asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they will take in the light of the evidence submitted by Dr Vincent Argent, medical director of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee that he had observed (a) doctors authorising abortions who (i) signed batches of forms before patients are seen for consultation; (ii) signed the forms with no knowledge of the particular patient and without reading the notes; (iii) signed forms without seeing or examining the patients; (iv) signed forms after the abortion had been performed; and (v) faxed the forms to other locations for signature; and (b) clinics using signature stamps without consultation with the doctor. [HL5546]

The department takes the monitoring of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, very seriously, including the procedures around the handling of HSA1 and HSA4 forms, and will investigate if we are notified of any individual operating outside of the Act.

Dr Argent clarified, when giving oral evidence to the Science and Technology Committee on 17 October 2007, that he had not seen anyone operating outside of the Act.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have received regarding the Competition Commission's proposals to cap the rate of return for investment in Heathrow Airport. [HL5622]

The process of setting price caps is independent of the Government. We have received no direct formal representations on the Competition Commission's report. We do of course, however, continue to engage with the relevant parties—the CAA, BAA and the Competition Commission—in the normal course of business.

The Competition Commission's report, A Report on the Economic Regulation of the London Airports Companies (Heathrow Airport Ltd and Gatwick Airport Ltd), September 2007, can be found at www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=5&pagetype=90& pageid=8779.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have received representations from sheep and goat keepers about the welfare of animals suffering torn and infected ears as a result of compulsory ear tagging; and when it is proposed that electronic identification of sheep and goats will be introduced. [HL5742]

It is important that ear tagging is carried out correctly to ensure that the welfare of animals is protected. Taking care will also minimise ear tag losses and associated problems. The relevant guidelines, available on the Defra website, should be followed carefully to ensure that the ear tag is correctly applied and to avoid unnecessary pain or distress to animals.

We are awaiting a report and proposal from the European Commission as to when electronic identification of sheep and goats will be introduced. Because the UK goat herd is below the size threshold for mandatory electronic identification, this will apply only to sheep.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether all HM Treasury guarantees currently applicable will be withdrawn in the event of a change of control at Northern Rock plc; and, if not, on what basis they could be continued. [HL5410]

I refer the noble Lord to the Chancellor’s oral Statement on 11 October.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Financial Services Authority relaxed the capital requirements relating to Northern Rock during 2007; and, if so, in what respects. [HL5527]

This is a matter for the FSA. In accordance with the capital requirements directive, the FSA agreed that the firm could move to the Basle 2 regime for determining regulatory capital requirements in July.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What funding they provide to the BBC World Service; for what purpose they provide this funding; and how its success or otherwise is monitored and by whom. [HL5649]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will provide grant in aid of £239.5 million to the BBC World Service (BBCWS) in financial year 2007-08. BBCWS is funded by the FCO because the provision of independent news and information to audiences around the world supports the achievement of the Government's strategic priorities.

BBCWS is monitored through agreed public service agreement measures such as targets for its global audience and the use of its online services. There are also regular financial meetings to ensure that public money is spent appropriately.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the annual cost and the total number of persons employed by the Border and Immigration Agency; and whether limitations or restrictions are placed on employment in the agency of (a) non-United Kingdom citizens; (b) non-European Union citizens; and (c) citizens of Commonwealth countries. [HL5644]

The current workforce in the Border and Immigration Agency is 18,798 and the budget for 2007-08 for staff is £636 million.

The nationality of employees in the Border and Immigration Agency is restricted to UK citizenship, European Economic Area or Commonwealth citizenship in all but the exceptional circumstances set out in the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act 1919.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will place in the Library of the House the letter from the consulate-general of Nepal (ref: HK/NCCR/3811, dated 7 August 2007) to the British consulate-general in Hong Kong. [HL5548]

The letter from the Nepalese consulate-general in Hong Kong (ref: HK/NCCR/3811, dated 7 August 2007) to our consulate-general in Hong Kong will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why Mr RMMC (CTS Ref: M9584/7, 23 May 2007) has not received his British citizenship certificate some five months after Ministers confirmed that he has been registered as a British citizen and that his certificate would shortly be delivered to him in Hong Kong. [HL5549]

The delay is very much regretted. Unfortunately, Mr RMMC’s papers do not provide the reason why the certificate was delayed. A fresh certificate has been produced and sent via the British consulate in Hong Kong. Officials will ensure that this is delivered.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will place in the Library of the House documents pertaining to the reasons and background of Section 2(2) of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990. [HL5550]

I have carefully considered the noble Lord’s request but have concluded that it would not be appropriate to release the documents requested. To do so would be contrary to the public interest in avoiding harm to international relations and ensuring that officials are candid in the policy advice they submit to Ministers. I can confirm, however, that no commencement order has been made in respect of Section 2(2) of the 1990 Act and that we have no plans to bring it into force.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, having regard to the Chinese Nationality Law promulgated by the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on 10 September 1980 and the clarifications concerning implementation of Chinese Nationality Law in Hong Kong, adopted on 15 May 1996, a person who is a British national (overseas) and is of Chinese ethnicity or race would be entitled to registration under Section 1 of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 under the following circumstances (a) he was born outside the Chinese territories, including Hong Kong; (b) he does not satisfy the criteria laid down in Article 5 of the Chinese Nationality Law to be a Chinese national by descent; (c) he has never been naturalised as a Chinese citizen; (d) he is ordinarily resident in Hong Kong at the time of the application for registration; (e) immediately before 4 February 1997 he (i) was ordinarily resident in Hong Kong; (ii) was a British Dependent Territories citizen by virtue only of his having a connection with Hong Kong (within the meaning given by the Schedule to the 1997 Act); and (iii) held no other nationality other than British national (overseas); (f) since 4 February 1997 he has held no nationality or citizenship other than as set out above; and (g) he satisfies the requirements of Section 58 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. [HL5689]

From the information provided it would appear that such a person would qualify for registration as a British citizen.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Home Office has had any communication with the Government of Nepal since 1 September pertaining to clarification on points of Nepalese nationality law; and whether they will place all records of that communication and copies of any correspondence in the Library of the House. [HL5694]

There has been no communication on this matter since 1 September.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any plans to offer assistance to the Government of Burundi to stamp out corruption. [HL5670]

Burundi faces an enormous challenge in fighting corruption. We are working with the Netherlands and the International Monetary Fund to target corruption through support to the Ministry of Finance to speed up implementation of the Public Financial Management Reform Programme.

Additionally, we have built monitoring mechanisms into the UK’s major assistance programmes in health, education and governance that should help strengthen Burundi's financial management systems.

Through our £10 million bilateral assistance programme, the Government remain committed to working with Burundi to meet the challenges it faces.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are planning to carry out a review of the safety and utility of articulated bendy buses. [HL5666]

All public service vehicles operating on our roads are inspected prior to entering service to ensure they comply with the relevant safety requirements. The Department for Transport is currently reviewing the safety of all heavy vehicles and will decide on priorities for buses and coaches in the light of the findings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In light of their policy to improve delivery in government services, whether individuals who deliver success in this respect are rewarded with promotion; and whether a higher proportion of permanent secretaries are being appointed who have had operational experience outside Whitehall as a result of the policy. [HL5657]

Appointments and promotion at all levels in the Civil Service are based on merit determined by an assessment of an individual's skills and experience against the competencies required for the role in question.

Data are not collected on the proportion of permanent secretaries being appointed who have had operational experience outside Whitehall. However, recorded information shows that 56 per cent of permanent secretaries have experience (12 months or more) working outside of Whitehall in the private, wider public, or international sectors.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the climate agency has been granted powers to propose integrated policies and infrastructure projects for sustainable development that would require long-term funding to be provided from several government departments in order for their delivery to be achieved. [HL5656]

The London Climate Change Agency Ltd is a commercial company wholly owned and controlled by the London Development Agency. It has not been granted any statutory powers to propose policies and infrastructure projects to the Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the statement by Lord Davies of Oldham on 23 October (Official Report, col. 979) that “the World Economic Forum's global competitiveness report placed the UK 10th out of 125 countries in its ranking of international competitiveness”, what was the position of the United Kingdom in the forum's global competitiveness index for each of the years 1996 to 2006. [HL5741]

The World Economic Forum has produced a “global competitiveness index” (GCI) only since 2006. Prior to 2006, the World Economic Forum produced a “growth competitiveness index” which was a narrower measure of competitiveness than the GCI. The position of the UK in the World Economic Forum's global competitiveness index for 2006 and growth competitiveness index for the years 1996-2005 is as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people have been charged in connection with fuel laundering in each county in Northern Ireland during each of the past five years. [HL5582]

From 1 January 2002 to 16 October 2007 a total of 7 persons have been charged in connection with fuel laundering offences in Northern Ireland.

It is not the Government’s policy to disclose where individuals have been charged because this may compromise HMRC operations.

In addition to the above, two HMRC fuel laundering investigation cases have been prosecuted by way of information and summons and three are currently pending under the same process.

Criminal investigation and prosecution for fuel laundering form only one part of HMRC’s overall approach to tackling oils fraud in Northern Ireland, together with the investigation/prosecution of wider oils excise offences, combined with a strong regulatory control system and civil penalties regime.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people are employed in the cold case unit of the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and at what annual cost. [HL5630]

The PSNI has two units comprising officers and staff that fulfil the functions set out below.

The Historical Enquiries Team (HET) has 160 personnel with a budget of £6.4 million. Its functions are:

to try to bring a measure of resolution to those families affected by deaths attributable to “The Troubles” in the years 1968 to 1998, by answering their questions; and

to re-examine all deaths attributable to “The Troubles” and ensure that all investigative and evidential opportunities are subject to a thorough professional examination in a manner that satisfies the PSNI’s obligation of an “Effective Investigation” Article 2, Code of Ethics for PSNI.

The Retrospective Murder Review Unit (RMRU) has 44 personnel with a budget of £1.871 million. Its functions are:

to re-examine unsolved murders that occurred between the signing of the Good Friday Agreement on l0 April 1998 and the establishment of PSNI's Crime Operations Branch on 1st March 2004; and

to re-examine unsolved murders not attributable to “The Troubles” that occurred between 1968 and the signing of the Good Friday Agreement on l0 April 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many charges have been brought as a result of the work of the cold case unit of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. [HL5631]

The PSNI has two units which currently fulfil the functions set out below.

The functions of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) are:

to try to bring a measure of resolution to those families affected by deaths attributable to “The Troubles” in the years 1968 to 1998, by answering their questions; and

to re-examine all deaths attributable to “The Troubles” and ensure that all investigative and evidential opportunities are subject to a thorough professional examination in a manner that satisfies the PSNI's obligation of an “Effective Investigation” Article 2, Code of Ethics for PSNI.

One file is currently with the Public Prosecution Service.

The functions of the Retrospective Murder Review Unit (RMRU) are:

to re-examine unsolved murders that occurred between the signing of the Good Friday Agreement on 10 April 1998 and the establishment of PSNI's Crime Operations Branch on 1 March 2004; and

to re-examine unsolved murders not attributable to “The Troubles” that occurred between 1968 and the signing of the Good Friday Agreement on l0 April 1998.

The RMRU became operational in October 2007. The work of the RMRU involves a detailed reconsideration of the investigation to identify any investigative opportunities.

To date no charges have been brought by HET or RMRU.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures they have taken to enforce the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003; how many prosecutions have resulted from such measures; and how many convictions; and [HL5564]

What measures they have taken to enforce the provisions, in so far as they relate to cultural objects including looted antiquities, of the Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2003 (SI 2003/1519) as supplemented by the Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2000; how many prosecutions have resulted from these measures; and how many convictions. [HL5565]

Any case submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police alleging a contravention of Section 1 of the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003 or the Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2003 would be considered in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. Crown Prosecution Service records show that there have been no prosecutions under these provisions.

Under Section 4 of the 2003 Act proceedings may be issued by order of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. The records of the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs show that there have been no prosecutions under these provisions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is illegal to ride a bicycle which has no lights on a public road after dark in London. [HL5723]

The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (RVLR), as amended, require the use of front and rear position lights which comply with the regulations on pedal cycles between sunset and sunrise, and when visibility is seriously reduced. Non-compliance is an offence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When publication of the Diplomatic Service List first started; and why publication has now ceased. [HL5541]

The Diplomatic Service List was first published in 1966 as the successor to the Foreign Office List, dating from 1852. The case for the continued publication of the list was reviewed in 2006 and concluded that the cost of maintaining and collating biographical and operational data of staff outweighed the benefits. The 2006 edition was the last to be published by The Stationery Office on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) behalf. The FCO public website (www.fco.gov.uk) carries information on diplomatic posts overseas. This may be found by going to directory and selecting UK embassies overseas.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the light of the oral evidence given to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee by the chief executive of the Medical Research Council on 5 February 2007 (HC 272–1 (Q249)), expressing doubt about support for the use of human oocytes for somatic nuclear transfer due to the virtually zero success rate, they will account for the use of public funds by the Medical Research Council for this purpose as described in its press release on 13 September. [HL5437]

The Medical Research Council (MRC) supports research into somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) with the aim of identifying potential benefits and improving efficiency. To this end, it has funded research at the University of Newcastle, as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which parts of a child created as a saviour sibling can or cannot be harvested for the purpose of treating conditions that are not life-threatening, as described in paragraph 43 of the Government's response to Recommendation 17 of the report from the Joint Committee on the Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill (HL Paper 169–I); and [HL5513]

How early in development the harvesting of any histocompatible tissue from an individual can commence, as described in their response to Recommendation 17 of the report of the Joint Committee on the Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill (HL Paper 169–I); at what precise stage this might be precluded by recognition of the need for the individual's informed consent; and whether they will define the parameters within which the regulator will determine the meaning of serious amidst demands for flexibility. [HL5544]

The draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill was published in May 2007. The draft Bill was scrutinised by a Joint Committee. Recommendation 17 of the report related to tissue typing. The Government accepted the committee's recommendation to replace the word “life-threatening” with “serious” in the Bill and also removed the reference to umbilical cord blood. This will give the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) discretion to license tissue typing for conditions where tissue other than umbilical cord blood can be used to treat an older sibling affected by a serious medical condition.

The HFEA is required by statute to produce a code of practice. This will continue to be a requirement following the introduction of the Human Tissue and Embryos Bill. The seventh edition of the code of practice (G12.5.6) lists factors that should be taken into account when deciding the appropriateness of preimplantation tissue typing. The code of practice (section G12.5.7) also requires that consideration is given to the possible consequences for any child born as a result of tissue typing. Tissue typing is approved by an HFEA licence committee on a case by case basis based on this guidance. To date, all cases of tissue typing have been licensed for the harvesting of umbilical cord blood to treat an affected sibling. The seriousness of the condition for which tissue typing can be carried out would be subject to HFEA guidance and ultimately decision by a licence committee.

Following licensing approval of the creation and transfer of a “saviour sibling” embryo, this issue falls outside the remit of the HFEA. However, the Human Tissue Act 2004 requires that the Human Tissue Authority must approve any transplants involving organs from living donors. In the case of adults that lack capacity, and children who are not competent to consent, this extends to bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What projects for underground coal gasification are currently underway or under consideration. [HL5573]

To our knowledge there are no UCG projects underway at present but the Coal Authority, as licensing body for coal in the UK, has recently received expressions of interest from companies considering exploiting reserves through underground coal gasification.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What priority they have given and what resources they have allocated to research and development in underground coal gasification. [HL5574]

As part of their technological assessment of underground coal gasification, the Government produced a report in September 2004 on the feasibility of UCG in the UK. They also considered this technology in their carbon abatement technology strategy published in June 2005. These reports concluded that although the technology had a future in the longer term, environmental concerns, including CO₂ related emissions, would need attention before it could be seen as a commercially viable technology. Thus the Government have committed themselves to maintaining a watching brief on its development.

Over the past three years the Government have supported a feasibility study into UCG in the Firth of Forth with some £47,000; this project has recently been completed and industry is deciding how to take this work forward. The Government are also funding a collaborative project with the Chinese authorities on developing UCG in China with some £190,000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the range of oil prices during the past year; and what values of oil prices they use in their economic forecasts for the next 10 years. [HL5744]

The daily one-month future price of Brent crude oil, the European standard, has ranged from $51.7 to $84.6 a barrel over the 12 months to 24 October 2007.

The National Audit Office audits the oil price assumption underlying public finance projections. As outlined in Box B1 of the 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review, the assumption for the average oil price in 2008 is $68 a barrel, the average of independent forecasts for 2008. Oil prices are then assumed to stay constant in real terms until 2012-13, the last year of the forecast period.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What estimate they have made of the extent of underground and undersea coal reserves in the United Kingdom. [HL5575]

In 2006, the licensing body, the Coal Authority, estimated there was a total of some 1.7 billion tonnes of coal at existing, recently closed and prospective deep mines. No accurate estimate of offshore reserves exists.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are engaged in preventing any renewal of fighting between Eritrea and Ethiopia; and what steps they are taking to persuade both states to behave in accordance with international law and practice. [HL5678]

We are in constant contact with both parties, including at ministerial level, on this issue. We have urged them to implement UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1767 (adopted on 30 July 2007) including to “show maximum restraint and refrain from any threat or use of force against each other” (paragraph 2 of UNSCR 1640 (2005) reiterated in UNSCR 1767 (2007)).

We continue to urge both Eritrea and Ethiopia to behave in accordance with international law; specifically, to implement the Eritrea Ethiopia Boundary Commission's decision and to demarcate their common frontier. We continue to press Eritrea to lift its restrictions on the UN Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea to allow it to fulfil its mandate and to withdraw from the temporary security zone.

I met the Foreign Ministers of both Eritrea and Ethiopia in the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York in September and urged them to find a peaceful way forward.

We are also working with the UN, EU, the US and other international partners in order to prevent any renewal of fighting.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, as reported on the BBC “File on Four” programme, the payment of European Commission funds to six English regions has been suspended due to weaknesses in management and control systems; and, if so, (a) which regions were affected; (b) when the suspension took place; (c) whether the suspension in each case has been lifted; (d) if the suspension has been lifted, when that took place; (e) which funding streams and projects were affected by the suspension; (f) what is the amount of funding in each case; (g) what delays and cancellations in projects have take place as a result; and (h) what actions have been taken in response to the suspension of payments. [HL5664]

In April 2006 the European Commission held back grant payments for ERDF programmes in the following regions: North-East, Yorkshire and The Humber (Objective 1 & 2), West Midlands, London, North-West (Objective 1 & 2) and Peterborough (Urban). Specific concerns had been identified by the Commission in the level of on-site project monitoring. Her Majesty's Government have carried out intensive work to increase the level of checks, strengthen the control environment and provide the information requested by the Commission. As a result the suspensions were lifted in the North-East, North-West Objective 1 and Peterborough in September; and in Yorkshire and The Humber in October. We are still waiting for decisions on West Midlands, the North-West and London, and are carrying out further work to reassure the Commission as a matter of urgency.

No projects or funding streams have been affected to date and we will continue to reimburse projects for all eligible expenditure.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they benefit from bulk-buy discounts on long distance business and first class air fares; and what saving this amounts to. [HL5610]

The Cabinet Office is currently introducing improved contractual arrangements that will enable it to benefit from government's bulk buying power through the use of new cross-government arrangements which provide for discounted air fares covering the most frequently used destinations. The discounts, which range from 5 per cent to 50 per cent, apply to both long distance and other flights.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much each regional housing board spends annually on internal administration; and what is this figure expressed as a total of the annual budget of each board. [HL5708]

Regional housing boards ceased to exist in September 2006 when their housing responsibilities were handed over to the regional assemblies and the Mayor in London.

Funding that has been provided by the department to support the regional assemblies and the Mayor in carrying out these functions is set out in the table below. However, as the regional assemblies and the Mayor are independent bodies, we do not hold specific information on how much of this funding goes on internal administration.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much each regional development agency spends annually on internal administration; and what is this figure expressed as a total of the annual budget of each agency. [HL5709]

The table below gives for each regional development agency its total grant-in-aid budget, its administration budget and this as a percentage of total budgets for 2007-08. The figures are in £'000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking to encourage government departments and agencies to consult all interested bodies in the public and private sectors before and after significant meetings of United Nations agencies; and whether they will take steps to include representatives of interested bodies in their national delegation, for example, as practised by national delegations of the United States. [HL5658]

It is common practice for government departments to undertake consultation with relevant stakeholders before and after governing body meetings of the UN specialised agencies. Such consultations also take place in other parts of the UN system and for major UN summits and conferences, such as the 2005 world summit.

Stakeholder consultation has typically included, though not exclusively, a dialogue across government departments and also with a range of non-government actors, including: private sector companies, industry representatives, non-governmental organisations, professional, academic and research bodies, interest groups and representatives from civil society. Individuals from these groups have often formed part of the UK’s delegation to UN meetings.

By way of example, the Met Office represents the UK at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), a UN specialised agency. In preparing for the WMO’s quadrennial congress, the Met Office consults a number of government departments (e.g. the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for International Development, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Ministry of Defence) and other meteorological and hydrological stakeholders, including the Royal Meteorological Society and the Natural Environment Research Council. In 2007, the UK's delegation to the WMO congress included officials from Defra, the FCO and representatives from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the Bermudan Weather Service, a private sector company.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many deaths were caused by C. difficile infections (a) in total, and (b) in the area of each primary care trust (PCT), in each of the past seven years for which figures are available; what action was taken by health Ministers in relation to the PCTs with the highest numbers of infections; and what success their actions had. [HL5601]

In relation to deaths, special analyses of deaths in England and Wales involving Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) are undertaken annually by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and results are published in Health Statistics Quarterly. The latest year for which figures are currently available is 2005. The number of deaths in England and Wales where Clostridium difficile (C. diff) was (a) mentioned and (b) the underlying cause of death from 2001 to 2005 are published in table 3 of Health Statistics Quarterly 33 (p73).¹ Figures for deaths in 1999 were also published in table 3 in Health Statistics Quarterly 30 (p58).² Data are not available for deaths in 2000. Copies of Health Statistics Quarterly are available in the Library but the annual figures for England are given in the table below.

Figures from ONS for deaths involving CDI for primary care trusts cannot be provided without disproportionate costs.

Mandatory surveillance of CDI was introduced in 2004 to help to establish the extent of the problem. Although not all healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) can be prevented, reduction of HCAIs, including CDIs, is a priority for the National Health Service.

We have a wide ranging programme to tackle HCAIs and some key elements of this are the new indicator to reduce infections by 30 per cent by March 2011 and a new e-learning tool that we are promoting with British Medical Journal learning.

The Health Act 2006: Code of practice for the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections came into force on 1 October 2006 and requires NHS bodies to have appropriate management and clinical governance systems in place to deliver effective infection control.

Saving Lives: a delivery programme to reduce healthcare associated infections including MRSA which included an updated high impact intervention on CDI and Antimicrobial prescribing a summary of good practice. The latter is relevant because improved prescribing helps to prevent CDI.

Improvement teams are now providing tailored support to those trusts that have high numbers of patients with CDI as well as those with the most challenging meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) targets.

Source: ONS Health Statistics Quarterly

¹ Office for National Statistics (2007) Report: Deaths involving Clostridium difficile: England and Wales, 2001-2005. Health Statistics Quarterly 33, 71-75.

² Office for National Statistics (2006) Report: Deaths involving Clostridium difficile: England and Wales, 1999-2004. Health Statistics Quarterly 30, 56-60.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will approach those responsible for dealing with the European Society of Cardiology report on the use of statins to establish the reasons for (a) the switch of drugs during the period of research; (b) the difference in compliance between the two groups; and (c) whether the drugs used were comparable for the purposes of research. [HL5589]

This report, presented at the European Society of Cardiologists, was an observational study conducted by Pfizer. The time period covered (1997-05) entirely pre-dates the current English national programme of supporting switching between therapeutically equivalent doses of statins. The reasons for switching in this study are not given and cannot be compared to switching from branded to generic statins according to defined national or local protocols.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the current levels of pre-term births in the United Kingdom; how these levels compare with the numbers for each of the past 40 years; and what assessment they are making of worldwide studies into the causes of pre-term births.[HL5634]

In 2005-06, 7 per cent of deliveries were pre-term, ie occurred before 37 completed weeks of gestation. The majority of pre-term deliveries occurred after at least 32 weeks of gestation but 0.9 per cent of all deliveries were reported as occurring between 28 and 31 weeks and 0.4 per cent before 28 weeks of gestation. This pattern has remained stable since 1994-95. These data were not available before 1994-95.

As part of the implementation plan to reduce health inequalities in infant mortality, we are commissioning a series of systematic reviews of the research evidence to identify and promote key interventions to reduce health inequalities in infant mortality. Deaths due to immaturity-related conditions are one of the most common causes of infant mortality and the reviews will help to improve our understanding of the risk factors associated with pre-term births and survival.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 16 October (WA 44), whether they will now directly contact the primary care trusts for areas in which specialist foot services for people with diabetes are no longer provided to explain why no such provision is made; and what action they will take to provide such services. [HL5702]

It is for primary care trusts (PCTs) in partnership with local stakeholders to commission services in order to meet local needs. Strategic health authorities are responsible for ensuring that PCTs fulfil this duty.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish the membership of the panels which carried out the review of product classification within Part IX of the Drug Tariff. [HL5704]

Subject to their agreement, the department will publish the names of the specialist nurses who advised the department of the proposed classification of items.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How the changes proposed to Part IX of the Drug Tariff will improve the quality of care received by patients. [HL5705]

The department's proposals relating to service provision and terms of service look to stipulate consistent services that should be offered to all users of stoma and incontinence appliances. This includes home delivery and the provision of complimentary wipes and disposal bags.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment has been made of the impact on British manufacturing jobs of the price reductions for incontinence and stoma appliances proposed by the Department of Health. [HL5706]

The proposed levels of reimbursement to dispensing contractors for stoma and incontinence items is designed to ensure value for money for the National Health Service. There is no intent to reduce the availability of products. However, views as to the potential impact of this objective are sought by way of the consultation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they monitor levels of obesity among National Health Service staff; and, if so, what are the relevant figures in this respect. [HL5663]

The information requested is not held centrally.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What response they have made to (a) the General Medical Council's guidance personal beliefs and medical practice on the extension of the range of procedures from which doctors can opt out on grounds of religion or conscience; and (b) Muslim students who refuse to attend lectures relating to sexually transmitted diseases or diseases caused by alcohol abuse. [HL5560]

The General Medical Council (GMC) is independent of government and issues guidance on a range of matters concerning medical education and practice. The Government have not responded to the recent GMC consultation document entitled Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice.

Issues arising from students failing to attend lectures are a matter for individual medical schools.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many places are being provided in the academic year 2007-08 on courses for qualifications in English for speakers of other languages and the requirements for citizenship and indefinite leave to remain in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Leeds and Bradford and North Yorkshire respectively; and how many of those places in each area have not been taken up. [HL5686]

We are unable to state the number of places available in 2007-08 as the number of places available for ESOL is not a pre-determined figure. However, the number of enrolments in 2005-06 was 490,000, which we expect to be a comparable estimate of the numbers on ESOL courses in this academic year. Places on courses for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) are funded through budgets which are allocated from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Funding is passed from the LSC to learning providers based on the provider's ability to deliver certain provision. The number of ESOL places on offer within each provider is dependent on a number of issues: the capacity of the provider and corresponding budget and learner demand. Learner data are collected by the LSC via the Individual Learner Record (ILR). It is currently too early in the academic year for ILR data to report the number of enrolments on to ESOL provision for 2007-08.

The requirements for citizenship or indefinite leave to remain are identical. The two methods by which applicants can demonstrate their knowledge of language and of life in the UK are:

for those already at or above English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) Entry 3, by taking a specially developed short test based on the handbook Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship; and

for those below ESOL Entry 3, by successfully completing a language course with learning materials incorporating information about life in the UK. Courses are pitched at a level appropriate to the learners’ needs and success is measured by acquiring an “ESOL—Skills for Life” qualification from one of the recognised UK awarding bodies.

Three thousand ESOL teachers have been trained to use the citizenship materials and that training is ongoing, managed by “lead trainers” in each local area. Five thousand hard copies of the citizenship materials which were developed by NIACE and LLU+ have been distributed and there have been many thousands of additional downloads of all or part of the materials from the NIACE website.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which bodies decide how many places in each area will be provided for qualifications in English for speakers of other languages and the requirements for citizenship and indefinite leave to remain; and how they are funded. [HL5687]

Places on courses for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) are funded through budgets which are allocated from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), The number of places available for ESOL is not a pre-determined figure. Funding is passed from the LSC to learning providers based on the provider's ability to deliver certain provision. The number of ESOL places on offer within each provider is dependent on a number of issues: the capacity of the provider and corresponding budget and learner demand. Learner data are collected by the LSC via the individual learner record (ILR). It is currently too early in the academic year for ILR data to report the number of enrolments on to ESOL provision for 2007-08.

The requirements for citizenship or indefinite leave to remain are identical. The two methods by which applicants can demonstrate their knowledge of language and of life in the UK are:

for those already at or above English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) Entry 3 level of English, by taking a specially developed short test based on the handbook Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship; and

for those below ESOL Entry 3 level, by successfully completing a language course with learning materials incorporating information about life in the UK. Courses are pitched at a level appropriate to learners' needs and success is measured by acquiring an SOL—Skills for Life qualification from one of the recognised UK awarding bodies.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is open to private companies and other bodies to provide courses on a profit-making basis for qualifications in English for speakers of other languages and the requirements for citizenship and indefinite leave to remain; and, if so, how such courses are accredited. [HL5688]

Private companies and other bodies are able to offer courses for English for speakers of other languages on a commercial basis. Centres of learning offering National Qualifications Framework (NQF) qualifications must be accredited by the appropriate awarding body. Each awarding body has its own rigorous accreditation process, which is used to approve providers and centres for delivery of their qualifications. Awarding bodies are regulated by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). This ensures consistency of quality and rigour. Guidance to applicants also recommends that if they wish to use a private college, they should ensure that it is accredited under the “English UK” scheme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many incidents in (a) 2006, and (b) 2007 to date, attended by the Police Service of Northern Ireland have been carried out by either the Real Irish Republican Army or the Continuity Irish Republican Army. [HL5633]

I am informed that the PSNI does not maintain statistics that attribute incidents to individual paramilitary groupings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they will make within the Middle East quartet framework to the Government of Israel on reciprocal releases of detainees in view of the Palestinian detainees held without due process in Israeli prisons. [HL5593]

The Government are represented in the quartet through their membership of the EU. The other members are the US, Russia and the UN.

We continue to monitor the situation with regard to Palestinian prisoners. Most Palestinian prisoners have been tried by Israeli courts and have the right of appeal. We do have concerns about Palestinian prisoners who are being held in administrative detention.

Since June 2006, more than 40 Palestinian ministers and legislators have been arrested by Israel. We, alongside the EU and quartet, continue to call for them to be released or charged. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv raised our concerns with Israeli Foreign Minister Livni on 28 May and officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office raised this issue with the Israeli Embassy on 13 June.

All Palestinian prisoners should have access to a fair trial and we call on Israel to ensure that any actions are in accordance with international law. We will continue to raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities. On July 19, the quartet welcomed the resumption of bilateral talks between Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian President Abbas, and expressed support for the Israeli Government's decision to release Palestinian prisoners. Since then more than 300 Palestinian prisoners have been released and other militants wanted by Israel were granted amnesty in exchange for laying down their arms.

We continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of three kidnapped Israeli soldiers. Egypt has led international efforts to secure the release of Corporal Shalit. We have remained in close contact with the Egyptian authorities, as well as the Israel Government and Palestinian Authority, and continue to offer our support. The UK regrets Hezbollah's refusal to provide proof of life of kidnapped soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. We support the UN's ongoing efforts to negotiate their return.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether Tony Blair, as the representative of the quartet, has visited the Middle East; if so, how many times and where; and what input he is expected to have at the international conference to be held at Annapolis, United States, in November. [HL5567]

The right honourable Tony Blair has made three visits to the Middle East since being appointed quartet representative. These include 17 to 26 July: Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Oman, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates; 2 to 14 September: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Jordan; and 8 to 12 October: Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The US has not yet finalised the invitation list or date for the international meeting. But we expect a substantive meeting with concrete results.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many non-violent patients in National Health Service mental hospitals have been there for more than 50 years. [HL5667]

These data are not held centrally in the form requested. Electronic record-keeping began only in the late 1980s and data predating the introduction of these systems cannot be not regarded as reliable.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many people have been charged in connection with the raid on the Northern Bank headquarters in Belfast in 2004; and how much money has been recovered. [HL5505]

One person remains charged with offences connected to the Northern Bank robbery.

Approximately £3 million to £3.5 million has been seized or recovered by An Garda Siochana, with an additional £50,000 linked to the robbery recovered from Newforge Country Club in Belfast.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any understanding has been reached with Sinn Fein concerning investigations into the Northern Bank raid of 2004 or the murder of Robert McCartney in 2005; and, if so, what is that understanding. [HL5531]

No. The Northern Bank Raid of 2004 and the murder of Robert McCartney in 2005 remain under police investigation No individual or organisation in Northern Ireland is immune from investigation where criminal activity is suspected. The police will follow the evidence where it leads them. There is no power for the Government to direct the chief constable or to interfere in operational policing matters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many judicial reviews have been brought against the Northern Ireland Office in each of the past five years. [HL5654]

In each of the past five years the following numbers of judicial reviews have been brought against the Northern Ireland Office:

These figures do not include agencies or NDPBs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How the figures in paragraph D11.9 on page 243 of the Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority are reconciled with the new cost estimates for future decommissioning work published in the authority's latest annual report and accounts for 2006-07. [HL5530]

The Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review included the level of funding for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) for the period April 2008 to March 2011. This funding, combined with commercial income over the same period, will be used to finance the NDA’s work.

The NDA will determine how this funding will be applied to its strategic objectives through a prioritisation process.

The amounts on decommissioning and clean up will reduce the future cost estimates published in the annual report and accounts. The NDA will seek, through efficiency savings, to reduce the nuclear liability. In 2005-06 and 2006-07 the net efficiency after payment of the contractors fees were £124 million and £208 million respectively.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many state visits to the United Kingdom have taken place since January 1997; and, for each visit, what was (a) the name of the visiting head of state; (b) the country they represented; and (c) the dates of the visit; and, in each case, whether and, if so, in what format, the visiting head of state had the opportunity of addressing Parliament.[HL5643]

There have been 17 state visits since 1997. The information is provided in the table below:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many passports were issued from their embassy in Dublin in each of the past five years. [HL5652]

The number of British passports issued by our embassy in Dublin in each of the past five financial years is as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, as reported, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions told the Pensions Action Group that it was “straight daylight robbery” that 125,000 people had lost their pensions; and, if so, why he made this statement. [HL5698]

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has previously made his position clear on this subject and I refer the noble Lord to the Secretary of State's comments on 3 July 2007 (Official Report, col. 901).

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the present cost of paying the means- tested extra pension only to those pensioners who currently receive it; and [HL5737]

What would be the estimated increase in cost if all those eligible for the means-tested extra pension were to be paid it; and [HL5738]

What is the estimated net additional cost, after tax reclaims, of replacing the current means-tested extra pension with a pension to all those currently in receipt of it with a pension of (a) £20 per week, and (b) £30 per week; and [HL5739]

What is the estimated net additional cost, after tax reclaims, of replacing the current means tested extra pension with a pension to all those eligible to receive it with a pension of (a) £20 per week, and (b) £30 per week. [HL5740]

The most recent data available on those eligible to pension credit but not receiving it are for 2005-06. Therefore, all answers relate to 2005-06 data.

Expenditure on pension credit in 2005-06 was £6,426 million.

It is estimated that the extra cost of pension credit, should all those who were eligible claim it, would be between £1,620 million and £2,510 million during 2005-06.

The estimated net saving from replacing pension credit for those currently in receipt with a £20 per week pension is £3,610 million.

The estimated net saving from replacing pension credit for those currently in receipt with a £30 per week pension is £2,200 million.

The estimated net saving from replacing pension credit for all those eligible to receive it with a £20 per week pension is between £1,890 million and £2,450 million.

The estimated net cost of replacing pension credit for those eligible to receive it with a £30 per week pension is between a saving of £600 million and a cost of £370 million.

Notes:

1. All figures are given in nominal terms

2. Pension credit is not subject to income tax

3. Further information on pension credit expenditure is available in the DWP website at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp

4. Estimates relate to 2005-06, the latest date for which data on entitlement are available.

5. The data source for estimates of eligibility is the Family Resources Survey.

6. The estimate of the total amount of benefit left unclaimed is presented as a range within which it can be assumed the true value lies. This range accounts for possible biases inherent in estimates from data that are less than perfect. The range also accounts for the effects of sampling variation (otherwise known as sampling error).

7. Latest estimates of the amounts left unclaimed and the take-up rate of the main income-related benefits: income support, pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and jobseeker’s allowance (income-based) can be found in the DWP publication series entitled: Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up. Copies of the annual reports are held in the Library.

8. Estimates of additional costs have been rounded to the nearest 10 million. Expenditure figures have been rounded to the nearest million.

9. The figures quoted do not account for the extra administrative costs that would be incurred if all those eligible for pension credit were paid it or the savings in administrative costs if pensioners were paid a flat rate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have advertised for non-executive appointments to the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority; and, if so, where. [HL5733]

The non-executive posts of chair and first non-executive director of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority were advertised in the Sunday Times, the Times and on the Cabinet Office public appointments website.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they considered any other candidates as non-executive directors for appointment to the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority before the appointment of Ms Jeannie Drake. [HL5734]

Before the appointment of Ms Jeannie Drake all applicants for the post of non-executive director of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority were considered by a selection panel, which included an Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments independent assessor.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What terms and conditions, including pay, will apply to the chairman and the non-executive directors appointed to the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority. [HL5735]

Terms and conditions for the chairman and non-executive directors of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority are based on the model in the Cabinet Office's Making and Managing Public Appointments—A Guide for Departments.

The chairman of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority will receive remuneration of £150,000 per annum for a time commitment of two days work per week.

The first non-executive director of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority will receive fees of £20,000 for an overall time commitment of 15 days per year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will support the sustainable cocoa chain programme, announced by Cargill and others on 10 October, which intends to help tackle child trafficking in the global cocoa industry. [HL5699]

The Government have not been asked to support this programme. We welcome initiatives from the private sector to ensure the elimination of child trafficking and any form of exploitative labour practice in the global cocoa industry. We encourage co-ordination and co-operation between all those working on this issue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the attempts by the International Cocoa Initiative to combat the use of the worst forms of child labour in cocoa supply chains. [HL5700]

The Government have not made an assessment of the International Cocoa Initiative. This is a programme set up and funded by the cocoa industry to take forward the Cocoa Protocol: a voluntary commitment by the industry to eliminate child labour from cocoa production.

The International Cocoa Initiative has provided updates on its progress through the Cocoa Task Force hosted by the FCO.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they plan to introduce legislation to ensure that all United Kingdom chocolate manufacturers adopt minimum standards of transparency, independent inspections, fairer pricing, and child welfare in their cocoa supply chains. [HL5701]

The Government have no plans to introduce legislation to ensure such standards, as there is no consumer safety dimension. But in their contacts with the industry the Government will encourage chocolate manufacturers to respond voluntarily to the growing public concern about sourcing and standards in their supply chains. The actions of consumers will also help shape manufacturers’ decisions in this regard.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has regular stakeholder meetings with representatives of the food sector, including the confectionery industry.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their estimate of the impact on the rural economy of the current and future rounds of post office closures being undertaken by Post Office Limited. [HL5628]

In developing its area plan proposals for post office closures. Post Office Ltd takes into consideration the impact on the local economy of each community affected. In addition the Government have introduced a range of criteria that guarantee a national level of access to post office services with additional safeguards for those most in need, such as communities in rural and deprived urban areas.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many post offices are due to close in Northern Ireland; and where they are located. [HL5650]

Post Office Limited (POL) is responsible for implementing the post office transformation programme at a local level. It is developing a rolling programme of some 50 local consultations on detailed area plans, based on groups of parliamentary constituencies.

The first area plans went out to local consultation on 2 October this year and will continue to be rolled out at regular intervals until next July, with the whole programme scheduled to take around 15 months to complete. The area plans for Northern Ireland are scheduled to go to public consultation in April 2008. The Government do not have a role in proposals or decisions for individual post offices. The final decisions on which post offices will close will be taken by POL in light of the responses received to the area consultations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the cost of the “People's Post Office” public relations campaign, including the figure for advertising spend. [HL5710]

This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. Alan Cook, the managing director, has been asked to reply direct to the noble Lord.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many times in each of the past four years significant delays have occurred on the east coast main line as a result of problems with the overhead lines between (a) London and Peterborough; (b) Peterborough and Doncaster; (c) Doncaster and Leeds; and (d) Doncaster and Edinburgh. [HL5683]

Train delay data for the rail network as a whole are collected and processed by Network Rail. The noble Lord may wish to contact Network Rail’s chief executive for a response at the following address: Iain Coucher, Chief Executive, Network Rail, 40 Melton Street, London, NW1 2EE.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the level of growth in research and development in the renewable energy sector since 2005. [HL5496]

Research Council, Government and Technology Strategy Board expenditure on renewable energy technologies research and development since 2005 is as follows:

The above figures include support for CO₂ sequestration. In addition, the research councils have supported further research relating to energy in the work of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, which has some £15.6 million funding from research councils over 2000-09, and in the work of the UK Energy Research Centre which commenced operation in 2004, with a budget of £13.9 million for 2004-09.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What items are on the agenda for the European Union/Russia summit on 26 October; and whether they will propose or raise additional items, either formally or informally. [HL5662]

The agenda for the EU-Russia summit covers: the situation in the EU and in Russia; relations under each of the four “Common Spaces” (Economics; Freedom, Security and Justice; External Security; Research, Education and Culture); future perspectives for the EU-Russia relationship (including Russia's World Trade Organisation accession); and regional and international issues.

EU member states prepare for the summit by discussing and agreeing a paper on key outstanding issues in the relationship. This paper forms the basis of issues to be raised by the EU delegation (the presidency, the Council Secretariat and the Commission) and sets out the terms in which they should be raised. The paper is extremely comprehensive, covering almost 40 high level issues, and is updated for each summit. We have been actively involved in discussions on these issues, including on updates to the paper made to reflect developments since the last summit. We are satisfied that the paper effectively covers priorities for the UK.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in light of the conclusion of the Foresight report that obesity is more dangerous than smoking, they plan to introduce a policy to recommend moderate tobacco smoking as an effective appetite suppressant. [HL5661]

Smoking is known to be the principal avoidable cause of premature death, killing 87,000 people in England each year. Over 80 per cent. of deaths from lung cancer are the direct result of smoking. Therefore, the Government have no such plans.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they gave advice to the Ulster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union by the Northern Ireland Office concerning the branch's decision not to fly the union flag or sing the national anthem at the recent international match at Ravenhill in Belfast.[HL5585]

The Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 legislate for flag-flying in Northern Ireland and apply only to government buildings, not to sporting venues. Responsibility for sport is a matter for the devolved administration in Northern Ireland. No such advice was given by the Northern Ireland Office, nor would it have been appropriate for it to be given.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they will take to ensure supply of ammunition to the Sri Lankan navy for use in equipment sold by the United Kingdom, in order to enable effective policing of sea lanes around Sri Lanka by the Sri Lankan navy. [HL5677]

Supplies of military equipment going to Sri Lanka, as with all destinations, would be assessed on a case-by-case basis against our national export licensing criteria and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. We would not issue a licence where there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression or might aggravate existing tensions or conflict in the country of final destination. We acknowledge the need of the Sri Lankan navy to police the sea lanes around Sri Lanka. However, we are concerned about reports of serious human rights violations by the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Sri Lankan navy's failure to take adequate steps to prevent the loss of innocent civilian life. These considerations would have to be factored into any decisions concerning exports of military equipment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any plans for a parliamentary presence at the installation of the new Governor of St Helena on 11 November. [HL5668]

There are no plans for a British parliamentary presence at the inauguration of the new Governor of St Helena on 11 November.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the closing date for submission of bids to build St Helena's airport. [HL5671]

The closing date for submission of bids to design, build and operate an airport in St Helena is 30 November 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their assessment of the level of conflict in the constituent regions of Sudan and the prospects for resolution. [HL5696]

The conflicts in Sudan are becoming increasingly complex. The announcement on 11 October by the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM)—the leading political party in the south of Sudan—to suspend its participation in the government of national unity has the potential to undermine national stability. The foundation for peace and stability throughout Sudan is the comprehensive peace agreement and we remain committed to its implementation.

Although the conflicts in the south and east of Sudan have now formally ended they could still flare up again. We continue to press the Government of Sudan, the SPLM and rebel groups from eastern Sudan to implement the peace agreements they have reached. We also continue to press the Government of Sudan and Darfur rebels to agree an immediate cessation of hostilities and to work towards a lasting peace agreement for Darfur.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In light of the shooting dead on 17 October of three contract truck drivers working for World Food Programme in Darfur, what additional measures can be taken to improve the security and safety of humanitarian aid workers. [HL5675]

We are calling for a full cessation of hostilities to be agreed by all parties at the 27 October political talks in Libya. We have made it clear that any party that breaches this will face tough consequences.

We will use our observer seat on the high level committee that monitors the joint UN-Government of Sudan humanitarian communiqué of 28 March 2007 to press the Government of Sudan to comply with their commitments.

We are pressing for full and rapid deployment of the hybrid UN-African Union peacekeeping force to help improve security in Darfur and allow the humanitarian agencies to undertake their vital work.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their current assessment of the long-term viability of the comprehensive peace agreement in southern Sudan following the decision of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement to withdraw from the government of national unity. [HL5676]

Parties in both the north and south have reaffirmed their commitment to full implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) since the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) withdrew from the government of national unity. However, the SPLM has not yet returned to government. We are urging both sides to enable the SPLM to resume its place and to resume implementation of the CPA as soon as possible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the statement by Lord Davies of Oldham on 15 October (Official Report, col. 523) that the “British corporation tax rate [is] one of the lowest in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Only Germany has as low a rate, at 28 per cent”, what are the corporation tax rates which apply to the following OECD members: Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Switzerland. [HL5642]

The corporation tax rates of the countries concerned are as follows:

I very much regret that I inadvertently stated in the House on 15 October that the reduction in the rate of corporation tax makes the UK's rate one of the lowest in OECD, when I had intended to say that it was the lowest in the G7. As I said in my personal statement to the House on 22 October (Official Report, col. 845), I apologise unreservedly for this error.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the erosion of and consequent damage to the landing area in the harbour on Tristan da Cunha; and whether they have any plans to carry out urgent repairs and improvements to the landing area. [HL5669]

Halcrow Group has recently carried out a site survey and physical modelling of Calshot Harbour, Tristan da Cunha, on behalf of the Department for International Development (DfID). Halcrow Group is due to submit designs and cost estimates for the rehabilitation of the harbour by the end of October 2Q07. DfID will then seek expressions of interest from construction firms to carry out the work.

In addition to the rehabilitation work, Halcrow Group has recommended urgent repairs to the wave wall, dolos slope, fishing quay davit and west breakwater, which cannot wait until the rehabilitation work has been tendered. DfID has instructed Halcrow Group to seek contractors to carry out the emergency repairs as soon as possible.