asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Turkish Government have reported the incursion by Turkish troops into Iraq, as required by Article 51 of the United Nations Convention. [HL1925]

We have been closely monitoring press reports of incursions by Turkish troops into northern Iraq. The Foreign Affairs Ministry in Ankara has denied that there have been any recent cross border operations in Iraq. This is corroborated by other contacts in Ankara, including the Kurdistan Democratic Party. We will continue to closely monitor developments.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in light of the current economic crisis in Zimbabwe, they have reviewed the Zimbabwean Government's millennium recovery plan; and whether they have made representations to President Mugabe and his colleagues. [HL1945]

We are deeply concerned about the Zimbabwean economy. We have looked at the Government's millennium recovery plan. We have consistently encouraged the Government of Zimbabwe to implement economic reform.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have prepared a strategy in the event that President Mugabe declares a state of emergency in Zimbabwe prior to the delayed proposed elections. [HL1946]

President Mugabe has assured us that the elections will take place within the time allowed under the constitution. Under the constitution a state of emergency has to be ratified by Parliament within 14 days. As the Zimbabwean Parliament has been dissolved, any state of emergency would last up to 14 days.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider President Mugabe to have departed from Zimbabwe's constitutional law or to have encouraged violence; and, if so, on what occasions during the past 12 months. [HL1947]

We deplore all violence, including that resulting from farm occupations and police action against peaceful demonstrations. We have urged the Government of Zimbabwe to restore the rule of law and put an end to the illegal farm occupations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that the requirement for judges of the European Court of Human Rights to submit themselves to interviews organised by a subcommittee of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe before being considered for re-election to the Court is compatible with the guarantee or judicial independence under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. [HL1994]

Under Protocol 11 to the European Convention on Human Rights, sitting judges in the European Court of Human Rights may be candidates for re-election when their term expires. The process of election set out in the convention requires the government of each state party to put forward three candidates. Election is a matter for the Parliamentary Assembly.The process of interviews with candidates, instituted by the Assembly for the first elections to the new Court, is the means by which the Assembly seeks to ensure that its choice between the candidates is an informed one. In the Government's view it would not be fair to other candidates if sitting judges alone were exempt from the interview requirement. Nor can it see any inherent conflict between such interviews and the principle of judicial independence. Nevertheless there could clearly be dangers for that principle if, for example, questioning to a sitting judge focused upon that judge's record in decided or pending cases.The Government are confident that the Assembly is fully aware of the need to respect judicial independence and will conduct the interview process accordingly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that the Russian Federation complies with the conditions for membership of the Council of Europe regarding the securing and effective protection of the rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights. [HL1995]

Russia's compliance with its obligations as a member of the Council of Europe (CoE) and party to the European Convention on Human Rights was the subject of debate at the last meeting of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly. The Government, with their EU partners, are continuing to seek from Russia a full response to the concerns which were expressed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there is any truth in recent reports that France (or French interests) have agreed to stand surety for Kuwait to supply oil to Zimbabwe after the original application to that country was refused. [HL2037]

We are not aware of any such reports.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is safe for people of the United Kingdom to travel to Zimbabwe in present circumstances. [HL2054]

The FCO's current travel advice for British nationals reads: "Most visits to Zimbabwe are still trouble free, and tourist areas have been unaffected by the recent political violence. But all British nationals resident in Zimbabwe or visiting should exercise caution. We recommend against visiting commercial farms and against venturing off the main road between urban centres. Do not travel at night. And avoid any political gatherings".Our High Commission in Harare continues to monitor the situation and should the situation deteriorate our advice will be updated accordingly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which Ministers will represent the United Kingdom at the conference of the Presidents of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliaments and European Parliaments that will take place in Alexandria on 23 and 24 May 2000; and whether they will place the agenda for the meeting in the Library of the House. [HL2056]

This is a conference of Speakers of Parliaments, taking place on the invitation of the Speaker of the People's Assembly of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Her Majesty's Government have not been invited and have not been sent an agenda.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, since most insurgents have abandoned their armed struggle, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe High Commissioner for Minorities will soon be able to visit Turkey to assess the situation of minorities. [HL2065]

The mandate of the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe gives him a broad measure of independence and freedom of initiative, necessary for his sensitive and delicate work. His work schedule is a matter for him to decide.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that the 1995 Hague recommendations on the education rights of national minorities and the 1996 Oslo recommendations on linguistic rights apply or should apply in Turkey, as an Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe member and European Union candidate. [HL2066]

The Hague recommendations regarding the education rights of national minorities (1996) and the Oslo recommendations regarding the linguistic rights of national minorities (1998) were drawn up, at the request of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, at a series of experts' meetings convened by the Foundation of Inter-Ethnic relations, a nongovernmental organisation. As such they are not legally binding on OSCE member states. The High Commissioner's approach is to employ the international standards to which each state has agreed as his principal framework of analysis and the foundation for his specific recommendations.Her Majesty's Government fully support the work of the High Commissioner. Turkey's international human rights obligations are a key part of the dialogue which the Government maintain with the Turkish Government bilaterally and in the preparations of Turkey's European Union accession partnership.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will call for an impartial and international inquiry into the massacre of 35 Sikh men in Chatle-Singhpura on 20 March. [H12074]

We were appalled by the massacre of Sikhs on 20 March. Violence will never bring a solution to the situation in Kashmir. We welcome the state authorities' decision to launch a judicial inquiry into the massacre. We look forward to seeing the results of the inquiry.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they support the United Nations resolutions pertaining to Kashmir. [HL2075]

We believe that India and Pakistan should build on both the UN resolutions and the 1972 Simla Agreement in their search for a solution to Kashmir. We continue to encourage both countries to return to bilateral dialogue to find a just and lasting solution acceptable to the people of Kashmir.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that all relevant United Nations resolutions should be implemented in full prior to consideration of any country's application for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. [HL2076]

We would expect that compliance with international rules and standards would strengthen any country's claim to a new permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to prevent the escalation of tension between India and Pakistan along the line of control and to prevent a nuclear catastrophe. [HL2077]

The current tensions are a cause for concern. It is in everyone's interest to demonstrate restraint and respect for the line of control. We will continue to convey this message to both Pakistan and India.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will raise with the Indian government the health of Mohammed Yasin Malik. [HL2078]

The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Peter Hain, raised the detention of members of the All Party Hurriyat Conference, including Mr. Malik, with the Indian authorities during his visit to India in November last year. Some have since been released. We will continue to make known our concerns about the others, including Mr. Malik.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 13 April (H.L. Deb., col. 283), whether Commissioners of the European Union and their staff are required to take account of the European Covention on Human Rights in giving advice to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. [HL2103]

Article 6 TEU requires the Union to respect fundamental rights as guaranteed by the ECHR. This requirement is binding upon the institutions of the EU, including the Commission.

asked Her Majesty's Government:To which overseas territories the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs appoints the governor; and in each case, what is the previous occupation and present salary of the governor. [HL2105]

The formal procedure is for governors to be appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the advice of the Foreign Secretary and with the approval of the Prime Minister.With two exceptions, the present complement of governors are all serving members of HM Diplomatic Service. The Governor of Bermuda is a former member of the Diplomatic Service. The Governor of Gibraltar worked previously at the Department of Trade and Industry.The government of each territory makes provision in their budget for the governor and the governor's office. In some cases HMG make additional payments to the level appropriate to senior members of the Diplomatic Service.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in view of the assurances given by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 13 April (H. L. Deb., cols. 282–3), they will veto the forthcoming European Charter of Fundamental Rights if it is brought before the European Council in legally binding form rather than declaratory form. [HL2129]

We will consider the draft document provided by the convention drafting body on its merits. But the convention has no mandate to decide on the legal status of the charter. This is a matter for heads of government to decide at the Nice European Council in December.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware of any development in the trial of Jews detained in Iran for espionage. [HL2206]

We have learned that, despite earlier announcements, the majority were accused of lesser charges, 10 of 13 defendants are being tried for espionage and that the trail is being held in closed session. We continue to press our deep concern at these developments on the Iranian authorities, in consultation with our EU partners, stressing the need for a transparent and fair trial.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list the forthcoming business in the Council of Europe for May; and list the major European Union events for the next six months. [HL2207]

See attached.This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10th April (WA5-6), why information on the number of persons held in police and court cells is no longer collected centrally, given that such cells are not designed for detention longer than overnight [HL2063]

Some data collected centrally on numbers of persons detained in police or court cells may have ceased, although none so far has come to light. Certain central collections continue for specific purposes but they do not give figures for the numbers of persons by category detained in police or court cells.In England and Wales there are two sources of central information. One source monitors the total number of prisoners held in police cells due to prison overcrowding (the number has been zero since June 1995 when the overspill from prisons ceased). The other source counts persons by age, sex and offence sentenced to "one day" either in a police or Crown Court cell where detention can last up to eight o'clock of the evening of the day of sentence.In Scotland and Northern Ireland no data are available centrally in respect of court cells. In Scotland the only data available centrally in respect of police cells are on the basis of person nights in legalised police cells which fall under the jurisdiction of the Scottish Prison Service. Hence the data do not count persons and no data are available centrally on ordinary police cells.In Northern Ireland annual totals are available for numbers of persons detained in police (PACE designated) cells for non-terrorist suspects and holding centres for terrorist suspects but this data cannot cent rally be broken down further.Data on the number of persons held in police cells under Immigration Acts are not collected centrally by the immigration authorities since virtually all such persons are arrested and detained by the police and in such cases the immigration authorities will only get involved if asked to do so. In these circumstances, where detention is maintained, arrangements are made to transfer such persons into the immigration detention estate as soon as possible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:(a) how many private finance initiative projects currently in negotiation on behalf of the Home Office are currently at the "preferred bidder" stage; (b) how many of these have been at the "preferred bidder" stage for more than 12 months; and (c) what is the longest period for which any of the projects mentioned in (a) have been at the "preferred bidder" stage. [HL2101]

There are no Home Office private finance initiative projects which are currently at "preferred bidder stage".

asked Her Majesty's Government:In relation to all private finance initiative agreements initiated on behalf of the Home Office since 1 April 1998, what has been the average period of time between identifying a preferred bidder and reaching "financial close"; how many such agreements have been so concluded; and how many have not yet been concluded. [HL2102]

The average period of time between identifying a "preferred bidder" and reaching "financial close" is six months. Three such agreements have been concluded and there are no such agreements not yet concluded.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will draw the attention of governors of prisons in England and Wales to the practice, commended by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, of HM Prison Brockhill in making reception leaflets and tapes available to prisoners in 18 different languages; and whether they will also ensure that at any prison where Immigration Act detainees are held, or have been held, separate leaflets are available in appropriate languages for those who cannot speak English, asking them to state their religion on a multiple choice form; and whether they accept that this is necessary to ensure that visiting ministers can be given accurate information about the number of detainees belonging to their faiths. [HL2122]

The Prison Service is committed to ensuring that all prisoners can practice their religion. A key part of this is ensuring that visiting ministers are given accurate information about prisoners from their faith. Prisons are required to record the declared religion of a prisoner on arrival and to make arrangements for the appropriate minister to be informed. The Prison Service recognises that foreign national prisoners, including Immigration Act detainees held in prison establishments, may need help with translating and interpreting.Prison Service policy is for information to be provided in a form and language the prisoner can understand. All establishments, including those holding Immigration Act detainees, have access to Language Line, a 24-hour telephone interpreting service. The four books making up the Prisoners' Information Book, which contain information on all aspects of prison life, including on religious rights and registration, have been translated into 20 languages.Other foreign language material, such as that mentioned by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons at Brockhill Prison, may have been produced locally by prison establishments. As part of a review of the management of foreign national prisoners which the Prison Service has recently begun, an audit of locally produced literature is under way to assess the possibility of disseminating such material more widely.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many places they plan to have available for Immigration Act detainees at the end of 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003; and what capital expenditure on the provision of new or refurbished accommodation is budgeted for each of the years from 2000–01 to 2003–04 inclusive. [HL2123]

This Answer assumes that the Question refers to detention places. Current plans for the detention estate for each of the years is as follows: by the end of 2000, 889 places; 2001, 889 places; 2002, 1,381 places; and 2003, 1,381 places. In addition, the reception centre at Oakington has 400 places used under detention powers. The increase represents the new centres at Aldington and the replacement for Harmondsworth, less the return of Rochester to the Prison Service. Present proposals are for Aldington and the Harmondsworth replacement to be procured through the private finance initiative route, not capital.In the context of the Spending Review 2000 and the need to increase the removal of failed asylum seekers, consideration is being given to a further expansion of the detention estate. Preliminary work is under way on finding possible sites. I am unable to give the noble Lord information about the extent of that possible expansion until funding has been settled.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the incidence of the carriage or use of firearms by persons engaged in crime has decreased since the passage of the Firearms Acts. [HL2148]

Details of the carriage of firearms are not collected. Numbers of firearms offences in the year ending March 1999 were given in Chapter 3 of Criminal Statistics England and Wales 1998, published in March this year. The Scottish Executive has also published details for 1998 in Recorded crimes and offences involving firearms, Scotland 1998, published in October 1999.The figures relating to the use of handguns in crime for England and Wales are given in the following table. The figures for 1998–99 will be somewhat inflated relative to earlier ones on account of changes in the counting rules for recorded crime introduced in April 1998. This expanded the coverage of offences to include, for instance, illegal possession of firearms and trading in and altering firearms. The degree of inflation cannot be assessed precisely. Figures for Scotland are also given in the following table.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 12 April (

There is a great deal of work to be done by public authorities across the United Kingdom to prepare for the commencement of the Human Rights Act 1998 and to ensure that it is assimilated successfully. The Government consider that preparing for the right of individual petition to United Nations human rights treaties by which the United Kingdom is already bound, and responding to any complaints which may be brought under those procedures, is likely to divert resources from implementing the Human Rights Act 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 3 April (

In my previous Answer on the 3 April (WA 108–9), I explained that the remit of the network is to chase progress across government on implementation of past SEU reports and to act as an informal sounding board for the unit's future work programme. This has yet to be decided.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their definition of a ministerial network, as in the case of that chaired by the Minister for the Cabinet Office in respect of social exclusion; and how such a network differs from a committee. [HL2004]

A Cabinet Committee relieves the pressure on the Cabinet itself by settling business in a smaller forum or at a lower level, when possible, or at least by clarifying issues and defining points of disagreement. It acts by implied devolution of authority from the Cabinet and its decisions therefore have the same formal status as decisions by the full Cabinet.The ministerial network is an informal network of Ministers from departments that work closely with the SEU who chase progress on implementation of previous SEU reports and act as an informal sounding board for the unit's future work programme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What records are kept of the membership of magistrates' benches in those areas which are the responsibility of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and how these are monitored. [HL2107]

Records are kept of gender, age, area of residence, occupation, ethnic background and political views of all candidates appointed in the 26 benches in the Duchy area. In addition, records are kept of each magistrate's attendances in court and any leave of absence which has been granted.Since 1999 advisory committees, which recommend suitable candidates for appointment to the magistracy to the Chancellor of the Duchy, are required to submit an annual report to the Chancellor giving details of recruitment during the previous year, including numbers of people who have applied, their age breakdown, gender, political views and ethnic breakdown. The annual report also includes magistrates on the active list, their gender, age, politics, occupations, attendances and ethnic breakdown. Number of votes cast in the area for each of the main political parties at the last two general elections is also given.Monitoring is a continuous process with advisory committees checking to see if any emphasis should be placed on their recruitment strategy. For example if the political balance of the bench needs improving.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many United Kingdom shipbuilders have the capability of designing a roll-on, roll-off ship of the type required by the Ministry of Defence; and [HL1847]How many United Kingdom shipbuilders have the capability of constructing a roll-on, roll-off ship of the type required by the Ministry of Defence. [HL1848]

Most major United Kingdom shipbuilders should be able to design and construct roll-on, roll-off ships (ROROs) of this type.The MoD is currently assessing bids for the provision of roll-on, roll-off strategic sealift. This would not be a straightforward shipbuilding contract. It would involve contracting under PH arrangements for a long-term shipping service which would include provision of the crews and the operation and maintenance of the ships, which would be owned by the contractor. The MoD is, however doing all it can, within the bounds of fair competition and its EC obligations, to give UK industry the opportunity to participate in building the ships.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What percentage of gross domestic product was accounted for by defence expenditure in the following years: 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1996; what was the proportion of GDP spent on defence in the last available year; and what is their estimate of the percentage of GDP that will be taken by defence spending in the years 2001 and 2002.[HL1965]

The information available from our records dates back only to 1950 and is available for financial, rather than calendar, years. The last available year is 1998–99; estimates are given for financial years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02.The figures are:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any service married quarters estates have become "mixed estates" with council tenants; and if so, whether they will (a) list these estates; and (b) give reasons why this has occurred when assurances were given to the contrary by the Ministry of Defence and Annington Homes. [HL2025]

There are no instances of mixed estates which are contrary to the agreement reached at the time of the sale of the families quarters estate to Annington Homes Ltd (AHL) in November 1996.It might be helpful to clarify what this means in the context of the sale agreement. There are two definitions of mixed estate: one is where civilian residents are "pepper-potted" among military occupants of service families accommodation (SFA) and the second is where civilians occupy houses adjacent to a military "patch". In recognition of the sensitivity of the "patch" ethos, the terms of the sale agreement precluded the former but allowed for the latter. A condition of the sale is that those SFA, identified by the MoD as surplus to operational requirements, are to be disposed of in discrete blocks. As a result, there are estates where civilians are now residing in former service families' quarters which are situated adjacent to or alongside a military "patch"; hence the term, mixed estate.Prior to the sale, there were some SFA scattered around big towns occupied by Territorial Army and Careers Information Office staffs and this situation maintains. However, there are no examples of mixed estates where military occupants are "pepper-potted" among civilians.Over 3,000 properties have been released to AHL throughout England and Wales under the terms of the guaranteed release scheme. The majority of these properties have been sold to private individuals and it is not possible to identify each estate where service families are adjacent to civilians.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many new barrack and married quarters estates are being constructed or are due for construction for all three services of the Armed Forces; and what are the cost and area of each project. [HL2027]

The information requested is not held centrally. However, I will write to the noble Lord once this information has been collated and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 16 March (

The Stamp Programme is a matter for the Post Office. What it chooses to disclose about the themes selected for the 2002 Stamps Programme is for it to decide.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why, following the receipt of legal advice by the Department for Education and Employment early in 1997 that "no religious beliefs urged on pupils would fall foul of Section 376(2) of the 1996 [Education] Act", the Department for Education and Employment has not withdrawn the advisory circular 1/94 (para 32) which states that "syllabuses must not be designed … to urge a particular religion or religious belief on pupils". [HL2166]

I am unable to identify the legal advice the noble Lord refers to, but if he would like to write to me with further details I shall look into it.Foundation or voluntary controlled schools that do have a religious character can teach in accordance with the tenets of the religion or religious denomination which accords with their character, instead of teaching the agreed syllabus. Voluntary aided schools teach in accordance with the tenets of the religion of their character but can choose to follow the agreed syllabus. Community schools and foundation and voluntary schools which do not have a religious character follow the agreed syllabus.An agreed syllabus for religious education is determined by an agreed syllabus conference in each local education authority. It should satisfy the key requirements of the aims of religious education as defined by the agreed syllabus conference. An agreed syllabus must not "provide for RE to be given by means of any catechism or formulary which is distinctive of a particular religious denomination". As such, the statement in circular 1/94 that an agreed syllabus should not "urge a particular religion or belief on pupils" is correct.Section 376(2) is now replicated in paragraph 2(5) of Schedule 19 to the School Standards and Framework Act.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Where a Scottish student with special needs has to attend an English university as the only place where that student's particular needs can be met, whether the student will receive the concession of having tuition fees waived. [HL2254]

Tuition fee support for Scottish-domiciled students is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman on 20 March (

The Prime Minister's article on 27 February did not indicate any change in the Government's policy in regard to genetically modified foods and crops, which is to ensure that health and the environment are adequately safeguarded by means of a strong regulatory regime and to proceed cautiously on the basis of science.The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Conference in Edinburgh, which focused on the science of GM food safety, acknowledged that not everything was yet known about the potential effects of using this technology to produce new food products, particularly in the longer term. On environmental safety, the conference concluded that there has so far been insufficient work to be able to assess environmental impacts fully, especially in the biodiversity rich tropics. These conclusions support the cautious approach that we are taking and will continue to take in approving the use of GM crops and foods.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware of any human nutritional supplements on sale in the United Kingdom which contain material from bovine or ovine glands, brain or other nervous tissue. [HL1777]

There are no specific compositional rules on food supplements and no prior approval system exists to assess their composition. Nutritional supplements, like other foods, are subject to the general provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 which make it an offence to sell food which is injurious to health. Certain bovine and ovine tissues are however covered by the controls on specified risk material, the purpose of which is to ensure that no food containing such material may be sold for human consumption in the United Kingdom. Specified risk material includes the brain and spleen of all sheep and the spinal cord and tonsils of cattle slaughtered in the UK aged over six months and the thymus and intestines of all cattle slaughtered in the UK for human consumption.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether red deer antlers are designated as specified risk material in draft European Union Commission Document XXIV/2905/99. [HL1966]

The document to which the noble Lady refers would designate only tissues from cattle, sheep and goats as specified risk material.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why they are unwilling to state the genetic makeup of the infant born to a mother with new-variant CJD when this information is readily available from other sources. [HL2030]

Individual case details are regarded as confidential between patients, their families and the healthcare practitioners involved.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What validation has been carried out of the methodology being used in the new-variant CID tonsils and appendix surveys; and what rate of (a) false positives and (b) false negatives they currently expect in the results. [HL2031]

Validation of the methodology and data arising from the tonsil and appendix surveys falls to the Medical Research Council/Department of Health steering group for studies of detectable abnormal prion protein. That group will consider these issues at its future meetings. It is not possible at present to provide any meaningful forecast of the rate of false positives or false negatives that may, or may not, arise.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they believe that the public will be better prepared for the eventuality of a sizeable epidemic of new-variant CJD if they (a) are not aware of developments in research into the disease or (b) have all available information offered to them at all stages. [HL2033]

Details of government funded research projects currently under way into all transmissible spongiform encephalopathy issues are available to the public through the Medical Research Council website. In accordance with standard procedures supported by reputable scientific journals, all data resulting from government-funded research projects must be validated and peer reviewed. Results are then published once that process has been completed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware of any children born to mothers who have, within three years of the birth, shown clinical signs of new-variant CJD, and, if so, whether any of them are displaying signs of a neurological condition that might be caused by a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy; and, if so, how many and whether they are homozygous or heterozygous at codon 129 of the prion protein. [HL2057]

All reported cases of progressive intellectual or neurological deterioration in children are investigated for potential variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease and details of any suspect cases are passed to the National CJD Surveillance Unit, Edinburgh. No definite or probable cases of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease have been found in children under the age of 13.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What help they give to United Kingdom nationals refused reciprocal healthcare benefits in other European Union member states. [HL2150]

United Kingdom people denied benefits to which they believe they are entitled may seek advice from the relevant UK authorities. Details are given in the leaflet Health Advice forTravellers which is available from post offices and is in the Library. UK authorities will make representations to their counterparts in other member states, as necessary.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What consideration they have given to the Audit Commission report

The Government welcome this important report. It highlights unacceptable variations in the quality of diabetes services. It is those variations that prompted us to announce last year the development of a national service framework for diabetes. This will be a framework for England but the National Assembly for Wales expects to produce a very similar model for use in Wales. The national service framework will set national standards and define service models to improve the quality of care for people with diabetes.We have sent copies of the Audit Commission report to members of the expert reference group who will advise Ministers on the development of the national service framework, and it will inform its work.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the high level targets for the Medicines Control Agency. [HL2179]

The high level targets for the Medicines Control Agency are included in its annual business plan, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who responded to their consultation paper on holes in the road

; The list of respondents to this consultation follows.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 11 April (

Translink has advised that it will use existing rolling stock to service the line between Antrim and Bleach Green.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 11 April (

The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company submitted an application for European funding for a study of transport options on the Belfast to Newtownards corridor on 28 March 1996.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Given the current financial resources available for public transport in Northern Ireland, there are currently no plans to proceed with such a scheme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers from Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 11 April (

The E-way project is not at a sufficiently advanced stage to warrant an application being made to the European Union for funding. For similar reasons, private sector sources of funding have not been explored.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 11 April (

The E-way study has been completed but has not been formally presented by the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company to the Department for Regional Development for a decision on the contribution It could make to the future of public transport within the region. Even if the decision on the study is favourable, the scheme could not proceed until current funding constraints are resolved.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 11 April (

The project comprised a new station building, provision for disabled access, upgrading to platforms and canopies, external environmental improvements and a new access roadway. A private sector developer was to provide the access roadway. When this was not possible the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company withdrew the application.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the increase in passenger traffic over the last five years as a percentage of 1995 figures on the railway line from Belfast to Dublin; and whether the increase is due to the programme of investment. [HL2095]

Figures available from Translink show that the percentage increase in passenger traffic on the railway line from Belfast to Dublin between the periods 1995–96 and 1998–99 is 4.5 per cent. Translink would attribute this increase to the programme of investment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who will appoint the members of the Transportation Task Force in Northern Ireland; how they will be selected; what are its terms of reference and the timescale for its operation; and what arrangements will be made for public involvement and consultation. [HL2124]

On 20 April 2000, Mr Adam Ingram MP, Minister of State in the Northern Ireland Office, announced the composition of the Railways Task Force. The members were selected on the basis of a joint process between the Department for Regional Development and the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company.The terms of reference for the task force are:to identify the range of options for the future of the railway network in Northern Ireland;to quantify the costs and benefits (monetary and non-monetary) and affordability of the range of options; andto present an interim report to the Minister and to the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company for their consideration by the summer of 2000.Public notices inviting interested parties to representations to the task force will be published in local newspapers, with a closing date for comments of 30 June 2000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Translink has advised that no proposals have been made to carry freight on the Belfast to Londonderry railway line.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in consideration of the future of the rail connection between Belfast and Londonderry and to Donegal, the views of the Government of the Republic of Ireland are known; and whether they will be consulted in any future decision. [HL2126]

The Government of the Republic of Ireland have not made any formal representations to Her Majesty's Government concerning the Belfast/Londonderry line. There are no plans to extend the line to Donegal.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in any further proposals for the railway system in Northern Ireland, the maximum European Union funding will be sought as well as any from the private sector; and whether funding so obtained will be additional to and not replacement for government funding. [HL2127]

Proposals for EU funding for Northern Ireland were contained in the NI Structural Funds Plan 2000–05 which was submitted to the European Commission in November 1999. This included proposals in relation to public transport for both the Transitional Objective I and Peace II programmes. Negotiations on the new programmes are currently under way and we do not yet know precisely what the outcome or final allocations will be. The use of the Structural Funds in Northern Ireland meets fully the European Commission's requirements on additionality.Following the publication of the A D Little report on railway safety in Northern Ireland (28 March 2000), the Government set up a task force to examine options for the future of railways in NI. Part of the remit of the task force will be to identify the range of options for the future of the railway network in Northern Ireland. This will take account of the scope for securing additional sources of funding to augment public expenditure for railways, including public private partnerships.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In view of the recent review of safety on Northern Ireland Railways, what steps are being taken to address safety issues in the short term; and whether these steps include the establishment of a safety committee at board level to ensure strategic rail safety competence and the allocation of a non-executive board member with the duty to monitor safety issues. [HL2137]

Northern Ireland Railways has a statutory duty to ensure the safe operation of railway services at all times and continues to exercise this. NIR has advised that all issues highlighted in the review requiring immediate action have been addressed. It is understood that the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, which has oversight of NI Railways, has established a group safety committee and that the chairman, a non-executive Director, is charged with monitoring safety issues.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 17th April (

The Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 supersede the current arrangements which calculate pay during periods of annual leave on the basis of basic earnings. Under the regulations staff are now entitled to a week's pay in respect of each week of leave. A week's pay is to be determined in accordance with Articles 17 to 20 of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. The articles do not clearly define a week's pay. Difficulties arise in determining what payments are to be included in the calculation due to the 24-hour nature of the service provided by the HPSS and the wide variety of working patterns, which include shift work, night work, weekend and public holiday working, standing-by and sleeping-in duties.Regional negotiations are expected to take place with staff representatives in early May with a view to reaching agreement on the definition of a week's pay. Trusts would then implement any agreed arrangements as soon as possible thereafter.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is the policy of Translink in Northern Ireland that all buses and coaches when leaving the depots for commercial tasks are in a roadworthy condition as required by law. [HL2161]

Translink has advised that it is its policy that all buses and coaches leaving the depots for commercial tasks are in a roadworthy condition as required by law. Ulsterbus and City bus operate a vehicle inspection and maintenance system that exceeds the guidelines set down by the Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport, GB.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the projected level of overspend for 1999–2000 by each of the health trusts in Northern Ireland and by each of the four area boards; and whether this overspend is higher than the average based on population in England and Wales. [HL2162]

The financial position of the Northern Ireland trusts and the boards is regularly monitored by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, but the information supplied is used for the purposes of internal discussion and advice only. While the most up-to-date information provides a best estimate of the year-end financial position, in some cases the forecasts do not reflect additional income allocated to boards in recent months. The true picture of the year-end position of the trusts and boards will be shown in the audited final accounts, which fully reflect additional allocations received and are produced some months after the year end. A comparison of projected overspends within Northern Ireland with those in England and Wales would therefore not be meaningful at this stage. A detailed knowledge of the assumptions underpinning the projections of all trusts and boards in Northern Ireland, England and Wales would be necessary before any reasonable conclusions could be drawn.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to proceed with the restructuring of hospital services in Northern Ireland. [HL2163]

The Government is committed to the development of modern, effective hospital services in Northern Ireland and they hope that decisions about local issues such as the future of hospital services can be taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly. While devolution is suspended, the Government will of course continue to take whatever decisions are necessary to ensure the provision of safe and effective hospital services.