asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether within the knowledge of their officials, there are any Iraqi officers or military advisers currently in the United Kingdom in any capacity.

We are not aware of any Iraqi officers or military advisers from the Iraqi armed forces currently in the United Kingdom.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who is responsible for monitoring that the arming of Bosnian Muslim-Croat forces by a United States mercenary firm complies with the arms control provisions of the Dayton Agreement.

The arms control agreement negotiated under Article IV of Annex 1B of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina provides for an intrusive inspection regime. Inspections are carried out by the parties to the agreement to verify weapons holdings in the five categories covered by the agreement. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) provides support on request.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the status under the Dayton Agreement of the weapons and training being provided by the United Arab Emirates to the Bosnian Muslim forces.

Assistance provided by the United Arab Emirates to Federation forces is part of the Train and Equip programme run by Military Professional Resource Incorporated (MPRI). Such assistance must be consistent with the agreements on transparency and arms control negotiated under Articles II and IV of Annex 1B of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What criteria will be used in considering licence applications for the export of conventional arms.

The Government are committed to the maintenance of a strong defence industry which is a strategic part of our industrial base, as well as of our defence effort. Defence exports can also contribute to international stability by strengthening bilateral and collective defence relationships in accordance with the right of self-defence recognised by the UN Charter. But arms transfers must be managed responsibly, in particular so as to avoid their use for internal repression and international aggression.It will be important to avoid a situation in which our policy of seeking to prevent certain regimes from acquiring certain equipment is undermined by foreign competitors supplying them. We will therefore work for the introduction of a European code of conduct, setting high common standards to govern arms exports from all EU member states.Licences to export strategic goods are issued by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, and the Export Control Organisation of the DTI is the licensing authority. All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by DTI to other government departments with an interest, as determined by them in line with their policy responsibilities. These include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development.The present Government were not responsible for the decisions on export licences made by the previous Administration. We do not, however, consider it would be realistic or practical to revoke licences which were valid and in force at the time of our election.The criteria set out below will be used when considering all future individual applications for licences to export goods entered in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, and existing licence applications on which a decision has not yet been made. The criteria will also be applied when considering advance approvals for promotion prior to formal application for an export licence, and licence applications for the export of dual-use goods when there are grounds for believing that the end-user of such goods will be the armed forces or the internal security forces of the recipient country.The criteria will constitute broad guidance. They will not be applied mechanistically and judgment will always be required. Individual applications will be considered case by case.CRITERIA USED IN CONSIDERING CONVENTIONAL ARMS EXPORT LICENCE APPLICATIONS1. An export licence will not be issued if the arguments for doing so are outweighed by the need to comply with the UK's international obligations and commitments, or by concern that the goods might be used for internal repression or international aggression, or by the risks to regional stability, or other considerations as described in these criteria.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the NAAFI, the armed forces trading organisation, has invested in Select Catalogues, and

The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) entered into a joint venture with a company, which later became Lanica Trust, to provide a mail order facility for British Service personnel and the vehicle for the venture was a newly created company, Select Catalogues Ltd. NAAFI purchased 30 per cent. of the equity and the remainder was purchased by Lanica Trust and the Managing Director of Select. Her Majesty's Government are not aware of any connections between the two companies which they regard as undesirable. No public money or facilities other than some small display stands at some facilities have been provided to Select by NAAFI.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What research has been, or is being, conducted at DERA, Porton Down, into the causes of Gulf War Illness.

The Chemical and Biological Defence sector of DERA, situated at Porton Down has not conducted any research into the causes of GWI in the past. However, it is intended that some of the new research, announced on 14 July, to investigate the possible health effects of having multiple vaccinations and taking other medication concurrently will be undertaken at CBD Porton Down. The results of this work will both provide scientific data with which to address Gulf veterans' concerns about the use of medical countermeasures during the Gulf War and also inform the Government's policy on the future use of such countermeasures.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of 14 July on motorway accidents (

The information requested is shown in the following tables.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the reason for the closure of the Blackwall Tunnel at weekends; and when they expect the tunnel to operate normally; andWhat steps they are taking to reduce traffic congestion as a result of the closure of the Blackwall Tunnel at weekends.

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the noble Lord.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are satisfied that in respect of the approaches to Liverpool Street Station, Railtrack is fulfilling its statutory obligations to keep the railway lines free from litter and, if not, what action they propose to take.

I understand that the litter on the tracks approaching Liverpool Street station will be cleared by Railtrack's contractor in about a fortnight's time. Her Majesty's Government intend later this year to lay orders clarifying the duty to clear litter and refuse from railway land. There are powers of enforcement in Sections 91 and 92 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish in the

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the noble Lord.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they are taking to ensure that accidents do not occur on public roads arising from the use, while driving, of hand-held telephones by drivers of buses or coaches.

I am considering what action is needed to ensure that all drivers are aware of the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving. There are, however, already requirements relating to bus and coach drivers which are relevant.Bus and coach drivers, like all other drivers, are legally obliged to have full control of their vehicle at all times under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and to drive safely by the Road Traffic Act 1988, as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1991. In addition, bus and coach drivers have a general duty of care under the Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990.Convictions for any driving offence committed under the 1988 Act or the 1990 Regulations are moreover regarded by the Traffic Commissioners as being relevant convictions for the purposes of the requirement that operators and their staff be of good repute as a condition of holding a public service vehicle operator's licence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will consider amending the

No. The purpose of the Highway Code is to set out the rules of the road in a form that is easily understood and remembered by the public. It needs to be kept brief if it is to communicate the key messages effectively. Whilst there is currently a short annex to the code giving advice on vehicle security, the issue of personal security is so wide ranging that it would be difficult to incorporate this without substantially increasing the size of the code.

asked the Leader of the House:Whether he considers that there is a case for a review of the rules for registration and declaration of interests in the House of Lords which were decided following the recommendations of the Procedure Committee, following the Report of the sub-committee chaired by Lord Griffiths.

The rules regarding declaration and registration of interests are ultimately a matter for the House. The House would normally expect to receive advice from the Procedure Committee on these matters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have been informed by Lord Cullen of the reasons why there is no mention of the Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland's thematic report into the administration of firearms in Scotland which was submitted to the inquiry into the Dunblane shootings in the appendix to that inquiry's report, and if so, what were the reasons; and whether they will place a copy of the Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland's report in the Library of the House.

The content of the inquiry report and the question of which documents were accepted as formal submissions to the inquiry are matters for Lord Cullen. The inspectorate's draft report was, however, referred to in paragraph 2.13 of the inquiry report.The draft report, which related to the administrative efficiency of the police operation of the existing licensing system, was never finalised because it was overtaken by the changes to the licensing system recommended by Lord Cullen and implemented in the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997. I will however place a copy of the draft in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What information they have about the effects of (a) smoking and (b) passive smoking on persons suffering asthma.

Smoking is strongly associated with respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and obstructive airways disease. Symptoms of smoking related respiratory tract injury are cough, sputum production, wheezing and shortness of breath. For asthma sufferers these symptoms will be exacerbated.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer given by Baroness Jay of Paddington on 7 July (

We are keen to minimise the cost and time burdens which additional data collection can impose upon the National Health Service, so do not intend to request this additional information. Moreover, as I explained in my answer of 7 July, it is for local health authorities to ascertain the service needs of their local populations and to decide what priority to give such needs. We have no plans to consult them as to their local arrangements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the reply by Baroness Jay of Paddington on 7 July (

The Medical Research Council is currently funding a number of research projects into osteoporosis. There are nine live projects, valued at £3,036,839, which apply equally to men and women and are either specific to osteoporosis or involve general bone research which will encompass osteoporosis. Of these, three are broadly concerned with epidemiology; five with pathogenesis and one with pathogenesis and treatment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer given by Baroness Jay of Paddington on 7 July (

We are not convinced that the considerable cost and burden data collection would impose upon the National Health Service is likely to justify the benefits of having the information requested. It will often not be possible to infer a direct relationship between primary and secondary diagnoses, or between the diagnoses and any cause of accident or injury.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer given by Lord Lucas on 23 January (

The following table shows the number of cases of BSE reported and confirmed in Great Britain during each of the first 28 weeks of this year.

asked the Chairman of Committees:How many visitors have:(a) attended the public galleries of the House of Lords and the House of Commons during the most recent 12-month period for which statistics are available; and(b) visited the public line of route through the Palace of Westminster during the same period.

In the year to 23 July 1997:(a) 45,256 visitors were admitted to the public galleries of the House of Lords and 128,506 visitors were admitted to the public galleries of the House of Commons; and(b) 117,231 visitors were admitted to the line of route.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What funds have been granted to the Institute of Psychiatry for research into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and allied syndromes by the Medical Research Council since 1987.

Since 1987, the Medical Research Council have awarded one grant to the Institute of Psychiatry for work involving Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.Professor A. H. Mann at the Institute was awarded a grant worth £94,610 for a study entitled

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that any changes will be necessary to the design of the Union Flag after Scottish devolution.

No changes would be necessary because Scotland would still be part of the United Kingdom.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have received the annual report for 1996 of the Complaints Audit Committee of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.

A copy of the report, publication of which was delayed by the election, has been placed in the Library. It is a wide-ranging and informative document and we are grateful to the committee for its comments and recommendations. These are already receiving careful consideration.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will lay before Parliament the eighth annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee.

We have placed a copy of the annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee in the Library today.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have for the future qualification and training arrangements for new probation officers.

We hope to proceed quickly to develop a Diploma in Probation Studies, located in higher education and combined with a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), which will become the qualification for new probation officers. We intend that the new arrangements should be employment led and delivered by a consortia of probation services which will manage the recruitment and selection of trainee probation officers.The combined diploma and NVQ will offer a mixture of academic teaching and work-based supervised practice, all based on the occupational standards that will be developed for probation officers. The new qualification should be delivered through flexible teaching methods which take account of trainees' previous work, academic qualifications and experience so that a wide range of recruits can be attracted to the probation service.We have decided that training for new probation officers should no longer be linked to social work education. We will be supporting the development of a new and separate Diploma in Probation Studies, which will equip the probation officers of the future to play their full part in this Government's plans for an integrated approach to working with offenders. It will focus on probation's top priority role of protecting the public and reducing crime through effective work with offenders. There will, therefore, be no further funding or support from the Home Office for the Diploma in Social Work.These arrangements will be developed in partnership with probation service organisations and higher education institutions to provide high quality training for high quality recruits.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have received the Reports from the Audit Committee of the Church Commissioners about the Commissioners' involvement in the Ashford Great Park development project.

We have received these reports and have placed copies of them in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will lay before Parliament the annual report and accounts for the Forensic Science Service.

We have today laid before Parliament copies of the Forensic Science Service annual report and accounts for 1996–97.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will comment on the implementation of the general fire safety aspects of the European Community Framework and Workplace Directives.

After consulting my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, my honourable friend the Minister of State (Mr. Howarth) announced on 16 July that we proposed to implement the outstanding fire safety elements of the European Community Framework and Workplace Directives. Today, my honourable friend has signed and laid before Parliament the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, made under the European Communities Act 1972, to apply throughout Great Britain. A Compliance Cost Assessment is attached to the regulations showing that the estimated costs to employers attributable to these regulations will be less than £30 million. He has placed copies of these documents in the Library. To assist employers, there will be a package of user-friendly guidance comprising a handy free card summarising the regulations and employers' rights and a short booklet, both of which will be widely available.The regulations take into account the views expressed in the many responses received during the consultation exercise carried out last year and the representations received since then from business interests and the fire service. We are grateful to business and fire service representatives for the assistance they have given to our officials during the drafting of the regulations and supporting guidance.Where appropriate, the regulations have been drafted using copy-out language. This ensures that there is full compliance with the directives but that no unnecessary costs are imposed on business.The regulations put the primary responsibility for fire safety in the workplace upon employers. It is for them to determine and provide the measures they believe to be necessary to meet the risk from fire identified in their premises. In this way, what is provided will be appropriate to the risks, and tailored to the specific circumstances of the workplace. The regulations incorporate a new approach to fire safety enforcement. Most significant breaches of the regulations can be dealt with by civil sanctions, with the onus of proof on the fire authority rather than the employer. However, to emphasise the importance of fire safety, criminal sanctions will remain for serious risks.The regulations include some of the user-friendly enforcement safeguards of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. They will be enforced by the fire authority, which will use the employer's own assessment of the risk from fire as a starting point. The fire service has an important role to play. It will offer employers advice and assistance in meeting their obligations and avoiding over provision.