asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why, in the light of the McMaster Review into excellence in the arts, a number of arts venues, such as the Bush Theatre in Shepherd's Bush, are facing cuts to funding on quantitative grounds. [HL1281]

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, announced in October last year that grant in aid for Arts Council England would rise to £467 million by 2010-11—an increase of £50 million over current levels.

The Arts Council operates at arm's length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for it.

Arts Council England takes decisions on the basis of the objectives in its royal charter “to develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts” and “to increase accessibility of the arts to the public in England”.

The McMaster Review of excellence considered strategic issues of how we can best support artistic excellence. It makes a number of recommendations for the overall system of support for the arts, to be implemented over a number of years. It did not consider funding of individual organisations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the total tonnage of coal imported into the United Kingdom during each of the years 2001 to 2007; from which countries the coal was imported; what was the estimated cost; and what was the estimated tonnage imported to South Yorkshire during those years. [HL1368]

The total tonnage of coal imported into the United Kingdom during each of the years 2001 to 2006 on a country of origin basis is summarised below. The total value of imports is also included. Data for 2007 will not be available until later this year.

Source: HM Revenue and Customs as published in Table G.5 of the internet version of the Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2007 (www.berr.gov.uk/energy/statistics/publications/dukes/page39771.html)

.. Not applicable.

- Nil or negligible.

⁽¹⁾ Joined the EU on 1 May 2004.

⁽²⁾ Includes extra-EU coal routed through the Netherlands.

⁽³⁾ Value of imports are “cif” (cost, insurance and freight).

HM Revenue and Customs' Regional Trade Statistics show that imports of coal, coke and briquettes into the Yorkshire and the Humber region over the same period were as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What administration costs were incurred by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in relation to the European structural and cohesion funds for the last financial year for which figures are available. [HL1383]

The European regulations set out the arrangements for the administration of the structural funds in each member state. The Cohesion Fund does not operate in the UK.

The designated managing authorities in England are as follows:

Communities and Local Government, for the European Regional Development Fund

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), for the European Social Fund.

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for the 2000-06 European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the responsibility for managing the Structural Funds rests with the Devolved Administrations.

The Marine and Fisheries Agency of Defra are responsible for the 2000-06 Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance throughout the United Kingdom.

BERR has responsibility for co-ordinating the monitoring and reporting of the implementation of the structural funds programmes across the UK, and takes the policy lead for the United Kingdom on the structural and cohesion funds.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the total number of personnel serving in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. [HL1447]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) resource accounts for 2006-07 give the total number of full-time equivalent staff employed by the FCO in the UK and overseas as 17,107. This total includes locally-recruited staff employed by our posts overseas.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In light of the Prime Minister's stated intention to make the Government more accountable to Parliament, whether he will now revert to the practice of responding to all correspondence from Members of both Houses addressed to him with a letter signed by him. [HL1056]

Given the volume of correspondence received, it is not possible for the Prime Minister to reply to all correspondence from Members of both Houses. As has been the practice under successive Administrations, the responsible Minister may be asked to reply on his behalf.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Jones of Birmingham on 12 December 2007 (WA 64), in respect of the proposed new port at Great Yarmouth (a) what is the total estimated capital cost of the project; (b) what were the reasons that caused the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), having first required revenue commitments from a ferry operator, subsequently to withdraw this condition; and (c) what are the expected sources and amounts of revenue for the project that caused EEDA to decide that revenue from a ferry operator was not required to service £17.9 million of public investment, in addition to the private investment. [HL1114]

The total estimated capital cost of the project for the construction of the outer harbour at Great Yarmouth as envisaged in the project appraisal carried out by EEDA in 2004, which includes the part-publicly funded maritime access works, is £54 million, as set out in my reply of 12 December. This does not take account of any further private development of the port by the private developer.

The requirement for revenue commitments from a ferry operator at the outset of the project was imposed as a means of helping ensure viability of the project. This requirement was withdrawn by the RDA following responses to the procurement exercise for the outer harbour project. The requirement was waived on the basis that it was not judged commercially realistic in today's market to expect that a ferry company would commit to revenue guarantees at such an early stage, before construction of the outer harbour had begun. At the same time, the RDA judged that the proposal submitted in response to the procurement exercise by the developer who was eventually selected presented a sound and viable development without revenue commitments at the outset from a ferry operator.

The successful developer's proposal was based on enabling larger vessels for existing trades to call at Great Yarmouth and attracting a range of new trades, with port facilities and the commercial focus evolving over time in response to market trends. In addition to attracting ferry services, the proposal identified the following potential sources of revenue; expanding support for the oil and gas sector; expanding the scope and scale for importing aggregates; extending the support for existing trades such as forest products, fertilisers and agri-bulk; providing port and support facilities for the wind farm; catering for oil and gas de/recommissioning demand ; attracting containerised short sea and feeder trades; attracting car imports; attracting new technology projects. Release of information on the amounts of revenue expected would prejudice the commercial interests of the port developer.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the number of rough sleepers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland during each of the past five years. [HL1278]

A national estimate of the number of rough sleepers in England is published every September. The estimate is based on the results of local authority street counts in those areas where a known, or suspected, rough sleeping problem has been identified. The table below sets out the national rough sleeping estimate over each of the past five years.

The department does not hold statistics for the devolved administrations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much funding English Partnerships will provide to the London Thames Gateway development. [HL856]

Expenditure by English Partnerships for the London Thames Gateway is, on present forecast, expected to be £65.328 million in the years 2008-09 to 2010-11.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they will make to the Government of Kenya with a view to achieving an independently audited recount of the disputed results of the presidential election held in Kenya on 27 December, or a re-election in the near future. [HL1416]

We do not exclude any option that will return Kenya to the path of peace, stability and prosperity. With our international partners, we fully support the African Union's efforts, led by Kofi Annan, to agree a way forward between the parties. We also call for all allegations of election irregularities to be followed up through the appropriate democratic and legal channels. We call on all Kenya's political leaders to engage constructively to find a way forward.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Davies of Oldham on 4 December 2007 (WA 178) and by Lord West of Spithead on 26 November 2007 (WA 95) indicating that the majority of under-age drinking in Northern Ireland did not arise from purchases in licensed premises, whether they will reconsider the case for introducing in Northern Ireland the use of under-18-year-olds within test purchasing operations authorised by the police. [HL1335]

This is one of the measures contained within the proposed Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 which is currently out for consultation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in view of the World Food Programme's press release of 19 December 2007 indicating that it would be unable to help many vulnerable people in Malawi between January and June 2008 owing to lack of funds, they will make an emergency contribution to the programme in Malawi, particularly in January to March. [HL1232]

The World Food Programme (WFP) has appealed for support for its current three-year protracted relief and recovery operation (PRRO) which includes development programmes and life-saving support for victims of any floods during the forthcoming rainy season (January to March). We have told the Government of Malawi that we stand ready to respond to any immediate humanitarian need and will provide these funds through WFP's PRRO if required.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Rooker on 9 July 2007 (WA 202), 23 July 2007 (WA 74) and 1 October 2007 (WA 254), whether the publication and distribution of the Peter Hain speech “Peacemaking in Northern Ireland: A Model for Conflict Resolution” at the expense of the Northern Ireland Office was associated with the Labour Party's deputy leadership contest. [HL1334]

The speech, which was delivered on 12 June 2007, was given to mark the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland on 8 May 2007. It was explained in the text that, following the Belfast agreement, Northern Ireland had been an inspiration to other parts of the world and that it was timely to set out some of the factors guiding British Government policy in Northern Ireland and some of the lessons that had been learnt.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will discuss with the manufacturers of kitchen cleansing products the need to replace chemical with vegetable-based ingredients to reduce health dangers and pollution. [HL1356]

We have no plans currently to do so.

The safety of household products containing chemicals is governed by the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002, which is administered by the Health and Safety Executive. These regulations require that manufacturers identify the dangers to human health and the environment of products containing chemicals, classify them under an EC-wide classification system and package them safely. If the product contains hazardous chemicals it must be labelled with the appropriate warning symbols indicating the hazards and with phrases explaining the dangers and how to use the product safely. Control of pollution caused by such chemicals is controlled by the detergents directive, the marketing and use directive and a range of other measures including the water framework directive.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In respect of the Housing Corporation, how many criminal prosecutions were brought by that regulator for each of the last three years for which figures are available; and, of those cases, how many gave rise to a conviction. [HL1391]

The Housing Corporation has limited powers under the Housing Act 1996 to prosecute. No criminal prosecutions have been brought by the corporation over the past three years. Criminal prosecutions are generally a matter for the police.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Andrews on 18 December 2007 (WA 130), whether, in developing their understanding of Muslim communities in the United Kingdom, they will obtain information on whether and to what extent mosques in the United Kingdom promote Wahhabism. [HL1242]

The Government have no plans to seek to obtain this specific information. The Government do not collect information on particular religious interpretations espoused in faith institutions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which voluntary and “third sector” projects have benefited from single regeneration budget funding in each district and unitary authority in Lancashire in each of the past three years and the current year; what was the nature of each of them; and how much funding each received. [HL1408]

I regret that the information requested is not housed centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate costs. However, figures supplied by the North West Development Agency, the organisation charged with administering the single regeneration budget at a regional level, indicate that in the last three years there were 12 financially live schemes totalling £149,839,310 still in operation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Northern Ireland Office was consulted by the Ulster Board of the Irish Rugby Football Union on the issue of the singing of the national anthem and the flying of the Union flag at Ravenhill at a recent Irish international match; and, if so, what advice was offered. [HL1458]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 29 October 2007 (Official Report, col. WA 166).

The Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000, which legislate for flag-flying in Northern Ireland, apply only in relation to government buildings, not to sporting venues. Since the restoration of devolved government to Northern Ireland in May 2007, responsibility for matters relating to sport falls to the devolved Administration in Northern Ireland. No advice on this matter was requested from, or given by, the Northern Ireland Office.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which changes they have made to their policies as a result of the St Andrews agreement of 2006. [HL1261]

The St Andrews agreement set out a number of changes, both to the operation of the institutions of the Belfast agreement and in the wider fields of equality and human rights. It also set out a timeline for the completion of devolution.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why they propose to extend the detention period for terrorist suspects beyond 28 days. [HL1360]

The reasons for our proposals regarding pre-charge detention were set out in the document published on 6 December 2007 entitled Pre-charge Detention of Terrorist Suspects. This can be found at www.security.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-publications/publication-search/general/pre-charge-detention.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the financial and legal liabilities that would arise from ratification of Protocol V to the United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. [HL1342]

There is no retrospective liability. Potential future liability is unquantifiable. Discussions among the government departments involved are ongoing in order to work out arrangements for managing this potential future liability. In the mean time, we follow the principles enshrined in Protocol V.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make it a planning requirement for commercial and public buildings to have facilities to recharge electrical powered vehicles. [HL1508]

The planning policy statement (PPS) on climate change published at the end of 2007 makes cutting carbon emissions a key government priority for the planning system in England. The PPS sets out how planning can help secure enduring progress against the UK's emissions targets, by direct influence on energy use and emissions, and in bringing together and encouraging action by others. As part of this contribution, planning authorities are expected to prepare and manage the delivery of spatial strategies that help secure the fullest possible use of sustainable transport.

The PPS underlines that local planners should expect new development to create and secure opportunities for sustainable transport in line with existing planning policies for transport (set out in PPG13). These highlight that a key factor in encouraging the wider take-up of clean road transport fuels and technologies is the development of the associated recharging or refuelling infrastructure. There is therefore no reason why, where appropriate, planning authorities should not already expect commercial and public buildings to have facilities to recharge electrical powered vehicles.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have received representations from residents of Melmerby, North Yorkshire about the decision of Harrogate Borough Council to allow the storage of hazardous, toxic and flammable materials within 400 metres of their homes; and [HL1272]

What assessment has been made of the suitability of the storage of hazardous, toxic and flammable materials between a timber yard and a fireworks plant following a decision taken by Harrogate Borough Council. [HL1273]

Decisions on whether consent should be granted for the storage of certain types of hazardous substances above specified levels are matters for local authorities following consultation with the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency. The Health and Safety Executive provides advice on the risk that would be presented to people in the surrounding area; the Environment Agency on the risk to the environment.

In respect of a proposal for the storage of hazardous substances by the Potter Group at Green Lane, Melmerby, the Health and Safety Executive was consulted in February 2007. It advised that, subject to compliance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and with specific conditions relating to the storage of hazardous substances on site, the risks to the surrounding population from the proposed operation(s) were so small that there was no significant reason on safety grounds for refusing hazardous substances consent.

The local authority resolved at a meeting on 28 August to grant the Potter Group consent for the storage of specified hazardous substances subject to conditions as to storage specified by the Health and Safety Executive, and to voluntary revocation by the Potter Group of an existing hazardous substances consent relating to the storage of ammonium nitrate fertiliser.

Representations have been made by a local residents group to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and to the Health and Safety Executive. However, as I have explained, this is a matter for the relevant local authority.