asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much they have invested, in the field of aerospace, in advanced materials technology development in each of the past three financial years. [HL5330]

Since April 2004, the UK aerospace industry has won £15.3 million of government funding through the technology programme under the key technology area of advanced materials calls. The split for each of the three financial years is as follows:

FY 2004-05 £3.98 million;

FY 2005-06 £9.16 million; and

FY 2006-07 £2.16 million

In addition, there are two large collaborative aerospace projects that include advanced materials technology development activity: integrated wing and environmentally friendly engine. Integrated wing is a £34 million programme over three years with just under 50 per cent funded through the technology programme. Of that amount, £11.3 million will come from the TSB and £5.7 million from regional development agencies in the south-west and south-east, Invest Northern Ireland and the Welsh Assembly Government. Industry will make up the remainder of the funding. The environmentally friendly engine is a £95 million programme over five years, with around 50 per cent funding from the technology programme, £30 million from the TSB, and over £13 million from the regional development agencies in the south-west, north-west, East Midlands, Invest Northern Ireland and the Ministry of Defence; with the rest from industry.

Aerospace also benefits substantially from the support for the National Composites Network, a node of the Materials Knowledge Transfer Network, for which the TSB is funding £4.75 million and the regions are providing £12.3 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the package of money made available to the English agricultural industry following the latest outbreak of foot and mouth disease triggers a need to increase funding of the Scottish Administration under the Barnett formula. [HL5475]

The package of support for farmers in England announced by the Secretary of State for the Environment on 8 October 2007 was made from within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' DEL budget, and as such does not trigger a need to consider an increase for funding for the Scottish Executive.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What restrictions are imposed by the Armed Forces on past offenders who wish to join up; and where potential recruits can access this information on the internet. [HL5360]

Applicants with the following convictions are not to be considered for the Armed Forces:

hospital order;

offences involving loss of life;

sexual offences (including all those listed on the sex offenders register);

arson;

misuse of drugs—any offence relating to trafficking or supply of drugs; any offence relating to the use of class A drugs; and more than one conviction for “possession for personal use” of a class B or C drug; and .

three or more offences against persons, property, or dishonesty.

In assessing applications for the Armed Forces, all three services' recruiting organisations are guided by the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. In general, therefore, no applicant for the Armed Forces is eligible if they have convictions which are “unspent”. In the vast majority of cases such applicants are required to serve their full “rehabilitation period”, reckoned from the date of conviction, before being considered for Armed Forces employment.

During the application process individuals are handed a copy of MoD Form 493—Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974: Advice to Applicants to HM Armed Forces, which details obligations to declare spent or unspent civil convictions and lists the rehabilitation periods appropriate to the sentence. Reference to MoD Form 493 is made on the Armed Forces Application Form Information and Guidance Booklet (AFCO Form 5). Inquirers and potential applicants can access information on ROA through the internet via the following link at www.lawontheweb.co.uk/rehabact.htm

They can also access internet details via the following services' career websites at:

www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.6113/

www.army.mod.uk/

and follow the link to online careers office where they will receive advice and how it applies to them in relation to their interest in the Army at:

www.raf.mod.uk/careers/faqs.cfm/ under the heading “Will I be able to join if I have a criminal conviction?”.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether Mr Alisher Usmanov holds British citizenship, whether honorary or not; and, if so, when and why it was granted. [HL5411]

It is the policy of the Border and Immigration Agency not to comment publicly on individual cases.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made with the production of the Official History of the Criminal Justice System. [HL5380]

The Cabinet Office, which runs the Government's official history programme on behalf of the Prime Minister, is in the process of identifying potential authors to write the Official History of the Criminal Justice System.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their response to the report by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) entitled The Disrupters; and how the report contributes to NESTA achieving its purpose. [HL5367]

The Government consider that NESTA's report The Disrupters is helpful in highlighting the key role for technological innovation in tackling climate change. The report provides a useful contribution to the innovation debate, in line with NESTA's mission “to transform the UK's capacity for innovation”.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much of the revenue from North Sea oil receipts are estimated to come from waters off the Scottish coast. [HL5421]

The Government's figures for receipts from the UK's upstream oil and gas activity are calculated on the basis of all activity, both onshore and offshore, from the whole of the UK's continental shelf. They are not split down by geographical area and we are therefore unable to provide the breakdown that the noble Lord requests.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to receive proposals from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority about the future use of sites of Magnox reactors already being decommissioned or still to be decommissioned; and whether the use of these sites for the building of new nuclear reactors will be approved in appropriate cases; and [HL5238]

How they intend to treat any cash receipts for the use of land belonging to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority by an investor intending to use the land to build a new nuclear reactor; and whether such treatment will differ depending on whether the cash receipts take the form of a periodic rent or of the capital proceeds of an outright sale of the land. [HL5239]

If the Government confirm their preliminary view that industry should be allowed the option of investing in new nuclear power stations, we have proposed to carry out a strategic siting assessment (SSA) to assess potential locations for new nuclear build. BERR is currently consulting on a proposed SSA process, alongside the main “in principle” nuclear consultation. We have proposed that the SSA would be based on robust and transparent criteria, on which we would consult publicly, and would be used as the basis to assess any potential locations for new nuclear power stations nominated by interested parties.

With regard to the possible future use of existing sites owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), NDA has received queries from a number of energy companies about the potential use of these sites for future new nuclear build and will pass on any information requested about the sites that is already in the public domain on a without prejudice basis. We have not received any proposals for new nuclear power stations in the vicinity of these or any other sites but would expect to receive proposals at the time in the proposed SSA process when the Government invite nominations based on agreed SSA criteria. The SSA itself would be undertaken only if the Government confirm their preliminary view on the question of new nuclear build following the current nuclear consultation.

An indicative timetable for the SSA process is set out within the Government's SSA consultation document and suggests that the nominations process could begin in mid-2008. Any nominations for the building of new nuclear power stations at existing NDA sites would be assessed in accordance with the SSA criteria. Additionally, any future alternative uses of existing NDA sites would need to comply with the Nuclear Installations Act and other relevant safety, security, environmental and planning regulations.

It may be possible for cash receipts generated by the NDA to be retained by the NDA, depending on the nature of the transaction and subject to meeting the requirements set out in the NDA's financial memorandum, which includes getting approval from my department and HM Treasury.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress the Food and Drink Advertising and Promotion Forum has made in developing and encouraging responsible marketing policies for the promotion of food to children. [HL5322]

Ofcom has already introduced new restrictions on advertising food and drink to children in broadcast media. New rules on advertising in non-broadcast media by the Committee on Advertising Practice have come into force. The Food and Drink Advertising and Promotion Forum, established in July 2005, is considering what further action is needed in other forms of marketing such as point of sale, sponsorship, packaging and new technologies. Progress in all these areas will be published in the Government's stocktake report due to be published later in the autumn.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consideration they have given to the response from the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust to their draft legislative programme; what replies are being sent by Ministers in the departments responsible for each of the eight Bills commented on by the trust; and whether they will take any action arising from the trust's response. [HL5408]

The Government welcome the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust's response to the Government's draft legislative programme. The Leader of the House of Commons will consider all comments on the draft programme in the round and will publish a summary of responses. Departments will also be considering responses on individual Bills.

Ministers would not normally respond individually to every consultation response, but I understand that the Financial Secretary to the Treasury responded on 3 September to the points raised about Bills for which HM Treasury is responsible. The Government's final view on the contents of the legislative programme will be set out in the gracious Address.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consideration they have given to the response of the chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society to the High Court ruling of 10 August on access to Alzheimer's drugs under the National Health Service; and whether they will take any action. [HL5316]

The ruling made by Mrs Justice Dobbs dismissed five out of six counts of the judicial review. On the count that was upheld, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has now issued revised guidance on drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease making clear its compliance with equality legislation. NICE is currently conducting a review of the methods which underpin its health technology appraisal process and will be carrying out a consultation on its findings later this year. The department, along with other stakeholders, will be participating in that consultation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 1 October (WA 224-5), what is their response specifically to the findings of Diabetes UK's recent survey that, in some areas, specialist foot services for people with diabetes are no longer provided. [HL5317]

The Government recognise the importance of specialist foot services for people with diabetes and believe they are a key component of a comprehensive diabetes service. The Diabetes Commissioning Toolkit, published in November 2006, sets out a best practice specification for diabetes care. This includes a range of specialist services for the prevention and management of complications in a number of areas, including foot care, and suggests a number of key outcomes to measure progress.

The Diabetes UK survey has highlighted areas where there may be gaps in provision and we hope that National Health Service organisations will use this information, together with the Diabetes Commissioning Toolkit and the National Diabetes Support Team's diabetic foot guide, to plan their services in the future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What evidence they have that the Provisional IRA Army Council and all other terrorist command structures have been disbanded. [HL5313]

Successive Independent Monitoring Commission reports have made it clear that the Provisional IRA has eschewed violence, is committed to the political path and that the leadership is firm in its implementation of this strategy. They have also reported the disbandment of the Provisional IRA paramilitary structures. The fifteenth report of the Independent Monitoring Commission provided further confirmation that “there has been no reversal of that disbandment”.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ask all public libraries to review their collections of books and other publications in all languages in light of the public interest in upholding (a) the rule of law; (b) social cohesion and tranquillity; (c) religious and political tolerance; and (d) non-discrimination and appropriate rights for women. [HL5351]

Libraries play an important role in a democratic society by promoting access to a wide range of knowledge, ideas and literature. By its nature this includes controversial as well as moderate views, and library staff have great experience in both selecting their stock and managing that which contains radical views.

Public libraries are run by local authorities, and it is right that the 149 library authorities in England retain the local autonomy to make management decisions themselves, such as on issues of stock selection. As such the Government will not be requesting all authorities to review their collections.

However, there is a significant amount of good work already going on in libraries across the country to manage controversial stock—including placing it in the context of a broad range of views—engage communities and support community cohesion. In order to make use of this existing expertise and best practice, the Government have commissioned the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) to work with the public library sector—primarily through the Society of Chief Librarians—to prepare guidance for library authorities on these issues.

The primary objectives of the guidance will be to raise awareness in the library sector of the legislation in this area, including the Terrorism Act 2006; to provide advice on management and operational activity regarding the selection of controversial stock; and to share best practice in promoting social cohesion.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they took against the Government of Libya as a result of the Lockerbie bomb. [HL5428]

An investigation by the UK and the US led to two Libyan nationals being charged with the Lockerbie bombing. The Libyan Government's initial refusal to hand the suspects over for trial resulted in international diplomatic pressure being brought to bear on Libya, led by the UK, US and French Governments. Action took the form of a number of UN Security Council Resolutions and European Union measures imposing economic and other sanctions. In 1999, Libya handed over the two suspects for trial. One was convicted and the other acquitted. Sanctions were formally lifted in 2003.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made to achieve decommissioning of arms by the Ulster Defence Association. [HL5419]

The Government have been informed by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) that a meeting has taken place between the IICD and the Ulster Defence Association at which decommissioning was discussed. The commission has confirmed that meaningful engagement and negotiations have started. Named interlocutors have been appointed and further meetings are planned.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the estimated percentage of the population aged over (a) 65 years, and (b) 85 years in (i) England; (ii) the east of England region; and (iii) Essex; and [HL5460]

What will be the estimated percentage of the population aged over (a) 65 years, and (b) 85 years in (i) England; (ii) the east of England region; and (iii) Essex by 2020. [HL5461]

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 Hanningfield, dated 16 October 2007.

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your questions asking what is the estimated percentage of the population aged over (a) 65 years, and (b) 85 years in (i) England; (ii) the east of England; and (iii) Essex and what will be the estimated percentage of the population aged over (a) 65 years, and (b) 85 years in (i) England; (ii) the east of England region; and (iii) Essex by 2020. (HL5460, HL5461)

The information you request is shown in the table below.

The data for 2006 are taken from the mid-year population estimates published on 22 August, and are the most recent estimates available. The data for 2020 are taken from the revised 2004-based subnational population projections published on 27 September.

It should be noted that the population projections are demographic trend-based projections that indicate what the population levels of an area are likely to be if recently observed trends in fertility, mortality and migration were to continue. They take no account of future development which may affect trends.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect the Pensions Regulator to publish a good practice guide to support trustees and administrators who are in the process of winding up occupational pension schemes. [HL5382]

We expect the Pensions Regulator to issue draft regulatory guidance within a few months, and if possible, by the turn of the year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they plan to hold bilateral talks with the Government of France and the management of the reconstituted Eurotunnel company on the need to expand freight train services. [HL5416]

The Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission, on behalf of the British and French Governments, has regular meetings with representatives of Eurotunnel at which a range of issues are covered. There are no plans for a meeting specifically on rail freight services, which are a matter for the railway undertakings concerned.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the reply by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 9 July (Official Report, col. 1231), that if NATO had not yet provided the information on the location of cluster munitions to Serbia she would speak to the Ministry of Defence to see if it could be provided directly, whether the information has been provided or whether she has spoken to the ministry, and with what results. [HL5219]

NATO formally passed the information on the location of cluster munitions to Serbia on 25 September 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Adonis on 18 October 2005 (WA 122) and 7 November 2005 (WA 63-4), what evidence has emerged from the most recent National Skills Surveys concerning (a) the specific technical or practical skills which are most in short supply in the United Kingdom; and (b) the skill shortages, if any, which could be addressed by practical or technical courses in secondary schools; and [HL5432]

What action they are taking to address the complaints of United Kingdom employers concerning skills shortages in the economy; and [HL5433]

What are the 10 greatest specific skills shortages in the United Kingdom, excluding general skills in maths, English and information technology; and how they are planning to provide training for them. [HL5434]

The main skills shortages reported by employers in the most recent National Employers Skills Survey (2005) are: technical and practical, customer-handling, oral communication, problem-solving, team working, written communication, literacy management, office/admin, foreign languages, general IT and IT professional skills. It is not feasible to collect from employers highly specific details of the technical or practical skills which are in short supply.

The Government's 14 to 19 reform programme is focused on ensuring that every young person—regardless of their background or learning style—is equipped with the skills they need for work and life, and that employers need. From September 2008 diplomas will be introduced which will offer 14 to 19 year-olds an integrated programme that uniquely combines essential skills and knowledge, hands-on experience and employer-focused learning that will prepare young people for work or further study.

Diplomas will give young people first-hand experience and insight into the working life and a broad-based understanding of one or more business/industry sectors of employment—preparing them to make informed choices of career and further education.

Through the package of reforms set out in World Class Skills, the Government are giving employers the opportunity to exert real leverage and decision-making over both the content and delivery of skills and employment programmes. The new UK Commission for Employment and Skills will strengthen the employer voice at the heart of the system. It will provide vigorous, expert, external challenge to the skills and employment system at all levels to ensure it is delivering the services that employers and individuals need. We expect the UK commission to be fully operational by April 2008.

The network of 25 sector skills councils play a vital role in ensuring that the future skills needs of their sector are met. We are now in the process of reforming and relicensing sector skills councils with a remit sharply focused on raising employer investment, articulating the future skills needs of their sector and ensuring that the supply of skills and qualifications is driven by employers. Through their sector skills councils, employers have a leading role in the reform and development of vocational qualifications for their sector, and the QCA is now piloting approaches to make it easier for employers to have their own training programmes nationally recognised and accredited.

In addition, we are improving and expanding Train to Gain to help employers identify and address their skills needs. Skills brokers help employers to identify their skills needs and source the provision that will suit them best. Skills for Life and first full level 2 training is free to the employer. The Skills Pledge gives employers an opportunity to publicly demonstrate their commitment to investing not only in their businesses by investing in the skills of their employees. Over 250 employers, covering more than 2.5 million employees have now made the Skills Pledge.

FE colleges and providers also have a crucial part to play. The system will be more streamlined, focused on delivering a market-oriented service, and we will be allocating public funds according to customer choice. The Framework for Excellence, the new employer standard and the review of the national Improvement Strategy will ensure colleges and providers thrive and succeed in a new demand-led environment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the overall level of trade between the United Kingdom and Sudan each year, for the past five years; and to what extent pension funds controlled by the Government have been divesting from businesses that support the Government of Sudan. [HL5155]

The majority of public service schemes are unfunded schemes, which means that they do not have pension funds to invest. The Local Government Pension Scheme is a funded scheme: investment decisions taken by local authorities with responsibilities for the management and investment of pension funds within this scheme are a matter for those individual authorities acting within a statutory framework—the Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions they have had with the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) regarding the requirement for students to take United Kingdom clinical aptitude tests in order to study medicine; and whether their associated costs were approved. [HL5476]

Ministers have not held discussions with the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) regarding the requirement for students to take United Kingdom clinical aptitude tests as part of the selection process for certain medical courses. Admissions policies are rightly a matter for the institutions themselves.

Where these tests are used, it will usually form part of a broader process of selection designed to ensure that candidates have the full range of skills required to work in these professions. Test fees will often be waived for eligible candidates.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will take steps to increase the Doctor of Philosophy maintenance grant conferred by Research Councils UK from the current £12,300 per annum to increase incentives for scientific research in United Kingdom academic institutions. [HL5128]

The current national minimum doctoral stipend stands at £12,600 for the 2007-08 academic year. This will rise to £12,940 in 2008-09.

As a result of increased investment, the research councils now pay enhanced stipends to attract students to areas such as engineering, statistics and informatics, economics, veterinary science and studentships in collaboration with industry. Actual stipends are increasingly set by universities responding to the availability in the market of suitable students.

The tax-free stipend now stands at over £13,000 on average, meeting the Government's expectations while maintaining student numbers. This is equivalent to the purchasing power of an employee receiving £20,000 a year.