Her Majesty's Government are aware of the UNFPA report on Haiti of December 2001. We remain concerned at the continuing political problems in Haiti and the effects on the poor.We are committed to working with our EU partners in efforts to resolve the political impasse.We have offered 15,000 dollars to the reestablishment of the OAS mission which is seeking to broker a compromise between the government and the opposition, and are willing to continue to work through the OAS to this end.

The UK continues to take an active role in the Tripartite Commission to establish the whereabouts of the 605 Kuwaiti and other nationals still missing since the occupation of Kuwait. Despite international efforts to urge Iraq to recognise the humanitarian nature of this issue, the Government of Iraq still refuse to co-operate with the process. They have so far provided information sufficient to close only three Kuwaiti missing files.Iran and Iraq regularly exchange the bodies of combatants killed in the Iran-Iraq war, as well as remaining prisoners of war.

The Government recognise that building an efficient and properly accountable security sector is essential for stability and order in Afghanistan. The justice system is central to a reformed security sector. The Government of Italy are leading on this sector in consultation with the UN. The UK has earmarked up to £1 million towards the development of an appropriate institutional framework and strategy. We continue to urge others to make contributions to this and other security sector initiatives.

Private visits and working visits take place at the initiative of the visitor. The arrangements are usually made by their London embassy or high commission. Programmes for working visits, as the name suggests, normally contain a working element, often a meeting with a senior government Minister. Private visits do not.State visits take place at the personal invitation of The Queen. The arrangements are made by Buckingham Palace, with support from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the relevant London embassy or high commission. Normally two such invitations are issued each year; but because of Her Majesty's busy Golden Jubilee commitments, no state visits were planned for 2002.Heads of state can also visit this country as guests of Her Majesty's Government. Arrangements for guest of government visits are made by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Programmes normally include a number of working elements, including meetings with government Ministers, and government-hosted hospitality.

Li Ruihan replied that remarkable changes had taken place in Tibet and that Tibetans were now much better off than before.

The information available relates to heads of household with a special voucher accepted for settlement on arrival to the United Kingdom, 1996 to 2000, the latest period available. Their dependants are required to apply for entry clearance in the normal way and are not identifiable separately in our statistics. The available information is given in the table below.

Special voucher holders accepted for settlement on arrival, 1996–2000(1) (2)
United Kingdon	Number of Persons
1996	300
1997	220
1998	170
1999	220
2000	160

(1) Figures rounded to the nearest 10(2) Excludes Dependants

The latest available data show that at 30 March 2002, 1,160 detainees (rounded to the nearest five) were held in immigration removal centres. Of these, 1,000 (86 per cent) had at some stage claimed asylum.I regret that the information requested regarding the stage of initial decisions and appeals is not available and could be obtained only by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost.Information on Immigration Act detainees as at 29 June will be published on 30 August on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http:// www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration 1 .htmlLord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:How many applications for refugee status or exceptional leave to remain were outstanding for more than 12 months at the most recent date. [HL4942]

As at the end of March 2002 (the latest date for which figures are available) the number of asylum applications outstanding for more than 12 months is estimated to be 16,100. This includes some cases which are currently in action and compares with 23,000 such applications as at the end of March 2001.

The framework decision on the European Arrest Warrant was subject to the usual parliamentary scrutiny process. The House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee cleared the document from scrutiny on 12 December 2001. The House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union cleared the document from scrutiny on 23 April 2002. The European arrest warrant will come into operation only if the Bill to give effect to it is approved by this Parliament.

Since the Government have not yet been persuaded of the case for creating a new supreme court, no estimate of the potential cost of providing a building, whether the building was newly built, or a refurbished or existing property, or a leased property, to accommodate such an institution has been made.An estimate of the potential cost of a new building for the Appellate Committee would require a detailed investigation of the requirements, but it is clear that a new building, of high architectural merit, in the heart of London, would be very costly. The Government's priority has to be the modernisation of the criminal, civil and family courts to improve the delivery of court services across the country as a whole.

On 10 April 2002 the Government published a consultation document Making Decisions: Helping People who have Difficulty Deciding for Themselves. This seeks views on a series of leaflets which provide help and guidance for adults who due to mental incapacity need support to make decisions and also for those involved in caring for them. The leaflets give information on a range of topics involving decision-making. These include an explanation of the current legal position with regard to the making of advance directives which can be used to request or refuse medical treatment. Responses to the consultation document are sought by 9 July 2002 and we plan to publish the final leaflets later this year.

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

The Government are satisfied that Clause 88 in the Finance Bill is not incompatible with the Human Rights Convention or EU law generally. The Government do not believe the reserve powers provided by the clause breach any of the articles of the Human Rights Convention or any aspect of EU law.

Adoption of the tax package by ECOFIN is dependent on sufficient reassurances being obtained from the United States of America, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Andorra and San Marino that they will adopt equivalent measures to those which member states propose on the taxation of savings.Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 13 June (WA45–46), whether the City of London revealed in its discussions with them that it would have preferred to continue without either a witholding tax or an exchange of information; and if so, what they mean by their statement that the City "indicated clearly that an approach based on exchange of information rather than a witholding tax was the right way to proceed." [HL4829]

The Government support the principle agreed by the Helsinki European Council on 10 to 11 December 1999 that all citizens resident in a member state of the European Union should pay the tax due on all their savings income. Tax evasion puts an unfair burden on honest taxpayers. And the development and liberalisation of financial markets cannot deliver all their benefits if savers' decisions are affected by the possibility of evading tax, instead of being taken in the light of a comparison between investment alternatives based on their intrinsice merits.It was against this background that discussions took place with interests in the City of London. The discussions showed clear support for the Government's initiative in proposing automatic exchange of information on savings income to combat tax evasion.Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 13 June

Clause 88 concerns the UK tax liability of UK resident companies. It gives the UK the reserve power to introduce regulations in the UK to protect the UK tax base. The Government hope that it will not be necessary to exercise the reserve power. If in the future the Government felt that it was necessary to exercise the power, they would explain the reasons for reaching that decision, and the regulations would be subject to parliamentary approval under the affirmative resolution procedure. The clause does not affect the constitutional arrangements with the Channel Islands.The tax package concerns the exchange of information in respect of savings income and the abolition of harmful tax measures.

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 (Appropriation) (No. 2) Bill are compatible with the convention rights. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library of the House.

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave him on 21 March 2002, (WA167). The total number of Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks procured for the British Army is 386. The final delivery took place in April 2002.A quantity of 38 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks were exported to a customer in the Middle East during the mid to late 1990s.

Mr Hain was noting opinion polls over the last few months, though he went on to say that the Government had an excellent record on the economy and investment in public services which were the key issues for voters. The most recent polls in the Guardian and Telegraph show that the Government's standing has not been affected by media attacks.

We have agreed a procedure with Spain and the Commission allowing aviation measures to be unblocked without prejudicing any party's position on sovereignty or affecting day-to-day operations at Gibralter airport. When such a measure is brought forward, the Commission will judge whether or not it places obligations on airports. If so, the Council and Commission will agree to the insertion of the clauses suspending application until the implementation of the 1987 Joint Declaration of the UK and Spain on Gibralter airport, which have featured in previous measures. If not, the text will not be amended. The Transport Council agreed Common Positions on the first measure subject to this arrangement, relating to occurrence reporting and aviation statistics, on 17 June.We are confident that suspension will have no material impact on the operation of Gibralter airport. We will continue to work with the Government of Gibralter and the authorities at Gibralter airport to ensure that, wherever necessry, equivalent measures are implemented on a national basis.

As indicated in its procedures for inquiry meetings in London, published on its website, the Lessons Learned Inquiry is recording views in writing, though not necessarily verbatim. The procedures make clear that notes of the meetings will be sent to the individual(s) or organisation concerned to ensure the factual accuracy of the recorded views.Records have been taken of the main points raised during formal evidence sessions of the Royal Society Inquiry into infectious diseases in livestock, and the witnesses have been given the opportunity to comment on these in draft.

The Public Accounts Committee hearing on the report is scheduled for 3 July 2002. Following publication of the Public Accounts Committee Report, the Government response will be made through the Treasury Minute procedure.

Schools and local education authorities have duties to identify and make provision for the learning difficulties of children with special educational needs, including those with autistic spectrum disorders, and to give them access to a broad curriculum suitable to their needs. The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice gives statutory guidance on how to achieve this. The Department for Education and Skills' Autism Working Group will shortly be publishing guidance setting out the key principles underpinning proper provision for children with autistic spectrum disorders and pointers to good practice. This guidance takes into account the work of the West Midlands SEN Regional Partnership, which has been focusing on autism provision, and the National Autistic Society's Accreditation Programme. The working group intends to monitor the response to its guidance.Ofsted has a regular cycle of inspection of maintained schools, non-maintained special schools and independent schools which cater wholly or mainly for children with SEN, including schools which make provision for children with autistic spectrum disorders. In determining their judgments, Ofsted inspectors have to consider the extent to which pupils with SEN are making progress and how well the teaching meets pupils' diverse needs. Ofsted will also be monitoring the implementation of the revised SEN Code of Practice and the new Inclusion framework. Special schools, including autism-specific special schools, have a vital role to play in the new arrangements through using their expertise to help mainstream schools include children with SEN. I have established a working group on the role special schools which will look at how to develop this aspect of special schools' work.Lord Clement-Jones asked Her Majesty's Government:Flow many children with autism spectrum disorders were subject to (a) permanent exclusion from school; and (b) fixed term exclusion from school, in the academic year 2000–2001.[HL4909]

The department does not collect data on exclusions by specific type of special educational need.

The Prime Minister has no plans to do so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to answer Lord Patten's Question for Written Answer on the timing of the next visit by the Prime Minister to Gibraltar tabled on 29th May (HL4605) before the House rises for the Summer Recess. [HL5022]

I have answered the Noble Lord's question today. I very much regret the delay.

There are two Juvenile Justice Centres in Northern Ireland. One is Lisnevin Juvenile Justice Centre in Millisle, Co Down, and the other is Rathgael Juvenile Justice Centre in Bangor, Co Down.In November 2000, following public consultation, Adam Ingram, the then Northern Ireland Minister of State, made a commitment to Parliament to deliver a purpose designed Juvenile Justice Centre for Northern Ireland at Rathgael in Bangor. His statement went to say that while the new centre was being built, young people already in the system would be transferred to the Rathgael campus.Since then a phased development programme has commenced. The first phase involves upgrading security and refurbishing the existing accommodation on the Rathgael site to facilitate the transfer of young people from Lisnevin. Phase 1 of the programme is scheduled for completion by late 2002. On completion, Lisnevin will close and Rathgael will function as the single Juvenile Justice Centre for Northern Ireland and will operate until the new purpose-designed centre is constructed and commissioned.The second phase relates to provision of the new, purpose-designed centre, to be located on available land at Rathgael. When fully commissioned, the new centre will replace the phase 1 facility. Planning the Phase 2 project is at an early stage. Phase 2 is estimated to take about four years to complete.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is an independent public body and as such is responsible for the formulation of its own policy. It is not for Government to agree or disagree with its policies.

The Government have appointed Professor Rodney Lowe of Bristol University as the official historian to write the official history of the Civil Service since Fulton. The Government have also agreed to a list of topics for future official histories, as follows:

• Privatisation
• The Criminal Justice System
• Chevaline
• Devolution
• Policy towards the Former Yugoslavia
• The D Notice System
• A Biography of Desmond Morton

As Minister without Portfolio, the right honourable Charles Clarke MP is a member of the Cabinet and 14 Cabinet Committees. In his Government role he is supported by a part-time private secretary. The Government do not provide any further staffing support for the Minister without Portfolio. The salaries of individual civil servants are not disclosed in order to protect their privacy in line with Exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr Tim Matthews, to write to the noble Lord.

"Blue-skies thinking" is a term often used for strategic thinking which starts from first principles, takes an independent approach, and results in new ideas.

The section of the A2 inside London forms part of the Greater London Authority Road Network (GLRN)—now known as the Transport for London Road Network—and is the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL). The road has been closed at Blackheath since Sunday 7 April. Further information concerning the reopening of the road should be obtained from:

• Peter Brown
• Assistant Director Street Management Services
• TfL Street Management
• Windsor House
• 42–50 Victoria Street
• London SW1H OTL

The Government have not had detailed discussions with the relevant local authorities about this matter.The Highways Agency manages the trunk roads and motorways in England. The GLRN was defined by powers contained in section 14A of the Highways Act 1980 (inserted by section 260 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999). Roads designated as part of the GLRN under this power thereby ceased to be trunk roads. The Government have no plans to resume responsibility for these roads.

There is no official estimate of the additional congestion cost caused by deregulation of Royal Mail. However, a study of the costs of road and rail transport, published in August 2001, was carried out by the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds on behalf of the department. This showed that the congestion costs of an additional vehicle varied according to location and vehicle type.For Light Goods Vehicles, those most likely to be used by Royal Mail, the typical figures in 2001 prices were:

Area Type	Congestion Cost (pence/vehicle kilometre)
Central London	120
Inner London	75
Outer London	35
Central Conurbation	55
Outer Conurbation	20

I asked my officials to consult Torbay Council. They inform me that no health and safety inspections, independent of Marina Development Ltd, have been conducted into the construction or maintenance of the wave screen at 13rixham Marina.

I asked my officials to consult Torbay Council and Plymouth City Council. They inform me that no health and safety inspections, independent of Marina Developments Ltd, have been conducted at Brixham Marina, Torquay Marina, or Queen Anne's Battery Marina.

This is a matter for the Mayor and Transport for London.

This is a matter for the Mayor and Transport for London. Guidance is issued to practitioners but the responsbility for the decision to install traffic signals, their design, including the selection of timings, and maintenance is solely a matter for the traffic authority.

The duty incentives set for road fuel gases are aimed predominantly at improvements in local air quality where cleaner fuels have a key role to play. The reduced rate of duty for biodiesel, which will take effect from Royal Assent of this year's Finance Bill, contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A direct comparison between the fuels is therefore not appropriate.