asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people have registered with the Gangmasters Licensing Authority. [HL2578]

As of 13 March 2007, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority has received 1,238 licence applications. Of these, 957 licences have been issued, 61 applications are being processed and 220 applications are either awaiting payment, have been rejected or have been refused.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the cost to date of establishing the Gangmasters Licensing Authority; and what is its budget allocation for 2006-07 and 2007-08.[HL2580]

To date, the total cost of establishing the Gangmasters Licensing Authority is £7,255,000. The authority's budget for 2006-07 is £3,200,000 and the budget for 2007-08 is £3,191,000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people in Northern Ireland have been prosecuted for driving agricultural tractors on public roads without an appropriate licence. [HL2599]

I have been informed by the PSNI that statistics related to the above offence are not collated in a format that is easily retrievable. To provide the requested response would require a manual trawl of prosecution files and this could only be undertaken at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In what ways they have publicised the existence of the Agricultural Wages Team Helpline; and how incoming migrant workers are informed about the national minimum wage. [HL2557]

The Agricultural Wages Team Helpline is publicised on the Defra website and information about the helpline is included in the agricultural wages order. The number of the helpline is 0845 0000134.

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority has distributed 53,750 worker's rights leaflets containing details of the Agricultural Wages Team Helpline and of the National Minimum Wage Helpline. The leaflets have been published in English, Polish, Portuguese, Slovakian, Latvian or Lithuanian.

In addition, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has produced leaflets on employment rights, including the national minimum wage, translated into six languages. These are for inclusion in the Workers Registration Scheme packs distributed by the Home Office. During March, the DTI is also running a national press advertising campaign specifically targeting Polish, Lithuanian and Slovakian workers. The advertisements refer to the National Minimum Wage Helpline and information available on the national minimum wage on the Directgov website. Posters advertising the national minimum wage are also being placed in parts of London with a high concentration of migrant workers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress the Ministry of Defence has made in delivering the Cougar vehicle to Iraq and Afghanistan. [HL2259]

The first Mastiff vehicles were delivered to Iraq at the end of 2006 and are being used on operations. The first Mastiff vehicles have also been delivered to Afghanistan. For reasons of operational security, I am not prepared to go into the detail of the delivery timetable and numbers of a new capability into an operational theatre, but on current plans the delivery of the remaining vehicles should be complete by summer 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will organise an exchange of visits between the State Veterinary Service of the United Kingdom and that from Hungary to gain detailed information regarding their experiences in controlling avian flu. [HL2586]

There have been regular discussions with the Hungarian State Veterinary Service since it became clear that the outbreaks in Suffolk and Hungary might be connected, in order to share information on our epidemiological investigations.

Defra officials have also offered to send State Veterinary Service field epidemiologists to visit representatives from the Hungarian State Veterinary Service so that they can discuss findings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What monitoring is carried out of the disposal of obviously new and unopened toiletries, over-the-counter medical and other goods taken from the hand luggage of airline passengers; and at what level the management of the process is supervised and the goods disposed of accounted for. [HL2589]

The Government are aware that a significant number of items from passengers’ hand baggage is voluntarily discarded at the search point at UK airports where they are not permitted to be taken on to an aircraft. The management of that process and disposal of the items are a matter for airports.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made an estimate of the total costs to passengers of goods taken by officials from the hand luggage of airline passengers; what dangerous substances have so far been discovered; and by what process they can be traced back to the passengers from whom they were taken. [HL2590]

The Government have not made any estimates of the total cost of passengers’ goods discovered which are not permitted to be carried on to an aircraft. My noble friend will understand that on security grounds it would not be appropriate to reveal whether any dangerous substances have been discovered during the search procedure at UK airports. However, I can confirm that hand luggage checks are undertaken in the presence of the passenger.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Triesman on 7 March (WA 50) and Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 6 March (WA 25), whether they can explain the basis on which a Nepalese law which was enacted in November 2006 can have the effect of changing whether or not a person held British Dependent Territories citizenship in February 1997 or depriving a person of British Overseas citizenship that has already been conferred on that person ipso jure on 1 July 1997; and whether they will place in the Library of the House an English translation of the relevant Nepalese law and any other information they hold pertaining to it. [HL2594]

The current stock letters referred to in the Written Answer I gave to the noble Lord on 7 March (Official Report, col. WA 50), do not contain any suggestion that the recently enacted Nepalese law has a bearing on the automatic acquisition of British Overseas citizenship on 1 July 1997. We continue to await Nepalese approval of the record of the meeting on 22 November 2006 which sought to establish the eligibility for Nepalese citizenship on 1 July 1997 of persons of Nepalese origin, who immediately prior to that date, had been British Dependent Territories citizens.

Once we have received the English translation of the Nepalese law, we will place this, and other relevant information, in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Triesman on 7 March (WA 50), whether they will publish in the Official Report for ease of reference the provision of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 which confers British Overseas citizenship to those who were left stateless on 1 July 1997, together with paragraph 25 of the Nationality Provisions of the Hong Kong Act 1985, Cmnd. 9637, laid before Parliament in October 1985. [HL2595]

An incorrect reference was made in the Written Answer of 7 March (Official Report, col. WA 50), to the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 as conferring British Overseas citizenship on those who were left stateless on 1 July 1997. The Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 determined who would become a British Overseas citizen on 1 July 1997 by virtue of a Hong Kong connection. A copy of paragraph 25 of the nationality provisions of the Hong Kong Act 1985 will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the regulations relating to (a) own farm-produced milk, and (b) bought-in milk for the disposal of whey and washing water as waste products of cheese production; and what guidance to producers is provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency. [HL2492]

General guidance for the dairy and milk processing sector is contained in Sector Guidance Note IPPC S6.13. This was produced in 2003 by the Environment Agency for England and Wales, in co-ordination with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service (EHS).

The guidance note provides a clear structure and methodology for operators to follow to ensure they address all aspects of the pollution prevention and control regulations, and other regulations which apply to the disposal of waste substances. These include the waste management licensing regulations and groundwater regulations. The guidance note also details further guidance available from Defra, the Environment Agency and others.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many of the 25,000 single farm payment cases in 2005 which are being reviewed have now been resolved; and how many remain outstanding. [HL2396]

I refer the noble Baroness to the Statement made by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State on 22 February (Official Report col. WS 59).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the standards of environmental lifecycle performance of different biofuels from the various feedstocks currently used in the United Kingdom.[HL2607]

The Government are developing environmental reporting as an integral part of the renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO). This will require all fuel suppliers applying for renewable transport certificates under the scheme to report on the carbon savings and wider sustainability impacts of their biofuels. This will encourage companies to supply biofuels which deliver the maximum carbon savings with the minimum environmental impact. It will also ensure that we can monitor the impact of both imported and domestically sourced biofuels.

Work to establish methodologies for measuring the carbon lifecycle performance, social and environmental impacts has been undertaken by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership. These methodologies will be piloted and ready for use when the RTFO is introduced in 2008. In developing these initiatives, consultants have drawn upon international life cycle analysis and sustainability work, which is either already in place or being developed for a range of feedstocks, including those produced in the UK, such as rape seed and wheat.

Reports on the RTFO and assurance scheme's performance will be submitted regularly to Ministers, setting out the estimated overall impact, including estimates of greenhouse gas savings achieved and the sustainability of the feedstock supplies being used.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In the light of the Carbon Trust's July 2006 report, Policy Frameworks for Renewables, why they have ruled out replacement of the Renewable Obligation Scheme by feed-in tariffs. [HL2464]

The Government remain committed to the renewables obligation (RO) as the main mechanism for supporting deployment of renewables. It was introduced to replace the previous support scheme, the non fossil fuels obligation (NFFO), which was a form of a feed-in tariff, in 2002. A review of the RO, carried out in 2005-06, confirmed the RO was a successful mechanism for encouraging greater deployment of renewables generation, maintaining investor confidence and increasing value for money for the customer. Since its introduction, eligible renewable electricity generated under the scheme has increased to 4.0 per cent of total electricity sales to UK consumers in 2005—up from 1.8 per cent in 2002. This makes it more successful than the NFFO, under which the proportion of renewables rose from 0.2 per cent of electricity sales in 1992 to 1.8 per cent in 2002.

The Government have recently consulted on their proposals to reform the RO. A consultation document, Reform of the Renewables Obligation and Statutory Consultation on the Renewables Obligation Order 2007, was published 9 October 2006 and 206 responses were received. The Government will be taking these responses fully into account in reaching decisions on the future structure of the RO, which will be announced in the Energy White Paper, due to be published in March or May this year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have proposals to establish a specialist environmental tribunal to help achieve environmental justice more fully and efficiently. [HL2392]

The Government have no proposals to establish a specialist environmental tribunal to take over the general role of bodies such as the courts, which presently decide environmental matters.

The Government's Review of Enforcement in Environmental Regulation, which reported in October 2006, suggested that a scheme for administrative sanctions, varied by the regulator, as an alternative to criminal prosecution, may have the potential to improve the fairness and effectiveness of the current system of environmental enforcement. One option for appeals under such a scheme would be to set up a specialist tribunal. The review also suggested that a more explicit framework of purposes may assist the criminal courts in sentencing in environmental cases, and provide necessary transparency under a possible administrative scheme. The Government are considering how to take forward work to explore these and other options for improving environmental enforcement.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In the calendar years 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 what was the net balance on the United Kingdom official financial transactions with institutions of the European Union. [HL2694]

Details of the United Kingdom's net contributions to the EC Budget in the years 2003, 2004, 2005 and an estimate for 2006 can be found in Table 3 (page 46) of the European Community Finances White Paper (Cm 6770) published in May 2006. An outturn net contribution figure for 2006 will be included in the 2007 White Paper.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the average annual payment over the years 2003, 2004 and 2005 which the United Kingdom paid to the European Union; and whether the figure represents the net imbalance of United Kingdom official financial transactions within the European Union. [HL2695]

Details of the United Kingdom's gross contributions after taking account of the abatement, the amount paid to the EC Budget, public sector receipts and net contributions to the EC Budget in the years 2003, 2004 and 2005 can be found in Table 3 (page 46) of the European Community Finances White Paper (Cm 6770) published in May 2006.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much they estimate was the total gambling turnover in the United Kingdom for each of the years 2001 to 2006. [HL2560]

The Government's estimate of total UK gambling stake, which is broadly equivalent to turnover for the gambling sector, is set out in the following table.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In respect of the Department for Transport, (a) on how many occasions in the past year malicious programs have compromised departmental computer systems; and, for each occasion, how many machines were affected; how long it took to remove the programs from the system; and what was the impact on the department's activities; (b) what penetration tests have been carried out of information systems over the past year and what were the results, indicating in each instance whether the tests were carried out independently of the providers of the system concerned; and (c) on how many occasions in the past year the departmental management team has considered information risk. [HL2437]

(a) In the past year, the computer systems at the Department for Transport have been compromised by malicious programs (such as worms, viruses, etc) on nine separate occasions. On eight of these occasions, a single machine was affected; on the other occasion a CITRIX server was infected which could have affected 200 users. The malicious programs were removed as soon as practicable, and did not have a significant impact on the day-to-day running of the Department for Transport’s operations.

On (b), we do not comment on the frequency, status or results of any penetrative security tests carried out on departmental computers.

On (c), the department follows standard advice on risk management.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In respect of the Northern Ireland Office, (a) on how many occasions in the past year malicious programs have compromised departmental computer systems; and, for each occasion, how many machines were affected; how long it took to remove the programs from the system; and what was the impact on the department's activities; (b) what penetration tests of information systems have been carried out over the past year and what were the results, indicating in each instance whether the tests were carried out independently of the providers of the system concerned; and (c) on how many occasions in the past year the departmental management team has considered information risk. [HL2474]

In the past year, the computer systems at the Northern Ireland Office have not been compromised by any malicious programs (such as worms, viruses, etc).

A health check of the Northern Ireland Office's CONFIDENTIAL network, including penetration testing, was carried out in the past four months. Overall, the technical security of the network was adjudged to be of a high standard. Any technical vulnerabilities which were uncovered are being addressed in ongoing plans.

Information risk and assurance issues form a key item of the departmental risk register and are considered by departmental management every six months.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many C-130 Hercules aircraft deployed to Iraq are fitted with explosive suppressant foam (ESF); whether they plan to increase the number of Hercules aircraft fitted with ESP in all operational theatres, and in what timescale; and how the decision to fit ESF to Hercules aircraft in-theatre is made. [HL2326]

I am withholding the number of C130 Hercules aircraft deployed to Iraq that are fitted with explosion suppressant foam (ESF) as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the security of the UK's Armed Forces. Work continues on the fitment of ESF to the majority of the Hercules fleet. On current plans, this work will be completed by the end of this year. As numbers of ESF-equipped aircraft increase, these will be the platforms of choice for operational deployment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the current membership of the inter-departmental Official Group on Organophosphates (the Carden committee); what was the date of its last meeting; when it is expected to meet next; and what will be the matters included on the agenda for that meeting.[HL2640]

The Official Group on Organophosphates is chaired by the Chief Veterinary Officer and has membership from:

Cabinet Office;

Defra: Environmental Protection Strategy Division and Defra legal advisers;

Department of Health (including legal advisers);

Food Standards Agency;

Health and Safety Executive;

Health Protection Agency;

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency;

Ministry of Defence;

National Assembly for Wales Agriculture Department;

Office of Science and Technology;

Pesticides Safety Directorate;

Scottish Executive Environment, Rural Affairs Department;

Scottish Executive Health Department;

Veterinary Medicines Directorate which also provides the secretariat.

The group last met on 19 April 2005. The secretariat has recently begun preparations for the next meeting, which is likely to be held during the summer. The complete agenda has yet to be confirmed. However, it will include a review of completed research projects and consideration of a summary paper which will be presented to the Committee on Toxicology for its advice on the way forward. We anticipate receiving this advice in autumn 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What expenditure they expect to incur on implementing the paving work for the planning gain supplement; and [HL2582]

Whether they have a business plan for the expenditure they expect to incur on implementing the paving work for the planning gain supplement; and, if so, whether they will place a copy of the plan in the Library of the House; and [HL2583]

Whether there is an upper ceiling on the expenditure they expect to incur on implementing the paving work for the planning gain supplement; and, if so, what is that ceiling. [HL2584]

The Explanatory Notes to the Planning Gain Supplement (Preparations) Bill gave a preliminary estimate of the costs to implement the planning gain supplement. The costs will be refined in the course of the work that would be authorised under both the paving legislation and any further substantive legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 12 March (HL2176) about the new Cross Country rail franchise, whether the 30 per cent increase in capacity referred to in the Answer represents what the Government expect to happen by 2010; and, if bidders differ in their estimations of patronage growth during that time, how this factor will be evaluated in the bidding process.[HL2641]

In developing the specification for the new Cross Country franchise, assessments were made of current crowding levels as well as forecasts of future growth; therefore, bidders were instructed to put forward proposals for an increase in capacity of at least 30 per cent. Hence, they have been free to put forward proposals with more capacity. Bids are being assessed for deliverability, and bidders’ views on growth will form part of that deliverability assessment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 21 February (WA 266), what are the annual objectives agreed with the Schools Commissioner. [HL2766]

The individual objectives agreed between members of the Senior Civil Service and their line managers are personal targets relating to their own development and delivery.

The broader aim of the Schools Commissioner is the creation of a school system that offers high standards and a choice of good schools in every local authority. In doing so, the Schools Commissioner's objectives are to:

collect and share emerging good practice in the promotion of choice and diversity, including through the publication of an annual report that brings together data on parental satisfaction and school standards;

work with local authorities, schools and other partners to help to identify the right reform solutions for poorly performing schools;

champion trust schools and academies as key levers in raising standards, particularly in deprived areas;

identify suitable potential partners for trusts and academies and facilitate the matching of schools to those partners;

maintain a record of all proposals relating to trusts and make it available via the DfES website. This will allow a school interested in acquiring a particular trust to access information about it and to follow up any questions with the school or trust in question;

monitor and promote fair access, including through producing a two-yearly national review of fair access based on national data and the annual reports provided by admissions forums;

work with local authorities to build capacity to help fulfil the new commissioning role set out in the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All (October 2005); and

work closely with a range of stakeholders, including the directors for children and learners (DCLs) in government offices, local authorities, schools and external partners, including the specialist schools and academies trust, Youth Sport Trust and Foundation and Aided Schools National Association.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they hold any evidence concerning the allegation that the Sinn Fein leaders Mr Martin McGuinness and Mr Gerry Adams were, or are, leaders of the army council of the Irish Republican Army. [HL2675]

As I am sure the noble Lord is aware, it is the long-standing policy of the Government not to comment on matters of intelligence or individual cases.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What estimate they have made of the loss of VAT receipts as a result of missing trader and carousel fraud. [HL2568]

HMRC published annual estimates of the level of MTIC fraud alongside the 2006 Pre-Budget Report, in Measuring Indirect Tax losses—2006, which is available from the House of Lords Library or from the HMRC website.

These estimates showed that the scale of attempted MTIC fraud in the UK grew rapidly in 2005-06 to between £3.5 billion and £4.75 billion; with an associated negative impact on VAT receipts during the year of between £2 billion and £3 billion.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the degree of missing trader carousel fraud is reducing.[HL2622]

The level of attempted missing trader intra Community (MTIC) VAT fraud increased significantly in 2005-06, driven largely by fraudsters' confidence and behavioural response to a changing environment, including the outcomes of legal action in Europe¹.

The Government's strategic approach to tackling this problem, using both criminal and civil interventions, have successfully reduced attempted fraud levels this year.

Trade estimates produced by the Office for National Statistics, using overseas trade data supplied by HM Revenue and Customs, suggest that MTIC-related trading activity has fallen by around 90 per cent since the summer of 2006.

¹ ECJ cases of Bond House et al (C-354/03, C-355/03 and C-484/03)

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which categories of licence which qualify holders to act as operators of public transport vehicles, ships and aircraft will be subject to VAT upon the cost of medical examinations of holders for renewal and which categories will not be so subjected from 1 May onwards. [HL2674]

From 1 May, reports and medical examinations for the purpose of providing certain certificates, such as a certificate of fitness to hold a licence to drive or fly, will be subject to the standard rate of VAT of 17.5 per cent. However, supplies of medical care and treatment, and all medical examinations undertaken principally to protect (including maintain or restore) the health of individuals will remain exempt from VAT.

This is in response to a decision by the European Court of Justice in 2003 on the scope of the VAT exemption for medical care.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much the work on the moorings at Kilglass on the Shannon will cost; who is carrying out the work; and after what process of selection. [HL2448]

I understand from Waterways Ireland that the moorings at Kilglass, Co Roscommon are being completed as part of the 2007 Capital Programme at an estimated cost of €350,000. The on-site work is being carried out by Waterways Ireland's direct labour force.

The floating moorings and breakwater were procured from Inland & Coastal Marina Systems Ltd following a public tender process, having been advertised in the EU Journal, Belfast Telegraph and Irish Independent A stone wall was constructed by Michael Kelly Stonemasons and steel piles were supplied by Cleveland Steel, both following competitive processes which comply with procurement procedures set out in Waterways Ireland's financial memorandum.