asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their current assessment of the prospects for a successful election process in Iraq at the end of January 2005. [HL556]

Both the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) and the UN remain confident that technical preparations are on schedule to meet the 30 January timing for elections. Some 111 groups, with over 7,000 candidates, are registered to contest the national elections. A further 12,000 candidates will contest the provincial elections.Recent polling data indicate that over 80 percent of Iraqis want to vote. Security for the elections will of course be vital. The IECI and the Iraqi authorities, with the multinational forces, are working hard to ensure security in all areas to achieve the broadest possible participation.To date, the IECI has accredited 12,400 Iraqi election observers to ensure that elections are free and fair. In addition, the International Mission for Iraqi Elections, an initiative established by the Canadian Electoral Commission, will carry out a technical assessment of the elections.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In light of the Statement on 12 January to the United Nations Security Council by the senior United Nations envoy to Sudan, Jan Pronk, that "we may move into a period of intense violence unless swift action is taken", what action they are taking to implement the Security Council Resolution taken under Chapter 7 Powers requiring the disarmament of the Janjaweed by the expiry date in August 2004. [HL753]

We are greatly concerned by the latest report to the United Nations Security Council on Darfur. As Security Council Resolution 1556 of 30 July makes clear, both the Government of Sudan and the rebels must comply with the requirements placed on them by the Security Council, including ending impunity and preventing human rights violations, or face a range of possible measures, including sanctions. We are discussing, with partners in the Security Council, and in light of developments on the ground, how best to respond.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the mandate given to the African Union serving in Darfur, Sudan is adequate; and what consideration they are giving to the extension and clarification of this mandate. [HL754]

It is for the African Union's (AU) Peace and Security Council to decide the mandate of the AU mission in Darfur. We fully supported their decision in October 2004 to increase the size of the mission and to broaden its mandate to include more proactive monitoring and to enable them to protect civilians in the immediate vicinity under imminent threat of attack. We have provided over £14 million in support of the AU mission.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the finding of the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (Comtrade) that the United Kingdom has exported 180 tonnes of arms to Sudan since 2001 is correct. [HL755]

An allegation was made in the UK press in August 2004, based on statistics published by Comtrade, that the UK exported around 200,000 dollars worth of arms to Sudan between 2001 and 2003. We do not believe this information to be correct. The UK adheres fully to the European Union arms embargo which has been in force since 1996.Details of all UK export licensing decisions are published in the Government's annual reports on strategic export controls (from 2004, licensing information is also published quarterly). The Department for Trade and Industry licensing records show that a total of £11,121 of military-listed goods were licensed by the UK for export to Sudan between 2001 and 2003.The United Nations International Trade Centre and the United Nations Statistics Division have told us that their statistics are based on Sudanese reporting, and they would revert to the Sudanese authorities for clarification. We have as yet received no information to support the statistics Comtrade published. If we do, we will investigate further and action will be taken against any UK person or entity found to be in breach of UK legislation implementing the arms embargo against Sudan.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans, if any, they have to change the number of battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment. [HL679]

The Government have no plans to change the number of battalions of The Royal Irish Regiment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much was paid to the Northern Ireland Court Service in each of the past five years for liquor licence fees; how many licences were issued in these years; and what is the estimated annual average cost of processing such licences. [HL800]

During the past five years, the total of the fees received by the Northern Ireland Court Service in respect of liquor licensing proceedings was:

Year	Fees
1999–2000	£161,600
2000–01	£151,447
2001–02	£142,930
2002–03	£498,090
2003–04	£181,095

Liquor licences for public houses, restaurants, clubs and other relevant premises are renewed every five years; the last renewal period was in 2002. This explains the increase in fees revenue for the period 2002–03.Information on the number of licences issued could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.The number of applications processed by the department for the granting of licences, renewal of licences and occasional licences was:

	Applications for granting of licence	Applications for licence renewal	Applications for occasional licences
1999–2000	159	3	1,262
2000–01	152	4	1,296
2001–02	126	1	1,126
2002–03	110	2,286	1,302
2003–04	134	50	1,130

As the Northern Ireland Court Service records civil court business costs by tier of court and by location, the costs for processing applications for liquor licences could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations the Chancellor of the Exchequer has received from the Reverend Paul Nicolson of the Zacchaeus Trust on working-age poverty; and what reply is being sent. [HL821]

:The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Her Majesty's Treasury have received a number of letters on poverty-related issues from the Reverend Paul Nicolson of the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust, the most recent of which specifically focused on working-age poverty and was sent on 10 January 2005. A reply to Reverend Nicolson's letter was sent from officials on 21 January 2005.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much virgin fuel oil is saved in the United Kingdom by the use of reprocessed fuel oil. [HL641]

From data obtained from the ORA (Oil Recycling Association), and UKPIA (United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association) approximately 380,000 tonnes of reprocessed fuel is used as fuel oil each year in the UK. These substitute on a like-for-like basis thus saving 380,000 tonnes of virgin fuel oil.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What were the principal causes of accidents in the home over the period 2000–03, stating the number of deaths and injuries arising from each cause.[HL660]

The DTI no longer provides a service on accident statistics. Information on fatalities can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive: www.hse.gov.uk tel. 0870 1545500 and the Office for National Statistics: www.statistics.gov uk, tel. 0845 6013034; or for non-fatalities, from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents: www.rospa.com, tel. 0870 7772171.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much they have spent on applied construction research in each of the past 10 years for which figures are available. [HL744]

There are no consolidated figures available on applied construction research spend across the government. The largest single sponsor of applied construction research remains the DTI, augmented by research underpinning building regulation undertaken by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the tender process will be finalised for the web portal for public sector contracts being set up in partnership by the Office of Government Commerce and the Department of Trade and Industry's Small Business Service. [HL810]

The tender process for the appointment of a service provider for the web portal for lower value public sector contract opportunities (currently proposed to be called www.supplyinggovernment.gov.uk) is currently scheduled to conclude in the award of a contract on or around the 4 July 2005.The intention is that the service will be launched operationally by early October 2005.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In respect of the 9.6 million contracts issued annually by Government, how many, in each of the past five years, were (a) valued at less than £100,000 and (b) granted to small and medium-sized enterprises. [HL811]

Figures on contracts valued at less than £100,000 are not collected centrally.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What representations the Minister of State for Health has received from Rehab UK about its training centres for people with brain injury; what reply is being sent; and whether they will take any action. [HL676]

A letter has been received from Rehab UK. We are looking into the circumstances described in the letter and will reply soon.We recognise the value of rehabilitation for patients with brain injuries. This spring, the Government will publish the national service framework for people with long-term conditions. This will make recommendations that people with a long-term condition (such as those triggered by a brain injury) are given rehabilitation and ongoing support to enable them to be more involved in their community and to seek work opportunities or remain in work.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the rates of bed vacancies in residential drug rehabilitation units. [HL844]

The National Treatment Agency's online residential directory provides an online information source about vacancies in residential drug rehabilitation units in England. The most recent monthly statistic, for December 2004, showed an average vacancy rate of 368 beds per week. This represents a national occupancy rate of 83 per cent.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they are training commissioners to make best use of residential drug rehabilitation units. [HL845]

The knowledge, skills and performance standards required for commissioners of substance misuse treatment are set out in the Drug and Alcohol National Occupational Standards. The National Treatment Agency recently carried out a training programme for commissioners, and plans are under-way to train new commissioners who entered posts after this training programme took place. Commissioners were recently surveyed to ensure consistent practice in commissioning treatment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many instances of:

The information requested has not been collected centrally hitherto but a new national reporting system for physical assaults against National Health Service staff is being put in place.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Following the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001, how many claims are outstanding; and what total amount is still unsettled. [HL357]

Outstanding claims on Defra in respect of the foot and mouth dispute exist only where the claim is being disputed or has been rejected or is subject to arbitration. While we would like to draw a line under this matter by settling all outstanding claims, we can only do so when the amount claimed is correct and has been justified. There are several different categories of claim against Defra arising as a result of the outbreaks that remain unsettled. These comprise: 16 appeals against Defra's valuation of livestock that were compulsorily slaughtered during 2001 which are still under review;

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 December (

No such report was made to line managers or Ministers nor was there any requirement on the veterinary officers present on Burnside Farm on 24 and 27 February to make such a report. The overriding objective of the veterinary officers in attendance at Burnside Farm on 24 and 27 February was to oversee essential disease control operations on the farm.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the date and reference number for the Procurator Fiscal's report on the incident reported to the Pesticides Safety Directorate involving the death of a man following his use of aldicarb, pencycuron and imazalil. [HL703]

The Procurator Fiscal's reference number for this case is FOO2500844 and the death was reported to the Procurator Fiscal's office on 8 May 2002.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the statement on flooding by the Minister for the Environment and Agri-Environment, Mr Elliott Morley, on 11 January (

The Environment Agency is responsible for flood warning in England and the Government recently approved its £226 million flood warning strategy for the next 10 years.The agency issued flood warnings in respect of the recent damaging flooding in Carlisle to the emergency services, the local authorities, those members of the public who had opted to receive warnings direct by telephone, and others. In addition, Radio Cumbria broadcast warnings throughout the event and both Cumbria Police and the Environment Agency used vehicles with loud hailers to warn people of the severe risk of flooding.The agency issues the following levels of warning: severe flood warnings, flood warnings, flood watches and "all clear" notices. All four were issued for Carlisle during this event.Direct warnings were given to those people who had subscribed to the flood warning service. The Environment Agency is active in encouraging properties and businesses to subscribe to the service, where it is available. The agency does not have the power to include properties without the owner's consent.The agency is reviewing the flood event in Carlisle. The event was extreme and the weather conditions hostile. Carlisle endured storm force winds that brought down power cables and telephone lines and disrupted most mobile telephone networks. Although the adverse weather was one of the factors, it is too early to say why some people did not receive warnings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assessment they have made of the claim made by Dr Peter Cox on the BBC's "Horizon" programme on 15 January that a rise in average global temperature of two degrees could precipitate the melting of the Greenland ice cap and a rise in sea level of seven to eight metres. [HL790]

Research funded by the department suggests that a local temperature change in Greenland of 2.7 degrees (compared to 1990 levels), which roughly corresponds to a global temperature change of two degrees, could trigger melting of the Greenland ice sheet.Total melting of the ice sheet would depend on whether the temperature change was sustained or increasing. A sustained temperature change of 2.7 degrees would result in a slow decrease in the size of the ice sheet over millennia and, possibly, its eventual elimination. A further increase in the temperature change is likely to result in the elimination of the ice sheet, over a timescale of a thousand years or more, depending on the size of the temperature rise. Complete melting of the ice sheet would result in sea level rise of approximately seven metres.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assessment they have made of the deep ocean temperature at which methyl hydrates on the ocean floor would evaporate. [HL791]

The potential release of methane from hydrates trapped under the ocean has not yet been quantified, but is the subject of research under the Defra-funded Climate Prediction Programme at the Hadley Centre. Warmer temperatures could trigger such a release, as they can destabilise the conditions under which the hydrates can exist. The Hadley Centre is investigating the conditions under which the hydrates could become unstable, and the temperatures that could initiate a release.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What further steps they propose to take to stimulate the bioethanol industry. [HL879]

The Government are promoting the production of bioethanol through the 20 pence per litre cut in the duty rate that came into effect on 1 January this year. Work is also being carried out on a feasibility study on a renewable transport fuel obligation, and consideration is being given to the application of enhanced capital allowances to biofuel processing plants. The UK's 2005 and 2010 targets under the biofuels directive for the use of biofuels should also help to stimulate the bioethanol industry. The directive does not require the target for 2010 to be set until 2007. But the Government will announce an ambitious but realistic 2010 target as soon as possible in 2005, once the feasibility study on the obligation has been completed and possible delivery mechanisms have been considered.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What role English Nature plays in the protection of English coastline areas; and whether public consultation is invariably held in cases where work is carried out at the request of English Nature.[HL818]

English Nature has a statutory role in the selection and management of designated sites both at the coast and inland. There are around 380 coastal Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). English Nature is required to consult widely over the designation of SSSIs, and is continuing to improve the openness and transparency of the designation process for all stakeholders. These procedures are set out in the Government's Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Encouraging Positive Partnership—Code of Guidance published by my department in 2003. For each SSSI there is a list of operations where consultation is required. This consultation is either between English Nature and the owner-occupier, or, where another public body is the consenting authority, between that body and English Nature. English Nature is a statutory consultee in respect of plans and projects likely to affect SSSIs or internationally important sites.English Nature is currently in the process of producing its maritime strategy. This will inform the revision of English Nature's coastal policy and has been subject to a wide public consultation process in 2004. Communication is a key element of this strategy, in particular to improve the wider understanding of English Nature's approach to sustainable coastal management.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 15 December (

Following discussions between the Department for Transport and Brittany Ferries to discuss its policy on the carriage of guide dogs, we understand a trial took place on 15 and 16 December 2004 involving a return trip on the Portsmouth to Ouistreham crossing. A veterinary surgeon was present in addition to representatives from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA). A report is being prepared and the GDBA is due to meet with Brittany Ferries shortly to discuss the findingsWe will follow up with both organisations once they have reported on their findings.