asked Her Majesty's Government:When the Quinquennial Review of the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils will take place and what the terms of reference for the review will be. [HL2833]

I am today launching the Quinquennial Review of the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils.Reviews of Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) are an important part of our modernisation programme to modernise government. The Government are committed to achieving better public services that are of higher quality and are more responsive to the needs of the people who use them. Regular NDPB reviews are an important element in ensuring that we have in place the right structures to deliver the Government's agenda effectively and to provide a strong focus on improving future performance.The terms of reference for the review of the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils are:CCLRC was established in February 1995 and so it is due for review in the course of 2000.The review of CCLRC will have two stages.The first stage will examine the role, organisation and composition and funding mechanisms for CCLRC, by reference to its charter and mission, its past performance, recent CCLRC-instigated studies on future vision and funding, current best practice for NDPBs and contribution to the work of other Research Councils. All relevant options for the future of the Council will be considered, including abolition, continued NDPB status, rationalisation, privatisation or strategic contracting out.The conduct of the second stage will be dependent on and informed by the outcome of the first. If the first stage confirms the continued operation of CCLRC in its present or another form, this stage will examine the opportunities for improving performance by reference to such issues as management structures, aims and objectives, performance targets and service standards, use of new technology, levels of delegated authority and effective accountability. In that event, the review will take account of evidence of work already undertaken to review and improve performance. Opportunties for expanding the present range of users of facilities and services and optimising the contribution of facilities and services to exploitable research will also be considered.The review will be conducted in accordance with the latest Cabinet Office guidance (published on 31 January 2000) and will include consultation, either in person or in writing, with members of council, staff of the Executive and CCLRC's customers and key stakeholders.The review team will report at intervals to a review board. It will be the task of the review board to respond flexibly to the reviewer's proposals during the progress of the review, each member contributing guidance and knowledge, including, where appropriate, the good offices of his or her department or organisation. The review board will ensure that Ministers, the Treasury, the Cabinet Office and the staff and customers of the CCLRC are kept informed of the progress of the review and will facilitate the gathering of information for the reviewer and his or her communication with staff and customers.The review will be supported by officials in the Office of Science and Technology, with specialist advice as appropriate. The review board will be chaired by Sir Peter Williams and will include key stakeholder representatives. The aim will be to complete each stage of the review within a period of approximately three months, as recommended in the Cabinet Office guidance.As indicated in the terms of reference, the Review Team is seeking the views of interested parties. A questionnaire is available from the CCLRC website (http.//www.clrc.ac.uk/qreview) or from:

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assessment has been made of the impact of the decision in the case of

The decision in that case is a matter for some concern and I therefore propose to undertake an urgent consultation on the issues raised by that decision against the possibility of their being addressed in the context of the current proposed legislation on insolvency.A consultation paper has been issued asking whether or not landlords should continue to be able to effect peaceable re-entry (without the leave of the court) while a company or an individual is the subject of a statutory moratorium in the context of an insolvency procedure. Copies of that document have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to publish consultation papers an (i) establishing a salaried defence service and draft code of conduct for salaried defenders employed by the Legal Services Commission; and (ii) choice of representative in criminal proceedings. [HL2799]

I have today placed copies of both consultation papers in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies are also available on my department's website at http://www.open.gov.uk/lcd.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have any proposals to amend the Lord Chancellor's Department's Departmental Expenditure Limit for 2000–01. [HL2798]

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate for Class V. Vote 1, the Lord Chancellor's Department's Departmental Expenditure Limit for 2000–01 will be increased by £10,000,000 from £2,515,609,000 to £2,525,609,000. The increase is in respect of an award from the Capital Modernisation Fund for the "Crown Court Programme".The increase will be offset by a transfer from the Capital Modernisation Fund and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 22 May

The turnout figures for the Mayor and London Assembly elections include all those who spoiled their ballot papers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will announce new measures to conserve and enhance areas of outstanding natural beauty. [HL2827]

We have announced today that the Government will shortly bring forward amendments to the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill as part of a series of measures to safeguard the status of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and provide for their proper protection and management. The amendments will make provision for the creation of Conservation Boards for individual, larger AONBs where this would benefit their cohesive management and where there is local support for such a move. They will also require the adoption of a Management Plan for each AONB.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their policy on planning protection for areas of outstanding natural beauty. [HL2828]

The Government accept the view put by the then Countryside Commission in Section 4 of their publication Protecting our finest landscapes: advice to Government (1998), that the landscape qualities of National Parks and Areas of Oustanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are equivalent. Conserving and enhancing the beauty of the landscape are objectives for both types of designation. The Government therefore believe that the protection given to both types of area by the land use planning system should also be equivalent.The Government's planning policies for AONBs are set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 7:

asked Her Majesty's Government:In assessing bids for new or extended rail passenger franchises, what weight is given to: (a) present performance of franchisees: (b) new service proposals; and (c) price offered. [HL2759]

There are no specified weightings. The Instructions and Guidance which the Deputy Prime Minister gave to the Franchising Director last year ask him to evaluate replacement bids giving due weight to the following criteria; commitment to performance, customer services, innovation, investment and efficiency; the extent to which extra or earlier investment can be obtained; the extent to which better performance can be secured; the extent to which integrated transport measures can be achieved; the extent to which passengers will be a greater voice in the level and standard of services and affordability and value for money to the taxpayer.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What levels of poor service to passengers would exclude existing franchise operators from being awarded new or extended rail passenger franchises in compliance with the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising Objectives, Instructions and Guidance for the Secretary of State. [HL2760]

There are no specific levels—past performance is one of the many criteria that will be taken into account when assessing bids for new franchises.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much money they have spent and are planning to spend in the immediate future on killing badgers. [HL2616]

The Government's research strategy for cattle TB includes a badger culling trial designed to establish what contribution badgers make to TB in cattle and to assess whether culling them helps to reduce the disease in cattle. The costs associated with the trial, including extensive surveying of badger territories, along with vehicles, office accommodation and other overheads were £4.2 million in 1999–2000. Final allocations for the current year have yet to he decided.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to adopt a whole herd slaughter policy for future BSE incidents. [HL2618]

No.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they support the action last week of the Labour Members of the European Parliament, who voted for a retrospective whole herd slaughter policy. [HL2619]

The agreed policy of the Labour group of MEPs was to vote against the amendments that would introduce herd slaughter. Mistaken votes recorded for two Labour MEPs were subsequently corrected.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements have been made following the expiry of the term of appointment of the President of the Interception of Communications Tribunal on 4 April. [HL2831]

Mr Justice Burton has been appointed as President of the Interception of Communications Tribunal for a period of five years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the annual report for 1999 of the Complaints Audit Committee of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [HL2832]

A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. It is a useful and informative document and I am grateful to the Committee for its comments and its recommendations, which will all be followed up. The report also includes details of the broadening of the Committee's terms of reference to reflect its role in monitoring complaints arising from the enhanced powers of immigration officers under Part VII of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the report of the Prison Service race relations group. [HL2829]

A copy of the ninth report of the Prison Service race relations group to the Prison Service Management Board has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proposals they have for changes to the 2000–01 department expenditure limits within the Home Secretary's responsibility. [HL2830]

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Departmental Expenditure Limited (DEL), which covers Class IV Vote 1 (Home Office administration, police, probation, immigration and other services, England and Wales) and Vote 2 (Prisons, England and Wales), will be increased by £42,050,000 from £8,068,786,000 to £8,110,836,000.The changes are the net effect of the following transfers: £1,200,000 to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Class II1 Vote 1) in respect of neighbourhood wardens; £20,200,000 from the DEL Reserve for police modernisation; £2,900,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund for the electronic chipping of goods; and, £20,150,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund for the national strategy for police information systems.The increases will be offset by a charge on the Reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.Changes to the budgeted amount for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, which includes the costs of dealing with asylum seekers, have yet to be confirmed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Blackstone on 23 March

I am not aware of any discussions having taken place between the Member of Parliament for Bristol South and Ministers of other departments. As the noble Lord will be aware, the decision on the proposal to close Merrywood School was for my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. Any discussions with interested parties were therefore conducted with my ministerial colleagues.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the Education Council held in Luxembourg on 8 June. [HL2796]

The Council of EC Education Ministers, at which the UK was represented by Nicol Stephen MSP, Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning in the Scottish Executive, adopted a Decision to establish the European Year of Languages 2001.Ministers held an open debate on the future challenges and objectives of education systems in the learning society. The Council agreed that education and training policies would play a key part in ensuring the successful follow-up to the conclusions agreed at the Lisbon European Council, and on the need for Education Ministers to feed into the Luxembourg Employment Process. Ministers recognised that benchmarks and the exchange of good practice could be useful tools in supporting appropriate action at member state level. Ministers put forward proposals for policy areas which should be covered by the report of Education Ministers to the Stockholm European Council in Spring 2001. Discussion covered the Commission's work on the e-learning initiative, which was welcomed by member states.The Commission presented a report on quality indicators in school education. It also gave progress reports on the Recommendation on Quality Evaluation in School Education, and the Recommendation on Mobility within the Community for students, persons undergoing training, young volunteers, teachers and trainers.A copy of the Council minutes will be placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the Social Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 6 June. [HL2795]

My honourable friend Angela Eagle, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Social Security and my honourable friend the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities represented the UK at the Social Affairs Council meeting on 6 June.Political agreement was reached by the Council on a directive implementing the principle of equal treatment of persons irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin. This is the first legislative proposal brought under Article 13 of the Treaty. The directive covers a range of issues including employment, access to social protection and social security; access to education; and access to goods and services. All member states with scrutiny reserves, including the UK, lifted them.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to publish the Intelligence and Security Committee's report into the handling of the information provided by Vasili Mitrokhin. [HL2797]

I have today laid before the House a copy of the Intelligence and Security Committee's report into the security and intelligence agencies' handling of the information provided by Mr Mitrokhin. In consultation with the committee, a small number of excisions from the original text have been made on grounds of national security. I have also today laid before the House the Government's response to the committee's report.The Government are very grateful to the committee for the report of its inquiry. Mr Mitrokhin's information is uniquely valuable. Its authenticity has been proved beyond doubt. The Government have drawn a number of conclusions from the information itself, from the publication project and from the findings of the Intelligence and Security Committee's inquiry. The most significant are: