering) controls. The public consultation closed on 30 September. The Government are currently considering the detailed comments received and will issue their initial response to the review by 31 December.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether they are aware of budgetary instability being caused to local authorities and commercial bus operators by the operation of the free concessionary bus pass scheme for older and disabled people in England including the impact on other local government services; and whether they will review the funding and administration of the scheme to bring it into line with the structure of the successful schemes being run by the Scottish and Welsh devolved Administrations. [HL224]

From April 2006, older and eligible disabled people have been guaranteed free off-peak local bus travel within their local authority area. The Government provided an extra £350 million in 2006-07 and a further £367.5 million in 2007-08 to fund the extra costs to local authorities. This funding was provided via the formula grant system in line with the wishes of local government to have greater freedom and flexibilities in how they use their funding.

The Government are providing local authorities in England with an extra £212 million next year, which is based on generous assumptions about the probable cost impact of the new national concession. This funding will be provided by special grant reflecting the views of local government. The Department for Transport is currently consulting on the formula basis for distributing the special grant; the consultation closes on 23 November. In addition, we have announced that we will be providing local authorities with approximately £30 million for the issuing of the national pass.

The Government are confident that the extra funding being provided is sufficient to cover the total additional costs to local authorities of this improvement in the statutory minimum. Any discretionary local enhancements, such as peak bus travel, are funded from an authority’s own resources.

It is for local authorities to implement affordable local schemes taking account of their statutory obligations and their assessment of local circumstances and need.

The policy on concessionary fares is a devolved issue and the different approaches taken in Scotland and Wales reflect very different circumstances from those that pertain to England. In England there is no single “scheme” but a statutory minimum concession, which local authorities can enhance if they so wish. This is consistent with the views expressed by local government during discussions over implementation of the national concession.

The Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 includes powers to change the way in which the national bus concession is administered in the future. However, there are no plans at present to centralise the arrangements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What arrangements are in place to monitor the impact of actions taken by government departments in pursuit of their statutory duties to promote good relations between people of all backgrounds. [HL106]

Government departments themselves monitor the impact of the actions that they take in pursuit of their statutory duty to promote good relations between persons of different racial groups. The Civil Service Diversity Champions Network, which consists of board-level members from each government department, oversees progress against the Civil Service 10-point plan, which includes the requirement to embed equality and diversity into all aspects of their work. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has responsibility for assessing compliance with the public sector duties.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What are the terms of reference of the Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum; and [HL54]

What specific objectives have been set by the Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum for the Cultural Olympiad; and [HL55]

What consultations are being held by the Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum with organisers of previous Cultural Olympiads; and [HL59]

Why there is no reference to the Cultural Olympiad in the name of the Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum which was set up to advise and support the Government in developing the cultural programme for the 2012 Olympics and ensuring a lasting cultural legacy. [HL156]

The terms of reference of the Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum are to:

ensure that proposals put forward to maximise the benefits and legacy of the Games for the cultural and creative sectors, both in London and more widely, are aligned with the overall vision for the cultural and creative aspects of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games;

act as advocates for the participation of the cultural and creative sectors in the programme for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, promoting the benefits and legacy for the sectors of their participation and the contribution which the sectors can make to the wider programme;

support co-ordination of the efforts of key strategic and delivery agencies and institutions in the cultural and creative sectors to contribute to the delivery of the programme for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games from the start of the build-up in 2008 to the conclusion of the Games;

support co-ordination of the efforts of key strategic and delivery agencies and institutions in the cultural and creative sectors to contribute to the realisation of the wider benefits and legacy of the Games;

act as a conduit for the cultural and creative sectors to engage the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on issues of concern and to resolve conflicts;

advise the DCMS on its overall delivery plan for the culture sub-objective for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; and

act as a sounding board for issues relevant to culture raised by those taking forward delivery of other sub-objectives.

The Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum was set up to provide advice to the Government and LOCOG on the development of the Cultural Olympiad programme and on how to ensure a cultural legacy for the whole country.

No specific consultations have been held by the Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum with organisers of previous Cultural Olympiads. However, the membership includes individuals with experience of organising large-scale cultural programmes.

The Cultural Olympiad is an informal working title given to the cultural programme of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and therefore there is no need to include it in the name of the Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

How the specific objectives of the Cultural Olympiad will be met; and [HL56]

On what basis they will consider the Cultural Olympiad a success. [HL57]

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and with a number of our non-departmental public bodies to deliver a range of projects as part of the Cultural Olympiad, with the vision that the programme will celebrate London and the UK welcoming the world, will inspire and involve young people and will generate a positive legacy. A successful Cultural Olympiad will be one in which that vision is delivered. We are working with LOCOG to ensure that each project or the framework for projects is best established to meet each element of the vision.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What work has been carried out in preparation to fund 20 “distinctive projects” from 2008 to 2012 as part of the 2012 Sounds!: The Olympic Proms programme; and [HL61]

Which museums, galleries and libraries have agreed to participate in the International Exhibitions Programme; how much money has been set aside for the programme; and how much has already been spent; and [HL62]

What proportion of the Cultural Olympiad budget will be allocated to the International Shakespeare Festival; and how much has already been spent; and [HL63]

How much the major projects for the Cultural Olympiad will cost; and how they will be paid for; and [HL149]

When the major projects for the Cultural Olympiad will begin; and [HL150]

How and when other organisations can become involved in the major projects of the Cultural Olympiad. [HL151]

The Cultural Olympiad will be delivered and funded in partnership with a range of public and private organisations.

We are working with a number of partners to make the most of the unique opportunities that the Games present. The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is co-ordinating a number of projects in partnership with a variety of organisations that will run projects and events at various times between 2008 and 2012 as part of Cultural Olympiad.

This includes the projects with the working titles 2012 Sounds!, the International Exhibitions Programme and the International Shakespeare Festival.

LOCOG, working closely with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is also working in partnership with a number of bodies to develop the vision, scope and detailed business plan for each of these projects, including a consideration of costs and options for funding.

There is scope for other organisations to get involved in major projects as they develop. Once LOCOG and partner organisations have completed the current business planning, they will be in a position to update the cultural sector and highlight additional opportunities. The latest update on the development of the major projects can be found on the London 2012 website at www.london2012.com.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

How many people who have not previously participated in arts-related events as (a) a performer; (b) an artist; and (c) a spectator or visitor, they envisage participating in the Cultural Olympiad. [HL64]

The Cultural Olympiad will include a range of projects designed to inspire and involve young people, artists and communities in all the nations and regions.

The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and its partners are developing the vision and business plan for each project, which will include consideration of the number of people likely to participate as performers, artists and spectators.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What consultations the Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum has had with other departments, local government and devolved Administrations concerning the Cultural Olympiad. [HL65]

The Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum is regularly attended by representatives of the Local Government Association and the devolved Administrations. DCMS officials have held a number of discussions with other government departments about the interaction between the Cultural Olympiad and other parts of the Olympic programme, and will continue to do so as appropriate.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether local and constituency campaigning which is provided in kind outside election campaigns by a central national or regional organisation on behalf of a parliamentary candidate or local constituency association or political party, in the form of leaflets, telephoning from call centres and telephone banks or in other ways, has to be reported and specified for each constituency in the accounts of the constituency association or local party, in the annual returns made to the Electoral Commission, or in any other way. [HL216]

Outside an election campaign period, the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) requires central parties and accounting units (constituency associations) to submit annual statements of accounts detailing income and expenditure to the Electoral Commission.

The format and content of these statements vary according to the total income or gross expenditure incurred by that accounting unit. PPERA does not, however, require internal transfers between a central party and an accounting unit to be reported as in-kind donations.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether the level of resources allocated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission for complainant aid services is adequate to meet the equality and human rights demands at local, regional and national levels. [HL95]

Section 28 of the Equality Act 2006 gives the Equality and Human Rights Commission (the commission) the power to provide advice, assistance and representation to an individual who alleges that he or she has been a victim of behaviour contrary to a provision of the “equality enactments”. The “equality enactments” include all the main provisions outlawing discrimination.

On 1 October, the commission inherited from its three legacy commissions all the legal casework where advice, assistance or representation was being provided. The commission also committed to continue supporting the funding programmes inherited from its legacy commissions for voluntary and community sector organisations for 2007-08, including law centres providing legal advice and support to victims of discrimination. In this year, the funding programme amounts to £3,159,056. The commission is still in discussions on the exact level of funding that it will render to complainant aid services.

In addition to the legal staff based in England, Scotland and Wales who have come from the three legacy commissions, the commission will build up its complement of staff in the legal directorate during the next few months to over 60 full-time equivalents. These staff will carry out three functions: legal policy, enforcement and casework and litigation (advice, assistance and representation). In addition, the commission’s legal budget gives staff from the legal directorate the flexibility to buy in external legal services where necessary. The commission will continue to take on individual strategically important legal cases.

The commission’s funding and support services are only a small part of the total funding needed to support equality and human rights advice. Through its country and regional offices, the commission is in discussion with advice agencies and other funders on how best to work together to ensure not only that the equality and human rights advice sector is properly funded but that the funding is properly co-ordinated.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What is the timetable for bringing forward legislation following the discrimination law review. [HL92]

The responses to the consultation on proposals for a new equality Bill are currently being considered. We remain committed to introducing the Act during this Parliament.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether local race equality councils will be funded beyond 2008-09. [HL94]

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (the commission) has taken over responsibility for managing grants that have previously been made under Section 44 of the Race Relations Act 1976. Current grants have been made until March 2008. The 2008-09 funding cycle will be an interim year while the commission develops an appropriate, fit-for-purpose grants programme to take effect beyond 2008-09 and to reflect the priorities of the commission.

Section 17 of the Equality Act 2006 is an extension of Section 44 of the Race Relations Act 1976 but also increases the types of organisation that can apply for funding. It is expected that under normal circumstances all the organisations currently in receipt of funding under Section 44 of the Race Relations Act 1976 will be eligible to apply for funding from the commission under Section 17. As long as the race equality council meets the new funding programme requirements and, where applicable, it has met the evaluation and monitoring requirements of its current contracts, it would be able to apply for funding beyond 2008-09.

Race equality councils are extremely important partners for the commission. The commission is working closely with them as well as other organisations in the voluntary and community sector to develop a full funding programme to meet the challenges of the future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the statement by the President of the European Commission, Mr José Barroso, on the Radio 4 “Today” programme on 20 October, that “the [British] red lines are secure for the time being”. [HL12]

During an interview on the Radio 4 “Today” programme on 20 October, the President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso, stated:

“What was negotiated by Britain clearly, clearly keeps what you call red lines for the time being. This is now established because this is primary law”.

When asked to clarify the words “for the time being”, Mr Barroso asserted:

“For the time being is until Britain changes its mind”.

As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister stated on 8 October:

“I believe that people will see that we have succeeded not only in getting our red lines but getting them put into so much detail in the amending treaty that the protections that we asked for in June are achieved in very great detail”.

The document has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and sets out how the Government’s red lines are protected in the draft reform treaty, with commentary explaining each provision in detail.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether they will explain the methods the Prime Minister will adopt to deliver his promise not to support further European Union institutional changes over the next few years in the light of a statement of the Prime Minister of Portugal, Mr José Sócrates, commenting on the European Union reform treaty that “this Treaty is not the end of the story because there is no end”. [HL13]

All institutional change in the EU requires the support of all 27 member states. As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said in his post-European Council Statement on 22 October in another place:

“I can confirm that, not just for this Parliament but also for the next, it is the position of the Government to oppose any further institutional change in the relationship between the EU and its member states”.—[Official Report, Commons, 22/10/07; col. 22.]

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Malloch-Brown on 10 October (WA 14), whether Parliament will be able to amend the new European Union treaty. [HL20]

As has been the practice with previous EU amending treaties, such as Maastricht, Amsterdam and Nice, the Government will publish a Bill giving effect to the treaty in UK law. Parliament can vote to amend this Bill, although some of the Bill’s provisions will be necessary for the UK to ratify the treaty. All treaties are made and ratified under royal prerogative. As has always been the case, Parliament cannot unilaterally amend any treaty, which in this case will have 26 other signatories besides the UK.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

When a printed version of the European Union reform treaty, signed in Lisbon, will be available to Parliament. [HL81]

All intergovernmental conference papers, including draft versions of the EU reform treaty, have been placed in the Library of the House. The latest text, which has been prepared for discussion in the Jurists-Linguists technical translation group from 12 to 16 November, was circulated to Parliament on 31 October. We will continue to forward any further draft texts to Parliament as soon as we receive them.

We expect to lay the final EU reform treaty before Parliament shortly after formal signature by Heads of State and Government at the 13 December meeting.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

How many names submitted to the Committee of Selection in respect of membership of the European Union Committee have been rejected during the last 10 years. [HL259]

There is no record of any name submitted to the Committee of Selection in respect of membership of the European Union Committee being rejected in the last 10 years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Chief of the General Staff was consulted and on what date over the withdrawal of Army resources in the form of (a) equipment and (b) personnel of all grades and ranks, from Iraq, and the increase in the deployment of (i) equipment and (ii) additional or the same personnel to Afghanistan; and [HL171]

Whether the Chief of the General Staff has agreed to the withdrawal of Army resources in the form of (a) equipment and (b) personnel of all grades and ranks, from Iraq, and the increase in the deployment of (i) equipment and (ii) additional or the same personnel to Afghanistan. [HL172]

The Chief of the General Staff, as a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, regularly discusses such matters with the other single service Chiefs of Staff and with the Chief of the Defence Staff. Decisions on the military force deployed on operations in Iraq and in Afghanistan are based on military advice from the Chiefs of Staff and commanders on the ground.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the latest version of the Ministry of Defence manpower capitation rates. [HL189]

No. I am withholding the information as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are content that the Motor Insurers’ Bureau seeks to transfer fully or share liability with the emergency services when they are involved with non-insured drivers and operating in accordance with standard approved operating guidelines. [HL244]

All claims made to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau are dealt with in accordance with current liability law. We are satisfied that the correct procedures are being operated by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What were the points of agreement that had been reached before the interparty talks on fundraising and campaign spending by political parties broke down. [HL6]

In his press release following the suspension of the interparty talks on 30 October 2007, Sir Hayden Phillips published the draft proposals that he had put to the parties in late August during the negotiations. I have placed a copy of Sir Hayden’s press release and his proposals in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether the funding for the healthy schools programme will continue to be ring-fenced and will be included in the public service agreements for health and well-being. [HL291]

Funding for local programmes to deliver the national healthy schools programme from 2008-09 will move from the standards fund to the area-based grant. This will mean that funding is no longer ring-fenced, but the target of 75 per cent of schools achieving healthy school status by 2009 will still be met. PSA delivery agreement 12—improving the health and well-being of children and young people—does not include healthy schools as an indicator, but emphasises that the programme is a key delivery vehicle for promoting the physical, mental and emotional health of all children and young people.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What consideration they have given to the implications of Mencap's research finding that eight out of 10 pupils with learning difficulties are bullied and six out of 10 physically hurt; and what action they will take. [HL210]

We have carefully considered the research and will be responding in due course to the detailed recommendations in the report. The department’s guidance Safe to Learn: Embedding Anti-bullying Work in Schools provides advice to schools on tackling bullying and flags up the bullying of children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities as an area that schools need to consider. We are currently working with the Council for Disabled Children to develop more specific guidance to help teachers to prevent and tackle the bullying of children with SEN and disabilities and will publish this next spring.

We have also asked the Anti-Bullying Alliance and National Strategies, which work with local authorities and schools to embed effective anti-bullying practice on the ground, to ensure that schools have robust systems in place for tackling this problem.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the planned statutory obligation on school governing bodies to promote well-being in schools will form part of the children’s plan; and [HL289]

Whether they will clarify the subject areas that will be covered in the planned statutory promotion of well-being in schools. [HL290]

The duty on governing bodies of maintained schools to promote the well-being of pupils was included, at Section 38, in the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and came into force in September 2007. That section defines “well-being” by reference to the matters mentioned in Section 10(2) of the Children Act 2004, namely: (a) physical and mental health and emotional well-being; (b) protection from harm and neglect; (c) education, training and recreation; (d) the contribution made by [children] to society; and (e) social and economic well-being.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What studies have been undertaken, or are planned, to assess the impact of smarter choices initiatives on economic productivity and on people's health. [HL126]

Smarter choices measures include travel planning, public transport information and marketing, travel awareness campaigns, car clubs and car-sharing schemes, teleworking, teleconferencing and home shopping. They can reduce environmental impacts, improve health and reduce congestion. However, reducing congestion in turn improves economic productivity and health.

The links between smarter choices and people’s decisions to travel by car or public transport or to walk or cycle were explored in depth in Smarter Choices, Changing the Way We Travel (2004). Further information is available, including the mid-term results for the sustainable travel towns and best practice guidance on workplace, personal, residential and school travel planning.

The links between congestion and productivity were discussed in detail in the Eddington study. The links between choice of transport mode and health are captured through valuing the health benefits of additional exercise and of lower air pollution. Various studies contribute to this. Part of the new approach to transport appraisal (NATA) covers guidance on walking and cycling schemes and the health benefits that can accrue from these. There is also a physical fitness element in the guidance, which looks at fitness benefits from switching to walking and cycling.

Further, as part of the recently announced NATA refresh exercise (a year-long consultative change process) and in light of a new World Health Organisation (WHO) methodology into valuing health benefits, we are looking into strengthening these parts of our guidance. Cycling England also plans, in due course, to publish figures on the health benefits of cycling.

In addition, the National Business Travel Network has initiated work to examine:

the impact of companies’ implementation of smarter choices measures on staff recruitment and retention;

the economic case for the implementation of smarter choices measures by companies; and

how travel plans might be mainstreamed within the UK.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What budget has been allocated within the Department for Transport’s programme for 2008-09 to 2010-11 for investment in travel planning and smarter choices initiatives, following the recent Comprehensive Spending Review. [HL127]

The funding for travel planning and smarter choices initiatives will be finalised in the context of the Department for Transport’s Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 settlement announced on 9 October. Final decisions on internal allocations have not yet been made. As set out in Towards a Sustainable Transport System, we intend to publish more detailed plans shortly. We will publish a breakdown of the department’s spending plans in the department’s annual report.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What plans they have with reference to their smarter choices transport initiative to monitor the quality of travel plans and to improve the quality of travel plans in the future. [HL190]

Local authority-based school travel advisers work with schools to ensure that the plans that schools develop meet the national minimum standard for school travel plans.

To ensure that the standard is met, school travel plans that are of the highest quality receive a capital grant from the Department for Children, Schools and Families. More than 14,000 schools in England now have a travel plan that meets this standard. Regional school travel advisers quality-assure a proportion of the plans submitted for consideration of a grant by each local authority.

The Government have stated in planning policy guidance note 13 (PPG13) on transport that travel plans should accompany a planning application (in terms of both floorspace thresholds and where there are significant transport implications). In this way, travel plans are being introduced via the planning process both for new developments and where workplaces seek to expand. The planning approval process provides a means to ensure ongoing monitoring and quality assurance for these travel plans.

We have also published best practice guidance on travel planning:

Using Planning Guidance to Secure Travel Plans—2002 (update to be published winter 2007-08);

Travelling to School: A Good Practice Guide—2003;

Smarter Choices: Changing the Way We Travel—2004;

Making Smarter Choices Work—2004;

Making Car Sharing and Car Clubs Work—2005;

Making Residential Travel Plans Work—2005;

Making “In Town Without My Car!” Work—2006;

Essential Guide to Travel Planning—2007; and

Making Personal Travel Planning Work (research report)—2007.

Local authorities and scheme promoters have to use departmental guidance on transport appraisal if they require funding from the Department for Transport for major schemes. This guidance is known as the new approach to transport appraisal (NATA). Part of NATA covers guidance on walking and cycling schemes and the health benefits that can accrue from these. There is also a physical fitness element in the guidance, which looks at fitness benefits from switching to walking and cycling. As part of the recently announced NATA refresh exercise (a year-long consultative change process) and in light of a new World Health Organisation (WHO) methodology into valuing health benefits, we are looking into strengthening these parts of our guidance.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What measures are being taken to integrate travel planning and smarter choices initiatives into all mainstream transport policies; and [HL191]

What steps are being taken to ensure that all local authorities are required to adopt the recommendations of the Department for Transport’s smarter choices report. [HL192]

Smarter choices, including travel plans, are a mainstream transport policy.

Towards a Sustainable Transport System clearly establishes the Government’s intention to consider smarter choices in all elements of transport policy. The framework further develops the positive role for sustainable travel measures that the Government set out in The Future of Transport.

Central and local government have agreed that local authorities will focus on delivering a smaller set of key outcomes than previously, reflecting the shared priorities agreed between central and local government. These are: improving access to jobs and services, particularly for those most in need, in ways that are sustainable; improved public transport; and reduced problems of congestion, pollution and safety. Smarter choices contribute to many of these objectives.

The Government’s recently published New Performance Framework for Local Authorities and Local Authority Partnerships, which provides a single set of national indicators, takes account of this. These will be used in local area agreements. Smarter choices are one way in which local authorities can address local area agreement indicators for climate change, air quality, obesity and congestion.

The assessment of the second round of local transport plans included consideration of their inclusion of smarter choices measures.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Jones of Birmingham on 22 October (WA 75), what are the specific circumstances in which an amateur golf club or other amateur sports club would be required to obtain a consumer credit licence. [HL161]

The OFT can offer general guidance on consumer credit licensing, but its advice cannot be taken as an authoritative view of the law. What is or is not regulated consumer credit business, within the meaning of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, is ultimately a matter for the courts. Whether or not a licence is required will be dependent on the individual circumstances applicable to the operation of each individual club. It is not possible to list all the specific circumstances that would require clubs to be licensed, since OFT cannot be aware of all the facts. Consequently, OFT would advise individual clubs to seek independent legal advice if they are in any doubt.

However, if a club is carrying on business, allows payment of membership fees in more than four instalments and its agreements are not subject to any exemptions, it may need a consumer credit licence. Guidance on exemptions is available in the OFT publication Regulated and Exempt Agreements (OFT140), which is available on the OFT website at www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_ resources/publications/consumer_advice/money_credit_debt/oftl40.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Jones of Birmingham on 22 October (WA 75), what are the criteria for assessing whether an amateur golf club or other amateur sports club is carrying on a business. [HL162]

Section 189(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 defines “consumer credit business” as “any business so far as it comprises or relates to the provision of credit under regulated consumer credit agreements”. Whether or not a club is carrying on a business will be dependent on the individual circumstances applicable to the operation of each individual club. The main issue that clubs need to consider is whether their credit activity would be classified as “occasional business”. This will be a question of fact. In addition, clubs should be aware that they may still be classed as carrying on a credit business even if they are non-profit making or have charitable status. If individual clubs are in any doubt as to whether they are carrying on a consumer credit business, they should seek independent legal advice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 24 October (WA 120), what technical obstacles remain to the implementation of a system of lorry road pricing in the United Kingdom. [HL180]

The then Secretary of State for Transport announced on 5 July 2005 that the specific procurement exercise for a lorry road-user charging scheme would not continue, but that the Government would continue to work with the industry to ensure that the full experience gained from the project would be carried into the wider work on road pricing for cars and lorries.

Further announcements were made on 10 May 2006 and 23 May 2007 about the demonstrations project which will test the reliability and accuracy of road pricing systems and technology and ensure that privacy would be safeguarded.

The Government have this week moved to the next stage in procuring these demonstrations of time-distance-place charging, by issuing an invitation to participate in competitive dialogue to a number of companies that have expressed interest, ahead of some being selected to take part in the demonstrations.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What measures are in place to encourage a greater take-up of travel plans nationally and to ensure subsequent enforcement. [HL213]

We have promoted greater take-up of travel plans in four main ways: through best practice research, dissemination and provision of expert advice; through the funding of pilots and the evaluation of new techniques or approaches; through providing pump-prime funding to encourage local authorities to promote and invest in travel planning and to support the work of non-government organisations; and through fostering and supporting travel planning through tax incentives, local transport plans and the planning process.

Major initiatives have included: £140 million investment in the travelling to school initiative, which is working towards having travel plans in all schools by 2010; the three sustainable travel towns project, which has seen how walking, cycling and public transport use increased by at least 10 per cent while car trips have fallen by 10 per cent; the six cycling demonstration towns; and the National Business Travel Network to increase the take-up of travel plans among major businesses.

Our approach has been to encourage voluntary promotion and implementation of travel plans, rather than legislating to secure them. Research has shown that travel plans prove most effective and have greatest longevity when they generate a voluntary change in behaviour. However, with regard to new developments that are likely to have a major impact, we adopt a regulatory approach. In such cases, the granting of planning permission for the development to proceed is now generally linked with a formal requirement to prepare a travel plan. Enforcement for travel plans resulting from planning requirements is the responsibility of the relevant planning authority. We will shortly be publishing guidance on using the planning process to secure travel plans, which will cover how to ensure that enforcement is effective.