asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to persuade the

The Foreign Secretary stressed the importance of humane behaviour by United Front forces when he met Dr Abdullah Abdullah in Tehran on 22 November and also when he spoke to him on the phone on 30 November. The British representative in Kabul has

Year as at 31 March	Chief Const (2)	Ast Chief Const (3)	Supt	Chief Insp	Insp	Sgt	Const	Total
1997	7	28	211	344	1,197	4,219	20,671	26,677
1998	8	28	211	342	1,186	4,164	20,156	26,094
1999	7	33	210	350	1,157	4,223	20,093	26,073
2000	6	31	217	371	1,218	4,171	19,471	25,485
2001	5	28	210	355	1,222	4,083	18,975	24,878

1. All figures are full time equivalents.2. The Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and assistant commissioners are counted as chief constables.3. Deputy assistant commissioners and commanders are counted as assistant chief constables.4.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What were the numbers of police officers (in all ranks) in the Metropolitan Police for each of the last five years, including 2001. [HL1033]

The information requested is set out in the table below.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many applications for asylum have been made by citizens of Sri Lanka since 1990; how many applications have been allowed by the Secretary of State, adjudicators and the Immigration Appeal Tribunal; and how many applications have been refused after all legal means have been exhausted. [HL1825]

The available information is given in the table. Information on the outcome of tribunal hearings by nationality is not available prior to September 2000. Statistical information on applications which have been refused after exhausting all legal means is not collected centrally and is therefore unavailable.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures they are taking to reduce levels of trafficking in human beings, especially children. [HL1894]

The Government are committed to putting in place effective measures to combat the trafficking of human beings and to penalise those engaged in this abhorrent practice. To this end, the United Kingdom has signed the Trafficking Protocol to the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime, which requires the specific criminalisation of trafficking in human beings. The Government are also currently negotiating an European Union (EU) Framework Decision, which is a binding European Union instrument and requires criminalisation of trafficking in human beings for the purposes of exploiting their labour and services or for sexual exploitation. Under its provisions, the UK will be required to have implemented the instrument within two years of its adoption.Measuring the scope of people trafficking is problematic due to the hidden nature of the act. However, a Home Office research study

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 26 November about the categories of off-road vehicles which qualify for the privileged use of red diesel

In the past the misuse of rebated fuels (red diesel and marked kerosene for heating) was not considered to be a significant threat to the revenue. Historically, the duty differential between rebated fuels and unrebated fuels was not as large as it is today. As a consequence, it was considered unnecessary to require distributors of rebated fuels to ask for and keep proof that these fuels were to be put to a legitimate use or to make returns to us. Such requirements would have put an undue burden on legitimate traders as well as requiring significant Customs resourcing to process and analyse this information for little gain.However, Customs has become concerned over the increasing misuse of these fuels as road fuels and is now proposing to introduce a scheme requiring distributors to be approved by Customs and to exercise a duty of care by asking certain questions to satisfy themselves that end-users are putting the fuel to a legitimate use and keeping a record of this information. In addition, they will be required to submit regular returns to Customs. This additional information will give us a better picture of the problem and allow us to better target our controls.This new scheme forms part of the

asked Her Majesty's Government:How the figures for children growing up in single-parent families in England and Wales compare with those in other European Union countries. [HL1927]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What contribution each of the following sectors made to the gross domestic product of the economy in the year 2000: sport and recreation; land-based industries; audio visual industries; apparel, footwear and textiles; petrochemicals; and retailing. [HL1969]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a statement has been made under the Human Rights Act 1998 in connection with the Consolidated Fund Bill. [HL2060]

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 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 is the outcome of the comprehensive review of Armed Forces aircrew retention. [HL2042]

The Ministry of Defence has conducted a comprehensive review of aircrew retention this summer. We sought to identify why we have a shortfall in this highly trained group of personnel and how that shortfall might best be addressed. A study team, including representatives from the three Services, HM Treasury and external consultancy, has reviewed aircrew requirements and looked at employment patterns, career structures, training systems and remuneration, as well as the recruitment and financial policies of the commercial sector.The working group collated the views of over 1,000 aircrew (probably the largest such survey the Armed Forces has undertaken) as well as those of managers. It examined and identified why people leave service life, as well as the attractions of the commercial sector.The main cause of the shortage of aircrew was a failure of the training system to deliver against challenging targets. That has already been addressed but it will take time to deliver. We intend, therefore, further to improve the retention of our current aircrew.The working group identified a series of issues impacting on retention. Many of the quality of life issues emerging from the review of aircrew retention were already being tackled: for example, the very significant programmes introduced to spend an additional £1 billion over the next 10 years on modernising single living accommodation and to spend £650 million by November 2005 on upgrading married quarters. We recognise that accommodation problems spread beyond housing, and action is needed to address sub-standard working and technical accommodation as well. Senior service officers have also set in hand work to address a number of key concerns raised by aircrew—for example, on operational tempo, career management, frequency of moves, and more. The impact of resolving these concerns will also be of benefit to personnel beyond the aircrew community. Some of the issues raised by aircrew are misperceptions and to address this better communication is being developed across the services.There are some remuneration aspects arising from this review and, as is usual, we have made proposals to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB). The outcome will be reported to the House in due course—probably early February.We are monitoring closely developments in the commercial sector. But, even if the pull to the private sector decreases as a result of a contraction in the civil sector, we still have a responsibility deal with the natural factors which cause personnel to leave and which are preventing us reaching aircrew manning balance.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware of any proposals which might lead to the European Union acquiring legal personality; and, if so, what is their response to such proposals. [HL1953]

Article 24 of the Treaty of the European Union (added by the Treaty of Amsterdam) gives the Council of the European Union the capacity to conclude international agreements in areas covered by the Common Foreign and Security Policy (Title V TEU) and Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters (Title VI TEU) when it is necessary to enter into such agreements to implement those titles.This is a very limited form of legal personality for the European Union to conclude international agreements for these specific purposes. It is not the overarching, explicit legal personality which some others have advocated and which the Prime Minister successfully resisted at Amsterdam.Various proposals for amending the EU treaties have been made in the current debate on the Future of Europe. More are likely in the run up to the 2004 Intergovernmental Conference. Decisions remain a matter for member states at the IGC.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much has been paid by way of loans through the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme to tourism businesses which are suffering from cash-flow problems. [HL1879]

The Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities, which is used to classify loans under the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme, does not treat tourism as a separate industrial section. Tourism is spread across a number of sections, including wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants and transport.Of the new loans that have been guaranteed by the Small Business Service, where the application forms identify that the businesses are suffering from cash-flow problems resulting from foot and mouth disease, 16 loans totalling £444,000 are considered to be tourism related.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the statement by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 31 October (HL Deb, Col. 1486) that the appointment for a meeting between the chairman of Railtrack and the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions had been made on 5 October, whether they will make a further statement on the date on which the appointment was made. [HL1781]

The Secretary of State had been advised that any decision he could take—whether to accede to Railtrack's proposals or not—would be market sensitive and had to be communicated to Railtrack speedily. As it was envisaged that all the evidence would be available for the Secretary of State to review on Friday 5 October, the chairman of Railtrack was contacted on Thursday 4 October and a meeting scheduled in advance for the following day.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they believe that it is necessary to keep Section 17 of the Local Government Act 1988 in place; and, if so, why. [HL1867]

Section 17 of the Local Government Act 1988 sets out a number of noncommercial matters that local authorities are not permitted to take into account in contracting exercises. The order made earlier this year tinder the Local Government Act 1999 modified Section 17 and provided that, in respect of best value authorities, for certain workforce matters to cease to be defined as noncommercial for the purposes of Part II of the 1988 Act to the extent that they are relevant to the achievement of best value and also in circumstances where they are relevant to a TUPE transfer.The European Directives for Public Procurement, which are implemented in the UK by various procurement regulations, require contracts to be awarded on the basis of non-discrimination, transparency, freedom of movement and competitive procurement principles. Section 17 is consistent with the European legislation and makes clear the need for local authorities to avoid introducing irrelevant considerations into the contractual process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is (a) the average annual percentage increase in council tax levied in England and in Wales respectively for each year since it was introduced; and (b) the annual increase in the retail prices index for each of those years. [HL1888]

The council tax was introduced in England on 1 April 1993. The annual average percentage increase in council tax and the annual increase in the retail prices index (RPI) since 1993–94 are given in the table below.

	Annual average increase in Band D Council Tax (%)	Annual increase in RPI (%)
1994–95	2.1	2.6
1995–96	5.0	3.3
1996–97	6.1	2.4
1997–98	6.5	2.4
1998–99	8.6	4.0
1999–2000	6.8	1.6
2000–01	6.1	3.0
2001–02	6.4	1.8

(a) All Items Index (RPI) as at April each year.Information on council tax in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Law Commission made in 1992 to amend Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, as proposed in the consultation paper of March 2001

We plan to make an announcement early in the new year about the outcome of the consultation exercise and proposals to implement the reforms by means of a regulatory reform order.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assurances were given by the promoters during the Select Committee hearings on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill that they would provide suitable alternative site(s) for rail freight facilities currently located at Temple Mills, Stratford, and on which compulsory purchase orders were served recently. [HL1917]

In response to concerns raised at the House of Lords Select Committee, an assurance was given about the provision of a locomotive fuelling point at Stratford. The terms of the occupation and use of land by the then Mainline Freight were to he the subject of further detailed negotiations on lease terms and other issues between the company and London & Continental Railways.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What estimate has been made of the extent to which London Underground has failed to operate its planned services in recent months; and to what cause any reduction in services has been attributed. [HL1955]

This is an operational matter for London Underground, which informs me that in the period 1 April to 10 November 2001 it operated some 92.2 per cent of scheduled train kilometres. London Underground's analysis of peak train cancellations in the period 1 April to 14 October this year shows that the most significant causes of cancellations were problems with assets (such as signalling systems and rolling stock) and a lack of available train operators. London Underground has been addressing the shortage of train operators through recruitment and through other measures designed to improve the reliability of its operations. Under the Tube modernisation plans, the infrastructure companies will significantly improve the quality of the Underground's assets, reducing delays caused by asset failures.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What investment was made in the London Underground system during the year 2000; and how this compares with the amount needed to provide a modern metro. [HL1956]

London Underground invested £363 million in the core Tube network in 2000–01 which enabled the continued renewal and replacement of essential assets in order to maintain them in a steady state condition pending completion of negotiations with the preferred bidders for the Tube Modernisation contracts.The Tube Modernisation plans will deliver the stable, long-term investment required to make London Underground a modern metro of which Londoners can he proud.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they propose to consult on proposed parliamentary procedures for speeding up the processing of major infrastructure projects in the planning system. [HL2043]

In July we announced a package of measures to streamline the handling in the planning system of major infrastructure projects such as new airports, runways, rail links and roads. The objective was to speed up the decision-making process so as to cut the delay, cost and uncertainty of the present process, while making sure that people continue to be properly involved and have the opportunity to make their views known.The package comprised: up-to-date comments of government policy before major infrastructure projects are considered in the planning system to help reduce inquiry time spent on debating the policy; an improved regional framework which will assist consideration of individual projects (eg through the revised arrangements for regional planning guidance); new procedures to give Parliament the opportunity to approve projects in principle before consideration of the details at inquiry; improved inquiry procedures for major infrastructure projects; and improved arrangements for compulsory purchase and compensation.We are today publishing a consultation paper setting out our detailed proposals for new parliamentary procedures. Copies are being laid before both Houses. The deadline for comment is 22 March 2002.It is right that Parliament should have the opportunity to consider infrastructure projects of major importance to the country and to the economy. Parliament's involvement will add weight and accountability to the process without reducing the opportunities for people to have their say. Parliament's endorsement of the principle of, need for and location of a project will speed up the decision-making process by removing the necessity for the subsequent planning inquiry to look at these issues. We propose to underpin this with new powers for planning inspectors to focus discussion at the inquiry, which will just look at the details of implementing the project on the ground. The final decision on a project will rest with the Secretary of State.Our proposals give people a clear opportunity to make their views known before Parliament debates the issues. They provide a mechanism for people to make objections or other representations about a proposed project. Parliament would have copies of all of them and a summary. In addition, the parliamentary stage would be preceded by development of a statement of government policy, on the content of which there would normally be prior public consultation, and people can express their views at a subsequent inquiry on the detailed aspects of the scheme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they intend to support the aims and objectives of National Tree Week which is being promoted by the National Tree Council. [HL1512]

The aim of National Tree Week is to encourage good management and care of our trees and woods, and particularly this year to increase the involvement of young people in tree planting and related activities. That is why my honourable friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Commons), (Mr Elliot Morley) launched Tree Week on 21 November in Regent's Park with children from Fitz John's Primary School. The work of the Tree Council, including National Tree Week, is supported by the Environment Action Fund administered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in the instances where the courts did not uphold the decisions of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials to slaughter animals during the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease any of the animals concerned subsequently developed the disease. [HL1577]

Of the two cases in which the department was denied an injunction to proceed with the slaughter of livestock, one case subsequently tested positive for the FMD virus.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In which counties or parts of counties foot and mouth disease access restrictions still apply to footpaths and open countryside; and when they intend, or anticipate being able to lift them.[HL1633]

Currently 96 per cent of all footpaths in England are open to the public. Access restrictions still apply to those footpaths crossing farms that are subject to specific veterinary restrictions (mostly farms where livestock were diagnosed as having foot and mouth disease). The counties worst hit by the disease, including Cumbria, North Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland, are most affected by this as they have the largest numbers of such farms.With the improving disease situation, the veterinary risk assessment on the use of public footpaths has been revised, and concludes that it is now safe to re-open footpaths crossing restricted premises, apart from those passing through farmyards or buildings, once final cleansing and disinfection are complete, or, if final cleansing and disinfection are not being undertaken, then three months after completion of preliminary cleansing and disinfection.The revised veterinary risk assessment was issued on 7 December, along with revised government guidance to local authorities on re-opening footpaths that encouraged them to work closely with local divisional veterinary managers to establish exactly which footpaths can be re-opened in the light of this development. Where footpaths pass through farmyards or buildings, local authorities should try to arrange temporary permissive diversions with the farmers concerned, especially where particularly popular local footpaths or national trails are concerned. However, if this does not prove possible, then those footpaths must remain closed until the veterinary restrictions are lifted.It is likely that almost all footpaths in England will be re-opened in the early part of next year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which Government Departments and agencies have in place an Environmental Management System as suggested in 2.13 of their publication

Ten Departments and executive agencies have an Enviornmental Management System (EMS) in place, certified to IS014001. These are as follows:Government Car & Despatch Agency (Cabinet Office)Her Majesty's Customs & ExciseDepartment of Transport, Local Government and the RegionsDepartment for Education & SkillsNHS Purchasing & Supply Agency (Department of Health)Department for Work and PensionsDepartment of Trade & Industry

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that the expenditure of £20,000 on designing a new logo for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs represents value for money. [HL1814]

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has retained a strategic communications consultancy to advise on a range of corporate communications activities. This was done after a process of competitive tendering. The fee for this work is still being negotiated.The aim of the work is to develop and establish an identity for a new government department which has a key role to play in delivering important policies. This identity will be important to the staff and to the stakeholders they deal with.The identity project will include the production of new corporate materials and advice on how these would be used in all departmental communications. The new materials will be introduced as the old materials run out and there are no plans for a re-launch exercise.

asked Her Majesty's Government:On whose authority the decision to design a new logo for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was taken. [HL1815]

On advice from Defra's Communications Directorate, staffed by specialists from the Government Information and Communication Service (GICS), my right honourable friend the Secretary of State gave the go-ahead for the project.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they believe that the design of a new logo for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will have the effect of boosting the department's image. [HL1816]

A new logo is part of the process of developing a new identity for Defra. This process is aimed at establishing a clear understanding by staff and stakeholders of the role the department has been created to perform.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the decision to design a new logo for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was put out to competitive tender. [HL1817]

A competitive tendering process was undertaken through COI Communications, the agency which specialises in communications for the public sector.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much Norwegian salmon has been imported during each of the last five years. [HL1820]

Overseas trade statistics show that the UK imports of salmon from Norway between 1996 and 2000 were as follows:

	Units	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
Fresh or Chilled	Tonnes	4,675	5,846	4,345	12,801	4,736
	£ thousand	13,034	14,866	10,532	19,697	11,888
Frozen	Tonnes	529	675	537	405	714
	£ thousand	2,059	2,469	2,051	1,449	2,812
Processed	Tonnes	287	91	95	142	85
	£ thousand	1,203	532	470	581	353

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many redundant refrigerators they forecast will have to be disposed of during the 12 months from 1 December; what proportion they estimate will need to be put into storage, rather than being dismantled and recycled, within each three-month period; and how many they estimate will remain in storage at the end of each three-month period. [HL1890]

It has been estimated that up to 3 million domestic refrigeration units are disposed of in the UK each year. The number that will require storage prior to recycling is dependent on the construction of suitable facilities for the recovery of ozone depleting substances. Some of these could be operational as early as spring 2002.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the rates of payment made under Countryside Stewardship for (a) the 2 metre arable grass margin scheme and (b) the arable reversion scheme are sufficient to recompense farmers for the losses incurred by entering these schemes. [HL 1910]

Countryside Stewardship payment rates are reviewed regularly. In line with EU rules, the rates reflect any income lost in undertaking stewardship options, plus any additional costs incurred, such as specialised management or extra capital works, and a small incentive element of up to 20 per cent. Agreement holders should therefore be no worse off than their counterparts who are outside the scheme. The continuing demand for the scheme, with nearly 3,000 applications this year, indicates that the current level of payments is generally acceptable.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there have been no recorded outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom since 1 October. [HL1981]

There have been no outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in the UK since 30 September 2001.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will publish the 2000–01 annual report for the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency. [HL2041]

The 2000–01 annual report and accounts for the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the impact of the economic link measures introduced for the fisheries sector on 1 January 1999 have been assessed for the year 2000. [HL2059]

From 1 January 1999 all British registered fishing vessels over 10 metres in length and catching more than 2 tonnes of quota stocks have had to demonstrate an economic link with fisheries-dependent communities in the United Kingdom. This link can be demonstrated in a number of ways, for example by vessels landing at least 50 per cent by weight of their quota catch into the UK or by employing a crew of whom at least 50 per cent are normally resident in a UK coastal area.In 2000, 1,627 vessels caught more than 2 tonnes of quota stocks and in each case achieved a satisfactory economic link, primarily through landings into the UK. The economic link arrangements have maintained the increases in UK landings and expenditure achieved by foreign-owned UK-registered vessels in 1999. In addition, almost 400 tonnes of quota was made available for redistribution to the UK fleet.A full report by the fisheries departments in the United Kingdom on the operation of the economic link measures and their impact in 2000 has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the psychiatrists on the Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis have withdrawn; and if so, for what reason; and what will be the consequences for the report. [HL1659]

The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis independent working group has now finalised its report. We understand that the psychiatrists on the group felt unable to support it, as it does not sufficiently meet their concerns. We hope to be in a position to publish the report shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps have been taken to inform haemophilia patients whose NHS-prescribed treatment included blood from donors who subsequently died of vCJD; and further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 29 November

The United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation, in consultation with the Department of Health, agreed a policy of offering all haemophilia patients a choice of whether they wish to be informed or not in the event that they or their children received blood or blood products from a donor who subsequently died of vCJD. Counselling and advice to patients were provided by haemophilia centres.In October 2001 the department's CJD Incident Panel issued a document for public consultation on how to deal with any future incidents

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will provide a service breakdown of health expenditure per capita and as a percentage of gross domestic product (1998) in the United Kingdom as produced on page 64 of the interim report by Derek Wanless; and a similar breakdown of the European Union average (both unweighted and weighted). [HL1835]

The information published on page 64 of the interim report by Mr Derek Wanless is based on data published by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development. This is the most complete and up-to-date source of information on international comparisons of expenditure.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the findings of Patrick Carroll of the Pension and Population Research Institute that "the main cause of the fast increase in post-menopausal breast cancer since the late 1980s can only be the increased availability of induced abortion"; and [HL1892]Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 7 November

There are many factors that could increase the numbers of woman diagnosed with breast cancer, for example, developments in breast screening, women living longer, more women being obese, along with women having fewer children and later on in life. The study by Patrick Carroll does not provide evidence of a causal link between abortion and breast cancer, and the Royal College of Obstetricians' view, published in its evidence-based guideline on induced abortion, is that the potential link is unproven.The evidence on the possible link between abortion and breast cancer is conflicting and at least some of the studies carried out are methodologically flawed. The Imperial Cancer Research Fund's work will evaluate the international evidence and its report should clarify the situation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assessment they have made of the contribution of podiatrists in the non-state registered sector towards (a) the early identification of diabetes, (b) the early identification of rheumatoid arthritis, and (c) the care of older people. [HL1905]

Non-state registered chiropodists/podiatrists are not allowed to practise in the National Health Service and information is not collected from the private sector.The Government are proposing to modernise the regulation of professional healthcare staff to address the need for consistency of standards within professions using the same title. From April 2002, a new health professions council will be established and all those wishing to be able to practise as a chiropodist or podiatrist will be able to seek registration. The council will require all practitioners to meet accepted standards of safe practice and apply consistent, fair and appropriate measures to deal with practitioners whose practice falls short of those standards.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assessment they have made (a) of the likely impact of the draft Health Professions Order on the future availability of podiatry services in the independent sector, and (b) of the likely impact on National Health Service podiatry services of any drop in the number of independent practitioners. [HL1908]

The Department of Health has been and continues to be in discussion with both the regulated and unregulated chiropody/ podiatry sector. We are fully aware of the issues surrounding the regulation of this group of staff. We would hope that all members of the unregulated sector would take the opportunity to become regulated.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why there is such a long delay for qualified nurses coming from abroad gaining their United Kingdom registration from the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing. [HL1919]

The number of applications for registration with the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (UKCC) from overseas has trebled in the last two years. The UKCC has taken on additional staff and introduced operational standards to ensure that those aspects of the process that are within the UKCC's control are handled effectively. While the UKCC endeavours to keep the length of the process to a minimum, some delays do occur when information from or on behalf of an applicant is received late or is incomplete.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures they are taking to prevent commercial exploitation of human embryos by companies seeking to derive stem cell lines from them; and what consulation has taken place with the parents of these embryos before commercial exploitation and subsequent destruction occurs. [HL1937]

Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, an individual licence must be issued for each research project undertaken using fertilised embryos. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) must be satisfied before issuing the licence that the conditions in the 1990 Act are fully complied with. Additionally, the HFEA may impose conditions on any research licence relating to the use of embryos in that research and it must be satisfied that these will also be met.The Chief Medical Officer's expert group report,

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any research applications have been received by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for embryonic stem research since the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001 were passed in January 2001 and whether any licences have been issued. [HL1948]

Since January 2001 the Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority (HFEA) has received five applications for human embryo research related to stem cells under the original research purposes in the 1990 Act and licences have been issued for four of these. Two applications for research under the HFE (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001 have been received which are both at present under consideration. Up to 15 November, no applications for research using human embryos created by cell nuclear replacement had been received by the HFEA.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the increased personnel and budgetary implications for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority following the passage of the Human Reproductive Cloning Act 2001 and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001. [HL1950]

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is not responsible for the Human Reproductive Cloning Act 2001. To date the authority has received only two research applications under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001. The authority is able to handle these within existing resources. The authority's budget is subject to annual review and agreement with the Department of Health on the basis of all the authority's functions. Staffing arrangements are a matter for the authority.

asked Her Majesty's Government:On how many celebratory occasions a Jubilee medal has been awarded to members of the police force. [HL1714]When they will announce the result of their review of their decision that the Queen's Jubilee medal should not be awarded to members of the police force. [HL1715]

A special medal was issued to members of the police force to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887 and Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Members of the police force also received a jubilee medal for King George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935 and the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977.As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport announced on 4 December, having considered representations from the police and others, the Government have decided that eligibility for the Golden Jubilee medal should be extended to include members of the emergency services: the police, fire and ambulance services, the Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and the Mountain Rescue service. As is the case for the Armed Forces and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the medal will be issued to serving members who have completed a minimum of five years' reckonable service on 6 February 2002.A copy of the announcement has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the value of sports tourism to the economy of the United Kingdom; and on what research they base their estimate of that value. [HL1843]

A recent study by the Sports Tourism Unit at the University of Luton has found sports tourism to be worth some £2.5 billion annually. This year, for the first time, the ONS is researching sports tourism to provide a clearer picture of its value to the economy of the United Kingdom.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What were their reasons for refusing to approve the BBC3 television service for 16 to 34 year-olds; and what deadline they have given to the BBC for the re-submission of their proposals. [HL1844]

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport announced her decision on the BBC's proposed new digital services on 13 September. She did not approve BBC3 because it was not clear that the proposals were truly distinctive in an already crowded market. The BBC was invited to put forward fresh proposals; no deadline was given, but the BBC submitted a new proposal on 4 December.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures they are taking to give advice to those who work in the hospitality industry on how to deal with the problems of achieving a satisfactory work/life balance. [HL1845]

The Government have produced guidance on work/life balance specifically tailored to the needs of the hospitality industry. The guide, Creating a Work-Life Balance—a good practice guide for the hospitality industry, published in October this year, is aimed at employers and individuals within the industry and was developed through a partnership between the Hotel and Catering International Management Association (HCIMA) and the DTI. Copies of the guide are available from DTI Publications, tel. 0870 1502 500, or on the DTI website (www.dti.gov.uk/publications email:dtipubs @eclogistics.co.uk).

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their estimate of the impact of the terrorist attacks of 11 September on the tourism industry of the United Kingdom; how this estimate compares with the impact on tourism in other European Union countries; and, if there is a disparity in the figures, what is their explanation for the disparity. [HL1847]

It is too early for comprehensive analysis. but clearly there have been adverse effects on British tourism. The BTA has predicted that tourist numbers from Britain's key long-haul markets will fall by 15 to 25 per cent. Those businesses most dependent on higher spending long-haul visitors have been hardest hit. Other parts of the industry are doing rather better. A recent survey showed a 17.2 per cent fall in occupancy in London hotels but only 1.7 per cent in regional hotels, and an ETC survey found that since 11 September nearly 1 million people in Britain have changed their plans from holidaying abroad to taking a trip at home.The European Commission compiled a report [(13976/01) COM(2001) 668 final] which found a mixed picture across the EU, with those markets more heavily reliant on higher spending long-haul visitors, such as the UK, most affected.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have a system for monitoring the use of National Lottery funds; and, if so, whether they have been advised how much of the £3.5 million contributed by the Scottish Land Fund towards the purchase of the Isle of Gigha came from the lottery. [HL1875]

The Government's financial directions require lottery distributors to monitor and evaluate lottery resources to ensure that the projects and schemes they support represent value for money. Statutory policy directions set by the Government determine the type of activities the New Opportunities Fund can support under its programmes. Under its directions for the Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities programme, the New Opportunities Fund has committed £10.78 million of lottery funding to the formation of the Scottish Land Fund. The New Opportunities Fund's Scottish Land Fund Committee approved a request for funding of £3.5 million to support the acquisition of the Isle of Gigha.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they have taken to ensure that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has made adequate and appropriate preparations for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and whether the non-departmental public bodies which are accountable to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have completed such preparations. [HL1881]

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is fully aware of its responsibilities under the forthcoming legislation, not only on its own account but also in respect of its sponsored bodies, and will ensure that all appropriate action is taken to prepare both the department and its NDPBs for implementation.We wrote to our NDPBs in June 2001 to ensure they were aware of the then timetable and of the implications for them of the Act's provisions. We will continue to keep them informed to help them meet their obligations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Given that the statutory requirement under the Osborne Estate Act 1902 to devote part of Osborne House for the benefit of members of the Armed Forces and the Civil Service is not at present being fulfilled, and has not been for over a year, what they are proposing to do to redress the situation; and [HL1900]When they anticipate that the repair and refurbishment of the accommodation at Osborne House, formerly used as the King Edward VII Convalescent Home for Officers, will be completed; and [HL1901]What representations they have received on the future use of rooms at Osborne House which were formerly occupied by the King Edward VII Convalescent Home for Officers. (HL1902]

The extent and, therefore, the cost of repairs to the former convalescent home area at Osborne House have been greater than anticipated and will not now be completed until December 2003. Some rooms will be available for new uses after the initial phase of work is completed in early 2002. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will be considering the options and the associated costs for using these rooms to meet her obligations under the 1902 Act.English Heritage, which is responsible for the maintenance and management of the Osborne Estate, has made proposals to open to the public a substantial part of the former convalescent home accommodation and the gardens previously restricted to convalescent home use. No other representations have been received concerning the future use of the accommodation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 13 November

From March 2001, complaints received by the ILA Centre were categorised by type and covered a wide range of issues such as the learning eligible for discounts, requests for ILA membership to be backdated, service provision and providers. Prior to March 2001, the ILA Centre had not been required to categorise complaints in its records. Recorded complaints received between these dates in respect of non-compliance with the rules of the programme included aggressive marketing, improper use of the ILA and DfES logos and offers of free training to which individuals were not required to contribute.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have any information that terrorists either individually or as part of an organisation have been involved with illicit applications either as providers for, or as recipients of, individual learning accounts; and, if so, when it was brought to their notice. [HL 1728]

We have no evidence that ILA funds have been used for terrorist activity.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will enlarge the remit of the Investors in People Award Scheme to include consideration of the policy and practice of each business in relation to (a) family friendly employment practices such as job sharing, parental leave and flexible working; and (b) equality of opportunity for mothers and fathers in the context of balancing work and family responsibilities. [HL1848]

Investors in People UK is developing a voluntary model on work/life balance for Investors in People recognised organisations. Development of the model will begin in January 2002.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are all the education initiatives, together with their cost, which are funded by the Department for Education and Skills from the overall education budget. [HL1855]

Details of the education programmes funded by the Department for Education and Skills are set out in Table 4.2 of the Department for Education and Employment Annual Report (Cm 5102). The programmes listed in that table under the heading Objective Three: Helping People without a job into work and two of the programmes under Objective Two: Lifelong Learning (entitled "European Social Fund" and "European Regional Development Fund") are now the responsibility of the Department for Work and Pensions.Since that report was published, we have announced an additional £197 million for education and skills projects funded under the Capital Modernisation Fund: £40 million for new investment in schools, workforce skills and measures to raise productivity; and £50 million to fund Curriculum online.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many staff are currently employed directly, and how many are funded indirectly, by the Department for Education and Skills. [HL 856]

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) employs directly 4,299 staff (4,103 permanent and 196 temporary).Details of the number of staff funded indirectly by DfES could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What percentage of the overall education budget is spent on (a) schools; (b) Department for Education and Skills running costs and centrally funded initiatives; and (c) local government administrative costs. [HL1858]

Approximately 67 per cent of the total education and skills budget for England in 2001–02, made up of this department's departmental expenditure limit plus the education standard spending assessment, is being spent on schools. My department's departmental expenditure limit, which provides funding for schools as well as further and higher education and lifelong learning, represents around 46 per cent of the total budget for England. The department's central running costs constitute some 0.5 per cent of the total. Local Education Authority administration costs make up around 1 per cent of the total.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to ensure (a) that there is an adequate supply of teachers for citizenship, parenting, sex and relationship education and (b) that both the specialist and general teaching staff are suitably trained to deliver these elements in the National Curriculum and to respond to children's questions. [HL1925]

In order to be awarded qualified teacher status, all trainee teachers most demonstrate that they plan opportunities to contribute to pupils' personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Also, in this academic year to date, 143 people have begun specialist postgraduate certificate in education courses in citizenship at institutions in England. On 7 December, my honourable friend the Minister of State for School Standards announced that 200 places for initial teacher training in citizenship would be available in the 2002–03 academic year and indicated his intention to make a similar number available in each of 2003–04 and 2004–05.Standards fund grants of £15 million in the current financial year are supporting schools' implementation of personal, social and health education and of citizenship education, including the provision of continuing professional development in these subjects for serving teachers. In addition, my department has organised a series of regional training events attended by over 1,000 teachers and launched a website which includes a training needs identification tool for teachers, examples of good practice and a database of resources.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 28 November

Whether or not a provision falls within a particular part or section of an Act in domestic law is not decisive of how it will be regarded for EU law purposes.The Government's view is that being a Member of Parliament is not an occupation within the scope of the directive: an MP can more properly be characterised as someone holding political office. Occupations are within the scope of the directive only where an employment-type relationship arises. Being a Member of Parliament does not, in the Government's view, give rise to such a relationship.Apart from the issue of whether being a Member of Parliament is an occupation under the directive, the Government are of the view that the directive does not apply to the electoral process because it is not comparable to selection for employment.The Government accept that the equal treatment principle applies to the control of access to employment and occupations covered by the directive. By accepting this, however, the Government do not accept that the selection by a political party of a candidate for election is control of access to employment and occupation. Holding political office would not, in our view, cause an employment-type relationship to arise, whether between the Member and their political party or otherwise. Standing as a candidate for election or standing for selection to be a candidate is not the same as having access to employment or occupation.It is accepted that the directive covers access to vocational guidance, vocational training, advanced vocational training and retraining. It may also cover access to occupations and vocations, but only so long as the occupation or vocation concerned involves an employment-type relationship. For the reasons advanced above, however, this does not mean, that the directive applies to selection of candidates as MPs.As to whether political parties are public authorities for the purposes of Section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998, a body will only be a public authority for the purposes of the Human Rights Act if it has a public function, that is, a function which is governmental or quasi-governmental in nature and which seeks to achieve some collective benefit for the public. The Government's view is that the selection of a candidate to stand for election is internal to the party and its members, and is more a private act that furthers the party's own ends than a public function.As stated in my Answer on 28 November