asked Her Majesty's Government:What warning they have given to the Russian Government about incursions by the armed forces of Russia into the independent state of Georgia. [HL6195]

We are closely following the situation in Georgia. We have urged both the Russians and Georgians to cooperate over security, including along their border, in a spirit of openness and transparency, and to avoid any actions that would exacerbate tensions. With EU partners we have expressed our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Foreign Secretary or the High Commissioner have raised with the Pakistan Government the continuing detention of Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of Benazir Bhutto, without being brought to trial. [HL6198]

We are aware of the case of Mr Zardari but have not raised it with the Pakistani authorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government: What discussions they have had with the Government of Hong Kong about the proposal to introduce anti-subversion legislation under Basic Law Article 23; whether they will propose that the Government of Hong Kong invite independent experts to advise them on the compatibility of the draft legislation with Hong Kong's international obligations on civil and political rights; and whether they will ask the Government of Hong Kong to allow a period of consultation with the public on the draft Bill, prior to its introduction in the legislature. [HL6228]

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government published a consultation paper on 24 September outlining their proposals for legislation to meet their responsibilities under Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong. Before this we had discussed the general issue of Article 23 with the SAR Government on a number of occasions, including when my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary visited Hong Kong in July this year. Since the publication of the consultation paper, the Lord Chancellor has discussed the proposals with members of the SAR Government during his visit to Hong Kong last month.We have made clear to the SAR Government that any legislation should be consistent with the principles of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong and the two UN human rights covenants. We welcome the Hong Kong Secretary of Justice's assertion that any new laws would comply with these international covenants. We will watch this closely.The precise wording of any legislation will be of crucial importance. We are aware that many commentators on Hong Kong have urged that the text of the proposed legislation be published before it is tabled in the Legislative Council. We hope that the SAR Government will use the consultation period to clarify the detail of the legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What confirmation they have received of the undertakings given by the Angolan President, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, the Namibian President, Sam Nujoma, and the Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, that the forces of those countries would be withdrawn from the Democratic Republic of Congo by the end of October. [HL6259]

The UK has not received any official confirmation from the Governments of Namibia, Angola and Zimbabwe that the forces of those countries would be withdrawn from the Democratic Republic of Congo by the end of October. The UN mission in the DRC (MONUC) has reported that the Namibian forces have already left the DRC. The Angolans and Zimbabweans recently met in Kinshasa to announce a joint programme to complete the departure of remaining Zimbabwean and Angolan troops. There was a military ceremony on 30 October to symbolise the final departure. We expect UN observers to confirm shortly whether these withdrawals have been completed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will draw to the attention of other Commonwealth states the report by Amnesty International

The UK will draw attention to the report by the United Nations panel of experts on the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of Congo to other Commonwealth states. Amnesty International normally distributes its reports widely to governments and other interested parties.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will suggest ways for providing independent monitoring of the existing ceasefire in the Sudan [HL6310]

The means for monitoring the existing cessation of hostilities are currently under discussion at the peace talks in Machakos.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there have been any developments in the constitutional review process in the Cayman Islands. [HL6360]

We have now completed our review of the report of the Constitutional Review Commissioners and associated papers forwarded by the Governor of the Cayman Islands in August. We have invited representatives of both government and opposition parties to an informal meeting in London on 9–11 December to discuss how to take the various proposals forward. Copies of the relevant reports have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any smart bombs or guided missiles containing either depleted uranium or natural uranium have been used in Afghanistan since September 2001, and how many bombs of 2,000 kg, 1,000 kg and less than 1,000 kg have been dropped. [HL6190]

The United Kingdom has not employed any weapons containing depleted uranium in Afghanistan. There are no air-launched bombs containing depleted uranium in UK service.It is not our practice to comment on the details of operations conducted by other nations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any bunker busting bombs such as GBU 28, GBU 37, GBU 15, GBU 24 and similar weapons were tested in the Balkans; and, if so, whether any contained natural uranium or depleted uranium, and how many of which sizes were dropped. [HL6I91]

The GBU-series are United States munitions, and it is not our practice to comment on the details of operations conducted by other nations.However, the UK Paveway III, which was employed by the RAF in the Balkans, is essentially the same weapon as GBU-24. It is a precision-guided general purpose bomb, not specifically designed for bunker-busting, and does not contain depleted uranium. The United Kingdom does not possess equivalents to GBU-15, 28 and 37.There are no air-launched bombs containing depleted uranium in UK service.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any weapons containing natural uranium or depleted uranium have been used in the bombing of the northern or southern no-fly zones in Iraq since the end of the Gulf war. [HL6192]

Since the establishment of the no fly zones following the Gulf conflict, United Kingdom aircraft have released no munitions containing depleted uranium when responding in self-defence against attacks on them by Iraqi air defence weapons. There are no air-launched bombs containing depleted uranium in UK service.It is not our practice to comment on the details of operations conducted by other nations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the representations about Gulf war illnesses made for the ex-service community to the Prime Minister by the Reverend Martin Smyth MP on 26 June, further to his Question on 19 June (HC Deb, cols. 278–279), and of the response sent to him. [HL6298]

I will place a copy of the Reverend Smyth's letters to the Prime Minister of 19 and 26 June, together with the reply dated 12 September, in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to review the gross profits tax on betting. [HL6372]

The Government have today published the consultation document The Modernisation of' Gambling Taxes: Consultation on the Evaluation of the Gross Profits Tax on Betting—One Year On, copies of which have been deposited in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures have been taken over the past two years to tackle racism in the Prison Service in England and Wales; and whether they consider that these have been sufficient [HL5988]

During the past two years the Prison Service has been taking forward a significant programme of work to tackle racism. The programme, known as RESPOND, was launched in late September 1999 by the director general and the Prison Service's first race equality adviser. It aims to deliver improved race relations through the implementation of five objectives: developing and supporting minority ethnic staff; confronting harassment and discrimination; ensuring fairness in appraisal and selection; ensuring equal opportunities for minority ethnic prisoners; recruiting minority ethnic staff.Among the measures introduced are new instructions to raise the standard of investigations into complaints by both staff and prisoners; the introduction into selection procedures for recruitment and promotion of an assessment of candidates' abilities to recognise and challenge inappropriate remarks; the launch of the RESPECT support network for minority ethnic staff in 2001 attended by 1,500 delegates; the allocation of £400,000 to RESPECT to enable it to establish a countrywide network of branches, a confidential telephone helpline and other support structures; the introduction of four new racially aggravated offences into the prisoner discipline manual; keeping regime interventions and activities under continuing review from the standpoint of diversity; the development and delivery of a new package of diversity training for all staff; and sponsorship and attendance at a wide range of minority ethnic community and recruitment events which have supported the Prison Service's success in increasing minority ethnic recruitment. The proportion of minority ethnic staff employed by the Prison Service has risen from 3.2 per cent in 1999–2000 to 4.9 per cent in 2001–02. The service has also introduced a ban on membership by staff of racist organisations.While the Prison Service can point to a number of tangible successes over the past two years, it recognises that more needs to be done and will continue developing the programme of work that is already in place. To this end, the director general continues to seek the assistance of outside experts and communities to provide constructive criticism of Prison Service policy and practice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Prison Service in England and Wales's race equality scheme has been sufficient to meet its obligations in accordance with the new duties under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000; and [HL5989] Whether there are any actions which the Prison Service in England and Wales has failed to pursue over the past two years to meet its obligations under the Race Relations Act; if so, what those actions were and why they were not pursued. [HL5990]

The Prison Service's race equality scheme involves an initial assessment of all those activities relevant to the Act. Policy leads and managers have been reminded of their duty to consider the impact of policy development on people from different racial groups and of the circumstances when consultation may be necessary to avoid adverse disproportionate impact on those from minority ethnic groups.Managers are required to monitor the impact of their policies to ensure that local race relations management teams develop strategies, monitor performance and ensure the implementation of the national race relations policy.Results of assessments under the scheme will be published in the Prison Service annual reports and accounts; the Home Secretary's

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps are being taken by the Home Office to curtail the illicit trading in British works of art to other countries. [HL6111]

Action to curtail illicit trading in works of art to other countries is primarily the responsibility of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).The Home Office is considering with DCMS the feasibility of implementing a national database of unlawfully obtained cultural property, as recommended by the House of Commons Select Committee in a report entitled

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have determined how the costs are to be met of securing data retention under the terms of Section 11 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. [HL6164]

Section 11 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 allows for the Secretary of State to make "appropriate contributions" towards the costs incurred by the service providers to meet the provisions of the Act. We are in discussion with the industry on a formula which we hope will be concluded shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have invited the Technical Advisory Board set up under the terms of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 to offer technical advice in respect of the proposals in Section 11 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; and, if so, what was the nature of the advice received. [HL6165]

No request has been made of the Technical Advisory Board for advice in respect of proposals being prepared under Section 11 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 as this matter falls outside its remit.However, there has been an extensive consultation process following the formation of an operators working group bringing together representatives of fixed line, mobile and internet communications businesses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there has been any medical assessment of the use of the L21A1 baton round at a range of less than 20 metres. [HL6370]

At the request of the Association of Chief Police Officers, which believes that the improved accuracy of the L21Al baton round means it is suitable for use in serious public disorder and also in dealing with individuals posing an immediate threat to life in circumstances where use of a conventional firearm may otherwise be necessary, we have sought and received a medical statement from the Defence Scientific Advisory Council on the use of the L21A1 baton round at ranges from 1 to 19 metres. This supplements its earlier assessment of the injury potential over longer ranges published on 2 April 2001.The statement confirms that the probability of unintentional impact to the most vulnerable parts of the body remains low when the round is discharged at ranges of less than 20 metres and that there is no significant change in the probability of rounds striking the potentially vulnerable chest area. This means that the likelihood of serious injury or death occurring as the result of the impact of an L21A1 baton round is no greater at ranges between 1 and 19 metres than at the longer ranges which were the subject of the earlier statement by the Defence Scientific Advisory Council.I will today be placing a copy of the statement i n the Library. The Association of Chief Police Officers is considering, in consultation with the Government., what, if any, revision to its existing guidelines on the use of baton rounds may be appropriate in the light of this statement.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to place in the Library copies of the instructions to Immigration and Nationality Directorate staff dealing with applications for British citizenship. [HL6371]

The Nationality Instructions contain guidance to staff on the handling of applications for British nationality and related matters. A version of these instructions has now been added to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's website and hard copies are being placed in the Library. The instructions are being made available in accordance with the principles of openness in the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. A small amount of material cannot be disclosed, either on the grounds of national security or because disclosure would impede the effective administration of the legislation. The material is subject to periodic review and revision.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who procured the contract with Capita for criminal record checks. [HL6263]

The chief executive of the Criminal Records Bureau, as the senior accountable officer, signed the contract with Capita to process criminal record checks. He was advised by his procurement team. This team consisted of CRB project managers and external project and legal advisers. In addition, the CRB consulted the Home Office Procurement Unit and Home Office legal advisers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who agreed the specification for the contract with Capita to process criminal record checks. [HL6264]

The chief executive of the Criminal Record Bureau, as the senior accountable officer, issued the contract specification, on the advice of his procurement team. This team consisted of CRB project managers and external project and legal advisers. In addition, the CRB consulted the Home Office Procurement Unit and Home Office legal advisers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why they have not published the five sets of equality regulations or enabled them to be downloaded on 23 October, as envisaged by the Department for Work and Pensions in

All five sets of draft regulations (which relate to the prohibition of discrimination at work on grounds of sexual orientation, religion and belief, disability, race and gender) were published and available to be downloaded as advertised on the DTI website www.dti.gov.uk/er/equality, on the morning of 23 October. The document Equality and Diversity:The Way Ahead, which summarises the Government's proposals, was published at the same time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements have been made for carrying out a quinquennial review of the Council for Science and Technology. [HL6369]

The quinquennial review of the Council for Science and Technology was launched on 19 August. The Science and Technology Select Committee was informed in advance and sent copies of a consultation letter which was sent out to learned societies and other stakeholders such as Universities UK, the CBI and the Engineering Employers Federation. The consultation letter was also placed on the web (http://www.ost.gov.uk/ policy/q_review.htm).The first stage of the review, which addressed whether the CST is still needed, has recommended that it should continue in being but that steps must be taken to make it more effective. The Government have accepted this recommendation. The second stage of this review will look at how the CST might best be used in future.The consultation will continue until 17 November.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any compensation will be paid to the 73 pig swill feeding farmers whose businesses were abruptly closed when the pig swill feeding ban was introduced. [HL6208]

The Government do not consider that it is appropriate to compensate pig farmers for changes to the feed material available for their livestock following the introduction of the ban on swill feeding. However the Government are providing free business advice to those affected by the ban who have expressed an interest in receiving the advice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they propose to dispose of catering waste and other food which would have previously gone into pig swill feed. [HL6209]

Before the ban on swill-feeding, only a small proportion (about 1.4 per cent) of catering waste from restaurants and other catering establishments was fed to pigs as swill. Since the ban on swill feeding the additional waste is currently disposed of to landfill or incineration, as is the case for the vast majority of catering waste.The Government, however, take seriously their recycling targets and are moving towards reducing the amount of bio-degradeable waste sent to landfill. To that end we are currently drawing up legislation to allow the treatment of catering waste in composting and biogas plants. We intend to consult on the draft legislation shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have yet received the results of the nationwide serological survey of all Chilean poultry flocks of the presence of low pathogenic avian influenza; and, if so, what is the outcome; and [H L6246]Whether, should there be a positive identification of avian influenza virus following the nationwide survey of Chilean poultry flocks begun in August, they will immediately ban all imports of poultry and poultry products from Chile. [HL6247]

Following notification of high pathogenicity avian influenza in Chile in July 2002. the UK banned the importation of all poultry and hatching eggs and poultry products from Chile.On the basis of a report submitted to the EU Commission of a nationwide serological survey carried out by the Chilean veterinary services in August 2002, the decision was taken by the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health in October to authorise the import of poultry and poultry products from areas of Chile not affected by the disease. National measures have been amended to comply with Community provisions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress the Government Industry Forum on Non-Food Uses of Crops has made. [HL6361]

Over the past year the forum has met six times and has been working on a number of studies of areas of potential development in the non-food crops sector. Examples include biopackaging, the use of natural fibres in composite materials, biosolvents and biolubricants. The forum has also considered generic issues which affect this sector. The forum published its first annual report in August 2002, which details its work and sets out its first series of recommendations to government. We are placing copies of the report in the Libraries of both Houses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:(a) which primary care trusts started the current financial year with an underlying shortfall; and (b) in each case what was the amount of the shortfall. [H L6331]

This information requested is not collected centrally. All primary care trusts are expected to live within their agreed resource and cash limits.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What amounts have been paid to primary care trusts by the National Health Service hank in respect of underlying shortfalls; and what additional amounts have been agreed to be paid during the current financial year; and [HL6332]What amounts the National Health Service bank has (a) advanced or (b) agreed to advance to National Health Service trusts in the current financial year; and [HL6333]What is the total amount that the National Health Service bank has (a) advanced or (b) agreed to advance to all National Health Service bodies in the current financial year; and [HL6334]What terms and conditions as to interest and repayment have been applied to any amounts which have been advanced by the National Health Service bank. [HL6335]

The shadow National Health Service bank has made available a total of £100 million to three strategic health authority areas: Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire (£45 million), Surrey and Sussex (£30 million), Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire (£25 million). The terms, conditions and amounts for individual health service bodies is still to be finalised by the strategic health authorities and is subject to delivery of agreed recovery plans.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 17 June

The NHS Bank has been operating in shadow form this year, overseen by the Department of Health Director of Finance and Investment and four strategic health authority chief executives. The future legal form and management arrangements are still under consideration.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many copies of each of the following consultation documents were printed:

Eighteen hundred copies of each of the draft codes were printed, and 1,000 copies of the draft regulations, with electronic copies also being available via the department's website. The consultation was targeted towards admission authorities, as they would have the most direct interest in changes to the codes and regulations. This is why all local education authorities, as the admission authorities of community and voluntary controlled schools, were consulted, along with a representative sample of foundation and voluntary aided schools, which are their own admission authorities, and a smaller sample of other non-admission authority schools. Representative bodies of all school types were also consulted, as well as numerous national bodies. As part of a drive to reduce the amount of paperwork sent directly to schools, the department routinely consults representative samples, rather than going to every individual school.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the consultation period for school admissions and admission appeals lasted for only 25 days. [HL6266]

The consultation period was shorter than normal as during the passage of the Education Act 2002 we stated our commitment to introducing changes to school admission arrangements from the 2004-05 academic year. This more compressed consultation schedule was therefore necessary in order to have the codes and regulations ready to come into effect from January 2003, so that the necessary work arising from them could be completed to affect 2004 admissions.Much of the content of the new codes and regulations had already been the subject of consultation in September 2001 and of further debate during the passage of the 2002 Act. The department supported the paper consultation with a number of meetings around the country, at which over 400 local authority representatives and headteachers were able to give views. The consultation documents were also posted on the department's consultation website.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why all school and local education authorities were not consulted about proposals for admissions and admission appeals policies. [HL6267]

All local education authorities were consulted in writing, along with a representative sample of foundation and voluntary aided schools, which are their own admission authorities, and a smaller sample of non-admission authority schools. As part of a drive to reduce the amount of paperwork sent directly to schools, the department routinely consults representative samples, rather then going to each individual school. The documents were also available on the department's website, and 400 representatives of local education authorities and schools were consulted at meetings. The central themes of the new codes of practice and regulations were the subject of an earlier consultation beginning in September 2001.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the Interdepartmental Childcare Review will publish its findings. [HL6363]

The report from the Interdepartmental Childcare Review, led by my noble friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sure Start, Early Years and Childcare, is being published today. The key conclusions of the report build on the announcement by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Spending Review statement on 15 July. The increased spending for childcare will lead to:the creation of at least 250,000 new childcare places by 2005–06, on top of the earlier target of new places for 1.6 million children by 2004;the establishment of new children's centres to provide childcare, family support and health services in one centre, reflecting the early lessons of Sure Start, to benefit up to 650,000 children in disadvantaged areas by 2006.In addition, the integration of responsibility for childcare, early years education and Sure Start within a new interdepartmental unit will ensure new services will be co-ordinated to best meet the needs of children, families and communities.Copies of the report have been placed in the Vote Office, Printed Paper Office and the Libraries.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they have taken to inform women affected by the increase in the state pension age for women from 2010; what percentage of women they estimate to be already aware of the increase; and whether they have taken steps to discover what such women have done in response. [HL6158]

I refer the noble Baroness to the Answer I gave her on 31 January 2002 (WA 57).Changes to the state pension age for women are publicised as part of the current marketing campaign on pensions education for people of working age. This is a multi-million pound campaign which encourages people to plan for retirement and consider the full range of pension options and issues.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What they intend to do about the Social Fund following the report of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux,

The Government welcome this report, which adds to the debate in this important area.We keep the Social Fund under continuous review and are already examining a number of issues raised by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux in its report.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made under the Broadcasting Act 1996 in providing audio description services for visually-impaired television viewers; and what proposals for improvement will be made in the forthcoming Communications Bill. [HL6172]

The Broadcasting Act 1996 sets a 10 per cent target for audio description to be reached by the 10th anniversary of the start of the digital terrestrial television (DTT) service. The Independent Television Commission (ITC) has set interim targets for audio description of programmes on DTT according to the start date of each service.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What initiatives have taken place in the last two years to encourage green tourism. [HL6253]

There are initiatives at national, regional and local level, including marketing campaigns, rural development programmes and business advice and accreditation schemes, such as Green Lantern in Lancashire.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the current state of the IRA ceasefire.[HL5926]

The Government's judgment. taking account of all the relevant factors, is that the IRA ceasefire remains intact. However, ceasefires on their own are not enough and there is a need for all paramilitary organisations to move beyond ceasefires and to commit to exclusively peaceful and democratic means.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many staff have been recruited for cross-border implementation bodies set up under the Belfast Agreement of 1998 in each year since 1999; whether they were employed under Irish or British employment legislation; what is their gender; and what is their religious balance. [HL6077]

The North/South Language Body in 2002 recruited four staff (three male and one female) who are employed under Republic of Ireland employment legislation. It would not be appropriate to identify the religious affiliation of these staff.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether money provided under the European Union programmes administered by cross-Border bodies set up under the Belfast Agreement of 1998 was used to send support to the suspected IRA men on trial in Columbia. [HL6168]

The Special EU Programmes Body is the only cross-border body responsible for European Union programmes. It is unaware of any European Union funding having been used to provide support to the individuals awaiting trial in Colombia.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether either sovereign government had money returned to them in 2001 or 2002 from any part of the Language Implementation Body set up under the Belfast Agreement of 1998; if so, from where, when and how much, and whether the returns were in proportion to the respective government's contributions. [HL6080]

No. In accordance with best practice, funding is not paid to the North/South Language Implementation Body in advance of demonstrated need in line with objectives in approved business plans.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any investigations are being carried out into security in the Northern Ireland Office; if so, by whom; and when they will report. [HL6096]

The Security Service has agreed to send a team to conduct an independent and authoritative review of security in the department. The team will make recommendations for the future based on what is known about the events that led to criminal charges. It will also audit security practice generally. The team is expected to begin making recommendations within weeks but the review cannot be completed until after the related police investigations are concluded.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What were the steps taken in appointing a chief executive to the Irish Language Agency set up under the Belfast Agreement of 1998; when they were taken; when the appointment was ratified by the appropriate implementation body; and what was that body. [HL6166]

On 27 June 2001 at a meeting in Waterways Sector format the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) approved the procedure for the recruitment, by open competition, of a chief executive for Foras na Gaeilge, the Irish Language Agency, of the North/South Language Body. A steering group comprising representatives of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (DAHGI) and Foras na Gaeilge (FnaG) oversaw the process. FnaG appointed consultants to manage the process. The steering group and consultants met on 29 June 2001. From 16 July 2001 advertisements were placed in newspapers. The steering group met on 5 September 2001 when it produced a shortlist. On 21 September 2001 an Irish language proficiency test was held. The selection panel of representatives of DCAL, DAHGI, FnaG and an independent observer met for a pre-brief on 9 October 2001 and held selection interviews on 2 November 2001. On 27 November 2001 NSMC agreed in principle the suitability of the recommended candidate. It confirmed the appointment on 25 January 2002. The joint chairperson of the body, M á íghr éad Uí Mháirtín, issued a letter of appointment effective from 1 February 2002.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In view of the decision of 9 October by the North/ South Ministerial Council, set up under the Belfast Agreement of 1998, to approve the continuation of the recruitment process for two assistant editor posts to be filled by the Irish Language Agency, when the recruitment process started; who conducted it; under what equality legislation it is being conducted; why approval was only required for its continuation and not its start; what is the salary scale involved and whether any appointees will be required to start at the lower level. [HL6243]

The recruitment process for two assistant editor posts began in June 2002 and was conducted by Foras na Gaeilge (the Irish Language Agency) in accordance with Republic of Ireland legislation.Foras na Gaeilge did not think initially that the approval of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) for these posts was needed since the agency was not incurring any costs. Subsequently, after the recruitment process had begun, Foras na Gaeilge learnt that NSMC approval was required. NSMC approval was sought and received at a meeting of the NSMC in October 2002.The salary scale for the post is €23.769.50–€43,600.27.One appointment has been made on the fourth point of the scale (€30,414.04) and discussions are currently taking place with a second person.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is meant by the wording state culture in Section IV, Paragraph 2, of the business plan for the Irish Language Agency, created under the terms of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 and approved by the North/South Ministerial Council in spring 2002: whether the promotion of culture is now part of the remit of the agency; if so, when this decision was taken; and by whom. [HL6284]

The statutory functions assigned to Foras na Gaeilge (FnaG) are:The promotion of the Irish language;Facilitating and encouraging the use of Irish in speech and writing, in public and private life in the south and, in the context of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, in the north where there is appropriate demand;

asked Her Majesty's Government:What funding the Arts Council for Northern Ireland has provided each year since 1999 to fund (a) Irish cultural activity; and (b) Ulster Scots activity. [HL6167]

The information the noble Lord requested is set out in the table below:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which official, and of what rank, was responsible for the appointment of the interim chief executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency in 1999. [HL6169]

The interim chief executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency was designated by the British and Irish Governments to exercise the functions of the chief executive pending the making of the substantive appointment by the agency.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the gender and religious balance of the staff working in the North/South Ministerial Council's secretariat in Armagh; how they were selected; and under what equality legislation.[HL6171]

The North/South Ministerial Council's secretariat located in Armagh comprises civil servants drawn from both the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) and the Republic of Ireland's Civil Service. The respective services are responsible for identifying and posting their own staff to the secretariat and for their terms and conditions of employment.Of the NICS staff posted to the secretariat, nine are female and six are male. Community background information is not maintained at the level requested. All employees working wholly or mainly in Northern Ireland are covered by the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy

The level of security vetting applied to personnel appointed to the Northern Ireland Office in Belfast varies according to the posts involved. All staff are vetted to CTC (counter terrorist check) level. For those who are allowed access to more sensitive material, further vetting may be required at SC (security check) or DV (developed vetting) level.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy

Mr Mackessy was security cleared to CTC (counter terrorist check) level.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy (WA 82–84), who expressed concern about Mr Mackessy on one occasion; and to whom. [HL6204]

Concern was expressed by a member of staff in Castle Buildings to his line manager.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy

It was investigated by the line managers of Mr Mackessy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy

NIO's central personnel section considered the report of the investigation of the concern which had been expressed about Mr Mackessy and concluded that evidence did not exist to support it.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy

The police were asked by NIO to recheck Mr Mackessy's CTC clearance. This further check, completed in November 2001, produced no adverse information.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy

No inquiries were held while Mr Mackessy was working in the Compensation Agency or DETI as nothing in his performance caused concern.Following Mr Mackessy's arrest on 4 October 2002, the Compensation Agency and DETI reviewed the areas where he had worked. Nothing adverse was found.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Since 1 December 1999, who have been the members of the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure who have expertise in Irish language and who have expertise in Ulster-Scots language and culture. [HL6244]

Officials in Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure belong to the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) general administration grades and have been recruited in accordance with NICS competencies and procedures. Expert advice is sourced as appropriate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How selection took place for the monitoring committees created by the Special European Union Programmes Body of the North/South Ministerial Council, set up under the Belfast Agreement of 1998; and what is its current religious and gender balance. [HL6285]

The Special EU Programmes Body is the managing authority for the PEACE II and INTERREG IIIA programmes. These are joint programmes covering all of Northern Ireland and the Border region of Ireland and the membership of the monitoring committees set up to supervise these programmes is therefore drawn from both jurisdictions. The selection of members for both monitoring committees was made on the basis of nominations sought from the full range of regional and sectoral interests included in the agreed structure for these committees. This structure and final membership was agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive in the North and relevant authorities in the South.The gender balance of the permanent membership of both monitoring committees is as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who makes appointments, and on what basis, to the joint steering committee for the EU INTERREG IIIA, administered by the Special European Union Programmes Body, set up after the Belfast Agreement of 1998; and what are the relevant interests in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland which are to be included according to the joint communiqué from the North/ South Ministerial Council of 9 October. [HL6286]

Appointments to the INTERREG IIIA steering committee will be made by the Special EU Programmes Body, as managing authority for the programme, following agreement with the INTERREG IIIA monitoring committee. These appointments will be made on the basis of nominations submitted by organisations representing the relevant interests included on the committee. The relevant interests in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland which will be included on the committee and which are referred to in the joint communiqué from the North/South Ministerial Council on 9 October are representatives of the four pillars of social partners; local government; Border corridor groups; the CORE group of district councils; equality organisations and environmental organisations. The table below sets out the proposed membership of the steering committee. The proposed structure for membership of the steering committee

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will defer implementation of the decision of the former Education Minister for Northern Ireland to abandon the current 11-plus transfer arrangements until such a time as a broadly acceptable alternative transfer procedure has been decided. [HL6318]

Too many children are disadvantaged by the transfer tests and this cannot be allowed to continue. Responses to the extensive consultation on the Burns Report showed widespread demand for change and an emerging consensus, including among the political parties, for ending the tests. The Government are therefore determined to continue to work towards the abolition of the transfer tests as soon as practical. Officials of the Department of Education for Northern Ireland will be holding meetings over the coming weeks to seek views on how best to develop new post-primary arrangements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the future of selective schools in Northern Ireland. [H L6319]

No decisions have been taken about academic selection or new arrangements for post-primary education. Officials from the Department of Education for Northern Ireland will be discussing these issues with key education partners and representatives of parents over the coming weeks. The Government's aim is to develop a modern and fair education system which addresses the weaknesses of our current arrangements and enables all children to fulfil their potential.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Irish Government have proceeded with arrangements to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities, as required by the Belfast Agreement; and whether the convention has been ratified by the United Kingdom. [HL6340]

The Irish Government signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities on 1 February 1995. The Irish Government ratified the convention on 7 May 1999 and it came into force on 1 September 1999.The UK Government signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities on I February 1995. The UK Government ratified the convention on 15 January 1998 and it came into force on I May 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they monitor progress by the Irish Government in compliance with the obligations of the Republic of Ireland under the Belfast Agreement of April 1998; and whether such matters have been discussed by the two Governments since 1998. [HL6353]

We regularly discuss implementation by all parties of obligations under the agreement.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they are taking to promote the take-up of e-commerce electronic signature trust services. [HL6232]

The Government are fully committed to the tScheme for the approval of trust services, and are also looking at ways to increase the take up of these services. To this end the e-envoy is preparing consultation papers on digital signatures for citizens and businesses which will explore ways of promoting take-up; we hope to issue these papers early in the new year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

There are currently three companies which have achieved tScheme-approved status. These companies are the Royal Bank of Scotland, Trutis and BT Ignite.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What their methodology is for measuring the success of the tScheme for electronic signatures; and whether the methodology demonstrates the scheme to be a success. [HL6234]

The Electronic Communications Act 2000 gives the Secretary of State a time-limited power to establish a statutory scheme to approve cryptographic service providers and establishes the objectives of such a scheme. It is a matter for my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry as to whether this power will be used.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that the implementation of electronic signatures in the United Kingdom under the tScheme has delivered a situation where electronic signatures are interpreted as being an acceptable legal authorisation of and for business; and what criteria they employ whereby this can be measured adequately. [HL6235]

Electronic signatures are accepted as legally admissible under the Electronic Communications Act 2000. They are being increasingly used in business, and the tScheme has done valuable work in setting common standards for approval.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the implications for data privacy of the e-Government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF) standards introduced in September 2000. [HL6329]

The e-Government Interoperability Framework has no implications for data privacy as it covers technical standards for exchanging data only and does not cover the type or content of the data being exchanged. The e-Government Interoperability Framework does not therefore impinge on data protection policies.