asked Her Majesty’s Government:

On average, how many weapons-mounted installation kit Land Rover vehicles are (a) damaged, and (b) destroyed per week by enemy action in Afghanistan. [HL3562]

Since the deployment of weapons-mounted installation kit Land Rover vehicles in summer 2006 to Afghanistan, a total of 10 have been lost as a result of operational use. Those losses have occurred either as a result of direct enemy action or denial operations by UK forces where vehicles that have been extensively damaged (either through enemy action or accidents) cannot be recovered.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What arrangements are in place to provide replacements for damaged or destroyed armoured Land Rover vehicles in Afghanistan; in what time frame the replacement takes place; and what percentage of replacement vehicles have been provided within this specified time frame since January 2007. [HL3618]

Arrangements are in place to provide replacements for very seriously damaged or destroyed equipment by use of the recuperation fund. Vehicles are replaced as soon as possible. No strict target time for replacement is applied as the sequencing of shipping replacement vehicles into theatre depends on the logistic priorities at the time and the consequent transportation arrangements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they plan to join the 2003 Besoin Operational Commun (BOC agreement) between France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Greece to integrate information and data from national military imagery systems with other European Union member states and the NATO Satcom service. [HL3711]

We have no plans to join the 2003 Besoin Operational Commun but we keep all options for access to satellite data under constant review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there is any regulation requiring bicycles not to be sold (a) new, or (b) second-hand without effective front and rear lights. [HL3773]

There are no such regulations. However, the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 (RVLR), as amended, require the use of lights that comply with the regulations on pedal cycles between sunset and sunrise.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress government departments have made in analysing the compatibility of requirements within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in relation to United Kingdom law. [HL3675]

Government departments continue to make steady progress in this complex task which is an essential part of the ratification process for the convention.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Home Office will take steps to ensure that the report from the Electoral Commission on the Scottish elections 2007 will definitely be available to Parliament before the Summer Recess. [HL3700]

The Electoral Commission is required, under Section 5 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, to “prepare and publish (in such manner as the Commission may determine)” a report on the administration of the Scottish Parliament elections. It is, therefore, for the commission to determine when to publish this report, in accordance with its assessment of the task involved.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 30 April (WA 182), what were the proportions of funding allocated to adult stem cell research compared with that allocated to embryonic stem cell research; what are the totals spent to date; and who have been the beneficiaries thus far. [HL3856]

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) are two of the main agencies through which the Government support stem cell research.

The latest figures available show funding for stem cell research of £8.2 million for BBSRC, with around 46 per cent for adult stem cell research, and £14.2 million for MRC, with around 40 per cent for adult stem cell research.

The BBSRC and MRC provide funding for research programmes and infrastructure, and by investing in training and employment within universities, medical schools and other research institutes, including research council institutes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any changes to United Kingdom law will be needed in order to comply with the European Union framework decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia. [HL3635]

The UK will be able to comply with the council framework decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of current criminal law without making changes to domestic legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 18 December 2006 (WA 241), whether the rollout process for the national firearms management system, required under Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, is complete; if not, what has been the cause of the delay; and what is the new target date for completion; and [HL3362]

What progress is being made in Scotland to comply with the requirements of Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 to establish a national firearms management system; and [HL3363]

Whether the data cleansing exercise of the national firearms management system is still on track for completion by June 2007; and how long thereafter it will be before the interface is made with the police national computer. [HL3364]

The roll-out of the national firearms licensing management system (NFLMS) to all 43 forces in England and Wales was completed on 26 March 2006. Forces are continuing to work on the data cleansing exercise, and the implementation process will commence with a trial migration for each force starting at the end of April. The trial will provide a further report detailing any errors that will require correction before the live interface with the police national computer (PNC) commences. The migration will now be undertaken on a regional basis and is currently scheduled for 25 to 27 August and the two subsequent weekends.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have evidence of “cost-shunting” from health authorities to local authorities. [HL3261]

Primary care trusts and local authorities continue to have a duty to work together locally, in collaboration with other partners and individuals, to provide high quality health and social care services that both meet the needs of their local population and make the best use of the very considerable public investment we have made in health and social care provision in recent years.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Paymaster General on 17 October 2006 (Official Report, 1108-09W), what is their assessment of the relative merits of different policy instruments for encouraging consumers to choose beverages such as fruit juices and smoothies that help consumers meet the five-a-day government fruit and vegetables target; and [HL3702]

Whether they have made any assessment of the effect of a reduction of VAT charged on fruit juices and smoothies on demand for such beverages; and whether an increase in demand would lead to improved health and encourage healthy dietary choices. [HL3703]

The Choosing Health White Paper published in November 2004 sets out a comprehensive plan of action on physical activity, diet, personalised support, information and curbs on marketing. The Government are working on six fronts: changing population attitudes towards eating and activity; helping children to be active and eat healthily; supporting targeted, local-level obesity interventions in children; raising awareness of the importance of healthy weight to children and parents; working with local partners on delivery and developing the knowledge base.

Under the school fruit and vegetable scheme, all four to six year-olds in LEA schools are entitled to a free piece of fruit or vegetable each school day. The Government have also supported classroom teaching on the benefits of good nutrition and provided a £235 million package to transform the quality of school meals.

When considering further support for their healthy eating objectives, the Government will continue carefully to consider which measures provide the most cost-effective and targeted support for these objectives. Factors that need to be considered include the need for effective targeting of support; the relationship between one type of food or drink and particular health outcomes and the administrative costs for businesses of complying with any changes. Some of these issues were highlighted in the 2004 report by Derek Wanless Securing Good Health for the Whole Population.

HM Revenue and Customs does not hold definitive data on the relationship between price and consumption of fruit juices and smoothies. The Government are committed to retain the zero rate for fresh fruit and vegetables, meaning that people can obtain five daily portions of fruit and vegetables VAT-free.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will introduce a Bill to amend the Animals Act 1971 following the Mirahedy case which has resulted in increased insurance premiums for those running riding schools. [HL3735]

I refer the noble Baroness to the Answer I gave her on 8 March 2007 (Official Report, col. WA 64). The situation has not changed since then. No government time is available to introduce legislation on this issue into Parliament, but the Government remain willing to support the horse industry in its efforts to amend the Animals Act, provided a suitable vehicle, such as a Private Member's Bill, can be found.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

How much water the House of Lords has used in each of the past five years. [HL3884]

Accurate water usage figures for the House of Lords are available for the past three financial years. The volume of water used has been as follows:

asked the Chairman of Committees:

How many of the lavatories in the House of Lords installed before 2000 are fitted with water saving devices in their cisterns, such as hippos, as recommended by water companies. [HL3885]

The lavatories in the House of Lords have been surveyed and water saving devices fitted to those suitable for their application. Since the early 1990s, all new lavatories installed in the House have been low volume lavatory cisterns as required by water by-laws and regulations. The use of water saving devices such as the hippo are not recommended with these cisterns. However, plans are underway to install dual-flush devices in such cisterns where possible in order to reduce water consumption.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

Whether any study has been made of possible reductions in the House of Lords' water usage. [HL3886]

Plans are underway for the installation of water saving devices across the Lords estate. Devices to be installed will include lavatory cistern dual-flush mechanisms, self-closing tap conversions to prevent excessive water usage, tap and shower aerators to reduce water flow rates without loss of performance and urinal cistern controls to ensure urinals flush only when used.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the income per head in each of the regions shown in Table 9.4 of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2007 issued by HM Treasury. [HL3719]

Information on income per head by region is produced by the ONS and is published in regional trends available at www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=1442.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether they will respond to the questions by Lord Morris of Aberavon in the debate on the Iraq Statement on 16 April (Official Report, col. 37). [HL3627]

I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave on 16 April (Official Report, column 37).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Statement by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 29 March (Official Report, col. 1797), what are the criteria for ensuring that there is a properly resourced and effective civil and family justice system. [HL3636]

The policy for funding the civil and family justice system is set out in the Civil Court Fees consultation paper (CP 5/07) published on 2 April 2007. At present 80 per cent of the resources required to operate an effective civil and family justice system comes from fee revenue. The balance is funded from the department supply. It is proposed in the consultation paper that by 2010-11 fee revenue will have increased to 100 per cent recovery of costs, at which stage the only reliance on department supply will be for remissions and exemptions. In 2006-07 this amounted to £35 million.

My officials consult regularly with the judiciary, the legal profession and other users of the civil and family justice system to determine service levels. Fees are set to ensure adequate resources will exist. Review procedures are in place within HM Courts Service to ensure that these service levels are met.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Advocate-General for Scotland has a role in determining policy for the funding and administration of the civil and family justice system in England and Wales. [HL3637]

The Advocate-General for Scotland does not have a role in determining policy for the funding and administration of the civil and family justice system in England and Wales. The Ministry of Justice is grateful to him for responding to a Question on its behalf as none of its Ministers was available due to pressing departmental business.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the criteria for the appointment of a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary should include experience of working with juries. [HL3696]

The work of the Appellate Committee of the House is concerned exclusively with appeals on arguable points of law of general public importance, not matters of evidence. Experience of working with jurors may be of some assistance in dealing with some aspects of cases where there has been a jury trial, but these represent a small proportion of the Appellate Committee's workload. Such experience should therefore not be a general requirement for appointment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many of the current Lords of Appeal in Ordinary have experience of working with juries. [HL3697]

Detailed records of what experience senior members of the judiciary have of working with juries are not held centrally. The current Lords of Appeal in Ordinary include among their number four who have served as the senior criminal judges of England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland and at least three others, all of whom have experience of jury trials.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many Lords of Appeal in Ordinary over the past 20 years have, or have had, experience of working with juries. [HL3698]

Detailed records of what experience senior members of the judiciary have of working with juries are not held centrally. Of the 26 Lords of Appeal in Ordinary who have been appointed since 1987, the 10 who held office as a judge of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court in England and Wales, the four who held the offices of Lord Justice General of Scotland and Lord President of the Court of Session or of a Senator of the Court of Justice, and the two who held office as Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland will have had experience of jury trials.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many cases of attempted murder of members of the security forces in Northern Ireland have taken place since 1969 for which there have been no convictions; and whether they are still committed to seeking convictions in every case. [HL2656]

I apologise for the delay in answering this Question. This was due to an administrative error. The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. To provide this information would require a manual trawl of records by local policing districts for the past 37 years.

The PSNI is fully committed to obtaining convictions in each and every case. If new evidence were forthcoming in any case, all avenues of investigation would be fully explored.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people above the age of 65 work for the National Health Service. [HL3834]

As at 30 September 2006, there were 6,558 people over the age of 65 working in the National Health Service, including general practitioners (GP). Detailed information is shown in the table.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, following the statement by the Northern Ireland Office Security Minister (Official Report, col. 320WH) that “the Northern Ireland Office does not have its own definition” of the word “collusion”, they will now request that the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and all other public inquiry bodies refrain from using the word. [HL3768]

Given the independent status of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and inquiry teams, it would not be appropriate for the Government to specify definitions or request the non-usage of specific terminology in their reports.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

When they expect to tighten up the transfer of British passports from the Identity and Passport Service to the holder to eliminate the loss of passports being transferred. [HL3497]

The current secure delivery arrangements have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of passports being reported as lost while in the delivery process. The IPS continues to work with the current secure delivery provider to ensure that these losses are kept to a minimum while minimising the numbers of customers who are required to sign for their passports. Consequently the number of losses has fallen from 1,042 for the period February 05 to January 06 to 728 for the period February 06 to January 07, a proportionate reduction of around 28 per cent.

The provision of this service is currently undergoing procurement and security of delivery is part of the selection criteria.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

How many forged or altered British passports have been detected in each of the past three years. [HL3499]

As part of the lost, stolen and recovered procedures introduced on 8 December 2003, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) records those passports sent back to IPS as recovered, including those lost and found with no signs of tampering. From the total passports recorded by IPS as recovered in 2004 to 2006, the following were found to have been tampered with:

2004—802

2005—1,041

2006—1,384

From records held by IPS regional fraud teams, 222 and 304 passports were also identified as forged/counterfeit in 2005 and 2006 respectively. No comprehensive figures for the fraud teams are available prior to 2005.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What are the implications for public policy from the recent announcement by the Metropolitan Police to seek private sponsorship to finance part of the costs of their Art and Antiques Unit. [HL3632]

Section 93(1) of the Police Act 1996 provides that a police authority may, in connection with the discharge of any of its functions, accept gifts of money, and gifts or loans of other property, on such terms as appear to the authority to be appropriate. Section 93(2) states that these terms may include terms for providing commercial sponsorship of any activity of the police authority or of the police force maintained by it.

There are already a number of specialist police units that are supported through private sector sponsorship. There are no public policy implications of the Metropolitan Police Service seeking private sector sponsorship for its Arts and Antiques Unit.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What guidance they have given to the police to deal with persons taking part in illegal raves held on private property without permission. [HL3536]

The Home Office issued Circular 45/1994, which includes an introductory guide to legislation to deal with illegal raves contained in Sections 63 to 67 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they propose to answer Lord Laird's Question for Written Answer (HL2656), due for answer on 27 March, before the end of May. [HL3875]

Due to an administrative oversight there was a delay in answering this Question for which I apologise. The Question has now been answered.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

When they intend to bring into force the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006. [HL3634]

There is as yet no fixed date for the implementation of the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006. Officials are working on commencement and associated regulations, and it is hoped that implementation will be in the summer of this year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have had discussions with the Focus Learning Trust about the establishment of academies or participation in trust schools by that group. [HL3661]

The Focus Learning Trust has made a number of representations to the Government concerning the establishment of an academy or a trust school in which the FLT would have a role, and my honourable friend the Minister of State for Schools has discussed these representations with the FLT.

There are no current proposals to establish any such academy or trust school. Any proposal to establish a trust school involving the FLT would be a matter for local decision making. Any proposal to establish an academy involving the FLT would be considered by the Secretary of State on its merits.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What procedures are in place for inspection of schools run by the Focus Learning Trust; and whether children attending schools run by that trust are receiving a satisfactory education. [HL3662]

All independent schools in England must be registered with the Department for Education and Skills and are inspected regularly to ensure that they meet our statutory requirements. The schools run by the Focus Learning Trust were inspected by Ofsted when they first registered. The Schools Inspection Service (SIS) has been approved to inspect registered independent schools run by the Focus Learning Trust (FLT) under arrangements which are monitored by Ofsted. Inspection reports published by SIS describe the standard of education received in FLT schools.

Independent schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are registered and regulated under arrangements made in each separate area.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether the Scottish Parliament can legislate for a referendum on (a) Scottish independence, or (b) a new settlement within the United Kingdom leading towards independence; and how this could be achieved within the framework of the Scotland Act 1998 and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. [HL3061]

In terms of Section 29(2)(b) of the Scotland Act 1998 a provision is outside the legislative competence of the Parliament if it relates to reserved matters. An Act of the Scottish Parliament (ASP) will not be law so far as any provision of it is outside the legislative competence of the Parliament.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their response to proposals from the European Union Commission to harmonise the corporate taxation base. [HL3789]

There are no such proposals to date. In a second communication (European Union Document No. 9415/07 (COM (2007) 223) of 2 May 2007) reporting on progress on the European Commission's technical work on a harmonised corporate tax base, the European Commission said that it remains committed to presenting a legislative proposal on a common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) in 2008.

The Government's view is that proposals for tax harmonisation, including company tax base consolidation, are not the way forward for Europe. On the contrary, we believe that open and flexible national tax systems coupled with renewed international co-operation are necessary to achieve fiscal stability and to maximise competitiveness.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether, in light of the difficulties faced by a number of local authorities in conducting weekly refuse collection, and the possibility of charges being made on households, they have any plans to renegotiate the current targets for landfill disposal contained within the landfill directive. [HL3513]

No. It is important that the UK continues to reduce its traditional reliance on landfill. It is the least environmentally acceptable way of disposing of most wastes and, because of the methane that it produces and the materials wasted, it makes a significant contribution to climate change.

There are a range of measures in place and available to local authorities to help them to reduce the amount of waste that they send to landfill, which will enable the UK to meet landfill directive targets.