asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to eradicate ageism in the Northern Ireland workplace. HL729]

The Government are committed to addressing ageism in the Northern Ireland workplace through a range of measures including bringing legislation into line with the European Union Employment Framework Directive, the work of the Promoting Social Inclusion (PSI) Working Group on Older People and the NI Age Positive Campaign. The Age Positive Campaign is being launched on 27 January 2004 and is aimed at raising employers' awareness of the business benefits of an age-diverse workforce.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Northern Ireland Civil Service has the authority to redesignate its 144 smoking rooms for other purposes without agreement from trade unions; and, if so, whether they will redesignate these rooms before they start to consider restricting smoking in public places. [HL734]

The Northern Ireland Civil Service has the authority to redesignate its smoking rooms which were first introduced following a ban on smoking in all offices and common areas. However, the Northern Ireland Civil Service would always consult with the trade unions in respect of the implementation of changes such as this.The timing of any action to redesignate smoking rooms and the wider promotion of smoke-free public places are not interdependent. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety launched a five-year tobacco action plan in July 2003. It was prepared by an inter-sectoral working group and includes a series of actions designed to promote the provision of smoke-free policies. An implementation group, chaired by the Chief Medical Officer, has been established to take forward the agreed actions. A copy of the plan has been placed in the House Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures they are taking to curb racially motivated attacks and violence in Northern Ireland; and whether they agree with the Commission for Racial Equality that racist attacks are approximately one-third more prevalent in Northern Ireland, as compared with England and Wales. [HL756]

The Northern Ireland Office, the Northern Ireland departments and the Police Service of Northern Ireland are taking a range of actions. These include measures aimed at curbing and mitigating the impact of racist incidents through education, housing, health and social policy, as well as through law enforcement.For example, the Community Safety Strategy, being implemented through the Community Safety Unit of the Northern Ireland Office, identified Key Issue 6: Offences Motivated by Prejudice and Hatred as a central theme in making Northern Ireland a safer place for all its citizens. Specifically, it seeks to reduce the levels of crime motivated by sectarianism, and to promote and enhance the safety of minority ethnic residents. Currently, it is facilitating a working group of relevant Northern Ireland departments, voluntary and statutory organisations which aims to establish a clear framework for the recording and monitoring of racial incidents. It is hoped to bring forward such an agreed framework by the spring 2004. Also, within its community safety grant programme, the Challenge Competition, it has provided funding towards four projects which have a central theme of countering prejudice and hatred, at a total value of £273,255.In addition to these initiatives, the Government will publish shortly for consultation, draft proposed legislation for Northern Ireland aimed at tackling racially motivated offences. The proposed draft order will require sentencers, where offences are aggravated by such hostility, to treat racial and religious hostility as an aggravating factor when sentencing. (The legislation will also cover offences motivated by hatred of sexual orientation.) The proposal will also increase maximum sentences available for certain specified, mainly violent, offences including where hostility based on racial, religious or sexual aggravation is proven.Direct comparisons of the prevalence of racist attacks across different jurisdictions can be difficult to make, but it would appear that racist attacks are more prevalent in Northern Ireland. Any attacks are unacceptable. The Government are committed to creating a safer and more tolerant Northern Ireland.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the shooting incident in Armagh City on Sunday 11 January was terrorist related; and if so, which terrorist organisation is suspected of having been involved. [HL771]

The shooting at the Northern Bar, Railway Street, Armagh on Sunday 11 January is believed to have been carried out by a republican paramilitary group.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the amount paid by each of the 26 Northern Ireland district councils for expenses of councillors in the last financial year for which figures are available. [HL810]

The total amount of expenses, which includes personal allowances and travelling and subsistence expenses, paid to councillors during the 2002–03 financial year by each of the 26 councils in Northern Ireland, was as follows:

	2002–03
District Council	£
Antrim	128,871
Ards	206,543
Armagh	164,185
Ballymena	200,606
Ballymoney	135,947
Banbridge	122,860
Belfast	465,188
Carrickfergus	148,415
Castlereagh	177,910
Coleraine	169,499
Cookstown	109,363
Craigavon	195,763
Derry	244,558
Down	162,275
Dungannon	171,235
Fermanagh	199,082
Larne	102,873
Limavady	118,638
Lisburn	220,739
Magherafelt	111,211
Moyle	105,716
Newry & Mourne	335,218
Newtownabbey	194,051
North Down	180,855
Omagh	190,641
Strabane	143,611

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 8 January 2003 (HL Debs. Cols. 247–49) on race relations in the Prison Service, whether the humiliation of juvenile offenders by prison officers is consistent with the Government's policy to increase inclusion and reduce recidivism. [HL825]

The Government's policy, and that of the Prison Service, is that all prisoners should be treated with humanity and dignity. Prison Service managers and staff working with juveniles have special responsibilities, given the nature and characteristics of that age group. They have a duty not only to protect and safeguard the young people in their care as required by the Children Act 1989, but also to act as "significant adults", behaving in a way that will assist the young people's personal development, help maintain a safe and secure environment and help to prevent the young people reoffending. Any reported incidents of "humiliation of juvenile offenders by prison officers" will be fully investigated and appropriate action taken.The Prison Service is working in partnership with the Youth Justice Board and other departments and agencies to improve the quality and delivery of its juvenile regimes and to ensure more consistent implementation of child protection and safeguards policy across its juvenile estate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What have been the recorded numbers of (a) attempted and (b) successful suicides by persons detained in custody in penal establishments in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively, in each of the past 10 years [HL877]

The information requested with respect to England and Wales and Northern Ireland, is provided in the table. For the information with respect to Scotland, I refer the noble Lord to the Scottish Executive.

	England and Wales		Northern Ireland
Year1	Number of self-inflicted deaths2	Number of incidents of self-harm3	Number of suicides4	Number of incidents of self-harm3
1994	61	—	3	—
1995	59	—	2	—
1996	64	—	3	—
1997	68	—	1	—
1998	83	3,207	1	89
1999	91	3,721	3	70
2000	81	5,227	3	90
2001	73	7,486	0	98
2002	95	9,745	1	146
2003	94	514,953	0	653
1 Financial years in respect of Northern Ireland.
2 The Prison Service in England and Wales employs the term "self-inflicted death" rather than "suicide". This includes all those deaths where it appears the person may have acted specifically to take his/her own life.
3 There is no definition of what constitutes "attempted suicide", therefore data recording incidents of "attempted suicide" are effectively subsumed within those for self-harm, which covers all acts of self-injury, however serious. The figures provided are number of incidents of self-harm, not number of individuals. Data on self-harm were not available in this format before 1998.
4 The Prison Service in Northern Ireland utilises verdicts from the coroner's court. They are still awaiting verdicts on deaths in custody in respect of one prisoner in 2000, one in 2001 and three in 2003.

5 To 31 November 2003 only. In December 2002 new procedures for reporting self-injury were introduced in prisons in England and Wales, therefore much of the increase in reported self-harm in 2003 may result from the change in reporting procedures rather than reflect an actual increase in incidence of self-harm

6 To 16 September 2003 only.

Reducing the number of self-inflicted deaths and instances of self-harm in prison establishments is a priority for Ministers and for the Prison Services of both England and Wales and Northern Ireland.A proactive three-year programme to develop policies and practices to reduce prisoner suicide and manage self-harm in prisons in England and Wales began in April 2001. The programme has included the training and appointment of suicide prevention co-ordinators in the majority of prisons, the increased provision of prisoner peer support through schemes such as "Insiders" and Samaritan-led "Listeners", an investment of £21 million in six "Safer Local" prisons (Feltham, Leeds, Wandsworth, Winchester, Eastwood Park and Birmingham), and projects to develop safer prison design, including safer cells.Over recent months a wide-ranging review of this programme has taken place in consultation with partner agencies such as the Youth Justice Board and outside organisations such as Samaritans and the Howard League, taking into account the evaluations of pilot projects and emerging research findings. This review will inform future suicide prevention strategy beyond April 2004.A number of intervention strategies have also been introduced into establishments for people who self-harm. These include counselling, support groups, and specialised psychological interventions. A network of establishments has been set up to develop interventions, facilitate evaluation and share good practice, and guidance to staff on managing people who self-harm has been circulated to establishments.In Northern Ireland, a review of policy and practices for dealing with prisoners at risk has recently been completed. This takes a holistic approach to providing the necessary support and care to prevent the individual harming him or herself. It includes an initial assessment on reception to prison, Samaritan services, Listener schemes, an anti-bullying policy and improved structures, systems and procedures. This policy is due to be implemented by the end of April 2004.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will consider replacing the existing council tax system with one where the tax bands are set regionally to reflect local property values. [HL760]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has established the Balance of Funding review to consider possible reforms to the current local government finance arrangements. The last meeting of the review steering group considered proposals for change to the council tax banding arrangements including the option of bands being set regionally. The papers considered by the review are available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website. The review is due to report in the summer.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How the needs of disabled people will be addressed through the reform of the planning system. [HL892]

The reforms of the planning system seek to address the issues of access and inclusion throughout the entire planning process.Clause 38 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill puts a duty on those responsible for preparing development plans to address the issue of sustainable development. This will be defined in planning policy statement 1 (PPS1), which will make it crystal clear that development plans should contain clear and comprehensive inclusive access policies.Local authorities must seek to involve the whole community in the preparation, alteration and review of all local development documents and significant development control decisions. PPGs 11 and 12 also make clear the importance of access to documents and processes. This includes not only the accessibility of material in terms of clarity, but also in terms of different formats, and—in the case of examinations-in-public—in terms of access both by public transport and to the venue itself.The draft regulations to be made under Parts 1 and 2 of the Bill make clear that, among others, regional planning bodies and local planning authorities will be required to consult formally with bodies representing disabled people.The Bill also contains measures to enable planning aid to become more proactive and develop a greater role in targeting communities which traditionally do not get involved in the planning system—including disabled people and disability groups.Clause 42 of the Bill introduces new powers to introduce a standard application form. Depending on the views of stakeholders we would expect that a document which demonstrates how the project will meet certain provisions of legislation and related codes of practice to ensure that the needs of the disabled are addressed could be required to accompany the form in appropriate cases.Those applying for planning permission would therefore be required to demonstrate how their proposals contribute to an inclusive environment, and local planning authorities would have to consider this alongside other requirements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether their definition of sustainable development for the purposes of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill incorporates provision for social inclusion. [HL893]

The Government have four objectives for sustainable development in planning that will be set out in the forthcoming consultation draft of PPS 1. They are sustainable economic development; social inclusion; protection of the environment; and prudent use of resources.Planning authorities should consider how their plans are addressing the four objectives for sustainable development. They should seek to achieve outcomes which enable economic, social and environmental objectives to be achieved together over time.In relation to the social inclusion objective of sustainable development, planning policies should promote development that builds social inclusive communities, including suitable mixes of housing.Policies should ensure that the impact of development on the social fabric of communities is considered and taken into account. Planning policies should address accessibility for all to jobs, health, education, shops, leisure and community facilities.Planning policies should take into account the needs of young people and children and the elderly, as well as disabled people, black and minority ethnic groups, and other disadvantaged groups.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which local council by-elections have taken place by all-postal ballots since the ordinary elections in May. [HL990]

Since May 2003, 10 all-postal by-elections have taken place in the following local councils in England:

• Chester-le-Street District Counci
• Cumbria County Counci
• Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Counci
• Durham County Counci
• Herefordshire Counci
• King's Lynn & West Norfolk District Counci
• London Borough of Lewisha
• Newcastle Metropolitan Borough Counci
• Telford & Wrekin Borough Council (two by-elections)

asked Her Majesty's Government:For each year for which statistics are available for FTSE 100 companies, what is (a) the number of women executive directors, and their percentage of total executive directors; (b) the number of companies with no women executive directors; (c) the number of women executive finance directors; and (d) the number of women executive directors who were not United Kingdom citizens; and what action they will take to increase the number of United Kingdom women executive directors in FTSE 100 companies. [HL960]

The Cranfield University School of Management 2003 Female FTSE report published in October 2003 established the following:

FTSE 100 (October)	2003	2002	2001	2000	1999
Female-held seats	101	84	75	69	79
(executive and non-executive directorships)	(8·6%)	(7·2%)	(6·4%)	(5·8%)	(6·3%)
Female executive	17	15	10	11	13
directorships	(3·7%)	(3·0%)	(2·0%)	(2·0%)	(1·99%)

In 2003, 32 of the top FTSE 100 companies had no female directors, there were seven finance directors and 39 female directorships were held by non UK citizens. In 2003, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry commissioned Derek Higgs to report on how the quality, independence, and effectiveness of non-executive directors might be strengthened. Following the recommendations of this review the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry asked Dean Tyson from the London Business School to examine how companies might recruit directors from more diverse backgrounds in order to improve board effectiveness. Both these reports made a number of proposals which boards must consider how to apply in practice.The Tyson report also made recommendations about director training and the measurement of board diversity. These are being pursued by government and business organisations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are their performance standards for replying to letters from Members of Parliament and Peers. [HL952]

The Cabinet Office publishes an annual report detailing departments' and agencies' performance in handling correspondence received from Members of Parliament and Peers. A copy of the 2002 report is available in the Library of the House, Official Report, 19 May 2003, col. WA 64. Information for the 2003 report is in the process of being collated and will be published as soon as it is ready.Information relating to the handling of Peers' correspondence was, for the first time, included in the 2002 report and will be included in future reports.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the basis on which remuneration is currently paid to members of some public bodies but not others; and [HL1006]What is the rationale for some government departments paying more to members of their public bodies than other government departments for posts which are equally responsible and demanding; and [HL1007]

Individual departments are responsible for determining whether remuneration should be paid to members of the public bodies they sponsor and the level at which any remuneration is set. The Cabinet Office is currently looking at the issue of remuneration and how it is paid, and will issue guidance to departments when this work has been completed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have comparative figures for members of different diversity groups who fail to complete their first term in office on public bodies or do not seek reappointment at the end of one term. [HL1024]

At the present time comparative figures are not available. However, the Cabinet Office is keen to encourage departments to undertake periodic audits of the reasons why people resign from boards, or do not seek reappointment. The Cabinet Office, together with departments and the Commissioner for Public Appointments, will be developing guidance to enable departments to monitor any emerging trends and take action.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there is sufficient training and support available both for those wishing to apply for appointment to public bodies and for those appointed. [HL1025]

Individual departments and their public bodies are responsible for providing training and support for individuals appointed to serve on those bodies. They may also offer opportunities for shadowing to those who wish to apply for appointments and would like to gain an insight into the work of public bodies.The Cabinet Office is working with departments to develop more opportunities for shadowing and mentoring to encourage and support individuals who are interested in applying for appointments. It is also working to identify best practice in induction and support for those already serving on public bodies, and will issue this to departments when this work is completed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will set out their latest forecasts for passenger growth on the West Coast Main Line following completion of the present upgrade. [HL985]

The Strategic Rail Authority's West Coast Main Line Strategy, published in June 2003, estimated 15 to 25 per cent more passenger journeys between London and Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in the light of a recent High Court judgment, they will issue guidance to judges on the use of still photographs taken by coloscopy as evidence of alleged sexual abuse (where the relevant witness has not also personally conducted a physical examination); and on the dangers of false diagnosis in such circumstances. [HL939]

Judges are independent and it would be inappropriate for the Government to seek to issue guidance on any matter relating to the exercise of their judicial functions. The Judicial Studies Board, which is an independent body responsible for judicial training, will draw this judgment to judges' attention.