asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 18 November 1997 (

The Legal Aid Board's records show that the total amount paid to date to Mr Colin Ross-Munro QC is £866,452 and to Mr Hugo Page QC, £673,814.Following a review of all payments and recoupments made in this case, the Legal Aid Board established that neither counsel had vet received all the amounts allowed on the various taxations of costs by the courts. The board has calculated that an additional payment of £15,246 is due to Mr Colin Ross-Munro QC and £7,849 to Mr Hugo Page QC.Following the latest taxation, a further claim was received by the board on 28 January 2000. Under this claim, £4,700 is due to be paid to Mr Colin Ross-Munro QC and £7,050 to Mr Hugo Page QC.The solicitors in the case have informed the Legal Aid Board that some of the earlier taxations are currently the subject of review proceedings and it is therefore expected that further claims will be received once the proceedings have been concluded.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider there is a humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Chechnya on a scale comparable to Kosovo during 1999. [HL697]

While we have deep concerns over the humanitarian effects of Russian action in Chechnya, unlike Kosovo, there is no evidence to suggest that the Government have: a deliberate policy of ethnic cleansing or to create a humanitarian tragedy in Chechnya.The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata, visited Chechnya in November, and her organisation has full access to the internally displaced people in the region. During her visit Mrs Ogata said that the humanitarian situation in Chechnya would improve with better security and an enhanced international effort. This has been borne out. Russia has provided better protection for UN agencies, and international donors have provided additional resources—the UK £1.4 million in all. In recent weeks UNHCR has estimated that up to 70,000 internally displaced persons have returned to Russian controlled areas of Chechnya from Ingushetia.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the destinations of the "Your Britain, Your Europe" roadshow; and how the destinations were chosen. [HL756]

My right honourable friend the Minister of State visited Newcastle, Hull, Rotherham, Manchester, Bristol, Bath, Nuneaton, Birmingham and Leicester, each of which is a regional centre of population. This covered the constituencies of Sedgefield, Tyne Bridge, Gateshead and Washington East, Houghton and Washington East, Hull North, Rotherham, Manchester Central, Wythenshawe and Sale East, Bristol South, Bath, Nuneaton, Birmingham Ladywood and Leicester South. In each town or city he visited a variety of venues to meet a broad spectrum of society. This included calls on EU funded projects and visits to companies, schools and universities. All local Members of Parliament and Members of the European Parliament were informed of his visit and given the opportunity to participate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many Karen refugees from Burma there are in Thailand; and how many there were in May 1997. [HL829]

UNHCR's estimated figure for Karen refugees currently in camps in Thailand are 82,254 (out of a total of 98,949 refugees). In May 1997, the Burma Border Consortium's estimated figures for numbers in camps along the border were 90,540 and 101,955 respectively (UNHCR figures for that period are unavailable).

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have evaluated the effect of their human rights policy on the Burmese government's persecution of minorities since 1997, bilaterally and multilaterally; and with what results. [HL831]

We and international partners are deeply concerned at the appalling record of human rights violations in Burma and condemn these at every opportunity: both bilaterally (eg démarches) and multilaterally (eg co-sponsorship of UN resolutions). In doing so, we have helped isolate the regime internationally and maintain pressure on it to change. Although the regime continues to violate human rights, particularly those of ethnic minorities, it is well aware that it cannot enjoy normal international relations until it addresses these concerns.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress they have made in their diplomatic relations with Sudan in the last 12 months; and whether as a result the prospects of a peaceful settlement with the south have improved. [HL832]

We now have a fully operational embassy in Khartoum; British staff returned to the embassy in July and the ambassador was appointed in October. One of their key objectives has been to promote a peaceful settlement in the Sudan and, as a result of their presence, we are now in a better position to assist in the quest for a negotiated settlement.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they agree with the recent statements by the European Union to the President of Austria about relationships between Austria and the European Union; and on what basis, given the United Kingdom Government's insistence that the European Union is a union of sovereign states, does the European Union seek to advise Austria about which political parties should form its coalition government. [HL876]

We are strongly committed to the measures which Austria's 14 EU partners agreed to take in the event of the Freedom Party joining government. It is up to the Austrian people to choose their government, but it is only right and natural that we should show our deep concern and distaste at the inclusion of a far-Right party in the government of an EU member state.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will publish the next report to Parliament on Hong Kong and the Sino-British Joint Declaration. [HL985]

The sixth report in this series, covering the period July to December 1999, was published today and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. A copy of the report is also available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website (www.fco.gov.uk). The report includes a foreword by my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary. I commend the report to the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How long the pilot scheme for a £5,000 bond to be provided by certain visitors from the Indian sub-continent will last; how those visitors who are liable will be determined; what criteria will be applied in monitoring the scheme; and whether the scheme complies with the Human Rights Act and the United Kingdom's international treaty obligations. [HL859]

Our proposed pilot scheme for financial bonds will begin in October and last about 15 months. No decision has yet been made on the amount of the bond or the location of the pilot scheme. The option of a bond will be available as a facility in those cases where the intention to return may be in doubt. We shall monitor the pilot to evaluate its effectiveness and usefulness and to ensure it does not disadvantage particular groups of applicants. We shall ensure that the design of the scheme is compatible with the Human Rights Act 1998 and our international treaty obligations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements are in place for collecting data on mentally ill black or Asian people who have died in police or prison custody; and how many black or Asian people have died in the custody of special hospitals or secure psychiatric units each year over the past 10 years. [HL860]

Information is collected and held on all people who die in police or prison custody to the extent that it may help in understanding how the death occurred or how future deaths may be prevented in similar circumstances. Clinical records relating to the mental health of such people may not, however, always be available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the calculations on which they base their estimate that mandatory minimum sentences for offenders convicted of burglary could alone reduce burglaries by 3,000 a year by 2001–02 and possibly by as much as 17,000 a year in the long run. [HL866]

The estimates take as their starting point the number of extra prison places expected to be needed for those sentenced to a minimum prison sentence of three years for a third offence of burglary in a dwelling, under Section 4 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. While in prison each burglar is assumed to be prevented from committing at least three recorded crimes per year. We are carrying out a survey of recently sentenced prisoners to find out the number and types of offences they had committed in the year before they entered custody. This should provide better estimates of the numbers of crimes likely to be saved through incapacitation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What effect on levels of crime they expect from their proposal that selected social security benefits should be withdrawn from offenders who fail to comply with community sentences. [HL867]

This is a positive measure about matching rights to the fulfilment of responsibilities; the right to claim benefit should be accompanied by a wider responsibility to society. The proposal is not intended as a punishment but it is expected to have a beneficial effect on increasing compliance with sentences. Those who comply with the sentence of a court will suffer no penalty under these proposals.The proposed measure will be piloted. The evaluation will include an assessment of its impact on behaviour.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to introduce the new system of bail hearings for asylum-seekers in detention; and what are the reasons for the delay in its introduction. [HL880]

Part III of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, which will provide for up to two routine bail hearings for the great majority of those in immigration detention, is likely to be implemented in spring 2001. The introduction of these provisions is part of the extensive programme for implementing the many sections of the 1999 Act. The drafting of secondary legislation, guidance and putting in place the administrative arrangements does not allow for Part III to be implemented earlier than 1 April 2001.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to introduce the principle of the presumption of liberty for detainees making bail applications; and why this presumption cannot be linked to existing bail hearings. [HL881]

Part III of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1989 introduces routine bail hearings for immigration detainees with a presumption to release on bail, subject to certain exceptions. Part III is expected to come into force in spring 2001. Section 53 of the 1999 Act also provides for regulations to be made introducing the general right to bail for detainees making applications for bail under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971. These regulations will be based on the rules and procedures which have yet to be drafted in respect of routine bail hearings. The introduction of these provisions is part of the extensive programme for implementing the many sections of the 1999 Act. The drafting of secondary legislation, guidance and putting in place the administrative arrangements does not allow for Part III to be implemented earlier than 1 April 2001.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the total estimated cost of changing the "Probation Service" to the "Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Service". [HL890]

The total estimated cost of modernising the Probation Service has not yet been finalised. The current estimates are as follows:

• Set-up costs of Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Service—approximately £28 million
• Annual running costs of Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Service—approximately £8.5 million
• Annual savings on Probation Service running costs for the medium term—approximately £20 million
• Net annual savings for the medium term—approximately £11.5 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the changes in the membership of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate Complaints Audit Committee. [HL981]

Ms Ros Gardner has been appointed as a new member of the Complaints Audit Commission to replace Janet Whitaker, who resigned on being made a life peer. Ms Gardner runs a consultancy specialising in customer care and complaint handling. She was formerly manager of the customer services department of Marks and Spencer and was a member of Cabinet Office's Citizens Charter Complaints Task Force.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the results of police forces' bids for funding from the Crime Fighting Fund to recruit police officers. [HL982]

All 43 police forces in England and Wales bid for a share of the Crime

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to encourage a further strengthening of co-operation with Hungary in the joint fight to combat organised crime. [HL983]

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has today signed with the Minister of the Interior of Hungary, Dr Sandor Pinter, a Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation in Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking, Organised Crime, International Terrorism and Illegal Immigration. The agreement provides a framework within which law enforcement agencies and prosecuting authorities in our two countries can develop their close working relations in preventing, detecting and investigating all forms of serious and organised national and international crime. It is an important step forward in combating the common threat from criminal activity both within and beyond Europe.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the number of police officers in each police force area in England and Wales, and in total, for the latest available date; and, whether they will list the total number of (a) police officers and (b) civilian support staff in England and Wales for each year from 1990. [HL984]

The information is set out in the tables. At the end of September 1999 the total number of police officers in England and Wales was 125,464. The number of officers in the 43 forces (excluding officers seconded to the National Crime Squad, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and central service) was 123,050. At the end of September 1999 there were 53,254 civilian support staff in the police service.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What developments there have been concerning Army communications in the Balkans. [HL980]

As part of the department's ongoing efforts to reduce overstretch in the Army, we are pleased to announce that a contract has been let to provide for less manpower intensive and more modern communications equipment in the Balkans. The contract, with BAe Systems, will provide for wide area communications in support of the UK's contribution to the NATO Multi National Divisions in Bosnia and Kosovo. While maintaining the UK's responsibility to NATO's peacekeeping forces, it will enable us to bring home some 150 Royal Signals personnel by the end of the year. It is also an excellent example of the SMART procurement initiative by demonstrating the advantages of working closely together with industry to deliver the equipment our front line troops need. The contract is specific to the Balkans theatre of operations and does not affect the Army's wider communications requirements. The cost of this equipment will be met from the Contingency Reserve.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any special measures are in existence to audit the clinical performance and drug prescription record of single-handed practitioners in general practice; and [HL873]What is their policy towards single-handed general medical practice. [HL874]

Health authorities currently routinely monitor all general practitioners in the same way.There are about 3,000 single-handed GPs in this country and most provide a valuable service to tens of thousands of patients, often in inner-city or isolated rural areas. The Government's policy is that those patients have no less right to expect precisely the same standards of care from a single-handed GP as they might get from a large, multi-partner practice.Work is being undertaken to examine and, where necessary, tighten up regulations around specific areas in the light of the Dr Shipman case. These measures will build upon existing quality initiatives and moves by the medical profession towards revalidation.Any further measures will be informed by the work of the inquiry.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps, if any, were taken between 1976 and 1999 to terminate or to impose conditions or sanctions on contracts between Dr Harold Shipman and the National Health Service. [HL875]

None before August 1998.In August 1998, West Pennine Health Authority asked the NHS Tribunal to make an order suspending Dr Shipman from medical lists on the grounds that this was necessary to protect patients. The NHS Tribunal made the order suspending Dr Shipman as a result of the health authority's representations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will commission research into the level of debt among those on social security benefits; and, if not, why not.[HL868]

Data on debt are already collected as part of our research focused on specific groups of social security benefit recipients. For example, the Programme of Research into Low Income Families (PRILIF) provides information on debt for families with dependent children receiving benefits. The PRILIF studies have included questions about family welfare, involving debt in terms of borrowing, use of credit and financial difficulties families were facing in the form of problem debts. Questions have also been asked about mortgage and rent arrears, difficulties in paying household bills, problems in the repayment of consumer credit, the use of financial services/loans and any consequent problem debts. Income support recipients have been asked about their use of Social Fund grants and/or loans.In addition, surveys conducted as part of the evaluation of the earnings top-up pilot collected this data for unemployed people and low-paid workers without children. We also review external research reports covering all aspects of social security including levels of debt among benefit recipients. We have no plans to commission further research specifically focused on debt among those in receipt of benefits.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Hollis of Heigham on 20 January (

Our policy is to help prevent family breakdown which can lead to young people leaving home. That is why it has instituted a range of policies across departments to support children and families. The recent publication of the Connexions strategy document illustrates our commitment to transform the support young people receive as they make the transition from adolescence to adult and working life.The information on young people living independently which informed the Written Answer of 20 January was drawn from the Family Resources Survey 1997–98 and covered people living in private households. The information gathered indicated that, for those young people who were not living with their natural parents and/or stepparents, all had access to some source of income. The survey did not cover young people in institutions nor those who were homeless at the time of the survey.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why they consider that Clauses 123 to 129 of the Transport Bill are compatible with Article 1 of the First Protocol of the European Convention on Human Rights read with Article 14 of the convention, given that these provisions discriminate between elderly persons as regards half-price travel concessions on the basis of the different pensionable ages for men and women. [HL865]

The provisions in the Transport Bill require local authorities to provide half-price travel concessions for people who have attained pensionable age. The Government take the view that entitlement to concessionary travel is not a pecuniary right falling within Article 1 of the First Protocol to the convention and that consequently the United Kingdom is not subject to the provisions of Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) in respect of the grant of such a concession. The Government have already announced their intention to equalise pensionable age at 65 for men and women over a transitional period between 2010 and 2020.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What will be the cost of retaining PricewaterhouseCoopers to assist in the recruitment of members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. [HL785]

The total cost will be £52,000 plus expenses and VAT. Advertising costs will be in addition to this.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What consultations there were with the Convenor of the Cross-Bench Peers about the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers to assist in the recruitment of Members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission and about its terms of reference.[HL786]

The Covenor of the Cross-Bench Peers was not consulted about the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers Executive Search and Selection to assist in the process of identifying suitable candidates for the independent chairman and independent members of the appointments commission. Although Ministers approved the principle of the use of headhunters, they also were not involved in the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers.The terms of reference are:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there was an open tender process before PricewaterhouseCoopers were retained to assist in the recruitment of members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission; when the tender process was initiated; and how many firms applied. [HL787]

Yes. There was an open tender process before PricewaterhouseCoopers Executive Search and Selection was retained.It is standard practice in these cases to invite tenders from a number of companies. Invitations to tender were sent to four recruitment consultants who have previous experience of working with government departments. The invitations to tender were sent in December 1999 and all four submitted bids.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish in the

The terms of reference under which PricewaterhouseCoopers Executive Search and Selection has been employed are:

• Assist in the drawing up of advertisements for the chairman and members.
• Advise on where to place such advertisements and place them.
• Devise an information pack for candidates for both positions.
• Handle all initial inquiries and send out information packs.
• Use its knowledge and resources to identify strong candidates who could be invited to apply for either the chairmanship or membership. All such candidates would have to go through the full appointments process.
• Receive and process applications, including an initial sift of applications to eliminate nonviable candidates.
• Produce a long list of serious possibilities.
• Work with the Constitution Secretariat, Cabinet Office, to produce final shortlists.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What will be the cost of the national press advertising campaign to attract candidates to be members of the House of Lords Appointments Committee. [HL800]

About £30,000 plus VAT.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, throughout the transitional period of the second Chamber, they will use their powers of creation of life peers to give effect to the principle of broad parity and proportionate creation, as envisaged in the White Paper,

During the period of the transitional House, the Prime Minister will ensure that the number of peers he recommends, and the number of recommendations he invites from other parties, are consistent with and move towards the overall objectives set out in the White Paper Modernising Parliament Reforming the House of Lords (Cm 4183, January 1999). The power of creation of life peerages is vested in the Queen, not the Prime Minister.