To ask Her Majesty's Government how many women have been imprisoned for breach of an anti-social behaviour order in each of the past 10 years. [HL125]

Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) became available from April 1999. The latest ASBO breach data are only available for ASBOs issued between 1 June 2000 and 31 December 2006. During that period, 303 women were proven in court to have breached their ASBO on at least one occasion and were given a custodial sentence on the occasion of the severest penalty.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (a) men and (b) women are employed in each department of the non-industrial civil service. [HL19]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.

Letter from Karen Dunnell, National Statistician, to Lord Stoddart of Swindon, dated December 2008.

The Office for National Statistics collects employment statistics for the Civil Service, as part of the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (ACSES).

The requested data are attached at annexe A.

1 Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10, and numbers less than five are represented by “…”. Data not available are represented by “-”.

2 Includes Government Office for the Regions employees.

3 Figures for the Office for National Statistics exclude field staff who were not civil servants at the reference date.

4 Excluded 1,414 employees defined as “industrial”.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have died while on remand either awaiting trial or sentencing in the past 12 months. [HL29]

In total, in the 12 months ending 30 November 2008, 39 individuals have died in prison custody while awaiting trial or final sentencing. Of these, 28 were on remand, seven were awaiting sentencing, two had judgment respited and two were immigration detainees. Furthermore, 29 were apparently self-inflicted and 10 were due to natural causes.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the adult literacy levels in each region in the United Kingdom; and whether those levels are increasing or decreasing. [HL5]

The Skills for Life survey in 2003 estimated the literacy and numeracy levels and functional ability of adults in England. For completeness the table below provides the regional breakdown of functional literacy and numeracy levels across England. These data are also publicly available for local areas (and other localities from GORs down to ward level) at www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus_skillsforlifesurvey.

*The Leitch definition of functional numeracy is adults with entry level 3 or above

** The Leitch definition of functional literacy is adults with level 1 and above

We cannot currently measure change in levels of literacy or numeracy as the Skills for Life survey has not been repeated. However, since 2003 there has been a year-on-year increase in the numbers of people improving their literacy and numeracy skills. Since the launch of the Skills for Life strategy in 2001, 2,276,000 adults have improved their skills and gained first qualifications in literacy, language and numeracy. Over 1 million of those qualifications came in literacy.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what they anticipate the lead times for building new coal-fired stations will be. [HL102]

In the Government's Energy Markets Outlook, published in October 2007, we indicated that the lead time for a coal-fired power station could be expected to be around seven years, of which four to five years would be needed for construction.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the building of new coal-fired power stations. [HL104]

The Government published their overall assessment of future security of supply in their Energy Markets Outlook in October 2007, including scenarios for new generation capacity. This is available at www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/ energy/ energymarketsoutlook/page41839.html. The 2008 Energy Markets Outlook will be published shortly.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any energy gap due to the decommissioning of 15-20 gigawatts of generating capacity by 2015. [HL101]

We expect around 12 gigawatts of oil- and coal-fired generation to close by 2015, as a result of the large combustion plants directive (LCPD), with a further 7 gigawatts of nuclear plant scheduled to close by 2020.

The market is already responding to the challenge of replacing the plant with significant new generating capacity already in the process of being delivered:

9 gigawatts of new capacity is presently under construction;

a further 3 gigawatts has consent; and

applications for consent are outstanding for nearly 4.5 gigawatts more.

However, more is needed and we will ensure the right regulatory framework continues to be in place to bring this forward.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on (a) classroom learning, (b) families, and (c) educational attainment. [HL136]

To ask Her Majesty's Government what training is available to teachers to enable them to identify and manage children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. [HL137]

(a) Schools and local authorities are statutorily required to have regard to the SEN code of practice for children and young people whose ADHD entails special educational needs (SEN). The code says that local authorities should have effective arrangements in place to ensure the needs of children and young people with SEN are assessed quickly and matched by appropriate provision, and that schools must do their best to ensure necessary provision is made for pupils with SEN.

(b) Agencies addressing children's needs are encouraged to work closely with parents and carers. For example, schools and local authorities are statutorily required to have regard to the special educational needs (SEN) code of practice; the code stresses the importance of all professionals (in schools, local authorities and other agencies) actively seeking to work with parents, valuing the contribution they make. The code also reminds local authorities that Section 332A of the Education Act 1996 requires them to arrange for the parent of any child in their area with special educational needs to be provided with advice and information about matters relating to those needs.

(c) In September 2008, my department published data on attainment of pupils at school action plus and with statements, during the 2006-07 academic year, at key stages 2 and 4 by primary type of SEN. The proportions of children with BESD (which would include children with ADHD) achieving expected levels of attainment, compared with children with no identified SEN, are shown in a table at annexe 1.

In September 2008, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued a clinical guideline which healthcare professionals are expected to take fully into account when exercising their clinical judgment. The guideline is clear that diagnosis of ADHD should only be made by a specialist psychiatrist, paediatrician or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional with training and expertise in ADHD, and gives guidance to professionals on appropriate treatment and multiagency interventions.

All schools have responsibility for ensuring teachers and other staff receive the training and development necessary to manage particular needs. We are strengthening coverage of SEN and disability issues within initial teacher training. In June 2008 we launched new units for primary undergraduate initial teacher training courses. These include material for sessions entitled “Introducing behavioural, emotional and social difficulties” and “Planning for pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties”. Around £500,000 has been pledged to support incorporation into existing courses. Similar material is in preparation for secondary undergraduate initial teacher training courses and postgraduate certificate in education primary and secondary courses, for release in 2009.

The national strategies make available to teachers a continuing professional development (CPD) scheme, which includes study materials on addressing BESD. The department has also commissioned the national strategies to produce and disseminate inclusion development programme CPD materials to build school workforce confidence in addressing a range of special educational needs. These materials currently focus on communications difficulties and dyslexia. In 2009 they will focus on autism, and in 2010 they will focus on BESD, including ADHD.

Guidance on educating children and young people experiencing behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) was published in May 2008. It is designed to help school staff and local authority officers consider what support and provision are most likely to help remove barriers to achievement, health and emotional well-being for those children who are experiencing persistent behavioural, emotional and social difficulties—including children with ADHD. The guidance reminds school staff of advice contained in our 2001 guidance on Promoting Children's Mental Health within Early Years and Schools Settings. This sets out general information on how mental health problems present in children and practical suggestions on what classroom interventions can support children in addressing associated difficulties.

Source: DCSF: National Curriculum Assessment, GCSE and Equivalent Assessment and Post-16 Assessment by Pupil Characteristics, in England 2006-07

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgatewav/DB/SFR/s000759/index.shtml

To ask Her Majesty's Government who set the objectives for D2 to A grade staff in the Northern Ireland Office to receive bonuses; on what basis; and whether they will place copies of the objectives in the Library of the House. [HL129]

Individuals' objectives against which bonuses are awarded are set out in their personal performance agreements, which are agreed with their line manager. These reflect the departmental objectives set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007, a copy of which can be found at www.nio. gov.uk/comprehensive_spending_review_-_psas_and_ dsas_for_nio.pdf. Copies of performance agreements for each individual staff member from grade D2 to A could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask Her Majesty's Government in calculating bonus figures for officials in the Northern Ireland Office, what regard is paid to their application of equality and parity of esteem for the two communities in Northern Ireland; and in what way and by whom it is assessed. [HL130]

All officials in the Northern Ireland Office are expected to reflect the principles of equality of opportunity, parity of esteem and equity of treatment in all aspects of their work. This does not form a separate criterion in relation to the award of bonuses.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 11 November (WA 123) concerning expenditure by the Northern Ireland Office on taxis, by whom each journey in the first four weeks of financial year 2007–08 was made; when it was made; to where; at what cost; and for what purpose. [HL52]

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 11 November (WA 123) concerning expenditure by the Northern Ireland Office on taxis, by whom each journey in the second four weeks of financial year 2007–08 was made; when it was made; to where; at what cost; and for what purpose. [HL53]

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 11 November (WA 123) concerning expenditure by the Northern Ireland Office on taxis, by whom each journey in the third four weeks of financial year 2007–08 was made; when; to where; at what cost; and for what purpose. [HL65]

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 11 November (WA 123) concerning expenditure by the Northern Ireland Office on taxis, by whom each journey in the fourth four weeks of financial year 2007–08 was made; when; to where; at what cost; and for what purpose. [HL66]

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 11 November (WA 123) concerning expenditure by the Northern Ireland Office on taxis, by whom each journey in the fifth four weeks of financial year 2007–08 was made; when; to where; at what cost; and for what purpose. [HL67]

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 11 November (WA 123) concerning expenditure by the Northern Ireland Office on taxis, by whom each journey in the sixth four weeks of financial year 2007–08 was made; when; to where; at what cost; and for what purpose. [HL68]

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 11 November (WA 123) concerning expenditure by the Northern Ireland Office on taxis, by whom each journey in the seventh four weeks of financial year 2007–08 was made; when; to where; at what cost; and for what purpose. [HL69]

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 11 November (WA 123) concerning expenditure by the Northern Ireland Office on taxis, by whom each journey in the eighth four weeks of financial year 2007–08 was made; when; to where; at what cost; and for what purpose. [HL70]

Much of the information requested constitutes personal data which if released would breach the first principle of the Data Protection Act 1998, namely the fair and lawful processing of personal data. As none of the conditions in Schedule 2 to the Data Protection Act is met to authorise fair and lawful disclosure, the information requested is not available for release.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Northern Ireland Office paid taxes in respect of members of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission up to 2005; and whether it at any stage expected the board members also to pay taxes. [HL132]

No. Following a routine inspection by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and clarification of the commissioners' status a payment was made by the department to HMRC to meet the department's liability in respect of tax and national insurance contributions from 1997-2005. The department cannot comment on individuals’ tax position but has no reason to believe that individual parades commissioners have not paid their respective individual tax and national insurance contributions for the same period.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the 2012 Olympic Games will be shown on free-to-view United Kingdom television. [HL21]

Yes, the 2012 Olympics will be shown on free-to-view television in the UK.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 24 November (WA 255-56), how much contaminated and non-contaminated soil and waste material has been removed from the Stratford Olympic Park site (a) by rail, (b) by road and (c) by water.[HL79]

Of a total 2.3 million cubic metres (m³) of material which will be excavated on the Olympic Park, it is anticipated that 920,000 m³ of this will be contaminated material in need of remediation. Based on current trends, it is anticipated that no more than 15 per cent (about 330,000 m³) of the total 2.3 million m³ of excavated material will go off-site as waste to landfills because it is contaminated material or non-treatable/geotechnically unsuitable material.

To date, no contaminated or non-contaminated soil and waste material has been removed by rail or water. The ODA has removed 80,000 m³ of hazardous, untreatable, and geotechnically unsuitable—but waste acceptance criteria (WAC) compliant—material by road, and 190,000 m³ of filter cake, including entrained water, by road.

Off-site disposal of some material is necessary because either it is not practical to reuse the material—non-treatable or geotechnically unsuitable for reuse—or because it is hazardous material which cannot remain on-site.

To ask Her Majesty's Government to what height above ground level it will be necessary to prune the trees in Greenwich Park in order to accommodate equestrian events in the 2012 Olympic Games. [HL22]

The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has publicly committed to minimising the impact of the equestrian events in Greenwich Park and to developing the course on the basis of an arboricultural (tree) assessment, submitted as part of town planning. The Royal Parks is responsible for trees in Greenwich Park and will be working with LOCOG to ensure that pruning that takes place on any tree is consistent with normal tree husbandry, whereby trees are managed to preserve the landscape, for conservation and for public safety.

To ask Her Majesty's Government on what grounds the accrued pension entitlements of an employee of central or local government can be reduced or annulled. [HL55]

An accrued pension entitlement under an occupational pension scheme is a property right protected by the European Convention on Human Rights: it cannot be forfeited except in the public interest and in accordance with the law.

Under Sections 92 to 94 of the Pensions Act 1995 an accrued pension entitlement pension generally cannot be forfeited, but this is subject to certain exceptions and the Act permits a public service pension scheme to withhold the whole or part of a pension in certain circumstances. These include where a member owes a debt to the employer or the pension scheme; where a member has been convicted of treason; where a member has been convicted of an offence under the Official Secrets Acts for which the person has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment totalling at least 10 years; or where a member has been convicted of an offence committed in connection with the member's employment where a Minister of the Crown has certified that the commission of the offence has been gravely injurious to the interests of the state or is liable to lead to a serious loss of confidence in the public service.

The precise terms in which individual public service pension schemes provide for forfeiture are matters for those responsible for the rules of the individual schemes.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what projections they have of the prison population over the next 10 years; and what plans they have to respond to those projections. [HL31]

The latest projections for the prison population were published on 18 September, in the Ministry of Justice statistics bulletin Prison Population Projections 2008-15. The projections estimate the demand for prison places for the next seven years in three different scenarios. Under these scenarios, the prison population (at the end of June) is projected to be:

We are responding to expected rises in the prison population by pursuing an extensive building programme, which is designed to increase capacity in the prison estate to 96,000 places by 2014. We have also taken a number of measures, recommended by Lord Carter in his review of prisons and enacted in the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, to ensure that the use of custody is better focused on those serious, dangerous and seriously persistent offenders for whom it is appropriate and necessary.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 20 November (WA 227), what provisions are available for the accommodation of wheelchairs at the point of entry onto trains from the platform, as opposed to general access to the station. [HL173]

Regulations covering the accessibility of all new rail vehicles have been in place since 1998. These specify a number of features to assist disabled people when accessing these vehicles, including the provision of boarding devices to facilitate access for wheelchair users.

There are currently over 4,750 regulated rail vehicles in service. All rail vehicles must be accessible by no later than 1 January 2020.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 24 November (WA 277-78), what studies have been undertaken to determine the number of lorries registered before 2000 whose near side door and mirror frame construction are not capable of carrying the improved mirror systems required for newer lorries under Directive 2007/38. [HL77]

No UK studies have been undertaken. However, a study carried out on behalf of the European Union in preparation for the retro-fit legislation, A Cost/Benefit Analysis on Blind Spot Mirrors by the Jacobs Consultancy, indicated that earlier vehicle mirror systems may not be suitable for updating. Our contacts within the manufacturing and transport industries have also advised us that earlier vehicles were generally designed and constructed to save weight, so their design may not be able to cope with additional mirrors.