To ask Her Majesty's Government how many alcohol-related disturbances occurred on trains in 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. [HL4061]

This information is not held by the Department for Transport but by the British Transport Police who can be contacted at: British Transport Police, 25 Camden Road, London, NW1 9LN, e-mail: parliament@btp.pnn. police.uk.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many hours in aggregate have the C-17s operated by the Royal Air Force flown; how many are planned for 2009–10; when each of them is anticipated to reach the end of its flying life; and what plans they have for further acquisition of C-17s. [HL3797]

Between the 1 May 2001, when the fleet first came into service, and 31 March 2009 the Royal Air Force's C-17 aircraft of which there are now six, have completed a total of 48,824 flying hours. Planned flying hours for 2009-10 are 7,847, however, the final figure of actual flying hours may differ. The planned out-of-service date for the fleet is 2031, and there are no plans currently to procure further aircraft.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they have in place to ensure party political balance in broadcasting. [HL3905]

Responsibility for what is broadcast on television and radio rests with the broadcasters and the organisations that regulate broadcasting: the Office of Communications (Ofcom), the BBC Trust and the Welsh Fourth Channel Authority (S4C). These organisations are independent of Government and are responsible for safeguarding the public interest in broadcasting—they set out the rules and guidance with which broadcasters must comply.

The BBC charter and agreement contain specific and detailed provisions on impartiality. A requirement has been placed on the BBC to treat controversial subjects with due accuracy and impartiality, both in the corporation's news services and in the more general field of programmes dealing with matters of public policy or industrial controversy.

Similarly, Ofcom's broadcasting code also contains principles to ensure news is reported with due accuracy and impartiality giving due weight to matters and avoiding undue prominence to the views and opinions of particular persons or bodies. This broadcasting code is available on Ofcom's website at www.ofcom.org.uk.

To ask Her Majesty's Government (a) what the total monetary value of Senior Civil Service non-consolidated performance pay awards was in the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, (b) how many and what proportion of the Senior Civil Service staff in the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform received performance pay awards by SCS pay band, and (c) how those awards were distributed by pay band and award category, for each of the past five years for which data are available. [HL3365]

The creation of BERR was announced in June 2007 in a machinery of government change and this was applied retrospectively to 1 April 2007. Non-consolidated non-pensionable performance awards are paid to staff in the Senior Civil Service (SCS) to reward delivery of business objectives and personal contributions to wider organisational goals. Performance awards are part of the pay system across the whole Senior Civil Service, and are used to reward high performance sustained throughout the year, based on judgments of how well an individual has performed relative to their peers. The performance-related pay scheme is designed to help drive high performance and support better public service delivery.

The size of the non-consolidated performance pay pot is based on recommendations by the independent Senior Salaries Review Body.

The Government have frozen the percentage of the pay bill available for SCS non-consolidated pay for 2009-10. These figures are not yet available.

The information available is shown in the tables below.

Table 1 Total monetary value of SCS non-consolidated performance pay

Table 2-Distribution by pay band and award category FY 2007-08

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made on the discussions between the British High Commission in Cyprus and the Government of Cyprus regarding the ability of United Kingdom citizens who have bought property in Cyprus to obtain title deeds, and the assurances made by the government of Cyprus to the British High Commissioner that it would introduce a bill to address that issue. [HL3803]

Our High Commissioner in Cyprus discussed the question of title deeds with the Minister of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus on 27 April 2009. The Minister was fully aware of the problem of obtaining title deeds, an issue which also affects a large number of Cypriots. The Cyprus Government will introduce legislation to speed up the issuing of title deeds, but this legislation will only apply to future cases. The Minister expressed a willingness to meet representatives of interest groups about this issue.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether severance, redundancy or pay in lieu of notice is being arranged for Damian McBride; whether early commencement of pension or any enhancement is being considered; and whether he is to be replaced. [HL2970]

Mr McBride resigned on 11 April. His resignation had immediate effect. He has not been paid severance, redundancy or pay in lieu of notice. Nor is there any early commencement of pension or enhanced terms. The Government are committed to publishing an annual list of special advisers. The next list will be published before the Summer Recess.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of electricity consumed in England and Wales was produced by hydroelectric power in each of the past five years for which figures are available. [HL3825]

Data are available for the amount of hydro-electricity generated in England and Wales, as well as the amount of electricity consumed. This is shown in the table below. Data for both series are currently available for 2004 to 2007, with 2008 data for hydro-electricity available in September 2009, and for electricity consumption in December 2009. Also shown are data for UK hydro-electricity generation—data for 2008 available in July 2009.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the forecast capacity of wind-powered electricity generators from Wales expected to be incorporated into the National Grid; and which individual proposals in which locations constitute that capacity. [HL3109]

Wales currently has 420MW of operational wind energy: 360MW onshore at various locations as well as 60MW offshore at North Hoyle. 90MW is under construction at Rhyl Flats and the 750MW Gwynt-y-Mor offshore project was consented in December 2008. These offshore wind farms are all situated off the north Wales coast.

The Government estimate that meeting our share of the EU 2020 target might require up to 14GW of onshore wind and up to 14GW of offshore wind generation—a proportion of which will be in Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government's 2008 Renewable Energy Route Map For Wales at wales.gov.uk/consultation/ desh/2008/renewable/routemape.pdf?lang=en stated that if all potential projects were to go ahead in full, wind farms within the TAN 8 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/ planning/policy/tans/tan8/?lang=en strategic search areas could produce up to 2,500MW of generation capacity.

We are currently aware of around 2,000MW of possible onshore wind energy projects in Wales at various stages in the planning system. These include the projects listed in the table below, which are with the Secretary of State for approval under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. In addition there will also be other current applications under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which will be dealt with by the relevant local planning authorities in Wales.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the contribution to the National Grid made by wind power during the coldest days between November 2008 and March 2009. [HL3408]

Electricity supply data are not available on a daily basis. Data for electricity supplied by wind generation (major power producers only) to the public supply system for the months of November 2008 to February 2009 can be found in the table below. Data for March 2009 will be available on 28 May 2009.

Source: Energy Trends, table ET 5.4 wind, available at www.berr.gov.uk/enemy/statistics/source/electricity/page18527.html

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their projection of the cost of building all further wind turbines required to enable them to meet their 2020 renewable energy targets, including additional transmission lines. [HL3409]

The UK Renewable Energy Strategy consultation document http://decc. gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk_supply/energy mix/renewables/res/res.aspx set out a central scenario for deployment of renewable energy needed to meet the UK's share of the EU renewable energy target.

The resource cost (the cost of the renewable technologies less the cost of conventional generation and carbon allowances) of increasing the level of renewable electricity to meet that scenario, including additional costs to grid infrastructure, was estimated to be in the region of £2.2 billion to £2.6 billion pa in 2020, £33 billion to £37 billion cumulative to 2030. This cost relates to the impact on the electricity market of all renewable electricity technologies that will be incentivised through the renewables obligation (RO) to contribute to the achievement of the 2020 renewables target. There are no estimates of the cost of the RO for individual technologies.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they will give to the development of the Global Peace Index. [HL4029]

The Government welcome the publication of the third annual Global Peace Index (GPI) and its aim to contribute to a greater understanding of the factors that foster peace. We plan to work closely with the GPI team to enhance the methodology behind the index and consider possible common objectives in our work.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what conflicts of interest have been identified concerning discussions taking place about the future of GM Europe; how they were identified; and how they have been resolved. [HL3984]

No conflicts of interest have been identified.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps are taken to ensure that (a) no conflict of interest arises, (b) any potential conflict of interest is recognised, and (c) conflicts of interest are resolved, in relation to discussions held between Government Ministers and the business community. [HL3983]

Section 7 of the Ministerial Code sets out the procedures for handling Ministers' interests.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of protection of British troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf, in the light of the new Iranian missile capabilities. [HL3923]

The safety of UK personnel serving overseas is of paramount importance. We constantly monitor the threats faced by our personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf to ensure that they have the necessary protection to operate effectively in the environments in which they serve.

To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, David Miliband, met the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Avigdor Liberman, but has not been willing to meet elected members of Hamas. [HL3915]

We would welcome constructive dialogue with Hamas, if they renounce violence, recognise the state of Israel and adhere to previously made agreements. However we believe that to talk to Hamas directly at this time, when they remain committed to violence and refuse to recognise Israel, would simply undermine President Abbas and those Palestinians who are committed to peace.

The Arab League has mandated Egypt to communicate with Hamas. We are in regular contact with both the Arab League and Egypt.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent statements by Hezbollah's leadership that they are acquiring more sophisticated military technology. [HL3896]

Any such action would be in contravention of the arms embargo established by UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and would serve only to undermine regional security.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent statements by Hezbollah's Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, that his organisation is ready for war with Israel. [HL3897]

Renewed violence would serve only to harm the interests of Lebanon and its people. The only sustainable solution to the challenges facing Lebanon and the conflict in the Middle East is full engagement in democratic politics and the peace process. The Government continue to believe that Hezbollah should disarm, reject violence and play a constructive role in Lebanese and regional politics, in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government which cases for judicial review in Northern Ireland have been granted legal aid in the past year and at what cost. [HL3625]

From 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 266 legal aid was granted to 266 individuals to bring judicial review proceedings.

Of the 266 cases granted legal aid a total of 55 cases have concluded and bills assessed with a total cost of £83,533.

Details of the 266 cases in which legal aid was granted are set out in the table to this Answer.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what grades of officials in the Northern Ireland Officer are allowed to use hire cars; what are the criteria for such use; and who makes the decision on such use. [HL3375]

The use of hire cars, self-drive or with driver provided, is based on business need and not grade.

All business travel arrangements for staff below grade A must be authorised in advance by a more senior officer of at least middle manager (grade B2 or above). Senior managers (grade A and above), can authorise their own travel arrangements with the assistance, where necessary, of the central travel booking team which offers advice on best value options.

During 2007-08, the department adopted a policy to make greater use of taxis rather than private hire cars where it is more cost-effective. This policy has led to an increase in taxi costs but has generated estimated whole year net savings of £150,000.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the British Embassy in Washington is aware of the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's encouragement of United States Senators and Congressmen to table resolutions on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, as stated on 30 April in the Irish parliament's Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday agreement; and whether the embassy will prepare an information pack on the subject for Congress and the White House. [HL3990]

Our embassy in Washington continues to monitor activities in the US Congress which relate to reserved and excepted matters concerning Northern Ireland. Should the subject be raised by members of Congress, the embassy will consider the need to prepare an information pack.

To ask Her Majesty's Government following the report of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the possibility of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland and the minority dissenting report which concluded the Commission had exceeded its remit, whether the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has been asked to, or has considered, exercising his powers under paragraph 2(4) of Schedule 7 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to dismiss the Chief Commissioner or a Commissioner. [HL3881]

No.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 19 May (WA 299), whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has built confidence amongst the community in Northern Ireland in the way outlined by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee on 1 April. [HL3913]

As can be seen from the uncorrected transcript of his oral evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee (available at www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/ pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmniaf/uc404-i/uc40402.htm), the Secretary of State's reference to building confidence was a reference to the commitment made in the Belfast agreement, not to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. He said:

“I think that the original proposition at the time of the Good Friday agreement, to recognise that there might be human rights in Northern Ireland, which could be different from the rest of the United Kingdom, precisely because of the Troubles, was very important to identify and to use as mechanism to build confidence”.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland meant in saying at the meeting of the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee on 1 April that many of the proposals of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission “go well beyond any proposals in either the Joint Declaration or the Good Friday agreement”. [HL3914]

The full uncorrected transcript of the Secretary of State's oral evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee on 1 April, in which he explained his meaning, can be found at www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmniaf/uc404-i/uc40402.htm.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission was given a specific brief to advise on a Bill of Rights reflecting the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland. It is the Government's opinion that the Commission has gone further than expected by producing such a wide range of proposals. However the Commission is entitled to make these recommendations and has not exceeded its statutory powers by doing so. The Government will consult publicly on their response to the advice in due course.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether an assessment has been made of the benefits to the United Kingdom, outside London, of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; and what evidence there is to indicate that those benefits will occur. [HL2926]

The Government are committed to maximising the benefits of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK. The Government's legacy action plan, Before, During and After: Making the Most of the London 2012 Games, sets out how we will ensure that benefits of the Games extend beyond sport to wider opportunities, and beyond London to the rest of the UK. The publication of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games annual report in January 2009 provides an update on the progress that has been made in delivering benefits, in London and beyond.

Both immediate and long-term benefits from the Games will be realised in and outside London. There are community activities and educational and cultural programmes throughout the UK. The free swimming initiative, a key part of the plans to ensure a long-term legacy, means that four out of every five local councils in England have signed up to provide free swimming for over-60s, with more than 200 offering it for young people. The 2012 Get Set website offers a huge variety of educational resources and opportunities targeted at three to 19 year-olds, with more than one in 10 schools and colleges already registered on the site. Around 650 events were held throughout the UK to celebrate the launch of the Cultural Olympiad, a four-year cultural programme designed to celebrate the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The programme includes opportunities for people from across the UK to be involved in the Games, both in major and local or regional projects.

The economic benefits of the Games for the whole UK are already evident. Nine hundred and thirty-five businesses have won over £3.5 billion of work supplying the ODA with 98 per cent of ODA contracts awarded to UK-based businesses, just under half (45 per cent) of which are outside London.

The Games also creates opportunities outside London for tourism, media, sport and many other sectors; for example, the value of the Games to UK tourism has been estimated to be £2.1 billion.

We are working across government and the Olympic family to develop ways of measuring, analysing and evaluating the wide range of impacts, including those on the economy, sport, physical activity, regeneration and sustainability. The aim of this work is to ensure that we are able to make a rigorous assessment of the benefits of the Games in return for the significant public investment.

Government, together with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), has established a nations and regions group, bringing together representatives from each of the nations and regions of the UK with a view to maximising the benefits of the Olympics across the country.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what countries receive for detention pirates captured off the Horn of Africa. [HL3928]

The UK and EU have agreed memorandums of understanding covering the transfer of suspected pirates captured off the Horn of Africa to Kenya.

In order to assist Kenya with providing the facilities and legal processes related to the trial and detention of these prisoners, the European Commission recently approved assistance through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to support trial and legal costs related to prosecution of piracy suspects in Kenya. The programme budget is €1.75 million. The programme began on 15 May 2009 and will run for 18 months.

The contact group on piracy off the coast of Somalia on 29 May 2009 endorsed the creation of an international trust fund to assist with the cost of prosecuting pirates and support regional development that is deemed important in counterpiracy work.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to encourage companies to recognise British Forces Post Office addresses so that members of the Armed Forces serving abroad may place orders for goods and services online. [HL3893]

In order to assist internet shopping using British Forces Post Office (BFPO) numbers, BFPO has entered into contracts with over 1,300 internet shopping companies. BFPO vouches for the identity and, indirectly, the creditworthiness of the individuals and ensures the delivery of the purchases. A list of these companies is readily available to service personnel on the BFPO website, which can be found at the following link at www.bfpo.mod.uk.

BFPO and Royal Mail Group continue to work together to further improve access to internet shopping to personnel overseas.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Post Offices in communities designated as needing Post Offices under the network change programme have been listed for closure. [HL3682]

To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Kings Stag and Hazelbury Bryan Post Offices in Dorset are due to be closed, contrary to the results agreed following the network change programme consultation. [HL3683]

My noble friend the Secretary of State has made clear during the passage of the Postal Services Bill the Government will not support any further programme of Post Office closures. But because 97 per cent of the network is privately owned and operated, neither Government nor Post Office Ltd can commit to maintain an absolute number of offices at any given time.

I understand from Post Office Ltd that the Hazelbury Bryan post office branch was not proposed for closure under the network change programme but will close on 26 May due to the sub-postmaster's resignation. Post Office Ltd is working to find a solution that will continue to maintain a post office presence in the community.

Kings Stag post office was proposed for replacement with an outreach service during the network change programme. Kings Stag post office closed in March and Post Office Ltd is working to establish an outreach service in that area.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of potential off-peak capacity on the rail network. [HL3953]

The amount of off-peak capacity available across the rail network varies considerably. Some routes are busy with trains for much of the day, others have substantial unused off-peak capacity.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people aged 60 or over own a senior railcard. [HL3948]

The Department for Transport does not hold this information, as the sale of senior railcards is a matter for the train operators concerned.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total value of rail tickets sold using the (a) 16–25 railcard, (b) senior railcard, and (c) disabled persons railcard in 2008–09; and how much revenue was received from the sale of those railcards. [HL3949]

The Department for Transport does not hold this information, as the breakdown of revenue from the sale of railcards is a matter for the train operators concerned.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much net revenue (after deducting administrative expenses) was received by the train operators from the sale of (a) 16–25 railcards, (b) senior railcards, and (c) disabled persons railcards in 2008–09. [HL3950]

The Department for Transport does not hold this information, as the breakdown of revenue received from the sale of railcards is a matter for the train operators concerned.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many rail journeys were made in 2008–09 using the senior railcard. [HL3951]

The Department for Transport does not hold this information, as the breakdown of journeys made using senior railcards is a matter for the train operators concerned.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the annual value of potential rail travel by persons aged 60 or over if the senior railcard or an equivalent were issued free of charge. [HL3952]

No assessment has been made of the annual value of potential rail travel by persons aged 60 or over if the senior railcard (or an equivalent) were issued free of charge.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have plans for more oil rigs or gas rigs or both to be erected off the Sefton coast in the Irish Sea. [HL3833]

Government do not themselves conduct exploration or development activities for oil or gas in any part of the United Kingdom. The Irish Sea area is geologically prospective and a range of companies are involved in such activities in the region. DECC's most recent strategic environmental assessment, published in January of this year, indicated that DECC would expect to offer more licences for areas in UK waters including the Irish Sea.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the situation in Sierra Leone; what discussions they have had with the government of Sierra Leone; and what plans they have to review their assistance programme to that country. [HL3805]

The situation has been thoroughly assessed as part of country planning over the past 12 months. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, Ivan Lewis, visited Sierra Leone on 1 and 2 April and discussed these issues with the president and political leaders. The Department for International Development's (DfID) office in Freetown also works closely with the Government of Sierra Leone in all of the sectors of engagement covered by the country plan. Regular monitoring of indicators will ensure the DfID programme is reviewed through the country plan in accordance with DfID procedures. The country plan will be reviewed annually to take account of developments in the country.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent contacts they have had with Impregilo, the preferred bidder to build an airport in St Helena; what were the results of those contacts; and what assessment they have made of the impact on the bidding process of the pause in negotiations announced in December 2008 [HL3804]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, Mike Foster, met representatives of Impregilo S.p.A. on 10 February 2009 to set out the reasons for the pause in contract negotiations. Impregilo S.p.A. has continued to extend the validity date of its tender so that its bid remains open.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what contact there has been between (a) the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and (b) Lord Mandelson, and (1) Oleg Deripaska, and (2) Magna, with respect to Vauxhall car production at Luton and at Ellesmere Port. [HL3981]

There has been regular contact with Magna and none with Oleg Deripaska in respect of Vauxhall production.