asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ensure that no British Army infantry or support units will be sent to combat zones in Afghanistan unless they have been through the full training for new recruits or transferees from other units. [HL1705]

There is no question of the British Army compromising on the high quality of training it provides either to recruits or to units preparing for operations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What specific steps they have taken to avoid the involvement of British military forces in a lengthy campaign in Afghanistan. [HL1650]

We have always made it clear that there is no solely military solution to the problems faced by Afghanistan. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister's Statement of 12 December (Official Report, cols. 303-07) outlined our approach and identified the need for the rejuvenation of the Afghan economy. Thus a comprehensive UK approach in support of the Afghan Government involving the MoD, FCO and DfID is in place. Together with the wider international effort this has resulted in over 5.4 million children now attending school, a third of whom are girls, and a 60 per cent increase in the number of functioning health clinics. These improved conditions have led to 4.8 million refugees returning to the country.

The Afghanistan Compact, agreed between the Afghan Government and the International Community in February 2006, set out clear development benchmarks with timelines against which progress is measured. We are focusing considerable energy and resources into the Afghan National Army, who will ultimately become responsible for the country's security; this is now bearing encouraging results.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to let the manufacturing contract for the future aircraft carriers. [HL1855]

The conclusion of the manufacture contract is closely interlinked with the formation of the BAES/VT Joint Venture, to be called BVT Surface Fleet Ltd, which will receive the contract. We are working closely with these companies to place the manufacture contract for CVF.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the contract for the initial phase of System of Systems Integrator support to the future rapid effects system programme was awarded in January. [HL1856]

The Ministry of Defence has awarded an initial contract to undertake the System of Systems Integrator role on the future rapid effect system programme to the team of Thales (UK) and Boeing. The contract was signed on 24 January 2008.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Bob Ainsworth, on 9 October 2007 (Official Report, col. 200), when they expect the six additional Merlin helicopters to be in operational use. [HL1805]

We expect that the first of the six additional Merlin helicopters will enter service in April 2008 and the rest later this year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Bob Ainsworth, on 9 October 2007 (Official Report, 73WS), what is the timetable for the conversion and delivery of the eight Chinook helicopters. [HL1806]

Conversion work started on the first Chinook Mk3 aircraft in February 2008. The first aircraft are expected to be available in the last quarter of 2009 and the rest will be delivered by mid-2010.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will support the Arts Council's proposal to cut by 17 per cent the budget of the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, Surrey. [HL1700]

The Arts Council operates at arm's length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for it. It would not be appropriate for Ministers to comment.

I understand that the Arts Council has revised its funding proposal for the Orange Tree Theatre. The theatre will now receive an inflationary increase on its existing grant for the next three years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that recent co-ordination measures by the tripartite financial supervision authorities will prevent abuses like the Société Générale case in France from occurring in the United Kingdom. [HL1652]

Financial supervision is not a tripartite responsibility, but rather the job of the FSA. The regulatory objectives of the FSA are set out in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and are: market confidence; public awareness; the protection of consumers; and the reduction of financial crime. The measures taken by the FSA to address these objectives, including those aimed at reducing financial crime, are outlined in its yearly annual report and business plan publications.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to receive the findings of the Boundary Commission on local government in Suffolk.[HL1545]

I refer the noble Lady to the Statement made in the other place on Wednesday 6 February 2008 (Official Report, col. 67WS).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What changes they propose to make to the policies and working arrangements of the Government Equalities Office following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) that “there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central government undertakes to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”, (c) that the number of national indicators should be “around 200”; (d) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes. [HL1728]

The Central-Local Concordat, agreed between the Government and the Local Government Association (LGA), on behalf of local authorities in England, was signed in December last year. It commits both parties to a framework of principles to secure a new relationship between central government and local government. Discharging the rights and responsibilities of central government and local government set out in the concordat will require major changes in the behaviour and practice of both parties. The operation of this agreement will be monitored on a continuing basis, through renewed central-local partnership arrangements.

The Government are discussing with the LGA how to take forward the concordat, focusing on its guiding principles and specific commitments. These include encouraging councils to make effective use of their power to promote the well-being of their area; enabling local government to conduct a growing share of the business of government; central government consulting and collaborating with councils in setting national policies and proposing legislation; reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes and the volume of guidance issued by central government to local authorities; supporting and encouraging strong leadership and effective partnership working at local level; and increasing local democratic accountability of key public services, in particular the police and health services.

A single set of 198 national indicators for local authorities and local authority partnerships was announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and consultation on detailed definitions of the set concluded on 21 December 2007, with the aim of announcing final decisions in February.

Local authorities across England are currently engaged in discussions with government offices on behalf of all government departments, including the Government Equalities Office, on the content of new local area agreements, which will take effect from 2008/09.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What changes they propose to make to the policies and working arrangements of the Ministry of Justice following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) that “there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central government undertakes to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”; (c) that the number of national indicators should be “around 200”; (d) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes. [HL1746]

The Central-Local Concordat, agreed between the Government and the Local Government Association (LGA), on behalf of local authorities in England, was signed in December 2007. It commits both parties to a framework of principles to secure a new relationship between central government and local government. Discharging the rights and responsibilities of central government and local government set out in the concordat will require major changes in the behaviour and practice of both parties. The operation of the concordat will be monitored on a continuing basis, through renewed central-local partnership arrangements.

The Ministry of Justice is committed to the principles of the concordat and will continue to be involved in discussion with the Department for Communities and Local Government on how to take it forward, focusing on its guiding principles and specific commitments.

A single set of 198 national indicators for local authorities and local authority partnerships was announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and consultation on detailed definitions of the set concluded on 21 December 2007, with the aim of announcing final decisions in February.

Local authorities across England are currently engaged in discussions with government offices on behalf of all government departments on the content of new-style local area agreements, which will have effect from 2008-09.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What changes they propose to make to the policies and working arrangements of the Department for Communities and Local Government following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) that “there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central government undertake to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”; (c) that the number of national indicators should be “around 200”; (d) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes; and [HL1834]

What instructions and advice are being given to regional development agencies concerning changes to their policies and working arrangements following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) “that there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central government undertake to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”; and (c) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes; and [HL1835]

What instructions and advice are being given to their regional offices in England concerning changes to their policies and working arrangements following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) “that there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central government undertake to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”; and (c) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes. [HL1836]

The Central-Local Concordat, agreed between the Government and the Local Government Association (LGA), on behalf of local authorities in England, was signed in December last year. It commits both parties to a framework of principles to secure a new relationship between central government and local government. Discharging the rights and responsibilities of central government and local government set out in the concordat will require major changes in the behaviour and practice of both parties. The operation of this agreement will be monitored on a continuing basis, through renewed central-local partnership arrangements.

We are discussing with the LGA how we take forward the concordat, focusing on its guiding principles and specific commitments. These include encouraging councils to make effective use of their power to promote the well-being of their area; enabling local government to conduct a growing share of the business of government; central government consulting and collaborating with councils in setting national policies and proposing legislation; reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes and the volume of guidance issued by central government to local authorities; supporting and encouraging strong leadership and effective partnership working at local level; and increasing local democratic accountability of key public services, in particular the police and health services.

A single set of 198 national indicators for local authorities and local authority partnerships was announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and consultation on detailed definitions of the set concluded on 21 December 2007, with the aim of announcing final decisions in February.

Local authorities across England are currently engaged in discussions with government offices on behalf of all government departments on the content of new-style local area agreements, which will have effect from 2008-09.

In keeping with the 2006 local government White Papers, LAAs are negotiated agreements with flexibility for local authorities and their partners to reflect local priorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What procedures are being put in place to monitor and enforce compliance with the Central-Local Concordat across all government departments, offices and agencies; and where the responsibility for this work lies. [HL1838]

The operation of the new Central-Local Concordat, agreed in December between the Government and the Local Government Association (LGA), on behalf of local authorities in England, will be monitored on a continuing basis through renewed central-local partnership (CLP) arrangements. We are discussing with the LGA the most effective arrangements for future joint working between government Ministers and leading local government councillors in England, under CLP arrangements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What instructions and advice are being given to the Housing Corporation and its regional organisations concerning changes to their policies and working arrangements following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) “that there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central government undertake to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”; and (c) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes; and [HL1913]

What instructions and advice are being given to English Partnerships and its regional organisations concerning changes to their policies and working arrangements following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) “that there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central government undertake to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”; and (c) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes. [HL1914]

Central government are committed to uphold the principles of the Central-Local Concordat. While the concordat reflects the devolutionary gains that have been made in recent years, it also signals a clear direction of travel beyond arrangements already in place.

An essential role for the Housing Corporation is to work closely with local authorities in providing affordable housing taking account of national, regional and local government strategies. The Housing Corporation has signed a protocol with the Local Government Association and has subsequently signed protocols with a range of local authorities across every region. The Housing Corporation's programme is allocated to registered social landlords and others. Distribution of the Housing Corporation's investment nationally is subject to national, regional and local priorities. Investment decisions by the corporation on specific projects are made in relation to a number of criteria including the quality and value for money of any proposed project.

Discussions are currently being finalised with English Partnerships (EP) on their future national programme and priorities for 2008-09 taking account of local and regional priorities. An essential role for EP is to work closely with local authorities, bridging national, regional and local government strategies and priorities to support local authorities. EP's investment nationally is subject to EP's objectives and priorities and published investment criteria including those relating to quality and value for money linked to the funding of individual projects.

The Government have taken the decision to bring together regeneration and housing work in a single new Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Establishing the HCA will enable a range of existing regeneration and housing delivery programmes, including that of English Partnerships and the housing investment role of the Housing Corporation, to be brought together under the auspices of a single delivery focused agency.

We want the HCA to be the best partner for local authorities. It will be subject to a duty to co-operate with local authorities in agreeing local area agreements and to have regard to every local improvement target specified in the local area agreement which relates to the agency when exercising its functions. It will also be a statutory consultee for the purposes of the preparation of a local authority's sustainable community strategy. We are working with the Local Government Association to prepare a supplementary Central-Local Concordat on housing and regeneration to show how the principles of the Central-Local Concordat will be fully reflected in this close collaboration.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What powers the Department for Children, Schools and Families has, or could seek, to assist the Royal School for the Deaf and Communication Disorders in trying to deal with budget deficit and the potential loss of low-incidence specialisms and expertise to severely disabled children and young people. [HL1807]

All non-maintained special schools (NMSSs) such as the Royal School for the Deaf and Communication Disorders (RSDCD) are responsible for their own financial viability. Local authorities (LAs) are responsible for any fees charged by a school for a child they may place in a school. Any discussion or negotiation of fees is a matter between a school and LA. The department has worked with the representative bodies of LAs, NMSSs and independent schools in developing a national contract for the placement of children and young people in day and residential provision in these schools. Although the contract is widely adopted by schools and LAs, it is not compulsory, nor could it be, as fees are a matter to be agreed by individual parties.

NMSSs do have access to capital and revenue funding streams from the department and RSDCD has received £131,081.17 direct funding from the department in 2007-08. The school will receive a further £15,075 in revenue funding before the end of the financial year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to their response to recommendation 8 of the report by Baroness Corston entitled Review of Women with Particular Vulnerabilities in the Criminal Justice System (Cm 7261), whether the senior civil servant who will head the new cross-departmental women's justice unit will do that job full time. [HL1759]

Work to create the new women's unit is in its early stages and part of this work will give consideration to the role and position of the head of this unit. It is important to highlight that much is being done to take forward the commitments made in the Government's response in advance of the new unit being established. A good deal of cross-departmental working is already taking place, at both ministerial and official level, to identify the action that is needed to take forward our commitments in the Government response, which includes the establishment of a women's unit.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which companies they currently use to undertake analysis and storage of biological samples; which other companies they are considering for the purpose; and what safeguards and assessments are in place to ensure the safe storage of data. [HL1518]

The organisations that are at present accredited to provide DNA profiling services to the police forces of England and Wales are Forensic Science Service Ltd, LGC Forensics, Orchid Cellmark and Forensic DNA Services Ltd. Some other companies are currently being considered but cannot be named for reasons of commercial confidentiality. All the organisations used by the National DNA Database Custodian (housed within the National Policing Improvement Agency) to provide DNA analysis and storage are subject to a robust accreditation process.

The police service uses other organisations for analysis and storage of biological samples other than DNA—for example, for forensic toxicology and testing for drink or drug driving offences. Police forces require these organisations to adhere to relevant standards laid down by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). A full list of these organisations could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Written Ministerial Statement of 21 November 2007 notes that the review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A Statement on departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published by the Cabinet Office through a Written Ministerial Statement on 17 December 2007 (Official Report, Commons col. 98WS). This included a recommendation regarding enhanced transparency with Parliament and the public about action to safeguard information and the results of that action, through publication of results, departmental annual reports and an annual report to Parliament.

It is not in the interests of the UK's national security for departments to provide details of the security measures used to protect their IT systems. This may assist persons interested in testing the effectiveness of the UK's IT defences.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What decision they have made about the future of the Ministry of Defence and Fleetlands and Almondbank work for the Defence Aviation Repair Agency at Almondbank, Perthshire, on defence helicopters and jets; and why they propose to sell these enterprises to Vector Aerospace, a Canadian company, given the Armed Forces' need for immediate access to skills to repair helicopters. [HL1692]

I refer the noble Baroness to the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 5 February 2008 (Official Report, cols. WS 78-79).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the Defence Equipment and Support organisation expects to complete the review into the role of the military in acquisition. [HL1854]

The role of the military in acquisition project is part of the wider defence acquisition change programme and aims to optimise how the Ministry of Defence employs military personnel in acquisition. The Defence Equipment and Support-led initial phases of the project are due to report in summer 2008.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the second version of the defence industrial strategy will be published. [HL1804]

We are currently reviewing the timetable for the publication of the updated defence industrial strategy. I will inform the House of the publication date in due course.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking to promote firewood coppicing as a sustainable domestic fuel source. [HL1695]

The UK Biomass Strategy 2007 provides a framework for a major expansion in the sustainable use of biomass as a source of heat and electricity. The Forestry Commission's A Woodfuel Strategy for England 2007 sets a target to bring an additional 2 million tonnes of woody biomass to market annually by 2020. This represents around 50 per cent of the estimated unharvested volume in English woodlands.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 17 January (Official Report, col. 1417) which denied that the Galileo project is being funded from the European Union's agricultural budgets, whether that Answer is consistent with the statement of Mr Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the Commission, on 19 September 2007. [HL1598]

Yes. The statements of the noble Lord and Mr Barrot are consistent.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Ashton of Upholland) on 24 January (WA 62-63), in the event of the Government not agreeing to a request by Parliament to initiate proceedings before the European Court of Justice objecting to draft European Union legislation on subsidiarity grounds, whether they will be obliged to give effect to the will of Parliament by initiating proceedings on behalf of the United Kingdom. [HL1631]

Article 8 of the Protocol provides for the Court of Justice to have jurisdiction in accordance with the rules laid down in Article 230 with regard to cases notified by member states in accordance with their legal order on behalf of their national parliament. The provision does not create separate standing for national parliaments before the court, nor does it create an obligation to initiate proceedings in all circumstances; rather, it creates an obligation for cases to be notified in accordance with each member state’s legal order.

As at present, it will be for the Government to conduct litigation before the court on behalf of the United Kingdom. This will include cases initiated at the request of Parliament, pursuant to the above provision, on the basis of prior discussion and agreement with the Government. In view of the strong commitment of both Parliament and successive Governments to the principle of subsidiarity, the Government do not envisage circumstances in which there would be a divergence of view as to whether to initiate proceedings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Ashton of Upholland) on 24 January (WA 62-63), how Parliament will be able to initiate proceedings before the European Court of Justice if the Government refuse to agree to a request to bring proceedings objecting to draft European Union legislation on subsidiarity grounds.[HL1632]

Article 8 of the Protocol provides for the Court of Justice to have jurisdiction in accordance with the rules laid down in Article 230 with regard to cases notified by member states in accordance with their legal order on behalf of their national parliament. The provision does not create separate standing for national parliaments before the court, nor does it create an obligation to initiate proceedings in all circumstances; rather, it creates an obligation for cases to be notified in accordance with each member state’s legal order.

As at present, it will be for the Government to conduct litigation before the court on behalf of the United Kingdom. This will include cases initiated at the request of Parliament, pursuant to the above provision, on the basis of prior discussion and agreement with the Government. In view of the strong commitment of both Parliament and successive Governments to the principle of subsidiarity, the Government do not envisage circumstances in which there would be a divergence of view as to whether to initiate proceedings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 8 January (WA 196), what steps HM Revenue and Customs is taking to ensure that the valuation limit of £18 is not exceeded for each personal import from the Crown Dependencies of food supplements and herbal remedies which, if placed directly on the United Kingdom market, would be illegal by virtue either of their composition or of the claims made about them; and whether those steps include verifying the records of the supplying companies to ensure that they are not splitting single orders of higher value to benefit from the relief. [HL1691]

Goods dispatched from the Channel Islands which are destined for the United Kingdom are separated into different bags, which identify those items with a declared value of less than £18 and those with a value greater than £18. Under EC legislation, goods with a value of £18 or less are free of import charges but UK customs carries out physical checks on goods imported into the United Kingdom using risk-based criteria. HM Revenue and Customs does not have any jurisdiction over an exporter's fulfilment of an order placed by a private individual.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will encourage teachers to report to the Forced Marriage Unit, the police or other appropriate authorities cases where there is a reasonable suspicion that pupils have been removed from school to force them into marriages abroad. [HL1750]

Our guidance on safeguarding children in education is clear that schools and further education institutions should contact the Forced Marriage Unit if there are concerns that a child (male or female) is in danger of a forced marriage, and that they should also contact the police and children's social care. More detailed guidance for education professionals on dealing with cases of forced marriage includes information about warning signs of marriage, including being withdrawn from school.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many patients in the Greater London area have been turned away from accident and emergency departments by triage in the last 36 months. [HL1785]

The information requested is not held centrally. While it is key that patients have access to timely, safe, high-quality care, decisions about the clinical care and treatment provided to individual patients are a matter for local clinicians.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What regulations exist to cover the sale and application of Botox; and whether any plans exist to amend such regulations. [HL1789]

Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine and its sale and use is governed by the Medicines Act 1968. Only specified persons such as doctors and dentists can order and receive wholesale supplies of botulinum toxin. Botulinum toxin can be prescribed only by an authorised prescriber—a doctor, a dentist, a nurse independent prescriber and a pharmacist independent prescriber, and administered by the practitioner themselves or under their direction. Treatments involving botulinum toxin must not be advertised direct to the public. In addition, any clinical professionals involved providing treatments which make use of botulinum toxin should adhere to the codes of professional conduct set out by their regulatory bodies.

There are no plans to change the requirements set out above. However, to supplement these requirements, the department has asked the Independent Healthcare Advisory Service to take the lead in setting up a self-regulatory scheme to improve the quality and safety of non-surgical cosmetic treatments, including those which involve botulinum toxin.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many patients the NHS has treated as a result of complications arising from cosmetic surgery performed outside the NHS. [HL1788]

This information is not collected centrally.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many patients were visited by emergency care practitioners instead of ambulance crews over the last 36 months; and [HL1786]

Whether they will provide a breakdown in figures for the outcomes for patients visited by emergency care practitioners in the place of ambulance crews. [HL1787]

The information is not collected centrally. It is a matter for individual ambulance trusts as to whether and how they employ emergency care practitioners.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What provision for foetal surgery for babies affected by disabilities exists within the United Kingdom; how many babies have been treated; on what conditions it has been used; and how the service is being developed. [HL836]

Hospital episode statistics for England show that in 2006-07 192 operations were performed on a foetus in National Health Service hospitals in England. It is not possible to identify for which specific condition the foetus received the intervention. These procedures are uncommon and will be performed in a few highly specialist centres. They are carefully controlled and all cases should be audited and a review of the clinical outcomes for all patients should be undertaken. There are promising scientific developments in this area.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many beds have been closed and how many beds have been reopened by London hospital trusts in the last 36 months. [HL1784]

The requested information is not held centrally. However, the following table shows total numbers of general and acute hospital beds, as reported by National Health Service trusts within London Strategic Health Authority (SHA) boundaries at end of 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07.

Please note that the 2006-07 figure is for London SHA as a whole, due to the merger of the five former London SHAs—North Central London, North East London, North West London, South East London, South West London—in 2006.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the Northumberland Care Trust is cutting its financial support for the enhanced primary care services in Wooler, Northumberland, thereby requiring patients to make 80-mile round trips to an NHS hospital, bearing in mind the Government's community-based care policy. [HL1643]

It is appropriate that the Northumberland Care Trust reviews its personal medical services (PMS) contracts to ensure value for money. All primary care organisations in the north-east are looking to ensure that contracts deliver value.

The proposals that have been brought forward by the Northumberland Care Trust are not about closing individual practices. The aim of these proposals is to ensure the continuity of the existing general practitioner (GP) services and, subject to agreement being reached, this will set a good foundation for the further development of primary care services for the benefit of patients across Northumberland.

PMS contracts, including the terms of these contracts, are negotiated locally between primary care trusts and GP practices. It would not be appropriate for the department to become involved in these local negotiations. However, if a practice is unhappy with any of the proposed terms of the contract that is being offered to it, it can raise this through the contractual dispute resolution processes that are set out in legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the recommended ratio of showers to patients in NHS hospitals. [HL1794]

Local health service managers are responsible for ensuring that there are proper and sufficient facilities to meet patients' personal hygiene needs. Best practice guidance made available to the National Health Service recommends that for new-build and major redevelopment the ratio of patient showers in NHS hospitals should be one en-suite shower for each four-bed room and one en-suite shower for each single room.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

Further to his Written Answer on 6 February (WA 189), when the last health and safety audit was carried out on Black Rod's Garden Entrance; and whether it took into consideration potential injury caused to staff by strong winds. [HL1917]

A health and safety review of all police officer posts and accommodation was undertaken on 13 and 14 September 2007. The inspection of Black Rod’s Garden Entrance did not identify any potential hazards created by weather conditions.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

How many items of mail were received in the Palace of Westminster in 2007; and what proportion was received by the House of Lords. [HL1930]

4,199,853 items of post were received by the Houses of Parliament during 2007. The House of Lords received an estimated 20 per cent of this total number, giving an annual figure for the Lords for that year of approximately 839,970.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any inquiry or investigation into the wider aspects of the Baha Mousa court martial case will take place; and, if so, when. [HL1738]

I refer the noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence made on 25 January (Official Report, Commons col. 66WS).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Following publication of the The Aitken Report: An Investigation into Cases of Deliberate Abuse and Unlawful Killing in Iraq in 2003 and 2004, on 25 January, whether the Ministry of Defence will amend Joint Doctrine Publication 1-10 Prisoners of War, Internees and Detainees to make clear the distinction between the roles of professionally trained interrogation and tactical questioning (I&TQ) experts and other personnel who may be tangentially involved in the business of detention and I&TQ; and whether that publication will specifically proscribe the “five techniques” as an aid to interrogation. [HL1739]

Joint Doctrine Publication 1-10 (JDP 1-10) is in the process of being amended to include these specific recommendations of the Aitken report.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Following publication of The Aitken Report: An Investigation into Cases of Deliberate Abuse and Unlawful Killing in Iraq in 2003 and 2004, on 25 January, whether the Ministry of Defence will produce guidance on those occasions following disciplinary cases where the Army's Adjutant General rather than the immediate chain of command should take the decision to proceed with administrative action or further inquiry. [HL1741]

Guidance on the application of administrative action or further inquiry is contained in Army General and Administrative Instruction 67. This is being amended to include provision for the Director Personal Services (Army), on behalf of the Adjutant General, to direct the chain of command to undertake an investigation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the Ministerial Committee on the Law Commission last met; and how many times the committee has met since its establishment in 2000. [HL1704]

The Ministerial Committee on the Law Commission has met 10 times, most recently on 19 April 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many reports published by the Law Commission from 1995 to 2007 inclusive did not receive a response from the Government within six months of publication; and, of these, how many have still not received a response; and [HL1701]

What steps they have taken to ensure that government departments are aware of the recommendations in the 2006 protocol The Law Commission and Government—Working Together to Deliver the Benefits of Clear, Simple and Modern Law; and [HL1702]

What action they have taken to ensure that responses to Law Commission reports are published within six months of the report's publication. [HL1703]

In his 2002-03 quinquennial review of the Law Commission, John Halliday CB recommended that there should be more effective communication between the Law Commission, government departments and stakeholders. In June 2004, following the acceptance of this recommendation by the Government, the Department for Constitutional Affairs published a protocol, Working Together to Deliver the Benefits of Clear, Simple and Modern Law. The protocol was agreed between the Law Commission and government departments and set out how they should work together. It was updated in August 2006. The paper is available from the Ministry of Justice and Law Commission website and has been circulated to all government departments.

Since the protocol came into force in June 2004, the Law Commission has published 14 law reform reports. Of these, one received an interim response within six months of publication, 10 received an interim or final response within 12 months of publication and one received a response 17 months after publication. Two reports have not yet received an interim response. Ten of the reports remain under consideration; two have been accepted; one has been rejected; and the subject matter of one has been incorporated into a further review.

I have today deposited a copy of the protocol in the House of Lords Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the remarks by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 5 February (Official Report, col. 1010), how much each of the 95,000 applications for legal aid by juveniles cost to assess. [HL1872]

During the calendar year 2006, criminal proceedings were taken against 126,000 youths (source: Criminal Statistics for England and Wales, Volume 1, Proceedings in Magistrates' Courts, Table S1.1E). Each criminal proceeding recorded involved at least one hearing before a criminal court. Based on figures for the calendar year 2007, approximately 95,000 youths currently apply for legal aid, out of which only 1,600 are unsuccessful.

Her Majesty's Courts Service has estimated that the total average cost of assessing each legal aid application from a youth during the calendar year 2007 was £10.74. Removing the “interests of justice” test from the application form is estimated to save £2.27 per application.

If, in removing the “interests of justice” test, only the 1,600 who currently apply and fail were to secure legal aid, this would generate total administrative savings of £216,000, although the additional representation orders would place a burden on the Legal Aid Fund of £880,000.

However, if 10 per cent of the 31,000 youths who do not currently apply for legal aid chose to do so, knowing that they would now qualify, it is estimated that the additional cost in processing these applications would be £26,000 and that the cost of granting the additional representation orders would be £1.7 million.

If all 31,000 youths were to apply, it is estimated that the additional cost in processing the applications would be £260,000 with an additional cost to the Legal Aid Fund in granting the applications of £17 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the review of missing from home and care guidance will be completed; and whether they will speed up this process. [HL1779]

As part of our programme of work to deliver the provisions that we set out in our Children and Young Persons Bill, along with the wider measures proposed in the Care Matters White Paper, we will be revising and rewriting all extant Children Act guidance concerning local authority responsibilities for looked-after children. This process will involve revision of our 2002 guidance Children Missing from Care and Home—A Guide to Good Practice. As part of this revision, we are planning to include more information about safeguarding vulnerable groups such as potentially trafficked children.

The Care Matters White Paper implementation plan will be published shortly and will include information about the timetable for revising the Children Act guidance. The cross-government working group for young runaways which was launched in January will also contribute to the review of the missing from home and care guidance, with a particular focus on supporting local areas to deliver effective services for young people who run away from home or care.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there have been any developments in the cases of those children who disappeared whilst in the care of social services and are thought to have been trafficked, since the Home Office report published on 11 June 2007; and whether they have instigated any new preventive measures. [HL1780]

Information about outcomes of individual children is not collected centrally. If a looked-after child, who may have been trafficked, goes missing from their care placement, then the local authority responsible for the child's care and the provider of the care placement must follow the arrangements agreed with the police for managing missing from care incidents.

Government take this issue very seriously. In December 2007 my department and the Home Office published practice guidance on safeguarding children from trafficking, Working Together to Safeguard Children—Safeguarding Children Who May Have Been Trafficked. This guidance document is intended to help agencies and their staff to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who may have been trafficked. It is supplementary to, and should be used in conjunction with, the Government's statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006).

In January this year, the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) published its plans on how it intends to improve outcomes for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), including those that are suspected to have been trafficked. The plans include safe arrangements for trafficked children who claim asylum and later go missing from local authority care. On the same day BIA published its code of practice for keeping children safe from harm. The code also emphasises the need to identify trafficked children at risk of going missing and the appropriate action to safeguard them.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures have been taken to ensure that the allocation of funds to EduAction in Waltham Forest under the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund—Youth at Risk programme in 2004–2006 have been used appropriately; and [HL1583]

Who is responsible for auditing the use of public money allocated to EduAction in Waltham Forest; and whether such audits identified any issues of concern; and [HL1584]

Whether they are aware of any police investigations into the running and operation of EduAction in Waltham Forest; and [HL1585]

What representations they have received from schools in Waltham Forest about the performance of EduAction; and [HL1586]

Whether they will take steps to ensure that schools attended by pupils receiving support under the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund—Youth at Risk programme are aware that support is provided to those pupils.[HL1587]

The London Borough of Waltham Forest is responsible for monitoring EduAction's compliance with contractual obligations. The council's auditors are currently investigating the outcomes and management of the Youth at Risk programme.

Following receipt of a complaint raising concerns about the use of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to support London Borough of Waltham Forest's Youth at Risk programme, the Government Office for London contacted the director of children's services to ensure the complaint is properly investigated. Government Office for London will discuss the outcomes, including the Youth at Risk programme and schools' involvement, with the director of children's services once the inquiry is completed. We are not aware of any police investigations into this matter.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Health and Safety Executive gave any advice to Ripon Cathedral on the cancellation of its annual pancake race. [HL1820]

Unfortunately Ripon Cathedral did not contact HSE before deciding to cancel its pancake race. If it had done, HSE would have advised that a straightforward event needs only a straightforward risk assessment. HSE publishes guidance and example risk assessments urging that risk assessments should be fit for purpose. In this instance a record on a single piece of paper would appear to be more than adequate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord McKenzie of Luton on 16 October 2007 (WA 47), when they now expect the Pensions Regulator to issue draft regulatory guidance about the winding-up of occupational pensions schemes. [HL1696]

We expect the Pensions Regulator to issue draft regulatory guidance for consultation imminently.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures they intend to introduce to interdict unauthorised phone tapping by governmental and public bodies. [HL1649]

None. Interception of communications is strictly controlled by Secretary of State authorisation as set out in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. The Act sets out the agencies that can apply to use intercept and the purposes and circumstances in which they can use it. There is no evidence of any unauthorised interception.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will introduce a tax to discourage the unnecessary use of plastic bags. [HL1753]

The Chancellor continues to keep all taxes under review. The Government currently have no plans for a plastic bag tax.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead (HL1516) on whether an adult may request the deletion of bio-information stored in connection with an offence, how many such requests have been (a) received, and (b) granted; and what appeal mechanism exists should a chief officer deny the request. [HL1723]

Figures for the number of requests received and granted were given by my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Meg Hillier, in the reply to the honourable Member for Bury St Edmunds, in another place.

Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, the decision on whether to agree to a request from an individual to have their DNA profile, fingerprints and associated records removed from police databases rests with the chief officer of the force that took the DNA sample and fingerprint records.

It is possible to refer the chief officer’s decision to the Information Commissioner or to challenge it by way of judicial review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What sums have been paid in social benefits in respect of second or subsequent concurrent wives or of their children since 1997. [HL1783]

The information is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which government departments have powers of entry under the Acts set out in Schedule 1 to the Powers of Entry etc. Bill [HL]. [HL1711]

I refer the noble Lord to my letter to him dated 25 January 2008 in which I set out the contents of our meeting on 24 January. In that correspondence, I indicated that the Government had commissioned a programme of work to review powers of entry.

I indicated in the letter, a copy of which was placed in the Library, that phase one of the work would entail identifying all powers of entry, how they can be exercised, by whom and the level of authorisation required. I advised that we aim to complete that work by the end of May 2008. The information requested will not be available until then.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many prisoners in custody on recall are still being held because release plans and risk management reports have not been produced for Parole Boards by the due date. [HL1710]

As of 6 February, there were 98 recall cases awaiting initial referral and 424 recall cases awaiting a further referral to the Parole Board, which were beyond the target date. It is not possible to predict how many of these cases might be released from custody following their referral to the board. Steps are being taken to eradicate the backlog of referrals and progress is being closely monitored.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What effect the level of overcrowding in prisons is having on the length of prison sentences passed in court. [HL1817]

There is no information available to suggest a direct correlation between prison overcrowding and the length of prison sentences passed in court.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proposals they have to regulate the private detective industry. [HL1766]

On 1 August 2007, the Home Office published a consultation paper, Regulations to Implement the Private Security Industry Act 2001 in respect of Private Investigation and Precognition Agents. This publication is available on the Home Office website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/Regulation_of_Security_Indu1.pdf?version=1.

The consultation period for this paper closed on 24 October 2007. The responses are being analysed and will be published shortly. We will consider whether to regulate in this area in the light of the analysis of responses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Health and Safety Executive has determined whether the collapse of the container crane at Southampton docks was due to a technical failure of the crane or to incorrect operating procedures; and [HL1716]

What assessment the Health and Safety Executive has made on whether the collapse of the container crane at Southampton docks is affecting the use of other similar cranes; if so, how many; and where they are located. [HL1717]

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is overseeing an investigation by Southampton Container Terminals Limited (SCTL), together with a number of independent engineers from separate companies. This investigation has not yet determined the exact cause of the incident. In the mean time, SCTL has voluntarily removed its Morris cranes from service until they can be examined by a competent person.

As findings emerge from the investigation, HSE will work with the ports industry to promulgate any lessons learned and support the industry to put in place any proportionate measures required to prevent a recurrence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish the calculations by which the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his Statement on 24 January, estimated that his capital gains tax proposal would cost around £200 million a year. [HL1645]

The costs of changes to the capital gains tax regime are estimated on the basis of self-assessment data from previous years, detailed gains computations submitted with self-assessment returns and standard assumptions about macroeconomic indicators. Estimates also take account of likely changes to taxpayer behaviour and are subject to a degree of uncertainty. The Exchequer impact of the proposal will be scored in the usual way at the Budget.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will allow those making tax contributions this year extra time should the contributor's computer system fail. [HL1770]

HM Revenue and Customs does not allow extra time in the event of a customer's computer system failing. There is a variety of payment methods available which do not rely on computer access. Customers are notified in advance of the date(s) that payment is due. It is the customer's responsibility to ensure payment reaches HMRC on time. There is full “how to pay” guidance relating to all, and this sets out the various methods of payment requests and reminders issued by HMRC.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether extra charges imposed on customers of telephone and other utilities companies who do not pay bills by direct debit are exempt from VAT. [HL1811]

The correct VAT treatment of charges made in connection with payment-related services, including whether they fall within the scope of the VAT exemption for financial services, is as yet unresolved, but is being considered by the UK courts and the European Court of Justice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the locations of existing non-residential centres for the support and supervision of women offenders and those at risk of offending; whether any residential centres exist; and, if so, where those centres are located; and [HL1639]

Whether centres for the support and supervision of women offenders are cost-effective; who funds such centres; and whether they will conduct a trial with some centres in major urban areas. [HL1640]

The Government's response to the Corston report published on 6 December 2007 gives a commitment to set up a project to review current generic women's centre provision and identify how to build on existing services.

The Government made available £9.15 million over a four-year period (2005-09) to fund new initiatives to tackle women's offending in the community. The Together Women Programme (TWP) is being delivered via demonstration projects within two regional offender manager regions—Yorkshire and Humberside and the north-west. There are TWP centres in Liverpool and Salford in the north-west and in Doncaster, Leeds and Bradford, with outreach work in Keighley in Yorkshire and Humberside. A cost-benefit analysis is planned as part of the evaluation strategy.