asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What notice was given of the meeting held on 20 June by the senior president of tribunals with representatives of some ex-service organisations to discuss the future of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal; what written advice was given to Ministers as a result of the meeting; and what is the constitutional position of a senior judge taking such a step, having regard especially to the letters about the meeting sent to Sir Robert Carnwath by the Royal British Legion and to Lord Morris of Manchester by the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association. [HL4632]

Following concerns raised by ex-servicemen’s organisations with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Bridget Prentice MP, that they had not been consulted appropriately in relation to the proposed move of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal to a new, unified tribunal structure, the Minister suggested that it would be useful for them to discuss the move with the senior president of tribunals, Lord Justice Carnwath.

Lord Justice Carnwath agreed to the meeting, and a number of veterans’ organisations were subsequently contacted on 12 June by his office and invited to attend a meeting on 20 June. Representatives from the Royal British Legion; National Gulf Veterans and Families Association; War Widows’ Association of Great Britain; British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association; British Nuclear Test Veterans Association; St Dunstan’s; and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association attended the meeting.

No formal written advice was offered to the Minister following the meeting, although some limited feedback was provided to her private office.

The senior president’s role was entirely consistent with his constitutional position and his statutory functions under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether any research is being undertaken on other species in relation to bovine tuberculosis; and whether such research covers any link between badgers, the loss of hedgehogs and dwindling bee populations. [HL4824]

Previous research undertaken by the Central Science Laboratory and Oxford University has shown that the only wild mammalian species which act as reservoirs of bovine tuberculosis, and thus are a risk to cattle, are badgers and some species of deer. Other species may be infected with TB but are end hosts (ie do not transmit the disease further).

Quantitative risk assessments commissioned by Defra demonstrate that the risk of cattle infection from deer is only likely to be significant if the prevalence of TB infection in deer is high. The indication from research is that the prevalence of TB infection in deer is not high and is estimated to be generally less than 5 per cent. The ecology and behaviour of wild deer makes it unlikely that they would have any close direct contact with cattle.

Defra has commissioned a wild deer density and disease prevalence study to ensure that our evidence base is robust enough to allow the department to take decisions on possible future disease control measures for wild deer.

Previous research has shown that there was a rise in hedgehog populations in areas in which badgers were culled in the randomised badger culling trial. There is no current research identifying links between badgers, the loss of hedgehogs and dwindling bee populations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to improve the operation of the national concessionary bus fare scheme around the Welsh border where cross-border services operate; and [HL4705]

What steps they are taking to improve the operation of the national concessionary bus fare scheme around the Scottish border where cross-border services operate. [HL4706]

The national bus concession now allows off-peak travel on local buses throughout England. Local authorities in areas that border the devolved Administrations remain free to make their own arrangements to extend the concession to bus services that cross borders, at their own cost.

The Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 contains a power to introduce mutual recognition of concessionary bus passes across the UK. However, this would be a highly complex undertaking and not without cost and we have no immediate plans to implement it at this stage.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Further to the Written Statement by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 24 June (WS 921–3) stating that “a cross-departmental Criminal Justice Women's Unit has been established with a senior civil servant appointed to head up the unit”, (a) what grade is the senior civil servant, and (b) whether the appointment is full time. [HL4690]

The senior civil servant appointed to head up the cross-departmental Criminal Justice Women’s Unit is a deputy director, and the appointment is full time, reporting to a director with overall responsibility for women. The head of unit leads on managing and co-ordinating the work on women in the criminal justice system across all relevant departments.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 3 June (WA 47), how many legally qualified staff were employed and at what average cost in the Crown Prosecution Service in England in 2007–08. [HL4662]

Over the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) employed 3,060 people in England who were legally qualified.

The average cost of employing legally qualified staff at the CPS in England for 2007-08 was £45,247 per annum.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 21 April (WA 234), 2 May (WA 109–10), 19 June (WA 177–78), 24 June (WA 227 and 1 July (WA 27–8) regarding the evidence available to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), to what extent the scientific consensus referred to was based (1) on personal opinions and (2) an objective analysis of all published data; and whether they will provide references for all scientific papers considered by the HFEA which demonstrate (a) the potential of currently licensed cytoplasmic hybrids to develop into a human being if implanted in a woman; and (b) the intrinsic lack of potential in any embryo cultured on a layer of feeder cells for more than 14 days, despite the ability of mouse embryos to develop contractions resembling a heart beat after cultivation in vitro. [HL4647]

We have been advised by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) that the scientific consensus formed was largely based on an extensive review of published literature on the scientific context and biological issues surrounding the creation of human-animal embryos for research, including nuclear reprogramming, the interaction of the nuclear and mitochondrial genome and the mixing of human and animal mitochondria.

The literature review also analysed alternative avenues of research and alternative sources of stem cells. In addition, the HFEA consulted a small number of stakeholders on specific scientific questions concerned with human-animal embryos. Responses were gathered from the HFEA's Scientific and Clinical Advances Group, the HFEA Horizon Scanning Panel and external stakeholders including the British Fertility Society, Human Genetics Alert and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

No research has been published specifically on the potential of cytoplasmic hybrids to develop if implanted in a woman. This is because cytoplasmic hybrids cannot be transferred into a woman, as this activity is prohibited by the Reproductive Cloning Act 2001. The HFEA therefore did not consider any specific studies on this as part of their consultation. However, the HFEA did consider published literature on the development of cytoplasmic hybrid embryos in vitro and on the interaction between mitochondria and nuclear DNA. This included:

Illmensee K, Levanduski M & Zavos P (2006) “Evaluation of the embryonic preimplantation potential of human adult somatic cells via an embryo interspecies bioassay using bovine oocytes”. Fertility and Sterility 85(Suppl 1): 1248-60;

Chen Y et al. (2003) “Embryonic stem cells generated by nuclear transfer of human somatic nuclei into rabbit oocytes”. Cell Res. 13(4): 251-63;

Chang K H et al.(2003) “Blastocyst formation, karyotype, and mitochondrial DNA of interspecies embryos derived from nuclear transfer of human cord fibroblasts into enucleated bovine oocytes”. Fertility and Sterility 80: 1380-87;

Bowles E J, Campbell K & St. John J (2007) Chapter 10, “Nuclear Transfer: Preservation of a Nuclear Genome at the Expense of Its Associated mtDNA. Genome(s)” Current Topics in Developmental Biology 77: 251-90; and

St John & Lovell-Badge (2007) “Human-animal cytoplasmic hybrid embryos, mitochondria, and an energetic debate” Nature Cell Biology 9: 988-92.

No published data on the potential of embryos cultured on feeder cells beyond 14 days were considered. This is because embryos are not permitted to be cultured in vitro beyond 14 days. This issue was therefore not considered to be relevant to the consultation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 1 July (WA 28) regarding Clause 4 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, to what extent the quantitative criterion underlying that clause (whereby it has been stressed that animal DNA does not predominate in the resulting embryos) reflects the mixing of human sperm with eggs of Mesocricetus auratus, in light of what is known about the nuclear genome size (in base pairs) of each respective species and the total mass (in picograms) of mitochondrial DNA typically found in mammalian eggs. [HL4648]

Provision regarding the mixing of human gametes with the gametes of an animal for research purposes is provided for under new Section 4A(6)(b) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, as introduced by Clause 4 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (HFE). The “hamster test” is also provided for separately in the HFE Bill through provisions in Schedule 2 to the HFE Bill. The “predominantly human” provision is only a specific requirement of new Section 4A(6)(e).

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

How many executives and advisory non-departmental public bodies use employment agencies to find or shortlist candidates for vacancies; and what standards are required for acknowledging applications and informing applicants of the outcome. [HL4729]

These are decisions for individual non-departmental public bodies. The Government do not hold this information centrally.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the updated transmission entry capacity register, published on 7 July by National Grid plc, which looks seven years forward at the demand for grid access, appears to have no entries related to new nuclear build apart from those of British Energy plc. [HL4783]

It is for electricity generating companies to decide when to upgrade or build new transmission capacity and to make the appropriate arrangements with national grid. The published register only includes entries once an agreement has been entered into between the grid and the party concerned. It does not include details when an application has been made to the grid but not agreed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Following the publication of Preventing Violent Extremism: A Strategy for Delivery (May 2008, Ref. 288113), whether they will issue new guidance to the police or Crown Prosecution Service on criminal prosecutions. [HL4544]

Following the development of a national strategy to enhance the prosecution of extremist radicalisers, led by the former Attorney-General, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) issued guidance on the prosecution of offences relating to violent extremism. The prosecution guidance was first issued in July 2007 and is kept under review. The guidance is available on the CPS website. The strategy was also underpinned by new working arrangements for the police and the CPS.

The Government have published detailed guidance to support those working to deliver all aspects of the strategy of preventing violent extremism, The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England (May 2008. Ref: 288324). It acknowledges that action by the police and the CPS through the courts is an important part of the prevent strategy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which Muslim organisations have received funding from the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund since January 2006.[HL4589]

A total of 140 Muslim organisations have successfully received funding in both rounds of the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund. A list of all the successful groups granted funding in each round of the FCCBF is attached to annex A.

A comprehensive list of organisations granted funding is also available on the Community Development Fund website at: www.cdf.org.uk.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What is the current wheat resource in the United Kingdom and the European Community; and what that represents in terms of days of consumption. [HL4807]

UK wheat stocks at the end of June 2008 have been forecast by Defra to amount to some 1.9 million tonnes. This represents around 52 days of UK wheat consumption. EU wheat stocks have been forecast by the European Commission at some 15.7 million tonnes. This represents around 53 days of EU wheat consumption.

Wheat available for consumption in the year 1 July 2008 to 31 June 2009 will be a combination of the stocks at the end of June 2008, production from the 2008 UK harvest and imports. It is not possible to forecast wheat production at this stage, but the Defra December 2007 survey of agriculture estimates that wheat plantings for the 2008 harvest were 10 per cent higher than the year before.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

How many and what proportion of staff employed by the Government Equalities Office are (a) from black and minority ethnic groups, and (b) female. [HL4568]

Of the 88 staff working in the Government Equalities Office, 11 (12 per cent) are from black and minority ethnic groups and 49 (56 per cent) are female.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many general practitioners there are per head of population in each (a) county, and (b) region in England. [HL4774]

The number of general practitioners per head of population in each primary care trust (PCT) and each strategic health authority (SHA) region is shown in the following table. Information is not available by county.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the current vaccination policy to protect people in high risk groups from hepatitis B infection; and [HL4873]

Whether they will introduce a campaign to encourage people at risk from hepatitis B to seek vaccine protection. [HL4875]

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is currently reviewing the hepatitis B immunisation programme. Its advice is expected later this year.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What is the average lodging charge for non-resident junior doctors staying overnight in hospital for part of their shift. [HL4835]

When a non-resident junior doctor is required to stay in hospital overnight as part of their on-call duties, accommodation is provided free of charge.

Junior doctors who are required to stay overnight in hospital to work on a full shift are expected to be working continuously throughout the shift, with the exception of natural breaks, and sleeping accommodation is not normally necessary. However, rest accommodation is provided free of charge.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether they intend to carry out an audit of the current provision of services for the treatment of pain in England. [HL4755]

The department has no current plans to carry out an audit of the provision of pain services in England. The newly formed National Clinical Audit Advisory Group is considering topics for future audits, and we will bring this to its attention.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What progress has been made into provision of services for the treatment of pain since the recommendation of the Clinical Standards Advisory Services Group report on services for NHS patients with acute and chronic pain in 2000. [HL4756]

It is the responsibility of primary care trusts (PCTs) to commission services for people with pain, taking into account resources they have available, the needs of their wider population and available guidance on best practice. The quality of services should be monitored locally to ensure it is provided to meet the needs of the local population. The department is supporting commissioning through the recent publication of an 18-week pathway for the management and treatment of chronic pain. NHS Choices has also provided information that will raise the awareness of chronic pain and treatments.

As part of the NHS next stage review, which I lead, working groups of local clinicians in each strategic health authority have carried out a detailed review of clinical pathways across all areas of healthcare, and have identified what they believe to be the best models of care for local patients. The results have now been published and PCTs will now be responsible for working out in discussion with local partners, patients and the general public how best to commission the proposed improvements.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

In the light of the review of the National Health Service by Lord Darzi of Denham and their commitment to reducing the burden of sexually transmitted infections on society and the National Health Service, what steps will they take to reduce the number of cases of genital warts, given the recent decision by the Department of Health to exclude their prevention from the forthcoming human papillomavirus immunisation programme. [HL4764]

The Government are committed to tackling sexually transmitted infections, including genital warts. This commitment was underlined in the next steps review, which identified sexual health as being one of six priority areas for primary care trusts to commission comprehensive well-being and prevention services to meet the needs of their local population.

Considerable progress has been made on the target to offer appointments within 48 hours at genito-urinary medicine services. The figures for March 2008 show that 98.9 per cent. of first attendees were offered an appointment within 48 hours, compared to only 45 per cent in 2005. Early access to services is very important to ensure rapid treatment which lowers the risk of onward transmission of infections.

In November 2006, the department launched the Condom Essential Wear campaign to tackle sexually transmitted infections and the behaviours that contribute to their spread. The campaign is picking up excellent recognition rates among the target audience.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

In the light of the recent review of the National Health Service by Lord Darzi of Denham, whether they will extend the commitment to greater transparency to the review and recommendation process for vaccines. [HL4763]

The Joint Committee on Vaccine and Immunisation (JCVI) gives advice to Ministers on vaccines based on the best evidence reflecting current good practice and/or expert opinion. The process involves a robust, transparent, and systematic appraisal of all the available evidence from a wide range of sources. The JCVI is appointed by the Appointments Commission and is independent of the department.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

Further to his Written Answers on 3 April (WA 198) and 29 April (WA 18), what priority is given to (a) the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative; (b) farm assurance; (c) animal welfare; and (d) health and nutrition, when purchasing bacon; and whether the policy on purchasing bacon has been reviewed in the light of the change in value of the pound in relation to the euro. [HL4826]

The Refreshment Department follows House of Lords procurement policy which is based on value for money with due regard to propriety and regularity. Value for money is defined as “the optimum combination of whole-life cost and quality (or fitness for purpose) to meet the customer's requirement”. The House is responsible for ensuring it complies appropriately with its legal obligations under the European Union and national procurement rules and other international agreements. Consideration is given to objectives of the Public Sector Procurement Initiative which include farm assurance, animal welfare and health and nutrition as part of the tendering process for supplies.

The procurement of bacon is included in the three-year meat supplies framework contract which commenced in September 2006. The policy on purchasing bacon has been reviewed but no change has been made as Dutch bacon continues to represent better value for money per kilo than English bacon. Since January, Dutch bacon has increased in price by 18.4 per cent from £3.92 to £4.64 per kilo and English bacon has increased by 15.8 per cent from £6.33 to £7.33 per kilo.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many unoccupied dwellings there are in (a) England, (b) the east of England, and (c) Essex. [HL4601]

The table below shows the number of unoccupied dwellings in England, East of England and Essex in 2007.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What percentage of each denomination of banknote is allowed to be printed and circulated in Northern Ireland and Scotland. [HL4735]

Decisions on the percentage of each denomination of banknote ordered to be printed and put into circulation in Northern Ireland and Scotland by the seven commercial banks authorised to issue banknotes in those countries (four in Northern Ireland and three in Scotland) are entirely a matter for each of those banks, in the light of demand from their customers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the estimated total area of brownfield land available for development in (a) England, (b) the east of England, and (c) Essex. [HL4600]

Figures published by my department in June 2007 in the document Previously—developed land that may be available for development: England 2006 show estimated totals for vacant and derelict land of 34,850ha (23,630ha with planning allocation or permission) in England; 3,570ha (3,270ha with planning allocation or permission) in the east of England, of which 1,070ha is located in Essex. Some of this land will have been cleared and be available for development, whereas other land would require varying degrees of treatment before development could take place.

These estimates are based on the National Land Use Database of Previously Developed Land (NLUD-PDL), managed by English Partnerships on behalf of my department, using annual figures supplied by local authorities covering (i) vacant and derelict land and also (ii) land currently in use with known potential for development. Information on the sites is available from the NLUD website at: www.nlud.org.uk.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What response they will send to the United Kingdom Federation of Master Builders concerning its statement of 1 July objecting to the plan for separate new eco-towns. [HL4623]

The Government received a submission from the United Kingdom Federation of Master Builders in response to the consultation paper, Eco-towns: Living a greener future. This stage of the consultation considered potential locations of eco-towns and how they might be delivered. The consultation closed on 30 June, and the Government will provide a statement on the responses received in due course. We will draw on these responses to inform the second stage of consultation on the draft sustainability appraisal and draft planning policy statement.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many prisoners had their sentences increased in each of the past five years as a result of contravening prison rules. [HL4678]

Prisoners found guilty of offences against prison discipline under the prison rules may receive any of a range of punishments including, in more serious cases, up to 42 additional days in custody, imposed by an independent adjudicator. Data on punishments imposed at adjudications are published annually in chapter 9 of Offender Management Caseload Statistics, available on the Ministry of Justice website at www.iustice.gov.uk/docs/omcs2006pdf. The numbers of prisoners who received the punishment of additional days in 2005 and 2006 were 7,630 and 7,828 respectively. Numbers by prisoner for earlier years are not available but the total number of punishments of additional days imposed for the years 2002 to 2006 are given in the table.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many non-departmental public bodies were listed in the Public Bodies Directory in each of the past 10 years. [HL4857]

The Public Bodies Directory is published annually by the Cabinet Office. Copies can be downloaded from www.civiIservice.gov.uk/about/public/bodies.asp and have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The public bodies reports show that the total number of NDPBs sponsored by the UK Government has fallen by 3.5 per cent over the past 10 years—from 857 in 1997 to 827 in 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 19 June (WA 197), whether the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland will review its policy of destroying prosecution files after two years, 10 years or 20 years; whether they will ensure such files are assessed by independent professional archivists for their preservation value; and whether there is an index available to the public detailing historic prosecution case files retained by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland. [HL4560]

The current policy of file destruction operated by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) was agreed with the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) and is in accordance with its guidance. The PPS has scheduled a review of its current policy with PRONI for summer 2008.

The retention of files of historical interest is governed by the Public Records Act 1958 and individual files are reviewed by PRONI professional staff before being accepted as public records. All files are reviewed prior to destruction in accordance with the provisions of the Act and with PRONI guidance.

There is currently no index available to the public detailing prosecution files of historic value currently in the possession of the PPS. This is a matter that will be reviewed by the PPS and PRONI as part of the forthcoming review.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 19 June (WA 196), how many difficult, complex or sensitive cases were referred to the Attorney-General by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland in the past three years; and what areas they covered. [HL4561]

No figures are kept on the number of cases that are brought to the attention of this office by the Public Prosecution Service.

As was explained in my Answer of 19 June, I superintend the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland and am answerable to Parliament for his actions and, through him, the Public Prosecution Service.

In the course of my superintendence of his office, cases would be brought to my attention for my information, for the issue of my consent to prosecution, or for discussion; for example, as to whether the public interest requires prosecution. The director also draws to my attention cases to consider with a view to seeking leave to refer a sentence as unduly lenient to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration. The subject matter of the cases is varied and reflects the broad range of cases the PPS prosecutes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any plans to extend charges for road use. [HL4180]

I refer the noble Lord to the Statement, Roads—Delivering Choice and Reliability, that I made today and the command paper presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Transport to which that referred.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

In respect of each local authority road scheme under construction or with full approval, what is (a) the estimated cost at full approval stage; (b) the benefit to cost ratio at full approval stage; (c) the current estimated gross cost of completion; and (d) the benefit to cost ratio using the current estimated gross cost of completion. [HL4742]

Information on (a) and (c) is available in a table which has recently been published on the Department for Transport's website at the following weblink at: www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/ltp/major/majorscheme.pdf.

On (b), the following table lists the benefit to cost ratios (BCR) of the local authority road schemes that are either under construction or at full approval stage. The schemes were appraised in different years and due to changes in the Government’s appraisal methodology during this period, the BCRs reported have not all been calculated on the same basis, so they are not directly comparable between schemes.

Information on (d), the benefit to cost ratio using the current estimated gross cost of completion, is not available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much the working tax credit has cost to administer in each of the past five years. [HL4855]

The costs of managing and paying the child and working tax credits in the financial years from 2003-04 are shown in the table below. Costs are not kept separately for child tax credit and working tax credit.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What recent discussions they have had with external stakeholders regarding the proposed Thames Gateway bridge. [HL4834]

The proposed Thames Gateway bridge is a Transport for London project, and is therefore a matter for the Mayor. Questions about external stakeholder engagement should be directed to the Mayor of London. Naturally, Government continue to offer advice and assistance where applicable.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

(a) how many heavy goods vehicles have been checked on the A55 in North Wales during the last year for (1) weight offences, (2) drivers' hours offences, (3) mechanical condition offences, and (4) speeding; (b) how many of these vehicles received immediate prohibitions; (c) how many of these vehicles were registered outside the United Kingdom; (d) how many such vehicles or drivers of them were subject to more than one prohibition notice; and (e) what action has been taken by the state in which the vehicle was registered. [HL4710]

The table below shows the heavy goods vehicle enforcement checks carried out by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency on the A55 from July 2007 to June 2008.

(e) Copies of all prohibitions issued are sent to the competent authority in the home country of the operator and driver for them to take relevant action and/or initiate more in-depth investigations with the company concerned.

(4) North Wales Police cannot separately identify from their records HGVs from other types of vehicles detected speeding on the A55.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether they will accept the right of individual petition under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. [HL4650]

The Government remain to be convinced of the practical value to the United Kingdom citizen of rights of individual petition to the United Nations. The UN committees that consider petitions are not courts, and they cannot award damages, or produce a legal ruling on the meaning of the law. In 2004, we acceded to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. One of our reasons for doing so was to enable us to consider, on a more empirical basis, the merits of the right of individual petition. We are currently reviewing the United Kingdom’s experience under the optional protocol.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

How strategic health authorities (a) assess and (b) report the impact on National Health Service resources of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s guidance for non-routine immunisations. [HL4724]

Strategic health authorities (SHAs) are able to monitor the uptake of both routine and non-routine immunisations through the annual publication, NHS Immunisation Statistics. The most recent publication is for 2006-07, copies of which have been placed in the Library and are also available on the information centre for health and social care’s website at: www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/health-and-lifestyles/immunisation

Primary care trusts, which are the local providers of services, are held to account by their SHA based on the services commissioned.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

How many checks on foreign-registered vehicles were carried out by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency in each of the past three years; and how many vehicles failed these checks. [HL4772]

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) carried out the following number of checks and prohibitions on foreign-registered vehicles in the past three years:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Rooker on 28 March 2007 (Official Report, col. 1645), whether the Environment Agency Wales has obtained clarification of the liabilities of Solutia Incorporated or Monsanto under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in relation to pollution at Brofiscin Quarry; and, if so, what are these liabilities. [HL4581]

I have been informed by the Environment Agency Wales that before the full extent of liabilities for remediating Brofiscin Quarry can be established, the Environment Agency must determine the “appropriate person or persons”. The Environment Agency has completed its investigations but has not yet formally made a determination, although it expects to do so shortly in compliance with the relevant legislation and statutory guidance.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Rooker on 28 March 2007 (Official Report, col. 1645) and the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 2 April (WA 184), whether, in the light of the United States Bankruptcy Court's approval of the agreement designating Brofiscin Quarry as a legacy site, there are any impediments to the enforcement of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to recover the costs of remediation of that site. [HL4582]

I have been informed by the Environment Agency Wales that the agreement made between Solutia Inc and Monsanto in the US Bankruptcy Court does not impede the Environment Agency’s ability to enforce the provisions of Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act as these apply to Brofiscin Quarry.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What will be the total cost, including fees and other expenses, of the pavement works in Whitehall and Great George Street; and when they expect these to be completed. [HL4631]

The total cost of the Whitehall Streetscape Improvement Project, which includes the pavement works in Whitehall and Great George Street, will be £25,000,000. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2010 and is being delivered by means of a rolling programme of phased works.

Works on Great George Street and Horse Guards Road have already been completed. The area in front of HM Revenue and Customs on Parliament Street is nearly complete and is now open to the public. Works outside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be completed in time for winter 2008; and the works outside Horse Guards and 70 Whitehall are expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2009.