asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 17 November

The budget for the North/South Language Body for 2003 was determined in accordance with normal budgeting procedures on the basis of business plans supplied by both agencies and taking account of the resources available to each jurisdiction.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why all Ulster-Scots Agency job advertisements require clearance from the appropriate departments when those for other bodies, such as Waterways Ireland, do not require such clearance.[HL101]

Departments do not clear job advertisements. Departments have however offered advice to the North/South Language Body aimed at ensuring that job advertisements prepared by consultants on behalf of the body conform to approved job descriptions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What areas of Northern Ireland have been covered by the second survey of historic buildings; when the project will be completed; which buildings have been retained on the Historic Buildings List; which have been removed; and which were removed against the advice of the Historic Buildings Council [HL192]

The second survey of historic buildings is being conducted at electoral ward level. Of a total of 526 wards in Northern Ireland, survey work has been completed in 98 to date.Decisions on listing and de-listing have been processed to completion in respect of 62 wards. Details of the completed wards have been placed in the Library. Work to process the other 36 wards is continuing.

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

The report of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland stated that, while a number of groups are under-represented, the issue of Catholic representation was particularly important for confidence in policing. This does not mean that the Government are neglecting the issue of female representation.Section 48 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 requires the Policing Board to make an action plan for monitoring the number of women in the service and for increasing their numbers if they are under-represented. Particular efforts have been made to increase female representation in the PSNI through targeted recruitment advertising and the organisation of familiarisation days for women.

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

The number of trainees recruited and the dates on which they commenced training (their effective date of appointment) is set out in the table below. The maximum number of recruits that can pass through the PSNI college each year is 540. However, the model set out in the Patten report (paragraph 15.10) envisaged an average of 370 recruits entering training each year, and the PSNI has surpassed this figure for each year of recruitment. With 1,029 entrants appointed in a fraction over two years the annual intake is around 500, well above the Patten envisaged intake and just short of the maximum throughput of the college.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the audit arrangements in Northern Ireland corresponding to those proposed for Wales in the Public Audit (Wales) Bill. [HL216]

The main legislative basis for audit arrangements in Northern Ireland are set out in the provisions of the Audit (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 and the Audit and Accountability (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.While the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland and his staff exercise broadly similar functions to those proposed for the Auditor General for Wales in the Public Audit (Wales) Bill, one major distinction between the two is the proposal that the Auditor General for Wales will appoint auditors to audit the accounts of local government bodies in Wales. In Northern Ireland the audit of the 26 district councils, and two other bodies, is undertaken by the Northern Ireland Audit Office staff who have been designated as local government auditors by the Department of the Environment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend that Peers who have committed crimes leading to a sentence of 12 months or more imprisonment should be removed from membership of the House only if the jurisdiction of the court is in the United Kingdom. [HL218]

The Government are currently consulting on whether Peers sentenced to more than 12 months' imprisonment should be disqualified from the House of Lords, bringing provisions relating to disqualification more into line with the House of Commons. Before deciding on the precise details of the provisions, the Government will analyse the results of that consultation. We intend to introduce legislation this Session.

asked Her Majesty's Government:By what date they expect that the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary will be removed from membership of the House of Lords. [HL309]

The noble Lord will know that it is the Government's intention to put legislation before the House later in this Session to create a Supreme Court that will have the effect of abolishing the office of Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. I expect to be able to provide the House at that time with our proposed timetable for creating the court, subject to the legislation being passed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any progress has been made towards ending the jamming of the BBC's short wave Mandarin radio transmissions, and on unblocking access by Chinese citizens to the BBC News website; and whether they will take steps, in collaboration with other like-minded states, to establish a website on China's restrictions on freedom of expression, so that journalists planning to visit China for the Olympic Games are aware of the problems they may face. [HL91]

We regularly raise with the Chinese authorities the jamming of the BBC World Service Chinese Language Service and the blocking of access to the BBC News website. We did so most recently at the 10th round of the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue in Beijing on 10–11 November. We shall continue to press the Chinese on this issue and on our concerns about the lack of freedom of expression in China more generally. We have no plans to create a website on China's freedom of expression.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assistance they have provided to the Jamaican Constabulary Force and its executive agencies; what is the financial value of the programme; what is the human rights content of the training; and what government-to-government military or security equipment transfers have taken place. [HL117]

The Jamaican Constabulary Force's modernisation and reform programme is supported by DfID through a grant of £3 million over a five-year period. This programme includes a strong emphasis on the way in which the Jamaican Constabulary Force serves the people of Jamaica, including human rights issues such as victim support and gender awareness. Other projects funded this financial year are listed below:Caribbean Search Centre (trains search teams primarily to detect drugs and weapons) £630,000;Ionscan (drugs interdiction equipment) £350,000;Communications equipment for JDF (for coastguard) £400,000;

asked Her Majesty's Government:What evaluation has been undertaken of the training they provide to the Jamaican Constabulary Force. [HL118]

The Department for International Development (DfID) undertook a formal review of the Jamaican Constabulary Force's modernisation and reform programme in March 2002, two years after the programme began. This was followed by a further in-depth review in October 2002 and a series of monitoring visits. These reviews have included every aspect of the programme, including training.The Meacher project which focuses on the correct use of firearms and preserving lives is currently in the review and quality assurance stage.A full review of the Jamaican security sector will begin this month, including the Jamaican Constabulary and Defence Forces. The review is being carried out by the Government of Jamaica with assistance from the Government's Defence Advisory Team, and the American and Canadian Governments. The review will include a strategic review of the training Jamaica's security forces receive.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the training they provide to the Jamaican Constabulary Force includes preservation of forensic, ballistics and other evidence from incident scenes where police have discharged firearms or used other force. [HL119]

Some of the training provided to the Jamaican Constabulary Force under the Meacher project focuses on preserving forensic evidence at scenes of crime.My right honourable friend the Prime Minister initiated the Meacher project in Jamaica in 2001, based on recommendations from Molly Meacher, Head of the UK Police Complaints Authority who visited Jamaica that year, specifically to look at the high levels of fatal police shootings. This on-going project tackles issues at the heart of the Jamaican Constabulary Force's (JCF) human rights record. For instance, it trains officers in using firearms safely and properly. The project has been designed to be self-sustaining by training JCF trainers. The project is funded completely by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office using consultants who have previously served in the Metropolitan Police Service and the RUC.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What procedures are in place to monitor the use of force by individual police officers in the Jamaican Constabulary Force to whom they have provided training, firearms or other security equipment. [HL120]

The Government do not directly monitor the performance of individual officers. That is a task for the Government of Jamaica and the local media, preferably with constructive input from civil society and the private sector.No firearms or security equipment have been provided since 2001, other than technical equipment used specifically for drugs interdiction.We have provided assistance to strengthen and reform the Jamaican police, and to the investigation into the police killings in the district of Crawle. We are pleased to see some improvements in the style of policing evident from the professional way in which the police handled a serious shoot-out in the settlement of Canterbury in October 2003. We welcome the recent decision to bring charges against some of the policemen involved in the killing of seven youths in Braeton in 2001.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What monitoring procedures are in place to ensure that small arms and other security equipment exported from the United Kingdom to Jamaica are not being used by police officers in the Jamaican Constabulary Force to commit unlawful killings or injuries. [HL121]

No firearms have been exported since 2001. In that year the Government of Jamaica purchased from the UK 100 Beretta pistols which were issued to gazetted officers not on front line duty. The Government of Jamaica provided an undertaking that only Jamaica Constabulary Force Officers who had been certified as having received use of force and human rights training, such as training in methods of non-lethal apprehension of suspects, were to be issued with these weapons.Part of the agreement for the sale was that Jamaica's Police Public Complaints Authority (PPCA) would have automatic access and power to intervene in all cases where police misconduct is recorded. The authority includes civilians and human rights advocates. The head of the PPCA has confirmed that this now occurs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the implications for the assistance provided by Scotland Yard to the Jamaican Constabulary Force of the police killings of Lewena Thompson, Angela Richards, Matthew James and Kirk Gordon on 7 May. [HL132]

The British Government expect to continue future co-operation with the Government of Jamaica on law enforcement issues.The killings referred to in my noble friend's Question, which took place in the Crawle district of Clarenden, are under investigation by the Jamaican Constabulary Force. Scotland Yard is assisting in the investigation at the request of the Government of Jamaica.In May 2003 the Government of Jamaica requested assistance from Scotland Yard with the investigation. The Metropolitan Police Service has given the Jamaican Constabulary Force technical assistance to gather forensic and ballistics evidence. It has also given advice on procedures for conducting this type of enquiry.The decision on any prosecution or disciplinary action resulting from Scotland Yard's assistance is entirely a matter for the Jamaican Director of Public Prosecutions and the Jamaican Constabulary Force (JCF).

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider the human rights record of the Jamaican Constabulary Force when planning joint police operations with them. [HL133]

The British Government works closely with the Government of Jamaica to combat the flow of Class A drugs to the United Kingdom, but remains concerned about the human rights abuses committed by the Jamaican Constabulary Force (JCF). This is why much of our co-operation also focuses on modernising and improving the JCF with an emphasis on respect for human rights and community policing. The Government regularly raise with the Government of Jamaica the need for robust human rights standards, especially in policing.The Government of Jamaica have made a commitment to reforming the Jamaican Constabulary Force and in November 2003 Jamaica's Police Commissioner, Francis Forbes, unveiled extensive plans to tackle corruption in the JCF. In a public statement Commisssioner Forbes asserted that corruption and other illegal acts, such as the killing of innocent persons by the police, contribute to public mistrust of the police force.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether Israel has ratified the Statutes of the International Criminal Court. [HL209]

Israel became a signatory to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 31 December 2000 but has declared that it does not intend to ratify the statute. Further information can be obtained from the website of the ICC at www.un.org/law/icc.

asked Her Majesty's Government:To what extent the European Union has an agreed common policy as regards the Republic of Moldova. [HL211]

The basis of the EU's relationship with Moldova is the EU/Moldova Partnership and Co-operation Agreement. Moldova is a priority in the EU's new Neighbours Policy, as agreed by the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) and endorsed by the European Council in June this year. This policy offers Moldova a much closer relationship with the EU provided Moldova carries out the necessary economic and political reforms. The EU will draw up next year an Action Plan for Moldova, to enable Moldova to identify key reform priorities and to help target EU assistance in support of these.The EU also maintains an active role in assisting the peace settlement process for the frozen Transdneistria conflict in Moldova, working closely with OSCE partners.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect that the removal of Russian forces and military equipment from Moldova and Transdneistria (agreed at the Istanbul Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Summit Meeting for the end of December 2003) will be achieved. [HL212]

We had hoped that Russia would succeed in meeting the extended deadline of 31 December 2003 for removal of its arms and ammunition from Transdneistria. At the OSCE ministerial meeting in Maastricht on 1 to 2 December 2003, my honourable friend the Minister for Europe (Dr MacShane) expressed regret at Russia's non-fulfilment of its commitment and reiterated the Government's position that Russia must meet this commitment for the Adapted CFE treaty to be ratified. Russia is continuing to remove its arms and ammunition from Transdneistria, albeit slowly, and we stress the need for compilation of this process without further delay.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What effect the Home Secretary's statement that there was no limit to the number of immigrants in the country who could be assimilated would have on the sustainable communities plan; where additional housing capacity would be placed; and how many extra units they expect would have to be provided as a result. [HL17]

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary indicated recently that there is no obvious limit on the number of migrants entering the United Kingdom. This is not to say there should not be limits, but that immigration should be managed flexibly according to the needs of the economy on the one hand and the capacity of public services and the impact on community cohesion on the other. This is precisely the Government's policy of managed migration.The sustainable communities plan is already modelled on, and takes into account, overall projections of population and employment growth, including immigration.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will provide a breakdown of the costs of the recent visit by President Bush including:

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will meet the cost of the temporary pavilion used for the visit. Final costs are not yet available but the cost of the construction of the pavilion will be in line with previous state visits.The cost to the Royal Parks Agency of the emergency heliport was £200. The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis informs me that the estimated total cost of the policing operation for the Metropolitan Police Service and the Royal Parks Constabulary in relation to the state visit of US President Bush to London between 18–21 November 2003 was £4.2 million. The cost to Durham Constabulary for the President's visit to Durham on 21 November was an estimated £1 million. There was no cost to the police service from road closures.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many failed asylum seekers have been assisted to return by the International Organsation for Migration (IOM) since April 2003; and what reports they have had from the IOM of the way in which the returnees have been treated by the authorities in Zimbabwe. [HL88]

In giving the following Answer it has been assumed that Lord Avebury has sought to establish the numbers, in relation to assisted voluntary return, which International Organisation for Migration (IOM) effect on behalf of the Home Office.Assisted voluntary return (AVR) programmes are run by the International Organisation for Migration on behalf of the Home Office. Information on the numbers of asylum seekers who leave the UK under AVR programmes is not available.No problems have been reported by the IOM regarding the treatment of returnees by the Zimbabwean authority.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the Secretary of State decided, under Section 94(5) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, to place Jamaica on the list of states under Section 94(4) of the Act, whereby applications for asylum are presumed to be unfounded unless applicants can provide evidence to rebut that presumption. [HL134]

Section 94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 deals with unfounded asylum or human rights claims. It lists certain states, and provides that if the Secretary of State is satisfied that an asylum claimant or human rights claimant is entitled to reside in one of the listed states, he shall certify the claim as clearly unfounded, with the result that the applicant may not lodge an appeal within the United Kingdom against the refusal of the asylum or human rights application.Under the Act, the Secretary of State may add by affirmative order additional states or parts of states to the list of countries to which the non-suspensive appeal provisions described above apply. He may do so provided that he is satisfied that there is in general no serious risk of persecution of persons entitled to reside in those states and that removal to those states of persons entitled to reside there will not in general contravene the United Kingdom's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

asked Her Majesty's Government:With regard to the draft analytical report on alcohol of the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit advisory group, why none of the academic or expert advisers was consulted about the deletion from the report of certain paragraphs which (a) dealt with price and availability as the two main supply-side levers which can be used to influence alcohol use and misuse and (b) cited research indicating that relaxing availability causes increased harm. [HL147]

The sponsor Minister, my honourable friend Hazel Blears MP, wrote to the noble Lord on 22 October 2003 to answer his previous questions on this issue. As my honourable friend then explained, the draft analytical paper was circulated to key stakeholders on a personal basis. The purpose of that process was to enable us to draw on expert advice and reflect this in the final report. This enabled us to present the best possible analysis. We have invited further views on the interim analytical report and would welcome the noble Lord's comments on the published version.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many sectors-based scheme work permits have been issued to workers coming into the United Kingdom; how many are for short-term seasonal workers; and how many are longer-term posts. [HL148]

Work Permits (UK) has issued 3,878 sectors-based scheme (SBS) work permits up to 30 September 2003.It is not possible to state exactly how many sectors-based scheme permits have been issued for short-term seasonal work and how many are longer-term posts as information is not recorded in these terms.However, the table outlines the number of SBS permits, and their length, issued for each of the four sectors covered by the scheme from the launch of SBS on 30 May 2003 to 30 September 2003.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why, in their public consultation document

The public consultation document A Future Fair for All is a Labour Party, not a government, document.We are concerned about the costs of policing late-night entertainment venues. We believe that partnership working is key to tackling crime and disorder. There are already some excellent examples of this such as City Centre Safe in Manchester and we want to see more schemes where entertainment outlets help to contribute to the additional services needed to manage the night-time economy.The Home Office is working closely with the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit to develop an alcohol harm reduction strategy for England. The strategy will tackle a wide range of issues including managing the costs of crime and disorder.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the national alcohol harm reduction strategy has assessed the potential savings which would arise if licensed premises switched from glass to plastic bottles and if they used only kite-marked half and one pint capacity glasses. [HL194]

The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit published an interim analytical report on the harms associated with alcohol misuse to inform the development of the alcohol harm reduction strategy for England. This report cited research that demonstrated that the use of toughened glass can help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. In developing the strategy the Government will consider a range of measures to tackle the harms from alcohol misuse.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will explain the statement made by the Deputy Prime Minister on the BBC1 programme "The Politics Show" on 2 November concerning regional assemblies that, "The boundaries have already been set for us". [HL160]

My right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister simply stated a fact. Section 28 of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003 set out that a region is a region specified in Schedule 1 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. Parliament has already decided that these are the appropriate boundaries.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they have taken to inform local authorities about mandatory rate relief for community amateur sports clubs. [HL199]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister sent a letter to all local authorities on 7 October 2003 informing them of forthcoming changes to the rating system resulting from the Local Government Act 2003, which included the introduction of rate relief for community amateur sports clubs. The noble Lord may wish to see Business Rates Information Letter (06/2003): Local Government Act 2003(http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/busratsl.htm). A copy of this letter will be available in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will encourage the various bodies that inspect local government to follow the lead of the Audit Commission in taking a more strategic approach to inspection and in co-ordinating their activities to ensure that inspections add value and lead to improvement. [HL239]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister welcomes the commitment expressed by the Audit Commission to a strategic approach to inspection. The other bodies which inspect local government have also expressed a commitment to the principles of proportionality and co-ordination. This is in line with the Government's policy on the inspection of public services, which was published in July this year. Significant progress has been made; inspections are better targeted to where they will do most good and the timing and content of such inspections are better co-ordinated. However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister believes much more can still be done to improve the effectiveness of inspection and is working with all those who inspect local government to deliver this.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the national domestic violence helpline will be available. [HL445]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has today announced a new service providing a single freephone helpline for people seeking help with domestic violence. The helpline service was part of a package of funding announced in December 2002 providing a total of £2 million over three years to support the development of the helpline and 'ukrefugesonline' to provide more effective help in finding domestic violence services. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is working in partnership with Comic Relief, with each contributing £1 million to the initiative, and with Refuge and Women's Aid, who will be running the helpline.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they plan to issue a new land use planning policy statement for town centres in England. [HL442]

I am today announcing the start of the 13-week public consultation period for Planning Policy Statement 6, which sets out this Government's planning policy for town centres.Vital and viable town centres have a key role in the delivery of sustainable communities-a vision set out in the communities plan. This new draft planning policy statement carries forward the "town centres first" approach established in PPG6 (1996), and clearly sets out positive planning policies, which will encourage investment and growth in city, town and other centres.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What percentage of Civil Service staff, including the industrial Civil Service, were employed by the Ministry of Defence for each year from 1994–2002 and in the year 2003 to date. [HL167]

The percentage of Civil Service staff employed by the Ministry of Defence for each year from 1994–2002 is as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many Turkish Cypriots are employed in each of the two United Kingdom sovereign bases on the island of Cyprus; and whether their employment will be influenced if only the Greek Cypriot southern sector of Cyprus becomes a member of the European Union. [HL265]

There are currently 296 Turkish Cypriots employed in the eastern sovereign base area (ESBA). None are employed in the western sovereign base area (WSBA) at present. The absence of a settlement is unlikely to result in a reduction in the numbers employed in the ESBA.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What will be the effect on the employment of Turkish Cypriots in the two United Kingdom sovereign bases in Cyprus if the northern Turkish Cypriot sector of Cyprus does not join with the southern Greek sector of Cyprus in membership of the European Union in 2004. [HL266]

The absence of a settlement is unlikely to result in a reduction in the number of Turkish Cypriots employed in the sovereign base areas. In fact, the increased requirement for boundary controls has meant that we have recently employed an additional eight Turkish Cypriot customs officers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What political advice has been given to Turkish Cypriots in Beyarmudus by Colonel Grosswith, Commander of the United Kingdom sovereign base in Dhekelia in Cyprus; whether the advice on voting was given by the United Kingdom High Commission in Cyprus; and whether the Army approve of involvement in the election process. [HL267]

The allegations of electoral interference by the commander of the eastern sovereign base area are completely unfounded. The British Government have made clear that they want to see a free and fair election process in which Turkish Cypriots can decide their own future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to issue a code of practice for independent schools covering the exchange of commercially sensitive information; and [HL225]Whether they will define "commercially sensitive information" in the context of independent schools determining their own competitive strategies; and [HL226]Whether they will privide guidance to independent schools as to how such schools can participate in formal meetings of professional bodies trade associations and discuss staff salaries without infringing the risk of exchanging commercially sensitive information regarding salary levels in other schools. [HL227]

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is the body that investigates compliance with the Competition Act 1998. It has no plans to issue a code of practice for independent schools covering the exchange of commercially sensitive information.The OFT provides informaton about commercially sensitive information and other aspects of competition law on its website www.oft.gov.uk.On 19 November 2003 the OFT provided the Independent Schools Council (ISC) with general guidance and offered to provide more specific guidance on the Act if it was needed. The OFT also indicated that if its member schools were to comply with the ISC's proposed code of practice (based on one drawn up by a member school), it was unlikely to infringe the Act in respect of the points covered by the code. We understand that the ISC wrote to all its member schools in early December drawing their attention to the code.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in light of the recent study by the Open University and Staffordshire University, they believe that, of the 524 secondary schools surveyed, 1.7 per cent of budgets spent on information communication technology compared with 0.8 per cent spent on books represents an appropriate balance. [HL261]

Schools, rather than government, are best placed to determine how to make use of their budgets to achieve an appropriate balance between ICT, books and other resources. It is reasonable, however, to expect such expenditure to be co-ordinated in a whole-school approach that enables teachers to make use of new technologies alongside traditional media to deliver a rich blend of learning that engages and inspires every young person to succeed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many people claimed the new deal for 50- plus employment credit between April and June 2002; and [HL115]How many people claimed the working tax credit 50-plus element between April and June 2003 [HL116]

Between April 2002 and June 2002 there were 8,340 employment credit starts under the new deal 50-plus. Information on the number of claims to working tax credit 50-plus element from April 2003 is not yet available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in the light of the findings on Vapona strips impregnated with dichlorvos, current approval for Vapona strips impregnated with azamethiphos has taken into account involuntary and prolonged exposure by inhalation of young children and other vulnerable individuals in confined spaces; and, if so, whether they are satisfied that no chronic health effects will occur. [HL245]

In 1998, in response to public concern, Ministers initiated a high priority review of all anticholinesterase compounds approved for use in non-agricultural and agricultural pesticides. The reviews of products for non-agricultural use: have been undertaken by HSE. These include products containing the organophosphate compounds azamethiphos and dichlorvos. The independent, expert Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) has considered all the available physical chemistry, efficacy and human health data supporting the individual active ingredients and made recommendations to Ministers.The risk assessments for azamethiphos in the recent UK review addressed chronic inhalation exposure to residents (adults and children) using scenarios based on reasonable worst case exposures, including prolonged exposure in a small room. Azamethiphos is considerably less volatile than dichlorvos and therefore much less likely to be present in the air. Vapona strips containing azamethiphos act more like baits; they contain attractants to bring the flies to the mat where the insecticidal action is via direct contact.The ACP considered that these risk assessments gave no cause for concern and Ministers agreed the recommendations of the ACP to allow these products to continue to hold approval.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many families with one member aged over 50 (i) receive and (ii) are entitled to working tax credit; and of these families how many (i) receive and (ii) are entitled to working tax credit:

The table covers families in work at 3 October 2003. It shows (i) figures for those in receipt of working tax credit (WTC), and (ii) figures for those in receipt of either WTC or of child tax credit (CTC) above the family element (their awards were therefore higher because of the WTC elements).

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which sports are scheduled for priority funding in (a) England; (b) Scotland; (c) Wales; and (d) Northern Ireland, as well as those selected on a United Kingdom basis. [HL228]

The 10 sports selected for priority funding under Sport England's national governing bodies investment platform are badminton, cricket, football, golf, hockey, netball, rugby union, rugby league, squash and tennis.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will provide details of the staff costs for each of the Sport England regional offices for (a) 2001–02; (b) 2002–03; and (c) 2003–04. [HL229]

The information requested is in the following table.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will clarify the relationships between Sport England's national sports strategy and the nine regional sports strategies; and whether they will place copies of the strategies in the Library of the House. [HL230]

Sport England has carried out extensive consultation with stakeholders in the regions, involving over 1,200 people, to help to develop a framework for sport. This is currently being drawn up. The nine regional sports boards are preparing regional sports strategies and are consulting relevant regional bodies, with a view to producing regional strategies within the context of the national framework.Sport England expects to complete the national and regional frameworks by April 2004, and the strategies will be placed in the Library of the House at that time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in the light of the reports of increasing obesity particularly among young people, they will provide additional funding to community and voluntary sports organisations to enable them to provide more opportunities for activity to help achieve the Government's objectives of improving health. [HL240]

The cross-departmental activity co-ordination team will produce a national physical activity strategy next year. The strategy will address the issue of support for community and voluntary sports organisations.The Government have already put measures in place to support community and voluntary sport. Community sports clubs in 16 sports will receive £60 million for capital facilities works from 2003–04 to 2005–06 under the community club development programme. Such clubs which are registered as community amateur sports clubs will, with clubs so registered in other sports, also receive 80 per cent mandatory rate relief from April 2004. Community sports facilities which are not based at amateur clubs will benefit from a £108 million investment of lottery funds under the New Opportunities Fund and Sport England is Active England programme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What lessons have been learnt from the roll-out of the tax credits information technology system for the forthcoming procurement of the Inland Revenue's £4 billion ASPIRE service provision deal. [HL264]

The ASPIRE procurement formally commenced on 2 March 2002, and is now nearly complete. As with all government procurements, ASPIRE is governed by strict EU competition rules, as well as HM Government policy. All responses to the ASPIRE invitation to tender were evaluated through a rigorous qualitative, financial and commercial assessment. The Inland Revenue reserved the right to examine any other contracts held by the bidders-particularly in the public sector-where there was significant speculation that performance was unsatisfactory.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to encourage broadcasters to make their services more accessible to blind and partially sighted people. [HL275]

The Communications Act sets an audio description target for broadcasters. This is that within a 10-year anniversary, 10 per cent of non-excluded programmes are to be audio described for the blind. The Act extends this requirement to digital cable and satellite broadcasters for the first time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which rugby union matches the Minister for Sport has attended since being appointed to office. [HL285]

My right honourable friend the Minister for Sport and Tourism has attended the following international matches: New Zealand v Fiji in Manchester, August 2002, Australia v New Zealand and England v France in Sydney, November 2003; along with a number of league matches at Rotherham RFU club and local matches at Sheffield club.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is their policy on tackling drug abuse in sport that anyone found guilty of using tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) should be banned for life. [HL333]

Under the current national anti-doping policy, the sanction given to a sportsperson who has committed a doping offence for taking THG or other prohibited substances is a matter for sport's international federations or national governing bodies.With the implementation of the world anti-doping code in 2004, sport's international federations and national governing bodies will be expected to abide by the code including the articles relating to sanctions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What licences have been (a) granted; and (b) refused under category PL 5001 security equipment for Jamaica since 1 January 2003. [HL131]

The Government have issued one open individual export licence (OIEL) for Jamaica rated under category PL 5001 since 1 January 2003, authorising the export of ballistic shields and mine clearance shields.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the "Arrangement of Articles" for the Lynn (S.I. 2003/2829), the Norfolk (S.I. 2003/2830), and the Inner Dowsing (S.I. 2003/2831) Offshore Wind Farm Orders do not follow the same format. [HL231]

While there are minor differences in format between the various statutory instruments reflecting the individual nature of each project, they all follow the same basic structure.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assessment has been made of the potential damage to the bird life from the decision in the Lynn (S.I. 2003/2829); the Norfolk (S.I. 2003/2830); and the Inner Dowsing (S.I. 2003/2831) Offshore Wind Farm Orders to paint nacelles and blades submarine grey; and what organisations were consulted about these orders. [HL232]

My department is financing a number of bird studies associated with offshore wind farm developments but nothing is planned on the impact of colour on bird strikes. The requirement to paint nacelles and blades submarine grey was necessary to minimise visual intrusion when the wind farms are viewed from the shore. Each developer will have consulted widely on the proposed development but consultees on the draft orders included the relevant local council, port and water authority, the Chamber of Shipping, Countryside Agency, the Crown Estate, English Heritage, English Nature, Environment Agency, Health and Safety Executive, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Royal Yachting Association, Radiocommunications Agency, RSBP, the Trinity House Lighthouse Service and a number of government departments.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they believe that retailers and other users of radio frequency identification tags should make their policies and practices in respect of such tags available to the public. [HL154]

The extent to which retailers and others disclose their use of technology to customers or the wider public is a decision to be taken by the companies concerned. Some customers have concerns over the use of radio frequency (RFID) tags that could result in an unwillingness to shop at particular establishments should those concerns not be addressed. There are examples of where this has happened. There are also instances where retailers have successfully introduced or piloted innovative RFID systems and this success has, in large part, been due to the retailer explaining to staff and customers why the technology is being used and the limitations to its use, and offering customers the choice of removal or deactivation of RFID tags on purchase.It therefore appears that disclosure and choice in the use of RFID tags makes sound business sense and should be encouraged. The Department of Trade and Industry is in discussion with RFID technology suppliers and users to determine whether a disclosure regime similar to that applied to the use of closed circuit television (CCTV) would be helpful in this matter.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What were the fuel and power imports into the United Kingdom during 2001–02; from which countries they were imported; and whether they will break down the type of fuel and power imported from each country. [HL158]

Detailed information on fuel and power imported into and exported from the United Kingdom in 2001 and 2002 are published on the DTI website at the following address: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy-stats/foreigntrade/index.shtml. It is also contained in Annex G of the digest of United Kingdom energy statistics 2003 internet booklet (which is a printed version of tables that are otherwise available only on the DTI website). A copy of this booklet is available in the House Library.In summary, 91.1 million tonnes of oil equivalent of fuel was imported during 2002, down from 94.7 million tonnes of oil equivalent during 2001. 73 per cent of crude oil imported during 2002 came from Norway and a further 9 per cent from Russia. Two-thirds of the coal imported came from South Africa, Australia, and Russia.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to encourage the development, validation and use of replacement alternatives for the

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) evaluates data submitted in support of applications for clinical trials and marketing authorisation applications. The MHRA works to agreed Home Office principles on animal welfare in the assessment of safety.Regulatory guidelines allow the use of alternatives to animal tests where appropriate, and when the alternative technique has been adequately validated. An

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress is being made to ensure that proper contingency plans are in place to protect the United Kingdom population from a bioterrorist attack with smallpox. [HL443]

Last December, we announced the steps that the Department of Health was taking to strengthen our plans against any deliberate release of biological agents, including smallpox. That announcement included three main components: improved vaccine stocks; a plan of action; and a cohort of immunised staff.We have no evidence of a specific threat of smallpox attack on the United Kingdom. However, it is sensible and prudent to ensure that the National Health Service can deal effectively with any potential threat.Over this last year, we have taken action to increase substantially our stocks of smallpox vaccine, and have announced a contract for a second procurement. This will enable us to provide new vaccine for the whole population, if required.Our plan of action has been updated and revised following discussion and comment. The plan revisions incorporate valuable input from a wide range of medical experts and groups within the NHS as well as other government departments. Implementation of the plan is being co-ordinated by the Health Protection Agency's (HPA) regional leads. We are today publishing the revised plan, copies of which are available in the Vote Office and can be accessed on the Department of Health website at:

asked Her Majesty's Government:What training is provided to senior civil servants on the role, procedures and significance of Parliament; how long such training lasts; and what grades of civil servants are involved. [HL142]

The Centre for Management and Policy Studies (CMPS) located in the Cabinet Office provides a range of training designed for civil servants and others which is described in a brochure Working with Parliament. These programmes cover the role of Parliament and its place in the British constitution and specific areas such as working on legislation, parliamentary Questions and Select Committees. Courses and seminars specifically on parliamentary work vary from half a day to two days in length. Some include a visit to the Palace of Westminster. Since April 2003, 604 civil servants from all grades have attended these courses, of whom 59 are members of the Senior Civil Service.Parliament also forms an important part of the programme on a number of other more general courses provided by CMPS for the Senior Civil Service, fast stream trainees and others. In addition, departmental training provision covers parliamentary business.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What guidance is given to officials in Bill teams on the procedures of both Houses of Parliament. [HL144]

The Guide to Legislative Procedures is available to all Bill teams, giving detailed guidance on all aspects of a Bill's preparation and parliamentary passage. A revised and updated version will shortly be published on the Cabinet Office website. The Centre for Management and Policy Studies (CMPS) in the Cabinet Office runs an annual seminar for Bill teams which covers the legislative process from policy to Royal Assent, including the procedures in both Houses. This is supported by seminars given to individual Bill teams by staff from both Houses of Parliament, CMPS, parliamentary counsel and the legislative programme secretariat in the Cabinet Office.