asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will propose an international convention banning the manufacture, deployment and use of nuclear weapons. [HL121]

Her Majesty's Government are examining all aspects of our nuclear policy in the Strategic Defence Review and elsewhere.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have ratified the additional protocols to the Geneva conventions. [HL339]

I am pleased to be able to inform the House that the United Kingdom instruments of ratification of the two additional protocols of 1977 to the Geneva conventions of 1949 for the protection of war victims are today being deposited with the Swiss authorities in Berne.The necessary legislation, Geneva Conventions (Amendment) Act 1995, received the Royal Assent on 19 July 1995.A copy of the note accompanying the instrument of ratification has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The note contains the statements made by the United Kingdom on ratification of additional protocol I on international conflicts. In most cases these reflect similar statements made by the United Kingdom on signing Protocol I in 1977.I wish to draw the attention of the House in particular to the statement concerning nuclear weapons, which is in the following terms:"It continues to be the understanding of the United Kingdom that the rules introduced by the protocol apply exclusively to conventional weapons without prejudice to any other rules of international law applicable to other types of weapons. In particular, the rules so introduced do not have any effect on, and do not regulate or prohibit the use of, nuclear weapons."Statements to similar effect have been made by NATO partners and others when ratifying protocol I. They reflect the basis upon which the conference which drew up additional protocol I took place and statements made at the conference by the United Kingdom delegation among others.I would also draw the attention of the House to statement (m) on Articles 51 to 55 and statement (n) on Articles 56 and 85, paragraph 3c. These statements reserve our right to threaten reprisals if attacks were launched against our own civilians or civilian targets and remove the virtual immunity under the protocol for attacks on dams, dykes and certain nuclear facilities such as nuclear power stations, even when they are a significant part of the enemy's war effort. Both reservations have been drafted with great care to show that these would be measures of last resort, to be decided upon only if all else had failed, and requiring high level authorisation. Our actions would still be subject to the classic rule of proportionality.I would also draw the attention of the House to statement (d) concerned with Article 1, paragraph 4 and Article 96, paragraph 3, which extend the application of the Protocol to armed conflicts "in which peoples are fighting against colonial domination and alien occupation and against racist regimes in the exercise of their right of self-determination."To guard against the possibility that terrorist organisations may seek to misuse these provisions the statement makes clear that the term "armed conflict" is understood as denoting something clearly beyond the commission of ordinary crimes including acts of terrorism, and that the United Kingdom will not be bound, in relation to any situation in which the United Kingdom itself is involved, unless it expressly recognises the adversary as genuinely an authority representing a people engaged in an armed conflict of the type referred to in these articles.In accordance with the powers conferred in Section 7 of the 1957 Geneva Convention Act, as amended by Section 4(7) of the Geneva Conventions (Amendment) Act 1995, the Government will certify in an Order in Council the terms of the statements made on ratification.Article 90 of Additional Protocol I establishes an international fact-finding commission and provides that the high contracting parties may at the time of ratification or subsequently declare that they recognise, in relation to any other high contracting party accepting the same obligation, the competence of the Commission to inquire into allegations by such other party of facts alleged to be a grave breach or serious violation of the conventions or the protocol. The Government intend to make a declaration of acceptance of the competence of the fact-finding commission. It will be necessary first to bring before the House legislation to confer upon the members of the Commission and their staff the necessary privileges and immunities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list all arms embargoes currently implemented by the United Kingdom and their scope. [HL338]

The United Kingdom currently enforces 18 arms embargoes. Under the United Nations charter, we have a legally binding obligation to enforce arms embargoes imposed by the Security Council under Article 41 of the charter. Other embargoes are imposed on a national basis or following agreement within the European Union (EU) or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (formerly CSCE).Under UK law, binding UN embargoes are implemented by prohibiting the export of goods and technology on the military list which forms Part III to Schedule 1 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended. In addition, the supply of such items from the UK or supply abroad by UK registered companies and nationals is prohibited by Orders in Council under the United Nations Act (1946). From time to time, the contents of the military list may change, for example, to reflect technological advances or continuing international efforts to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Orders in council extend such embargoes to the Crown dependencies and the dependent territories. A licence is required for each export or supply from the UK or abroad by a UK registered company or national.National embargoes and those agreed in the EU and the OSCE prohibit only the export of goods covered by the embargo. With the exception of the embargoes on China and Iran, the UK interprets the scope of all such embargoes to cover goods and technology on the military list as defined above.There are currently seven binding UN arms embargoes:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there have been any new exceptions to the arms embargo on Argentina. [HL337]

We have recently granted an exception to the embargo relating to the sale of spare parts for the Argentine icebreaker, the "Almirante Irizar". This represents an exception but not a change to the embargo.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the official from the Foreign Office who visited Bahrain in November saw any of the members of the democratic opposition; and, if so, whether the British Embassy in Manama have regular contact with any of those persons. [HL147]

The visiting FCO official did not meet representatives of the Bahraini opposition. Nor do the British Embassy in Manama have contact with them.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What evidence they have received of ethnic cleansing by the Iraqi authorities in the districts of Kirkuk, Khanaqin and Douz; and whether they will ask for this to be noted by the Security Council as a violation of Resolution 688. [HL86]

Her Majesty's Government are aware of reports of ethnic cleansing in the districts of Kirkuk and others. The actions of the Iraqi authorities in driving ethnic minorities from their homes are deplorable. We draw all such reports to the attention of the UN special rapporteur on Iraq, Max Van der Stoel and the DHA.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What information they have received about the reported execution in the special prison in Abu Ghraib and in Radwaniyah Prison of more than 800 opponents of Saddam Hussain in December 1997; and whether they will ask the special rapporteur on Iraq to make formal inquiries about the fate of the victims whose names have been published by the Iraqi National Congress. [HL87]

Her Majesty's Government share the noble Lord's concern about these appalling reports of mass executions. We have drawn these reports to the attention of the UN special rapporteur on Iraq and are seeking further information on the executions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they will take, as President of the European Union, in pursuance of the common position on East Timor, to assist the promotion of the United Nations Human Rights Commission resolution passed at the 54th Session of the commission, and in particular, to arrange an invitation to visit East Timor for the United Nations rapporteur on torture; to provide access for human rights organisations to East Timor; and to secure the immediate release of all political prisoners. [HL88]

Her Majesty's Government continue to encourage the Indonesian government to implement the resolution on East Timor at last year's CHR 53. We will be working closely with EU partners to achieve a positive outcome at CHR 54.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have made any representations to the Government of Bahrain for the release of Sheikh 'Abd al-Amir al-Jamri, the second anniversary of whose detention without trial falls on 22 January. [HL89]

We have discussed Sheikh Al Jamri's continuing detention without charge with the Bahraini authorities on a number of occasions. We have called on them to release or charge all those held in detention. We will continue to do so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What response they have received to the proposal made by Mr. Derek Fatchett, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, at the annual meeting of the Bahrain Society on 4 December 1997, that the Bahrain Government should allow human rights organisations to visit the state. [HL90]

We have for some time been actively encouraging the Bahraini authorities and human rights organisations, such as Amnesty International, to reach agreement on the terms for such visits. We will continue to do so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will raise, at the forthcoming meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, the practice by certain governments of putting exiles on trial without notifying them either of the charges against them or of the alleged evidence leading to the charges; giving them no opportunity of being represented at the hearing; holding the proceedings in camera; sentencing them to terms of imprisonment with no right of appeal; and then seeking to have them arrested through Interpol. [HL91]

As European Presidency, we will work hard to ensure EU positions which make clear that all people in all countries have the right to a fair hearing in determination of any criminal charge against them and to freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will ask the Government of India whether they intend to invite the United Nations rapporteur on extrajudicial, arbitrary and summary executions, M. Bacre Waly Ndiaye, and Amnesty International, to visit Kashmir before the next meeting of the Human Rights Commission. [HL142]

Her Majesty's Government will continue to encourage the Indian Government to allow more visits by international human rights groups, including by UN Thematic Mechanisms and Amnesty International.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will give technical or financial assistance to human rights groups in India.

Her Majesty's Government have already provided assistance to a number of rights organisations in India. We shall continue to look for ways in which to help such groups.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, following the United Nations General Assembly resolution of 12 December 1997 calling on Iran to stop executions for non-violent crimes, they will ask the United Nations rapporteur on Iran, Professor Maurice Danby Copithorne, to publish monthly lists of executions reported in Iran giving the name of the person executed, the date and place of execution, the method of execution, the offences for which the punishment was imposed, and whether the execution took place in public or private. [HL146]

The mandate of the special representative of the UN Commission on Human Rights is set by the Commission on Human Rights. It gives him authority to look into allegations of misuse of the death penalty in Iran. We will work with EU partners to ensure that this mandate is confirmed at the forthcoming session of the Commission on Human Rights. It would not be proper for the UK to influence his method of work within his mandate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have offered to provide training for the Bahrain National Guard; whether they have considered or are considering the licensing of arms exports for use by this body; and what information they have about the human rights aspects of internal security policies in Bahrain. [HL177]

It is our general policy not to disclose details of British military assistance given to other countries. Disclosure could damage our own, and wider, international relations. This policy is, however, under review in line with our commitment to greater openness in government and the House will be informed when this review is completed. We obtain information from a range of sources, both public and private (e.g., non-government organisations, the media and reporting from our Embassy in Manama).

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations they have received from the Samaritans regarding the free movement of their people between Israel and the Palestinian authority; and whether they will propose that, as a confidence-building measure, a written agreement be made between the parties confirming that the Samaritans may pass freely across the boundary in either direction, without waiting for agreement on a comprehensive settlement of all outstanding matters. [HL179]

The editor of the Samaritan News met a Foreign and Commonwealth Office official in London on 8 January. The Samaritans currently enjoy freedom of movement, but want written confirmation of their status from Israel and the Palestinian authority. We shall monitor their situation and would consider making representations on their behalf if there were signs of a serious threat to their freedom of movement.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will comment on the funding and registration of political parties. [HL358]

The Government are committed to reforming the system of party funding. On 12 November 1997, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister asked the Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by Lord Neill, to review issues in relation to the funding of political parties and recommend any changes in present arrangements. At that time, it was the Government's intention to legislate in this session to deliver our manifesto commitment to ban foreign funding of political parties and to demand disclosure of donations above £5,000.Since then, Lord Neill and the members of his Committee have reached the view that it would be preferable for the Government not to proceed with the funding aspects of proposed legislation at the same time. In a letter to my right honourable friend the Home Secretary, dated 26 January Lord Neil explained why he is particularly concerned about simultaneous consideration of these issues by Parliament and the Committee.In response, my right honourable friend has therefore decided not to introduce legislation on the funding of political parties in this session of Parliament. He has placed in the Library a copy of Lord Neill's letter, together with a copy of his reply.Lord Neill has made clear that the Committee is not considering whether the Government's two specific manifesto commitments should be fulfilled, but how best to do so. The Government remain firmly committed to legislate in this area and will bring forward proposals in the light of the recommendations of the Neill Committee. This will enable us to bring forward a comprehensive and effective package of measures.The registration of political parties is necessary to enable the electoral systems proposed for the European Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly to function effectively and to deal with misleading descriptions on ballot papers. My right honourable friend intends to introduce the Bill on this subject later in this session.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements exist for individuals to appeal against the refusal or withdrawal of a shotgun or a firearm certificate. [HL242]

Section 26(4) of the Firearms Act 1968 provides that a person aggrieved by the decision of a chief officer of police not to grant or renew a firearm or shotgun certificate may appeal against the refusal. Section 30(3) of the Act makes similar provision in respect of the revocation of certificates. Section 44 of the Act (as amended by Section 41 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997) provides that the appeal should be to the Crown Court in England and Wales, or to the Sheriff's Court in Scotland. Section 44 provides that the appeal shall be determined on its merits (and not by way of review), and that the court or sheriff may consider any evidence or other matter, whether or not it was available when the decision of the chief officer was taken. Schedule 2 of the 1968 Act (as amended by the 1997 Act) sets out the mechanism through which the appeal may be conducted.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will give the number of persons currently holding a firearm or shot gun certificate in respect of each police licensing authority in the United Kingdom. [HL238]

Figures for the number of firearm and shotgun certificates on issue in the United Kingdom are contained in the annual bulletins published by the Home Department, copies of which are placed in the Library. The most recent figures available relate to the number of certificates on issue at 31 December 1996. The information requested is set out below by police force area:

Police Force Area	Number of Firearm Certificates	Number of Shotgun Certificates
Avonand Somerset	5,293	22,354
Bedfordshire	1,441	6,992
Cambridgeshire	2,774	15,133
Cheshire	2,745	13,384
Cleveland	879	2,685
Cumbria	3,325	10,999
Derbyshire	2,543	12,723
Devon and Cornwall	8,529	37,240
Dorset	2,866	12,551
Durham	2,243	6,783
Essex	4,241	20,935
Gloucestershire	2,498	12,064
Greater Manchester	2,675	9,518
Hampshire	5,334	22,148
Hertfordshire	1,939	10,025
Kent	4,387	22,053
Lancashire	2,977	12,918
Leicestershire	1,905	11,512
Lincolnshire	3,586	16,316
London, City of	40	33
Merseyside	1,683	4,686
Metropolitan Police	9,123	33,867
Norfolk	3,709	21,967
Northamptonshire	2,337	9,725
Northumbria	3,679	9,661
North Yorkshire	5,679	19,213
Nottinghamshire	1,987	12,946
South Yorkshire	1,777	8,419
Staffordshire	2,671	15,161
Suffolk	3,744	18,487
Surrey	2,594	11,600
Sussex	5,826	22,900
Thames Valley	6,854	30,975
Warwickshire	1,884	10,161
West Mercia	5,514	30,706
West Midlands	2,593	11,033
West Yorkshire	3,209	11,855
Wiltshire	2,800	12,189
Dyfed-Powys	3,396	20,756
Gwent	1,052	7,575

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether prisoners in England and Wales are not being allowed to see visiting ministers of a religion other than the one of their registration, contrary to the Instruction to governors of 20 January 1992, reference DIA 1 1709204 NTE; and what additional measures they will take to ensure that the rights of prisoners to see a minister of another faith are honoured. [HL178]

Prisoners are allowed to consult a chaplain or visiting minister of a religious denomination other than their own. To do so they make application to the governor who will approve the application if he is satisfied that the request is not frivolous.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a social and environmental audit of the OECD's multilateral agreement on investment will be carried out prior to the treaty being signed. [HL204]

The UK—proposed environmental review of the MAI by the OECD is making good progress. The first part consisted of an overview of recent literature on this topic. It provides a thorough analysis which will help all parties interested in the MAI understand better how international investment interacts with the environment. This report is available on the Internet. A further note by the OECD secretariat on the relationship between the MAI and selected multilateral environmental agreements has recently been completed and is under discussion by MAI negotiators. The Department for International Development is commissioning a study to look at any implications the MAI may have for developing countries, and has agreed to make to make the results available to our negotiating partners.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many casualties have been suffered due to military action by SFOR and IFOR; and what losses in terms of killed and wounded have been suffered by each contributing state. [HL52]

Casualty figures for other nations contributing to IFOR/SFOR are not held centrally by MoD. However, we are not aware of any IFOR or SFOR soldiers having been killed as a result of military action. One Bosnian national has been killed and one injured as a result of action by SFOR troops to detain individuals indicted by the International War Crimes Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. A British soldier was injured by a shot fired by the indictee in the first of these incidents.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sewel on 17 December 1997 (

It is not Government policy to seek to withdraw from the Common Fisheries Policy, nor is it feasible to do so. The question is therefore hypothetical.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the requirements placed upon Scottish police forces and social work departments to communicate in operational matters where both have a direct responsibility and involvement.

The sharing of information between the police and social work services is a matter for local discretion and is considered on a case by case basis. The guidance issued by the Scottish Office on the implementation of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 encouraged police forces and social work services to agree arrangements about how and when information should be passed on. The provisions on sex offender orders currently before Parliament would require the police to consult the relevant local authority before applying for an order.

asked Her Majesty's Government:To whom chief constables are accountable in operational matters and on what specific matters chief constables are accountable to police boards. [HL154]

Chief Constables in Scotland must submit to their police authority or joint board an annual report on the policing of their force area. These reports must also be copied to the Secretary of State and to the sheriff principal for the area. In addition, the police authority or joint board, the Secretary of State, or the relevant sheriff principal may require the chief constable to submit to them a report at any time on any matter connected with the policing of the force area.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any costs attach to the Scottish Office as a consequence of any Scottish police officer attending the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Taiwan; and whether any guidance has been offered to police boards on the attendance of officers at international conferences. [HL153]

Police grant is paid by the Scottish Office to police authorities and joint police boards on expenditure for police purposes. Costs of attendance by a police officer at an international conference would be eligible for police grant as long as they met that criterion. No guidance has been issued on attendance of police officers at international conferences.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What powers the Secretary of State for Scotland has to require an external independent inquiry to be conducted into a Scottish police force in any matter he deems appropriate. [HL152]

Section 29 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 empowers the Secretary of State to arrange for a local inquiry to be held by a person appointed by him, into any matter connected with the policing of any area.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What powers a chief constable has to require an external independent inquiry into any operational matter conducted by the police force for which he has responsibility. [HL151]

A chief constable may invite the chief constable of another police force to provide an investigating officer to carry out such an inquiry, under Regulation 5 of the Police (Conduct) (Scotland) Regulations 1996. It would be within the chief constable's general discretion to arrange for a less formal type of inquiry, since chief constables are responsible for operational matters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What powers police boards in Scotland have to require an independent inquiry into the conduct of any operational matter conducted by the police force they oversee. [HL150]

The chief constable alone is responsible for operational matters within his force. Under Section 15(2) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967, however, a police authority may require a chief constable to submit a report to them on any matter connected with the policing of the area for which he is responsible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many pupils in each of the past five years left full-time education in Scotland unable to read or write. [HL95]

This information is not held centrally in the form it has been requested. The department does, however, hold information, based on Scottish qualifications authority data, which shows that for session 1995–96 the percentage of school leavers who held a Standard Grade English Award at Grades 1–7 was 88.5 per cent. In addition the Scottish School Leavers Survey showed that in Spring 1995 4 per cent. of 18–19 year olds have no qualifications.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many hours on average in each week are spent teaching reading, writing and arithmetic in Scottish primary schools. [HL94]

The national guidelines set out in the document The Structure and Balance in the Curriculum 5–14 recommend that Scottish primary schools spend 15 per cent. of curriculum time (3¾ hours per week) on each of language (reading and writing) and mathematics. This total of 30 per cent. on language and mathematics can be increased by an additional 20 per cent. of built in flexibility time (5 hours per week) wherever there is concern with standards of literacy or numeracy. This allows for a total of 50 per cent. (12½ hours) of curriculum time to be devoted to language and mathematics. It is a matter for education authorities and individual schools to decide how much time to spend on language and mathematics within these parameters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the arrangements for public participation in their review of the roads programme in Scotland. [HL93]

Our consultation document Developing an Integrated Transport Policy, which we published last August, invited views about the future role of trunk roads within an integrated transport system. We have received nearly 500 responses which are currently being analysed in order to help inform the development of policy. Furthermore, as part of the strategic review of motorways and trunk roads in Scotland, the Scottish Office will issue a consultation document in the spring on the revised trunk road appraisal system which is one of the key components of the review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their policy on the future of non-core services such as hospital meals, laundries and sterile supply service units in the National Health Service in Scotland. [HL61]

The Government's aim is to ensure greater consistency in the organisation of important support services like hospital meals, laundries and sterile supply service units across Scotland, as well as to eliminate waste and duplication. The focus of our efforts is to provide higher quality services for patients.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their policy in relation to green belt areas where local authorities receive or approve planning applications for opencast mining. [HL6]

Where planning authorities receive applications for opencast mining within designated green belt it falls to them, in the first instance, to consider such applications against the development plan and all other material planning considerations, including the Government's policy for the protection of green belt areas. Planning authorities are, also, required to notify the Secretary of State where they propose to grant permission for certain types of development, for example where they consider the development is a significant departure from the approved structure plan or affects a site of special scientific interest or certain classes of agricultural land, although there is no separate notification requirement for mineral workings in green belt areas. My right honourable friend can then consider whether or not to call in the application for his own determination.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the public inquiry into the proposed opencast mine at Greengairs in North Lanarkshire will take place and when it is anticipated that it will report. [HL59]

The public local inquiry into the planning application for a proposed opencast coal mine at Greengairs is expected to commence some time in April. The precise timing depends on agreement being reached with the parties to the inquiry. If the inquiry takes place in April, the reporter should he in a position to present his report to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland by early August.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements they have put in place to select architects to design the proposed parliamentary building at Holyrood in Edinburgh. [HL58]

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland announced on 26 January the arrangements for the selection of a design team for the Scottish Parliament building. Advertisements will be placed in the Official Journal of the European Communities and professional journals inviting architect-led design teams to register their interest. From those applicants, the most suitable 12 or so will be interviewed and from these a shortlist of three or four invited to produce indicative design approaches for the building. Those design approaches will be put on public display, following which the successful design team will be selected.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements they have put in place to monitor, control and audit the costs associated with the construction of a parliamentary building at Holyrood in Edinburgh. [HL57]

The Scottish Office is putting in place the necessary management and reporting structures and appointments to ensure the effective delivery of the project on time and to budget and to meet the Parliament's requirements. These arrangements will be in line with the Government's recently published guidance on its role as a client for construction projects including achieving value for money. Expenditure by The Scottish Office on the construction of the parliament building will be Voted by Parliament and subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor-General in the same way as other expenditure by the department.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What will be the valuation date for the 2000 non-domestic rating revaluation. [HL356]

The next non-domestic property revaluation will come into force on 1 April 2000. We have decided that the antecedent valuation date for England and Wales, that is the common valuation date for the 2000 revaluation, will be 1 April 1998. We have today laid the necessary order before the House. This decision will provide certainty for businesses and will allow adequate time for the assessment to be carried out.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the permissible levels of alcohol in the blood for breathalyser tests for motorists in the United Kingdom. Italy, Germany. France and Spain; and how many motorists failed the test in each of the countries in the last three years.

The legal blood alcohol level for motorists in the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and Spain is 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood; in France the legal level is 50 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. Legislation to reduce the limit in Germany to 50 milligrammes is currently before the Federal Parliament and Spain is also considering a reduction in its legal limit to 50 milligrammes.Table 1 below gives the number of breath tests conducted in England and Wales during the latest three years for which the figures are available, and the number of tests which were positive (above the limit) or where a driver refused to take a test. The figures for Northern Ireland for 1995 and 1996 are set out in Table 2 (Prior to 1995 these figures were not available in that form). The figures for Scotland are not available. Table 3 contains the data for France over the period 1994 to 1996.

Table 1: Breath tests, England and Wales
	Number of breath tests	Number positive/refused
1994	678,500	93,300
1995	702,700	94,400
1996	781,100	100,500

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer of Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish on 4 July 1996 (

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many pictures from the government art collection are at present hanging in the private and public offices of Ministers and Ministries, including No. 10 Downing Street; and how many have been borrowed from such national collections as the National Portrait Gallery, the Tate Gallery and the National Maritime Museum. [HL84]

There are 8,187 works of art on loan from the government art collection to government departments, including Nos. 10 and 11 Downing Street. There are 135 works of art on loan from national collections to government departments, including Nos. 10 and 11 Downing Street, via the government art collection.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Given that approximately 7,500 works of art are listed in published catalogues of the Arts Council collection, but that the National Asset Register gives the number owned by the Arts Council as 2,213, what has happened to the rest. [HL85]

The National Asset Register lists these assets by value rather than number. The net book value of works of art owned by the Arts Council of England was £2,213,000 at 1 April 1996. This figure is also published in the Annual Report of the Arts Council of England for 1996–97.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the rate of inflation since 1974, taking 1974 as 100. [HL207]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is the case as reported in the

That issue is a matter for the financial services authority.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In the last year for which statistics of Legal Aid are available:

In 1996–97, the last year for which figures are available, the number of certificates issued to plaintiffs and defendants for non-matrimonial civil legal aid was as follows:

Plaintiffs	144,096
Defendants	18,631

Of these, it is estimated that 2,981 certificates (16 per cent.) issued to defendants for non-matrimonial civil legal aid covered counterclaims.Information on the proportion of certificates issued to plaintiffs and defendants claiming a set-off or counterclaim is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In respect of the provision of legal services to the Legal Aid Board's administration which are required to be funded out of the board's administration budget in (1) the period from 1 January 1997; and (2) in such of the previous six years for which information is available:

Information on legal services provided by the external suppliers is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.The Legal Aid Board instructs external suppliers where it does not have the necessary expertise or capacity in its employed staff. Selection of external suppliers is on the basis of competitive tendering and/or known expertise and/or quality and value for money of services provided in the past, taking account of the nature of the services required.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will place in the Library of the House the transcripts of the trial and appeal of Rosemary West. [HL131]

I will have a copy of the transcript of the appeal placed in the Library. However a transcript of the trial could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether payments under local government financial arrangements fully meet the cost incurred by local education authorities in respect of the provision of school places taken by children who live outside that local authority's area; and whether such payments also cover the cost of both the provision and maintenance of school buildings. [HL228]

Under the standard spending assessment (SSA) system, a local education authority (LEA) receives recurrent funding for every pupil in its schools, whether or not they live in that authority. If, however, a pupil has a statement of special educational needs, attends a special school or is educated in hospital, the authority providing the education is entitled to recoup any costs over and above the SSA funding it receives from the pupil's home authority. The amount to be recouped will be such amount as the authorities involved may agree. Provision for an LEA's capital expenditure does not discriminate between pupils living within and outside an authority's boundaries.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will review the present arrangements concerning the transfer of children from primary to secondary schools to ensure that children living in the catchment area of a secondary school receive priority for places at that school. [HL227]

The School Standards and Framework Bill provides the basis for an effective partnership between different admission authorities in meeting the needs of all parents. A code of practice will advise that local admission forums should play a central role in the implementation of a fair admissions policy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the head teachers of grant maintained schools are among those who should be proposed for public recognition by a knighthood or DBE.

We welcome nominations for teachers and head teachers from all types of school. All are eligible to be proposed for recognition.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What importance they place on the teaching of British history to children of primary and secondary school age. [HL224]

The Government believe that children have a right to a balanced education in history which should include British, European and world history.