asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the "Iraqi Interim Government statistics", referred to by the Parliamentary Under-secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr Bill Rammell, on 8 December 2004 (HC Deb, 605W). [HL626]

The Iraqi Minister of Health released a statement on 29 October 2004 in which he quoted the statistics referred to by my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Bill Rammell) on 8 December 2004 (Official Report, col. 605W). I have placed a copy of the Iraqi Minister of Health's statement in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the "Iraqi Interim Government statistics", referred to by the Parliamentary Under-secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr Bill Rammell, on 8 December 2004 (

Iraqi Ministry of Health figures for the corresponding period of 16 June to 10 September 2004 show that 1,295 Iraqis were killed and 5,479 Iraqis were injured as a result of "military action". The context in which these casualties occurred was that of an ongoing insurgency, aimed at undermining the political process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When statistics for Iraqi casualties since 5 October 2004 will be made available. [HL628]

The Iraq authorities continue to monitor Iraqi civilian casualties. It is for them to decide when to make further information available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect their findings on the figures for Iraqi civilian casualties to be published, following undertakings given at the end of 2004. [HL733]

As I explained in my Written Statement to Parliament of 17 November 2004 (Official Report, cols. WS 61-64), we believe that the Iraqi authorities remain in the best position to monitor the casualties of their nationals.It would be impossible in many cases for non-Iraqi agencies to make a reliable assessment either of casualties resulting from particular attacks, or of the overall number of casualties since March 2003. The UK Armed Forces do not maintain records which would enable us to make a definitive estimate of the total number of civilian casualties arising during this time. An independent inquiry is highly unlikely to be able to gain better access and provide more accurate information on casualties than the Iraqi Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they are seeking to ascertain the scale of non-violent death and disease in Iraq from indirect effects of the continuing security situation. [HL630]

The Iraqi Ministry of Health (MoH) is leading on monitoring the health of the Iraqi people and on improving the health service in Iraq, with donor support.Funding for the health sector has increased significantly in Iraq since the end of the conflict. Routine vaccination has re-started and national polio and measles vaccinations were completed in September 2004. There have been no major outbreaks of disease since the end of the war. In addition the Department for International Development (DfID) has provided planning and policy advice to the Iraqi MoH in Baghdad and a health consultant to work on improving maternal health in southern Iraq.DfID has provided £6 million to the World Health Organisation for work, which includes emergency assessments of health infrastructure, the rehabilitation of the national drug distribution system, and re- equipping health units in Baghdad and Basra. DfID has also provided £70 million to United Nations and World Bank trust funds for Iraq, which will be spent on priority sectors such as health and education.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the latest report of the International Advisory and Monitoring Board on the Development Fund for Iraq; and whether the United Kingdom has a moral as well as financial obligation to account for Iraqi funds accrued and disbursed in the period that the United Kingdom formed part of the Coalition Provisional Authority. [HL683]

The latest report by the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB) is based on two audit reports conducted by KPMG, covering Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) management of the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) from 22 May 2003 to 28 June 2004. Both audit reports conclude that, with the exception of smuggling, "the DFI Statement of Cash Receipts and Payment presents fairly, in all material respects, the receipts and payments of the DFI". The IAMB report recognises that "all known oil proceeds, reported frozen assets, and transfers from the Oil for Food Programme have been properly and transparently accounted for in the DFI".Nevertheless, we acknowledge the concerns raised by the IAMB and its auditors. These concerns arose in large part due to the difficult operating conditions in Iraq after military action in April 2003. To address these difficulties the CPA took a number of steps to improve financial management and control over oil resources. These included:measures to tackle smuggling, including seizing ships and persuading leading clerics to condemn smuggling;a new framework for budgets in the Financial Management Law which enshrined transparency as one of the fundamental principles; andimproved financial reporting and record keeping.The UK continues to help the Iraqi Government to ensure efficient and transparent financial management through a Department for International Development funded team seconded to advise the Ministry of Finance.Under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 of 22 May 2003, the occupying powers shared joint responsibility for the actions of the CPA, including management of the DFI. The UK supported the establishment of the IAMB, an independent international board to oversee the auditing of Iraq's oil revenues and their management, so that the coalition was seen to discharge its financial responsibilities as occupying power properly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the cost to date of the United Kingdom's involvement in the war in Iraq, including the preparations for invasion, the war itself and the subsequent occupation of that country. [HL664]

My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer set aside £3 billion in the 2003 Budget to cover the cost of operations in Iraq. £2 billion of this special reserve was carried forward to 2003–04. Costs to the Ministry of Defence in 2002–03 were £848 million and approximately £1.3 billion in 2003–04. It is too early to assess the military costs for 2004–05.Total government commitment for reconstruction in Iraq is £544 million from April 2003 to March 2006.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements were left in place for the governance of the city of Kirkuk by the coalition forces in Iraq; and what provision was made for representation of internally displaced former residents of the city, and for changes in the demography of the city measured by a census or other means, to be reflected in the representation of the ethnic groups in the population. [HL670]

After the handover to the Iraqi Interim Government (IIG) on 27 June, the Provincial Council assumed responsibility for the civilian governance of the Province of Kirkuk. US forces (as part of the multinational force) remained in Kirkuk at the invitation of the IIG and are responsible for security in Kirkuk and Suleimaniyah Provinces in partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces, the Iraqi Police and the Iraqi National Guard. The future governance of Kirkuk is covered by Article 58 of the Transitional Administrative Law, which includes provision for a census and issues relating to the ethnic make up of the city and its province.The Kirkuk Provisional Council established an internally displaced person (IDP) committee to address the needs of IDPs with the full support of the multinational force, the US Regional Office and the UK Embassy Office in Kirkuk. The committee has members from each ethnic group to ensure that the interests of all are fully represented.Some 108,000 IDPs, 90 per cent of whom were Kurdish, were able to register for the elections during the first regular registration of voters in November and December. A supplementary registration period started on 17 January and will continue until 25 January in order for all eligible IDPs and re-settlers of villages destroyed under Saddam Hussein to be registered to vote in the national elections on 30 January. The Kirkuk office of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq has said that it expects a maximum of 102,000 further registrations to take place during the supplementary registration period.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the British Embassy in Madagascar is to be closed. [HL665]

As I set out in my Written Statement on 15 December 2004 (Official Report, cols. WS 84-88) we are making changes to our overseas network to reflect changing demands and challenges and to ensure the UK has a cost-effective and flexible network of overseas representation. This involves the closure of several diplomatic posts, including the British Embassy in Antananarivo.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect that the International Commission of Inquiry into crimes committed in Darfur, Sudan, will report; and whether they will support a recommendation for referring any charges to the International Criminal Court. [HL638]

The International Commission of Inquiry is expected to report at the end of January or beginning of February. We strongly support the International Commission of Inquiry, and will decide how to respond to its report when it issues.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether and, if so, when, they have raised with the government of China the situation of the estimated 150,000 refugees from North Korea now in China; and whether they will regularly press for access to them by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. [HL639]

We have raised the matter of North Korean refugees in China on a number of occasions with the Chinese Government, most recently during the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue in Beijing in November 2004. We continue to urge China to observe its obligations under the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees and to allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees access to the China/North Korea border region.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What funds they have allocated towards the conference to be held at the beginning of March 2005 to advise the Palestinians; and whether any non-Palestinians will be invited to give evidence at that conference. [HL712]

The budget for costs for the London meeting has not been finalised yet. We will be clearer as to the funds allocated nearer to 1 March, when the meeting will take place. We will be happy to supply this information when it becomes available.We are inviting several states and organisations with an interest to participate, including members of the Quartet, the

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make representations to the new President of the Palestinian Authority concerning effective measures to deter renegade attacks on Israeli civilians. [HL731]

We continue to press the Palestinian Authority to make 100 per cent effort to stop terrorist attacks in line with its road map commitments. The new leadership of the Palestinian Authority has said that it will pursue security reform as a priority, and on 17 January Abu Mazen instructed Palestinian security forces to prevent further attacks on Israeli targets. The UK is working with the Palestinian Authority to improve its operational capacity to provide better security for Palestinians and to prevent attacks on Israel.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will next make official representations to the government of Israel about the estimated 8,000 Palestinian detainees held in custody in Israel. [HL732]

We continue to monitor the situation with regard to Palestinian prisoners and raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities where it is appropriate to do so.On 27 December 2004 the Israeli Government released at least 159 Palestinian prisoners in what Israeli Prime Minister Sharon described as a goodwill gesture.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will support the re-appointment of Mohammed El Baradei for a third term as Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency. [HL748]

Her Majesty's Government supported the election of Dr Mohammed El Baradei for his previous two terms as Director- General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).Her Majesty's Government believe in general that, for the heads of United Nations bodies, two terms in office should be the maximum. In the case of the Director-General of the IAEA, however, no new candidate for the post has come forward.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are continuing to seek from the authorities in Pakistan further classified particulars of the activities of Dr A.Q. Khan. [HL749]

The United Kingdom authorities are following the investigation by the Pakistani authorities into the activities of Dr A.Q. Khan with close interest, and continue to urge the Pakistani authorities to share the results of these enquiries with their allies and with the relevant international organisations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have made representations to the government about the fate of Reverend Kim Dong-sik. [HL751]

We have raised Reverend Kim's case with the North Korean authorities at official level, both in London and Pyongyang, seeking confirmation of his safety and well-being. We await their response.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What consultancy contracts have been let in respect of the proposed identity card scheme; and in each case what are (a) the date of the contract; (b) the name of the consultant; (c) the purpose of the assignment; and (d) the cost of the contract. [HL591]

The identity cards programme has let management consultancy contracts to the following organisations. Only the PA Consulting contract dated 7 June 2004 remains extant.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the reasons for the detention under the Immigration Acts, as at 25 September 2004, of 80 persons (of whom 60 are asylum seekers) for one year or more, and of 125 persons (of whom 100 are asylum seekers) for between six months and one year. [HL742]

Information on the reasons for detention of the persons concerned could be obtained only by examination of individual case files at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are their contingency arrangements to provide the new aircraft carriers with an airborne capability if they are brought into operation before the Joint Strike Fighters are fully available. [HL716]

We are working to ensure that the Future Carrier (CVF) and the Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) programmes remain coherent. The CVF's aircraft will be introduced progressively to reduce integration risk, starting with trials on the new carrier, followed by integration of helicopters, and finally integration of the fast jet JCA. We do not currently plan to operate Harrier GR9 from CVF. However, we have ensured that the CVF design is capable of operating a wide variety of aircraft, including potentially GR9.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their current estimate of the annual operational cost of (a) HMS "Invincible" and (b) HMS "Illustrious". [HL719]

For 2005–06, the estimated annual operation costs of HMS "Invincible" are £61.9 million and HMS "Illustrious" are £87.2 million.These figures include the costs of contractor support periods.The significant variation between these two figures reflects the differing levels of depreciation on refit expenditure and that HMS "Invincible" will move into a lower state of readiness during 2005–06.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether regional fire centres will be able to act efficiently if the secure national radio system for the fire service Firelink is not to be operational for an undisclosed number of years. [HL771]

The delivery of the regional control centres in England depends upon the availability of Firelink. The Firelink and FireControl projects are therefore working to ensure their delivery schedules are properly co-ordinated to ensure an integrated delivery.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect the Firelink radio procurement, which has now been running for six years, to be finalised. [HL769]

To increase resilience and provide interoperability following the events of 11 September they were halting the previous regionally based procurement arrangements, and instead would manage, support and fully fund the procurement of a new national radio system for Fire and Rescue Authorities. The Firelink Project is aiming to award the contract in May 2005.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations they have received, including representations from Sir Andrew Collins, about (a) the legality of the five-day time limit for making asylum appeals to the High Court; and (b) the grant of legal aid only retrospectively; and what is their response. [HL625]

We have received 24 representations in response to the consultation paper Legal Aid Arrangements for Onward Appeals including one from Mr Justice Collins. The Government will publish their response paper in due course. The five day time limit for applying to the High Court for a review of the tribunal decision is in Section 103A of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 as amended by Section 26(6) of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004. We have received no representations on the legality of the five-day time limit.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the answer by the Lord Filkin on 8 September 2004 (

The consultation paper on the levels of the statutory legacy in intestacy cases was not published in autumn as originally intended. The consultation paper is now in the final stages of drafting and should be published before the end of March. Any adjustment to the levels of the statutory legacy will take place after consideration of responses to the consultation paper.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many instances of violence involving knives were reported in schools in England and Wales in each of the past five years. [HL547]

In the five years 1999–00 to 2003–04, the HSE received reports of 17 injuries to staff from violence involving knives in schools in England and Wales: seven in 1999–00, 10 in 2000–01, and none in each of the remaining three years. The HSE tells employers not to report incidents of violence affecting non-employees, including pupils.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which local education authorities have expressed an interest in undertaking a pilot scheme under the terms of the School Transport Bill. [HL549]

We have not as yet asked local authorities for a formal expression of interest in undertaking a pilot scheme. If the School Transport Bill is enacted, we will then seek formal expressions of interest from local education authorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the decision to hold one, two or three minutes' silence to commemorate victims of war or civil disaster is based on the number of victims; and, if so, what criteria influence the choice. [HL621]

The decision to hold a one, two or three minutes' silence is not based on the number of victims.In the case of recent silences a recommendation was received from the European Union Presidency asking EU member states to observe a silence at a specific time, date and for a specific period. To show solidarity with our EU partners the recommendation was endorsed by the Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What conditions apply to the payment of compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme for claimants in Northern Ireland in respect of incidents that occur outside the Province. [HL724]

:I refer the noble Lord to the Answers I gave on 7 and 12 July and to my letter to him of 13 August.The conditions that apply to the payment of compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme are detailed in the scheme's rules. The scheme's rules are written by the Financial Services Authority and form part of the authority's handbook, which can be found on the FSA website

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their estimate of the likely loss of tax revenue in 2006–07 allowed to be included in self-invested pensions plans with effect from April 2006; and on what assumptions that estimate is based; and [HL738]Why they intend arising from the relaxation of the rules on assets to allow United Kingdom taxpayers to invest in overseas properties through self-invested pensions plans with effect from April 2006. [HL739]

These questions relate to one aspect of the reforms to pension tax simplification, which sweeps away the eight existing complex tax regimes and replaces them with a single universal regime for tax-privileged pension savings. This new regime will provide greater flexibility to some 15 million pension savers.Currently most pension funds are permitted to invest in residential property, including property overseas, and many do. The new simplified regime will also allow small self-administered schemes (SSASs) and self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) to invest in residential property from 6 April 2006. These are specialist pension vehicles, typically taken out by wealthier individuals and are held by only around 200,000 people compared to over 15 million contributing to pensions. Creating a single set of allowable investments across all pension schemes fits the requirement to create a single regime for tax privileged pension saving and corrects an existing distortion by giving investors greater choice rather than creating a new one in favour of property.Any additional cost to the Exchequer will depend on uncertain behavioural responses to these reforms— whether or not individuals who will be able to invest in a wider range of assets choose to invest more than they do now.The Government will keep this aspect of the tax system, as with all others, under review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What legislation exists, if any, to stop hotels and boarding houses from displaying out-of-date star or crown registration signs. [HL820]

The display of out-of- date grading signs by hotels, or other establishments, is both confusing for consumers and an abuse of the voluntary accommodation grading schemes. However, where the sign is owned by the business itself, the matter is one of trading standards, and addressing it is the responsibility of the appropriate local authority.The Government and the grading organisations are working to minimise consumer confusion caused by out-of-date signage. It is VisitBritain's policy to report abuses to local trading standards offices and, for some time, VisitBritain has retained ownership of grading signs so they may be reclaimed where businesses leave its grading scheme or have their gradings changed. VisitBritain and the other four grading organisations—VisitScotland, the Welsh Tourist Board, the Automobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club—also agreed to the adoption of common grading standards in May 2004. When fully implemented, this should further improve consumer confidence in the schemes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements the Health and Safety Executive has made for members of the public to challenge its regulations if they consider them to be detrimental to the wider public wellbeing. [HL668]

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has a statutory duty to consult on all proposals for health and safety law. It has a well developed consultation system which provides an opportunity for all interested parties, including members of the public, to challenge proposals at an early stage of policy development. The consultation process takes place before formal proposals are submitted to Ministers.A formal challenge procedure for regulations that have come into force is not considered necessary. The HSE keeps its regulations under review and representations from members of the public contribute to the review process. The HSE operates a policy of openness and effective communication with the public.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, when the Health and Safety Executive's Pesticide Incidents Appraisal Panel makes decisions in the absence of biochemical data, it is operating with adequate information and cost effectively. [HL705]

:The Pesticides Incident Appraisal Panel's objective is "to provide an overview of alleged ill health attributed to pesticide exposure so that new issues and trends can be identified, and to inform the pesticides approval process". It operates with the information available from HSE investigations, once they have been completed, and will be dependent on the availability and relevance of this information.Biochemical data are one of a range of factors taken into consideration by the panel and can sometimes be useful in linking pesticide exposure to symptoms. However, it is often not available and not always appropriate—the strength of evidence is made clear in the panel's assessments. The absence of biochemical data does not necessarily prevent the assessment contributing to the purposes of the scheme.The panel continues to provide useful information. It currently costs in the order of £30,000 per annum and is considered to be cost-effective.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much oil is reprocessed in the United Kingdom; and for what end uses. [HL640]

From data obtained from the ORA (Oil Recycling Association), and UKPIA (United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association) approximately 400,000 tonnes of used oil is reprocessed each year in the UK.Most of this is used as recovered fuel oil and is burnt as a furnace fuel used (roughly 50/50) between the power generating and road stone manufacturing sectors. This activity is regulated by the Environment Agency under IPC (Integrated Pollution Control).A small portion (about 20,000 tonnes) is reprocessed into lubricating oil.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are conducting or otherwise supporting any research into alleviating the effects of jet lag. [HL691]

The Department of Health is not funding research into the effects of jet lag.The research sub-group of the Department of Transport's Aviation Health Working Group has established research priorities and is supporting a research programme in relation to air travel and health. The sub-group has considered the possible inclusion of research into jet lag in the programme, but has decided against on the grounds that other topics, including deep vein thrombosis and aircraft cabin air quality, have a higher priority.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many student nurses, in each of the past five years, failed to complete their initial nurse training courses. [HL781]

Information for England on the percentage of pre-registration student nurses who have left their university course is given in the following table. No data are available for 2001–02. The attrition data for the 2002–03 academic year administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency are in the process of being analysed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have investigated, or propose to investigate, evidence submitted to Farmers Weekly that four dead sheep, burnt on the Waugh brothers' rubbish tip on or about 20 January 2001, originated from land next to Prestwick Hall Farm, Ponteland. [HL607]

A full investigation was carried out at the time because of the obvious epidemiological implications. No evidence whatsoever was found to support the claims of sheep (infected or otherwise) being dumped on Burnside Farm in January 2001.Subsequent investigations indicate that it is possible that no more than two sheep carcases were delivered to Burnside Farm for burning sometime during November or December 2000. There is no evidence whatsoever to indicate that either of these carcases was infected with FMD virus. We remain satisfied that the conclusions of the report of the Origin of the UK Foot and Mouth Disease Epidemic in 2001, that was published in June 2002 and placed in the House Library, are sound.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mr Ben Bradshaw, on 13 December 2004 (HC Deb,

Defra vets became aware of Robert Waugh's allegation in early March 2001. A full investigation was carried out at the time because of the obvious epidemiological implications. No evidence whatever was found to support the claims of sheep (infected or otherwise) being dumped on Burnside Farm in January 2001.Subsequent investigations indicate that it is possible that no more than two sheep carcases were delivered to Burnside Farm for burning sometime during November or December 2000. There is no evidence whatever to indicate that either of these carcases was infected with FMD virus. We remain satisfied that the conclusions of the report of the Origin of the UK Foot and Mouth Disease Epidemic in 2001, that was published in June 2002 and placed in the House library, are sound.