asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the letters of resignation from Ms Inez McCormack and Professor Christine Bell from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.[HL5911]

It is a matter for Ms McCormack and Professor Bell whether they wish their personal letters to be made public.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Permanent Secretary of the Northern Ireland Office has been in correspondence with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission about its expenditure in 2001–02; and, if so, whether they will publish the correspondence. [HL5913]

The Permanent Secretary of the Northern Ireland Office wrote to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission regarding its accounts in April this year.There are no plans to publish the letter.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their reaction to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission co-publishing with the British-Irish Rights Watch; and whether they consider this to be an appropriate use of public Fund [HL5915]

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is an independent body and can co-produce publications to promote human rights without seeking the Government's approval.The commission did not seek funding for this project through any supplementary bid. The costs of the publication are recouped from the selling price and not from public funds.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's description of itself in minutes of its meeting on 10 June as a "national institution" indicates a change in status for Northern Ireland. [HL5939]

There is no change in status for Northern Ireland.The International Co-ordination Committee of the World Association of National Human Rights Institutions at the United Nations has accredited the commission as a Category B—National Human Rights Institution. This status reflects the commission's sub-national position within the UK.

asked her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 24 September (

The commission can receive advice from a person/s who has knowledge of the human rights issues. As an independent body, however, it is entirely the commission's choice whether or not to act upon that advice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will consider proposals to mark the 400th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns of Scotland and England in 2003. [HL5943]

The Government have no plans at present to sponsor any proposals to mark this anniversary.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is meant by the word "national" in the last sentence of paragraph 11 of the Joint Communiqué following the special European Union Programmes Sector meeting of 9 October of the North-South Ministerial Council, set up after the Belfast agreement of 1998 in Ballycastle; and why would "national" be referred to in the context of European Union grants supplied to the cross-Border areas. [HL6287]

The word "national" in the last sentence of paragraph 11 of the Joint Communiqué, which was issued following the 9 October meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in Special EU Programmes Sector, refers to the public expenditure and accountability responsibilities of each of the two member states involved in the delivery of this programme. Accountability for expenditure under European Union programmes administered by the Special EU Programmes Body is subject to the requirements of European regulations and to the separate requirements of the Irish public expenditure system and the UK public expenditure system. This is why the word "national" was used in this context.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the area plan for Ards/Down area will be published; and what is the proposed procedure after publication. [H L6290]

The Government aim to publish the draft North Down and Ards area plan at the end of November.Following publication, a public exhibition of plan policies and proposals will be held in both Ards and Down for one week and officers will be in attendance to assist members of the public with any queries. Copies of plan documents will also be available at that time.A statutory period of six weeks will be available from the date of publication for comment, representation or objection to the draft plan.If objections are received and cannot be resolved, the department may then request the Planning Appeals Commission to hold a public inquiry for the purposes of considering such objections. If a public inquiry is held the department will consider the recommendations of the Planning Appeals Commission and then decide to adopt the plan, in whole or in part, with or without modification. A final version of the plan, incorporating any amendments or revisions will then be published.Planning Service is now making provisional arrangements for the draft plan publication and public exhibition on the basis of this timescale.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are planning to allow all-postal voting in the European elections in 2004. [HL6015]

We have just published a consultation paper which proposes holding the European Parliamentary and ordinary local elections in 2004 at the same time. In paragraph 26, which is appended, we explain that we are also considering very carefully whether to hold pilot voting schemes at these combined elections.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the estimated numbers of people who will be reliant on food aid in the next four months in (a) Zambia; (b) Zimbabwe; (c) Malawi; (d) Mozambique; (e) Lesotho; (f) Swaziland; and (g) Angola. [6179]

Food aid needs will peak in the period December to March. Recent assessments indicate that the numbers of people who will require humanitarian assistance will rise over that period to:

• Zambia 2.9 million
• Zimbabwe 6.7 million
• Malawi 3.3 million
• Mozambique 0.59 million
• Lesotho 0.65 million
• Swaziland 0.27 million
• Angola 1.9 million

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have any plans to reduce the membership and streamline the procedures of the Police Negotiating Board. [HL6100]

In April 2001 the Government approved a number of changes to the constitution of the Police Negotiating Board following agreement with the official and staff sides. Both sides agreed to reduce their membership of the full board and to include the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Chief Police officers in Scotland as members of the official side. The language of the constitution was simplified. Finally, government Ministers were given a new power to direct the board to consider and reach agreement on specified matters within specified deadlines, provided that those matters are of serious national importance to the police service.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What will be the cost of using "Green Goddesses" to provide fire cover; and who will meet these costs. [HL6141]

It is very difficult to predict exactly what the cost to central government of providing emergency fire cover will be. It will depend very much on what strike action the FBU actually takes.The UK Government will meet the additional costs incurred by the MoD in providing emergency fire cover in England and Wales net of savings in wages lost by striking firefighters.The Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Office will meet the MoD additional costs net of savings in wages lost by striking firefighters in Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What were the total amounts of mortgage equity withdrawal both in absolute terms and as a percentage of total household income in each of the regions and nations of the United Kingdom for the latest quarter and year for which figures are available. [HL6237]

Information is available only for the United Kingdom. This is shown in the table below.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the guidance to voters at the next mayoral election in London will state that there is no obligation to make a second, as well as a first, choice. [HL6269]

The prescribed notices for guidance of voters at GLA elections instruct voters to vote once for their first choice and once for their second choice at the mayoral election.The Greater London returning officer has made recommendations for changes to the GLA election rules, including a recommendation that there should be greater flexibility in the wording of the notices for guidance of voters. The Government are considering these recommendations and intend to issue a consultation paper before the end of the year setting out proposals about the future content of the GLA election rules.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will appoint the first director of the assets recovery agency, established under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. [HL6367]

We have appointed Jane Earl as director-designate of the assets recovery agency. We expect that she will take up her appointment as director in the New Year, in time for the agency to start operations next February.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many bids were submitted for funding in the second round of the recovered assets fund; how many of these were recommended for funding; how the selection of bids was made and when the next round of bidding will begin. [HL6368]

A total of 330 bids were received in round two (compared to 130 in round one) of which 27 (21 in round one) with a total cost of £11.5 million (£.3 million in round one) were recommended for funding.The bids selected for an award of grant were those which were assessed as best able to meet the objectives of the fund and as far as possible ensured coverage of a wide geographical area.We are currently reviewing the future use and operation of the fund. Future bidding rounds will be dependent on the outcome of the review on which we hope to make an announcement before the end of the year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many "brown signs" giving directions to tourist attractions have been erected on the M6 motorway; and whether any are planned on that motorway directing traffic to the attractions of Southport. [HL6252]

I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the noble Lord.

asked Her Majesty's Government;What research has been carried out in the past five years into road congestion; and with what results. [H L6270]

The Department for Transport (DfT) and the Highways Agency have undertaken a range of work on the impacts of their policies on the levels of road traffic, including their effects on congestion. The results of this research have fed into DfT's modelling of the transport network, leading to more confident forecasts of congestion. In particular, in 2001 DfT commissioned work on public perceptions of congestion. This was published last year and a copy is available in the House Library.DfT has recently let a contract to examine the potential for new methods of congestion measurement which it is hoped will improve our coverage of congestion levels at a more detailed level. It should also capture information about aspects of congestion, such as travel time variability, which are not covered by our current measure.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have any plans to relieve the train congestion at Reading station; and, if so, when they will bring these plans forward. [HL627I]

We understand that resignalling work at Reading station has already commenced and platform 3 has been resignalled in order to allow Virgin Trains' services to enter and leave the station without crossing other tracks. A new signal is about to be installed closer to the station so that trains awaiting platform clearance are stopped nearer the station than at present. This will speed up station operations. The feasibility of improving capacity in the area is also currently being investigated in conjunction with the renewal of the signalling system which is being planned for implementation over the next five years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What initiatives are being taken by train operating companies to improve fuel consumption of trains and restrict dangerous emissions; and what encouragement these initiatives are receiving from official sources.[HL6272]

All operators have a policy of engine monitoring through emissions testing and sampling of fuel and engine oil to predict signs of engine degradation that could cause poor emissions. New trains are also now being built with engines which meet the same emissions regulations as applied to vehicles used in the bus and truck industries.Train and rolling stock operating companies have also been working on existing train fleets to reduce the level of emissions emanating from their vehicles. This includes projects to re-equip older locomotives with modern engines.All of these initiatives also serve to improve fuel consumption.The Strategic Rail Authority works with the rail operators under directions and guidance from government, which require it to contribute to the 10-Year Plan targets for improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gases.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many requests for new speed cameras have yet to be cleared by the project boards set up in each area under the netting off procedure; and when any backlog will be cleared. [HL6273]

It is a matter for local highway authorities in consultation with their police force areas to decide if and where speed enforcement equipment is used, taking account of guidelines on deployment contained in circular roads 1/92. Safety camera partnerships seeking to net off apply to the National Project Board, which is chaired by the Department for Transport. There are currently no applications outstansding.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 20 June

Formal consultation on the draft regulations that would enable camera enforcement of bus lanes ended on 6 September, although some comments were received after that date. Subject to taking account of consultees' views, the aim is to make the regulations by the end of the year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will ensure that any new European Union drivers' hours and tachograph regulations or directives do not change the current situation in respect of historic goods and public service vehicles used privately; and [HL63111Whether there are any new European Union drivers' hours and tachograph regulations or directives that could change the current situation in respect of goods and public service vehicles used privately; and, if so, what would be the effect; and [HL6312]Whether it is their policy to ensure that European Union directives and regulations do not adversely affect historic goods and public service vehicles used privately. [HL6313]

The European Commission's proposal to amend Regulation (EEC) 3820/85 on drivers' hours does not include specific measures to bring historic vehicles into the scope of the rules. The new draft regulation would still allow member states, with the consent of the Commission, to grant exceptions on their territory for operations carried out in exceptional circumstances, as we have for all vehicles built before January 1947 and certain public service vehicles over 25 years old.The exemption of historic goods vehicles built since 1947 has hitherto relied upon another provision of the regulation which exempts "vehicles used for the noncommercial carriage of goods for personal use". The Commission proposal would place a 7.5 tonne limit on this exemption and the UK and several other member states have pointed out that this would bring historic vehicles above this weight into scope. The UK and some other member states will continue to press for historic vehicles used non-commercially to remain outside the scope of the rules.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who owns and controls the lighthouses around the coasts of Britain and Ireland; and whether the United Kingdom exercises sovereignty as regards any lighthouses outside the United Kingdom and its territorial sea. [HL6346]

The lighthouses and marine aids to navigation are operated by the general lighthouse authorities. These are Trinity House Lighthouse Service, the authority for England, Wales and the Channel Islands; the Northern Lighthouse Board, the authority for Scotland and the Isle of Man, and the Commissioners of Irish Lights, the authority for aids in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.The GL As are beneficial owners of the lighthouse estate. In the event of the sale of any assets, the proceeds are returned to the General Lighthouse Fund that meets the costs of provision.Trinity House is also responsible for the lighthouse at Europa. Point, Gibraltar. Trinity House acts as agent for the Department for Transport in the operation of the lighthouse at Sombrero Island. Arrangements are in hand to pass responsibility for this lighthouse to the Government of Anguilla.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What consideration they have given to bringing the lighthouses around Britain and Ireland under the control of the British-Irish Council.[HL6349]

Lighthouses are part of the overall infrastructure of aids to navigation provided by the general lighthouse authorities that includes traditional and electronic aids such as radar beacons and differential global positioning systems. The provision meets international requirements established by the International Maritime Organisation, the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). We have not considered bringing these matters under the control of the British-Irish Council.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are consulted by London Underground about special arrangements made to meet extra demand for its services during half-term school holidays; and whether they have requested any changes in current arrangements. [HL6356]

No. London Underground informs me that the overall level of demand for its services remains largely unchanged during school holidays.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are now in a position to announce their proposals for the future of the RAF Northolt site. [HL6057]

Following the Strategic Defence Review, a strategic assessment has been made of the Ministry of Defence's future estate needs in the London area. This has shown that there is considerable scope to focus activity on to a smaller number of sites. The review is part of a wider rationalisation strategy to reduce the size of the defence estate by co-locating activities on to core sites, which will become a focus for future investment. The objective is to have a fit-for-purpose estate of the right size, shape and quality to meet defence outputs.RAF Northolt will become the centrepiece for Ministry of Defence plans to develop a core site for tasks that need to be based in north west London. As the only government-controlled airfield close to central London, studies have revealed that it is possible to develop the site for additional non-flying activities, most of which are currently based at RAF Uxbridge and at Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill.The Queens's Colour Squadron, HQ Music Services and the Central Band of the RAF have operational synergies with RAF Northolt in relation to VIP and ceremonial tasks carried out at the airfield. It is intended that these units should transfer from RAF Uxbridge, together with elements of the Personnel Services Wing and other minor lodgers from the Uxbridge site. In addition, space can be found for the British Forces Post Office and Defence Courier Service to move to Northolt from Mill Hill. Once Inglis Barracks has been vacated, the Mill Hill site will be sold for alternative civilian use.It will be possible to close the Uxbridge site for MoD use once the only other remaining task. the London Transit Centre, has moved to utilise surplus capacity at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich. However, a parallel stream of work relating to the United States Navy's occupation of MoD sites in London has shown that it is possible to co-locate the bulk of the USN tasks at RAF Uxbridge, leading to the eventual closure of RAF Eastcote, RAF West Ruislip, RAF Daws Hill, Blenheim Crescent and Kennington Barracks and other leased property. Subject to further discussion with United States authorities and to reaching agreement with them, it is our intention to transfer RAF Uxbridge for the co-location of USN tasks from other parts of London.Combining Ministry of Defence and USN rationalisation activities as one programme of work presents a unique opportunity for the United Kingdom and United States Governments to work together to the advantage of both parties.Operational efficiency will be maintained or enhanced with personnel levels and employment activity broadly maintained. Starting with the relocation of BFPO, due to complete early in 2005 but with a stretch target of late 2004, the rationalisation process as a whole will take approximately five years to complete.In accordance with Government policy on sustainable development., the potential impact of all the options was assessed in terms of strategic environmental assessment and other sustainability issues, such as transport and the needs of the local economy. Once implemented, the brownfield sites released will be available for alternative civilian development.We hope the noble Lord, Lord Marlesford, will recognise that these are imaginative proposals that will bring benefits to the Ministry of Defence and the local communities in which these military activities are based. We shall now embark on a period of consultation with the trade unions concerned and we shall keep the noble Lord informed as our plans progress.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What has been the total funding by the Medical Research Council (MRC) for research into psychiatric/psychological causation and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME); what funds have been allocated by the MRC to organic causation and treatment of CFS/ME since 1980; and to which research groups. [H L5945]

Since 1993–94 the MRC has not funded any research on the causation and treatment of CFS/ME apart from 1998–99, when the MRC spent £37,200 on one research grant into psychiatric/psychological causation and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome/ myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). The grant's title was, The role of noradrenaline in the neuropsychological pathogenisis of the chronic fatigue syndrome, and the principal applicant was Professor R K Morris, University of Manchester.However, the MRC has funded a number of research projects into Epstein-Barr virus, which has been considered as a possible causational factor in CFS/ME.The MRC has also funded a broader 39-month epidemiological study on chronic fatigue which ended in 1993. The grant's title was

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any investigation has been launched into Professor Austin Smith's recent declaration that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority asked him for independent scientific advice on his own application to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to conduct embryonic stem cell research; and, in such circumstances, whether the Government retain confidence in the ability of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to be an effective and independent regulator of embryo research. [HL5857]

Applications for research licences made to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority are considered by the authority's licence committee. The members of the committee have considerable expertise relevant to such applications, but they also seek expert external advice on specialist areas as and when appropriate. The Medical Research Council is one body of expert advice that the authority approaches for additional input, as it did in the case of Professor Smith's research application. The authority anonymises applications when referring them for such advice becuse they are submitted to the authority in confidence and because doing so helps to remove the possibility of personal bias for or against the applicant. The Medical Research Council then unwittingly asked Professor Smith to review the application on its behalf. However, it is the council's standard practice to require people it consults to declare any potential conflict of interest. Professor Smith duly did so.As part of its modernisation process, the authority is to review the way it deals with research applications.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What powers they have to make provision for the assessment of the special educational needs of children living in accommodation centres; and [HL6030]Which subject areas in the national curriculum will not be available to children taught in accommodation centres; and [H L6031]What discussions they have had with the teaching unions on the proposals of the Secretary of State for Education to educate some children seeking asylum in accommodation centres; and [H L6032]What criteria will be used to determine whether a child in an accommodation centre is sufficiently gifted or talented to become an exception to the general intention to exclude children in accommodation centres from mainstream maintained schools or nurseries. [H L6033]

Clause 28(1)(f) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill provides the Government with the power to provide education in an accommodation centre. Clause 35(7) states that the education provider shall make appropriate facilities available for a child with special educational needs unless it is incompatible with the special educational provision his learning difficulty calls for, the provision of efficient education for other children resident in the centre or the efficient use of resources. Clause 35(9)(b) empowers the education provider to ask the LEA to conduct a statutory assessment of a child's SEN under Section 329A of the Education Act 1996.An LEA's duties under Part IV of the Education Act 1996 to assess and where necessary to make provision for children in its area who are of compulsory school age and have special educational needs will apply to children residing in accommodation centres as such children will be in the area of an LEA for the purposes of this part of the 1996 Act.The full range of national curriculum subjects will be taught in accommodation centres. Departmental officials are working with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to agree how this commitment can be delivered to maximise the educational opportunities for chidren and young people for the limited period they will be in the centres and who may need intensive support provided to help them learn English.I will be discussing with the teacher unions the proposals to educate some children of asylum seekers in accommodation centres. However, my officials have established an advisory group with representatives from the Local Government Association (LGA) and the local education authorities in the areas where centres are planned.On arrival in an accommodation centre, children will receive an initial assessment, covering their previous educational experience, attainment and knowledge of English. It will be the responsibility of the education contractor to conduct these assessments and, by so doing, identify any children whose educational needs cannot be fully met within the accommodation centre. The criteria will largely depend on the nature of the education provision within the accommodation centre in question.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What categories of children will be considered special cases for the purpose of education provision in accommodation centres. [HL6173]

Our aim is to ensure that the education of children in accommodation centres will be provided, wherever possible, in-house. However, there may be some exceptional circumstances—for example, a child with severe or complex special educational needs or a child who is fluent in English—when the learning needs of these children will be more appropriately met through provision made outside of the centre.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a child assessed as having special educational needs best met in a mainstream maintained school will be able to attend such a school; and whether the local education authority will have a duty to place that child. [HL6174]

I presume that this Question relates to the children of asylum seekers who will be residing in accommodation centres. In this case, where the local education authority has carried out a statutory assessment of a child's special educational needs, it will be able to name a mainstream school in his statement if it considers that the accommodation centre or special school will not be able to meet the child's needs. We would, however, expect local education authorities to take this course of action only rarely, and the great majority of children will have their special educational needs met appropriately in the accommodation centres.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What education a special educational needs child living in an accommodation centre will receive during the process of his or her assessment. [H L6175]

Children with special educational needs will continue to receive education in accommodation centres while they are being assessed. Education provided within the accommodation centres will have the same broad range and be of equivalent quality to that provided in mainstream schools, including support through School Action and School Action Plus under the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will collate and publish records of the number of fixed term and permanent exclusions and the number of unexplained absences among schoolchildren in England, analysed according to ethnic group and including gypsies and Irish travellers as separate groups. [H L6122]

Details on permanently excluded pupils are collected in the annual schools' census in January each year. An analysis of this data by ethnic group has been published each year since the academic year 1996-97 and the latest information is given in the table. However, information on permanently excluded pupils recorded under the new ethnic group codes which separately identifies the categories for Gyspsy Roma and Irish travellers is scheduled to be collected for the first time in January 2004. Figures are not available centrally on fixed-term exclusions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will provide a breakdown of the average income of men aged over 65 and women aged over 60 for 2001, 1996 and 1991, including income from employment. [HL6157]

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will be publishing the water policy document for England. [H L6362]

The document entitled Directing the Flow—priorities for future water policy will be published on 5 November. It is intended to be a high-level policy document and strengthens the integration of water policy with other policy areas. The document takes the first steps towards setting out our strategic aims and summarising our proposed future priorities and direction for the water environment, water resources and water management. It aims to take a long-term view, looking at the next 20 years and beyond and setting the context within which specific actions will need to be taken. Copies of the document will be deposited in the House Libraries and will also be available on Defra's Internet site (www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/strategy/ index.htm).

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 23 October (HL Deb, cols. 1329-32), whether they will provide the figures of off-balance sheet borrowings that are fully guaranteed under private finance initiatives, public/private partnerships and any other similar projects. [HL6183]

The Government do not generally provide guarantees for borrowing undertaken as part of the private finance initiative or public/private partnerships. Companies providing services under the private finance initiative raise finance at their own risk, not at the Government's risk. The one exception is the Channel Tunnel Rail Link PPP project, in which the Government guaranteed £3.75 billion-worth of borrowing by London and Continental Railways Ltd.