asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the cost of renaming the former State Veterinary Service with the title Animal Health. [HL3906]

The work required to rename the State Veterinary Service is as a result of its merger with other Defra inspectorates and licensing bodies.

It is not possible to accurately estimate the cost of this work since this work is still ongoing. However, we expect that in total the work will cost less than £60,000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to publish their review of British arms export control under the Export Control Act 2002; and whether the review will include recommendations about British arms brokers operating extra-territorially and about end-use control over arms exports. [HL3529]

The Government expect shortly to launch their review of the export control legislation introduced in 2004 under the Export Control Act 2002. This will include a public consultation which will seek comments on the impact and effectiveness of the legislation, and whether there is a need to change or enhance the controls further. The deadline for receipt of responses will be 12 weeks after the launch of the consultation. Responses to the consultation will be evaluated in the autumn of 2007 and the Government plan to issue a response in December 2007.

I am obviously unable to prejudge the outcome of the review on any particular issue, but I anticipate that the consultation will cover the issues of British arms brokers operating outside the UK and end-use controls.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10 May (WA 281) and in light of their policy objective of reducing carbon emissions, whether they will approach representatives of industry and commerce, airlines and train operating companies in order to discuss possible initiatives to offer train miles in substitution for or in addition to air miles. [HL3807]

The substitution of train miles for air miles is a marketing and commercial matter for the train operating companies.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What reports they have received on the air contamination incident in a Boeing 757 aircraft registered G-CPEO on 21 May 2004. [HL3829]

The Civil Aviation Authority has no record of an air contamination incident involving a Boeing 757 aircraft registered G-CPEO on 21 May 2004.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What reports they have received on the air contamination incident in a Boeing 757 aircraft registered G-CPEO on 22 June 2003. [HL3830]

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) received a report regarding an incident involving a Boeing 757 aircraft registered G-CPEO on 22 June 2003. The CAA's mandatory occurrence report database states:

“Fumes cleared when left pack selected off after landing. On the previous sector, fumes had been smelt briefly on the ground but cleared by take off. The left engine seemed to have high oil consumption with 15 litres left on arrival”.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What reports they have received on the air contamination incident in a Boeing 757 aircraft registered G-BPED on 11 January 2003. [HL3831]

The Civil Aviation Authority has no record of an air contamination incident involving a Boeing 757 aircraft registered G-BPED on 11 January 2003.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What reports they have received on the air contamination incident in a Boeing 757 aircraft registered G-BPED on 23 June 2003. [HL3832]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer of 10 January 2006 (Official Report, col. WA 33).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What have been the advantages to medical examiners, aircrew, air operators or air passengers brought about by the imposition of VAT upon the costs of medical examinations for aircrew licence issues and renewals. [HL3679]

Subsequent to my Written Answer on 28 March (WA 286), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has established that certain medical reports and examinations for aircraft crew licence issue and renewal are undertaken by a statutory body for a statutory fee. In such circumstances these services are outside the scope of VAT and will remain VAT-free.

When these services are not provided by a statutory body for a statutory fee, including when they are provided by a medical examiner authorised or approved by the statutory body, they have been liable to the standard rate of VAT since 1 May. However, VAT is not chargeable unless the relevant medical examiner is registered for VAT, which is not required unless his turnover from this and other taxable activities exceeds the annual VAT registration threshold—currently £64,000.

Therefore, medical examinations for aircrew licence issues and renewals have remained VAT-free in many cases, with no impact upon medical examiners, aircrew, airline operators or airline passengers.

A full regulatory impact assessment of the changes was provided by the Paymaster-General and can be found on HMRC's website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/ria/vat-medical-services.pdf.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many researchers at the Rothamsted Research Institute have been made redundant in the last three years; and whether any of them worked on pollination or bee issues. [HL3729]

A total of 51 researchers were made redundant at Rothamsted Research Institute during the last three-year period, of which four were involved with bee or pollination work.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What estimates they have made of the number of parents with care who are eligible for the child maintenance premium but who are currently not receiving it; and [HL3238]

What is the extent of the pilot scheme currently being undertaken by the Child Support Agency to increase the number of child maintenance premium payments to eligible parents with care; and when the pilot will be completed and evaluated; and [HL3239]

What plans the Child Support Agency has to introduce a national programme to ensure that all parents with care who are eligible for the child maintenance premium are receiving it. [HL3240]

The child maintenance premium allows parents with care in receipt of a prescribed benefit to keep up to £10 of any maintenance where the non-resident parent is paying child maintenance under the new rules. The child maintenance premium can be received with the prescribed benefit as an income disregard or be paid direct to the parent with care by the Child Support Agency. In March 2007, the agency was paying child maintenance premium in respect of around 57,000 cases. Our analysis is confined to cases where the agency is responsible for paying the child maintenance premium; we have not yet estimated the numbers benefiting from the income disregard.

Our most recent analysis reveals that, in August 2006, there were around 13,600 new scheme child support cases in which the parent with care was eligible to be paid the child maintenance premium by the CSA, but was not receiving it from the agency. However, it should be noted that the parent with care is unlikely to be losing out financially in the majority of such cases, because they will instead be receiving the full amount of maintenance being paid to the agency by the non-resident parent. In particular:

in around 2,500 such cases, the amount of regular maintenance being received by the parent with care is £10 or less. That is to say that the amount of maintenance the parent with care is currently receiving is identical to the amount of child maintenance premium to which they are eligible; and

in around 11,100 such cases the amount of regular maintenance being received by the parent with care is greater than £10. That is to say that the amount of maintenance they are currently receiving is greater than the amount of child maintenance premium to which they would have been entitled.

The reason that child maintenance premium was not in payment for all such cases is generally that, while Jobcentre Plus has notified the Child Support Agency that the parent with care is on benefit, the CSA has not yet made the required adjustments to the amount of maintenance received through setting up the child maintenance premium payment. In these cases, however, the parent with care retains responsibility for informing Jobcentre Plus that they are in receipt of child maintenance.

In those cases where investigations reveal that benefit may have been overpaid, the decision as to whether to recover and the amount of any weekly repayment will be dependent on the circumstances in each individual case. In particular, in those cases where the benefit overpayment is deemed to be as a result of official error, the department can choose to waive repayment.

No pilot scheme is or has been undertaken by the agency aimed at increasing the number of child maintenance premium payments. However, the child support agency is in the process of implementing a programme aimed at ensuring that all those parents with care eligible for the child maintenance premium are getting the correct amount of maintenance to which they are entitled.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have identified initiatives within urban areas which are producing positive achievements among black young people; and, if so, how they will build on such initiatives to marginalise the damaging activities of a minority of black young men.[HL3216]

There are a number of local initiatives which help young black people in urban areas fulfil their potential, including the From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation and the Eastside Young Leaders Academy. Organisations such as the Prince's Trust have also helped many young people from all backgrounds achieve personal success.

We are working with communities and providing capacity-building funding through the Connected Fund and other project funding to support initiatives that help a range of young people.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, and in what capacity, Mr Al Gore is acting as an adviser to the Government on climate change; and what remuneration, if any, he is receiving for this work; and [HL3849]

What scientific qualifications, and what grades, Mr Al Gore has obtained that qualify him to advise the Government on climate change.[HL3850]

I refer the noble Lord to the Statement the Chancellor made on 30 October at the launch of the Stern review. It is available on the Treasury website (www.hm-treasury.gov.uk). Al Gore has an unpaid honorary advisory role.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 15 May (WA 29), whether it would be possible to amend the current system of court fees by introducing higher charges for corporations and other wealthy litigants than for litigants of moderate means. [HL3863]

The idea of charging corporations and other wealthy litigants higher charges (court fees) totally cuts across our policy principle of setting court fees to reflect the cost of providing the service. This is based on the general principle that parties are expected to pay the full cost of the civil justice system they are using to resolve their dispute. The Government's guidelines, as defined in the Fees and Charges Guide issued by the Treasury, generally prevent charging above cost as this would amount to indirect taxation. Charging above cost not only would discriminate against corporations and wealthy litigants, but may be open to challenge under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What advice they are giving to the black community to tackle the problems being faced as a consequence of knife- and gun-related violence. [HL3212]

We are working closely with communities to tackle gun- and knife-related violence. Following the Prime Minister's summit meeting on 22 February, the Home Secretary announced a three-point plan focusing on policing, powers and prevention. This work is being taken forward with the involvement of community members, led by the Home Secretary's round table on guns, gangs and knives.

A great deal of good work is going on at a local level, with local communities running projects and initiatives. This work is supported through the Connected Fund, which provides grants to such groups.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been their response to the recent spate of knife and gun crimes affecting black young men. [HL3215]

The Government have an ongoing programme of work to tackle gun and knife crime, led by the Home Secretary's round table on guns, gangs and knives.

On 22 February the Prime Minister convened a summit to bring together government ministers, senior police officers and community members to discuss guns and gangs. Following this meeting, the Home Secretary announced a three-point plan to focus the work on:

policing—ensuring the police are equipped to tackle gun crime;

powers—giving the police and courts the powers to deal with offenders;

prevention—empowering communities to take action themselves to prevent gun crime and address gang culture, and offering support to parents to challenge their children's behaviour.

We are: reviewing the legislation relating to gangs, including the sentencing of juveniles; looking at the cultural issues around these offences; and considering the best use of available funding. Work is also ongoing to roll out the extended schools programme and provide targeted parenting support.

At a local level, we continue to provide support to local community groups through the Connected Fund, which provides grants to groups tackling gun crime, knife crime and gangs issues. There are also a range of initiatives, such as Positive Futures, which support vulnerable young people and help steer them away from involvement in crime.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many publications have been published by the Department of Health since 1997. [HL3669]

According to the department's library catalogue, the total number of department publications between 1 January 1997 and 17 May 2007 is 11,590. It includes those publications co-authored by the department and published by the Stationery Office. Department publications are available in electronic form on the department's website at www.dh.gov.uk.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many White Papers have been published by the Department of Health since 1997. [HL3670]

Since January 1997, the department has published 15 White Papers. These are available in electronic form on the department's website at www.dh.gov.uk.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the rate of growth of the installation of renewable electricity generators in rural areas is at a sustainable level; and whether they will consider measures to accelerate such growth. [HL3643]

The department does not keep data on whether a renewable electricity generator is installed in a rural location or not. However, the Government have a number of measures to encourage the growth of renewables within the energy market, primarily the renewables obligation (RO).

Beyond the RO, the Government are investing around £500 million between 2002 and 2008 in capital grants and R&D for emerging renewable and low-carbon technologies such as offshore wind, biomass, solar, PV wave and tidal. Beyond 2008 there is the potential for greater support with the development of the DTI/Defra environmental transformation fund announced June last year.

We also plan to consult on measures to improve the planning system for energy projects, setting a clearer framework for development, introducing more efficient inquiry procedures and ensuring more timely decision-making.

Another area that can be a barrier to the deployment of renewables can be getting connection to the grid. Members of the department, together with Ofgem and the network owners are working to ensure that all unnecessary barriers are removed.

The department also holds regular discussions with renewable energy developers and other stakeholders to work in partnership to increase the growth of installed capacity within the UK.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many renewable obligation certificates were issued in the last year; and what was the total installed and operational renewable energy capacity in the United Kingdom for that period. [HL3820]

Between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2006 14,331,885 renewable obligation certificates were issued (source: Ofgem). For the same period, the total installed and operational renewable energy capacity eligible under the renewables obligation in the United Kingdom was 3,969 megawatts. Figures for all renewable generation (including that which is not eligible under the renewables obligation) are not yet available for 2006. However in 2005 total installed and operational renewable energy capacity in the United Kingdom was 4,543 megawatts.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the use of a feed-in tariff for reducing costs of renewable energy and speeding deployment of renewable energy technologies in Germany. [HL3795]

In assessing the use of feed-in tariffs in Germany, the Government make reference to the report produced by the European Commission, The Support of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources, reference COM(2005)627, published on 7 December 2005.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Code of Practice for Regulators is intended to apply to the regulatory functions of the Commission for Racial Equality. [HL3864]

The functions of the Commission for Racial Equality will transfer to a new body, the Commission for Equalities and Human Rights (CEHR), along with the functions of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC). The CEHR comes into being as a statutory body in October 2007 and it is intended that the code will apply to the regulatory functions of this new body.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will resist any attempts to expedite any agreement on the future of the European Union constitution at the next European Council on 21 and 22 June. [HL3786]

There is at present no consensus among EU partners on the way forward regarding the constitutional treaty or any new treaty. These issues will be discussed at the European Council in June.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What arrangements they intend to put in place to enable Parliament to discuss any proposals for a new European Union constitution treaty before any such treaty is entered into. [HL3787]

There is at present no consensus among EU partners on the way forward regarding the constitutional treaty or any new treaty. These issues will be discussed at the European Council in June.

Any new EU treaty would only enter into force once ratified in accordance with the constitutional requirements of each member state. Any such treaty is likely to require legislation for its implementation in the UK and would, therefore, be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What criteria they will use in deciding whether to hold a referendum on any proposals for a new constitutional treaty or amendments to existing treaties. [HL3788]

There is at present no consensus among EU partners on the way forward regarding the constitutional treaty or any new treaty. These issues will be discussed at the European Council in June. The Government's approach to these discussions was set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 5 December 2006 in another place (Official Report, col. 10-11WS) by my right honourable friend the Minister for Europe, Geoff Hoon.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 20 April (WA 98), what are the reasons for the absence of any prosecutions under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. [HL3462]

Research carried out in 2000 by the All-Party Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health suggests that the most likely barrier to prosecution is the pressure from the family or wider community that leads to cases going unreported. At the time of mutilation victims may be too young and vulnerable, or too afraid, to report offences or to give evidence in court; and there could be evidential and other difficulties if cases are reported many years after the event.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether since its formation the Food Standards Agency has instigated any prosecutions concerning the mislabelling of imported foods. [HL3730]

Investigations into falsely labelled food are not carried out directly by the Food Standards Agency. The agency has the overall policy responsibility for food labelling. However, the enforcement of the legislation is undertaken by food enforcement officers who are employed by local authorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people above the age of 65 work for government departments or executive agencies in the United Kingdom. [HL3833]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Karen Dunnell, National Statistician and Registrar-General, to Lord Skelmersdale dated 23 May 2007:

“The age distribution of Civil Servants is published annually in the Civil Service Statistics report. The latest publication is for 1 April 2005 and is available from the Cabinet Office website.

www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/publications/xls/report_2005/table_g.xls

Civil Service employment statistics are published only for fixed bands, for example 40-49, 50 and over. In order to provide the information requested for Civil Servants above the age of 65, an ad hoc analysis has been required. This analysis is based on the Mandate survey which currently provides approximately 90 per cent coverage of Civil Service departments and executive agencies.

Of these employees, 585 were aged 65 or over at 1 April 2005, approximately 0.1 per cent of the Mandate population”.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many civil servants are employed in government departments. [HL3869]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Karen Dunnell, National Statistician and Registrar-General, to Lord Pearson dated 23 May 2007:

“Civil Service employment statistics are published quarterly, broken down by Government department, in the Public Sector Employment First Release on the National Statistics website.

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/pse0307.pdf

The latest publication is for Quarter 4 2006 and the total number of Civil Servants employed by Government departments and their executive agencies at 31 December 2006 was 549,990. On a full-time equivalent basis the number is 515,640”.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the nutrition and health claims made on food regulation, the food supplements directive and the medicines directive are principally concerned with removing barriers to the free movement of goods within the European Union; whether these measures are required to be implemented by the Governments of the Channel Islands under the provisions of protocol 3 of the treaty; and whether these Governments have indicated that they agree with the Government's view on these matters. [HL3630]

The United Kingdom (UK) view is that the nutrition and health claims directive, the food supplements directive and the medicines directive remove barriers to the free movement of goods within the European Union by regulating content, sale and labelling of products. For this reason, it is our view that the directives should apply to the Channel Islands under protocol 3 of the UK's treaty of accession to the European Community, which provides for free movement of goods and trade between the islands and member states. The UK has not yet had confirmation from the island Governments that they share this view.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to remove the right of migrant workers to change employers if they are victims of abuse. [HL3683]

A work-permit holder who leaves their employment, whether as the victim of abuse or for other reasons, and who wishes to continue to work and stay in the United Kingdom would have to find alternative employment with another employer. That employment would also need to satisfy the work-permit arrangements and Immigration Rules.

There are no plans to change this in the new points-based system to be introduced from 2008. Workers in tier 2—the equivalent of the work-permit system—will be able to change employers, as long as they continue to meet the points criteria and have a certificate of sponsorship from their new employer. In respect of overseas domestic workers, we have said we shall be consulting on the future safeguards for those accompanying visitors to the United Kingdom before making any change.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have assessed the extent to which rising interest rates will affect growth and may depress the housing market. [HL3954]

The Treasury considers all relevant factors when producing its economic forecasts. The latest assessment of economic developments and prospects was published in “Chapter B: The economy” of the 2007 Budget Report (HC 342).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 8 May (WA 250), whether they have consulted the English and Scottish judiciary as to whether it is necessary to change United Kingdom common law on contempt of court so as to implement the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Kyprianou v Cyprus. [HL3684]

No, the English and Scottish judiciary have not been consulted. The grand chamber upheld the judgment of the court on the facts of the case and stated that it was not necessary or desirable to review the law and practice of contempt in Cyprus or other common-law countries. For that reason, the Government do not feel that any change in UK law need be consulted upon.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to introduce electronic passport-reading for the passports of persons leaving the United Kingdom. [HL3745]

Electronic passport-readers are deployed on a risk-assessed basis at UK ports.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What would be the current estimated total saving if the normal retirement age of (a) policemen and (b) firemen were raised now by one year with no change in payments from payers of national or local taxes. [HL3689]

It is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the savings from changing the retirement age by one year. Extending pension ages has an impact on pension costs, which will vary with options chosen by retiring officers, and in some cases can rise as a result of later retirement. Extension would also affect pay costs and operational effectiveness.

The effective employers' costs are expected to fall from the old to the new rates, as officers retire from the old schemes, and are replaced by officers joining the new schemes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 9 May (WA 275), how many traffic officers have been appointed; how many posts will be in place at the end of 2007 and 2008 respectively; what is the anticipated total cost of each post, including salary cost; what is the average cost of purchasing officers' vehicles; whether officers have the power to tow broken-down vehicles off busy roads; and whether they carry fuel to allow vehicles which have run out of fuel to be driven to safety. [HL3825]

With the introduction of the traffic officer service on the strategic road network, the Highways Agency has appointed 929 traffic officers to date (out of a total 1,497 staff in the service, which includes control-room staff, supervisors, operational managers and support staff). It is anticipated that by the end of 2007-08 this will have risen to 975 (out of 1,580 in total).

No further increase in traffic officer numbers is anticipated beyond 2007-08. Any extended deployment of traffic officers leading to an increase in staff numbers would be subject to ministerial approval and the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The average total cost of each post, including salaries, uniform, equipment and training is £37,000.

Traffic officer vehicles are not purchased: they have been procured under a national leasing basis. The average cost across the operational fleet is £1,260 per month per vehicle.

Traffic officers have the power to clear the carriageway of obstructions, such as broken-down vehicles, and tow them to the hard shoulder or nearest place of safety.

Traffic officers do not carry fuel in their vehicles for the purpose of refuelling those road users who run out of petrol/diesel.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What data they hold on action taken against manufacturers or suppliers of illegal number plates over the past 10 years on a year-by-year basis.[HL3867]

Prior to 2003 the supply of number plates was unregulated, so no action against suppliers was possible for the period 1997-02. A register of number-plate suppliers was introduced in January 2003 as a consequence of powers obtained in the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001. The register is maintained at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The police and certain trading standards departments are responsible for enforcement and since 16 March 2007, the DVLA has also acquired powers to enter and inspect registered premises and bring prosecutions.

The courts are not obliged to pass details of all convictions to the DVLA, so the total number of convictions on a year-by-year basis since 2003 is not known.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What data they hold on the incidence of theft of vehicle number plates over the past 10 years on a year-by-year basis. [HL3868]

In 2005 the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) wrote to every police force in the UK requesting crime figures on stolen number plates to assess the scale of the problem. Not all forces record this as a separate crime, but from the partial returns provided it has been estimated that there were around 33,000 reported instances of number-plate theft in 2004. A follow-up exercise indicated an increase to 40,000 thefts for 2005.

There are no other official data for the period specified. The DVLA has requested, through the Association of Chief Police Officers, that police forces collect data on the theft of number plates from now on.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why Euro IV taxicabs, which are fully compliant with European Union emission standards, are subject to a higher rate of vehicle excise duty. [HL3774]

The vehicle excise duty paid on a taxicab first registered from 1 March 2001 is determined by the vehicle’s carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, the more polluting the vehicle, the more VED it will pay. The VED for taxicabs first registered prior to March 2001 is determined by the vehicle’s engine size.

However, where the use of a vehicle is an essential component of business activity—for example, for taxi drivers—the tax system is designed so that, broadly speaking, businesses can deduct from their turnover all the costs incurred for the sole purpose of generating business profits. Such motoring expenses are therefore allowable for deduction against turnover.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have consulted International PEN and the International Human Rights Federation concerning cases pending against Mr Ragip Zarakoglu, author and publisher, under Article 301 of the Turkish penal code; and whether attacks on freedom of expression and the delays associated with the charges are relevant to Turkey's application for European Union membership. [HL3763]

Neither International PEN nor the International Human Rights Federation has been consulted about this case. However, the Government are aware of the case and of other prosecutions under Article 301 of the Turkish penal code against journalists, writers and publishers.

We remain concerned that charges continue to be brought against individuals for the non-violent expression of opinion. EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn has made clear that he thinks Article 301 should be amended or repealed. We support this view. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary also raised reform of Article 301 in her latest meeting with Turkish Foreign Minster Gul on 27 March.

Turkey's human rights record is subject to intense scrutiny through EU accession negotiations. Much progress has been made already—for example, the repeal of the death penalty, and adoption of a zero-tolerance approach to torture. But progress in the negotiations will continue to be measured against Turkey's reforms, including freedom of expression.