asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the complaints that Spain has made against Gibraltar; what evidence the Spanish Government have supplied in relation to these allegations; and on which dates these allegations were made. [HL2318]

We have made clear to the Spanish authorities that they should provide us with evidence of legitimate complaints against Gibraltar and that, together with the Government of Gibraltar, we will investigate such evidence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they intend to protect the interests, such as humane treatment and access to defence counsel, of British citizens arrested in Afghanistan, whether they remain in that country or are transferred to American bases in Cuba or elsewhere. [HL2322]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer the Minister of State, Lady Symons, gave the noble Lord on 29 January (Official Report, cols. 74–96).

asked Her Majesty's Government:What emergency food has been sent in the last two months to Zimbabwe; from which countries; and to whom. [HL2478]

NGOs are operating supplementary feeding programmes for poor and vulnerable groups in Zimbabwe, having procured food in the region as long ago as September 2001. DfID has provided £4 million for programmes run by NGOs. The USA has also funded NGO feeding programmes.The World Food Programme (WFP) has also begun a food aid operation in Zimbabwe as a part of the UN Humanitarian Assistance and Recovery Programme. WFP has procured 6,400 tonnes of food in South Africa and has re-routed an 8,200 tonne shipment of maize meal from Tanzania. Grain is just beginning to arrive in country. Currently WFP is using its own funds and pledges from the USA and UK. WFP's programme will also work through NGOs in poor communities in 19 districts.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations have been made by the European Union to Israel concerning the recent destruction of European Union-funded premises and installations in the Occupied Territories; and, if none, what action Her Majesty's Government will propose to the European Union. [HL2491]

The General Affairs Council discussed this issue on 28 January 2002. It issued the following statement as part of its conclusions: “The European Union is seriously concerned at the destruction of Palestinian infrastructure and other facilities which help Palestinians in their economic, social and humanitarian development and which are financed by the European Union and other donors. The European Union urges the Government of Israel to put an end to this practice and reserves the right to claim reparation in the appropriate fora”.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations they have made to Israel following the recent destruction of the television and radio station and other Palestinian institutions in Ramallah, Tulkarm and elsewhere in the Occupied Territories; what response they have received; and what exchanges they have held with the United States Government. [HL2520]

Together with our European Union partners we raised our concerns about Israeli attacks on the Palestinian infrastructure at the General Affairs Council on 28 January. We reserved the right to claim reparation for the damage to European Union funded infrastructure in the appropriate fora. We remain in close contact with the US and our EU partners in efforts to unblock the peace process. The Foreign Secretary discussed the Middle East Peace Process with Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington on 31 January. We will continue to work closely with the US and our EU partners to help unblock the peace process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have calculated the cost of the destruction of Palestinian institutions, including both air and sea ports, by Israel since September 2000 (a) to the Palestinian Authority, (b) to the European Union and (c) to the United Kingdom Government. [HL2521]

We do not have figures for the cost to the Palestinian Authority of the destruction of its institutions. We are not aware of any damage to infrastructure funded bilaterally by the UK. Damage to infrastructure funded by the EU and its member states is estimated at €17.254 million. The General Affairs Council of the European Union raised concerns about destruction of Palestinian infrastructure on 28 January and reserved the right to claim reparation in the appropriate fora.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have had reports on any progress concerning the 605 prisoners of war from Kuwait, missing in Iraq, following the appeal made by the United Nations Human Rights Commission at its January session and the efforts of Ambassador Vorontsov, the Secretary-General's special representative. [HL2590]

No. Iraq has only provided information sufficient to close three Kuwaiti missing files so far. The UK continues to take an active role in the Tripartite Commission to establish the whereabouts of 605 Kuwaiti and other nationals still missing since the occupation of Kuwait. Despite efforts to urge Iraq to recognise the humanitarian nature of this issue, the Government of Iraq still refuses to co-operate with the process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many British passport holders are currently under arrest in Zimbabwe; what offences they are charged with; and whether Her Majesty's Government have expressed concern to the Government of Zimbabwe with regard to any particular case. [HL2619]

We are not aware of any British citizens currently under arrest in Zimbabwe.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made in the drafting of the conduct of employment agencies and employment businesses regulations; and when they intend to publish a final draft. [HL2536]

We expect to issue the revised draft regulations shortly; there will then be a brief consultation exercise on certain aspects of those regulations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What percentage of the United Kingdom's recruitment sector is made up of small and medium-sized enterprises; and [HL2537]Whether they have made an assessment of the impact that the draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations will have on small and medium-sized enterprises within the recruitment industry in the United Kingdom; and, if so, whether they will publish their assessment. [HL2538]

While the private recruitment industry is made up overwhelmingly of small firms, we have no details of the percentage of establishments in the industry which would be classified as small and medium-sized enterprises.The regulatory impact assessment (R IA), which was issued with the draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations, showed that the proposed changes would affect small and large firms equally. The RIA estimates one-off administrative costs for agencies and employment businesses at £3.5 million and provides an illustrative range of the recurring costs to employment businesses of lost temp-to-perm transfer fees of £4.5 million to £9 million, or 0.04–0.08 per cent of the industry turnover.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In light of the reported figure of 10 million animals slaughtered during the recent foot and mouth outbreak, whether they will amend livestock numbers published in the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Agricultural and Horticultural Census of 1 June 2001. [HL2514]

The estimates of livestock numbers from the Agricultural and Horticultural Census of 1 June already take account of slaughterings up to that date and do not need amending.The figure for animals slaughtered during the foot and mouth outbreak is approximately 6.5 million. This figure is made up of some 4 million slaughtered for disease control purposes and a further 2.5 million slaughtered as a result of eligible applications received under the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme and the Light Lambs Disposal Scheme.The figure of 4 million was taken from Defra's Disease Control System Database (DCS) on 24 January 2002 and may be subject to revision as more information becomes available. In particular, for the earlier part of the period accurate records of very young animals were not always taken and hence this figure could rise a little. A quality assurance exercise on the data within DCS is currently being carried out.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the criteria for ponds, which are sources of biodiversity, archaeology and evidence of climate change, to be granted a Habitat Action Plan. [HL2565]

The criteria for the selection of priority habitats requiring habitat action plans were published in December 1995 by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group. The steering group decided that habitats requiring habitat action plans must meet one or more of the following criteria: habitats for which the UK has international obligations; habitats at risk, such as those with a high rate of decline especially over the last 20 years, or which are rare; areas, particularly marine areas, which may be functionally critical (essential for organisms inhabiting wider ecosystems such as sea grass beds for spawning fish); areas important for key species i.e. UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species.Habitat action plans for 45 priority habitats that met these criteria were published by October 1999. A subsequent review of the gaps in the priority habitats series carried out by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee identified a further seven priority habitats thought to meet the criteria. Ponds of high ecological quality are one of the habitats identified.Development and implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan is a devolved matter. The Country Biodiversity Groups for England, Scotland and Wales and the Northern Ireland Executive have been consulted about the proposal for a new ponds of high ecological quality habitat action plan. Their views will be submitted to the UK Biodiversity Partnership for a final decision on whether a UK habitat action plan should be produced.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the current approval status for thiram and dichlorfenthion for use as active ingredients in pesticides; what is the current status of the pesticide Aatifon with regard to use in the United Kingdom and France; and what is the position of these substances in relation to the European Community Review Programme for Existing Active Substances. [HL2641]

Thiram (a dithiocarbamate substance) is approved for use in products in the UK and France. Dichlorfenthion (an organophosphate) is only approved for use in France. We understand that the product Aatifon (containing thiram and dichlorfenthion) is marketed in France.Thiram is in the first group of substances being considered in relation to the European Community review programme for existing active substances, although a decision on the continued use of thiram has not yet been taken.Dichlorfenthion is listed in the second group of substances to be considered in this review programme. However, manufacturers have decided not to support the review of dichlorfenthion, so this substance must be withdrawn from the market in all member states by 2003.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether all the passports of offspring of BSE infected or suspect cattle which were under restriction on 21 January have been collected; what steps have been taken to prevent any more offspring being moved while under restriction; and when it expects the backlog of offspring under the cull to be slaughtered. [HL2740]

There were 659 offspring of BSE infected or suspect cattle in Great Britain under restriction on Monday 21 January 2002, with 44 passports outstanding. But all outstanding passports have now been collected.Officials wrote on 18 January to all owners of offspring under restriction reminding them that their cattle must not be moved without permission. Farm visits to identify offspring, issue restriction notices and remove passports are again taking place.We expect that the additional backlog of cases due to foot and mouth disease will have been cleared by 1 April 2002.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether Members of the House of Lords are eligible to vote in referendums held in the United Kingdom. [HL2426]

The franchise for any future national or regional referendums held in the United Kingdom is to be specified in the legislation that provides for the holding of that referendum. The franchise for the national referendum on membership of the European Community in 1975 and for the Scotland, Wales and Greater London Authority referendums in 1997 and 1998 included those entitled to vote at local government elections in the area, as does the franchise for mayoral referendums. This includes peers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they would support proposals to levy an extra charge upon cars using Heathrow Airport. [HL2545]

The Government's White Paper A New Deal for Transport suggested that one of the possible sources for funding local improvements to surface access to airports is for airports to levy a surcharge on car parking charges.Heathrow Airport already imposes an additional levy on parking charges, the proceeds of which help to support bus services and provide free travel around the airport. It has also paid for the M4 spur bus lane.It is primarily for BAA to consider whether there is a case for levying charges on the use of its private airport road system at Heathrow. Charges for the use of public roads in the vicinity of Heathrow Airport would be a matter for the Mayor of London and the other local authorities concerned.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they last reviewed with the Health and Safety Executive the health hazards caused by faulty or non-functioning lavatories on trains operating throughout the United Kingdom; what was the outcome of the review; and what action they are taking to ensure the health and safety of the travelling public and railway staff in this respect. [HL2555]

There is no statutory requirement for the provision of toilets on trains. It is for train operators to decide whether they wish to provide toilets on their trains. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would expect train operating companies whose trains have toilets to maintain their on board facilities adequately so that the risks to the public or their employees are properly controlled so far as is reasonably practicable.

Her Majesty's Government:In respect of the draft performance regime for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Phase 2 operations, what consultation has taken place with passenger and freight operators who may be affected. [HL2572]

At present no consultation has taken place in respect of the draft performance regime for Section 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link with passenger or freight operators. Consultation will be arranged at the appropriate time with the relevant parties.

asked Her Majesty's Government.:Whether there are any contract commitments already entered into by the Mayor of London either in his own capacity or on behalf of Transport for London in connection with congestion charging which carry penalty clauses if not implemented. [HL2587]

This is a matter for the Greater London Authority, not Her Majesty's Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When a definite announcement will be made as to the date for introducing the proposed changes to the minimum funding requirement for occupational pension schemes. [HL2566]

On 7 March 2001 the Government announced proposals to replace the minimum funding requirement (MFR) with a long-term scheme specific funding standard in the context of a regime of transparency and disclosure, with additional measures to strengthen protection. Implementing these proposals in full will require primary legislation, and we are working with the pensions industry, consumer organisations, employers and trade unions to develop proposals for legislation as soon as parliamentary time becomes available.We published

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will withdraw the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Amendment Regulations (S.I. 2002/4030). [HL2746]

Following representations received from the noble Lord and the Association of British Insurers, arrangements are now being made to revoke the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Amendment Regulations, which came into force on 28 January 2002. Amendment regulations will be laid before the House shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What practical progress they are making in providing foreign language learning to every child in every school, especially at the primary level. [HL2476]

The noble Lord will recall that I promised during a debate on languages held on 16 January to provide by autumn 2002 a national strategy for the provision of foreign language learning. The Languages Steering Group that I chair will advise on what form the Government's strategy should take.We need to address this issue by raising the profile of languages, by engaging children at an early age and by demonstrating the value of language competence in the workplace. We need to look at flexible and innovative ways of delivering languages in the curriculum.

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

Since June 2001, the General Teaching Council has had powers to investigate, consider and determine cases where it is alleged that a teacher registered with the council has been guilty of unacceptable professional conduct. The first such case is at present before the council and has been adjourned until March. It involves a number of allegations, including those referred to by the noble Lord. It is for the council to determine cases on the evidence and it would not be right for the Government to comment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Blackstone on 16 January (

It is for the trustees of the Royal Armouries to carry out the monitoring necessary to ensure that the terms and conditions of the proposed loan to the Owlsley Brown Frazier Historical Arms Museum in Kentucky are met in full within the framework of their governing legislation.The proposed loan will be insured by the Owlsley Brown Frazier Historical Museum in accordance with the Royal Armouries' standard overseas loan terms. which require the receiving institution to provide cover.The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is waiting to receive a business case from the Royal Armouries setting out its plans in detail for an arrangement with the Owlsley Brown Frazier Historical Arms Museum in Louisville. Kentucky, USA.The Board of Trustees of the Royal Armouries will sanction the loan of items from its national collection to the Owlsley Brown Frazier Historical Arms Museum only if it agrees to meet the terms and conditions of that loan in full.There are no plans to introduce guidelines on the loan of items from government-sponsored museums. These loans are a matter for the trustees of those museums with reference to their governing legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many ministerial visits and visits by government departmental officials were made to Sweden in the year 2001; by which Ministers and departments; and for what purposes. [HL2235]

Listed below are details of Ministers' visits to Sweden in 2001.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the cost of printing and publishing

The cost of printing and publishing the report of the Policy Commission on the Future of Food and Farming, Farming and Food: a sustainable future was £5,650. This is for the initial printing of 2,500 copies; more may be ordered to satisfy demand.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When their regulatory reform ad ion plan will he published, as promised by the Prime Minister at the Confederation of British Industry Annual Conference on 5 November 2001. [HL2652]

The Government have today published their regulatory reform action plan. This fulfils a commitment given in July 2001 to produce a list of reforms, including those that could he delivered through the new streamlined process under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001.This action plan contains 63 new proposals for regulatory reform orders. It is also wide-ranging, covering reform at all levels, across all sectors and by all routes and bringing together over 260 proposals for change that will benefit businesses, charities, the voluntary and wider public sectors and the individual citizen.The Government are committed to better regulation. This involves legislating only where necessary and in the most efficient way and deregulating and simplifying existing legislation wherever possible. The action plan brings together our proposals for deregulation and better regulation.The plan represents a beginning, and We Government will report on progress. In the plan we also ask people to come forward with detailed suggestions for what more could be done to reduce bureaucratic burdens and to simplify legislation.Copies of the plan are available from the Libraries of both Houses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What deadline they have set for the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) in its consideration of the structure for major international sporting events; and when they will publish the recommendations of the PIU. [HL1923]

The Prime Minister has asked the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) to carry out a joint study with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport examining long-term sports policy.The project team will consider the roles and responsibilities of government and the private and voluntary sectors in helping sport better achieve the objectives of increased grassroots participation in sport and elite sporting excellence. The project team will clarify the roles and responsibilities and interventions of government to help sport better achieve its own objectives. They will develop an overall strategy for guiding government's decisions on sports policy (including major events) and review the existing institutional and financial arrangements in the context of government's own wider objectives. The initial scoping note for the project is available on the PIU website (http://www.piu.gov.uk/2001/sport/ scope.shtml). My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will be the sponsor Minister for the project. The unit aims to complete its study by summer 2002.