asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they will provide a clerk to the Independent Monitoring Board at Heathrow Airport. [HL3114]

The UK Border Agency has agreed with the IMB secretariat that it will fund the post of clerk to the IMB at Heathrow Airport and the secretariat has agreed to undertake the recruitment process, which is due to start very soon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will carry out a comprehensive review of the regulatory status of chemical control agents for varroa control as part of bee health management practice. [HL3189]

Defra is currently consulting on the draft strategy on protecting and improving the health of honeybees in England and Wales. The strategy lists as a priority activity that the Government and stakeholders will work to expand options for the effective management of varroa destructor and associated viruses, including authorisation of additional treatments and their sustainable use through integrated pest management.

European legislation governs the authorisation and marketing of veterinary medicines for all animal species including bees and we are not aware of any plans to review the regulatory status of medicinal products to control varroa. Within the EU framework, the minor use/minor species initiative is being developed to provide opportunities to improve the availability of medicines to species where the manufacturers currently view the market as being limited. The minor use/minor species initiative is long term and the UK will be working with other member states to improve the availability of veterinary medicines.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made in the criminal investigation into the British Coal litigation by the Serious Fraud Office and South Yorkshire Police, which commenced in July 2005; and what is the timescale for completing the enquiries. [HL3057]

The SFO, together with South Yorkshire Police, is investigating allegations of serious and complex fraud in relation to the handling of claims brought under the DTI-administered Coal Health Compensation Scheme. The investigation began in July 2005 and is continuing. It would not be appropriate to give details of the ongoing investigation. It is not yet known when the investigation will be completed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the average age of civil servants employed by HM Treasury in each year since 1997. [HL3102]

The average age of civil servants employed by HM Treasury as at 31 March in each year since 2000 is as follows:

The information prior to 2000 is not available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many civil servants have been employed by the press office of HM Treasury in each year since 1997; and what was their average age in each of those years. [HL3103]

The number of press officer posts in the Treasury has remained constant at 10 full-time equivalents. One of these posts is vacant at present. The detailed information requested relating to average ages could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many civil servants currently employed by HM Treasury have worked there for at least (a) one, (b) three, (c) five, (d) seven, and (e) 15 years; and what percentage of the total number of civil servants in HM Treasury these figures represent. [HL3104]

As at 31 March 2008, the number of civil servants employed by HM Treasury by length of service is as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In respect of (a) the Home Office, (b) the Border and Immigration Service, (c) the Identity and Passport Service, and (d) the Criminal Records Bureau, on how many occasions in the past year malicious programs have compromised departmental computer systems; for each occasion, how many machines were affected; how long it took to remove the programs from the system; and what the impact was on the department's activities. [HL2983]

It is not in the public interest or the UK's national security interest for departments to confirm whether they hold information about attacks against their IT systems. This would enable individuals to deduce how successful the UK is in detecting these attacks and so assist such persons in testing the effectiveness of the UK's IT defences.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In respect of the Northern Ireland Office, on how many occasions in the past year malicious programs have compromised departmental computer systems; for each occasion, how many machines were affected; how long it took to remove the programs from the system; and what the impact was on the department's activities. [HL2987]

It is not in the interest of the UK's national security for the Northern Ireland Office to confirm whether information is held about attacks on its IT systems. This would enable individuals to deduce how successful the Northern Ireland Office is in detecting these attacks and so assist such persons in testing the effectiveness of the Northern Ireland Office's IT defences. This is not in the public interest.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider the International Monetary Fund's estimation of United Kingdom growth of 1.6 per cent in 2008 and 2009 is correct. [HL3126]

The Government published their own latest economic forecasts in the Financial Statement and Budget Report (HC 388) on March 12. The International Monetary Fund's forecasts are a matter for it.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the economy is growing or falling into recession. [HL3128]

The UK economy grew by 3 per cent in 2007, the fastest rate of any G7 country, and the UK economy is expected to continue to grow, as set out in Financial Statement and Budget Report 2008 (HC 388) on 12 March. Latest official data, released on 25 April, show that GDP grew by 0.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2008, the 63rd consecutive quarter of growth and the longest unbroken expansion on record.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they plan to meet representatives of the Police Federation to discuss the introduction of electric personal assistive mobility devices into the United Kingdom to help police forces to cut response times to emergency calls; and [HL2924]

What legislation would need to be amended to permit police forces in the United Kingdom to undertake a trial of electric personal assistive mobility devices. [HL2927]

The Government have no plans to meet representatives of the Police Federation to discuss the introduction of electric personal assistive mobility devices for use by police forces. Therefore, no detailed assessment of the changes to current legislation necessary to permit such trials has been made.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Mr Iain Wright MP, on 7 February (Official Report, Commons; col. 1321W), why applicants may not question the justification for the location of a renewable energy proposal; and whether this makes the planning process a formality. [HL3053]

The Government are keen to encourage good-quality renewable energy applications in order to meet the twin challenges of responding to climate change and ensuring security of supply. Reflecting this, our new planning policy statement (PPS) on climate change expects planning authorities in England to provide a framework that promotes and encourages renewable energy.

The PPS advises that applicants are not expected to demonstrate the overall need for renewable energy because new renewable energy projects offer crucial national benefits. Planning authorities are asked not to question the energy justification provided by the applicant for why a proposal must be sited in a particular location as this involves considerations of technical and commercial feasibility which are for the developer concerned. Planning authorities should address the environmental, social and economic impacts that arise from the proposed location of a renewable energy project.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the guarantor powers of the Dayton agreement or its Peace Implementation Council can intervene concerning any application by Bosnia and Herzegovina to join the European Union. [HL3108]

The guarantor powers of the Dayton agreement and the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) cannot directly intervene concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina's application to join the EU. A number of members of the PIC contact group are also EU member states and as such participate in all major decisions on Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress towards the EU.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the depiction of Britannia has been removed from the new 50 pence coin. [HL2941]

On 2 April 2008, the Royal Mint publicly announced a redesign of all UK coinage from the 1 pence to the £1 coin by a British designer. This was following a public competition, which was launched in August 2005 and closed in November 2005. The competition received a record response with over 4,000 entries. Many of the current set of reverses were first introduced in April 1968. The last time that a set of reverses has lasted so long was in Queen Victoria's reign, when some coins displayed the same reverse for 50 years before being redesigned in 1887. The new designs take a traditional theme and treat it in an innovative and contemporary manner. The new coins will circulate alongside the almost 28 billion currently circulating coins, including more than 800 million 50p coins depicting Britannia.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What the estimated cost and numbers would be in 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040 and 2050 for United Kingdom and for non-United Kingdom residents respectively, who already have 20 years' national insurance contributions, of purchasing an additional nine years if they retire before April 2010 and an additional six years if they retire after April 2010, assuming in both cases a 10 per cent take-up. [HL2624]

Estimates for the number of potential gainers and costs are shown in the following tables. The restriction of 20 years of contributions takes into account years where home responsibilities protection is in place.

Table 1 (a) Allowing people reaching SPA between 2008-2010 to pay class 3 contributions for an additional nine years, and those reaching SPA after 2010 to pay class 3 contributions for an additional six years, provided that they already have at least 20 qualifying years (taking account of HRP), assuming 100 per cent take-up.

Table 1 (b) Allowing people reaching SPA between 2008-2010 to pay class 3 contributions for an additional nine years, and those reaching SPA after 2010 to pay class 3 contributions for an additional six years, provided that they already have at least 20 qualifying years (taking account of HRP), assuming 15 per cent take-up.

Table 1 (c) Allowing people reaching SPA between 2008-2010 to pay class 3 contributions for an additional nine years, and those reaching SPA after 2010 to pay class 3 contributions for an additional six years, provided that they already have at least 20 qualifying years (taking account of HRP), assuming 10 per cent take-up.

Source: Information about people's national insurance records has been obtained from the Lifetime Labour Market Database 2, 2005 release. Costs have been estimated based on mortality assumptions for Great Britain from the 2004-based population projections.

Notes:

1. Estimates for net costs have been rounded to the nearest £5 million. Estimates for potential gainers have been rounded to the nearest 5,000. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

2. Estimates assume basic state pension is uprated in line with earnings from April 2012.

3. Estimates assume that people buy additional class 3 national insurance contributions in whole years, even if less than 52 weeks of additional contributions are required to achieve a qualifying year. People buy these extra years when they reach state pension age.

4. Estimates assume that the option to buy extra years is available to everybody with a national insurance record and can be used to fill any deficient year between 1975 and state pension age provided that there is not a valid married women's reduced election in force for the year in question.

5. Estimates are for costs of increased category A pension net of any resulting reduction in entitlement to category B pension derived from a spouse's or former spouse’s contributions.

6. Estimates are based on a sample of national insurance records as at the end of the financial year 2003-04.

7. Net costs take account of income-related benefit savings.

8. Estimates show potential gainers. They will all increase their basic state pension entitlement if they take up the option but it is not known whether they will benefit from an increase in total income overall due to interactions with pension credit and other income-related benefits.

9. The option has been limited to cohorts reaching SPA between 2008 and 2020 in line with previous estimates and in order to address the cliff-edge effects.

10. Years refer to the financial year, ie 2010 covers the period 6 April 2010 to 5 April 2011.

11. Net present value takes into account costs occurring before 2050. There may be small ongoing costs after this time.

12. Given the uncertainty around how many people will take up such options, the 100 per cent take-up rate has also been included.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the dress code for those working in the Northern Ireland Office while at work; when it was introduced; how it was devised; by whom; and how it is monitored. [HL2994]

The department has no formalised dress code for staff during working hours. For a small number of posts (eg security guards, canteen staff) there is a requirement to wear a uniform.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much the Northern Ireland Office's website cost in 2007; how often is it updated; and by whom. [HL2865]

The cost of running the Northern Ireland Office website in 2007 was £8,633. Northern Ireland Information Service (NIIS), the communications directorate of the Northern Ireland Office, updates the website on a regular basis.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 12 March (WA 240) concerning the chairmanship of the Northern Ireland Bill of Rights Forum, for how many days the chairman was contracted to work; and how much he has been paid to date. [HL2588]

Mr Sidoti was contracted to work 70 days for the Bill of Rights Forum. The amount that Mr Sidoti has been paid to date is the same amount as forecasted, which was given in my Written Answer of 3 March (WA 157).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What events in the Republic of Ireland were funded in part or whole by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in 2007. [HL2862]

I am advised that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission did not fund any events in the Republic of Ireland in 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to introduce legislation to enforce the impact assessment procedure under PPS 6 planning guidelines to assist local planning authorities in preserving small shops in high street shopping zones. [HL2884]

We intend to publish the consultation on revisions to planning policy statement 6 in the summer.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the recent decline in usage of plastic bags is adequate. [HL2962]

The Government believe that further action needs to be taken to curb the wasteful distribution of the 13 billion carrier bags that are given out free each year. Therefore, as part of this year's Budget, it was announced that the Government would be introducing legislation to require retailers to impose a charge on single-use carrier bags from 2009 if we have not seen sufficient progress on a voluntary basis.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What guidance they have given to the Metropolitan Police and other forces concerning meeting target proportions of ethnic groups under stop-and-search rules. [HL2920]

No guidance has been issued to the Metropolitan Police Service or other police forces concerning meeting target proportions of ethnic groups under stop-and-search rules. In order to reduce the trend in disproportionality of stops within ethnic groups, the National Policing Improvement Agency, in conjunction with the Association of Chief Police Officers, has produced practice advice on stop and search. This includes advice on stop-and-search procedures as well as a bespoke piece of guidance issued this year relating to stops and searches carried out under Section 44 of Terrorism Act 2000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many House of Lords Questions for Written Answer were received by each department in the last parliamentary Session; and [HL3085]

How many House of Lords Questions for Written Answer were received by each department in the 1996-97 parliamentary Session; and [HL3086]

How many House of Lords Questions for Written Answer were not answered within 14 days in each of the last five parliamentary Sessions; and [HL3088]

How many House of Lords Questions for Written Answer remained unanswered at the end of the last parliamentary Session; and [HL3089]

How many House of Lords Questions for Written Answer in the last parliamentary Session were answered at greater cost than the disproportionate cost threshold, and what were those Questions. [HL3090]

A total of 5,702 Questions for Written Answer were tabled to Her Majesty's Government in the last parliamentary Session. Of these, 4,107 were answered within the 14-day deadline. The total number of Questions for Written Answer that remained unanswered at the end of the Session was 25.

The total number of Questions for Written Answer in the 1996-97 parliamentary Session was 1,247.

Information concerning Questions for Written Answer in earlier parliamentary Sessions is not available in the form requested. Departments do not maintain records on whether Questions were answered at greater cost than the disproportionate cost threshold.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 29 March 2006 (WA 112), how they define “disproportionate effort”; and how this differs from their definition of “disproportionate cost”. [HL3087]

The definition of disproportionate effort is the same as disproportionate cost; to answer the Question would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold. This was £600 when this Question was answered in 2006 and is currently £700.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What grade of civil servant salary they use to calculate the marginal cost of answering Questions for Written Answer; and what is the cost per hour of civil servants' time when spent answering these Questions. [HL3093]

The marginal cost of civil servants' time used to calculate the disproportionate threshold (DCT) for answering Written Parliamentary Questions (PQs) is based on a one-month sample of all Written Questions answered by those departments with the highest volume of Questions. The detailed calculations, which are carried out quinquennially, are based on actual staff time and actual average staff costs for the Civil Service grades answering the Questions in the sampled departments. The DCT is, therefore, based on an aggregate of the sample results, not on a predetermined grade or salary, and so it is not possible to provide a cost per hour.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many members of the security forces have been murdered in Lurgan, County Armagh, since 1969; on what dates; how many of the culprits have been convicted; and what are the names of those culprits. [HL2678]

The following table shows that 28 members of the security forces have been murdered in the Lurgan station area since 1969. Details regarding convictions for such convictions are not recorded.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 22 April (WA 291), whether it was their intention that the electorate should endorse the St Andrews Agreement in an election to the Northern Ireland Assembly in March. [HL3232]

Yes, this was the Government's intention.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any person has been accredited with powers under paragraph 12 of Schedule 4 or paragraph 9 of Schedule 5 (Powers to control traffic for purposes of escorting a load of exceptional dimensions) to the Police Reform Act 2002; and, if not, why not. [HL3027]

The Home Office audit of police community support officer (PCSO) powers, conducted in May 2007, confirmed that PCSOs in 26 police force areas in England and Wales were designated with the power under paragraph 12 of Schedule 4 to the Police Reform Act 2002. Information on the accreditation of all powers under Schedule 5 to the Police Reform Act 2002, including paragraph 9, is currently being collated by the Home Office, along with the 2008 PCSO powers audit, and will be published later this year.