To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to raise the average wage for carers for the elderly. [HL3025]

It is for local employers to determine the level of pay for the adult social care workforce, including the pay levels of those providing care for the elderly.

The department is not responsible for setting the levels of pay for the adult social care workforce. However, we do recognise the importance of service providers offering fair workforce terms and conditions, while also providing best value and a quality service.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Clinical Network Collaborative Consortium for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is fulfilling the purposes for which it was set up following the Chief Medical Officer's 2002 report on CFS/ME; whether regional specialist services for patients with CFS/ME are appropriately funded and are operating in all English regions; and whether there are sufficient trained specialist practitioners to meet the needs of patients in each region. [HL3076]

We have made no assessment on whether the Clinical Network Collaborative Consortium is fulfilling the purposes for which it was set up.

It is the responsibility of strategic health authorities to ensure that services are available, and sufficiently funded and staffed with appropriately trained staff, to meet the health and social care needs of those of their local population diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Statement by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 31 March (WS 83-84), what was the estimated size of the total amount for the civil service's non-consolidated performance-related pay pot for the Senior Civil Service in each of the past five years for which information is available. [HL2899]

Pay arrangements for the Senior Civil Service are based on recommendations by the independent Senior Salaries Review Body.

The size of the pot as a proportion of the pay bill in each year since 2005 is shown below:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect on United Kingdom policy of the Government of Sweden's pledge that all vehicles will not use fossil fuels by 2030. [HL3205]

The Government have not assessed the effect of Sweden's action plan for a fossil-fuel independent fleet by 2030 on UK policy, but as a matter of course will monitor Sweden's policy implementation and assess implications for UK policy. Ultra-low Carbon Vehicles in the UK, launched by Lord Mandelson and Geoff Hoon on 16 April, set out how the Government will help to make the UK a global leader in the development and production of electric cars and other ultra low-carbon vehicles. Central to the strategy is an initiative to provide motorists with help worth £2,000 to £5,000 towards buying the first electric and plug-in hybrid cars and plans to provide £20 million for charging points and related infrastructure to help develop a network of electric car cities throughout the UK.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total cost of travel by officials between the United Kingdom and the British Embassy in Havana in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what is the average cost of a journey by a Government official between the United Kingdom and the British embassy in Havana. [HL3042]

During financial year 2008-09, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) consular rapid deployment team travelled to Cuba in response to Hurricane Ike (in September 2008). Six members of staff deployed and the total cost of flights was £23,676. There were visits to the embassy by contractors, technicians and other FCO staff from a range of departments, but as costs were incurred from different budgets individual breakdowns are not readily available. Members of staff from our embassy in Havana also travelled back to the UK for visits.

It is difficult to provide costs for an average journey as officials use different carriers and classes of travel. To ensure value for money, visits to Havana are often combined with travel elsewhere in the region.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people were admitted to hospital due to khat-induced psychosis in each of the past five years. [HL3191]

The information requested is not collected centrally.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) responded publicly to media coverage of Dr P M Zavos's work, as televised on 22 April and reported in the press, and how their response compared to the comments of the former HFEA chair in January 2004. [HL3251]

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 29 September 2008 (WA 352) regarding the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) seeking to contact Dr K Illmensee, Dr M Levanduski and Dr P M Zavos to discover the pre-implantation development of human-animal cytoplasmic hybrid embryos, whether the HFEA would grant a licence to Dr Zavos to create such entities under the terms of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. [HL3252]

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised me that it has made no public response, on this occasion, to the media coverage of Dr Zavos's work.

The HFEA considers each licence application on its merits. It would be inappropriate for the HFEA to speculate about how it would respond to hypothetical applications.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of United Kingdom electricity they expect to be provided by land-based wind energy by 2020 without disproportionate damage to the rural landscape. [HL3110]

The UK has committed to a binding target of 15 per cent renewable energy (electricity, heat and transport) by 2020. Under a potential scenario in the renewable energy strategy (RES) consultation, published in June 2008, this could equate to 32 per cent renewable electricity.

We estimated in the RES consultation that under one scenario we might require up to 14 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind, which is equivalent to around 9 per cent of our electricity needs (based on provisional net electricity supplied in 2008).

The actual number of wind farms will depend on the market bringing forward suitable proposals. These will all be considered on a project basis through the planning process. Environmental and visual impacts are a material consideration in the planning process. Clear guidance is set out in planning policy statement (PPS) 22 and will be reinforced through national policy statements (NPS) which are being introduced under the Planning Act. PPS 22 can be downloaded at www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningand building/pps22.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 3 March (WA 138), why the use of small wind turbines is allowed if it is not known how much each costs in carbon emissions after manufacture and installation; and why connection to the grid is being contemplated if the cost of such connection in carbon emissions is also unknown. [HL3028]

The issue of embodied carbon has been considered in relation to small wind turbines. However, as set out in the Answer I gave the noble Lord on 2 March 2009, calculations of embodied carbon need to consider a wide range of factors, such as whether materials are recycled, the carbon intensity of the energy used in the manufacturing process, transportation costs, rotor diameter and, most crucially, the height, wind speeds and obstructions near the turbine. For this reason, a range is given in calculations of embodied carbon.

The Energy Saving Trust's recent document Generating the Future: An Analysis of Policy Interventions to Achieve Widespread Small Scale On Site Low Carbon and Renewable Penetration (see www.energysavingtrust.org. uk/corporate/Global-Data/Publications/Generating-the-Future-An-analysis-of-policy-interventions-to-achieve-widespread-microgeneration-penetration) sets out details of energy generation and carbon savings for small-scale energy technologies.

The Government are not aware of specific data for the carbon emissions produced by the grid connection of a small wind turbine. This would relate to the carbon intensity of fuels used for the building works, transportation and maintenance (eg, whether these fuels are oil/diesel/biofuels/electricity).

All renewable and low-carbon technologies have a role to play in reducing carbon. The Government are supporting appropriate, well sited technologies, including small wind turbines through their grants programmes and through the MCS standards (microgeneration certification scheme).

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the rise of £13,000 per annum in the salaries of Members of the European Parliament will apply to United Kingdom MEPs; and whether their salaries will be exempt from United Kingdom taxation. [HL2939]

After the European elections this June, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will receive a common salary to be paid in euros under the MEPs' statute regardless of their member state. The salary will be set at 38.5 per cent of the basic salary of a judge at the Court of Justice of the European Communities. At present, this is €7,665 gross per month.

Serving UK MEPs who are re-elected in June will, however, have an individual choice whether to be paid under the MEPs' statute or to continue to be paid under the current system that gives them the same salary as Members of Parliament.

For those UK-resident MEPs who will be subject to the statute provisions, UK tax will be applied to salaries after giving credit for Community tax deducted at the time of payment. This will prevent double taxation while ensuring that the salaries will be taxed in the same way as the salaries of their constituents. Existing UK MEPs who are able to opt out of the statute will continue to be taxed in the UK in the normal way.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much they spent per patient on dementia research compared with (a) cancer, and (b) stroke research in each year since 2004. [HL2885]

The department does not collect the data on patient numbers that would be required to make the comparison asked for in my noble friend's Question.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions the Department of Health has had with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills about the dementia research summit planned for summer 2009, as set out in the national dementia strategy. [HL2886]

To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the aims and objectives of the Department of Health's dementia research summit planned for summer 2009, as set out in the national dementia strategy. [HL2887]

The Medical Research Council, a body funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), has lead responsibility for the dementia research agenda, and is working jointly with the Department of Health to deliver the dementia research summit. The wide range of stakeholders involved in developing plans for the summit has included DIUS via its membership of the UK Age Research Forum.

The purpose of the department's dementia research summit is to identify key issues and gaps in current dementia research across the full range of scientific activity and care, with the aim of developing a framework for future research in the field.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what payments have been made by the Republic of Ireland to fund health treatment for Irish citizens living in the United Kingdom who previously worked in the Republic of Ireland; and whether they are continuing at the same rate. [HL3243]

The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland make payments to each other to cover the cost of providing healthcare to each other's citizens. This is part of a bilateral agreement which is in line with European Union regulations covering patient mobility. The majority of sums due by both countries relate to healthcare for pensioners. There are around 5,000 pensioners in the UK whom the Republic of Ireland pays for every year, whereas there are around 50,000 pensioners in the Republic of Ireland whom the UK pays for every year. The advance payments due by the Republic of Ireland have totalled around £17 million in each of the past three years. These sums have been offset against the reciprocal payments the UK makes to the Republic of Ireland.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many foreign nationals have been subject to control orders since they were introduced; and, of those, how many have since been deported. [HL2958]

As of 10 March 2009 (the end of the period covered by the last quarterly Written Ministerial Statement on control orders), 26 foreign nationals had ever been subject to a control order. Of these, six individuals have successfully been deported.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many foreign nationals subject to control orders were served between February 2008 and February 2009 with notices of intention to deport; on what date each of those notices was served; and how many of those individuals have been deported. [HL2959]

None.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations the European Union has made to the Government of India on the case of Dr Binayak Sen; and whether the European Union will send an observer to all further judicial proceedings in this case. [HL3266]

I share the noble Lord's concerns and we continue to take an active interest in this case.

The EU has registered its concern with the Indian Government, writing to the Ministry of External Affairs, the National Human Rights Commission and a number of senior political leaders about the case.

The EU has sent observers to the various stages of his judicial hearings so far and plans to attend his bail hearing, now due in May.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people were admitted to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 in each of the past five years. [HL3192]

The number of detentions under the Mental Health Act 1983 on admission to hospital in England is shown in the following table.

Formal admissions to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983, England, 2003-04 to 2007-08

Source: In-patients formally detained in hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983 and other legislation, England: 1997-98 to 2007-08. Information Centre for Health and Social Care, October 2008.

Notes:

(1) Formal admissions do not include detentions subsequent to admission to hospital, or short-term detentions in a hospital as a place of safety under Section 135 or 136 of that Act.

(2) Figures include a small number of detentions under other legislation equivalent to the Mental Health Act 1983.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what will be the impact of the development of over-the-counter self-diagnostic tests for food allergy on NHS allergy services; and what safeguards exist to ensure patients receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate advice. [HL2965]

The Department of Health has not carried out, nor does it have any current plans to carry out, any investigation on the impact of the development of over-the-counter self-diagnostic tests for food allergy on National Health Service allergy services.

Over-the-counter self-diagnostic test kits for allergy to food placed on the market for use by the lay person must meet the safety, quality and performance requirements of the Medical Devices Regulations. Instructions for use for such test kits should warn users of possible false results and provide guidance on the interpretation of the results and the need for medical advice. The results of the tests must be expressed and presented in a way that is readily understood by a lay person.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether persons who work in the National Health Service and who speak to the media about problems they encounter in their working lives may face disciplinary action as a result. [HL3172]

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 gives full protection of the law to staff who whistleblow in the public interest and the penalties for those who penalise staff for doing so are potentially very severe. The department has therefore, in light of the Act, made it clear that every National Health Service trust should have in place local policies and procedures that comply with the Act. The Government expect a climate of openness and dialogue in the NHS that encourages staff to feel able to raise concerns about healthcare matters sensibly and responsibly without fear of victimisation.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, regarding property claims within the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, they continue to be guided by (a) the precedent set in Hesperides Hotels v Muftizade in the Court of Appeal, and (b) the report by the then United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, on 27 May 2005 concluding that, except by mutual agreement, there should be no individual exceptions pending a settlement to the Cyprus dispute. [HL3150]

The application of previous case law in the determination of claims is a matter for the courts. As my right honourable friend the Minister for Europe (Caroline Flint) said in a public statement recently,

“property remains a sensitive and emotive issue for many people in Cyprus. It can only be fully resolved by political means through a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem. I urge all Cypriots to support fully the efforts of the two leaders to find a comprehensive solution and focus on the benefits that ending the division of the island will bring”.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 20 April (WA 355) concerning the payment of bonuses to the officials of the Northern Ireland Office, when official guidance will be given; and whether it will be published. [HL3044]

As stated in my Answer of 26 January (Official Report, col. WA 16), the code of practice and guidance in relation to non-consolidated payments to non-Senior Civil Service staff has been placed in the Library of the House.

Information on the reward arrangements for the Senior Civil Service, which are managed centrally by the Cabinet Office, is available on the civilservice.gov.uk website. A copy will be made available in the Library of the House.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will issue new guidance to Thames Valley Police regarding laws on harassment in the light of the case of Mr Robin Demczak of Witney. [HL3077]

Police forces have a duty to investigate fully and impartially any complaint they receive.

The matter referred to here is still under investigation by Thames Valley Police as the proper authority.

The Home Office does not comment where it is an operational matter for a police force to deal with, or on individual cases.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Policing, Crime and Security, Vernon Coaker, on 16 March (Official Report, House of Commons, col. 924W), why (a) Defra Litigations and Prosecutions, (b) the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, (c) the Department for Transport. (d) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, (e) the Environment Agency, (f) the Health and Safety Executive, (f) the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, and (g) the Charity Commission, have access to the Police National Computer. [HL3031]

Defra Litigations and Prosecutions, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and the Charity Commission all have access for case preparation in investigations/prosecutions.

The Department for Transport has access for national security vetting.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority has access to assist the identification of suspect/stolen vehicles and for targeting unlicensed/incorrectly licensed vehicles.

To ask Her Majesty's Government when the purchase of ballistic steel for Police Service of Northern Ireland vehicles was last put to tender; who won the contract; and what were the value and length of the contract.[HL3129]

That is an operational matter for the chief constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the noble Lord, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any administrative staff of the Police Service of Northern Ireland have been suspended following an investigation into the termination of a contract with the Northern Ireland sheet metal works; if so, when they were suspended; and what is their current status.[HL3133]

That is an operational matter for the chief constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the noble Lord, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they propose to take to reduce the number of serious road accidents to young moped riders, as illustrated in a recent report published by the Institute of Advanced Motorists. [HL3182]

The Government's motorcycling strategy sets out a range of measures to improve the safety of all powered two-wheeler users, including young moped riders. It was published in February 2005 and a revised action plan was issued in June 2008. This includes Think! publicity for powered two-wheeler and other road users, improvements to rider training, a safer road environment and safer vehicles and equipment.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assets have been seized under terrorism legislation in each of the past five years. [HL3005]

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been convicted under terrorism legislation for raising funds in each of the past five years. [HL3006]

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been prosecuted under terrorism legislation for encouraging or glorifying terrorism. [HL3007]

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action has been taken against the places from which people operate who have been prosecuted under terrorism legislation for encouraging or glorifying terrorism. [HL3008]

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been (a) arrested, and (b) prosecuted, for inciting terrorism overseas in each year since 2000. [HL3070]

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been (a) arrested, and (b) prosecuted, for entering into or facilitating the retention of terrorist property. [HL3071]

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been convicted under Section 57(4)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2000 in each year since 2001; and what was the sentence in each case. [HL3072]

The information requested is not currently available.

The Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Office are currently working with the national co-ordinator for terrorist investigations to improve the quality of data on arrests and convictions under terrorist legislation and other related legislation. As soon as this is complete a statistical bulletin to cover information on arrests and convictions will be published, but as yet we do not have a confirmed date.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are assessing the compliance of Turkey with its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular concerning the prosecution of minors under terrorism legislation and the length of custodial sentences currently being imposed; and whether they will make representations. [HL3034]

The UK shares the assessment of the UN Committee on the Convention on the Rights of the Child concerning Turkey's progress towards implementing all articles of the convention.

The committee's most recent report notes that there has been some progress in Turkey, including a new child protection law which entered into force on 3 July 2005. The committee recommends further strengthening of work and activities in the area of child rights. The UK supports these conclusions both in principle and practically through bilateral and EU projects aimed at ensuring the full implementation of UNICEF minimum standards. We follow developments relating to the prosecution of minors closely, including by meeting both the non-governmental organisations working on this issue and some of the minors affected, including during regional visits. We raised this issue with provincial governors in December together with EU colleagues, and raised the issue with central government as part of the EU's regular dialogue with Turkey.