asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions have been undertaken by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency to review the current integrated pollution prevention and control changes for poultry and pig producers; and whether any adjustments are forthcoming. [HL1868]

I recently met representatives of the intensive livestock rearing industry to discuss permit charges and, in particular, how annual charges might be reduced through streamlined approaches to inspection. The Environment Agency (EA) and the National Farmers’ Union are currently considering options, including what greater use might be made of assurance scheme visits.

The Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 require permit applications to be accompanied by the prescribed fee. The EA must seek to recover its full costs in accordance with HM Treasury guidance. The EA will review the costs when the majority of the applications have been assessed and the full extent of the work is known.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will seek a derogation to allow United Kingdom sheep farmers to work under fewer and simpler regulations, bearing in mind that the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mariann Fischer Boel, has stated her priority to simplify the common agricultural policy and allow farmers “to get out of their offices and into the fields”. [HL1953]

The UK currently operates under a temporary derogation from the requirement to double-tag under EC Regulation 21/2004. Subject to a regulatory impact assessment, the UK will consider other derogations within the scope of the regulation, which will benefit the UK sheep industry while maintaining protection of the public interest.

The UK welcomes the priority that Commissioner Fischer Boel places on simplifying the common agricultural policy. We are working closely with the Commission and the member states to ensure that this initiative results in a reduction of red tape in the agriculture sector.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What their reporting arrangements are for pollutants under local authority air pollution control; and whether they have plans to integrate this information with Environment Agency pollution inventory data. [HL1746]

The system of local authority pollution prevention and control covers air pollution from industrial installations known as “Part Bs”. Permit applications from industrial operators must be advertised and permits must be put on a public register, as well as any monitoring information required supplied to the local authority. Authorities also collect and publish data about Part B processes as part of their air quality management responsibilities. The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory also contains information about emissions from Part B processes, and we are considering the feasibility of expanding it. However, we do not currently have any plans to integrate data from Part B installations with Environment Agency pollution inventory data.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they have recognised the work of the professional and voluntary ambulance crews who worked in London responding to the terrorist activity in July 2005. [HL441]

Following the events of July 2005, the Cabinet Office asked departments to consider putting people forward who had played a part in the aftermath of the incidents on 7 July as part of the normal submission of the New Year honours list 2006. The department submitted four nominations at MBE level for ambulance personnel and one at OBE level

Separately, the department has recently requested that the Cabinet Office Honours and Decorations Committee consider a business case proposal for the introduction of a Queen's ambulance service medal. This would recognise individuals working in the ambulance service who have gone beyond the call of duty. Similar medals exist for the police and fire services.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much the United Kingdom has spent in each of the past five years on monitoring the status of CITES-listed birds in their countries of origin. [HL1741]

It is difficult to gauge how much money is directly spent on the monitoring of CITES-listed species in their country of origin, as much of the Government’s financial assistance that might meet this description is part of a range of broader projects that focus on building capacity in developing countries to conduct this work. However, the Government with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the statutory adviser on international nature conservation, provided £42,000 in 2005-06 and £7,957 in 2006-07 toward research conducted in Guinea to survey the occurrence and relative abundance of diurnal raptors subject to international trade. In addition, in 2006 the Government provided £20,000 of funding toward the African-Eurasian waterbird agreement to help to develop an international partnership that will support work associated with population assessments of waterbirds, including species listed on CITES, such as the Egyptian goose, red-breasted goose, Cape teal, Eurasian widgeon, giant heron, great egret, slender-billed curlew, greater flamingo and the demoiselle crane.

In addition, through the Darwin Initiative, the Government have provided funding for a range of projects that aim to assist monitoring generally through capacity building, monitoring and population assessment focused generally at wild birds, not just CITES-listed species. The Darwin Initiative seeks to assist countries that are rich in biodiversity but have scarce financial and other resources to fulfil their obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

As part of the Government’s support for biodiversity in the overseas territories, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, jointly with the Department for International Development, provides funding to a broad range of programmes under the Overseas Territories Environment Programme, which assists in environmental management and the implementation of environmental charters in the overseas territories.

The Government recognise the need to assist developing countries in conserving biodiversity and therefore support the Global Environment Facility (GEF), established in 1991, to help developing countries to fund projects and programmes related to biodiversity, among other things.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the population of wild deer within the United Kingdom; whether the population is increasing or decreasing; and at what rate. [HL1907]

The most recent deer population estimates are:

Estimating the number of deer in a particular area has always been problematic and the quality of records varies greatly. The Deer Commission for Scotland no longer publishes populations estimates and concentrates only on impacts of deer. There are no specific population figures for wild deer numbers in Northern Ireland, although the perception is that overall numbers are increasing. The general trend for all species throughout the UK in recent years is that they are increasing.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether they will ensure that all information available to a service inquiry into accidents involving the death of a member of the Armed Forces is also available to the coroner for the inquest on that person; and [HL1900]

Who within the Ministry of Defence is responsible for making available to the coroner conducting an inquest on the death of a member of the Armed Forces all the information held by the Government or to which the Government have access. [HL1901]

The MoD takes seriously its duty to assist coroners in their preparations for inquests into the deaths of service personnel. Internal service inquiry reports are provided to coroners to assist them with their preparations for their own independent inquiry. These internal investigation reports may be service police reports, boards of inquiry, ship or land accident investigations or air accident reports, dependent on the service involved and what was required by the circumstances surrounding the death of the service person. Exhibits and unused material are included, or an explanation provided as to their exclusion. However, third-party information and UK-sensitive material is provided on an in-confidence basis, with a clear explanation of how such material should be handled and protected. The MoD seeks to co-operate, subject to any operational, security and third-party considerations, with additional requests from a coroner for disclosure of material held by the MoD. Where it is necessary to explain the operational context or to cover security-sensitive material, briefings from subject-matter experts are arranged.

It is the responsibility of the relevant service organisations to provide a copy of their internal investigation reports to coroners in a timely manner so as to provide helpful background on the circumstances of an incident and to assist coroners in conducting their own investigation and in identifying whom to call as witnesses or subject-matter experts to give oral evidence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Ministry of Defence has considered extending the Army’s military covenant across all services; and when they next intend to update the covenant. [HL1837]

The Army uses the term “military covenant” to describe the mutual obligation between the nation, the Army and each individual soldier: an expectation of personal sacrifice and the forgoing of some personal rights and freedoms on the one hand, and of fairness, respect and appropriate terms and conditions on the other. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force do not use the term “military covenant”, but share the same understanding. The Army last reviewed the military covenant in 2005 and no further review is planned at present.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will add further to the advice of the Chancellor of the Exchequer that senior Ministers should set an example by avoiding personal air travel as much as possible. [HL1533]

It is the responsibility of everyone, wherever possible, to think about how we can avoid and reduce emissions. As part of the Government's carbon offsetting commitment, carbon emissions arising from official and ministerial air travel have been offset since April 2006.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people have been charged with offences in connection with the major security alert in early August 2006 at United Kingdom airports. [HL1111]

There were 25 people arrested, resulting in 17 individuals being charged. Two individuals who were charged with failure to disclose information have since had their cases dismissed by the judge due to insufficient evidence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will consider introducing further legislation to prevent the abuse of children accused of being possessed by the devil by pastors in certain religious groups. [HL1736]

There are already explicit laws in place to protect children from maltreatment and these laws can be used against anyone who aids or abets abuse. Under Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, it is an offence for any adult with responsibility for a child to wilfully assault, ill-treat, neglect or abandon the child in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to health, or to counsel or procure such suffering or injury. The maximum penalty on conviction of either offence is 10 years. It is also an offence for anyone to aid or abet someone who causes a child suffering or injury. A belief in “spirit possession” is relatively widespread, although abuse linked to such beliefs is rare. The Government published guidance for consultation on 2 February which aims to help local agencies to apply their general child protection procedures to such cases so as to most effectively safeguard and promote the welfare of the children involved.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make representations to the Government of Colombia about the compulsory displacement of 3,200 inhabitants from the village of Tabaco, La Guajira, Colombia as a result of coal-mining development at El Cerrejon, now owned by three London-listed companies. [HL1882]

A group of Colombian citizens, including members of the Tabaco community, and British non-governmental organisations raised their concerns in relation to the Cerrejon opencast mine in northern Colombia with Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials on 30 January in London. Their concerns included claims of being forcibly displaced. Our embassy in Bogota has contacted Cerrejon in Colombia to pass on the concerns that the group expressed to the FCO. We regularly raise with the Colombian Government the importance that we attach to adherence to socially responsible business practices by extractive companies around the world, and will relay the concerns around the Cerrejon mine mentioned above to the Colombians.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make representations to the Government of Colombia and the British-based mining companies concerned to minimise the damage done to the environment and the local communities caused by operations in the Cerrejon opencast coalmine. [HL1906]

A group of Colombian citizens, including members of the Tabaco community, and British non-governmental organisations raised their concerns in relation to the Cerrejon opencast mine in northern Colombia with Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials on 30 January in London. Their concerns included claims of being forcibly displaced, lack of compensation and damage to the environment. Our embassy in Bogota has contacted Cerrejon in Colombia to pass on the concerns that the group expressed to the FCO. We regularly raise with the Colombian Government the importance that we attach to adherence to socially responsible business practices by extractive companies around the world, and will relay the concerns around the Cerrejon mine mentioned above to the Colombians.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What estimates the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has made of the total amount of fines that the Government may have to pay to the European Commission due to their failure to pay the 2005 single farm payments within the required timescale; and when these fines are due to be paid. [HL1873]

The Government have explained to the European Commission why they believe that late-payment penalties in respect of the 2005 single payment scheme (SPS) would be inappropriate and, should the Commission make any relevant proposals in due course, will continue to defend the UK’s interests. Nevertheless, the possibility of late-payment penalties was reflected in Defra’s resource 2005-06 accounts, as laid before Parliament on 30 October 2006.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the cost of the independent assessor responsible for determining the amount of awards payable in the case of criminal offences; and how many such award recommendations have been overturned by the Secretary of State. [HL1857]

In the latest completed financial year, 2005-06, £58,541 was paid in fees to the independent assessor of compensation for miscarriages of justice. Under Section 133 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, the Secretary of State has no locus to overturn any assessment made by the independent assessor in respect of awards made under that section. As regards awards made under the now-abolished ex gratia scheme, successive Secretaries of State have agreed to be bound by the assessments made by the independent assessor.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many constitutional lawyers are employed in the Cabinet Office. [HL1241]

The Cabinet Office does not employ constitutional lawyers as such. The First Parliamentary Counsel, who is in charge of the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (which is organisationally located within the Cabinet Office), has a personal responsibility to provide advice on a range of legal and related issues including certain constitutional matters to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office also obtains legal advice from the Treasury Solicitor's Department on various matters which can sometimes involve the consideration of constitutional questions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have carried out any studies on rape conviction rates in Germany, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain and the United States compared to the rates for the United Kingdom, and on the reasons for any differences in these rates. [HL1833]

Home Office Research Study 293, A Gap or a Chasm? Attrition in Reported Rape Cases, published in 2005, includes information about rape conviction rates for Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Denmark and the US. The report suggests that while some core problems link adversarial and investigative legal systems, including declining rates of conviction, most of these countries have higher prosecution and conviction rates than the UK.

The report does not offer reasons for these differences and any international comparisons need to be treated with caution as the criminal justice processes, definition of rape and data collection processes are not necessarily comparable between countries.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has reclaimed the award of £11,000 paid to the accuser in the Leslie Warren rape case; and [HL1854]

Whether the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has reclaimed the award of £7,000 paid to the accuser in the Warren Blackwell rape case. [HL1855]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answers given on 23 January (col. WA 219) and 1 February (col. WA 73). CICA cannot release information about whether any applications have been made in particular cases.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have carried out any studies on rape conviction rates in Australia and New Zealand compared to the rates for the United Kingdom, and on the reasons for any differences in these rates. [HL2013]

Home Office Research Study 293, A Gap or a Chasm? Attrition in Reported Rape Cases, published in 2005, includes information about rape conviction rates for Australia. The report identifies similar attrition patterns to those documented for England and Wales. The Government have not carried out any studies on rape conviction rates for New Zealand. International comparisons need to be treated with caution, as the criminal justice processes, definition of rape and data collection processes are not necessarily comparable between countries.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Goldsmith on 9 January 2006 (WA 26), whether the further review and consultation on whether to record the religion or belief of the perpetrator and victim of religiously aggravated crimes have now taken place; and, if not, what is the expected date of commencement and completion. [HL1880]

The further review and consultation have now taken place. This formed part of a wider Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) review of the information that the CPS records in the area of hate crime.

The outcome of this review and consultation is that, from April 2007, the CPS will record the religion or belief of the perpetrator and the victim of all crimes, including religiously aggravated crimes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to publish statistics on racially and religiously aggravated crime for 2005-06. [HL1881]

Her Majesty's Government published statistics on cases of racially and religiously aggravated crime that occurred during 2005-06 on 4 December 2006. On that date, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published the Racist Incident Monitoring Annual Report, which contained information on prosecution decisions and outcomes in all cases identified by the police or the CPS as racist or religious incidents.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there is consistency in the services offered by sexual assault referral centres and in the response of police constabularies to their operations. [HL1831]

The Home Office has agreed with the national steering group for sexual assault referral centres’ (SARCs) recommended minimum elements of service for SARCs. These are accessible on the Home Office website and were included in national service guidelines on developing SARCs (2005). All SARCs endeavour to provide these services, although the model through which they are delivered varies according to local demographics and circumstances. SARCs are normally operated by police and health services, often in partnership with the voluntary sector.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the estimated cost of the national tracking project for sexual offences proposed by the Jamieson research project in 1998. [HL1832]

The study by Jamieson et al, The Attrition of Sexual Offences in the Criminal Justice System: A Report of a Pilot Study Monitoring Cases from First Report to the Police Final Outcome (unpublished), was submitted to the Scottish Office in 1998. This research was a small-scale pilot study conducted in two Scottish police forces and no details of the cost of implementation of the recommendations are provided in the paper. Following publication of that report, the then Scottish Executive Minister for Justice announced that the priority was to produce legislative proposals to improve the protection of victims in sex offence cases.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Under Section 134(7)(b) of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, when a person who is in contravention of the particulars specified in an authorised demonstration is guilty of a crime. [HL1744]

It is for the courts to decide when a person is guilty of an offence. Under Section 134(7)(b), a person who takes part in or organises a demonstration in the designated area is guilty of an offence if he knows, or should have known, that the demonstration is carried on otherwise than in accordance with the particulars set out in the authorisation. There are defences for a person accused of an offence under Section 134(7)(b) that the divergence from the particulars arose from circumstances beyond his control, or from doing something done with the agreement, or by the direction, of a police officer.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they will take to ensure that their proposals for accompanied domestic workers do not add to existing problems. [HL2014]

We have already stated that, in line with the Government’s policy to phase out low-skilled migration, we will be terminating the overseas domestic worker in private households category.

Limited provision will, however, be made to allow visitors to the UK to be accompanied by their “domestic assistants” under revised business visitor arrangements. These are not migrant workers but people who are ordinarily employed and resident outside the United Kingdom.

As part of our continued work to combat trafficking, our emphasis will be on developing robust procedures, including appropriate safeguards, such as the identification of cases of possible abuse at the pre-entry stage to minimise the risk of subsequent exploitation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will propose to the German presidency of the European Union that the agenda for the next meeting to discuss progress on the European Union-Egypt Association Agreement should include an item on the recently introduced computerised identity card system, which requires a person to state that he is Muslim, Jewish or Christian. [HL1883]

We raised this matter with the German presidency of the European Union on 7 February and it is currently exploring the most appropriate way of taking this forward.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of United Kingdom research into combined biomass and fossil-fuel firing in existing and future power plants. [HL1336]

The DTI has commissioned a number of reports into biomass co-firing, the most recent being two independent reports as part of the energy review and review of the renewables obligation: Evaluating the Sustainability of Co-firing in the UK, Themba Technology Ltd, 2006, http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file34448.pdf, and The Economics of Co-firing, IPA Energy Consulting, 2006, http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file34449.pdf. Preparation of these reports involved consultation with industry and reviewing existing literature. Other reports include Best Practice Brochure: Co-Firing of Biomass, May 2005, http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file20737.pdf; Low Cost Utilisation of Biomass, March 2005, http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file15015.pdf; and Co-firing Sewage Sludge and Biomass, Power Generation Technology Centre, November 2005, http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file29951.pdf.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will hold discussions with researchers in the public and private sectors to examine the modalities of enhancing surface productivity on photovoltaic solar cell units, to bring the carbon dioxide coefficients closer to the life cycle emissions for stronger and longer sunlight areas in southern Europe. [HL1846]

The DTI’s technology programme, which includes support for collaborative research between academia and industry, supports all areas of research in photovoltaic cells, with an ongoing focus on improved cost and efficiency of all types of cell. This will help to improve the energy output of photovoltaic cells and hence reduce their financial and carbon payback time. To help to achieve these objectives, officials work closely with key researchers in the UK and internationally.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council also funds the SUPERGEN (Sustainable Power Generation and Supply) initiative, which is a programme of research at UK universities. The SUPERGEN PV group is looking at photovoltaic materials for the 21st century. More information on this work is available at http://www.pv2l.org/intro.htm.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the proposed strength of the European Gendarmerie Force; what is its intended purpose; how is it being financed; and how much will it cost. [HL1959]

The European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) is an initiative of five EU member states (France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain). The UK is not a member of the EGF and therefore does not have detailed information about the force.

I understand that the purpose of the EGF is to make available rapidly deployable paramilitary police units able to perform a variety of policing roles, primarily in support of EU crisis management operations. It has a permanent headquarters (HQ) of 30 staff based at the Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units, in Vicenza, Italy. The HQ consists of a multinational core that can be reinforced as needed by agreement of the contributing states.

Apart from the HQ, the EGF is not a standing force, but will be generated and deployed on an ad hoc basis as needed. It is designed to be capable of deploying a police task force of up to 800 police officers, including a rapidly deployed HQ in the field, within 30 days. The police units that will form the EGF are drawn from existing national police resources from the five participating states; current commitments suggest that the EGF could reach a total nominal strength of 2,300.

I do not have details of how the EGF will be financed. Costs would presumably depend on the nature of any EGF deployment. To date, the force has not deployed in a live operation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many (a) shotguns, and (b) rifles are currently recorded on the National Firearms Licensing Management System. [HL1793]

I understand that as at 31 January there were 181,933 rifles and 973,870 shotguns recorded on the system.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What role and purpose the Food Standards Agency now has in view of the fact that its findings have been overruled by the European Union Food and Veterinary Office. [HL849]

The Food Standards Agency remains the central competent authority in the United Kingdom responsible for the negotiation, implementation, application and enforcement of food hygiene legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether Ministers and officials have had contacts with Mr Carne Ross since the termination of his Foreign and Commonwealth Office appointment in September 2004; and, if so, whether such contacts included discussions on Iraq. [HL1676]

We owe a duty of confidence to serving and former members of staff. It would not be appropriate to comment on any contacts between Ministers and officials with serving or former members of staff, which are conducted on an in-confidence basis.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish a disability equality impact assessment of the provisions contained within the Further Education and Training Bill. [HL1779]

The DfES intends to publish the disability equality impact assessment of the further education system reforms, including the provisions outlined in the Further Education and Training Bill, during 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many gangmasters have so far been licensed; who ensures that they comply with minimum wage rates and prescribed orders of conduct; and how many prosecutions of gangmasters and labour contractors have so far been initiated. [HL1838]

As at 6 February 2007, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) has licensed 940 gangmasters. A further 64 licence applications are being processed.

Any person employed to work in agriculture, anywhere in England and Wales, is entitled to be paid at least the appropriate agricultural minimum wage rate set out in the Agricultural Wages Order. This includes all foreign nationals legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom. The Agricultural Wages Order is enforced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in England and by the National Assembly for Wales agriculture department in Wales. If a worker considers that he or she might have been underpaid, they should contact the Agricultural Wages Team on 0845 0000 134 and it will arrange for the matter to be investigated. The national minimum wage, which is enforced by HMRC on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry, applies where non-agricultural work is undertaken. It is a condition of a GLA licence that the business to which that licence relates should pay at least the agricultural or national minimum wage.

The GLA, on behalf of the Secretary of State, is currently preparing four prosecution cases (involving multiple businesses) and is investigating and monitoring 64 further cases.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many serving British Armed Forces personnel have illnesses arising from the Gulf War 1990-91 which have only manifested themselves in recent years; and whether any such illnesses have manifested themselves in serving personnel in the past two years. [HL1879]

I refer my noble friend to the Answer that I gave on 30 January 2007 (Official Report, cols. WA 35-36) to my noble friend Lord Roberts.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have received on the urgency of the need for increased funding for motor neurone disease research over the next two years; what replies they have made; and what action they are taking. [HL1566]

The department has received a number of representations on this subject, mostly from or prompted by the Motor Neurone Disease Association. The response to them has described the nature and level of government investment in research into the disease, and the fact that the Dementias and Neurodegenerative Disease Network (launched in September 2005 as part of the UK Clinical Research Network) will give patients from every motor neurone disease clinic in England the opportunity to take part in national clinical trials. In addition, the department will respond to a request for matched funding from Government to support the association's research strategy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many cases of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were reported in National Health Service hospitals in (a) 2005, and (b) 2006.[HL1418]

Since April 2001, all acute National Health Service trusts in England have been obliged to report all cases of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemias under the mandatory surveillance scheme.

National, regional and individual trust data were published for the years 2001-02 to 2005-06 (the latest available data) in the Health Protection Agency's Mandatory Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections Report 2006, available at www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hai/MandSurvHCAI2006.pdf.

The annual total of MRSA bacteraemias for the period April 2004 to March 2005 was 7,233. The annual total of MRSA bacteraemias for the period April 2005 to March 2006 was 7,087.

MRSA data for the period up to September 2006 have been published on the Health Protection Agency website, available at www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hai/Mandatory_Results_Jan_2007.htm.

A copy of the document referred to above has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many cases of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were reported in National Health Service mental illness hospitals in (a) 2005, and (b) 2006.[HL1419]

This information is not collected centrally. National Health Service mental health trusts are not included in the mandatory surveillance schemes for healthcare-associated infections, including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many multiple sclerosis nurses were in post at the beginning of 2006; how many are currently in post; and what are their expectations about the growth or fall in numbers of multiple sclerosis nurses in 2007. [HL1892]

The annual National Health Service workforce census does not separately identify multiple sclerosis nurses from the rest of the nursing workforce. It is for NHS employers and strategic health authorities to determine how many multiple sclerosis nurses are required to meet local service needs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 29 January (WA 10), what information relating to (a) childhood asthma, and (b) adult respiratory disease is collected centrally. [HL1782]

Information is collected, available via the quality and outcomes framework website at www.ic.nhs.uk/services/qof/, on the number of patients registered with a general practitioner and diagnosed with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition, data are collected, via the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) system, on hospital activity for those diagnosed with a wide range of respiratory conditions, including asthma. That information is available on the HES website at www.hesonline.nhs.uk.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why they are proposing that urology patients should no longer receive home delivery of appliances and other complimentary services relating to Part IX of the Drug Tariff in contrast to their decision in relation to stoma patients. [HL2021]

The department has been reviewing Part IX of the Drug Tariff since October 2005. Two consultations are currently open that seek views on proposed arrangements for the provision of stoma and incontinence appliances, and related services, to primary care. Both consultations close on 2 April 2007. They are entitled: Arrangements for the Reimbursement Pricing of Stoma and Incontinence Appliances under Part IX of the Drug Tariff; and Arrangements for the Remuneration of Services Relating to Appliances within Part IX of the Drug Tariff. The proposals contained within the consultation documents reflect the information that had been made available to the department by the date of publication of the consultations themselves, particularly by dispensing appliance contractors. As the department is in the process of consultation, no decisions have been made about any of the arrangements, and all responses and the views contained therein will be carefully considered. It is also a stated objective of the review that patient care will be maintained or, where appropriate, improved.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many Members of the House of Lords, by party and from the Cross-Benchers group, occupy salaried positions in government departments, government agencies and public bodies funded in part or wholly from national taxation. [HL1735]

There are 20 members of the House of Lords who hold salaried ministerial office. In addition, one special adviser is a member of the House of Lords. All are from the governing party. The other information requested is not held centrally.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consideration they are giving to the representations made by Asylum Link Merseyside to the Department for Education and Skills about the restriction of access by refugees and asylum seekers to English for Speakers of Other Languages courses. [HL1920]

Documents submitted to the Home Office and forwarded to the Department for Education and Skills in November 2006 have been passed to officials leading the race equality impact assessment on the proposed changes. Information is being fed into that process and will be taken into account when the final report is published later in February.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ask the prisons ombudsman to conduct an independent inquiry into the aetiology of the 27 November 2006 disturbances at Harmondsworth immigration removal centre. [HL1166]

The investigation into the circumstances of the recent disturbance at Harmondsworth immigration removal centre is being carried out by Mr Robert Whalley CB, a retired senior civil servant. The investigation will establish the lessons to be learnt from this event for the management of the immigration detainees and of the immigration detention estate. It will take full account of the separate police inquiries that are continuing and will be conducted in a way that does not impede any criminal prosecution. Subject to ensuring that any possible criminal prosecutions are not prejudiced, I will arrange for the outcome of the investigation to be available to the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What evidence they have received concerning migrant workers in Lincolnshire, particularly with regard to their working hours and the condition and rent level of their tied accommodation. [HL1885]

The Defra earnings and hours survey collects information about the hours worked by agricultural workers. This information is available on the Defra website; however, migrant workers are not separately identified.

Where agricultural workers are supplied by a gangmaster, the gangmaster will require a licence from the Gangmasters Licensing Authority to operate legally. To obtain a licence, a gangmaster must satisfy the conditions attached to a licence. These require that any accommodation provided by the gangmaster should conform to current legislation. There should be no evidence of poor or overcrowded conditions or failure to conform to local housing regulations on housing of multiple occupation. Any charges for accommodation must be compliant with the national and agricultural minimum wage regulations. The Gangmasters Licensing Authority will be monitoring compliance with these licence conditions and will report on the operation of the licensing scheme annually.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What support they are providing for local authorities and voluntary organisations working with migrant workers who have fallen ill or lost their jobs and are threatened by destitution and homelessness. [HL1886]

Some migrant workers would retain eligibility for local authority housing and income-related benefits if they lost their job as a result of illness or accident or became involuntarily unemployed, and consequently should not face destitution or homelessness. However, to assist the small number that do end up sleeping rough on the streets, the Government have given £497,000 to date to central London local authorities to support their work with this group and in recognition of the potential impact on their homelessness services from mainly A8 nationals. No funding has been given direct to the voluntary sector to date.

Ministers have agreed that officials should put together proposals for targeted work to address homelessness among nationals from the new European accession states (A8s), involving work both with voluntary organisations, particularly in London, and with organisations in the source countries to facilitate returns.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why rape is not regarded as torture when considering detainees for removal or deportation. [HL1120]

Rape, whether actual or threatened, can constitute torture in certain circumstances, but, whether or not it is torture, it is certainly inhuman or degrading treatment.

In accordance with our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, we would not remove an individual where there are substantial grounds for believing that there is a real risk that he or she would be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The decision to remove a person from the United Kingdom is taken only after full and careful consideration of individual circumstances.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will refrain from conducting any pilot studies of the use of dental X-rays as an aid to age determination of unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors, in view of the statement by the British Dental Association on the shortcomings of these procedures. [HL1661]

We will shortly publish a consultation paper that will contain proposals for the reform of the immigration and support system for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. The views of expert professionals, including the British Dental Association, will form an important part of the consultation process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Who is responsible for healthcare at Yarl’s Wood detention centre following the bankruptcy of the previous provider, Veritas. [HL1710]

The overall responsibility for the healthcare at Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre lies with Global Solutions Limited (GSL), and was subcontracted to Veritas. Following the bankruptcy of Veritas, the contract to provide healthcare has now been subcontracted to Medacs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their assessment of the relationship between the Badr Brigade militia and the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq. [HL1999]

The Badr Brigade originated as an armed wing of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). In 2003, the Badr Brigade declared itself to be a political party and renamed itself the Badr Organisation. We welcomed the promise by SCIRI’s leader, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, that it would disarm. However, we believe that some Badr members have either failed to lay down their arms or have infiltrated the Iraqi security forces and are engaging in sectarian violence. SCIRI and Badr remain closely linked and we believe that SCIRI leaders could do more to reduce violence by Badr elements. We continue to impress on all Iraq’s political leaders that armed militias have no place in a democratic Iraq.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many Ministers in the Government of Iraq are members of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq; and what are their portfolios. [HL2000]

There are presently three members of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq serving as Ministers in the Government of Iraq:

Adel Abdul Mehdi (Vice-President);

Baqir Jabr al-Zubaydi (Minister of Finance);

Dr Akram al-Hakim (Minister of State for National Dialogue).

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether they have made representations to the Government of Israel about the release of those elected members of the Palestine Legislative Council now being held in detention, and about the return of other members at present in exile; and, if so, with what result. [HL1970]

We support the call at the 22 January General Affairs and External Relations Council for the immediate release of Palestinian Ministers and legislators detained in Israel. We have not made any recent representations to the Israeli Government on this matter.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will support the request of the French Foreign Minister at the meeting of the Middle East quartet in Washington DC on 2 February for quartet action to return to full negotiations between Israel and Palestine. [HL1819]

We understand that French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy has called for direct negotiations between the parties. The quartet (US, UN, EU and Russia) met on 2 February and reiterated its call for a renewed political process with the aim of launching meaningful negotiations, and welcomed the upcoming meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Olmert, Palestinian President Abbas and US Secretary of State Rice. The quartet also reaffirmed its commitment to meet regularly at both the principals’ and envoys’ levels. We support these developments and hope that they will lead to substantive negotiations between the parties. A copy of the quartet statement can be found at: http:/www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/february/79867.htm.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether they will ensure that pre-sentence reports draw attention to mental ill health and learning difficulties when these affect convicted persons. [HL1748]

Probation staff who prepare pre-sentence reports are expected to draw the court’s attention to any issue that is relevant to its sentencing decision.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the light of their policy of integration rather than multiculturalism, they will discourage the promotion or continuation of groups based on race, colour or creed in the public service. [HL1785]

The Government do not believe that integration need be at the expense of multiculturalism, and we will continue to encourage public sector agencies to celebrate diversity. Valuing diversity is central to our approach to community cohesion and is necessary in a society that recognises that an important part of a person’s identity is formed through collective association. At the same time, our approach also means highlighting our common values across groups: respect for the rule of law; freedom of speech; equality of opportunity; respect for others and responsibility towards others. These are clearly values that all agencies—and individuals—within the public sector should share.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Warner on 8 January (WA 32-33), whether strategic health authorities and National Health Service trusts created individual contingencies or provisions at the outset of the current financial year. [HL1161]

In 2006-07, strategic health authorities (SHAs) have established a contingency through their prudent management of NHS central budget programme funding devolved to them by the department. At quarter 2, the value of this contingency was £350 million, though SHAs reported their ability to create an additional £100 million through continued active management of central budgets. In addition, for 2006-07, SHAs have had the power to create local reserves held at SHA level to help them to balance the overall financial position across their health economy. Primary care trusts (PCTs), which make a contribution to their SHA reserve, will be repaid, normally within the three-year allocation cycle, when organisations currently in deficit start producing surpluses. SHAs have been asked to ensure that PCTs with the greatest health need are the first to be repaid.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the value of gifts, paid for out of public funds, that the Deputy Prime Minister gave to Mr Philip Anschutz during the visit to his ranch in July 2005; and [HL1500]

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10 October 2006, what gift was deemed appropriate for the Deputy Prime Minister to give Mr Philip Anschutz during his visit to Mr Anschutz's ranch in July 2005; and [HL1663]

What gifts the Deputy Prime Minister has given to Mr Philip Anschutz or any of his associates in accordance with the Ministerial Code.[HL1691]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave him on 1 February (Official Report, col. WA 77).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether a record is kept of those persons who have made more than one application for the replacement of a passport; and, if so, what additional safeguards are used to prevent fraudulent applications by such persons. [HL1351]

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) notes every instance of an application for the replacement of a passport. IPS does not, however, routinely collate this information and does not collate information relating to those people who have made more than one application for a replacement passport. All passport applications received by IPS are subject to a variety of system and manual checks to detect and prevent fraud. Applications for replacement passports must be accompanied by an additional declaration and details relating to the loss or theft that gave rise to the application. These additional details are used to conduct further checks in the event that the passport application is not straightforward or appears suspicious.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the UK Passport Agency informs the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office of all new passports issued and all those reported lost, stolen or destroyed. [HL1354]

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) provides details of all processed reports of lost, stolen and destroyed British passports to the Immigration Service, which also has access to IPS’s main passport record database.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether all passport control posts at airports, seaports and rail terminals have online access to the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) database; and, if not, how the control posts are able to check the travel documents of United Kingdom passport holders. [HL1738]

Immigration officers at ports of entry are able to identify UK passports reported as lost, stolen or suspect.

The Identity and Passport Service has made its database available to immigration staff at ports of entry and staff in IND.

Where a document is thought to be misused, immigration officers may check the details on the IPS system and determine from the details therein what action they should take.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Identity and Passport Service database has a facility to suspend the validity of the passports of United Kingdom passport holders who have been given custodial sentences until such time as they have been released from custody; and, if so, whether they will use such a facility. [HL1796]

The Identity and Passport Service can and does cancel passports in appropriate cases. Cancellations are recorded on the database and shared with other agencies such as Interpol and border control. To use the cancellation facility to suspend passports temporarily would be impractical. Agencies such as border control authorities in other countries require clarity in the status of a particular passport and once they are notified of a cancellation there is no guaranteed way of reactivating it.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been (a) the average, and (b) the median age of death of retired members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, for males and females in each of the past 10 years. [HL1898]

For the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2003, the average age at death of retired members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme was 80 (males) and 81 (females). The median figures for the same period were also 80 and 81 respectively. Information for the period from 1 April 2003 and for the period from 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1999 is available only at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On how many occasions since the implementation of the Human Rights Act 1998 there has been a review of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations, which freeze the pensions of some United Kingdom pensioners living overseas; and [HL1777]

What assessment has been made of the compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998 of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations, which freeze the pensions of some United Kingdom pensioners living overseas. [HL1778]

The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations are part of the annual uprating process and have been reviewed on a general basis each year since 1998. It is normal practice to review new legislation for compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights.

In addition, the provisions on the non-uprating of UK state pensions for some pensioners living abroad have been the subject of litigation in the domestic courts, all of which found in favour of the Government. The issue is now the subject of an application for a hearing to the European Court of Human Rights.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why Moldova and Albania are considered safe countries for trafficked women returned from the United Kingdom in view of evidence that they are at risk of being re-trafficked. [HL1887]

It is not the Government’s policy automatically to return victims of trafficking. Each situation is dealt with on an individual basis, with the victim’s welfare and the assessed risk of re-trafficking always the paramount concerns. In accordance with its international obligations, the UK would not knowingly put a victim’s life in danger, nor put victims in a position where they would be liable to be trafficked again. The Albanian Government have taken steps to address the trafficking and re-trafficking of persons, especially women, and introduced increasingly stringent laws and safeguards for those who may face trafficking. The Moldovan Government have also made significant efforts to combat trafficking and mistreatment of women, and are a signatory to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to implement the proposals outlined in the Barker Review of Land Use Planning, which was commissioned by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to allow housing and commercial development in green belt areas; and whether they intend to limit local government to a consultative role in such planning decisions; and [HL657]

What are their plans for the future for existing town centres when green belt development is permitted; and how they intend to cope with town centre blight; and [HL659]

Whether they have carried out any environmental evaluation in respect of the assessment of the Barker Review of Land Use Planning on the green belt as “low-value agricultural land with little landscape quality and limited public access”; and, if so, whether they will publish the results; and [HL660]

Whether the proposals outlined in the Barker Review of Land Use Planning to allow development in the green belt contrasts with the recent Policy Planning Statement 14 pronouncement in Northern Ireland by Lord Rooker, which proposes a presumption against rural development. [HL661]

The Government believe that the green belt plays a vital role in the planning system that must continue. The Government will set out the response to Kate Barker's report later this year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to protect Thornborough henges and the landscape in light of the recent planning application in favour of Tarmac Northern Limited. [HL2034]

Parliament has entrusted local planning authorities with responsibility for day-to-day planning control in their areas, including the consideration of applications for development. The Government will intervene to decide planning applications only in very rare cases where issues of more than local importance are involved and those issues need to be decided at national level.

I understand that the planning application to which the noble Lord refers is a revision of an earlier planning application for the extraction of sand and gravel from an extension to the existing Nosterfield quarry to the north of the scheduled ancient monument of Thornborough henges. North Yorkshire County Council, as the mineral planning authority, refused that application in February 2006. I further understand that the county council is satisfied that the revised application, for reduced mineral extraction on a smaller site, addresses its concerns about the original application and in particular avoids the area in that application assessed as containing nationally important archaeological remains. In January 2007, the county council therefore resolved to approve the revised application, subject to ratification of a Section 106 planning agreement on several matters, including protection of archaeological interests and appropriate restoration and aftercare. Any permission that may be granted will also be subject to a number of planning conditions to mitigate the environmental, including landscape, impact of the sand and gravel extraction.

I understand that, in reaching its decisions on the applications, the county council took account of all material planning considerations, including representations about the impact of the workings and proposed restoration on archaeology and the landscape, the Government’s policies on the handling of archaeological remains within the planning system (Planning Policy Guidance Note 16: Archaeology and Planning) and the views of English Heritage, the Government’s statutory adviser on heritage and archaeology.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many police officers nationally have been subject to (a) disciplinary proceedings, and (b) proceedings for attempting to pervert the course of justice in the last 24 months for which figures are available; and how many of the actions under (a) and (b) separately arose out of investigations and trials of persons accused of rape or serious assault offences. [HL1893]

The collection and publication of police complaints and disciplinary statistics are the statutory responsibility of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 26 January (WA 267), what criteria caused the minority of police authorities to be less than fully reimbursed for their costs over the Government's police merger plans; and why some were underfunded more than others. [HL1707]

An upper limit of £100,000 was applied to contributions to meet costs incurred for each police authority. Police authorities that did not have their claim for costs fully met were those that claimed to have incurred costs above this threshold. The threshold ensured that the majority of claims were met in full and a significant contribution was made to costs incurred by a minority.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made an assessment of the findings of the University of Southern California on pollution, which were recently published in the Lancet. [HL1772]

We assume that the noble Lord refers to a paper produced by the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California, which was published in the Lancet online on 26 January 2007 and entitled “Effects of exposure to traffic on lung development from 10 to 18 years of age: a cohort study”. This is one of a series of papers from that cohort study. The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants will review the paper referred to in the Question at its next meeting, on 23 February 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many post office branches are currently open in Kirkwhelpington. [HL1865]

I understand from Post Office Ltd that there is one post office branch open in Kirkwhelpington.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What research they have carried out on the number of people using post offices in Kirkwhelpington. [HL1866]

No research has been carried out by the Government on the number of people using post offices in Kirkwhelpington.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consultation has taken place with the local communities regarding the future of post offices in Kirkwhelpington. [HL1867]

None. But comments from them and from any other interested parties on the consultation on the future of the post office network are welcome.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What plans they have to increase the number of workshop places in HM Prison Chelmsford as the population rises to 700 prisoners. [HL1686]

A new workshop and education facility has been provided at HMP Chelmsford to meet the increased requirements of greater numbers of prisoners.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many convicted inmates escaped from open prisons in each of the last five years, broken down by escapes in the areas of the government offices for the regions. [HL1140]

It is not possible to escape from open conditions as there are no physical constraints. Prisoners are classed as “absconders” if they absent themselves from Prison Service custody without lawful authority. All prisoners in open prisons have been convicted. The information requested is set out in the table.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the cost of Measuring the Quality of Prison Life (MQPL) conducted by HM Prison Service; how many staff are involved; and how this compares with the cost and staffing of HM Inspectorate of Prisons. [HL1798]

The cost of Measuring the Quality of Prison Life (MQPL) in 2005-06 was £297,133. There are nine staff engaged in conducting and reporting of MQPL surveys. The cost for all aspects of the work of HM Inspectorate of Prisons in 2005-06 was £3,134,077. The staff complement during that period was 41 full-time employees and eight fee-paid part-time specialist inspectors and editors.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the role and purpose of Measuring the Quality of Prison Life (MQPL). [HL1799]

Measuring the Quality of Prison Life (MQPL) is a questionnaire survey of prisoners’ perceptions. Its role is to provide an indication of the state of important aspects _.of prison life. These aspects include whether prisoners feel that they are treated equitably, with decency and fairness; whether they feel safe; and the quality of the staff/prisoner interface. The survey results are used internally by prison managers to identify problems and to improve prison performance generally, and as a contribution to the service’s benchmarking programme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the Department of Health has been unable to answer Lord Pearson of Rannoch's Question for Written Answer of 15 November (HL36) after nine weeks, when the target time is two weeks; and, in light of the fact that 17 out of the 52 questions awaiting a late answer are questions to the Department of Health, what steps they are taking to remedy this. [HL1494]

An Answer was given on 22 January (Official Report, col. WA 209), and I regret the delay in replying.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made an assessment of the report by Dr James Gauderman of the University of Southern California which concluded that children who grow up near major roads are more likely to develop asthma and other respiratory diseases. [HL1689]

We have made no assessment of this research, published in the Lancet on 26 January 2007, showing that children growing up alongside freeways in California risk having their lung development impaired. The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants will review the paper referred to in the Question at its next meeting, on 23 February 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Royal Mail requires its employees to leave the Territorial Army; and, if so, in what circumstances and for what reasons. [HL1585]

This is an operational matter for Royal Mail. Adam Crozier, chief executive of Royal Mail, has written as below.

Letter from Adam Crozier, chief executive of Royal Mail.

Royal Mail is very proud of its people who are serving in the Territorial Army and in the other Reserve Forces and we are determined to continue doing all we can to support them. Currently, several hundred of our people are serving in the Territorial Army. We grant two weeks’ additional paid leave to employees in the TA to cover the annual active service commitment, as well as unpaid leave as needed to travel to their weekend exercises.

Royal Mail, like a great many other major employers, is covered by the legal requirements on drivers’ hours and we will, of course, meet our legal obligations. We also work very hard to ensure we are doing all we can to protect the health and safety of our people.

From 11 April 2007, Royal Mail will be required by law to ensure that our drivers have weekly rest including during those weeks when there is weekend training or exercises with the Reserve Forces. However, we want our people to continue to be able to serve in the Reserve Forces and we are very willing to discuss with any individual how best this can be achieved. There are a number of options we can consider, including giving the individual the option of moving to other duties within the company, and offering the facility of taking unpaid leave. We want to be flexible and to see our people continue to serve in the TA, but we also must ensure we comply with the law. Our commitment to supporting our people in the Reserve Forces remains strong.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What working arrangements are in place between the staff of the Royal Navy’s fleet transformation process and staff working on the concurrent naval base and defence training reviews. [HL1807]

The fleet transformation programme’s primary role is to streamline the Royal Navy’s force generation and management processes. Other change programmes, such as the naval base review and defence training review, are being taken fully into account in the fleet transformation work, both at working and programme board levels.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What arrangements will be put in place to ensure that the new Defence Equipment and Support Organisation meets the Royal Navy’s fleet transformation requirements for an agile force generation and management process. [HL1808]

We are putting in place new planning arrangements involving the Fleet HQ, defence equipment and support and the MoD, which will build on existing relations between the Fleet HQ and the Defence Logistics Organisation and Defence Procurement Agency. A key element is that the Fleet HQ will in future be responsible for programming the costs of in-service equipment support over the first four years of the defence planning period. These arrangements will be embedded in the transformed management structure.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the 88 concurrent initiatives compromising the Royal Navy’s fleet transformation process. [HL1809]

At the outset of the fleet transformation programme, an informal exercise was conducted by the programme team to identify the change initiatives already affecting the fleet TLB. This exercise found at least 88 actions in hand at various levels across the TLB, although many were subsets of larger programmes. Both fleet transformation and the concurrent initiatives reflect the priority being given across the Ministry of Defence to efficiency, effectiveness and the shift in resources towards the front line.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether any reductions in personnel are expected to result from the Royal Navy’s fleet transformation process. [HL1810]

Yes. The fleet transformation programme will redesign the Fleet Headquarters’ force generation and management processes to create more agile, command-oriented, operationally focused support to the front line. Personnel reductions will be achieved as each part of the fleet’s support area reviews its structure and functions in the coming months and years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What impact the merger of the Defence Logistics Organisation and the Defence Procurement Agency and resultant manpower reallocation is having on the Royal Navy’s fleet transformation process. [HL1835]

Any change in Defence Logistics Organisation and Defence Procurement Agency manpower as a result of their merger into Defence Equipment and Support will have no impact on the Royal Navy’s fleet transformation process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Royal Navy’s fleet transformation process will have an impact on reviews of ship and platform numbers. [HL1836]

No. The fleet transformation programme is intended to rebalance resources between the Royal Navy support area and the front line. It is looking at the fleet’s command and management processes and organisation, and will not affect planned platform numbers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the naval base review is expected to be completed; and whether any preliminary conclusions or recommendations have already been made. [HL1806]

No conclusions or recommendations have been presented to Ministers, nor are they expected to be before spring 2007, after which they will be subject to the MoD’s internal scrutiny and approvals process. The current expectation is for an announcement in summer 2007. Final decisions will also be subject to formal trade union consultation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have commissioned a literature review of the benefits, or otherwise, of all-age (five-to-sixteen years) schools; and what research evidence they have taken account of, or rejected, in their support of all-age schools in the academies programme. [HL2016]

We have not commissioned a literature review of the benefits of all-age schools. However, the small number of open all-age schools in England presents a generally positive picture. Each proposal for an all-age academy is looked at on its individual merits. We look at a large number of factors, which, as a minimum, would need to show that the inclusion of primary provision in an academy would be likely to have a positive educational and social impact on both primary and secondary pupils, without adverse impact on the wider school community.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 16 January (WA 146), whether the guidance currently issued by the Department for Education and Skills about the significance of marriage and stable relationships as key building blocks of society requires that equal values should be given to lasting relationships between persons of either the same or opposite sex as to marriage. [HL2019]

Schools are required to have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State on sex and relationship education. Sex and relationship education guidance issued in 2000 advises that pupils should learn about the importance of marriage for family life and for bringing up children, and the significance of marriage and stable relationships as the key building blocks of community and society. The guidance makes it clear that care must be taken to ensure that there is no stigmatisation of children based on their home circumstances. The guidance does not attribute a relative value to marriage as opposed to lasting relationships. It is for schools to decide on the detailed content and delivery of their sex and relationship education programme, taking account of the views of parents and the needs of pupils.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will take further steps to encourage risk taking and healthy rivalry in schools so as to prepare young people for risks faced later in life. [HL2026]

Within the school curriculum there are increasing opportunities for pupils to understand and manage risk and take part in competitive activities. Outdoor and adventurous activities are one of six activity areas within the national curriculum for physical education. These activities enable pupils to experience a degree of challenge and risk which can develop the confidence to travel and manage the body in potentially hazardous environments. The Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, which the Government launched last November, aims to provide young people with opportunities to engage in similar activities beyond the classroom.

Pupils are taught to understand and manage risk and how to behave responsibly as part of their personal, social and health education. We also want pupils to learn how to be enterprising and to apply risk-taking and risk-management skills to business in order to understand the importance of economic well-being.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many official visits the Secretary of State for Transport has made to Scotland since 1 December 2006. [HL1859]

My right honourable friend has not visited Scotland in his official capacity as Secretary of State for Transport since 1 December 2006.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, following the recent cruise ship accident in Antarctica, they will take action through the Antarctic Treaty consultative system to persuade the International Maritime Organisation to prohibit single-hull vessels in Antarctic waters. [HL1933]

The UK’s shipping experts consider that ice strengthening, rather than double-hulling, is a more important issue for ships operating in ice-covered waters. The UK is very concerned about the increasing number and size of non-ice-strengthened vessels visiting Antarctica and has been pressing the issue within the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) over recent years. In 2004, the treaty parties agreed guidelines for ships operating in Arctic and Antarctic ice-covered waters and transmitted them for consideration by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). These guidelines are intended to ensure that ships operating in ice-covered waters meet appropriate standards of maritime safety and pollution prevention. They include the recommendation that operations in Antarctic waters take due account of ship class, among other factors. It is hoped that the IMO will endorse the guidelines by this summer.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working closely with the Department for Transport and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to consider further measures for ensuring ship safety within Antarctic waters, including the issue of ship suitability (ice strengthening and hull type). The UK will continue to raise the issue of ship safety in Antarctic waters within the ATCM and the IMO as appropriate

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make representations to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators to raise the tariff on cruise ships visiting Antarctica. [HL1934]

The Antarctic Treaty preserves Antarctica for peace and science. Within this framework, however, safe and environmentally responsible tourism is a legitimate activity. There are no tariffs levied on tourist visitors to Antarctica.

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) is a member organisation providing a self-regulatory framework for tourism in Antarctica. The vast majority of Antarctica tour operators are members of the organisation and pay membership fees based on passenger numbers. The level of such fees is a matter for IAATO. IAATO sets stringent environmental standards for Antarctic tourism operators and manages the annual tourism traffic to Antarctica. The UK supports this self-regulatory framework, for example by restricting access to UK historic sites and bases to IAATO operators, and works with IAATO to further enhance the management of Antarctic tourism.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will assist Mid-Suffolk District Council with the costs of the planning inquiry into the SnOasis proposal. [HL1884]

Under Section 250(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 and Section 42 of the Housing and Planning Act 1986, the Secretary of State can recover the costs of an inquiry. It is long-standing practice not to recover them fully, in return for local authorities providing inquiry accommodation free of charge and employing a programme officer where that is necessary. No reason is seen to depart from this practice in this case.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the current availability in the National Health Service of sports medicine expertise is sufficient to encourage physical activity within the working age population; and [HL1602]

What level of expertise within the National Health Service in sports medicine is appropriate to provide support to back up their anti-obesity strategy. [HL1603]

Sports and exercise medicine is primarily a clinical specialty aimed at providing high-quality medical care to people who have injury due to exercise. The specialty will also contribute to fighting obesity by promoting exercise. However, this specialty is only one part of the medical support required to address obesity. In addition to this specialty, general practitioners, consultants and a range of clinical specialties will encourage physical activity.

As part of the workforce contribution to Delivering the NHS Improvement Plan, we are moving away from centrally prescribed national targets. It is the responsibility of primary care trusts and strategic health authorities to analyse their local situation and develop plans, in liaison with their local National Health Service trusts and primary care providers, to deliver high-quality NHS services. Local development plans will need to include action to recruit and develop the appropriate staff required to deliver services.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to address skills shortages in the sport and fitness industries. [HL2025]

From 2002, the Government established the Sector Skills Development Agency and a network of 25 sector skills councils (SSCs) to address sectoral-specific skills issues. SkillsActive, the SSC for the active leisure and learning sector, is licensed by the Government to lead the productivity drive across the sport and fitness, outdoors, playwork and caravan industries. Following consultation and research with employers, training providers and other partners, the recently published sector skills agreement for the sector has set out the priorities for addressing skills shortages and developing the skills of the workforce. SkillsActive is involved in a variety of initiatives to address skills shortages and to develop the skills of the workforce. These include: preparing a submission for a national skills academy; developing a sport and leisure diploma; developing an advanced apprenticeship in sporting excellence and a young apprenticeship for the sport and active leisure sector; and working with the sector and employers to develop national occupational standards.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they will respond to the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions on the need to avoid “war on terror” phraseology in public statements. [HL1637]

We agree that using appropriate language and communications can help to undermine terrorist propaganda and unite communities against a common threat. Phraseology is carefully considered in the Government’s communications around counterterrorism.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have studied (a) the report on sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel serving in peacekeeping forces by Prince Zeid Al-Hussein of March 2005, and (b) Barracks and Brothels by Sarah Mendelson of February 2005, concerning peacekeepers and human trafficking in the Balkans; and what steps the Government, NATO and the European Union are taking to prevent and eliminate the behaviour to which these studies draw attention. [HL1888]

The UK, with EU partners and other like-minded countries, worked closely with the UN General Assembly’s Special Committee on Peacekeeping to ensure that recommendations in Prince Zeid’s report were adopted as a matter of urgency in 2005. Relevant provisions for prevention, monitoring and investigation of misconduct cases are included in the establishment of new mission mandates and the renewal of existing mission mandates. It is the responsibility of the UN Secretary-General and member states to take necessary steps to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure that the UN standards of conduct are adhered to. There are signs that the major troop-contributing countries are now taking this issue seriously and withdrawing contingents accused of misconduct. The UK and EU member states continue to work together on this issue in the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping to ensure that work based on the report’s recommendations continues and is completed successfully. The committee met in special session last month to continue to ensure that progress is made on this issue.

The UK provides support to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations both to develop policy and to fund training programmes to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation, and regularly raises the issue in talks with major UN troop contributors. The UK works to ensure that personnel whom we deploy on peacekeeping operations continue to uphold the highest standards. It is the responsibility of all EU and NATO member states to ensure that steps are taken to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation by their personnel, to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for sexual and gender-based violence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their estimate for the current year and next year of the number of degree courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics offered at United Kingdom universities and the number of students studying these courses. [HL1843]

The department does not hold information on courses offered by higher education institutions. The latest available information on student enrolments is given in the table.