asked the Leader of the House:Whether she was correctly reported in the

Your Lordships' House will understand that I am reluctant to comment on any incomplete statement attributed to me in the press. I have already made clear in the recent debate on reform of this House that the Government fully recognise the valuable contribution to the work of the House made by individual hereditary peers (Official Report), 14 October 1998, H.L. Deb., col. 922). However, it is self-evident that among the whole cohort of hereditary peers, as with any other randomly selected group of people, there are those whose ability to fulfil their role and responsibilities as members of the legislature is plainly less than that of others.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will reply to the letter from the Kurdish community in London to the Prime Minister, dated 21 October, concerning political solutions to internal conflict in Turkey and the jamming of international television broadcasts in Turkey; and whether they will place copies of their reply in the Libraries of the two Houses of Parliament. [HL3566]

A reply was sent by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 11 November. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What responses they have received to the consultation document

The consultation period ended on 4 November 1998. We received 38 responses to the paper:

• Thirty-three supported the proposals in the paper in their entirety; five others offered differing degrees of support. Of these:
• three respondents had no objections to the proposals but suggested that ministerial involvement in all parole and lifer cases should cease;
• one respondent favoured further delegation to the Parole Board but suggested a cut-off point of 10 years rather than 15 years;
• one respondent suggested that the number of previous parole reviews should determine which case should be decided by the Parole Board.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, following the severe hurricane damage in Central America, they will attempt to secure reductions in the external debts of the countries affected. [HL3799]

The UK has already written off all of its aid loans to Honduras and Nicaragua.On Tuesday 11 November the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for International Development called on the World Bank, IMF and IADB to look at possible mechanisms for lessening the debt service obligations of Honduras and Nicaragua, including temporary suspension of payments to the IFIs. They proposed the establishment of a trust fund to help these two countries meet their short-term debt service payments to the IMF and World Bank, and pledged a £10 million contribution to it. They also called for the HIPC initiative to be used flexibly to accommodate the particular debt problems now faced by Honduras and Nicaragua, and for a possible moratorium on their official bilateral debt service payments.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the quarterly unemployment figures since the beginning of 1992. [HL3834]

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

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the EC Health Council meeting on 12 November. [HL3916]

My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Public Health attended the meeting of the Health Council on 12 November in Brussels, on behalf of the United Kingdom.The Council adopted its common position on the Commission's proposal for an injury prevention programme. The Council discussed the development of future public health policy and adopted conclusions which stressed the importance of better prioritisation and co-ordination of public health activities by the Community to complement action taken by the member states. The Commission reported on progress in combating smoking within the Community and announced that it intended to propose measures on the tar and nicotine content of cigarettes and labelling of packets; it also intended to bring forward measures on counts as unemployed people who are: (a) without a paid job; (b) available to start work within the next two weeks; and (c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks; or are waiting to start a job already obtained. This series is available quarterly for Great Britain from spring 1992, and from winter 1994/95 for the United Kingdom. Before these dates, data are available for each spring back to 1984 when the ILO definition of unemployment was first used in the LFS. The attached table shows seasonally adjusted data for Great Britain and, where available, the United Kingdom.smuggling, additives, and the prohibition of "light" and "mild" markings on cigarettes. Conclusions which stressed the need for a more focused approach were adopted on the European Union-United States Task Force. The Council agreed to continue to consider TSEs (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies) at each meeting and asked the Commission to provide it with a detailed annual report on the issue. The Council noted a progress report on the draft recommendation on limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields. A response to the Commission's report on the revision of the homoeopathic medicines Directives was also agreed. The Council welcomed the recommendations of the conference held in Copenhagen on 9–10 September 1998 on "The Microbial Threat". It also discussed co-operation between the European Union and the World Health Organisation. The International Therapeutic Solidarity Fund—a French Government initiative to provide anti-retroviral therapies to people with HIV/AIDS in developing countries—was also discussed. A discussion on the outcome of the conference on "Quality in Health Care" held by the Austrian Presidency on 24 July 1998 was held over lunch.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make resources available to the training support programme (TSP, Specific Grant) for local authorities in the next three years. [HL3915]

The training support programme budget for 1998–99 is £35.45 million. It is set to rise to £39.0 million for 1999–2000 and there are planning figures of £42.5 million and £44.5 million for the two subsequent years. This provides a sound basis on which local authorities can plan their local expenditure.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to issue detailed proposals on the next night restrictions regime for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted; and what plans they have for consulting on the introduction of runway alternation at night at Heathrow and the continuance of westerly preference at night. [HL3914]

This is the second consultation in the two-stage process announced earlier this year.Part 1 of this consultation invites comments on detailed proposals for future night restrictions at the three airports. Part 2 deals with Heathrow only, and invites views on options for the possible introduction of night-time runway alternation and on changing westerly preference at night. It also includes a summary of the assessment of the continuing trial procedure for landings over London in the early morning. The Government wish to consider all responses to Part 2 before reaching a view.In developing these proposals, we have taken into account the responses received to the preliminary consultation paper. We have sought to strike the right balance between the need to protect local communities from excessive aircraft noise at night and the need to allow air services to operate at night where they benefit the local, regional and national economy.A ban on night flights is not considered practicable but further steps are proposed to restrict operations by the noisiest types of aircraft at night and to encourage the use of quieter types.Our aim is to put in place arrangements which, over time, will bring about improvements in the noise climate during the night quota period (11.30 pm-6.00 am) around Gatwick, and further improvements around Heathrow. We also wish to provide for the planned development of Stansted, broadly as envisaged in 1993, while maintaining and strengthening the incentive for airlines to use quieter aircraft.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have had any discussions with the New Towns Pension Fund concerning the division of the surplus in the fund between shareholders and policy holders; and, if so, what view they have formed of this issue as a result of those discussions. [HL3786]

The New Towns Pension Fund, like all tax approved occupational pension schemes, is subject to an underlying trust deed, and to the requirements of legislation governing pension schemes. As the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is not a party to the trust deed, it is a matter for the fund's trustees, having obtained the necessary consents from the remaining employer, the Commission for the New Towns, to deal with any surplus in accordance with the trust deed and rules.We understand, however, that discussions have taken place between the fund's trustees and the CNT over ways in which the surplus might be applied, but that the trustees are seeking to resolve various legal issues first.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the maximum width of abnormal load that they would expect to be transported on motorways and primary routes without the need for temporary removal of street furniture. [HL3849]

There is no single width of an abnormal load that would result in the automatic removal of street furniture. Whether it was necessary to remove such objects would depend on all the dimensions of the load, its manoeuvrability and the specific road layout. It is unlikely that any street furniture would be required to be removed on motorways other than at the entrances to or exits from other primary routes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In the context of the growing humanitarian crisis in Burma, what representations they have made to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees concerning the establishment of an adequate refugee admission procedure for Burmese refugees, including the processing and designation of refugees. [HL3544]

Her Majesty's Government have made clear our support for UNHCR's effective involvement in relation to the refugees on the Thai-Burma border, through the British Embassy in Bangkok, which is in close touch with UNHCR. The Thai authorities and UNHCR have been discussing the role UNHCR should play. Progress is being made: two UNHCR offices have recently opened in the border area.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the direct grant to the British Council of £133 million in 1997–98 is sufficient to fund the Council activities, including those abroad; if not, whether they will increase the grant; and by how much. [HL3688]

The Government have no plans to increase the grant-in-aid which the British Council will receive during the course of the current financial year. The Council has worked out its expenditure plans for the year on the basis of the available grant-in-aid, which will enable it to fund its activities at home and abroad. However, as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review, the Government have been able to secure for the Council an uplift for inflation over the three years from 1999–00, plus a further real increase of approximately £2 million for each of those years. This will enable the Council to plan ahead securely and to continue to help to deliver the Government's objective of promoting Britain abroad.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When a new Director-General of the British Council will be appointed. [HL3689]

The British Council is treating the matter of the appointment of a new Director-General with urgency and aims to complete the recruitment process as soon as possible.The Nomination Sub-Committee of the Board of the British Council will manage the process of recruiting a new Director-General.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they determine the level of relevant British commercial interests in the areas concerned in deciding on the closure of diplomatic missions abroad. [HL3736]

A wide range of factors must be balanced in determining the future of a particular post. These include the degree of development and openness of the market in question; its long term prospects; the need of British exporters for help and advice; the demand for commercial services and whether resources might bring greater overall benefits if deployed elsewhere.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What procedures are in place for deciding on the closure of British diplomatic missions abroad; and whether the decision to close missions is made by Ministers collectively. [HL3737]

Britain's global network of posts is under constant review. The outcome of the CSR has enabled the FCO to begin a wide-ranging modernisation programme to ensure that the deployment of staff and resources meets government priorities. Geographical strategic reviews put forward options to the Board of Management, which makes recommendations on post enhancements and closures. Relevant Ministers are consulted and the final decision rests with the Foreign Secretary.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they sought or received information from Lt. Col. Tim Spicer on the directors and shareholders of Sandline. [HL3760]

At a meeting at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 19 January 1998, information on the ownership of Sandline was sought from Lt. Col. Tim Spicer. No clear information was obtained.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Foreign Office's evidence to the House of Lords European Communities Committee on 11 November 1997 that "European Union and NATO enlargement are separate but complementary processes" means that comprehensive cost benefit comparisons between the two processes and their interactions are going on within the Government (and, if so, in which departments) and within the European Union; and, if not, why not. [HL3749]

No cost benefit comparisons between the processes of EU and NATO enlargement are being conducted. It is not possible to make such comparisons between the economic benefits of EU membership and the benefits of belonging to a collective defence organisation like NATO.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there is an expectation within NATO that the reluctance of the electorates of Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary to accept increased spending on NATO at the expense of increased spending on education and health (United States Information Agency surveys, 1996–97) will affect the funding of NATO enlargement by those countries; and, if so, what they expect that effect will be. [HL3751]

Opinion polls (and in the case of Hungary a referendum) established clear support among the people of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic for NATO membership. Their governments are fully committed to membership and to paying their share of NATO's common funded budgets. NATO membership and collective defence will be cheaper for them than national defence policies.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the United States, through the consensus rule of the NATO Council, would in practice maintain a veto over the activities of NATO's European members acting together in an operation other than in association with the United States, as recently proposed by the Prime Minister in Vienna. [HL3780]

NATO agreed in Berlin in 1996 that European operations through the WEU could draw on NATO assets if necessary. NATO would decide by consensus to loan assets for such an operation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the remit of the Secretary General of NATO and other NATO officials for their journeys into (a) the Baltic States and (b) the Caucasus and Central Asia; and whether their statements and the negotiations they carry on there are examined in advance and in retrospect, and cleared, by the NATO Council. [HL3781]

The NATO Secretary General visits countries that have Partnership agreements with NATO to strengthen co-operation and understanding between those countries and the Alliance. He travels and negotiates with the approval of the Council and reports to the Council on his activities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the United States-funded exercises described as being "in the spirit of partnership for peace" that are carried on in the Baltic States, in the Caucasus and in Central Asia, outside the NATO Partnership for Peace Programme and the NATO area, are always examined by, and always subject to the informed approval of, the NATO Council. [HL3782]

Exercises in the spirit of PfP are bilateral exercises between one or more NATO and/or Partner countries. However Partners can, and generally do, include details of "in the spirit of PfP" activities in their Individual Partnership Programmes, which are submitted to the NATO Council for approval.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why NATO is engaged with environmental issues in Europe and Central Asia; with privatisation in Eastern Europe; and with financial fraud and crime (other than smuggling and the breach of United Nations embargoes); and whether NATO is funding research into biotechnology or bioethics by the Challenges of Modern Science programme or some other means. [HL3788]

NATO's Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society promotes consultation and joint research between scientists in member states and partner countries on social and environmental issues. Its main focus in recent years has been on defence related environmental issues. It runs a small fellowship programme, but does not fund research.NATO's Science Programme has a budget to fund fellowships, meetings and seminars which promote research across the spectrum of scientific activity, including biotechnology. Half of its budget is now used to promote scientific exchanges between Allies and Partners.The Economics Directorate of NATO has in the past reported on privatisation in Eastern Europe as part of its wider economic reporting, but has not been directly involved in the process itself; and NATO has also looked at aspects of financial fraud and crime, in the context of implications for the security of the Alliance.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the NATO-Russia Joint Council has agreed to discuss the "forthcoming changes in NATO's strategic concept", as stated by Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov on 28 October. [HL3792]

The NATO/Russian Founding Act excludes from the scope of consultations in the Permanent Joint Council internal business of NATO, its member states, or Russia, but does provide for exchange of information on strategic issues. NATO will brief the Russians and other Partners on its new Strategic Concept when appropriate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they agree with the United States that the Baku-Ceyhan route is the most desirable for the main export pipeline for oil from the Caspian oil province; that the exclusion of Iran and Russia from decisions concerning the exploitation of the resources of the Caspian Sea is politically sustainable; and that the Montreux Convention establishing free passage through the Straits from the Black Sea should be abrogated. [HL3783]

We believe strongly in the development of multiple pipelines to export Caspian oil and gas but also that decisions on pipeline routes are essentially for the companies concerned. They will provide the funding to build them and must therefore ensure they are commercially viable and competitive. The exploration, development and export of oil and gas from the Caspian requires co-operation between the states of the region, energy companies, neighbouring countries, and other interested countries such as the United Kingdom. The sheer scale and cost of the task are beyond the resources of any one government or company. We have no plans to abrogate the Montreux Convention.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the British Embassy in Luanda is permitted to maintain contact with UNITA officials in Angola. [HL3900]

Our embassy in Luanda may continue to have contacts with UNITA officials in areas of Angola to which State Administration has been extended. This is in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1173 (1998), which prohibits certain official contacts with UNITA.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will authorise the publication before the end of the year of the official records relating to the United Kingdom's ratification in 1976 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights and the International Covenant on Economic and Social Rights. [HL3806]

The texts of the covenants and of the declarations and reservations made by the United Kingdom on signature and on depositing its instrument of ratification are published in the Treaty Series of Command Papers (Treaty Series No. 6 (1997) Cmnd. 6702).Official records in FCO files relating to UK ratification in 1976 will be made available at the Public Record Office in 2007 at their due date under the 30–year rule. We have no plans to accelerate their release at the present time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the purpose and scope of the reservation of "intellectual property" in the Scotland Bill. [HL3913]

The purpose of the reservation is to ensure the continuation of uniform intellectual property laws across the UK. This will avoid difficulties for owners of intellectual property rights arising from, for example, difference in what can be protected, the extent of the protection and remedies for breach of rights. Indeed, the benefits of harmonisation in this area are becoming increasingly recognised with the ever wider harmonisation of intellectual property rights and related matters across Europe and the rest of the world.Patents, designs, registered trade marks and copyright are well known examples of intellectual property rights and are reserved. The reservation also embraces all other existing and future analogous rights and matters, such as rights in performances and semi-conductor topographies, moral rights, the law of passing off and trade secrets, and the new database right. Moreover, rights such as those in utility models and matters such as technical measures for the protection of copyright works and information relating to the management of rights, all of which are included in recent draft EC Directives on intellectual property, fall within the scope of the reservation. Furthermore, all matters relating to the Patent Office are reserved, as are current and future ancillary matters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish data for Scotland showing for all state schools, independent schools and all schools separately, the percentage of S4 pupils in each of the years 1994 to 1997 obtaining five or more Standard Grade passes at Credit Level (Grades 1 and 2), one or more Standard Grade passes at Credit Level (Grades 1 and 2) and one or more Standard Grade passes, showing data separately for boys, girls and all pupils and including, for each category of school, the number of schools and the number of S4 pupils. [HL3716]

The data requested by Lord Pilkington have not been published, but have been made available by the Scottish Office. The data are as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many persons were detained in Northern Ireland under the Police and Criminal Evidence Order 1989, in each of the last five years; and how many persons were subsequently charged with scheduled offences. [HL3694]

The following table shows the number of persons arrested under the Police and Criminal Evidence Order 1989 in each of the last five years and the total number charged with terrorist/serious public order offences.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many deaths have occurred in each of the Northern Irish prisons in each of the last five years. [HL3692]

The information requested is provided in the following table.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish data for Northern Ireland for all state institutions, independent schools, and all institutions, giving the number of 17 year-olds entering for two or more A-levels and the number of 17 year-olds obtaining two or more A-levels, three or more A-levels and three or more A-levels at A grade in each of the years 1983 to 1998, showing data separately for boys, girls and all students and including for each year and, if possible, for each category of institution, the size of the relevant 17 year-old cohort. [HL3739]

The available information requested is as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish data for Northern Ireland showing for modern schools, grammar schools, all state schools, independent schools and all schools separately, the percentage of all 16 year-old pupils in each of the years 1994 to 1997 obtaining one or more GCSE passes at grades A* to C and one or more passes at grades A* to G, showing data separately for boys, girls and all pupils and including for each category of school, the number of schools and the number of 16 year-old pupils. [HL3715]

The available information requested is as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there has been an internal enquiry into the causes of the death of Mr. Francis McDonnell in Her Majesty's Prison Maghaberry on 30 March 1996; if so, with what result; and, if not, whether one will be held and, if not, why not. [HL3691]

The death of any person in prison custody in Northern Ireland is the subject of an investigation by the Royal Ulster Constabulary, followed by an inquiry by HM Coroner into the cause of death. The police conducted an investigation into the circumstances of the death of Mr. Francis McDonnell and prepared a report for HM Coroner. The timing of the inquest, which will enter into official records the inquest jury's findings on the cause of death, is entirely a matter for HM Coroner.