asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list the permissions granted to officials from Ministries of the Interior of foreign countries, and the number of detainees seen on each visit. [HL5222]

There has been one occasion where officials from a Ministry of the Interior have requested and been granted permission to visit immigration detainees in the UK. This involved a visit by an official from the Ministry of the Interior from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), during which six immigration detainees were seen.Documentation interviews are occasionally carried out by various consular officials from Embassies and High Commissions in the UK to establish the nationality and identity of immigration detainees. It is not possible to provide data relating to these as it could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 4 November

Immigration detainees held in Immigration Service removal centres and those held in prisons solely under immigration powers both have rights to social visits.The extent and timing of visiting hours at each Immigration Service removal centre do not need to be identical given that individual centres have different operational priorities and may accommodate different categories of detainees. However, it is reasonable for detainees and their families to be able to expect a minimum standard of visiting arrangements and we are working towards this position.Individual immigration detainees held in prisons for reasons of control and security have visits in accordance with procedures for which the Prison Service is responsible and no differently from other unconvicted prisoners with whom they are categorised and held. Arrangements for social visits to unconvicted prisoners, including immigration detainees, are set out in the Prison Service operating standard on prisoners' family life. It would be impracticable and undesirable to provide special visiting arrangements for a specific group of unconvicted prisoners, especially where the individuals concerned are unlikely to be held together.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 9 October

The Armed Forces vaccination policy follows national guidelines as set out in Immunisation against Infectious Disease 1996 ("The Green Book") published by the Department of Health, and is laid down in JSP 311—Joint Service Manual of Immunological Procedures.It is Ministry of Defence policy to offer public health vaccinations to service personnel routinely, with boosters at appropriate intervals thereafter. Therefore it should not be necessary to administer several vaccinations or boosters together immediately before a deployment. In an emergency, or if personnel are required to deploy at short notice, then boosters or additional vaccinations may be unavoidable if personnel are not up to date. This is the same as for anyone travelling overseas at short notice. In such circumstances, full account would be taken of any other treatment or medication that an individual might be receiving at the time, balanced against the risk of contracting potentially serious diseases during deployment. The MoD has specific guidance in place to prevent certain vaccines being administered together.Immunisation programmes for service personnel are kept under review to ensure they develop in line with Department of Health practices, military-specific risk and threat assessments, medical advice and recommendations from internationally recognised health organisations, such as the World Health Organisation. Where military-specific risk assessments indicate a policy variation from the "Green Book" or the World Health Organisation guidance, changes would only be made following consultation with experts in communicable disease and public health medicine. Policy changes may also be driven by the availability of suitable Pharmaceuticals. Changes to vaccination policy are issued to medical officers via Surgeon General policy letters, which are sent out down the single service chains of command.The differences between the immunisations given to service personnel in 1990–91 and the immunisations given today are summarised in an Answer given in another place on 10 June 2003,

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 28 October

The MoD paper published in January 2000 referred to in my answer of 28 October (WA 25) is available in hard copy form from the MoD's Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Unit who can be contacted as follows: by telephone on Freephone 0800 169 4495; by fax on 020 7305 2374; by e-mail at GVIU lc@mod.uk and by writing to: GVIU, 7th Floor Zone A, 2-12 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SH.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many prisoners are now held by allied forces following military combat in Iraq; how many have been brought before a tribunal to determine their status under Article 5 of the Geneva Convention; and in how many cases it is intended to bring charges of war crimes, terrorism or other crimes; and [HL5425]Following the war in Iraq, how many prisoners are now held by allied forces; whether each prisoner will be brought before a "competent tribunal" to determine his status, as required by Article 5 of the Geneva Convention; how many prisoners have already been released; and how many criminal justice prisoners are held. [HL5468]

The information requested will take some time to compile, and I will write to the noble Lord as soon as I am able and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their policy towards the financing of major public monuments to the memory of those who participated in battles of historic importance to the United Kingdom. [HL5429]

It has been a long-standing policy of successive governments that the cost of erecting memorials and associated projects are not usually met from public funds, but from private donations or public subscription. The Ministry of Defence does not have responsibility for either the funding or maintenance of war memorials. The MoD receives many requests from individuals, ex-servicemen's groups and charitable organisations seeking assistance with various projects. It would not be possible to be seen to support one project rather than another. The vast majority have worthy goals and can make an equally compelling case for support. It would be divisive and open to criticism from unsuccessful applicants, if the Government were to pick and choose which projects to support.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to investigate allegations of fraud and bribery of officials with regard to BAE Systems and the Al Yamamah arms contracts; and whether the Defence Exports Services Organisation will be included in the scope of any such investigation. [HL5524]

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

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the current cost to individual members of the Armed Forces pension scheme of the benefits it confers; and when and by how much the cost to them has changed since the scheme was introduced; and [HL5317]What will be the cost to individual members of the Armed Forces pension scheme of the planned improvements to the scheme due to take effect in 2005. [HL5318]

There has been no direct cost to individual members of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme for the benefits that the scheme confers since the current scheme was introduced in 1973. The scheme is non-contributory for members, with the cost of benefits being met by the Ministry of Defence.While members make no direct contribution, the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) compares the overall remuneration of the Armed Forces with that offered by comparator civilian employers. The AFPRB currently makes a 7 per cent abatement of the pay of civilian comparators to take account of the extent to which AFPS benefits are better than those of civilian comparators. This abatement has varied over time depending on the outcome of the AFPRB's comparisons. The abatement does not equate to the cost of providing pension scheme benefits.As with members of the current AFPS, members of the new AFPS will not make a direct financial contribution. The next valuation of the AFPS by the AFPRB is scheduled for the 2006 report. It would not be appropriate to forecast what the AFPRB may decide on the comparative value of the scheme. As an independent review body, they will reach their own decision on this matter.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made, and what remains to be done, to prepare Ministers of the Crown and the Civil Service for the coming into force of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [HL5452]

Under Section 87(5) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, my noble and learned friend the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs is obliged to prepare a report on bringing fully into force those aspects of the Act which are not yet fully in force. This report will also report on progress made towards preparing for implementation of the Act. It will be laid before Parliament later this month.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Filkin on 6 October

My Answer to the earlier question on this issue explained that the investment available in the current spending period, £75 million, will allow us to improve the speed and quality of work in the civil and family courts and reduce unnecessary delays caused by manual working practices.Focusing the available investment on the most appropriate courts we will have a positive impact on the users of civil and family courts. We will install a modern IT infrastructure into a large number of civil sites. The targeted sites will include all care centres, all trial centres, the principal civil and family courts plus a number of sites across circuits to ensure a fair geographical distribution. This is in addition to the 61 sites included in the criminal infrastructure programme and will capture 80 per cent of all civil business. This will enable court users to access the court by use of email and we intend to develop a possession online service for housing cases.As I have previously explained, I am not yet in a position to make a formal announcement about other individual modernisation projects, which remain at various stages of planning. All projects will go through a rigorous internal evaluation to ensure they contribute to our public service agreements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the Office of Fair Trading has taken three years to start investigating interchange fees on credit cards after concerns were first raised. [HL5407]

The Office of Fair Trading has been investigating MasterCard Interchange fees since March 2000. There is no standard length of investigation. The length of each investigation is determined by the complexity of the issues including questions of law and economics and must also take account of the parties right of defence under the Competition Act 1998.It is a matter for the Office of Fair Trading, as the UK's independent competition regulator, to conduct an investigation where they feel that an agreement infringes the Competition Act 1998. There is no locus for Ministerial intervention into such investigations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why in one year the United Kingdom has fallen from 11th to 15th place in the World Economic Forum's overall competitive ratings. [HL5299]

Competitiveness rankings are far from a scientific exercise. Different exercises give different results and survey data are notoriously volatile. What matters to UK businesses is not some ranking on an artificial index but the economic reality: an extra 1.5 million jobs since 1997; the lowest-ever rates of corporation tax with a new zero rate for smaller companies; and inflation at historically low levels.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proportion of Internet-enabled households currently access Internet services offering speeds of 512 kbps and above. [HL5560]

The Government do not hold data on the proportion of households connected to the Internet at speeds of 512 kbps and above. However, according to Oftel's research report Consumers' use of the Internet(http://www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/research/ 2003/q14intreslO03.pdf), 18 per cent of respondents in Internet-enabled households surveyed during August 2003 claimed that their household used broadband to access the Internet at home.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many Internet-enabled households subscribed to Internet services offering speeds of 512 kbps and above in each year since 1999. [HL5561]

The Government do not hold data on household subscribers to the Internet accessing services of 512 kbps and above. Oftel collects data on the number of subscribers to higher bandwidth "always on" services offering bandwidths from 128 kbps and above. A graph showing the increase in connections between November 2000 and September 2003 is available from the Oftel website at http//www.oftel.gov.uk/ publications/internet/internet-brief/index.htm. At the end of September 2003 there were 2,628,100 broadband subscribers meeting Oftel's definition.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action has been taken to promote to other European member states the methodology for establishing safe levels of nutrient intake adopted by the Expert Advisory Group on Vitamins and Minerals; and what further plans they have for promoting their policies of case-by-case reviews of published literature on nutrient safety. [HL5157]

Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive lays out a framework for the future setting of maximum permitted levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements. The United Kingdom continues to press for European Union maximum permitted limits to be set on a safety basis, and in doing so, is using its influence in both scientific and political forums. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health intends to raise this issue with Ministers in other member states as and when appropriate. She is also seeking to arrange a meeting with Commissioner David Byrne at the earliest practicable opportunity.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What specific plans they have to liaise at political level with other European Union member states as part of their strategy for achieving the best possible maximum permitted levels for nutrients under the provisions of the Food Supplements Directive; and [HL5199]What plans they have to raise with the appropriate European Commissioner the concerns of the United Kingdom about the interpretation which the Commission may propose for Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive. [HL5198]

Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive lays out a framework for the future setting of maximum permitted levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements. The United Kingdom continues to press for European Union maximum permitted limits to be set on a safety basis, and in doing so, is using its influence in both scientific and political forums. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health intends to raise this issue with Ministers in other member states as and when appropriate. She is also seeking to arrange a meeting with Commissioner David Byrne at the earliest practicable opportunity.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the cap on private patient income included in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill allows some flexibility for the independent regulator for those foundation hospitals whose level of private patient income in 2002-03 was atypically low. [HL5283]

No, the percentage will be fixed as the percentage that applied for each National Health Service foundation trust in the financial year ending April 2003.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the most recent Diet and Nutrition Survey was published; what percentage of women aged 35–49 years were found to have daily folic acid intake of less than 400 micrograms; how that level of intake compares to their recommended total daily folic acid intake from:

The most recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), of adults aged 19–64, is being published in five volumes. The first volume was published in December 2002. The second and third volumes were published in July 2003. The fourth and fifth volumes will be published in 2004.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Health Development Agency and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence have access to copies of very low carbohydrate diets revisited by Jeff S Volek and Eric C Westman, published by the

The Health Development Agency (HDA) and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) have access to all published scientific papers in this area.The HDA is currently developing guidance on the prevention and treatment of obesity with NICE in accordance with NICE'S open and transparent processes.The HDA has encouraged all interested parties including Atkins Nutritionals Inc, to register with NICE as a stakeholder so that they can comment during the development of this guidance. They have subsequently done so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to submit their report, under the United Nations General Assembly agreements made in 2001, on how they are tackling HIV and AIDS. [HL5501]

The questionnaire seeking information for inclusion in the report has not yet been received within the Department of Health. We are pursuing the matter with UNAIDS and will submit the completed questionnaire as soon as we are able. The report will reflect the Government's policy on HIV and AIDS as set out in the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV and associated documents.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 5 November

Work is not being contracted by individual lines. Instead, there are four framework contracts, one each for London, Kent, Sussex and Wessex. Individual items of work will be organised within those frameworks and, in many cases, will benefit more than a single route. The upgrade as a whole is due to be completed in 2005 by which time we all expect slam door trains to have been withdrawn from passenger service and the replacement rolling stock brought fully into use.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

:(a) and (b) The commission's running costs are shared equally between the British and Irish Governments. The British Government's share of the costs, since the establishment of the commission to the end of September 2003 is £3,594,888.The accounts of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning are audited by the Comptroller & Auditor-General in the Republic of Ireland.Article 9 of the international agreement which established the IICD requires that the auditor's reports be submitted to the British and Irish Governments.The auditor's report is included with the audited accounts, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The most recent audited accounts available relate to 2001: the Republic of Ireland's financial year is coincident with the calendar year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 9 September, what progress has been made in the provision of pensions for staff of the implementation bodies. [HL5087]

Since the previous Written Answer on this subject, progress continues to be made on all aspects of the pension scheme for staff of the North/ South Implementation Bodies. Consultation with stakeholders in both jurisdictions has been of a more comprehensive nature than was first envisaged but the issue is being addressed and taken forward by the two administrations as quickly as possible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 8 September

The position regarding final accounts is shown in the attached table.

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

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 12 November [Official Report, col. WA 197).

asked Her Majesty's Government:With regard to the budgets for 2004 of the cross border implementation bodies:

Details of the date on which each body supplied a 2004 business plan to the relevant sponsor department and the amount of funding requested are set out in the attached table. Budgets for all North/South implementation bodies are subject to joint agreement by Ministers, North and South in accordance with the arrangements under the agreement made by the exchange of notes between the two governments dated 19 November 2002. This process has not yet been completed in respect of 2004, and it is therefore not possible to provide the information requested at parts (b) (c) and (d) at this time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there is any expected underspend during 2003 for each of the cross-border implementation bodies; if so, which bodies may be underspent and by how much; and what are the reasons for such underspends. [HL5507]

The attached table provides details of the underspend which each of the North/South implementation bodies has advised is anticipated at this time.

asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the expected underspends during 2003 of the cross-border implementation bodies will affect their budgets for 2004. [HL5508]

The budgets for North/South implementation bodies for 2004 will be considered in the context of the relevant body's 2004 business plan in accordance with the normal budgetary process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure have not arranged extra budget for the Language Implementation Body agreed in June. [HL5277]

In accordance with the agreement made by exchange of notes between both governments on 19 November 2002, the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic of Ireland agreed in June 2003 that the budget originally agreed for the North/South Language Implementation Body for 2003 would be increased, subject to approval of revised business; plans for 2003. Revised business plans were submitted to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in September 2003 for processing through the agreed interim procedures for North/South bodies. I am pleased to report that they have now been approved by the Ministers of the sponsor departments, North and South, in accordance with the procedures.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What role the North/South Ministerial Council has in ensuring that the decision-making process for North/South bodies is correctly applied; and how any such role was fulfilled in the settling of the budget of the Language Implementation Body 2003. [HL5454]

The North/South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat plays a facilitation role in progressing the administrative procedures of the decision-making process.The Joint Secretariat facilitated the progress of the decision on the increase in the 2003 Budget for the Language Body at the various stages in the administrative procedures.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 June

The Answer given on 11 June (WA 44) does not state that "the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs advised the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure of the 2003 provision for the North South Language Body", but that the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs advised the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 2003 provision for the North/South Language Body.I also refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 2 April 2003

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many staff there are in the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; and what are its annual running costs. [HL5453]

At 20 November 2003, there are 14 members of staff in the Linguistic Diversity Unit of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. The annual salary costs for these 14 staff, based on 2002–03 pay rates are £382,000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Since 1999 what "future searches" have been carried out by the Northern Ireland Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure; how much each cost; when they were commenced; when they were completed; and what was the outcome. [HL5455]

Since 1999 the Northern Ireland Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure has undertaken six "future searches". These are:

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many economists are employed by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; what are their qualifications; and how they were selected. [HL5473]

There are two economists currently working in the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. All economists in Northern Ireland Civil Services (N1CS) are recruited and employed by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) and then posted on-loan to other NICS departments.Economists are recruited through externally advertised competitions at assistant economist and deputy economist level. The entry requirements for these grades are:Assistant Economist-"At least a second class honours degree or post graduate qualification in economics or in a subject where the study of economics is a major component".Deputy Economist—"At least a second class honours degree with economics as a major component and at least 2 years' post qualification experience within the last 5 years in economic/financial research and analysis".

asked Her Majesty's Government:What they mean by "acts of completion" as used in the Joint Declaration regarding the Belfast agreement; and whether parity of esteem for the Ulster-Scots community is included. [HL5471]

As the Joint Declaration published on 1 May makes clear, the Government remain committed to the full implementation of the Belfast agreement in the context of acts of completion.The agreement endorses the commitment made by the British and Irish Governments that, whatever choice is freely exercised by a majority of the people of Northern Ireland, the power of the sovereign government with jurisdiction there shall be exercised with rigorous impartiality on behalf of all of the people in the diversity of their identities and traditions and shall be founded on the principles of full respect for, and equality of, civil, political, social and cultural rights, of freedom from discrimination for all citizens and of parity of esteem and of just and equal treatment for the identity, ethos and aspirations of both communities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many prison officers in Northern Ireland were approached by the Police Service of Northern Ireland about their security as the result of the raid on Sinn Fein offices in Stormont during 2002, and whether all security arranged as a result has been put in place. [HL5474]

The Northern Ireland Prison Service has no knowledge of any prison officer having been contacted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland about their security following; the raid on the Sinn Fein offices in Stormont in 2002.Following a security breach last autumn, unconnected with the raid on Sinn Fein offices, special arrangements were put in place by the Prison Service to deal with staff whose personal details had been compromised. In all staff were interviewed individually by the police and advised regarding their personal safety.All compromised officers were given the option to apply for enhanced security measures to be installed at their home under the key persons protection scheme (KPPS) or prison service protection scheme (PSPS).Alternatively, officers could apply for financial assistance to move home under the Prison Service Assisted Home Removal (AHR) Scheme. Arrangements were also put in place with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to facilitate the purchase of an officer's house under the Scheme for the Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings (SPED).Special arrangements were put in place to accelerate applications and a special unit was set up within the Prison Service to process applications and provide advice and assistance to concerned staff.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the fitness test for entry into the Police Service of Northern Ireland is still in place; and if not, why. [HL5475]

The physical competence test is still in place and requires the same high standard of fitness but is now completed during training and before trainees are attested rather than during selection.Trainees are now given expert advice and assistance on physical fitness during their initial training. It is expected that this will give mere people the opportunity to qualify for entry to the police service.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to shorten the time taken by the Northern Ireland Office in answering Questions for Written Answer. [HL53O7]

Every effort is made to answer Questions within the two week deadline. Sometimes, regretfully, this has not been possible to achieve, especially when large amounts of information have to be collated.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 11 June

I refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer given to him on 2 April 2003 (WA 132). The word "advised" can be taken as meaning "informed or notified".

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which Minister was responsible for deciding to authorise publication of the Attorney-General's view of the legal basis for the use of force against Iraq while refusing to authorise public disclosure of the detailed consideration of the legal issues upon which that view was based. [HL5482]

The Attorney-General agreed with the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to make a written statement setting out his view of the legal basis for the use of force against Iraq.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How it is possible to obtain an accurate account of the basis upon which they decided that the use of armed force against Iraq was lawful from a summary of the Attorney-General's view of the legal position, while access to the detailed consideration of the legal issues upon which that view was based is denied. [HL5523]

I will write to you shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations they are making to the Sudanese Government against the sentence of double amputation on a 16 year-old Sudanese boy. [HL5504]

The promotion of human rights is one of HMG's priorities in Sudan. We raise human rights cases on a regular basis, both bilaterally and as part of the EU-Sudan dialogue. Our Ambassador in Khartoum raised this case in particular and hudud punishments in general in the last meeting between the EU Heads of Mission and the Government of Sudan in the EU-Sudan Dialogue on 29 October.I have asked the Sudanese Ambassador to see me to discuss this case, and to press for an end to hudud punishments.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In relation to page 19 of the annual report of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Human Rights, whether at the time of the last United Kingdom visit to Guantanamo Bay the United Kingdom detainees were in sound mental as well as physical health. [HL5564]

British officials last visited the British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay from 8 to 10 September. The visit did suggest that the British detainees are increasingly frustrated by their continued detention but the officials were not in a position to assess their mental health. However, we understand from the US authorities that the medical facilities, including psychiatric care, at Guantanamo Bay available to the detainees are of a high standard and are the same as those for US military personnel.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make representations to the President of the United States during his State visit that the United Kingdom is opposed to the death penalty under all circumstances; and that it should not be imposed in Iraq so long as the United Kingdom shares power in the Coalition Provisional Authority. [HL5569]

The United Kingdom's position on the dealth penalty is well known—we oppose the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. With reference to Iraq, the death penalty is currently suspended under CPA Order Number 7.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many carcasses of red deer, other deer and wild mammals have been examined in each of the past 10 years; and how many were found to be infected with bovine tuberculosis in each of the last 10 years. [HL5460]

Table 1 shows the number of wild and farmed deer carcasses investigated for TB between 1992 and 2002 and the number of samples where mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) was found following bacteriological culture. Data are not separately available for red deer.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Following the survey carried out by the British Cattle Veterinary Association published in May 2003, which showed that 48 per cent of farms listed as being overdue a tuberculosis test should not have been on the list, whether these apparent overdue errors were due to inefficiencies within the offices of divisional managers; and, if so, what action they have taken to improve the accuracy of data on their tuberculosis database. [HL5461]

We are aware of the BCVA survey. The nature of TB testing is such that most TB tests are completed on or shortly after their due date. Delays in the submission of test results from local veterinary practices, or delays in the input of those test results on to the database when they have been received at animal health offices, could result in some tests appearing as outstanding when the tests have been carried out.Early in 2002, pressure of work following the foot and mouth disease outbreak may have led to delays in the input of test results on to the database, but this position is now much improvedHerds with tests overdue by more than three months are now put under movement restrictions. Because of this, careful checks are made to ensure that all tests that have been done (and results received) are entered on to the database. This initiative, alongside the efforts of local veterinary practices, has reduced the number of overdue TB tests to below the number overdue prior to the foot and mouth disease outbreak.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What breaches by the United Kingdom of the European Union fishing laws have been revealed by the European Commission; what action they intend to ascertain the truth of these allegations; and by what procedure the United Kingdom can appeal. [HL5534]

The European Commission has commenced formal proceedings against the United Kingdom under Article 226 of the EC Treaty and Article 26(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2371/ 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the common fisheries policy.The Commission considers that:

asked Her Majesty's Government:How often imported potato stock is tested for disease control purposes. [HL5578]

Defra inspectors carried out over 1,000 visual inspections of potato lots from outside the UK during the 2002–03 season and 451 laboratory tests for ring rot and brown rot. Defra aims to inspect all imports from third countries and a proportion of intra EU consignments depending on the level of risk. In addition, all imported seed potatoes entering the seed potato classification scheme are tested for the presence of potato ring rot.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Government of the Netherlands carry out checks on potatoes exported to the United Kingdom. [HL5579]

The Netherlands carries out regular surveys for potato ring rot and potato brown rot as required by EC legislation. We understand that in addition, the Netherlands carries out a ring rot and brown rot test on every lot of seed potatoes produced in the country, including those exported to the UK.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will seek compensation from the Netherlands following the outbreak of potato ring rot. [HL5580]

The cause of the outbreak is still under investigation. Once the source has been confirmed, a decision will be taken on any further action that is necessary.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps the Dutch authorities are taking with regard to placing restrictions on potato movements from the farm of origin and from contiguous farms. [HL5581]

The Netherlands are still undertaking tests at the farm of origin, and will take action in compliance with the terms of the EC Directive 93/85/ EC on the control of potato ring rot.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the contingency plans for the control of potato disease were last reviewed. [HL5582]

The contingency plan for potato ring rot was reviewed during 2003, before the current outbreak, and is available on the department's website. The contingency plan for Colorado beetle was reviewed after an exercise based around a simulated outbreak in 2002. Other pests and diseases are covered by a generic plant health contingency plan which was last reviewed in 2002.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many inspections were carried out in the last year for which figures are available on potato seeds by the plant health and seeds inspectors. [HL5583]

During the 2002–03 season, 425 visual inspections were carried out by Defra's plant health and seeds inspectors of seed potatoes grown in England and Wales. In addition, 133 samples were taken for laboratory testing for ring rot and brown rot.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which European treaties or legislation are the basis for any United Kingdom regulation governing the creation and generation of publicly owned corporations which provide services relating to national rail, urban passenger transport, the generation and distribution of electricity, and potable water supplies and urban drainage. [HL5O31]

None.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to sign and ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families which was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1990 and which entered into force on 1 July. [HL5494]

The Government have no plans to ratify the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. The scope of the convention is wider than the UK's existing immigration laws. No EU states are signatories and most of the 12 existing signatories are migrant workers' countries of origin. The Government consider that they have already struck the right balance between the need for immigration control and the protection of the interests and rights of migrant workers, who have the protection of our existing commitments under international law.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What institutions will have responsibility for interpreting, implementing and enforcing any new constitution for the European Union. [HL5496]

The European Court of Justice will be responsible for ensuring respect for the law in the interpretation and application of the constitution. Implementation of the constitution will be carried out by the member states, the Council, the Commission and the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make representations to the Government of Belarus on the decree banning a number of religious organisations, including the Ahmadiyya Muslims. [HL5554]

The UK, with EU partners, has made several representations to the Government of Belarus on their religion law, both before its signature by President Lukashenko in October 2002 and then during 2003, urging the authorities to respect religions and beliefs in all forms. In April 2003, the Government supported EU co-sponsorship, with the United States, of a UN Commission on Human Rights resolution on Belarus. This expressed deep concern about restrictions on religious organisations. Our Ambassador in Minsk has also raised our concerns with the Belarusian Foreign Minister. General human rights violations in Belarus have led EU member states, including the UK, to suspend ministerial contacts with their Belarusian counterparts.