asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any jewellery is included in the list of heritage assets belonging to the nation; and whether it would be possible to compile a list of any such jewellery, together with its value and where it is held. [HL1316]

This information is not held centrally. The National Asset Register does not specify jewellery as a separate asset category. Departments maintain their own asset registers, including heritage assets, and they will be able to advise on their content.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements are being made to appoint a new chairman of the Financial Services Authority. [HL1580]

The Treasury is advertising this week for a new chairman of the FSA to succeed Sir Howard Davies.The chairman of the FSA is a critical appointment. The Treasury will be looking for an exceptional individual to lead the FSA in delivering its statutory objectives and a strong, fair and effective regulatory system in the UK.As the single financial services regulator in the UK, the scope and responsibilities of the FSA are considerable. The work of the FSA will increase significantly when it takes on responsibility for mortgages and general insurance conduct of business regulation in 2004–05. In light of this, it has been decided that the chairman should be supported by a separate chief executive.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proposals they have to compensate fully persons prosecuted and imprisoned for rape where the accused subsequently withdraws the allegation and the accused has been detained. [HL1487]

Her Majesty's Government have prepared under certain specified circumstances to pay compensation to those wrongfully convicted or charged with criminal offences such as rape. There are two schemes available. The statutory scheme (Section 133 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988) complies with our international obligations (Article 14(6) of the International Covenant on Civil and Public Rights). The terms of the ex-gratia scheme are as set out in the then Home Secretary's statement to the House of Common on 29 November 1985.While my right honourable friend the Home Secretary takes the final decision as to whether an applicant qualifies for payment, an independent assessor determines the amount of the award in all cases. The assessor (currently Lord Brennan) in considering claims applies principles analogous to those on which claims for damages arising from civil wrongs are settled.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will reply to the United States request to upgrade the early warning, radar at RAF Fylingdales. [HL1514]

My right honourable friend the Defence Secretary (Mr Hoon) informed the House on 17 December 2002 (Official Report cols. 45–7WS) in another place of the receipt of a request from the United States Government to upgrade the early warning radar at Fylingdales for missile defence purposes.The Government have encouraged parliamentary and public discussion of the issues involved. On 17 October, we informed the House of current work in the US on missile defence and on 9 December published a discussion paper inviting interested parties to contribute their views. We have received a large number of responses both from individuals and organisations, and we have considered all contributions carefully. My right honourable friend the Defence Secretary visited North Yorkshire to explain what the upgrade would involve and to hear at first hand the views of local people. We have engaged in initial discusions with the planning authorities. In a Statement on 15 January (

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Whitty on 20 January (

On the basis of internationally agreed scientific principles, the same toolbox of methods is used worldwide to manage the level of exploitation of fish stocks. For example, limiting the catch, or the number and size of vessels and their fishing days, or mesh sizes, minimum sizes and various other gear restrictions. Closed seasons and areas may also help, but this depends on the biology of the fish. The EU management and stock recovery proposals for the North Sea all belong to this family of measures and are similar in concept to those that are applied in many other parts of the world. Successfully managing the international fisheries of the North Sea is particularly difficult, however, because of the numerous fishing nations and methods and the common occcurrence of migratory species of different sizes on the same grounds. Also, some key North Sea stocks have declined to such a low level that despite experiences elsewhere, there is no scientific precedent for reliably predicting how quickly and effectively they can recover, hence the harsh nature of the current scientific advice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affair's autumn performance report 2002, what steps are being taken to improve the number of sites of special scientific interest in English Nature's control that are failing the public service agreement target; what steps are being taken to improve the areas of sites of special scientific interest under the control of the Ministry of Defence that are failing the public service agreement target; and how soon the hitherto unassessed areas of Crown land will be assessed. [HL1403]

The Government are committed to their public service agreement target of bringing 95 per cent of sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) in England into favourable condition by 2010. Some public bodies, as major landowners of SSSIs, are important partners in achieving this target. Public bodies have a duty under Section 28G of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. This requires them to "take reasonable steps, consistent with the proper exercise of the authority's functions, to further the conservation and enhancement of the features by reason of which the site is of special scientific interest". By the end of March 2003, the condition of all SSSI land in England, including that owned by the Crown, will have been assessed by English Nature.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has contacted the Advertising Standards Authority within the past 12 months; and, if so, when and on what issues. [HL1419]

Approaches to and correspondence with the Advertising Standards Authority would be conducted on behalf of Defra by its Communications Directorate and no such approaches have been made or correspondence taken place over the past 12 months.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to their response to the reports of the foot and mouth disease inquiries (

The arrangements for compensation for different animal diseases have been brought into effect on a case-by-case basis. Inevitably the overall approach has become fragmented and inconsistent. The Government therefore plan to consult on a rationalisation of compensation arrangements for animal diseases in the early summer.Officials are currently examining options for simplified legislation that sets out a single compensation mechanism that can be applied to all notifiable animal diseases. Consideration is being given to how livestock market prices can be used to calculate transparently a national average market price for different categories of livestock.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many instances of reticulitis in lambs have been found due to the presence in the reticulum of a bolus used for the identification after sheep genotyping. [HL1439]

More than 330,000 sheep have so far been genotyped under the National Scrapie Plan for Great Britain and have been identified by ruminal bolus. One case of reticulitis has been attributed to the presence of the ruminal bolus. The ram lamb in question made a full recovery following surgery.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many sheep have died due to the insertion of a bolus used for identification after sheep genotyping. [HL1440]

Under the National Scrapie Plan for Great Britain over 330,000 sheep have so far been genotyped and identified by the use of a bolus. A total of 69 sheep have died, or have been humanely destroyed, following administration of ruminal boluses. Compensation to the full value of the sheep is paid to the owner in all such cases. The Government also bear the costs incurred in determining the cause of death where this might be attributable to the administration of the bolus.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have evidence of the extent to which (a) disabled students and (b) students from ethnic minority groups face barriers in their access to opportunities for higher education; and if so, whether they will publish evidence. [HL1272]What barriers are faced (a) by disabled students and (b) by students from ethnic minority groups in their access to opportunities for higher education. [HL1273]

Ethnic minorities as a whole are well represented in higher education in the United Kingdom but there are some pockets of under-representation. We have commissioned a study to examine the experiences of ethnic minority students which will identify and assess the factors which affect participation, student achievement and transition into the labour market. The Higher Education Funding Council for England and universities and colleges admissions services are also looking to see whether data can be extracted to test whether there are any issues around universities' admissions in respect of ethnicity.The Higher Education Funding Council for England announced in December 2002 the introduction of a new performance indicator for access of disabled students to higher education institutions based on the percentage of students who are in receipt of the disabled students' allowance.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action is being taken by the Teacher Training Agency to increase substantially the number of male teachers in state primary and secondary schools. [HL1345]

The Teacher Training Agency is using a range of strategies to promote the recruitment of men to teaching, especially to the primary schools sector, where they remain most acutely under-represented. In addition to its main Those who can, teach campaign, the agency discusses and disseminates approaches to the recruitment of men to teaching at twice-yearly conferences with teacher training providers. Men who contact the agency's information line are sent direct marketing material illustrating, through the use of case studies, the challenges and rewards which male teachers have found teaching in primary and secondary schools. The agency also makes male teaching advocates available for recruitment events and for one-to-one telephone discussions with men interested in applying to teach.The number of men training as primary school teachers in England has risen from 1,589 in 2001–02 to 1,717 in 2002–03 and as secondary school teachers from 5,483 to 5,851.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will announce how they intend to proceed on the Use Classes Order before the Licensing Bill begins its Report stage in the House of Lords, and whether they will make nightclubs a

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is considering the responses to the consultation paper on possible options for change to the current Use Classes Order provisions and will make an announcement about how we intend to proceed as soon as possible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are now in a position to announce the details of the Planning Delivery Grant for 2003–04 [HL1586].

Yes. As the noble Baroness knows, the Deputy Prime Minister announced last July that we would be making an additional £350 million available to local authorities over the period 2003–06 to improve the delivery of planning services. We have now decided the basis on which we will distribute this new Planning Delivery Grant in 2003–04 and will be informing recipients of their allocations.The grant is being paid out of additional resources from Spending Review 2002. The aim of the grant is to improve the planning system to ensure the effective delivery of our objectives for sustainable communities which we set out in the document

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will introduce legislation requiring local authorities in England and Wales to grit the road promptly where adverse weather conditions so require; and, if not, why not. [HL1470]

We shall introduce a duty for a highway authority to remove ice when a suitable legislative opportunity presents itself.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are discussing issues of child protection with the Government of Honduras; and, if not, whether they will raise the killing of many young people in the past five years. [HL1103]

The Government fully share concerns about the plight of street children in Honduras. The rights of children worldwide are a central part of our human rights policy. We maintain a constant dialogue with the Honduran authorities on this issue, as does the EU.The UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights produced a report on Honduras which paid particular attention to street children. Together with EU partners we have raised the UN report and our serious concerns about child protection with the Honduran Government and have pressed for further action. President Maduro has announced a programme of action: we are monitoring this closely.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 22 January (

If the noble Lord is referring to admission to the Bar, then this process is already managed excellently by the profession itself. Governmental involvement would not only be inappropriate, as with entry to any independent profession, but would provide no added benefit to consumers. My role in the appointment of Queen's Counsel, however, is justified because it helps consumers make the best use of the advocacy services available to them. It provides a quality mark which distinguishes those barristers or solicitor advocates who possess outstanding advocacy, legal and professional skills and are specialists in their chosen field.If the noble Lord is instead referring to the appointment of junior counsel to act on behalf of the Government, then such a system already exists. My right honourable and learned friend the Attorney-General appoints two First Junior Treasury Counsels (one Common Law and one Chancery) and four panels of junior counsel to advise and represent the Government in civil cases and seven junior Treasury Counsel to do likewise in criminal cases.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress is being made on the introduction of new regulations for imprints on election leaflets; and what is the timetable for their introduction. [HL1308]

The Government are currently considering the views of both the Electoral Commission and the political parties on this issue. No decision has yet been taken on when the regulations will be made. It is, however, not practical to introduce the new provisions before the local elections this May.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made on the Watchkeeper project on the unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicle. [H L1583]

The new chapter to the Strategic Defence Review set out the potential for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) significantly to improve operational effectiveness. UAVs will be a key contributor to network enabled capability and their ability to provide persistent surveillance of the battlefield or theatre of operations, without putting aircrew lives at risk has been demonstrated recently by the US in Afghanistan.The central element of the UK's current plans for acquiring UAVs is the Watchkeeper programme, which will provide UK commanders with accurate, timely and high quality imagery. Watchkeeper will be an advanced system integrating air vehicles, sensor payloads and ground control facilities. It will be joined to the wider command and control network through communication systems such as Bowman, allowing information to be passed quickly. providing commanders with an improved understanding of the battle space and ensuring that military effect can more rapidly be brought to bear.Four companies were invited to undertake the first stage of the assessment phase and to propose tenders for the second stage. All four submitted strong bids that demonstrated a good understanding of the programme requirements, the technical complexities and the project management requirements. Following detailed consideration of the proposals, on the basis of value for money and demonstration of the potential to deliver the best capability, we have today selected Northrop Grumman ISS International and Thales UK to take forward the remainder of the assessment phase. The Northrup Grumman team includes I3AE Systems, Detica Limited, General Dynamics UK Limited, STAYSYS Limited and Ultra Electronics Limited. Thales (UK)'s team includes. Aerosystems International, Elbit Systems Limited and QinetiQ.Both selected bidders have indicated that they intend to complete the bulk of work in the UK, although it is too early at this stage to be precise regarding the full extent of the industrial benefits to the UK. These will be explored further in the remainder of the assessment phase, which will culminate by mid-2004 in the selection of a single successful contractor for the demonstration and manufacture phase. As stated in the SDR New Chapter, we remain committed to accelerating the Watchkeeper programe and an initial capability is planned for early 2006.The Watchkeeper programme will be complemented by our plans to establish in 2003 a joint service UAV experimentation programme (JUEP). The JUEP will examine the potential of UAVs beyond the bounds of the Watchkeeper programme by enabling personnel of all three services to gain experience of exploiting different UAV systems with different payloads and configurations in a range of conditions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the Armed Forces overarching personnel strategy main document. [HL1584]

We are publishing today the new Armed Force overarching personnel strategy (AFOPS) main document.The AFOPS provides a clear sense of direction for Armed Forces personnel policies. It does so by providing a framework of five strategic themes and some 28 personnel strategic guidelines. These cover the full spectrum of the service personnel policy agenda. The main document also highlights the challenges we will face in attracting and retaining our people for the future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made with the appraisal of initial training of recruits across the armed services. [HL1585]

My right honourable friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr Ingram) announced on 17 October 2002 (Official Report, col. 571) in another place that we had commissioned an appraisal of the initial training of recruits across the armed services and we undertook to publish findings. This appraisal was conducted by two senior officers from outside the personnel area and reported to Ministers. The leader of the study was given a wide-ranging remit and freedom to pursue the study.Overall, the appraisal concluded that the department can have considerable confidence in the initial training system. It is administered and staffed by professional men and women with a strong sense of duty and purpose who have proved consistently successful in providing highly effective training for 23,000 recruits a year. Two areas were judged to need addressing. First, the department as a responsible employer needs to continue to ensure that its young people are managed proficiently, treated fairly and given appropriate levels of professional and personal support. Second, the department requires more rigorous assurance mechanisms to provide regular monitoring, to expose risk and to promote best practice. The appraisal concluded that an assurance authority should be established outside the single-service chains of command. Some of these proposals will require extra investment.We are today placing in the Library of the House a copy of the appraisal, together with a departmental action plan responding to all of the recommendations and, where action is not already in hand or planned, assigning responsibility for examining the recommendation and taking it forward. The report is also available on the website: www.mod.uk.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether he would provide an update on discussions about a new visitor centre in Westminster Hall, with particular reference to the impact on the CPA and IPU offices; and whether he will make available documentation relating to this matter. [HL1573]

The proposal to establish a new visitor centre is under discussion by domestic committees of both Houses, although I can answer only for the House of Lords. The proposal was considered by the Information Commitee on 8 January and by the Administration and Works Committee on 21 January. Both committees felt strongly that visitor facilities should be located within the Palace and that a location contiguous to Westminster Hall would be the best option. However, the committees were fully aware of the consequences of losing the W Rooms and of the potential impact on the CPA and IPU. The Administration and Works Committee therefore recommended that the House of Lords should give its backing to the scheme "only on condition that satisfactory alternative accommodation was found within the Palace, and that the Committee and those concerned were given an opportunity to examine the alternative before giving final agreement". It is for the authorities of the House of Commons to find such alternative accommodation, and we await the results of their deliberations. In the meantime, the House Committee will consider the conclusions of the Information and Administration and Works Committees on 4 March.A copy of the Administration and Works Committee papers has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to end asylum claims by post. [HL1581]

In July 2000 we announced that we would not be recording postal claims for asylum from persons living in any of the London boroughs and that they would be required to attend for screening before their claim was recorded and processed. Postal applications have also not been accepted in other parts of the country and alternative screening arrangements have been established. Postal claims have, however, continued to be made from some parts of the country: in 2001–02 they accounted for 7 per cent of all asylum claims, and so far in 2002–03 they have accounted for 8.9 per cent.As from 8 February, anyone wishing to make an asylum claim will need to do so in person, and postal applications for asylum will no longer be accepted. We expect individuals to make their claim at a port of entry, where they will be screened and any request for support will be considered. Where a person in-country writes in by post, their purported claim will not be recorded. They will instead be advised to apply in person at Croydon or Liverpool. In the very exceptional case where a person is genuinely unable to attend one of these sites, alternative arrangements will be made to ensure that person can be screened and their claim processed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures they intend to take to prevent people recognised as refugees elsewhere in Europe from coming to the United Kingdom and making unfounded asylum applications using false identities. [HL1582]

The Government are fully committed to maintaining effective immigration control and ensuring that access to the asylum process is restricted to those who are in need of protection, as demonstrated by the series of fundamental reforms to the immigration, asylum and nationality system over the past 12 months.Intelligence has shown that an increasing number of people who have been accepted as refugees elsewhere in the world are coming to the United Kingdom and making asylum applications in false identities. This undermines the integrity of the asylum process, places an unacceptable burden on the system and diverts valuable resources from those in genuine need. This abuse of the system is made easier as under the provisions of the Council of Europe Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees the holders of refugee travel documents issued by some 21 countries may travel to the United Kingdom without a visa. We have therefore decided to suspend the operation of that agreement. This will mean that from 00.01 hours on Tuesday 11 February all holders of refugee travel documents will require a visa before coming to the United Kingdom.This measure will bring the holders of refugee documents issued by the 21 countries into line with those who hold refugee documents issued by all other countries. This change will not prevent refugees who are settled in other countries and who genuinely wish to visit the United Kingdom from doing so. They will simply he required to obtain a visa before coming here. What it will do is act as a deterrent to those whose sole purpose in coming to the United Kingdom is to abuse our asylum system.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 13 January (

The costs of the independent regulator have not yet been estimated on this basis.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it would be possible under existing legislation for (a) the Secretary of State, (b) strategic health authorities, (c) primary care trusts or (d) other bodies within the National Health Service to guarantee the borrowings of National Health Service foundation trusts or whether specific legislative powers would need to be taken in the legislation enabling the creation of National Health Service foundation trusts. [HL1176]

The regime for managing financial failure will safeguard the Secretary of State for Health's overriding priority—that National Health Service patients continue to have access to the healthcare they need, free at the point of delivery. The regime will not underwrite institutions that have failed to deliver under the terms of their service agreements and/or licence. There are no plans to introduce legislation on this matter.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have received any preliminary applications from National Health Service trusts to become National Health Service foundation trusts. [HL1180]

Following publication of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts on 11 December 2002, applications to become NHS Foundation Trusts have been invited from acute and specialist National Health Service trusts that achieved three-star status in the NHS performance ratings published in July 2002. The application process has now begun and the closing date for preliminary applications is 28 February 2003.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 14 January (

The policy on financial support for second stage applications for NHS foundation trusts is set out in paragraphs 7.13 and 7.14 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 14 January (

The policy on the disposal of assets is set out in paragraphs 3.18 and 3.19 in A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts. The consent of the regulator will be required prior to any proposed disposal of regulated assets.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What would be the consequences for a National Health Service foundation trust of its borrowing limit being reduced as part of its annual review if the reduced limit was less than (a) its actual borrowing at that time; or (b) its expected borrowings in the light of existing commitments for capital or revenue expenditure. [HL1207]

Arrangements for the Prudential Code for NHS Foundation Trusts are set out in paragraph 5.17 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts. Under (a) the NHS foundation trust would not be able to enter into any new borrowing arrangements until its total borrowing fell within its new prudential limits. Under (b) investment plans that required future borrowing have to be deferred until it was prudent to do so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 14 January (

The position is set out in paragraph 2.39 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts. Details will he set out in forthcoming legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 15 January (