asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Lord Chancellor's judicial and administrative functions have changed as a result of the coming into force of the Human Rights Act 1998; and, if so, in what way. [HL2434]

The functions themselves have not changed as a result of the coming into force of the Human Rights Act. Reviewing my practice to ensure that the functions are exercised compatibly with the convention is a process which predates the Act and which continues. For example, I responded to the Scottish case of Starrs and Chalmers by reviewing the terms on which part-time judges were appointed in order to enhance their security of tenure. This exercise was completed before the Act came into force. It involved putting in place administrative arrangements governing how part-time judges might be removed for cause, compatibly with the Act and with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice.However, the Act brings the convention into sharp focus for all public authorities, including myself and my department. Convention rights are a major factor guiding what we do, and in the development of policy in those areas for which I have ministerial responsibility.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether QinetiQ has given any indication of when the enhancement of the census Internet site will be complete. [HL2510]

QinetiQ Ltd is continuing to work on the technical enhancements which will be tested over the next few weeks. These enhancements are intended to make the site sufficiently robust to permit general Internet access, and are being done with a sense of urgency. However, the most important consideration is to ensure that the service is relaunched successfully.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the cost of the contract with QinetiQ to produce a census Internet site. [HL2511]

The final tender price of the contract is commercially sensitive information, which it would be inappropriate to put into the public domain.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there is any additional cost to the original contract with QinetiQ to enhance the census Internet site. [HL2513]

No cost to the Public Record Office is involved in the additional work now being carried out. The contractor, QinetiQ Ltd, is meeting the cost of this work.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will announce the membership of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. [HL2810]

The Prime Minister has appointed 13 representatives from the Parliament of the United Kingdom to act as the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The next meeting of the assembly will take place in Vienna on 21-22 February 2002. The delegation will consist of eight members of the Labour Party, three members of the Conservative Party and two members of the Liberal Democrat Party. The Prime Minister has also appointed a number of substitute delegates.The appointment of Conservative and Liberal Democrat Party representatives and substitutes has been made on the basis of nominations by the parties concerned.Representatives from the Government Benches will be: the honourable Member for the City of York (Mr Bayley), the right honourable Member for Birmingham Hodge Hill (Mr Davis), the right honourable Member for Walsall South (Mr George) who will act as Leader, the Baroness Hilton of Eggardon, the honourable Member for Thurrock (Mr Mackinlay), the honourable Member for Hyndburn (Mr Pope), the honourable Member for Dundee West (Mr Ross) and the honourable Member for Dunfermline West (Ms Squire).Representatives from the Conservative Party will be: the honourable Member for Mid Sussex (Mr Soames), the honourable Member for Esher and Walton (Mr Taylor) and the Earl of Northesk.Representatives from the Liberal Democrat Party will be: the right honourable Member for North East Fife (Mr Campbell) and the honourable Member for Somerton and Home (Mr Heath).

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have any plan to introduce statutory provisions to improve the rights of transsexual people generally: and whether they will introduce legislation specifically to enable them to acquire replacement birth certificates and to marry; and [HL1983]In the light of the interdepartmental report on transsexual people, what proposals they have to assist such people to live openly and with appropriate official documentation in their postoperative gender. [HL1985]

Issues of concern to transsexual people (such as the replacement of birth certificates, the right to marry, inheritance provision and pension rights) are the policy leads of a number of government departments and were considered by the Interdepartmental Working Group on Transsexual People. The Government are sympathetic to the issues raised in the report and are considering how to take the matter forward.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will put the issues contained in the report of the interdepartmental working group of April 2000 on transsexual people out to public consultation, as recommended by the working group and by the Court of Appeal in its judgment of 17 April 2001 in

The report of the interdepartmental working group on transsexual people has been publicly available since July 2000. It was posted on the Internet, and copies were placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Nearly 300 copies have been distributed, and the Home Office and, since June 2001 the Lord Chancellor's Department, have received over 120 responses and comments.The Government are sympathetic to the issues raised in the report and are actively considering how to take the matter forward.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware that the transsexual's right to legal recognition has been to some extent achieved in at least 23 member states of the Council of Europe and that the only legal systems which do not recognise a change of gender are the United Kingdom, Ireland, Andorra and Albania. [HL2502]

The Government are sympathetic to the issues of concern to transsexual people are under consideration within this department. The position of transsexual people in other countries will form part of that consideration.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will introduce legislation to provide for the equal treatment of transsexuals and effective remedies for unfair discrimination against transsexuals. [HL2503]

The Government are sympathetic to issues of concern to transsexual people and these are under consideration within this department.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Given that they have supported Islamic Awareness Week, whether they would also support initiatives to promote awareness of other faith communities in the United Kingdom such as the Sikh community. [HL2079]

Yes. The Government acknowledge and value the contribution which all the main world faiths make—economically, socially and culturally—to the multicultural society of modern-day Britain.They are determined to see a truly dynamic society, in which people from different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds can live and work together, while retaining their distinctive identities, in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have received a report from the Sussex Police Authority concerning the fatal shooting of James Ashley in 1998. [HL2808]

My right honourable friend the Minister of State for the Home Department (Mr Denham) required the Sussex Police Authority to report under Section 43 of the Police Act 1996 on the events surrounding the shooting and the action taken by Sussex Police to ensure that they have responded appropriately. He has now received that report and is placing a copy in the Library. The report gives an account of the circumstances leading up to the shooting, the subsequent investigations. and the action which has been taken in Sussex to improve policing and to restore public confidence. Three officers are currently facing disciplinary proceedings in connection with the shooting. The Police Authority has informed my right honourable friend that it has not included any material which in its view could be prejudicial to the proceedings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there have been any recent changes to the responsibilities of Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers. [HL2646]

Following the appointment of my right honourable friend the Member for Neath, the Minister of State for Europe (Mr Hain) as the Government Representative on the Convention on the Future of Europe, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has reallocated responsibilities as follows:PETER HAIN—European Union, Central Europe, Southern Europe.BARONESS SYMONS (Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and also a Minister in the Department of Trade and Industry)—trade promotion, inward investment, trade policy, North America, Britain Abroad Task Force.BEN BRADSHAW—Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, South-East Asia, Former Soviet Union, International Security, Non-Proliferation and Security Policy issues, Counter-Terrorism, Visas.DENIS MACSHANE—Latin America, North East Asia, China and Hong Kong, South-East Europe, drugs and international crime, environmental policy, United Nations, Human Rights, aviation, maritime and energy, science and technology public diplomacy, cultural relations, central administration and resources.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are their plans for consultation on proposals for the introduction of the new Euromarker which aims to tackle the misuse of rebated fuels throughout the EU. [HL2809]

The Customs and Excise consultation document Improving markers in rebated fuels—Introduction of the Euromarker is published today. Copies are available in the Library and in the Printed Paper Office.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What lessons they draw for the economy of the United Kingdom from the experiences of Germany since it joined the Economic and Monetary Union. [HL2647]

Information on recent developments and the outlook for the world economy can be found in the Budget and Pre-Budget Reports.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What instructions have been given for handling Al'Qaeda and Taliban combatants who are captured by, or surrender to, British Armed Forces in Afghanistan; how such combatants will then be classified; and where they will be held captive. [HL2525]

Appropriate guidance has been given to the UK forces operating in Afghanistan to ensure compliance with the UK's international obligations. The status of captured combatants will be determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with these obligations. The location where any potential captives might be held would depend on the circumstances at the time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will publish their response to the report of the Select Committee on Chinook ZD576. [HL2719]

The Government have a commitment to respond to Select Committee reports within six months. However, we will try to produce a response to this report significantly sooner than that. It is our expectation that the report and the government response will then be debated together in the House, although the precise arrangements for that are a matter for the usual channels.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they plan to disseminate the findings and recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer's working group report on their management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis; and what resources they will devote to this task; and [HL2579]Whether they will commission National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis management; and [HL2580]

The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis independent working group's report has identified CFSIME as a specific illness. The report was published on I I January and has been placed on the Chief Medical Officer's website so that it can be accessed by all interested parties including general practitioners and consultants. It is hoped that the report and the summary for clinicians will result in improved awareness and understanding and will lead to improved diagnosis, management and treatment.The report makes a number of recommendations around recognition and definition of the illness: treatment and care; health service planning; education and awareness; and research. The report has been drawn to the attention of doctors through the Chief Medical Officer's bulletin and nurses via the Chief Nursing Officer's bulletin. We shall also be bringing this report to the attention of chief executives of health authorities, NHS trusts and primary care trusts so that they can consider its implications when commissioning services. Referral to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to provide a guideline on irnangement and treatment is currently being considered.The Department of Health has commissioned research into the diagnosis and treatment of CFS/ME and details are available on the National Research Register which can be accessed via the department's research and development website-

asked Her Majesty's Government:What help they are giving to the rough sleepers who sleep on the pavements each night within the piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral; and [HL2627]What is their target for the ending of rough sleeping nightly within the piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral. [HL2628]

The Government's Rough Sleepers' Unit funds contact and assessment teams in the Victoria area who, in conjunction with local statutory services, work with people who sleep rough on the piazza. The contact and assessment teams visit daily to offer help, including accommodation, to anyone who needs it.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many of the 532 people found by the Rough Sleepers' Unit to be sleeping rough were at the time subject to benefit sanctions; what percentage of the total this represents; and what were the extents and durations of the sanctions concerned. [HL2640]Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Neither the RSU nor the Department for Work and Pensions records this information. However any person, including those sleeping rough, who has passed the habitual residency test is able to claim benefits at the income support rate, even if they do not have a national insurance number.In addition, multi-disciplinary contact and assessment teams (CATs) in major cities across England work with vulnerable rough sleepers to help them into accommodation. CATs ensure that benefit claims are set up and broker solutions with the Department for Work and Pensions. In London, homeless person liaison officers working for the Department for Work and Pensions also target benefits advice and support in shelters, hostels and day centres.The relaxation of the verification framework allows rough sleepers 13 weeks to verify their benefit claim after entering a direct access hostel. In addition, rolling shelters provide accommodation, which is free at the point of access, for vulnerable rough sleepers irrespective of whether they are subject to benefits sanctions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that the quality of ride on Class 142 "Pacer" diesel multiple units is acceptable; and, if not, when steps will be taken to replace these trains. [HL2670]

The Strategic Rail Authority is responsible for monitoring the quality of service provided. Train operators are required to carry out regular customer satisfaction surveys to measure passengers' perception with various aspects of service quality, including comfort. The operators are required to keep satisfaction above benchmarks based on the results of suveys carried out at the time of franchising. If satisfaction falls below benchmark, the operator can be required to implement an action plan to remedy the problem. The authority is not aware of any current plans to replace Class 142 trains.

asked Her Majesty's Government:On which services Class 142 "Pacer" diesel multiple units are currently used; and whether any of these services are in the London and south-east region. [HL2671]

These units are used on services within the Wales and Borders, Wessex and First North Western franchises.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will be able to give a firm date for the replacement of the concrete road surface of the Al4 in Suffolk. [HL2681]

The concrete road sections of the Al4 in Suffolk were constructed in the 70s and early 80s. The concrete surface will be replaced as part of the Government's 10 year plan. The existing surface is in good condition, and the timing of that work will be determined in the light of the criteria announced by the Government in October 2001.Those criteria are: that wherever possible the application of quieter surfaces will fit in with normal maintenance needs; that priority will be given to those sites where treatment would benefit the greatest number of people; that the work will be carried out in such a way as to minimise disruption to the general public and users of the network; and that priority will be given to roads, opened since June 1988, where actual noise levels have turned out to be significantly higher than predicted at the time of the public inquiry.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will consider replacing local disabled parking badges with a universal nationwide scheme. [HL2718]

A national scheme of parking concessions, known as the Blue Badge Scheme, was introduced in regulations made under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. In addition some local authorities have introduced their own local schemes by means of a traffic regulation order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In view of the recently reported effects of slug pellet chemicals on the United Kingdom frog population, whether they regard as satisfactory the amount of research (indicated by the Lord Whitty on 12 November 2001

Metaldehyde and other compounds approved for use to kill slugs may only be marketed and used if approved by Ministers. Approval is only granted following the evaluation of scientific data provided by the company in respect of risks to people and the environment. Any further research need to address subsequent questions about the effects of the product are referred back to the company; it is not the Government's role to support the approval of specific pesticide products. However, DEFRA is carrying out general research on integrated methods of slug control, including novel technologies, to reduce the impact on non-target species.A pesticide may only be used according to the conditions of its approval. For metaldehyde, these conditions include rules on the formulation of products so that they are not attractive to wild creatures, including birds, and rules for the use of the product so as to minimise the risk of harm to non-target creatures.Some slug pellets include small quantities of copper compounds to dye the product blue and thus make it unattractive to birds. The Pesticides Safety Dirctorate (PSD) is looking into the suggestion by the Froglife Trust that this practice may be leading to elevated levels of copper in frogs and that this in turn may be damaging their immune systems. If necessary, PSD will require the product approval holders to provide scientific information to clarify the issue.Metaldehyde products are widely used in gardens in the United States. They carry warnings about risks to wildlife (as do similar products in the UK). The US rules do not appear to suggest the need for changes to the conditions attached to UK approvals.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the risk assessments that support the relaxing of controls over livestock markets, animal movements and countryside activities announced by the Lord Whitty this week. [HL2772]

We are today placing in the Library of the House copies of a document setting out the veterinary basis for the interim livestock movements regime, along with veterinary risk assessments on markets, sheep shearing, sheep dipping and scanning, footpaths and hunting; and a preliminary risk analysis of the 20-day standstill rule carried out by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What monitoring of visitor bed occupancy has been undertaken in London over the six months since July 2001. [HL2630]

Official monitoring of visitor bed occupancy in London has been undertaken since January 1997 by the London Tourist Board (LTB) and Convention Bureau as part of the United Kingdom Occupancy Survey (UKOS). This is carried out by all regional tourist boards, and co-ordinated by the English Tourism Council under the EU directive on tourism statistics, which the UK adopted in 1995.The London Tourist Board bases its survey on approximately 80 establishments in Greater London, and issues results including: bed occupancy, room occupancy, the proportion of bednights accounted for by overseas customers and the average length of stay. These results are categories by type, size and/or grading of establishments, sub-region and price band.The LTB has issued confirmed results for July and August 2001, and provisional results for September, October and November 2001. September's final results and December's provisional results are expected shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether attendance allowance will continue to be paid to residents of nursing and residential care homes in Scotland. [HL2616]

Attendance allowance is paid to severely disabled residents of nursing homes and residential care homes so long as they meet the whole cost of their place in the home entirely from their own resources and without recourse to help with that cost from public funds. The rules operate on a Great Britain-wide basis and we have no plans to change them.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the estimated average cost to the Department for Work and Pensions each time an adjustment is made to each or any of the following benefits due to a claimant's stay in hospital for (i) over four weeks and (ii) over six weeks—(a) state retirement pension; (b) incapacity benefit; (c) severe disablement allowance; (d) disability living allowance; (e) attendance allowance; (f) invalid care allowance; (g) income support; (h) housing benefit; and (i) council tax benefit. [HL2660]

The information is not available in the format requested. The Benefit Agency's administration costs are published in the Benefits Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2000-01, copies of which are available in the Library.