asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have made representations concerning the use of public money to finance the visit by socialist Members of the European Parliament to Lisbon for a socialist conference. [HL2146]

No. The visit by the Party of European Socialists to Lisbon is a matter for the relevant European Parliament authorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will set out the number of (a) directives, (b) regulations and (c) other legislative instruments issued by the European Union in each of 1997, 1998 and 1999. [HL2176]

A full list of legislation adopted by the European Union in 1997, 1998 and 1999 is laid out in the Commission's annual General Report on the Activities of the EU for the relevant year.Copies of the relevant reports are available in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that European Union legislation is becoming "less, but better"; and, if so, upon what basis. [HL2177]

In recent years progress has been made in reducing the volume and improving the quality of EU law. The Commission's Better Lawmaking Report 1999 highlights the importance it attaches to complying with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. There has been a decrease in the number of proposals for new legislation, from around 60 in 1990 to around 40 in 1998. The number of proposals extant has also fallen, from almost 800 in 1990 to about 500 in 1998. There remains scope for improvement, and the Government will continue to take a leading role in pursuing more effective and proportionate legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures they are taking with regard to the supply of demining equipment for use by Bactec International in Kosovo. [HL2278]

We have approved the export to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) of 18 sets of protective body armour and helmets for use by BACTEC International Ltd, an organisation engaged in humanitarian demining activities in Kosovo on behalf of the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK).These goods are on the Military List. UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1160 (1998) imposed an arms embargo on the FRY. The only exception to this embargo is that in UNSCR 1244 (1999) which provides that prohibitions imposed by UNSCR 1160 shall not apply to the sale or supply of arms and related material for use by the international civil and security presence in Kosovo. We have notified the UN Sanctions Committee of this export and it has raised no objection. The export of the equipment required for demining purposes is not prohibited by the EU arms embargo.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations they have received from the Podgorica government on easing the sanctions against Montenegro. [HL2187]

Most EU sanctions in place against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia include exemptions in relation to Montenegro. We have not received any representations from the Djukanovic government on making further exemptions for Montenegro.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will press the North Atlantic. Council to task the NATO military command formally to prepare contingency plans in case of escalation of the crisis in Montenegro. [HL2188]

The international community, including NATO, is keeping a close eye on developments in Montenegro. It would not be appropriate to comment on specific contingency planning.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are considering following Germany's lead in providing investment guarantees for companies prepared to invest in Montenegro. [HL2189]

Our bilateral programme provides assistance in agreed priority sectors. We do not provide investment guarantees. We are supporting the growth of the private sector by providing advice on the privatisation of state-owned enterprises.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What bilateral support they have provided to Montenegro to advance stabilisation of the republic. [HL2190]

The UK has been providing technical assistance to the Montenegrins in the fields of public administration reform and privatisation and DfID has given grants to a number of NGOs to carry out humanitarian work in Montenegro. The UK has recently funded two media projects in Montenegro carried out by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), at a total of £40,000. The UK has also contributed £50,000 towards the establishment of the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) office in Podgorica. The UK has also been carrying out an Independent Media and Civil Society Programme in Serbia and Montenegro which has provided £528,161 in assistance to Montenegrin organisations.

asked her Majesty's Government:What discussions they have had with the Russian Government on Russian involvement towards stabilisation in the Balkans. [HL2191]

We have had regular discussions with the Russian authorities on their involvement towards stabilisation in the Balkans, most recently during the visit to London by Acting President Putin on 17 April.

asked her Majesty's Government:What were the most recent figures for exports and imports between the United Kingdom and the Ukraine; whether they have forecast figures for the current year; and what were the outcomes of the recent visit to the Ukraine by the Foreign Secretary. [HL2196]

The most recent figures for UK-Ukraine trade are:

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to publish the draft of a Bill that will make possible ratification of the Statute of the International Criminal Court. [HL2197]

The legislation to enable ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court will be published as soon as practicable in the course of this parliamentary Session.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In the context of their response to the 1st Report of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on the Annual Report on Human Rights of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Cm 4687), whether they consider that non-Muslim religious groups in Saudi Arabia have adequate and reasonable facilities for worship and church life; and, if not, what they propose to do to improve the situation. [HL2198]

Islam is the official religion of Saudi Arabia and the overt practices of other faiths is not officially permitted. There are no public places of worship for non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia. But Prince Sultan, Second Deputy Prime Minister, has publicly said that "Believers in God are free to practise their religious rights in their homes". In practice, therefore, discreet non-Muslim worship by foreigners is allowed in private.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 18 April

As circumstances vary, our relations with other governments are handled on a case-by-case basis. We shall continue to apply the principles which I spelled out in my previous Answer on 18 April 2000 (WA 89) to the noble Lord.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 18 April

We have been led to describe the Freedom Party in Austria as "far Right" in consideration of past statements by prominent members of the party making light of the Nazi record and, for example, the tendency towards xenophobia in its election campaigns.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 18 April

We seek to encourage respect for democracy and human rights in both Russia and Austria. The measures on Austria were a signal of our concern over the inclusion of a far-Right party in the government of an EU member state. We consider that the best way of influencing Russia towards more acceptable policies, including in Chechnya, is by developing a dialogue which allows us to be critical when we disagree. The EU has also signalled its concerns over Chechnya by limiting the TACIS aid programme for 2000 for Russia to promoting democracy and strengthening civil society and by co-sponsoring a critical resolution on Chechnya at the UN Commission on Human Rights.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 19 April (H.L. Deb., col. 703) when Ministers will next meet Ministers from Austria for bilateral discussions of issues of concern. [HL2252]

We have no plans for any bilateral meetings with Austria while the EU 14 measures are in place.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they reconcile Baroness Scotland of Asthal's statement that "We are not members of the EEA" (H.L. Deb., 17 March, col. 1878) with the facts that the United Kingdom was a signatory to the 1992 Oporto agreement which brought the European Economic Area (EEA) into being; that Schedule 3 to the Financial Services and Markets Bill assumes the United Kingdom to be a member of the EEA; and that a reduced rate of air passenger duty applies to flights from the United Kingdom to fellow EEA member states. [HL2202]

The noble Lord is correct. Schedule 3 to the Financial Services and Markets Bill reflects the fact that the UK (as an EU member state) is indeed a member of the EEA. The reduced rate of air passenger duty does apply to flights from the UK to fellow EEA member states. I apologise for my earlier error.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 26 October 1999

FCO research indicates that the UK originally chose not to become a party to the Optional Protocol on the Acquisition of Nationality for two main reasons:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the United Kingdom Passport Agency's corporate and business plans. [HL2334]

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary published on 5 May the United Kingdom Passport Agency's corporate and business plans and copies have been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the Criminal Records Bureau corporate and business plans. [HL2335]

My honourable friend the Minister of State at the Home Office, Mr Clarke, published on 5 May the Criminal Records Bureau corporate and business plans for 2000–05, and copies have been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the report of the inquiry into the machinery for determining firefighters' conditions of service. [HL2336]

I announced in the reply I gave the noble Baroness, Lady Thornton, on 12 April (col. WA 51) that my right honourable friend the Home Secretary had received Professor Burchill's recommendations and was consulting upon them. He very much welcomes his proposals for improving the working of the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades and the positive reaction there has been to them. The report of the inquiry was published on 5 May as a command paper and copies have been placed in the Library. He is asking for further comments from interested parties on the detail of the report and its recommendations to reach him by the end of this month.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made on the refurbishment of the Treasury building. [HL2302]

Ministerial approval to plans for the refurbishment of the Treasury building under the private finance initiative was announced by the former Chief Secretary on 27 July 1999, (Official Report, cols. 400–01). Under the terms of the project agreement signed last year, the Treasury's private sector partner, Exchequer Partnership plc (EP), is responsible for a number of risks, including obtaining town planning and listed building consents, and securing the funding to finance the works. Both conditions have now been satisfied and the deal has therefore reached financial close. Work is planned to start on site on 17 July (the date of granting vacant possession of the park end of the building) with completion in August 2002.The contract, which is for 37 years and one month from vacant possession, provides for the Treasury to pay an annual payment (the unitary payment) to EP in return for fully serviced accommodation to performance standards specified in advance. The unitary payment has been fixed in real terms at £14.037 million in March 1999 prices and will be uprated annually in line with the retail prices index.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether their decision not to mark in the year 2001 the bicentenary of the creation of the United Kingdom is consistent with the remarks of the Prime Minister reported in the

The Government fully recognise the historical significance for the United Kingdom of the 1801 Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland. While there are no plans at present for any formal commemoration of its 200th anniversary, the event will not pass without comment from the Government since we value Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom. That position is entirely consistent with the views expressed by the Prime Minister at the University of Ulster in Coleraine on 20 May 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations they have received regarding the rate of accommodation offset for hotel and catering employees. [HL2113]

We have received a small number of representations in the past year regarding the rate of the accommodation offset for hotel and catering employees which raised concerns about the maximum level of the offset. The Low Pay Commission received similar representations and these were considered for its second report, published in February. It recommended that the offset should be retained at its present rate and its level considered again when the national minimum wage is next reviewed. The Government accepted this recommendation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why they have not increased the maximum £20 weekly offset for accommodation provided to hotel and catering employees. [HL2114]

The maximum amount of 1:20 is not meant to reflect the commercial value of the accommodation provided but is designed to protect workers from unreasonable accommodation charges.The Government agree with the Low Pay Commission's finding in its second report that the present amount of a maximum of £20 per week should be retained and that its level should be considered again when the commission next reports on the national minimum wage in July 2001.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether among the topics considered by the Post Office for special stamp issue in 2001 were (a) the bicentenary of the creation of the United Kingdom; and (b) pondlife. [HL2219]

The Stamp Programme is a matter for the Post Office. I refer the noble Lord to the Answers I gave on 27 March (WA 45) and 14 April (WA 70) and to that given by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 19 April (WA 106–7). I am advised that the Post Office received some 2000 suggestions for over 300 subjects, including those mentioned by the noble Lord.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the protocols of the new-variant OD tonsil and appendix surveys currently under way and the data gathered to date. [HL2034]

Data from the tonsil and appendix surveys currently under way will, as they arise, be assessed at meetings of the joint Medical Research Council/Department of Health Steering Group for Studies of Detectable Abnormal Prion Protein. The department will in due course announce interim findings from the steering group's deliberations, and a copy of that announcement will be placed in the Library. Publication of the protocols and the detail of the study findings are matters for the researchers themselves.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware of the basis on which AFSSA (the French food safety agency) has banned pithing in slaughterhouses: and whether they will place in the Library of the House their evaluation of the French decision and their reasons for differing from AFSSA's conclusion. [HL2035]

AFSSA's recommendation that the practice of pithing should be banned in French abattoirs was based on its assessment that pithing presents a risk of contamination of the carcass by both nervous tissue, which AFSSA considered a risk factor for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), and microbiological organisms. It is for the French Government to consider that recommendation and to take such action as they consider necessary.On the BSE risk in the United Kingdom, the Government have accepted the advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) that there is no reason to change UK practices of stunning and pithing during slaughter of cattle. In giving that advice, SEAC took into account the measures in place in the UK to protect public health from BSE, notably the prohibition on the sale for human consumption of meat from animals aged over 30 months, as a result of which the number of infected animals at the late stage of the incubation period entering the food chain is now estimated to be very low. There is no rule equivalent to the over-30 month rule in France and it would be quite understandable if a risk assessment carried out in a country without such a rule resulted in different advice. The risk of the introduction of microbiological contamination by pithing rods is small as long as good hygienic practices are followed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to review the effectiveness of the new system for consultant merit awards and discretionary points for medical and dental consultants and the funding implications. [HL2084]

We reviewed the distinction award scheme in 1997. We implemented changes to the scheme in the 1999 awards round to improve fairness and openness, to achieve greater service focus and to improve the composition of the Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards Membership. We are now keeping the scheme under review and will publish proposals for consultation in due course.We have recently introduced changes to the discretionary points scheme. From April 2000 the ratio of discretionary points available for each eligible consultant has been increased to enable more consultants to benefit from the scheme and three extra points have been added to the existing scale, along with the introduction of two new service-oriented criteria, which should allow greater recognition of local service achievement. As agreed in the negotiations on a new consultant contract, there will be a review of local operation of the current discretionary points scheme.Financial implications are always considered alongside any reviews that are undertaken.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Human Rights Act 1998 limits the authority of those responsible for the welfare of children placed in their care to restrict the rights of those children to participate in any form of sex when over the age of consent. [HL2149]

The primary duty of the local authority is to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child who is looked after. Section 25 of the Children Act 1989 governs the restriction of liberty of children being looked after by local authorities. The Government do not expect that the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 will limit the ability of local authorities to safeguard the welfare of children and young people in their care. Like any person with parental responsibility, the local authority has no specific right to ban sexual activity over the age of consent but can take proportionate action to control behaviour to protect a young person's welfare.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Given the benefits of breast milk for premature and sick babies, what plans they have to increase the number and distribution of milk banks throughout the United Kingdom. [HL2158]

I refer my noble friend to the reply I gave her on 13 January at col. WA 134.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in light of the decision of the European Farm Council on 18 April that all member states will have to be separately identified over the labelling of beef, they will seek to ensure that these conditions should apply to all meat products. [HL2208]

Origin labelling rules are harmonised at European level. The Government are actively pressing for a review of these rules and of international guidelines to improve the amount and clarity of origin information on food labels. In the meantime, new government guidance issued by my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in February this year, and placed in the Library, makes clear that origin labelling must be clearly worded and unambiguous.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the country of origin of meat products will be identified by that country's national flag in order to assist instant recognition by the consumer. [HL2209]

Origin labelling rules are harmonised at European Union level and we are actively pressing for their review to improve the amount and clarity of origin information on food labels. New government guidance was issued by my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in February this year and placed in the Library. It makes clear that origin labelling must be clearly worded and unambiguous. We have no plans to require the use of national flags on food labels.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which organisations or authorities inspect farm attractions that are open to the public; and [HL2170]What assessment they have made regarding the impact on the operation of farm attractions of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions'

Farm attractions open to the public are inspected under the provisions of several pieces of legislation, including those concerned with the health, safety and wellbeing of the visiting public, staff and animals. Organisations carrying out inspections include the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and its agencies, the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities.Revised

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which bodies were represented on the Zoos Forum and which persons were consulted by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in the preparation of

Members of the Zoos Forum were appointed for their knowledge and expertise on zoos, not as representatives of organisations.A wide range of organisations with an interest in zoos were consulted on the proposed revised

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will ask the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee if, in the light of current research and the actions taken to protect human health with reference to human blood, it still considers it appropriate to allow blood, gelatin and tallow to be fed to calves. [HL1930]

SEAC last looked at the safety of gelatin and tallow in October 1997. The committee concluded that no further measures were necessary. Following its recom-mendations on precautionary measures in relation to human blood in October 1997, it reviewed the use of bovine blood in animal feed in March 1998 and saw no need to go beyond existing controls.In February 2000 SEAC considered preliminary evidence suggesting infectivity could be demonstrated in the blood plasma of mice experimentally infected with a mouse adapted BSE agent. The committee noted that the pathogenesis of the disease caused by BSE in mice was different to the pathogenesis of BSE in cattle but more similar to that of TSEs in sheep and humans. Given the difference in the pathogenesis of the disease in cattle and this mouse model, and taking account of the results of bioassays of cattle tissues in both mice and cattle, the committee concluded that there were no implications for the safety of the food chain from these findings. SEAC will continue to review these areas in the light of new scientific evidence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the recent meeting of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy researchers in Keele was held in private; who was invited to it; what confidentiality agreements they were required to sign; and whether the minutes of that meeting will now be published. [HL2032]

A Joint Funders Workshop on TSE Research in the UK was held in Keele (4–6 April 2000). This comprised a meeting of funded scientists working in the field of TSEs, department/research council officials and five members of SEAC (Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee). Meetings of this type have been held annually by the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) for a number of years. The first joint meeting with the participation of other funders was held in 1998. The purpose of these meetings is to inform the funding bodies of the progress being made in the work they are supporting, to share results and encourage collaboration and networking between the scientists. The researchers present were funded by one or more of the following funding bodies: BBSRC, Department of Health, Medical Research Council and MAFF. Two international guest speakers were also invited. This was a closed meeting as interim results were presented, and most of the research work discussed was pre-publication. For this reason, a confidentiality agreement was signed by conference delegates. Written reports covering all sessions of the workshop will be circulated to the funders. However, the proceedings will not be published.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What targets they have set the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for 2000–01. [HL2279]

My right honourable friend the Minister has set the Veterinary Laboratories Agency the following performance targets for 2000–01.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What targets they have set the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for 2000–01. [HL2280]

My right honourable friend the Minister has set the Veterinary Medicines Directorate the following performance targets for 2000–01.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What targets they have set the Pesticide Safety Directorate for 2000–01, [HL2281]

My right honourable friend the Minister set the Pesticide Safety Directorate the following performance targets for 2000–01.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What targets they have set the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency for 2000–01. [HL2282]

My right honourable friend the Minister has set the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency the following performance targets for 2000–01.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What targets they have set the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science for 2000–01. [HL2283]

My right honourable friend the Minister has set the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science the following performance targets for 2000–01.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What targets they have set the Central Science Laboratory for 2000–01. [HL2284]

My right honourable friend the Minister has set the Central Science Laboratory the following performance targets for 2000–01.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What were their detailed reasons for deciding not to subscribe to the 1995 Unidroit Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects; and [HL2089]In view of their decision not to subscribe to the 1970 UNESCO and 1995 Unidroit Convention on the illicit traffic of cultural materials, under what alternative international legal framework they might seek to recover British antiquities recently illicitly excavated and illegally exported such as the Icklingam bronzes; and [HL2091]What were their detailed reasons for deciding not to ratify the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Trade of Cultural Property; and whether their two years' consideration of this matter has resulted in any alternative proposals to restrict the illicit trade in cultural property. [HL2090]

As Her Majesty's Government announced in another place on 7 February 2000, after a lengthy inter-departmental consultation, we concluded that the UK should not become a signatory to the Unidroit Convention due to the conflicts with our current law. We noted that, in order to implement the convention, changes to our limitation periods and to our personal property law would be required, resulting in a special regime for cultural objects and arguably a less generous position for the original, rightful owners of objects which were later stolen. However, Her Majesty's Government have undertaken to consider the possible options for an alternative legislative approach which would share some of the objectives of the Unidroit Convention.Following representations made by the noble Lord, I also said that I was willing to look again at the difficulties of implementing the UNESCO convention and that we would be looking at a range of options which might form the basis of an alternative approach to the convention.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress they have made in composing a protocol with the National Assembly for Wales to deal with issues connected with primary legislation. [HL2167]

The Assembly has agreed a draft protocol and sent it to the Secretary of State for Wales for consideration by the UK Government. This consideration is currently taking place in the light of the experience of the current parliamentary session.The draft protocol was tabled on 26 January and debated in the Assembly on 2 February; a copy is available on the Assembly's website.