asked Her Majesty's Government:What percentage of the population in Northern Ireland have been excluded from the electoral register on the grounds of being incapable of voting; and how this compares with England, Scotland and Wales. [HL2630]

This issue is an operational matter and is the responsibility of the Chief Electoral Officer. He will reply to the noble Lord direct. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the procedure for appointing a replacement chairman for a cross-border implementation body following the resignation of the chairman. [HL2633]

Under the Implementation Bodies Agreement of 8 March 1999 made between the British and Irish Governments, it is for the North/South Ministerial Council to make the appointment to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of the chairperson of a North/South implementation body.During suspension, such decisions are taken by the British and Irish Governments under the agreement made between the two governments on 19 November 2002.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who are the political advisers to whom all cross-border issues are referred currently by the North/ South Ministerial Council. [HL2634]

Cross-border issues are not referred to political advisers by the North/South Ministerial Council.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What advice the North/South Ministerial Council gave to the Eire Government about the Official Languages Act 2003; whether it obtained legal advice; and if so what that advice was. [HL2635]

The North/South Ministerial Council did not give any advice to the Irish Government about the Official Languages Act 2003. Information on whether legal advice was sought and, if it was, on its content, is exempt from disclosure under paragraphs 2 and 3 of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the role of the Director of Culture at the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; and how the department defines culture. [HL2637]

The "Director of Culture" is the title given to the Grade 5 manager in the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure who has responsibility for the following divisions: linguistic diversity; arts; libraries.No specific definition of culture was used in the titling of this post.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to carry out a formal review of the Northern Ireland childcare strategy "Children First". [HL2697]

As responsibility for childcare in Northern Ireland is currently shared by the Departments of Education, Health, Social Services and Public Safety and Employment and Learning, a small inter-departmental working group has been established to draw up proposals for carrying out a review of Children First.Once the proposals have been agreed, it would then be the intention to carry out a formal review of the

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much it would cost to extend the student loans scheme to (a) full time postgraduate students; (b) part-time postgraduate students; and (c) both full and part-time postgraduate students. [HL2705]

We have not estimated the cost of extending student support to postgraduate students. The costs would depend on the level of support to be made available but would be substantial.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer by the Lord Bach on 6 April (HL Deb, col. 1722) that "the GR7/9 Harrier that will be on the aircraft carriers will be sufficient, as far as air cover is concerned, until the Joint Strike Fighter comes along", how this is compatible with the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 5 April (

As I stated in my Answer to Lord Lyell, during the debate on 6 April, "the GR7/9 is not an air defence aircraft" (Official Report, col. 1722) and therefore would not provide air defence to the fleet.Air defence of the fleet is structured in a series of layers. These layers are currently provided by platforms such as Type 42 Anti-Air Warfare Destroyers armed with Sea Dart missiles. This

Front-line fast jet flying hours for financial year 2002–03
	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December	January	February	March	Total
Tornado GR4	1,474	1,773	1,759	1,631	1,602	1,784	1,862	1,610	1,387	1,681	1,757	2,437	20,757
Jaguar	792	910	810	788	793	882	919	740	487	631	758	653	9,163
Tornado F3	1,209	1,541	1,166	1,390	1,267	1,402	1,405	1,417	1,197	1,365	1,207	1,947	16,514
Sea Harrier	No data	No data	No data	No data	175	342	412	276	146	306	322	275	2,254
Harrier GR7	890	831	812	938	655	813	1,138	847	585	790	621	1,342	10,262
													58,950
Percentage of flown hours against the programmed plan was approximately 98 per cent.

Front-line fast jet flying hours for financial year 2003–04
	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December	January	February	March	Total
Tornado GR4	2,644	1,507	2,117	2,238	1,553	1,941	2,134	1,666	1,333	1,751	1,817	2,085	22,782
Jaguar	707	571	720	846	775	721	758	678	389	651	780	760	8,355
Tornado F3	1,215	1,210	1,682	1,438	1,208	1,536	1,425	1,075	787	1,454	1,750	1,793	16,573
Sea Harrier	203	362	363	435	199	314	347	289	161	247	260	268	3,448
Harrier GR7	1,669	495	1,076	905	646	747	955	694	467	810	692	891	10,047
													61,205
Percentage of flown hours against the programmed plan was approximately 99.6 per cent.
Please note: These figures do not include Tornado F3 flying hours in the Falkland Islands.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 14 January (

So far it has been possible to offer both types of test routinely to all Op TELIC UK armed forces personnel. Forty-five personnel have been identified as carrying out activities in which there may have been a significant risk of exposure to depleted uranium. At least 70 per cent of these have been reminded post-conflict of their eligibility for the tests, and around 40 per cent have undertaken a test. Efforts capability will be gradually replaced by the new Type 45 Anti-Air Warfare Destroyers, equipped with the Principal Anti-Air Missile System, the first of which is already under construction. These systems will provide an appropriate level of air defence prior to Joint Combat Aircraft entering service (currently planned for 2012).

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many monthly flying hours are being programmed for aircrew in operational fast jet formations in this financial year; and what were the monthly flying hours achieved in these formations in the previous two financial years. [HL2551]

The tables below show the total monthly operational fast jet flying hours, by aircraft type, for financial years 2002–03 and 2003–04. Programmed hours for this financial year have not yet been announced as the Ministry of Defence has yet to complete its annual budgetary cycle.continue to be made to remind the remainder of this group about the tests.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Ministry of Defence, its agencies, or any of the armed services have been the victim of attacks by the MyDoom, Netsky and Sobig programs or by any other malicious programs over the last three years; and, if so:

Centralised Ministry of Defence records have only been available since 3 May 2002; prior to that date, individual MoD units reported such incidents directly to the cross-government unified incident reporting and alert scheme (UNIRAS). Since 3 May 2002, a total of 71 instances have been recorded of viruses and malicious programs including two of MyDoom, five of Netsky and one of Sobig. Records show that these were detected and the infection contained within a single or closely related group of sites.The MoD organisations affected are shown as follows:

MoD Organisation	No of Incidents
MoD Centre	4
Defence Procurement Agency	3
Defence Logistics Organisation	2
Permanent Joint Headquarters	One standalone Internet machine
Army	18 (including six standalone)
Royal Navy	14 (including three standalone)
Royal Air Force	19 (including six standalone)
Other Agencies	10 (including five standalone)

The total number of computer or communications systems involved amounted to 112.The time taken to remove the malicious programs from the affected systems and restore them to normal operation ranged from hours to typically two to three days. In the case of the LOVGATE virus, complete restoration to normal operation, involving isolation and cleansing of the virus from over 4,000 workstations across some 30 sites, took four weeks.There has been no recorded degradation to UK military readiness; the systems affected by the LOVGATE virus did not have a direct impact on operational networks. Analysis of the incidents recorded indicates that over one-third involved standalone computers or training systems. The MoD system and network infrastructure is continually monitored with defence in depth at key points to prevent cross-infection.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the current availability and strength of the 14 civil contingency reaction forces; and [HL2661]Which units provide the headquarters of the 14 civil contingency reaction forces; and [HL2662]What additional training is given to reservists to qualify them for duty in the 14 civil contingency reaction forces; and [HL2663]

All 14 Civil Contingency Reaction Forces (CCRF) have around 500 members. The MoD can mobilise CCRFs within 24 hours of a request to do so. Regional headquarters providing immediate command and control are located at:

	Location
2 South East Bde	Shorncliffe
49 East of England Bde	Chilwell
145 Home Counties Bde	Aldershot
43 Wessex Bde	Bulford
143 West Midlands Bde	Shrewsbury
160 Wales Bde	Brecon
15 North East Bde (N)	York
15 North East Bde (S)	" "
42 North West Bde (N)	Preston
42 North West Bde (S)	" "
51 Scottish Bde	Stirling
(Highland)	" "
51 Scottish Bde	London
(Lowland)	Ballymena
London Regt
Northern Ireland

CCRF volunteers receive five days' training per year over and above their normal reservist training. In addition, all reservists receive at least two days' training to familiarise them with civil contingency tasks and the civil authorities. The Armed Forces, including CCRFs, are also engaged in a wide range of exercises with the civil authorities at local, regional and national level.CCRFs are just one of the ways in which the Armed Forces can support the civil authorities. Their role, if needed, would be to provide general duties support to the civil authorities, which could include reconnaissance, assistance with mass casualties, transport, and operating feeding and water points.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal, on 11 March (

The unit cost of a 40 hour Community Punishment Order will vary according to a number of factors. These include:

• the type of work undertaken and the distance involved in attending or supervising a placement;
• whether the offender undertakes in the course of their order extra activities designed to improve their employment-related skills;
• whether the offender complies with an order or breaches it incurring the additional costs of a court appearance;
• local arrangements for staffing and supervision of offenders.

However, a costing exercise undertaken in 2002–03 with local probation boards indicated that the average length of an order is 116.5 hours and the average cost £2,005. The average cost of a 40 hour order—the shortest possible—is £706.The cost of such an order can be broken down into staffing costs and scheme delivery costs.

	£ per average order	£ per 40-hour order
Staffing costs	1,020	350
Scheme delivery costs1	1,035	355
Total costs	2,055	706
1Scheme delivery costs include provision of transport and equipment for work placements; staff training to ensure that the delivery of the enhanced community punishment scheme is of high quality and the tutoring of offenders in key skills as a means of increasing their employability, thereby reducing the likelihood of them reoffending.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What means they are using to ensure that the new criminal offence of taking a girl to another country for the purposes of genital mutilation is made known as widely as possible in this country. [HL2473]

The Home Office has issued a circular about the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 to police forces and others in the criminal justice system; the Department of Health has placed articles about it in medical publications which will reach doctors and midwives throughout the country; and the Department for Education and Skills has issued guidance to social services.The Government are also funding some of the voluntary organisations that are active in seeking to eradicate female genital mutilation in this country specifically to take forward a programme of awareness-raising activities about the Act in the practising communities. One of the organisations concerned, the Agency for Culture and Change Management, has organised some conferences to promote the Act at which myself and my honourable friend Paul Goggins will be speaking.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Who took the decision to allow European Union passengers arriving at London Stansted airport between 23.00 hours and midnight on Friday 16 April to pass through immigration without physical inspection of their passports; and on what basis this decision was authorised. [HL2554]

The immigration Service has issued guidance to staff about how the EEA/Swiss control is to be managed at ports and airports, including guidance on the routine handling and examination of documents. The Duty Chief Immigration Officer is responsible for assessing operational constraints and local intelligence in implementing this guidance at ports.Managers assessed the operational constraints on the evening of 16 April because exceptionally large numbers of travellers returning to the United Kingdom after the Easter break coincided with building work being undertaken in the arrivals hall at Stansted. In combination these factors presented serious risks to the health and safety of both passengers and staff and the possibility of public order difficulties. Therefore exceptional measures to control the situation and ensure the safety of the public were put in place, and normal operations resumed shortly after midnight when the number of arriving passengers diminished.During the time in question there was a physical inspection of some documents, decisions on whether to do so or not being taken on the basis of an appraisal of the particular traffic in the arrivals hall at the time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is an appropriate use of police resources for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to conduct an investigation into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales; and whether this will divert resources from the prevention of terrorism in the United Kingdom. [HL2582]

Operational decisions by the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis on the deployment of allocated resources in response to the request by the Coroner of the Queen's Household are a matter for him.Following the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi A1-Fayed, the Metropolitan Police Service has assisted the coroner to prepare for his inquiries into the deaths. At the opening of the inquest on Diana, Princess of Wales, on 6 January, Mr Michael Burgess, who is both Coroner of the Queen's Household and the Surrey Coroner, requested that the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police look into allegations that the circumstances of the deaths were not as a result of a tragic accident. The commissioner subsequently established a small team who are tasked to assist the coroner in reviewing the information available from the French inquiry. This also includes carrying out further inquiries to ascertain if there is any credible evidence to support the allegations that have been made.The team is working in close co-operation with the French authorities throughout the inquiries being undertaken. This was reinforced through the commissioner's recent visit to Paris. It is wholly appropriate for police resources to be used in providing the coroner with information that will enable him to fulfil his responsibilities. The police service provides such services on a regular basis to coroners throughout the country.We recognise the current high threat from international terrorism. That is why we are providing the Metropolitan Police Authority this year with £61 million specifically to counter this threat. The resources being used to support the coroner are not being diverted from any counter-terrorism activity.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many children were injured during the use of control and restraint procedures in penal institutions during 2003. [HL2589]

Statistical information on injuries is not collected centrally, but the Youth Justice Board has been reviewing the use of physical restraint procedures and the National Children's Bureau recently produced a report for the board on the use of physical intervention within the juvenile secure estate. The board is currently drawing up a code of practice on the use of physical restraint, which it is intended will apply in all establishments holding young people under 18. The board is also planning to review the techniques that are used in establishments, in the light of the tragic death of Gareth Myatt at Rainsbrook on 19 April.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How often the Prison Service reviews the use of restraint techniques and solitary confinement for children in penal institutions. [HL2590]

The Prison Service has recently been reviewing its restraint and separation policies and procedures for juveniles in its custody. It is developing new restraint techniques, and will test and evaluate them and take account of wider Youth Justice Board work on juvenile restraint techniques before deciding whether to introduce them across the Prison Service juvenile estate.Separation is used as a last resort, when all other methods have been exhausted. The latest guidance is in a new Prison Service Order (PSO 1700), which came into force in November 2003. The aim is to provide any young person who needs to be separated with appropriate interventions that will enable him or her to return to normal accommodation as soon as possible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which prisons and Immigration Act detention or removal centres are respectively owned or operated by private contractors; and what is their policy on the ownership and management of such establishments. [HL2598]

The operation and ownership of prisons and immigration detention centres by private contractors is set out in the table.

Establishment	Operator	Contractor	Owner(s)
Immigration Detention Centre
Campsfield House	Global Solutions Ltd	Global Solutions Ltd	Group 4 Falck
Colnbrook	Premier Detention Services Ltd	Premier Detention Services Ltd	Serco Group plc
Dungavel	Premier Detention Services Ltd	Premier Detention Services Ltd	Serco Group plc
Hardmondsworth	UK Detention Services	Harmondsworth Detention Services Ltd	Sodexho UK
Oakington	Global Solutions Ltd	Global Solutions Ltd	Group 4 Falck
Tinsley House	Global Solutions Ltd	Global Solutions Ltd	Group 4 Falck
Yarl's Wood	Global Solutions Ltd	Group 4 Amey Immigration Ltd	Amey Assets Services Ltd Group 4 Falck
Prison1
Altcourse	Global Solutions Ltd	Fazakerley Prison Services Ltd	Group 4 Falck Carillion plc
Ashfield	Premier Prison Services Ltd	Pucklechurch Custodial Sercives Ltd	Serco Group plc
Bronzefield	UK Detention Services	Ashford Prison Services Ltd	Sodexho UK (owner of UKDS) Royal Bank of Scotland Interserve Project Services Ltd
Doncaster	Premier Prison Services Ltd	Premier Custodial Group Ltd	Serco Group plc
Dovegate	Premier Prison Services Ltd	Moreton Prison Services Ltd	Serco Group plc
Forest Bank	UK Detention Services	Agecraft Prison Management Ltd	Sodexho UK (owner of UKDS) Abbey National plc

Establishment	Operator	Contractor	Owner(s)
Lowdham Grange	Premier Prison Services Ltd	Lowdham Grange Prison Services Ltd	Serco Group plc
Parc	Securicor Justices Services Ltd	Bridgend Custodial Services Ltd	Securicor Justice Services Ltd Innisfree Skanska UK Costain Group plc
Peterborough	UK Detention Services	Peterborough Prison Management Ltd	Sodexho (owner of UKDS) Royal Bank of Scotland Interserve Project Services Ltd
Rye Hill	Global Solutions Ltd	Onley Prison Services Ltd	Group 4 Falck Carillion plc
Wolds	Global Solutions Ltd	Global Solutions Ltd	Group 4 Falck
1 The table does not include the private sector prison at Kilmarnock managed by the Scottish Executive.

Contractors are required to manage these establishments according to the contract. The ownership of prospective bidders is fully investigated before tender documents are issued. The Home Secretary's consent is required for any significant change in the ownership of the contractor or operator.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements are being made to help farmers and growers find replacements for 1,200 students from Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania who have been issued work permits to harvest fruit and vegetables in May and June but who cannot now obtain visas owing to the suspension of visa services until further notice. [HL2684]

The Government recognise the difficulties caused to some farmers and growers by the suspension of visa services in Bulgaria and Romania. However, farmers and growers are still, as well as being able to recruit from within the existing UK labour market, able to recruit students from other countries under the seasonal agricultural workers scheme, and nationals from the new EU member states can now undertake work here without prior permission, provided they register with the worker registration scheme.The organisations that operate the seasonal agricultural workers scheme under contract to the Home Office have been provided advice should they want to pursue these options.

asked Her Majesty's Government:(a) What total funding allocation for the Criminal Justice Interventions Programme in England and Wales has been made available for each year that figures are available; and (b) what is the expected funding for the years 2004–05 and 2005–06. [HL2658]

The Criminal Justice Interventions Programme was launched in April 2003 and is due to run for three years. It is backed by a significant funding to help national and local partners play their part. Below are the estimated annual funding figures for the programme:

Criminal Justice Interventions Programme: funding (£million)
Year
2003–041	55
2004–052	188
2005–063	250
1 Estimated out-turn.
2 Estimated figure.
3 Provisional allocation.

This does not include some of the resources used by local partnerships to assist in delivering the programme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:(a) What total funding allocation for drug treatment in England and Wales has been made available for each year that figures are available; and (b) what is the expected funding for the years 2004–05 and 2005–06. [HL2659]

The drug pooled treatment budget for 2003–04 is £236 million. The pooled treatment budget is matched by an estimated additional £200 million of local monies from primary care trusts and local authority mainstream funds.The drug pooled treatment budget allocation for 2004–05 will be £253 million and for 2005–06 will be £299 million. These funds will continue to be matched by mainstream funds from primary care trusts and local authorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:(a) What funding allocation for drug treatment and testing orders in England and Wales has been made available for each year since the scheme was introduced; and (b) what is the expected funding for the years 2004–05 and 2005–06. [HL2656]

The funding allocation for drug treatment and testing orders in previous years is:

	£ million
2000–01	18.0
2001–02	36.0
2002–03	36.0
2003–04	54.0

The funding in 2004–05 is £72 million. No decisions have yet been taken regarding the level of funding for 2005–06.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are, in respect of each drug action team, for the years 2002–03, 2003–04 and 2004–05:

The drug pooled treatment budget allocation is as follows:

• 2002–03: £195.7 million
• 2003–04: £236 million
• 2004–05: £253 million

The allocation for each drug action team (DAT) can be found on the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse website

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many asylum seekers have been denied support under Section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002; of these, how many remained in the United Kingdom; and where those who have remained in the United Kingdom have found accommodation. [HL2727]

Section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 came into force on 8 January 2003, restricting the availability of NASS support to those asylum seekers who make asylum application as soon as reasonably practicable.Figures in respect of asylum seekers refused support under Section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 in 2003 for each quarter are:

Number of cases refused support under Section 55 of the NIA Act 2002
Quarter 1 2003	2,850
Quarter 2 2003	1,830
Quarter 3 2003	2,810
Quarter 4 2003	1,925
Figures are rounded to the nearest five.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether there is a link between Section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 and the recent reduction in asylum applications; and, if so, what evidence there is for such a link. [HL2728]

Section 55 is part of a wider package of measures contained in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 aimed at tackling asylum abuse and creating a more streamlined and cohesive asylum system. It is the package as a whole that delivered the reduction in intake and it is not, therefore, possible to identify the specific contribution made by Section 55.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many asylum applications made before 1 January 2000 have yet to receive a substantive reply. [HL2599]

The requested information is unavailable and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records. The total number of cases awaiting an initial decision fell to 24,500 by the end of December 2003, the lowest level for more than a decade and continuing to fall.Information on the number of asylum applications awaiting an initial decision is published quarterly on the Home Office website at

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have statistical evidence to demonstrate whether or not in-country asylum applications are less likely to have a genuine claim to asylum than those who apply at the point of entry. [HL2729]

The table shows the percentage of grants of asylum made on initial decisions, for port and in-country applications for the past five years. The table provides no evidence to suggest that the proportion granted refugee status is significantly different between port and in-country cases. Cases are decided on their individual merits not

Cases(1) (2) recognised as refugees and granted asylum, excluding dependants, 1999 to 2003
Principal applicants
	Port cases initial decisions	Port cases Grants of asylum	Per cent Port cases Grants of asylum	In country cases initial decisions	In country cases Grants of asylum	Per cent in country cases Grants of asylum
1999	17,335	3,565	21	16,385	4,250	26
2000	52,775	5,475	10	56,435	4,900	9
2001	39,475	3,805	10	81,470	7,640	9
2002(R) (P)	27,645	2,910	11	55,895	5,365	10
2003(p)	19,275	920	5	45,330	2,960	7
(1) Figures rounded to nearest 5, with '*'= 1 or 2.
(2) Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
(p) Provisional figures.
(R) Revised figures.

Information on asylum applications and initial decisions is published quarterly. The next publication covering the second quarter of 2004 will be available on 25 May 2004 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress is being made with the introduction and training of motorcyclists in the use of anti-skid braking systems. [HL2767]

Many manufacturers already fit anti-lock braking systems to motorcycles, although there is no legal requirement to do so. Systems have been fitted to larger and more expensive machines for several years and are now appearing on some smaller and cheaper machines. Some manufacturers also fit a combined braking system, which may include an anti-lock function.The Vehicle Safety and Security Task Force of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling has discussed advanced braking systems. The task force's report is expected to encourage the fitment of advanced braking systems (including ABS) and that manufacturers and retailers provide advice to purchasers on the operation and use of the systems.The Driving Standards Agency's publication for learner and qualified motorcyclists,

asked Her Majesty's Government:Given the current consultation on the time taken to implement bus service quality contract schemes, what plans they have to consult on the removal of the "practicable" test currently required by Section 124(1)(a) of the Transport Act 2000; and what plans they have to introduce a provision for pilot schemes for quality contract schemes in passenger transport executive areas. [HL2725]

The Government have no plans to consult on removing the requirement under the Transport Act 2000 that a quality contract scheme may only be implemented where it represents "the only practicable way" for a local authority to implement its bus strategy.The Government are taking steps to improve the potential effectiveness of the bus quality contract provisions in the Transport Act 2000. We have consulted on a proposal to reduce the 21-month implementation period. We are currently considering responses. We are also preparing guidance on preparing quality contract schemes.If a passenger transport executive wishes to introduce a quality contract and believes it meets the criteria, it may apply to do so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are content that annual reports by government departments are issued more than 12 months after the last complete financial year to which they relate. [HL2677]

Annual departmental reports are issued in spring and soon after the Budget, and bring together recent outturn data, alongside estimated outturn for the year just ending. Departmental accounts, providing audited information on financial performance, are published separately within 10 months after the financial year to which they relate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will arrange to meet the International Cricket Council to discuss the proposed cricket tour by England of Zimbabwe. [HL2799]

The Government have no plans to talk to the International Cricket Council about the proposed cricket tour by England of Zimbabwe. This is a matter between the ICC and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What will be their contribution this year to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for security during the elections and registration process. [HL2638]

The death of two British nationals working to support the election registration process underlines the importance of security for the registration and election processes. We are working with the UN, coalition partners and NATO to consider how the international community can best support the Afghan Government in delivering this.In addition, the UK has supported election security through our contribution to European Commission (EC) funding of the UN-administered Law and Order Trust Fund (LOFTA). Last year the EC provided 50 million euros to LOTFA, of which the UK contributed 19 per cent; and LOTFA provided £12.3 million towards security for voter registration and the elections themselves.More generally, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is leading international support for preparations for elections. So far this financial year the Department for International Development has pledged £2.8 million to UNAMA for the elections. Last financial year the UK contributed over £10.4 million to electoral registration in Afghanistan. The UK is currently considering the budget submitted by UNAMA for the cost of the elections themselves.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, from 1 May onwards, United Kingdom passport holders have the unrestricted right to cross and re-cross the Cyprus "green line" in either direction at approved crossing points, provided they are carrying a valid passport. [HL2666]

On 28 April, the EU agreed a new regulation to govern the green line in Cyprus. The regulation established special rules concerning the crossing of goods, services and persons, in order to take account of the fact that the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control in the whole of the island.The regulation states "it is necessary to enable EU citizens to exercise their rights of free movement within the EU and set the minimum rules for carrying out checks on persons at the line and to ensure the effective surveillance of it."Since 1 May, the Government of Cyprus have allowed the free movement of EU citizens across the green line, in either direction. I urge them to do so unhindered.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the visa desk in Beijing, China, refused applications from 450 students due to come to the United Kingdom under the seasonal agricultural workers scheme. [HL2685]

Between 1 January 2003 and 7 May 2004 our embassy in Beijing refused applications from 91 people seeking to enter the UK under the seasonal agricultural workers scheme. These applications were refused as they failed to satisfy the relevant requirements of the immigration rules.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their policy on housing for disabled persons who are ineligible for social housing. [HL2708]

The Government recognise the importance of providing appropriate housing for people with disabilities. That is why we are taking action in a variety of ways to increase the supply of accessible housing.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to lay the proposed Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order before Parliament. [HL2778]

A proposal in the form of a draft regulatory reform order was laid before Parliament under Section 6(1) of the Regulatory Reform Act 2001 on Monday 10 May 2004.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What pesticides are being used for weeds around roads and railways now that atrazine has been withdrawn. [HL2692]

A wide variety of approved pesticides may be used on and around roads and railways, including products approved for use on hard surfaces, amenity vegetation and amenity grassland.These products contain a variety of active substances, including 2,4-D; asulam; bifenox; bromoxynil; citronella oil; clopyralid; dicamba; dichlorprop-P; diquat; ethofumesate; ferrous sulphate; fluroxypyr; glufosinate-ammonium: ioxynil; isoxaben; MCPA; mecoprop-P; paraquat; triclopyr; carbetamide; chlorthal-dimethyl; dichlobenil; diflufenican; diuron; glyphosate; lenacil; metazachlor; oxadiazon; pentanochlor; propachlor; propyzamide; trifluralin; amitrole; dichlorophen; sodium chlorate; picloram and amitrole/aminotriazole.Products containing a further active substance, simazine, have been the subject of an EC-wide review which has concluded that approval for sale and supply should be revoked. However products may continue to be used until the end of September 2005.The specific choices of pesticides to use on or around roads or railways are operational matters for the Highways Agency, local authorities and Network Rail.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to repeat their demands to the food and retail industry on salt reduction and for that industry to come forward with proposals and a timeframe for reducing fat and sugar levels in foods. [HL2483]

Ministers are in discussion with all of the main food industry sectors on salt reduction plans and arrangements to report progress on them. The consultation Choosing Health? Choosing a Better Diet asks for views on the role that industry can play in tackling salt, fat and sugar in the diet. The White Paper to be published in the summer will address these issues. The Food Standards Agency is also currently consulting on the promotion of foods to children.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they plan to take forward the recommendation from Sir John Pattison's working group on research for patients' benefits. [HL2759]

The final report of the Research for Patient Benefit Working Party chaired by Sir John Pattison will be published shortly on the Department of Health's website. The report will make a range of recommendations for the strengthening of clinical research in the United Kingdom. In March the Secretary of State for Health announced additional funding for National Health Service research and development of £25 million each year for the next four years and the creation of a new UK clinical research collaboration involving patients, the NHS, the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, the medical charities and industry. A further announcement will be made following publication of the report.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to implement the plans for the establishment of a National Health Service Bank in the form announced by the Secretary of State for Health on 15 May 2002; and, if not, what elements in that announcement will not be implemented; and [HL2756]Whether they have any plans to develop the National Health Service Bank beyond its role as described in Appendix 3 to the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the National Health Service (England) Summarised Accounts 2002–03. [HL2757]

The form and function of the National Health Service Bank is broadly in line with that announced by the Secretary of State for Health on 15 May 2002. It has been established as a mutual organisation with a management board drawn from strategic health authority chief executives and directors of finance to perform the following functions:

• It administers the special assistance fund providing grants to strategic health authority areas with particular and exceptional financial difficulties. The NHS Bank makes recommendations to the Department of Health on the allocation of funds and monitors progress of the organisations receiving funds against their performance improvement plans.
• It facilitates the redistribution of capital funds across strategic health authority areas to better match the timing of different capital investment programmes.
• It manages the programme of cash brokerage to provide cash flexibility across the NHS.
• It administers and manages the budget for funding of impairments of fixed assets on behalf of the department.

The department is currently in discussions with the NHS Bank about the refinement and further development of its current role.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What guidance has been issued to primary care trusts by the Department of Health on the essential features of a fully integrated falls and osteoporosis service. [HL2780]

The national service framework for older people set out a service model detailing the essential features of an integrated falls service; this included appropriate links to osteoporosis.Two evidence-based supporting documents have been published: