asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will increase their aid, and ask the European Union to do likewise, to countries such as Sierra Leone, which could become models for their region. [HL2143]

We already fund a substantial development programme in Sierra Leone, running at well over £30 million a year, and plan to expand it still further over the next few years. The EC should have up to 220 million euros of European Development Fund money available for Sierra Leone over the next five years, on top of funding for humanitarian and human rights work there. We are in regular touch with the Commission to encourage it to speed up the rate at which it disburses its funds in Sierra Leone.We fully recognise the demonstration effect that well performing countries can have for others in their region. In the case of Sierra Leone, we would hope that this impact could extend beyond West Africa, and serve as a model for other countries coming out of conflict throughout the whole of Africa.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What decisions were taken at the Southern African Development Community meeting on 17 December. [HL2180]

The Committee of Ministers responsible for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation met in Luanda, Angola on 17 and 18 December. All 14 SADC member states were represented. Discussions centred on terrorism in Angola and the situations prevailing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with particular reference to the Inter-Congolese Dialogue, and Zimbabwe. Preparations for elections in Lesotho and Zambia were also discussed. Ministers also strongly condemned the acts of terrorism of 11 September in the United States. Ministers approved a mechanism for funding Organ activities and a strategy for co-operation with regional and international donors.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will introduce legislation to reform the present arrangements for the holding of large social gatherings, commonly known as "raves", indoors in the open. [HL2198]

The current powers in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 relating to unlawful "raves" concern events organised in the open air and do not cover events in an enclosed barn or other building. However, the local authority does have certain powers in relation to noise and can serve orders requiring the organisers to reduce noise if complaints are made.The Government have no present plans to introduce new legislation but routinely keep such legislation under review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will initiate reviews of convictions for sexual offences since 1994 which were based on uncorroborated allegations. [HL2239]

The Home Secretary's powers to review criminal convictions came to an end on 31 March 1997. These were replaced by new powers vested in an independent body, the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The commission has a main responsibility under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 to review suspected miscarriages of justice, and to refer a conviction, verdict, finding or sentence to the appropriate court of appeal when the commission considers that there is a real possibility that it would not be upheld.There is no central record of convictions for sexual offences since 1994, which were based on uncorroborated allegations. However, it is open to individuals with such a conviction or anyone acting on their behalf to apply to the commission for a case to be reviewed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will announce their plans for the detention of asylum seekers in prisons. [HL2309]

By the end of January immigration detainees held in local prisons will, if their detention is to continue, be transferred to immigration removal centres. This has been made possible by the opening of three new removal centres at Harmondsworth, near Heathrow, Dungavel in Lanarkshire, and at Yarlswood in Bedfordshire.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have responded in any way to the draft Bill of Rights submitted by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and whether they will publish any letter or letters sent to the Chief Commissioner. [HL2002]

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission published a consultation document on 4 September setting out its preliminary thinking on the scope for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The Government look forward to receiving the commission's formal recommendations next year and will determine their response thereafter.In the meantime, Des Browne MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Northern Ireland Office, has written to Brice Dickson, Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on 22 November highlighting some general issues for consideration. A copy of this letter, which does not represent the final position of the Government, has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the complaints procedure for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. [HL2085]

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which individuals and organisations who believe that their human rights might have been infringed have received financial support from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission since 1999; and, in each case, how much they received. [HL2086]

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 11 December

The reappointments of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commissioners were made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice.The role of the Chief Commissioner was set out in the original advertisement, which appeared in the press on 24 November 1998:Providing strategic direction and leadership for the Commission;Representing the Commission in public;Developing and maintaining the Commission's external relationships at the highest level; andAccounting for the expenditure of the Commission.The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has considered whether the Chief Commissioner, Brice Dickson, has fulfilled this role and has concluded that he should be reappointed for a further term.Performance appraisal of the other commission members is a matter for the Chief Commissioner. In considering whether or not they should be reappointed, the Government sought and received an assessment from the Chief Commissioner of whether or not their performance had been satisfactory. This too was in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. All the existing commissioners received a satisfactory assessment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 10 January (HL2036) concerning the design of badges for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, whether they will outline the reasons why no competitive tendering process was undertaken. [HL2279]

As I explained in my Answer of 10 January, there were a number of reasons why no competitive tendering process was undertaken, including the comparative costs involved and the nature of the work.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the purpose of the office of the Deputy Prime Minister. [HL1805]

The office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the Cabinet Office is headed by the Deputy Prime Minister. He is supported by a Minister of State (Mrs Barbara Roche MP), by a Parliamentary Secretary (Mr Christopher Leslie MP), and by myself for business in the House of Lords.As First Secretary of State, the Deputy Prime Minister continues to deputise for the Prime Minister as required, drawing on the resources of other parts of the Cabinet Office as necessary. He oversees the work of the Social Exclusion Unit, which reports to the Prime Minister through him. He is also responsible for the Regional Co-ordination Unit and the nine Government Offices for the Regions. The Prime Minister has also asked him to be responsible for a White Paper on regional governance, in close liaison with my right honourable friend, the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and in co-operation with other Cabinet colleagues.On international matters, the Deputy Prime Minister supports the Prime Minister. He continues to play a role in international climate change discussions and negotiations on behalf of the Prime Minister. More recently, the Prime Minister has also asked the Deputy Prime Minister to take on a similar role in preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) to be held in Johannesburg in September 2002. In addition he sees visiting dignitaries and undertakes overseas visits on behalf of the Prime Minister; and oversees the work of the International Public Service Group. He also carries ministerial responsibility for the British-Irish Council and will deputise as necessary for the Prime Minister at meetings of the council.The Deputy Prime Minister chairs Cabinet committees on domestic affairs and on the nations and regions; and sub-committees on social exclusion and regeneration and on energy policy. He also chairs the newly established Ministerial Group (MISC18) on WSSD and continues to chair the Committee on the Environment.The Minister of State in the Deputy Prime Minister's Office supports the Deputy Prime Minister across the full range of his duties. In particular, the Minister oversees the work of the Regional Co-ordination Unit and the Government Offices for the Regions, reporting to the Deputy Prime Minister on the development of their role and on the work of the regional network of the COI. The Minister leads on projects arising out of the work of the Social Exclusion Unit, is responsible for the work of the Business Co-ordination Unit, and acts as sponsor Minister for a number of PIU projects. She is also a member of a number of Cabinet committees, including those on the regions and social exclusion.In addition, the Minister of State in the Deputy Prime Minister's office is Minister for Women. She co-ordinates equality issues across Whitehall as Chair of the Cabinet sub-committee on equality and has responsibility for the implementation of Article 13 (reporting to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry) and co-ordination of cross-cutting equality issues (on behalf of the three lead equality Ministers). She also reports to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry as the Cabinet Minister for Women on the day-to-day oversight of the Women and Equality Unit and sponsorship of the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Women's National Commission.The Parliamentary Secretary supports the Minister of State and the Deputy Prime Minister across the range of their duties. He is also the Minister answerable in the Commons for the business I deal with and for day-to-day decisions on the Civil Service under the Prime Minister as Minister for the Civil Service.As Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, I report direct to the Prime Minister. I also work closely with the Deputy Prime Minister as appropriate on related cross-cutting issues covered by the Cabinet committees under his chairmanship.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much of the extra £7.5 million that has been made available to ensure that animal feed has been properly checked at local level will be given to:

The Food Standards Agency is providing funds in the current financial year in response to applications from individual local authorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 17 December

The analysis makes many assumptions and is a simplistic association between a rising incidence of breast cancer and the use of induced abortion but the analysis does not show this relationship to be causal. The potential link between induced abortion and subsequent breast cancer requires a more sophisticated study that would consider the effect of other risk factors and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund report will provide this.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 13 December

No meeting has been held yet but the Department of Health is meeting the Disability Rights Commission to discuss a number of issues early this year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the provisions of the Human Reproductive Cloning Act 2001 extend to Scotland. [HL2159]

Yes, the Human Reproductive Cloning Act 2001 applies fully to all the United Kingdom countries, including Scotland.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their estimate of the total expenditure in the United Kingdom on research into Alzheimer's disease in each of the past 10 years, showing separately expenditure from public funds. [HL2170]

The main government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The MRC spent approximately £8.2 million on dementia research in 2000–01 which includes Alzheimer's disease.The Department of Health is supporting research into Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia including work on the effectiveness of Donepezil. Management of much of the research supported by National Health Service Research and Development funding is devolved and expenditure at project level is not held centrally by the department.Available figures for DH (through the Policy Research Programme and the NHS R&D Programme) and MRC expenditure on Alzheimer's disease/dementia are:

	DH	MRC
	£000s	£000s
1994–95	236	3,795
1995–96	225	5,703
1996–97	149	4,780
1997–98	198	5,549
1998–99	287	6,050

The Department of Health does not routinely collect information on research expenditure from charities.The Department provides NHS support funding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that take place in the NHS. Details of projects on Alzheimer's disease can be found on the National Research Register which is avialable on the Internet at:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the model code of conduct in the Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/3576) requires parish councillors to give notification of all gifts or hospitality over the value of £25 or whether the requirement for this declaration is limited to such gifts or hospitality which in any way relate to membership of the parish council. [HL2228]

Paragraph 1(2) of the schedule to the Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2001 (SI 2001/3576) makes it clear that the requirement on parish councillors to register gifts and hospitality over the value of £25 applies only to gifts and hospitality which they receive when they conduct the business of the authority, the business of the office to which they have been elected or appointed, or when they are acting as a representative of the authority.

asked Her Majesty's Government:On what basis the requirement on parish councillors to declare gifts and hospitality under the provisions of paragraph 15 of the model code of conduct for parish councils contained in Statutory Instrument 3576 of 2001 is set at £25 rather than the £125 for gifts and £250 for hospitality required under paragraph 5 of the Register of Members' Interests of the House of Commons. [HL2229]

The decision to require parish councillors to register gifts and hospitality over the value of £25 was taken in the light of responses to the extensive consultation exercise carried out with local councils and others between February and April 2001.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the last annual United Kingdom contribution to the subsidy towards the growing of tobacco in European Union countries; and to what third world countries tobacco subsidised by the United Kingdom is exported. [HL2249]

Member States contribute to the EU budget as a whole and not to any particular part. The UK contribution is about 12.7 per cent after the effect of the Fontainebleau abatement has been taken into account.In the financial year

asked Her Majesty's Government:What matters were discussed and decisions made at the Environment Council held on 12th and 13th December 2001. [HL2303]

My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Environment (Mr Michael Meacher) represented the UK at the Environment Council held in Brussels on 12 December 2001. This was the final Environment Council of the Belgian Presidency. Council reached political agreement on two common positions, with the UK voting in favour of both. Council agreed conclusions on a wide-ranging set of topics: sustainable development, international environmental governance, a review of the Pesticides Authorisation Directive (91/414 EC), a Commission communication on the first phase of the European Climate Change Programme and a communication on a strategy for dioxins, furans and PCBs. There was a policy debate on a proposed directive setting up an EU greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme.There were four items on the agenda under the heading of climate change. Council heard a report back on the successful outcome of the Seventh Conference of the Parties (COP7) in Marrakech, which took place between 29 October and 10 November. The importance of member states now pressing ahead with ratification of the Kyoto Protocol was stressed. Council also heard a Presidency progress report on a decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Once the decision is agreed, individual member states and the EU will be able to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the expectation being that they will do so before the World Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2002.Council conclusions were also agreed on the implementation of the first phase of the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP), a package of common and co-ordinated policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that has been prepared in discussion with member states and stakeholders.During an orientation debate on a proposed EU greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme, all member states expressed support for the establishment of such a scheme. Member states were split on whether the initial phase should have voluntary or mandatory participation. There was broad agreement, however, that credits should be allocated free of charge during the initial phase, and there was also broad support for starting with carbon dioxide alone, with a view to extending the scheme to other greenhouse gases in the future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Blackstone on 4 December

There are no plans as at this stage to introduce policy guidelines on the loan of items from government-sponsored museums. This is a matter for the trustees of those museums with reference to their governing legislation.The length of the proposed loan of individual objects, amounting to less than 1 per cent of the Royal Armouries entire collection, to the Owlsley Brown Frazier Historical Arms Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, has yet to be determined. The terms and conditions of such a loan will be in line with the armouries' current loans policy and, as with other loans currently made by the armouries, will be monitored and reviewed regularly. The Royal Armouries' intention is that the planned loan will be on a strict cost recovery basis. However, the armouries will seek to use its presence in the United States to enhance its academic status and generate fundraising revenue at no expense to the taxpayer.It is for the trustees of the Royal Armouries to determine which objects to lend from their collections in accordance with section 21 of the National Heritage Act 1983, and what terms and conditions to attach to such a loan.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether their examination of the marine archaeology legislation as part of the review of statutory controls proposed in

Historic vessels still afloat are not covered by the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 or any other statutory controls, therefore a review of their presentation will not be included in the proposed review of marine archaeology legislation. However, following the important work done by the National Historic Ships Committee in producing its core collection and designated vessel lists, which have provided an invaluable guide to this aspect of our maritime heritage, we are currently considering a policy for the preservation of historic ships.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the timetable for the planned reduction in the number of Scottish constituencies for Westminster elections under the Scotland Act 1998; and whether they expect it to take place in this Parliament. [HL2248]

The timetable will depend on when the Boundary Commission for Scotland reports on its review of the parliamentary constituencies to the Secretary of State for Scotland. The review was formally commenced on 29 June 2001. The Boundary Commission is required, by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 to submit its report between December 2002 and December 2006. It is a matter for the commission when, within that time-scale, it does so.