asked Her Majesty's Government:

What statistics are available on the incidence of adoption by same-sex couples where blood line is a consideration; and [HL1828]

What statistics are available on the incidence of male same-sex couple adoption of (a) boy children, and (b) girl children and [HL1829]

What statistics are available on the incidence of female same-sex couple adoption of (a) boy children, and (b) girl children. [HL1830]

Information on the incidence of adoption by same sex couples where blood line is a consideration is not collected centrally. Similarly, information on the incidence of male or female same-sex couple adoption of children by gender is not collected centrally.

However, statistics on the adoption of looked-after children by same-sex couples, by gender of the couple and by gender of the adopted child will be published by DfES in the autumn of 2007 and will be accessible on the departmental website on www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/contents.shtml.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the European Commission required pig and poultry producers in European Union member states to cover the cost of the integrated pollution prevention and control regulations; and, if not, why this is required of United Kingdom producers. [HL2368]

There is no EU requirement for member states to charge operators for the permits they require under the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive. Some EU member states have elected not to charge for IPPC permit applications and recover regulatory costs from general taxation revenue. Others, including the UK, have elected to recover varying proportions of the costs from the regulated industry. This is a political decision for each national government. The UK's position is in line with the “polluter pays” principle and guidance from Her Majesty's Treasury. The differing practices which are in place make it difficult to make comparisons of the costs to producers across the EU.

I met representatives of the industry recently and assured them that I would look again at what might be able to be done to reduce the costs of these regulatory requirements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether United Kingdom border controls to prevent the importation of rabies will be weakened by European Union animal movement regulations; and whether they intend to ask for an extension of the current derogation. [HL2239]

I refer the noble Lord to the reply given in the other place to my honourable friend the member for Stroud (Mr Drew) on 20 February, (Official Report, col. 602W).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the new European Union accession countries have as rigorous a wild bird population testing regime as the United Kingdom; and, if not, whether they will propose that a uniform European Union standard is put in place. [HL2208]

Avian influenza surveillance plans are submitted in accordance with Commission guidelines by all member states to the Commission for approval. The Commission approved the programmes of Bulgaria and Romania for the year 2007 during 2006.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in their continuing investigation on the transit of turkeys between Hungary and the United Kingdom, they have ensured that no contaminated meat was sent from the United Kingdom to Hungary for processing and packaging and that no resulting finished product was then returned to the United Kingdom market. [HL2355]

No products were sent from the Bernard Matthews Limited Foods premises in Holton to Hungary for packaging.

The only products imported from Hungary by Bernard Matthews Limited Foods to the Holton premises during the risk period were turkey breasts. The products came from two turkey slaughterhouses in Hungary:

Saga Foods Zrt, 9600 Sarvar, Soproni u. 15, Hungary, Approval No. HU-109

Gallfood Pulykafeldogozo es, Ertekesito Kft, Kecskemet, Cegledi ut 11, Hungary, Approval No. HU-106

Saga is in Sarvar in north-west Hungary and Gallfood is in Kecskemet, which is 50 kilometres outside the current restricted avian flu zone.

The final Food Standards Agency-led report into the possible transmission of H5N1 avian influenza virus from imported Hungarian turkey meat to the UK was published on 16 February. Copies are available in the Library of the House. It concluded that there is no evidence that any meat has entered the UK food chain from the restricted zones in Hungary and that all food importing and processing activities undertaken were in line with EC law. It found that the risk to workers, in and around the Bernard Matthews food plant, was very low.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people are in receipt of income support in London, broken down by category of claimant. [HL2360]

The most recent available information is in the table.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people in London are in receipt of income-related jobseeker's allowance. [HL2361]

As at August 2006, the most recent available information, there were 134,900 income-based jobseeker's allowance claimants in the London Government Office region.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What estimate they have made of the proportion of income which benefits claimants spend on public transport fares; and what research they have undertaken on expenditure on travel fares by benefits claimants. [HL2362]

No such estimates have been made.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Triesman on 26 February (WA 284–85), why the stock letter states that an otherwise stateless British dependent territories citizen may be eligible for British overseas citizenship, when Article 6(1) granted British overseas citizenship to all such persons automatically; and whether they will update the wording of the stock letter to reflect the policy set out in paragraph 25 of the nationality provisions of the Hong Kong Act 1985, Cm. 9637, laid before Parliament in October 1985. [HL2336]

The stock letter was drafted to reflect the provision in the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 regarding eligibility to become a British overseas citizen. This provision of the Act only applied to those who were left stateless on 1 July 1997. The stock letter has now been reviewed and amended in light of the amendments to Nepalese nationality law.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 27 February (WA 299), whether, in the pack of resources on climate change linked to the national curriculum, there will be material supporting the view that climate change is not being caused primarily by carbon dioxide emissions. [HL2380]

The pack itself will be a wallet containing digital resources. It will signpost schools to web-based information, including guidance for teachers on how to incorporate climate change into the teaching of the national curriculum. In this guidance, we will remind teachers of the importance of developing analytical and investigative skills, and that pupils should be taught to assess the validity and credibility of different information sources. For example, two of the sources will be www.climatechallenge.gov.uk and www.defra.gov.uk, which provide the facts and myths about climate change, including an explanation of greenhouse gasses.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of whether the framework agreement for phase 2 funding from the Low Carbon Building Programme is anti-competitive. [HL2387]

The tender process for the framework agreement was competitive and transparent, in line with EU procedures. For each technology supported under Low Carbon Buildings Programme phase 2, there are three suppliers, ensuring that there is still an element of competition within the framework.

Public and charitable organisations remain at liberty to purchase microgeneration technologies from any company, and may be eligible to apply for grants under Low Carbon Buildings Programme phase 1. They will not be able to access the capital grants available under phase 2 if they do not wish to purchase technologies from framework agreement suppliers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of whether the decision to restrict to seven companies access to the phase 2 funding from the Low Carbon Building Programme will increase the cost of the installation of microgeneration systems in the public sector. [HL2388]

The microgeneration industry has consistently informed us that lack of certainty regarding future volumes is prohibiting the investments in the supply chain that are required to drive costs down. After consultation with industry representatives, we determined that to get the investment in the supply chain required to drive costs down and the microgeneration industry forward, greater certainty about future demand is required. A framework agreement was developed whereby customers would receive grants where installations were undertaken by specific suppliers. The aim is that investments made in the supply chain by those companies will benefit the industry as a whole and lower prices will filter across to all.

Tenders from prospective framework suppliers were chosen on the basis of offering best value for money and we consider that the approach taken should ensure that the programme will lower the costs of microgeneration to the public sector in the short term, with those price reductions hopefully spreading to the wider market over the long term. The DTI will be monitoring the price of installations undertaken throughout the programme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will review the existence of the framework agreement for phase 2 funding from the Low Carbon Building Programme, with a view to opening phase 2 funding to all accredited microgeneration installers. [HL2389]

The aim of phase 2 of the Low Carbon Building Programme is to achieve reductions in the costs of microgeneration products, against a 2005 baseline, by stimulating the industry through the guaranteed demand provided by the £50 million of capital grant funding announced in Budget 2006.

A key barrier to widespread uptake of microgeneration products is the up-front cost of installations. The industry has consistently informed us that lack of certainty regarding future volumes is prohibiting the investments in the supply chain that are required to drive costs down. After consultation with industry representatives, we determined that to get the investment in the supply chain required to drive costs down and the microgeneration industry forward, greater certainty about future demand is required. A framework agreement was developed which provides seven lead contractors, chosen through a competitive process, with this greater certainty of demand. The aim is that investments made in the supply chain by those companies will benefit the industry as a whole and lower prices will filter across to all.

Framework suppliers are able to sub-contract the provision of their services to other installers. To date, we have been notified of 49 sub-contractors, and we expect that this list may grow.

We see no need to review the framework agreement at present.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made an assessment of the likely impact of the environmental noise directive on effective co-ordination with local and regional development and transport plans; and what resources they will make available for local and regional implementation of action on noise. [HL2242]

Existing guidance already describes how the control of environmental noise is to be co-ordinated with development and transport plans. This is set out in Policy Planning Statement 1 on Planning for Sustainable Development; Planning Policy Guidance 13 on Transport; Guidance on Local Transport Plans; and Planning Policy Guidance 24 on Planning and Noise. The Government intend to produce further guidance on the development of environmental noise directive action plans later in the year.

Resources will be determined through future national budgeting rounds.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the United Kingdom's share of the cost of any annual benefit which accrues to Members of the European Parliament who charge for travel at a higher rate than that actually incurred; and what is the total of the benefit in question. [HL2329]

In order to answer the noble Lord’s Question, officials would need to contact every Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and this would incur disproportionate cost.

After the 2009 European parliamentary elections, all new MEPs will be subject to the new MEP statute and MEPs re-elected will be able to opt into this system. The statute only allows MEPs to claim the actual cost of travel incurred. This agreement is an important reform in the EU and was a major success of the UK presidency in 2005.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their latest estimate of the annual cost of travel against the European Union's budget; and what is the United Kingdom's share of that cost. [HL2331]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold a record of estimates for the annual travel expenses against the European Commission budget. These expenses are contained within the total administration cost without separate budget lines. The Commission may hold this information.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 30 January (WA 36), what action they have taken, or propose to take, to monitor the spending of the £17 million capital provision for dual X-ray absorptiometer (DXA) scanning equipment to ensure it is used for this purpose; and [HL2231]

What information they hold on the number, and geographical location, of primary care trusts in England which routinely offer dual X-ray absorptiometer (DXA) bone scans to women patients when they reach the age of 60. [HL2232]

The capital provision of £17 million to improve National Health Service capacity in dual X-ray absorptiometer (DXA) scanning provision has mainly been included in strategic health authorities' (SHA) strategic capital allocation and is not ring-fenced. The department does not monitor how SHA strategic capital is spent.

Information on the number and geographical location of primary care trusts routinely offering DXA scans to women patients when they reach 60 is not available centrally.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What estimate they have made of the size of the market share of suppliers based in the Channel Islands in the food supplements and herbal remedies mail order sector in 1996 and 2006 respectively; and [HL2244]

What powers are available to the Food Standards Agency to control the marketing by companies based in the Channel Islands to United Kingdom mainland consumers of food supplements containing ingredients which are banned for sale in the United Kingdom; and what steps they will take to address this issue. [HL2245]

Information is not held centrally by government on the amount of food supplements and herbal remedies obtained by mail order from the Channel Islands. No estimate has been made on the size of the market share of suppliers based in the Channel Islands.

The Food Standards Agency has no powers to control the marketing by companies based in the Channel Islands to United Kingdom mainland consumers of food supplements containing ingredients which are banned for sale in the UK. Local authorities have responsibility and power within their areas in the UK for enforcing the requirements of food law. Local authorities would have the power to act only within the UK and not within the Channel Islands.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make representations to the Governments of (a) Jersey, and (b) Guernsey to adopt European Union legislation governing the composition, presentation and marketing of food supplements and herbal remedies. [HL2314]

The United Kingdom is working with the authorities in Jersey and Guernsey to determine the extent to which European Union (EU) legislation governing the composition, presentation and marketing of food supplements and herbal remedies applies. Both Jersey and Guernsey have undertaken to meet any EU obligations that arise.

Jersey has confirmed that as the UK introduces further legislation to require the registration of new herbal remedies, it proposes to amend its legislation to mirror the UK position.

Jersey's current medicines legislation mirrors that of the UK Medicines Act 1968, and Guernsey is in the process of updating its legislation so that it falls in line with that of the UK.

One of Guernsey's objectives in updating its legislation is to prevent inappropriately marketed or illegal items being sold from Guernsey. Unlicensed products that make inappropriate medicinal claims cannot be legally imported into Jersey and in circumstances where the Jersey authorities have become aware of inappropriate product claims, they have assured us that steps have been taken to cease distribution of the product.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Under what circumstances doctors, nurses and other health professionals can take away hearing aids from patients in National Health Service facilities. [HL2270]

Patients should only be asked to remove their hearing aid when the wearing of an aid may interfere with the treatment being carried out. The expectation should be that the aid is only to be removed when absolutely necessary and for the shortest period of time needed to ensure that effective communication with the patient can continue throughout the treatment.

Any requirement to remove a hearing aid should be discussed with the patient before the procedure.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the annual cost to the National Health Service of treating stress-related illnesses. [HL2174]

The information requested is not collected centrally.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the recently published consultation paper from the Government of Guernsey in relation to the regulation of medicines; whether they will respond to that consultation; and whether they will request that the Guernsey authorities end the trade in marketing unlicensed medicines to United Kingdom mainland consumers; and [HL2246]

What resources the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and the Food Standards Agency have available to deploy in relation to the export to United Kingdom mainland consumers of unlicensed medicines and illegal food supplements by companies based in the Channel Islands; and whether they have proposals to strengthen the level of enforcement action by those agencies. [HL2247]

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), an executive agency of the department, is currently considering the consultation paper from the Government of Guernsey and no response has yet been made. The deadline for comments is 10 April 2007. The consultation will be used as part of the ongoing dialogue between the MHRA and the Guernsey authorities to control the marketing of illegal products.

The legislation administered by the MHRA does not apply to the Channel Islands. The islands have their own legislative assemblies. Reports of illegal medicinal products made to the MHRA are investigated by the Medicines Borderline Section and/or the Enforcement and Intelligence Unit depending on the type of offence. If the company is outside the MHRA's jurisdiction, it is referred to the relevant regulatory authority.

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that local authorities have responsibility for enforcing the requirements of food law and have resources to control all foods. The FSA does not maintain a central record of such resources.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Drayson on 20 February (Official Report, col. 1006), whether applications can be made to HM Treasury for the cost of replacement aircraft in the case of losses caused by allied friendly fire as well as for those caused by enemy action. [HL2145]

The MoD identifies the costs of operations in terms of the net additional costs it has incurred. Included in these costs is the damage and destruction of major items of equipment, such as aircraft, which are reviewed individually and are only replaced or repaired if there is a continuing and ongoing future requirement for them within the MoD plans. Operational costs are funded from the Treasury reserve and no distinction is made between the loss of assets due to enemy or friendly fire.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How United Kingdom forces will co-ordinate the detention of individuals with similar efforts by the Iraqi Security Forces after the closure of the divisional temporary detention facility at Shaibah logistics base; and whether any assessment has been made of the scope for using joint facilities. [HL2258]

When the divisional temporary detention facility (DTDF) at Shaibah logistics base closes it will be replaced by a divisional internment facility at Basra air station. Iraqi security forces have been assisting in the detention of individuals since mid-December 2006. Their assistance has been predominantly in the provision of cordons and the securing of the area of operation. The Iraqis do not have the power to intern individuals, so are only able to conduct strike operations against criminals for prosecution in Iraqi courts. As they have no powers to intern, there is no scope for a joint internment facility.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the total annual cost of legal services to the National Health Service for each year since 1997. [HL2401]

The information requested is not held by the department.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What were the average and median ages of death of female and male doctors receiving pensions from the National Health Service in each of the past five years for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures for other public sector employees and people receiving the basic state pension in the United Kingdom. [HL1965]

The information requested is not collected centrally.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have withdrawn services from post offices under European Union directive 2002/39/EC regarding the further opening to competition of community postal services. [HL2366]

The Government have not withdrawn services from post offices under European Union directive 2002/39/EC regarding the further opening to competition of community postal services.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will underwrite the hiring of additional units to cater for the greater capacity needs on routes within the Northern Rail franchise. [HL2350]

The Department for Transport is discussing with Northern Rail the options for additional units to increase capacity on the services which Northern Rail operates and the ways in which they might be funded.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the projected growth in passenger numbers using InterCity rail services shown in the forthcoming high-level output statement for the next 10 years. [HL2349]

The projected growth in passenger numbers is still being evaluated as part of the preparation of the forthcoming high-level output specification and longer term rail strategy. The evaluation looks more widely at the growth on long distance routes between major cities, rather than at the growth on the former British Rail InterCity network. The forecast demand varies considerably by route. An annual passenger km growth rate of between 2.3 per cent and 3.2 per cent is currently forecast across the long distance network over the next 10 years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many pupils took GCSEs in state secondary schools in 2006 including city technology colleges and academies, but excluding specialist schools and pupil referral units. [HL2320]

In 2006, 579,113 pupils in maintained mainstream schools¹ at the end of key stage 4² attempted one or more GCSEs.

¹ Includes community schools, voluntary-aided schools, voluntary- controlled schools, foundation schools, city technology colleges and academies.

² Pupils at the end of key stage 4 in the 2005-06 academic year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the contacts with Sky TV by Damien McBride on the question of discussions on the Autumn Statement were authorised in accordance with the guidance on government communications and in compliance with paragraph 13 and paragraph 4 sub-paragraph IX of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers; and [HL2308]

Whether the departmental director of communications at HM Treasury was informed by Mr Damien McBride of his statement made to Sky TV on the Autumn Statement and in compliance with paragraph 13 of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers; and [HL2309]

Whether the departmental director of communications at HM Treasury exercises day-to-day responsibility for the overall management of the press and publicity activities of all special advisers in HM Treasury, in compliance with paragraph 13 of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers; and [HL2310]

Whether contacts between Mr Damien McBride and Sky TV on the question of potential interviewees on the Autumn Statement favoured or discriminated against particular individuals; and whether the contacts that took place were in compliance with paragraphs 12 and 13 of the Civil Service Code. [HL2311]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given to him on 19 December 2006 by Lord McKenzie of Luton, (Official Report, col. WA 308).