asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have taken action to review the procedures followed and personnel employed in complex child abuse investigations, and in particular to issue guidance to agencies on record-keeping and information-sharing in such cases. [HL4722]

Inter-agency guidance on the strategic management of complex child abuse investigations is published today in response to Recommendation 22 of Lost in Care, the report of the tribunal of inquiry into the abuse of children in care in the former county council areas of Gwynedd and Clwyd since 1974.This new guidance builds on the key principles for investigating organised or multiple abuse set out in the Government's child protection guidance

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress they will seek to make in building a new partnership for Africa's development at the forthcoming G8 summit in Kananaskis. [HL4525]

The Government welcome the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) as an African owned and led initiative. NEPAD has set up teams to work in five areas, which are peace and security, economic and corporate governance, infrastructure, central bank and financial standards, and agriculture and market access.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their assessment of the scale of child labour; and what should be done about it. [HL4695]

The most recent report from the International Labour Organisation estimates that there are 246 million working children: 179 million of them are engaged in the worst forms of child labour that endanger their physical, mental and moral well-being.The Government will continue to support partners that tackle child labour internationally, nationally and locally, and to promote policies that support poverty elimination and social justice for children. My department has recently published a paper,

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they reconcile the assurance given by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 5 April 2000 ( HL Deb, cols 1295–96) that they would promote the European Union code of conduct with the Channel Islands "within the framework of their constitutional arrangements" and the Written Answer given by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 21 May

Clause 88 in the Finance Bill gives the UK the reserve power to introduce regulations in the UK to protect the UK tax base. The clause concerns the UK tax liability of UK resident companies and does not affect the constitutional arrangements with the Channel Islands.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 21 May

The Government support fair tax competition and the abolition of harmful tax measures on as wide a geographical basis as possible. Regarding the code of conduct, the UK supports the timetable agreed by the ECOFIN on 26–27 November 2000 regarding the rollback of harmful measures.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 21 May

No extensions or delays have been granted.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 21 May

The Government have held a number of meetings with Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man to discuss the EU tax package.The authorities in Jersey and Guernsey have recently announced that they intend to recommend to their respective Parliaments that they should move to exchange of information on savings income.In announcing the decision in Jersey, the President of Jersey's Policy and Resources Committee, Senator Pierre Horsfall, said, "We believe that the impact of this change on our economy is likely to be negligible and that our customers will welcome the certainty this will provide looking forward".In announcing the decision in Guernsey, the States Supervisor said, "It is also in the Island's best long-term economic interests since it protects both our finance industry's competitiveness and the Island's reputation as a responsible and co-operative jurisdiction".The Government do not believe that further analysis would add anything useful, but are always willing to discuss issues with the Islands.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 21 May

The EU Code of Conduct on Business Taxation was agreed in 1997 by all 15 EU member states.Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States agreed the standards of fair tax competition as most recently set out in the OECD's 2001 progress report.Of the 35 jurisdictions identified by the OECD in its 2000 report as meeting the criteria of tax havens, the following 28 jurisdictions have since changed their legislation or made commitments to co-operate with the OECD principles: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, the Republic of the Maldives, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Niue, Panama, Samoa, the Republic of the Seychelles, St. Lucia, the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Tonga, Turks and Caicos and the US Virgin Islands. A further six jurisdictions made commitments to co-operate prior to publication of the 2000 report: Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Malta, Mauritius and San Marino.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to offer immunisation against anthrax to the Armed Forces. [HL4697]

Following the delay to the voluntary immunisation programme against anthrax that was caused by difficulties at the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research which was supplying the vaccine, the programme was re-launched for personnel deployed to the Gulf in May 2001. But continuing uncertainty over the licensing of future supplies meant that it was not extended further to other members of the Armed Forces.The problems over the licensing of future supplies have now been resolved and the Ministry of Defence took delivery of the rest of the supplies that are required at the end of March this year. We are confident that there will be no difficulties with the future, large-scale production of the vaccine.It takes six months for immunisation against anthrax to become fully effective. But we may not have nearly so much warning of a change in the threat, nor of the requirement for British Armed Forces to deploy to a high threat area. Given that we cannot expect to predict exactly where or when a threat might arise, or which units of the Armed Forces might be called upon to respond, we have decided to expand the immunisation programme so that all service personnel, including reserves, and those essential civilians who are likely to deploy on operations are routinely offered immunisation against anthrax. We plan to expand the programme gradually over the next few years, beginning with those units that are held at the highest readiness.Immunisation against anthrax is safe and effective. As before, and in keeping with long-standing medical practice, it will be offered to personnel on the basis of voluntary informed consent. By accepting it alongside their other defensive measures, this will ensure that they have the very best protection against anthrax used as a biological weapon.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made on restructuring NATO's forces in the Balkans. [HL4698]

At our Meeting in Brussels on 6 June, NATO defence Ministers approved a series of changes to SFOR and KFOR following the Joint Operational Area (JOA) Review.The Review advocates a regional approach to NATO's peacekeeping operations in the Balkans, whereby both Bosnia and Kosovo will be treated for military planning purposes as a single theatre. The security situation in the Balkans has changed since the initial deployment of SFOR and KFOR. NATO's operations will be restructured accordingly to provide a smaller, lighter and more flexible force that will be better able to meet current challenges.Implementation of the JAO Review will take place over the next 12 months. It is planned that by the end of 2002 SFOR will reduce from some 18,000 to some 12,000 personnel and KFOR from some 38,000 to some 32,000. By June 2003, it is envisaged that KFOR will reduce further to some 29,000 troops. Responsibilities for support of civil implementation will be transferred to local authorities and other international organisations, as appropriate. The United Kingdom welcomes the outcome of this review.This reduction in troop numbers does not signal any reduction in NATO's commitment to the Balkans. Rather, these changes are a sign of the alliance's achievements to date in bringing security and stabililty to the Balkans. The United Kingdom, with the rest of NATO, remains committed to the security and stability of the Balkans and will continue to play its full role in achieving the international community's objectives for the region.Individual nations are now considering and discussing with one another how to adjust their troop contributions in the light of the JOA Review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 5 April 2000 (HL Deb, col. 1297), what is the possible ambiguity in paragraph 1499 of the Kilbrandon report which the Government find "extremely helpful"; and why they find it so. [HL4621]

Paragraph 1499 of the Kilbrandon Report (Cmnd 5460) expresses the view that it is impracticable to define an area of domestic affairs in which the Crown dependencies' autonomy should be absolute. The relationship between the United Kingdom and the Crown dependencies has in general operated successfully on that basis.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have for the management of the Medicine Control Agency and the Medical Devices Agency. [HL4696]

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has decided to merge the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and the Medical Devices Agency (MDA), to take effect from 1 April 2003. The regulation of medicines and of medical devices are separate fields, working to different legislation, but as technology develops there are likely to be growing numbers of products that cross the borderline between medicines and devices. Most other European countries have gone down the path of managing these responsibilities in a single organisation, as has the United States. We want to build on the excellence of both organisations in the protection of public health and ensure that the new agency is well placed to respond to change and retain the UK's leading position.The post of chief executive will be filled through open competition. The new organisation will also have improved governance arrangements, with non-executive members on the board and a new post of chairman, whom we expect to be an authoritative figure able not only to chair the board and oversee its work but also to represent the organisation and its decisions in public.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whet her their procurement policy includes environmental criteria; and, if so, what are the criteria. [HL4161]

Government procurement policy is to obtain value for money having due regard to propriety and regularity. Value for money is defined as "the optimum combination of whole life cost and quality (or fitness for purpose) to meet the customer's requirement". Sustainable development objectives, including policies aimed at reducing adverse environmental impacts, are pursued within the framework of this procurement policy and the EC procurement rules.Government departments have been required since 1990 to operate procurement strategies that take into account the environmental impacts of their purchasing decisions. This means drafting contract specifications (including for production processes) that reflect government objectives; selecting suppliers that have the technical capacity to meet the environmental criteria specified; and awarding contracts to the bids that offer the best combination of quality and whole life costs for the contracting authority. Whole life costs will include, for example, energy consumed over the life of the product or service and disposal costs. Incorporating environmental criteria into procurement is explained in a note published jointly by HM Treasury and the Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions in 1998 and may be viewed on the Office of Government Commerce website. Detailed guidance on government policy and specific environmental criteria may be found in the

asked Her Majesty's Government:What consideration is being given to the question of landscape protection if hunting with dogs is prohibited. [HL4448]

My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs (Alun Michael) announced on 21 March that in relation to hunting with dogs he would conduct a process which will allow individuals and organisations to contribute their views and evidence, in particular on the issues of cruelty and utility. All views submitted will be given due consideration.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made in regard to the protection of hedgerows and the amendment of the Hedgerows Regulations. [HL4449]

We hope to be able to issue a consultation document on revision of the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 and on protection of countryside boundary features generally in the near future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the method of disposing of animal waste products from kitchens by processing them into compost using a worm bin complies with the Animal By-Products (Amendment) England Order 2001; and, if not, why not. [HL4468]

The composting of kitchen waste in a worm bin complies with the animal by-products order, as amended, as long as animals and birds do not have access to the material.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many companies which manufacture or distribute in the United Kingdom were holders of the European Union ecolabel awarded by the United Kingdom competent body in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. [HL4619]

In 1998 four manufacturing companies held the EU ecolabel award licence from the UK competent body. Two companies held the award in 1999, 2000 and 2001.One of these licensees also makes products for retail companies. In 1998 the ecolabel appeared on its own products and those of two retail companies. In 1999 the label was carried on the products of three retail companies and in 2000 and 2001 on the products of two retail companies.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When will they report on the outcome of the fourth preparatory committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which was held in Bali from 24 May to 7 June. [HL4694]

The fourth preparatory committee meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development gives us a basis for the final run-up to Johannesburg. Progress was made on a programme of action, which includes the importance of sanitation in eradicating poverty and meeting the Millennium Development Goal on safe drinking water. Broad agreement was also reached on key issues such as the urgent need to restore fish stocks and address illegal fishing and on the important role non-governmental actors can play in achieving sustainable development. The meeting also recognised the need for a strong focus on Africa.Other difficult issues remain outstanding such as how the summit can address trade and finance issues to complement the Monterrey Consensus and the Doha Development Agenda. There are also specific targets on sanitation, biodiversity loss and energy which have yet to be agreed. The UK will continue to work constructively with partners to ensure a succesful outcome for Johannesburg, including concrete actions and coherent work programmes on energy, water and sustainable patterns of consumption and production.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In view of their commitment to increase medical student numbers, what action they propose to take to reverse the redundancies of clinical academic staff in London's medical schools resulting from financial cuts imposed by the Higher Education Funding Council. [HL4306]

Publicly planned funding for higher education in England will increase by £1.7 billion over the six years to 2003–04—an increase of 18 per cent. in real terms. In 2001–02, for the first time over a decade, funding per full-time equivalent student has increased in real terms. Within that, the additional costs of teaching the new medical student places announced by the Government is fully taken into account.The Higher Education Funding Council distributes funding for research according to the quality ratings arrived at through the research assessment exercise, so that the best research receives the most funding. Where the volume or the quality of research falls, then the funding decreases. The outcome of the research assessment exercise held in 2001 has therefore led to some redistribution of research funds between higher education institutions, with some institutions gaining as much as 36 per cent. but others losing resources on the basis of the relative quality of their accounts.The Department of Health and the Higher Education Funding Council are monitoring the implementation of the new medical places and will assess whether shortages of clinical academic staff are an issue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many students took GCSEs in (a) chemistry and (b) physics in each of the years 1999, 2000 and 2001; and how these figures compare to the number taking GCSE combined sciences in each of these years; and [HL4535]What was the distribution in each of the years 1999, 2000 and 2001 between candidates from state and independent schools taking GCSEs in (a) chemistry, (b) physics, and (c) combined sciences; and [HL4536]How many students (a) start courses in A-level chemistry and physics and (b) complete the courses. [HL4537]

The number of 15 year-old pupils taking GCSE in each of the specified subjects in England were:

	1999	2000	2001
(a) Chemistry	37,640	37,699	38,797
of which Maintained schools	58%	56%	60%
Independent	42%	44%	40%
(b) Physics	37,205	37,532	38,455
of which Maintained schools	58%	60%	60%
Independent	42%	40%	40%
(c) Double Science	441,897	455,100	464,403
of which Maintained schools	96%	96%	96%
Independent	4%	4%	4%

Information on the numbers of students starting and completing GCE A-level courses is not available. However, in 2000–01, 33,538 students aged 17 or 18 took GCE A-level chemistry, and 27,704 took GCE A-level physics.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will respond to the Intelligence and Security Committee's annual report for 2001–02. [HL4723]

The Prime Minister has today laid the government response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's report before Parliament.