asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to deal with the unsightly nature of, and any health risk posed by, the section of the Connswater River between the Newtownards Road and Belfast Lough in East Belfast. [HL949]

The removal of large items of litter such as shopping trolleys is the responsibility of the owner of the property through which the river flows. If the debris were restricting the flow, it would be a matter for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Rivers Agency, as the body responsible for maintenance of the Connswater River as a drainage channel.With regard to sewage-related litter from sewage overflows into the river, the Department of the Environment's Environment & Heritage Service (EHS) is at present in discussion with the Water Service of the Department for Regional Development to undertake a detailed pollution management study for the area associated with the Connswater River, based on the previously completed Drainage Area Plan. This work will examine the sewage collections system in tile Connswater area, as well as how sewage is treated, and will identify potential solutions to control discharges of storm sewage and problems with sewage related litter in the Connswater River.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, has given advice to local authorities on the use of minority languages; and if so whether the advice treated Irish and Ulster-Scots equally. [HL954]

The Linguistic Diversity Branch is an administrative unit of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL). The remit of DCAL includes advising the Northern Ireland departments on their obligations in respect of minority languages, in the context of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Belfast Agreement. The department has also responded to relevant requests for information from other interested parties, including representatives from individual district councils. The principal source of advice for district councils is however the Department of the Environment. The advice has regard to the provisions of the charter in relation to Irish and Ulster-Scots.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What total sum would be required, if the Lord Chancellor were to retire today, to provide the tax-free lump sum and purchase on the open market the index-linked pension to which he is entitled. [HL958]

To secure an inflation-linked pension annuity of around £90,000 for a man of the Lord Chancellor's age would cost at least £1.7 million at present. To secure all the elements of the Lord Chancellor's pension package, including widow's pension and lump sum on retirement would cost around £2 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:(a) what is the population of Downpatrick and of Newtownards;(b) at which location in each of these towns the new Down/Ards Area Plan is on display; and(c) whether the display complies with the requirement of equal opportunity for the residents of both towns to be consulted and comment upon this area plan. [HL961]

The population of Newtownards at the 1991 census was 24,300; that of Downpatrick was 10,260. The figures from the 2001 census are not yet available for the towns.The planning service mounted manned displays for seven days following the launch of the draft plan in both Newtownards and Downpatrick as follows:ARDS ARTS CENTRE/TOWN HALL, CONWAY SQUARE, NEWTOWNARDS

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7 January (

The job description prepared by the Business Development Service of the Northern Ireland Department of Finance and Personnel as part of the exercise to evaluate grading and salary levels of the chief executive posts of all North/South bodies was forwarded to the appropriate departments on 23 August 2000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the role of the Language Implementation Body, set up under the Belfast Agreement of 1998, in the appointment of the chief executives of the Irish Language Agency and the Ulster-Scots Agency; how it exercises this role; whether legal opinion has been sought on these issues; if not, why; and whether it will now do so. [HL1011]

I refer the noble Lord to my previous Answer on 28 November 2002 (WA 66). The present Government have not sought legal opinion on this matter, and do not consider it necessary to do so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9 January (

As the six North/South Implementation Bodies were in fact established by an agreement made on 8 March 1999 between the British and Irish governments, Waterways Ireland's statement in its annual report for 1999–2000 is incorrect. Waterways Ireland has been made aware of this inaccuracy and has undertaken to make an appropriate correction in its next annual report for 2001.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9 January (

There are currently 51 employees at the Waterways Ireland headquarters in Enniskillen: 48 of these employees were recruited through open competition. Two employees are currently on secondment from the Northern Ireland Civil Service and one employee was transferred from the Irish Civil Service. None of the employees required Irish language to obtain employment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to move the railway artefacts currently sited at the Foyle Valley Railway Museum to a secure vandal-proof location. [HL1117]

The artefacts held in Foyle Valley Railway Museum are owned by Derry City Council and North West of Ireland Railway Society (NWIRS). The building is council property.Although the museum remains closed, I understand that the council considers that adequate precautions have been taken to secure the building and its contents.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to redesign manhole covers in Kerr Street in Portrush, County Antrim, in such a way that noise can be reduced for residents and provide a smoother passage for motorists; and whether any new arrangements can be extended to all of Northern Ireland. [HL1185]

I have asked the chief executive of Water Service to write to the noble Lord in response to this Question. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have received evidence that the new Rules under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 are leading some new arrivals into rough sleeping and destitution, although they had claimed asylum as quickly as practically possible; and what remedial measures they have in mind. [HL1104]

Under Section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, those who make their asylum claim as soon as reasonably practicable after arrival in the United Kingdom continue to be supported. We have not received any such evidence in respect of asylum seekers who have been judged by the Home Office to have made their asylum claim as soon as reasonably practicable. The operation of Section 55 is being kept under review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which, if any, part of Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act (Information) Order 2002 has yet been brought into effect. [HL1142]

Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (Information) Order 2002 came into force on 22 August 2002. However, routine use of the powers will not be made until the consultation on implementation of the powers has been completed. The powers have been used on a limited localised basis where there has been an operational need. This has been carried out with the full co-operation of the carriers concerned.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the policy statement by the Secretary of State for Defence in July 2000, which committed the Ministry of Defence to follow the planning system as closely as possible, will apply to any upgrading of RAF Fylingdales as proposed in the department's discussion paper on missile defence (or otherwise); whether and in what ways the North York Moors National Park Authority will have a role in this process; and whether and in what ways there will be public consultation over any such proposals; and [HL1002]Whether any proposals for the upgrading of RAF Fylingdales as proposed in the Ministry of Defence consultation paper on missile defence (or otherwise) will be the subject of a full environmental impact assessment; and to the major development test set out in paragraph 4.5 of Planning Guidance PPG7. [HL1003]

In my statement to the House on 15 January, I indicated that the Government have come to the preliminary conclusion that they should agree to the request by the United States to upgrade the facilities at RAF Fylingdales for missile defence purposes. We believe that the work involved (essentially internal modifications to the radar and communications buildings) will not amount to development within its definition in the planning Acts or PPG7, and therefore will not require any formal planning consultation. We are, however, in touch with the North Yorks Moors National Park Authority, as the relevant local planning authority, and have undertaken to provide it with full evidence to substantiate this case as it becomes available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is their policy to ensure that the Defence Procurement Agency provide a compliant shelter for the temporary deployable accommodation needs for urgent operational requirements. [HL1031]

All temporary deployable accommodation will be fully compliant with our requirements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is their policy to maximise United Kingdom content in the purchase of temporary deployable accommodation for urgent operational requirements. [HL1032]

Procurement of temporary deployable accommodation is fully consistent with the defence industrial policy announced in October 2002. This policy is rooted in value for money and competition, while taking account of the wider benefits for the United Kingdom as a whole.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Ministry of Defence's own specialists and experts, having assessed external submissions, have recommendations for both urgent operational requirements and temporary deployable accommodation. [HL1034]

External submissions, in the form of responses to invitations to tender, are fully assessed by Ministry of Defence officials who then make recommendations.

asked Her Majesty's GovernmentWhether the immunisation programme for troops now deploying to the Gulf is consistent with the findings so far of the study now being undertaken at Porton Down of the interactions in relation to the multiple immunisation programme adopted for troops involved in the Gulf War. [HL1063]

The Defence Scientific and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down is studying whether the combination of vaccines and tablets used to protect United Kingdom personnel during the 1990–91 Gulf conflict can give rise to adverse health effects. We plan to publish interim findings on the short-term effects of vaccine and pyridostigmine bromide on marmosets in the next few months.We have acknowledged that the 1990–91 Gulf conflict revealed shortcomings in medical preparedness. A number of personnel were not up to date with their standard service immunisations. We have since modified our policy guidance to ensure that all troops are immunised routinely. Additional checks have been introduced to ensure personnel are up to date with their immunisations, therefore it should not be necessary to administer several immunisations on deployment.For those service personnel who are not up to date with their immunisations, as with any medical treatment, the offer of immunisation would take full account of any other treatment or medication an individual might be receiving at the same time.

asked Her Majesty's GovernmentWhether they expect, as troops now deploy to the Gulf, an interim report from the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research at Porton Down on its study of the safety or otherwise of the multiple immunisation programme adopted for troops. [HL1064]

It is the Defence Scientific and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down rather than the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research which is studying whether the combination of vaccines and tablets used to protect United Kingdom personnel during the 1990–91 Gulf conflict can give rise to adverse health effects. We plan to publish interim findings on the short-term effects of vaccines and pyridostigmine bromide on marmosets within the next few months.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How the in-cab noise level of the Oshkosh heavy equipment transporter (HET) compares to: (a) MAN contender for the HET project; (b) Unipower MH8875; (c) in-service Scammell Commander; and (d) relevant European Union directives. [HL1082]

All bidders for the heavy equipment transporter (HET) contract were required to offer solutions capable of meeting all relevant United Kingdom and EU legislation, which includes prescribed limits for in-cab noise levels. The in-cab noise level in the HET will be measured as part of the UK and EU vehicle approval process. The Ministry of Defence does not have access to this information for the MAN or Unipower vehicles and no data exists for the current Scammell Commander transporter.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which manufacturer has been selected as a preferred bidder for the Army's wheeled tanker fleet. [HL1083]

I announced the selection of the Oshkosh Truck Corporation as preferred bidder to supply the new fleet of wheeled tankers to the Army on 10 January 2003.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the role and complement of the Royal Air Force Regiment is expanding or contracting. [HL1143]

Since the implementation of the measures set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the role and complement of the RAF Regiment has not changed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:For each board meeting of the Strategic Rail Authority during 2002 (a) what was the date of the Meeting; (b) where the Meeting was held; and (c) how many board members attended in person. [HL1172]

The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 10 December 2002 (

Officials in my department will be writing to the Electoral Commission shortly to seek their view on whether a Post Office box number meets the imprint requirements for election material, I will write to you once we have the outcome of our joint consideration.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether and how the welfare implications of dogs and horses currently involved in hunting have been considered should a ban be enacted; and whether they have considered evidence from the National Canine Defence League, the Kennel Club and the International League for the Protection of Horses. [HL1160]

It is not possible to predict the precise impact of the Hunting Bill because the main provisions establish a process for deciding the future of hunting rather than deciding it directly.My right honourable friend has considered all the evidence—including that of the National Canine Defence League, Kennel Club and International League for the Protection of Horses—submitted during the six-month consultation, including the three days of hearings held in public at Portcullis House in September 2002.Where the activity is banned absolutely, as in the case of deer hunting and hare coursing, it would be prudent of the owners who are responsible for the welfare of their dogs and horses, and other interested parties, to plan for that eventuality.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many hostels for the homeless receive government funding (a) in London and (b) in Liverpool. [HL1100]

This year the Homelessness Directorate is providing funding for

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many case of (a) syphilis, (b) gonorrhoea, and (c) chlamydia were recorded in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available; and what are these figures expressed as a percentage increase or decrease in the previous year. [HL1076]

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many cases of (a) syphilis, (b) gonorrhoea, and (c) chlamydia were recorded in the Greater Manchester area in the last year for which figures are available; and what are these figures expressed as a percentage increase or decrease in the previous year. [HL1075]

The data are shown in the table and were derived from statutory reporting of diagnoses made at genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics on form KC60. Data on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are only collected from GUM clinics, so STIs diagnosed and treated by general practitioners or in other settings do not form part of the data set.

These data are only available for England, Wales and Northern Ireland due to delay in reporting from genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in Scotland. The data were derived from statutory reporting of diagnoses made at GUM clinics on form KC60. Data on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are only collected from GUM clinics, so STIs diagnosed and treated by general practitioners or in other settings do not form part of the data set.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are proposing any action to avert the closure of the King Edward VII hospital in Midhurst. [HL1181]

Ministers and officials at the Department of Health have received a number of representations regarding the situation at the hospital. Discussions with the Liquidator are currently ongoing. In view of that, it would not be appropriate for Ministers to comment further, although these discussions will of course focus on the continuing provision of appropriate care for National Health Service patients.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether people conceived as a result of sperm, egg or embryo donation will be able to find out information about their donors in the future; and, if so, what information they will have access to. [HL1327]

Following a consultation exercise carried out between December 2001 and July 2002, we propose to lay regulations before Parliament, so that people conceived as a result of sperm, egg or embryo donation will be able to obtain more information about their donors in the future. The information will not identify the donors.We hope that donor-conceived people are all part of loving families, but we also understand that at some point in their lives they may decide they want to know more about their genetic origins and we think it is right that they should be able to ask for non-identifying information.We propose that the regulations enable the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to provide non-identifying information about donors to donor-conceived people aged 18 or over who request that information and who were born after the HFEA's register came into effect in 1991. In practice the information would be available from 2010 (18 years after the register came into operation).To enable standardised information to be available in the future, we will seek approval for the regulations to require the HFEA to collect standardised non-identifying information with immediate effect.We will also explore the possibility of setting up a pilot scheme for a voluntary contact register for donor-conceived people aged 18 and over.The summary of responses to the consultation exercise is on the Department of Health's website at