asked Her Majesty's Government:In respect of the Legal Aid Board's multi-party action in which 41 of the remaining plaintiffs are still seeking compensation for injuries caused by radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer, whether the experts' meetings fixed for early November to consider some or all of these cases have taken place; and what the result has been. [HL3906]

No experts' meeting was fixed for early November. The position remains that a date has yet to be arranged. However a directions hearing did take place on 29 October 1998. At that hearing the judge ruled that:

(a) all expert reports should be lodged in court by 15 December 1998;

(b) the stay on proceedings be lifted on 31 December 1998;

(c) if cases cannot be settled then the Statements of Claim should be served by 15 February, 1999;

(d) defences to those claims should be served by 30 March 1999; and

(e) a further administrative hearing will be held before the end of March 1999.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What principles will underpin the new civil court fee structure that will accompany the unified rules of court to be introduced next April. [HL3925]

I issued a discussion paper in February 1998 and have concluded in the light of the responses that the civil court fee structure will be based on the following key principles.Court fees should not act as a barrier to access to justice. Litigants should not expect the taxpayer to pay for the court services they use, if they can afford to do so themselves. We shall continue to provide protection for the less well-off through a system of exemptions and remissions. In addition, fees for Children Act applications, adoptions, and domestic violence injunctions will be subsidised by the taxpayer. All other fees will be set to recover the full cost of the service provided.Fees will broadly match the cost of the service for which they are charged. Within civil proceedings, fees payable on issuing a claim will be banded according to the value of the claim and will still be used to defray the bulk of the cost of proceedings. Litigants will pay fees which match the average cost of the service for which they are charged, rather than the specific cost of their particular case. Fees will be paid by the claimant, or where a specific application has been made, by the applicant, and will be paid in advance.A structure based on these principles will be fairer than the present one. It will encourage and enable litigants to make responsible choices about whether to proceed, while ensuring that the taxpayer's contribution is clearly targeted on the people who really need it.The Court Service is publishing a consultation paper today on the charging points and the levels at which fees should be set. The paper, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, includes proposals that separate fees will be set for the main stages of the new civil procedures, introducing charging points at allocation and listing.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the Department of Trade and Industry press release of 4 November entitled "Successful Electronic Commerce is My Goal" (P/98/854) did not quote the Department's e-mail address. [HL3845]

All DTI press notices are distributed electronically to major media outlets via the Central Office of Information's electronic news distribution system. Each press notice includes the daytime telephone number of the responsible press officer and out of hours telephone numbers. At present, the media's preferred route for follow-up inquiries is by telephone. When documents are published to accompany a press notice, these are posted on DTI's website and the address is usually given on the press notice.However, we are investigating whether a specific press office e-mail address should be added to the current information for the future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proportion of British-trained scientists and engineers are currently engaged in work that is secret for (a) commercial and (b) military reasons; what is the total number in each case; and what they estimate to have been the cost to the taxpayer of the education and training of these people. [HL3606]

The information requested is not available centrally. A summary of available information on science and engineering personnel is set out in Chapter 8 of "Science, Engineering and Technology Statistics 1998" Cm 4006. I will send the noble Lord a copy of this document which will also be available in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have made to carry out research into badger capture methods. [HL3899]

The Bourne Group, which advises the Government on aspects of TB in cattle and badgers, recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food should investigate other humane capture methods for badgers, such as leg cuffs, as an adjunct to cage trapping. It also recommended that MAFF should assess the actual welfare implications of snaring carried out in accordance with proper guidelines.My honourable friend the Minister of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has decided not to finance research into the use of snares. But he considers it would be prudent to examine whether leg cuffs might be a humane and efficient adjunct to cage traps. As a first step we plan to test a prototype leg cuff. If there is no evidence of harm to badgers a field trial will follow; otherwise the research will be brought to an end.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What new appointments they have made to the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals. [HL3898]

Ministers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Health and the territorial departments recently approved the appointment of Professor Michael Langman as the new Chairman of the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals. MAFF has also appointed Professor André McLean, Ms Clare Shaw and Dr. Lesley Rushton as additional members of the group to serve alongside those appointed in May. Details of those appointments were given in a reply given to the honourable Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) on 7 May 1998 Official Report, cols. 456–457.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they know of genetic modifications carried out on the Navy Bean (the raw material for baked beans); if so, in what countries; whether such modified beans are being imported; and if so, whether they are segregated and labelled. [HL3810]

Before any GM food can be sold in the EU it must be rigorously assessed for safety in accordance with the requirements of the EC Novel Foods Regulation (258/97). No applications for a GM Navy Bean have so far been received and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is not aware that such a bean is being produced anywhere in the world at the present time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the incidence of

Most cases of Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) 0157:H7 infection are either sporadic or associated with family or household incidents. Details of the suspected sources of infection associated with such incidents are not routinely reported. As part of ongoing surveillance of outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease in England and Wales, 31 of the 55 general outbreaks of VTEC 0157:H7 reported to the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre between 1992 and 1997 were found to have a foodborne route of transmission. In Northern Ireland, no general outbreaks of VTEC 0157:H7 associated with beef, dairy, sheep or pig products have been reported.In England and Wales a survey in 1995 of bovine faeces samples routinely submitted for diagnostic purposes to veterinary investigation centres found VTEC 0157:H7 in 0.86 per cent. of 6,495 samples. No association with season or herd type (beef or dairy) could be found. No surveys have been carried out on samples from sheep or pigs. Examination of faeces sampled from livestock submitted over a year between April 1995 and March 1996 to a single abattoir showed that almost 15.7 per cent. of cattle and 2.2 per cent. of sheep were excreting VTEC 0157. The same research project identified non-toxigenic

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to introduce new controls over fish landings into the United Kingdom following the publication of consultative proposals issued on 3 March. [HL3829]

From 5 January 1999 it will be a condition of UK fishing vessel licences that at least four hours notice must be given of all landings of whitefish and shellfish by vessels of 20m overall length and above. Landings (discharge of catches) must then be completed within four hours unless otherwise authorised. These requirements will not, however, apply where landings are made into designated ports during specified hours provided the master or his representative submits a copy of a completed logsheet prior to the discharge of catch taking place. The designated ports will be those set out in the consultation paper issued last March, although for a number of ports the specified hours of landing have been changed in response to representations received. Prior notification is already required for the landing of the main pelagic species and this will continue to operate.These arrangements will be kept under review and, if circumstances alter, changes in the arrangements will be considered.The new arrangements will be consistent with tougher Community controls on landings currently being finalised and expected to operate from 1 January 1999. These will enable member states to apply national designated port controls to vessels from other member states and third countries landing into their territory. A more rigorous control requirement for four hours notice of arrival in port is also expected to apply to vessels landing abroad unless specific designated port arrangements operate.The fisheries departments will be writing to vessels owners and other interests later this month advising them about the detailed arrangements including those for providing prior notification of landing.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What were the charges levied by the Sea Fish Industry Authority between 1981 and 1985 when processing applications for grant aid. [HL3828]

The Government intend, when the legislative programme allows, to introduce legislation to provide retrospective statutory authority for technical charges levied by the Sea Fish Industry Authority (SFIA) when processing applications for grant aid under the Fisheries Act 1981. This will regularise the position following advice which has cast doubt on the SFIA's view that its powers to charge contained in the Act covered the technical charges which were levied up until 1995.My honourable friend the Parliamentary Secretary believes that the charges levied were reasonable ones and that the costs of making repayments would be disproportionate to any benefit such repayment would confer on those to whom it was made. The Ministry does not therefore propose to meet any claims that are brought before the proposed legislation is in place.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When routine testing of badgers killed in road traffic accidents will resume; and which areas will be covered. [HL3665]

The Road Traffic Accident (RTA) Survey of badgers was discontinued in August 1990. Since then RTA badger carcasses have been collected and tested only on an ad-hoc basis as part of the epidemiological investigation of TB incidents.The Krebs report recommended a limited re-introduction of the RTA survey targeting areas with high or increasing herd breakdown rates and nearby areas with low breakdown rates. The Bourne Group endorsed this recommendation and identified the areas to be surveyed as Cornwall, Devon, Gloucester, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Dorset. The Government expect this survey to start in the early part of 1999.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any measures are taken to detect

Testing for human pathogens in organic wastes is not routinely carried out. Some limited information on their prevalence in organic wastes is available in the scientific literature. Further information on the occurrence and survival of these organisms in the wastes mentioned will be collected as part of a government programme of research and risk assessment on the use of all organic wastes on land. Following a recent review of controls on the agricultural use of sewage sludge the Government have announced, as a precautionary measure, more stringent requirements for treatment and use, including phasing out the use of untreated sewage sludge by the end of 2001.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 is not applicable to Northern Ireland; and what safeguards there are in that province against the irresponsible sale of wild animals. [HL3902]

Under the constitutional arrangements Acts of Parliament dealing with what are termed "transferred matters" do not normally extend to Northern Ireland. However, legislative proposals are monitored with a view to considering whether analogous legislation should be brought forward for Northern Ireland by way of Order in Council. In 1976 the view was apparently that the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 should not be copied into Northern Ireland law, but I regret to say that the reasons why are not clear. It is my intention to bring forward legislative proposals as a matter of urgency after a consultation process.The Dangerous Wild Animals Act is concerned with the public safety and animal welfare aspects of the keeping of wild animals and, therefore, the absence of its provisions in NI has no direct implications for their sale. The controls on the sale of wild animals in Northern Ireland, as in the rest of the United Kingdom, are contained in EC Regulations 338/97, 938/97 and 939/97 which implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

asked Her Majesty's Government:What decisions they have reached following the recent public consultation on proposed changes to the powers of school crossing patrols. [HL3922]

Following consideration of the results of the public consultation I have decided that the existing powers of school crossing patrols should be enhanced by allowing them to cross children of any age along with any adults who may wish to use the facility. The existing time limits on when crossings may operate will also be removed. These proposals were supported by a large majority of those who responded to the consultation.The consultation also asked whether there was a need for the creation of community crossing patrols—attended crossings similar to school patrols but provided at any location where there was a perceived need for one. The majority of those who responded opposed this mainly on the grounds of cost and because there was no need for a further type of crossing in addition to the zebra, pelican and puffin crossings which operate continually.We will not therefore be proceeding with community crossing patrols but will be taking forward the school crossing patrol changes at the earliest legislative opportunity. A press notice giving further details has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which sections of the motorway system have a weight restriction of 38 tonnes or less. [HL3846]

The only weight restriction on the motorway system in England is on the westbound slip road on the southern end of the M.11 where a restriction of 3 tonnes will be in force until strengthening work has been carried out. Since the current maximum gross vehicle weight permitted under the Construction and Use Regulations is 38 tonnes (excluding combined road/rail transport), weight restrictions are not placed at 38 tonnes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is necessary for goods vehicle operators, when working within Construction and Use Regulations at 44 tonnes gross weight, to notify the highways and bridge authorities when using bridges limited to 38 tonnes. [HL3847]

No. It is not necessary to notify highway and bridge authorities in these circumstances.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the broad definition of the HB45 bridge standard; and whether it is intended that the entire motorway system should be designed, built, maintained and operated to this standard. [HL3848]

The 45 HB standard is a large, but artificial lorry, weighing 180 tonnes. The standard provides for all vehicles permitted under the Road Traffic Act 1988—Special Types General Order (maximum gross weight 150 tonnes). Since 1961 all motorway bridges have been designed to carry the HB standard.Since that date there have been a number of further improvements in bridge standards generally. Bridges carrying the motorway network not meeting the current standards are being strengthened both to accommodate the 40-tonne lorries to be introduced on 1 January 1999 and where there is a shortfall in meeting the 45 HB load.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How long the pedestrian underpass leading from Westminster Bridge to Waterloo Station has been closed to the public; and what steps will be taken to reopen it. [HL3840]

The London Borough of Lambeth is responsible for the pedestrian underpass at the southern approach to Westminster bridge. It was closed as a precautionary measure in April 1998, while the undercroft on the southern side of Waterloo bridge was secured and closed for structural inspection. The need for a precautionary closure no longer applies, so the borough has now placed an order for the underpass to be re-opened.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have any new plans to improve the environment and amenities for pedestrians between Vauxhall Station and the river, in view of renewed public interest in the old Vauxhall Gardens. [HL3841]

Work by the London Borough of Lambeth, the authority statutorily responsible for the highway at Vauxhall, is already in progress to improve the environment and amenities for pedestrians at Vauxhall Cross, the area between Vauxhall station, the River Thames and Spring Gardens. This work is being undertaken with the help of the Vauxhall Regeneration Company. It is funded partly by the Government through the Single Regeneration Budget and Capital Challenge. Vauxhall Cross is a major transport interchange and a node on the Red Route network, so that it is crucial that any such improvements take full account of the wider traffic management implications. Careful study and design work is under way with a view to a possible traffic experiment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will provide additional compensation to homeowners whose properties are close to the planned new Tyne tunnel to take account of its effect on property prices in the area. [HL3831]

The land compensation code makes provision for those who are affected by public development. The code is principally laid down in the Land Compensation Acts of 1961 and 1973, the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 and the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. There is no provision for any additional compensation over and above the terms of that code.As promoters of a second Tyne crossing, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority will advise on individual claims for compensation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What permissions are required for the use of an existing flat roof as a new helicopter landing pad in central London; and what is the division of responsibility between the local authority, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. [HL3830]

Any helicopter using a roof-top landing pad for private flights in central London needs written permission from the Civil Aviation Authority. Planning permission and, in appropriate cases, listed building consent may be required depending on the details of the proposal and it would be for the local planning authority to judge this in the first instance. Planning and listed building consent appeals are decided by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will increase the maximum penalty for an offence under Article 55 of the Air Navigation (No. 2) Order 1995, which provides that a person shall not recklessly or negligently act in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft of any person therein, to five years imprisonment, and whether they will make the offences listed under Articles 56 to 58 of the order arrestable. [HL3881]

We have no plans to do so at present and I refer the noble Lord to my answer of 12 November (Official Report, col. 107).

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the bond issue proposed by London and Continental Railways which the Government are to guarantee unconditionally and irrevocably will be counted as public sector debt; and, if not, why not. [HL3850]

As my right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister explained in his Statement of 3 June, the bonds to be issued by London and Continental Railways and guaranteed by the Government will be repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, and the likelihood of the Government incurring liability under the guarantee is judged to be remote. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has therefore decided, in line with the treatment

London Local Authorities—1996–97 Parking Accounts
£000s
	Income	Expenditure	Net Income	Comments
Barking & Dagenham	486	480	6	Surplus used for off-street parking
Barnet	2,119	1,040	1,079	Surplus used for improved parking facilities (69) and carry forward to 1997-98 (1010)
Bexley	1,067	1,222	(155)	Deficit accrues to parking account
Brent	2,515	2,668	(153)	Deficit accrues to parking account
Bromley	1,721	1,004	717	Surplus used for traffic management schemes (286), improvement schemes (376) and professional services (55)
Camden	14,962	7,964	6,998	Surplus used for concessionary fares and Taxicard scheme (4,158), and highways and traffic improvement schemes (2,840)
Corporation of London	6,849	3,009	3,840	Surplus used for revenue expenditure on "New Roads and Improvements" (35), Western Extension Experimental Scheme (131), Replacement bus service—Waterloo and City Line (22), Capital expenditure on highways (3,431), Capital expenditure on off-street parking (24) and residual balance of surplus to reserve (197)
Croydon	4,454	3,033	1,421	Surplus used as a contribution to managing and maintaining off-street parking
Ealing*	2,030	2,150	(120)	Deficit accrues to parking account
Enfield*	1,819	2,110	(291)	Deficit and cost of waiting restrictions Review (180) accrued to General Fund
Greenwich*	1,495	1,057	438	Surplus applied against Concessionary Fares
Hackney	2,775	2,756	19	Surplus used for off-street parking maintenance

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which London boroughs have fully complied with the Secretary of State's parking guidance which requires them to produce a separate statement of account for on-street parking; how any surplus funding has been used; and what action has been taken against those London boroughs which have failed to comply with the parking guidance. [HL3758]

The information requested is shown in the table. My honourable friend the Minister for Transport in London has discussed the issue of late submission of accounts with the Association of London Government which will ensure that all the 1997–98 returns are made available once the local authority accounts are finalised.

London Local Authorities—1996–97 Parking Accounts
£000s
	Income	Expenditure	Net Income	Comments
Hammersmith & Fulham	9,188	4,226	4,962	Surplus used for CPZs (1,284), street lamps (128) public transport (2,400) and carry forward to 1997–98 (1,150)
Haringey	1,766	1,874	(108)	Deficit accrues to parking account
Harrow	1,400	1,047	353	Surplus used as contribution to CPZs (58) and traffic management schemes (420) with (125) carried forward to deficit
Havering	690	784	(94)	Deficit made up from General Fund
Hillingdon	1,159	943	216	Surplus used for on-street parking provision
Hounslow	1,119	553	566	Surplus used for highway improvement (200) balance to parking reserve account
Islington	4,170	2,513	1,657	Surplus applied against Concessionary Fares
Kensington & Chelsea	21,131	8,782	12,349	Surplus used on concessionary fares (2,455), Taxicard (380), welfare transport (457), school permits (129), special needs and youth transport (561), other community transport (199), off-street car parking (1,100), lighting, traffic signs, pedestrian crossings (856), carriageway and footway improvements, street trees and verges (2,612), traffic management, safety and transportation (935) and gully cleansing (90) with balance to car parking reserve
Kingston	1,097	1,007	90	Surplus used for public transport support (42), traffic management (38) and carry forward to 1997–98 (10)
Lambeth	2,488	1,960	528	Surplus used for new CPZs
Lewisham	3,476	2,777	699	Surplus accrues to parking account
Merton	1,110	556	554	Surplus applied against Concessionary Fares
Newham	1,399	1,760	(361)	Deficit accrues to parking account
Redbridge	1,396	1,217	179	Surplus used to finance off-street parking
Richmond	3,224	2,006	1,218	Surplus used for public transport (50), traffic management (543), highway improvement (764) and car park improvements (29). [Note: Total=1,386 as income from off-street parking also allocated].
Southwark	2,488	1,708	780	Surplus used for refurbishment and implementation of off-street car parking (269) and major and minor road work (511)
Sutton	1,139	834	305	Surplus plus surplus (54) from 1995–96 used to provide on-street parking schemes (90), improvements to car parks (202) and improvements to public transport (20) with remainder being retained in Reserve
Tower Hamlets	3,934	3,708	226	Surplus applied against concessionary fares

asked Her Majesty's Government:How widely the Ministry of Defence's helpline and advice unit for the ex-Service community has been publicised; how many requests for guidance and help have so far been received; and what range of problems has been dealt with. [HL3808]

The Veterans' Advice Unit was launched by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on Monday 5 October in the presence of the media. A full information pack and press release for the launch was distributed to the national and regional media. The telephone number, 08456 02 03 02, which charges callers at local rates, is listed in all telephone directories under "Ministry of Defence Veterans' Advice Unit."Since its launch, some 80,000 leaflets publicising the unit have been distributed through Resettlement Offices, the Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations, COBSEO, The Royal British Legion, SSAFA-Forces Help and other veterans' organisations and charities including the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association, BLESMA, the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, "Combat Stress", and the Regular Forces Employment Association, among others.The leaflet has been, or is being, sent to DSS benefit offices nation-wide, the War Pensions Agency and Citizens' Advice Bureaux. The "military media" such as

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list the references and titles of all open and closed files currently held by the Ministry of Defence which contain information about unidentified flying objects. [HL3910]

Within the Air Staff Secretariat, the Ministry of Defence focal point for all matters relating to "UFOs", a total of 76 files dating from 1985 are held. These files contain public correspondence, sighting reports and associated papers and are referenced as follows:Reference:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 14 October (

The 33 files identified contain correspondence between members of the public and officials. They will be released at the 30 year point in the normal way.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many rounds of depleted uranium ammunition were fired by British forces, including tomahawk missiles, tank rounds, and cannon shells fired from aircraft, during Operation Granby; and whether they agree with United States figures that 1,200,000 rounds were fired in total by coalition force. [HL3862]

During the 1990–91 Gulf conflict, UK armoured forces used a new 120mm armour-piercing tank round which contained a solid depleted uranium, DU, penetrator core with a protective, non-DU, coating in its Challenger 1 tanks. The Government's current assessment is that UK tanks fired fewer than 100 of these rounds against Iraqi military forces, which equates to less than 1 metric tonne of DU, although additional rounds were fired during earlier work-up training to establish the round's mean point of impact.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any modifications were made to British tanks to ensure the safety of their crews when firing depleted uranium ammunition during Operation Granby; and if not, why not. [HL3863]

The main battle tank used by UK forces during the Gulf conflict in 1990–91 was the Challenger 1, armed with the 120mm rifled-barrel L11 gun. When planning Operation Granby, the MoD assessed that the existing tungsten-based armour-piercing rounds in use with Challenger 1 might not be sufficiently powerful to defeat the most modern Iraqi tanks—Soviet designed T72s. It was, decided therefore, that MoD should undertake the emergency development and deployment of a new armour-piercing round for Challenger 1.This new round was based on a 120mm armour-piercing round, which was then being developed for use by the more powerful gun on the new Challenger 2 main battle tank. It contained a solid depleted uranium, DU, penetrator core with a protective, non-DU, coating, and was known as CHARM 1. In fact, the CHARM 1 round needed only minor modifications in order to fit the L11 gun on Challenger 1, but a totally new charge needed to be developed.In the mid-1980s, measurements to assess the radiation dose rates inside a Chieftain tank loaded with DU-based rounds, and the contamination levels to which tank crews might be exposed, were carried out by the atomic weapons establishment, AWE, at Aldermaston. These measurements showed that there were no reasonably foreseeable circumstances in which tank crews would be likely to receive radiation doses greater than the present statutory dose limits for employees aged 18 years and over. These radiation dose rate results were confirmed as being applicable to Challenger 1 tanks during a further trial held in November 1990 by AWE at Royal Ordnance Chorley. In addition, trials were conducted to investigate the possible effects of dropping CHARM 1 rounds on steel plates. These concluded that no DU would be released in this way.No modifications to Challenger 1 or its L 11 gun for safety reasons were, therefore, considered necessary. Clearance for crews to fire the modified CHARM 1 round from Challenger 1 was subsequently confirmed by the Ordnance Board in December 1990.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many British Gulf veterans have been tested for exposure to depleted uranium dust; and whether, in the light of the results of Canadian tests on samples from one British veteran which showed a high titre of depleted uranium, they will ensure that tests are conducted on a routine basis on other British Gulf veterans who may have been exposed to the dust. [HL3864]

Any Gulf veteran who is concerned that his or her health has been adversely affected by service during the Gulf conflict, including possible exposure to depleted uranium, DU, dust is urged to seek a referral to the Medical Assessment Programme, MAP, for a full medical assessment.The kidneys are particularly sensitive to the presence of DU and the standard battery of tests carried out as a matter of routine on MAP patients includes a baseline trawl of renal functions, which includes: serum creatinine, urea and electrolytes, urine test for protein and blood and an ultrasound abdominal scan. Such tests should indicate the presence of any current kidney damage in patients, although such damage would not necessarily have been caused by the presence of DU. The standard MAP tests do not, however, include a specific test to detect the presence of DU. Those veterans who have so far been examined by MAP physicians have not exhibited symptoms which, in the clinical judgment of the examining physician, have indicated a requirement for a specific referral to another agency or organisation for DU testing. Thus, no UK Gulf veterans have been specifically tested for the presence of DU as part of the MAP.In general, the Government have no knowledge of any tests which may have been carried out on Gulf veterans, independently of the MAP, through other organisations providing medical or radiological services. However, the Ministry of Defence is aware that a US physician is reported as having carried out tests in Canada for the presence of DU on some UK Gulf veterans. However, we have not yet seen details of the tests which have been performed or the results obtained. Accordingly, the MoD cannot comment on the physician's reported findings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many members of the British, United States and other coalition forces were given smallpox vaccinations; and, given that smallpox had been eradicated, what the perceived threat was and why these vaccinations were given; and [HL3838]Who authorised the use of smallpox vaccine on British troops; who manufactured and supplied it, and whether a genetically modified, recombinant or wild strain of the virus was used. [HL3839]

The position as regards the vaccination of UK Service personnel against smallpox prior to and during the Gulf conflict was set out in my Written Answer of 21 April (WA 200). I am withholding any further information concerning the very small number of UK Service personnel who were vaccinated against smallpox in late 1990, for reasons unrelated to the Gulf conflict, under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The immunisation status of US and other coalition forces during the Gulf conflict is a matter for the governments concerned.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any vaccines or other medication containing genetically modified viruses or other organisms were administered to British troops prior to or during Operation Granby. [HL3861]

A genetically modified organism can be defined as an organism in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. This would include a genetically modified virus. MoD is not aware of any medicines, including vaccines, containing genetically modified organisms which were administered to UK troops prior to August 1991, when Operation Granby officially ended. In particular, none of the medical countermeasures used during the Gulf conflict to protect UK troops from Iraqi chemical and biological weapons contained genetically modified organisms.

asked Her Majesty's Government:At what level of detection British CAM and NAIAD alarms were set compared with the level of the lethal doses of the agents they were designed to detect. [HL3837]

The standard Chemical Agent Monitor, CAM, is used to test for the presence of blister and nerve agents: It does not have an alarm facility and is, therefore, not a chemical warfare agent detector. The Nerve Agent Immobilised enzyme Alarm and Detector, NAIAD, is used to give an initial alarm of the potential presence of nerve agents. However, during the Gulf conflict in 1990–91, a CAM Remote Alarm Display Unit, CRADU, and a Field Alarm Module, FAM, based on the CAM, were developed and deployed to provide an additional warning alarm and, thus, a detection capability.Any warning of the potential presence of chemical warfare agent is followed up by using CAM in standard mode and other testing systems. Warning and detection capabilities are part of the suite of measures used to protect UK Service personnel from the threat posed by chemical weapons.The effect of a chemical warfare agent depends upon the type of agent involved and the dose which an individual receives. For example, when a chemical warfare agent is in its gaseous phase, the dose received is a product of the concentration of the agent present and the length of time over which the exposure takes place. The levels of dose considered to be first hazardous and then lethal differ for each agent and vary according to the prevailing circumstances.CAM and NAIAD respond to concentrations of chemical warfare agents, not doses. They indicate the potential presence of chemical warfare agent at the lowest possible concentration consistent with the inherent technical limitations of the equipment. These limitations relate to the sensitivity of the equipment to other substances, because these can lead to false alarms. Even so, there remains the potential for CAM and NAIAD, to give false detections that have been caused by such "interferents". For this reason, any apparent detections of chemical warfare agent must be immediately followed up and substantiated by the use of other procedures. The correct use of CAM, in detection mode, and NAIAD should allow personnel to take any necessary protective measures, including the donning of individual protection equipment, before they are exposed to a potentially hazardous dose of chemical warfare agent.Further information on CAM and NAIAD will be published in the forthcoming report of the review of alleged chemical warfare agent detections by UK troops during the Gulf conflict.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What would be the deployable strength of the Territorial Army not including the University Officer Training Corps of 3,500 undergraduates. [HL3775]

The strength of the Territorial Army is 37,700 excluding the Officer Training Corps.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the terms of engagement of 3,500 undergraduates serving in the Officer Training Corps at universities allow them to be deployed and integrated onto a more readily and useable reserve army during their studies. [HL3774]

One of the main aims of the Officer Training Corps is to provide a reserve of potential officers for mobilisation and a structure through which to mobilise. As members of the Territorial Army, Officer Training Corps personnel have a liability for call-out on mobilisation as do others subject to the terms of Territorial Army Regulations. In practice, OTC personnel have not been called out since before World War I.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether proposals currently under consideration for the Territorial Army envisage a reduction in the strength of its infantry of nearly 60 per cent. from an establishment of 16,000 to one of 6,500; and what will be the annual saving to the defence budget resulting from this reduction. [HL3858]

The strength of the Territorial Army infantry will fall from 16,000 to slightly over 7,100. It is anticipated that the overall Territorial Army restructuring package will generate long-term savings of some £70 £75 million per annum. Savings accruing from individual elements have not been separately identified.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in considering proposals for the Territorial Army, they have taken account of the social and other benefits which the Territorial Army provides to the community; and whether they have considered the feasibility and cost of providing these benefits in other ways. [HL3859]

The decision announced in the House on Tuesday 17 November, (Official Report, cols. 1155–1158) took account of the wider, non-military aspects of the Territorial Army, including the social benefits it offers to the community and the Army. It was for this reason that we decided to maintain a widespread representation of the Territorial Army across the regions and counties of the United Kingdom.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the

In response to two earlier questions on this subject from the noble Countess, I undertook on 30 October last year to review the availability of chemical agent detection and protection equipment at 32 Field Hospital at the time of the Khamisiyah demolitions. A report on that review, together with other relevant material relating to the Khamisiyah demolitions, is currently being written up and I hope to be able to respond on the issue shortly. The answer to this new question will be covered in that report.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware of any reports of an increase in the incidence of childhood cancers, pulmonary disease, cardiac disease and immunological disorders in the population of Kuwait since the Gulf War; and whether there is any co-operation between clinicians and scientists from the United Kingdom and Kuwait. [HL3866]

The Government have not received any representations from the Kuwaiti Government concerning an increased incidence of ill-health among the population of Kuwait since the 1990–91 Gulf conflict and are not aware of any published reports on the subject. We would, of course, be prepared to consider carefully any medical or scientific data which became available on this topic. The Government are not aware of any current co-operation between UK and Kuwaiti clinicians and scientists concerning the incidence of ill-health in Kuwait. However, we understand that there may be proposals for Kuwaiti researchers to visit the UK to discuss this issue under the auspices of the Royal British Legion.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware of reports from Iraq of very high levels of cancers among young children which are thought to be caused by their exposure to depleted uranium dust; and what is their response to these reports. [HL3865]

The Government are aware of suggestions that there has been an increase in ill-health including alleged deformities, cancers and birth defects in southern Iraq, which some have attributed to the use of depeleted uranium, DU, based ammunition by UK and US forces during the 1990–91 Gulf conflict. However, the Government have not seen any peer-reviewed epidemiological research data to support these claims. The Government would, of course, consider carefully any medical or scientific data which was presented on this subject.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What research they have conducted into United Kingdom public knowledge about, and support for, NATO enlargement. [HL3750]

In August of last year, the Ministry of Defence commissioned a survey on "Attitudes Towards NATO and International Affairs." A copy of the survey has already been placed in the Library of the House. It revealed a reasonable knowledge of NATO among the public, and a high level of support, over 70 per cent., for the decision to admit Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary into the Alliance.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will advise the War Graves Commission that it would be appropriate to ensure that the memorial at Thiepval is a commemoration of the fallen of all faiths. [HL3620]

The Government have already addressed this matter with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who have given their assurance that the Thiepval Memorial is indeed a commemoration of all the fallen, with no distinction made on account of military or civil rank, race or creed.This issue has twice been formally considered by the Commission, in December 1994 under the Chairmanship of the then Secretary of State for Defence the Rt. Hon. Malcolm Rifkind and again in June 1998 under that of the Rt. Hon. George Robertson. On both occasions the Commission has reaffirmed its policy of not making separate reference to the differences of faith among those who are commemorated.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is NATO's approach to missile defences and to their funding; and whether "theatre" defences against Iran, Iraq, Israel, Libya or Russia are being considered in NATO. [HL3790]

NATO continues to examine how a requirement for Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence for deployed forces could be met, and is considering the costs of such a requirement and how it could be funded. NATO's work has considered general scenarios rather than potential threats from specific countries.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it has been agreed in the NATO Council that NATO's European members should in future "shift more focus to such priorities as mobility, deployability and reinforcement missions [thus to] become better equipped to operate with United States forces in a broader range of contingencies in the years ahead" (Report to the Congress on the Enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation: Rationale, Benefits, Costs and Implications 1997); and if so, what they understand by this reference to "a broader range of contingencies in the years ahead". [HL3748]

At the NATO Ministerial Meeting of the Defence Planning Committee on 11 June 1998 Ministers agreed that the maintenance and enhancement of interoperabilty are key elements in the transformation of NATO's force structure, and of the Alliance itself, as it prepares to meet future challenges. The Defence Planning Committee approved requirements to allow the Alliance to carry out collective defence and deterrence, and crisis management, including peace support operations.

asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they are fully informed by the United States, and by the other countries of the scale and scope of their bilateral military relations, including military funding, in the whole Organisation for the Security and Co-operation in Europe area; and, if not, whether they consider the situation satisfactory as regards the transparency that NATO brings to its members' relationships. [HL3784]

Her Majesty's Government have a wide range of contacts with the United States and other countries on the scope and scale of bilateral military relationships with the countries in the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, area. These contacts provide transparency and contribute to our overall efforts to promote security and stability in the region.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What efforts are being undertaken to ensure that the sensitive information is kept secure within NATO operational planning; and whether security has been breached in recent months. [HL3686]

NATO has mechanisms in place to ensure the security of sensitive information. Her Majesty's Government supports these mechanisms. Any breaches are a matter for the relevant NATO authorities. NATO does not comment on NATO-personnel security issues.

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

Further to the answer given on 20 October, the only role of the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron at RAF Feltwell is to detect, track and identify the status of satellites, space debris and space probes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether Ministers and civil servants are in a position to comply with the obligations imposed by the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, having regard to the United Kingdom's ratifications of those instruments, the guidance

Yes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is:

The table below shows the residual balance and the annual payments due (comprising principals and interest falling due in the period from November 1998 to November 1999) owed by each country in Latin America:

	Residual Balance of export credit debt (£ million)	Annual payments due on export credit debt Nov 1998-Nov 1999 (£ million)	Residual Balance of aid loan debt (£ thousand)	Annual payments due on aid loan debt Nov 1998-Nov 1999 (£ thousand)
Argentina	63	21	0	0
Bolivia	17	1	0	0
Brazil	540	110	250	90
Colombia	0	0	50	0*
Costa Rica	0*	0	370	50
Ecuador	52	8	860	350
Guyana	44	3	0	0
Mexico	84	42	0	0
Nicaragua	1	0*	0	0
Paraguay	0	0	230	0
Peru	153	10	0	0
Small payments before roundings.

The residual balance owed to the UK by these countries totals some £960 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the status of the

The Arts Council of England's Fitness for Purpose report is a helpful contribution in informing discussion between my department and the Department for Education and Employment on future arrangements for funding students in dance, drama and stage management. Fitness for Purpose does not refer specifically to dance teacher training, nor should any specific conclusions be drawn from it about the future training of dance teachers. The Department for Education and Employment has policy responsibility for education and training matters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In view of the comments in paragraph 24 of the Fifth Report (HC Paper 742) of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, what is the relationship between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the National Lottery and the distribution of lottery funds; and whether they have plans to review this relationship. [HL3842]

Lottery funding decisions are made by a number of distributing bodies: the Sports and Arts Councils of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; the National Heritage Memorial Fund; the Millennium Commission; the National Lottery Charities Board; and the New Opportunities Fund. The bodies operate at arm's length from government. Ministers have no say in individual grant decisions.The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (and other ministerial colleagues, depending on the distribution body in question) set the financial management framework within which the bodies operate and the broad policy matters they are expected to take into account when reaching their decisions. In addition, the New Opportunities Fund can support only projects which fall within an initiative defined in an order made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and approved by Parliament. We have no plans to review these arrangements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What recent representations they have received about the operation of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973; and what steps are being taken to ensure that this legislation continues to be effectively enforced. [HL3832]

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has been sent a copy by the noble Lord of a letter addressed to him from Mr. Michael Williams of the South-West Maritime Archaeological Group. Among other issues, this letter commented on the operation of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. The noble Lord will be receiving a reply shortly to this correspondence.It is a criminal offence under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 for any person to engage in certain conduct within a designated area without a licence granted by the relevant Secretary of State. Licences are issued on the advice of the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites and will stipulate certain conditions to ensure that appropriate archaeological standards are maintained on designated sites. Although responsibility for policing or prosecuting offences under the 1973 Act lies with the relevant police force, my department does provide advice, where necessary, about the provisions of the Act. Steps are being undertaken to ensure that all police forces are aware of their responsibilities under the 1973 Act.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What the Braille grant to the Royal National Institute of the Blind, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport under its Small Grants Scheme, which has been frozen at the same level since 1991 (following a cut of £50,000) would now be worth if it had been increased in line with the retail prices index; and, in view of the increased demand for Braille expected when Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act comes into effect, whether the grant's future is assured. [HL3809]

If the grant had been increased in line with the retail prices index since 1991–92, it would now have been worth £240,593. As part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review, my department took a strategic look at what could be done to ensure blind and visually impaired people benefit in a much wider way from public library services than they do at present. By allocating the grant to the Library and Information Commission we aim to create a fresh impetus to the provision of library services to the blind and visually impaired people and to provide the opportunity for local authorities to embed these into the mainstream library service. In reaching our conclusion we were aware that the grant supports only a small element of the spending of over £6 million that the Royal National Institute makes on embossed literature. Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act will require public libraries to make adjustments to practices, policies or procedures that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to make use of their services and my department was aware of this as a possible use of the grant.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the grant to national museums to ensure free access to all visitors (in the third year of their access scheme) is sufficient to match the income lost by those museums through ticket sales and through their inability to recover VAT. [HL3779]

Initial estimates of the requirement were made by departmental officials. Further work on the detail of requisite funding allocations has been carried out in consultation with the national museums, including the issuing of detailed questionnaires in each case, and the analysis of any VAT implications that may arise.Decisions on the adoption of the stages towards free admission remain of course with the trustees of the individual museums.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will seek assurances from the European Commission that those non-governmental organisations which, due to revision of the European Commission's Humanitarian Office (ECHO) guidelines, have been delayed in signing Framework Partnership Agreements with the ECHO are not excluded from applying to work with the ECHO on humanitarian projects. [HL3887]

The issue of the relationship between Non-Governmental Organisations and the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) is being discussed at the next ECHO Humanitarian Aid Committee meeting in Brussels on 26 November, where information on the latest Framework Partnership Contract is to be presented to member state delegations. We will take the opportunity of raising the noble Baroness's point with them.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will seek assurances from the European Commission that United Kingdom non-governmental organisations will not experience discriminatory delays and difficulties in accessing funding under the co-financing budget of Directorate-General VIII for projects in developing countries. [HL3886]

We are not aware of any discrimination by the European Commission against UK non-governmental organisations, but we are concerned at the delays in the Commission for approving contracts with partner organisations. We are supporting work to rationalise the Commission's aid management systems to ensure faster and more flexible procedures, while at the same time maintaining financial propriety. We oppose strongly any attempts to impose national quotas, whether formal or informal.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When their proposals for a new disposal for young offenders, contained in Chapter 9 of the White Paper

The White Paper No More Excuses set out radical proposals for reform of the youth court, to enable those appearing before the youth court for the first time to be referred, by way of sentence, to a youth offender panel. Following the principles of restorative justice, the panel would draw up a contract with the young offender to include reparation to the victim of the offence or to the wider community, and measures to deal with drug or alcohol abuse, poor parenting or other issues relevant to the offending behaviour. The length of the referral would be determined by the court, on the basis of the seriousness of the crime, up to a maximum of 12 months. The Government invited comments on these proposals and received replies from 97 individuals and organisations. The majority of the respondents were in favour of the proposals.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will report on the Edwards review of financial regulation in the Crown Dependencies. [HL3924]

The United Kingdom Government and the authorities in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man welcome Andrew Edwards' report on financial regulation, which has been laid before Parliament today. Copies of the report are being placed in the Library and the Printed Paper Office. The report, which has been produced in consultation with the Islands, contains detailed accounts of the legislation and regulatory arrangements on Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man respectively. It confirms that the arrangements in place conform in large measure to the internationally accepted standards of financial regulation.The report also concludes that there are a number of changes which could raise standards still further, both in the United Kingdom itself and in the Crown Dependencies. In many cases, these conclusions are in line with policies which are already being developed. The United Kingdom Government and the Island authorities have agreed to meet in January 1999 to begin the task of examining systematically the conclusions of the Edwards report and the plans of action being drawn up by the Islands and the United Kingdom in response to those conclusions. This programme will include new arrangements, under my chairmanship, for all the parties to meet jointly on a regular basis to take stock of progress. These meetings will take place alternately in London and in one of the Crown Dependencies.The United Kingdom and the Island authorities believe that the Edwards review and the follow-up action on its conclusions should further strengthen effective financial regulation in the Islands and, in so doing, contribute to the long-term health of the Island economies.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When an announcement will be made about the compact between the Government and the voluntary sector in Wales. [HL3919]

The compact between the Government and the voluntary sector in Wales was published on Wednesday 18 November. Copies of the document have been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will give a list of the books approved by the Secretary of State under Prison Rule 16, as available for prisoners undergoing cellular confinement. [HL3873]

The following books are approved by the Secretary of State under Prison Rule 16:Church of England

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many places have been offered to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office by the Prison Service for Immigration Act detainees. [HL3875]

The Prison Service provides 500 places for immigration detainees predominantly at Haslar, Rochester and Holloway.The Immigration Service is discussing with the Prison Service how it might help to deliver the Government's commitment to hold immigration detainees in discrete centres separate from prisoners. The possibility of further Prison Service sites being developed as immigration detention centres is being considered but no places have been offered to the Immigration Service at present.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many Immigration Act detainees were held in each of the prisons or detention centres in use for this purpose on 30 September. [HL3876]

The available information relating to persons held in detention solely under Immigration Act powers as at 30 September 1998 by place of detention is given in the table.

Persons recorded as being in detention1solely under Immigration Act powers as at 30 September 1998, by place of detention
Location	Total Detainees
Immigration detention centres
Campsfield	182
Dover Harbour	20
Harmondsworth	63
Heathrow's Queen's Building	14
Longport	8
Manchester Airport	11
Tinsley House	143
Prison establishments
Aberdeen	3
Belmarsh	11
Birmingham	5
Blakenhurst	2
Bristol	2
Brixton	6
Canterbury	6
Chelmsford	3
Doncaster	4
Dorchester	2
Elmley	2
Edinburgh	3
Feltham	3
Greenock	8
Haslar	133
High Down	24
Highpoint	3
Holloway	24
Holme House	3
Leeds	6
Leicester	2
Lewes	3
Liverpool	3
Magilligan	7
Manchester	5
Norwich	5
Pentonville	7
Rochester	181
Wandsworth	9
Winchester	2
Wormwood Scrubs	20
Other prison establishments	4
Total	938
1 Excluding persons detained in police cells.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

(a) How many meetings there have been of the Inter-departmental Working Group on Preventing Unsuitable People from Working with Children and Abuse of Trust;

(b) how many organisations the group has consulted;

(c) how many organisations the group has met; and

(d) when they expect the final recommendations of the group to be published. [HL3851]

The working group has held a total of 14 meetings: three of the full group, acting as a steering group, and 11 of the various sub-groups set up to take forward particular aspects of the work. It produced a consultation document which was initially sent out to 116 organisations. In addition, the group has consulted various organisations which subsequently expressed interest and a number of individuals, including Peers and Members of Parliament, also received the consultation letter. Members of the working group have met a number of organisations informally and the group will be holding two seminars at the end of the month to involve a number of organisations from the voluntary, private and business sectors.The group expects to report its conclusions and recommendations to Ministers at the end of the year; we would expect to make public the recommendations shortly after this.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the report of the inspector's inquiry on the River Wye Navigation Order was received; and when the results of the inquiry will be announced. [HL3911]

The inspector's report was received in February 1998. The decision will be announced as soon as possible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have reconsidered their view on the criminalisation of Quat use as a consequence of publication of the Home Office Drugs Prevention Initiative Research Paper 26

There is little evidence that the use of quat is having, or is capable of having, harmful effects sufficient to constitute a social problem in the United Kingdom, the criterion for controlling drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The publication Quat use in London does not alter that assessment, and we have no plans to bring the plant under the controls of the Act, but we will keep it under review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Michael O'Brien, Minister of State, Home Office, on 30 March (HC Deb, WA 388), whether they will provide a breakdown of the numbers of asylum seekers currently detained under Immigration Act powers by stage of application and immigration status at the time of detention at the most recent convenient date. [HL3882]

The available information relating to those currently detained under Immigration Act powers by stage of application and immigration status is given in the table. The figures relate to the end of October 1998.

Number of people recorded as being detained1, 2on 30 October 19983and 2 November 19983who had sought asylum at some stage, by stage of application and immigration status
Stage of application	Port	Illegal Entrants	Subject to Deportation action	Total
Awaiting initial decision	157	285	6	448
Awaiting result of appeal	95	49	15	159
Awaiting result of further challenge or documentation for removal4	60	77	12	149
Total	312	411	33	756
1 Persons detained solely under the powers contained in Schedule 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971.
2 These figures are approximate because of the delay in recording receptions into, and releases from, detention and the large number of persons detained for a short period.
3 After entry figures obtained at 30 October 1998. Port figures obtained at 2 November 1998.
4 Includes those persons awaiting the result of a further appeal/other challenge or awaiting removal pending documentation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will explain the leak of Foreign and Commonwealth Office plans to close certain diplomatic missions abroad, as published in the press on 23 October. [HL3734]

The document described in media reports on 23 October was a working level options paper, with no formal status, on which no decisions have yet been taken. Human error led to its reaching the media: there was no intention on anyone's part to publish it in advance of any formal decisions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will indicate the annual cost of public funds of each of the diplomatic missions listed in

The 1997–98 figures for the total cost to public funds of the posts listed in The Times on 23 October are:

	£
Aden	58,000
Casablanca	954,500
Chiang Mai	114,600
Cleveland	422,200
Kuching	85,500
Port Moresby	804,700
Pusan	Not Available
Seville	201,800
Adelaide	81,900
Alexandria	526,600
Brisbane	713,500
Florence	339,700
Kingstown	229,900
Lyons	776,900
Managua	528,800
St. George's	239,900
Tegucigalpa	431,600
Bonn	8,309,600
Monterrey	Not Available
Naples	1,053,000
Nuku'alofa	288,100
Ulaanbaatar	702,000
Victoria	803,700
Vila	512,000
Antananarivo	500,900
Castries	259,800
Honiara	387,200
Minsk	735,600
Nassau	985,600
San Salvador	582,300

These figures do not represent the potential saving to the FCO of closing these posts, as some of the tasks they currently perform would have to be carried out by neighbouring posts, which would then incur additional costs. Most of the costs attributable to Bonn will be transferred to Berlin when the Embassy is relocated there in 1999–2000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Labour Party Manifesto commitment to support NATO and the United States took into account any downgrading of United States support for the United Nations and any upgrading plans to expand NATO's "mission" and its area of operation. [HL3752]

The Government are accountable for delivering the commitments contained in the Labour Party's Election Manifesto. The commitment to provide strong defence through NATO is being met. The Government cannot provide interpretation of non-government documents.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list the meetings held between the Foreign Office officials and Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Spicer in 1997 and 1998, giving the date, length of meeting and the names of officials in each case. [HL3759]

Prior to 24 July 1998, there was no general requirement for Foreign Office officials to record contacts with private military companies. It would be impossible to list meetings prior to this date with accuracy. However, as far as we have been able to ascertain, the following contacts took place. As noted in paragraphs 5.25 and 5.31 of the Legg Report, the British High Commissioner in Sierra Leone met Lt. Col. Spicer on 23 December 1997 and on 23 January 1998, on each occasion for about one hour. On 19 January 1998, officials dealing with Sierra Leone met Lt. Col. Spicer for approximately 40 minutes. On 17 July, officials dealing with drugs and international crime met Lt. Col. Spicer for about 45 minutes. This meeting was held to warn Sandline about the character of one of their contacts in Russia.Since 24 July, Foreign Office officials have been required to record all contacts with private military companies. On 22 September 1998, officials met Lt. Col. Spicer for about 45 minutes. This meeting was held in order to make clear to him the terms of UNSCR 1160, the Order in Council giving effect to this SCR and the EU Common Position of 19 March 1998 covering the supply of arms to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The most recent contacts with Lt. Col. Spicer have been in relation to a consular case in Angola.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the first annual report on strategic exports for the year ended 31 December 1997 will be published. [HL3777]

Her Majesty's Government had hoped to publish this report during the current Session, but it has not proved possible to do so. We will publish the report as soon as is possible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the United Nations Special Commission stated in August, after the missile attack on the al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory, that it had no evidence to indicate transfer of weapons or technology of mass destruction from Iraq to Sudan. [HL3802]

The United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) has reported no evidence of any transfer of weapons of mass destruction or of associated materials or expertise by Iraq to any other country since the Gulf conflict and the imposition of sanctions in 1991. Nevertheless, we remain concerned about substantial gaps in Iraq's disclosures to UNSCOM. We cannot be sure that such transfers have not occurred.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they propose to take to help prevent the Israeli settlement of Ariel near Nablus from building 3,000 new houses and becoming a city, in contravention of international law. [HL3811]

The decision to give Ariel city status was announced on 11 June and this was formally conferred by Prime Minister Netanyahu on 7 October. Belated action at this sensitive stage of the peace process would be counter productive. But our position on settlements is clear and well known to the Israelis. Settlements in the Occupied Territories and East Jerusalem are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. The Israeli Cabinet ratified the Wye River Memorandum on 11 November. We expect Israel to abide by the letter and spirit of this agreement and refrain from any unilateral or provocative acts.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they are taking to ensure that companies based in the United Kingdom fulfil their responsibilities for health, safety, environmental and other employment and social standards in their operations overseas. [HL3812]

Companies based in the United Kingdom but operating overseas are encouraged to comply with local regulations regarding health, safety, environmental and other employment and social standards. Breaches of any of these regulations would of course be a matter for the local authorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are discussing the following matters with the Government of Turkey:

The British Embassy in Ankara regularly discusses human rights issues, including the conviction of individuals for freedom of expression crimes, with the Turkish authorities. The Embassy will raise the case of the "Saturday Mothers" demonstrations with the Turkish authorities shortly. They are currently investigating reports that five members of the Teachers trade union have been internally exiled.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their most recent information on Kuwaiti prisoners held in Iraq; what action they have taken in support of the Government of Kuwait's effort to secure the release of their prisoners; and what further action they will be taking. [HL3867]

Her Majesty's Government plays an active role in the Tripartite Commission which considers all evidence relating to the 600 Kuwaitis believed to have been detained in Iraq since the Gulf War. The Iraqis have so far only produced sufficient information to close three of the files. We will continue to insist that Iraq provides full information on the whereabouts of the others.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What information they have received about the alleged massacre of 122 Iraqis and three Egyptians in Abu Ghraib Prison, Baghdad, on 1 October; and whether they will ask the United Nations Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Arbitrary and Summary Executions, M. Bacre Waly Ndiaye, to submit a report on this atrocity to the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. [HL3874]

The Iraqi Communist Party has reported allegations of a massacre in Abu Ghraib prison in which 122 Iraqis and three Egyptians were killed. We have taken steps to ensure that the UN Commission on Human Rights is aware of these allegations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will cause an independent examination to be made of the computer file attributes of the contemporaneous note said to have been made by Mr. Craig Murray of his meeting with Mr. Tim Spicer on 19 January, as proposed by S. J. Berwin & Co. in their letter to Sir Thomas Legg of 6 July. [HL3878]

No. Sir Thomas Legg and Sir Robin Ibbs have carried out a thorough and independent investigation of the supply of arms to Sierra Leone. They interviewed all the key witnesses and saw all the key papers. The Foreign Secretary has presented this report to the House of Commons and accepted all its conclusions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that Algeria is in a state to comply with the standard human rights clause in an association agreement with the European Union. [HL3883]

The standard clause on human rights is an important part of an EU Association Agreement. It requires relations between the parties of the agreement to be based on respect of democratic principles and fundamental human rights. A future agreement with Algeria would necessarily follow this model. The Government supports the EU's commitment to furthering political dialogue with Algeria as a way of contributing to an improvement in the situation there.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have, with European partners, to monitor the Presidential elections in Algeria scheduled for April 1999, and whether they will propose that the European Union send an advance mission, to establish whether there is sufficient freedom of association and of assembly to make free and fair elections possible. [HL3884]

Algeria has not yet invited international observers to monitor the April elections. We will consult with EU partners and decide the detail of our approach in the light of circumstances nearer the time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 9 to 10 November. [HL3901]

See below.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What information they have received from the Bahraini Government, following their assurances that the death in custody of Mr. Nooh Khalil al-Noor was being investigated and that the authorities would keep the British Embassy in Bahrain fully informed. [HL3903]

Our Ambassador in Bahrain raises this matter regularly, most recently on 3 November with the Interior Minister, who said that the investigation is continuing. The Ambassador will continue to raise the matter until the investigation is concluded.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make available to Members of both Houses of Parliament who go on overseas visits at the expense of their hosts information in their possession about the antecedents of those hosts. [HL3904]

Any Member of either House who intends to travel overseas at the expense of their hosts is welcome to get in touch with the respective government department and ask for any unclassified information on their hosts that that department may hold.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What specific steps they are taking, in conjunction with the European Union and the United States, to prevent the construction of Israeli settlements at Har Homa. [HL3907]

Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv has registered our disapproval with senior officials at the announcement by the Israeli Ministry of Construction and Housing on 12 November to issue tenders for construction of 1,025 building plots at Har Homa. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. We regard settlement activity in the Occupied Territories and East Jerusalem as illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. The US has also said it regards settlement activity as unhelpful to the peace process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How the European Union has reacted to the changed political circumstances in Nigeria. [HL3920]

In recognition of the progress being made towards respect for human rights and the restoration of a democratic civilian government in Nigeria, on 1 November the EU adopted a new Common Position, replacing the Common Positions of 20 November 1995 and 4 December 1995. The UK was at the forefront of those advocating this change of policy. As a result the following measures have now been lifted: all visa restrictions; the ban on high level visits; the ban on sporting contacts; the ban on the appointment of European military personnel to diplomatic missions in Nigeria and Nigerian military personnel in the European Union.The following measures continue to apply: suspension of military co-operation; cancellation of training courses for all Nigerian military personnel, except for non-combative courses to encourage respect for human rights and to prepare the military for the democratic control by a civilian government of the armed forces; an embargo on arms, munitions and military equipment. A dialogue on development co-operation may now be resumed with a view to re-engagement after the installation of a democratically elected civilian government.The European Union also re-affirmed its willingness to strengthen a constructive dialogue with Nigeria and to support the electoral process. It also reiterated its support for Nigeria's regional peacekeeping activities.The new Common Position will be reviewed no later than 1 June 1999. Should there be any deterioration in the respect for human rights or the democratic processes, the Council will immediately review the Common Position with a view to adopting additional measures.A copy of the new Common Position on Nigeria has been placed in the Library of both Houses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the United Kingdom will continue to impose an arms embargo on Nigeria, in line with the European Union's Common Position on 1 November. [HL3921]

Her Majesty's Government will continue to implement rigorously the EU arms embargo against Nigeria. The UK interprets this as covering all goods and technology on the UK Military List which forms Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods Order 1994, as amended.Following consultations with this department and the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Trade and Industry recently approved, as an exception, a licence for the export of three military listed protected vehicles for use by the Central Bank of Nigeria for the escort of currency. This licence is being granted to permit a civilian end user to meet legitimate security needs and is consistent with the purpose of the embargo.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they anticipate any reduction in the mortality and morbidity rates associated with dental treatment under general anaesthesia as a result of the General Dental Council's new restrictions. [HL3894]

We welcome any steps proposed by the dental profession to improve the safety of dental treatment under general anaesthesia.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the average length of waiting lists and the average time from referral to treatment for patients waiting for dental treatment under general anaesthesia in the Hospital Dental Service in each District General Hospital; and what will be the effect of the new regulations on waiting times. [HL3893]

Information of this detail is not available centrally, but waiting times for oral surgery for each hospital trust are included in the publication "Waiting times for first outpatient appointments; detailed statistics, quarter ended 30 June 1999" a copy of which is available in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they will take to compensate dental practitioners for the cost of anaesthetic monitoring and safety equipment now rendered surplus to requirement by the General Dental Council's restrictions on the provision of general anaesthesia in dental surgeries issued on 10 November; and [HL3891]

The General Dental Council's amendment to its ethical guidance on general anaesthesia, sedation and resuscitation has not precluded the provision of general anaesthesia with dental treatment in primary care.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the cost of implementing the recommendations of the Poswillo report on

The allocation to regional health authorities from 1992 to 1995 from the Department of Health was £20.4 million. Since then any further costs have been part of baseline allocations. Costs to the dental profession would be part of the normal business of running a dental practice and therefore not directly identified by government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many deaths and cases of severe morbidity have been associated with general anaesthesia for dental treatment in each year 1988 to 1998; and what was the location of each incident and the status of the administrator of the anaesthetic. [HL3889]

The available information on deaths is given in the table. Statistics for severe morbidity are not held centrally.

Deaths associated with general anaesthesia and dental treatment, England and Wales
Year	Total	Place of operation: dental practice	Place of operation: hospital	Status of administrator and other comments
1998	1	0	1	Not available centrally
1989	3	1	2	Not available centrally
1990	2	0	2	Not available centrally
1991	0	0	0
1992	6	3	2	GMP—3 cases GDP—1 case
1993	1	0	1	Anaesthetic registrar
1994	0	0	0
1995	0	0	0
1996	2	2	0	Consultant anaesthetist—2 cases
1997	1	1	0	Consultant anaesthetist
1998	3	3	0	GDP—1 case Anaesthetist—2 cases (one case in Scotland)

GMP—General Medical Practitioner.GDP—General Dental Practitioner.