To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord McKenzie of Luton on 12 November 2009 (WA 181), what further consideration they have given to reviewing the guidance about the Access to Work scheme for disabled councillors. [HL2467]

The department has completed its review of the guidance in relation to councillors' eligibility for support through the Access to Work scheme. We agree that the situation was unclear and have therefore amended the guidance. The revised guidance makes clear that where disabled councillors receive allowances over and above reimbursement of meal and travel costs, and they meet the other eligibility criteria, they will be treated as being in employment for Access to Work purposes and may be eligible for support through the scheme. They will not now have to satisfy the national minimum wage requirements.

The revised guidance applies immediately and has already been brought to the attention to advisers.

I thank the noble Baroness for having raised this matter.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Brett on 1 March (WA 317), whether they will ascertain from the United States authorities how many persons held by them at Bagram or elsewhere in Afghanistan have been transferred there from other countries. [HL2649]

US Forces have used Bagram detention facility for a number of years as an integral part of their counter-insurgency capability in Afghanistan. The UK would not expect to have full visibility of any other nation's detention programmes. However, the US have assured the UK Government that their detainees are held in a humane, safe and secure environment.

To ask Her Majesty's Government on which occasions the Food Standards Agency have asked the GM advisory committees (ACAF, ACNFP and ACRE) to scrutinise the scientific dossiers submitted by applicants for GM approvals. [HL2619]

Until 2004, the committees advising the Food Standards Agency (FSA) examined all dossiers submitted for the authorisation of genetically modified (GM) food and GM animal feed, under Regulation (EC) 258/97 and Directive 2001/18/EC respectively.

Since 2004, applications for approval of GM food and feed have been submitted under Regulation (EC) 1829/2003, which provides a centralised European Union procedure for the assessment and approval of GM food and feed. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has responsibility for risk assessments under this regulation. The FSA does not ask its advisory committees to duplicate EFSA's assessments but would be able to do so where there is a specific food safety issue to be resolved.

The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) is an expert committee that advises the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on environmental issues. Defra seeks the committee's advice on the environmental implications of all proposals to release GM seeds for cultivation and on applications to market food or feed products that consist of living GM organisms.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 17 December 2008 (WA 43), what has been the advice of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes on the implications of research studies on the safety of genetically modified crops. [HL2622]

The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes considered the three papers referred to in the previous Written Answer at its meeting on 19 February 2009. The committee considered that the results in all three papers were inconclusive and no conclusions could be drawn from them. The committee's discussions are recorded in the minutes of its February 2009 meeting, which are available on its website at www.acnfp.gov.uk/meetings/acnfpmeet09/acnfpfeb09/acnfpmin190209.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they will have with managers of United Kingdom airports to ensure that security screening devices do not offend Muslim and other ethnic and religious groups. [HL2688]

The Department for Transport is in regular discussion with airport operators on a range of security issues, including those relating to the deployment of body scanners.

In addition an interim code of practice has been produced following discussions with industry and other government departments for the initial deployment of body scanners.

The department will be launching a full public consultation shortly on the interim code of practice and will consider all representations carefully before preparing a final code of practice later in the year.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of when airport screening devices will have technology which will prevent passengers from having to be inappropriately exposed. [HL2689]

There is a range of different technologies deployed at UK airports for security screening. These technologies have been tested and evaluated by my department both for their detection performance and in respect of operational issues, including protection of privacy.

As the use of body scanners on a global scale increases it is likely that demand will stimulate continued innovation by industry, improving the technology and minimising the privacy impact of body scanners.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the accounts of Trinitas Services Ltd for the past five years. [HL2671]

Trinitas Services Ltd is a private company (Company No. 02801613) limited by shares and wholly owned by a registered charity and as such accounts are not placed in the Library of the House, but filed at Companies House.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representation Trinity House has on the board of Trinitas Services Ltd. [HL2672]

Trinitas Services Ltd is a private company (Company No. 02801613) limited by shares and wholly owned by a registered charity.

The composition of the board is a matter for the company which files its records as required to Companies House.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Karen Women's Organisation Walking Amongst Sharp Knives about alleged human rights abuses against Karen women village chiefs in eastern Burma. [HL2818]

This report documents horrific abuses against women in Karen State, and reflects the environment in many parts of Burma where individual rights and rule of law are not respected. Officials from our embassy in Rangoon are not permitted access to the areas highlighted in the report, but through the Department for International Development and embassy-funded programmes, we provide significant support to vulnerable communities in Karen State and along the Thai Burma Border. We continue to urge the Burmese authorities to respect human rights and begin an inclusive and credible transition to democracy

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Bangladesh over the recent arrests and forced displacements of Rohingya refugees; and whether they have asked Bangladesh to recognise undocumented Rohingya refugees. [HL2820]

We are concerned by the recent reports by Medecins Sans Frontieres and Physicians for Human Rights on the situation facing displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh. We have raised the plight of the Rohingyas and their status with the Government of Bangladesh, both bilaterally and in concert with EU partners.

Officials from our High Commission in Dhaka, including the high commissioner, have visited the camps for displaced Rohingyas, which are run by UN agencies. We are also supporting the European Commission and UN programmes for Rohingyas through the UK's core funding to the EU and the UN. In 2009, the Government also funded a British Council project to train English teachers within the camps.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relocation of 15,000 civilians by the Government of Burma for the Myitsone dam construction in Kachin State. [HL2821]

We are concerned about the impact of the construction of the Myitsone Dam on the environment and the human rights of local people. Officials from our embassy in Rangoon have visited the dam site on several occasions, most recently in January 2010. We understand that local people have been told to leave the area, although have so far refused to do so. Our embassy in Rangoon is supporting work to assess the social and environmental impact of this and other dam projects.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether North Korea is supplying arms to Burma. [HL2823]

We are aware of recent media reporting suggesting North Korea and Burma are engaged in illicit arms trading. The UK continues to urge all countries, including Burma, to respect their obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874 which prohibit the export from North Korea of “all arms and related material”.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much was paid by the Home Office and its agencies to (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) KPMG, (c) Deloitte, (d) Ernst & Young, (e) Grant Thornton, (f) BDO Stoy Hayward, (g) Baker Tilly, (h) Smith & Williamson, (i) Tenon Group, (j) PKF, (k) McKinsey and Company, and (l) Accenture, in each of the past five years for which information is available; how they monitor contracts with those firms; and how the department reports (1) during, and (2) at the end of, contracts to Buying Solutions. [HL2088]

From the best available management information the Home Department and its executive agencies spend with each company for the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2009 is shown in the attached table:

All figures provided are subject to accounting adjustment and amendment.

The performance of firms under contract to the Home Department is monitored by means of assignment management by the relevant commissioning business areas. Delivery against associated project and programme objectives is managed as part of standard project and programme management practices within the Home Office.

The Home Office participates in OGC and Buying Solutions-led forums, programmes, and oversight boards to confer on the performance both during and after assignment of firms and services contracted under Buying Solutions commercial arrangements.

Table 1

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) Instrument Meteorological Conditions Rating will be available as an endorsement to the proposed European licence scheduled to replace the CAA Private Pilot Licence. [HL2673]

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is now responsible for establishing the standards for pilot licensing in the European Union. EASA is currently reviewing proposals for private pilots ratings and will consult on revised draft rules later this year. The Civil Aviation Authority, with the support of government, continues to work to influence the development of European requirements with the aim of helping EASA meet its primary objective of ensuring a high uniform level of safety.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many civil servants are in a redeployment pool. [HL2744]

The Cabinet Office does not hold central statistics on the number of employees in redeployment pools across the Civil Service.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will withdraw and reissue their home-educated children with special educational needs (SEN) guidance letter of February 2010 with (a) appropriate annotations to the reference to powers which will come into being if the current Children, Schools and Families Bill is enacted; (b) provision being made for inter-agency consultation on the best interests of the child before a school attendance order is sought; and (c) spelling and grammatical errors and malapropisms corrected. [HL2165]

The letter will not be withdrawn. Its purpose was to set out local authorities' existing duties for children with special educational needs (SEN) who are educated at home, taking account of the Lamb inquiry report into parental confidence in the SEN system. Following correspondence received from the Education Otherwise Disability Group the department will be sending out a clarification of paragraph 12 of the letter to local authorities.

A copy will be placed in the House Library and on the department's website.

To ask Her Majesty's Government who will decide whether the European Union Border Assistance Mission in Rafah can resume work at the crossing into Gaza; and what criteria will be used to make that decision. [HL2701]

The protocol establishing the EU Border Assistance Mission in Rafah forms part of the annex to the 2005 Access and Movement Agreement which was signed by Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the United States. In practice any decision to redeploy the mission at the crossing point would require the agreement of those three parties and would also require no objection to be raised by the Egyptian Government.

Given the current security situation in the Gaza strip and the ongoing control of the Palestinian side of the crossing by the Hamas authorities, we do not expect any such redeployment in the immediate future. Internally, the decision to reactivate the mission will be made at the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) by 27 member states. The PSC's decision would depend on the Mission's evaluation of the security situation and the status of the Rafah Crossing Point facilities, including the Liaison Office in Kerem Shalom.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many days there are between the close of nominations for parliamentary elections and (a) the last day for receipt of postal vote applications, and (b) polling day. [HL2722]

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many days there are between the close of nominations for elections to the European Parliament and (a) the last day for receipt of postal vote applications, and (b) polling day. [HL2723]

At parliamentary elections, the last day both for the delivery of nomination papers and for the receipt of postal vote applications is the 11th working day before the date of the poll.

For elections to the European Parliament, the last day for the delivery of nomination papers and list of candidates of registered parties is the 19th working day before the date of the poll. This is eight working days prior to the last day for receipt of postal vote applications, which is the 11th working day before the date of the poll.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received in relation to the Boundary Commission's proposal to remove the name “Moresk” in the new warding arrangements for Cornwall; how they will respond to those representations; and how they intend to proceed thereafter. [HL2461]

We have received one representation from Matthew Taylor MP on behalf local Councillor Bert Briscoe. As we explained in response to that representation, such changes to electoral arrangements in local authorities (including ward name changes) are entirely the responsibility of the independent Electoral Commission (from 1 April 2010 the responsibility of the new Local Government Boundary Commission for England). There is no role for the Secretary of State in these matters.

However, provisions in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 allow Cornwall Council to change the name “Moresk” although if the council were to seek to do this within five years of the order establishing the electoral arrangements the Local Government Boundary Commission would need to approve the change. I understand that such consent would not be unreasonably withheld.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider increasing the investigative and summoning powers of the Electoral Commission. [HL2692]

The Electoral Commission was established by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. That Act provided the commission with powers to require information or documents relating to income and expenditure from supervised individuals or organisations (as defined in that Act). These powers enable the commission to carry out its monitoring function of checking whether relevant restrictions have been complied with.

In addition to these powers, Schedule 1 to the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 provides the commission with new powers to enable it to investigate certain suspected offences under the 2000 Act or certain other breaches of the regulatory rules set out in that Act. These include a power to require, through a court if necessary, the disclosure of documents for the purposes of an investigation. There is also a power to require individuals to attend at a specified time and place to answer oral questions put by the commission in connection with an investigation. It is a criminal offence for any person to fail, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any requirement from the commission to provide documents or attend an interview. It is intended that these powers will support the use of the new civil sanctioning powers of the commission which are given by Schedule 2 to the 2009 Act.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 24 November 2009 (Official Report, Commons, cols. 68WS-70WS), the Government's intention is that the Electoral Commission's new investigatory and civil sanctioning powers will be brought into force with effect from 1 July 2010.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they intend to give to the private sector promoters of the European supergrid for sustainable supplies of electricity without generating carbon emissions. [HL2567]

Ministers from the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Sweden, the Republic of Ireland and Norway have together launched the North Seas Offshore Grids Initiative, which commits the 10 countries to working together to develop offshore infrastructure in the North, Irish and Baltic Seas. In recognition of the fact that the complexity of the initiative calls for political support from governments, we intend to sign a Memorandum of Understanding later in the year, which will set out a strategic work plan.

Her Majesty's Government are also supporting the initiatives to develop concentrated solar power and wind energy in North Africa and the Middle East, for example the Mediterranean Solar Plan, being taken forward by France and the current Spanish presidency of the European Union. These involve strengthening the European grid and increasing links with the producer countries so that the renewable energy can be transported to Europe. In February, I spoke at a seminar organised by DESERTEC, an international network of scientists and engineers who promote investment in concentrated solar power in North Africa.

More generally, we are working with governments and regulators in other member states to put in place the regulatory framework to facilitate the cross-border grid investments which will be needed to transport low-carbon energy supplies across the European Union.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what volume of palm oil is used in (a) biofuels for power generation, (b) biofuels for road fuels, and (c) B30K oil. [HL2813]

Ofgem reports that power stations accredited under the UK’s Renewables Obligation Orders used about 7.4 million litres of palm oil in the period April 2008 to March 2009. The Renewable Fuels Agency reports that 127 million litres of palm oil biodiesel were supplied under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation in the UK in the period mid April 2008 to mid April 2009. We are not aware of any commercial use of B30K oil.

To ask Her Majesty's Government why the European Commission's General Report on the Activities of the European Union for 2009 devotes three sentences to “war, refugees and forgotten crises” and does not mention the war in Lebanon in 2006 or the blockade of Gaza by Israel. [HL2702]

The report is the responsibility of the Commission and not of member states. However, it does include comment on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. And as an annual report it is unsurprising that it does not cover the Lebanon war in 2006.

In other sections the report draws attention to EU humanitarian funding (page 65) some of which is apportioned to both Gaza and Lebanon, and to the EU Election Observation Mission to Lebanon (page 63). The Foreign Affairs Council comments frequently on these issues, most recently on Gaza in its December conclusions.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average purchase price, excluding value added tax, of a 500-sheet ream of white A4 80 gsm photocopier paper paid by the Independent Safeguarding Authority in the latest period for which figures are available; and how much it spent in total on all photocopier paper in the last year for which figures are available. [HL2355]

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) is a non-departmental public body belonging to the Home Office, which it has done so since its creation. The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) does not provide any support to the ISA for the purchasing of paper on their behalf.

The total spend for photocopying paper purchase by DCSF for the period 1 January to 31 December 2009 was £22,108.16

The data has been provided by the department's supplier for stationery, Banner Business.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made this year to the Government of Israel about their blockade of Gaza, in particular (a) the closing of the Keren Shalom crossing for two days per week, (b) the restriction of the Karni crossing to wheat movements only, (c) the closing of the Nahal Oz crossing since 1 January, (d) the reduction in heavy oil imports for Gaza Power Plant, (e) the decline in truckloads entering Gaza, and (f) the ending of all imports of glass since 17 February; and what responses they have received. [HL2646]

Officials, including the ambassador, in Tel Aviv have continued to raise our concerns over access to Gaza with the Israeli authorities, including the new head of the Israeli army department overseeing the crossings. We remain deeply concerned by the restrictions on the crossings, not just for imports of humanitarian and reconstruction materials, but also for exports, on which the restoration of the Gazan economy depends.

Our understanding is that recent reductions in oil imports have mainly been due to problems surrounding the transfer of utility payments from the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, which places the fuel orders. The Government of Israel recently agreed to allow a further shipment of glass into Gaza.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the Department for International Development and its agencies spent on (a) public relations consultants, and (b) public affairs consultants, in each of the past three years; and for what purposes. [HL2450]

The information cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and its agencies spent on (a) public relations consultants, and (b) public affairs consultants, in each of the last three years; and for what purposes. [HL2451]

In Defra, public relations cover a wide range of activity which forms an important element of a broader communications mix. This can include advertising, direct marketing, live events and publications. Defra does not use public affairs consultants.

The table below shows public relations activity procured via Defra's Communications Directorate since FY 2006-07 using the COI public relations framework. Please note that we are unable to share the 09-10 figures at this time as they have yet to be fully audited.

Detailed spend by Defra agencies is not held centrally and could only be collated at disproportionate cost.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the Department for Children, Schools and Families, its predecessors and its agencies spent on (a) public relations consultants, and (b) public affairs consultants, in each of the past three years; and for what purposes. [HL2498]

The department uses public relations agencies for raising public awareness on specific issues. Public relations agencies are employed for specific communications tasks, most commonly working alongside our press office to provide campaign support in local, regional and specialist media. The department's expenditure on public relations for complete financial years, since its formation in June 2007, is outlined in the table below.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its agencies spent on (a) public relations consultants, and (b) public affairs consultants, in each of the past three years; and for what purposes. [HL2499]

The costs of the department's contracts with public relations consultancies in each of the past three years are as follows:

Edelman provided support to the department on the cabinet project in relation to the following workstreams; network development, stakeholder engagement (including obtaining speakers), delegate recruitment, website development, content development, media engagement and the future development of cabinet. Fleishman-Hillard Group Limited provided research and communications support to the Government Olympic Executive (GOE).

The GOE has also employed two public relations consultants, at a cost of £40,000, up to the period January 2010, to create, plan and promote participation in legacy programmes inspired by the London 2012 Games.

The department's agency, the Royal Parks, has advised of the following public relations and public affairs consultancies:

These companies provided communications support on Regent's Park sports and the “Park Stories” cultural engagement project; administrative support for the All-Party Horticultural Working Group; and stakeholder audit/perception research.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many illegal immigrants have been found to be working for the Department for Children, Schools and Families, its predecessors and its agencies in each of the past five years. [HL2379]

People employed to work in government departments and their agencies, either directly or through a contractor, are required to satisfy requirements on identity, nationality and immigration status prior to the offer of employment.

My department has no record of having employed an illegal immigrant in the past five years.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of dentistry available to prisoners. [HL2804]

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the facilities in which prison dentistry is provided; and what plans they have to improve such facilities. [HL2805]

The department took over responsibility for prison health from the Home Office in 2003. Our policy is to ensure that prisoners enjoy the benefits of the National Health Service care system in line with other members of the community with services for the treatment of existing disease and support on maintaining good oral health. In 2006, 82.5 per cent of prisons were reported to have a service specification with a primary care trust (PCT). However, meeting service needs remains challenging because the amount of untreated dental disease among prisoners is approximately four times greater than the level found in the general population with higher incidence of a history of hazardous drinking, smoking and use of illicit drugs. These challenges were examined in greater detail in dentistry in prisons a guide to working within the prison environment produced by the National Association of Prison Dentistry and published by Stephen Hancocks Ltd 2010. We will shortly be building on these developments by issuing a toolkit to support PCTs in commissioning appropriate high quality integrated oral health services for prisons and to help providers understand the standards expected by PCTs when reviewing and commissioning such services.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 10 February (WA 151–2), whether they will publish the agreement reached with the Republic of Ireland on the closure of the 2003–06 European Union healthcare costs account and the settlement for 2007–09; whether it differs from the United Kingdom's arrangements with other European Union countries; and how payments will be calculated for 2010 and future years until new arrangements are in place. [HL2491]

The United Kingdom has many different bilateral arrangements with European Union countries and there is no uniform approach.

To reach agreement with Ireland for the years 2003-06, the United Kingdom made a further and final payment of €100 million.

For years 2007-09, the UK agreed to accept liability for 40 per cent of the pensioner caseload, a reduction on previous years. For future years, both Governments are looking into the feasibility of introducing a pensioner registration scheme.

To ask the Chairman of Committees what estimate has been made of the additional costs of the provision of services to Members of the House of Lords arising out of any sittings of the House of Lords in August or September 2010. [HL2801]

No such estimate has been made. The most significant additional costs would be related to opening refreshment outlets which would otherwise be closed, together with security costs and possible staff overtime.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many reports they have received of people working illegally on the Parliamentary Estate. [HL2286]

In the last two years the United Kingdom Border Agency has received one report regarding a person working illegally on the Parliamentary Estate. This was received in April 2008.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the view expressed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in the Interim Resolution on 4 March urging the Government “to rapidly adopt measures, of even an interim nature,” to comply with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Hirst (No 2) before the general election. [HL2650]

The Government acknowledge the concerns expressed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in the Interim Resolution on 4 March.

The Government remain committed to implementing the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in Hirst v UK (No 2). However, the judgment does not have the effect of striking down the national law to which it relates. It is for Parliament to translate the obligations into domestic law. Until that point Section 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 remains in force.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 24 February (HL2012), how many complaints received by the UK Border Agency concerning excessive force used by contractors in removing people from the United Kingdom have been upheld in each of the last five years; and what consequent action they took in respect of (a) companies, and (b) individuals. [HL2310]

Data on complaints are available from February 2008. Local records show that two complaints received by the UK Border Agency concerning alleged excessive force used by contractors in removing people from the United Kingdom were upheld in 2008, and two in 2009.

In three of the upheld complaints, the accreditation of the custody officers was revoked. In the fourth complaint, the recommendation was accepted to provide coaching to the officer concerned.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will instigate through the European Union and the Middle East quartet a review of the trade agreement with Israel, following recent developments there. [HL2796]

The EU regularly takes stock of its association agreement with Israel during regular EU/Israel Association Councils. The EU Foreign Affairs Council last reaffirmed the importance of the EU's relationship with Israel on 8 December 2009. The Foreign Affairs Council also reiterated its position on upgrading this relationship, which is that any upgrade must be set against the context of our shared interests and objectives, including progress on the Middle East peace process. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary made this clear during his meeting with his counterpart Avigdor Lieberman on 22 February 2010.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Israel about the effects on the health, education, work, and social and religious life of the Palestinian population of the present position of the West Bank barrier and those caused by 578 closure obstacles (as reported by the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs); and what responses they have received. [HL2644]

There has been some progress on Palestinian social and economic development in the West Bank as a result of the Palestinian Authority's efforts to reform its institutions and build a stable economy. And we welcome moves by the Israeli Government to reduce the number of roadblocks and checkpoints, which has also been a contributing factor.

However, we still remain concerned that the number of obstacles and the route of the Israeli security barrier continues to have a detrimental impact on socio-economic conditions and brings unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians. It also undermines the territorial contiguity of the West Bank, reducing the viability of a future Palestinian state.

We continue to press the Israeli Government to reduce the number of checkpoints and ensure the barrier does not stand on occupied land.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any purported ethical approval for the blood tests to detect the presence of the measles virus carried out on the claimants and controls in research funded by legal aid in connection with the measles, mumps and rubella/measles and rubella vaccine litigation. [HL2676]

We understand that the tests in question were carried out as part of now concluded litigation that followed claims that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was linked to autism. It appears that the tests were organised by the legal teams involved and the department played no part in these arrangements.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any purported ethical approval and clinical indication for lumbar punctures funded by legal aid performed on the claimants in connection with the measles, mumps and rubella/measles and rubella vaccine litigation. [HL2677]

We understand that the tests in question were carried out as part of now concluded litigation that followed claims that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was linked to autism. It appears that the tests were organised by the legal teams involved and the department played no part in these arrangements.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance has been given to contractors working on or maintaining the National Identity Register on whether staff are permitted to engage in industrial action without breaching Section 29(3) of the Identity Cards Act 2006. [HL2625]

No direct guidance has been given to contractors in relation to their staff working on or maintaining the National Identity Register in respect to their staff withdrawing their labour in the case of a lawful industrial action. Provisions exist within the contract arrangements to ensure continuity of service in the event of any lawful industrial action.

To ask Her Majesty's Government which are the 20 countries whose nationals have been issued most national insurance numbers since 2002; and how many numbers have been issued to all foreign nationals since 2002. [HL2488]

The available information is in the tables.

Notes:

1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

2. Some additional disclosure control has been applied.

3. A very small proportion on national insurance number registrations are to overseas nationals registering whilst abroad.

4. Data are cumulative from 1 January 2002.

5. Registration date is derived from the date at which a national insurance number is maintained on the National Insurance Recording System.

6. This information is available on the Department for Work and Pensions website at http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/

Source: 100% extract from National Insurance Recording System

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost of the P-NOMIS offender management database; why Gypsy, Roma and Travellers are not identified as an ethnic category recorded therein; and when they will be. [HL2651]

The one-off cost of the complete Prison-NOMIS case management system is estimated at £250 million. This system includes a centralised offender management database. The cost of the database is not separately identified in the way in which this system is being procured.

The requirement to capture an additional value for Offender Ethnicity of Gypsy, Roma and Travellers was not in the original system specification but will be captured in a future release of Prison-NOMIS.

Changes of this type need to be made not only to systems but also at the same time to policies and procedures. In addition, the change cannot immediately be implemented as the requirement to capture, record and monitor ethnicity does not only apply to the Prison Service and offenders they manage, but also to all agencies in the wider justice community, as well as staff and victims.

Within each agency, tools and guidance are provided to assist the capture of this information. Within the justice community, it was agreed to use the census categories as the standards for ethnicity.

As the census categories are changing in 2011 to update the ethnicity standards to include a new type of Gypsy, Roma and Travellers, a change request is now with the Ministry of Justice Data Standards Forum to consider the impact of the change on the Cross Criminal Justice System Data Standards.

This request will ensure that the change is implemented in an appropriate and timely manner across the justice agencies, without jeopardising existing interfaces and information sharing agreements. A timescale for this change has not been agreed yet.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many major hospital capital schemes costing more than £500,000 were started and completed in England in each year since 1997–98 in (a) acute hospitals, and (b) psychiatric hospitals; how many of those were private finance initiative schemes; how many were in London; and what the total expenditure on those projects was in each financial year since 1997–98 in (1) London, and (2) the rest of England. [HL2510]

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust projects in England were (a) started, and (b) completed, in each year since 1997–98 in (1) London, and (2) the rest of England; and what the total expenditure on those projects in each year was in (i) London, and (ii) the rest of England. [HL2511]

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many community hospital capital schemes costing more than £250,000 were (a) started, and (b) completed, in (1) London, and (2) the rest of England, in each financial year since 1997–98; and what the total expenditure was on those projects in each financial year in (i) London, and (ii) the rest of England. [HL2512]

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many capital schemes costing more than £250,000 were (a) started, and (b) completed, in each financial year since 1997–98 in (1) London, and (2) the rest of England; and what the total expenditure was on such projects in each financial year in (i) London, and (ii) the rest of England. [HL2513]

Three marked lists have been placed in the Library with the following information:

List 1—this contains the number of started and completed acute, mental health and community hospital private finance initiative (PFI) schemes for each year since 1997-98, shown by London and non-London location and the annual expenditure for those areas. Expenditure is shown as the annual estimated unitary payments paid under the PFI contracts (which covers initial capital cost, financing charges and building maintenance and other support services over the lifetime of the contract). Information is only held centrally on PFI schemes with a capital value of £10 million and above; there were a number of schemes below this threshold, which completed in the period 1997-98 to 2003-04.

List 2—this contains three tables:

Table 1 and 2—the number of completed acute and mental health non-PFI schemes (ie using public capital) for each year since 2003, shown by London and non-London location and the capital costs for those areas (information is not held centrally on the associated financing costs (ie capital charges) and ongoing support services for each scheme). The schemes are broken down in to the bands by capital cost requested (more than £250,000; between 250,000 and £500,000; and more than £500,000). Information is not held centrally on retrospective start dates for these schemes; we are only able to show those currently under construction. These schemes were all taken forward under the “Procure 21” initiative, which the department introduced in 2003 for public capital funded schemes; information on earlier public capital schemes since 1997-98 is only held for those over £10 million—this is shown in table 2.

Table 3—this shows the non-PFI funded community hospitals (ie using public capital) which have been completed and are on site under the P21 initiative; the great majority (13 of the 15 listed) are a result of the Community Hospitals Programme. This was developed as a result of the commitment included in Our health, our care, our community: investing in community hospitals and services, which announced that capital funding was available from 2006-07 to 2010-11 to support investment in community hospitals and facilities. A further four schemes under the programme are being funded via the National Health Service Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) initiative and are included in list 3.

List 3—this contains the number of started and completed acute, mental health and community hospital NHS LIFT schemes for each year since 1997-98, shown by London and non-London location and the annual expenditure for those areas. Expenditure is shown as the annual estimated lease payments under the PFI contracts (which covers initial capital cost, financing charges and building maintenance). Information is not held centrally on retrospective start dates for these schemes; we are only able to show those currently under construction.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action is being taken to ensure that primary care trusts and GP practices are prepared and supported prior to and during the introduction of Summary Care Records. [HL2603]

The department has produced a range of guidance, materials and other resources to facilitate communicating the introduction of summary care records (SCRs) to National Health Service staff and patients.

A toolkit has been provided to primary care trusts (PCTs) to support their local stakeholder engagement and public information programmes, and each strategic health authority has a nominated SCR implementation lead available to advise and support PCTs.

For general practitioner (GP) practices, a SCR awareness pack has been made available, and many PCTs are supplementing this with additional local information and GP practice awareness sessions. Before they are expected to create SCRs for patients, GP practices will receive appropriate training and software upgrades.

Patients can order additional information free of charge from a central point, or can contact a dedicated national NHS care record service telephone information line.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what requirements ministers at the Department of Health will place on primary care trusts in the east of England before they tender with the independent sector for the provision of their community services; and when the department will issue new guidance on that issue. [HL2707]

All primary care trusts (PCTs), including those in the east of England, are required to review their plans for future provision of community services under a new assurance and approval process, as set out in guidance published on 5 February 2010¹.

Where a PCT preferred option does not pass the assurance tests, the PCT will be required by its strategic health authority (SHA) to review its proposals and resubmit to the SHA, normally within two months. If the revised proposal(s) still do not pass the tests in this guidance, the PCT will be expected to consider a wider range of options, if not previously considered. This should include the open competitive tendering of appropriate services.

Note: ¹ Transforming Community Services: The assurance and approvals process for PCT-provided community services (Department of Health, February 2010)

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the initial findings of the Co-operation and Competition Panel's review of the processes of the Great Yarmouth and Waveney Primary Care Trust for tendering their community services. [HL2708]

It is a matter for the Co-operation and Competition Panel to determine how it reports any findings from its investigations.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Great Yarmouth and Waveney Primary Care Trust's decision to reverse its decision to tender openly for community services was compliant with the Department of Health's Principles and Rules for Co-operation and Competition. [HL2761]

The department has not undertaken any assessment of this case.

It is the responsibility of primary care trust boards to ensure that their procurement is compliant with the Principles and Rules for Co-operation and Competition which can be found at www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publications andstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAnd Guidance/DH_081098.

A copy has also been placed in the Library.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 2 December 2009 (WA 55) and the letter from the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland dated 11 February 2010 (deposited in the Library of the House as paper DEP2010/0497), why the decision to prosecute two individuals for criminal damage to the City Church was reversed on the grounds of their age and previous good behaviour. [HL2758]

This is an operational matter for the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions. I have asked him to reply directly to the noble Lord and will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what were the conclusions of the assessment by the EU Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) of the criminal justice system run by the Palestinian Authority; and how the EU is providing support or training for the Palestinian prison service. [HL2700]

The assessment report concluded that improvement is needed in all areas; in prosecution for example more than 60 per cent of the prosecutors are inexperienced, have been employed in the past year and still need additional basic training and supervision. In the courts the non-appearance of accused and witnesses results in numerous adjournments that contribute to the build-up of pending cases. In the penitentiary there is a lack of resources committed to rehabilitating and resocialising prisoners, and a serious lack of rules and regulations governing the running of detention facilities.

The report led to an Action Plan for EU Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) Rule of Law section in partnership with Palestinian stakeholders and in co-ordination with international actors. EUPOL COPPS has two penitentiary experts providing technical advice to the UN Office of Drugs and Crime Palestinian prison reform programme, which is funded by the Government of Canada. It also takes a co-ordinating role within the wider donor community bringing together the Dutch programme to refurbish seven West Bank detention centres and to build a new prison in Jericho, the European Community project to build a new prison in Nablus and the three-year programme to provide prison training and equipment, which is being funded by the US International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Agency.

To ask Her Majesty's Government why Her Majesty's ambassador in Panama required a new residence; what was the cost of the new residence; what was the cost of the opening ceremony for it, including travel; and whether a European Union embassy is being opened in Panama. [HL2487]

In January 2009, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Investment Committee approved the purchase of a new residence for our ambassador in Panama. The former residence was no longer fit for purpose and required a major refurbishment, estimated at £l.4 million. The construction of high rise developments in the immediate surrounding area and the planned widening of a highway in front of the property created serious ongoing operational disruption, a loss of privacy and had security implications.

The new residence, which will enable savings on future running costs, was purchased in March 2009 for £2,001,826.

The residence opening ceremony was performed by His Royal Highness The Duke of York, during a pre-planned official visit to Panama, in his capacity as the UK Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. The ceremony was combined with an official reception in honour of His Royal Highness, attended by a wide range of local business, political and key contacts at a total cost of £3,766. Therefore there were no associated travel costs, because His Royal Highness was already in Panama on pre-scheduled UK Trade and Investment business.

We have contacted the European Commission which informs us that it currently has no plan to upgrade the small European Union projects office in Panama.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether private parking companies are required to display a person's right of appeal on the face of a parking penalty notice. [HL2716]

A private landowner is entitled to decide the terms and conditions on which his or her land is available for parking. Having decided on the terms and conditions of use, a landowner is also entitled to take action to enforce them, as long as that enforcement does not break any laws.

There is no specific legal requirement for the landowner to tell the motorist how a complaint may be made.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage councils responsible for the civil enforcement of traffic violations to publish on their websites (a) their parking and traffic management policy, (b) their enforcement policy, (c) their enforcement targets and progress in achieving them, and (d) their performance indicators for their parking management and progress in achieving them. [HL2807]

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage councils responsible for the civil enforcement of traffic violations to publish on their websites the number of civil enforcement officers they employ. [HL2808]

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage councils responsible for the civil enforcement of traffic violations to publish on their websites the information they supply to the Home Office and the Department for Transport. [HL2809]

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage councils responsible for the civil enforcement of traffic violations to publish on their websites (a) how they use income from on-street parking charges and enforcement measures, and (b) details of any projects they intend to fund with surplus income. [HL2810]

The statutory guidance to local authorities on the civil enforcement of parking contraventions (February 2008) says that enforcement authorities should publish an annual report about their enforcement activities, covering at least the financial, statistical and other data (including any parking or civil parking enforcement targets) set out in that guidance. Chapter 4 of the Department's Operational Guidance to local authorities on Parking Policy and Enforcement (March 2008) contains further recommendations, including the recommendation that annual reports are published on the authority's website. Collectively, these guidance documents already encourage local authorities to publicise extensive details of their civil parking enforcement activities including the specified information.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage councils responsible for the civil enforcement of traffic violations to publish on their websites a map of all their parking restrictions. [HL2811]

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage councils responsible for the civil enforcement of traffic violations to publish on their websites their Traffic Regulation Orders. [HL2812]

Procedural requirements for Traffic Regulation Orders are set out in the Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Procedure Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/1215) and the Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/2489). There are no requirements for the publication of Traffic Regulation Orders or maps of parking restrictions on websites.

Traffic Regulation Order procedures are being reconsidered as part of the Department for Transport’s Traffic Signs Policy Review. We expect the review will lead in due course to updated and improved legislative arrangements and guidance that reflect best practice, including best use of information technology.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many full-time regular officers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are former officers of An Garda Síochána who joined the PSNI under the lateral entry procedure. [HL2697]

No former officers of An Garda Síochána have joined the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) under the lateral entry procedure.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will review options for funding United Kingdom political parties from public funds and disallowing overseas donations. [HL2691]

The Government do not believe that there is currently public support for an increase in state funding of political parties.

With regard to overseas donations, the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 prevents individuals who are not registered in a UK electoral register or UK-registered companies which do not carry on business here from giving donations to political parties registered in Great Britain. Additionally, the Government recently legislated in the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 to require individual donors to confirm, when making a donation, that they are resident, ordinarily resident and domiciled in the United Kingdom for income tax purposes. This provision has not yet been commenced. Ministers made clear during debates at the time that it would not be commenced before the summer of 2010.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 14 November 2007 (WA 25), under which Acts and secondary legislation listed in the Schedule to the Powers of Entry etc. Bill [HL] officials of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and of public or private bodies answerable to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills or otherwise exercising powers of entry can enter and search the homes or business premises of United Kingdom citizens. [HL2605]

Of the Acts and secondary legislation listed in the Schedule to the Powers of Entry etc. Bill [HL] the Department for Business, Innovation and skills is responsible for 23 Acts containing 60 powers of entry and 34 statutory instruments containing 60 powers of entry as set out below:

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 14 November 2007 (WA 25), under which Acts and secondary legislation listed in the Schedule to the Powers of Entry etc. Bill [HL] officials of the Department for Children, Schools and Families and of public or private bodies answerable to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families or otherwise exercising powers of entry can enter and search the homes or business premises of United Kingdom citizens. [HL2630]

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has enacted 31 powers of entry through nine Acts and four powers of entry through four statutory instruments as set out below.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 14 November 2007 (WA 25), under which Acts and secondary legislation listed in the Schedule to the Powers of Entry etc. Bill [HL] officials of the Department of Energy and Climate Change and of public or private bodies answerable to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change or otherwise exercising powers of entry can enter and search the homes or business premises of United Kingdom citizens. [HL2632]

Such powers of entry and search (or inspection) arise under the following legislation listed in the Schedule to the Bill:

Biological Weapons Act 1974;

Electricity Act 1989;

Energy Act 1976;

Gas Act 1965;

Gas Act 1986;

Nuclear Safeguards Act 2000;

Pipe-lines Act 1962;

Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954 (read with the Gas Acts 1965 and 1986 and Electricity Act 1989); and

Gas Safety (Rights of Entry) Regulations 1996.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the view expressed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in the Interim Resolution of 3 December 2009 that the delay in implementing the Hirst judgment has given rise to a risk that the next general election will be conducted in a way that does not comply with the European Convention on Human Rights. [HL2569]

The Government acknowledge the concerns raised by the Committee of Ministers in its Interim Resolution of 3 December 2009 and in its decision of 2 to 4 March. The Government are currently considering the most appropriate way forward in the light of the responses to the second stage consultation.

The Government remain committed to implementing the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in Hirst v UK (No 2). However, the judgment does not have the effect of striking down the national law to which it relates. It is for Parliament to translate the obligations into domestic law. Until that point Section 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 remains in force.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Electoral Commission has suggested to them that prisoners could be enfranchised through a system of postal voting or proxy voting involving a modification to the existing declaration of local connection in electoral law. [HL2571]

The Electoral Commission's response to the Government's second stage consultation on prisoners' voting rights, is available on the commission's website at http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/search? isadvanced=false&form=simple&daat=on&query= prisoner+voting+rights.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to Southern Railway about the quality of the stock on the Gatwick Express. [HL2873]

Her Majesty’s Government have specified the level of rail service, including service quality and timings in the South Central rail franchise which commenced on 20 September 2009.

The requirements include maintaining the 15 minute non-stop service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, on board catering at appropriate times and new service quality targets.

The rolling stock to be deployed on the Gatwick Express services is a matter for the train operating company as long as it meets minimum standards such as luggage space and multilingual announcements.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any decision to end the ability to pay by cheque will be contingent upon the provision of a telephone to every rural dwelling in the country. [HL2410]

The closure of Cheque and Credit Clearing, the UK system that processes cheques, is a commercial decision for industry, which will ultimately be taken by the Payments Council.

The Payments Council, which has an independent chair and four independent directors who represent consumer and business interests, is the body that sets the strategy for UK payments. It is funded by its membership, which consists of banks and other payment service providers.

The decision-making Board of the Council comprises of 15 voting seats (11 of which represent industry, and four of which are independent, representing the interests of consumers and businesses). Each seat on the board has one vote, although the four independent directors can block a vote if they all vote together.

The 16 board members of the Payments Council are:

an independent chairman—the Payments Council is in process of appointing anew Chairman;

four independent directors:

Professor Martin Cave (acting interim chairman);

Michael Alexander;

Moira Black; and

Stephen Locke;

11 industry directors whose organisations are members of the Payments Council and are elected to serve terms ranging from one to three years:

Brent Bellm, vice president and managing director, PayPal Europe;

Maurice Cleaves, managing director, Deutsche Bank;

Ron Kalifa, head of product management, Royal Bank of Scotland;

John Hughes, director, retail banking, Co-operative Bank;

Colin Painter, payments industry director, Service Delivery, HSBC Bank Plc;

Neil Lover, head of payments strategy, Nationwide Building Society;

Dermot Nolan, head of payments strategy and change, Bank of Ireland;

Juan Olaizola, executive director of Manufacturing, Santander;

Kevin Page, operations director, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks;

Russell Saunders, payments and business services director, Lloyds Banking Group; and

the Barclays representative yet to be confirmed.

Further to the board members Paul Smee, chief executive, Payments Council and Andrew Bailey, executive director and chief cashier, Bank of England sit as observers on the board.

The Government, however, recognise that certain groups still value cheques as an important method of payment.

Before taking a final decision in 2016, and ahead of a closure of the cheque clearing system, the council is committed to ensuring that adequate alternatives are in place for and are being used by all users of cheques, in particular those users who are currently still highly dependent on this method of payment,

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 1 March (WA 332), what assessment they have made of the work carried out by the Research and Radionavigation Directorate of the General Lighthouse Authorities of the United Kingdom and Ireland on the eLoran navigation system. [HL2667]

My department reviews the eLoran programme annually during the General Lighthouse Authorities' corporate planning round.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 1 March (WA 332), what factors will determine the future funding of the Research and Radionavigation Directorate of the General Lighthouse Authorities of the United Kingdom and Ireland on the eLoran navigation system. [HL2668]

The relevant factors will include GNSS vulnerability and the associated risks, the need for a resilient positioning, navigation and timing system, and a full cost benefit analysis of the eLoran system.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 1 March (WA 332), what programme milestones have been achieved by the Research and Radionavigation Directorate of the General Lighthouse Authorities of the United Kingdom and Ireland on the eLoran navigation system. [HL2669]

The Research and Radionavigation Directorate has achieved the following eLoran programme milestones:

contract award in May 2007;

first signal from Cumbria in October 2007 and service launch in January 2008; and

annual contract reviews

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with other interested parties on the eLoran navigation system. [HL2670]

My department and the General Lighthouse Authorities continue to identify and engage with other potential users of the system across government including those responsible for national security.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what loans for commercial purposes have been made available from the General Lighthouse Fund or Trinity House to Trinitas Services Ltd; what were the (a) dates, and (b) amounts of the loans; and what were the (1) dates, and (2) amounts, of any repayment of those loans. [HL2757]

Loans to Trinitas Services Ltd. have been made as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any buses carrying children to school were considered unsafe and taken off the road in (a) 1995, (b) 2000, (c) 2005, (d) 2006, (e) 2007, (f) 2008, and (g) 2009. [HL2778]

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency does not maintain separate figures for checks on buses carrying children to school. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency records compliance levels for buses under public service vehicles in it's effectiveness report, a copy of which is available from the Libraries of the House.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been killed or seriously injured as a result of contact with heavy goods vehicles on the A55 since European Union regulations 1072/2009 and 1073/2009 came into effect. [HL2777]

The information requested is not yet available.

The regulations concerned came into effect in October 2009 and information concerning reported personal injury road accidents which occurred in 2009 will be available in late June 2010 following publication of Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain: Main Results: 2009.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for a new long-term tree planting campaign, involving all United Kingdom households, similar to that in China. [HL2519]

In its 2009 Low Carbon Transition Plan the Government set out their intention to support a new drive to encourage private funding for woodland creation and are currently exploring all options for achieving that.