asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many dairy and pig farmers there were in the United Kingdom in each of the years 1997–2006. [HL2365]

The number of holdings in England recording pigs or dairy cows is shown below. Figures for the other UK countries fall under the jurisdiction of the devolved authorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, when it is proposed to commit the United Kingdom to direct participation in any war, international armed conflict or international peace-keeping activity, they will publish the opinion of the law officers of the Crown as to the legality of the proposed use of force by the armed forces. [HL2069]

Advice from the law officers is covered by legal professional privilege and is subject to a longstanding convention that prevents disclosure of the advice—or even the fact that the law officers have been consulted—outside Government. The Government consider it important for Parliament and the public to be given a proper explanation of the legal basis on which key decisions, such as a decision to use force against another state, are taken.

This is what happened in relation to Iraq in 2003. While there is a particular need for certainty and clarity in relation to military action, the public interest would not necessarily be served by publication of the legal advice itself, which may refer to secret intelligence or military plans and could include references to the arguments both for and against what is proposed. It would be for the Prime Minister of the day to determine how best fully to explain the legal basis for action to Parliament, including whether that could be done by disclosing the legal advice received in that respect.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the practice of conducting civil inquests into the deaths in action of service personnel killed in action in overseas conflict zones first arose. [HL2201]

Since the Court of Appeal judgment in Helen Smith in 1983, it has been mandatory for an inquest to be held into a death overseas where the body is repatriated to England and Wales and the death is unnatural, violent or sudden, of unknown cause or occurred in custody. This includes the deaths of service personnel killed in exercises and conflicts overseas. Before 1983, coroners had discretion about whether to hold an inquest in deaths that occurred overseas where the body was repatriated to England and Wales.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which authority is responsible for the provision of accommodation for United Nations troops in the Ledra Palace, Nicosia; and which public bodies finance the provision of this accommodation. [HL2184]

The UN is responsible for the provision of accommodation for all UN troops in Cyprus. This is done in conjunction with the Republic of Cyprus under a status of forces agreement between the UN and Cyprus. As the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus is funded from the UN's assessed peacekeeping budget, all UN member states are liable for the costs of the peacekeeping operation. The UK's share of this comes from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office-administered peacekeeping budget, drawn from HM Treasury.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have identified any other countries with H5N1 avian flu infections with a sufficiently similar gene nucleotide sequence to suggest that they might have a link to the outbreaks in Hungary and Suffolk. [HL2205]

The epidemiological investigation is ongoing and, as yet, we have not been able to rule out any method of introduction.

At present, genetic sequencing of isolates of the H5N1 virus has not revealed another virus similar to that found in Hungary and Suffolk. As part of the ongoing investigation, we are investigating whether the outbreaks in England and Hungary came from a common third source. A full report will be published when the investigation is complete. It is likely that that will take a few weeks yet.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures are being taken to ensure stringent inspection of internal European Union traded poultry; and whether the other 26 European Union member states have sufficient resources in place to ensure the efficiency of this inspection. [HL2207]

Existing EU trade rules set out the measures that must be adopted by a member state if it experiences an outbreak of a serious disease, such as avian influenza. The European Commission will propose additional safeguard measures, depending on the severity of the situation within the affected member state.

All consignments of live poultry traded within the EU must be accompanied by an original health certificate signed by an official veterinarian of the exporting member state. This indicates that the poultry do not come from flocks or premises within disease-protection or surveillance zones in member states.

Within the UK, the State Veterinary Service (SVS) carries out risk-based checks on imports of poultry from other member states as a further measure to minimise the introduction of animal diseases into the country.

The European Commission is responsible for ensuring that Community legislation on food safety, animal health, plant health and animal welfare is properly implemented and enforced.

One of the means by which the Commission can monitor these issues is through regular missions conducted by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) to individual member states and to countries outside Europe. These FVO missions produce reports on the visited country's capability, resources and levels of compliance, among other issues. They are reviewed by the Commission and other member states at regular meetings of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will seek financial assistance from the European Union in the event that the avian flu outbreak causes serious damage to the poultry market. [HL2209]

In administrating a similar support regime last year, the EC made it clear that the assumption would be that no future use would be made of market support provision, and that industry would need to prepare itself for any similar market fluctuations in the future.

It has been the policy of successive UK Governments not to provide market support. Market impacts of animal disease are a risk carried by the industry. However, the Government seek to minimise that risk, particularly by encouraging wide public understanding of the issues and an evidence-based and proportionate response.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What lessons have been learnt from the recent avian flu outbreak at Bernard Matthews on the way in which the slaughter of such large flocks was undertaken. [HL2210]

Culling to control the recent outbreak of H5N1 was carried out in accordance with Defra's revised Contingency Plan for Exotic Animal Diseases, which was laid before Parliament on 13 December 2006. Although the company's own slaughterhouse on an adjacent site was used in this case, it is highly unlikely such a method would be available in the future; however, the department has a number of other options available. As the Secretary of State said on 19 February in his Statement to the House (Official Report col. 29), we are determined to learn any and all lessons following this outbreak. This includes all aspects of the regulatory regime, domestic and international. Consistent with past practice, work is already being done to learn the lessons of this outbreak, and when it is concluded it will be published for public scrutiny.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their investigation into the recent avian flu outbreak at Bernard Matthews has considered movements made by employees and their families between England and Hungary. [HL2211]

All possible routes of infection are being investigated, and we have not yet been able to rule out any method of introduction. However, the possibility of workers carrying the disease is very small, and no such movements have been identified to date.

The Defra interim epidemiological report was published on 16 February. It identified two possible hypotheses for the introduction of H5N1 into the poultry premises at Suffolk: introduction associated with imports from Hungary and introduction via wild birds. The report concluded that introduction via the importing of products from Hungary is the most plausible cause. However, the investigation is ongoing and no possibilities have been ruled out. A full report will be published when the investigation is complete. It is likely that it will take a few weeks yet.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions took place between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency following the outbreak of avian flu at the Bernard Matthews plant. [HL2212]

Numerous discussions took place involving Defra, the Department of Health (DoH), the Health Protection Agency (HPA, an agency of the DoH), and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) following the recent outbreak of H5N1 in Suffolk. These took place at official and ministerial levels.

Representatives from the DoH, HPA and the FSA formed part of Defra's National Disease Control Centre. In addition, on 16 February, a joint report was published by the FSA, Defra, the HPA and the Meat Hygiene Service. It looked at the source of imported meat at Holton, with a view to determining whether it came from Hungary.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, following the judgment of the High Court in the case of British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin [2007] EWHC 199 (QB), they will take steps to reimburse those who had incurred unnecessary expenses following the change of Rules in question; and whether, if the Government are unable to consult interested parties on future changes in the rules for the reasons given in evidence, they will conduct their own assessment of the potential adverse financial effects of those changes on persons with limited leave to remain, and publish the results at the same time as the changes in the rules. [HL2056]

We are considering the implications of the judgment of the High Court in the case of British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin [2007] EWHC 199 (QB). The changes to the rules did not amend the existing immigration status of any doctors, so it is not appropriate to consider reimbursement.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their estimate of the number of individuals selling their home each year in order to pay for nursing care. [HL2030]

The department does not collect that information.

National Health Service care, including nursing care and continuing care, is free at the point of delivery.

Social services care is means-tested, based on an individual's assets, and is provided by local councils.

Since 2001, no one has had to sell their home in order to enter a care home, as they can agree a deferred payment with their council, which is claimed back later. Under this scheme, the council meets the cost of the care-home place, and these costs are recouped from the estate of the resident on death.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which statutes discriminate against Roman Catholics; and whether they propose to take action to remove such provisions. [HL2170]

The Coronation Oath Act 1688, the Act of Settlement 1701, the Acts of Union 1707 and the Accession Declaration Act 1910 have provisions that prevent Roman Catholics or those married to Roman Catholics from accession to the Throne. The Government currently have no plans to bring forward legislation on this issue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many British expatriates excluding members of the Armed Forces are registered to vote in the United Kingdom. [HL2100]

The total number of British expatriates, excluding members of the Armed Forces, who are registered to vote in the United Kingdom as of 1 December 2006 is 15,090. The Office for National Statistics released this data in its annual electoral registration figures on 22 February 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many British expatriates excluding members of the Armed Forces they estimate to be eligible to register to vote in the United Kingdom. [HL2101]

The Office for National Statistics is responsible for producing population figures, but it is not required to estimate the number of expatriates eligible to vote in the UK, thus this information is not available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have, and what consultations and actions they are taking, to implement the European Energy Services Directorate (2006/32/EC). [HL2164]

Defra continues to make progress towards implementing the energy end-use efficiency and energy services directive by 17 May 2008. We started consulting on aspects of the directive that have an impact on the wider public, with a recent consultation on billing and metering provisions, which ended on 6 February.

Defra expects to consult stakeholders further on our implementation plans later this year. We will also use the opportunity provided by the forthcoming energy White Paper, and June's Energy Efficiency Action Plan—itself a requirement of the directive—to keep stakeholders informed of progress.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any plans to phase out incandescent light bulbs in order to lower carbon emissions, bearing in mind the recent success of such a scheme in Australia. [HL2173]

The Government remain committed to working with other Governments, manufacturers and retailers to phase out the least efficient light bulbs.

As members of the European Union (EU) single market, neither the UK nor any other member state can unilaterally phase out inefficient products. Such actions need to be taken by member states acting together.

The eco-design for energy-using products framework directive provides a forum for considering options and priorities for establishing energy efficiency standards for energy-using products. Following pressure from the UK and other member states, domestic lighting products have now been added to the list of priority products for consideration. An initial scoping study will begin in the next few months.

We are also discussing with retailers and manufacturers how we can remove the bulk of inefficient lighting products from UK shelves in advance of any mandatory EU action.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why their reporting of the research findings at Porton Down on effects of using pyridostigmine bromide and vaccines stated that they raised no cause for concern in relation to Gulf War illnesses when data in the published research indicated that such treatments, and in particular pyridostigmine bromide, have potentially important effects on the central nervous system; and why in the papers, both in the results and discussions sections, these data were either not mentioned or minimised. [HL2051]

Government statements on the Vaccines Interactions Research Programme provide an accurate summary of the research findings. The study papers represent a full and accurate report of the results, the interpretation of which was the subject of oversight from an independent panel of experts and veterans representatives. In addition, they have been independently reviewed as part of the peer-reviewed publication process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make clinical excellence awards available to health care workers other than doctors. [HL2082]

The Government have no current plans to do so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many complaints about food supplements and herbal remedies being marketed in the United Kingdom with illegal health claims by companies based in the Channel Islands have been referred by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to the appropriate agencies in Guernsey and Jersey in the past two years; and what information the agency has received about the subsequent investigation of such complaints and the eventual outcomes; and [HL2146]

When and for what reasons it was made illegal to offer kava kava for sale in the United Kingdom; and what assessment they have made of (a). the implications for public health of this decision; and (b) the legality of the continued marketing of products containing kava kava for sale to United Kingdom consumers by mail order from the Channel Islands; and [HL2147]

When and for what reasons it was made illegal to offer melatonin for sale in the United Kingdom; and what assessment they have made of (a). the implications for public health of this decision; and (b) the legality of the continued marketing of products containing melatonin for sale to United Kingdom consumers by mail order from the Channel Islands; and [HL2148]

What assessment they have made of the claims that Beres Drops cure cancer by the Healthy for Life company of the Channel Islands in its direct marketing to United Kingdom consumers; and [HL2149]

What steps they propose to take to prevent direct-mail advertising from the Channel Islands offering products banned in the United Kingdom and products for which promotional health claims are made that would be illegal in the United Kingdom and the European Union; and [HL2150]

What powers are available to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to prevent the marketing to United Kingdom mainland consumers of unlicensed medicinal products by companies based in the Channel Islands; and what steps they will take to address this issue. [HL2151]

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has referred nine complaints to the Guernsey authorities and seven to the Jersey authorities since 1 January 2005. The MHRA received feedback from the Guernsey authorities on three cases. In two cases there were no offences under Guernsey law and in the third case the company was not actually based in Guernsey. The MHRA received feedback on three cases from the Jersey authorities. In all three cases the companies were not actually based in Jersey.

A prohibition order on the sale, supply and importation of kava kava in unlicensed medicines, other than for external use, came into force on 13 January 2003. The order was made following advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Medicines Commission (the independent advisory committees advising the Secretary of State) that kava kava poses a rare but serious risk of liver toxicity. Similar action was taken in relation to kava kava in foods. The Guernsey authorities have investigated the supply of kava kava by a company apparently based on that island. The investigation showed that the product was not actually being distributed from Guernsey but from Cyprus. A complaint has been referred to the authorities in Cyprus.

There are no special legislative restrictions on the sale or supply of the hormone melatonin. Unless it is being supplied as an unlicensed medicine in accordance with the relevant statutory controls, a medicinal product containing melatonin requires a marketing authorisation before it may be lawfully sold or supplied. The status of melatonin under medicines legislation was first considered in 1989. The MHRA is unaware of any implication for public health by the classification of melatonin as a medicinal product. The MHRA refers complaints about the sale and supply of melatonin from the Channel Islands to the relevant regulatory authority.

The MHRA considers that the claims made for beres drops bring the product within the definition of a medicinal product. No assessment of the accuracy of those claims has been made as no application for a marketing authorisation has been received. Although the product was being sold by a Guernsey-based company, the MHRA took action to prevent advertising by a United Kingdom publication.

There are no specific powers in the medicines legislation administered by the MHRA or in the Postal Services Act 2000 to control direct-mail advertising from the Channel Islands. The legislation administered by the MHRA does not apply to the Channel Islands. Advertisements issued from the islands would be the responsibility of the relevant authorities within those islands.

The legislation administered by the MHRA does not apply to the Channel Islands. The islands have their own legislative Assemblies and are responsible for the regulation of activities relating to medicinal products that take place from those islands; therefore, any suspected illegal activity is referred to the relevant authority in the Channel Islands for investigation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made an assessment of the use that the Information Commissioner has made of the extra funds granted to him by the Government to reduce the number of complaints being investigated by his office. [HL2126]

On 26 October 2006 the Information Commissioner laid before Parliament a report on his progress. This report explains the changes he has made to his office and sets out the improvements in complaints handling that he has made since the beginning of 2006.

The ICO's grant-in-aid forms part of the DCA's delegated expenditure limit, and the DCA's principal accounting officer is responsible to Parliament for ensuring adequate management controls to safeguard the public funds granted to the commissioner. My department meets regularly with the Information Commissioner to discuss performance and expenditure.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team's budget; which countries are contributing to this budget; and what proportion of funding is provided by the United Kingdom. [HL2252]

The Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) is a multinational team that provides capacity-building support to Iraqi institutions at the provincial level and provides assistance and advice for international support for provincial development.

The PRT does not have a budget; however, it is a vehicle for implementing or advising on the implementation of projects that are funded by a variety of sources. These include the Department for International Development (DfID) (value of projects: £20.5 million) and the Better Basra Fund (approximately £20 million jointly funded by DfID, the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office). The US Government have allocated US$40 million to projects to be implemented by the PRT.

Staff for the PRT have been supplied by the Government (10 civilians and three military), the US State Department (one) and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (three).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How the Provincial Reconstruction Team's baseline assessment of Basra was produced; and what criteria it uses to monitor progress in Basra. [HL2253]

The baseline assessment was produced by the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in consultation with our embassy office in Basra and the Multi-National Division (South East). The assessment is based on a standard format developed by the US-led PRT national co-ordination team in Baghdad.

The Basra PRT uses a range of criteria to measure progress in various sectors, including: the effectiveness of the Iraqi security sector (including the police, army and prison service); employment levels; agricultural production; the effectiveness of the provincial council in awarding and managing reconstruction contracts; public access to the judicial process; the transparency of the justice sector and the availability of basic services such as water, electricity, healthcare, sanitation, housing and education.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps United Kingdom Armed Forces deployed in south-east Iraq have taken to assist the Government of Iraq in addressing the corruption, militia infiltration and politicisation of the Iraqi police service. [HL2136]

UK forces carry out directed strike operations against known corrupt persons and militia members in the Iraqi police service (IPS). In addition, they work to ensure that the security situation and force protection is sufficient to enable around 50 civilian and contracted specialists to provide training and mentoring to the IPS. The Royal Military Police also provides some additional training and monitoring.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which Iraqi provinces have to date received a transition readiness assessment grade of level 2. [HL2249]

The decision on when to transfer responsibility for security in each of Iraq's 18 provinces is taken jointly by the Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I) and the Government of Iraq, on the basis of monthly provincial security transition assessments (PSTAs). Transition readiness assessments are a part of the PSTAs and are carried out for individual services such as the Iraqi Army or police, rather than for provinces as a whole.

The PSTAs are reviewed by the combined Iraqi and coalition Joint Committee to Transfer Security Responsibility, before a final decision on whether a province is ready to transfer to Iraqi security control is taken at the Iraqi Ministerial Council for National Security.

The criteria used in the assessments are: first, the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces; secondly, the threat level; thirdly, the Iraqi governance capacity, and, fourthly, the capabilities of MNF-I to re-intervene at the request of the Iraqis. To date, three Iraqi provinces have met the criteria necessary for the transfer of security: Muthanna; Dhi Qar; and Najaf.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their response to the result of an Israeli public opinion poll showing a majority in favour of Israel applying to join the European Union. [HL2274]

That is a matter for the Israeli Government to raise with the European Commission should they wish to do so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In what circumstances foreign nationals resident overseas are able to obtain legal aid to bring actions in United Kingdom courts concerning matters which occurred in a foreign country. [HL2112]

Legal aid is available for civil or criminal proceedings in England and Wales without reference to nationality or residence. It is for the courts to determine whether it is appropriate for proceedings to take place in this jurisdiction, taking into account the location of the events concerned.

The Legal Services Commission has no powers to fund cases that relate to the laws of countries other than England and Wales, unless issues that arise from a case affect the law of England and Wales. Legal aid is not available for foreign nationals who face criminal proceedings in respect of alleged offences committed abroad. This policy is consistent with other EU member countries.

The Lord Chancellor has the power to specify that cases involving the application of laws outside England and Wales may be funded if they relate to obligations imposed on the UK by international agreements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their response to the findings of the Elton review of the new licensing system. [HL2255]

Copies of the Independent Licensing Fees Review Panel's final report were placed in the Libraries on 25 January. We are assessing the implications of all the panel's detailed conclusions and recommendations and will provide a response shortly. Before reaching a final decision about implementing any changes to the fees regime and related issues, we will undertake a full public consultation so that licence payers, local authorities and the public can help to inform future policy.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether green mortgages are currently available. [HL2234]

The term “green mortgage” is taken by the Government to refer to an evolving range of lending packages that may have different outcomes but that share the ultimate objective of reducing the negative impact on the environment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their definition of a green mortgage. [HL2235]

This is a developing market in which there are currently a small range of lending packages that aim to reduce the negative impact on the environment available. The Government are working with the industry to promote the development of innovative solutions in this field.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, and if so how, the availability of a green mortgage would be linked to an energy efficiency certificate. [HL2236]

The Government are keen to investigate the development of green mortgages in partnership with the industry. Ultimately it will be for the industry to decide exactly what solutions it decides to offer in this field.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the comments by Lord Davies of Oldham on 5 December 2006 (Official Report, col. 1054) that the Government expect all rolling stock to be fitted with toilet retention tanks by 2020, whether the decision of First Great Western not to do so during the current refurbishment of its high-speed train stock will mean that this target will be missed. [HL2218]

The decision not to fit retention tanks is in line with the 2020 deadline, as the current refurbishment of the First Great Western high-speed train stock is intended to provide a life extension of 10 years to support the current franchise services until the introduction into service of the Inter-City Express fleet before 2020.

A procurement announcement for the Inter-City Express will be made in March this year, and it is anticipated that all First Great Western high-speed trains will have been replaced before 2020 with new rolling stock that includes retention tanks.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the fitting of toilet retention tanks on high-speed train rolling stock was part of the recent franchise agreement with First Great Western. [HL2219]

The recently awarded franchise agreement for the First Great Western services did not include fitment of toilet retention tanks.

The refurbishment programme for the First Great Western high-speed train rolling stock is intended to provide a 10-year life extension to support services during the current franchise until the introduction of their replacement, the Inter-City Express. Work to fit toilet retention tanks to the existing rolling stock would require increased train weight and major structural modifications that cannot be justified as part of this life extension programme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportion of the estimated 13 per cent of rolling stock not fitted with toilet retention tanks is operated by First Great Western. [HL2220]

Approximately 13 per cent of passenger trains still do not have retention tanks. Rolling stock operated by First Great Western represents just over a quarter of those trains.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which train operating companies that operate high-speed train rolling stock have fitted toilet retention tanks to their vehicles. [HL2221]

Modern high-speed trains such as Pendolinos, Adelantes, Voyagers and Meridians were built with retention tanks. Those train operators that utilise older British Rail designed, diesel-powered trains with Mark III coaches have not fitted toilet retention tanks, pending their replacement by new modern trains before 2020 as part of the Inter-City Express programme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the code of practice adopted by the rail industry in 1996 that all new rolling stock would be fitted with toilet retention tanks applied to vehicles undergoing refurbishment. [HL2222]

The code of practice was adopted for new rolling stock only and was not intended to be applied retrospectively. In future, new trains and trains undergoing major refurbishment will require retention toilets in order to comply with European standards (TSIs—technical standards for interoperability). These European standards include the definition of “major”.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any guidance has been issued within the Department for Transport regarding the position of department employees and the signing of the Downing Street online petition on road pricing.[HL2285]

No guidance has been issued to staff on the signing of the Downing Street online road-pricing petition.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 22 February (WA 276), in what forum Ministers are personally accountable to Parliament for the disciplining of special advisers; and whether they will set out the procedure, process and timetable for the disciplining of such advisers; and [HL2306]

What is the role of Permanent Secretaries in dealing with breaches of the code of conduct or contracts of employment by special advisers. [HL2307]

My Answer to the noble Lord on 22 February 2007, (Official Report, col. WA 276) set out the lines of accountability and responsibility.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much funding for development was given by Sport England to Archery UK in 2004, 2005 and 2006; and how much it will receive in 2007. [HL2199]

The National Governing Body for Archery is the Grand National Archery Society. Sport England has funded the Grand National Archery Society for development as follows:

2004-05: £15,000

2005-06: £15,000

2006-07: £15,000

Sport England currently has no plans to provide any funding to the Grand National Archery Society in 2007-08.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much funding for development was given by Sport England to the British Fencing Association in 2004, 2005 and 2006; and how much it will receive in 2007. [HL2197]

Sport England has funded the British Fencing Association for development as follows:

2004-05: £50,000

2005-06: £50,000

2006-07: £30,000

Sport England currently has no plans to provide any funding to the British Fencing Association in 2007-08.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many athletes were in receipt of National Lottery funding in 2006; and how much each athlete received. [HL2129]

National Lottery funding is distributed to athletes in two ways. Indirectly, they receive the benefit of the substantial investment made by UK Sport in the world-class performance programmes of sporting national governing bodies (NGBs) to support their training and competition needs.

Lottery money is also distributed directly to athletes via UK Sport's athlete personal awards (APAs). In 2006 APA payments totalled £6,768,282, with 769 individual athletes receiving support during the year. “Podium” APA payments were made to 506 athletes and “development” APA payments to 263 athletes.

The table shows the total APA payments made by UK Sport to athletes grouped by their sport, together with the number of athletes who received an APA during 2006.

Given the number of athletes who received an APA, it is not possible to say how much each athlete received. By way of illustration, the annual average total of an APA is £6,783 at “development” level and £16,300 at “podium” level. However, as athletes are selected for and removed from the APA system by the NGBs at different times throughout the year, not all athletes received APAs for a full calendar year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much funding for development was given by Sport England to the British Ski and Snowboard Federation in 2004, 2005 and 2006; and how much it will receive in 2007. [HL2200]

Sport England did not fund the British Ski and Snowboard Federation for development in 2004, 2005 or 2006 and there are no plans to provide any funding in 2007. Sport England has, however, funded Snowsport England (the English ski council) as follows:

2004-05: £40,000

2005-06: £40,000

2006-07: £30,000

Sport England currently has no plans to provide any funding to Snowsport England in 2007-08.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much funding for development was given by Sport England to the British Weightlifting Association in 2004, 2005 and 2006; and how much it will receive in 2007. [HL2198]

The national governing body for weightlifting is the British Weight Lifters' Association. Sport England has funded the British Weight Lifters' Association for development as follows:

2004-05: £40,000

2005-06: £30,000

2006-07: £30,000

Sport England currently has no plans to provide any funding to the British Weight Lifters' Association in 2007-08.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many external contracts worth £1 million or more the Department for Transport currently has with the Transport Research Laboratory; and what is the figure as a proportion of the total number of external contracts worth £1 million or more that the department has placed with outside bodies. [HL2098]

The department currently has five contracts, established following specific invitations to tender, worth £1 million or more, with the Transport Research Laboratory. This represents 1.6 per cent of all the department's contracts for specific assignments worth £1 million or more.

In addition, the department has a number of frameworks in place, which are typically with a number of suppliers through which it expects to place orders on a “call-off” basis. Such arrangements are based on an estimated value of spend over their duration and may include accumulated orders worth £1 million or more, often placed following further competition. The Transport Research Laboratory is included in a number of such framework arrangements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions have taken place between Ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions and representatives of Transport for London or the Greater London Authority over plans to offer discounted travel on London's bus and tram network for persons in receipt of income support or other benefits. [HL2194]

The Department for Work and Pensions has not had any formal discussions with Transport for London or the Greater London Authority over plans to offer discounted travel on London's bus and tram network for persons in receipt of income support or other benefits.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the provision of discounted travel rates to persons in receipt of income support or other benefits would lead to any withdrawal of that benefit or other financial penalty. [HL2195]

Any scheme to provide discounted travel for benefit claimants would be treated for the purposes of income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance and pension credit as akin to a payment in kind. As the rules for these benefits fully disregard these types of payments, the travel concession being proposed by the London Assembly would not have an impact on benefit entitlement.