asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to support British or Afghan non-governmental organisations which specialise in making television documentaries for use by the British media. [HL5511]

No. As a general principle the Government do not offer financial support for the making of specific programmes for the British media, which are editorially independent of the Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their assessment of the impact on the tourism industry of the recent announcements on foot-and-mouth and bluetongue diseases. [HL5570]

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Minister for Tourism, have discussed the impact of the foot and mouth outbreak with the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group.

The localised nature of the outbreak, which has so far been successfully contained within a small area of Surrey, has meant that there has been no significant impact on the national visitor economy. However, it is too early to make a definitive assessment, and longer- term work will be necessary to assess the full effects of the outbreak alongside such other factors as the poor summer weather, the strong pound and the increase in visa fees for inbound visitors earlier this year. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will be working to that end over the next few months with the tourism industry.

Bluetongue is a very different disease from foot and mouth. It cannot be transmitted directly between animals, or by human agents. There is therefore no reason to close any parts of the countryside, and no significant impact on tourism businesses is expected.

However, the Government fully recognise that the farming community is suffering as a result of both forms of outbreak, and that many rural businesses are based on both farming and tourism. The impacts of the outbreaks will, therefore, continue to be monitored carefully.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they will fund the welfare slaughter scheme for lightweight lambs in Scotland, made necessary by the imposed movement restrictions; and how much this will cost. [HL5473]

The Scottish sheep welfare scheme for lightweight lambs is designed and funded by the Scottish Executive.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to discuss airport passenger safety issues with representatives of BAA after the recent runway collisions at Heathrow airport. [HL5592]

The collision at Heathrow Airport on Monday 15 October 2007 is under investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). The AAIB will report on its findings at the conclusion of the investigation and make such recommendations as it deems appropriate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 8 October (WA 1) concerning the antiquities returned by University College, London, to the Schøyen Collection, whether the lawful export of these antiquities from the United Kingdom to the Schøyen Collection in Norway would require the issue of an export licence by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; whether a licence was issued for antiquities; and whether the issuing authority was able to take into account the conclusions of the report of the committee of inquiry that the incantation bowls had been illegally exported from Iraq after August 1990. [HL5457]

In line with current UK export licensing procedure, specified categories of cultural property over 50 years old, valued above specific value thresholds, and which have been in the UK for 50 years or more, will require an export licence to leave the UK.

It is the policy of DCMS and the Export Licensing Unit neither to confirm or deny receipt of particular export licence applications.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make clear, at the outset of investigations by covert surveillance into the physical capabilities of disabled ex-service personnel making war pension claims, which physical capabilities they are to assess. [HL5320]

An investigation will be considered only if specific evidence in an allegation casts doubt on entitlement to the pension or allowance in payment. War pensioners may have physical disabilities that are not connected with their pension entitlement and, therefore, these conditions would not form part of any investigation. Investigating officers would concentrate their investigation on those pensioned physical conditions questioned by the allegation and following evaluation on investigative strategy would be set using appropriate and proportionate police methods to ascertain the truth of the allegation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the costs of conducting covert surveillance of sick and disabled ex-service personnel; and what are the details of these costs. [HL5406]

I am withholding the information requested as it relates to investigations, and proceedings conducted by public authorities and law enforcement.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether at the May 2008 meeting on the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity they will oppose proposals by New Zealand, Canada or others to remove the existing moratorium on the development of terminator seeds technology. [HL5566]

As is usual with international negotiations, parties do not take up fixed positions in advance of meeting so we cannot say what stance New Zealand, Canada and others will take on “terminator seeds technology”.

The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) decided, in 2000, that there should be a precautionary approach in field testing and commercial development of genetic use restriction technologies (GURTs) while research into the possible socio-economic impacts of these technologies was carried out. This decision was reaffirmed at the CBD meeting held in Brazil in 2006. As a party to the CBD, the UK supports this decision. There has been no change to our position.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consideration has been given to the value to society in allocating spectrum released as part of the digital dividend review. [HL5519]

The allocation of spectrum released as part of digital switchover is a matter for Ofcom, subject to direction from Ministers. In its consultation on this subject—the digital dividend review—Ofcom outlined its framework for assessing the value of the released spectrum to society. This framework includes an assessment of broader social values, such as “access and inclusion”, “quality of life”, “cultural understanding” and “informed democracy”. The regulator has conducted market research looking at the value of potential uses of the digital dividend spectrum to consumers, citizens and the UK as a whole. Such criteria have therefore been considered, alongside economic value, throughout the consultation process on this issue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made any representations to the Government of Ireland concerning the case for residents of care homes in Ireland who are in receipt of United Kingdom pensions or other benefits receiving the appropriate amounts. [HL5558]

We have made no representations to the Government of the Republic of Ireland about UK state pensions or other benefits paid to residents of care homes. A person's full UK pension entitlement is normally paid directly to the customer, or to their legal appointee.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people are currently on the Northern Ireland sex offenders register; how they are categorised; and for how long each category remains on the register. [HL5423]

On 10 October 2007 there were 718 offenders in Northern Ireland subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (the sex offenders register) On the same date, there were 778 offenders subject to risk assessment and management arrangements—461 are categorised as level 1 (low risk); 294 are level 2 (medium risk) and 23 are category 3 (high risk). These figures include offenders in prison and in the community.

The period of time an offender is required to comply with the notification requirements depends on how he was dealt with in respect of the relevant offence and, in some cases, the type of disposal received, as set out in the following table.

These notification periods apply to offenders over the age of 18. For those under 18, the notification periods are halved.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many sex offenders were reported in Northern Ireland in (a) 2004; (b) 2005; and (c) 2006. [HL5424]

Data relating to the number of sex offenders reported are not available. It is possible to provide only the number of sexual offences recorded by the police or the number of offenders prosecuted and convicted for sexual offences.

Table 1 gives the number of sexual offences recorded by the police for the period requested.

Data for 2006 are not available for prosecutions and convictions and therefore table 2 gives the number prosecuted and convicted for indictable sexual offences for the calendar years 2004 to 2005, the latest available years. These figures are collated on the principal offence rule; so only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.

Figures for recorded crime and prosecutions and convictions cannot be directly compared. Recorded crime figures relate to the number of notifiable crimes reported whereas prosecutions and convictions refer to the number of offenders who have been subsequently tried for offences. In addition, recorded crime figures incorporate each offence as initially recorded and these may differ from the offence for which a suspect or suspects are subsequently proceeded against.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they propose to bring forward proposals to end automatic 50 per cent remission of prison sentences for sex offenders in Northern Ireland; and [HL5425]

Under what circumstances and when the concept of automatic 50 per cent remission of prison sentences for sex offenders in Northern Ireland was introduced. [HL5426]

The Government intend to publish draft legislation to end automatic 50 per cent remission for dangerous violent and sexual offenders in the near future. Fifty per cent remission of prison sentences was introduced by an amendment to the Prison Rules in 1976.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs report for 2007, figure 25, why the percentage of employees classified as disabled fell from 7 per cent of total staff in April 2006 to 4 per cent nine months later. [HL5498]

The figures published in figure 25 of the departmental report show some inaccuracies. The department has rectified these data, which show a clearer picture on our disabled employee representation. Our figures show not a reduction but in fact an increase in the Defra network.

We have put in place a greater level of scrutiny on our metrics within this field and are currently encouraging this throughout the department.

The data have been checked and the correct information is shown, together with data for April 2006 for comparison.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What communications they received from, and what discussions they held with, the Association of Electoral Administrators about the potential problems of holding an election in early November. [HL5479]

Ministry of Justice officials have regular meetings and discussions with the Association of Electoral Administrators that cover a range of electoral topics, including the administration of future elections. The issue of a general election in the autumn was discussed at a recent meeting.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in view of the last dates for individual registration before a particular election and for the receipt of applications for postal and proxy votes, the Westminster parliamentary election timetables are appropriate and practical; and whether they plan to discuss these matters with the Electoral Commission, the Association of Electoral Administrators, political parties, representatives of local authorities and other bodies. [HL5481]

The Government hold regular meetings with key electoral stakeholders, at which a range of electoral matters are discussed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the decision of South Korea's ministry of health and welfare to prohibit the transfer of somatic cell nuclei from animals into enucleated human eggs and to further restrict the types of eggs that can be used for cloning to immature or abnormal eggs prepared for in vitro fertilisation and those which become surplus following pregnancy; and whether they have any plans to do the same. [HL5436]

The Government keep abreast of developments in the regulation of embryo research in other countries. The Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill and the Government response to the report from the Joint Committee on the Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill, set out a framework for the regulation of embryo research appropriate for the United Kingdom. The Government have not proposed to restrict the types of human eggs that may be used in embryo research.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the Medical Research Council's provision of financial incentives to partake in the use of human oocytes for somatic nuclear transfer has taken precedence over implementation of the February 2004 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines regarding National Health Service provision of three in vitro fertilisation cycles to all infertile couples. [HL5466]

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is an independent body which receives its grant-in-aid from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. It provides funding for research applications submitted by the scientific community, and does not normally commission research to address specific questions. The MRC always judges applications in open competition with other demands on funding taking into account scientific quality and importance to human health.

When the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published the clinical guideline on fertility services in 2004, we made it clear that we expected primary care trusts (PCTs) to move over time to the provision of three cycles of in vitro fertilization as recommended. Decisions on the funding of fertility services are made by PCTs and, with the patient support organisation Infertility Network UK, we are helping them to identify and share best practice in the provision of services.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 6 February (WA 118-19), 17 April (WA 42-43) and 18 June (WA 9-10) regarding the use of human embryos in basic research, how they will enforce paragraph 11 of the Declaration of Helsinki and paragraphs 8.3 and 10.3 of the International Society for Stem Cell Research guidelines for human embryonic stem cell research. [HL5467]

The Government have proposed, as part of their review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, that the law will make it clear that basic research involving human embryos is permissible, subject to controls.

Schedule 2 to the Act sets out the activities for which licences may be granted. As specified in paragraph 3 of that schedule, licences for the purposes of a project of research involving human embryos cannot authorise any activity unless it appears to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to be necessary or desirable for one or more of the purposes specified. Further, the law makes it clear that no licence shall be granted unless the authority is satisfied that any proposed use of embryos is necessary for the purposes of the particular research project.

In assessing whether any proposed use of embryos is necessary for the purposes of that particular research project, the HFEA will take into account all relevant international conventions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 28 June (WA 157-58) and Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 12 July (WA 240-41), whether they propose to alter by order the stage of development at which an animal attains protected status under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 with regard to injecting human embryonic stem cells into a tetraploid embryo of another species. [HL5469]

There are no plans to alter the stage of development at which an animal attains protected status under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have taken steps to ensure that the conduct formerly associated with Woo-Suk Hwang in South Korea remains unique to that country; and how they ensure that all research licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority conforms to World Medical Association standards as set out in the Declaration of Helsinki. [HL5470]

Schedule 2 to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 sets out the activities for which licences may be granted. As specified in paragraph 3 of that schedule, licences for the purposes of a project of research, involving human embryos, cannot authorise any activity unless it appears to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to be necessary or desirable for one or more of the purposes specified. Further, the law makes it clear that no licence shall be granted unless the HFEA is satisfied that any proposed use of embryos is necessary for the purposes of the particular research project.

New guidance on the use of human eggs in research will be added to the HFEA's code of practice in November 2007. This guidance takes account of the wording of the Helsinki Declaration.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What were the receipts from the United Kingdom's upstream oil and gas activity, both onshore and offshore, for the whole of the United Kingdom's continental shelf for 2006-07 and the estimated receipts for the next five years. [HL5636]

The outturn for 2006-07 and projections up to 2012-13 for North Sea revenues, which includes both onshore and offshore upstream oil and gas activity, can be found in tables B8 and B9 of the 2007 Pre-Budget Report.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportion of homes are insured for flood damage to the property and to the contents respectively in properties that are (a) owner-occupied; (b) rented in the private sector; (c) rented from local authorities; and (d) rented from housing associations and other "third sector" providers; and what action they are taking to increase these proportions. [HL5482]

Nearly all household insurance in the UK includes cover against flooding as standard. The Office for National Statistics publishes information on family spending, which enables the proportion of households in different income categories with structural and contents insurance to be estimated. However, breakdown of these data by housing tenure is not available.

The Government have asked the Financial Inclusion Taskforce to work with the insurance industry to develop options for promoting increased take-up of key insurance products among financially excluded households. The Government will consider the taskforce's recommendations, in developing their detailed action plan for financial inclusion, later this year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are holding or plan to hold discussions with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) over their announcement that they are conducting an in-depth review of the 2007 summer floods across the United Kingdom as part of their forthcoming review of the ABI statement of principles on the provision of flood insurance. [HL5483]

Ministerial colleagues and officials are in regular contact with the insurance industry and the Association of British Insurers. We are working together with the mutual aim of ensuring continued widespread availability of flood insurance cover through the association's statement of principles. As part of this we will be undertaking some joint work over the coming months to review the statement of principles.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to publish a report on the need for a second Thames barrier. [HL5576]

The Environment Agency is currently undertaking its “Thames Estuary 2100” project to deliver a flood risk management plan for the tidal Thames through to the end of the century.

It will recommend what will be required to manage increasing flood risk, and when it will be required, depending on the impacts of climate change. An assessment of the current estuary defences, including the Thames Barrier, and the options for future flood risk management will be included in this research.

The project is due to report its recommendations to the Government at the end of 2009. Findings currently indicate that the defences provide a better standard of protection than previously understood and so are unlikely to require any major changes until after 2030.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any guidance is issued to civil servants in relation to the choice of class for air travel. [HL5608]

The Civil Service Management Code states:

“Departments and agencies must ensure staff use the most efficient and economic means of travel in the circumstances, taking into account any management benefit or the needs of staff with disabilities”.

The code is available at www.civilservice.gov.uk/publications/pdf/csmc_june06.pdf

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many senior civil servants are eligible to travel first class rather than business class when travelling long distance by air. [HL5609]

Data on the number of senior civil servants eligible for first-class air travel are not collected centrally by the Civil Service. The Civil Service Management Code states:

“Departments and agencies must ensure that staff use the most efficient and economic means of travel in the circumstances, taking into account any management benefit or the needs of staff with disabilities”.

The code is available at www.civilservice.gov.uk/publications/pdf/csmc_june06.pdf.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the Department of Health's response to the letter of 14 August from Mrs Harriet Bullock of Southwold, Suffolk, the widow of a National Health Service patient infected with contaminated National Health Service blood products, informed her that the independent public inquiry into contaminated blood products headed by Lord Archer of Sandwell had ignored the department's offer of a meeting with the inquiry; when the department's head of blood policy first saw Mrs Bullock's letter; when he informed Lord Archer of Sandwell of his view of the letter; under whose supervision the response was sent; and whether apologies have been offered both to the inquiry and to Mrs Bullock. [HL5488]

I am very sorry that the reply from the department to Mrs Bullock to her letter of 9 July was open to misinterpretation. The letter was prepared by the customer service centre, using information supplied by the department's blood policy team, but did not fully reflect the department's dealings with the Archer inquiry. No criticism of the Archer inquiry team was intended in the reply of 14 August. An apology for the unfortunate wording of the original reply was sent to Mrs Bullock on 17 September and this was copied to the inquiry team.

Our officials are co-operating fully with the Archer inquiry team, and have met with them twice, on 25 April and 19 September. In addition, we are releasing copies of official documents from 1970 to 1985 to assist their inquiries. It is expected that the final batch of documents will be released by the end of October.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

Further to the Written Answer on 22 October (WA 83) concerning the dress code of guests in the House of Lords, whether he will draw the attention of Members and appropriate staff to the dress code and the case for maintaining standards. [HL5712]

I have asked the House authorities to remind staff of their role in advising Members and their guests of the agreed dress code in the Peers' Dining Room, the Guest Dining Room, the Guest Room bar and the Barry Room. I will also issue a reminder of the rules in the next edition of the Red Benches newsletter for Members.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proof they have that the Irish Republican Army has ceased criminal activities in Northern Ireland. [HL5680]

Successive Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) reports have made it clear that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) has eschewed violence, is committed to the political path and that the leadership is firm in its implementation of this strategy.

The 15th IMC report stated that the Provisional IRA as an organisation continued not to be involved in other forms of criminal activity.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the national occupational standards for the training of marine pilots were accredited; and when they will be brought into force. [HL5484]

National occupational standards for marine pilots were accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in July 2000 and are being used by competent harbour authorities, which are responsible for determining the qualifications required from persons applying for authorisation as a marine pilot.

Work is ongoing on the development of assessment criteria for the national occupational standard.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish the legal advice among the tripartite authorities about the operation of the Markets Abuse Directive to which the Governor of the Bank of England referred in giving evidence to the Treasury Select Committee. [HL5529]

Any such advice would be subject to legal privilege and would not be published.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they issue central guidance on the playing of part or all of the national anthem when the Queen's representative attends a function. [HL5581]

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not issue guidance on the playing of the national anthem when the Queen's representative attends a function. No statute law exists to regulate the national anthem or the occasions when it is played; this is solely a matter for the owners of premises or the organisers of an event.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people have been charged in connection with the murder of Robert McCartney in 2005 in Belfast. [HL5506]

PSNI has advised that three people have been charged in connection with the murder of Robert McCartney. All three have been returned for trial.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ask the Electoral Commission or any other body to investigate and report on the desirability or otherwise of fixed-term Parliaments. [HL5441]

The Government have no plans to ask the Electoral Commission or any other body to report on the issue of introducing fixed-term Parliaments for the UK legislature.

However, the Government are currently taking forward a wide-ranging constitutional debate, and the review that we are holding into the constitution will undoubtedly raise questions about issues such as the introduction of fixed-term Parliaments.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the current percentages of members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland who are (a) Roman Catholic; (b) female; (c) Muslims; (d) born in the Republic of Ireland. [HL5536]

I am advised by PSNI that the current percentages for regular officers as at 1 October 2007 are:

(a) Roman Catholic—23.02 per cent;

(b) Female—21.70 per cent;

(c) The PSNI currently meets statutory monitoring obligations in line with the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (NI) 1998, the Fair Employment (Monitoring) Regulations (NI) 1999 and the Police (NI) Act 2000, by monitoring community background. The PSNI holds data on members of the Police Service who are members of the Roman Catholic community and on those who are non-Catholic and on ethnic background. The PSNI does not monitor beyond these categories; and

(d) Born in the Republic of Ireland—1.31 per cent.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they propose to offer guidance to the judiciary in Northern Ireland about sentencing of convicts; and when such guidance was last offered. [HL5532]

The sentencing framework, that is the statutory range of sentences available to a judge in connection with particular offences, is a matter for the Government.

Constitutionally, it would not be appropriate for the Government to offer guidance to the judiciary on sentencing in individual cases.

The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal delivers guideline judgments on sentencing practice and procedure in Northern Ireland. These sentencing guideline cases encourage consistency in sentencing throughout the courts of Northern Ireland and support sentencers in their decision-making.

In addition, the Judicial Studies Board of Northern Ireland publishes significant decided cases on its website (www.jsbni.com).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much each local authority has paid in penalties for failure to meet their respective targets as set out under the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme in each year since the introduction of the scheme. [HL5463]

Since the introduction of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme, all waste disposal authorities have met their obligation not to landfill biodegradable municipal waste in excess of allowances held in a scheme-year and, therefore, none have been liable to penalties.