asked Her Majesty's Government:If they will make a statement on assistance given for elections in Indonesia. [HL217]

Indonesia is planning to hold parliamentary elections next year. Elections that are free, fair and inclusive will be essential in helping restore political and economic stability and in reversing the recent increase in poverty. We shall work towards this end with the United Nations Development Programme, which has been asked to co-ordinate donor assistance. We shall contribute up to £1 million—some of it immediately—linked to satisfactory progress with preparations for the elections.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What the outcome was of the Development Council held in Brussels on 30 November. [HL215]

During the morning session, the Council adopted conclusions on Burundi reflecting Ministers' discussions at dinner the previous evening. The conclusions welcome the progress achieved in the "Arusha process" so far and thank Mwalimu Nyerere for his invaluable contribution. The Council said that it was prepared to continue to support the process and welcomed the intention of Mwalimu Nyerere to suspend sanctions, which would pave the way for the resumption of increased development co-operation. The Council asked the Commission to pursue its discussions with the Burundi government, with a view both to rapid implementation of the support already envisaged for refugees and rehabilitation, and to additional support for human rights and strengthening of democratic institutions and the judicial system.The Council also adopted conclusions on the Role of Development Co-operation in Strengthening Peace-building, Conflict Prevention and Resolution. These recognise that development assistance needs to be designed and implemented in a way that helps to address the root causes of violent conflict in a targeted manner. The Council recommended that an expert group be established to take forward work in this area.On Hurricane Mitch, the Council adopted Conclusions calling on the Commission to prepare an Action Plan on medium to long term reconstruction efforts in Central America which should be discussed in the next few months at a ministerial meeting in the San Jose Group. The Council stressed the role of debt relief and the importance of donor co-ordination in the reconstruction effort. The UK congratulated the UN on its efforts to co-ordinate relief during the immediate emergency. The UK pointed out that the next phase was to link emergency aid to rehabilitation and longer term construction. The UK hoped donors would share ideas and co-ordinate not compete. The UK urged all partners to contribute to the French/UK Trust Fund initiative to assist with multilateral debt relief.On Private Sector Development in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, the Commission presented its strategy, the aim of which is to contribute to poverty elimination and foster the integration of the ACP into the world economy. The presentation was followed by an exchange of views. The UK welcomed the paper but noted that it would have to be taken forward after discussions had taken place with the ACP countries, and that work was needed on putting the strategy into operation. The Council passed a Resolution on Sustainable Tourism. The UK explained that it was important to ensure more of the benefits of tourism remained in local communities, in particular the poorest and women.The Commission updated the Council on progress in the post-Lomé negotiations. The joint EU-ACP Central Negotiating Group had already identified areas of agreement between the EU and ACP sides and issues where more discussion was needed. There was broad consensus on the major objectives of the new convention. A number of member states, including the UK, urged the Commission and member states to honour the EU mandate commitment on improving preferential access to the EU market for Least Developed Countries under the Generalised System of Preferences from 2000.Over lunch, I led a discussion on the external assistance aspects of the Financial Perspectives. I stressed the importance of increasing the proportion of EC official development assistance going to low income countries in the years 2000–2006. I was broadly supported by a majority of member states.Other items discussed at lunch included a report on the outcome of the Brussels Conference on Disarmament, on the situation in Angola, and the need for the early release of the third tranche of funds to the UN Reliefs Works Agency (UNWRA). There was a brief discussion on EC development assistance to Togo, and future aid to the Palestinians. On the issue of Commission financing of UN organisations, Commissioner Pinheiro agreed that the current situation, where the Commission is obliged by financial control procedures to audit UN and other multilateral agencies receiving EC funds, should be re-examined.Sir Stephen Wall represented the UK during the afternoon session. The first item after lunch was a progress report from the Commission on the implementation of the guidelines on Operational Co-ordination. The UK welcomed proposals for greater exchange of strategy papers, the practical application of enhanced co-ordination at country level, more jointly funded projects, sharing of staff and joint missions. We and others stressed that co-ordination procedures should cover all donors and take full account of the central role of the partner country. We also stressed that streamlining procedures was important.The Council discussed progress on the Global Evaluation of EC development assistance. This is to be completed under the German Presidency and will be one of the main subjects for discussion at the next Development Council in May 1999. The UK called on the Commission to implement the recommendations contained in the Court of Auditors' report on aid to South Africa.On humanitarian aid, the Council discussed the security of humanitarian aid workers and the situation in Kosovo and Sudan.A number of issues were discussed under any other business. The Commission responded to the allegations of fraud within ECHO. The Italian Minister reported on the recent Inter Governmental Authority on Development Partners Forum on Somalia held in Rome. The Finnish Minister raised the issue of climate change in developing countries. The Dutch Minister, supported by the UK, urged the Commission to respond positively to the proposal for an independent WTO Legal Advisory Centre to help developing countries use the dispute settlement system that lies at the heart of the WTO.The Council adopted a Resolution on Indigenous Peoples, Conclusions on Micro-finance and Poverty Reduction, and Conclusions on Democratisation, the Rule of Law, Respect for Human Rights and Good Governance, without discussion.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 16 November (H.L. Deb., col. 1115), what is the Department of Trade and Industry's provision for compensation in respect of miners' respiratory diseases in each of the years 1999–2000, 2000–2001 and 2001–2002. [HL16]

The gross level of provision agreed in the CSR for the British Coal health liabilities assumed by the Department on 1 January 1998 is:

1999–2000	2000–2001	2001–2002
£274.8 million	£490.3 million	£507.5 million

Due to a number of continuing uncertainties—not least an agreed tariff of damages and because each claim for special damages in particular has to be assessed individually—it is not possible to say how much will be required to meet the specific cost of miners' health claims for respiratory disease. The Government has however made clear that it will provide the funds necessary to meet the cost of legitimate claims.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 16 November (H.L. Deb., col. 1116) regarding miners' respiratory diseases and the issue of medical assessments, what procedure is proposed if the plaintiff is too weak or ill to be moved to a specialist. [HL19]

The Medical Assessment Process, to be agreed with the Plaintiff Solicitors Group, will make provision for domiciliary visits in those cases where a plaintiff is considered too weak or unfit to visit a testing centre.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What role the United Kingdom is taking in establishing the European Task Force on Renewable Energy; and when the task force is expected to have its first meeting; and [HL87]How many United Kingdom representatives will be appointed to the European Task Force on Renewable Energy; and how they will be selected. [HL88]

At the Energy Council on November 13, the UK stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum created by the Commission's 1997 White Paper (Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy) and the Council Resolution on renewables adopted under the UK Presidency in May. The Minister for Energy and Industry, Mr Battle, suggested to the Council that the establishment of a Commission-led "task force" of senior experts of renewables could contribute to this.This suggestion builds on an idea in the White Paper that a working group involving Commission and member states be established to monitor measures undertaken and evaluate the impact of policy decisions with regard to the use of renewable energy sources. This group has met only once in 1998.The Commission has not yet responded on the idea of a task force, but I understand that it plans to hold a further meeting of its working group early in 1999.If the idea of a task force on renewables is taken forward, it will be for the Commission to decide how this is to be constituted. Most Commission chaired committees have two representatives per member state.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will provide an estimate of the total sum which has been or will be devoted to school building repair and improvement in 1997–98 and 1998–99 and the average annual sum so expended between 1987 and 1997. [HL80]

The following table shows the annual capital expenditure on school building repair and improvement in England.The figures shown for central government expenditure include capital grants to voluntary aided and special agreement schools, capital grants to non-maintained special schools and specialist schools, and grants to grant maintained schools paid by the FAS. In addition these figures also include £84 million and £250 million in 1997–98 and 1998–99 respectively for New Deal for Schools and £90 million in 1998–99 for new capital support for schools—£35 million to remove outside toilets, £15 million to improve heating and £40 million to reduce Key Stage 1 class sizes.The figures shown for local authority expenditure include credit approvals, receipts and other local authority funds.

Capital Expenditure on School Buildings in England
Average	Central Government	Local Authority	Total
Expenditure	£ million	£ million	£ million
1987 to 1997	165.87	662.10	827.97
1997–981	337	723	1,060
1998–992	571	704	1,275
1 The figures for 1997–98 show the estimated outturn for this period.
2 The figures for 1998–99 show the estimated outturn for this period.

The level of direct local authority spending has been assumed to be at the level of that for 1997–98 to allow comparison of the figures.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have had any discussions with Bristol City Council regarding the possible closure of Merrywood and Pen Park Secondary Schools. [HL137]

Officials from the Department visited Bristol Local Education Authority last week to discuss a range of issues, including those relating to Merrywood and Pen Park Secondary Schools. We understand that the authority is currently consulting on options for the future of these schools.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many deaths were caused by BSE in 1997–98; and how many deaths were caused by smoking-related illnesses during the same period. [HL156]

Although there is convincing scientific evidence that the agent which causes new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (nvCJD) in humans is the same as that which causes Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle research so far has been unable to confirm how those who have died of nvCJD contracted the disease. The department publishes, on a monthly basis, figures for the number of deaths of definite and probable cases of CJD of all types in the United Kingdom. The latest figures, published on 7 December, showed that in the UK in 1997 there were 10 confirmed cases of definite and probable nvCJD. So far in 1998 there have been a further 10 cases. The total since the disease was first identified is now 33.Although the number of cases remains low, it is still too soon to make any reliable estimate of the future pattern of the disease.The Health Education Authority estimate that in the UK in 1995, the latest date for which figures are available, at least 121,000 people died prematurely as a result of their own smoking.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Jay of Paddington on 3 June (

We do not expect to make immediate changes to our systems to take specific account of the Decker and Kohll judgments. These concerned the legality of Luxembourg national rules concerning the reimbursement of medical expenses under its compulsory insurance-based public health system. The National Health Service is tax funded and residence based, generally free at the point of delivery with no provision to allow consumers who purchase health care goods or services from the private sector to have their costs reimbursed from the state. Discussions continue at official level between the member states and the Commission. The forthcoming German Presidency of the European Union is arranging for discussion of the general issues of principle at a conference to be held in Potsdam in January in preparation for possible discussion by Ministers at the Health Council meeting on 8 June 1999.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will introduce a policy for provision of pen needles on prescription for all insulin-dependent diabetics; and [HL133]What progress has been made on the review of the present policy on pen needles for diabetics. [HL132]

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health expects to make a decision shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Jay of Paddington on 16 November (

The First Parliamentary Counsel is responsible to the Prime Minister for the work of the Parliamentary Counsel Office. This does not involve the making of formal reports. As part of the Cabinet Office, the Parliamentary Counsel Office is included in the annual report of the Cabinet Office.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is within the powers of the Prime Minister to pledge the United Kingdom to support the United States in bombing another country without specific authority for that action; and, if not, on what authority the Prime Minister appears to have given such a pledge. [HL13]

The Prime Minister acts on such issues in consultation with his Cabinet colleagues with the authority vested in him as Prime Minister.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 23 and 24 November. [HL65]

My right honourable friend the Minister represented the United Kingdom at a meeting of the EU Agriculture Council in Brussels on 23 and 24 November. My noble friend Lord Sewel, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Scottish Office, was also present.The Council voted on a proposal made by the Commission for the lifting of the world-wide ban on the export of British beef in respect of meat from animals born after 1 August 1996. Ten member states voted in favour of the measure; only one, Germany—for understandable domestic reasons—voted against. Spain, France, Austria and Luxembourg abstained. This vote represented a substantial move towards the Commission proposal by five member states from the earlier vote in the Standing Veterinary Committee. Most important, the procedures under which the vote was taken in Council enable the Commission formally to adopt the decision. My right honourable friend the Minister announced to the House that the Commission has adopted the proposal, which permits the export from the UK of boneless beef and beef products from animals slaughtered between six and 30 months of age and born after 1 August 1996. That is the date on which the Commission has verified that all contaminated feed was removed from the feed chain. There are further conditions which aim to prevent the offspring of BSE cases from entering the export scheme; a requirement for the slaughter of offspring of BSE cases; and strict rules on slaughtering and processing. The Government will shortly issue a consultation paper on our proposals for implementing these rules. My right honourable friend the Minister will be laying before Parliament secondary legislation which will make the offspring cull, which has been operating since July on a voluntary basis, compulsory. The legislation will provide compensation at the market rate to owners of animals slaughtered.This is an excellent outcome which we are sure the House will welcome. It has been achieved against a background of scepticism about the seriousness with which we have tackled BSE. We have now overcome these misconceptions and had our case judged objectively on its scientific merits and supported by independent Commission inspections, taking as our overriding principle the absolute need to safeguard public health.Every Agriculture Minister who spoke in the Council, including those who did not vote in favour, had very positive things to say about the commitment shown by the new United Kingdom Government to tackling the problems presented by BSE. The outcome is also an affirmation of the value of this Government's close co-operation and dialogue with our partners in Europe and with the European Commission.The lifting of the ban comes hard on the heels of the support measures for the agriculture sector which my right honourable friend the Minister announced to the House on 16 November. Both demonstrate the Government's commitment to securing a viable long term future for the sector.The Council also held a discussion of the Commission's proposals for CAP reform in the context of the Agenda 2000 measures. These proposals are essential for the future stability of European agriculture and in order to facilitate a successful enlargement of the Union to the east. The Council agreed a report to the Vienna European Council next month identifying the main outstanding issues and expressing its determination to reach conclusions on the package as a whole by next March. It is an important government objective to secure an ambitious reform of the CAP which serves the national interest, and my right honourable friend the Minister very much welcomed the commitment by the Council to take early decisions. My right honourable friend the Chancellor made similar points in the discussion in Ecofin on 23 November on the future financing of the European Union.This was a very important Council meeting for the United Kingdom. We have achieved a major objective of our policy towards Europe in the lifting of the beef export ban. Although it will take time for the British beef industry to win back markets which have been lost to it in the past two and a half years, my right honourable friend the Minister believes we have created the conditions in which it can now plan for the future, confident that the industry is operating to the highest possible standards. Our immediate task is to work with the industry to ensure that the scheme which we have successfully negotiated in Europe works effectively to help regain recognition for the quality of British beef on world markets.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they are taking to protect horses and their owners from the risk of damage and disease as a result of horses being artificially inseminated by lay people who are not currently regulated or required to undergo any specific training; and whether they support the proposal of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for secondary legislation to regulate lay inseminators for at least two years. [HL60]

We agree with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons that artificial insemination of horses may be undertaken by trained and competent lay persons. This will require an exemption order under the Veterinary Surgeons Act and separate legislation under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984 laying down welfare and disease control measures. This matter is still under discussion with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to receive further scientific advice on the public health risk from beef bones from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. [HL122]

The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) reviewed its assessment of the risk of BSE infectivity in the dorsal root ganglia and bone marrow of cattle when it met on 9 November. My right honourable friend the Minister has now received the Committee's scientific report, which was published on 30 November 1998.The report is now being considered within government and in particular by the Chief Medical Officer, who will advise Ministers shortly. In addition, we need to take account of the potential effects of the EU Commission's recent proposal for Community-wide controls on Specified Risk Materials. Once this process of consideration is complete, there will be a further announcement about UK controls on bone-in beef.Copies of SEAC's scientific assessment were placed in the Libraries of the House and are being made widely available, including on the Ministry's Internet website, with the purpose of informing debate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to publish the Annual Report and Accounts 1996–97 for the Intervention Board Executive Agency. [HL123]

My right honourable friend the Minister was pleased to advise that the Annual Report and Accounts 1996–97 have been published and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What percentage of the recent rescue package for agriculture announced by Lord Donoughue on 16 November comes from the European Union and how much comes from the United Kingdom's Government. [HL44]

Of the components of the aid package, about 21 per cent. of the increase payable through Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances will be EU-funded. The agrimoney compensation and the amounts paid under the Calf Processing Aid Scheme are fully EU-funded. However, the operation of the UK's Fontainebleau abatement means that the UK exchequer effectively contributes about 71 per cent. of the cost of EU payments.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the World Trade Organisation forbids states from taking pre-emptive measures to prevent bio-invasions, whether animal or vegetable. [HL11]

The World Trade Organisation Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures gives WTO members the right to take measures necessary for the protection of human, animal or plant life or health provided that these are based on scientific principles and are not maintained without sufficient scientific evidence. In cases where relevant scientific information is insufficient, members may provisionally adopt measures on the basis of available pertinent information, but must seek to obtain the additional information necessary for a more objective assessment of risk and review the measure accordingly within a reasonable period of time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in order to bring supply and demand into balance, they will seek to amend European Community provisions to allow sheep meat to be taken into intervention as is done with beef. [HL185]

No. Intervention is costly and wasteful. The UK Government have supported the use of private aided storage to remove sheepmeat which is surplus to requirements from the market.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What changes they propose to make in the arrangements for the licensing of pelagic freezer trawlers and pair trawling. [HL140]

In July 1998 Fisheries Departments issued a consultation document seeking comments on proposals to assist pelagic freezer trawling including the aggregation of whitefish with pelagic licences and pair trawling with vessels from other member states. The proposals attracted wide ranging comments from the fishing industry.After careful consideration it has been decided to introduce a time limited scheme for the introduction or replacement of pelagic freezer trawlers. Any person may introduce a pelagic freezer trawler into the UK fleet by aggregating Category A whitefish licences and/or category A pelagic trawler licences with existing Category A pelagic freezer trawler or purse seine licences or licence entitlements, provided:

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements are being made for registration and licensing of the maximum continuous engine power of fishing vessels. [HL41]

On 17 December last year my honourable friend the Parliamentary Secretary announced that Fisheries Departments planned to introduce from 1 Janaury 1999 phased arrangements for recording maximum continuous engine power on fishing vessel licences.Following that announcement, the arrangements for the recording of maximum continuous engine power have been the subject of detailed consideration by Fisheries Departments, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Since the fishing vessel licensing regime operated by Fisheries Departments is dependent on vessel characteristics as registered by the Registrar of Shipping and Seamen, part of MCA, parallel changes will be introduced in the arrangements for registering fishing vessel engine power. These changes have also been discussed with representatives of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, the Northern Ireland Fishermen's Federation and the Scottish Fishermen's Federation as part of a wider review of UK fishing vessel licensing.We are now writing to advise all fishing vessel owners and licence holders of the new arrangements.From 1 July 1999 new registrations, re-registrations, and changes in existing registrations affecting ownership or vessel characteristics (engine power, length or breadth), and the licensing of such vessels, are to be based on the declaration and recording of maximum continuous engine power. The permanent derating of engines will be permitted but vessel owners will have to provide a signed statement or certificate from the engine manufacturer or a suitably qualified marine engineer setting out the steps that have been taken to achieve such a modification. De-rated engine power will only be registered and licensed where the MCA and Fisheries Departments are satisfied that the modifications are permanent.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why some new occupants of Service married quarters are immediately disturbed by a demand for their married quarters to be renovated and modernised, when these particular married quarters have been unoccupied for periods during which this work could have been completed. [HL26]

The Defence Housing Executive, which is responsible for the maintenance and provision of accommodation to Service families, is working to bring all properties required for long term retention up to Grade 1 condition by means of an extensive works programme.In order that families are not disturbed by renovation work during their occupancy, every effort is made to ensure that any necessary work is carried out before a new family moves into a property. Unfortunately, however, this is not always feasible. In such cases DHE will, wherever possible, offer to move affected families to another property while major work is going on. Such moves are known as "decanting", and are not always possible. Even where such a move can be offered, not all families wish to accept it.From the information supplied, it is not possible to provide a more precise answer to the noble Lord's question. If his Lordship is able to supply further particulars, a full reply can be given, based on the specific circumstances of each incident.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will convert the audio-visual part of "The Army and Its People" presentation, shown in Parliament on 25 November, into a film which could be shown on television to promote the British army as a vocation and career for young people. [HL106]

I thank the noble Earl for his interest in "The Army and Its People" presentation, shown in Parliament on 25 November, and for his helpful suggestion. This presentation is primarily designed to be delivered at a very personal level, in a lecture hall. The presentation is inter-active and, as such, is not easily transferable to film. The Army is, however, involved in a number of projects to promote the Army as a vocation and career of first choice for young people from a broad cross-section of society. At present there are five television documentaries, either completed or under way, about various aspects of life in the Army. In addition, recruit marketing utilises TV advertising, radio, press, videos and the internet, all of which inform in a visually appealing manner.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How long they consider it possible to keep British and American servicemen in a state of Red Alert. [HL23]

The term "Red Alert" has no meaning as a measure of readiness of UK armed forces. The highest state of readiness of UK forces is "ready and on task". All forces deployed on operations—such as those currently in Bosnia or the Gulf—are constantly at this state of readiness. Other deployable forces are kept at graduated readiness states, of which the shortest is normally 24 hours. In order to reduce the burden on those forces held at the highest state of readiness, we undertake regular roulements. For example, aircrew serving with Tornado squadrons in the Gulf are rotated every two months. We have no responsibility for the states of readiness of US forces.