asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 5 July (WA 184), what is the composition of the air movements stakeholder group; and what agencies work with or under the authority of that group. [HL4758]

The operational air movements one star stakeholder steering group meets every six to eight weeks in the MoD main building. It is chaired by the Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (logistic operations) in his role as air movements process co-ordinator and is attended by senior representatives of the following headquarters and supporting departments:

MoD Directorate of Defence Logistic Operations;

MoD Director Air Staff;

MoD Director General Media and Communications Permanent Joint Headquarters;

Headquarters FLEET;

Headquarters LAND;

Headquarters AIR;

Defence Supply Chain Operations and Movements;

Headquarters 2 Group RAF; and

Project CATARA (Centralisation of Air Transport and Air to Air Refuelling Assets) Integrated Project Team.

The air movements stakeholder group was created to provide a single co-ordinator for the air movements process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 5 July (WA 184), who has (a) command, and (b) budgetary responsibility for airbridge assets to and from the United Kingdom, Iraq and Afghanistan. [HL4759]

The requirement for airbridge movements is set by the chief of Joint Operations.

Commander-in-Chief AIR Command retains full command and budgetary responsibility at all times for all RAF airbridge assets and personnel. Operational command of RAF aircraft travelling along the airbridge is exercised by the air officer commanding number 2 group.

The Iraq airbridge is conducted by a combination of civilian charter up to Al Udeid with the RAF aircraft completing the final flight into Iraq. Civilian charter companies retain control of their own assets and are tasked through Defence Supply Chain Operations and Movements, part of Defence Equipment and Support, on behalf of the permanent joint headquarters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many representations they have made to the Government of Cyprus regarding the condition of accommodation at the Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia for British troops forming part of the United Nations force. [HL4713]

We have frequent contact with the Government of Cyprus regarding the accommodation at the Ledra Palace Hotel through the United Nations and the British High Commission in Nicosia. It was also raised by the then Minister for Europe when he met Cypriot Foreign Minister Lillikas on 25 April 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whose responsibility it is to provide suitable accommodation for British troops forming part of the United Nations forces in Nicosia. [HL4714]

Under the 1964 Status of Forces Agreement with the United Nations (UN), it is the responsibility of the Republic of Cyprus to provide suitable accommodation for the British troops in the UN Force in Cyprus.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assurances for improvement have been given to the United Nations by the Government of Cyprus regarding the accommodation for British troops forming part of the United Nations forces in Nicosia; and whether by 15 February any action had been taken by the Government of Cyprus to improve the accommodation. [HL4715]

The United Nations understands that on 1 June 2007 the Republic of Cyprus agreed to allocate CY£2.2 million to be spent on the Ledra Palace Hotel following a detailed schedule of works which had been completed by the Cypriot authorities. The UN Security Council resolution on the situation in Cyprus (1758(2007)), which was adopted on 15 June, noted the unacceptable accommodation conditions endured by many UNFICYP troops and welcomed the recent commitment by the Republic of Cyprus to address this issue without delay.

Since 2005 there has been a limited programme to improve the building and this continues.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

By what date improvements will be made to the condition of accommodation at the Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia now used by British forces forming part of the United Nations force; what work will take place; and what work will remain outstanding. [HL4716]

The programme of work agreed by the Government of Cyprus follows a two-year plan and should be completed by autumn 2009. The key areas to be addressed are electrical re-wiring, plumbing and sewage. However, as with all buildings of this age (about 50 years old) and its constant occupation, a continuing programme of refurbishment will need to take place.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which of the eight new nuclear power stations will be owned, administered and controlled by British Energy according to the latest official plans. [HL4743]

Before we make a decision on nuclear, we are committed to consulting. The Government have a preliminary view that it would be in the public interest to give energy companies the option to consider nuclear alongside other low carbon forms of electricity generation but have not made a decision.

We will give greater consideration to the arguments and evidence than to simple expressions of support or opposition to new nuclear power stations. Ownership of any new nuclear power stations would be a private sector matter and would not be decided by the Government—subject to the normal planning and regulatory approvals.

We will consider all responses we get as part of this consultation before making a decision by the end of the year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Parliamentary Secretary at the Department of Health, Professor Sir Ara Darzi, could continue with his professional work and meet the requirements set out in Section 7 of the new Ministerial Code. [HL4734]

Professor Sir Ara Darzi has made a statement setting out how he will combine the two roles. He will not draw a salary or accept any other payments from the NHS. Income generated from his international and non-NHS practice will be paid direct to Imperial College. Other interests will be handled in accordance with the Ministerial Code.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

Whether he will ask the Mayor of London and Transport for London to provide shelters and information screens at the bus stops adjacent to and opposite Black Rod's Garden. [HL4878]

The provision of bus shelters and information screens is the responsibility of Transport for London. I will write to Transport for London to raise the issue with it.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many houses have been acquired for demolition, and what was the average price of acquisition, in each of the housing market renewal pathfinder areas for each year that they have been in operation. [HL4405]

Information on acquisitions by the housing market renewal pathfinders has been collected only since 2006-07. The attached table shows the number of homes acquired by each pathfinder in 2006-07 using housing market renewal funding, and the average cost of these acquisitions in that year. It is possible that the numbers of acquisitions may include a very small number of properties not purchased for demolition but for some other reason instead. However, it is not possible to disaggregate these purchases.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What would be the maximum additional floor space for each of a two, three, four or five-storey, 25-foot wide, unlisted terraced house in a conservation area under the proposals contained in the Changes to Permitted Development, Consultation Paper 2: Permitted Development Rights for Householders. [HL4841]

The approximate maximum additional floor space in square metres of a two, three, four or five-storey extension of a 25 foot (7.62 metre) wide terraced house would be 41.3, 52.2, 63.1 and 73.9 respectively.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it would be permitted to build a four-storey extension with round plate glass windows on a five-storey unlisted Victorian house in a conservation area under the proposals contained in the Changes to Permitted Development, Consultation Paper 2: Permitted Development Rights for Householders. [HL4843]

The proposals contained in the consultation paper would not grant permitted development rights in conservation areas for side extensions or for extensions forward of the principal elevation. An extension of more than one storey might be permitted development at the rear of a property if, for example, it was two metres or more from a side boundary and seven metres or more from the rear boundary. Such an extension could be no deeper than three metres for an attached property or four metres for a detached property. Proposed restrictions on windows would mean side-facing ones would have to be obscure-glazed and non-opening.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it would be permitted to construct an extension faced in coloured metal cladding to an unlisted Victorian house in a conservation area under the proposals contained in the Changes to Permitted Development, Consultation Paper 2: Permitted Development Rights for Householders. [HL4844]

The proposals contained in the consultation paper would not allow as permitted development any form of cladding to extensions in conservation areas.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they and other member states in the quartet are taking to ensure access to and from Gaza, following the closure of crossing-points since 12 June. [HL4802]

We are concerned about the closure of the Gaza crossing points. It is important that the Karni crossing is reopened. The Rafah crossing point should also be reopened to allow the movement of Gaza residents on either side of the border. We, along with the quartet (EU, UN, US and Russia), continue to call on both parties to implement the agreement on movement and access. Officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv raised this issue with the Israeli Government on 28 June.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What functions the European Union border assistance mission is able to fulfil while the Rafah crossing point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip remains closed. [HL4846]

After Hamas seized control of Gaza, the EU border assistance mission at the Rafah crossing point (EUBAM Rafah) temporarily suspended its activities on 15 June. The EU will continuously monitor the situation in Gaza with a view to the mission resuming its activities as soon as the situation allows. In the mean time, the number of personnel with EUBAM Rafah will be reduced, but the mission will retain its ability to redeploy at the Rafah crossing point at short notice. The mission will also examine the possibilities for the remaining mission personnel to engage in training activities with Palestinian Authority border and customs officers or to support the re-engagement of the EU police mission in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

We continue to support EUBAM and hope that the Rafah crossing will resume operations shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their assessment of the likely outcome of the representations made by the Government and others to the Government of Israel concerning the release of members of Hamas elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council or as mayors. [HL4847]

We continue to be concerned about all Palestinian prisoners who are detained without trial, including elected members of the Palestinian Legislative Council. We, along with the EU, will continue to call for all those detained to be either released or subject to the due legal process. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv raised our concerns with Israeli Foreign Minister Livni on 28 May and in London officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office raised this issue with the Israeli embassy on 13 June.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their response to the view expressed by the Government of Indonesia on 28 June that Hamas should be included in the political process. [HL4848]

We continue to expect Hamas to adhere to the quartet principles of January 2006 (non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the road map). These principles are the fundamental conditions for a viable peace process. We hope that Hamas will accept the principles.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will send a special request to the European Union Portuguese presidency to launch urgent initiatives to secure both quartet and direct Palestinian and Israeli negotiations in view of the delays in this process to date. [HL4883]

We will engage closely with the Portuguese presidency on the Middle East peace process (MEPP). We have made clear our support for: the ongoing dialogue between Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian President Abbas; the efforts of the Arab League to take forward the Arab peace initiative; and the quartet’s engagement and appointment of a new special representative. The meeting on 25 June between Egyptian President Mubarak, King Abdullah of Jordan, Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas was also a positive step forward. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary looks forward to discussing the MEPP with the presidency and EU colleagues at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 23 July.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What reports they have received of water shortages in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and of the curtailment of water supplies to people living there. [HL4830]

The Government are aware of water shortages in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. On 19 June, my right honourable friend the then Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) announced £1 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to support a wide range of activities, including rebuilding water and sanitation facilities. The Department for International Development has also contributed £3 million to the emergency services support programme over the past 12 months to pay for essential equipment to keep power and water utilities running in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Btselem, an Israeli human rights organisation, and the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs are also engaged on this issue. Unfortunately, the joint water committee does not publish reports of its monitoring activities. The prevailing security situation also means that obtaining full and accurate reports is not always possible.

It is essential that Palestinians get a fair and equitable allocation of available water to support the fundamentals of a future Palestinian state and meet the Palestinian people's basic needs. We continue to raise this issue with parties and are also supporting the Palestine Liberation Organisation negotiation affairs department to strengthen its technical and legal capacity to support negotiations on water.

We continue to stress to the Israeli Government the importance of ensuring the continued provision of humanitarian services, including water, to the people of Gaza. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv raised the importance of humanitarian assistance to Gaza with the Israeli Defence Ministry on 22 June. The embassy also raised the issue with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 28 June. The Israeli Government have made it clear that they intend to ensure that the people of Gaza's humanitarian needs are met.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have made to the Government of Israel concerning provision of water to people living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. [HL4831]

We continue to stress to the Israeli Government the importance of ensuring the continued provision of humanitarian services, including water, to the people of Gaza. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv raised the importance of humanitarian assistance to Gaza with the Israeli Defence Ministry on 22 June. The embassy also raised the issue with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 28 June. The Israeli Government have made it clear that they intend to ensure that the people of Gaza's humanitarian needs are met.

On 19 June, my right honourable friend the then Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) announced £1 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross, to support a wide range of activities, including rebuilding water and sanitation facilities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What monitoring arrangements were set up after the Oslo accord to ensure fair distribution of water between Israelis and Palestinians. [HL4832]

Article VII of the Oslo peace accords signed in September 1993 made reference to the Palestinian Authority establishing a Palestinian water authority. The Oslo II interim agreement in September 1995 is more specific. The issue of water and sewage is covered in Annex III, article 40, available at: www.mideastweb.org/intanx3.htm#article1. Based on this article, the two parties were charged with establishing a joint water committee (JWC) which would be comprised of equal numbers of Israeli and Palestinian representatives. Part of the remit of the JWC, as a co-ordinating body, was to set up joint supervision and enforcement teams that would monitor the various mechanisms ensuring adequate distribution of water.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether sufficient rolling stock is available to meet the timetable commitments of First Great Western trains for December 2007. [HL4876]

The rolling stock listed in appendix 3 of the First Great Western franchise agreement is sufficient to operate the timetable commitments specified in the service level commitment for the First Great Western franchise from December 2007.

First Great Western (FGW) is not allowed to reduce the fleet without the Department for Transport’s approval, although there is a mechanism by which it can increase it.

FGW has increased the size of its fleet in response to operational needs, but details of the extra rolling stock are matters for FGW itself. Similarly, responsibility for delivering a service which meets the standards set in the franchise agreement is a matter for FGW.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have assessed the adequacy of the measures set out in the European Commission's proposed regulation COM (2007) 265 on the market in the carriage of goods by road within the Community. [HL4877]

We are carefully considering the details of the proposal and are consulting stakeholders to ensure that their views are considered during negotiations. Our initial view is that the proposal is consistent with our aims of levelling the playing field in international road haulage and improving road safety standards, without unnecessary administrative burdens.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many Royal Air Force transport and tanker aircraft are at present (a) more than 40 years old; (b) between 30 and 40 years old; (c) between 20 and 30 years old; (d) between 10 and 20 years old; and (e) less than 10 years old. [HL4777]

The Royal Air Force transport fleet comprises C-17, Hercules C-130J/K, TriStar, VC10, HS 125, BAe 146 and Augusta A109E aircraft. The air refuelling aircraft are TriStar and VC10.

The age of these aircraft are listed in the following table: