asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Luxembourg on the 22 to 26 June. [HL2521]

My right honourable friend chaired a meeting of the European Union Agriculture Council in Luxembourg on 22 to 26 June. I represented the United Kingdom.This four-day Council took decisions on a large package of important legislative measures concerning the Common Agricultural Policy and animal welfare. The package included agreement on changes to the bananas regime to bring it into conformity with World Trade Organisation rules while ensuring continued access to the EU market for Caribbean ACP bananas; significant reform of the olive oil regime, abolishing public intervention and the consumer and small producer aids which have been particularly susceptible to fraud; and measures setting common welfare standards for the rearing of farm animals throughout Europe. This measure is an important further step to improve animal welfare following the agreement to phase out fishing for tuna and swordfish with drift nets which we secured at the Fisheries Council earlier this month.The package also included adoption of the 1998–99 CAP price proposals and the 1999–2000 compulsory set-aside rate, giving farmers certainty for the coming marketing year, as well as limited reforms to the tobacco regime to encourage producers to become more market-oriented and less dependent on subsidy.The package was agreed by a qualified majority of member states, as were each of the individual elements. The Netherlands voted against all elements, Denmark against the bananas and set-aside proposals and France against the set-aside proposal. The Council also adopted by qualified majority, with Greece voting against, a proposal changing the rules for payments of aids to cotton producers.The Government are very pleased that the United Kingdom presidency was able to broker a satisfactory deal on this complex package of measures. Coming on top of the conclusions on CAP reform which were unanimously agreed by the Agriculture Council at its May meeting, and subsequently endorsed by the European Council meeting in Cardiff, it concludes the substantial programme of work which we set out at the outset of our presidency.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proposals they have to increase understanding of the risk factors underlying outbreaks of TB in cattle in the light of the recommendations in the Krebs Report. [HL2522]

In order better to understand the relative importance of badgers and other factors contributing to TB incidents in herds, Professor Krebs recommended that high priority should be given to a multivariate analysis of risk factors. Research proposals to assess correlates of risk, to be financed from April next year, were invited in the Ministry's research requirements document published on 20 April, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.However, in view of the importance which both Professor Krebs' group and the Ministry attach to research in this area, we are also inviting proposals for a retrospective analysis of data collected during previous investigations. This will start this autumn, in advance of the main research programme. Notices calling for proposals will appear in the relevant scientific journals shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the list of questions that they will put to the Committee on Toxicology (COT) as proposed in paragraph B6 on page 7 of the Green Paper

The questions proposed in Official Group on OPs—Report to Ministers are as follows:

(i) What evidence is there that it is possible to develop long-term symptoms from recognised acute organophosphate poisoning?

(ii) What evidence is there that an unrecognised acute poisoning incident could cause long-term effects?

(iii) What evidence is there that people can develop chronic symptoms from low-level exposure to organophosphates?

(iv) Does the picture become clearer if the studies to which the Institute of Environment and Health report refers are divided up between those which purport to show objective or subjective end points?

(v) Does the committee agree that a number of the studies discussed in the report had methodological flaws? If so, what were the flaws and how serious were they?

(vi) Is it possible, nonetheless, to deduce anything from these "flawed" studies?

(vii) Does the committee agree with the evaluation of the five particular studies suggested by Dr. Ray as being the most reliable?

(viii) Is it possible that the chronic symptoms and signs from low-level exposure could be different from delayed symptoms from acute exposure?

(ix) Have the epidemiological studies that have been carried out on the effects of low dose exposure to organophosphates been of the right design and of sufficient statistical power to detect a biologically significant effect?

(x) Is OP induced delayed polyneuropathy (OPIDP) relevant to the controversy about organophosphate sheep dips and does this aspect of the problem need further investigation?

(xi) What evidence is there of variable individual susceptibility to the extent that some people are more likely to suffer ill effects from OP exposure than others and could this account for long-term effects?

(xii) Are there indications of possible mechanisms other than the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase at work?

(xiii) Is it the committee's view that the animal models being used to investigate mechanisms of effects of OPs are the right ones to predict how OPs will affect humans?

(xiv) What recommendations would the committee make for further research?

(xv) Is it the committee's view that those epidemiological studies identified to be sufficiently well-conducted could be used as the basis for a meta-analysis?

(xvi) How do the symptoms experienced by those who attribute illness to OPs relate to effects observed in the epidemiological studies?

(These questions are given on pages 31 and 32 of Official Group on OPs—Report to Ministers.)

This issue was put to the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), which has set up a working group to discuss the topic. The questions were presented to the sub group at its first meeting (on 22 May). Some refinements were suggested, but without altering the substance of the questions. In addition, the group may add to these questions during their deliberations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in the light of the reported statement of the Appraisal Panel of the Veterinary Products

Committee (

The working party of the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which is expected to report in a few weeks, has been asked to make recommendations on how clinical studies on those who attribute illness to organophosphate (OP) sheep dips might be carried out. Their report will be considered by the Official Group on OPs. We shall then be able to decide what work would be appropriate to be commissioned in this area.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is their intention to arrange for the review,

The Institute for Environment and Health report has already been published and it would not now be accepted for publication as it stands. However, an abridged version of the review will appear in a forthcoming issue of Archives in Toxicology following a presentation at the International Congress on Toxicology to be held in Paris on 5–9 July 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether appointments to the sub-group of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment to examine the review of the Institute for Environment and Health have been made; and, if they have, whether they will list the names of the members together with their interests and current employment positions. [HL2560]

The appointment of members to the Working Group on Organophosphates of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment have only recently been made. The members are listed as follows; the list of members' interests has not been finalised yet and will be published in due course.

Professor H. F. Woods (Chairman)	Department of Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Professor Peter G. Blain	University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, The Medical School
Mrs. Judy Brander	Independent lay person
Professor David N. M. Coggon	Medical Research Centre, University of Southampton
Professor Sarah Darby	ICRF Cancer Epidemiology Unit, The Radcliffe Infirmary

asked Her Majesty's Government:What they consider to be the ability of the Indonesian Government to pay for outstanding orders for armaments. [HL2540]

The Government are aware of the severe strains that the financial crisis in South East Asia has imposed on the Indonesian economy. However, all payments due in respect of contracts for defence related equipment which are supported by ECGD facilities have been made on time. The expectation remains that, within the framework of support packages from the International Financial Institutions and other donors, the Indonesian Government will fulfil their obligations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will accede to the request by the Warden of New College, the Warden of All Souls' College, the Principal of Mansfield College and the President of Magdalen College, Oxford, for the release of six asylum seekers; and, if not, why not. [HL2464]

The trial interrupted arrangements for the removal of those who had no claim to remain in the United Kingdom. As the trial had been concluded, arrangements will proceed for the removal of those who have no claim to remain here. It would not be appropriate to make preferential arrangements for those who were acquitted on 17 June but who then remained in detention under Immigration Act powers when the cases of others who were present at Campsfield House on 20 August 1997, but who were not prosecuted, have since followed the normal, established procedures. However, one of the detainees concerned was given bail on 26 June and another has a bail hearing listed for 2 July. Another of the detainees was granted temporary admission to hospital on 26 June.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Williams of Mostyn on 23 June (

I understand from the commission that the approximate numbers attending the meetings were as follows:

Belfast	10
Birmingham	100–120
Cardiff	75
Edinburgh	75
Leeds	100–120
London	250–300
Manchester	100–120
Newcastle	35
Plymouth	100–120

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why Her Majesty's Prison, Bullingdon, returned a letter from Lord Avebury addressed to an Immigration Act detainee, Mr. E. J. Esemuze, marked "Discharged" when it was a matter of common knowledge that, as one of the "Campsfield Five", he had been transferred to Her Majesty's Prison Rochester. [HL2456]

Mr. Esemuze was being held at Bullingdon prison on remand awaiting trial on charges arising from the disturbance which occurred at Campsfield House Detention Centre. He was taken to court on 17 June 1998, on which date the trial collapsed, resulting in Mr. Esemuze being effectively discharged from prison as he was acquitted of the charges on which he was being held. In fact, he was taken back into custody under Immigration Act powers and taken to Harmondsworth Detention Centre. He was then transferred from Harmondsworth to Rochester Prison on 18 June 1998, where he continues to be held as an Immigration Act detainee.Prisoners' movements within the prison system are recorded on the Local Inmate Database System (LIDS). The LIDS system does not record disposals of prisoners from court. The LIDS system did not record the details of Mr. Esemuze's movements between prison custody and immigration detention and only recorded him as being discharged from court. Bullingdon prison received your letter after Mr. Esemuze had been recorded as being discharged, and therefore returned it.It is regrettable that this process of events has resulted in a signficant delay in the delivery of your letter. However, I understand that the Prison Service has now forwarded the letter to Mr. Esemuze at Rochester Prison.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will ensure that prisoners have access to a range of reading material when undergoing cellular punishment. [HL2504]

Prisoners serving a punishment of cellular confinement are allowed all normal privileges except for those which are incompatible with cellular confinement. Prisoners retain access to a range of reading material unless, exceptionally, anything is withdrawn by a concurrent punishment of forfeiture of privileges.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that using the availability of reading material to prisoners as part of the incentives and earned privileges scheme results in better or more co-operative behaviour by life sentence prisoners; what are the objectives of this scheme; and what measurements of its achievements have been undertaken. [HL2468]

The incentives and earned privileges scheme allows prisoners to spend more of their own money on personal items, including books, when they move to higher privilege levels. But prisoners, including life sentence prisoners, have access to a wide range of books and other reading material from a variety of sources and local incentives and earned privileges schemes would not normally restrict this significantly.The national framework for incentives and earned privileges aims to:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will give details of the work of the Social Exclusion Unit on rough sleepers. [HL2632]

Yesterday the Prime Minister published the Government's conclusions on the second report of the Social Exclusion Unit on rough sleeping. The report sets out a new strategy to cut the numbers of people sleeping rough by two-thirds within three years.A new ministerial committee, led by the Minister for Local Government and Housing, will be responsible for co-ordinating the policy across government.The committee will lead a programme of prevention to ensure that the most vulnerable, often from institutional backgrounds, are better equipped to live on their own.In London, where the problem is most acute, the Government will consult on setting up a new body to take over all the different programmes currently targeted on rough sleepers. Outside London, local authorities will be helped to co-ordinate activity better.The rules of the New Deal will be changed to mean rough sleepers can qualify for the intensive help available under the scheme from the moment they sign on for benefit. This is a tremendous opportunity to break the "no home, no job" cycle. Finally, there will be a programme to challenge the business and voluntary sectors and the worlds of art and sports to make their own commitment to help rough sleepers. The Government will support a rough sleeper mentoring initiative if a suitable proposal is made.Copies of the report are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:To what use they propose to put the vacant site alongside the British Library in St. Pancras; and whether they will ensure that, in view of the lack of space in the new Library, the empty site will be used for library purposes. [HL2462]

My department is considering the options for the future of the land adjacent the British Library, bearing in mind the requirement to enable the development of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link terminus at St. Pancras, which will also include an underground station for the Thameslink 2000 project. The Library has expressed an interest in acquiring and developing the site, and has been invited to submit a business case setting out its detailed proposals.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements were made to invite applications for the chairmanship of the Arts Council before the recent appointment of the new chairman. [HL2390]

Applications for the post of Chairman of the Arts Council were sought through advertisement in the national press; and through the services of a firm of executive search consultants.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether consultations have begun on amendments to building regulations as promised by the Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton during the Second Reading of the Building Regulations (Energy Rating Information) (Amendment) Bill on 1 June (HL Deb, col. 87); and whether the target for completion is still the first half of next year. [HL2431]

Following the debate on 1 June, a consultation paper has now been drafted which sets out proposals for amending the Building Regulations 1991. The proposals have the aim of increasing accessibility to energy rating information similar to that embodied in the Building Regulations (Energy Rating Information) (Amendment) Bill.Following consideration of this by the Building Regulations Advisory Committee at its meeting on 2 July, consultation with external bodies should commence by the end of this month. In view of the progress that has been made to date, the target for making amending regulations is still the first half of next year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the relationship between local authority housing departments and the Immigration Service; and whether they will discontinue the practice of housing departments contacting the Immigration Service about the immigration status of applicants on the waiting list. [HL2515]

There is no formal relationship between local housing authorities and the Immigration Service. But, in line with Government advice on the discharge of their housing functions, individual authorities do share information with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate where there is a need to clarify the immigration status of housing applicants.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the total subsidy paid to private train operators compared with what was paid annually to British Rail immediately before privatisation. [HL2549]

The amount claimed by British Rail for 1995–96, the last year when they submitted a claim for operating 25 train operating companies, was £1,673 million. The amount paid to the private sector train operators in 1997–98, the first year when they were wholly responsible for the passenger railway, was £1,425 million. The amount paid in 1996–97 was a mixture of payments to BR and to private sector operators. These figures do not include payments made by Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs) for services in their areas.