asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which local authorities have not submitted an action plan to improve air quality as required by Part IV of the Environment Act 1995; and what action is being taken to protect the health of citizens in those areas. [HL4861]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 11 July 2007, Official Report, col. (WA 216), which describes the current situation regarding the submission of air quality action plans. Since giving this Answer, two further local authorities have submitted their action plans to Defra (Ellesmere Borough Council and Plymouth City Council) and further updates have been received. I have updated the table given in my previous Answer accordingly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What funding they have provided to the Swindon and Wiltshire coroner since April 2007 to assist the conduct of inquests into the deaths of members of the Armed Forces; and what requests for additional resources and funding the Swindon and Wiltshire coroner and related authorities have made since April, broken down by date and requesting authority. [HL4866]

Coroners are funded by the relevant local authority and police authority. Until 31 March 2007 bodies from Iraq and Afghanistan were repatriated via RAF Brize Norton in the Oxfordshire coroner’s jurisdiction and the Government exceptionally provided additional resources to the Oxfordshire coroner to deal with a backlog which had built up in his jurisdiction. Since 1 April 2007 bodies from Iraq and Afghanistan have been repatriated via RAF Lyneham in the jurisdiction of the Wiltshire and Swindon coroner. The coroner has transferred the majority of the inquests to coroners closer to the next of kin. He wrote to Harriet Harman on 21 May; the solicitor to Wiltshire County Council wrote to my officials on 5 June and Wiltshire Constabulary wrote to Tony McNulty on 12 June. We are keeping the handling of these inquests under review and reporting to the House quarterly on progress. The Secretary of State and Bridget Prentice plan to meet the Wiltshire and Swindon coroner before the recess and my officials and officials from the Ministry of Defence, Wiltshire County Council and Wiltshire Constabulary will be meeting the coroner shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What funding has been provided to the Oxfordshire coroner between 2001 and 2007, broken down by year. [HL4867]

Coroners are funded by the relevant local authority and policy authority. The Government exceptionally provided funding to the Oxfordshire coroner to help him to deal with a backlog which had built up in his jurisdiction. £80,000 was provided in 2005-06 and £135,000 was provided in 2006-07.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the value of arms and military supplies exported to the Philippines in each of the past three years by (a) the United Kingdom, and (b) other European Union states. [HL4750]

The annual value of UK exports of military equipment to named destinations is published in the annual report on strategic export controls. The Government will publish the annual report for 2006 shortly.

The Government do not hold the information requested about other EU member states. Information on arms exports provided by member states to the European Union is published annually in the Official Journal of the European Union.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many candidates the Army Officer Selection Board, or its predecessor, has interviewed for a Group A Territorial Army commission in each of the past five years for (a) direct entry commission (excluding professionally qualified officers); (b) late entry (excluding professionally qualified officers); (c) direct entry, taking into account professional qualifications; and (d) late entry, taking into account professional qualifications; and [HL4794]

How many candidates the Army Officer Selection Board, or its predecessor, has interviewed for a Group B (University Officer Training Corps and Non-Register Permanent Staff) Territorial Army commission in each of the past five years for (a) direct entry commission (excluding professionally qualified officers); (b) late entry (excluding professionally qualified officers); (c) direct entry, taking into account professional qualifications; and (d) late entry, taking into account professional qualifications. [HL4795]

The total number of direct entry Territorial Army (TA) commission candidates (Group A and Group B) interviewed at the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) and its predecessor were:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many farmers are still awaiting their (a) full 2005, or (b) part payment of the single farm 2005 payment. [HL4879]

As the Secretary of State reported to the House on 2 July, there are also some 20,000 SPS 2005 claims where entitlement values have been identified for review and possible adjustment, upwards or downwards. This may identify a further payment to be made or an overpayment to be recovered. The RPA is now switching resources to deal with these cases.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are on course with their timetable for the announcement and delivery of the Comprehensive Spending Review; and, if so, whether this provides adequate time for the completion of proper business planning by bodies funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. [HL4857]

The Government are on course with their timetable for announcing the conclusions of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been working closely with its non-departmental public bodies throughout the process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Since the General Election of 1997, how many European Commission legislative proposals have failed to reach the statute book. [HL4673]

This information is not held centrally and it would incur disproportionate cost in attempting to analyse all Commission activity over 10 years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will set out those considerations which led them to conclude that it was not in the public interest to reveal whether or not applications have been made to secure extradition from other countries of persons claiming to have committed murder in the United Kingdom. [HL4779]

As a matter of long-standing policy and practice, the UK will neither confirm nor deny the existence of any extradition request made or received by this country.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What incentives they have offered (a) bilaterally and (b) through the European Union to the Government of Serbia to secure Serbia's co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. [HL4869]

Co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is a legal requirement under UN Security Council Resolutions 1244 and 1534. The International Court of Justice also ruled on 26 February that Serbia had breached its obligation to punish the perpetrators by failing to transfer individuals accused of genocide, including Ratko Mladic, to the ICTY.

The EU has made clear that EU membership is open to all the countries of the western Balkans once they meet the established criteria. In Serbia’s case, full co-operation with the ICTY is a key condition. Serbia is currently negotiating a stabilisation and association agreement (SAA) with the EU. This is seen as the first step along the road to EU membership and will cover political dialogue, support for political and economic reform, aid and trade relations. Conclusion of the SAA will require full co-operation with ICTY. The UK regularly raises ICTY co-operation with the Serb authorities. When my right honourable friend the then Minister for Europe (Mr Geoffrey Hoon) visited Belgrade on 7 February he discussed this issue with both President Tadic and Prime Minister Kostunica.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Lord Chancellor's adviser on constitutional reform, Lord Lester of Herne Hill, will be required to submit to the Cabinet Secretary texts of any publications or speeches that he makes on constitutional subjects while serving in this role. [HL4774]

Lord Lester will not be required to submit texts or speeches on constitutional or any other subjects while serving in this role. However, he has committed to maintain the confidentiality of any Ministry of Justice work in his other areas of interest and activity, and any documents he produces in his capacity as independent adviser to the Ministry of Justice will remain the property of the Ministry. Lord Lester has undertaken to avoid actively any conflict of interests that might arise between his roles or activities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the doctrine of collective responsibility applies to the Lord Chancellor's adviser on constitutional reform, Lord Lester of Herne Hill; and whether he will have access to Cabinet and Cabinet committee proceedings or to inter-party or bilateral discussions on House of Lords and House of Commons reform. [HL4773]

Lord Lester, as an independent adviser and not a member of Government, is not bound by collective responsibility. The precise subjects on which his advice will be sought will be confirmed once discussions with the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice have taken place. Lord Lester will have access to information as required for his role, subject to Ministry of Justice approval.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consultation took place between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Justice about the text of the letter sent to Gulf War veterans by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence, and copied by him on 18 June to Lord Craig of Radley, Lord Lloyd of Berwick and Lord Morris of Manchester; and whether the Ministry of Justice was content with the text. [HL4755]

No consultation took place with the Ministry of Justice concerning the text of the letter to Gulf War veterans. The letter explains the Ministry of Defence's use of the umbrella term Gulf War syndrome and there was therefore no reason for consultation with the Ministry of Justice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they anticipate a gap in service provision at the beginning of August when doctors in training will change jobs; and [HL4697]

What support there will be for (a) patients, (b) junior doctors and (c) consultants to minimise the impact on service provision at the beginning of August when doctors in training will change jobs; and [HL4698]

What steps are being taken by National Health Service trusts to ensure careful planning of elective and emergency workload at the beginning of August when doctors in training will change jobs. [HL4699]

Every August trusts and doctors plan for an influx of new junior doctors, and both they and consultants are used to ensuring minimal disruption to patient care. There is absolutely no convincing evidence that changeover of junior staff in August has resulted in risks to safety in the past. Nevertheless, it is recognised that this year presents a greater challenge owing to a higher intake and an ongoing recruitment process. Accordingly, trusts and deaneries have been working hard locally to ensure a smooth induction process for new starters.

It is the responsibility of strategic health authorities (SHAs) and trusts to ensure that patient care and safety are maintained during the changeover. Directions were issued to SHAs and deaneries on 8 June covering how they should ensure that this happens, together with guidance on how round 2 should be undertaken and what support should be given to applicants.

A planning and performance management framework was issued to SHAs on 18 June. Each SHA submitted a plan covering its implementation of the round 2 recruitment process, the risks to local services delivery during the August changeover, and how risks will be managed. SHAs will submit weekly returns to the department reporting on their progress.

The department will actively performance manage implementation by the SHAs of their plans, intervening at the appropriate level in the event of any adverse variance from plan.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

What measures are being taken to ensure that all non-essential electrical equipment is switched off when not in use during the Summer Recess. [HL4971]

During the Summer Recess, security guards patrol the House on a daily basis and are instructed to switch off lights in those offices that are not in use. The annunciator system is switched off automatically from a central control every evening. Steps are also taken to remind staff of the need to switch off electrical equipment when it is not in use.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What permitted development rights would be enjoyed at basement level for an 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. [HL4842]

The consultation paper does not cover proposals for basements. The Government are currently considering what, if any, works at basement level might be brought within the permitted development regime. Any proposals to bring basement works within the General Permitted Development Order would be subject to public consultation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to comply with the judgment of the High Court on 2 July in N v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWHC 1548 (Admin). [HL4896]

The Secretary of State for the Home Department intends to seek leave to appeal this judgment to the Court of Appeal.

In the mean time and until such time as the legislation is amended, the declaration of incompatibility does not affect its validity, continuing operation or enforcement. Returns to safe third countries under Part 2 of Schedule 3 to the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 will therefore continue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many of the Iraqi refugees in Syria are thought to be the victims of torture; and what discussions they have had with the Government of Syria and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on how best to respond. [HL4895]

The UK is not in a position to assess the numbers of Iraqi refugees in Syria who have been victims of torture. We have not had any discussions on this issue with either the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or the Government of Syria.

The UK continues to support the UNHCR’s leading role in providing humanitarian support to Iraqi refugees in Syria. In 2006 the UK contributed approximately £98 million to support the work of the UNHCR worldwide, including in Syria. In addition, officials from our embassy in Damascus have visited the UNHCR refugee reception centre in Damascus to assess the conditions there. We are now looking at supporting a range of projects aimed at improving conditions for Iraqi refugees, specifically in the areas of education and healthcare.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether NATO or the European Union have recently considered the presence of Turkish forces near the Turkey-Iraq frontier and the possible consequences of any move by them into Iraq; and, if so, what conclusions were reached. [HL4854]

We are aware of counterterrorist operations by the Turkish security forces close to Turkey's border with Iraq. Such operations are not unusual for this time of year when the Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan (PKK) step up its terrorist activities. As far as we are aware, neither NATO nor the European Union has recently discussed the presence of Turkish forces near the border with Iraq or the possible consequences of an incursion.

We utterly condemn the violent attacks carried out by the PKK, as we do all acts of terrorism. We encourage Turkey to engage with the Iraqi Government and Kurdish Regional Government to address the PKK presence in northern Iraq and welcome the ongoing trilateral co-operation between Turkey, the Iraqi authorities and the US. We hope that this will deliver results to address Turkey's concerns.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions they have had recently with their (a) United States; (b) European Union; and (c) Russian counterparts regarding the adoption of a United Nations Security Council resolution based on the full Ahtisaari plan. [HL4871]

Intensive negotiations are ongoing in the UN Security Council in New York. Kosovo is a sensitive issue for some Security Council members and we are working to address their concerns patiently and persistently. Officials are in constant touch with their counterparts in Washington, Moscow and Brussels, as well as in European capitals, to find a way forward.

The Contact Group, comprising France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, will discuss the issue at official level on 25 July in Vienna. EU Foreign Ministers will also discuss Kosovo at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 23 and 24 July.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether repeated offers of ceasefires by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) since 1993 have been discussed within NATO or any other inter-governmental forum; and whether any offers of mediation were made. [HL4855]

We are not aware of discussions within NATO or other inter-governmental forums regarding offers of ceasefires by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they anticipate that future long-term United Kingdom representation in Madagascar will be made through the offices of the European Union diplomatic service. [HL4922]

United Kingdom representation in Madagascar is conducted through a non-resident ambassador based in Port Louis, Mauritius. This will remain the case for the foreseeable future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the number of households in (a) the city of Manchester, and (b) each constituency in the city of Manchester with an income of (i) up to £25,000 per annum; (ii) from £25,000 to £60,000 per annum; (iii) from £60,000 to £70,000 per annum; and (iv) more than £70,000 per annum. [HL4902]

The very specific information requested is not available. However, information on the mean and median income of individual taxpayers in the city of Manchester and each constituency in the city of Manchester can be found in Table 3.14 “Income and tax by borough and district or unitary authority” and Table 3.15 “Income and tax by Parliamentary Constituency” on the HM Revenue and Customs website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year. htm#315.

The information is based on the Survey of Personal Incomes, of which 2004-05 is the latest available.

Sample sizes at constituency level are small and estimates can demonstrate a large variability from year to year. Therefore any inference from the information in the table for 2004-05 should take into account the confidence intervals in Tables 3.14a and 3.15a.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they plan to introduce a Marine Bill; and, if so, when. [HL4885]

It is the Government's intention to publish a draft Marine Bill in the next parliamentary Session, probably in early 2008. The Government remain committed to meeting their manifesto commitment of delivering a Marine Act in this Parliament.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the event of the West Sussex Weald being excluded from the proposed South Downs National Park, all those areas of the Weald which are currently designated areas of outstanding natural beauty will continue to enjoy such status once the park is formed. [HL4893]

An announcement on the decision whether or not to create a South Downs National Park is expected no later than Autumn 2008, at which time a decision on the status of those areas of the Weald which are currently designated areas of outstanding natural beauty will be made.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to publish the findings of their naval base review. [HL4771]

We have said from the outset of the naval base review (NBR) that its outcome needs to be coherent with other key maritime industrial strategy projects and programmes. It is of paramount importance that we do this in order to determine an overall “best for defence” outcome and the best value for the taxpayer. The Ministry of Defence is therefore engaging with other government departments to assess the wider implications for the different NBR options.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 9 July (WA 202), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the distribution list for the publication Peacemaking in Northern Ireland: A Model for Conflict Resolution? [HL4897]

No individual distribution list was created. The publication was distributed to a wide audience of individuals and organisations locally, nationally and internationally selected because of their interest in Northern Ireland affairs. It was also sent out to members of the public on request.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much severance pay was made to the chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency following his dismissal from that agency. [HL4880]

The severance pay awarded to the former chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency following his dismissal is as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether Mr Johnston McNeill, former chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency, was subsequently employed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as a consultant; and, if so, at what hourly rate. [HL4881]

Mr Johnston McNeill, former chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency, who was dismissed with effect from 1 December 2006, has not subsequently been employed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as a consultant. The Rural Payments Agency has also confirmed that he has not been re-engaged by it in any capacity.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have proposals to launch an official campaign to increase the United Kingdom savings ratio. [HL4746]

There are no proposals for a specific campaign to increase the savings ratio. The Government already seek to support saving and asset ownership for all across the lifecycle from childhood, through working life and into retirement. Since 1997 the Government have introduced the individual saving account (ISA) so that everyone has access to a tax-advantaged savings scheme and introduced the child trust fund (CTF) so that in the future all children will enter adulthood with a financial asset regardless of family background and piloted the saving gateway to explore ways in which matched funding can promote saving in lower income households. The Government have also introduced stakeholder pensions to offer simple, low cost pensions to those without access to an employer pension and radically simplified the pensions tax regime to offer greater individual choice and flexibility in when and how people save for their retirement.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have received representations during the past three years from St Leonard's Church of England primary school in the London Borough of Lambeth about reducing the number of children in its classes; and [HL4887]

Whether they have received representations in the past three years from Lambeth local education authority about reducing the number of children in the classes at St Leonard's Church of England primary school in the London Borough of Lambeth. [HL4888]

No representations have been received on this matter.

Decisions on reducing admission numbers at voluntary-aided schools, such as St Leonard’s, can be made by the governing body after consultation with other local schools and the local authority.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have re-examined their visa policy to permit short visits to, and educational opportunities in, the United Kingdom for more people from Serbia. [HL4904]

The United Kingdom visa regime and visitor routes to the United Kingdon are currently under review. The results are due to be announced next year.

Visa requirements do not prevent travel for the genuine visitor, but simply mean that immigration checks are carried out before the passenger embarks for the United Kingdom.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the European Union, the Council of Europe or the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe are sending observers to the forthcoming general election in Turkey; and, if so, whether their reports will be made public. [HL4845]

Following an invitation from the Turkish authorities, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has deployed an election assessment mission to Turkey for the 22 July parliamentary elections. The mission, led by Julian Peel Yates from the United Kingdom, includes experts from 14 OSCE countries. A “needs assessment” visit was undertaken in early June and the report produced by the ODIHR is available at: www. osce.org.documents/odihr/2007/06/25051_en.pdf.

The election assessment mission will issue a preliminary report of its findings shortly after election day, and a further final report approximately two months after the completion of the election process. Both will be made available on the OSCE/ODIHR website (as above).

In addition, a delegation of MPs from the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly is monitoring the elections. Two delegates are honourable Members.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the outcome of the European Commission director-generals' meeting in Estoril, Portugal, on 12 to 13 July regarding the invitation to Zimbabwe to attend the Africa-European Union summit in Lisbon; and which director-generals were in favour of Zimbabwe attending the summit and which were against, noting in each case the country of origin of the director-general and Commissioner. [HL4898]

EU political directors discussed the EU-Africa summit at their informal meeting in Estoril, Portugal on 12 to 13 July. No decisions were taken. The UK and a number of other member states underlined that the EU common position on Zimbabwe does not allow for the issue of visas to President Mugabe and other specified members of the Zimbabwean Government to visit EU member states except in certain narrowly defined circumstances. As the noble Viscount will understand, those discussions were held in confidence and I do not therefore propose to list the individual countries and the arguments they made.