asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will give further consideration to the allocation of funds to assist North Korean refugees who have fled to China. [HL2250]

The Department for International Development provides funding to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its annual programme budget. It believes that the UNHCR is best placed to decide how and where to deploy this funding.The Department for International Development also responds to direct appeals from UNHCR for assistance with specific short-term refugee emergency situations and long-term reintegration programmes. To date, there have been no such appeals for North Korean refugees in China.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will raise with the Government of China the arrest and imprisonment of five South Korean aid workers, working as partners of

We raise a wide range of individual cases of concern, including North Korean border crossers, with the Chinese authorities. If more information on the five aid workers can be provided (incuding their names) we will consider how best to raise them with the Chinese authorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to re-evaluate their work with China on the issue of human rights in the light of criticisms made in the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Human Rights Annual Report 2002. [HL2253]

We are currently considering the recommendations in the Foreign Affairs Committee report on our human rights dialogue with China.

asked Her Majesty's Government:On how many occasions in the past five years they have raised the one-child policy with Chinese Government officials; and what has been the Chinese Government's response. [HL2254]

The Government have raised China's one-child policy with Chinese Ministers and officials on several occasions in the past five years, including at the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue.In May 2002, the Chinese State Family Planning Minister told my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for International Development that China's new population and family planning law, introduced in September 2002, would enshrine citizens' rights and the responsibilities of family planning officials. He indicated that the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) human-centred reproductive health programme, in which birth targets and quotas have been abolished, would be expanded beyond the 32 counties included in UNFPA's current programme. The Minister added that China's eventual aim was to end the system of birth targets and quotas.We do not question China's right (or need) to implement family planning policies but we have emphasised our view that this should be based on free and informed parental choice and not on coercion. We have condemned family planning abuses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they believe that the United States is treating the prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay in accordance with the Geneva Convention. [HL2286]

The question of the status of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay under international humanitarian law is complex and has to be considered in the light of the facts relating to each individual detainee. Their treatment under the Geneva Conventions would depend on their precise status. We have made clear our position that, whatever their status, the detainees are entitled to humane treatment, and, if prosecuted, a fair trial.The US has assured us that it is treating the detainees humanely and in accordance with the principles of the Geneva Conventions. British officials have visited the detainees on four occasions to check on their welfare, raising some issues which the detainees have asked them to with the US authorities. The International Committee of the Red Cross has access to the detainees and we understand can, if necessary, raise any issues of concern with the camp authorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they believe that the prisoners currently held by the United States Government at Guantanamo Bay are being treated with dignity; and whether their human rights are being respected. [HL2317]

We are conscious of the importance of safeguarding the detainees' welfare and have visited them on four occasions to check on this. The physical conditions of their detention appear to be satisfactory in broad terms. However, we have raised with the US authorities a number of issues of concern which the detainees or their families have asked us to. The International Committee of the Red Cross has access to the detainees and can, if necessary, raise any issues with the US authorities.The issue of the detainees' rights under international law is linked, at least in part, to the question of their status. It is not possible to determine the detainees' status without access to all the facts of the individual cases. We believe that, whatever their status, the detainees are entitled to humane treatment and, if prosecuted, a fair trial. We have made this clear to the US. The US has assured us it will treat the detainees humanely and consistently with the principles of the Geneva Conventions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 12 March (

Her Majesty's Government will seek to meet all their obligations under the agreement, including those relating to equality of opportunity, as we believe will the Irish Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will consider de-rating the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Loyal Orange Lodge and Gaelic Athletic Association premises as a method of supporting rural community development in Northern Ireland. [HL2183]

Existing legislation in Northern Ireland allows a measure of rate relief on any hall where the wider community uses the facilities. Typically uses such as Sunday schools. community based youth clubs, OAP clubs, playgroups and church meetings are considered "charitable" and apportioned out as exempt. The degree of relief available is in direct proportion to the use of the facility for charitable and broad community purposes. There is no upper limit on the amount of relief available if the relevant criteria are satisfied.The position in relation to GAA premises, and indeed other sports clubs such as soccer, cricket, rugby etc, is different, as relief for certain properties used for recreation is available under Article 31 of the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977. A reduction of 65 per cent of rates liability is allowed in respect of all, or part, of properties used for purposes of a recreation, specified by the Department of Finance and Personnel. The property has to be occupied by a club or society that is not established or conducted for profit and, broadly speaking, does not employ professional players.The review of rating policy launched by the Executive in 2000 is reaching its final stages and I can confirm that existing reliefs including sport and recreational relief and that which allows exemption from rates for properties used for public, charitable and certain other functions such as "public religious worship" are currently under consideration. No decisions have yet been taken. It is intended that these issues will be addressed in a policy paper to be published later in the year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 12 March (

This is a matter for the Government of the Republic of Ireland. I would advise the noble Lord to write directly to the Department of Finance at Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2. The Department of Finance is the relevant authority for personnel matters in the Civil Service within the Republic of Ireland.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there are plans to build a new headquarters for Waterways Ireland in Fermanagh; how much it is projected to cost; and what is the current status of the project. [HL2274]

It was agreed at the North-South Ministerial Council plenary meeting in December 1999 that Waterways Ireland's headquarters should be located in Enniskillen. Subsequently, with the agreement of the North/South Ministerial Council, Waterways Ireland invited design proposals for the construction of a new headquarters building. The estimated cost of the building is £8 million. Any decision to proceed with this project will be a matter for devolved Ministers when devolution is restored.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who was awarded funding from the Northern Ireland Office Victims Liaison Unit core funding for victims and survivor groups administered by the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council as announced on 19 March; and how much was each award. [HL2298]

Table 1 below provides details of the groups which were awarded funding under the core funding scheme 2003–05.Groups were notified of their awards by the Community Relations Council on 19 March and have 28 days within which to seek a review if they feel they have grounds for doing so. The figures provided may be subject to change as a result of any such review.

Victims' Groups' Core Funding 2003–05: Table 1
Successful Applications
No	Group Name	Award £
1	Aisling Centre	50,407
2	Ashton Centre	52,797
3	Ballymurphy Women's Centre	41,239
4	C.A.L.M.S.	79,237
5	Contact Youth	55,065
6	Corpus Christi Services	77,844
7	Cunamh	99,705
8	Derry Well Women	50,960
9	DPOA	1,000
10	F.A.C.T.	48,536
11	F.A.I.R.	93,255
12	F.O.D.D.	46,531
13	Firinne	75,602
14	H.A.V.E.N.	49,838
15	ICPD	41,934
16	Koram Centre	86,246
17	Lenadoon Community Counselling Project	51,409
18	Lifeline	12,500
19	Lifeways Psychotherapy/Counselling Centre	63,025
20	M.A.S.T.	26,438
21	Make Your Mark	51,836
22	New Life Counselling Service	33,930
23	Nexus Institute	22,392
24	NI Music Therapy Trust	29,284
25	NOVA Project	160,417
26	Regimental Association of UDR	55,552
27	Relatives For Justice	155,758
28	S.A.V.E.R./N.A.V.E.R.	79,968
29	S.E. Fermanagh Foundation	81,000
30	Shankill Stress and Trauma Group	115,154
31	South Down Action for Healing Wounds	78,100
32	Springhill Community House	61,576
33	Streetbeat Youth Project	58,040

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much was paid to the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council by the Northern Ireland Office Victims Liaison Unit for administrating the core funding for victims and survivors groups' scheme for each year since formation. [HL2299]

In October 2002, following an open tendering process, the Community Relations Council (CRC) was appointed to administer the core funding scheme 2003–05. To date, the CRC has been paid £32,850 administration costs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many planning applications have been refused by the Planning Appeals Commission in Northern Ireland since the publication of Planning Policy Statement 7 in draft on the basis of over-development or adverse impact on the surrounding character of an area where the application did not relate to an area of townscape character or conservation area. [HL2300]

I have been advised by the Chief Commissioner of the Planning Appeals Commission that the commission does not collate information on this basis. To provide it would result in disproportionate costs being incurred.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the percentage of planning decisions by the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment which were overturned at the subsequent planning appeal each year from 1990 to 1996; and in what percentage of Article 33 appeals the Planning Appeals Commission position differed from the department's position in each year from 1990 to date. [HL2301]

The percentage of planning decisions by the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment overturned at the subsequent planning appeal under Article 32 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 for each financial year from 1990 to 1996 is as follows:

Year	Total Decisions	Number of Appeals	Number of Appeals Upheld	% of Total Decisions overturned	% of Appeals Upheld
1990–91	17,659	390	82	0.46	21
1991–92	17,148	389	93	0.54	24
1992–93	18,336	317	83	0.45	26
1993–94	16,845	250	69	0.41	28
1994–95	18,403	269	64	0.35	24
1995–96	17,983	250	83	0.46	33
1996–97	18,495	217	85	0.46	39

Article 33 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 refers to the right of the applicant to an appeal "in default of a planning decision". When there is an appeal of non-determination of any application for consent under Article 33 or other equivalent statutory provision, this has the effect of transferring jurisdiction on the determination of the application from the department to the Planning Appeals Commission, which is required to deal with the appeal as though planning permission had been refused. In these circumstances, the department will present its view to the commission as to the outcome of the application, but this is a recommendation only and is not formally recorded on the Planning Service statistical database.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What protection a building of local importance has in Northern Ireland if it is deemed by the Environment and Heritage Service to be unworthy of protection through listing and is not in an area of townscape character or conservation area; and, if none, what impact this lack of protection has on townscapes, given the current policy in the regional development strategy for increased development within settlements. [HL2302]

Statutory protection currently extends only to buildings listed as being of special architectural or historic interest under Article 42 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 and buildings located within a conservation area designated under Article 50 of the same order.It is intended when the relevant provisions of the Planning (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 are brought into operation later this year to control the demolition of buildings within areas of townscape character.These provisions also allow for the making of direction orders which would extend demolition control to other buildings. While no decision has been made regarding the further extension of demolition control, the position will be kept under review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to receive the ninth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. [HL2485]

The Prime Minister announced today that the ninth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, entitled Defining the Boundaries within the Executive: Ministers, Special Advisers and the permanent Civil Service, has been published by the committee. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Libraries.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the guidance given to civil servants and members of the coalition armed forces about their obligations under international and domestic humanitarian law during the military conflict in Iraq. [HL2374]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 3 April 2003 (WA 148) in terms of the guidance issued to British civil servants and service personnel.I am not in a position to publish the guidance issued to civil servants and members of coalition armed forces from other countries. That is a matter for their governments. I have no doubt, however, that our coalition partners fully understand their obligations to work within the framework of international law.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to allow families to send free letters and packets to service personnel in the Gulf. [HL2484]

Further to the announcement made by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister on 2 April in another place, we can now set out the way in which we intend to implement a service to allow families to send packets free of charge to troops deployed in the Gulf. This service will be limited to letters and packets of up to 2kg in weight and will be implemented when the operational situation allows. The priority at this time must remain the operational requirements of our service personnel.The system will allow families to send addressed letters and packets to individuals serving in the Gulf through Post Office Counters free of charge. The Royal Mail Group will transport these parcels to British Forces Post Office (BFPO) at Mill Hill. BFPO will arrange onward transportation to the Gulf and distribution in theatre. Mechanisms are being put in place to handle the anticipated increase in mail. Further details will be announced nearer the time when we are ready to implement the new procedures.For the free service to work for the benefit of all, we would ask families to restrict the number of packets they send in order that the system does not become overwhelmed, thus creating delays in delivery of mail.This scheme is aimed only at those closest to the service personnel who are serving in this operation. We will not be providing a service for packages which do not have a named recipient. This will help to ensure that the new scheme for letters and packets is well targeted without overloading the logistics support network and delaying vital messages and packages from loved ones. For those who might wish to show more general support for our troops, we would encourage contributions to the UK Forces Gulf Fund (details available at

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a contract has been awarded for the Royal Navy submarine berthing facility at HM Naval Base Clyde. [HL2486]

The Ministry of Defence's contract for the provision of new jetties in support of the Royal Navy's nuclear submarine fleet at HM Naval Base Clyde was awarded on 31 March 2003 to AMEC plc.Amec has been awarded the design, construction and commissioning contract, worth approximately £100 million, as part of its existing prime contract.The contract will provide a floating jetty facility that provides four alongside berths, two of which are double berths, thereby giving six fully serviced berthing positions. The construction is due to be completed by 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the tribunal which applies the standard of proof of reasonable doubt to compensation cases related to medical conditions caused or aggravated by military service is operating satisfactorily. [HL2219]

The Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act 1943 provides a right of appeal to the pensions appeal tribunals in cases where the Secretary of State does not accept a claim for a war pension, under certain conditions.In 2001, the Government consulted widely on a document

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to ratify Protocol 4 to the European Convention on Human Rights. [HL2292]

The matter is under consideration as part of the Government's interdepartmental review of international human rights instruments. The review is due to report to Ministers by this summer. I shall report the outcome shortly thereafter.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much it cost the National Health Service to provide free prescriptions to people aged 60 and over in the last year for which figures are available. [HL2399]

In 2001–02 it is estimated that around 322 million prescription items were dispensed in the community in England free of charge for people aged 60 and over, with an estimated net ingredient cost of £3,218 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much the National Health Service voucher scheme for glasses cost in the last year for which figures are available. [HL2400]

In 2001–02 an estimated 3.6 million vouchers for spectacles and 0.4 million applications for repairs and replacements of spectacles were reimbursed by health authorities in England, at a costof £139 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much it would cost to provide National Health Service dental check-ups free to every adult in England. [HL2401]

About a quarter of dental examinations carried out on adults in England in the General Dental Service have either no patient charge or else the patient pays a reduced charge. It is estimated that making dental examinations free to every adult in England would cost approximately £87 million at 2002–03 charge rates and current demand. Additional costs would arise if there were any associated increase in the overall number of dental examinations and National Heath Service dental treatments.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much it would cost to offer eye tests free to every adult in England, taking into account both Department of Health guidance that the appropriate interval between eye tests for the majority of adults is two years and likely take-up; and [HL2402]How much it would cost to offer National Health Service eye tests to every adult in England at the current subsidised rate of £16.72, taking into account both Department of Health guidance that the appropriate interval between eye tests for the majority of adults is two years and likely take-up. [HL2403]

Based on the current number of private sight tests, the cost of extending National Health Service sight tests to this group, at the current rate of £16.72, would be an additional £80 million for England.It is not possible to estimate whether such a change would lead to any additional sight tests being undertaken.NHS sight tests are already available to certain priority groups, mainly people aged 60 and over, children under 16, those aged 16–18 in full-time education, people on low incomes who might otherwise be deterred by the cost of a private sight test and defined categories of people at particular risk of developing eye disease.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps have been taken to fulfil the commitment in the Department of Health's public service agreement to review the target for the education of children in care in light of the Social Exclusion Unit project on that subject. [HL2469]

I regret the reply on children in care I gave on 31 March (WA 107–8) was incorrect. It should have read as follows:The Department of Health's public service agreement (PSA), published July 2002, included a commitment to review the target on the education of children in care in light of the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) project on that subject. Work on the SEU project is nearing completion and we are now in a position to announce the new target, which is to improve life chances for children, including by substantially narrowing the gap between the educational attainment and participation of children in care and that of their peers by 2006.This target will have been achieved if by 2006: outcomes for 11 year-olds in English and maths are at least 60 per cent as good as those of their peers; the proportion who become disengaged from education is reduced so that no more than 10 per cent reach school-leaving age without having sat a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) equivalent exam; and the proportion of those aged 16 who get qualifications equivalent to five GCSEs graded A

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much the 88 most deprived local authority areas in England will each receive from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund over the period 2004–05 to 2005–06. [HL2468]

In my Written Answer on Friday 4 April (WA 152–53) I announced that we would be making available £800 million to local authorities from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) in 2004–05 and 2005–06 as part of our strategy to revitalise England's poorest neighbourhoods and create places where people want to live, not leave.I am today announcing the details of individual allocations for each of the 88 local authorities that are eligible for NRF. These are set out in the table below.

Neighbourhood Renewal Fund Allocations 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06
	NRF Allocation 2003–04	NRF Allocation 2004–05	NRF Allocation 2005–06
Local Authority Names	(£m)	(£m)	(£m)
Allerdale	0.855494	0.855494	0.855494
Ashfield	0.963610	0.963610	0.963610
Barking and Dagenham	1.632728	1.632728	1.632728
Barnsley	5.444138	5.444138	5.444138
Barrow-in-Furness	1.838382	1.838382	1.838382
Birmingham	22.043488	22.043488	22.043488
Blackburn with Darwen	4.334824	4.334824	4.334824
Blackpool	3.007888	3.007888	3.007888
Bolsover	1.468832	1.468832	1.468832
Bolton	5.425706	5.425706	5.425706
Bradford	9.811898	9.811898	9.811898
Brent	2.279124	2.279124	2.279124
Brighton & Hove	1.368876	1.368876	1.368876
Bristol	3.565266	3.565266	3.565266
Burnley	1.273270	1.273270	1.273270
Camden	4.218670	4.218670	4.218670
Coventry	5.289550	5.289550	5.289550
Croydon	0.581248	0.581248	0.581248
Derby	3.250468	3.250468	3.250468
Derwentside	1.482310	1.482310	1.482310
Doncaster	8.789850	8.789850	8.789850
Dudley	1.520564	1.520564	1.520564
Ealing	0.917076	0.917076	0.917076
Easington	4.433270	4.433270	4.433270
Enfield	1.859594	1.859594	1.859594
Gateshead	4.642852	4.642852	4.642852
Great Yarmouth	1.987230	1.987230	1.987230
Greenwich	3.881452	3.881452	3.881452
Hackney	11.765406	11.765406	11.765406
Halton	3.928410	3.928410	3.928410
Hammersmith and Fulham	1.033290	1.033290	1.033290
Haringey	5.334814	5.334814	5.334814
Hartlepool	3.137518	3.137518	3.137518
Hastings	1.375160	1.375160	1.375160
Hyndburn	1.293636	1.293636	1.293636
Islington	6.270020	6.270020	6.270020
Kensington and Chelsea	1.080670	1.080670	1.080670
Kerrier	1.610488	1.610488	1.610488

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will be giving people another chance to respond to their soundings exercise on the level of interest in each English region in holding a referendum about establishing an elected regional assembly in light of the amendments made to the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill. [HL2483]

Following changes made to the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill, my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Local Government, the Regions and Fire is writing today to all Members in the English regions outside London to follow up his earlier letter about the soundings exercise on the level of interest in holding a referendum about establishing an elected regional assembly. Voters in two-tier local authority areas will now have a say about the form of unitary local government relating to their area that would be introduced if an elected assembly is established.Those who have already responded to this exercise are also being contacted again. In both cases, we are making it clear that we will consider further evidence or comments if people's views have changed in light of the amendments. We do not expect this to cause many people to change their minds about their response to the soundings exercise, but if people have changed their minds we would be happy to receive further views, information and evidence on this matter. If their response remains the same, they do not need to take any action; their original response will be considered as before. Additionally, any individual or organisation who did not previously submit comments but now wishes to put forward views, information or evidence on the level of interest in a referendum can do so.Copies of the revised pro forma have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. They are also available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website via

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to introduce legislation in the near future to make progress in removing, where possible. obstacles and restrictions which hamper the lives of disabled people. [HL2290]

My honourable friend the Minister for Disabled People (Maria Eagle) will shortly be laying regulations to implement disability provisions of the Article 13 Employment Directive. These will protect disabled people from discrimination where they work for, or seek jobs with, over 1 million small employers.My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Andrew Smith) announced on 22 January (

asked the Chairman of Committees:What steps have been taken to implement the resolution of 5 March concerning EU travel on parliamentary business. [HL2481]

On 5 March the House approved a resolution, moved by the Leader of the House, authorising, with effect from 1 April, a new allowance to enable Members to claim reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs for up to two visits per year on parliamentary business to the EU institutions in Brussels, Luxembourg or Strasbourg or to the national parliament of an EU state or candidate country. The House Committee discussed the new allowance on 1 April, and the committee's third report, which was published today (HL Paper 84), describes how it will be administered.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to develop a strategy to address the needs and risks associated with children who sexually abuse; and whether they will publish a timetable for action. [HL2239]

This Government are already taking a number of steps to address the needs and risks associated with young people who sexually abuse. The Home Office-sponsored Youth Justice Board issued in November effective practice guidance to youth offending teams to help to ensure that current work with young sexual abusers is as effective as possible. We are also funding a study into the characteristics of children and young people who sexually abuse. This is due to report in December 2005. In addition, we have established a two-year pilot developing assessment tools and programmes in three juvenile establishments for 15 to 21 year olds; and the Youth Justice Board is currently mapping services for young sexual abusers nationwide in conjunction with the National Organisation for the Treatment of Abusers and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. This is due to report in the autumn.The Home Office and Youth Justice Board have also set up an interdepartmental working group with the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills to look at the whole issue of young people who sexually abuse. We will consider the further timetable when this has completed its work and in the light of what resources will be required.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 25 March (HL Deb, col. 652), what agreements they have reached with terrestrial, cable and satellite broadcasters that will ensure that any special national warning will be in a format that is accessible by those who have hearing and sight impairment. [HL2310]

Our current arrangement for warning the public about major emergencies involves using the broadcasters and their full range of services. This includes TV (with sign language or subtitles as necessary), radio including minority language broadcasts, Teletext, Ceefax and through websites. Such arrangements are appropriate to existing and anticipated threat levels.These major emergency information procedures are separate from the National Attack Warning System (which my right honourable friend Lord Macdonald of Tradeston described on 12 March). This system is maintained by the Government for use in general war to alert the public. However, plans also provide for a considerable amount of public education material to be produced in the period of tension which would precede the need to invoke use of the system. This would ensure that no members of the public were disadvantaged by disability or language needs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will place a resolution before the United Nations Security Council to ensure United Nations support for a strategy for the postwar reconstruction of Iraq, when appropriate. [HL2294]

We will seek new UN Security Council resolutions to affirm Iraq's integrity to ensure a rapid delivery of humanitarian relief and endorse an appropriate post-conflict administration for Iraq.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will support a United States-led administration in post-war Iraq; whether they would participate in such an administration; on what experience an administration would be based; and how they envisage the timetable for reconstruction, based on a United Nations resolution. [HL2321]

In the days immediately following the cessation of military activity, a US-led military coalition will provide security. The United States Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA), headed by General Jay Garner (Rtd), will co-ordinate civil relief and humanitarian asistance. UK personnel will be attached to ORHA.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What implications they consider the policies of Germany and France towards Iraq have for the European Defence and Security Policy and for the formulation of a meaningful common foreign policy. [HL2297]

The European Union is continuing to make progress on the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The detailed arrangements inplementing the Berlin plus agreement for the EU to make use of NATO assets and capabilities were recently agreed. This agreement has enabled the EU to launch the first military ESDP operation in Macedonia. Differences over Iraq have not prevented, and need not prevent, European nations working constructively together to achieve shared objectives in the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and ESDP.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many countries are now providing (a) ground, naval and air forces and (b) logistical support for the United States-led coalition in Iraq; what is meant by a "coalition"; what are the coalition's objectives; and which countries are involved. [HL2322]

The military action against Saddam Hussein's regime has seen various levels of support by a broad coalition of over 40 countries. Some 20 countries are providing, or have offered, military forces to the coalition and supporting activity. Some other nations are providing logistical support. It is for the individual countries concerned to decide if they wish to declare publicly the nature of their involvement. The UK's overall objective for the military campaign is to create the conditions in which Iraq disarms in accordance with its obligations under UNSCRs and remains so disarmed in the long-term.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What powers and functions which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs currently exercises will be transferred to the proposed regional assemblies. [HL2177]

The White Paper Your Region, Your Choice [Cm 5511] sets out the functions that elected regional assemblies will have in chapter 4. The policy areas of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are addressed in paragraphs 4.49–4.53.