asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer of 14 July by the Lord Williams of Mostyn, whether they will ask the Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by Lord Neill of Bladen, to examine the propriety and ethics of paying parliamentary candidates in advance of an election from whom an undertaking has been sought to vote in a pre-determined manner, such as those candidates funded by Emily's List, and specifically on issues which have been regarded as matters of conscience. [HL2811]

Her Majesty's Government have no proposals to refer the matters referred to to the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Williams of Mostyn on 9 July (

We have now received the contractor's report into the disturbance at Medway Secure Training Centre which is consistent with the information provided in my written answer on 9 July (WA 152). The report concerns security and operational issues and includes recommendations to help avoid a similar occurrence in the future. It would not therefore be appropriate to place a copy of the report in the Library. However, Social Services Inspectors will be undertaking an inspection of the Centre later this year, and a report will be published thereafter.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Williams of Mostyn on 15 July (

Explanatory statements already indicate the sources of the information they contain. Copies of documents referred to are also attached to statements, except where they contain confidential information.If information is provided by a third party, such as another government department, it is Home Office policy to include it in the explanatory statement only with the permission of the party concerned.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many of the reviews currently undertaken by the Home Office will be published during the parliamentary summer Recess. [HL2792]

It is possible that the outcome of one review undertaken by the Home Office will be published in the summer Recess. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary will be making a further announcement about this.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it remains their policy to prevent rough sleeping around Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey while permitting it freely in Victoria Street and around Westminster Cathedral. [HL2874]

For several reasons, the areas around Victoria Street and Westminster Cathedral are popular with rough sleepers, unlike the areas around Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.The Government have recently announced a new strategy to reduce the number of people sleeping rough by two-thirds within three years.A new ministerial committee, led by my honourable friend the Minister for Local Government and Housing at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Hilary Armstrong) will be responsible for co-ordinating policy across government. This will include prevention programmes to ensure that the most vulnerable, such as those with institutional backgrounds, are better equipped to live on their own.In London, the Government will consult on setting up a new body to take over all the different programmes currently targeted at rough sleepers. In the meantime, the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis tells me that the Metropolitan Police will continue to work in partnership with other agencies to deal with the problem of rough sleeping in Central London.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect legislation to be introduced to incorporate the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights into the domestic laws of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands; and whether they will ensure the equal protection of the law for everyone within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. [HL2888]

The Insular Authorities in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man all hope to have legislation in draft by the end of the year.Insular legislation will incorporate the Convention fully into domestic law and will be drafted to take account of local circumstances and institutions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why, when visiting the Independent Commission on the Voting System's website, people are referred to the website of the Electoral Reform Society (one of whose primary aims is to bring into being proportional representation); and whether this is compatible with the Commission's independent status. [HL2911]

The Independent Commission on the Voting System has not been charged with the task of recommending whether it would be desirable to change the voting system for elections to another place. Rather, it has been asked to consider the best alternative to the first-past-the-post electoral system if there is to be a change. The final decision will rest with the electorate in a referendum.The Independent Commission's website directs those who are interested in finding out more about electoral systems to the Electoral Reform Society's website.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What literature the Independent Commission on the Voting System has made available for the general public; and whether copies can be placed in the Libraries of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. [HL2910]

The Independent Commission on the Voting System has not produced any literature, other than its initial press notice, copies of which can be found in the Libraries of both Houses.Copies of the Independent Commission's final report will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 16 July (H.L. Deb., col. 373), whether they support Commissioner Anita Gradin's recent initiative on the future sharing of the responsibility for asylum and migration in Europe, in particular for the reimbursement of costs in circumstances of temporary protection. [HL2890]

The Council of the European Union has recently been presented with a revised proposal from the European Commission for a joint action concerning temporary protection of displaced persons, and a new proposal for a joint action concerning solidarity in the admission and residence of beneficiaries of the temporary protection of displaced persons. The Government are considering these proposals and will be depositing the documents for scrutiny shortly. The proposals are likely to raise a number of difficult issues for member states. The Government will participate fully in discussions of the proposals in the relevant Council fora.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Home Office has submitted evidence to the inquiry into the matters arising from the death of Stephen Lawrence. [HL3086]

A copy of the Home Office evidence that has been submitted to the inquiry into the matters arising from the death of Stephen Lawrence has been placed in the Library. This evidence is of a factual and background nature.The inquiry was established under Section 49 of the Police Act 1996. Its terms of reference are:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Jay of Paddington on 20 July (

The two reviews are: the review of the law relating to surrogacy; and the review of the latest information available on inequalities in health (Acheson Inquiry).

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assessment the Department of Health has made of the amount of acute and rehabilitative care of older people which was once provided in NHS facilities designated as "long stay" wards and which have now been closed; and [HL2876]What plans the Department of Health has to address the current shortfall in the availability of acute and rehabilitative care for older people within NHS hospitals as a result of the closure of long-stay hospitals. [HL2877]

We want to get the right services—whether in hospital or in the community—to the right people at the right time. We have asked health and local authorities to improve multidisciplinary assessment of older people and to develop a range of recuperation and rehabilitation services for older people. Good recuperation and rehabilitation and continuing care services benefit the whole health and social care system and are crucial to the efficient and effective use of hospitals. Sixty-five million pounds of the funding announced in March for tackling waiting lists will be allocated to support "whole systems" action to achieve sustained reductions in waiting lists. It will do this by building on the success of the new ways of working pioneered this winter and through targeted investment in primary, community, mental health and social services.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will invite tenders from universities and others for the establishment of an Internet website covering the health and economic aspects of breastfeeding. [HL2870]

There are a number of websites on the internet which focus exclusively on breastfeeding, including one established by the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, to which the Government currently provide financial assistance through the general scheme of grants to voluntary organisations under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968. We currently have no plans to establish one exclusively featuring breastfeeding.Nevertheless, this Government want to do more to reduce the marked inequalities in breastfeeding. That is why my honourable friend the Minister of State for Public Health launched this year's National Breastfeeding Awareness Week by announcing funding of £225,000 on research which aims to identify the barriers which these women face when deciding whether to breastfeed. The research, subject to contract, will be funded from the health inequalities research initiative, and hopes to contribute to identifying effective interventions which will encourage more mothers from deprived backgrounds to breastfeed in the future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the total number of cheeses produced by Mr. Duckett on or after 5 April, and held in any location, which were tested for

In total, 202 samples of Ducketts cheese were taken. Ten tested positive for Escherichia coli 0157. All positive samples were taken from the core, and, in all but one of these cases, the surface was also sampled separately with a negative result.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to receive the Annual Report of the Medicines Commission for 1997.

We have received the report, and copies have been laid before both Houses of Parliament on 24 July in accordance with the requirements of Section 5(2) of the Medicines Act 1968.Bound volumes have been placed in the Library containing the 1997 reports of the Medicines Commission, the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the Advisory Board on the registration of Homoeopathic Products, the British Pharmacopoeia Commission and the Veterinary Products Committee.We are glad to acknowledge the valuable work done by the distinguished members of the Medicines Act Advisory Bodies and thank them for the time and effort dedicated in the public interest to this important work.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have recently consulted the medical profession on sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers, the risks connected with anal intercourse and proposed changes in the age of consent, particularly for homosexual acts; and, if so, with what results. [HL2840]

We have held no specific consultations with the medical profession on these issues.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made towards the introduction of regulations for the welfare of animals in quarantine kennels. [HL2812]

Officials have met the RSPCA and the Feline Advisory Bureau to discuss statutory standards for the welfare of animals in quarantine premises. A full public consultation will be held in due course, we expect during the autumn.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many of the reviews currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will be published during the parliamentary summer Recess. [HL2778]

We expect the report of the Advisory Group on Quarantine to be published very shortly, most probably during the parliamentary summer Recess.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Veterinary Medicines Directorate will be publishing the Annual Report on Surveillance for Veterinary Residues in 1997. [HL2891]

The Government are committed to giving consumers the maximum possible information on the presence of residues in food, with appropriate advice on the significance of any results. The Annual Report on Surveillance for Veterinary Residues in 1997 was published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) on 20 July and it paints a very positive picture of the current situation in the UK.The VMD operates a statutory national sampling and surveillance scheme and a complementary non-statutory programme. In 1997 some 42,000 samples were collected and subjected to around 57,000 analyses in Great Britain. The VMD reports the results of its surveillance quarterly in the Medicines Act Veterinary Information Service (MAVIS) and in much greater detail in this annual report. The results continue to show that the presence of residues of veterinary medicines from all sources in food is very low.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What key performance targets agriculture ministers have set the Intervention Board for l998–99. [HL3006]

In agreement with my right honourable friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we have set the following targets for 1998–99:

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 20 July. [HL3007]

My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the European Union Council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels on 20 July.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether samples from cattle, badgers or humans infected by bovine tuberculosis are tested for antibiotic resistance; and if they are, how many strains of antibiotic resistant tuberculosis have been found since 1990. [HL2845]

Samples from cattle and badgers, where M. bovis is isolated, are not tested for antibiotic resistance. However, a feature, of M. bovis strains is their resistance to pyrazinamide.All mycobacteria isolated from humans with tuberculosis are tested for antibiotic resistance. Between 1993 and 1997 there were an average of 42

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Shitaki pathway, upon which glyphosate acts in parasites, is known to exist in mammals or in man. [HL2846]

The noble Countess may be referring to the Shikimate pathway. The Shikimate pathway is an important biosynthetic route in plants that leads to the formation of the aromatic amino-acids tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine. Glyphosate inhibits one of the enzymes in the pathway, leading to the death of the plant by preventing it from synthesising these essential amino-acids.The advice available to me is that the Shikimate pathway does not exist in humans and other mammals.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why, in view of the requirements for training, personal protective equipment, engineering controls and disposal in connection with organophosphate sheep dips, these products do not fall under Article 4.3(b) of Council Directive 90/676/EEC so as to be required to be dispensed by veterinary prescription. [HL2847]

The Government are advised on the authorisation of veterinary medicinal products by the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC). In considering the distribution of products, the committee has regard to the criteria in Article 4 of Directive 81/851/EEC, as amended by Directive 90/676/EEC and implemented by Regulation 3 of the Marketing Authorisations for Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 1994.Whether organophosphorus (OP) sheep dips should be Prescription Only Medicines (POM) has been considered by the VPC. In its report on the effectiveness of the Certificate of Competence Scheme and other matters, which was published on 17 February 1997, the Committee advised that the PML (Pharmacy and Merchants' List) classification remained the most appropriate for OP sheep dips and the Committee gave the following reasons for its advice. Sheep farmers were experienced in the handling of sheep and no specific veterinary expertise was required for dipping. While it was a requirement that POM status should apply where particular veterinary expertise was needed to avoid unnecessary risk to the animal, operator, consumer or the environment, it was considered that the reclassification of OP sheep dips to POM status would not significantly improve the protection of human safety. Sheep dips are often used prophylactically by farmers and the committee further considered that a POM classification could discourage this, possibly leading to a further increase in the level of ectoparasitic diseases in sheep.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Upon how many occasions and upon which manufacturers of organophosphate sheep dips have inspections been conducted in accordance with Article 34 of Council Directive 81/851/EEC, as amended by Council Directive 90/67/EEC, since the original directive came into force. [HL2848]

All manufacturers of veterinary medicines are inspected by the Medicines Control Agency at least every two years, including the following manufacturers of organophosphorus sheep dips:

• Schering-Plough Ltd.
• Barer Plc, Veterinary Business Group
• Osmond and Son (Dublin) Ltd.
• Battle, Hayward and Bower Ltd.
• Novartis Animal Health, Agricultural Division
• Grampian Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• Robert Young & Co. Ltd.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Donoughue on 16 July (

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) would be the relevant body to conduct any follow-up, as it operates the Suspected Adverse Reactions Surveillance Scheme (SARSS). There is nothing to prevent the VMD from making further contact with individuals who have reported suspected adverse reactions due to exposure to an OP sheep dip or medical practitioners who have submitted reports on their patients' behalf. The working group established by the Presidents of the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Psychiatrists is expected to make recommendations on the design of clinical studies recommended by the Veterinary Products Committee. In the event that these recommendations include follow-up of reports made under SARSS, this could be undertaken by VMD or, with permission of the individuals concerned, by another body.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they welcome the establishment of a civic forum in addition to the elected Assembly in Northern Ireland; how they understand its purpose; what consultations are under way on the subject; and when it is likely to be functioning. [HL2878]

The Government certainly welcome the forthcoming establishment of the civic forum. Its purpose will be in line with the terms of reference set out in the agreement; that is, it will act as a consultative mechanism on social, economic and cultural issues. In the period before devolution we will be consulting with the First Minister designate, the Deputy First Minister designate and the Assembly, so that arrangements can be put in hand to help secure its earliest appropriate establishment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the article on page 10 of the

The article referred to followed a routine ministerial briefing and did not anticipate a statement in the House of Commons. The article in question contained no new announcement of government policy. It covered the introduction, later in the year, of personal adviser pilots under the New Deal for Disabled People; and our plans to pilot benefit changes to help disabled people who want to work. Parliament was already aware of these initiatives.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many people of pensionable age are receiving less than the full state pension because of defective contribution records. [HL2930]

I refer the noble Earl to the reply I gave him on Tuesday 21 July, Official Report, WA 89.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sewel on 20 June (

I refer the noble Earl to my letter of 6 June in which I explained that the content and form of the accounts which the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) publishes in its annual reports is a matter for the association itself and is not prescribed by the Government.Similarly the appointment of accountants and auditors by the association is a matter for it to decide.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether ivermectin, though it is not formally licensed for use on farmed salmonid fish and has therefore not been through the necessary ecotoxicity assessment, is nevertheless used on a number of fish farms under the "cascade" regulations which permit a vet to prescribe a non-approved medicine to "a small number of animals"; whether its discharge to the marine environment is explicitly permitted by a number of consents issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency; and, if so, whether they stand by the Written Answer by Lord Donoughue on 3 March (

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate has received no application for a marketing authorisation for the use of ivermectin on farmed salmon.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has consented a number of applications for the discharge of ivermectin prescribed under the "cascade" arrangements. Conditions have been attached to the consents. These are intended to satisfy SEPA's statutory functions in relation to protection of the water environment.My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has received requests from a broad range of interests to call-in certain discharge consent applications in relation to the use of ivermectin for his own determination. The matter is under careful consideration.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to carry out the review of policy on chemicals in the environment. [HL3077]

We will be launching the first stage of the review process, a consultation paper on Sustainable Production and Use of Chemicals, on Monday 27 July 1998. Copies of the consultation paper will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and also in the Vote Office. This consultation paper is part of the Government's family of consultation papers on sustainable development.The consultation paper seeks views on how the mechanisms for identifying and acting on potentially damaging chemicals in the environment can be improved.The views received during the consultation period will feed into the development of a White Paper on the sustainable production and use of chemicals to be published early next year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they intend to take to ensure an effective transfer to the application to new dwellings of Part M of the Building Regulations (access and facilities for disabled people). [HL3088]

We are today issuing a consultation paper on the transitional arrangements for the building regulations amendments which we announced in March this year. These amendments will extend access requirements to new houses from October 1999.We are proposing that the transitional provisions should ensure that new buildings where construction work starts on or after the coming into force date of the regulations will in general be subject to the new Part M requirements. However, new buildings begun after the coming into force date in accordance with full plans deposited with a local authority at least two months before that date, or in accordance with plans covered by an approved inspector's plans certificate accepted by a local authority before the coming into force date, will not have to comply with the new requirements.In this way the transitional provisions will distinguish between cases where detailed design work has been completed and submitted to the relevant building control body before the coming into effect of the regulations, and other cases. This will prevent developers from giving premature building control notices simply in order to gain exemption from the new requirements for houses that have not been designed and could not be built until long after the coming into force date.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to amend current arrangements for granting provisional motor cycle licences within a two-year validity period. [HL3089]

We have today issued a consultation paper about a range of possible options for amending the current two-year rule. A copy of the paper has been placed in the House Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to paragraph 2.8 of the Social Exclusion Unit's Report on

My Lords, the Government do not collect information on the sexual orientation of rough sleepers. An independent evaluation into the second phase of the Rough Sleepers Initiative, From Street to Home published in 1996, found that the most commonly cited reasons for refusing to accept a place in a hostel were; the behaviour of other residents, not feeling safe, the extent of drink or drug use in hostels and a lack of privacy or space.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have plans to release an evaluation of the Merseyside Development Corporation in the near future; and if not, why not. [HL2875]

No separate evaluation of the Merseyside Development Corporation (MDC) has been undertaken by or for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). However, a review of the activities and performance of the MDC is contained in a report recently published by the DETR, Urban Development corporations: Performance and Good Practice. This report covers eight UDCs: Birmingham, Heartlands, Black Country, Merseyside, Sheffield, Teesside, Trafford Park and Tyne and Wear. Two other separate reports, Regenerating London Docklands and The Impact of Urban Development Corporations in Leeds, Bristol and Central Manchester, deal with the evaluation of the other four English UDCs. Copies of all these reports have been lodged in the House of Lords Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why motorways and other main roads are fenced with wooden post and rail fencing which wild and domestic animals can easily get through; how long this type of fencing lasts; and what does it cost. [HL2913]

A post and rail fence is the most common type of fencing used on motorways. It is preferred over other fence types because of its general appearance, long life span and relative ease of repair following damage. Where there are special circumstances which warrant some form of better protection, such as where a motorway runs through land where deer may be present, higher, close boarded or other types of fencing are specified. The timber used in the construction of a post and rail fence is specified to be capable of achieving a desired life of 40 years. The average national cost per linear metre is £9.50 at 1997 prices.For motorways, the Secretary of State undertakes in a fencing covenant to provide and maintain a sufficient fence to prevent cattle or sheep and—at the request of the landowner—horses and pigs, from straying on to the motorway. Other small stock are, however, regarded as the liability of the owner/occupier, although there is no objection to a landowner tacking wire netting along the bottom of the fence to contain them.In the case of the all purpose trunk road, fencing is provided by the Highways Agency, but to a specification agreed with the landowner as part of the accommodation works when a road is constructed or improved. The maintenance of the fencing is the responsibility of the landowner.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who now owns the Eurostar trains formerly owned by British Rail and European Passenger Services: to whom are they leased and for what time period. [HL2867]

Eurostar (UK) Ltd. has the beneficial ownership rights to all of these trains. Seven of the Class 373 intercapital trains are subject to finance leases which were put in place when the company was in the public sector. These leases are between the company and the National Westminster Bank and the Abbey National and are for a period of 25 years. Four Class 373 intercapital trains and 7 Class 373/2 beyond-London trains, being the remaining Eurostar trainsets, are subject to a leasing arrangement with Dresdner Kleinwort Benson. This facility was put in place in January of this year and is for a period of 25 years. However, unlike the original leases with the NatWest and the Abbey National, which are tax based, it is quite simple to terminate these leases at short notice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the franchise agreements with Virgin Rail and Great North Eastern Railways in respect of the west and east coast main lines respectively would be affected by the introduction of Eurostar services north of London if they were permitted to carry domestic passengers. [HL2868]

If Eurostar (UK) Ltd. were to carry domestic passengers on any of their services they would need a licence from the Regulator to enable them to do so. Before issuing such a licence, the Regulator would need to consult with a number of interested parties including the holders of the west and east coast main line franchises.

asked Her Majesty's Government:By what statute Her Majesty's Customs & Excise and Immigration are able to make charges for the provision of their services at ports and airports; on what basis such charges are made; and whether they are negotiable by the parties concerned. [HL2813]

Customs & Excise levy charges for the provision of their services at ports and airports under the Implementing Provisions of the Community Customs Code, which is European Community legislation, and the Customs & Excise Management Act 1979. Charges are levied when traders request official attendance at places where officers are not normally on duty or at times outside normal authorised hours. They reflect the economic costs of the staff attending and are not negotiable.Additional, or particular services are provided by the Immigration Service at the request of the port operator or carrier under Section 9(4) of the Immigration Act 1988. The charges are based on the principle of full cost of recovery and are not negotiable.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What has been the cost to the Treasury for each of the last five years for maintaining the NHS in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; and what this means per capita of population. [HL2552]

Figures for identifiable general government spending on health and personal social services for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the five years to 1996–97 were published in Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses 1998–99 (Cm 3901).

asked Her Majesty's Government:In the light of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement on 14 July and the new spending plans set out in

The Comprehensive Spending Review set out departmental expenditure limits and current and capital budgets for each department for the three years to 2001–02. The allocation of spending inside these budgets is the responsibility of each individual department and its ministers. Within these budgets there are no fixed allocations of spending between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland other than that spending allocated to those departments. It is therefore not possible to provide a breakdown of the new spending plans by country.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who are the consultants that the Treasury is to pay to review the Office of National Statistics; what are the qualifications of these consultants; and how much are they to be paid. [HL2957]

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

asked Her Majesty's Government:When it will respond to the report from the House of Lords Select Committee on the Public Service. [HL3044]

The Government's Response to the Report from the House of Lords Select Committee on the Public Service (Cm 4000) has been published today. The Select Committee's report represents a thorough and wide-ranging examination of the changes that have taken place within the Civil Service over the last 30 years, and the impact of those changes on standards of conduct and the public service ethos, and provides a very helpful contribution to our own thinking. The Government are grateful for the work of the committee in this important area.The response reaffirms this Government's commitment to maintaining the key principles—impartiality, integrity, honesty and objectivity—underlying the tradition of a permanent, politically impartial Civil Service. The Government believe that the strong sense of public service ethos felt by civil servants and other public servants is of great value and should not lightly be cast aside. We regard the retention of the public service ethos as the fundamental strength of the Civil Service. We plan to build on this strength by creating more flexible and efficient structures in which staff can work to the best of their ability providing a high quality service to their customers.The Civil Service plays a vital part in our constitution. Civil Servants' advice to Ministers on the development of the Government's policy programme, their role in implementing those policies and in delivering public services are essential elements in the governance of our country.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the total number of applicants for the post of Chairman of the Arts Council of England; and [HL2684]Where and when the vacancy for the post of Chairman of the Arts Council of England was advertised; and [HL2685]Who was the executive search consultant used to seek applications for the post of Chairman of the Arts Council of England; and [HL2686]What was the total cost of the recruitment process for the post of the Chairman of the Arts Council of England; and [HL2687]How the new Chairman of the Arts Council of England was appointed and by whom; and [HL2688]Whether interviews were held for the post of Chairman of the Arts Council of England; and, if so, who were the interviewers, who selected them and what criteria were used. [HL2689]

The Chairman of the Arts Council of England was appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport following an open competition. The firm of Goddard Kay Rogers and Associates Ltd. was selected by competitive tender to provide executive search services. Advertisements for the post of Chairman were placed in the Sunday Times on 16 November 1997 and in The Times on 20 November 1997. A total of 19 applicants was identified. Shortlisted candidates were interviewed by a panel consisting of Sir Hayden Phillips, then Permanent Secretary at the Department, Sir Len Peach, Commissioner for Public Appointments, and Lord Attenborough. Interview panels are selected for their knowledge of the sector, the organisation concerned and the appointments process. Sir Len Peach, in his capacity as Commissioner for Public Appointments, was content with these arrangements. Direct costs of approximately £45,500 were incurred for executive search services and advertising. In addition, there were associated staff costs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What were the criteria used to assess whether national museums and galleries made "key achievements" in 1997, as documented in the annual report of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for 1997. [HL2677]

Key achievements listed for national museums and galleries in the annual report for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are drawn from the funding agreements which the department negotiates each year with those institutions. The department reviews performance against funding agreement targets at annual corporate planning meetings with the relevant institutions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many of the reviews currently being undertaken by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will be published during the parliamentary summer Recess. [HL2795]

It is not intended that any of the reviews currently being undertaken by the department will be published during the summer Recess.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are content that Diocesan Chancellors should award costs against statutory amenity societies who bring to their attention the historic and architectural importance of churches and church furniture which church authorities are wishing to remove, alter or dispose of; and whether they consider that this practice accords with the Church of England's arrangements for the protection of the buildings in their care. [HL2819]

The jurisdiction and powers of consistory courts and chancellors are laid down in ecclesiastical legislation and the Government are not answerable for the way in which they are exercised. We are nonetheless aware of the concern prompted by a recent case involving the award of costs against one of the national amenity societies. It would not be right for me to comment on that case in view of the possibility of its becoming the subject of an appeal. However, we are following developments with interest. If it appears that any general issues arise out of the case, my department will take these up with the General Synod in the course of continuing discussions on last year's Newman Report on the ecclesiastical exemption.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the current regulations regarding the export of major works of art. [HL2909]

The current regulations regarding the export of works of art are explained in my department's booklet, Export Licensing for Cultural Goods: Procedures and Guidance for Exporters of Works of Art and other Cultural Goods, a copy of which was sent to the noble Lord's office on 15 July at the request of his office.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What funds have been allocated to organisations or companies involved in the development of cloning by the Department of Trade and Industry; what were the amounts given and who were the recipients; what account has been taken of the current debate on the ethics of cloning before allocating this money; and what is the Government's policy in respect of human cloning. [HL2519]

Cloning is a technology developed in the 1970s. It has become a research tool widely used by the community engaged in biological research. The Government spend around £600 million annually on bioscience research. Most of this funds research groups in academia and scientific institutes, with a small proportion going to industry. The funding of biological research has been in line with government policy.All scientists and funding bodies are required to comply with guidelines on the use of animals in research and to comply with all relevant legislation.The Government regard the intentional cloning of human individuals as ethically unacceptable. It is effectively banned in the UK under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (1990). The Human Genetics Advisory Commission (HGAC) and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) recently undertook a consultation exercise on human cloning. A report is expected later in the year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the report of the House of Commons Trade and Industry Committee on

Objectives of our energy policy include sustainability and diversity.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether their priority in developing an energy policy is to create or maintain the maximum number of jobs in the long term, to minimise prices for the consumer or to minimise pollution. [HL2723]

Our energy policy objective is to ensure secure, diverse and sustainable supplies of energy at competitive prices. That will involve achieving the right balance between different aspects of that policy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many of the reviews currently being undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry will be published during the parliamentary summer Recess. [HL2794]

The final results of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation which has been out for consultation may be published during the Recess. The President of the Board of Trade made an oral statement to the House on the provisional conclusions on 25 June 1998. Otherwise the Department of Trade and Industry does not currently expect to publish the results of any reviews during the parliamentary summer Recess.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many of the reviews currently being undertaken by the Lord Chancellor's Department will be published during the parliamentary summer Recess. [HL2779]

I have no plans to publish any of the reviews during the parliamentary summer Recess.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 16 July (

The member states making the joint statement with the UK were Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden.If voting is by qualified majority, the voting weights are as follows: Austria—4; Denmark—3; Finland—3; Germany—10; Ireland—3; the Netherlands—5; Sweden—4 and the UK—10. However, voting on a Commission proposal for a regulation imposing definitive duties is by simple majority, with each member state having one vote.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many members of the Armed Forces who were recently advised to be inoculated with anthrax vaccine in order to protect them against possible exposure during service have exercised their right to refuse to be inoculated. [HL1825]

The level of uptake of immunisation against anthrax appears to vary considerably depending on unit location. For example, the latest figures show that 66 per cent. of troops stationed in Kuwait have taken the vaccine, compared with 18 per cent. of servicemen and women serving afloat in the Gulf. As of 13 July, the overall position was that 4,482 UK service and MoD personnel had been offered a course of anthrax immunisation, of whom 3,010 had declined.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the United States Government have discussed Presidential Decision Directives 62 and 63 on the subject of Infrastructure Vulnerability, with NATO allies; and what are the implications of these directives for NATO's new Strategic Concept. [HL2404]

The United States Government held working level discussions on Presidential Decision Directive 62 and 63 with United Kingdom government officials in Washington on 12 June 1998. It is expected that the US Government will hold similar discussions with other NATO members.One important aim of the revision of NATO's Strategic Concept is to ensure that it is appropriate to NATO's new security challenges, many of which are being addressed by Allies nationally, including the US. The revision of NATO's Strategic Concept is being discussed by all Allies and the results will be presented to NATO Heads of State and Government when they meet next year. Decisions will be taken on the basis of consensus among current Allies.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What in international law is the status of the sorties performed by British aircraft involved in No Fly surveillance in Iraq; whether they, or the United States aircraft in company with which they fly, have been authorised by the United Nations Security Council to attack targets in Iraq; and, if so, in which circumstances. [HL2646]

Coalition aircraft police the northern and southern No Fly Zones in support of Security Council Resolution 688, which calls on Iraq to end the repression of the Iraqi population. Iraq is well aware that it must not interfere with operations in the No Fly Zones. The coalition has the right to act in self-defence when the safety of pilots and aircraft is threatened.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the status in international law of unmanned combat air vehicles; what conventions apply to their deployment, use and transfer; and what they are to count as for purposes of air traffic control. [HL2647]

No unmanned combat air vehicles are known to exist at present, and we are not aware either of any conventions which would apply specifically to them, or of any requirement at present to categorise them for the purposes of air traffic control.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many of the reviews currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Defence will be published during the parliamentary summer Recess. [HL2787]

The Strategic Defence Review concluded with the publication of a White Paper (Cm 3999) on 8 July. The other review the Ministry of Defence has been undertaking is into arrangements for compensating service personnel, or their dependants, for illness, injury and death, and this review is still in progress. No decision has yet been taken on the timing of the publication of the outcome.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How far the Ministry of Defence's Defence Diplomacy Policy will be developed in co-operation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development and the Department of Trade and Industry with the specific objective of preventing violent conflict. [HL2903]

Defence Diplomacy is designed to help to dispel hostility, build and maintain trust, and prevent conflict. The nature and complexity of Defence Diplomacy means that this aim can be met only by integrating defence activities very closely with those of other government departments, particularly the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development. These departments have been involved in developing the concept from the outset, and this will continue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in implementing their new policy on the Territorial Army, they will take account of the

We intend to take a wide range of local and operational factors into account. Full account will also be taken of the need to maintain, as far as possible, TA representation in the various regions of the UK. We expect to be able to announce our conclusions in the autumn.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have an open market valuation of RAF Northolt; and whether use of the site for private housing is one of the options being considered within the wider review of the defence estate in Greater London, referred to in the geographical impact supplement to the Strategic Defence Review.[HL2838]

Detailed open market valuations of RAF Northolt will be obtained as part of the ongoing work on our strategic development plan for sites in the Greater London area. The purpose of that plan is to determine how defence requirements in the long term can be met in the most cost effective manner.If it were decided that the defence tasks of RAF Northolt could effectively be relocated elsewhere, a number of options would arise, including the use of the site solely for commercial flying or for housing development. It will, however, be some time before we are able to reach a decision on the future of RAF Northolt.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the level of education expenditure for each local education authority in England and Wales in relation to its Education Standard Spending Assessment for the three years 1996–97,1995–96 and 1994–95. [HL2942]

The information requested in relation to English local education authorities is set out in the table below. There is no separately identifiable education SSA for Welsh local education authorities.