asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they know the total extent of off balance sheet borrowing and contingent liabilities of national and local government bodies through private finance initiative and public private partnership schemes. [HL6099]

It is estimated that by the end of this year the value of PFI/PPP contracts signed will increase private sector capital expenditure on public services to over £25 billion. Revised estimates are published annually in the Budget and updated during the financial year under arrangements agreed with the National Audit Office. This figure represents all signed PFI/PPP signed contracts. In accordance with the substance of individual contracts, some will be accounted for as on the public sector purchaser's balance sheet and some as off the public sector purchaser's balance sheet. But the final determination of the accounting treatment is made only in the financial year in which the contract becomes operational and subject to independent external audit.Information on the accounting treatment of operational PFI/PPP schemes is contained in the accounts of individual public sector bodies. Contingent liabilities arising from PFI/PPP, such as guarantees, commitments or other rights obligations, are also disclosed in the notes to the accounts.

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 explain how the additional interest cost involved in going to the private sector is approximately 0.25 per cent of the total cost of construction and maintenance in private finance initiative projects; and whether there are any other additional costs. [HL6182]

I very much regret that the figure for the difference between the cost of public and private finance which I gave in my earlier Answer was based on an assessment given to the House of Commons last year which I am now advised was incorrect. I apologise to the House for this mistake. I am advised that it is not in fact possible to make a direct comparison between the absolute cost of raising PFI finance and the cost of conventionally financing a project, since PFI funding cannot be replaced by conventional funding without other aspects of a scheme changing, for example its capital cost.Nevertheless, it remains true that the higher cost of PFI borrowing makes comparatively little difference to the overall cost of projects. Capital expenditure generally constitutes a relatively small part of the total costs of a PFI project (often around a quarter to a third), and the cost of private sector borrowing generally differs from the public sector's cost by between one and three percentage points, depending on market conditions and the risk profile of the project.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the estimated liability represented by unfunded public service pensions over each of the next five years. [HL6176]

Estimated expenditure on unfunded public service pensions, net of employee contributions, in 2002–03 totals about £13.2 billion. The Government Actuary has estimated corresponding net expenditure in 2007–08 will be £13.8 billion assuming constant earnings. The total over the five-year period is estimated to be about £68 billion net at constant earnings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, if a referendum on the euro is called, the sterling/euro entry rate will be announced before the referendum takes place, or, if the result is in favour of joining the euro, afterwards. [HL6337]

These are important issues that would need to be considered in the event that the five economic tests were met and the Government made a decision to join EMU. The Government have said that they will only recommend joining a successful single currency if it is n the national economic interest and the economic benefits are clear and unambiguous.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, what additional responsibilities were placed on fire authorities; what progress fire authorities have made in taking on these responsibilities; and whether they have received additional funding to support them. [H16142]

Under a memorandum of understanding between the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and the Department of Health in January 2002, each fire authority was asked to draw up a local agreement with the health service organisations for their area covering areas of mutual interest. This included the circumstances which would lead to the delegation of operations from the local ambulance service to the fire service where mass decontamination is required.To take the above work forward, fire authorities have been involved in the establishment of regional planning teams in England and Wales, the specification and order of equipment and the development of training.Her Majesty's Government have agreed that £43 million should be provided for mass decontamination equipment, including personal protective equipment for firefighters, in addition to £13 million for revenue costs. In July the Deputy Prime Minister laid a minute before Parliament providing an indemnity, above the limits of public liability covered by normal commercial insurance, to fire authorities engaged in providing a mass decontamination facility.

Mortgage costs as a percentage of gross household income: households with a mortgage in Great Britain
percent
	1995–96	1996–97	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01
North East	8	8	9	8	8
North West and Merseyside	8	7	8	8	8
Yorks and Humberside	8	7	8	8	7
East Midlands	8	7	8	7	8
West Midlands	8	8	8	8	9
Eastern	9	8	10	8	8
London	10	9	10	10	9
South East	10	9	10	9	10
South West	9	9	9	8	9
England	9	8	9	8	9
Wales	7	6	7	6	7
Scotland	9	8	8	8	8
Great Britain	9	8	9	8	8

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a citizen who is registered to vote in two local authorities may vote in elections held in each local authority on the same day. [HL6268]

Under Section 2(2)(b) of the Representation of the People Act 1983, a citizen who is registered to vote in two local authorities may not vote in elections held in more than one local authority on the same day (i.e. at an ordinary election), unless one or both are by-elections held to fill casual vacancies.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they regulate the safety to the public of the chemicals used by perfume manufacturers. [HL6221]

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proportion total mortgage payments represented of total household income in 2001, 2000, 1999, 1996 and 1991 in each of the regions and nations of the United Kingdom. [HL6236]

The information available closest to those years requested is provided in the table. Information is not available for 1991. Figures are shown for Great Britain because the Family Resources Survey does not cover Northern Ireland.

The safety of cosmetics in the UK, including perfumes, is subject to the Cosmetics (Safety) Regulations 1996. The regulations implement a European directive and require that all cosmetic products sold to the consumer must be safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.The regulations specify ingredients and their allowable levels which can be used in cosmetics. In addition, all cosmetic products are subject to a health and safety assessment by a suitably experienced/qualified person before they are placed on the market.The proposed Seventh Amendment to the Cosmetic Directive specifies, among other things, that the 26 most common fragrances which are known to cause allergies will be subject to additional labelling requirements. This is to be welcomed as it will improve the information available to the consumer.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Export Credits Guarantee Department has since 1997 supported (a) coal-fired power stations in Malaysia to the extent of £500 million; (b) coal-fired power stations in China to the extent of £200 million; and (c) coal-fired power stations in Zimbabwe and Turkey; and if so, whether this support is consistent with the Prime Minister's call on all other nations to implement the Kyoto protocol. [HL6288]

Since 1997 ECGD has provided cover for exports to coal-fired power stations in:

• (a) Malaysia valued at £770 million,
• (b) China valued at £291 million,
• (c) Zimbabwe valued at £9 million, and
• (d) Turkey valued at £34 million.

Under the Kyoto Protocol, developed countries have legally binding targets to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emission. Developing countries do not have such targets but they do have an obligation to limit their emissions.Although the UK encourages the use of more environmentally friendly means of power generation, it is up to individual governments to decide their own power generation strategies. Government policy for power generation in the UK is to continue to use a diverse range of energy sources in order to ensure security of supply, and it is not for the UK to deny that option to other countries.UK companies sell goods and services to coal-fired power stations abroad and some of these exports make use of cover from ECGD. This is in line with the UK Government's policy to promote sustainable development and the use of cleaner coal technologies for coal-fired power generation. Many developing countries (such as China) do not at present have readily available alternatives to coal as their major source of fuel and the UK's aim is to encourage them to adopt high efficiency and cleaner coal technologies to reduce emissions. Provided that emissions are controlled ECGD believes that the economic and social benefits resulting from the availability of electrical power are usually sufficient to outweigh the potential environmental impact of the associated greenhouse gas emissions, but ECGD considers each case on its own merits.ECGD is keen to support electricity generation from renewable resources. As the Prime Minister announced in September, the ECGD will help developing countries limit their greenhouse gas emissions by making available at least £50 million of cover each year, from next April, for creditworthy exports in the renewable energy sector. This is not a cap and should it receive viable applications for a greater level of business ECGD will consider raising the level of support available. This initiative will assist countries to meet their power generation requirements in a sustainable way and their obligations under Kyoto.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What their policy is towards the marketing technique, closely allied to the practice of spamming and recently reported in the media in respect of e-greeting cards, whereby computer users are invited to install an application on their computer, the licence of which grants permission for e-mails to be sent to all contacts in a user's e-mail address book. [HL6279]

The recent media reports concern an e-mail that invites the recipient to collect an e-greetings card from one of two websites. On visiting one of these websites, the recipient is invited to install an application onto their computer in order to view the e-greetings card. The installation process includes the display of two end user licence agreements, the second of which states that by installing the application the user is allowing a similar greetings card to be sent to all the e-mail addresses in the user's e-mail address book, and that if they object to this they should not download, install, access or use the websites concerned. It is only by agreeing to these licence agreements that recipients will allow their own contacts to be e-mailed in the same way.Although all but the initial e-mail addresses are supplied by the recipients, the originators of this e-mail are sending direct marketing communications by means of unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE). The Government encourage all direct marketers to adopt responsible techniques, to take account of consumer preferences where available and to target their marketing as far as possible. The regulatory framework for UCE, including industry codes of conduct and legislation, is still developing. The Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 require UCE to be easily identifiable as such as soon as it is received, enabling automatic filtering or deletion. The new Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications to be implemented by October 2003 will require an opt-in approach to UCE sent to individuals except where there is an existing relationship between the parties.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether senders of unsolicited sales or polling faxes are required to display their names, addresses and telephone numbers; and whether the recipients of such faxes have any power to prevent further faxes being sent to them. [HL6354]

Under the Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999, the sending of direct marketing faxes to individual subscribers is banned unless the subscribers have given their prior consent. The regulations also set up a central opt-out list, called the Fax Preference Service (FPS), primarily for corporate subscribers but individuals may also register as an additional protection. Direct marketers are obliged to ensure that they do not send direct marketing faxes to numbers appearing on the FPS list unless they have prior consent to do so.The regulations also require that all direct marketing faxes that are sent must include the sender's name and either their address or a freephone telephone number through which they can be contacted.Further details, including how to register with the FPS and how to complain about apparent breaches of the regulations, are available on the DTI website at the following URL: http://www.dti.gov.uk/cii/regulatory/telecomms/telecommsregulations/explan.shtml.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any more energy-supplying wind farms are planned for north west England. [HL6254]

Applications for consent to construct and operate wind farms with a capacity greater than 50 megawatts on-shore and greater than 1 megawatt off-shore are considered by my right

IT grant	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03
£ million	105	130	301	580	865
% of total budget	0.3	0.4	0.8	1.4	2.0

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether in view of the BBC's obligation to be politically impartial they will discuss with the Chairman of the BBC the placing of job advertisements only in the

The recruitment of its staff is a matter for the BBC, but I understand that its policy is to select the medium most likely to produce, cost effectively, a diverse range of suitably qualified candidates. In the year to June 2002, it advertised in over 250 external media, both in print and online. honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is currently considering two such applications for off-shore wind farms at Walney Island off Barrow and Burbo Bank off North Wirral. No such applications for on-shore wind farms in the north west are under consideration.Applications for wind farms with a capacity of 50 megawatts or below on-shore are dealt with under the normal planning regime. The Department of Trade and Industry does not keep a register of such applications.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proportion and value of the budget of public sector education was spent on information technology projects and procurement in each of the last five years. [HL6277]

The table below sets out the value of information technology programmes supported by specific central government grant as a proportion of overall expenditure on education in England. Since data are not collected centrally on how much schools, colleges or universities also choose to spend on information technology from their core budgets, which account for the vast majority of the overall public sector education budget, the figures necessarily understate the overall investment in information technology over the last five years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will reclassify the Treasury silver on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum as a non-operational heritage asset. [HL6330]

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has agreed a long-term loan of the Treasury silver to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Accounting standards require the substance of transactions to be reflected in the museum's accounts. In the case of the Treasury silver it is the Victoria and Albert Museum which is enjoying the rewards of ownership and bearing the risks. The museum will therefore classify the silver as a non-operational heritage asset and include in its balance sheet as a capitalised addition to its existing collection.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What the implications are for data privacy of the e-Delivery Team's advocacy of functional modules engines as one of the means of delivering all government services on-line by 2005. [HL6278]

Functional modules allow common services to be provided to government departments, creating economies of scale benefits through a build once-use many philosopy. These modules themselves only provide functionality, such as secure mail or authentication, and do not themselves have a privacy implication.These modules are constructed into services, such as the Government Gateway or ukonline.gov.uk. All of these services have detailed privacy policies, require opt-in from users and are fully compliant with the Data Protection Act 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, and if so in what way, the provisions of the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies will ensure independent, transparent and effective scrutiny of future ministerial appointments to the Commission for Racial Equality, the Disability Rights Commission, and the Equal Opportunities Commission; and, if they will not, what steps they will take to ensure such scrutiny. [HL6344]

All government departments are required to follow the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice when processing public appointments which fall within the Commissioner's remit, as these bodies do. The code will therefore be followed when appointments to these bodies are made. The code of practice is designed to ensure that the appointment process is fair, transparent and open and commands public confidence. The code is underpinned by the seven principles arising from the recommendations of the First Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Appointment on merit is the overriding consideration in the appointments process and care must be taken at every stage not to discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, age, disability, religion, marital status, sexual orientation or community background. Independent scrutiny is a mandatory element in every competition and this underwrites the integrity of the competition process. Independent assessors should always be used at the selection stage, which deals with the identification and selection of candidates and may be involved in earlier stages of the process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the target date for the implementation of electronic patient records in England and Wales, Scotland and Norther Ireland. [HL6095]

The design and implementation of electronic patient records in England is provided for in Delivering 21st Century IT Support for the NHS, the updated information technology strategy for the National Health Service in England. This includes the introduction of Integrated Care Records Services (ICRS) which will enable all NHS organisations to have electronic records for all patients. The target date for full introduction of ICRS is 2008.Information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved administrations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they agree with the finding of a study published in the

The authors of this study use the term "early abortion" to refer to the prevention of a fertilised egg implanting in the womb. On 18 April this year, the High Court ruled that the prevention of implantation of a fertilised egg, which is brought about by emergency contraception products, does not amount to procuring a miscarriage under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. The patient information leaflet supplied with the product gives clear information about the ways in which emergency contraception pills work. We therefore do not agree with the findings of this study.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the ruling of

Following the case of Gillick v. West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority the courts have held that children who have sufficient understanding and intelligence to enable them to understand fully what is involved in a proposed intervention will also have the capacity to consent to that intervention. Only the courts can rule on the precise scope of the judgment. However, in the view of the Government it sets a general principle which would be applicable to consent for treatment in areas of treatment other than abortion and family planning services.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a General Practitioner with a conscientious objection to abortion is still required to give advice to patients and perform the preparatory steps to arrange an abortion; and, if so, whether this is:(a) consistent with the original aims of the conscience clause included in the Abortion Act 1967; and(b) consistent with the advice provided by the Ministry of Health when Parliament was debating the conscience clause that such a clause was not necessary. [HL6139]

Section 4 of the Abortion Act 1967, which was agreed on a free vote by both Houses, allows doctors with a conscientious objection to abortion not to participate in treatment. The scope of the clause was clarified by the House of Lords' decision in the case of Janaway v. Salford Health Authority in 1988, which stated that in order to claim conscientious exemption under Section 4 of the Act, the objector had to be required to take part in administering treatment in a hospital or approved centre. Practitioners cannot claim exemption from giving advice or performing the preparatory steps to arrange an abortion where the request meets legal requirements. If a general practitioner has a conscientious objection to abortion, the patient should be advised and referred to another doctor if that is the patient's wish. Refusal to participate in the paperwork or administration connected with abortion procedures also lies outside the terms of the conscience clause.The General Medical Council (GMC) booklet

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish their estimates of the amount of National Health Service spending per head of population analysed by primary care trust for 2002–03. [HL6145]

Health authorities share their recurrent allocation between their constituent primary care trusts in line with guidance issued by the Department of Health.Primary care trust shares of 2002–03 health authority recurrent allocations per head of population are shown in the table which has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 22 July

Work is in hand, as part of the wider capacity planning process currently under way in the National Health Service, to identify a first set of schemes to offer to the market as part of the follow-up to the Growing Capacacity prospectus launched in June this year. We expect the first invitations to tender for these and other schemes to develop diversity of provision in elective surgery in England to be issued in the near future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the basis for their estimate of the number of staff that will be required by primary care trust patients' forums to enable them to carry out their statutory functions satisfactorily; and what roles are envisaged for such staff. [HL6150]

The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health's chair designate and her interim team, along with the Department of Health, are still considering potential structures for the organisation of and staffing levels for patients' forums. The assumptions assisting current discussions are around ensuring sufficient support for patients' forums members and effective delivery of the functions of both bodies. As yet no conclusions have been reached.

Ilton asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they agree with the report of the United Nations Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Estonia of January which stated that "as far as the Committee [on Elimination of Discrimination against Women] was concerned…abortion was not a part of women's reproductive rights". [HL6184]

Legislation on abortion issues is a matter for individual countries.As Parliament has decided that abortions may lawfully be carried out in England, Scotland and Wales in the circumstances specified in the Abortion Act 1967 (as amended), the Government consider that facilities for abortion treatment should be available. The Government also have a duty to see that the provisions of the Act are properly applied.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they agree with the report of the United Nations Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Estonia of January which stated that repeat abortions could entail physical complications, psychological problems and infertility. [HL6185]

The safety and psychological effects of abortion were considered by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in its evidence-based guideline The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion (2000). The college's report concludes that immediate complications are uncommon and that possible long-term effects, including breast cancer, infertility and psychological sequelae, are rare or unproven. However, as multiple repeat abortions are uncommon in this country, there are no reliable data which quantify physical and psychological sequelae including infertility.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What information they have about links between abortion and physical or sexual abuse. [HL6187]

We are not aware of any research which considers whether women who have suffered physical or sexual abuse and who subsequently become pregnant are more likely to seek to terminate that pregnancy.In 2001. there were 10 abortions performed on residents of England and Wales under Section 1(1)(a) and (b) of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, where sexual abuse was cited as a main medical condition.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures they are currently undertaking against the smoking of tobacco and cannabis by pregnant women. [HL6188]

A working group has been recently convened to produce a report to advise government on the evidence of harms associated with using cannabis and smoking tobacco; drawing on expertise from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and the Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health.The group has met on two occasions to date and is aiming to provide a report in the middle of next year.The White Paper

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many overseas doctors were working within the National Health Service in the week commencing 21 October under the scheme to get overseas teams of doctors to work within the National Health Service in order to clear waiting lists. [HL6200]

Overseas doctors working as part of the overseas clinical team initiative were working at five different sites in the week commencing 21 October 2002. Two surgeons and two anaesthetists were working at South Tyneside Healthcare Acute Trust, three surgeons were working at East Somerset NHS Trust, four surgeons and two anaesthetists were working at Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust, one doctor was working at Central Middlesex hospital and one surgeon was working at Hillingdon hospital.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that the high cost of housing in some parts of the country is frustrating the ability of National Health Service trusts to recruit doctors and nurses; and, if so, what arrangements they are encouraging to ameliorate this difficulty. [HL6219]

The high cost of housing is one of several factors that can affect the National Health Service's ability to recruit all staff (not just doctors and nurses). This is being addressed by the NHS Housing Initiative and cost of living supplements. The NHS Housing Initiative is part of the NHS Plan commitment to provide 2,000 additional units for nurses in London by July 2003. In addition, by 2004, around 5,000 NHS staff will have received assistance to purchase property under the Starter Home Initiative scheme. The Department of Health has also established a NHS accommodation website and helpline. Other issues that influence recruitment and retention, such as flexible working and access to childcare, are addressed by the Improving Working Lives Standard.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What estimate they have made of the number of families likely to benefit from the ring-fenced funding of £70 million for adoption support services announced on 13 October. [HL6220]

An extra £70 million is to be made available for adoption support services and special guardianship support services over the next three years. This comprises £12 million in 2003–04, £23 million in 2004–05 and £35 million in 2005–06.The funding will help councils to deliver the duties set out in the Adoption and Children Bill that will require them to make and participate in arrangements for the provision of adoption support services and in the future special guardianship support services. Adoption support services cover a very wide range of different types of assistance to those affected by adoption. Such assistance might range from the provision of basic information about services through oral advice or the provision of a leaflet, to financial support, to assistance with accessing multi-agency packages of care, and, in some cases, to intensive therapeutic intervention and support in order to prevent the avoidable breakdown of an adoptive placement.We expect this funding to be of significant benefit to children affected by adoption, their adoptive families and their birth families regardless of when the adoption took place. In the future this funding will also assist those affected by special guardianship. Precise figures of the numbers that will receive services are difficult to predict, but, given the broad scope of adoption support described above, many thousands of families affected by adoption will undoubtedly benefit to differing degrees.In terms of hard figures, the Government have set a public service agreement target to increase by 40 per cent and, if possible, by 50 per cent the number of looked after children adopted by 2004–05, from a baseline of 2,700 in 1999–2000. There is clear evidence to show that the numbers of children being adopted and the numbers of children being placed for adoption are increasing. During 2000–01, 3,100 looked after children were adopted in England and, in addition, at 31 March 2001 some 3,400 children were placed for adoption. If this trend continues, in each year of the grant we can expect there to be in the region of 7,000 looked after children who are newly adopted or are placed for adoption. Once the provisions of the Bill are in force and the grant is in payment, these children and their families will be eligible to seek support as will anyone else affected by adoption.This is not the first time this Government have specifically funded adoption services. We have already pledged £66.5 million of the Department of Health's spending review settlement over the 2001–02—2003–04 for adoption services.

asked Her Majesty's Government:For how long the Department of Health has known about dangers inherent in in vitro fertilisation and other assisted reproductive technologies; and [HL6222]What circumstances prompted the Secretary of State for Health to commission the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Medical Research Council to conduct an investigation into safety aspects of in vitro fertilisation and other assisted reproductive technologies. [HL6224]

The Medical Research Council and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority have established a working group to review current knowledge of in vitro fertilisation and its possible health effects. The group will advise on what further research may be necessary and how this might best be carried out. It is expected to report in 2003.The working group is a response to concerns that some assisted reproduction techniques may be associated with slightly higher rates of birth defects than natural conception.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What account has been taken of dangers to public health in in vitro fertilisation procedures when considering the use of human embryos for the purpose of therapeutic cloning. [HL6223]

The principle of research on human embryos was debated during the passage of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001, which were approved by large majorities in Parliament on a free vote. In accordance with those regulations, any research involving human embryos created by cell nuclear replacement (so-called therapeutic cloning) can only take place under licence by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.In giving any such applications consideration, the authority would take account of the purpose and all of the implications of the research, including any dangers to public health should such exist.It is important to note, however, that the Human Reproductive Cloning Act 2001 bans embryos created by cell nuclear replacement ("cloning") from being used for reproductive purposes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many human embryos have been:

The latest available figures from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) are that 925,747 embryos have been created through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment, 423,153 have been transferred for implantation, 225,627 stored for the patient's own use, 448 stored for the treatment of others and 53,497 given for research: 294,584 embryos remained unused during the course of IVF treatment cycles, including those considered non-viable for implantation. Figures are not collected routinely on the number of embryos allowed to perish because the statutory storage period had ended or because a patient had requested it.The figures relate to activity that the HFEA began recording in 1991 and reflect, for instance, that a number of embryos were already in storage at that time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the correspondence between the chairman of the Better Regulation Task Force arid the Secretary of State for Health in respect of excessive red tape in the care home sector as referred to in the

In line with the Better Regulation Task Force Code of Practice on Access to Government Information Publication Scheme, the task force routinely publishes all of its responses to government consultation documents.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the current outbreak of salmonella and the deaths of two people, when they will ensure that food processors are compelled to use raw materials produced to United Kingdom Health and Safety standards. [HL6245]

Food processors in the United Kingdom must comply with the Food Safety Act 1990 and food safety regulations made under it. Food processors are responsible for ensuring that food supplied is fit for its intended purpose.Local authorities monitor compliance with these requirements. Formal action may be taken against food processors in the event of non-compliance. General advice may also be given on related matters or about particular concerns, for example, by reiterating advice from the Food Standards Agency about use and consumption of various food commodities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have received a report from the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation dealing with changes to the funding formula for the National Health Service; and, if so, whether they will publish that report. [HL6261]

We are currently considering the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation for a new National Health Service funding formula. Later this autumn when we announce the revenue allocations for the next three years we will explain changes to the formula. The team which carried out the research into the new formula plans to publish a full report of its findings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to consult about any changes to the funding formula for the National Health Service that would take account of health inequalities. [HL6262]

The existing formula used to allocate National Health Service resources has been reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA). ACRA's terms of reference are to advise the Secretary of State for Health on the distribution of resources across primary and secondary care. ACRA is an expert body whose membership is made up of individuals with a wide range of relevant experience and expertise from within and outside the NHS. We do not consult on ACRA's recommendations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proportion and value of the budget of the National Health Service was spent on information technology projects and procurement in each of the last five years. [HL6276]

The information requested is not held centrally. Budgets are devolved to local National Health Service organisations whose spend depends on local circumstances and requirements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures they will take in order to ensure that the good will, skills and experience of existing Community Health Council staff are retained to help run the new system of patient and public involvement. [HL6152]

There will be no automatic transfers into the commission either for Community Health Council or Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales staff. The commission is independent and fundamentally different from CHCs. However the Department of Health has recently agreed with Sharon Grant, chair designate, that jobs in the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health will be advertised through CHC staff clearing houses as well as in the national and local press. CHC staff applying for a post within the commission who meet the specific job criteria would be guaranteed an interview.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the level of regulatory burdens placed on the National Health Service and on private sector organisations which deal with the National Health Service is satisfactory. [HL6239]

The Government keep all regulatory requirements under review and have been taking action to reduce the burden of bureaucracy on front-line staff. For example, the Department of Health has worked with the Regulatory Impact Unit of the Cabinet Office on a number of projects aimed at producing practical solutions to minimise red tape in the health care sector. The current project is focused specifically on regulation and seeks to reduce or remove unnecessary or bureaucratic burdens on healthcare professionals caused by inspection, audit and accreditation and to ensure that this activity is joined up, targeted and proportionate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 9 October

Health authority allocations for 2002–03 were increased by £3,704 million, or 9.9 per cent. A key priority for the use of additional funding is the implementation of guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. From 1 January 2002, the National Health Service is under a statutory obligation to provide appropriate funding for treatments or drugs which have been recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.The Department of Health does not collect information centrally on the number of patients receiving treatment for hepatitis C. Treatment for hepatitis C in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the devolved administrations.It is estimated that the prevalence of hepatitis C antibody in the general population of the United Kingdom is about 0.5 per cent. Studies in France and Germany have estimated that the prevalence of hepatitis C antibody in the general population is around 1.0 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively. About 80 per cent of those infected with hepatitis C develop chronic infection.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 9 October (WA 26), what funding is to be made available to implement their proposals outlined in the consultation document

A number of funding streams will support the strategy. A major component has been included in health authority allocations to support the National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommended combination drug treatments for moderate/severe liver disease caused by hepatitis C. Other funding streams are:Central funding of £1.3 million over two years (2002–03 and 2003–04) has been allocated for raising professional/public awareness and improving surveillance. Funding for future years has yet to he decided;Funding for the voluntary sector specifically for hepatitis C projects and for projects which are directed at prevention activities for injecting drug users in general has been increased and currently stands at around £0.2 million for 2002–03; HIV prevention funding includes health promotion for injecting drug users. From 2002–03HIV prevention is funded through main National Health Service allocations and £55 million has been included for the coming year. From the returns collected under the AIDS (Control) Act, approximately 14 per cent (1999–2000) of the separate allocation (before mainstreaming) was spent on prevention work on injecting drug use.The Department of Health also has a central budget for drug misuse for the National Treatment Agency of £ 175.7 million for 2002–03.

Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 9 October

Policy on health matters in Scotland is the responsibility of the devolved administration there. The development of different policies in different parts of the United Kingdom is an intended consequence of devolution and this can lead to different outcomes.The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on ribavirin and interferon combination therapy for hepatitis C in October 2000. It expects to issue guidance on pegylated interferons for the treatment of hepatitis C in November 2003. In the meantime, National Health Service bodies should continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where there is no guidance from NICE at the time the technology first becomes available, including assessing available evidence.The Government are still considering whether to make recombinant clotting factors available to all haemophiliacs in England taking full account of representations made by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Haemophilia, the Haemophilia Society, the United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation and others. We hope to announce our decision before the end of 2002.We deeply regret that so many people were infected with hepatitis C through blood products. However, this Government and their predecessor have held that compensation is paid to patients only when the National Health Service has been at fault and that an exception to this rule is not justified in the case of people infected with hepatitis C.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 26 February

We are still considering the need for further guidance in the light of recent new evidence of the benefits of statin therapy, including the results of the Heart Protection Study published on 5 July this year and evidence from the ASCOT study announced last month.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will place a copy of the National Schedule of Reference Costs for 2001–02 in the Library of the House of Lords. [HL6366]

A copy has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs press release of 25 July on sustainable development, whether environmental management systems will cover government agencies as well as departments. [HL6248]

The press release of 25 July announced the publication of the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate (the framework). This includes government-wide targets for environmental management systems. The framework and all of its targets cover central government departments and their executive agencies. However, associated bodies are not included.The target for environmental management systems is as follows:Target A3All departments are to implement environmental management system(s) based, or modelled upon, a recognised standard (such as IS014001, EMAS 2 or similar).For mainly office based estates:System(s) will be in place to cover:—all main offices by 31 March 2004—all other offices/sites by 31 March 2006For mixed or mainly non-office estates:System(s) should be in place to cover:—40 per cent of estate by 31 March 2004—80 per cent of estate by 31 March 2006The targets and progress against them can be viewed at http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/sdig/ improving/index. htm.It should be noted that delivery plans for EMSs are due to be published on 24 November 2002 and will be available on the website.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What monitoring of levels of radiation takes place in North West England. [HL6251]

Two comprehensive monitoring reports are published annually: one by the Environment Agency, Radioactivity in the Environment; and one by the Food Standards Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Radioactivity in Food and the Environment. Both report on the results of monitoring in North West England.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the present European Union Commission proposals for the fishing of cod in the Irish Sea; what is the perceived impact of these proposals on the Northern Ireland fishing industry; whether these proposals have any impact upon the fishing of nephrops; whether they will impact upon the Portavogie fish processing plants; and what representations have been made to the European Union Commission. [HL6291]

The European Commission has yet to come forward with its proposals for the setting of total allowable catches for 2003. We expect this information will be available in mid-November once the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries has met and delivered its recommendations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will publish their response to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2001–02,

We are pleased to announce that copies of the Government's response to the Environmental Audit Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2001–02, Measuring the Quality of Life: The 2001 Sustainable Development Headline Indicators, have been laid in the Libraries of both Houses.The Government's response reinforces our commitment to reporting progress towards sustainable development, particularly through a set of headline indicators. In our sustainable development strategy

asked Her Majesty's Government:On how many occasions in the last seven years the Attorney-General has warned editors of newspapers about the possibility of contempt of court; and what were the dates and incidents which gave rise to each specific concern. [HL6199]

Records are not kept of the total number of occasions when Attorney-Generals have written to editors about the possibility of contempt of court over the last seven years. However, if circumstances warrant it. the Attorney-General will issue a note of guidance to editors reminding them of their general obligations regarding contempt.It is not possible to provide information about the total number of occasions guidance has been issued without incurring disproportionate costs, but by way of examples. Since I became Attorney-General, guidance was issued on more than one occasion in relation to the Thompson and Venables injunction and more recently in relation to the press coverage of the Soham murder case.In addition, where specific articles are drawn to my attention, I may write to editors asking for their representations. As a result, either proceedings are commenced, or where proceedings do not result, I may remind editors of their continuing obligations in relation to contempt. By way of an example, and before proceedings were commenced, I wrote to the editor of the

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 10 June

The Lords Temporal in the House of Lords are presently composed of life peers and 92 hereditary. For the purposes of answering this question, it will be assumed that the hereditary peers will continue to sit in the House in their present party strengths throughout the period. This assumption is obviously subject to future legislative change. The present strength of each party, excluding those who belong to no party but including hereditary peers, is:

• Conservative 217
• Labour 191
• Liberal Democrat 65

The projected figures requested, on the same basis, are set out in the attached table.

Survival of life Peers by party
Year	Conservative	Labour	Lib-Dem	Total
7.10.02	217	191	65	473
1.07.03	217	186	64	467
1.07.04	210	181	63	454
1.07.05	204	176	61	441
1.07.06	198	170	59	427
1.07.07	192	165	58	415
1.07.08	185	160	57	402
1.07.09	179	155	55	389
1.07.13	104	130	44	366
1.07.14	150	129	48	327
1.07.15	144	124	47	315
1.07.16	139	119	45	303
1.07.17	134	114	44	292
1.07.18	129	109	42	280
1.07.19	124	103	41	340
1.07.20	119	99	39	257
1.07.21	114	94	38	246
1.07.22	110	86	36	235
1.07.23	53	80	30	207
1.07.24	101	79	34	214
1.07.25	97	74	32	203
1.07.26	94	69	30	193
1.07.27	90	65	29	184
1.07.28	86	60	28	174
1.07.29	83	56	26	165
1.07.30	80	52	25	157
1.07.31	77	48	23	148
1.07.32	74	44	22	140
1.07.10	173	150	54	377
1.07.11	167	144	53	364
1.07.12	162	139	51	352

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have made any assessment of the costs of compliance with data protection legislation; and if so, what are the costs of (i) inception of data protection regimes and (ii) annual maintenance costs for local authorities; and [HL6304]Whether they have made any assessment of the costs of compliance with data protection legislation; and if so, what are the costs of (i) inception of data protection regimes and (ii) annual maintenance costs, for Government departments; and [HL6305]Whether they have made any assessment of the costs of compliance with data protection legislation; and if so, what are the costs of (i) inception of data protection regimes and (ii) annual maintenance costs, for the National Health Service; and [HL6306]Whether they have made any assessment of the costs of compliance with data protection legislation; and if so, what are the costs of (i) inception of data protection regimes and (ii) annual maintenance costs, for United Kingdom companies which employ:

A regulatory impact assessment was prepared for the Bill that became the Data Protection Act 1998. The assessment contains details of both non-recurring and recurring compliance costs for business (including small businesses); charities and voluntary organisations; and local and central government. A copy of the document is available in the House Library and on the Lord Chancellor's Department website at: http://www.lcd.gov.uk/ccpd/dpara.htm

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the next annual report of the chief inspector, Magistrates' Courts Service Inspectorate, will be published. [HL6380]

I have today placed copies of the chief inspector's annual report in the Libraries of both Houses.For the first time the annual report includes the inspectorate's new responsibility for the inspection of the Children and Family Court and Advisory Support Service (CAFCASS). In March 2002 the inspectorate published a progress report on its work with

CAFCASS (

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many prosecutions, sorted by category of offence, there have been for breaches of the Data Protection Act 1998 in each year since the legislation came into force; and what was the average fine for each category of offence in each year. [HL6275]

Wales and Northern Ireland proceedings for a criminal offence under the Data Protection Act 1988 can be commenced by the Information Commissioner or by, or with the consent of, the Director of Public Prosecutions in England and Wales (or in Northern Ireland the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.) In Scotland, criminal proceedings are brought by the Procurator Fiscal. The only readily available information relates to proceedings brought by, or with the knowledge of, the Information Commissioner.I understand that the commissioner has brought three such proceedings under the Act since it came into force on 1 March 2000 and convictions were achieved in all three. The cases were all heard in 2002. All involved offences under Section 55 of the Act (unlawful obtaining etc of personal data). Convictions were obtained for a total of 12 offences; five for obtaining; three for selling; three for attempting to obtain; and one for disclosing personal data unlawfully. The average fine imposed was £200.In addition, in one of the cases, a conviction was obtained for failure to notify under Section 21(1) of the Act. The fine imposed was £250.There have been no criminal proceedings commenced by the Procurator Fiscal under the Data Protection Act 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are yet in a position to announce their proposals relating to court accommodation in Northern Ireland [HL6377]

After full consideration of all the information gathered during the public consultation exercise which followed the issue of the consultation document Court Accommodation in Northern Ireland 2001–10, it has been decided that the courthouses at Clogher and Cookstown will close at the end of this year and business will be transferred to the new courthouse at Dungannon. Business currently dealt with in rented accommodation in Kilkeel will transfer to Newry courthouse.The courthouses at Banbridge and Lame will remain as court venues as will Limavady courthouse. Hearings at Limavady courthouse will be restricted to magistrates' courts adult criminal business. The future of Limavady courthouse will be reviewed in light of business trends and with particular regard to the outcome of the review of public administration in Northern Ireland and any changes this necessitates in court divisional boundaries.The court service will conduct a feasibility study in the North Down area on the possibility of replacing the existing courthouses at Bangor and Newtownards. Consideration will also be given to upgrading or replacing the courthouse at Lisburn.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they intend to take forward proposals which were consulted on in the consultation paper

The Lord Chancellor has today published the post-consultation report to the consultation paper Damages for Future Loss. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. A majority of respondents agreed with the Government's proposal that courts should have the power to award damages for future loss and care costs in the form of periodical payments. The Government intend to legislate when a suitable opportunity arises.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will raise with the European Union the issue of education in the Kurdish language for pupils in state schools and for university students in those parts of Turkey where there is a strong demand. [HL6177]

We welcome the recent package of reforms passed by the Turkish Parliament, which permits the teaching of Kurdish in private courses.The Commission's 2002 regular report notes that a number of court cases against students who had petitioned for optional Kurdish courses at university level were dropped. Some legal obstacles remain, however, to public education in languages spoken in Turkey other than Turkish, including Kurdish. We discuss with our EU partners on a regular basis these and all other issues with a bearing on Turkey's EU candidature.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are discussing with the Turkish Government:(a) the implementation of recently announced improvements in the treatment of suspects after arrest; and,(b) the removal from office of the Mayor of the city of Van, who alleges that he was not allowed to present his defence. [HL6178]

The implementation of improvements in the treatment of suspects after arrest was discussed in general terms between my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary and the Turkish Foreign Minister during the latter's visit to London on 24 September. It is a theme of our discussions about Turkey with our EU partners. The second session of the formal human rights dialogue, launched in June, between officials from the UK and Turkey will take place this winter. The implementation of Turkey's recent reforms is expected to be on the agenda.We are aware of the case of Sabahattin Ozarslaner, who was elected Mayor of Van in 1999 from the Peoples' Democracy Party. We are monitoring developments closely and intend to discuss this case with the Turkish authorities at the next session of the human rights dialogue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make an announcement on democratic development on Ascension Island. [HL6373]

The residents of Ascension Island voted overwhelmingly in August this year to establish an Island Council. This was a key step towards a democratic system of government, the first in the island's history. The election of councillors took place on 1 November, and has resulted in a broad cross-section of the island's population being represented on the Island Council. We hope that the Island Council will work closely with the Administrator and the Governor for the long-term benefit of Ascension Island.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for November, and what are the major European Union events for the period 30 November 2002 and May 2003. [HL6375]Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:

European Calendar: November 2002–May 2003
Date	Location	Event
November 2002
4	Brussels	Culture Council
5	Brussels	ECOFIN
6	Brussels	Meeting of the Praesidium
7	Brussels	Health Council
7–8	Brussels	Convention Plenary
11	Brussels	EU/Russia Summit
11–12	Brussels	Education, Youth and Culture Council
14–15	Brussels	Internal Market, Consumer Affairs and Tourism Council
18–19	Brussels	General Affairs and External Relations Council (+ Defence)
21	Brussels	Meeting of the Praesidium
21–22	Brussels	Aarhus—Informal Sports Ministers
25–26	Brussels	Budget Meeting
25–26	Brussels	Industry and Energy Council
28	Brussels	Meeting of the Praesidium
28–29	Brussels	Justice and Home Affairs and Civil Protection Council
29–30	Copenhagen	Enhanced European Co-operation (Ministerial)
December 2002
2	Brussels	Meeting on Macro Economic Dialogue (Ministerial Troika)
3	Brussels	ECOFIN
2–3	Brussels	Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
4	Brussels	Meeting of the Praesidium
5	Brussels	Transport and Telecom Council
6	Brussels	Transport and Telecom Council
9	Brussels	General Affairs Council
10	Brussels	Environment Council
12–15	Copenhagen	European Council
16–17	Brussels	Fisheries Council
19	Brussels	Meeting of the Praesidium
20	Brussels	Justice and Home Affairs and Civil Protection Council
20–21	Brussels	Convention Plenary—External Action and Defence working group conclusions
January 2003
9	Brussels	Meeting of the Praesidium
9	Brussels	Agriculture and Fisheries Council (tbc)
16	Brussels	Meeting of the Praesidium
20	Brussels	EUROGROUP(evening)
20	Brussels	Convention Plenary
20–21	Brussels	Agriculture and Fisheries Council
21	Brussels	ECOFIN
24	Nafplion	Employment Council (Ministerial Informal)
27–28	Brussels	General Affairs and External Relations Council
28	Brussels	EU-ASEAN Ministerial
30	Brussels	Meeting of the Praesidium
February 2003
5	Brussels	Meeting of the Praesidium
6–7	Brussels	Convention Plenary
10–11	Brussels	Agriculture and Fisheries Council

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the maximum number of personnel deployed on Exercise Saif Sareea II allocated to: (a) the Joint Force Air Component; (b) the Joint Force Logistic Component; and (c) the Joint Force Maritime Component. [HL6042]

I will write to the noble Lord and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will place in the Library of the House (a) the ministerial correspondence relating to variants of Gulf War syndrome sent to Dr Brian Iddon MP, as placed by the Government in the Library of the House of Commons (HC Deb, 160W, 16 July); and (b) Professor Haley's response to that correspondence in his letter of 16 September, a copy of which has been sent to the Secretary of State for Defence by Dr Iddon. [HL6230]

A copy of the ministerial correspondence sent to Dr Brian Iddon MP (reference: D/US of S/LM PQ 4853M/4855M/4863M/02/Y dated 12 August 2002) was placed in the Library of the House of Lords on 13 August 2002. I will also place in the Library of the House a copy of Professor Haley's letter of 16 September 2002, which was sent to the Minister for Veterans for comment by Dr Brian Iddon MP on 22 October 2002.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What response they are making to Professor Robert W Haley's offer of assistance in his letter of 16 September commenting on the ministerial correspondence sent to Dr Brian Iddon MP relating to Gulf War veterans. [HL6231]

I will write to the noble Lord and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 16 October (

I have received a letter dated 20 October 2002 from Major (Retired) Christine Lloyd. I will reply to her in due course.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress they are making towards resolving the concerns of the Internet Service Providers Association in respect of Section 11 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, with particular reference to the interpretation that the draft code of practice, whether voluntary or mandatory, is in breach of current United Kingdom and European data protection legislation. [HL6163]

Section 11 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 requires consultation with both the Information Commissioner and the industry before any code of practice is published.The Internet Service Providers Association is involved in this consultation process which we hope will reach a conclusion shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thornton on 29 October "why full implementation of Section 11 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, with particular reference to the issuance of a draft code of practice for consideration by Parliament under the affirmative resolution procedure, has been delayed beyond the timescale outlined by Lord Rooker on 11 December 2001 (HL Deb, col. 1287)". [HL6352]

The consultation process referred to in Section 11 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 has been more protracted than anticipated. This process is now drawing to a close.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether racist rallies are unlawful; and what enforcement action may be taken to prevent them. [HL6316]

Under the Public Order Act 1986 it is an offence to use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to stir up racial hatred against anyone on the grounds of colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origins. A power of arrest for police officers is attached to this offence.Under Section 14 of the same Act, the police are also able to attach conditions to public assemblies in order to avoid serious disorder, serious damage, intimidation or serious disruption to the life of the community.

of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to amend the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 in order to make it an offence for anyone who is disqualified from working with children to work in any residential centre established under, or otherwise provided for in, Immigration Acts (as defined in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill). [HL6282]

It is not our intention to amend the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 in the way outlined in the question. A similar proposal to add accommodation centres to the short list of institutions specifically referred to in Section 36(2) of the Act was extensively discussed at Committee and Report stage of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill and defeated in a vote.The Government share the concern to protect children, but, as we made clear in the debate, we do not believe such a measure would increase the protection already offered by the legislation.Section 35(1) of the CJCSA 2000 states that, "An individual who is disqualified from working with children is guilty of an offence if he knowingly applies for, or offers to do, accepts or does any work in a regulated position". It goes on to say that an individual who knowingly offers work in a regulated position to a person disqualified from working with children is also guilty of an offence.It is important to note that those who work (paid or unpaid) in any of the establishments established under, or provided for in, Immigration Acts, whose normal duties include caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children are already covered by the CJCSA provisions as they currently stand.We fully intend to ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to protect children housed with their families in institutions provided for under Immigration Acts.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made with the drafting of the National Policing Plan; what discussions have been held with the voluntary sector about its content; and to what extent will road safety and traffic policing issues be reflected in the final documents. [HL6317]

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary will lay the National Policing Plan before Parliament before the end of November. The National Policing Forum advises the Home Secretary on the National Policing Plan and its membership includes a representative of a victim support organisation and two other members of voluntary organisations. The contribution of policing to road safety will be reflected in the plan.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to take steps to protect war memorials in England and Wales. [HL6376]

With assistance from Friends of War Memorials, the Imperial War Museum, English Heritage and others, we are tomorrow publishing a code of practice on the preservation and management of war memorials. A copy of the text is being placed on the Home Office website and is in the Library. A leaflet will be available shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the terms of reference of the Race Equality Advisory Panel; how often the panel meets; and what is the cost per annum of this initiative. [HL6314]

The terms of reference of the Race Equality Advisory Panel have not yet been finally agreed but are likely to be along the lines of:The Race Equality Advisory Panel will be a source of advice on matters related to race equality. It will:Help develop strategy on race equality;Advise on implementing and delivering existing policy/programmes;Provide

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will name the members of the Race Equality Advisory Panel; what is each individual's age; how the panel was selected and appointed; and what is the expertise of each member. [HL6315]

Members have not yet been appointed to the Race Equality Advisory Panel.All the members of the Race Relations Forum have been invited to register an interest in these positions.I will write to the noble Lord once further details are known.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their policy concerning trained medical doctors who arrive in the United Kingdom and apply for asylum; and also towards those who have exhausted the legal remedies. [HL6347]

All applications for asylum in the United Kingdom are considered individually on their merits in accordance with the UK's obligations under the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol. Only those who are able to demonstrate that they are in need of international protection will be granted refugee status. The fact that an asylum seeker may have professional qualifications does not mean that his application will be expedited or receive more favourable treatment. It is government policy that those who receive a final negative decision on their application should leave the country unless they qualify to remain on humanitarian grounds or in accordance with the Immigration Rules. This applies equally to those with medical or other professional qualifications.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to publish the third edition of

We have today placed in the Library a copy of the document Race Equality in Public Services. The publication shows a number of areas of general improvement in public service delivery and in representation of ethnic minorities in the public sector workforce.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to improve immigration control to ensure that people coming into the United Kingdom do so in accordance with the Immigration Rules. [HL6379]

The Government are firmly committed to ensuring that those who seek to migrate to the United Kingdom but have no grounds for doing so under the Immigration Rules are prevented from coming here.Throughout this year there has been an increase in the number of Zimbabwe nationals who, on arrival at UK ports, are found to be inadmissible. Therefore, from 00.01 hours on Saturday 9 November we will require nationals of Zimbabwe to obtain visas to come to the United Kingdom. Zimbabwe nationals will also have to obtain a direct airside transit visa when they intend to remain airside while in transit through the United Kingdom.To avoid any undue hardship for those who have already made their travel plans, we have agreed to the operation of the following grace period. From 00.01 hours on 9 November to 23.59 hours on 15 November, any Zimbabwe national who purchased his ticket on or before 7 November and is travelling to the UK on a direct journey from Zimbabwe will not be refused entry solely on the basis of not holding a valid visa.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When and why they decided that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission needed members with community and grass-roots involvement or with political astuteness and awareness or an international perspective; and which members embody these requirements. [HL5899]

All 22 candidates who were interviewed were of a very high calibre. The interview panel met on 12 June 2001 and concluded that it would be important for any new appointeees to bring different skills or experiences to the commission to complement those skills already present.The Government are subject to the Commissioner for Public Appointments' guidance that requires that appointments be made on merit, and all the appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission followed this overriding principle. Those candidates who were selected by the panel as being suitable for appointment were also credited with having expertise in the agreed categories, bringing a balance of skills and background to the commission.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who appointed Ms Inez McCormack and Professor Christine Bell to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. [HL5901]

Section 68(2) of the Northern Ireland Act requires the Secretary of State to make appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Ms Inez McCormack: and Professor Christine Bell were both appointed to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on 1 March 1999 by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Marjorie Mowlam.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether confidential information recovered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland as a result of recent raids in Stormont, north and west Belfast contains (a) any documents dated after September 2001; and (b) any transcripts of, or documentation concerning, conversations between the Prime Minister and the President of the United States; and [HL5914]Whether, in the intelligence information gathered recently from raids in north and west Belfast, there was any confidential information about contacts between the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland. [HL5942]

The documents in question are currently being analysed and forensically examined. This is being done as part of a criminal investigation in which the documents play a central part. The nature of the information requested and its release into the public domain may adversely affect the ongoing investigation and any subsequent prosecution.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the projected current underspend for the Northern Ireland block grant for the year 2002–03. [HL6006]

The Northern Ireland Block Grant for 2002–03 of £8,088,999,000, as presented in the NIO's main estimates, is currently the best estimate of likely expenditure. This amount is subject to revision throughout the year and any changes will be reflected in the appropriate NIO supplementary estimate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the current salary scales, expenses and pension provisions for the chief executives of all cross-border bodies set up under the Belfast

Chief Executive Officer Salary, Pension and Expense Provisions
Chief Executive	Current Salary Range	Did CEO start at Lowest Point on Range	Reason	Expense Provision	Pension Provision
Waterways Ireland	£70,725–£83,025	No	The starting salary was negotiated with the successful candidate and was agreed between the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Department of Finance	The CEO is paid expenses wholly, properly and reasonably incurred in the performance of his duties	The body has no pension scheme at present but it is envisaged that the North/South Pension Scheme will be introduced in the near future.
The Food Safety Promotion Board	£50,828–£63,536(€81,981–€102,478)	No	The starting salary was negotiated with the successful candidate and was agreed between the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Department of Finance	The CEO is paid expenses wholly, properly and reasonably incurred in the performance of his duties	The body has no pension scheme at present but it is envisaged that the North/South Pension Scheme will be introduced in the near future.
The Trade and Business Development Body—InterTradeIreland	£51,500–£72,100	No	The starting salary was negotiated with the successful candidate and was agreed between the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Department of Finance	The CEO is paid expenses wholly, properly and reasonably incurred in the performance of his duties	The CEO remains a member of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (NI) but it is envisaged that the North/South Pension Scheme will be introduced in the near future.
The Special EU Programmes Body	£51,250–£66,953	No	The starting salary was negotiated with the successful candidate and was agreed between the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Department of Finance	The CEO is paid expenses wholly, properly and reasonably incurred in the performance of his duties	The body has no pension scheme at present but it is envisaged that the North/South Pension Scheme will be introduced in the near future.
Foras Na Gaeilge	€87,319–€100,200	Yes		The CEO is paid expenses wholly, properly and reasonably incurred in the performance of his duties	The body has no pension scheme at present but it is envisaged that the North/South Pension Scheme will be introduced in the near future.
Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch	£43,013–£52,185(€68,276–€82,834	Post Vacant	Post Vacant	Post Vacant	The body has no pension scheme at present but it is envisaged that the North/South Pension Scheme will be introduced in the near future.
FCILC Loughs Agency	£53,511–£63,946(which includes a pension provision of 4.4%) Also receives an amount for the use of a car.	No	The starting salary was negotiated with the successful candidate and was agreed between the Department of	The CEO is paid expenses wholly, properly and reasonably incurred in the performance of his duties	The body has no pension scheme at present but it is envisaged that the North/South Pension Scheme will

The information requested relating to chief executives of cross-border bodies is set out in the annex attached.