asked the Leader of the House:Whether there are any circumstances in which a Member of the House of Lords may refuse to appear before a Select Committee of the House of Commons; and, if so, what are those circumstances. [HL1842]

House of Lords Standing Order 25 states:"Any Lord requested by a Committee appointed by the Commons to attend as a witness before it or before any Sub-Committee appointed by it shall have the leave of this House to attend, if his Lordship thinks fit."Therefore, a Member of the House of Lords is free to judge whether to accept an invitation to appear before a Select Committee of the House of Commons.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Armed Forces adopt a zero-tolerance approach to the use of cannabis. [HL1797]

Drug misuse is unacceptable in the Armed Forces and offenders will normally be discharged. This policy applies to class C drugs as well as those in classes A and B.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will provide information on locations of present and proposed SPECS speed cameras; and whether they will keep that list up-to-date on the Department for Transport's website. [HL1514]

Within the cost recovery scheme two SPECS safety camera systems are in place in Northamptonshire, 13 in Nottinghamshire and one in South Yorkshire. SPECS cameras are suited to stretches of road that are relatively uninterrupted by junctions, but where speed is a problem and there have been at least five people killed or seriously injured per kilometre. Details on specific sites are available on individual partnership web-sites linked by the National Safety Camera Liaison site www.nationalsafetycameras.co.uk.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether SPECS speed cameras have been permanently installed on roads other than the motorway network. [HL1516]

The 16 sites at which the SPECS safety camera system is permanently deployed are all on the non-motorway network. SPECS cameras are suited to stretches of road that are relatively uninterrupted by junctions, but where speed is a problem and there have been at least five people killed or seriously injured per kilometre.

asked Her Majesty's Government:At which railway stations where selective door opening is permitted because of grandfather rights; and at which stations it has been permitted since privatisation; and [HL1770]Why railway stations at which selective door opening is permitted because of grandfather rights with certain types of rolling stock cannot continue to enjoy these rights with other rolling stock that has been fitted with suitable door control mechanisms; and [HL1771]Why new trains fitted with selective door opening systems are only permitted to use these if driver cabs are fitted with Global Positioning Systems so that the driver knows which station he is at; and [HL1772]What is the added safety value of train drivers using Global Positioning Systems to establish their location, rather than looking out of the front of the train. [HL1773]

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is preparing a list of stations where selective door opening is permitted, a copy of which will be placed in the House Library shortly. All cases of selective door opening have been introduced since privatisation.The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that rolling stock fitted with selective door opening is permitted to stop at stations with short platforms, provided the train operator sets out how the risks associated with selective door opening usage will be managed.The HSE does not require that train operators using selective door opening make use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS). However, I understand that, on their own initiative, South Central Trains and South East Trains are currently using GPS technology in automatic selective door opening pilot trials.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 24 February (

Binational regulations for the Channel Tunnel are being prepared that reflect the requirements of Article 14 of Directive 2001/14. Eurotunnel will need to have compliant capacity allocation arrangements and any challenge to this would be a matter for the courts.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who is providing the funding for the strengthening of railway bridges at Plumpton and Salwick in Lancashire to take 44-tonne lorries. [HL1870]

Lancashire County Council and Network Rail are jointly funding the strengthening of these bridges.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to publish the 2002–03 figures on the number of publicly owned playing fields. [HL1604]

The Sports Facilities Database will be launched this June.It is anticipated that statistics on the number of publicly owned playing fields will be included on the database during the second phase of its roll-out to be completed by April 2005.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 28 October 2003 (

UK Sport has been provided with a ring-fenced allocation of £4.7 million for 2004–05 and 2005–06 to enable them to take forward some of the recommendations of the Cunningham Review of Elite Sport with the focus upon personal development for elite coaches.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, under the Licensing Act 2003, police will have an obligation to produce statistics of criminal offences committed in or in the vicinity of licensed premises; when requested to do so in connection with a review of a premises licence or club premises certificate; and, if not, how the applicant for a review can satisfy the licensing authority that the licence should be revoked on grounds of crime and disorder. [HL1698]

There is no obligation under the Licensing Act 2003 for the police to produce statistics in relation to an application request for a review of a premises licence. The licensing authority will, unless the application is not relevant to one or more of the licensing objectives complaint or is considered to be frivolous, vexatious or repetitious, advertise the application request for the review and invite representations from responsible authorities and interested parties. It will be a matter for the chief officer of the police, as a responsible authority, to decide whether to make any representation and whether to support any representation with statistics.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many community sports coaches have been appointed; and what are the bands of the salary levels for these coaches, the expected average government subsidy per coach and the average length of the employment contract. [HL1717]

Twelve community sports coaches have been appointed to date. The salary range for the first phase of the scheme is £14,000 to £24,000 and the expected average government subsidy is 50 per cent per coach. Contract length is a matter for agreement between employing agencies and coaches themselves.

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

Approximately 22 million litres of unleaded petrol were consumed in 2002–03 at which time the duty rate on unleaded petrol was 48.82 pence per litre. This raised £10.7 million for the Exchequer in 2002–03. Over the same period 5 million litres of biodiesel were consumed on which a duty rate of 25.82 pence per litre was levied. This raised £1.3 million for the Exchequer in 2002–03.The Government introduced a separate rate of duty for biodiesel, at 20 pence per litre below the rate for ultra-low-sulphur petrol, in July 2002. Biodiesel duty receipts for 2002–03 represent sales from August 2002 to March 2003. Subsequent sales of biodiesel have increased substantially with current sales averaging around 2 million litres per month.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Following the suspension in 1997 of the issue of deficiency notes for national insurance contributions, whether a system has been put in place to ensure that the suspension of the service will not occur in the future. [HL1726]

In October 2003 the Inland Revenue started writing to people who would have received a deficiency notice for the years since they were suspended in 1998. From the end of 2004 the normal cycle of annual deficiency notices will resume. The recommendations from the Paymaster General's internal review of the suspension have been implemented as the Paymaster General reported in her Written Statement to the House of Commons on 18 June 2003 (cols. 10–12WS).

asked Her Majesty's Government:Following the suspension in 1997 of the issue of deficiency notices for National Insurance contributions, whether those of working age who have been affected in the subsequent six years will be eligible for any amelioration of the normal rules governing top-up payments. [HL1727]

The Inland Revenue is currently writing to people who would have received a deficiency notice for the years since they were suspended in 1998. The letter gives them the opportunity to make up for any shortfalls in their National Insurance record. The ameliorations for the affected years (1996–97 to 2001–02) are:

• people have as much time to pay as they would have if the letters had been sent out on time. Currently the deadline for payment is 5 April 2008.
• they may pay the voluntary contributions at the original rate. Normally these would be charged at the highest rate for Class 3 in force at the time the payment is made, but this rule is not being applied for these years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the suspension in 1997 of the issue of deficiency notices for National Insurance contributions, how many have still so far been issued to warn those of working age of the deficiencies; how many have still to be issued; and whether the target completion date of June 2004 is likely to be met. [HL1760]

On 27 October 2003 the Inland Revenue started writing to those who would have received a deficiency notice for the years since they were suspended in 1998. As of 5 March 2004, nearly 1.8 million of the 10.2 million letters had been issued. It is anticipated that the exercise will be completed by around September 2004, as set out in the Inland Revenue's announcement on its website on 19 September 2003. There has never been a target date of June 2004.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the suspension in 1997 of the issue of deficiency notices for National Insurance contributions (NICs), whether those who have retired since 1997 with one or more incomplete years of NICs will be credited with the contributions which they made in each of those incomplete years. [HL1761]

The Department for Work and Pensions will be writing to people who reached state pension age after the issue of deficiency notices was suspended in 1998. If they have less than a full basic state pension, they will be offered the opportunity to improve the amount of their pension by making voluntary contributions for any non-qualifying years since the suspension and before they reached state pension age.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the minutes of any meetings that took place between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the National Lottery Good Causes about the early introduction of the proposed Olympic Lottery. [HL1741]

Under Exemptions 2 and 14 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, the Department for Culture, Media and

Balance of trade in goods and services between the United Kingdom and (a) the EU, (b) Europe* and (c) the World. 1998–2002
£ million
	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Trade in goods ("visible")
Trade in goods with EU	-6,293	-8,389	-5,269	-11,675	-20,247
Trade in goods with World other than EU	-15,520	-20,662	-27,707	-28,945	-26,208
Trade in goods with Europe	-8,258	-13,012	-11,661	-18,569	-28,177
Trade in goods with World other than Europe	-13,555	-16,039	-21,315	-22,051	-18,278
Trade in goods with World	-21,813	-29,051	-32,976	-40,620	-46,455
Trade in services ("invisible")
Trade in services with EU	455	-1,942	-1,985	-2,015	-4,322
Trade in services with World other than EU	12,854	15,076	15.411	15,015	19,488
Trade in services with Europe	1,487	-657	-1,098	-978	-2,624
Trade in services with World other than Europe	11,822	13,791	14,524	13,978	17,790
Trade in services with World	13.309	13,134	13,426	13,000	15,166

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 27 October 2003 (

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the local authority expenditure on sport in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council for every financial year since 1993–94. [HL1802]

I recommend that the noble Lord seeks this information from Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the local authority expenditure on sport in Colchester City Council for every financial year since 1993–94. [HL1803]

I recommend that the noble Lord seeks this information from Colchester Borough Council.

Teenage conceptions (numbers and rates1) by age of woman (single years) at conception 1993–2001
	Age under 14	Age 14		Age 15		Age 16		Age 17
Year	Number	Number	Rate	Number	Rate	Number	Rate	Number	Rate
1992	363	1,632	5.8	5,222	18.9	11,932	41.5	18,403	61.4
1993	368	1,774	5.8	5,125	18.3	11,031	39.9	17,504	60.8
1994	397	1,938	6.1	5,460	18.0	11,336	40.3	16,960	61.0
1995	382	1,834	5.8	5,835	18.5	12,382	40.7	17,447	61.7
1996	451	1,961	6.5	6,445	20.3	14,284	45.2	20,349	66.8
1997	365	1,964	6.4	5,942	19.6	14,058	44.2	21,029	66.5
1998	423	1,988	6.4	6,041	19.7	13,802	45.6	21,865	68.6
1999	406	1,866	5.8	5,673	18.3	13,334	43.6	20,749	68.7
2000	397	1,890	5.8	5,827	18.1	13,153	42.4	20,081	66.0
2001p	398	1,883	5.7	5,610	17.4	13,103	40.5	19,972	63.9

asked Her Majesty's Government:What agreements are in place concerning the transfer of assets owned by the Horserace Betting Levy Board following its proposed abolition. [HL1834]

No formal agreements are in place; and Clause 16 of the Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Bill provides for the procedures to be followed in relation to the board's assets. However, in November 2000 the Government set out their view that the principal assets—the board's capital fund and the Horseracing Forensic Laboratory—should be transferred to the British Horseracing Board, noting that the laboratory underakes drug-testing services for a number of non-racing customers and that the detailed transfer arrangements will need to take their legitimate interests into account.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 year-olds became pregnant in each of the past 10 years. [HL1825]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the explanatory leaflets issued by the Boundary Committee setting out the draft recommendations for unitary local authorities in Lancashire in the event of a regional assembly were distributed in some parts of the county and not in others; and on what basis the decision on where to distribute the leaflets was made. [HL1755]

The conduct of local government reviews, including consultation on the draft recommendations, is a matter for the independent Boundary Committee.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there will be further public consultation by the Boundary Committee on recommendations for new unitary local authorities in Lancashire and other counties in the event that their revised recommendations are significantly different from their draft recommendations. [HL1756]

These are matters for the independent Boundary Committee.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the reasons for the delay in issuing the report and decision of the inspector following the public inquiry in April 2003 into the planning appeal number APP/E2340/A/02/1098593 (land at Knotts Drive, Colne, Lancashire) and when they expect the decision to be announced. [HL1699]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has a target to determine 80 per cent of called-in applications and recovered appeals within 16 weeks from the close of the inquiry. In some instances a decision takes longer than this, as has been the case with the appeal relating to land at Knotts Drive, Colne, Lancashire. The case is under consideration and we aim to issue a decision as soon as possible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Ministerial Statement on 24 February (WS 16–19) on the expenditure limits for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, what is the Adventure Capital Fund referred to in the £2.155 million transfer to the Home Office.[HL1723]

Adventure Capital Fund is a partnership between the Government and key organisations in the voluntary and community sector, which is exploring a new approach to investment in community activity. The fund provides what is called "patient capital"—investment which recognises the long-term nature of community development and the importance of linking funding with support for organisational development.Round 1 was launched in December 2002 with approximately £2.5 million funding to pilot a range of alternative approaches to financial investment for community enterprises and to develop and evaluate new assessment processes for selection. Round 2 was announced in July 2003 with funding of £4 million for innovative projects that are capable of replication and are ready for investment.The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister contributed £400,000 towards round 1, and will contribute a further £700,000 for round 2.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will place a Fire Safety Order before Parliament under the Regulatory Reform Act 2002; and what guidance has been given to fire authorities on the proper discharge of their existing statutory duties under the Fire Precautions Act 1971 in relation to the application for and issue or amendment of fire certificates. [HL1804]

A proposal in the form of a draft fire safety order under the Regulatory Reform Act will be placed before Parliament shortly. Guidance to fire authorities on the exercise of statutory duties under the Fire Precautions Act 1971 has been issued in the form of "Fire Precautions Act 1971 Circulars". Twenty-nine such circulars have been issued. All except No. 27 remain in force and each, with the exception of No. 13, has relevance to fire certification. Copies of all the extant circulars will be made available in the Library of the Houses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will respond to the report of the National Audit Office of November 2003 entitled

The department is committed to the implementation of the NAO's recommendations and will report progress to the NAO in due course.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they last issued advice on the management of violent patients in accident and emergency departments of hospitals; and whether they will conduct a review of the problem, in consultation with the British Association for Accident and Emergency Medicine. [HL1527]

The Department of Health issued guidance on security in accident and emergency departments in June 1997 through the NHS Zero Tolerance Campaign. In September 1997 further advice was issued on how to deal with violence and aggression against NHS staff. In addition, the A&E Modernisation Programme enabled departments to be refurbished and upgraded which included improved security measures designed to better protect staff from violence and abuse.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress they are making on their programme of intermediate care for the elderly. [HL 1697]

The Government's programme for delivering intermediate care has resulted in considerable growth in service provision over the 1999–2000 baseline.Compared to the 1999–2000 level, by 31 December 2003 the number of intermediate care beds had doubled and the number of intermediate care places in non-residential settings had trebled.Between 1 April 2003 and 31 December 2003, more than 235,000 received intermediate care services, an increase of 77 per cent from the 1999–2000 baseline.The government target to provide 5,000 extra intermediate care places compared with the 1999–2000 baseline is likely to be achieved during 2004. The target to provide 1,700 extra non-residential care places has already been exceeded.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Environment Agency has produced any reports of damage being inflicted on fisheries and the riverside environment by increasing numbers of cormorants. [HL1641]

We are aware that the numbers of cormorants breeding in Britain has risen over the past 25 years, particularly inland, albeit from a very low base. The number of cormorants wintering inland within Great Britain shows recent signs of stabilisation, following increases during the 1980s.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many coastal protection schemes in England have received government grants in the years 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 to date; and of these how many were in the north-west region. [HL1666]

The totals of coast protection schemes and studies in England receiving government g,-ant are as follows:

	2001	2002	2003	2004 (to date)
England of which	37	51	25	1
North-west Region	5	6	2	—

asked Her Majesty's Government:With regard to the 81 herbicides and pesticides that it will no longer be legal to use after 31 March 2004, whether:

The department's strategy for avoiding the need for wide-scale disposal of unused pesticides centred on putting over the message last year to use up any of the relevant products before the end of 2003. Last month we reminded gardeners that they should carefully dispose of any remaining withdrawn products. To these ends the Pesticides Safety Directorate has undertaken the following media campaign and related publicity activities:

• advertised in Amateur Gardening and similar magazines in March 2003;
• issued press releases in July and August 2003, and February 2004;
• worked with key organisations such as the Crop Protection Association, Horticultural Trades Association and Garden Centre Association to get over the message on using up stocks; and
• provided information via its website and a telephone information line from October 2002.

The Crop Protection Association has also taken steps to brief the media, including the Garden Writers' Guild, on the withdrawals.The withdrawal timetable for these 81 garden pesticide products is:

asked Her Majesty's Government:What international research has been undertaken with regard to the effect of imidacloprid on bees. [HL1753]

Many laboratory and field research studies have been conducted using imidacloprid and the results have been discussed at various international fora, including the International Commission for Plant-Bee Relationships. None of these studies has raised concerns regarding the risk to honeybees from UK uses.