asked Her Majesty's Government:How many police officers were on duty at RAF Northolt on 7 May for the arrival of Mr Ronnie Biggs; what was the cost of this operation; and whether they consider this represented an appropriate use of police resources. [HL2119]

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 72 police officers were deployed to RAF Northolt for the arrival and arrest of Mr Ronnie Biggs. Six of these officers were directly involved in making the arrest and 66 officers were deployed as a response to Ministry of Defence concerns about the security of RAF Northolt being breached by the media.It was a matter for the Commissioner and the Divisional Commander for the London Borough of Hillingdon, where RAF Northolt is located, to determine the operational response in the light of available information and intelligence.I am told that it is not possible for the Metropolitan Police Service to identify the total cost of the operation as it was undertaken as part of the normal duties for the officers involved. I am, however, informed that the additional costs, mostly overtime, were £12,871.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 3 May (H.L. Deb., col. 1950), whether they believe that manslaughter, attempted murder, wounding and grievous bodily harm are not serious offences; and, if not, what the Home Secretary meant when he said (H.C. Deb., 29 November 1999, col. 27) that they had no plans or intention whatever to provide for electronic monitoring to facilitate the early release of serious or sexual offenders. Let me make that clear, with a full-stop—none whatever. [HL2128]

No prisoner sentenced to four years or more imprisonment can be released on the home detention curfew (HDC) scheme. The offences referred to by the noble Lord attract a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. That means that the seriousness of any such offence committed by a prisoner released on HDC must, in the judgment of the courts, be at the lower end of the spectrum of seriousness. Under the legislation, violent and sex offenders serving an extended sentence (one that will involve extended supervision) are not eligible for HDC, nor are prisoners who are required to register as sex offenders.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will publish the results achieved by the Prison Service on each of its key performance indicators in 2000–01. [HL2148]

The key performance indicators (KPI) results for 2000–01 for the Prison Service are given in the table. The data are provisional and subject to final validation.The results are extremely encouraging. The improvement in security is impressive, especially the reduction in escapes from prison establishments. There were 11 last year, compared with 30 in 1999–2000 and 232 as recently as 1992–93. The downward trend on drug-misuse has continued and performance is well ahead of the public service agreement (PSA) target. The level of drug abuse has fallen by 49 per cent since 1996–97. The service met the overall target for the number of prisoners completing accredited offending behaviour programmes and increased the overall number of completions by 30 per cent on the previous year and by more than 93 per cent on the number achieved in 1998–99. The purposeful activity target would have been met but for a sharp rise in the prisoner population since December, and we believe could have been met despite the increase in population had governors not responded to encouragement to concentrate investment in education and offending behaviour courses which provide high quality activity but for small numbers of prisoners.The Director General of the Prison Service has introduced new arrangements for dealing with the high level of staff sickness in the service and, although the basic skills targets were not met, it is very encouraging to note that prisoners achieved more than 50,000 separate certificates last year, 12,500 of them at basic skills level 2.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they can confirm Red Cross reports of famine or severe malnutrition in Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); and what assistance they are providing to those affected there and in other areas of the DRC outside government control. [HL2101]

We can confirm that the food security situation in Nyunzu, Kantanga, has been difficult. The town has been isolated as a result of fighting in the surrounding area, and many of its inhabitants have been prevented from cultivating their fields since last year. Her Majesty's Government have been helping the population of Nyunzu via a £1.5 million contribution to the 2001 appeal of the Red Cross, which has been distributing food in Nyunzu since 19 April.We share the concern about the conflict in the DRC and the appalling impact it has had on the Congolese population. In the financial year 2000–2001, we provided £3.3 million for humanitarian assistance in the DRC which was delivered via a number of established humanitarian agencies and included action in health, nutrition and food security, water and sanitation, protection of prisoners, family tracing, human rights, support to vulnerable urban populations and refugees and work with child ex-combatants. Decisions about where assistance is focused are made on the basis of where needs are greatest, rather than whether or not the area in question is under government control.In addition, this year the European Community Humanitarian Office is providing 35 million euros of humanitarian assistance to the DRC, of which the UK's contribution will be approximately £4.2 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What support they have given to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon during the last two financial years; through whom; and in what form. [HL2102]

The UK provides assistance to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon primarily through its voluntary contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's (UNRWA) general fund, a share of which is devoted to maintaining 12 camps in Lebanon and in providing health and education services to the refugees. UNRWA also supports similar programmes in Syria, Jordan and the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The UK is a major contributor to the general fund, providing £12,607 million in 1999–2000 and £9,650 million in 2000–01.In addition, funds are made available through DfID's Small Grants Scheme. These amounted to £34,553 in 1999–2000 and £48,150 in 2000–01. In the past three years, 10 different projects, including vocational training, strengthening of the health sector and support to disabled youth oriented programmes, have been supported.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What response they will make to the Commonwealth Development Corporation's recently published annual report. [HL2108]

For the year 2000, the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) made a pre-tax operating surplus of £72.3 million. However, after provision on its investment portfolio of £133.4 million, it made an overall loss of £61.1 million before tax (£51.5 million after tax).With regard to its investment policy in the year 2000, CDC exceeded the target of directing 70 per cent of investments by value to poorer countries. However in 2000 it again did not meet the aim of directing 50 per cent of its investments by value to Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. CDC is focused on meeting this aim in 2001.CDC made important progress during the last year to establish the basis for a beneficial public private partnership that will demonstrate that it is possible for private investors to make adequate returns in poor countries in a socially responsible way.Copies of CDC's annual report and accounts have been placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What analysis the Government have undertaken of the impact of the Everything but Arms initiative on the Caribbean. [HL2143]

We have carefully considered the impact of the Everything but Arms initiative on all stakeholders. This includes Caribbean countries that are concerned about the possible impact that it might have on their preferential access to EU markets, particularly for sugar, rice and bananas. A summary of our analysis will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The analysis shows that none of the Caribbean's sugar industries is expected to suffer a significant deterioration in its financial performance due to EBA. For bananas the impact will be negligible, and for rice the transition arrangements under EBA will mean that changes in market forces will be phased in gradually and the overall impact will not be very great.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the 2001 census form deems those of Chinese background to be non-Asian; and [HL2078]Whether, when contemplating the 2001 census form, individuals of Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai or Tibetan background should have ticked the last box in question 8.C. or the last box in question B.E. when answering the question on ethnicity. [HL2079]

The census form allows those of Chinese background to tick a box identifying themselves as such. Similarly, those of Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai or Tibetan background can write in their background on the form and will be recorded as such whether or not they use the space provided in question 8(c) or 8(e).

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a statement has been made under the Human Rights Act 1998 in connection with the Finance Bill. [HL2141]

I have made a statement under Section 19(1)(a) of the Human Rights Act 1998 that in my view the provisions of the Finance Bill are compatible with the convention rights. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a statement has been made under the Human Rights Act 1998 in connection with the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill. [HL2142]

I have made a statement under Section 19(1)(a) of the Human Rights Act 1998 that in my view the provisions of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill are compatible with the convention rights. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What further help they can give to the BBC World Service, which has seen its audience rise by 15 million over the past three years. [HL2117]

The Government are making available an extra £64 million to the BBC World Service over the next three years. This will enable the World Service to take forward plans to modernise equipment and expand online and FM services. The Government will continue to give their full support to the World Service.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many armoured regiments and how many infantry battalions are to be removed from the order of battle; and when this reduction will take place. [HL2081]

There are no plans to reduce either the number of armoured regiments or infantry battalions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they have taken in relation to mediation or arbitration of claims brought by Gulf War veterans for Gulf War illness compensation following the Lord Chancellor's announcement on 23 March that legal disputes with government departments will be settled by mediation or arbitration whenever possible; and [HL2129]What steps they intend to take to improve the financial compensation for Gulf War veterans following the publication of the report by Professor Cherry and others in March; and [HL2130]

In the short time available it is not possible to provide a substantive answer but I will write to the noble Lord and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Goverment:How long it takes from the receipt of agreement to the value of slaughtered foot and mouth stock until the payment of the compensation. [HL1579]

All farmers are paid full market value as compensation for any animals slaughtered as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. Stock is valued immediately prior to slaughter and the Ministry's target is to process and pay all compensation claims within three weeks of slaughter. The Ministry is putting in further resources to help meet this target. However, we are aware that in some areas such as Cumbria, where a particularly large number of claims have had to be made, this target is not being met. This is a problem that is currently being addressed and the Ministry is doing all it can to process all claims as quickly as possible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who is responsible for paying compensation to farmers for animals slaughtered on account of foot and mouth. [HL1692]

My right honourable friend the Minister is responsible in Great Britain for paying compensation to farmers for animals slaughtered on account of foot and mouth. In Northern Ireland my right honourable friend the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development (Brid Rodgers) is responsible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How long farmers should have to wait between slaughter of animals on account of foot and mouth and receipt of compensation. [HL1693]

The Government's target is to pay compensation to farmers within three weeks of slaughter. The Ministry is putting in further resources to help meet this target. However, we are aware that in some areas such as Cumbria, where a particularly large number of claims have had to be made, this target is not being met. This is a problem that is currently being addressed and the Ministry is doing all it can to process all claims as quickly as possible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the cost so far of compensation to farmers for slaughter of animals infected by foot and mouth disease; and what is the cost so far of compensation for contiguous culls. [HL2048]

The estimate of total compensation payable up to 5 May is £629 million. This figure cannot be broken down to show the cost for animals slaughtered on contiguous premises.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether delays between the decision to cull healthy sheep and their being culled have been caused by difficulty in finding adequate burial sites; and what are the responsibilities of the Environment Agency in this regard. [HL1632]

We assume that the noble Lord is referring to the 3km cull policy in Cumbria, which involves culling sheep and pigs within 3km of an infected premises.Due to the weight of infection in this area, we believe that these animals have been exposed to infection and may be incubating the disease. The strain of foot and mouth disease in this outbreak is highly virulent, and a single infected animal is able to infect a large number of others. The pre-emptive cull was therefore vital to control the disease in this area.We are not aware of any case in which the need to find burial sites, or other forms of disposal, has resulted in a delay between the decision to cull sheep and their being culled.The Environment Agency has been advising on the suitability of sites for burial, taking account of the need to avoid risks to the environment, particularly where this may have the potential to impact on public health.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How foot and mouth can be imported from overseas in meat for human consumption. [HL1687]

European Community animal and public health controls ensure that legally imported meat does not bring with it the risk of disease. It is nevertheless possible that illegally imported meat from an FMD infected country may carry the foot and mouth virus.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are confident that genetic modification of fish, supported by public funds, will not lead to a situation in which modified fish escape into the oceanic or freshwater environment and breed with unmodified species, creating an adverse balance in the natural environment. [HL1669]

Any work with GM fish in a confinement rather than strict containment facility would have to be approved under the legislation dealing with the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms. The Government would not grant approval if there were thought to be an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. The potential for fish to escape from pens into open waters and interbreed with wild stocks would be considered as part of the risk assessment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will set out details of all the public funds being spent on research or development of genetically modified fish both within the United Kingdom and abroad. [HL1670]

The Ministry funded a one-year strategic project which ended in 1999 on the theoretical feasibility of using genetic modification to develop fish resistant to viral disease. The work was undertaken on Tilapia, a tropical fish, but did not involve the creation of a transgenic organism. The cost was £48,000. MAFF has no plans to commission any further research in this area.The Department of the Environment has funded a desk study and literature review to consider the environmental implications and risk assessment of genetically modified fish. This work was published as a DETR research report in November 1994. When we have the details we will write to the noble Lord to confirm the cost of this project.The Department for International Development has provided funding totalling £1.118 million for four projects on the development of transgenic Tilapia starting in 1992. Three of the projects have been completed and one is still in progress. All the work is strategic in nature and geared towards improving the livelihoods of poor people. None of the work has involved the release of GM fish in developing countries.The then Agriculture and Food Research Council funded grants totalling £329,800 for three projects on transgenic fish between 1991 and 1995. These were on carp, salmon, trout and goldfish. One project was to determine how to undertake transgenesis in fish, one to manipulate the onset of sexual maturity and the third to change the rate of growth of the fish.The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council are both supporting work that uses GM fish as a model to explore genetic function. However, this is fundamental research which is not aimed at the development of improved fish varieties.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have considered the effects on natural immunity to a number of animal diseases in areas where large numbers of livestock have been slaughtered; what is the optimum percentage of the national herd that must be retained before the loss of immunity has effect; and whether this factor has been considered in determining whether to vaccinate against foot and mouth. [HL1680]

Immunity to foot and mouth disease is acquired by exposure to the virus or by vaccination. As there has not been a case of foot and mouth disease in Great Britain since 1981, and we do not permit routine vaccination, all susceptible livestock are assumed to be susceptible to foot and mouth disease virus. Natural immunity has therefore not been a consideration in determining the strategy for combating the current outbreak.It is posssible that there may be livestock, particularly sheep, which have been exposed to infection during the current outbreak but have not exhibited clinical symptoms. These animals may have acquired some degree of immunity. There is also a possibility that such animals may become carriers of the virus. The number of these animals is unknown but may be disclosed when animals are blood sampled as part of our sero-surveillance strategy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What research is taking place to establish whether foot and mouth disease was present in the sheep population before the start of the recent outbreak traced to a farm at Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland; and what proportion of sheep population in the United Kingdom has antibodies to foot and mouth disease. [HL1756]

There is no epidemiological evidence that foot and mouth disease was present in the sheep population before the start of the current outbreak. It is possible that some sheep which have been exposed to infection during the outbreak but have not exhibited clinical symptoms may have acquired some degree of immunity to the disease. The number of these animals is unknown but may be disclosed when animals are blood sampled as part of our sero-surveillance strategy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will correct their statement that Leicestershire was clear of foot and mouth in the light of the case confirmed in Hinckley on 30 March; and what advice they will give in respect of Leicestershire as a whole following the confirmation of a new case in Ashby de la Zouch on 23 April. [HL1867]

The position in Leicestershire has changed several times during the outbreak. Following veterinary advice, it was possible on 11 April to reduce the size of the infected area and on 19 April to lift the infected area restrictions on all but the south-west of the county around Hinckley, an area which for disease control purposes has been taken with Nuneaton in Warwickshire. Subsequently a new case was confirmed in Ashby de la Zouch and restrictions applied to the area within a 10km radius. Since then some of the restrictions relating to the dangerous contact premises around this case have been lifted.

asked Her Majesty's Government:To what extent they have been influenced by European Union law in their handling of the current foot and mouth outbreak; and by which specific directives and other instruments. [HL1877]

The relevant EU legislation is Council Directive 95/511/EEC introducing Community measures for the control of foot and mouth disease (as amended); and Commission Decision 2001/172/EC concerning certain protection measures against foot and mouth disease in the UK (as amended); and Council Directive 89/622/EEC and 90/425/EEC concerning, respectively, veterinary checks in intra-Community trade in livestock products and live animals.We also sought and obtained EU approval for our contingency plan for emergency vaccination in Cumbria and possibly Devon.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many outbreaks of foot and mouth disease have taken place since 1900, specifying dates and how long each outbreak lasted. [HL1899]

This informaton is not available in electronic form and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.This information for each of the years concerned should be included in the Chief Veterinary Officer's annual report. The noble Lord may wish to refer to a graph taken from a PhD thesis by Rowland Tinline, entitled

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether farmers whose farms have been affected by foot and mouth will be permitted to make and sell forage crops on land which in normal circumstances would have been used for grazing. [HL1903]

General guidance for growers of crops and grass was issued by MAFF on 30 March. A copy is on the MAFF website http://www.maff.gov.uk/. On farms where foot and mouth disease is present, or is suspected to be present, farmers should seek the advice of the local divisional veterinary manager before undertaking any cultivations. In order to help the veterinary authorities make early decisions on individual cases, it is helpful if farmers prepare a schedule of the intended cultivation work and related machinery movements.In order to protect entitlement to livestock subsidies, farmers who grow a forage crop are advised to read the eligibility rules set out in Annexes 1 and 2 of the 2001 IACS Guide. Additional advice on subsidy rules may be obtained from local MAFF offices.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures they will introduce to ensure the survival of the Cheviot breed of sheep. [HL1940]

New arrangements providing for exemptions for sheep and goats that belong to rare breeds, minority breeds, pedigree breeds of high genetic value, as well as hefted sheep, from contiguous and 3km culls in England and Wales were announced on 26 April. Guidance on what conditions need to be met before exemption is granted were issued on 3 May.The cheviot breed is not classified as a rare breed or a minority breed. However, an owner of a cheviot flock in England and Wales may still apply for exemption if he could demonstrate that the flock was either a pedigree flock of high genetic value or a genuinely hefted flock.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the new reduced payment rates announced on Thursday 26 April for animals submitted for the livestock welfare disposal scheme, taking effect on Monday 30 April, will apply to animals submitted prior to that date and where these animals were unable to be moved due to restricted movement areas. [HL1975]

The Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme is not a compensation scheme but a scheme of last resort to assist farmers experiencing serious welfare problems as a result of foot and mouth measures. The revised rates of payment under the LWDS apply to some but not all categories of animals collected or slaughtered on farm after midnight on Sunday 29 April. This includes animals that were the subject of an application to the scheme made before that date. Where the animals were restricted as a result of foot and mouth controls, the same conditions will apply. The Government are, however, enabling healthy stock on premises within 3km of an infected place to be licensed, after a period of time, for slaughter for use in the food chain.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether animals offered into the livestock welfare disposal scheme prior to Thursday 26 April, or before 30 April, will qualify for the original offer of compensation. [HL1976]

The Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme is not a compensation scheme but a scheme of last resort to assist farmers experiencing serious welfare problems as a result of foot and mouth measures. The revised rates of payment under the LWDS apply to some but not all categories of animals collected or slaughtered on farm after midnight on Sunday 29 April. This includes animals that were the subject of an application to the scheme made before that date. Where the animals were restricted as a result of foot and mouth controls, the same conditions will apply. The Government are, however, enabling healthy stock on premises within 3km of an infected place to he licensed, after a period of time, for slaughter for use in the food chain.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make available £2 million in compensation which they failed to claim from the European Union agrimoney aid which was allocated for farmers involved in environmental schemes. [HL2022]

When judging the case for applying for particular tranches of agrimonetary compensation the Government must balance the needs of the agricultural sectors against those of other sectors and the taxpayer. Given the current circumstances, additional expenditure has been targeted to those in greatest need, i.e. the livestock sector, where the maximum available, £156 million, is being paid, at a net cost to the UK taxpayer of £129 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why they failed to claim the £42 million of European Union agrimoney aid which was available for the arable industry by the deadline of 30th April. [HL2021]

While this Government accepts the difficulties currently faced by arabel farmers, in judging the case for applying for particular tranches of agrimonetary compensation they must balance the needs of the agricultural sectors against those of other sectors and the taxpayer. Given the current circumstances additional expenditure has been targeted to those in greatest need, i.e. the livestock sector, where the maximum available, £156 million, is being paid, at a net cost to the UK taxpayer of £129 million. Although the optional aid for the arable sector is not being drawn down this time, the sector will have received £290 million in agrimonetary compensation by the end of this year. This includes an amount of £28 million which will become available this July.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which of the burial pits for stock affected by foot and mouth disease have had to be emptied of stock; when these pits were started; when they were emptied; and why this action was taken [HL2023)

To date there have been five cases where carcasses have had to be exhumed, or are about to be exhumed.Carcasses buried in a mass burial pit in Sennybridge in April are in the process of being removed and burnt. They were exhumed due to geological faults in the pit, which threatened to carry pollution to a stream 1.5km away.Carcasses buried in late March on a farm in North Powys were exhumed after heavy rain caused an unpredictable rise in the water table, thus making the ground unsuitable for the burial. The carcasses were exhumed in early May, and were burnt using mobile incinerators.Carcasses buried on a farm in County Durham in March were exhumed in April because they were contaminating the farm's private water supply.Arrangements are currently being made to exhume carcasses buried in March on two other farms in County Durham. In both cases, surface water was contaminated after heavy rain.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many animals were awaiting slaughter at the time of the statement on foot and mouth disease made on 3 May. [HL2092]

Reports from the MAFF Regional Operations Centres at 1900 on 2 May indicated that some 14,500 animals were awaiting slaughter. However, due to the time lag between slaughter and the information being reported and entered onto the Ministry database, the number of animals centrally recorded as awaiting slaughter at 1900 on 2 May was 107,000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What evidence there is that disposal of carcasses affected by foot and mouth has led to deformities in livestock and poultry born since the disposal. [HL2095]

We are not aware of any such evidence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How the £6 million announced for restructuring the English fishing industry will be allocated. [HL2109]

We intend to commit the £6 million which was announced on 2 April to a decommissioning scheme for the English fishing fleet. This will be a useful contribution to restructuring the industry.We will consult the industry further as soon as practicable on the provisions of the scheme, including the eligibility conditions, the form of a tendering procedure and the treatment of fish quotas.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What were the conclusions of the quinquennial review of the Forest Enterprise executive agency. [HL2140]

The first stage of the review of Forest Enterprise has concluded that the agency has put in a strong performance on the sustainability of its forest management, has successfully involved communities and other stakeholders in its decision-taking and has responded successfully to change—particularly devolution. The review has recommended that Forest Enterprise should retain its status as an executive agency of the Forestry Commission. Ministers in the UK Government, the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales have accepted these conclusions and recommendations. They intend to review the options for further decentralising the handling of forestry policy and management in the light of continuing experience of the devolved structure. The report of the first stage of the review is available on the Forestry Commission's website and will be placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the other members of the European Union have adequate monitoring standards for food imports entering the European Union but destined for the United Kingdom. [HL1872]

Requirements for imports of products of animal origin into the European Union are harmonised. Such products may only be imported through border inspection posts (BIPs) and these are subject to approval by the European Commission. The European Food and Veterinary Office also carries out inspections of member states' BIPs after they have been approved to ensure that standards are maintained. A system of documentary, identity and physical checks for all imports of products of animal origin into the European Union is in place.Ther are EU import controls for certain products of non-animal origin where, for example, there is a risk of aflatoxin contamination. However, importation of products of non-animal origin is not harmonised generally at European Union level and imports are subject to national measures.Imports of meat and meat products into the United Kingdom, as into other member states of the European Union, take place within the framework of European law. My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked the European Commission to give urgent attention to ensuring that the law on personal imports into the EU is clear and robust. Commissioner Byrne indicated at a meeting of the Agriculture Council on 24–25 April that the Commission attaches great importance to ensuring that there is a high level of protection from disease at the Community's borders. The Commission has indicated that the main scope for tightening the EU's policy on imports lies in ensuring that the current rules are properly policed and in identifying and closing any loopholes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs and wheelchair vouchers have been issued to users in England in each of the three years 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000, and in 2000–01 to the latest convenient date; and [HL1988]How much they are committed to spend on electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs and what is the total actual spend on vouchers for such wheelchairs in England in each of the three years 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000, and in 2000–01 to the latest convenient date. [HL1989]

The information is given in the table. The figures for 2000–01 are forecasts. We are fully committed to promoting the independence of people with a disability. The voucher scheme has become increasingly popular, as the figures indicate; £14 million has been provided for wheelchairs and vouchers within health authority revenue baselines from April 2000 onwards. The distinction between money to be spent on vouchers and money to be spent on chairs has however been removed and all health authorities has been asked to maintain a voucher scheme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations the Prime Minister and other Ministers have received from the Haemophilia Society concerning people with haemophilia who were infected with hepatitis C by contaminated National Health Service blood products; what replies have been sent; and what action they are taking. [HL2118]

The Prime Minister and other Ministers have received written and oral representations from the Haemophilia Society seeking a commitment to treat all haemophilia patients in England with recombinant clotting factors. Ministers are currently giving careful consideration to this request. The society has also requested a public inquiry into the infection of haemophiliacs with hepatitis C through contaminated blood products and financial assistance for those infected. Ministers have already announced their decision that financial assistance will not be made available and that there would be nothing to be gained from a public inquiry.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they plan to give respiratory disease a higher priority in health policy. [HL2132]

The Government consider the provision of first class services for people with respiratory disease as very important. In addition to a broad spectrum of research and development work into the disease, we are taking forward a number of initiatives to drive improvements in prevention and access and delivery of services.The National Service Framework for Older People, published in March 2001, made a commitment to prioritise the development of an evidenced based service model for respiratory disease within its 10-year framework. The focus of this will be older people, but much as the current NSF service models on stroke and dementia such a service model will have implications for and apply to all who need these services, regardless of their age.A proposal for the production of clinical guidelines for chronic obstructive disease is being considered for referral to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What share of the total funds allocated to medical research by the Department of Health and the Medical Research Council are committed to respiratory conditions; and whether they have any plans to increase the amount of research in this area. [HL2133]

The main government agency for research into the cause and treatments of disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. MRC expenditure on medical research in 1999–2000 was £340 million, of which £12.2 million was spent on respiratory disorders.The Department of Health funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the National Health Service and also provides NHS support funding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that takes place in the NHS. Research is directly commissioned through national, regional and policy research programmes.The NHS national research and development programme on asthma has supported projects at a total cost of £4.9 million. Other national programmes have supported individual projects looking at respiratory conditions, including the Mother and Child Health R&D Programme, which has supported a trial of self-management for young children with asthma, and the implementation methods programme, which has supported an evaluation of computerised guidelines for the management of two chronic conditions (asthma and ischaemic heart disease). The Health Technology Assessment Programme has also supported related research, including a pragmatic single-blind randomised control trial and health economic evaluation of leukotriene receptor antagonists in primary care which is due to complete in 2003.The department's policy research programme (PRP) provides high quality research to inform the knowledge base for health and social services. The PRP has supported research projects into respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, and currently provides funding for the Social Medicine and Health Services Research Unit, University of London, which includes work on respiratory illness.It is not possible to predict what the future level of government expenditure will be on specific areas of research as new research proposals are regularly being considered and commissioned.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will announce the membership and terms of reference of the Working Group on Human Remains [HL2107]

The main tasks of the Working Group on Human Remains will be to examine the current legal status of human remains within the publicly funded Museums and Galleries in the United Kingdom, to consider the desirability of a statement of principles (and supporting guidance) relating to the care and safekeeping of human remains and to the handling of requests for return, and to prepare a report for the Government.The membership of the group will be: Chairman, Professor Norman Palmer, Professor of Commercial Law, University College, London; Mr Tristram Besterman, Director, Manchester University Museum, Convener, Museums Association Ethics Committee; Dr Neil Chalmers, Director, The Natural History Museum; Dr Maurice Davies, Deputy Director, Museums Association; Professor Caroline Forder, Professor of European Family Law, University of Maastricht; Mrs Hetty Gleave, Solicitor, Hunters, Chair ArtResolve; Dr Sally MacDonald, Manager, Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, University College London; Dr John Mack, Senior Keeper, British Museum; Professor Sir Peter Morris, Nuffield Professor of Surgery at the University of Oxford and President-elect of the Royal College of Surgeons of England; Dr Laura Peers, Lecturer in Ethnology and Curator of Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford; and Professor Marilyn Strathern, Department of Social Anthropology, University of Cambridge.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the words of Lord Evans of Temple Guiting, Chairman of Resource, as reported in the

I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Dissolution. I shall therefore write to the noble Lord and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many tourists have visited Northern Ireland during the past 10 years; and what further assistance can be given to Northern Ireland to promote incoming tourists. [HL2089]

Responsibility for this matter has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the total amount paid in consultancy fees to Henry Butcher plc subsequent to the auction of the goods associated with the Millennium Dome site at Greenwich. [HL2004]

I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave to the noble Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 16 March 2001 (WA 117).

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which professional experts have been instructed to undertake market testing in relation to the sale of the Millennium Dome site; who has instructed them; and by what date they have been instructed to report. [HL2120]

An independent professional team led and managed by English Partnerships is providing advice to the Government in relation to the sale and the market testing of the Millennium Dome site. This advisory team, which includes Jones Lang LaSalle, Berwin Leighton and Economic Research Associates, expects to take serveral weeks to complete the currently ongoing market testing.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 26 April (

Like many others, including the London Borough of Greenwich, the Government are committed to the Dome staying in Greenwich. It is an important landmark on the London skyline which has hastened the regeneration of Greenwich peninsula and more widely and has added to the quality and variety of world-famous structures that were already so prominent in the area. Delivering a successful future for the Dome will build on this, ensuring continued recognition world-wide and enabling the regeneration momentum that has been established to continue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 23 April (

Given that the process for finding an appropriate use of the Dome is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to publish such information, which is commercially confidential.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much cost, in addition to the cost of maintaining the Dome, is being incurred by the New Millennium Experience Company Limited each month. [HL2124]

In addition to the cost of maintaining the Dome, the New Millennium Experience Company forecasts that, from I May 2001 to 31 December 2001, average expenditure of approximately £0.75 million per month will be incurred across the functions necessary to ensure orderly wind-down and exit. These functions include:Closing-out, and mitigating any remaining potential liabilities of over 1,350 legal contracts entered into during the lifetime of the project;Closing out and finalising all aspects of the company's financial affairs;Arranging all aspects of the hand-over of the site to English Partnerships on expiry of the lease by 1 July 2001 and dealing with any ongoing hand-over issues;Deal with ongoing public accountability requirements and responsibilities including Parliamentary Questions, National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee interest;Supporting the board and its committees;Appointing and liaising with a Liquidator.The above forecast expenditure excludes any provisions for major, one-off costs that may occur but that NMEC is confident could be met from the existing National Lottery grant allocation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect the liquidation of the New Millennium Experience Company Limited to commence. [HL2125]

Current expectations are that the liquidator will be appointed by the end of the year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:On what grounds the Prime Minister will recommend the appointment of non-party political life peers in addition to those recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission; and [HL1962]Which offices now entitle their holders, on retirement, to a recommendation for life peerage from the Prime Minister outside the new channels of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. [HL1963]

After consultation with the House of Lords Appointments Commission, the Prime Minister has decided that a limited number of holders of very high office may be recommended direct to The Queen by him. The list of postholders considered in this way very much depends on the judgment of the Prime Minister of the day and on the qualities of each individual.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many applications the House of Lords Appointments Commission received; and how many of the applicants were interviewed. [HL2146]

I understand that the House of Lords Appointments Commission received 3,166 applications: 51 nominees were interviewed.