asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 20 May (WA 113), if the risk of transmission of BSE from sheep is near zero and scrapie is non-transmissible to humans, why it is necessary to bury sheep carcasses when any residual prions are more likely to be widely dispersed into the ground by live sheep when lambing. [HL3941]

Sheep carcasses must be disposed of in accordance with the animal by-products regulations. These require either direct incineration or rendering followed by incineration or landfill.

Lambing can be a source of environmental contamination, as infectivity has been detected in the foetal membranes. However, farmers are obliged under the animal by-products regulations to collect these membranes and dispose of them as category 2 animal by-products in order to reduce the risks presented by transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and other animal diseases. Burial is not a permitted disposal route for this material.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Rooker on 28 April (Official Report, House of Lords, col. 1), why the Veterinary Products Committee recommended that they continue to license diazinon sheep dips when the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority suspended authorisation for all sheep dips and jet sprays containing diazinon in May 2007 following evidence showing these practices may affect the occupational health and safety of rural workers. [HL3913]

The Australian Government's suspension of the diazinon sheep dip and spray products was based on the evidence reported in the second part of a preliminary review of diazinon, published in June 2006 by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) assessed the Australian preliminary report in relation to veterinary medicinal uses of diazinon. It concluded that the report contains nothing to suggest diazinon sheep dips should be banned in the UK. The Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) and the Medical and Scientific Panel (MSP) reviewed the APVMA documents and commented on the VMD report and its conclusions. Both independent committees agreed with the analysis provided by the VMD.

The primary reasons to conclude that the APVMA's review gave no reason to change UK government policy on OP sheep dips were:

acceptable daily intake (ADI) for diazinon—concern was raised that the authors of the report had added an additional uncertainty factor into both the internationally accepted ADI and their margin of exposure determinations and had based their conclusions on the reduced numbers. It was felt that the extra uncertainty factor was not justified and that the standard internationally agreed default values should have been used;

differences in personal protective equipment (PPE)—there are significant differences in the PPE required in Australia and the UK. In particular, PPE for the torso and legs differs significantly. In Australia, this consists of cotton overalls and water-resistant footwear/boots. The UK requirements are a boiler suit and bib-apron or waterproof coat, and waterproof trousers/leggings worn over Wellington boots. The report does not include sufficient detail to make an estimate of differences of total body exposure due to these differences in PPE;

extrapolation of experimental data—the Australian study was conducted by exposing workers to the various application methods by treating 50 sheep. This exposure was then extrapolated to a total of 2,000 sheep for dipping and 500 for jetting (assuming a linear relationship for exposure). This extrapolation in itself brings a degree of uncertainty into the final results;

application methods—the report gives no specific detail of the methods used to apply the diazinon in the study. Therefore, it is not clear if additional worker protection such as splash guards around dips and races were used as required in the UK; and

closed transfer system—one critical difference was that in 2000 in the UK the sheep dip packaging was redesigned to prevent operators being exposed to the concentrated product.

All of these comments were passed back to the AVPMA in response to its public consultation on its diazinon review.

The Government are and always will be guided by the best scientific advice. The MSP is tasked with the responsibility of continually looking at scientific papers worldwide and advising the VPC of appropriate action. The VPC has recently confirmed its advice that there is no reason currently to take any additional regulatory action on these products, provided they are used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many licences to transfer badgers or foxes to Cornwall from other areas of the country have been issued in (a) 2006, (b) 2007 and (c) 2008 to date; and for what purpose. [HL3886]

There have been no licences issued, by Natural England, to transfer badgers or foxes to Cornwall from other areas of the country.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have discussed with banks any estimate of what percentage of debts will eventually be recovered. [HL3900]

The Financial Services Authority is responsible for supervising financial services activities in the UK under the powers granted to it in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions they have held with the accountancy bodies regarding rules that require current bank debt write-down levels. [HL3901]

The Financial Services Authority is responsible for supervising financial services activities in the UK under the powers granted to it in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What recent steps they have taken under Section 67 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 to review the development of digital radio with a view to extending coverage generally and in particular to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. [HL3724]

Extending coverage is a matter for broadcasters. Section 67 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 requires the Secretary of State to keep under review the development of digital radio for the purpose of considering how long it would be appropriate for sound broadcasting services to continue to be provided in analogue form. The last review was carried out in 2004 and concluded it was too early to consider switchover.

However, in November 2007, the then Secretary of State, the right honourable Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (James Purnell), established an independently chaired Digital Radio Working Group to look at the barriers to digital radio listening including coverage. The group will report by the end of this year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the total additional revenue, on an annualised basis, from petroleum and energy products and services at the current level as compared to the total revenue projected in the Budget. [HL3899]

The full impact of higher oil and gas prices on tax revenues will depend on their effect on the economy as a whole.

Higher oil prices generate greater receipts from both North Sea corporation tax and petroleum revenue tax but there are a number of offsetting effects that limit the overall impact on the public finances. These include the impact of temporarily higher inflation on the indexation of tax allowances and social security benefits, the impact from lower demand for fuel on fuel duties and repercussions on other consumption and expenditure taxes and that higher oil costs could affect the profits of other companies.

Updated forecasts will be published in the Pre-Budget Report later this year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the estimated cost, including civil servants' time, of answering freedom of information requests from the TaxPayers' Alliance to HM Treasury. [HL3946]

The Treasury has been able to identify only one FOI request it has received from the TaxPayers' Alliance. This was answered within the cost ceiling established under the Act, which for departments is £600.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will increase research into links between routine use of antibiotics in animal feeds and the development and spread of resistant types of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria. [HL3978]

The routine use of antimicrobial in animal feeds stopped in January 2006 when antimicrobial growth promoters were banned in Europe. However, the Government take the occurrence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in farmed animals very seriously and currently spend £1 million per annum on research to investigate the issue.

Recent surveillance in cattle has not detected the presence of MRSA and the current UK survey of MRSA in breeding pigs, which commenced in January 2008 and is due to finish in December 2008, has identified no MRSA to date. This is being carried out under Community legislation. It is anticipated that the results of this study will be published in mid-2009 and that they will inform the direction of future research. As a result there are currently no plans to increase the research into the development of MRSA in farmed animals. Nevertheless this will be kept under review.

In 2005 the MRSA Sub-Group of the Defra Antimicrobial Resistance Co-Ordination (DARC) Group was created, through which Defra is assisting and encouraging various initiatives relating to MRSA from the Bella Moss Foundation (a UK-registered charity promoting awareness of MRSA in animals), industry and the veterinary profession. Defra has funded research to better understand the epidemiology of MRSA in companion animals and livestock and any role it may play in human infections.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have made to the Government of Israel about the 39 unrecognised Palestinian Bedouin villages in the Negev, and in particular the numbers of house demolitions, land confiscations and the level of provision of health and education for the Bedouin population. [HL3745]

We continue to raise the issue of human rights for all Palestinians with the Israeli Government on a regular basis. While we have not specifically raised the issue of unrecognised Bedouin villages in recent months, we do remain concerned about the issue and plight of the Bedouin people, including standards of health and education. We will continue to raise our concerns with Israeli contacts.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether statutory obligations for biodiversity and nature conservation form part of the local area agreements and whether they will form part of the comprehensive performance assessments; and whether they may be subject to joint area review.[HL3828]

The new local government performance framework was introduced in April 2008 and creates a framework for managing local government performance. At its heart is the national indicator set comprising 199 indicators, including “NI 197 improved local biodiversity—active management of local sites”. All local authorities will report on their performance against all 199 indicators.

Local area agreements (LAAs) are three-year performance management agreements between central and local government on up to 35 of the national indicators where there are particular performance issues or opportunities. Negotiations through government offices are due to be concluded with 150 upper tier authorities by the end of June 2008. A number of localities have chosen NI 197 as an improvement indicator.

Local government performance will be assessed through a new comprehensive area assessment inspection regime to be introduced in April 2009 through the Audit Commission. This replaces comprehensive performance assessment and will dovetail with the work of other inspectorates into one overall approach. Details of the assessment process are subject to consultation, but it is likely to focus on the national indicators selected in each LAA. The performance of other national indicators may form part of the assessment where there is a risk to delivery.

National indicator NI 197 measures the performance of local authorities for biodiversity by assessing the implementation of positive conservation management of local sites and consequently their wider performance for biodiversity (in turn contributing to wider environmental quality).

The indicator does not measure the biodiversity duty (NERC Act 2006) which requires all public authorities, including local authorities, to have regard to biodiversity as far as is consistent with the proper exercise of their functions. Nevertheless, successfully to improve a local site system and the management of local sites will require local government to deliver many of the themes articulated in the duty.

The joint area review (JAR) is a three-year programme running until December 2008. All 150 upper tier local authority areas will be reviewed to judge the contribution that the council and its partners in the local area are making to improve outcomes for children and young people. As such, the statutory provisions for biodiversity and nature conservation will not form part of this review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the net cost of producing the Northern Ireland Office 2008 departmental review (Cm 7405). [HL3932]

The printing cost of the Northern Ireland 2008 departmental report (Cm 7405) was £12,870.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 24 April concerning the costs of the Northern Ireland Bill of Rights Forum, what are the details of the chairman's costs when he travelled to work; whether it is normal for a person with a public appointment in Northern Ireland in receipt of a salary to have such costs paid; and, if so, who else has such expenses paid. [HL3316]

The costs of Chris Sidoti's travel to Northern Ireland are outlined in my previous Answers of 26 March (Official Report, col. WA 96), and 24 April (Official Report, col. WA 316).

According to Cabinet Office guidance (Making and Managing Public Appointments—A Guide for Departments, fourth edition, February 2006) all members of public bodies are eligible to be reimbursed for the costs of travel and subsistence associated with their public duties. As the noble Lord will be aware from my Answer of 3 March 2008 (Official Report, col. WA 160), the Bill of Rights Forum did not come within the definition of a public body. However, the Government consider it appropriate that the overriding principle that no appointee should be out of pocket as a result of his or her appointment should still apply to appointments to ad hoc advisory bodies such as the forum.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 19 February (WA 45-6) and 13 May (WA 129) concerning the appointment of the chairman of the Northern Ireland Bill of Rights Forum how, in the absence of a curriculum vitae for Mr Chris Sidoti, they obtained the “personal data” referred to; what those personal data referred to; and why they have not been published. [HL3759]

The Data Protection Act 1998 refers to personal data as,

“data which relate to a living individual who can be identified—(a) from those data, or (b) from those data and other information which is in the possession of, or is likely to come into the possession of, the data controller, and includes any expression of opinion about the individual and any indication of the intentions of the data controller or any other person in respect of the individual”.

“Personal data”, in this sense, therefore refers to the shortlist of candidates that was provided to NIO Ministers. To disclose this list would identify individuals who were put to Ministers for consideration as chair of the Bill of Rights Forum.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What regulations are in force governing the sale of firearms. [HL3905]

The sale of firearms is governed by the provisions of the Firearms Acts 1968 to 1997 as amended, and the Firearms Rules 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures they propose to increase the United Kingdom savings ratio. [HL3967]

Since 1997, the Government have sought to support saving and asset ownership for all, from childhood, through working life and into retirement. The Government have introduced individual savings accounts (ISAs) to develop and extend the saving habit, which in April were made simpler, more flexible and more generous. The Government have also introduced the child trust fund, which will ensure that all children will hold a financial asset at the age of 18. Budget 2008 announced that the saving gateway, a cash saving scheme to promote saving and financial inclusion for those on lower incomes, will be introduced nationally, with first accounts available to savers in 2010.

The introduction of auto-enrolment and personal accounts from 2012 will enable individuals on low to medium incomes to save in a pension over their working lives.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mr Ben Bradshaw, on 15 September 2004 (Official Report, Commons, col. 1578W), whether the Forestry Commission has undertaken any further investigation into the incidence of Sudden Oak Death syndrome; and if so, with what result.[HL3829]

The research agency of the Forestry Commission (Forest Research) has continued investigation into the disease caused by the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum (known as Sudden Oak Death in the USA). These investigations also include another Phytophthora pathogen, recently named P. kernoviae. Only discovered four to five years ago in Britain, both pathogens are considered recent introductions. Both attack the foliage of certain ornamental and understorey shrub species such as Rhododendron, where they produce spores. When heavy infestations of these “foliar” hosts occur, nearby trees become infected, resulting in extensive bark killing and even mortality. Beech is very susceptible and is most at risk from both pathogens, but P. ramorum is capable of causing potentially lethal cankers on various trees including southern beech (Nothofagus), turkey oak (Quercus cerris), red oak Q. rubra and sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa). Native oaks show low levels of susceptibility only in laboratory tests and only one individual of sessile oak (Quercus petrea) in woodland has succumbed to a natural P. ramorum infection. Currently, more than 150 P. ramorum outbreaks have been detected on shrubs in gardens and woodlands, mostly in England, but infected trees have only been found at about 10 of those sites. There are about 50 P. kernoviae outbreaks (mainly in Cornwall with a small focus in Wales) but about 20 per cent have affected trees. Efforts at eradicating or containing the disease in woodland concentrates on destroying infected foliar hosts—mainly R. ponticum. However, Forest Research work shows that even when foliar hosts are removed, both pathogens can persist for at least one to three years in soil and litter layers. FR scientists have also shown that both pathogens can be found in debris on footwear, and probably on vehicle tyres, thus providing a mechanism for local spread into new areas.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mr Phil Woolas, on 3 December 2007 (Official Report, Commons, 742W), whether the information requested will, after consultation, be calculated for those waters classified as nitrate vulnerable zones.[HL3823]

Information on current and historical nitrate levels in waters in England will be published in due course.