To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the remarks by Baroness Thornton on 1 May 2008 (WA 410) during the Committee of the Whole House on the Alcohol Labelling Bill stating that if a voluntary scheme was not adopted by industry the Government would introduce a mandatory scheme, when they intend to introduce mandatory labelling of containers of alcoholic beverages. [HL6136]

In May 2007, the department reached a United Kingdom-wide voluntary agreement with the alcohol industry to include specified unit and health information on alcohol labels. The Government made clear their expectation that the majority of labels should be covered by the end of 2008.

We expect to be able to publish shortly the results of independent monitoring from samples taken in April 2009. We will be looking at whether a majority of labels are covered by the expected information and whether the content is consistent with the 2007 voluntary agreement.

If we find that most labels are still not complying with the voluntary agreement, we will consider what action we can take to improve compliance, including using existing powers under the Food Safety Act to make this a mandatory requirement.

We believe that consumers have a right to consistent, agreed information on at least the large majority of alcohol labels, to enable them to assess their intake of alcohol and to relate this to the Government's guidelines.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the number of settlers from mainland Greece who are resident in the south of Cyprus who took residence there (a) following 1974, and (b) since the referendum in 2004. [HL5963]

HMG has made no such assessment. However, the Republic of Cyprus's most recent census, undertaken in 2001, can be found on the internet at the website address at http://www.pio.gov.cy/mof/cystat/statistics.nsf/All/805CB6E0CF012914C2257122003F3A84/$file/MAIN%20RESULTS-EN.xls?OpenElement.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the number of Turkish Cypriots living in Greek Southern Cyprus has fallen or increased in the past two years. [HL5996]

HMG has no knowledge of changes in the population of the Turkish Cypriot community in the south of Cyprus. However, the Republic of Cyprus's most recent census, undertaken in 2001, can be found on the internet at the website address at http://www.pio.gov.cy/mof/cystat/statistics.nsf/All/805CB6E0CF012914C2257122003F3A84/$file/MAIN%20RESULTS-EN.xls?OpenElement.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the proposed memorial to British people killed by Greek Cypriot terrorists will be located in (a) Greek Cypriot Southern Cyprus, (b) the United Nations Buffer Zone between Northern and Southern Cyprus, (c) a Sovereign Base Area, or (d) Turkish Cypriot Northern Cyprus; and when that memorial will be unveiled. [HL5999]

The British Cyprus Veterans Association has taken forward an independent initiative to commemorate the British service personnel who died during the EOKA campaign of the 1950s. The memorial is in Kyrenia, in Northern Cyprus, and will be unveiled on 8 November.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the claim of property rights in Varosha by the land-holding foundation Efkaf. [HL5964]

HMG are aware of these claims but believe that a comprehensive settlement to reunite Cyprus is the best solution to the complex issue of property rights.

To ask Her Majesty's Government in the light of the launch by the European Commission of the second phase of infraction proceedings over the United Kingdom's not implementing European Union rules on privacy and personal data protection when using electronic communications, (a) what advice they received from officials on that issue, (b) what legislative action they took as a consequence, and (c) what response they will make to the European Commission press release about the infraction proceedings. [HL6156]

I refer the noble Baroness to the Answer I gave to her Question of 9 July 2009 (Official Report, WA 140). We are considering the letter of 29 October from the European Commission and will be responding in due course.

To ask Her Majesty's Government why Ofsted has decided to investigate a sample of 15 local authorities about their provision for home educators; which 15 local authorities it will investigate; and how they were chosen. [HL5984]

To ask Her Majesty's Government what questions have been posed to home-educating parents in local authorities currently having their provision for home educators investigated by Ofsted; how those parents were chosen; what steps were taken to ensure the anonymity of their responses; and which home education organisations have been asked to provide evidence to the investigators. [HL6031]

These are matters for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the noble Lord and copies of her replies have been placed in the Libraries.

Letter from Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, to Lord Lucas, dated 5 November 2009.

Your recent Parliamentary Question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for a response. (HL5984)

As part of Ofsted's annual programme of survey inspections, agreed in 2008, we are undertaking a survey of education otherwise than at school. This survey will cover elective education at home, as well as those children that go missing from school. It will provide independent inspection evidence about the quality of provision and outcomes for this group of children and young people.

We have identified a representative sample of 15 local authorities, based on the estimated size of the population of children educated otherwise than at school, and the location and type of the local authority, for example whether it is inner city, rural, urban, coastal or in a conurbation. Ofsted publishes the names of providers and areas visited for survey work in the final report rather than in advance of our visits, enabling us to carry out short notice visits that give us a better picture of practice on the ground. It would, therefore, be inappropriate to provide the individual local authority names at this stage.

A copy of this reply has been sent to Vernon Coaker MP, Minister of State for Schools and Learners and will be placed in the Library of both Houses.

Letter from Christine Gilbert, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, to Lord Lucas, dated 5 November 2009.

Your recent Parliamentary Question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for a response. (HL 6031)

The activity to which you refer is part of an Ofsted survey of education otherwise than at school. This survey is part of Ofsted's annual programme of survey inspections, agreed in 2008.

All home educating parents in the 15 local authorities are being offered the chance to meet inspectors and to complete a voluntary, anonymous questionnaire. The information that parents give to inspectors will contribute to the evidence base for the survey, and will help to reflect the views of parents and the young people being educated at home. The questions will be about the parents' reasons for deciding to educate at home, the numbers and ages of the children involved, what has assisted parents as home educators and what the barriers have been.

Responses in meetings and to any questionnaires will be anonymous, and will be treated with the same high degree of confidentiality as all our inspection evidence. Local authority officers will not be present at the meetings and will not see the anonymous responses to the questionnaires, which are being returned directly to Ofsted. The local authorities will not have access to the evidence or findings other than what is included in the main report.

Ofsted is in contact with the Education Otherwise Government Policy Group, Education Otherwise, the Home Education Advisory Service, and local home education support groups in local authority areas.

A copy of this reply has been sent to Vernon Coaker MP, Minister of State for Schools and Learners, and will be placed in the Library of both Houses.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 3 June (WA 88–89) and by Baroness Thornton on 27 October (WA 124), whether the numbers of human gametes and embryos used in research are monitored by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in order to ensure that the proposed use still fulfils the criteria of the research licence upon renewal; and what assessment they have made of how progress in the work undertaken has met the objectives of the original application for research licence R0152. [HL6144]

The numbers of human gametes and embryos used in licensed research are monitored by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) in order to ensure that the proposed use still fulfils the criteria of the research licence upon renewal.

Regarding research licence R0152—granted to the Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life—I understand that the HFEA's research licence committee was informed of the number of eggs and embryos used in the research project during 2007, when it considered renewal of the licence. The inspection report to which the committee referred and the minutes of the meeting are available at www.hfea.gov.uk/2015.html#Newcastle_ Fertility_Centre_at_Life-0017 and www.hfea.gov.uk/ 1564.html respectively. The process used to determine whether to renew a research licence is set out in a decision tree used by the licence committee (this can be found at www.hfea.gov.uk/1128.html). One step in this decision tree is a determination of whether the proposed use or creation of human embryos is necessary for the purpose of the research.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 27 October (WA 124), why the Answer stated that a total figure of only 36 human oocytes were used between 11 August 2004 and 3 July 2005 under research licence R0152 when the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority indicated in response to a Freedom of Information request (F-2005-00134, cited in correspondence with Lord Alton of Liverpool on 6 August 2007) that 486 human oocytes were used between 11 August 2004 and 31 March 2005. [HL6145]

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that the figures supplied in the response to the Freedom of Information request (F-2005-00134) were incorrect. The authority is undertaking a full reconciliation and will write further to the noble Lord.

The total figure supplied for 11 August 2004 to 3 July 2005 in the Written Answer of 27 October (WA 124) is correct, save that the 36 eggs used included 10 failed-to-fertilise eggs, which should have been recorded separately. An amended table is included as follows.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 28 October (WA 151), whether UK Biobank does not expect to receive any applications to use the samples it holds to create cloned human embryos or human admixed embryos because it would not fall within the scope of improving the health of future generations. [HL6146]

UK Biobank has made no judgment of this sort. UK Biobank will give full and proper consideration to any proposal for the use of the samples it holds for the purposes the noble Lord describes if, and when, any such proposal is received.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Baroness Thornton on 28 October (WA 150–51), whether tissue banks providing material for research are required to use contact information at their disposal in order to ensure that researchers can fulfil the requirements of paragraph 21(4) of Schedule 3 to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008. [HL6147]

There is no legal requirement on tissue banks to use contact information at their disposal to aid researchers.

In considering whether to grant a research licence to a project which proposed to use human cells without consent in the creation of embryos, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority would expect the applicant to show that they had complied with the provisions in the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Act 1990 (as amended). In particular, the applicant would need to demonstrate that they had taken reasonable steps to contact the cell provider or, where the cell provider was dead, to contact people in a qualifying relationship to the cell provider.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether negotiations are taking place with other member states of the European Union about the European Union diplomatic service in advance of the possible implementation of the Lisbon treaty; and, if so, what position they are taking on the relationship between the European Union and United Kingdom diplomatic services, particularly on the issue of maintenance of the statutes and power of the United Kingdom diplomatic service. [HL5825]

No decisions on treaty implementation issues can be taken until the treaty of Lisbon enters into force. When the Lisbon treaty comes into force then the detailed organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service will be decided by the member states by unanimity on the basis of a proposal from the high representative. Coreper ambassadors have discussed a number of issues related to the European External Action Service and a text has been forwarded to the European Council as possible input into the high representative's eventual proposal. There are no plans to discuss the maintenance of the Orders in Council and the diplomatic service regulations of the United Kingdom diplomatic service. Article 27 (paragraph 3) of the TEU states that the European External Action Service will work in co-operation with the diplomatic services of the member states.

To ask Her Majesty's Government in exercising their foreign policy, what are the characteristics of an area by which they regard it as a country. [HL5958]

As a matter of foreign policy, the Government do not take a view as to whether an area is a country. The term “country” has no specific meaning under international law unlike the term “state”. The issue is really whether an area or a country can be recognised as a state. The normal criteria which the Government would apply for the recognition of a state remain those that are set out in the Written Answer dated 16 November 1989 (Official Report, col. 494 ) by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. They are that “it should have, and seem likely to continue to have, a clearly defined territory with a population, a Government who are themselves able to exercise effective control of that territory, and independence in their external relations. Other factors, including some United Nations resolutions, may also be relevant”.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much they paid Sir Andrew Foster to review college capital funding following his appointment on 27 January. [HL5581]

The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (now Business Innovation and Skills) asked the chair of the Learning and Skills Council to commission an independent review of its further education capital programme. In doing so, Sir Andrew Foster was appointed.

Costs associated with the professional services provided by Sir Andrew Foster in respect of his review were met by the Learning and Skills Council. The Learning and Skills Council has confirmed that Sir Andrew Foster was paid a total of £33,457 for these services.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they still plan to introduce statutory registration of herbalists and acupuncturists in the United Kingdom; and, if not, why not. [HL6211]

The department is currently undertaking a consultation exercise on whether acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners should be regulated and if so how. Once the consultation period has ended, and the responses have been analysed, a decision on the way forward will then be made.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the Metropolitan Police Service's investigation into Home Office leaks. [HL5969]

The report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary was placed in the Library of the other House by the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 12 October 2009. The recommendations are now being followed up.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in accordance with Rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001, incoming immigration detainees are asked at their medical examination whether they have previously suffered torture. [HL5896]

Persons detained in the UK Border Agency detention estate are seen by a nurse and a medical practitioner within 24 hours of arrival. Under Rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001, the medical practitioner is required to report to the onsite UKBA manager any detained person who he is concerned may have been the victim of torture. We expect clinicians to exercise their professional judgment on how they elicit such information, but Rule 35 does not explicitly require them to ask every detainee.

Systems are in place to ensure that any such reports are promptly brought to the attention of the caseworker to allow for a review of the detention.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidelines exist for the movement at short notice of immigration detainees between detention centres; and under what circumstances such movement may occur. [HL5899]

The Detainee Escorting and Population Management Unit (DEPMU) is responsible for bed space management within the UK Border Agency's detention estate. The unit seeks to minimise movements within the estate in the interests of providing a settled regime and the efficient use of escorting resources.

Guidance is available to staff on how to prioritise movements, where they have to take place, and is aimed at supporting our core operational business of enforcing removals and ensuring we make best use of the bed space.

Movement of detainees around the estate is required for operational reasons, most often to:

position detainees close to airports prior to removal;

position detainees for court appearances;

position detainees for hospital appointments;

position detainees for embassy/documentation interviews;

facilitate the movement of detainees to more secure locations for security/behavioural reasons; and

ensure bed space is fully utilised.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it was made clear when the articles of ratification of the Lisbon treaty were deposited that subsequent Parliaments will have the power to deratify the treaty. [HL5826]

No. Parliament neither ratifies nor can it deratify a treaty.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to Patients not Numbers, People not Statistics, published by the Patients Association; what response they have made or will be making; and whether they will take any action. [HL6164]

We are extremely concerned about any instance of poor or neglectful care of patients, however small in number. The Chief Nursing Officer, Chris Beasley, among others, has said that where nurses are guilty of this they should not remain in the profession. We have a number of initiatives in place to improve and sustain high quality care of patients in hospital, including the essence of care benchmarking system which covers all aspects of fundamental care; the productive ward series which enables nurses to spend more time in direct patient care, and the confidence in caring programme, which helps front-line nurses improve their interaction with patients.

However, we realise that we need to be sure innovative programmes are having the desired effect and so we are presently developing a quality framework for nursing so that performance can be monitored, and failures to reach the required standard caught at the earliest opportunity.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Turkish Cypriot authorities in Northern Cyprus have facilitated visits to St Andreas Monastery in the Karpas Peninsular by Greek Cypriots from southern Cyprus. [HL5997]

HMG are not aware of the Turkish Cypriot authorities having facilitated visits to St Andreas Monastery in the Karpas Peninsular but nor are HMG aware of Greek Cypriots experiencing any problems visiting the monastery.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of progress in the provision of schools for Greek Cypriot children living in Turkish Cyprus. [HL5998]

HMG welcome the establishment of a school for Greek Cypriot children in Rizokarpaso. HMG would support steps to further improve access to education for Greek Cypriot children living in the north.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what restrictions the Greek Cypriot authorities have placed upon the disbursement of the €259 million package of European Union assistance intended for Turkish Cypriots in Northern Cyprus; and how much of that package remains to be disbursed. [HL6000]

By the end of September 2009, the Commission had contracted €133.9 million (52 per cent of the overall programme) and endorsed €45.5 million for payment (18 per cent of the programme). Tangible projects such as providing modern equipment to farmers, funding scholarships for students, improving traffic safety and replacing asbestos water pipes have already started and are making a real difference to the lives of ordinary Turkish Cypriots.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress the European Union has made regarding the position of Turkish Cyprus following their support for the Annan plan. [HL6001]

The EU has adopted a financial aid regulation and a green line trade regulation, in support of efforts to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community. The volume of cross green line trade, while still modest, is rising. The financial aid regulation is now delivering tangible projects which will benefit the Turkish Cypriot community. The UK continues to support efforts to bring Turkish Cypriots closer to Europe through further trade liberalisation.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 19 October (WA 49) concerning appointments to the Northern Ireland Equality Commission, what section of the community each member of the commission represents; and on what basis the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is satisfied that this statutory obligation has been met. [HL5835]

Individual commissioners are not appointed to represent particular sections of the community in Northern Ireland. The duty placed on the Secretary of State by Section 73(4) of the Northern Ireland Act is to “as far as practicable secure that the commissioners, as a group, are representative of the community in Northern Ireland”.

It would not be appropriate to specify the community background of individual commissioners, which falls within the definition of personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998. Of the 16 commissioners, nine declared their background as that of the Protestant community, five declared their background as that of the Catholic community and two declared that they do not have a Protestant or Catholic community background. The latest available census statistics (2001) show that 53 per cent of people in Northern Ireland declared their background as that of the Protestant community, 44 per cent as that of the Catholic community and 3 per cent as neither community background.

All appointments were made following fair and open competition on the basis of merit and the Secretary of State is satisfied that all statutory obligations have been met, including the statutory duty to secure representativeness on the commission, as far as practicable.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they fulfilled their obligations under the Northern Ireland Act 1998 regarding a possible Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland when they sought, and in December 2008 obtained, the advice of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. [HL5759]

The 1998 Belfast agreement committed the Government to establish a Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), which was to be:

“invited to consult and to advise on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the ECHR, to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, drawing as appropriate on international instruments and experience”.

The Northern Ireland Act 1998 required the Secretary of State to request the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to provide such advice to him and he has done so.

In the 2003 Joint Declaration, the Government noted the significant work undertaken by the NIHRC towards a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, and stated that:

“At the conclusion of that process, and after consultation with the parties, the British Government are committed to bringing forward legislation at Westminster where required to give effect to rights supplementary to the ECHR to reflect particular circumstances of Northern Ireland”.

The commission's advice was received on 10 December 2008 and the Government plan to consult publicly on their response to the advice as soon as possible.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 12 October (WA 16–17), whether it is within the functions of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, under Section 69 of the Northern Ireland Act, for it to seek to secure legislative implementation of its advice on a Bill of rights for Northern Ireland; and whether it is permitted to expend its own funds and staff time doing this. [HL5762]

Under Section 69 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has a wide-ranging remit, including keeping under review the effectiveness and adequacy of law and practice relating to the protection of human rights. The NIHRC is independent of government and is entitled to set its own programme of work, consistent with its statutory functions.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they have provided funding for the London Olympics in 2012; through which bodies; when; and how much they have provided. [HL6150]

In her Statement of 15 March 2007, the Minister for the Olympics announced a £9.325 billion public sector funding package for the Games. This will be provided between 2005-06 to 2013-14; pre-Games, during Games, and post-Games. The bulk of this funding will be spent pre-Games on the construction of venues and infrastructure; and will also provide facilities to develop athletes. During the Games, the funding will contribute to the provision of transport services and security. Post-Games the funding will provide for transformation of the venues and infrastructure for legacy use.

Chapter 20 of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) White Paper, published on 9 October 2007, announced total grant in aid (within the £9.325 billion) from Government of £1,559/£1,104/£1,050 million in 2008-09 to 2010-11. The distribution of the remaining Exchequer contribution (within the £9.325 billion) for 2011-12 to 2013-14 will be confirmed in the next CSR. The balance of the funding requirement will be met, as announced in March 2007, by contributions from the Mayor of London (GLA and LDA); and from the Lottery.

Further details on the sources of funding, and details on spend incurred by the Olympic Delivery Authority to end June 2009, can be found in the July 2009 quarterly economic report on the Games (page 16).

The next quarterly economic report on the Games will be published later this month.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much they have provided in each year to the London Boroughs of Hackney, Greenwich, Waltham Forest, Newham and Tower Hamlets for the 2012 Olympic Games. [HL6152]

The £9.325 billion public sector funding package for the Games will provide a unique opportunity to regenerate East London, including the boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Hackney and Greenwich. The Games will provide a legacy of world class sporting venues, new housing, community and leisure facilities, and 110 hectares of new parkland and waterways. The public sector funding package does not include any direct payments to the host boroughs listed above or any other London boroughs.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 15 July (WA 235) concerning temporary venues for the 2012 Olympic Games, whether the KPMG report was based on estimated, rather than final, figures; and, if so, why part of the report was redacted. [HL6151]

The KPMG report was based on estimated figures to assess whether alternative venues were more cost-effective.

These estimates were commercially sensitive and redacted so as not to prejudice the Olympic Delivery Authority's and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games' discussions and negotiations on contracts that had not yet been awarded for the temporary venues.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures have been put in place this year to combat human trafficking; and what impact they have had. [HL6102]

The UK has a comprehensive victim-centred strategy to combat trafficking, contained in the UK action plan on tackling human trafficking. The action plan was most recently updated on 19 October 2009. The update specifically details the progress that has been made over the past year, and outlines plans for the year ahead.

Notably, on 17 December 2008, the UK ratified the Council of Europe Convention against trafficking, and implemented it from 1 April 2009. This represents a milestone in our fight against trafficking. It improves provisions for victim protection and enforcement capabilities.

The most recent action plan details 38 actions to tackle trafficking across four key areas of: prevention, investigation/law enforcement/and prosecution, providing protection and assistance to adult victims of trafficking, and child victims.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether membership of the National Black Police Association is open to all police officers, irrespective of ethnic background. [HL6100]

The National Black Police Association website confirms that the NBPA is open to all in policing on application and there is no bar to membership based on colour.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the Home Office paid to each police authority, in each of the past five years for which information is available, to meet their annual pension costs (a) in cash terms, and (b) as a percentage of total payments made to each authority in the same year. [HL6002]

Police officers' pensions are governed by the Police Pension Scheme Regulations of 1987 and 2006. The present system of financing police pensions was introduced in April 2006. Each police authority pays employer and officers' pension contributions into a separate account, out of which pensions of retired officers are paid. Where the income into the police authority pensions account from contributions and other payments (such as inward transfer values) is insufficient to meet the cost of pensions in payment, it is topped up by Home Office grant on an annual basis.

The Home Office top-up grant to police authorities for police pensions is provided from annually managed expenditure; other payments come out of departmental expenditure limits. Information relating to the financing of police pensions before 2006-07 is not included here. That is the responsibility of individual police authorities and is included in the annual reports published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), collected independently of the Home Office.

The information for 2006-07 to 2008-09 is given in the table below. “Total Payments” include the net general grant as well as specific grants.

Total payments in this case includes all payments from the Home Office to police forces. This includes: the Net General Grant from the Home Office as well as all specific grants paid by the Home Office. It does not include payments made by CLG, redistributed business rates or council tax precepts. The specific grants are as follows: the Crime Fighting Fund, the Basic Command Unit Fund, Community Support Officer/Neighbourhood Policing Fund, the Pensions Deficit Grant, the Counter Terrorism Fund, Rule 2 Grants, Capital Grants, Grants for dedicated security posts and the Metropolitan Police Service Specific Grant.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether £8.6 million will be spent by April 2010 on plans and consultants for the site of the former Maze Prison. [HL6209]

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Administration.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 2 November (WA 25) indicating that diesel trains will be released to community rail lines in the medium term, why they cancelled the plan to order 200 new diesel trains; and what shorter term solutions they envisage. [HL6268]

On 23 July the Government announced a major £1.1 billion programme of electrification on the Great Western Main Line between London and Swansea, and on the line between Liverpool and Manchester via Newton-le-Willows. This electrification programme radically affects the requirements for rolling stock over the next decade.

There will be far less need for diesel trains and a greater requirement for electric trains. In particular, the previously planned procurement by the Government of new diesel trains has now been superseded. Shorter term solutions will include the redeployment of existing rolling stock within and between train operators. Accordingly, we will publish a new rolling stock plan in the autumn, taking account of the changed circumstances and setting out a revised strategy.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many staff employed on the London Underground have received training to prepare them for a possible terrorist attack; and what percentage of all staff employed on the Underground they represent. [HL6274]

While this is a matter for the Mayor and Transport for London, operational front-line staff are trained on emergency procedures to deal with a wide range of incidents and which include the evacuation of stations and de-training procedures. London Underground staff are also supported in major incidents by the British Transport Police and other emergency services.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many staff employed on the railways have received training to prepare them for a possible terrorist attack; and what percentage of all staff employed on the railways they represent. [HL6273]

While this is a matter for Network Rail and the train operating companies, operational front-line staff are trained on emergency procedures to deal with a wide range of incidents and which include the evacuation of stations and de-training procedures. Rail staff are also supported in major incidents by the British Transport Police and other emergency services.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the number of animals kept in a zoo or safari park is a material consideration by the Valuation Office Agency when rating a zoo hereditament for the 2010 business rates revaluation; whether the type of animals kept is a material consideration; and whether there is a tariff for different types of animal. [HL6075]

The number and type of animals kept in a zoo or safari park are only material in the rating assessment in so far as they meet the expectations of visitors, given the nature and size of the hereditament in question. The animals are not rateable items and the number and type present do not directly translate to the quantum of the rating assessment.

Accordingly, the approach to assessment by the Valuation Office Agency does not involve a tariff for different types of animal.