asked Her Majesty's Government:What action has been taken by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton in his capacity as Minister and as shadow director of the New Millennium Experience Company to comply with the advice given by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) at page 39 of their Project Mozart presentation that shadow directors "must be on notice and need to take urgent action to address the position after taking appropriate legal and commercial advice" in light of the PWC's statement at page 39 that "There is clear evidence to suggest that NMEC is currently insolvent." [HL4134]

Any action I may take in relation to the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) I take in my role as shareholder, and I am not on the board of directors. As shareholder I have been kept informed of issues as they have arisen. The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report was submitted to the Board of NMEC on 22 August. The board noted the PwC view, and took expert advice about the company's solvency position at the end of August. As a result they considered that there was a real prospect of further funding to enable the company to ensure ongoing solvency. This was found to be the correct course of action as on 5 September the commission approved a grant of £47 million to the NMEC which secured NMEC's ongoing solvency.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Millennium Dome's New Millennium Experience Company has, at any time, traded while insolvent; and, if so, which periods. [HL4159]

The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report, which was presented to the NMEC board on 22 August and is now in the Libraries of the House, costed the liabilities of the company and indicated that there were periods of insolvency throughout the year.The effect of Section 214 of the Insolvency Act 1986 can be to make it proper for a company's directors to continue to trade, even though the company may technically be insolvent at a given time, if there is a reasonable prospect that they may be able to introduce sufficient funds to correct the insolvency and thereby eliminate any risk to creditors.The NMEC board and its directors secured additional grant from the Millennium Commission in February, May, August and September 2000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the statement by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 5 October (H.L. Deb., col. 1684) that "discussions are taking place to finalise how the other pre-condition will be achieved, but they are almost there", whether those discussions have now been completed; and whether, as a consequence, the pre-condition imposed by the Millennium Commission on a grant of £47 million on 4 September that that amount represented the last draw-down from the Millennium Commission is now in place. [HL4237]

The Government are currently considering the best process and vehicle to deal with any potential residual and contingent liabilities arising from the Millennium Experience. However, the grant of £47 million awarded by the Millennium Commission to the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) was to ensure an orderly wind-down of the company. The board of NMEC are confident that a solvent solution will be achieved within the current level of grant.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 20 November (

The details of contractual issues are being pursued in negotiations between the competition team and Legacy plc. Details of the proposed overall financial consideration for the sale of the Dome to Legacy plc must remain commercially confidential at this stage. The arrangements for Legacy plc to acquire the Dome will include a cash consideration on exchange of contracts and a further cash consideration on completion of the sale.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 20 November (

There are a number of contractual issues, including purchase price, which will form part of the current negotiations currently taking place between Legacy plc and the competition team. The details of these negotiations are commercially confidential.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 20 November (

The negotiations with Legacy plc will be undertaken by the competition team, and overseen by officials from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. Regular reports will be made to the ministerial team, which includes the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Falconer, Minister of State at Cabinet Office and Shareholder of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC), Andrew Smith, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Hilary Armstrong, Minister for Local Government and the Regions, and Janet Anderson, Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assessment they have made of the impact of the development of the Excel site in Docklands upon the viability of the Legacy plc offer to develop the Dome site; and whether they will publish the results of that impact assessment. [HL4749]

The Excel centre in the Royal Docks and Legacy plc's proposals for the Dome are of a very different nature, one being an exhibition centre, the other a high-technology business park. The commercial and financial viability of Legacy's proposals has been evaluated by the Government's advisers. The evaluation is commercially confidential. Further development of evidence of commercial demand will be important in continued negotiations with Legacy plc.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 20 November (

English Partnerships undertook a review of alternative options for the Millennium Dome and its site while discussions were taking place between the competition team and Legacy plc. Ministers will wish to revisit that work should negotiations with Legacy plc fall.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 20 November (

The professional advisers to the competition team provided comprehensive advice to Ministers. This detailed advice is commercially confidential, but it concluded that Legacy plc could be awarded preferred bidder status while recommending that a number of issues should be vigorously pursued as part of any future negotiations with Legacy plc. These negotiations will continue over the coming months and the Government hope to be in a position to exchange contracts in February.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 20 November (

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is in discussion with Legacy plc with regard to the level of decommissioning required. NMEC has a budget of £7.5 million for the decommissioning. This sum is sufficient to deal with decommissioning which NMEC is obliged to undertake.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 20 November (

The Government are currently considering the division of proceeds in light of the decision announced on 20 November that Legacy plc had been selected as preferred bidder.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 20 November (

The Millennium Commission is entitled to receive any surplus achieved by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) from trading, asset disposals, or the Legacy transaction. No precise amount can be forecast until NMEC completes its operations on 31 December and the Legacy transaction is concluded.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What agreement they have reached with Legacy plc with regard to the warranties and indemnities which will form part of the contract of sale of the Millennium Dome. [HL4759]

Details on the contract of the sale, including warranties and indemnities, are part of the detailed negotiations which are taking place with Legacy plc and the competition team. This information is commercially confidential.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the total amount of indebtedness of the New Millennium Experience Company as at 21 November. [HL4761]

As at 21 November, the New Millennium Experience Company's creditors' ledger showed an amount of £5.5 million. This is not an overdue amount. It is simply a reflection of what was on the ledger at that date. Payments to creditors are made in accordance with their contractual terms.

asked Her Majesty's Government:With regard to the goods and services contracted by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC):

The New Millennium Experience Company has advised that it has been issued with seven county court judgments. Details of these are as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:What language groups were consulted by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in the production of a pamphlet entitled

The pamphlet entitled The Bill of Rights—Language, along with the 10 other pamphlets in a Bill of Rights series, was produced as an aid to the consultation exercise currently being undertaken by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the scope for measures to be included in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. As such, the pamphlets were not the subject of consultation with outside groups prior to publication. The current consultation exercise will inform the advice that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission provides to government on the scope for defining a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.This satisfies the requirements of the Belfast agreement of 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is proposing to appoint a nominee from the Irish language sector to the Education Rights Working Group considering the Northern Ireland Bill of Rights but has made no allowance for an Ulster Scots nominee. [HL4725]

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. An invitation was extended to someone working in the Irish medium schools to join the Education Rights Working Group. The commission is not aware of any schools currently teaching in the medium of Ulster Scots.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Irish Government has complied with its specific human rights obligations as contained in the Belfast agreement, under the chapter entitled

These are matters for the Irish Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether staff of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission are required to display any particular attitude towards human rights. [HL4758]

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. I am advised that when advertising posts it is common practice for the commission to include, in the job description and specification, a requirement of the following kind:to display a commitment to the protection of human rights and to the promotion of equality and to show a sensitivity to the diversity of views on human rights issues in Northern Ireland.

asked Her Majesty's Government:On what date and in what form the government of the Irish Republic indicated that they supported the Disqualifications Bill currently before Parliament. [HL4757]

Discussions have taken place with Irish officials on several occasions on the issues of the disqualification acts of 1975. They have indicated that they warmly welcome the changes proposed by the Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which appointments affecting Northern Ireland they have made since 1 January 1997 on which they consulted the Government of the Republic of Ireland. [HL4726]

Under Article 6 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, the Irish Government had the right to nominate people for consideration for public appointments in Northern Ireland. However, such nominations were treated on exactly the same basis as nominations from other sources, with appointments made on the basis of merit. The British-Irish Agreement which took effect on 2 December 1999 replaced the Anglo-Irish Agreement and with it the Irish Government's right to be consulted about public appointments.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any Minister knew of, or authorised, the disclosure to

It has been the normal policy of successive Governments not to discuss purported leaks of information. All Ministers and officials are bound by the convention of not pre-empting the announcement of the legislative programme in the Queen's Speech.

asked Her Majesty's Government:For how long the search engine on the Cabinet Office website has been off-line; and when it can be expected to be operational again. [HL4707]

The search engine on the Cabinet Office website has been disabled since 14 June 2000, as a consequence of the site being hacked. This incident prompted a police inquiry and a fundamental review of website security. The review is ongoing, and the restoration of the search engine is included in the resultant programme of work to enhance the security and quality of the Cabinet Office website. We hope to have the search engine restored by the end of December 2000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will appoint a Cabinet-level e-commerce Minister, as proposed by EURIM. [HL4709]

Patricia Hewitt is the Minister for e-commerce and has overall responsibility for the Government's Information Age agenda. Cabinet Ministers and other Ministers across government are involved in driving this agenda forward. The Government have also appointed an e-envoy who works on this agenda.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the responsibilities of the incoming e-Envoy; and how, if at all these differ from when the post was held by Mr Alex Allan. [HL4708]

The e-Envoy's primary responsibility has not changed since Alex Allan was appointed as the Government's first e-Envoy—that is, to meet the Government's aim of making the UK one of the world's leading knowledge economies by getting the UK online. My honourable friend the Minister for e-Commerce and the e-Envoy will continue to report to my right honourable friend the Prime Minister monthly in writing, and quarterly in person, on progress towards the Government's targets.However, as the noble Lord is aware, the environment in which the next e-Envoy will operate has evolved. The UK, and the global e-commerce environment have changed, becoming more sophisticated; our e-government strategy has developed; and the office of the e-Envoy's structure has altered to support this.Therefore, the ways in which this overall responsibility will be achieved, and the skills it requires, have developed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:On how many occasions since the House of Lords agreed its Scrutiny Reserve Resolution on 6 December 1999 have Ministers of the Crown given agreement to proposals for European Community legislation or to other Community actions when the subject concerned had not completed scrutiny clearance by the European Union Committee; and what changes they are now considering to strengthen the scrutiny procedures. [HL4737]

Information is not held in the form requested. I have asked my officials to collect the information requested for all government departments. I will write to the noble Lord with the information as soon as possible and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any parts or materials derived from parts of

EU regulations permit the import into the UK, from the USA and Canada, of wild and farmed game meat from animals of the Odocoileus hemionus species and Cervus elaphus nelsoni for human consumption. Consignments must come from EU approved establishments and must be accompanied by official veterinary health certification, which does not, however, specifically refer to freedom from chronic wasting disease (CWD).The importation from the USA or Canada of game meat products derived from these animals is not permitted under Community law as there are no EU approved processing establishments. Imports of parts of the animals or materials derived from them (ie. game trophies and hides and skins) may be imported under EU regulations but not for human consumption.We have been told by the authorities in Canada that elk and mule deer meat are not exported or used in the food chain. There is a depopulation programme in place in respect of those herds affected by CWD. There have been no recorded cases of CWD in red deer in Canada. CWD is present in the USA but is confined to a small geographical region. Six establishments in the USA are approved to export game meat to the UK and they are significantly distant from this region.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will report progress on farm incomes. [HL4840]

We are disappointed to note that predictions for farm incomes for this year suggest a further significant fall of 27 per cent by comparison with 1999. A statistical press release has been placed in the Library of the House.The Government remain committed to helping farmers through these difficult times. Last December, the Minister announced the Government's long-term strategy for agriculture, which aims to help secure a more competitive and sustainable farming industry, with a stronger market orientation.This commitment is underpinned by a comprehensive range of initiatives including reform of the common agricultural policy; significant increases in expenditure on rural development and agri-environment schemes; new measures to reduce the burden of regulation on farming; promotion of increased co-operation and collaboration across the food supply chain; and targeted financial support to the sectors in greatest difficulty.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the estimated income from the disposal of the Tolworth Toby Jug site which the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food included in their business plan for moving civil servants to Page Street in London; and what is now the agreed price for its disposal. [HL4801]

The business plan for the relocation of Ministry staff from Tolworth to Page Street, London assumed that income from the disposal of the Toby Jug site would be £9 million. The Ministry of Defence subsequently agreed to pay the estimated open market value of the site with vacant possession and valuers put this at £9.6 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they decided to stop seeking commercial development opportunities for the Tolworth Toby Jug site of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and to dispose of it to the Ministry of Defence; and what were the consequences of this decision for the cost of moving the civil servants from Tolworth to London. [HL4802]

The Ministry agreed in March this year to transfer the Tolworth Toby Jug site to the Ministry of Defence when it became clear that the latter could not relocate its Tolworth operations by the time that our requirement for the site ceased. The transfer took place on 1 July. Prior to this, discussions had taken place with various organisations which had expressed an interest in acquiring the Toby Jug site but the Ministry had not itself applied for any planning consent. Once the transfer had taken place, these organisations were advised to contact the Ministry of Defence if they wished to continue the discussions. None of this had any effect on the cost of moving civil servants to London.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the estimated cost according to their business plan, and the actual cost, of moving civil servants in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from the Tolworth Toby Jug site to Page Street in London; and from where these funds were obtained. [HL4800]

The estimated cost used in the business plan of moving civil servants from Tolworth Toby Jug to Page Street in London was £92,500. The outturn cost was £92,000. The funding was obtained from within the Ministry's existing provision.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Following the latest proposals by the European Union Commission on the future of the European Union Sugar Regime, what is their policy towards the future of that regime with particular reference to Commonwealth countries whose economies are largely dependent on secure sugar supplies.[HL4807]

The Government are aware that some Commonwealth countries are concerned about the impact of these proposals on their sugar industries. On the LDC market access proposal the Government are committed to ensuring that the views of the Commonwealth countries are taken into account by the Commission and other member states.In any case, it is important that Common wealth countries which are dependent on sugar exports take steps to improve their competitiveness.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What funding they have given to Zimbabwe this year. [HL4678]

It is expected that the spend for this financial year will be £14 million. The latest figures we have for EC development assistance to Zimbabwe are for 1998 when the EC spent £15.70 million, of which the UK share was 16.7 per cent.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What monies they have withheld from Zimbabwe this year. [HL4679]

In the Zimbabwe Country Strategy Paper of April 1999, we made clear spending could vary from £12 million to £28 million in the current financial year depending on government policies. Currently we expect to spend £14 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What future government funding they envisage for Zimbabwe. [HL4680]

Future funding for Zimbabwe is expected to be about the same as this year, approximately £14 million. This could change in response to political and economic developments in Zimbabwe.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the weapons collection programme introduced in Albania earlier in the year has been a success; whether there were sufficient resources available for effective follow-through; and what direct and indirect contributions the United Kingdom has made to that programme. [HL4721]

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Weapons Collection Pilot Programme for Albania was set up in Gramsh in February 1999. The project is a success and it has been extended to two more districts, Elbasan and Diber. Over 9,500 weapons and 182 tons of ammunition have been collected, of which about half the weapons have been destroyed already.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will seek to ensure that plans, whether bilateral or multilateral, to reduce worldwide poverty include prevention of trafficking in women and sexual abuse of young people, whenever this is appropriate. [HL4786]

Through our programmes to promote sustainable development and poverty elimination DFID is helping to reduce the circumstances which give rise to trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children. This is an international problem which requires co-ordinated international action. DFID is supporting national governments and international bodies in such efforts.In the Greater Mekong Sub-region we are supporting the International Labour Organisation's project to reduce trafficking of women and children in Loas, Thailand, China (Yunnan), Cambodia and Vietnam. In the Balkans we are working with the International Organisation for Migration to train agencies dealing with trafficking, such as police, social workers and the legal profession. We hope to create models of best practice which can be adopted elsewhere.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they will ensure that poverty reduction becomes the main focus of the European Union's development policy. [HL4805]

On 10 November European Union Development Ministers agreed a new development policy which states that poverty reduction—and its eventual eradication—is the overarching objective of the European Community's development policy in all developing countries. The Commission has prepared a programme of action for implementation of the new development policy which contains key actions required to translate this objective into results on the ground. The Secretary of State for International Development and her European Union colleagues will monitor progress against the programme of action at the bi-annual Councils of European Development Ministers. This is a major step forward for the EC's development policy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the average interval between commitment and disbursal of European development assistance; and how this compares with practice in the United Kingdom. [HL4806]

According to European Commission figures, the average interval between commitment and disbursal of European development assistance in calendar years 1995 to 1999 was four and a half years. Comparable figures for the UK are not available without disproportionate cost. As an indication of practice in the UK, in financial years 1997 to 1999 funds were disbursed within a year of commitment for 83 per cent of projects.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations they have had from the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust in regard to the execution of warrants against vulnerable people; and what action they are taking. [HL4711]

The Zacchaeus 2000 Trust has contributed to Professor Beatson's Review of Bailiff Law, published in July 2000. I am grateful to all who contributed to this independent review and I am currently considering Professor Beatson's recommendations.In addition, on 23 October the trust responded to proposals for secondary legislation that will transfer responsibility for warrant execution from the police to magistrates' courts committees. The trust's recommendations go far wider than the draft regulations in question, and I shall therefore want to consider them, where possible, in the broader context of the review of enforcement of civil court judgments which my department is currently undertaking.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the report in the

The common position on the Takeovers Directive adopted by the Council of Ministers in June this year is being considered by the European Parliament under the co-decision procedure. Under this procedure the Parliament, acting by an absolute majority of its members, may propose amendments to the common position. It is expected to vote on possible amendments at its plenary session beginning on 11 December. At this stage, it is not clear whether the Parliament will vote in favour of any proposed amendments to the common position. If it does so, it is not clear what those proposed amendments might be. Under the co-decision procedure the Parliament cannot unilaterally make amendments to the text of a draft directive—they must be agreed by the Council. If the Council does not agree amendments proposed by the Parliament, a conciliation procedure between the Parliament and Council begins with a view to reaching agreement on the text. The Government, in consultation with the Takeover Panel, and together with the other member states, will consider any suggested changes to the text of the common position arising from this process, in order to reach a mutually acceptable outcome.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What has been the cost to date of the operation of the scheme of compensation of miners or former miners suffering from bronchitis and emphysema, excluding any payments to applicants. [HL4808]

Costs, including the amount paid to solicitors, are £31.6 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the working of the Late Payments of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, which sought to tackle small and medium-sized enterprises being paid late, especially by big firms and institutions, is satisfactory. [HL4794]

Since its introduction in November 1998, we have consistently monitored the effect of the Act on payment times in the UK. We recognise that we are still at an early stage and the UK still has some way to go before we meet the example set by countries such as Sweden and Denmark but we welcome the findings from recent research.Research undertaken by the Credit Management Research Centre in October 1998, prior to the introduction of the legislation, reported that 45 per cent of customers were paying at or near the due date without being reminded. A more recent survey published in July 2000 shows that this figure has now risen to 60 per cent, identifying a reduction in the number of late payers in the UK since the introduction of the legislation.In addition, recent research published in the Grant Thornton European Business Survey confirms that the average payment period for sales invoices in the UK now stands at 45 days against an EU average of 54 days, identifying a continuing downward trend in UK payment times in recent years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any British troops committed to action under the proposed European Defence Force would have available the support and protection of those electronic intelligence and surveillance capabilities of the United States which would be made available to NATO under similar conditions. [HL4766]

At the Washington Summit in April 1999, NATO Heads of State and Governments welcomed the impetus being given to the strengthening of a common European policy in security and defence. They announced that they stood ready to develop arrangements to provide the EU with ready access to the collective assets and capabilities of the Alliance for operations in which the Alliance as a whole is not militarily engaged. Work is in hand to develop these arrangements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In respect of the need of the Armed Forces for a strategic sea-lift capability, why roll-on/roll-off ferries are defined as "non-warlike"; and on whose authority such a classification is based. [HL4550]

I will write to my noble friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the estimated cost of the pension credit in 2003–04. [HL4686]

The costs of the Pension Credit will depend on decisions about the detailed design following the consultation exercise—such as the nature of the interactions with other benefits such as Housing Benefit and the detail of the legislation when it has completed its passage through Parliament. The Government will bring forward estimates of the Pension Credit once they have considered responses to the consultation exercise.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What further consideration they have given to extending to severely disabled people under the age of 60 the winter fuel payment currently paid to all pensioner households irrespective of income; and what action they are taking. [HL4751]

We have no plans to extend the scheme further.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to implement Section 10 of the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987, which amended Section 18 of the Fire Precautions Act 1971, so placing a duty upon fire authorities to carry out fire safety inspection of premises to which that Act applies; and whether they intend to provide guidance to fire authorities in pursuance of that duty until such time as a new Fire Safety Bill is introduced. [HL4830]

The Government have no plans to implement Section 10 of the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987. The Fire Safety Advisory Board is developing proposals for the reform of fire safety legislation. It is our intention to pursue this by means of an order under the regulatory reform Bill which we hope to introduce as soon as parliamentary time allows. One of the issues under consideration is whether there should be a statutory duty on fire authorities to inspect premises and, if so, how far that duty should extend.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many fire safety inspections have been carried out by fire authorities of premises falling within Section 9A of the Fire Precautions Act 1971; and how many improvement notices under Section 9D of the Act were served by fire authorities on such premises bewteen 1 April 1989 and 31 December 1997. [HL4831]

The fugures for inspections carried out by fire authorities of premises falling within Section 9A of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 are set out in the table below. No central record is kept of the number of improvement notices served under Section 9D.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 27 November (

Records indicate that no minimum sentences under Section 111 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 were imposed for the period from December 1999 (when the relevant provision was implemented) to June 2000 inclusive. Section 111 applies where an offender, after 30 November 1999, is convicted of an offence of domestic burglary, having previously been convicted on two separate occasions of offences of domestic burglary also committed after 30 November 1999. It is entirely possible that there have been no occasions in the seven months at issue when an offender has gone through the sequence of committing an offence, being apprehended and convicted on three separate occasions (where he must also have been sentenced and served any period of imprisonment imposed in relation to the first two occasions.)

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the criticisms of the Home Office made in the Medical Foundation's report on the treatment of 49 Tamil asylum seekers who survived torture in Sri Lanka, published in June. [HL4804]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 6 July, Official Report, col. WA 150–151. A fact finding mission to Sri Lanka which is planned for the New Year to investigate a number of issues will cover points raised by the Medical Foundation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 13th November (

the YouGov article incorrectly asserts that under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), "lesser public authorities such as local councils, the benefits office have the power to intercept anyone's emails". The only agencies which are empowered to seek interception warrants (which do not include those bodies quoted by YouGov) are set out in Section 6(2) of the Act.RIPA does not, as the YouGov article suggests, place the burden on the person served with a disclosure notice to prove that an encryption code has been lost innocently. Sections 53(2) and (3) of the Act refer. This offence was amended following discussion in Committee on 28 June. The changes were welcomed by spokesmen for the Opposition parties (cols. 1011–1012).It is not true that the regulations, made under Section 4(2) of the Act, give employers "carte blanche" to monitor their employees' communications. They establish rules, for the first time, governing this activity with a civil liability for those who breach the regulations (Section 1(3)).The suggestion that the Act would be in force from 5 November is also wrong. The Government do not envisage commencing parts of the Act—the provisions in Part I, Chapter II and Part III—until early and late 2001 respectively. This is to allow sufficient time for detailed discussions with interested parties on the implementation of these crucial provisions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 13th November (

It would be unusual for an asylum seeker or would-be immigrant to remain unrepresented before the appellate authorities. If this occurred and the determination of the Tribunal in Pardeepan was relevant to their circumstances, the Home Office Presenting Officer or the appellate authority will ensure that arrangements are made for the implications of the determination to be brought to the attention of the asylum seeker or would-be immigrant.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which Council of Europe member countries allow sentenced prisoners to vote. [HL4743]

The information requested is not readily available and will take some time to collate. I will write to the noble Lord shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that majorities of both Israelis and Palestinians wish serious peace negotiations to continue; and, if so, whether they will state their support and facilitate the starting and continuance of such negotiations. [HL4784]

We believe strongly that Israelis and Palestinians want peace, and that they recognise that a negotiated settlement is the only means of achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. The Government continue to urge Israeli and Palestinian representatives to put in place measures to end the violence and to return to the negotiating table. Britain will remain actively engaged, doing all it can to help both parties achieve these aims.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their latest information on the number, whereabouts and well-being of Kuwaiti prisoners of war in Iraq; and what further international initiatives they have taken or supported for their release. [HL4750]

Her Majesty's Government are extremely concerned that the whereabouts of the 605 Kuwaitis and other nationals missing since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait remains unknown. The UK plays an active role in the Tripartite Commission process, chaired by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which seeks to resolve these cases. That process has, however, been hampered by continued Iraqi obstruction. Iraq currently refuses to attend commission meetings. At a consultation meeting of the other commission members on 31 October, the UK called on Iraq to return to the process and restated our commitment to support the commission's work. We have also discussed this issue with the Foreign Minister of Kuwait, and others, over recent weeks.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assessment they have made of atrocities in the Congo in the last two years; whether the level and nature of these atrocities constitute genocide or crimes against humanity; and what initiatives they have taken to raise the situation in the Congo at an international level. [HL4752]

We strongly condemn all acts of violence committed by both sides in the conflict in DRC. We regularly raise these issues with all parties and in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1291 have urged an international investigation into all such events with a view to bringing all those responsible to justice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What evidence they have to suggest that the policy of critical engagement with Sudan has improved Sudan's human rights record. [HL4826]

We have many human rights concerns in Sudan and our policy of critical engagement with the Sudanese Government has put us in a far better position to pursue these. We have seen some improvement in their record. For example, over 300 abductees have been returned since the setting up of the Committee for the Eradication of Abductions of Women and Children last year. Our Ambassador regularly attends the committee's meetings to urge further progress. The Sudanese are also now allowing greater numbers of visits by monitors such as UN Special Rapporteurs, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. They have also agreed to review the "Public Order" law and continue the process of legal reform. Nevertheless, we continue to have serious concerns at continued human rights violations.Our Embassy in Khartoum has regularly lobbied the Government of Sudan at ministrial level on human rights concerns and will continue to do so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What specific assistance they propose to offer the new government of Serbia in the clearing of the Danube following the restoration of diplomatic ties between Yugoslavia and the United Kingdom. [HL4732]

The UK fully supports the European Union's decision to fund 85 per cent of the Danube Commission project to clear the river Danube at Novi Sad. This project is now at the stage of tendering. In recognition of humanitarian need and following a needs assessment visit by the Department for Trade and Industry, the UK will also be meeting the costs of laying a replacement water pipeline across the new, permanent road bridge at Novi Sad.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What specific criteria they use to measure human rights improvements in a country. [HL4827]

Our policy is to promote British interests and pursue British values by supporting democracy and human rights, wherever we can, however we can. That means responding to human rights challenges in the way most likely to help the people whose freedoms are being restricted. In assessing the human rights situation in a country, we weigh information available from a wide range of sources, such as governments, NGOs and international bodies, against factors such as relevant international standards and the policies of the government in the country concerned.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the agreement on technical co-operation with the Chinese Government signed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, on 20 November commits China to any specific improvements in its human rights practices. [HL4828]

The MOU signed on 20 November in Beijing by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Wang Guangya, and Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, commits the Chinese Government to implement a programme of technical co-operation which will cover specific areas including rule of law, human rights education, and progress towards the ratification of the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights, and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the categories of policy where Britain's veto may be suspended by the European Commission by the Treaty of Nice. [HL4650]

I will write to the noble Lord shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many times the veto has been used by the European Union member states, including the United Kingdom, on single market issues in the last 10 years; and by which member states. [HL4791]

The Council Secretariat does not hold figures on the number of times member states have used the veto on single market issues, and the figures sought could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.However, few single market measures are now subject to unanimity, and the threat of the veto in this area is rare.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they intend to counter the use by other European Union member states of the national veto on single market legislation when the effect is to handicap British firms in the single European market. [HL4792]

Most single market legislation is subject to qualified majority voting rather than unanimity. We support this, since QMV helps prevent other countries from blocking single market measures which benefit UK businesses.The use of the veto on legislation relating to the single market is rare.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Specified Risk Materials (Amendment) Regulations 2000 will have the effect of weakening, from 1 October, the previous controls on specified risk materials; and, if so, whether European Union rules do not permit the United Kingdom to do otherwise; whether the French authorities will offer a greater level of protection; and whether the Government will review the regulations. [HL4738]

I will write to the noble Lord.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations they have had from the Mobility Trust on the provision of National Health Service powered wheelchairs and vouchers; what reply they are sending; and what action they are taking. [HL4712]

The Mobility Trust has written asking about the provision of NHS powered wheelchairs and vouchers and its letter is currently receiving attention. Our reply will include information about the £14 million recurring funding, made available from April 2000, for powered wheelchairs and voucher schemes. This funding is now free of distinctions in what should be spent on either scheme. Health authorities have been advised to consult with service users and take a flexible approach to ensuring that this money meets local needs and priorities in wheelchair services.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have for tackling variations in access to treatment for infertility. [HL]

The provision of infertility services causes concern to many couples.We have listened carefully to the representations we have received from couples seeking infertility treatment, and from their Members of Parliament and interested bodies working in the field and we have been considering how we can best respond to these very genuine concerns about variations in provision. We are placing in the Library a report on a baseline survey of infertility services in the National Health Service in 1997 conducted by the Department of Health.The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has produced three sets of guidelines for the management of infertility treatment. We are therefore asking the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to consider and update these documents to ensure that clinical guidelines based on the latest knowledge and best practice are available for use throughout the NHS.We want to see an improved service and greater efficiency for the benefit of patients. We see the referral of these guidelines to NICE as a major step forward in infertility treatment by means of which we can act positively to improve services and reduce the postcode lottery in this area of health care.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the Employment and Social Policy Council held in Brussels on 27 to 28 November. [HL4841]

My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities and my honourable friend the Minister for Competitiveness represented the UK at the Employment and Social Policy Council held in Brussels on 27 to 28 November.This was a busy Council, the most significant item being the agreement brokered on the Social Policy Agenda, which identifies the main priorities in the field of social policy for the next five years. The agreed text, to be sent to the Nice European Council for adoption, emphasises the goals agreed at the Lisbon Council in March, in particular in the areas of employment, social inclusion and the use of the open co-ordination approach.

asked the Leader of the House:What progress has been made in setting up a Joint Committee on Human Rights; and whether it is likely that the committee will be set up by the end of this year. [HL4834]

I understand that a Motion has now been set down on the Order Paper in another place, to be taken today, which asks that House to agree to the appointment of a Joint Committee on Human Rights. If the Motion is agreed, we would expect the committee to be set up early in the new Session.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will provide any assistance to the Council of Europe following the Vilnius Conference on Looted Art in setting up a website to list all works of art with dubious provenance between the years 1933–1945. [HL4690]

We will consider any formal proposal that might be put forward to us, although I understand that Sotheby's is to assist the Council of Europe in setting up a central website on looted art. In the meantime I join with the noble Lord in expressing satisfaction that the UK is continuing to lead the world in researching the provenance of works in public museums and galleries and congratulate the National Museum Directors' Conference (NMDC) on the establishment in February this year of their website listing objects in the national collections where the provenance between 1933 and 1945 is incomplete. I understand that NMDC have recently updated their website to include information relating to some local authority, university and independent museums.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements they propose to make to enable British and other competitors at the Commonwealth Games in 2002 to bring firearms into the United Kingdom and for British competitors to be able to practise for pistol shooting events without incurring foreign travel expenses. [HL4624]

The Secretary of State for the Home Department announced on 4 October 2000 that temporary authority would be granted for competitors to compete in shooting events at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. The Home Department and the national governing bodies of shooting, the National Rifle Association, and the National Small-Bore Rifle Association in association with Surrey police, have agreed an arrangement within the current firearm legislation which will enable British and foreign competitors to bring their firearms into the country for the duration of the Games.The legislation will require that all visitors to this country will have to apply for a visitors firearms permit and those visitors must have a sponsor. The National Rifle Association will act as sponsors for all visitors firearms permits. This means each participating country's team manager will have to apply to the 2002 Commonwealth Games Office for an application form. Details will need to be provided on the numbers and types of all Section 1 and Section 5 firearms and shotguns to be brought into the country. Air rifles and air pistols do not need any form of visitors permits.Applications for permits will be cleared within one month of receipt, accepting that Surrey police will have to deal with 42 countries. In this respect, the 2002 Commonwealth Games Office will expect applications to be returned to them no later than mid-May 2002. The Commonwealth Games Committee have already sent general guidelines on the use of firearms to all the participating countries.All firearms will have to enter the country via London Heathrow airport and no exceptions to this rule will be allowed. Competitors will not be allowed to take firearms beyond Customs control at Heathrow, as they will be transported in special vehicles to the National Shooting Centre at Bisley. Once on the site at Bisley, these firearms will have to be transported from their armoury to the range by Commonwealth Games officials, and competitors will therefore only have access to them on the range for shooting or maintenance.Her Majesty's Government will endeavour to treat all competitors equally whether from abroad or the UK in regard to the receipt of firearms into the country. However, the Home Office have confirmed that there will be no additional arrangements in place for them to compensate British competitors who incur travelling costs while practising abroad for shooting events.