asked Her Majesty's Government:Which schools in Armagh city were consulted about the proposal to develop an integrated secondary school in Armagh; how many pupils at the Armagh College of Further Education (CFE) were enrolled for the A-level examination last year; what is the proportion of Roman Catholics to Protestants in the Armagh CFE; and whether the Armagh CFE was consulted about the proposed integrated college in Armagh. [HL341]

The proposal to establish a new integrated school in Armagh was published on 8 October 2003. This initiated a two-month consultation period for comments. While there is no statutory requirement for the education and library boards to consult individual schools regarding the establishment of new grant-maintained integrated schools, the Southern Education and Library Board also carried out its own consultation with the following schools in Armagh: City of Armagh High; St Brigid's High; St Catherine's College; St Patrick's Grammar; The Royal School; Saints and Scholars Integrated Primary. Armagh College of Further Education was not consulted by the board.In the 2002–03 academic year there were 415 (of which 381 were full-time) enrolments' on A-level (AS and A2) programmes at the college.An analysis of the community background within the college found: 50 per cent 'Roman Catholic', 38 per cent 'Protestant', 2 per cent 'other religion' and 10 per cent 'not stated or unknown'.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many conservation officers the Department of Environment in Northern Ireland employs; and whether that number is sufficient. [HL438]

The department employs six officers, three full-time and three part-time, on conservation area work. In addition, the department operates a call-off contract with local architects, who also provide advice on conservation area matters.The Minister of the Environment is currently reviewing the level of resources devoted to this important work.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they plan to make any change in the responsibilities of conservation areas in Northern Ireland; and whether they envisage an increase in funding in the near future. [HL439]

The Minister of the Environment is currently reviewing the arrangements for, and funding of, the administration of conservation area work within the Department of the Environment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the population of Belfast and Moyle council areas. [HL515]

The 2002 mid-year estimates of population for Belfast and Moyle local government district areas are, respectively, 274,100 and 16,200.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are in favour of establishing an independent body to monitor human rights in Sudan, including the proposal to establish such a body through the United Nations Commission for Human Rights; and whether they would provide additional resources in order to fund such a body.[HL359]

We recognise the need to monitor the human rights situation in Sudan closely and we raise human rights issues on a regular basis, both bilaterally and as part of the EU-Sudan dialogue.We were disappointed that, despite our hard work and that of our EU partners, the EU-sponsored resolution on Sudan at the UN Commission on Human Rights was lost on 16 April. The result of the vote (24 in favour, 26 against and three abstentions) was the first defeat of this resolution in 10 years and meant the termination of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur. We are currently considering how to approach the 2004 UN Commission on Human Rights.Through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Human Rights Project Fund we have provided £50,000 to the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights for work in Sudan for 2003–04 and we are also helping to fund the work of the Sudan Organisation Against Torture (SOAT) which documents human rights abuses. We will consider further requests for funding as appropriate.

No prisoners captured in Iraq are, or ever have been, under detention either on Diego Garcia or on any of the islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), or anywhere in the territorial waters belonging to BIOT. Nor have any such prisoners been detained on board any vessel, wherever it may be, after it has in some way transited through any place in BLOT.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have discussed or will discuss with the Government of Pakistan the adoption of Sharia law by the North West Frontier Province; its likely effect on minorities; and the possibility that it may conflict with Pakistan's international obligations. [HL495]

We are aware that the Sharia Bill passed by the Assembly of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) commits the provincial government to review laws in the province and introduce any amendments required to bring them into line with Islamic injunctions. We understand the Bill is awaiting the signature of the provincial governor, before it becomes law. The Government of the NWFP have repeatedly given assurances of their intention to safeguard minority rights. We have been advised that nothing within the legislation so far tabled alters the status of minorities in NWFP. We constantly advocate that any further moves should also protect minority rights.We have raised this issue with the Pakistani authorities together with our EU colleagues, and my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary raised our concerns with President Musharraf in June this year and related issues with Foreign Minister Kasuri in November. My honourable friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mike O'Brien) discussed it with the Pakistani High Commissioner when he met her in September.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they were consulted in advance about the release of photographs of Saddam Hussein's medical examination; and whether they have made representations to the United States Government about the appropriateness of such publication. [HL550]

UK representatives in the Coalition Provisional Authority were involved in discussions about the release of the images of Saddam Hussein. The view was taken that it was in Iraqi public interest that such images should be released. The aims were to remove any doubt that he was in coalition custody and to reassure Iraqis that they no longer faced the possibility that Saddam would return to terrorise them.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that the treatment of prisoners of war and terrorist suspects, by all allied states, should reflect their commitment to due process of law, impartial justice and democratic values. [HL555]

Yes. We expect all states to abide by their international legal obligations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in their capacity as guarantor, they will give an assessment of the recent parliamentary election results in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. [HL575]

The elections in the north of Cyprus came at a critical time for the future of Cyprus and the prospects for a lasting and comprehensive settlement. We note the widespread concerns expressed by many Turkish Cypriots about the way in which the campaign was conducted. Notwithstanding those concerns, the majority of Turkish Cypriots have voted for a settlement to the Cyprus problem and for accession to the European Union. It is important that this desire is fully respected.We hope that a new administration will be in place as soon as possible to allow Turkish Cypriots to grasp the opportunity available to reach a settlement to the Cyprus problem before I May 2004. We call on all sides to signal their willingness to meet the United Nations Secretary-General's criteria for the resumption of negotiations without delay.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What changes have been made to the conditions of employment and remuneration of workshop instructors in HM Prisons, which are to be transferred to local education providers; how many of these instructors have so far handed in their notice; and what steps they will take to ensure that craft training hours in the prisons are maintained. [HL87]

At present, no changes have been made to the terms and conditions of workshop instructors in HM Prisons. We expect staff who are currently delivering vocational training to transfer to the successful contractor for learning and skills in prisons on 1 September 2004.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether any organisation proscribed by law or any known racist organisation has been investigated and found to be in breach of the Race Relations Act 1976 or the Human Rights Act 1998. [HL258]

A list of the organisations proscribed by law was set out in my right honourable friend the Home Secretary's Written Answer of 8 December 2003 (col. 238W) in another place.The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) is empowered to carry out formal investigations (FIs) under Section 48 of the Race Relations Act 1976. There are two types of FI:

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many incidents have occurred in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain, which they consider are the responsibility of (i) the Real IRA; (ii) the Continuity IRA; (iii) the Provisional IRA; and (iv) other republican groups in each of the years since 1993.[HL364]

The table details the number of incidents occurring in Great Britain since 1993 that are considered the responsibility of republican groups. Incidents include bomb attacks (including letter bombs), finds of improvised explosive devices, arrests, shooting incidents and hoaxes. Incidents in Ireland are matter for the Northern Ireland Office.

Great Britain
Year	Irish Republican Incidents
1993	44
1994	24
1995	2
1996	9
1997	8
1998	1
1999	0
2000	5
2001	4
2002	0
2003	1

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are negotiating improvements in mutual visa arrangements with Russia. [HL421]

We are not engaged in any negotiations with Russia with a view to concluding an agreement to improve mutual visa arrangements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are compelling Afghan asylum seekers who no longer have any right of appeal to return to Afghanistan; and whether any exception is made for those of Sikh or Hindu origin. [HL425]

Our preferred option for repatriating unsuccessful Afghan asylum seekers is by assisted voluntary return. However for those who do not leave voluntarily—including those of Sikh or Hindu origin —appropriate enforcement action will be considered. In April 2003 we began enforcing the return to Afghanistan of those who have exhausted their appeal rights and have been found not to be in need of international protection. Returns are only enforced to those areas of Afghanistan with adequate security and infrastructure.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will legislate to remove the statutory requirement for Best Value performance plans of parish councils to be audited following the Audit Commission report on minimising the burden of strategic regulation; and whether the "lighter touch" audits will be reduced so that they are lower in total cost over three years than the triennial audit which they replaced. [HL539]

The Government are keen to explore opportunities to minimise any burden that may be associated with the audit of the Best Value performance plans prepared by the 41 Best Value town and parish councils. We intend to discuss the detailed implications of this proposal with the Audit Commission shortly. Each Best Value town and parish council receives a grant of £30,000 per annum towards the cost of auditing their performance plans and carrying out other Best Value requirements.Regarding the non-statutory triennial audit in respect of other parish councils, we understand that the commission does not hold details of individual councils that participated in the scheme, hence it is not possible to make a direct comparison with current audit costs. However, overall, the external audit fees for all parish councils have reduced from £2.4 million in 2001 to £1.4 million in 2002.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the difference in the level of protection against inhaled anthrax provided to veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf conflict for those who received the first anthrax-pertussis injection only, as compared to those who received the first and second, and as compared to those who received the first, the second and the third. [HL519]

No studies of the efficacy of United Kingdom anthrax vaccine against inhalation anthrax have been undertaken in humans. Animal studies with the UK vaccine suggest that although a single immunisation will induce a response, optimum protective immunity is achieved by administering booster doses. Most vaccines require several doses to achieve and maintain protective immunity and the anthrax vaccine is not expected to be different. In 1991, anthrax vaccine and pertussis vaccine were co-administered, rather than being combined and given in one injection. In February 1991, the decision was taken to drop pertussis from the anti-biological warfare programme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the population of (a) Scotland; (b) Wales; (c) Northern Ireland; and how many Members are elected to each of their devolved parliamentary institutions. [HL513]

The population of Scotland is 5,062,011; Wales 2,903,085; and Northern Ireland 1,687,267. These figures are taken from the 2001 census.Scotland has 129 MSPs of which 73 are constituency members and 56 list members; Wales has 60 AMs of which 40 are constituency members and 20 list members; and Northern Ireland has 108 members, six from each of the 18 constituencies.The size of the membership of each of the devolved administrations reflects the responsibilities of the respective institutions, not just the size of the population.The electoral arrangements for each of the devolved administrations are set out respectively in the Scotland Act 1998, the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and the Government of Wales Act 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What has been the cost of housing benefit paid to tenants of (a) housing associations; (b) local authorities; and (c) private landlords in each of the last three years in the Allerdale Borough Council area of Cumbria. [HL391]

The information is in the table.

Estimate of housing benefit expenditure of Allerdule Borough Council
	Rent allowance paid to tenants of housing associations £millions	Rent allowance paid to tenants of private landlords £millions	Total housing benefit expenditure £millions
2000–01	12.2	3.3	15.5
2001–02	12.8	3.2	16.0
2002–03	13.1	3.1	16.2

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the total cost of rent allowance payable to tenants of housing associations in each local authority area or other defined sub-region in the financial year 2002–03; and [HL392]What is the total cost of rent allowance payable to tenants of private landlords, excluding housing associations, in each local authority area or other defined sub-region in the financial year 2002–03. [HL393]

The information has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:As part of the rationalisation programme, how many Jobcentres have been shut in smaller towns in 2003; how many are due to be shut in future; and where thereafter the administration of the social fund will be carried out for each closure. [HL536]

Through the introduction of Jobcentre Plus we are seeking to improve access to our services for all people of working age. Each district is different and local managers are best placed to determine how to meet the needs of the local community. As each of our 90 Jobcentre Plus districts develops its plans for introducing the new service, local MPs, stakeholders and organisations representing our customers are fully consulted.We are using the opportunity afforded through this modernisation programme to review where we need to locate offices, taking into account the new processes we are introducing, demographic change, transport links and many other factors. In many cases Jobcentres and social security offices are located in close proximity, and we must carefully determine which buildings to retain and refurbish.A full list of all the office closures so far, including social security offices, and their impact on the delivery of social fund has been placed in the Library.Jobcentre Plus is currently looking at plans for the remainder of the rollout period, up to March 2006. I am sorry that I cannot provide details of future planned closures until this work has been completed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What estimate has been made of the example of the additional cost to the Exchequer arising from the Chancellor's announcement of the doubling of the thresholds at which community amateur sports clubs are exempt from corporation tax to a new rate of £50,000.[HL499]

This deregulatory measure was estimated to have a negligible annual cost to the Exchequer for the purposes of the 2003 Pre-Budget Report (Cm6042). All eligible amateur sports clubs are encouraged to register for CASC status so that they can take full advantage of the tax reliefs available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 9 December (HC Deb, 425W), how many briefings on the London 2012 Olympic bid have been distributed to Ministers on overseas visits; and whether they will place a copy of the briefings in the Library of the House.[HL501]

A general briefing containing advice for Ministers on what they could do in support of the London 2012 bid in the course of their official duties was circulated in July 2003. This briefing was based on the rules of conduct issued by the International Olympic Committee to all cities wishing to organise the Olympic Games. We would need IOC permission to place a copy of this document in the Library of the House; meanwhile it can be viewed on the IOC website at http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report 696.pdf.More specific briefing has been provided for four ministerial overseas visits. It would not be appropriate to deposit those briefings in the Library of the House, as they contain information that could prejudice the competitive advantage of the bid.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their current estimate of the capital cost of the Birmingham northern relief road.[HL416]

The M6 Toll (formerly known as the Birmingham northern relief road) has been privately financed by Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) under a 53-year concession agreement awarded by the Government. The construction costs awarded by MEL to its contractor at tender stage were £485.5 million. The overall costs are a matter for MEL but it is believed that the development cost incurred is in the region of £900 million. This includes the cost of land, interest on loans, consultancy, management and legal fees.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the figures from the World Economic Forum's Global Information Technology Report, which show that the United Kingdom is fifth in the rankings in scientific research but thirty-seventh in the availability of scientists and engineers, are satisfactory; and what implications this has for their information technology targets. [HL372]

The Government recognise the critical importance of having highly trained scientists and engineers to help meet their information technology targets. The 2002 spending review settlement saw £100 million per year added to the science budget, from 2005–06, to implement the key recommendations of the Sir Gareth Roberts review of the supply of scientists and engineers. This money will create 1,000 new academic fellowships, substantially increase postdoctoral salaries and improve the training

Current legislation for the natures of claim tabulated in the Employment Tribunals Service annual report for 2002–03
Nature of Claim	Curent Legistation	Commencement Date
Unfair dismissal	Employment Rights Act 1996 Section 111	22/8/96
Wages Act	Employment Rights Act 1996 Section 23	22/8/96
Breach of contract	Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) Order 1994 SI 1623 and Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (Scotland) Order 1994 SI 1624	12/7/94
Sex discrimination	Sex Discrimination Act 1975 Section 63	12/11/75
Redundancy pay	Employment Rights Act 1996 Sections 163–164	22/8/96
Working time directive	Working Time Regulations 1998	1/10/98
Disability discrimination Equal pay	Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Section 8	8/11/95
Race discrimination	Race Relations Act 1976 Sections 54 and 64	13/6/77
Redundancy—failure to inform and consult	Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 Section 189	16/10/92
Written statement of terms and conditions	Employment Rights Act 1996 Section 11	22/8/96
Written statement of reasons for dismissal	Employment Rights Act 1996 Section 93	22/8/96
Unfair dismissal—transfer of an undertaking	Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981	1/5/82
Written pay statement	Employment Rights Act 1996 Section 11	22/8/96
Transfer of an undertaking—failure to inform and consult	Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981	1/2/82
	Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981	1/11/99
	Regulation 10a
Unfair dismissal—pregnancy	Employment Rights Act 1996 Section 111	15/12/99
National minimum wage	National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999	1/4/99
	National Minimum Wage Act 1998 Section 24	1/4/99
Part-time workers regulations	Part Time Worker (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000	1/7/2000

asked Her Majesty's Government:On which dates the different types of claims listed in Table 1 of the 2002–03 annual report of the Employment Tribunals Service formed the basis for applications to be registered with tribunals. [HL385]

The attached table shows the different types of claim listed in Table 1 of the 2002–03 annual report of the Employment Tribunals Service. Reference is made to the legislative provision under which such claims are currently presented to an employment tribunal and the dates when those respective provisions came into force. A number of the legislative provisions listed are re-enactments of earlier legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many cases there have been of salmonella, ecoli and listeria recorded in England and Wales over each of the past 10 years. [HL570]

The following tables provide details of laboratory confirmed salmonella, verocytotoxin-producing e.coli O157, and listeria monocytogenes infections in humans in England and Wales 1993–2003.

Laboratory confirmed cases of Salmonella infection in humans—Faecal and unknown reports excluding S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi—England and Wales 1993–2003
Year	S. Typhimurium	S. Enteritidis	Other Serotypes	Total Salmonellas
1993	4,778	20,254	5,618	30,650
1994	5,522	17,371	7,518	30,411
1995	6,743	16,044	6,527	29,314
1996	5,542	18,256	5,185	28,983
1997	4,778	23,008	4,810	32,596
1998	3,039	16,397	4,292	23,728
1999	2,424	10,775	4,333	17,532
2000	2,651	8,468	3,725	14,844
2001*	2,085	10,755	3,625	16,465
2002*	1,886	9,733	3,119	14,738
2003**				13,775
* Provisional data
** Data to end of week 48, data breakdown by serotype unavailable.

asked. Her Majesty's Government:Of the cases of salmonella, e. coli and listeria recorded in each year since 1993, what percentage were found to be a result of: (a) on-farm practice: (b) processing practice; (c) home preparation; (d) catering establishment preparation; and (e) retail practices. [HL571]

This information is not available. The source of illness can generally be determined only when two or more cases are linked (an outbreak). The vast majority of cases of infection due to salmonella, e. coli and listeria do not occur as part of an outbreak and it is impossible to determine how they arose, or indeed whether they were food-borne.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many pilot entry level schemes have been made available to farmers across England; whether any such schemes have been wound up; if so, why; whether there are any plans to open any further schemes; and when the results of the pilot schemes will be assessed and the results published. [HL 347]

The entry level scheme pilot was launched in February 2003, and is running in four pilot areas. These pilot areas were chosen to represent different farming systems to make sure that we tested the scheme on a range of farm types (upland, arable, mixed and dairying).The pilot scheme was open to applications from farmers within the pilot areas between February and May 2003. 274 farmers have joined the scheme, and their agreements run for five years from 1 August 2003.The scheme is being evaluated and the results will be published next year. Early feedback suggests that I he scheme has potential to deliver significant environmental benefits, but refinement of the design will improve this further. There are no plans to run any more pilots, but it is hoped to roll out the scheme nationally in 2005.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What advice they offer to potential entrants into farming on the minimum size of farm holdings that are economically viable for (a) dairy; (b) arable; (c) lowland livestock; and (d) hill farms. [HL569]

This is a matter for the judgment of those concerned, but government facilitate access to advice to assist individuals making those sort of choices. New entrant farmers can access a range of business advice for start-up businesses through the business links network and the Small Business Service. For full-time farmers this includes access to the Farm Business Advice Service.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which organisations were named consultees on the consultation on the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003; and which of these consultees represent the interests of (a) private rural landowners; and (b) country sports. [HL541]

One hundred and twenty organisations were initially consulted on the draft amendment regulations. They are named in Annex C of the consultation document published on 6 August 2003. On 23 November 2003, my department wrote to 11 further organisations to invite their comments, in order to ensure that their interests, including those which my noble friend identifies, are taken into account. No decisions will be taken until after they have had an opportunity to comment. The organisations were:

• Association of National Parks
• Countryside Alliance
• Buglife
• Butterfly Conservation
• Countryside Agency
• CPRE
• Forestry Commission
• Magistrate's Association
• National Farmers Union
• Ornamental and Aquatic Trade Association
• UK Guild of Taxidermists

The British Association of Shooting and Conservation, the Country Land and Business Association, Lord Crewe's Charity, the Moorland Association and the National Gamekeepers' Organisation have already responded to the consultation, for which we are grateful.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has any plans to consult with organisations representing private rural land managers concerning the consultation on the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003.[HL542]

The department is consulting with a number of organisations representing private rural land managers and has already received comments on the draft regulations from five.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs intends to announce the outcome of the consultation on the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003.[HL543]

Subject to consideration of consultation responses, we expect amendment regulations to be laid in Parliament by July 2004.