asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the estimated annual cost of promoting and assisting exports of military goods; how many United Kingdom jobs are sustained by arms exports; and whether the resulting cost per job could be better used elsewhere. [HL341]

A number of government departments, including the MoD, FCO and DTI, contribute to the Government's policy of maintaining a strong defence industry through promoting legitimate sales of UK defence products overseas. While no central record exists of the cost of implementing this objective across government, the net operating cost of the Defence Export Services Organisation, which co-ordinates government-wide support, is estimated at £12 million in the financial year 2000–01. Against this, MoD estimates that defence exports save the defence budget about £400 million per year. These savings come from spreading the fixed overhead cost of the UK's own equipment requirements over the longer production runs generated by defence exports, from the sale of surplus military equipment to overseas governments and from royalty receipts on exports of equipment developed using public money.In addition, defence related exports sustain an estimated 90,000 jobs out of 345,000 in the defence industry. The benefits generated by defence exports thus far outweigh the cost to government of their support.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to open the United States defence market, which will help strengthen NATO in the context of the development of a transatlantic defence industry relationship between the United States and the European Union. [HL774]

Her Majesty's Government and the US Government have engaged in extensive consultations to address our mutual security interest in promoting strong transatlantic defence industrial co-operation. These discussions have been taken forward in the context of the Declaration of Principles and the US Defence Security Trade Initiative. Both are aimed at increasing co-operation in the sphere of transatlantic defence trade and the removal of unnecessary governmental barriers to such trade. These aims were confirmed by President Bush and the Prime Minister in a joint statement on 24 February 2001.Increased transatlantic industrial co-operation underpins NATO by increasing defence capabilities and promoting alliance cohesion and interoperability.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they plan to resume the programme of voluntary immunisation against anthrax for armed forces personnel deployed to the Gulf. [HL1126]

We plan to resume the anthrax immunisation programme for personnel deployed on operations to the Gulf shortly. Immunisation was last offered in 1998 but had to be suspended due to manufacturing difficulties at our supplier. We have now received the first new supplies of licensed anthrax vaccine and will be in a position to resume the voluntary immunisation programme in April.Anthrax immunisation is safe and effective. As in 1998, it will be offered to personnel on the basis of voluntary informed consent. By accepting it alongside other defensive measures, Armed Forces personnel will have the very best protection possible against anthrax used as a biological weapon.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Lord Chancellor has at any time sought the advice of his Permanent Secretary on the propriety of the Minister responsible for the appointment of judges and Queen's Counsel soliciting barristers to make donations to the Labour Party. [HL945]

No. I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave to the noble Lord, Lord McNally, on 21 February 2001, Official Report, cols. 813–17.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the key performance targets for HM Land Registry Executive Agency for 2001–02. [HL1207]

The following table contains the key performance targets that I have set for HM Land Registry for 2001–02.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the purpose of the Home Office Challenge Fund? [HL1206]

The Home Office has allocated £500,000 for each of the next three years to a Challenge Fund which has been set up to complement the Refugee Integration Strategy launched on 2 November 2000. It seeks to promote innovative projects that address specific social needs among refugee communities, and funding is available from 2 April 2001.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, as a result of the Nice Treaty, a group of states who wish to pursue a policy of enhanced co-operation in the area of tax harmonisation could do so if they fulfilled the conditions laid down in the treaties; and whether a single state which objected could no longer take the matter to a meeting of the European Council and exercise a veto there.[HL967]

The arrangements for enhanced co-operation are fully explained in the reply given to the noble Lord by the noble Baroness, Lady Ramsay, on 29 January (Official Report, WA 33). No agreement between other member states under these arrangements compels the UK to act similarly, nor does it constrain the UK from acting differently. The Government retain their veto on any tax proposal binding on all member states, and will continue to argue that fair tax competition, not tax harmonisation is the way forward.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether individuals who are entitled to post-war credits are still able to reclaim them. [HL1070]

Yes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action has been taken in response to the recommendations arising from the Report of the Working Group on the Active Community entitled

A table summarising what action the Government are taking to address the recommendations arising from Giving Time, Getting Involved has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the Employment and Social Policy Council held in Brussels on 6 March; and whether they will set out the Government's voting records at the Council. [HL1186]

My right honourable friend the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities, along with my honourable friend Angela Eagle, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security, represented the UK at the Employment and Social Policy Council held in Brussels on 6 March.This was a busy Council, with the Standing Committee on Employment also meeting in the margins. Council and committee business focused on preparations for the forthcoming European Council in Stockholm on 23–24 March. The Commission presented its synthesis report, which will inform the social/employment dimension of Stockholm, together with its scoreboard on the implementation of the Social Agenda and its Communication on New Labour Markets. Ministers also noted the inputs from the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee in the discussion on the preparations for Stockholm. The UK emphasised the importance of remaining focused on the priorities agreed at Lisbon, working towards creating choice and mobility in a dynamic and flexible labour market and, with Commission support, pressed for concrete outcomes at Stockholm, particularly in terms of basic skills, a task force on skills and mobility, action on the gender pay gap, women entrepreneurs and a European employment target for older workers.The Council held an open debate on the sustainability of pensions systems and agreed that the Social Protection Committee would prepare a report for the European Council in Göteberg on 15–16 June. The Presidency reported on the agreement with the European Parliament for a series of amendments to regulation 1408/71 which co-ordinates social security for migrant workers moving within the EU.The Presidency formally reported on the recent series of informal ministerial meetings held in Sweden, at Luleå, Norrköping and Malmö.Under any other business, the Commission raised the recent ILO measures against Burma concerning forced labour and the ratification of ILO Convention no 182 on the worst forms of child labour. No substantive discussion was necessary on these items. There was a brief discussion of the Commission's proposals for evaluating the European Employment Strategy, with the Presidency agreeing to remit the issue to the Employment Committee.No votes were taken.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations they have received about the future of Wythenshawe Hospital's heart transplant unit; and what replies they have made. [HL1080]

The Government have received nine representations from Members of Parliament on behalf of their constituents. They will receive replies setting out the position as explained by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Ms Stuart) in another place on 31 January (cols. 132–36 WH) and an assurance that a discussion setting out proposals for the remaining units will be issued soon.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What financial arrangements are being made in connection with the 26 National Health Service trusts dissolved in 2000–01 and the new National Health Service trusts and primary care trusts established in that year. [HL1147]

Pursuant to the dissolution of 26 National Health Service trusts on 1 April 2000 and 1 October 2000 and their reconfiguration through the establishment of 10 new NHS trusts, we propose to create originating capital for the new NHS trusts equal to the net assets transferred to them and therefore to remit the outstanding debt of the dissolved trusts.A number of primary care trusts were also established during the year. Public Dividend Capital is not required for the establishment of new primary care trusts as they are subject to a different financial regime. Net assets transferred from dissolving NHS trusts to primary care trusts are reflected in the general fund of the primary care trust.These operations will involve no overall loss to the Exchequer. Her Majesty's Treasury has presented a minute to the House giving particulars and circumstances of the proposed remission which it has approved in principle.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What determines the review periods for those in receipt of war pensions; why it has been decided that the pensions of Gulf war veterans are now to be reviewed every two years when they initially advised in writing that their next review would take place in five years; and what is the total average cost of each medical review. [HL1033]

There has been no decision that assessments/awards for Gulf war veterans are to be reviewed routinely every two years. The period of a war pension award represents the length of time over which it is judged that the assessed level of service-related disablement will be stable. Periods are based on individual case specific facts, taking account of the nature and natural history of the disabling condition and any planned treatment.The average medical unit cost of each medical review is currently £98.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the War Pensions Agency allows claims for some medical conditions from some Gulf war veterans, while other veterans who claim for the same conditions find their claims disallowed, despite the fact that they are supported by medical evidence. [HL1034]

Awards of war pensions are not made for a list of medical conditions but for any disablement due to or made worse by service in the Armed Forces. Claims are considered individually and decisions are based on overall evidence, including medical and other facts, relevant law and contemporary medical understanding of the claimed disablement.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the Environment Council held in Brussels on 8 March and what was the voting record at the Council. [HL1204]

My right honourable friend the Minister for the Environment represented the UK at the Environment Council in Brussels on 8 March, accompanied by Sam Galbraith, Scottish Executive Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture. The UK, along with other member states, except Germany, who abstained, voted in favour of the common position on the proposed directive on motorcycle emissions. Council adopted three sets of conclusions.The presidency proposed a compromise text on a directive to limit emissions from motorcycles in two stages, 2003 and 2006. In supporting the proposed text on tighter limits from 2003, providing between 60 and 70 per cent reduction in hydrocarbons and 30 to 60 per cent reduction in carbon monoxide, member states accepted my amendment to extend the deadline for "enduro" bikes to assist the small UK manufacturers in adapting to the new limits. Germany proposed binding limits for 2006 to be agreed now, in advance of the Commission's proposed limits due by the end of 2002, which will be based on a new test cycle currently under development. The UK, along with the majority of member states, agreed to accept Germany's proposed limit values for 2006 as indicative non-binding limits only and Council achieved a Common Position, with German abstention, that meets both our environmental and manufacturers' needs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many people have been employed in organising the various countryside schemes in each of the past three years. [HL613]

A wide range of bodies employ people to organise schemes in the countryside. Details are not held centrally and to collect this information would involve disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are their priorities for inclusion in the anticipated European Union White Paper on chemicals policy. [HL781]

Her Majesty's Government started the review of chemicals policy during its Presidency of the European Union in 1998. The White Paper on chemicals policy was published in February. Member states will respond to the White Paper's proposals in forthcoming Council working group discussions. The Swedish Presidency aims to achieve agreement of Council conclusions by June. These will provide the basis for the European Commission to develop proposals for new legislation. Her Majesty's Government aim to include a number of important principles in the Council's conclusions.First, it is important to gather essential information on existing chemicals by agreed deadlines, giving equal emphasis to human health and the environment. Industry must have an increased role in assessing the hazards and risks posed by their chemicals. In gathering information, some animal testing will be necessary, but it must be minimised. Data sharing must be encouraged, and the European Union should therefore work with existing international initiatives to collate information on chemicals so as to avoid duplication of testing.Secondly, there must be a clear timetable and mechanism for decision-making and action on chemicals that pose an unacceptable risk. It is important to avoid a bureaucratic procedure that involves large-scale routine and unnecessary testing and which fails to make timely decisions once concerns have been identified.Thirdly, the public must also have a right to know what chemicals are in products and the risks they pose. Manufacturers and downstream users should have the responsibility to provide information to their customers about chemicals.Chemicals are crucial to society. It is important to balance the need to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment with the need to maintain a competitive UK and EU chemicals industry in a challenging global market. Innovation to replace chemicals that pose unacceptable risks must be encouraged.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list for (a) Great Britain and (b) each region, the estimated annual percentage change in all motor vehicle traffic since 1984.[HL890]

Regional estimates of the annual percentage change in motor vehicle traffic are not available. The annual percentage changes for all GB roads for each year from 1984 to 2000 are shown in the table below.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to publish the White Paper on common land. [HL1097]

The Government have been considering possible improvements to the legislation on common land and town and village greens, as set out last year in the consultation paper Greater Protection and Better Management of Common Land in England and Wales. We intend to publish a report on the responses and to announce the way forward in the summer.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to lay before Parliament draft regulations governing the conduct of referendums to be held under Part II of the Local Government Act 2000. [HL1203]

We have today laid before Parliament a draft of the Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2001.It is now for the House to consider this draft. To assist the House, we have placed in the Library and the Printed Paper Office copies of draft proposed guidance to English local authorities on the holding of referendums in accordance with these regulations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made reviewing the control of demolition in conservation areas following the House of Lords judgment in the

The Shimizu judgment had the effect of weakening controls over partial demolition of unlisted buildings in conservation areas. We share the concern that the character of conservation areas could be adversely affected as a result. Following a consultation exercise last year, we therefore propose to require submission of a planning application where in a conservation area it is proposed to demolish any boundary wall, gate, fence and other means of enclosure and a chimney or porch on a dwellinghouse. This will give local planning authorities the opportunity to consider the impact that such works are likely to have on a conservation area. We shall bring forward the necessary amendments to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 in due course.This measure is designed to address the direct effects of the

asked Her Majesty's Government:What funds have been allocated to individual sporting events and competitions in each of the last two years by UK Sport and Sport England, giving names and sums of money in each case, and deducting any moneys subsequently refunded. [HL1012]

In the last two years, UK Sport has made the following 26 awards under its World Class EventsProgramme:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 26 February (

Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, William Weston. I have asked them to arrange for a reply to be given.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to accede to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. [HL1182]

Following the recommendation in the report of the Ministerial Advisory Panel on Illicit Trade chaired by Professor Norman Palmer, published in December, and after further consultations within government, I am pleased to announce that the Government have taken the decision to accede to this convention once the normal parliamentary and other formalities have been completed. We do so on the basis that no fresh legislative commitment is required and we intend to enter reservations on the basis of those outlined in Professor Palmer's report.