asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are empowered to veto the European Union's proposed directive on the taxation of savings; and, if so, whether they will do so. [HL2363]

The draft directive would have to be agreed by all member states. We are scrutinising the draft directive closely and consulting with interested parties in the City.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the present boundaries of the United Kingdom: (a) on the Continental Shelf; (b) in the waters of the sea. [HL2225]Whether all United Kingdom boundaries have now been determined; if not, which are still being negotiated; whether those that have been determined have been published; if so, where; and, if not, when they will be. [HL2226]

The United Kingdom's Continental Shelf boundaries with neighbouring states have for the most part been delimited by bilateral agreements with the states concerned, all of which are published as command papers in the United Kingdom treaty series. Negotiations continue between the United Kingdom and Denmark concerning the delimitation of the Continental Shelf between the United Kingdom and Denmark (in respect of the Faroe Islands). Further negotiations may be needed in due course concerning other areas, including the determination of the outer edge of the continental margin in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.The agreements and decisions concerning the delimitation of the United Kingdom's Continental Shelf with other countries are as follows:Agreement with Norway of 10 March 1965 (Cmnd 2757), and Protocol of 22 December 1978 (Cmnd 7853);Agreement with Denmark of 25 November 1971 (Cmnd 5193);Agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany of 25 November 1971 (Cmnd 5192);Agreement with The Netherlands of 6 October 1965 (Cmnd 3254) and Protocol of 25 November 1971 (Cmnd 5173);Agreement with Belgium of 29 May 1991 (Cm 2499);Decisions of the UK-France Court of Arbitration of 30 June 1977 and 14 March 1978 (Cmnd 7438);

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any assessment of the costs of NATO expansion has been made in relation to each of the five countries now entering accession negotiations with the European Union. [HL2251]

NATO Defence Ministers agreed last December, based on detailed analysis by the NATO Secretariat, that the costs to NATO budgets of admitting Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic would be approximately US$ 1.5 billion over 10 years. As I told House on 19 June (Official Report, col. 1848), the cost shares for the new members will be 2.48 per cent. for Poland; 0.65 per cent. for Hungary; and 0.9 per cent. for the Czech Republic. Slovenia and Estonia have not at present been invited to join NATO and no assessment has been made of the costs should they do so.

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

According to Protocol Department's records, the names of the diplomatic missions in London which have on the London Diplomatic List persons who hold United Kingdom nationality in addition to their own nationality are:

• Bangladesh
• Belize
• Bolivia
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Maldives
• Slovenia
• South Africa

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Dayton Agreement imposes any control over the arms trade into and out of ex-Yugoslavia and Albania; and whether the recent agreement for Croatia to export $1 million-worth of weapons to Colombia enjoys the appropriate international approval. [HL2297]

The Dayton Agreement established arms control mechanisms for the former Yugoslav states under which the parties agreed to a time-limited ban on arms imports. Dayton also provided for numerical limits on holdings of certain types of heavy weapons by the parties. The Dayton Agreement does not cover Albania.Croatia's arms export policy is a matter for its own national discretion, provided that any exports are not inconsistent with its international commitments and obligations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish an account of the work of the European Common Foreign and Security Policy Working Group on Human Rights during the United Kingdom Presidency, identifying any new initiatives taken. [HL2313]

Under the UK Presidency, the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) co-ordinated EU preparations for the UN Commission on Human Rights and the Commission on the Status of Women. In addition it developed a wider role through consultation with other working groups. For example, it prepared the EU's human rights dialogue with China with the CFSP Asia Oceania Working Group; worked with the Development Co-operation Working Group on two new development regulations on human rights and democracy; and took steps, for the first time, to integrate discussion of Council of Europe human rights issues into HRWG's ongoing work. It also drew up new guidelines on EU demarches on the death penalty and a paper on electoral monitoring, including a code of conduct for observers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in view of the recent recognition by the Government of France of the genocide of Armenians in 1915 and in view of the historical records of that genocide available in the United Kingdom, they will also recognise the Armenian genocide. [HL2325]

The British Government condemned the 1915 massacres at the time, and views the sufferings of the Armenian people then as a tragedy of historic proportions. However, in the absence of evidence to show that the Turkish Government took a specific decision to eliminate the Armenians under their control at that time, the British Government have not recognised the events of 1915 as a genocide.The French Government have not recognised the 1915 massacres as a genocide. The French National Assembly adopted a draft law on 29 May stating that "France recognises publicly the genocide of the Armenians in 1915".

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have reduced their support for the Commonwealth Institute in the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98; and, if so, whether they will reverse any such trend in 1998–99 and in future years. [HL2326]

The previous government informed the Commonwealth Institute in July 1994 that their grant in aid would be £1 million in the financial year 1996–97, £800,000 in 1997–98 and £600,000 in 1998–99. These figures have been confirmed at intervals since. Until the comprehensive spending review is completed. I am unable to say anything specific about funding for the Commonwealth Institute in 1999–2000 and in future years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether all persons listed in the London Diplomatic List enjoy (a) diplomatic immunity and (b) diplomatic privileges of a fiscal nature.[HL2345]

Yes. The London Diplomatic List gives details of all category A and category B diplomatic agents accredited to diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom. Category A diplomatic agents are heads of mission of the sending state and category B diplomatic agents are senior members of their support staff. Diplomatic agents enjoy immunity from civil and administrative jurisdiction of the receiving state under Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Category A and category B diplomatic agents are entitled to immunity in this respect as a result of this provision.Under Article 34 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, diplomatic agents are exempt from all dues and taxes, personal or real, national, regional or municipal, with certain exceptions which are set out in the convention.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list the European Union legislative proposals likely to come before the Council in the next year with which they disagree, indicating those which are subject to the national veto, those for which they are confident of securing the necessary majority vote and those which they may have to accept. [HL2364]

Although the Commission indicates the new legislative initiatives it will be pursuing each year in its Annual Work Programme, there is no exhaustive list of proposals likely to come before the Council in any given period. Moreover, the negotiating period for individual proposals varies enormously. Whether or not the Government support a particular proposal depends on its content. This may well change during the course of negotiations. For that reason, it is also extremely difficult to predict whether a proposal will be supported by other member states.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that the activities of military consultants operating from UK territory, and in particular their acquisition of weapons and other military material from third countries, should be further regulated by law. [HL2392]

We are examining a number of options for national domestic regulation of so-called private military companies operating out of the United Kingdom. As part of this process, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently looking at measures taken by other governments, including recent South African legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will name the United Kingdom's candidates for the next term of membership of the Economic and Social Committee of the European Union. [HL2466]

We have today submitted to the Council Secretariat details of the United Kingdom's 24 nominees for membership of the Economic and Social Committee, along with 24 reserve nominees.The nominees are:

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many serious offences were committed in 1997 by persons entitled to immunity from prosecution. [HL2499]

From a diplomatic community of over 17,000 persons, 17 alleged serious offences by persons entitled to immunity were drawn to the attention of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1997. "Serious offences" are defined in accordance with the report to the Foreign Affairs Committee, The Abuse of Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges (1985), as offences which fall into the category which in certain circumstances attract a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment or more: the majority involved drinking and driving and shoplifting.In relation to this Question, I refer my noble friend to the Answer I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Marlesford, on 1 June (

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the cost of the computers delivered to the Immigration Appellate Authority at Taylor House in March; what are the terms of the contract with the supplier; why the computers remain unpacked; whether they can guarantee that the software will meet the needs of the authority; why staff have been trained on computers they cannot use; and when they expect the equipment to be brought into service. [HL2329]

The total cost of computers and IT equipment delivered to Taylor House in March 1998 was £102,410.43. This figure includes all hardware, software and licences delivered and paid for during the month for the centre as a whole. The terms of contract are those normally applied in the public sector between contractor and supplier. Delays in the realignment of some IT support service functions while those services were contracted out to the private sector meant the support services were unable to install the equipment until a number of outstanding issues had been resolved. It was decided the training programme should not be put on hold, although it would have been more desirable to train staff and judiciary on their own computers had they been available for use at the time. The difficulties have now been resolved and the equipment is timetabled to be installed during July, when checks will be made to ensure the software meets the requirements for which it was intended.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How may appeals to (a) adjudicators and (b) the tribunal are currently outstanding for (i) asylum and (ii) other cases; and at what rate these cases are being heard. [HL2331]

As at the end of May 1998 there were 21,255 asylum and 6,429 non-asylum adjudicator appeals outstanding. These are being disposed of at a rate of 1,600 asylum appeals per month. At the same time there were 1,006 asylum applications and 1,378 asylum tribunal appeals outstanding. There were an additional 844 and 1,460 non-asylum applications and appeals outstanding respectively. These are being disposed of at an average rate of nearly 1,200 per month.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the total number of asylum appeals heard by the Immigration Appeal Tribunal in 1996 and 1997; and how many of these cases were returned to adjudicators for hearing

There were 2,435 tribunal appeals (not applications) heard during 1997–98, 1,957 during 1996–97 (estimated figure) and 1,230 during 1995–96. There are no reliable data currently available to distinguish the number, or proportion, of appeals returned to adjudicators de novo from the tribunal.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the Legal Services Ombudsman intends to publish her seventh annual report. [HL2465]

The Legal Services Ombudsman has today published her seventh annual report, and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made with arrangements to establish the Youth Justice Board. [HL2498]

Following my right honourable friend the Home Secretary's announcement at Second Reading of the Crime and Disorder Bill [HL] on 8 April in another place that he intended to establish the youth justice board for England and Wales from 1 October 1998 (if the Bill receives Royal Assent early enough), advertisements for the chair and 11 other board members appeared in the press from 19 April.Over 750 applications have been received (for the post of chair, member or both), and the competitions are being conducted in line with guidance from the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments ("Nolan" procedures). The selection panel for the post of chair was chaired by David Omand, Permanent Secretary of the Home Office, with John Halliday, Director of Criminal Policy, Home Office; Tom Luce, Head of Social Care Policy, Department of Health; and two independent assessors: Sir Terence Harrison, Chairman, Alfred McAlpine plc., former Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce; and Mrs. Gill Pitt, general education inspector, Northamptonshire Inspection and Advisory Service, former primary headteacher.Following advice from the selection panel, we are pleased to announce that the chair of the youth justice board will be Norman Warner, chair of the Task Force on Youth Justice and, until he takes up his appointment, senior policy adviser, Home Office.The panel selecting the 11 other members of the new board is expected to provide advice in the summer, and Mr. Warner is participating in the selection process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many jobs in each of the last five years have been created by each of the following: (a) the Scottish Development Agency; (b) the Welsh Development Agency; (c) the Northern Ireland Industrial Development Board; (d) their counterparts in the English regions; and what has been the expenditure each year by each of these organisations in order to attract these jobs. [HL2239]

Comparable information on job creation covering the whole of the UK over this period is only available in respect of inward investment. The following figures of jobs created and safeguarded by inward investment are based on annual results announced by the Invest in Britain Bureau:

asked Government:When the report and accompanying executive on the national summary of the Low Pay Commission on the national minimum wage was first delivered to Ministers; and to whom, other than Ministers, officials in departments and special advisers, the report and accompanying executive summary have been distributed. [HL2352]

The Low Pay Commission report was delivered to the Government on 27 May. Printed copies of the report are now available from the Stationery Office and copies of its summary and recommendations are available from the DTI Publications Orderline.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the distribution of the report and accompanying executive summary of the Low Pay Commission on the national minimum wage to individuals and organisations outside government departments had been authorised by Ministers prior to its publication to Parliament and the public; and when and by whom was such authorisation for distribution of the report and accompanying executive summary was given. [HL2353]

No such authorisation was given.

asked Her Majesty's Government:On how many occasions since the delivery of the report and accompanying executive summary of the Low Pay Commission on the national minimum wage have either the President of the Board of Trade or the Minister of State (Mr. McCartney) met Mr. John Edmonds of the GMB union or Mr. John Monks of the Trades Union Congress and what was discussed. [HL2354]

Ministers do, of course, meet representatives of employers and employees from time to time as part of their normal functions. I understand that the President of the Board of Trade attended a TUC dinner on 16 June. I do not know what was discussed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What instructions were given by Ministers to officials regarding the distribution and discussion of the report and accompanying executive summary of the Low Pay Commission on the national minimum wage prior to publication. [HL2355]

It was agreed that the normal procedures for dealing with confidential reports of this kind should be followed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Chairman of the Low Pay Commission has been advised of the arrangements made to allow distribution of the report and accompanying executive summary of the Low Pay Commission on the national minimum wage to selected individuals and organisations. [HL2356]

No such advice for distribution of the report was given to the Chairman of the Low Pay Commission. Publication of the report was a matter for the Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they first became aware that Mr. John Edmonds of the GMB union and Mr. John Monks of the Trades Union Congress have had in their possession copies of the report and accompanying executive summary of the Low Pay Commission on the national minimum wage; whether this distribution was authorised; and, if not, what steps they have taken to institute a leak inquiry. [HL2357]

I cannot confirm that the individuals in questions had copies of the report or the summary. Distribution prior to publication was not authorised by Ministers, as I made clear in the Committee of this House on Monday 15 June (Official Report, col. 1377).

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will amend their immigration policy so as to enable blind people when entering this country to bring their guide dogs, provided that the dogs are properly vaccinated against rabies. [HL2275]

All pet dogs including guide dogs must undergo six months in quarantine.The Advisory Group on Quarantine (AGQ) under the Chairmanship of Professor Ian Kennedy, Professor of Health Law, Ethics and Policy at University College, London, was set up in October 1997 to assess the risk of the introduction of rabies into the United Kingdom under the current policy of quarantine for pet animals and under alternative polices. The group is expected to report this summer or early autumn. A full public consultation on the options available will then be held.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What recent action has been taken under the legislation governing the import of live fish to prevent the spread of disease among freshwater fish in the United Kingdom waters. [HL2301]

In July 1997, the Government issued a consultation paper seeking views on the possible introduction of a scheme under the Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980 to prohibit the introduction or keeping of certain species of non-native fish without a licence. There was a generally favourable reaction to the proposals, and the Government are finalising the details of the scheme. The new scheme is not, however, specifically intended to prevent the spread of disease, since fish disease matters are regulated by the European Union's fish health regime, which is implemented in Great Britain by the Fish Health Regulation 1997, as amended.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the incidence of bovine immuno-deficiency virus in each of the years 1988 to 1996 inclusive among cattle in:

Bovine immuno-deficiency virus is not a notifiable disease and, so far as the Government are aware, has never been confirmed in any cattle herd in England and Wales. A single herd in Cheshire has been investigated for the virus. Initial results suggested that infection might be present, but this diagnosis has not been confirmed following further investigations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will support the World Bank's proposal to defer cash payments to the International Development Association and the Bank's debt relief trust fund. [HL2327]

This is one of a range of proposals under consideration as part of a comprehensive review of the World Bank's financial structure and income dynamics, which is designed to assure the long-term financial sustainability of the institution. The UK, along with a number of other countries, has raised concerns over the proposal which could adversely affect the Bank's ability to deliver its developmental mandate to help the poorest countries. The World Bank has been asked for more analysis on the precise impact on the International Development Association (IDA) and the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Trust Fund of such a deferral.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will increase bilateral contributions to the International Development Association in 1999 and 2000 in the event of deferred cash payments from the World Bank. [HL2328]

I refer the noble Lord to my reply to his question of today [HL2327]. Until the question of deferred cash payments to the International Development Association (IDA) and the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Trust Fund has been fully considered it would be premature to consider the option to increase bilateral contributions to IDA.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many nurses will be required to staff the additional 2,000 hospital beds announced by the Secretary of State on 16 June; how these nurses will be recruited; and from what source. [HL2379]

This is a matter for local employers to determine in the light of local needs and priorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 18 June (

We are committed to encouraging a spirit of equal partnership between National Health Service staff, patients, users and carers. The Patient's Charter, which is currently being reviewed, already states that staff should ask patients whether they want to be called by their first or last name and respect that preference.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to reduce the defence estate in London. [HL2496]

We have been considering the scope for further rationalisation of our property holdings in London and elsewhere in the context of the Strategic Defence Review. In continuation of that work, the Ministry of Defence will be drawing up a strategic development plan for the defence estate in the Greater London area. Work on the plan will involve a thorough examination of site values and costs, linked to their condition and utilisation, with a view to identifying opportunities to meet defence requirements more cost-effectively. Any specific proposals for unit moves that may arise from this work will be subject to further study and consultation in the normal way. Existing studies, such as those relating to RAF Northolt and RAF Uxbridge, will be fully taken into account.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to amend the Scotland Bill as it relates to the forestry commissioners in line with Schedule 7 to the Government of Wales Bill. [HL2367]

We intend that the forestry commissioners should be specified as a cross-Border public authority under an Order in Council made under Clause 83 of the Scotland Bill. Provisions relating to the commissioners will be made by way of subordinate legislation under Clause 84 of the Bill. A draft of this legislation is being prepared and will be made available to Parliament as soon as possible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the annual accounts for each of the last five years of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland); and why they have not acceded to previous Written Question requests to provide this information. [HL2397]

The accounts of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland are contained in the association's annual report. I have arranged for copies of the annual reports for 1993–94 to 1997–98 to be placed in the Library of the House. A copy of the accounts for 1996–97 were placed in the Library in April and I wrote to the noble Lord on 6 June enclosing a copy of the accounts for 1997–98. There is no record of any previous request to provide a copy of the association's accounts for the years before 1996–97.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the letter from Mrs. J. D. Olsen of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) on 13 January to Mr. W. B. Willott of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) requesting the DTI not to appeal the judgment of the Licensed Dealers Tribunal in the matter of TWH Management Limited "as there is a real potential disadvantage if it were to fail" was disclosed under the "disclosure" undertakings given to the defendants in November 1996 in the second appeal from the first Guinness trial as required by the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division; and, if not, given the all-embracing nature of the SFO's undertakings to the Court of Appeal, why not. [HL2288]

The Attorney-General exercises statutory superintendence over the Director of the Serious Fraud Office in the discharge of her functions. That superintendence does not extend to operational decisions taken about the disclosure of individual documents by the prosecution in any given case. The noble Lord, if he wishes to pursue this matter, should seek the assistance of the Director of the Serious Fraud Office.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What were the terms of reference for an investigation by Pat Niner of Birmingham University School of Public Policy on local authority powers to deal with unauthorised encampments; and whether they will ask the researchers to consult Members of both Houses who spoke in the debates on the Criminal Justice Act 1996 before publishing their findings. [HL2395]

We are placing in the Library of the House a copy of the department's outline specification for the research project on unauthorised camping.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What implications the new plans for the Channel Tunnel link will have for the many listed buildings at St. Pancras, including gasholders. [HL2400]

The new funding plans do not affect the proposed works or design of the link. However works in the St. Pancras area, including alterations and demolition of listed buildings, will now take place later than originally planned. The programme for obtaining consents is not affected.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made on Railtrack's application for an order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 in respect of the Thameslink 2000 Project. [HL2497]

We announced on Wednesday 3 June 1998 (H.L. Deb., cols 356–69) that agreement had been reached on a statement of principles that will ensure the completion of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The new Thameslink 2000 station is an integral part of work on the CTRL at St. Pancras, and in order to take full account of the continuing detailed contractual and financial arrangements the Secretary of State has decided to defer until 29 January 1999 the date by which he must give notice of an intention to hold a public inquiry into the proposed Railtrack (Thameslink 2000) Order. We hope that it will be possible to take a decision before that date and it will not be delayed unnecessarily. London and Continental Railways and Railtrack remain contracted to complete the Thameslink 2000 Project, subject to obtaining the necessary consents.