asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many children are adopted each year in Britain; what percentage are aged under one year; and how these figures compare with other European Union and North American countries. [HL133]

The Department for Children, Schools and Families holds information only on adoptions of looked-after children adopted in England. For the year ending 31 March 2007 (latest figures available) the number of looked-after children adopted and the percentage of looked-after children adopted under one year, is set out in Table A below:

Information on the number of adoption orders made in Britain for all children, including looked-after children, in Britain for the calendar year 2006 (latest figures available), and the percentage of children adopted aged under one year, is set out in Table B below:

Information on the number of adoption orders made in other European Union and North American countries is not collected centrally.

Source

¹ Department for Children, Schools and Families SSDA903

² Office for National Statistics

³ Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)

⁴ General Register Office for Scotland

⁵ Judicial Greffe, States of Jersey

⁶ Registrar Generals Office, Guernsey

⁷ Civil Registry, Isle of Man

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which organisations and projects in the county of Lancashire have received funding from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund since its inception; and how much each received. [HL163]

Details of organisations and projects in the county of Lancashire that have received funding from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund are set out below.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress is being made on the development of an on-the-spot diagnostic test for foot and mouth disease. [HL5]

Research into on-farm diagnostic tests for foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus is ongoing. Defra is a major sponsor of this research, which is investigating a number of test methods.

The research is being conducted in collaboration with commercial companies which are capable of developing the technologies in a miniaturised form that is portable and reliable in the field, as well as producing the complex equipment required at an affordable cost. This equipment must also be robust and able to be disinfected when moved from farm to farm. Progress in this area is being made, but more research is needed in relation to safety, appropriate cost, and the ability to diagnose all strains of the FMD virus. The opportunity has been taken, during the recent FMD outbreak, to contribute to the validation of the lateral flow device; one of the potential on-farm diagnostic methods currently being developed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to improve the quality of legal representation for asylum-seekers following the recent closure of law firms and progressive reduction in specialist legal services. [HL206]

The Legal Services Commission is committed to establishing a smaller, increasingly quality-assured supplier base, remaining sufficient to meet need and is confident there are currently few gaps in supply.

The improvement in the quality of legal advice and representation has been one of the biggest achievements of the Community Legal Service and contracting. The introduction of franchising, the Specialist Quality Mark (SQM), initiatives such as the compulsory Immigration Accreditation Scheme (IAS) and peer review are generally agreed to have raised standards significantly.

In addition, the Legal Services Act, which received Royal Assent on 30 October, makes a new provision in the regulation of immigration advice and services. By 2010, persons regulated by the Law Society, the Bar or the Institute of Legal Executives will be regulated instead by the Legal Services Board (LSB), a single independent regulator. The LSB's objectives include improving access to justice and promoting competition in the legal sector, thereby increasing incentives to improve on quality.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they or the European Union have raised the issues affecting the majority Muslim population of Xinjiang with the Government of China, and, in particular, the issues concerning mosques and refusal to allow pilgrims to travel to Mecca; and whether they will keep these issues on the agenda for human rights dialogue. [HL195]

We have raised human rights issues which affect the Muslim population of Xinjiang, including the management of mosques, permission for Hajji and other aspects of freedom of religious practice, with the Chinese Government. This was a major focus of the EU-China human rights dialogue under the UK presidency in 2005. We have since followed up bilaterally and through the EU. We will continue to urge the Chinese authorities to protect the legitimate rights of all ethnic and religious groups in Xinjiang, in line with international human rights standards, including at the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In relation to the coming into force of Section 68 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, what recent representations they have received from Professor Leon Poller, chairman of the Manchester Dogs' Home, on his concerns regarding the voluntary code of practice and related issues; and what action they will take. [HL34]

Professor Poller has written to Defra, including three recent letters to Ministers, on the working drafts of guidance for local authorities on stray dogs functions and the commencement of Section 68 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. We are grateful to Professor Poller for his helpful representations, all of which have been considered in preparing the guidance.

The final guidance, which has now been issued to local authorities, includes references to the important work of charitable organisations such as the one which Professor Poller represents and the advantages that partnership working can deliver. The guidance is available from the Defra website.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect the publication of the initial proposals for the health check review of the common agricultural policy financial support systems. [HL258]

The European Commission had said it intends to publish a consultative communication about the CAP health check on 20 November 2007. It estimates that legislative proposals will follow in spring 2008, with the aim of reaching political agreement by December 2008.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 27 July (WA 128), whether they are now in a position to give a date for the publication of their response to the consultation document, Convicting Rapists and Protecting Victims—Justice for Victims of Rape. [HL23]

An exact publication date has not been arranged, but we expect to issue this response soon.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 24 July (WA 81), whether the staff voluntary redundancy scheme will be sufficient to meet SR04 targets; whether an element of compulsion may have to be introduced; and, if so, when the department will know that it will be necessary. [HL176]

The current Defra staff voluntary early retirement and voluntary early severance scheme started in August 2007 with last applications in December 2007 or January 2008 depending on levels of uptake and affordability. Defra is currently awaiting decisions on the offers made to the latest tranche of applications. A significant level of acceptance will help Defra towards achieving its SR04 headcount target.

In terms of compulsory redundancies, the need to introduce this measure to reach the SR04 headcount requirements will be kept under review; should the need be confirmed, the normal consultative processes will be followed.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 10 October (WA 18), whether they will remind the police and other emergency services of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 which permit the use of sirens only when an emergency vehicle has to alert other road-users that it is present and responding to an urgent incident. [HL79]

I am confident that the emergency services are fully aware of the legal controls on the use of sirens. Individual police forces and other agencies may issue their own guidance, but subject to the law it is a matter for individual drivers of emergency service vehicles to decide when they need to alert to their presence other drivers and pedestrians or others using the road.

These drivers are well aware that they should use sirens with restraint, so as not to cause a nuisance to other locals.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which European Union countries had implemented the markets in financial instruments directive by the implementation date of 1 November 2007. [HL121]

Information on member states' implementation is collected by the Commission and is available at http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/securities/isd/mifid_implementation _en.htm.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they are making within the European Union to ensure that those countries which have not implemented the markets in financial instruments directive are subject to appropriate penalties for non-compliance. [HL122]

Throughout this process, we have made clear to the Commission our concern over the potential failure of some member states to implement MiFID by the November 2007 deadline. The former Economic Secretary, Ed Balls, wrote to Commissioner McCreevy to urge him to maintain pressure on member states, the present Economic Secretary has discussed it with him personally and the Commission has emphasised its commitment to pursuing infringement proceedings.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they intend to take if one or more countries has not implemented the markets in financial instruments directive by early 2008. [HL123]

It is for the Commission to enforce implementation of directives. We have made clear to the Commission our support for its actions to encourage all member states to implement MiFID as swiftly as possible, and we will continue to do so as appropriate.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ensure that no action is taken against United Kingdom firms which have not achieved full compliance with the markets in financial instruments directive for as long as any other European Union country has not implemented the directive. [HL124]

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is responsible for the enforcement of its rules. The FSA's chairman, Sir Callum McCarthy, has been asked to write to the noble Baroness.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have discussed with the Scottish Executive the implications of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 for Scotland. [HL157]

Her Majesty's Government have discussed the implications of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 with the Scottish Executive. The Scottish Executive are developing consultation work to seek the views of those affected and the agencies and organisations that provide support for them, on the possibility of creating civil legislation in this area. We continue to explore with the Scottish Executive the impact on cross-border cases.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

What was the cost of (a) the work that took place to the main road outside the Palace of Westminster (Abingdon Street/New Palace Yard) during the Summer Recess, and (b) the arrangements made in this area for the State Opening of Parliament. [HL168]

The main road outside the Palace was closed during the Summer Recess to enable Westminster City Council to undertake essential repairs to the road surface. The House Committee took the decision in June that this scheduled road closure should be used as an opportunity to move the Corus barriers further from the Palace as envisaged under Phase 2 of the Corus security programme. Further work was undertaken during the five days immediately after State Opening to replace the temporary installation with the final barriers.

The cost of the surface repair work was met by Westminster City Council. The road layout works and provision of components for the Corus barriers were undertaken by the parliamentary estate at a cost of £835,395. Further costs may arise due to additional requirements such as extra signage. The arrangements made in the area for the State Opening of Parliament, including the removal and reinstatement of the barriers, cost £70,100.

asked the Chairman of Committees:

Further to his Written Answer on 25 October (WA 128), what are the no smoking regulations on the House of Lords Terrace in respect of Peers; and what action is being taken to ensure that these are enforced. [HL128]

Smoking is only permitted on the Terrace within the designated area at the end of the Lords Terrace abutting the Commons Terrace. Steps are being taken to provide a clearer demarcation of the smoking area in line with the decision of the Refreshment Committee on 17 October. Failure of a Member to observe the ban should be brought to the attention of the usual channels for further action.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Under what circumstances they will ratify International Labour Organisation Convention 169 on indigenous and tribal peoples. [HL181]

The UK position with regard to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention 1989 (ILO 169) was set out in a 1989 White Paper (Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries, Command Paper Number: CM 1078). As the White Paper noted, ILO 169 was essentially an update of the 1957 ILO Convention 107. The White Paper explained that Convention 107 could not be applied in the UK as there were no indigenous, tribal or semi-tribal people there, and so had not been ratified by the UK. These same arguments applied to Convention 169 as it did not alter the scope of Convention 107. This position still stands. The UK takes its international law obligations very seriously and as a general rule will sign and ratify an instrument only when we can ensure our full compliance with it and commit to its implementation.

The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. On 13 September 2007, the UK voted in favour of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the UN General Assembly, as we had previously done at the Human Rights Council in June 2006. The adoption of this declaration marks a significant advance for indigenous peoples around the world.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the relationship between the Isle of Man and the European Union; and whether they support direct representation for the electors of the Isle of Man to the European Parliament. [HL24]

The relationship between the Isle of Man and the European Union is defined by Protocol 3 to the UK's Treaty of Accession of 1972 to the then European Economic Community. Under this relationship the Isle of Man is outside the EU. EU treaty provisions and EU law do not apply to the Isle of Man except in relation to the free movement of goods between the island and member states. In addition, the Isle of Man neither contributes to nor benefits from EU funds.

The Isle of Man Government have not and are not seeking to extend the remit of the relationship defined by Protocol 3, under which the Isle of Man has no voting rights in European Parliament elections as the relevant treaty provisions do not apply to the island.

The UK has no plans to extend the franchise for elections to the European Parliament to persons resident in the Isle of Man.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the figures prepared by the Department for Work and Pensions in respect of foreign national workers were prepared in accordance with the code of practice for national statistics. [HL120]

The data source used to answer the Parliamentary Questions on foreign national workers was the Labour Force Survey, which is prepared by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in line with the national statistics code of practice.

The national statistics code of practice requires each department to publish and maintain a statement describing how it applies the standards set out in the protocols. DWP's compliance statement is published on the website at www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/compliance _statement.pdf.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their assessment of the current state of progress of the six-party talks seeking to resolve the dispute with North Korea over its nuclear programme. [HL134]

We are encouraged by the conclusion of the first phase of the Initial Actions Plan agreed by the participants in the six-party talks (6PT) on 13 February 2007, which involved the shutting down and sealing of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) nuclear reactor at Yongbyon. The second phase will be implemented through steps agreed at the 6PT on 3 October. It commits the DPRK to provide, by the end of the year, a complete and correct declaration of all its nuclear programmes and to disable the core nuclear facilities at Yongbyon. We call on the DPRK to meet these and future 6PT obligations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their estimate of personal remittances to and from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and whether it is possible to break this figure down by region. [HL212]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Karen Dunnell, National Statistician and Registrar General, to Lord Lamont of Lerwick, dated 19 November 2007.

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question asking what is the estimate of personal remittances to and from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and whether it is possible to break this figure down by region. (HL 212)

ONS does not publish separate estimates for flows of personal remittances. Estimates of personal remittance flows to and from the United Kingdom are included in the UK Balance of Payments “Pink Book”, table 5.1, within the published series for other receipts of and payments by households and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISH).

There are components produced at a lower level than these published data, which broadly represent cross-border household to household transfers, and are therefore close, in concept, to personal remittances. However these estimates are highly uncertain which is why they are not published separately on a regular basis.

ONS has estimated that remittances comprise at least 75 per cent of the series published in the Pink Book for total payments and receipts by households and NPISH. The estimates for each of the five years are in the table below. However it should be stressed that these estimates are highly uncertain.

I have assumed that when asking about breakdown by region you are referring to a geographical breakdown by the main regions of the world. The ONS does not produce this type of breakdown of personal remittance to and from the United Kingdom.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to Section D12.4 of the 2007 Pre-Budget Report relating to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which assets are to be disposed of and whether the valuation is a target or the total of assets already selected valued at current prices. [HL174]

The estimated total of £52 million of asset disposals over the CSR07 period relates to surplus or under-utilised land and property. The valuation is a target and applies to the wider Defra network, not just to the core department. It should be noted, however, that estimates of future sale proceeds are subject to fluctuations in the property market and cannot be guaranteed.

For reasons of commercial sensitivity it is not possible to itemise each asset currently planned for disposal. However, the largest anticipated sale is that of Defra-owned land and buildings at Guildford, which we expect to account for approximately one-third of the income from asset disposals over the period 2007-08 to 2010-11.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many judicial reviews concerning the holding of life-sentence prisoners beyond their judicial tariffs there have been in the current and previous two years; and what was their outcome. [HL41]

The information is not held centrally by the pre-release section in the National Offender Management Service, nor is it recorded by the Prison Service. The information could be collected only at disproportionate cost by examination of a substantial number of individual case records.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they intend to take before the launch of the Single Euro Payments Area to ensure a workable transition period for small and medium-sized enterprises; and whether they will encourage banks to provide more help in this area to these enterprises. [HL43]

The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) is an industry-led initiative, intended to make cross-border euro payments cheaper and more efficient. Some UK banks intend to offer SEPA-compliant products from 28 January 2008. This may benefit small and medium enterprises which transact business across borders. The Government would expect the banks to communicate information about SEPA to their customers in the usual way.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make representations to the Government of Turkey emphasising the importance of dialogue with the Kurds in Turkey, in particular with Kurdish parliamentarians, concerning Kurdish self-determination within Turkey. [HL118]

While Turkey has made important steps in recent years to improve the rights of minorities, the European Commission's November 2007 annual report on Turkey's progress towards accession emphasises the continued need to address the serious economic and social problems of the south-east, and make further progress on fundamental rights. We endorse this view and continue to encourage the Turkish Government to pursue a comprehensive policy to resolve outstanding issues in the region.

We respect the territorial integrity of Turkey and have no plans to assist the development of regional autonomy for Kurds in eastern Turkey. However, we welcome the opportunities offered by the increased number of Kurdish representatives in the Turkish Parliament, and are urging the Turkish Government to take advantage of the possibilities for dialogue.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the study by Mark Muller and Sharon Linzey, commissioned by the Kurdish Human Rights Project, on the internally displaced Kurds of Turkey; what steps they consider Turkey should take in this matter to ensure full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria; and how they intend to monitor the issues of responsibility, redress and resettlement raised in this paper. [HL142]

The UK regards both this Kurdish Human Rights Project study and the 2006 update report written by Lucy Claridge and Catriona Vine as providing detailed insights into the challenges faced by internally displaced Kurds in Turkey and notes the suggestions for future progress.

The European Court of Human Rights has concluded that the Turkish law on compensation for damage arising from terror provides an adequate means of redress for those internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were forced to evacuate their homes during the 1990s. But it is widely accepted that the broader IDP problem can only be solved in the context of further progress on human rights reform and the socio-economic development of south-eastern Turkey, including the end of terrorist violence and the stabilisation of the security situation.

The November 2007 European Commission annual report on Turkey's progress towards accession made it clear that “Turkey continues to sufficiently fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria”, but also states that “there remains a need for Turkey to address the serious economic and social problems of the South East”. We fully endorse this view and continue to press the Turkish Government to pursue a comprehensive strategy of reforms to resolve outstanding issues in the region. Enhancing fundamental rights and freedoms is an important part of Turkey's EU reform process.

The UK engages with many organisations working to promote human rights reform in Turkey and will continue to work with EU colleagues in support of further progress.